---JET magazine interviews  Beyoncé---
 Ten-time Grammy winner Beyoncé Knowles isn’t holding back these days. With the success of her latest hit, Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), and the Oscar buzz surrounding her role as Etta James in Cadillac Records, this talented diva is making bold moves as she unveils her “true” self.  Beyonce says, “Sasha is my alter ego. She is the one who is on stage, fearless and bold. She does the up-tempo songs and the powerful dances,” she said. This issue of Jet hits stands on December 15.

Barbara Lee


Donna Brazile

2009 Diversity Calendar

Jubilee: African American Celebration

Business World Index

---Congresswoman Lee on Darfur ---
 Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer in releasing a report to President-elect Barack Obama outlining their goals and recommendations in working towards peace in Darfur for the 111th Congress. Here is an excerpt from her statement: “It has been over five years since Congress declared that genocide was taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan. With hundreds of thousands killed, deteriorating conditions and no end in sight, we felt it important to release this white paper outlining our recommendations for the incoming administration on addressing this genocide. The U.S. must be leaders in the peace process in Darfur. President-elect Obama has already stated his commitment to addressing the genocide in Darfur and we in Congress are prepared to work diligently with his administration towards a swift resolution to this dire situation.”

---"We Have Come This Far By Faith"---
The leaders of African American churches will commemorate one of the most extraordinary events in American history - the inauguration of the country's first President of African descent - with a gala celebration. The African American Church Inaugural Ball will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 6 pm at the Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, DC. The event is shaping up to be a star-studded affair with representation from the religious, business, arts and entertainment communities. The collective membership of African American Churches, and others, is invited to gather to honor the 44th President-Elect, Barack Obama, and the great history and strength of the African American church and its community. The Ball's theme, "We Have Come This Far By Faith," will be upheld as 25 extraordinary leaders are honored with the "Keepers of the Flame" Award. The recipients are individuals who have an unshakable commitment to our future and an undeniable place in the African American book of history. Confirmed honorees include: Bishop John Hurst Adams, Ms. Donna Brazile, Mr. Robert J. Brown, Dr. Marion Wright Edelman, Bishop Barbara Harris, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Mr. Earl Graves, Sr., The Honorable Alexis Herman, Congressman John Lewis, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Gardner Taylor, Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker, Sr. "We must honor this time in our great history, struggles and strength as well as make a commitment to the future of our community," said Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, II, Inaugural Ball Chair and pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon, NY.

---Get the 2009 Honoring Differences Calendar by Novations Group---
Get the 2009 Honoring Differences calendar by the Novations Group, for your friends, office staff, family members, youth, schools, etc. The Honoring differences Diversity Calendar offers 12 months of comprehensive information on practices, events, holidays and observances for a wide range of cultures. This product is updated yearly and includes hundreds of entries as well as monthly religious, cultural and country-specific indexes. Beautifully illustrated with striking images of real people from diverse backgrounds, the calendar has twice been named “most informative” by the Calendar Marketing Assocaition. Order your calendar today by call (800) 308-2668 or go to www.diversitycalendar.com  Single item orders are welcome and quantity discounts are offered.

---"Jubilee: African American Celebration"---
"Jubilee: African American Celebration," is on view at the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C. through Sept. 20, 2009.  "Jubilee" offers a cross section of nearly 50 traditions and celebrations observed in the African American community from days of slavery to today.  "Jubilee offers just a glimpse at the rich and varied traditions that have sustained the black community and helped shape a uniquely American identity," said Camille Giraud Akeju, museum director. Portia James, supervising curator, added "African American social gatherings developed historically as occasions to eat, dance, share news, trade goods, connect or re-connect with loved ones and, in some cases, plan rebellion or escape, providing respite from slavery and discrimination."