Echoes of Brown blends spoken-word poetry by youth with videotaped discussions between youth and elder civil rights pioneers and dance performances by the acclaimed choreographer Ronald K. Brown. For their research, the youth visited schools in New York City and its suburbs for a first-hand assessment of current conditions in the schools, and conducted a survey of more than 9,000 students on the issue of race and inequality in schools. Echoes weaves youth spoken word and dance with rich video interviews with "elders," including Arthur Kinoy (1921-2003), Sonia Sanchez, Judge Jack Weinstein, Roscoe Brown, Esther Lee, Thea and Bailey Jackson, and Adam Green. Produced by CUNY Distinguished Professor Michelle Fine and 100 secondary school and college students. (The Echoes of Brown DVD and book, published by Teachers College Press in 2004, will be available for sale at the event.)

You know you have them. Please look in your closets and other places for those past presents that are collecting dust because they are just not right for you. The Youth Development Department of the Perry School Community Services Center will once again sponsor an annual Secret Santa Shop for children in their programs to select a present for their parents and a sibling. In order to make tis activity a success, they need your help!

For further information or questions, contact Marsha Middleton at mmiddleton@perryschool.org or 202-312-7157.

On the day before Thanksgiving, the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center is organizing 200 volunteers to prepare side dishes, breads, desserts and bag lunches for the homeless. In order to keep with the Jewish dietary laws we will be cooking Everything... But The Turkey. The food will provide a hearty Thanksgiving Day meal for the 2,000 residents of the Community for Creative Non-Violence (C.C.N.V.) homeless shelter, the largest in the country. Representing C.C.N.V., James Burton will give an inspiring talk about hunger and homelessness in the D.C. metro area. WE NEED: Table captains, set up supervisors, babysitters, and most of all, chefs to prepare the feast. Come. Bring the whole family. Bring your friends. Cook up a storm. Share the spirit of Thanksgiving! There is a $10 fee to offset the cost of supplies for the meal and to support year-round Hunger Action projects. Registration and payment is required to attend this uplifting event. Early registration is advised. Due to limited space we will not be accepting walk-ins. In support of our upcoming December 24th Community Service Project we are collecting new toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion) small items of clothing (hats, scarves, socks, gloves) and toys to be donated to local area shelters on December 24th. All donations are gratefully received and are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Thank you! If you have any questions, please call 202-518-9400 extension 581 or e-mail us and we will respond within 24 hours.

Give thanks this Thanksgiving Holiday, in a very special way.

If you would like to share any announcements from your organization or campus with the CoRAL Network community, send a brief blurb to cbenitez@coralnetwork.org by close of business each Thursday for inclusion in the following Monday's Newsbits.