---Focus: Redlining African American Neighborhoods---
The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), the nation's leading civil rights organization focused on the elimination of housing discrimination, announced that it has filed suit in federal district court against Prudential Insurance Company of America and Prudential Property and Casualty Insurance Company (Prudential) for violations of the federal Fair Housing Act. After three years of unsuccessful efforts to resolve allegations of discrimination at Prudential, NFHA filed suit based on ongoing evidence that Prudential continues to engage in pervasive discriminatory practices and policies that restrict, limit or deny homeowners insurance in predominantly African American, Latino and integrated neighborhoods in the United States. Joining NFHA as plaintiffs in the suit against Prudential are four local fair housing agencies: Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Richmond, VA, Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia, Toledo Fair Housing Center, and Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council. "Despite industry-wide awareness that age and value restrictions violate civil rights laws, Prudential persists in using standards that intentionally hurt homeowners and damage neighborhoods throughout the United States," said Shanna Smith, Executive Director of NFHA. "Since the 1970s, Prudential has been repeatedly put on notice by fair housing and community groups that insurance discrimination is prohibited by the 1968 federal Fair Housing Act. Yet the company continued to apply underwriting standards, policies and practices that illegally deny equal insurance protection." Three African American homeowners with houses in predominantly African American neighborhoods in Toledo, Ohio, have also joined in the litigation. One of these homeowners, Dr. Monica Holiday-Goodman, was denied insurance because her home, built in 1922, had a market value lower than its replacement cost. Prudential implied that Dr. Holiday-Goodman would burn down her home if it were insured by Prudential. A Prudential representative specifically stated that "if you have a home where the replacement cost is $150,000 and the market value is $74,000 ... (then) people could be buying and torching homes all day long and make money on it." Dr. Holiday-Goodman asked Prudential to mail her a quote for the $74,000 market value policy; however, she received nothing. Justina Alsup was a first time homebuyer in April, 1997, when she called Prudential for homeowners insurance coverage. Ms. Alsup was denied insurance because she had "no insurance history." According to a Prudential agent, "Prudential (would) want to see at least two to three years of history (because) they are really picky." Evidence from testing and other investigations conducted by NFHA and the four fair housing center co-plaintiffs confirms that Prudential has implemented, and maintains, discriminatory underwriting guidelines and practices. The lawsuit alleges that Prudential has: (1) Refused to provide insurance quotes in African American neighborhoods and to African American applicants; (2) Failed to return telephone calls to applicants from African American neighborhoods; (3) Referred callers from African American neighborhoods to less desirable state insurance plans or less reputable companies; (4) Quoted higher premiums for inferior policies in African American neighborhoods; (5) Insisted that African Americans, but not whites, provide social security numbers; and (6) Redlined the entire District of Columbia.

---Honoring Kmart---
Kmart Corporation has been named the 2001 recipient of the National Black MBA Association's Silver Torch Award. This distinguished award recognizes the corporation that has made the greatest gains toward promoting equal opportunities that challenge and stimulate qualified minority professionals to prove themselves and advance in strategic positions within their organizations. The honor also commends Kmart's Chairman and CEO Charles C. Conaway for his leadership, vision and commitment to diversity and also seeks to encourage him to continue to build a company that truly represents America. Conaway's leadership, according to NBMBAA officials, is changing the way big business does business with communities of color. "Diversity Enriches" is one of Kmart's core corporate beliefs. This reflects the understanding that attracting and retaining people from many different backgrounds will make Kmart a stronger company and, ultimately, the retailer of choice for a diverse customer base. In August of 2000, Kmart created the Office of Diversity. In 2001 the company appointed its first-ever Chief Diversity Officer, Randy Allen.

----UNCF's Liberty Scholarship---- Laura Bush welcomed the first recipients of the new United Negro College Fund (UNCF) scholarship for children of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to the White House. "The UNCF Liberty Scholarship represents a truly meaningful response to the tragic events of September 11," said Mrs. Bush. "The President and I are both strong supporters of UNCF and the historically black college and university community. We applaud UNCF's efforts to ensure all children of victims will be given an opportunity to continue their education and make positive contributions to our nation." The first three recipients are UNCF students who lost a parent or guardian in the tragedy. Tiffany and Yolanda Smith, freshmen twins at Johnson C. Smith University, lost their father, Leon Smith, Jr., a New York City firefighter, Ladder Company 118, in the World Trade Center attack. Vernessa Richard, a senior at Johnson C. Smith University lost her father, Lt. Vernon Richard, a New York City firefighter, Ladder Company 7, in the World Trade Center attack. Scholarships will be offered to any child, regardless of age, who lost a parent or guardian, as a result of the tragedy. They will be eligible to receive a full scholarship for a college education at one of the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) 39 member colleges and universities.

---National Medical Association Mobilizes Task Force on Bioterrorism---
The National Medical Association (NMA), the nation's oldest and largest association of African-American physicians, announced it is on alert and informing its membership of the appropriate methods for medical diagnosis and treatements pertaining to the current anthrax outbreaks. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NMA is very concerned about the recent postal workers' deaths and the potential medical consequences, including the risk of death, for an unknown number of postal workers and customers exposed to the bacteria. There is concern that those making, what ultimately are life saving decisions for some and life threatening decisions for others, may not be doing so with consistency and equal respect for the lives of all persons. The NMA stressed that all levels of the public healthcare systems and the private healthcare providers, must work together in assuring that all people will have equal access to the same quality healthcare regardless of where they work, live, what they look like, or where they worship.

---Atlanta: Citizens Trust Bank at New Stonecrest Mall--
Citizens Trust Bank announced that it plans to open a full service branch in The Mall At Stonecrest, located at 2929 Turner Hill Road, Lithonia, Ga. The branch is expected to open in December and will offer all financial services currently available at Citizens Trust Bank locations throughout Atlanta. The opening of this branch in The Mall at Stonecrest will bring the total number of Citizens Trust Bank branches in metropolitan Atlanta area to eleven. Citizens Trust Bank also operates one full service branch in Columbus, Ga.

--Saluting Patti Labelle---
For more than four decades, Patti LaBelle has thrilled millions worldwide with her exquisite performances and unique talents in music, television, movies and publishing. Black Entertainment Television (BET) has honored Ms. LaBelle with the bestowing of its 2001 BET Walk of Fame Award The SEVENTH ANNUAL BET WALK OF FAME special, taped October 20 at BET's Washington headquarters, premieres Tuesday, October 30 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. A Walk of Fame Post Show wrap-up telecast will follow at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

---Job Opportunity of the Week---
Associated Grant Makers (AGM)(Boston, MA) seeks a part-time Director for Communications (DFC). BA/BS and a minimum of 3 years in marketing, PR and/or communications is required. Previous nonprofit/philanthropic experience preferred. The DFC will work with staff to develop and produce marketing/communications material. For more information about AGM and to view the job description please visit www.agmconnect.org. AGM proactively seeks multicultural applicants for this and all open positions. Please send cover letter and resume to Associated Grant Makers, 55 Court Street, Suite 520, Boston, MA 02108 Atten: DFC Search.

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