FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jerome Saintjones, (256) 372-5607

A&M, Environmental Officials Establish First HBCU Center

Huntsville, Ala. —- The signing of a landmark agreement by Alabama A&M University, state and national environmental officials Thursday, January 29, helped to launch the first watershed management center located on a historically black university campus.

AAMU Interim President Beverly Edmond; Jim Giattina, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 Water Management Division Director; Trey Glenn, director, Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM); Dr. Robert W. Taylor, dean, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Dr. Teresa M. Orok, AAMU vice president for institutional research, planning and sponsored programs; and Dr. Teferi Tsegaye, director of the new Center; signed a joint memorandum of understanding to designate AAMU as a Center of Excellence in Watershed Management.

Giattini said the Center designation is “a well-earned” distinction that will be monitored and evaluated for its effectiveness.

ADEM’s Glenn noted that local stakeholders must play a key role in helping to sustain and protect water quality.

Edmond said “those who populate this planet have an awesome responsibility to leave the planet better off than it is today.” Edmond stated that the new Center offers AAMU a unique and great
opportunity to serve because “universities must use their intellectual capital to benefit society.”

Watershed management involves the development and carrying out of plans that protect and improve large-area water drainage that impacts plant, animal and human communities within a massive but defined watershed boundary.

Among the parts of a watershed such centers attempt to study and manage include water supply, water quality, water rights, drainage, storm water runoff, and the overall planning and utilization of watersheds. These centers play a major role in pulling together the key players in watershed management, including landowners, land use agencies, environmental specialists, and many others.

For additional information, contact Dr. Tsegaye at (256) 372-4219.

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Caption: Tsegaye, Taylor, Giattina, Edmond, Orok and Glenn.

THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY FOUNDATION NAMED A 2008 RECIPIENT OF NATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN ACTION AWARD BY W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION

New York, NY (BlackNews.com) – The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has announced The Twenty-First Century Foundation as one of the five 2008 recipients of its prestigious National Leadership in Action Award, recognizing excellent work by nonprofit organizations and philanthropic institutions in communities of color.

New York-based The Twenty-First Century Foundation was selected for its efforts to facilitate strategic giving for black community change, working with donors to invest in institutions and leaders that address challenges within black communities across the country. As a recipient, the organization will receive a $50,000 grant, as well as an original commissioned art piece created by an emerging artist.

“The Foundation has a thirty year history of building and supporting Black community leaders in advocating and organizing for change,” said Erica Hunt, president of The Twenty-First Century Foundation. “Our Hurricane Katrina work in support of the equitable recovery in the Gulf Coast is an example of this and therefore, we’re honored to be recognized for our leadership in increasing the capacity of the Black community to advocate for change.”

The National Leadership in Action Award program recognizes, celebrates, and promotes outstanding philanthropic institutions and nonprofit organizations with innovative approaches to connecting resources of time, money, and know-how for philanthropic work by communities of color. Award winners were peer-nominated and screened by a committee of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders from across the United States.

“We are at an incredible moment in our society as the power of philanthropy continues to accelerate as a result of the innovations these committed organizations offer,” said Anne Mosle, vice president for programs, W.K. Kellogg Foundation. “As the Foundation re-energizes our mission to support the success of vulnerable children, with a strong commitment to racial equity, we hope to see more opportunities to partner with strong organizations such as these to ensure philanthropy achieves its full potential.”

In addition to The Twenty-First Century Foundation, 2008 winners include: Rose Community Foundation (Denver, Colo.), Potlatch Fund (Seattle, Wash.), Native Americans in Philanthropy (Minneapolis, Minn.) and ACCESS (Dearborn, Mich.).

ABOUT THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY FOUNDATION
The Twenty-First Century Foundation (21CF) is an endowed national Black public foundation whose mission is to lead, innovate, and influence giving for Black community change. Working with a national network of private foundations, progressive donors and businesses, 21CF provides strategic capacity building grants to community groups for leadership development, advocacy and organizing. Visionary economist Robert S. Browne founded the Foundation in 1971. Since its inception it has been a responsible steward of funds, a responsive grantmaker for community needs, and a results-oriented partner to donors and grantees that provides critical support for the civil rights advocacy, economic empowerment, and grassroots leadership in the Black community.

ABOUT W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION
Established in 1930, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports children, families, and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Grants are concentrated in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

For more information on the National Leadership in Action Award or the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, visit www.wkkf.org or www.culturesofgiving.org

By www.Business-Grants.com

In a time when banks and credit unions are denying loan applications like never before, many entrepreneurs and business owners are turning to business grants as a dependable source of financial help. However, just like scholarships and other financial aid opportunities – there are tons of scams to beware of.

Here are the top 5 signs of a business grant scam:

1) No Phone Number Listed
If you are on the web site of an organization or government agency that is offering a business grant opportunity, make sure that there is a working phone number listed. If not, it’s probably not a legit opportunity. In addition, there should also be a working email address listed as well.

2) PO Box Address
If the postal address associated with the business grant is a PO Box, this may be a sign of a scam. Be sure to investigate though because some organizations have physical addresses, but want all applications and correspondence to go to a mail box.

3) Fee Required
If a company or organization is asking for your credit card number or requiring you to send a money order with your application, this will almost always be a scam.

Remember though that is very normal for some companies to charge a fee for you to access their grant database. Others will charge a fee to send you a CD-Rom or ebook. This is okay. What is not okay, is you having to pay to apply for an individual business grant opportunity.

4) Poor Web Site Design
If you visit a web site promoting a grant opportunity, and the design looks poor and elementary – it’s likely a scam. Organizations and government agencies that give grants away have professional-looking and well-developed web sites.

5) Sounds Too Good To Be True
If an organization is making far-fetched statements about a grant opportunity, it’s more than likely not legit. For instance, some grant opportunities may say “We can give you $1 million dollars for your business” or “No application is ever denied.” These are claims that indicate a bogus opportunity.

The National Institute of Business Grants (www.Business-Grants.com) provides free tips, advice, and frequently asked questions pertaining to business grants.

AMERICAN AIRLINES INTRODUCES MOBILE BOARDING PASSES AT SELECT AIRPORTS FOR USE WITH MOBILE PHONES OR PDAS

No Need to Print Out and Present Paper Boarding Passes at Security or the Gate; Simply Show Barcode on Mobile Phone or PDA

Available Today in Chicago; Next Week in Los Angeles and Orange County, Calif.

Fort Worth, TX (BlackNews.com) – American Airlines customers departing from select airports today, can choose to receive their boarding passes electronically on their mobile phones or PDAs, saving the time it takes to print out and present a paper boarding pass at the airport.

Mobile boarding passes, which use a two-dimensional (2-D) barcode, are being introduced today for passengers departing on domestic flights from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. On Nov. 17, mobile boarding passes will be offered as an option for customers departing on domestic flights from Los Angeles International (LAX), and John Wayne Orange County (SNA) airports as well.

The mobile boarding pass program is being rolled out in partnership with the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA). If successful in trial cities, it could be extended to additional U.S. airports in the coming months.

To use the mobile boarding pass option — either with the traditional desktop version of AA.com or the mobile version — customers must have an active e-mail address where their boarding pass may be sent and an Internet-enabled mobile device where the 2-D barcode can be received. Additionally, during the introduction of this new feature, customers may list only one person in their reservation, and must be traveling on American or American Eagle nonstop, or same-plane direct to a domestic destination from Chicago, Los Angeles or Orange County. Domestic destinations include those within the 50 United States, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

The mobile boarding pass process is simple: When customers check in for their flight using American’s Web site, AA.com — either the desktop or mobile versions — they have the option to receive their boarding passes on their cell phones or PDAs. If this option is selected, they will get an e-mail with an Internet link to their boarding pass. The mobile boarding pass contains a 2-D barcode that can be scanned at TSA security checkpoints and at American Airlines gates. At the airport, customers simply scan their cell phone or PDA screen when going through Security (proper identification must be presented) and when boarding, just as they would a traditional paper boarding pass.

Customers wishing to check bags can also use the new option by scanning the boarding pass on their cell phone or PDA screen at American Airlines self-service machines, ticket counters, or curbside check-in facilities.

Customers who check in online and wish to print a paper boarding pass are still able to do so. At the end of the online check-in process on AA.com, customers can now choose how they would like to receive their boarding pass by selecting either “Print” (customers can print the pass at that time, or use a self-service check-in machine to print at the airport), “E-mail for Print” (boarding pass is emailed and customers can print at their convenience), or “E-mail for use on Cell Phone or Other Device” (customers receive an electronic boarding pass via email on their cell phone or mobile device, which would then be presented at the airport).

“Mobile boarding via AA.com is the latest way American Airlines is making travel as easy and convenient as possible, especially for our customers on the go,” said Mark DuPont, American’s Vice President — Airport Services Planning. “Customers who choose this option can bypass printing a boarding pass at their home, office or even at the airport to board their plane. They can go straight to Security and then to the aircraft.”

For more information on mobile boarding passes on American Airlines, including instructions on how to use the new system, visit www.aa.com/mobileboarding

American Airlines is a founding member of the global oneworld® Alliance.

About AA.com
With more than 1.6 million site visits per day, AA.com is American’s largest distribution channel and the best place to do business online with the airline, 24-7. At AA.com you can conveniently search for and book low fares and award travel; select seats; make hotel, rental car and cruise reservations; get flight arrival and departure information; sign up for flight status notification and even check in and print boarding passes. You can also manage your AAdvantage account at AA.com, as well as sign up to receive emails from American and get customized DealFinderSM alerts and other special offers. Additionally, customers who purchase tickets at AA.com get a lowest-fare guarantee. AA.com has twice received the World Travel Award for World’s Leading Airline Internet Site and has received multiple site awards from various organizations.

About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® airlines serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American’s award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. American Airlines, American Eagle, the AmericanConnection® airlines, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

AmericanAirlines® We know why you fly®

Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.
The address is http://www.aa.com

FRED HAMMOND AND EMI GOSPEL ANNOUNCE CHRISTMAS PARTNERSHIP, RELEASE FIRST DVD CHRISTMAS…WHO NEEDS IT IN STORES NOVEMBER 25, 2008

Christmas Who Needs It DVD

Nashville, TN (BlackNews.com) – EMI Gospel and Fred Hammond have partnered in order to release the first DVD of Hammond’s Stage play produced by fHammond Family Entertainment, entitled Christmas…Who Needs It.

“This is a faith based ‘dramedy’ that will surely put us all in the Christmas spirit. The inspiration for this play was based on the early Tyler Perry plays and I just took the idea and kicked it up a notch by shooting it in Panasonic HD with Redrock Panavision,” said Fred Hammond, the Producer and Star of the movie. “The timing is divine and it will hopefully enable people to find some joy during these difficult times in which we presently find ourselves as a nation.”

Christmas…Who Needs It will be released by EMI Gospel and will be available in retail outlets on November 25, 2008.

“This movie is uplifting and as a Christian, this is the type of movie I have wanted in the marketplace for years,” says Roy Campbell, Hammond’s business partner and fHammond Family Entertainment Board Chairman.

Christmas…Who Needs It is presently on sale on-line at www.fredhammondlive.com

“There is definitely a marketplace for this play and the agreement with EMI Gospel will only enhance the visibility of Christmas…Who Needs It,” said Christopher Brown, of Brown & Rosen LLC, legal counsel to Fred Hammond. Ken Pennell, President of EMI Gospel also stated “We have great expectations for the film and look forward to a continued relationship with Fred Hammond.”

CONTACT:
Nurisha Liggins
682-557-9201
Nurisha@fhfent.com