---Remembering Althea Gibson---
Althea Gibson, the first African American to win Wimbledon and the U.S. national title, recently passed away. She was 76. Gibson was the first African American to compete in the U.S. championships, in 1950, and at Wimbledon, in 1951. She won both Wimbledon and the U.S. championships in 1957 and 1958, the French Open in 1956, and three doubles titles at Wimbledon (1956-58).

---Companies face loss of experienced workers---The retirement of massive numbers of experienced workers throughout this decade and beyond is likely to create widespread skills shortages in many companies, The Conference Board notes. The report is based on a survey of 150 human resources officers, recent Conference Board meetings with business executives and ongoing Conference Board research. It finds that the impending retirement of 77 million baby boomers -- the largest generation in American history -- could wreak havoc in the large number of firms that do not have action plans to stem this retirement tidal wave. The Conference Board report shows that while companies devote significant time and money to find replacements for outgoing CEOs and other top officers, they are expending far less resources to groom successors for highly-skilled professionals and making sure that invaluable knowledge is passed on to younger workers.

---Take your business to the next level with "Business Connections for Profitability"--- Do you want to connect with key diverse businesses, potential customers and/or corporations? 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 event aims to help attendees create new business and relationships that count. The insights to be presented document the newest 'reality' for diversity and business success across markets, industries and geographies. Attend and receive a complimentary copy of Mosaica, the newest diversity, business and public relations directory 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.

---Don't miss Mosaica, a national diversity resource guide---Mosaica is the newly launched business to business, national directory for diversity professionals, and cultural communicators (public relations, advertising, marketing professionals and agencies) and other supporting industry resources (diversity/HR practitioners, journalists, corporations, diverse businesses, and cultural/professional groups). The closing deadline to place advertisements in the directory is October 15, 2003. For more information send an email to: jfondon@unityfirst.com or call 800-286-3659.

---National Black Public Relations Society Annual Conference---The National Black Public Relations Society Annual Conference (NBPRS) and Career Fair will be October 2 -5, 2003 at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in New York City. The program theme is "Public Relations: Technology Driven, Technology Focused." The 2003 NBPRS Founders Award recipient is Michelle Flowers. For more information or to register, send an email to: Meta J. Mereday, NBPRS Vice President, Programs and General Administration and 2003 NBPRS National Conference Co-Chair: email: meemee12@msn.com or call (516) 867-6992.

----FORTUNE's special diversity section: October 13 issue---FORTUNE magazine and UnityFirst.com/African American Newswire will partner to distribute FORTUNE's special diversity section, "The Diversity Factor," found in the magazine's October 13, 2003 issue. The "Diversity Factor" will explore best practices in the field including diverse hiring practices, management training, mentoring programs, and incentive compensation tied to diversity achievements. Through company profiles, it will feature the strategies many U.S. companies are using to run successful diversity programs in their organizations. Don't miss it!

---African American Republicans---
The Republican National Committee (RNC) recently participated in a two-day summit sponsored by the New Black Leadership Coalition. Over 50 African American elected officials from across the country met with representatives from the RNC, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the House Republican Conference. The discussions centered on increasing the number of elected officials from the African American community. The New Black Leadership Coalition honored Senator Edward Brook, the first African American elected to the United States Senate. Senator Brook, a political pioneer, paved the way for other blacks to run for political office under the Republican banner.

---Black Enterprise Publisher Earl G. Graves Sr.---BLACK ENTERPRISE was among the first companies to be inducted into the newly established Small Business Administration (SBA) Hall of Fame along with a virtual "who's who" of the country's most successful businesses including Intel, Hewlett Packard, FedEx, Winnebago, and Staples. Founder and Publisher Earl G. Graves Sr. launched BLACK ENTERPRISE in 1970 with the assistance of a $175,000 SBA guaranteed loan. Over 30 years later, Graves' company, Earl G. Graves Ltd., has evolved into a full-fledged media and finance company, touching the lives of millions of people through a newly launched radio report, the Internet, venture capital, and of course, the magazine, which boasts 475,000 subscribers and a total readership of 4 million.

---Financial Times launches Asia edition---
The Financial Times launched a new edition for Asia, both in print and online. The new English-language edition will boost the circulation of the global business newspaper and will incorporate increased coverage of Asian business, financial and political news, comment and analysis.

---U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce---
The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host its 24th Annual National Convention and Business/Youth Career Expo on October 1-4, 2003, at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. The theme of the convention is "Maximizing Performance for Economic Success" and its Honorary Chair is Jim Padilla, Executive Vice President of Ford Motor Company and Ray Arvizu as the convention host chair.

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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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