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Congratulations to Lisa Gay Hamilton on her compelling work: Beah--A Black Woman Speaks

A Leroy Hamilton Photo

From the California Black Womens Health Project

We are pleased that we are once again partnering with the University of Pennsylvania and the Black Women's Health Imperative to facilitate a year long weight management study with Black women. Classes will begin this month in Inglewood. To find out if you are eligible, please log on to www.BlackWomensHealth.ORG. If you'd like more information, please contact Glenda or Ta Lese at 310-412-1828.

To your health!

Latonya Slack, JD
Executive Director
California Black Women's Health Project

FFrom Muhammad Nassardeen, Recycling Black Dollars

April is Black Business Month!   The kick off will be held in front of the

Los Angeles Sentinel, 3800 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

at 10:00 AM on April 1, 2004.  We are asking all business owners to come out

and represent!

Photo taken from www.Eurweb.com

Support Rally for Najee Ali Set for Friday

Well-known activist Najee Ali, a champion of many popular causes including the Caravan of Love for Michael Jackson, support for Donovan Jackson, Cherice Iverson and other victims is being held in jail with an exorbitant bail, supporters believe, because he is being used as a political pawn. That’s why they have organized a Najee Ali Legal Defense Fund (NALDF) to raise the bail money for the $200,000 bond. They also have planned a massive demonstration of support Friday, March 5 at 8:30 AM, at the Criminal Courts Bldg, 240 W. Temple St. in Los Angeles. For details call:

(310) 672-1726 dbakeer107@sbcglobal.net

Come Hitch a Ride with

BLACK L.A. TOURS to ALLENSWORTH, CALIFORNIA for GOSPEL FEST CELEBRATION April 24, 2004 Click for details!

By Mr. James Thomas

Theresa King Presents

Motivating The Motivators: A Networking Luncheon and Spiritually Motivating Workshop March 6, 2004, 12:00 noon till 4:00pm at The Reef On The Water880 Harbor Scenic Drive, Long Beach, California

Come enjoy the food and the view of this fabulous location. This Will Be A Life Changing Experience. Special Guests Include Mother Love, Author, Radio and TV Personality and Charlotte Austin Jordan, Essence Magazine Humanitarian Award Winner and More!

~ Tickets $40.00 ~ (Advance sale only!)

For Tickets or More Information Call Theresa King at (562) 490-2705

For God hath not give us the Spirit of Fear, but of Power and of Love and of a Sound Mind 2 Tim 1:7

From James Thomas, BEM BOOKS www.mrjamesthomas.com

Producer of Expo Summit Releases New Book

Entrepreneur and Motivational Speaker James Thomas can now add "Author" to his list of accomplishments with the release of his first published book, "Five Steps To Owning Your Own Business" a step by step guide.

Published by BEM Books, this 100 page workbook is designed to be an excellent reference tool and a guide for anyone who wants to try entrepreneurship.

The workbook is currently the curriculum for the Wednesday night "Entrepreneur Class" at Academy Cathedral, 3208 West 85th Street in Inglewood.

The workbook sells for $44.95 plus $2 shipping. However, readers of Expo Update can obtain a $10 discount during the month of February. To order a copy, please call 562-426-2244

In addition to celebrating the release of his new book Mr. Thomas is also celebrating the 5th anniversary of his company, BEM Entertainment producing the Expo "Business of Entertainment Summit". He promises that this year's summit will be the talk of the Expo.

For more information about Mr. James Thomas or if you are looking for a speaker for your event please see his website, www.mrjamesthomas.com

Every year it happens and every year it sneaks up on some of us – April 15th is just around the corner.

TAX TIME: SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER

One thing to keep in mind is that careful tax planning might also benefit your credit standing. Using available home equity might reduce your taxes and also might improve your credit risk in the eyes of lenders. How?

Currently, you can deduct interest paid on your mortgage or home equity loan, but not interest paid on credit cards. By transferring credit card debt to your home equity loan, you might be able to save yourself some money, because:
• Home equity interest may be tax-deductible
• Home equity rates are usually lower than credit card rates
• Lenders view existing "secured" home equity loans more favorably than "unsecured" credit card debt

Check with your tax professional to find out how much of your home equity interest is tax deductible and for more money-saving tips. But remember – all debt must be repaid over time. Review your financial standing now with the 3-in-1 Credit Report.

Don’t own a home yet, but thinking of buying one? There are several good reasons to – one of which is reducing your income taxes! The qualified mortgage interest and real estate taxes you pay are both deductible.

One Member’s Story

Buying my first home has been quite a challenge. And negotiating my mortgage interest rate with the banks was new to me. But I learned early on how important my credit history was to the home buying process – especially as it related to the size of loan I qualified for and the interest rate I was offered. After receiving interest rate offers that seemed higher than the national averages, I decided to visit Equifax.com to buy my 3-in-1 Credit Report – which provided my credit history as reported by all three credit reporting agencies. I was able to provide this information to my lender and as a result, they reduced my interest rate offer by 1% -- not only did that reduce my monthly payment, it will save me a lot of money over the life of my mortgage.

Erika M.
Customer Care Representative
Virginia Beach, VA

If you’re thinking about making the move, be sure to get your Credit Report.

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