BellSouth Launches Hispanic Advertising Campaign

The campaign features a Taxi that allows users of The Real Yellow Pages to have a vehicle that "takes you anywhere, anytime." The campaign, which begins later this month in areas of Florida and Georgia, consists of broadcast, print and direct mail.

Ken Ray, Vice President of Marketing for BellSouth Advertising and Publishing, says the Hispanic community is a key market for The Real Yellow Pages from BellSouth, and the company is committed to bringing the benefits of its print product to these important consumers.

"The Hispanic/Latino Community had an estimated buying power of more than $686 billion in 2004. As the leading Yellow Pages provider in the Southeast U.S., we are committed to connecting this buying power with the businesses that depend on our products for their success," Ray said. "Our 'Taxi' campaign is aimed at showing this growing market the ease and benefits of letting their fingers do the walking in The Real Yellow Pages."

The ad campaign, developed by Machado Garcia-Serra/Miami, will concentrate the broadcast media on South Florida, as well as areas of Central Coastal Florida. The radio campaign and direct mail campaigns will target South and Central Florida, as well as the Atlanta market.

Ray said The Real Yellow Pages' commitment to the growing Hispanic market is not just geared around the ad campaign, but can also be seen in the products themselves.

"Our South Florida, Central Florida and Atlanta markets are just a sampling of markets with bilingual directories. Additionally, we created our first ever directory cover in Miami with headings in English and Spanish. These efforts and product enhancements show our continued work in bringing the most robust yellow pages directory to our Hispanic communities," Ray said.

Statistics show that approximately 74 percent of Latinos prefer having bilingual directories in their household. BellSouth provides 15 directories with Hispanic Sections in four states.

About BellSouth Advertising and Publishing: BellSouth Advertising & Publishing Corporation (BAPCO) is the leading provider of print and Internet Yellow Pages products in the southeast. BAPCO publishes 66 million copies of the print Yellow Pages in more than 500 editions in the nine-state BellSouth region. Users referred to The Real Yellow Pages(R) from BellSouth nearly 2 billion times last year and made nearly 200 million searches on RealPages.com ( http://www.realpages.com/ ) in 2004. The Real Yellow Pages is a powerful information resource, linking buyers and sellers, with approximately 85 percent of consumers who reference the directories' most frequently used headings making a purchase based on their findings.

About BellSouth BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and a parent company of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice and data provider. Backed by award winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial up and high speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R) Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers online and directory advertising through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(R) and The Real Yellow Pages(R).

More information about BellSouth can be found at http://www.bellsouth.com/ CONTACT: Ed Patterson of BellSouth Corporation, +1-678-406-2457, or Ed.Patterson@bellsouth.com

by Monique Bruner

EDUCATION - Disability Awareness Month

What do you know about disabilities? Why is it important to the African American Community? Examining only members of the labor force, 41% of African Americans with disabilities earn below poverty incomes. African Americans in the labor force have less disposable income, are less likely to be covered by health care plans, and tend to avoid costly medical care. As a result, they are less likely to seek medical care for treatable conditions.

Disabilities are either "visible" or "hidden." Examples of visible disabilities include physical or mobility impairments, blindness, or deafness. "Hidden disabilities," on the other hand, are usually not apparent and therefore cannot be directly inferred through observation. People with hidden disabilities must usually voluntarily disclose that information before others can acknowledge and accommodate their disabilities. Hidden disabilities can include (but are not limited to) and seriously affect millions of Americas:

Learning disabilities - 1.6 million Epilepsy Diabetes - 2.6 million Schizophrenia - 2.0 million AIDS Psychiatric disorders - 2.0 million Cancer - 1.3 million Arthritis - 5.7 million Traumatic Brain Injury Asthma - 2.6 million Hearing Impairments - 1.2 million Low Vision - 1.3 million Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Allergies Cardiovascular Disease - 7.9 million Chronic Back Pain - 7.7 million

Watch out Dr. Phil, there's a new sheriff in town; and his name is Victor McGlothin.

Victor McGlothin, best selling author of "Autumn Leaves", "What's A Woman To Do" and the sultry "Every Woman Wants It" is spewing out advice for the ladies. Because we know those men are SO hard to understand. Victor breaks it on down. Go head Victor, do your thang!

Catch Victor's "Victor Said" advice forum at VictorMcGlothin.com . Hmmmm..let's take a peak at what Victor Said SAYS.

Friday, March 18, 2005 Victor: I've been with the same man for almost 3 years now. I love him and he says he feels the same about me. That's all good but I'm not getting any younger. When I bring up all of the weddings I've attended since we've been together, he clams up. I can't stand it when he avoids the issue, considering I'm ready to wear this man's last name. What do you think I should do? Signed, Wedding Bell Blues

Victor Said Hey Bell, Years ago, an old man shared a valuable bit of wisdom with me and I feel compelled to pass it on to you. "If a man isn't ready to marry, no one can make him. On the other hand, when he has his mind set on racing down the aisle, not even his momma can stop him. Every time a man 'jumps the broom' due to his woman's prodding, he lives to resent his decision, his marriage, and his wife." Now that you know, I strongly suggest that you arrange time for a serious discussion regarding your expectations for the relationship. Consider praying together before hand and explain that you prefer his honesty over his sparing your feelings. Regardless of the outcome, you'll be closer to getting what you're meant to have;with or without him.

You tell 'em Victor

Did you know you can add FranklinCovey planning tools directly into your Outlook software with PlanPlus v.3?

The maker of M&M candies has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to raise funds through the sale of their new "pink & white" M&M candies.

For each 8-ounce bag of the special candies sold, the makers of M&M (Masterfoods) will donate 50 cents to the foundation. The next time you want a treat, please pick up a bag (now sold in stores nationwide) - you will be donating to a great cause and satisfying your sweet tooth. Please pass on to all your family and friends. -- Thank you.

Kevin J. Brown 1199 SEIU Manager, Office Services 212-261-2487

by James Lisbon

Shades of Grey

Early February 2005, AMAG received a film titled Shades of Grey. After a few days of looking at the tape in the office, I finally loaded it into the VCR, sat back, flicked off the lights and prepared to enter the world of director Lamont Clark and writer, co-director Jivon Jackson. This spellbinding film also includes actors Brian Edwards, Lolita Clayton, Tiara Johnson and Jonathan Simmons, all doing outstanding jobs, submerged in their character. I had very little knowledge of what to expect, but I immediately became interested in this film from the opening scene. I sat perched in my chair and took in the powerful, thought provoking film with a message of urgency. After viewing the tape three times alone and twice with others, I decided to give Mr. Clark a call and it went like this;

James Lisbon: What prompted you and Jivon Jackson to write a story about bisexuality?

Lamont Clark: The idea actually came from the lead actor, Brian Edwards. He ran the idea by me about doing something on some one who is on the Down Low. I told him I thought it would be a good idea. It is actually interesting that you used the term "bi-sexual". There are many, shall we say, "discussions" about brothers on the Down Low. There are those people who will argue that if you are on the DL, then you are a Homosexual or Gay. Some people will say they are Bi-Sexual. But if you were to ask someone who is on the DL, chances are he would tell you that he is neither. They don't think that they are Gay, because to them it is an identity thing, and they don't consider themselves "Gay".

Lisbon: That is a very interesting and stunningly true. I thank you. How important is the message you are trying to get out?

Clark: Well, the message that we are trying to send is really at the very end of the movie. That message is to protect yourself if you out here doing your thing. I don't care what your sexual preference is, if you are cheating on your man or your woman, strap up. You are not only putting yourself at risk, you are putting someone else's health at risk also. I know the whole DL thing has been on Oprah, the NY Times, the Washington Post, etc, etc. So we weren't trying to break any new ground per se, but we just wanted to touch on a subject that affects our community at a disproportionate rate. HIV is affecting African Americans more than it is affecting anyone else in this country. If people want to go around and argue about what their sexual identity is, that's on them. What no one can argue about is the straight facts. African Americans make up about 12% of the US population, but we made up about 50% of new HIV infections as recently as 2001. Not to mention there are many other Sexual Transmitted Infections going around too

Lisbon: Indeed. What are your plans in distributing the film-films festivals, community events-public services announcements?

Clark: Sometimes you do what you do, and you aren't prepared for what may come about from it. We shot the film with intentions of entering it into a few film festivals, and maybe getting it shown on TV here in the DC area. It has aired in DC for the last two months and we have gotten some really great responses from it. People want to collaborate on different things with me, which is a wonderful thing. In regards to the film there are a couple of women I know who have started women's organizations (for HIV positive women). I was thinking of linking with them to use the film as a Round-table Discussion point during the US Conference On AIDS, which is the big HIV/AIDS event in the country.

Lisbon: Of the actors -are there any who have been around or is this the first film for those involved?

Clark: This was everyone's first time being involved in a film of any sort. The actors have had stage experience, and the lead actor, Brian, had a recurring small role on The Wire, but otherwise this was new to everyone. All of the actors did a good job playing out there parts. I know Brian is trying to be real serious about his work. He plans on moving to NY, with Jivon, to further their careers. It's a big risk, but hey, what rewards are there without risk involved. This was also my Directorial debut. I had done Producing and Directing for a few TV shows and shot 2 music videos, but this was my first film venture

Lisbon: As a 'new' director, are there ant directors, or visionaries that you admire?

Clark: I admire Gordon Parks, although he isn't necessarily considered a Director. He has done so much in the way of arts, and I admire that. I also admire what Melvin Van Peebles did to usher in a new age of filmmaking for Black people. I definitely admire Spike Lee for dong what he has done. There are others Brain De Palma, George Lucas, Mel Brooks.

Lisbon: Any new concepts for your next film & of course I want to know when? Clark: Right now I am going to continue to do some shorts. I am working on a series of short films and calling it "Three Minute Theatre". I am going to convey a few ideas, jokes, and news articles into 3-minute scripts. When you learn about screenwriting, everything is built on the 3 Act structure. I believe if I can make it happen in 3 minutes, then I will be able to make it happen in 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours also. I also plan on working with a dynamic young lady who is writing a screenplay based on her book. Tahira Mahdi is the author of "God Laughs Too: Incidents In The Life Of A Black Chick" (www.tuffcrowd.com) and is busy writing a screen version of it. I hope to be an integral part of that full length film. I believe she is planning on finishing the script by the summer, so maybe it will go into production by the fall. Lisbon: That is what it's about. Doing your thing. Peace !

For more information about Shades of Grey, contact Lamont Clark at mistacofe@yahoo.com , 240-988-4196 or visit www.famousnobodies.com.

Anthology Opportunity

AMAG and Semaj Publications of Denver are looking to release a Poetry Anthology in time for the "Color MY Poetry, Color it Mine" Convention July 2006

For inquires contact: Yolanda@awarenessmagazine.net

URBAN LEAGUE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO HOST BOOK SIGNING

by Monique Bruner

The Oklahoma City Urban League Young Professionals will host a book signing featuring nine African American writers on April 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Downtown Library. Admission and parking are free.

The event will feature fiction writers, Nea Anna Simone, Monica Carter, Toschia Moffett and former Oklahoma City television personality turned novelist, ReShonda Tate Billingsley; children's writers and poets, Sharhari Moore and Linda Moye; romance and urban lit writer, Crystal Perkins Stell; urban lit writer, Jihad; and Christian fiction writer, Kendra Norman-Bellamy. For more information, contact Monique Bruner at (405) 615-6711 or send an e mail to okculyp@hotmail.com.

The Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City is an affiliate of the National Urban League and is a United Way partner agency. The Urban League's mission is to assist African Americans, Minorities and the poor in the achievement of social and economic equality. For more information, visit www.okculyp.org.

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Our Latest "What's On Your Mind Question"

At a recent panel discussion at Medgar Evers College, during the Brother2Brother Literary Symposium, the topic of self-publishing was brought to the table. One concern was regarding the critiscm that many self- published writers/authors do not know the art of writing in itself, which in turns starts to categorize all those who self-publish as "wanna be writers" who cannot get signed to a traditional publishing house.

What say you?