---Carol’s Daughter to be recognized by The National Minority Supplier Development Council---The National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (NMSDC) recently announced its 2008 Regional Minority Supplier of the Year recipients. The 16 outstanding minority-owned businesses, selected from a group of 75 nominees from across the country represent a cross-section of industries ranging from architecture, beauty products, cleaning/painting, construction, energy and fine art to food services, general contracting, IT consulting and solutions, staffing and transportation/logistics. "These regional winners are among the nation's best suppliers, period," said NMSDC President Harriet R. Michel. NMSDC will present awards to each regional winner on Wednesday, October 29, at the 2008 NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Fair in Las Vegas, Nevada. Carol’s Daughter, an African American-owned manufacturer, retailer and wholesaler of fragrances for the home as well as beauty and grooming products for women and men, will also be recognized. Lisa Price is the founder and managing partner of Carol's Daughter. The company, which was established in 1993, had $15.5 million in sales in 2007. Projected sales for 2008 are $27 million. Dillard's, Macy's and Sephora are major customers of Carol's Daughter. The firm also supports other minority businesses, spending $900,000 with MBEs in 2007. The projected spend with MBEs in 2008 is $1.2 million.

Fritzi Woods

Dr. Lloyd C. Elam

Business World Index

---Fritzi Woods featured on the Michael Baisden Show---
Fritzi G. Woods, the chief executive of one of the largest privately-owned companies in the state of Texas, will share the secrets of her success on "American Airlines Living Your Dream," a radio series which airs each month on The Michael Baisden Show. In May 2003, Woods was appointed President and CEO of Primesource Foodservice Equipment, Inc., a multi-million dollar firm specializing in quick-service restaurant chains. A year later, Woods purchased a majority stake in the company, becoming one of just a handful of women in the United States to head up a major industrial services firm. With annual revenues of nearly $100 million, Primesource Foodservice Equipment is the 10th largest distributor in the industry, as well as the 37th largest black-owned industrial services firm in the country. "American Airlines Living Your Dream" is a collaboration with The Michael Baisden Show, which is broadcast weekdays, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. EDT, on ABC Radio Networks.

---JET magazine features Jennifer Hudson---
In the current JET magazine, actress and singer Jennifer Hudson  dismisses rumors and talks about new fiancé, upcoming movie and first CD. It’s no surprise that Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson says she’s “never been happier” these days. The recently engaged 27-year-old shared exclusive details with Jet magazine about how her fiancé, Harvard-educated attorney David Otunga, popped the question and what he asked her mother. “He proposed and gave me a ring,” said Hudson of the 5-carat Neil Lane platinum ring, while refuting gossip that her engagement is a publicity stunt. “It was very romantic; he’s a very unique, different individual. I am happy.” But the good news doesn’t stop there. Armed with a debut CD and a starring role in the soon-to-be released movie, "The Secret Life of Bees," Hudson says she’s especially excited about the film’s message. “It’s a film about togetherness and sisterhood," she says. At the hardest times, those women came together and showed what we could do if we all just come together.” 

---Meharry Medical College mourns the loss of sixth President Lloyd C. Elam, M.D.--- Meharry Medical College legend and giant -- Dr. Lloyd C. Elam, the distinguished sixth President of Meharry passed away on the morning of October 4, 2008 while traveling in Mississippi. Dr. Elam will be sorely missed. His personal commitment and contributions to Meharry Medical College are legendary. “I considered Dr. Elam to be one of my most recent mentors who welcomed me warmly and supported me upon my arrival to Meharry Medical College,” said Wayne J. Riley, M.D., MBA, MPH, FACP, President and CEO of Meharry Medical College. “He was a personal friend whose kind and gentle nature and engaging personality led me to seek his advice and counsel frequently.” Dr. Elam served the college over 25 years as faculty member, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, Interim Dean of the School of Medicine, Distinguished Service Professor and Chancellor as well as the 6th President of Meharry Medical College. He assumed the Meharry Presidency at the impressive age of 39. Dr. Elam held several important board appointments and memberships including serving on the Board of Directors of Merck, Bellsouth, and was active in the National Medical Association, the Black Psychiatrists of America as well as 100 Black Men of Nashville.  In 1973, Elam was presented an honorary Doctor of Laws from Harvard University.

---Meharry Medical College holds first conference to address health disparities among women of color---Meharry Medical College, a leader in eliminating health disparities through education, research and patient care, will present a four-day conference on October 16 – 19, 2008 to address the significant health disparities in HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and obesity among women of color. Officially called the “Sisters Partnering All-together “SPA” Health Conference 2008: Destination Wellness,” the event represents a collaboration between Meharry Medical College and Heart and Soul Magazine, a source of health and fitness information for African-American women.  The conference will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. “SPA Health Conference is for all women . . . we are our sister’s keeper,” says Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D., Senior Vice President for Health Affairs, Dean of the School of Medicine and Executive Director of the Center for Women’s Health Research (CWHR) at Meharry Medical College. “There is a lot of great information about health disparities, but not a lot of discussion about change," says Dr. Montgomery Rice. “This conference will give women the opportunity to empower themselves and their community and make positive changes.”  The workshops and presentations will be hosted by Meharry Medical College physicians and will feature appearances by former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, Bishop Vashti McKenzie and spiritual life counselor and author Iyanla Vanzant.
 
---Wealth in Black America---
Young affluent Blacks are more worried about wealth preservation than their older counterparts, according to "Wealth in Black America," Northern Trust's first annual survey of affluent Black households in the United States, including African-Americans and Blacks of other origins. Three in four Generations X & Y wealthy respondents (ages 18-42) said they are concerned about preserving their wealth, while less than half of respondents in the Boomer and Silent Generations (ages 43 and above) shared this concern. "In this first survey, we found that the younger respondents are generally more concerned about what will happen to their wealth," said Shundrawn Thomas, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Strategy for Northern Trust. "Many individuals at this phase of their life are in the 'sandwich generation' -- they are simultaneously caring for children as well as aging parents. Trends such as rapidly rising health care and education costs in concert with longer life spans exacerbate their concerns. They want to ensure that their wealth can provide for family needs." Generations X & Y respondents are also more worried about how their wealth will impact their children and future generations. Approximately 80 percent said they are concerned with ensuring the next generation of family members will lead productive, meaningful lives amidst affluence, and that they will pass on family values. In contrast, less than half (47 percent) of Boomer and Silent Generations respondents are concerned about how their heirs will use their affluence and 37 percent worry about upholding values.