(left to right): Marcus Thompson, (Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the Commissioner), Dr. Hank Bounds, Ph.D. (Commissioner of Higher Education), Kathy Y. Times, (co-founder, WhereToGo411.com), Bob Owens, (IHL Board of Trustees President), and Miss. State Senator John Horhn

Jackson, MS (BlackNews.com) -- All eight of Mississippi's public universities will use the national Web site WhereToGo411.com as part of the new Minority Economic Opportunity Initiative launched by Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). State IHL Board of Trustees President Bob Owens and Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Hank Bounds announced the historic partnership during a news conference today at a vendor fair held on the campus of Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss.

WhereToGo411.com is a national Web site whose mission is to help grow black enterprises by connecting them to both local and national buyers.

Owens and Bounds unveiled the Minority Economic Opportunity (MEO) Initiative, which is designed to help Mississippi Public Universities increase the participation of minority-owned businesses in competing for contracts for the provision of goods and/or services.

WhereToGo411.com co-founder Kathy Y. Times, an Emmy award-winning journalist and the immediate past president of the National Association of Black Journalists, and founder and entrepreneur, James Covington, launched WhereToGo411.com and the WhereToGo411 Mobile App in May 2012. The company is based in Jackson, Miss.

The site features thousands of minority and majority-owned companies. A new addition to the site is the Quotes Feature, which connects African-American businesses with real time quote requests for goods and services from Mississippi Public Universities and other buyers. The mobile app connects users to thousands of African American-owned companies as well as places of interest and events around the nation.

"We commend Dr. Bounds and President Owens and the IHL Board of Trustees for laying the foundation for more inclusion in the procurement process," said Covington. "This is a game changer, and we encourage other state agencies to follow IHL's lead in expanding procurement opportunities to minority businesses. We also encourage African-American businesses to take advantage of this opportunity to grow their business."

Times said, "As a journalist and a national advocate, I connected with countless people struggling to find work, start businesses, and rebuild their lives after the recession. If this MEO Initiative is successful, it will result in more dollars flowing to minority enterprises, more jobs in urban communities, and a stronger Mississippi and national economy."

Mississippi State Senators John Horhn and Willie Simmons also attended the news conference and lauded the initiative and plans for using WhereToGo411.com. Horhn is chairman of the senate Economic Development Committee, and Simmons is chairman of the Highways and Transportation Committee.

WhereToGo411.com will co-sponsor vendor fairs with university partners throughout the spring and summer of 2013 to introduce business owners to the initiative and WhereToGo411.com.

The next vendor fair will be held in Itta Bena at Mississippi Valley State University on May 22 from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Lackey Recreation Center. Visit WhereToGo411.com for registration and vendor information. A vendor fair is also scheduled for June 18 at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Other vendor fairs are being scheduled at Alcorn State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Delta State University. Businesses can sign up for the Featured Business Listing at an annual cost or a free listing at www.WhereToGo411.com.

CONTACT:
Kathy Y. Times
(205) 601-4220

Nationwide(BlackNews.com) -- Orrin C. Hudson, chessmaster and founder of Be Someone Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia is featured in the June 2013 issue of ESSENCE magazine. His award-winning non-profit organization teaches children and adults important life lessons via the game of chess.

In the past, he has also been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, and in People Magazine.

For more details about the foundation or to bring Orrin to your city, visit www.BeSomeone.org

CONTACT:
Kim Rice
770-465-6445
info@besomeone.org
www.BeSomeone.org

Bookcover

Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com) -- Before the al-Qaida terrorist network became a blip on watchdogs' radar screens, high-ranking leaders of the infamous El Rukn street gang reached out to buy rocket launchers as part of a plot to commit terrorist acts in the United States for Libya in exchange for cash. As a result, many members were convicted and sent to prison. However, one of those El Rukns, author Reico Cranshaw, has written one of the most fascinating gang stories with global reach.

In his book entitled Black September, Cranshaw gives the large picture of gang life in America. The El Rukns' allies, the Vice lords, and the Zionist are part of the drug trafficking in America. The connection comes to light from the story of Vice Lord drug dealer Chauncey Carr. Chauncey is reaping millions as an unknowing pawn of right-wing lobbyist and Christian Zionist operatives, who supplies him with unlimited amounts of cocaine. His suppliers are using the profits to pay for Israeli-spawned terrorist attacks. But it doesn't take long for FBI agent John O'Neill to catch Chauncey trafficking drugs, which results in Chauncey being sentenced to federal prison.

While in prison, Chauncey meets a convicted terrorist, and despite his dislike for him, he uses the relationship to get his sentenced reduced by passing information on to O'Neill. Upon his release, Chauncey travels to see his son after hearing he has joined Chauncey's old gang. On the bus he meets feminist poet, Tina, who shares similar dreams of publishing someday, and they begin planning a better future together. Their plans are suddenly threatened, however, when Chauncey becomes the hunted after his former cronies learns he is sharing information with federal agents and vows to stop at nothing to silence him forever.

Cranshaw infuses his real life experiences with the fictional story of Chauncey Carr to show readers the truth behind the world of gangs and terrorists, and hopes his story illustrates the reality of gang life and what it's like behind bars.

Black September is available for sale in bookstores, online at www.Amazon.comand other channels.

About the Author:
Reico Cranshaw spent decades in prison before learning that the written word held the power to heal. He spent years in solitary confinement and looked to books to keep him from going crazy. When the prison guards were unable to fulfill his requests because he had read through every book in the prison library, Cranshaw began to write. He then penned Black September(ISBN 1477527516), after being released from prison.

REVIEW COPIES AND INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE

CONTACT:
Tariq Ziyad
writeordiepublishing@writeordiepublishing.com
646-396-1946

Dallas, TX(BlackNews.com) -- The American Heart Association and Macy's have awarded 16 scholarships of $2,500 each to increase culturally-sensitive, patient-centered care.

The Go Red(TM) Multicultural Scholarship, which is in its second year, champions greater inclusion of multicultural women in medical, nursing and allied health studies to meet the need that racial minorities have of healthcare providers who understand important aspects of various cultures.

The scholarship fund is part of Macy's Multicultural Fund – which was created in 2009 to focus on increasing diversity in the medical field. Macy's is a founding national sponsor of the association's Go Red For Women® and Go Red Por Tu Corazón awareness campaigns.

Demand on healthcare continues to increase, but the number of qualified racial and ethnic nurses and physicians lags behind:

* Only 5.4 percent of African-Americans and 3.6 percent of Hispanics in the United States are registered nurses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

* In 2010, African-Americans made up only 6.7 percent of medical school graduates and Hispanics 7.5 percent, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

"It is extremely important to increase the availability of multicultural scholarships for minorities interested in health professions," said Celia Trigo Besore, executive director and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. "There are fewer sources of funding, high poverty rates among minority populations and an escalating cost of education toward a career in health fields. All these conditions increase the barriers for interested minorities to study health career at a time when there is a growing need for additional qualified health professionals of any ethnic background."

Numerous ethnic groups - including African-Americans and Hispanics - are at higher risk for heart disease. The Go Red Multicultural Scholarship aims to ensure women have access to healthcare providers who understand their culture and help make the best choices that lead to good health and strives to increase diversity in the healthcare industry for the future health of all women.

The 2013 scholarship recipients are:

* Mary Witherspoon: post-graduate nursing student at Chicago State University
* Azsha Matthews: undergraduate senior nursing student at Columbia University
* Nicole Sample: second-year student at NYU School of Medicine
* Whittney Work: undergraduate sophomore nursing student at Winston Salem State University
* Chiamaka Ike: senior pharmacy student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy
* Nefertiti Clavon: undergraduate junior in health promotions at the University of Houston
* Raisa Garcia: post-graduate student in clinical psychology at Alliant International University
* Myo-Sabai Aye: seeking a dual M.D./M.P.H. at Eastern Virginia Medical School
* Jainty John: undergraduate senior studying to be a physician's assistant at Le Moyne College
* Jee Hae Jones: senior nursing student at Hawaii Pacific University
* Danielle Cipres: first-year obstetrics and gynecology student in the University of California-San Francisco's School of Medicine
* Kristine Gallardo: post-graduate student in the nursing program at Azusa Pacific University
* Sylvia Estrada: post-graduate student in the nursing program at Western University of Health Sciences
* Yuliana De los Santos: post-graduate, studying osteopathic medicine at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
* Mariana Lucena: post-graduate student in the pharmacy program at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy
* Nadia Elgoghail:senior studying to be a family nurse practitioner at Columbia University

"As a proud national sponsor of the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement since 2004, Macy's has raised more than $40 million to help fund life-saving research and raise awareness of this preventable disease," said Martine Reardon, Macy's chief marketing officer. "With the Macy's Multicultural Fund, we are able to bring our company's long-standing and respected history of support for diversity together with our desire to find innovative new ways to build support for heart disease prevention."

For more information, visit www.GoRedForWomen.org.

Editor's Note: Registration for the 2013-2014 Multicultural Scholarship is open and can be accessed by visiting www.GoRedForWomen.org/goredscholarship

About Go Red For Women
Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's solution to save women's lives. With one out of three women still dying from heart disease, we are committed to fighting this No. 1 killer that is preventable. GoRedForWomen.org, a premier source of information and education, connects millions of women of all ages and gives them tangible resources to turn personal choices into life-saving actions. We encourage women and the men who love them to embrace the cause. For more information please visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278). The movement is nationally sponsored by Macy's and Merck & Co., Inc.

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases – America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.americanheart.org.

About Macy's
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of their customers.

CONTACT:
Elisa Ramirez-Johnson
(214) 706-1508
Elisa.Ramirez-Johnson@heart.org

Bookcover and author F.Y. Dawn

Spring Valley, CA (BlackNews.com) -- "There is that perfect love for everyone and it will find you when you least expect it," says F. Y. Dawn. In her new book, What Love Feels Like, she offers readers a story about two brokenhearted people who find love.

Marlon and Latrice have both been destroyed by past love. But by the luck of a fateful coincidence, they find each other, and, in turn, they find renewed strength. What starts as a comforting friendship blossoms into much more. As their lives crumble around them, they cleave to each other and find out what true love feels like.

An excerpt from "What Love Feels Like":
"Why cry about me taking you out and when I finally do you spend the night dancing with someone else? I am not going to compete with another man for my wife's attention. I don't know what kind of game you are playing, but you better decide if want to lose your marriage over it before I make the decision for you." He placed the keys in the palm of her hand and whispered through clenched teeth, "Drive yourself home, I will find my own way," Marlon stormed out of nightclub.

Dawn writes about people finding redemption with partners who truly love and respect them, but she doesn't pull any punches when dealing with sensitive subjects. "The characters encounter conflicts such as infidelity and abuse," she says. "This book doesn't sugar coat reality, and it deals with real issues."

About the Book:
What Love Feels Like
By F.Y. Dawn
Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 300 pages | ISBN 9781477274972
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 300 pages | ISBN 9781477274989
E-Book | 300 pages | ISBN 9781477274965
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.fydawn.com

About the Author:
F.Y. Dawn began writing short stories and poems in middle school. She is a mother and wife who values family above all else. In addition to her latest book, What Love Feels Like, Dawn also published a novel called Serenity of Passion.

CONTACT:
Fidelia Dawn
619-777-8758
fidelia@fydawn.com
www.fydawn.com