Monday, January 26, 2004

Wilmington, NC- Programming for the week of February 2, UNCW Community Link, an interactive, public affairs television show speaks with Peter Grear and Robert Gerlach of the Partners for Economic Inclusion and also with Joan Bar-Zeev and Kimberly Baltos of Relay for Life.

H.E. “Hunter” Thompson, Jr. sits down with Peter Grear and Robert Gerlach to discuss the growing Partners for Economic Inclusion in the lower Cape Fear region. They will hold their 6th annual conference on February 3 at the Coastline Convention Center from 8:00 a.m. -1: 30 p.m.

The Partners for Economic Inclusion is an organization that focuses on expanding business opportunities for local African Americans by developing strategies for economic inclusion. Partners for Economic Inclusion was founded on the idea of creating an interracial business community. According to Gerlach “we wanted to create a vision of what success would look like if black and white businesses work together.” The organization has grown by leaps and bounds since its beginning and now includes 20 corporate sponsors.

Betty Ann Sanders speaks to Kimberly Baltos and Joan Bar-Zeev about the upcoming Relay for Life in April. During the 24-hour fundraiser, participants will walk the Ashley High School Track, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on April 30.

“There is no one who hasn’t been touched by cancer” said Bar-Zeev, accounting chair for the event. One in three Americans will get cancer and it is more important than ever to support research efforts to find a cure. According to Baltos, Relay for Life co-chair, the community is really stepping up to the occasion. Relay for Life has been very successful in New Hanover County and hopes to exceed last year’s total of $312,000, which won the “Pack the Track” award for having the highest number of cancer survivors involved in the event for a community of its size. This year each of UNCW’s sports teams will create a walking team, as well as each floor of the many dormitories.



Funds from the relay go to the American Cancer Society and many of them come right back to the community. Last year UNCW received $10,000 to promote cancer awareness. Some of the money given to UNCW also went towards scholarships for cancer survivors.

Schools, churches, families, and businesses can get involved by forming a team, registration is $10 per person. For more information, visit the Relay for Life Web site, http://www.newhanoverrelay.org/furtherinfo.html

Representing the Upperman African American Cultural Center, this week’s Editorially Yours Segment is brought to you by Helena J.Lee.

UNCW Community Link reaches beyond the television studio to allow citizens to sound off on compelling issues facing Southeastern North Carolina. Hosts Sanders and Thompson engage and challenge the region’s newsmakers and opinion-shapers and then ask viewers to voice their opinions. Through collaboration with the Southeast Public Interest Network of North Carolina (www.SpinNC.org), citizens can use the latest Internet technologies to continue the dialog on show topics and community ideas. UNCW Community Link is brought to you in part by the following sponsors: Time Warner Cable, Wilmington Star-News and WHQR Public Radio.

For more information on this week’s show visit these web sites:

Partners for Economic Inclusion

http://www.wilmingtonchamber.org/programs/partnerecon.html

New Hanover County Relay For Life

http://www.newhanoverrelay.org/furtherinfo.html

Upperman African American Cultural Center

http://www.uncw.edu/diversity/UAACC.html

Tune into UNCW Community Link:

Wilmington & Brunswick County can tune in on The Learning Network, Time Warner Ch 5 and Charter Communications Ch 12 at 7 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays

Pender County can tune in on Government Channel 8 at 7 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Carteret County/Havelock can tune in on Time Warner Channel 10 at 7 p.m. on Thursdays

Jacksonville can tune in on Time Warner Channel 10 at 7 p.m. on Thursdays