---On UnityFirst.com TV: Check out The Souls of Black Girls---
"The Souls of Black Girls”, now available on DVD, is a provocative news documentary written, narrated and produced by Daphne S. Valerius.  "I've been fortunate to have been able to put together a documentary that raises an awareness regarding media images and how they often scar our self-esteem and self-confidence as women of color of every generation in this society," says Valerius. "I'm just excited that the piece is now available to the masses to foster conversations about how media images affect us. There's a healing power in having healthy conversations and I'm excited that The Souls of Black Girls DVD can be used to start and continue that necessary dialogue." The Souls of Black Girls" is a provocative news documentary that examines the relationship between historical and current media images of women of color while the name of the piece derives from the seminal W.E.B. Dubois book The Souls of Black Folks. The film also explores the possibility of whether or not Black women today are suffering from a self-image disorder and features candid interviews with young women discussing their self-image. The documentary features commentary from Rapper Chuck D, actresses Regina King and Jada Pinkett Smith, PBS Washington Week Moderator Gwen Ifill and cultural critic Michaela Angela Davis, among others. Check out the clip on Unityfirst.com TV or go www.soulsofblackgirls.com or www.Amazon.com. 

Al Sharpton

Business World Index

---National Archives: The Emancipation Proclamation on display in February---
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth and the Presidents' Day holiday, the National Archives will display the original Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln. The special display of the Emancipation Proclamation is free and open to the public. The National Archives will also celebrate Black History Month in February with a American Conversation with Henry Louis Gates, book talks, and films. These programs are free and open to the public. They will be held at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., located on Constitution Ave. between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, D.C.

---Al Sharpton on Civil Rights---
The Reverend Al Sharpton recently addressed an audience at 5W Public Relations monthly Speaker Series. With the presidential election over and America's first black President elected, Sharpton's topic was the state of the civil rights movement and the American business opportunity in an Obama Presidency. While acknowledging that a significant glass ceiling has been broken, there is still a way to go. Sharpton called attention to the jobless numbers and poverty in predominantly black communities are still higher than those of white areas: "We've made a lot of progress, but I don't think we should stop until we made all the way." When asked how far he thinks he has moved the Civil Rights movement, he said: "We have made enormous progress..." Yet, he said, "Martin Luther King used to say 'you gotta measure things from the bottom to the top,' so we made a lot of top progress, but the bottom has to be on the same progressive curve as the top. You can't just have Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, but unemployment is double in Harlem and we act like it's not important. That's where the challenges still remain."

---Court ruling upholds Los Angeles Schools' Desegregation Plan---The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) applauds the recent ruling of California's the 2nd District Court of Appeals in California that  requires the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to  continue its efforts to desegregate and integrate its public schools pursuant to an existing court order.The Court's December 19, 2008 decision, in American Civil Rights Foundation v. Los Angeles Unified School District, rejected an attempt by the American Civil Rights Foundation (ACRF), which is led by Ward Connerly, a leading opponent of affirmative action, to block the school district's desegregation efforts. LDF, along with several legal advocacy organizations, represented a multiracial coalition of parents in support of the school system's efforts to provide all students with access to a diverse, quality education. "This ruling is a key victory in the fight to ensure equal access and educational opportunities to all students," said John Payton, LDF President and Director-Counsel. "School integration is a matter of paramount importance for all of society. We are glad that the Los Angeles Unified School District may continue to do what it was charged to do."

---JET: Who’s Hot to Watch in 2009? ---
High-profile figures such as Michelle Obama, Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx and many more have and will continue to pique everyone’s interest. Find out what’s on the horizon for them in ’09?  Also, Take a look back at the headlines that made us cry, cheer and in some instances, stand in awe. JET magazine gives its readers a recap of the year’s most talked-about news events. A picture is worth a thousand words. JET magazine highlights some of the world’s most memorable photos in a year-end gallery. This issue hits stand on December 29.

---Happy New Year on BET---
On Wednesday, December 31, BET's much anticipated NOTARIZED list is finally unveiled. Join hosts Terrence and Rocsi as 106 & PARTY follows the illustrious countdown and rings in 2009 with the party of the year featuring performances by Jasmine Sullivan, Brandy, Ray J, Plies, Brutha, Ace Hood, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones.