---Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute of the United Negro College Fund releases research trends on African Americans and teaching---The number of bachelor's degrees awarded in education to African Americans increased more than 81 percent in the last decade, according to a new publication released by the Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The publication, "Just the Facts: African American Teachers, Educators for the New Millennium," offers the most current data and information on the number of bachelor's and master's degrees awarded to African Americans in education. The findings show that nearly half of the nation's schools lack minority teachers and many African American students will complete their elementary education without having been taught by a single African American teacher. "If America's youngsters are going to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to be productive citizens in the 21st century, they must be taught by well-trained and highly-skilled instructors," said William H. Gray, III, president and CEO of UNCF. For a summary of the significant research findings reported, go to UnityFirst.com.

---Study documents increased racial disparity in mortgage lending---ACORN has released a study documenting continued racial and income disparities in the mortgage lending market. The report analyzes data on a national scale and in 60 metropolitan areas. The study finds that, in 2000, African American applicants were over twice as likely to be turned down for a conventional mortgage as white applicants, and Latinos were rejected almost one-and-a-half times more often than whites. This disparity is greater than it was in 1999, and in some cities the disparity is even more alarming. During 2000 in Milwaukee and Chicago, for example, African Americans were over four times more likely to be denied for a conventional purchase loan than whites were. Residents of all races in low-income neighborhoods are also three times more likely to be denied than residents of upper-income neighborhoods when applying for a conventional home purchase mortgage. Additional study findings include: (1) The disparity between minority and white denials is present even when comparing applicants of the same income level. (2) Upper income African Americans were turned down almost three times more than upper-income whites -- an increase from 1999, and upper income African Americans were turned down more often than were whites with about half their income when applying for conventional mortgages. (3) The gap between white and minority homeownership rates remains enormous, having barely narrowed to 25.7 percentage points in 2000, just 0.1 percentage point smaller than in 1999. If minority families owned homes at the same rate as whites of a similar age and income, there would be an additional 3.5 million homeowners. ACORN's study analyzes data released by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) about the lending activity of more than 7,800 institutions covered by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). For a copy of the full report, contact David Swanson at 202-547-2500.

---Detroit: International Memorial to the Underground Railroad---The Detroit 300 has announced an International Celebration of Freedom on Saturday, October 20 when Detroit unveils the Gateway to Freedom monument on Hart Plaza's Riverfront Promenade, 10 a.m.-12 noon, featuring Detroit's own Aretha Franklin singing "Amazing Grace." The Canadian city of Windsor dedicates the Tower of Freedom monument at Civic Esplanade, 2-3 p.m. The two companion monuments, collectively called the International Memorial to the Underground Railroad, honor the legacy of liberation the two cities share. The 11-foot tall Detroit monument "Gateway to Freedom" depicts a grouping of eight figures cast in bronze looking across the Detroit River to Windsor. The Canadian monument, "Tower of Freedom," is a 22-foot high tower featuring a bronze Flame of Freedom. This recognition is the first bi-national monument to honor Detroit and Windsor's Underground Railroad History. For more information, call 1-877-DET2001.

---Christian, Jewish and Islamic Leaders to hold Summit in Detroit---In a historic event, Detroit area religious leaders of the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths will convene a summit to share the latest models and best practices of faith-based programs in the Detroit area and beyond. In conjunction with Detroit's tri-centennial birthday celebration, BRIDGES, Detroit's faith-based network is organizing this inter-faith clergy and lay leaders faith-based summit. The Summit will be held Thursday and Friday, October 11-12, 2001 ( 9 am to 5 pm). This summit will commemorate the legacy of Detroit's faith community and launch the new Detroit faith-based fund. For registration information, contact Ms. Brooks-Roye at 313-872-3327, ext. 24.

---Joint Center appoints new vice president for philanthropic partnerships---Eddie N. Williams, president of the Joint Center, today announced the appointment of C. Lynn McNair as vice president for philanthropic partnerships. She will be responsible for the Joint Center's fundraising and public/private partnership efforts. This marks a return to the Joint Center for McNair who previously served as its director and deputy director of development from 1990 to 1995. The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, conducts research and analyses on public policy issues of concern to African Americans and other minorities, promotes their involvement in the governance process, and operates programs that create coalitions within the minority, business, and other diverse communities

---Black church week of prayer for the healing of AIDS---
Churches across the country are gearing up for the 13th annual Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS March 3-9, 2002. The week, organized by The Balm In Gilead, is a national campaign, which mobilizes Black churches to become centers for AIDS education and compassion. Since its inception in 1989, The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS has become the nation's largest AIDS awareness campaign targeting the Black community. In the past, churches recognized the Week by hosting AIDS workshops, distributing information, devoting a sermon or song to those affected and infected by the virus. This year, during the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, Black church leaders at both the national and local level will call for a national health state of emergency regarding AIDS in the Black community. To help churches participate in the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, The Balm In Gilead, beginning in January, will distribute Black Church HIV/AIDS resource kits. Churches are encouraged to call early and register their church for the Week of Prayer and reserve their free information resource kit. For more information about the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS or to receive your church's information resource kit, call The Balm In Gilead at (888) 225-6243.

---Chicago Urban League holds annual dinner, Nov. 3---
Continuing a 40-year tradition of bringing together an impressive cross-section of Chicagoans, the Chicago Urban League will present its 40th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner on Saturday, November 3 at the Hilton Chicago & Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave. Each year the dinner, one of the city's largest and best-attended social events, celebrates the League's dedicated service to its constituents and Chicagoland. Established in 1916, the mission of the Chicago Urban League is to eliminate racial discrimination and segregation and to work for the achievement of equal opportunity and parity for African Americans, other minorities and the poor in every phase of American life. Individual tickets are $350 per person; tables of 10 are priced at $10,000, $5,000 and $3,500. For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, on the Chicago Urban League's 40th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner, call (773) 451-3518.

---Say It Loud---
"Say It Loud! A Celebration Of Black Music In America" recounts the evolution of urban music's most powerful and trend-setting genres through firsthand accounts of those who experienced and created the history, including James Brown, Queen Latifah, T-Boz, Smokey Robinson and George Clinton, covering jazz, blues, gospel, and hip-hop through modern R&B and soul in the five-part documentary series. Part 2, "Pursuing The Dream," premieres Monday, October 8 on VH1 at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT).

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