---Telecommunications industry gets an average Grade of 'C' from the NAACP---Doing business with African American-owned media and vendors continues to remain a challenge for the multi-billion dollar telecommunications industry, according to a survey by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). While five of the nation's major telecommunications corporations received a grade of "B" on the NAACP 2002 Telecommunications Industry Report Card, the overall grade for the 10 companies surveyed was a "C." Kweisi Mfume, NAACP president & CEO said: "It is disappointing to see the industry continue to receive the same grades it received on our last telecommunications report card in 1998. These companies continue to do poorly when it comes to advertising and marketing through African American-owned media and vendor development." The industry overall received a grade of "D" for advertising/marketing and a "D-plus" for vendor development. The highest overall grade was a "B" for charitable giving. In this category, six of the companies received an "A," and two received a "B-plus. Two of the companies surveyed, Excel and Qwest, were given an "F" for failure to respond to the survey. "We will continue to urge African American consumers to spend their money with companies that receive high grades on our survey and to not spend money with companies with poor or failing grades," Mfume said. "Despite a decline in growth in the telecom industry and a slowing of the economy, we would hope the industry would be more responsive in the areas of vendor development and minority- owned media." The report card is based on data from the companies that respond to a questionnaire. The 10 telecom companies that were graded this year include long distance carriers, regional bell systems and cellular companies. The NAACP issued grades to the following companies: Bellsouth - B; Verizon - B; AT&T - B; SBC Communications - B; WorldCom - B; Cincinnati Bell - B-; Alltel - B-: Sprint - C-plus; Excel - F; Qwest - F. NAACP Economic Reciprocity Initiative (ERI) was launched in 1996 as a measuring tool to help consumers make informed choices about where to spend and/or invest their dollars. ERI partners include 55 supporting organizations, civil rights groups, fraternities and sororities, black-owned newspapers, and religious organizations; these include Black Enterprise magazine, Blacks in Government, Jack & Jill of America, Inc., the National Bar Association, National Black Media Coalition, National Council of Negro Women, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the National Newspaper Publishers Association. The ERI report card is widely distributed to all NAACP units and members of supporting organizations, civil rights groups, government agencies and other associations to be used as a reference in making informed choices about which telephone services to use.

---Major national banks lag behind in diversity---
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) issued an overall grade of C to the nation's leading banks for their economic diversity practices. The C-rating falls between "needs improvement and poor" on the NAACP 2002 Banking Industry Report Card, an aspect of the Association's Economic Reciprocity Initiative (ERI). Kweisi Mfume, NAACP president & CEO said: "The grades released indicate that the country's multi-billion dollar banking industry needs to become more responsive to African-American consumers. Sweeping improvements must be implemented in the areas of employment and conducting business with black-owned firms as vendors and through marketing and advertising. The days have long gone when merely sponsoring community events or buying a table at a charity dinner is adequate corporate responsibility in terms of opening the doors of opportunity to provide economic equality." The financial institutions were graded in five categories and received an overall grade of A- for community service, B for charitable giving, a C in both employment and advertising/marketing and a D-plus in vendor development. The 11 bank holding companies surveyed include large commercial banks with full-service branch operations and revenues of at least $5 billion. This is the NAACP's second banking report card. The first was issued in 2000. Although Bank of America earned the highest overall grade of a B-, it scored lower this year than in 2000. Two other institutions, Wachovia and JP Morgan & Chase, received an overall B-, which is an improvement over their score of C in 2000. Five banks earned an overall C grade, while three received C-ratings. Mfume said: "This industry's poor grades are a serious indication of the barriers that stymie economic reciprocity within communities of color. It is disappointing that fair access and equal treatment are still not yet a reality within the banking industry." The NAACP strongly urges people of color and supporting organizations to avoid spending and/or investing their dollars with the banks that earned poor or failing grades. The NAACP along with its 55 national co-sponsoring partners will make the report card available to groups and individual consumers on a nationwide basis.

---New York: Circle of Sisters gathering is truly inspirational---
Congrats to New York's 107.5 WBLS-FM and 1190 WLIB-AM for creating Circle of Sisters - an event that unites women of color, and many men as well. This year's 4th Annual event offered many opportunities for women to explore business opportunities, get financial advice and learn more about health, fitness and relationships. Women shared their stories in seminars, visited the vendor booths bearing goods and services from a diverse base of firms, and also attended events with celebrities and authors. Some of the great vendors who participated include the following:
1) Barry L. Fletcher, world-class hair designer and author of the book: Why Are Black Women Losing Their Hair?: The First Complete Guide to Healthy Hair. For books, call 301-336-0604
2) Bea Joyner, author of "Don't Need No Soaps, My Life is Soap Enough" For a book, call 215-871-0937.
3) NV magazine, go to www.NVmagazine.com
4) Elton Tucker, the artist who created the Circle of Sisters logo, "Sisterhood:
5) C&B Books who presented the African American authors book fair
6) BlackeventsCentral.com, your internet source for event information for the African American community. Stay tuned for more information regarding a strategic relationship with UnityFirst.com.
7) Right On Magazine's Cynthia Horner
8) NubianHeritage.com which offers bath salts, lotions and scrubs
9) Purr-Fect Engravers, to personalize gifts
10) www.blackexpressions.com , for getting connected through books
11) The KIP Business Report, for leaders of the new urban economy
12) Terrie Williams' Stay Strong Foundation
13) Career Expert Network, for coaching and resumes
14) www.pathfinderstravel.com , the travel magazine for people of color
15) Black Issues Book Review
16) Here I Yam, sweet potato desserts
17) Cathy Howse, Ultra Black Hair products and hair growth solutions
18) Tangemayo, specializing in crystal and beaded head wear
19) Stix Furs, Inc., Harlem, USA
20) Zelda Robinson, Professional Women's EmPOWERment Network
21) Natural Hair Design, Nu Loc & Chop Inc Hair Spa
22) Nina's Nuances, Inc, interior design and consulting
23) Kunta Kenta Kitchen Curtains, African print window treatments

---Motown Records issues $10,000 challenge to HBCUs---
Historically Black Colleges and Universities' marching bands are known for high-stepping, high-energy and soulful performances. In recognition of this beloved tradition, Motown Records CEO/President, Kedar Massenburg announces the first-ever record company sponsored $10,000 marching band contest for HBCU bands. The unprecedented promotion began on September 5th and is scheduled to end December 6th. The competition is part of a marketing initiative to promote the eagerly anticipated new album from Motown's sexy R&B trio 702. The album, entitled STAR, is scheduled to drop on Tuesday, December 10th nationwide. The winning school's band will be selected by December 13th and will be awarded $10,000 cash as well as an on-campus appearance by the singing group 702. To qualify for the contest, participating HBCU marching bands must perform an original arrangement of "Star" - the first single and title track from the new 702 album - during the school's Homecoming half-time show performance.

---Incarceration of African Americans in Chicago---
Chicago-area policymakers, employment and training providers and foundations will convene for an incisive and timely conference to examine the shocking disparity between Illinois' high commitment to incarceration and its low commitment to helping ex-prisoners re-enter society -- especially the job market. Titled "The Costs of Mass Incarceration and Ex-Offenders' Struggle for Employment in Chicago and Illinois: A Fall Conference," the multi-session symposium will be held on Monday, October 28 at the Chicago Urban League, 4510 S. Michigan Ave. from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. During the conference, an important eight-part study by the Chicago Urban League will be presented. It details never-before-released findings on the dramatically elevated significance the criminal justice system plays in perpetuating and deepening poverty in the African American community and the consequential lack of economic development.

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