---From the World Conference Against Racism: Kofi Anann---
Following is an excerpt from the text of remarks made by Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the Global Compact event held in conjunction with the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa: "All too often, the fight against discrimination begins with easy condemnations and ends with vague commitments. The World Conference against Racism seeks to improve on that record. I had the same goal in mind when, more than two years ago, I launched a Global Compact aimed at improving corporate citizenship in the areas of human rights, labour and environment. The Compact is not a regulatory instrument, a legally binding code of conduct or a "safe harbour" allowing companies to sign on without demonstrating real involvement and results. It is a voluntary initiative aimed at embedding the global market in shared values. It is also a learning forum, so that participating companies can show the way for others through enlightened leadership and creative partnerships. Our approach is an open one, of dialogue and transparency, and those are powerful tools. And our partners in the Compact also include not just corporate managers, but labour unions -- who are a central part of business -- and civil society participants. If there is one message I would want to emanate from Durban, it is that all of us must do our part in the struggle against racism. As more and more corporate leaders are saying, discrimination is everybody's business."

---Amnesty International: U.S. must address domestic racism---
As the World Conference Against Racism opens, Amnesty International USA's delegation pledged to press the United States government to combat racism more aggressively at home and to urge participants to reduce racism and the resulting human rights violations it spawns globally." Amnesty International will challenge all governments to stop suggesting that racism is a problem only beyond their borders," said Gerald LeMelle, AIUSA Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy and a delegate to the conference. "Racism exists in virtually every nation in the world and therefore contributes to the denial of human rights to millions of people. To effectively work for a global solution to this problem, nations must first address the issue at home," he said. Daily updates from the Amnesty International delegation in Durban will be available on the Amnesty International USA website beginning August 30 until the end of the conference. In its recent report, Racism and the Administration of Justice, Amnesty International, Amnesty International shows the effects of racism in the United States are particularly acute in the criminal justice system. African Americans and other minorities suffer disproportionate rates of incarceration, accounting for 60 percent of the 1.7 million people currently in jail or prison in the U.S. African American men are imprisoned at more than eight times the rate of white men, and one-third of all young African American men are in jail or prison, on parole, or on probation. African American women are imprisoned at eight times, and Hispanic women at four times, the rate of white women.

---Russ Parr preserves the dream---
Nationally syndicated radio personality Russ Parr is leading a nationwide effort to raise $700,000 in funds needed to complete the restoration of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s former church, which now serves as an historic landmark for visitors from around the world. On Wednesday, September 5, 2001, Parr will dedicate his four-hour program (6am-10am), to making listeners aware of the urgency of raising the money needed to save Ebenezer Baptist Church. Several political officials, clergy members, and national recording artists will be interviewed on Wednesday's program, and will lend their support to the "Preserving the Dream" fundraising mission. Each year, the nationally televised annual King Holiday Ecumenical Service takes place at the original Ebenezer Baptist Church site. In 1999, the National Park Service (NPS) assumed management and responsibility of the 79- year old structure, which now serves as one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the nation. The church became a hard-hat area when NPS began construction and started restoring the church in April of this year. The restoration of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church was stopped midstream on August 17, 2001 when fundraising for the project fell short of goal and available funds were exhausted.

---MBC Network Provides Free Family Programming to Black Colleges---Major Broadcasting Cable Network (MBC Network) headquartered in Atlanta, GA, announced its latest venture in providing free programming to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as part of the network's Education Initiative Program. The network will locally offer its unique brand of programming free of charge to the campuses of the universities that comprise the Atlanta University Center: Clark, Morehouse, Morris Brown and Spelman, on Atlanta Public Television Channel 23. MBC Network is also providing, at no cost, programming to other HBCUs such as Hampton University in Hampton, VA, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL, just to name a few. Major Broadcasting Cable Network, (MBC Network) is America's first minority-owned and operated, 24-hour cable network committed to providing wholesome entertainment for the entire family.

---September Jazz with Patricia Adams in New York---
Treat yourself to a relaxed evening of fine dining and live jazz at Yvonne's Southern Cuisine, 503 Fifth Avenue at Sixth Street, in Pelham, NY on Friday, September 7 and Friday, September 21, from 6:30 to 10:00 pm. Hear the 'not so standard' jazz standards by Duke Ellington, Arlen & Mercer, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday and more by jazz vocalist Patricia Adams. Duo with Jon Weiss on piano. On September 21, also enjoy special guests: Mary Lane, vocalist, and Dr. Aaron Bell on keyboards. Come on out and let the music entertain you while you enjoy the elegant surroundings and the soulful entrees served. Make your reservations (recommended) now by calling (914) 738-2005. FYI, there is plenty of free parking.

---Legacy Awards for Black Writers---
Borders Books and Music and the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation announced the first annual 2002 Legacy Awards to honor the best published fiction and nonfiction books by authors of African descent. Awards will be given to a total of nine recipients in three categories: literary fiction, nonfiction and debut/first fiction. Award recipients will be announced at a ceremony to be held at The National Museum of American History - Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., in September 2002. The Hurston/Wright Foundation was founded by novelist Marita Golden in 1990. The mission of the foundation is to discover, nurture and develop writers of African descent.

---Job Opportunity of the Week: Director of Information Technology Services, Harvard College Library---This key management position initiates plans for development of Library's information technologies and provides leadership to ensure that services and infrastructure support programs meet needs of organization. Manage 13 staff that directly supports 700+ library-networked workstations including key library-wide technology-based programs: Network and Systems Administration, Computer Support Services, the Library's web services, and the development of IT standards for procurement and network management. Provides continuous assessment of and participate in planning for development of IT resources and services. BA required with minimum of 6 yrs. of progressively responsible management experience preferably, in higher education or comparable service-focused computing environment w/demonstrated knowledge and experience with networked computing systems, web architecture, hardware/software applications, servers and telecommunications systems, as well as extensive knowledge of current and emerging computing environments and their interface with program areas. Job Req#11200. For more information, contact: Natasha Williams, Office of Workforce Initiatives/Office of Human Resources via email: Natasha_Williams@harvard.edu, phone: (617)495-5933 or fax: (617)495-4124.

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