The Urban Financial Service Coalition - “Welcome to Minneapolis Event,” Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at Babalu Restaurant
On Wednesday, June 18, 2008 the Urban Financial Services Coalition will hold their “Minneapolis Sound Purple Party” hospitality welcoming event at Babalu Restaurant located at 800 Washington Avenue North – starting at 8:30 p.m.; This event sponsored by M & I Bank-Milwaukee/Minneapolis, BMA (Black Music America), the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Newspaper, Babalu Restaurant, Minneapolis Black Professionals and Twin City Business. This event will feature some of the best in music created and grown in the Twin Cities from the style book of the famous, “Odell Rockwell”, Minneapolis’ most comprehensive Old School and Minneapolis Sound Music Entertainer.
This is your chance to come out and meet the 100 most important people in the Financial Service Industry who shape the future of Banking. There is no cover for this event. There will be food and beverage specials and a chance for you to network and shake your pants! (Cameo)
Consider this your personal invite to join us on this coming Wednesday, June 20, 2008 at Babalu Restaurant for the Urban Financial Services Coalition “Minneapolis Sound Purple Party” hospitality welcoming event.
Why is the UFSC in Minneapolis?
Answer: The Urban Financial Services Coalition is holding their 34th Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN, from June 18th -22nd. The conference will bring together hundreds of members of the nation’s preeminent organization for minority professionals in the financial services industry.
This year’s conference – the organization’s 34th annual session – will take aim squarely at that old fact of professional life that who you know matters as much as what you know, with an exciting program entitled “Destination Success: Powering Our Network for Optimal Performance.” The conference schedule reflects the uniqueness of the Urban Financial Services Coalition’s mission, as it connects individuals ranging from the top executives in town for the conference’s CEO Symposium to the talented young people of color attending the Mark 1 Emerging Leaders Program and the Diversity Career Expo.
Formerly known as the National Association of Urban Bankers, the organization has grown tremendously since it was founded in 1974. It now encompasses 21 professional chapters and two student chapters all around the country, organized into five regions, plus a chapter in Toronto. The Urban Financial Services Coalition benefits the entire financial services industry as well as the individuals who get involved.
Longtime members like Michelle Rooks, Vice President, Business Development, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and president of the Minneapolis/St. Paul chapter, speak glowingly about the value the UFSC has brought to their careers. “As a founding member of the Minneapolis/St. Paul chapter, the Urban Financial Services Coalition has given me a valuable networking platform, one that I have successfully leveraged to expand my business-to-business relationships and identify opportunities for career advancement,” she said.
The value of the Urban Financial Services Coalition’s contributions to the financial services industry can be seen in the list of conference sponsors, which include JPMorgan Chase as the title sponsor, Citi, RBC Dain Rauscher, US Bank, SunTrust Bank, Robert Half International, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Target. These companies’ involvement also signifies the importance of building a workforce that is truly reflective of the country’s increasingly multi-cultural population.
“Thanks to this critical support by JPMorgan Chase, the UFSC is able to fulfill our mission to ensure the full and equitable participation of people of color at all levels in the financial services industry,” says Urban Financial Services Coalition President L. Diane Evans. Evans is the Diversity Officer at Treasury & Securities Services, JPMorgan Chase.
- All men are encouraged to attend a special Prostate Awareness and Education Day featuring the first African-American Vice President of a major bank in the USA, former president of the UFSC and prostate survivor Mr. Bob Samuels on Friday, June 20 from 4:30pm to 6pm at the Minneapolis Urban League, located at 2100 Plymouth Avenue North, for more information call (612) 986-0010.
To see a list of events including the Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, June 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with Political Strategist Donna Brazile, MUL President Clarence Hightower, House Representative Willie Dominguez and other events go to the UFSC website at www.ufscnet.org or call Twin City Business at 612-986-0010.
The Minneapolis Urban League Receives National Attention and Unveils Collaborative Logo!
In breaking news the Minneapolis Urban League has gain national attention for their upcoming 1st Annual Minneapolis Urban League Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Day on June 20, 2008.
Stephanie Chisolm, PhD – Director of Patient Education with the American Urological Association in Maryland says, “This is a great opportunity for the AUA to engage with the Minneapolis Urban League and their Social Wellness Cluster that does such a great job in the Twin Cities.” Mr. Theodus Mitchell with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) says, “This is great and the CDC supports any efforts that the Minneapolis Urban League is involved in to address health disparities in communities of color.”
Mr. James Hadley with the National Institute on Health says, “The NIH will supply information to the Minneapolis Urban League to assist them with their efforts to address Prostate Cancer.”
Yesterday, the original press releases posted on I-Newswire.com was viewed nationally by over 40,000 news organizations and individuals and continues to grow. The Tampa Tribune, (FL) and the St. Pete Times (FL), both want more information about the event feature their hometown favorite Mr. Bob Samuels.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information go to www.tcbusiness.org or call 612-302-3100.
“1st Annual Minneapolis Urban League’s Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Day”
It is with great pleasure we announce the 1st Annual Minneapolis Urban League’s Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Day”, feature guest speaker, former bank executive, past President of the Urban Financial Services Coalition, Founding Chairman of the National Prostate Awareness Coalition and prostate cancer survivor Mr. Robert Samuels.
On June 20, 2008 at the Minneapolis Urban League, the MUL Social Wellness Cluster and MUL President Mr. Clarence Hightower welcome world renowned Prostate Cancer National Spokesperson Mr. Robert Samuels to the Minneapolis Urban League for the “1st Annual Minneapolis Urban League’s Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Day.” This event will take place in the lower level of the Minneapolis Urban League from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Bob Samuels, a dedicated community activist, Mr. Samuels is listed in “Who’s Who in Black America”. As one of the founders of the Harlem YMCA’s Black Achievers in Industry Program, he helped establish the United Negro College Fund’s Corporate Matching Gifts Program, and as a result of working with the United Negro College Fund, he was awarded the “UNCF’s Outstanding Citizen’s Award.” Mr. Samuels was the founding president of both the National Association of Urban Bankers and the New York City Urban Bankers Coalition. In 1984, the National Association of Urban Bankers honored him by renaming the “Outstanding Banker of the Year Award” to the “Robert J. Samuels Founder’s Award”. In 1998 the Urban Bankers further honored him by placing his likeness in the Baltimore Great Blacks in Wax Museum. In December of that year he was also inducted into the Black Hall of Fame in Philadelphia.
This event is open to the public and all men and their families who want to know about Prostate Cancer Awareness, Prevention and information you need to know are invite to attend this exciting educational event. There will be food, beverages and informational hand-outs to help you be well informed of your risks as it pertains to Prostate Cancer.
Samuels was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 56 — in the prime of life — the cancer had advanced dangerously far. Samuels was shocked to discover that as an African American, he was at high risk for the disease. He was also surprised that since he had an annual physical examination every year his physician had never discussed his risk for prostate cancer. Samuels had been a banker for 31 years in New York and he became one of the first Black Vice President’s of a major bank in the nation.
Today, with his cancer in remission, this retired banking executive has channeled the energy that made him so successful in his career into a new role as one of prostate cancer’s most aggressive advocates. As Founding Chairman of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, Samuels moved prostate cancer into the national spotlight. Samuels went on to lead advocacy efforts in Florida, and is founder and chairman of the Florida Prostate Cancer Network (FPCN), one of the most active state coalitions in the nation.
Prostate cancer is the No. 1 diagnosed cancer (non-skin) and the No. 3 cause of cancer deaths in Florida. Samuels works relentlessly to educate Floridians about the disease.
As a men’s health activist and organizer, Samuels is involved in numerous activities including:
• Founding Chairman of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition
• Founding Chairman of the Florida Prostate Cancer Network Inc.
• Former member National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Prostate Cancer Progress Review Group
• Consultant, Food & Drug Administration’s Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC)
• Former member NCI Consumer Advocates in Research & Related Activities (CARRA)
• Former patient representative to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
• Former Co-Chairman of The Florida Prostate Cancer Task Force
• Former Board Member of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
• Former Member of the U.S. Army’s Prostate Cancer Research Panel
Samuels has led numerous battles in the fight against prostate cancer. As Founding Chairman of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition he lobbied Congress repeatedly for increases in prostate cancer research funding and was instrumental in getting the State of Florida to recognize, as a matter of public policy, prostate cancer as serious diseases needing to be addressed at the state level. During 2004, he was recognized by the Florida Department of Health with their UNSUNG HERO’S Award. The State Department of Health honored his leadership and contributions toward getting stakeholders throughout the state involved in approving the Florida Prostate Cancer Education Act. Samuels was instrumental in obtaining a $1million DOD grant to establish joint venture prostate cancer training and research Institute at FAMU with Moffitt Cancer Center.
Recent Awards and Recognition include:
• Tribute in 109th Congressional Record of the US House of Representatives
• US Department of Health and Human Services “Minority Health Community Leadership Award”
• Prostate Net’s Award for Lifetime Excellence in Advocacy to Eliminate Health Disparities
• Hillsborough County Commission – Humanitarian Award
• Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio’s – Outstanding Citizen’s Award
• The Florida Legislature – Citizen’s Recognition Award
• ONYX Magazine’s - Humanitarian Award
Mr. Samuels comes to Minneapolis courtesy of the Urban Financial Services Caolition that will hold their annual conference in downtown Minneapolis June 18-22 at the Hyatt for more information go to www.ufscnet.org
We ask that you join us on June 20, 2008 from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. for this once in a lifetime educational, information session and community health disparity awareness cause at the Minneapolis Urban League, located at 2100 Plymouth Avenue North. For more information call (612) 302-3100.
This message has been brought to you by the Minneapolis Urban League, Clarence Hightower, President and Twin City Business – www.tcbusiness.org/blog
Keith Ellison Leads the Charge to Explode the Vote This Saturday
Saturday, May 31, 10:00 am
Richfield Veteran’s Memorial Park Parking Lot
6335 Portland Ave. S., Richfield
Event contact: Sarah Burt for details or to RSVP: 612-522-4416 or sarah@keithellison.org
Press contact: David Wakely: 612-722-3956 or david@keithellison.org
Congressman Keith Ellison today noted the pendulum swing in American politics, a swing away from the Republican Party. “They’re running scared,” Ellison said. “With three special election losses in traditionally conservative areas, even their die-hards are deserting them. The progressive movement is at a historic moment, a moment we can seize. We can leave behind the politics of false scarcity and greed, and move forward toward the politics of generosity and inclusion.”
Ellison’s campaign can and will play a vital role in helping build and sustain that movement. The progressive political energy of the Fifth Congressional District is unmatched in Minnesota. However, the Fifth Congressional District under-performs the state in voter turnout by 3-5% each general election. The Ellison campaign knows that improving the Fifth’s turnout to the statewide average by turning out 20,000 new votes can make the difference in whether progressive candidates win the Presidential and Senate races here in Minnesota.
Ellison went on call for volunteers to aid the effort. “Come down to Veteran’s Memorial Park on Saturday. We’ll talk about the latest work in Congress and the gathering momentum for change in America. Our last effort, in North Minneapolis, turned out 83 volunteers for the day. We knocked on more than 2,100 doors, registering new voters and motivating infrequent ones. It’s fantastic to see such great turnout this early in the season…come keep up the momentum!”
MUL ACADEMY STUDENT TO RECIEVE $500 SCHOLARSHIP
Robert G. Powell, a senior at the Minneapolis Urban League Academy High School in south Minneapolis, has been named the local winner of TV One’s “Live the Dream” essay contest, receiving a $500 scholarship from TV One and Comcast. Representatives from Comcast will present Powell with the scholarship award Friday, May 30, during graduation ceremonies, which begin at 6:30 pm at the Minneapolis Urban League, Glover-Sudduth Center, 2100 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis.
TV One’s “Live the Dream” essay contest was implemented as part of the network’s “Our History Month” initiative in February 2008. The announcement was made jointly by TV One and Comcast.TV One joined with Comcast, Cable in the Classroom, and other local cable affiliates around the country to sponsor the national “Live the Dream” essay contest. Building on the theme of TV One’s documentary special MLK: A Dream Deferred, high school students were invited to write an essay commenting on the progress that has been made on Martin Luther King’s Dream – Are we living the Dream today? Essays from participating students were evaluated by an independent panel of judges based on the following criteria: relevance to the MLK: A Dream Deferred special, originality/creativity, clarity of expression and grammar. The top scoring entries were then reviewed by a TV One committee for final selection.
“I can’t believe I won,” said Powell, 18, who titled his essay Does the Dream Still Live On? and questioned if enough progress has been made in 40 years towards improving race relations nationally and globally. “On one hand, we’ve made great strides towards racial equality,” says Powell, “but on the other hand, we’ve been standing still for 40 years. Black communities still experience high rates of crime and violence, and our children still suffer from an inadequate education. Moreover, we’re at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Israel and Palestine are at war, and nations are at war in Africa. If we looked beyond what makes us different, we’d see that the content our character is the same in every one of us.”
Forty years after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., MLK: A Dream Deferred evaluates the current state of race relations in America through the words and dreams that the legendary civil rights leader. Noted celebrities, including Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry, Sanaa Lathan, Regina King and Hill Harper, speak excerpts from Dr. King’s most famous speeches throughout the special. “Live the Dream” is the latest in a series of partnerships between Comcast and the Minneapolis Urban League. Last September, The Comcast Foundation provided a $12,000 grant to the organization’s Community Empowerment Program, which offers services to help prepare low-income families, African Americans and other minority groups for the workplace through job readiness training. Most recently, dozens of Comcast employees volunteered at Minneapolis Urban League Academy High School and the After Today Group Home as a part of Comcast Cares Day 2008 on Saturday, May 3.
“We are delighted to join with TV One in presenting Robert Powell with this scholarship award,” said Bill Wright, Comcast Twin Cities Region vice president. “His thoughtful essay makes it clear there are many young people who, like Robert, are concerned about extending Dr. King’s dream to the least fortunate American citizens and to those who suffer injustice throughout the world.” “We thank Comcast’s Twin Cities Region operation for participating in this essay contest,”said TV One Vice President of Affiliate Marketing George Lima. “We were very impressed with the passion of Robert Powell and the other young people who clearly feel that the principles Dr. King stood for are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago.”
About TV One
Launched in January 2004, TV One (www.tvoneonline.com) serves 43.4 million households (Nielsen May 2008 estimate), offering a broad range of lifestyle and entertainment-oriented original programming, classic series, movies, fashion and music designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult African American viewers. TV One’s investors include Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK; www.radio-one.com], the largest radio company that primarily targets African American and urban listeners; Comcast Corporation [NASDAQ: CMCSA and CMCSK; www.comcast.com], the leading cable television company in the country; The DirecTV Group; Constellation Ventures; Syndicated Communications; and Opportunity Capital Partners.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (http://www.comcast.com) is the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services. With 24.7 million cable customers, 14.1 million high-speed Internet customers, and 5.2 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content. Comcast’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten Comcast SportsNet networks and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast’s
Internet business. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia. Comcast serves more than 557,000 customers in 111 communities throughout the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Comcast, whose local headquarters offices are located in St. Paul, employs more than 2,000 local residents. For more information about Comcast’s products and services in the Twin Cities, please call 651-222-3333, or visit the company’s Web site at www.comcast.com.
About the Minneapolis Urban League
The Minneapolis Urban League is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that provides human services and advocacy that will enable African Americans and other diverse group members residing in the Greater Minneapolis Metropolitan area to cultivate and develop their individual and group potential on a par with all other Minnesotans.
The organization provides a continuum of more than 20 programs and services, which operate from seven facilities throughout Minneapolis, and serves approximately 20,000 people each year so that individuals and families in need can have access to quality employment, housing, health care, education and social services. For more information about the Minneapolis Urban League, visit www.mul.org or call (612) 302-3100. The Minneapolis Urban League is headquartered at the Glover-Sudduth
Center, 2100 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
