Attorney Exposes Foreclosure Practices Targeting African-Americans
Washington, DC - A lawsuit filed in the Federal District Court of Maryland is asking the Court to address the common foreclosure practices that have undermined the American Dream for African-American families in areas heavily populated by minorities. The action is denouncing the practice of "reverse redlining" whereby mortgage servicers have specifically targeted the African-American community in regard to certain services, practices and policies. The implementation of these acts has caused a substantial increase in the number of foreclosures in the African-American community as compared to non-minority communities.
The mortgage servicer is typically an intermediary who engages in the collection of mortgage debt. Rarely originating the loan, the mortgage servicer is often assigned the loan or purchases the loan from the secondary market.
What is most interesting about the lawsuit is its attempt to draw a distinction between predatory lending and predatory mortgage servicing. Recognizing the inability of minorities to obtain conventional financing, the lawsuit notes that aggressive foreclosure practices innately attaches itself to those individuals and households with sub-prime loans. Sub-prime loans, due to their costliness and high interest rates, are inherently harder to maintain by the homeowners and have become quite common in the African-American community.
Considering the fact that minorities have been the targets of sub-prime loans in years past, it goes without saying they are predisposed to foreclosure when unfair and deceptive trade practices are implemented by the mortgage servicer.
While addressing the predatory lending dilemma garners the attention of the press and legislature, the failure to address predatory mortgage servicing will allow this problem to persist. With the family home often being the largest investment of the vast majority of people, it is time certain protections are in place to prevent mortgage servicers from stealing the African-American dream.
For more information, call William C. Johnson, Jr. at 202-347-8833 or 202-431-2650.

Nearly 10 Million African Americans Seek Emergency Food Assistance Each Year
Chicago, IL - According to Hunger in America 2006, the largest, most-comprehensive study ever conducted on domestic hunger, nearly 10 million African Americans receive emergency food assistance each year. Commissioned by America's Second Harvest Network -The Nation's Food Bank Network of charitable agencies and sponsored by Altria, the study finds that more than 25 million Americans receive emergency food assistance from the America's Second Harvest Network each year.
Of the 25 million people the America's Second Harvest Network serves, 38 percent are African American, 17 percent are Hispanic and 39 percent are white. Yet, according to the U.S. Census, African-Americans make up 11 percent of the population while whites make up 72 percent. These staggering numbers show the disproportionate impact that hunger has on African Americans.
Many of the clients who participated in the face-to-face interviews for Hunger in America 2006 reported having to make difficult choices between food and everyday necessities. More than 40 percent report having to choose between paying for utilities or heating fuel and food; 35 percent had to choose between paying for rent or a mortgage and food; 32 percent report having to choose between paying for medical bills and food.
For more information on Hunger in America 2006, visit www.hunger inamerica.org. For more information on America's Second Harvest, visit www.secondharvest.org.

The Sports Authority Rips The Green Magazine From Its Shelves
New York, NY - The Green Magazine recently learned that the management of the Sports Authority retail stores issued a nationwide directive to destroy all copies of the February/March issues because of customer complaints about the cover image. The issue, which celebrates African American and Women's history, has a cover image of a 1784 sign advertising "Negroes for Sale." An Arizona-based Sports Authority employee, who noticed the magazine because of the email from his superiors, contacted the TGM offices to say that the image was "just rude to be on the cover of a golf magazine." Publisher Rafael Martinez said that the retail chain's reaction reeks of the type of censorship that often functions to silence hard truths about many of the low-points of America's history. Managing Editor Sobukwe Odinga, who wrote the cover story, said, "I'm pleased by the broad array of responses we have received, and I think it is indicative of how timely this debate about race and history really is. The fact that the image alone elicits such a visceral response from the management at Sports Authority is proof that no matter how much we try to deny it, we as a society have not overcome the painful legacy of slavery. Whether it's in the form of longstanding domestic inequalities or new forms of racism directed at vulnerable ethnic groups on an international scale, America has a long way to go in terms of getting beyond its crude fascination with race."
For more information on The Green Magazine visit www.thegreen magazine.com.

America's Most Popular Preacher And Hardest Working Woman In Gospel Come Together For Once In A Lifetime Event     
Chicago, IL - Bishop T.D. Jakes will host Vickie Winans' long-anticipated "Woman to Woman" live recording  event on Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m. (Mother's Day Weekend) at the 10,000 seat House of Hope Church, in Chicago. Her new single from the set, "It's Alright," is currently racing up the Billboard music charts. The project comes on the heels of her recent chart topping, Grammy nominated and Stellar Award winning CD "Bringing it All Together" (featuring the BMI Most played gospel song of 2003 - "Shake Yourself Loose"). Winans will record live, half of the 30-song, double CD at the House of Hope, and the total collection will be released on August 8. All tickets are free and can be picked up at the House of Hope Box Office at 773-371-2300 or by calling April Washington-Essex at 248-253-8890 or visiting www.vickiewinans.com.

The African-American Pavilion Heads To D.C. For 3rd Record-Breaking Year At BookExpo America
National - BookExpo America, one of the largest book trade exhibits in the world, provides independent African American book publishers, self publishers, authors, Black Interest Imprints at major publishing houses, distributors, literary agents, publicists, librarians and bookstore owners exposure to more than 80,000 book buyers and booksellers from across the globe. Organizers of the African American Pavilion at BookExpo America are finalizing plans for the event, to take place at the Washington DC Convention Center, May 19 to 21. Now in its third year, the African American Pavilion at BEA is the marketplace for thousands of African American publishing industry professionals. The exhibit will showcase African American books, authors, products and publishers. Festivities include music, food, and refreshments. For more information visit www.bookexpoamerica.com or www.bibook review.com or read the Black Issues Book Review (March-April 2006 issue).
For exhibiting information, contact Jason Krulewitz at jkrulewitz @reedexpo.com.

Hurston/Wright Foundation Seeks Submissions For Summmer Writing Workshop
Washington, DC - The Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation is accepting applications for its annual Writers' Week summer workshop for Black writers. It is the nation's only multi-genre summer writer's workshop for writers of African descent with a tuition-free component for high school students. The workshop will be held on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C. from July 16 to July 22. To participate, writers must submit an application along with samples of their work by April 21. The week brings together Black writers from the United States, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe, who create a nurturing, safe space to discuss their work. Hurston/ Wright Writers' Week is distinguished by the diversity of the writers it attracts: published, unpublished, college students, high school students, seniors, retirees, professionals -- all chosen to participate in the Week on the strength of their writing. All courses during the week are taught by published authors and include workshops on fiction, memoirs, creative writing, and poetry. Participants may choose from a base tuition of $650 or, for advanced writers, $800. Room and board is available at an additional cost. Qualifying high school students will receive a full scholarship, including room and board.
For more information or to download an application, visit www.hurston -wright.org or call 301-683-2134.

AOL To Show Katrina Documentary
New York - AOL Black Voices has obtained the rights to show the compelling new documentary about the plight of Hurricane Katrina's victims online at www.blackvoices.com after it received critical acclaim at this year's Pan African American Film and Arts Festival and won Best Documentary at the 2006 Houston Black Film Festival. The documentary, called New Orleans: My Home, My Life, My Love, from Ruby Red, Inc., is part of AOL Black Voices' ongoing coverage of one of America's worst natural disasters. The first clip of seven installments is now available for on-demand viewing.
Beyond the documentary, AOL(R) Black Voices each month will develop original articles and photo essays about those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Community involvement will also play a major role in this ongoing special series, allowing people to talk about their issues and concerns that still plague the Gulf Coast region.

Talented Youth Needed For Tydi's American Pre-Teen And Teen Scholarship Competition
New York, NY - Talented Youth Development, Inc. (TYDI) invites all talented youth to join them in Orlando, Florida for the 3rd Annual TYDI's Miss American Scholarship Program from July 6 to 9. This event will be held at the Holiday Inn Universal Hotel where the nation's most talented young ladies ages 8 to 18 will compete in self-expression, poise/presentation, interview, and the performing arts, for college scholarships, trips across the nation, and many other prizes. A non-performing arts category is also available. Three national titles to be awarded include TYDI's American Talented Pre-Teen, Talented Teen, and Teen Princess. Delegates and their families will enjoy a visit to a Walt Disney theme park, welcome luncheon, etiquette and self-esteem workshop, pizza party, and fun production rehearsals. 
To compete, sponsor, volunteer, or for more information, visit
www.TYDI.org or call 313-492-0946.

Black Pantyhose Line Picked Up By Nordstrom - Accents Of Color Pantyhose Have Found Their Way To Nordstrom Shelves
Hapeville, GA - This idea began to take form when Terri Franklin was completely frustrated with looking for the perfect shade in a quality pantyhose. She'd find a great color to match her skin tone, then eventually, it would be discontinued or the quality wouldn't hold up. So, Franklin decided to launch her own brand of hosiery and Accents of Color was born. The line offers seven different shades of brown to compliment various ethnicities and apparel choices. She has recently added some much requested silky sheer control with reinforced toe pantyhose to the collection. Franklin is ecstatic to finally see her brand grace the shelves of a big department store. She knows it's something that women are on a never-ending hunt for and is grateful to see it expand. She is hopeful that more retail stores will realize the quality and variety of Accents of Color and pick it up as well. Accents of Colors can be found at www.accentsofcolor.com.
For information and locations, call Accents of Color at 404-669-0538 or e-mail info@accentsofcolor.com.

DC Area Women's Organization Declares War On Poverty
Greenbelt, MD - With more than 3 million American women and children living in shelters each night, and even more residing in cars and on city streets, the reality of homelessness in America increases each year. For seven years, Sisters4Sisters has committed its efforts to empowering women in mind, body and spirit. S4S provides motivational workshops, seminars, and hugs of love, designed to raise the esteem of shelter residents, many living with the HIV-AIDS virus, drug abuse, low self-esteem and depression. The plight of hurting women in area shelters has lead to a campaign to raise awareness for the need of additional services for women living in poverty. Thus The Harriet Tubman Shelter Project was implemented to assist women and children in area shelters find their way home. To support this effort, Sisters4Sisters is hosting The 2006 Possibilities-Turning your Impossibilities into Realities. Motivational speaker Jewel Diamond Taylor will inspire guests to reach higher in achieving their goals, while restoring a spirit of hope in the hearts of women. The Possibilities will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at The Camelot of Upper Marlboro.
For more information, call Carolyn Washington at 301-552-7470 or visit www.sisters4sisters.com.

National Alliance Of Market Developers Hosts 54th Annual Conference
Philadelphia, PA - Experts in market research, financial services, healthcare marketing, and entertainment marketing will share their success formulas about marketing to the Black consumer. The 2006 National Alliance of Market Developers Annual Conference will run from April 20 to 22 at the Sofitel Hotel in Philadelphia, PA. This year's conference theme is Marketing and the Black Consumer: Keys to a $750 Billion Dollar Economy. On Friday, April 21, five marketing luminaries will receive the prestigious NAMD Marketing Awards at the Sofitel Philadelphia scheduled for 7 p.m. The conference finale, "Soul of Philadelphia Celebration," will be held at The African American Museum in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m.
For more information, call Clyde Allen, at 908-561-4062 or visit
www.namdntl.org.

Web Portal Aids Displaced Louisiana Residents And Businesses
Baton Rouge, LA - Finding information about jobs, affordable housing, reviving a business, voting, and social services for displaced residents, businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations starts with www.LouisianaRebuilds.info. The Louisiana Recovery Authority, in partnership with several national and local organizations, announced the web portal as the "first stop on the way home" for the hundreds of thousands who have been displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The state-of-the-art site features content and links to resources both in the state and around the country and is a one-stop compilation of information related to rebuilding and planning.
Residents without Internet access can call 888-Road2La.