---Check out FORTUNE magazine's special diversity section, "Talking to Diversity Experts: Where do we go from here? found in the September 30 issue"---FORTUNE magazine's Special Diversity section is found in the September 30 issue as well as posted in part at www.UnityFirst.com. The special section, "Talking to Diversity Experts: Where do we go from here?," is FORTUNE's sixth annual special advertising section produced in cooperation with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The section shares individual interviews with senior corporate executives, consultants and researchers, who give their expert opinions about: 1) Current recommended priorities of diversity programming 2) Diversity's continued influence on the bottom line 3) The impact of September 11 on diversity management and 4) Best practices for retaining a diverse workforce in an economic downturn. Given the heightened view of diversity issues since September 11, this special section is invaluable to people of all backgrounds and professions, from diversity practitioners to community- based organizations, who want to more fully understand the ever- increasing multicultural world that we live and work in. If you would like to join the national dialogue about the section's topic --"Where do we go from here?"-- contact Janine Fondon at jfondon@unityfirst.com or call 800-286-3659.

---Liberia: America's stepchild---
The untold story of America's African progeny is presented in LIBERIA: AMERICA'S STEPCHILD, premiering on PBS Thursday, October 10, 2002 at 10pm (check local listings). This dramatic documentary follows the parallel stories of America's relationship with the African republic of Liberia-founded and backed by the American Colonization Society and the US government as a home for freeborn blacks and former slaves-and the settlers' relationship with the indigenous people. Looking through the eyes of Liberian filmmaker Nancee Oku Bright, the film also explores the causes of the turmoil that has ravaged Liberia since 1980. "Today people generally think of Liberia as a disaster, but it was not always so. Liberia was a founding member of the United Nations and one of the key initiators of the Organization of African Unity. It was the only Black republic in the sea of colonial Africa and it made the colonizers very uncomfortable and the Africans very proud," says producer Nancee Oku Bright. For more information, contact, Lisa Cerqueira, WGBH Boston, 617-300-5334, lisa_cerqueira@wgbh.org or Elizabeth Coté, WGBH Boston, 617-300-5336, elizabeth_cote@wgbh.org.

---London, England: Interactive Diversity Xchange (October 24-25, 2002), sponsored by Black MBAs (United Kingdom) ---
The Black MBA Association (United Kingdom) is the first entity of the National Black MBA Association formed outside of the USA. Its primary aim is to help create an environment across Europe that facilitates inclusion of Black and minority ethnic communities. The group will hold its annual event, the "Interactive Diversity Xchange (IDX) in London, England, from October 24 - 25, 2002, to discuss strategies to promote the business case for diversity across Europe and promote Europe's strength as a community of culturally diverse people. IDX will assist organizations in capitalizing on business opportunities and harnessing the under-utilized talent of Europe's Black and minority ethnic communities. With the new UK legislation coming into force in 2003 (Article 13, the first European directive to tackle racial and ethnic discrimination in the workplace and the UK's Race Relations Amendments Act 2002) it is critical that U.S. corporations and European operations fully understand the impending opportunities and implications. For more information, send inquiries to info@blackmbauk.org.

---Black MBAs National Conference: "Bridging the Opportunity Gap"---Over 10,000 people attended the Black MBAs national conference last week. Keynote presentations focused on empowering Black MBAs to seek firm ground in corporations, create business opportunities for themselves or develop their skills in key industries. Here are some principles for success discussed at one session that will be aired over the MBC Network: Noted attorney Willie Gary said, "We must remember that life is not fair. We were promised 40 acres and a mule and it never happened. Regardless of race, we should refuse to be denied. You have to beat the odds, rise above adversity and not make any excuses." Thompson Hospitality President and CEO Warren Thompson agreed, "Every successful business has failures, but don't let failures stop you. You have to be willing to fail in order to be committed to succeed. You have to believe in your success. Racism is here to stay, and you have to make it anyway." Dr. John Maupin, President of Meharry Medical College, emphasized that "Power is the ability to define another person's reality. You need to define your own reality, rather than let other people define you." Willie Gary added, "You have to make your own breaks….own your own business and focus on economic development. In addition, we must hold corporations accountable." Panelists affirmed that the key to raising children to be responsible adults is to let children know about slavery and how Black people still suffer. If they don't know that a problem exists, they will not know how to cope and learn success strategies. Gary also encouraged attendees to gain assets, get access to capital, and own homes. We must move from being consumers to producers. On a final note, Gary said, "We are in this together --- Remember tough times don't last, tough people do."

---Bishop T.D. Jakes shares teachings on how to get the most out of life---Noted preacher and author T.D. Jakes gave an address at the Black MBA conference that was more than inspiring, it was empowering. "Where there is prayer, there is power" said Jakes, who comes from a long line of entrepreneurs who started businesses right after slavery because they wanted control of their own destiny. He explained that there are many things that divide us, but that we must remain united, interact with one another and provide goods and services for ourselves. He emphasized that ""Bridging the gap" will be the fight for life and people will pay a price by making a difference. To get the most out of your life, he shared seven principles:
1- Every great idea, change or reformation begins with one creative, innovative, thinking person who has dared to do something that no one has done before with great passion.
2- The larger the dream, the broader the resources. Small dreams don't stay in the comfort zone. Big dreamers are often criticized. Just learn how to broaden and maximize your resources.
3- Don't lose touch with those who you left behind.
4- Success means you do new things with old stuff.
5- Never give your strength to those things that do not matter. Don't win the argument and lose the war.
6- Celebrate diversity: Your obligation to not be like me, but to be like yourself.
7- Be careful who you surround yourself with.
He emphasizes that before you get to any goal, you must have, "Dirt in your fingernails, sweat down your back, and scratches on legs." Remember that you're just a few generations from slavery, but you are still at a place that your grandparents never dreamed of."

---Cracker Barrel Old Country Store offers $25,000 scholarship through National Black MBA program---Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is honored to announce Araba Ocranas the recipient of a $25,000 scholarship being offered through a donation to the National Black MBA Association. Ocran will be featured in the organization's annual awards program. Cracker Barrel's scholarship recipient has worked very hard to accomplish her goals. Ms. Ocran will soon earn both a Juris Doctor and an MBA. She's just entered her final year of study at Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law and Fisher College of Business. She ranks in the top 10% of her class and is also involved with the Ohio State University Law Journal. Ocran says she is very pleased to accept this scholarship provided by Cracker Barrel. "It's so important for corporations to help education. This support instills in me the importance of helping others." Upon graduation, Ocran says she would like to work on legal issues involving domestic violence against women and children. "Right now many of these women don't know how to leave the abuser. I believe we can do more to help people in these situations." Cracker Barrel recognizes and appreciates the achievements of the NBMBAA.

---Go to www.UnityFirst.com for the following stories---
1)Center of Expertise on Diversity and Growth Markets
2) Southern Poverty Law Center Unveils Youth Activism Program, 'Mix It Up'
3) Seeking powerful films directed or written by women
4) Real Estate development in the U.S. and the changing demographics--

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