---Building a Black united front: World Racism Conference follow-up planned for Barbados; Danny Glover honorary chair of upcoming October summit---A follow up meeting to the United Nations World Conference Against Racism is planned for Oct. 26, 2002 in Bridgetown, Barbados. The "African and African Descendants World Conference Against Racism" is open to all concerned Black people and representatives of nongovernmental organizations, whether they attended last year's UN conference in Durban, South Africa, or not, organizers said. Actor Danny Glover, a human rights advocate, and Durban conference participant, is honorary chairperson of the Barbados conference. It has been almost one year since the United Nations World Conference Against Racism. The conference is remembered as the place where the United States and Israel stormed out of the General Assembly rather than discuss the issues of reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans and controversies concerning the Palestinians," said Dr. Jewel Crawford, chairperson of the conference's Central Organizing Committee. Most importantly, it was the conference where the trans-Atlantic slave trade was finally declared a crime against humanity by 168 nation-states in the General Assembly of the United Nations, said Dr. Crawford. "Since the declaration of the trans-Atlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, the question looming in the minds of many Black people has been: Where do we go from here?" she said. The upcoming Barbados conference, the first post-Durban follow up activity for non-governmental groups, will seek to answer that question. "We have no intention of letting this document of unprecedented historical and political significance, collect dust in a file cabinet," said Dr. Crawford. "People of African descent must comprise the vanguard of leadership focused on ending racism. It is unrealistic to believe the perpetrators of racism and benefactors of economic exploitation will be devoted to Black interests." In Barbados, activists from around the world will be asked to identify and prioritize the most critical challenges for Black people. Endorsers and supporters of the conference Harvard law professor Charles Ogletree; Dr. Raymond Winbush of the Urban Research Institute at Morgan State University; hip hop guru Russell Simmons; 100 Black Men of Atlanta and others. For more information, contact: Dr. Jewell Crawford, 1-866-213-2723.

---Rev. Jackson and Rainbow/PUSH announce The March to Justice on September 13---The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, along with a diverse cross-section of leaders in civil rights, women's issues, immigrants' rights, and labor and workers' rights, announced The March to Justice to protest the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bush Administration's closed-door policies against these important issues. The March to Justice participants will assemble in Washington, D.C., on Friday, September 13, 2002 at 11 a.m. at Freedom Plaza, at Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, N.W., and will begin marching at 12 noon to the U.S. Department of Justice Building at Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street, N.W., for a prayer vigil, and rally. "Since President Bush took office in January, 2001, his administration, led by Attorney General John Ashcroft, has had a closed-door policy on these important issues and has not met with the leading organizations here today to discuss these important issues in detail and face-to-face; nor has he made these important issues a priority with the American people," said Rev. Jackson. "We will have our voices heard on September 13th in Washington, D.C. and we will have all of our votes in America counted on Tuesday, November 5th," Jackson continued.

---Frederick Douglass IV presents Visionary Leadership Award to Dr. Lynne Cheney----Fredrick Douglass, IV, will present the Frederick Douglass Visionary Leadership Award to an outstanding scholar who symbolizes his great-great grandfather's dedication to reading, learning and teaching. Dr. Lynne V. Cheney, a dedicated author and educator, whose most recently published book is entitled "America: a Patriotic Primer" will receive the highly prestigious Frederick Douglass Visionary Leadership Award for Exemplary Authorship and Literary Excellence. It is abundantly clear that Dr. Cheney is personally and professionally in accord with famed Frederick Douglass quote "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." The award will be presented during: the 3rd Annual National Frederick Douglass Freedom Day Observance 6:30 p.m., September 3, 2002 at Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Branch (400 Cathedral Street) Baltimore, Maryland. Cheney, wife of Vice President Richard B. Cheney, was selected to receive the honor for her meritorious endeavors to perpetuate the legacy of Frederick Douglass and her contributions to literacy. Her new book is an informative alphabet book designed for elementary school children and their families. The 3rd Annual National Frederick Douglass Freedom Day Observance commemorates the famed abolitionist's flight from slavery in Baltimore on September 3, 1838.

---Be a winner: Participate in UnityFirst.com's National Frederick Douglass Freedom Month Writing Contest----Frederick Douglass' escape from slavery in Baltimore on September 3, 1838, is being celebrated with a series of activities that focus on enhancing reading and public speaking skills among youths throughout America. Organized by Frederick Douglass' great-great grandson (Frederick Douglass IV), the National Frederick Douglass Freedom Day Observance calls for bringing groups of young people together to read aloud the writings of famous African American authors. In honor of National Frederick Douglass Freedom Month (September), UnityFirst is launching an essay contest for people of all ages to submit a brief (200-400 words) response to the following question: What will Black people need to do in the 21st century to move ahead economically, socially and politically? The deadline is September 13, 2002. Send entries to editors@UnityFirst.com. Winners will receive a copy of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, which is signed by Frederick Douglass IV. The book chronicles the life of Frederick Douglass from being born as a slave through his escape and ultimate evolution as an abolitionist, author, orator, editor, suffragist and confidante to U.S. presidents.

---Boston: 9/11 Tribute and Memorial Service to be held in Roxbury, MA---The City of Boston's Roxbury community and supporting organizations invites the public to attend "Roxbury 9/11 Tribute and Memorial Service" on September 11, 2002 to be held at the William E. Reed auditorium located at 24 Washington St. in the Grove Hall area starting at 7 PM. This spiritual and healing service includes some elected officials, community leaders as speakers on the impact of 9/11 on Boston. It is a time for healing as well as praying for the victims, their families, those that worked for the airlines and the many people that were scheduled to work, but did not go in on the day of the tragedy. "We have to remember that those planes left Boston's Logan Airport and that the resulting tragedy was a moment our hearts will never forget." says Haywood Fennell, organizer of the event and key collaborator for Veterans in the Boston area. For further information on this event, call (617) 238-2460.

---James H. Powell, M.D. honored by National Medical Association----James H. Powell, M.D. was awarded the first "James H. Powell Clinical Research Leadership Award" at the National Medical Association's 2002 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Honolulu Hawaii. This award was created to recognize and honor the outstanding contributions of an African American researcher who has played a key leadership role in all aspects of the clinical research process. Dr. Powell was specifically recognized for his steadfast commitment to educating, training and mentoring current and future minority clinical investigators and the African American community at large. Dr. Powell is Senior Medical Director and Head of the Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics Department at Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. In January 2000, the NMA secured Dr. Powell as an Executive-on-Loan as its Researcher-in-Residence and Director of the Biomedical Education and Research.

---Alabama: Tavis Smiley on Public Radio---
Beginning September 2, 2002, The Tavis Smiley Show from NPR will air Monday-Thursday from 7-8 p.m. on Alabama Public Radio stations WUAL 91.5 FM Tuscaloosa/Birmingham; WQPR 88.7 FM Muscle Shoals/Florence and WAPR 88.3 FM Selma/Montgomery. The Tavis Smiley Show, launched on a few public radio stations in January 2002, is now heard on almost 40 stations, reaching both mainstream and African-American audiences. Smiley is the author of five books. His new book, "Keeping the Faith: Stories of Love, Courage, Healing and Hope for Black America" is due out this month.

---Philadelphia: Response to 'Insults' to Blacks, Hispanics, Asians---In response to the Philadelphia Daily News' ongoing pattern of racially discriminatory and anti-Philadelphia news coverage, a diverse group of civic, religious and business organizations have formed the Coalition for Fair News Coverage and has called for the resignation of Daily News Editor Zachary Stalberg and Managing Editor Ellen Foley. The group is also planning a demonstration on Monday, September 9, at the Daily News' offices at 400 N. Broad Street, here, and is considering a citywide boycott of the newspaper, if significant improvements in the quality, racial/ethnic sensitivity and leadership of the Daily News are not made. Coalition members say that the Daily News has contributed significantly to the lack of racial and civic harmony in Philadelphia, with its ongoing attacks, over the years, on black businesses and on African-American political and community leaders.

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