---New York City: African Burial Ground---
The Rites of Ancestral Return, a series of commemorative events, were organized by The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in conjunction with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These events included re-burial ceremonies for the human skeletal remains of over 400 enslaved Africans of the colonial era in the African Burial Ground Memorial Site. "The African Burial Ground represents the important role and major contribution that enslaved African men, women, and children made to the development of the colonies, economy, and culture of America," said Schomburg Center Director Howard Dodson. Events marked the return of the human skeletal remains from Howard University in Washington, D. C., to their final resting place in New York City. Commemorative events were also held in Baltimore, Maryland; Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Newark, New Jersey as the coffins of the last four remains (one adult male, one adult female, one male child, and one female child) pass through these cities in route to New York. The coffins are handmade and produced in Ghana, West Africa. The African Burial Ground Memorial Site is at Duane and Elk Streets. The African Burial Ground was uncovered in 1991 during construction of a federal office building at Broadway and Duane Street. The colonial African Burial Ground is one of the oldest and largest African descendent cemeteries excavated in North America to date. Estimates are that up to 20,000 people of African descent were buried in this 18th Century cemetery.

---United Negro College Fund announces $1 million commitment from Altria Group---The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) announced a $1 million grant from Altria Group, Inc. that will be used for scholarships and operational support to UNCF's 39 member institutions. The announcement was made during a ceremony at UNCF member institution, Benedict College of Columbia, SC, where South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn, UNCF president, William H. Gray, III, and the South Carolina UNCF college presidents applauded the efforts of Altria. Altria Group, Inc., has supported the mission of UNCF for more than 50 years. During the ceremony, UNCF received the second installment of $250,000 as part of a four-year commitment. Altria Group, Inc. is the parent company of Kraft Foods, Philip Morris International and Philip Morris USA. Founded in 1944, the United Negro College Fund is the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization. For more information, send email to rchilds@flowerscomm.com.

---National Black Public Relations Society Annual Conference---
The National Black Public Relations Society Annual Conference (NBPRS) held its annual conference last week in New York City. The conference's 2003 NBPRS Founders Award was given with honor to Michelle Flowers of Chicago's Flowers Communications Group, who heads one of the leading PR firms in the U.S.. The Founders luncheon, moderated by Alicia Evans, the BPRS- NY President and President of Total Image Communications, expertly navigated a discussion about how to "Find Success in a Changing Industry." The discussion centered on the need for the Public Relations industry to further diversify its workforce at all levels as well as throughout industry professional organizations. In the industry, the companies to watch include smaller, diverse, independent Public Relations firms offering new perspectives and multicultural services to the industry. Mosaica (Mosaica.com), the industry's newest diversity resource guide was also announced. Meta J. Mereday, the 2003 NBPRS Conference Chair and NBPRS Vice President/Programs and General Administration, said "The National Black Public Relations Society is moving forward to build on its infrastructure and to increase strategic alliances within and without the industry to increase opportunities for our professional and student members and to advocate for a presence at all levels in the public relations arena."

----FORTUNE's special diversity section: October 13 issue---
Take a look at FORTUNE magazine's October 13 issue, with the special diversity section (The Diversity Factor). Carly Fiorina and Condoleezza Rice are prominently featured on the cover of the magazine. The "Diversity Factor" explores best practices in the field including diverse hiring practices, management training, mentoring programs, and incentive compensation tied to diversity achievements. Also, look in the special section for a brief spotlight on UnityFirst.com and African American Newswire that focuses on multicultural outreach. If you have comments on the special diversity section, or would like to attend a diversity seminar and leadership practices briefing in New York (November 13), send an email to: Jfondon@unityfirst.com.

---Strategic alliance with former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr.---
Hunton & Williams, one of the world's 50 largest law firms, has formed a strategic alliance with former Congressman J.C. Watts Jr. and the J.C. Watts Companies. Together, they will focus on leveraging their combined business and government relations experience to develop opportunities in the areas of trade and investment in Africa, urban revitalization, public finance and higher education. Rep. Watts is chairman of the J.C. Watts Companies, a public relations and business development firm with offices in Washington, DC and Norman, Oklahoma, and serves on the corporate boards of several Fortune 500 companies. Government relations will be a cornerstone of many of Hunton & Williams and J.C. Watts' combined efforts.

---Honoring America's first African-American Owned Marine Railway and Shipyard---The Living Classrooms Foundation, Frederick Douglass IV and Kweisi Mfume, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), unveiled plans for the construction of the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park in Baltimore. The Maritime Park will preserve one of the most historic waterfront properties in Baltimore and create a national cultural center dedicated to African-American maritime history. "The Douglass-Myers Maritime Park will be both a historic tourism site and serve as an education facility for youth," said Douglass. "It is being positioned in the vanguard of initiatives to perpetuate my great-great grandfather's legacy in Maryland, focusing on his dedicated support of African American entrepreneurs, added Douglass." The centerpiece of the facility, a working shipyard, will be reminiscent of The Chesapeake Marine Railway and Dry Dock Company, the first black-owned marine railway and shipyard in the U.S. founded in 1868. The Maritime Park will honor Frederick Douglass, Isaac Myers, and other African-American leaders of the past and present.

---Seminar: "Business Connections for Profitability"--- On November 13, 2003 in New York City, corporations and businesses will gather to get the bottom line on recent diversity and business trends during a leadership seminar, "Business Connections for Profitability." The insights to be presented document the newest 'reality' for diversity and business success across markets, industries and geographies. Attend and learn how to achieve your business goals in a changing economy and diverse marketplace. Also, receive a complimentary copy of Mosaica, the newest diversity, business and public relations reference guide and Fortune Magazine's 2003 diversity special section. Don't miss it…to register, send an email to NYseminar@unityfirst.com or call 800-286-3659. Seating is limited. Ask for early registration discounts.

---Send your news, events and press releases to editors@unityfirst.com! ---

For more information on African American Newswire, a national press release distribution service targeting the diverse press or UnityFirst.com, call 413-734-6444 or send email to editors@unityfirst.com.

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