WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release: "Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art," a traveling exhibition that tells the story of the beautiful coiled basket, will be on view at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art from June 23 through Nov. 28. "Grass Roots" demonstrates the enduring contribution of African people and culture to American life in the southeastern United States. The exhibit features about 200 objects, includi  more

NEW YORK, April 22 -- The American Civil Liberties Union issued the following news release: The American Civil Liberties Union marks the passing of Dorothy Height, civil rights leader and tireless social justice advocate, who passed away Tuesday in Washington, D.C. The following can be attributed to Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU: "With the passing of Dorothy Height, we have lost one of the truly great advocates for social justice. As someone forced to confront the st  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release: The Smithsonian Associates presents an evening with actor Louis Gossett Jr. Saturday, May 22, at 7 p.m. in the Smithsonian's S. Dillon Ripley Center at 1100 Jefferson Drive S.W. Gossett will reflect on his career and the challenges he faced as an African American actor in the 1950s and 1960s with Dwight Blocker Bowers, curator of Music, Sports and Entertainment at the National Museum of American History. Fi  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The National Railroad Passenger Corp. (Amtrak) issued the following news release: Just in time for the World Cup, Amtrak and its multicultural advertising agency IMAGES USA have produced a soccer-themed television commercial that showcases the unique benefits of train travel while increasing brand awareness and consideration among Hispanic consumers. The "Soccer Ball" ad was deliberate in its theme and timing - the 2010 World Cup kicks off on June 11 in South Africa  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following speech from Attorney General Holder: Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to be here and a privilege to join so many members and leaders of the Vassar community. I want to thank you all - especially President [Cappy] Hill - for inviting me to participate in this week of reflection and discussion about the power and importance of public service. Let me also thank my good friend, Judge Richard Roberts, for welcoming m  more

YUMA, Ariz., April 22 -- Arizona Western College issued the following news release: Arizona Western College is pleased to announce the Lenard D. Moore Poetry Reading and the Announcement of the 3rd Annual AWC Poetry Contest Winners that will take place on Wednesday, May 5th at 6:30 pm at the Yuma County Public Library (Main).The College is honored to have Mr. Moore here in Yuma and would like to invite the community to attend this free event. In addition, he will be giving a free poetry works  more

GULFPORT, Miss., April 21 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release: Biloxi, Miss.-based Preston Hood Chevrolet has agreed to pay a total of $120,000 to settle two employment discrimination lawsuits, one for sexual harassment and one for race harassment, filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. In the sexual harassment case (SD MS Civil Action No. 1:08-CV-1266), the EEOC charged that during 2006 and  more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release: Representatives of the President's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) met in Chicago today with community stakeholders to discuss national, state and local elements of the banking and housing crisis. The meeting was the first of a series of Fair Lending Forums, and task force representatives in attendance included members from the Department of Justice, the Department of Housing and Urban Dev  more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., April 21 -- Florida State University issued the following news release: Even before she and the Urban Bush Women served as diplomats of dance this spring on a U.S. State Department-sponsored cultural-exchange tour of South America, renowned choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar wore many hats. Make that dancing shoes. Zollar is the founder and artistic director of Urban Bush Women, a Brooklyn-based African-American performance ensemble with a contemporary focus on history  more

ST. LOUIS, Mo., April 22 -- The University of Missouri at St. Louis issued the following news release: The University of Missouri-St. Louis ranks number one among public research institutions for closing its graduation rate gap for minority students. In the same study, UMSL ranks fifth among 25 institutions in its improvement of minority graduation rates. The findings are contained in two briefs, "Top Gap Closers" and "Top Gainers" released recently by the Access to Success Initiative spon  more

LAWRENCE, Kan., April 22 -- The University of Kansas issued the following news release: More than 100 undergraduates from the University of Kansas will present research on topics ranging from community gardening to plant succession on abandoned agricultural land to dark matter distribution in galaxy clusters to ringneck snakes in Kansas at the 13th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium starting at noon Saturday, April 24, in the Kansas Union. The symposium is organized and sponsored by   more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The National School Boards Association issued the following news release: Anne L. Bryant, Executive Director of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), released the following statement mourning the passing of civil rights leaders Dr. Dorothy Height and Dr. Benjamin Hooks. "In the last week, the world has lost two tireless civil rights leaders. "Dr. Dorothy Height was a pioneering leader of the civil rights movement, fighting for equality for all Americans.  more

LAWRENCE, Kan., April 22 -- The University of Kansas issued the following news release: A multidimensional experience at the University of Kansas featuring live performances by a renowned avant-garde slam poet and an accomplished funk bassist will explore the origins, evolution and interdisciplinary nature of African-American music and writing. "Make It Funky," at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union, is free and open to the public. The presentation will cover   more

WASHINGTON, April 22 -- Rep. Susan A. Davis, D-Calif. (53rd CD), issued the following news release: Only 16 percent of teachers come from minority backgrounds, inspiring Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) to introduce legislation to increase diversity among America's teaching ranks. The Diverse Teachers Recruitment Act (H.R. 5096) would allow school districts to access federal funds to establish programs to recruit new male teachers and teachers from minority groups. "Statistics show   more

LOS ANGELES, April 22 -- The University of California at Los Angeles issued the following news by Letisia Marquez: Harry Edwards, a UC Berkeley professor emeritus of sociology and the activist who spurred black athletes to raise their fists in a "black power" protest at the 1968 Olympic Games, will deliver the 2010 Thurgood Marshall lecture at UCLA on Thursday, April 29. The event, organized by the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA, will begin with a reception at  more

KENT, Ohio, April 22 -- Wright State University issued the following news release: When he was 12 years old, James Dobbins' older sister brought a psychology experiment home from college. Mesmerized by the maze-like contraption, Dobbins decided right then and there he would become a psychologist. Today, the 65-year-old Wright State University psychology professor sits at the pinnacle of a career in which he has helped train roughly 800 psychology students and counseled countless Dayton-ar  more

LOS ANGELES, April 22 -- Simon Wiesenthal Center issued the following news release: Center hopes resolution will be model for California legislators to curb intimidation and hostility of Jewish students on its state campuses. The Simon Wiesenthal Center is applauding Pennsylvania State Senator Anthony H. Williams (pictured) for introducing a bill condemning in the strongest possible terms the rise in anti-Semitism on campuses as a serious problem that goes beyond First Amendment-protected   more