---Cities share ideas about ending racism in new book---
"Ensuring Race Equality," a new publication to help city leaders implement programs to eradicate racism, has been released by the National League of Cities (NLC). The publication is a product of NLC's Campaign to Promote Racial Equality, which was established by Wichita Mayor Bob Knight in March of 2000. More than 500 cities have participated in the campaign by holding events, educating the public, working with state municipal leagues, and sharing information. This publication is a compilation of cities' efforts and lessons learned. "Our efforts cannot succeed until there is both awareness and determination to take action, individually, collectively and above all sincerely, deep from within," said Wichita Mayor Bob Knight. "This publication shows that city leaders are willing to take the steps needed to begin the process necessary to heal our communities." The book highlights approaches cities of all sizes have taken to promote racial justice and equality in their own communities and offers advice from one city official to another based on experience in implementing programs. One example described in the guidebook is an Orlando, Fla. program called "Build an Inclusive Community Institute," a six-day program that helps participants examine their own attitudes and behaviors. Through group discussions, case studies and interactive exercises, participants learn how to effect community change by facilitating discussions and situations while developing a network of individuals concerned with institutional change. "Changing attitudes and predispositions does not happen suddenly," said Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood. "It takes time and persistence and must have the support of top management." In Longview, Washington, the chief of police has opened a direct line of communication with minority groups through the creation of advisory boards called the Police Advisory Councils. The police chief meets regularly with four multicultural advisory panels to explore issues of particular concern, such as racial profiling and redlining, with African Americans, Asians, Hispanics and American Indians. "We've had a problem in this country for too long," said Charles Lyons, selectman from Arlington, Mass., and second vice president of NLC. "Our society segregates people along racial and economic lines. If we're truly going to solve the problems for the 21st century, dealing with the racism is the place to start. "The guidebook also describes how to work with youth on race issues, obstacles and opportunities for promoting race equality, and resources for cities. For more information or to obtain a copy, contact John Pionke of the National League of Cities (NLC),202-626-3051.

---Aetna honors African American physicians working to close the health care gap---
At a reception recently held at the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York Aetna honored the contributions of leading African American physicians working to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care. The evening's featured speakers included: Ambassador Andrew Young, Jr., the Honorable Charles B. Rangel, (D-N.Y.), Earl G. Graves, publisher, Black Enterprise magazine, Merville C. Marshall, M.D., president, Endocrine Institute, and John W. Rowe, M.D., chairman, president and CEO of Aetna along with master of ceremonies, Dr. Ian K. Smith, medical correspondent for NBC News and author of "The Take Control Diet." The occasion marked the 21st consecutive year that Aetna has recognized the achievements of African Americans in the fields of business, government, science, medicine, and the arts.

---Pennsylvania Health Secretary releases first-ever report on minority health care----
Building on the Schweiker Administration's commitment to healthier communities, Health Secretary Robert S. Zimmerman Jr. released the department's "Special Report on the Health Status of Minorities in Pennsylvania," the state's first-ever systematic review and analysis of the health status of minority populations in Pennsylvania and the higher rate of disease that affects them. Secretary Zimmerman, joined by members of the Minority Health Task Force, also announced grants totaling $1.5 million for six community-health organizations to begin addressing minority health disparities across the Commonwealth.Secretary Zimmerman noted that even though medical science and public-health practices have worked together to create significant increases in the life spans of Americans, not all Americans share equally in these benefits. Even today, racial, ethnic and linguistic minorities are more likely to experience greater incidents of health problems than whites. Some of the report's findings include: 1) Recognition that, in matters of minority health, "one size does not fit all." There are often distinct differences among various minority groups and communities that must be taken into account in the development of local health improvement strategies; 2) Significant disparities in health status between the white population and African-American, Latino and Asian populations were documented to exist in every category reviewed in the report: communicable disease, chronic disease, family health, violence and injury, environmental health, and service-delivery systems; 3) The infant mortality rate for black infants in Pennsylvania was three times greater than white infants. 4) The percentage of African-American and Latino women who did not receive prenatal care in the first three months of their pregnancy was more than twice the number of white women. 5) The homicide death rate for African-Americans in Pennsylvania was nearly 11 times that for white Pennsylvanians. 6) The homicide death rate for Latinos was more than five times that of whites.

---Chef, B. Smith challenges Americans to cook their way to lower cholesterol---World-renowned chef B. Smith announced the Take Control(R) Heart-Healthy Recipe Challenge, inviting Americans to transform their favorite recipes into cholesterol-lowering meals. The contest will be judged on heart-healthiness, taste, appearance, originality, use of Take Control Spread (either Regular or Light), and convenience/simplicity. The grand-prize winner will receive a 4-day trip to one of the healthiest states in the union, Hawaii, the Islands of Aloha, and will stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa, on Waikiki's best beach. Nineteen runners-up will receive B. Smith's book B. Smith's Entertaining and Cooking for Friends. For each recipe entered, Take Control will make a donation of up to $10,000 total, to the American Heart Association. All entries must be submitted by September 20, 2002. To enter the contest, the recipe must be submitted by mail to Take Control Recipe Challenge, c/o M Booth & Associates, P.O. Box 1945, New York, NY 10156-1945.

---Wells Fargo's Latino Business Services Program---
Wells Fargo & Company, the nation's leading provider of small business loans, announced the latest lending numbers for their Latino Business Services Program. With a lending goal increased in 1999 to $3 billion over 10 years to Latino-owned small businesses, Wells Fargo is on pace to achieve 115 percent of their lending objective. As of Q4 2001, Wells Fargo's Latino-Owned Business Program reached nearly $1.5 billion. In so doing, Wells Fargo has achieved nearly 50 percent of its goal in a period of only 17 quarters since Q4 1997. "Our lending numbers are a testament to both the strength and promise of Latino-owned businesses and the success of Wells Fargo's Latino Business Services program," said Tim Rios, vice president, Community Development Group for Wells Fargo and National Spokesperson for the Latino Business Services Program. Since the inception of Latino Business Services program in 1997, Wells Fargo has provided loans to more than 43,000 Latino-owned businesses nationwide. Wells Fargo also has established three other programs for small business owners -- the Women's Business Services program in 1995, the African American Business Services program in 1998 and most recently, the Asian American Business Services program in February of this year.

---Kodak Names Essie Calhoun Director of Multicultural Marketing---Eastman Kodak Company announced that Essie L. Calhoun has been named Director of Multicultural Marketing, a worldwide post dedicated to generating more business among the rising population of seniors, people with disabilities, and those of varied sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds.

---Job Opportunity of the Week---
Financial Analyst-Boston Bank of Commerce is looking for a Financial Analyst. Candidates must have a B.S. degree in accounting/finance with 5 years of related exp. Responsibilities including preparation of various financial reports; conduct research analyses to provide management with financial/statistical data; reconcile Federal Reserve account activity. Knowledge of HNC and OSI software, Fedwire processing and related terminology a plus. Qualified applicants should send a resume to: Boston Bank of Commerce, Attn: A. Dennis, 133 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 or email: adennis@bboc.com.

Loan Administrator-Boston Bank of Commerce, the premier African- and Caribbean-American centered Bank in the country, is seeking a Loan Administrator. Candidates must have 5-7 years of banking experience in lending/credit functions with a strong knowledge of OSI or similar on-line bank processing system as well as loan accounting and reconcilement experience. A member of our team will need strong customer service interpersonal and problem-solving skills with ability to resolve customer issues in a timely manner. Qualified applicants should send a resume to: Boston Bank of Commerce, Attn: A. Dennis, 133 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110 or email: adennis@bboc.com. No agency calls please!

Citizen Schools - a high growth education/non-profit seeks amazing volunteers and staff for our program based positions including: Teaching Fellowship --a two-year professional development program for individuals with great leadership potential interested in gaining outstanding training and frontline experience as out-of-school time educators and community organizers. Candidates fluent in both English and Spanish, and/or Haitian Creole are strongly encouraged to apply. Position Begins June 28th. Teaching Associate Fall 2002-Spring 2003 (Part- Time) - Experience working with young adults required, experience teaching or tutoring preferred. Program operates daily from 1-6 with a slightly earlier or later start time at a few campuses. Compensation is $10 per hour in the first semester. Minimum High School Diploma or equivalency required. College experience desired. Teaching Fellowship candidates will have a Bachelors Degree, relevant experience working with children; writing and data analysis skills; interest in education and community building. For more information visit www.citizenschools.org . Resumes can be e-mailed to gailsidney@citizenschools.org or faxed to 617-695-2367. For more information contact Gail Sidney at 617-695-2300 x144.

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