---UnityFirst.com Interview:  Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former personal assistant Fonzworth Bentley talks about his new book, “Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence and Style to Get Ahead”---To hear the interview, go to UnityFirst.com and click on the book cover. In the interview with Janine Fondon on UnityFirst.com, Fonzworth Bentley tells it like it is when it comes to positioning yourself for success via the refinement of your etiquette. Bentley’s ‘reality check’ etiquette book of style is for 21st century men and women -- from the hip-hop generation to the upward bound professionals and even entrepreneurs -- who want to find greater success. The book, is truly one of the best books for anyone, and especially young people, who are trying to pull themselves together -- from acceptable cell phone use to learning how to tie a necktie or  how much make-up to wear. If you don’t need this book, give it to someone who does ---- Many people are taking new jobs and/or interacting with people from various countries or communities and they need this information to make sure they are making a great impression -- with manners that match their confidence and style. For the interview, go to UnityFirst.com TV(Audio).

Sen. Barack Obama

Melanie Brown

Ne-Yo(on left)

Irene Cara

Business World Index

---Senator Barack Obama at Howard University Convocation----
Here is an excerpt from Senator Barack Obama’s remarks during the Howard University's Convocation:  “It’s a privilege to be a part of this convocation and an honor to receive this degree from Howard.  There are few other universities that have played so central a role in breaking down yesterday’s barriers and inching this country closer to the ideals we see inscribed on the monuments throughout this city. It was Howard that sent the first African-American to the United States Senate.  It was Howard that graduated the first African-American to become governor and the first to become mayor of the largest city in the country.  It was here, within the halls of this campus, where Thurgood Marshall huddled with the brilliant minds of his day to craft the arguments in Brown v. Board that ignited a movement that changed the world.  And it is because of these victories that a Black man named Barack Obama can stand before you today as a candidate for President of the United States of America. But I am not just running to make history.  I’m running because I believe that together, we can change history’s course.  It’s not enough just to look back in wonder of how far we’ve come – I want us to look ahead with a fierce urgency at how far we have left to go.  I believe it’s time for this generation to make its own mark – to write our own chapter in the American story. After all, those who came before us did not strike a blow against injustice only so that we would allow injustice to fester in our time. Thurgood Marshall did not argue Brown so that we would accept a country where too many African-American men end up in prison because we’d rather spend more to jail a 25-year-old than to educate a five-year-old.  Dr. King did not take us to the mountaintop so that we would allow a terrible storm to ravage those who were stranded in the valley; he would not have expected that it would take a breach in our levees to reveal a breach in our compassion; that it would take a hurricane to reveal the hungry God asks us to feed; the sick He asks us to care for; the least of these He commands us to treat as our own. … And I am certain that nine children did not walk through the doors of a school in Little Rock so that our children would have to see nooses hanging at a school in Louisiana. We have more work to do."

---U.S.News & World Report ranks Historically Black Colleges and Universities---
Spelman College, Howard University, and Hampton University top the list of U.S.News & World Report's first annual ranking of the nation's HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). The publication will be available on newsstands beginning Monday, October 1, in the magazine issue dated October 8. The 2008 edition of "America's Best Black Colleges" marks the first time U.S.News & World Report has released a stand-alone ranking of  HBCUs, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. These schools have been -- and will continue to be -- ranked within their appropriate categories in U.S. News's annual "Best Colleges" issue, published annually in August.

---Predominantly Black Catholic Schools slated to be closed in D.C. ---
Here is an excerpt from the statement made by the Black Catholics United: “The Archdiocese of Washington has proposed that eight Catholics schools, all predominantly African American, be turned into public charter schools or closed. Black Catholics United is a newly formed organization committed to finding ways to keep the schools open as Catholics schools so they can continue to provide a quality Catholic education to Black children. The organization, as well as other Catholic activists, is protesting that the Archdiocese has put closing the schools on a fast track and given the parishes and parents almost no time to formulate plans to keep the schools open. The Archdiocese has also done little to assist parishes seeking to keep their Catholic schools.”

---Jet Magazine catches up with Spice Girl Melanie Brown---
Jet Magazine recently interviewed Melanie Brown, aka Scary Spice of the 90s pop group the Spice Girls. Brown recently gave birth to Angel Iris Murphy Brown, the daughter of comedian/actor Eddie Murphy. "I have nothing bad to say about him-for the guy that he was when I was with him," Brown says of Murphy. "He was nice. Really nice. Since I've left I don't know that person so I can't comment on that, said Brown."  Despite all the recent drama, Brown says that she is "very happy" at this stage of her life.  One of the reasons for her happiness is her recent marriage to movie producer Stephen Belafonte. She said,   "You know how someone makes themselves a better person every time you see them? That's him. I have complete respect for someone that can take the best bits out of the crap bits and make it all blossom." In December, Brown will hit the road for an 11-concert world reunion tour with the Spice Girls.

---Ne-Yo and to host benefit concert Atlanta’s Grady Health System---
 Ne-Yo and his Compound Foundation team began the first phase of putting together a benefit concert for Grady Memorial Hospital by touring the facility to get a first hand account of why the hospital is so vital to the city, the communities it serves and the medical students it trains. During a recent hospital tour, Ne-Yo was greeted by staff and directors who explained their units and the struggles they face without funds.  The artist was emotionally moved as he walked through the Neo Natal Unit, the Georgia Cancer Center of Excellence and the Emergency Care Center (the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the city) offering hugs and words of encouragement. Ne-Yo is excited about pulling everyone together and making a difference in his new home city.

---From India to Brooklyn: Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary---Cinematic works by more than 30 women filmmakers from India to Brooklyn were among the impressive offerings at the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. Academy Award-winning songwriter/actress Irene Cara received a special award, as well as filmmaker Susan Robeson, co-founder of Third World Newsreel, and arts promoter Kojo Ade. The theme of this year’s festival, which marks its 10th anniversary, is “From Mammies to Action Heroines: A Celebration of Sistas in Cinema, Art & Politics.” The Brooklyn Campus’s Media Arts Department and African Voices magazine are co-sponsored the four-day festival. Congratulations to African Voices on its 10 year anniversary. We wish you continued success.