---“Faces of America” and "In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil  Rights Movement” with President and Mrs. Obama---
In honor and celebration of Black History Month, February 2010, PBS presents new and encore programs, beginning in January and continuing through February. Beginning February 10 (check local listings), acclaimed Harvard scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. investigates the ancestry of 11 renowned Americans, including poet Elizabeth Alexander, who composed and read the poem at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, and writer Malcolm Gladwell, with FACES OF AMERICA, a new four-part series. See a clip from “Faces of America” by clicking here.  Also,  stay tuned for the Thursday, February 11, 2010, PBS presentation of  IN PERFORMANCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE “A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement,” a concert in the White House East Room.  President and Mrs. Obama will host the event in honor of Black History Month. The program air on February 11 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings). The music special will include Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Seal, Smokey Robinson and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Nancy Pelosi

Caressa Cameron

Sherrie Gilchrist

John Hope Franklin

Business World Index

---Economic Progress---
Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on news that the gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter, the fastest pace the economy has grown in more than six years: "Today's GDP numbers are a sign of economic progress, marking another step forward on the road to recovery and job creation, clear evidence that our efforts to revitalize the economy are starting to pay off. "From the first days of the 111th Congress, we have worked to create and save jobs, help small businesses, restore opportunity and economic security to the middle class, and lay a stronger foundation for the future.  Economists of every stripe agree that our actions helped avert even greater economic catastrophe — from the Recovery Act and Cash for Clunkers to the first-time homebuyer tax credit. Despite today's good news, millions of Americans remain out of work and still struggle to make ends meet.  Moving forward, we will continue to place jobs and our middle class at the center of our agenda — by completing work on initiatives that help small businesses start hiring, invest in infrastructure, create 4 million new jobs with affordable health care, create clean energy jobs, and protect Main Street from the recklessness of Wall Street."

---Congrats to Miss America 2010 - Caressa Cameron---Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron from Fredericksburg, VA was crowned Miss America 2010. Caressa's triumphant walk across the stage was just the beginning of a journey that will take her to every corner of the country during her year of service. She will travel approximately 20,000 miles each month speaking to audiences about her personal platform of "Real Talk: Aids in America," and acting as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network. Caressa is a student at Virginia Commonwealth University with a major in Broadcast Communications. For the talent portion of the competition, Caressa sang "Listen," from the movie, Dreamgirls. Check out this great performance by clicking here.

---National Black Chamber of Commerce 'Legacy Project'---
The National Black Chamber of Commerce(NBCC) launched its new initiative to improve the value of local Black chambers of commerce throughout the United States.   "The economy is in the tank and our communities are suffering", says Chair Sherrie Gilchrist from her office in Tennessee. "We must seize the time and use it wisely by providing technical assistance to our affiliates so that they may better serve their communities and improve the economic status, through business growth and jobs. Thus we have devised this comprehensive approach." There are 140 affiliated chapters of the NBCC. When the National organization was founded in 1993, the US Census Bureau reported 300,000 Black owned businesses doing $33 billion in sales.  Today, the Bureau reports over 1 million Black owned businesses doing more than $88 billion in sales.  That growth is the fastest growing segment of the US economy and the NBCC believes there is a correlation between the two.

----National Archives Celebrates African-American History Month---
The National Archives will celebrate African-American History Month in February with special films, public programs, book talks, and lectures, including a special event on the legacy of John Hope Franklin.  These events are free and open to the public and will be held at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., and at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.  

---Harlem Fine Art Show---
Some of the world's most celebrated African-American artists and the prominent galleries that specialize in Afro-centric works will exhibit their work at the 1st Annual Harlem Fine Art Show, Feb. 20 and 21, 2010.  Bringing a major fine art show to Harlem and destined to become a highlight of Manhattan's annual Black History Month celebrations, the event will be held at Harlem's historic 369th Armory, 2366 Fifth Ave., between 142nd and 143rd Streets.  It will be one of the largest collections of Black art ever assembled, representing more than 60 Black artists -- a potent reminder during Black History Month of the tremendous contribution of Black artists to the global fine arts landscape.