GD eNews | Vol. 3, No. 7 | April 16, 2004

The Institute: The Future of Business in
North Carolina
Durham, NC — The North Carolina Institute for Minority Economic Development (NCIMED) held its 2004 Executive Networking Conference (ENC) March 18-20, at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, NC. This year’s conference theme, “Building Meaningful Business Relationships,” was well attended by national, state and local corporate leaders. The event was co-sponsored by the Carolinas Minority Supplier Council. [FULL_TEXT]

Police Shootings of Unarmed Blacks
Cause for Concern
In Georgia, New York and Florida, unarmed black men have been killed by police in the last few months. Prosecutors have resisted bringing charges against police officers; and, in the Florida case a grand jury ruled that the shooting was justified.
Criminal justice experts said the slayings suggest a pattern that should arouse alarm, yet the incidents signal few new trends — just more of the same. [FULL_TEXT]

Racial Profiling Ban Makes Way through Congress
WASHINGTON, DC — The nation’s first federal racial profiling provision that would require every state to establish anti-profiling laws in order to receive certain federal transportation funds has been passed by the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives, but must now get Senate approval. [FULL_TEXT]

Don’t Skip College for Financial Reasons; Companies and Organizations Can Help
Oak Brook, IL (HISPANIC PR WIRE) — In my job as a McDonald’s owner/operator, I meet a lot of bright, energetic students who work at my restaurants while attending high school. It’s risky to make generalizations, but I find that today’s students are more enterprising and resourceful than ever before. I’m continually impressed that they are working so hard to secure their future, as well as the future of their families, and I applaud them for their determination. [FULL_TEXT]

Diversity Report Card Jeb Bush Gets Failing Grade in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, FL (NNPA) — Carrying on a tradition voiced by former Gov. Lawton Chiles, Gov. Jeb Bush said he wanted his administration to reflect Florida’s population. As it did Chiles’ administration, The Outlook has on a yearly basis published its national award-winning Diversity Report Card that grades individual state agencies based on the percentage of black employees who occupy senior management services positions compared to the 14.6 percent of blacks in the state’s general population. [FULL_TEXT]

Repeal Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Phillip Gaines was six when his mother was given a 20-year prison sentence. He worked tirelessly for her release, writing letters and bravely telling his story. Phillip's hard work is an inspiration to children everywhere.
The Issue: The American justice system traditionally permits judges to weigh all the facts of a case when determining an offender’s sentence. But in the 1970s, and 1980s, the U.S. Congress and many state legislatures passed laws that force judges to give fixed prison terms to those convicted of specific crimes, most often drug offenses. Lawmakers believed these harsh, inflexible sentencing laws would catch those at the top of the drug trade and deter others from entering it. [FULL_TEXT]

African American Youth Most Interested in Studying Business in College
JA/Diversity Pipeline Alliance GMAC Poll
Colorado Springs, Co — A new poll of 1,214 youths between the ages of 8 and 18 shows that more than a quarter (28 percent) of young blacks plan to study business in college, considerably more than young whites (8 percent) or Hispanics (1 percent). The next subject favored by black youths was Pre-Law/History/Economics (17 percent), which also was favored more than Hispanics (14 percent) or whites (6 percent). Harris Interactive conducted the poll in January 2004 for Junior Achievement, and The Diversity Pipeline Alliance®. [FULL_TEXT]

THE UNDERSTANDING CREDIT SERIES
WHAT IS CREDIT REPAIR?
By Attorney Peter Grear -- Generally, “Credit Repair” is the process that consumers use to improve their credit profiles by improving, removing and in certain situations adding information to their credit records at the three major credit-reporting agencies. TransUnion, Experian, & Equifax. Credit counseling is an avenue of credit repair as is bankruptcy, the least desirable legal method and in most instances the vehicle of last resort. [FULL_TEXT]

Our Sponsors: We feature companies who have demonstrated a commitment to greater diversity in their communities and employment practices. The below companies, by listing their jobs with GD, are expanding the equal opportunity umbrella for minorities and women. Discover the power of greater diversity, contact us about adding your company to Diversity Profiles! [LEARN_MORE]

NBFEA.com Endorser Comments
Renounce and Denounce the N-word Resolution
Please help all of us stop the use of this word in public schools.
(online at http://www.NBFEA.com)