(Taylor Media Services) When Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama announced last week that he would opt out of any public funding for his campaign, the question was immediately raised as to why the Illinois senator would walk away from $84 million in federal money. The answer is simple: The Obama campaign has become such a fantastic money-raising machine, he simply does not need public funding and the restrictions which come with it.
 
For example, ABCNEWS.com is projecting that Obama could “raise and spend as much as $500 million” from his current 1.5 million donors. And that amount could increase dramatically if former rival Senator Hillary Clinton follows through with promises to make her donors available to Obama.

[ATLANTA, GA]- New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant will host the 3^rd Annual Bayou Bling Celebrity Charity Weekend in Atlanta from June 20-22, 2008.  Each year, the Charles Grant S.A.C.K. Success Foundation hosts the signature fundraiser weekend to provide resources for at-risk, inner city youth in New Orleans, Atlanta and Grant’s hometown of Colquitt, GA.  Organizations benefiting from this year’s efforts are the Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA, Communities in Schools, Operation Hope, and Positive Vibes among others.  Confirmed celebrities include Denver Nuggets’ Allen Iverson, DJ Mannie Fresh, Jagged Edge, actress Vivica Fox, nearly 40 NFL and NBA stars, and many more.

“I am totally committed to making a difference in the lives of youth,” said Grant.  “There are so many people in need throughout the city of New Orleans and across this nation. My foundation is dedicated to reaching more and more kids through our community outreach programs.”

Atlanta, GA – Tuesday (May 27, 2008). Black Enterprise (BE) has named Atlanta Life Financial Group its 2008 BE100s Financial Services Company of the Year. BE executives made the announcement during the recent Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference and Expo held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

To an audience of more 2,000 African-American businesspeople and entrepreneurs, BE executives shared how leadership was paramount in the selection of this year’s BE100 Financial Services Company of the year.

As the blueprint for success in corporate America has changed, so has Atlanta Life. The century-old institution has evolved from a door-to-door seller of insurance policies to a comprehensive financial services holding company for the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Atlanta Life Insurance Company has over $16 billion of group insurance in force and continues to have an outstanding leadership at its helm, helping the Company to retain its ranking as the Number 1 African-American Group Reinsurer in the country. Atlanta Life Financial Group also controls fast-growing Atlanta Life Investment Advisors Inc. (No. 15 on the BE Asset Managers list with $1.1 billion in assets under management) and Jackson Securities (No. 8 on the BE Investment Banks list with $4.8 billion in senior-managed issues), the black-owned investment banking firm that it acquired last year. As a result of its stellar growth, top-notch leadership, and prime example of a black-on-black business partnership, Black Enterprise has named Atlanta Life Financial Group this year’s Financial Services Company of the Year.

Atlanta, GA (May 21, 2008). Dr. Myles Munroe, Susan Taylor, Dennis Kimbro and Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu top a list of over 50 speakers, seminar leaders and panelists set to appear at the Seventh Annual PowerNetworking Conference, Black America’s largest networking event. PowerNetworking 2008 will be held June 18– 21, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. George Fraser, CEO & Chairman of FraserNet, Inc. and America’s networking guru, noted by Black Enterprise Magazine, has assembled a list of “Who’s Who” in keynote speakers, workshop presenters and panelists who will train, inspire and empower the more than 2,000 visitors expected to participate in this year’s conference.