Israeli Forest to be planted in memory of Coretta Scott King

            Afforestation Conference to Combat Desertification held in Jerusalem
'Field of Dreams' Mission to Israel Israeli Forest to be Planted in Memory of Coretta
Scott King. An initiative to plant a forest in northern Galilee of Israel in memory of Coretta Scott King was launched in Washington, DC.  At a ceremony held at the Faith Tabernacle United Holy Church near the Capitol, Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor said that the forest will be “a living memorial to King's legacy of peace and justice”.
            The Coretta Scott King Forest, to be planted by Jewish National Fund, will be comprised of at least 10,000 trees and will be the second King forest in Israel. In 1976, the King Forest was launched in memory of the slain civil rights leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Then, 39 trees -- symbolizing each year of his life -- were ceremoniously planted in the southern Galilee. Today that forest boasts thousands of trees.
            It is hoped that the initiative, which includes a fundraising partnership with African-American churches in the United States, will strengthen ties between African-Americans and Jews fostered during the early Civil Rights Movement.
            Learn more or plant a tree in the Coretta Scott King Forest at www.jnf.org.

Actor-Comedian Eddie Griffin invests in the future with $150K donation

            Recent graduates from historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), preparing to take their first steps into the "real world", will be welcomed to the business community by successful professionals offering key tips - including Essence magazine editorial director Susan L. Taylor - at a retreat in Jamaica from May 14th-18th. The inaugural "Jamaica 360º Sun Festival" Black College Graduation Celebration and Empowerment Forum & Career Expo, thought to be an unprecedented effort to prepare young college graduates for the future, is being made possible by a $150,000 donation by actor-comedian-social commentator, now known as "Professor" Eddie Griffin.
            Griffin is underwriting the retreat for 100 college graduates in what is sure to be a life-altering experience.  This first annual event will also include a special comedy and music concert on May 17th featuring Eddie Griffin and headlined by hip-hop legend, Doug E. Fresh, to welcome the graduates who are traveling from Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Philadelphia. The show will treat them to Griffin's special brand of social entertainment-a mix of comedy and social commentary at the first-class, 85-acre Grand Lido Braco Resort. Additional appearances will include artists MC Lyte, Yo Yo, Dana Dane, Negro League legend Sweet Lou Johnson, Public Records recording artists Trenseta and Twenty, music executive Dougie D, attorney Freddy Sayegh and Rich Soil recording artist Ali Vegas. Music icon Stevie Wonder will also join in celebrating the young adults for their accomplishments.
            "My philosophy for social entertainment addresses life challenges through the empowerment panel and will facilitate the release of tension through the comedy and music event-all of which is designed to give the graduates the experience of 360 of self-reflection. The graduates are being acknowledged for their dedication to school, community service, and they will be prepared for their next chapter in life,” said Griffin.