GD eNews | Vol. 3, No. 14 | July 31, 2004

Achievement Gap Drives Racial Inequity in the United States
“Education should be about education -- not politics, privilege, position geography, zip code, or class.” U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige

In his memorable book, entitled Good to Great, business development expert Jim Collins has some words of wisdom. He found that, if a company is to make the leap from good to great, one of the most important imperatives is to confront the brutal facts, and yet never lose faith. [FULL_TEXT]

Job Applicants Not Informed of Their Rights under Federal Credit Law
According to the FTC’s complaint, Las Vegas-based Imperial Palace, Inc. (d/b/a Imperial Palace Casino) and Biloxi-based Imperial Palace of Mississippi, Inc., ask job applicants to sign a release form authorizing the defendants to obtain the applicants’ credit reports, then review each credit report and use a “Background Form” to rate the applicant as either “Poor,” “Fair,” or “Good.” Based on this rating, the applicant then is recommended as “Favorable” or “Unfavorable.” The FTC alleges that, in many cases, the defendants’ decision not to hire a particular applicant was based wholly or partly on information contained in his or her credit report – the FCRA defines this practice as “adverse action” against the applicant.
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African American Female Entrepreneur Refuses to Sell Out
After attending a Historically Black College, entrepreneur Fatima Sokera became inspired to launch FBB, Inc and created the revolutionary hair product TAKE DOWN®. The product helps detangle hair and aids in the fast and easy removal of braids, weaves, bonding glue and dreadlocks. “TAKE DOWN® is more than just a hair product on the shelf — we are a revolution, a hair ministry; a solution to preserving and maintaining our natural hair,” she comments, “This company was created with a divine purpose and mission; and this foreign company was just not the proper group for us.” [FULL_TEXT]



Barack Obama:
The Background and Commitment to Make a Difference
Barack Obama has spent a lifetime fighting effectively to empower working families and the poor as community organizer, civil rights attorney and a leader in the Illinois Senate. He has brought new ideas and approaches in pursuit of traditional Democratic ideals to make a real difference for people - from better schools to affordable health care to criminal justice reform. [FULL_TEXT]

Underemployment Increase
Greatest Sustained Job Loss Since the Great Depression

After a few months of healthy job growth, employment grew by just 112,000 jobs in June 2004. The employment growth that began in September 2003 has not been vigorous enough to reduce unemployment, which has remained at 5.6% since January 2004, the same rate as when the recovery began in November 2001 and far higher than the 4.2% level when the recession began in March 2001. [FULL_TEXT]

Free To The Public:
Home Ownership & Predatory Lending WORKSHOP
What everyone should know about avoiding predatory lenders that harm people and communities • Finding responsible community banking and borrowing options that help build communities • Understanding credit counseling and credit repair [MORE]

Our Sponsors: We feature companies who have demonstrated a commitment to greater diversity in their communities and employment practices -- companies who 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]

Consumer Ed. Sponsors:
-Cape Fear Regional CDC www.cfrcdc.org
-The NC Institute of Minority Economic Development www.ncimed.com
-The Wilmington Housing Authority www.wha.net
-Custom Credit Repair www.customcreditrepair.com