WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The American Society of Association Executives issued the following news release: ASAE Chairman Velma Hart yesterday was honored with the 2010 APEX Award for Distinguished Service. Presented by Black Meetings & Tourism magazine, the Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions, which have positively impacted travel and tourism. The Award was presented at the Travel Professionals of Color (TPOC) 8th Annual Conference, April 22. Hart is the first   more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership issued the following news release: ASAE Chairman Velma Hart yesterday was honored with the 2010 APEX Award for Distinguished Service. Presented by Black Meetings & Tourism magazine, the Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions, which have positively impacted travel and tourism. The Award was presented at the Travel Professionals of Color (TPOC) 8th Annual Conference, April 22. Hart is the first   more

GREENVILLE, N.C., April 23 -- East Carolina University issued the following news release: Erskine Bowles, president of the University of North Carolina system, will be the featured speaker at ECU's 101st spring commencement on May 7. About 3,400 students are candidates to receive degrees at the ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m. in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. A band concert will begin at 9:30 a.m., and participants in the ceremony should be in place by 9:30 as well. The university will award   more

RICHLAND, Wash., April 23 -- Washington State University-Tri-Cities issued the following news release: Societal changes started by Martin Luther King Jr. but left dormant until the election of President Barak Obama are the focus of a lecture Tuesday at Washington State University Tri-Cities. "Martin Luther King's Last Campaign and Unfinished Agenda in the Era of Obama" will be delivered by Michael Honey, Ph.D., at 7 p.m. April 27 in the East Building Auditorium, 2710 University Drive, Ric  more

DURHAM, N.C., April 23 -- North Carolina Central University issued the following news release: North Carolina Central University will celebrate its centennial with the unveiling of a commemorative quilt titled "Soaring on the Legacy" at 2 p.m. on April 30, in the James E. Shepard Library. Designed by African-American quilting artist and NCCU alumna Erica King, the finished quilt is more than 10 feet long and 7 feet tall. It will be permanently displayed on the first floor of the library.   more

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 23 -- The University of Utah Health Science Center issued the following news release: In an unprecedented Utah gathering, hundreds of members from the state's diverse ethnic groups will meet with University of Utah and National Institutes of Health (NIH) genetics and disease experts for a Community Genetics and Health Forum on April 30 and May 1. Sponsored by the NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), the forum will bring together members of Uta  more

FORT SCOTT, Kan., April 23 -- Fort Scott Community College issued the following news release: On Thursday, April 29, the final guest speaker of the exhibit "Pride & Passion: the African American Baseball Experience" will present "Root, Root, Root for the Home Team." Professor Fred Krebs (Johnson County Community College) will speak in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center at 6:30p.m. From the 1860s to the 1960s, minor league and town team baseball built a framework of shared values that streng  more

MIMS, Fla., April 22 -- Brevard County issued the following news release: Brevard County Parks and Recreation is offering Emancipation Day Celebration activities in North Brevard on Saturdays, May 1, 15, and 22, at 4 p.m., at the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park, 2180 Freedom Avenue, Mims. The May 1 and 15 celebrations will feature praise dancers, coded songs, hymn lining and oratorical presentations. In addition, the May 15 celebration will include a Fashion Show and Face Ar  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) issued the following news release: The NAACP congratulates Steve Benjamin, the newly elected and first African American mayor of Columbia, South Carolina. Benjamin won the April 20th runoff election with 56% of the vote. "The NAACP sends its heartfelt congratulations to Mayor-Elect Steve Benjamin. Winning a political office is difficult as is, let alone as a black man running for mayor in a state  more

NORFOLK, Va., April 23 -- The city of Norfolk issued the following news release: Alicia Tillman of Norview High School is one of 1,000 students in the country to be awarded a Gates Millennium Scholarship that funds 100% of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate costs at any college or university of her choice. Tillman was chosen from a pool of 20,500 applicants vying for the opportunity to attend college free of charge - no payments for books, room or board and all living expenses paid in   more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. (8th CD), issued the following news release: Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on fair legal settlements for African American farmers and Native American trust account holders: "I'm committed to finding funding for the Pigford and Cobell settlements. Doing so will finally bring a long-delayed end to an injustice and ensure that victims are fully compensated for past failures of judgment at United States Departmen  more

MORGANTOWN, W.Va., April 23 -- West Virginia University issued the following news release: Like most other institutions in the country, they've been hit hard by the country's financial crisis. Sluggish state budgets don't have room for generous funding. Alumni struggle to dig into their shrinking pockets for donations. Many universities have been forced to raise tuition in order to continue providing quality education for the next generation. Only that next generation is struggling, too.   more

CINCINNATI, April 22 -- Xavier University issued the following news release: Thailer Buari, a 21-year-old junior finance major from Columbus, is the recipient of the 2010 Antonio Johnson Scholarship award. The scholarship was announced at the "Dare to Dream, Strive to Succeed" 34th annual Antonio Johnson Scholarship Banquet held April 16 at the University. Buari receives a full year of tuition, room and board, and a book stipend. Buari was selected from among several finalists for 2010 inc  more