WASHINGTON, D.C. — In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., The Black Unity Family, a diverse, nonpartisan coalition of groups and individuals co-convened by Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner and Melanie L. Campbell, released the following “Letter to Fellow Americans.”

DES MOINES, Iowa — As part of ongoing efforts to motivate young people to engage in the political process, the League of Young Voters Education Fund (LYVEF) recently teamed up with the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s (NCBCP) Black Youth Vote! (BYV!) for an innovative civic participation training at North High School in Des Moines, IA.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — March Purpose: To bring national and statewide support to Charleston resident Megan Williams, the Williams Family, and victims of other hate crimes nationwide. Black Lawyers For Justice, the Williams Family and organizers are demanding that Federal Hate Crimes charges as well as State hate crime charges be brought in the Williams’ case.

LOGAN, W.Va. — Black Lawyers For Justice President, Malik Shabazz, Esq., today announced they will organize and advocate for Federal Hate Crime Charges to be brought against the 6 Defendants in the Megan Williams Kidnap and Torture Case, on behalf of the family. On September 12, 2007 six white residents of Logan County were arrested and charged.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Malik Shabazz, Esq., Attorney and leader of the New Black Panther Party for Self Defense, announced today that members of the New Black Panther Party will begin patrolling the streets of Jena, Louisiana this week to protect the Jena 6 families and Black Jena residents against open and imminent alleged threats from Ku Klux Klan and other White supremacist advocating violence.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Approximately 25% of Americans are Black or Latino. In our nation’s professional orchestras however, Blacks and Latinos combined comprise approximately 4% of the musicians. On September 25, The Sphinx Organization, the non-profit organization dedicated to building diversity in classical music, will present the all Black and Latino Sphinx Chamber Orchestra and Harlem Quartet at Carnegie Hall.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Oracle Group announces the launch of “In the Cafe with Mocha” an exciting new literary television show celebrating African American authors. The show streams via Internet and local television programming in the Washington DC area beginning September 2007.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a bold new book, “If God is So Good, Why are Blacks Doing So Bad?” (LifeBridge Books, ISBN 978-0-9786581-7-5), author James Dixon, II, believes the African-American race is an endangered species and issues an urgent call to business, government, education, entertainment and the church to address the problem.

CINNAMINSON, N.J. — For Jerome Williams the directive was clear: with the “the changing face of America,” and knowledge of the economic potential of America’s largest new “minority” - the Latino population - there was no other choice but to put his skill and know-how to work, and to recruit others knowledgeable about the hair care industry, to create the nation’s first hair care franchise serving both African Americans and Latinos.

JAMESTOWN, Va. — Black Lawyers For Justice (BLFJ) announces news conference Mon. May 7th, 5pm. Rally organizers to file lawsuit in Federal court for 1st amendment demonstration rights to oppose Jamestown’s 400th Anniversary.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — “Lord Help Us” is a new urban inspirational romantic comedy written, directed and edited by former child actor, Shavar Ross, who played “Dudley,” Gary Coleman’s best friend for six seasons on the hit 1980’s show “Diff’rent Strokes,” and produced by Tri-Seven Entertainment.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Recognizing the need for another effective medium, H. Lewis Smith, author of “Bury that Sucka” (ISBN: 1413792693), is the founder of a new non-profit organization, United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc. The organization pledges and holds true “to not use the n-word as they strive toward cultural integrity and mutual respect for all Americans.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Blacks for Economic Security Today (BEST) have released two television advertisements designed by black voters to reach black people. The two ads blast Maryland Senate Candidate Ben Cardin and Tennessee Senate Candidate Harold Ford as bad news for black voters. The ad calls out Cardin for his dismal voting record for blacks as well as his taking for granted the black vote in Maryland.

MATTESON, Ill. — For the first time in five years and just five days before the upcoming mid-term election, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus (ILBC) will host a state-wide conference in hopes of engaging community activists, religious and business leaders and concerned citizens on a wide variety of issues. The two-day summit will take place Thursday and Friday, November 2 - 3, 2006 at the Matteson Holiday Inn located in south suburban Matteson Illinois.