Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship Applications are now being accepted for The Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for Outreach and Health Communications to Reduce Tobacco Use among Priority Populations.   American Legacy Foundation® Statement on New York City Health Department Petition In January, the New York State Department of Health petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow over-the-counter sales of nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) in all retails locations where cigarettes are sold.	Message From Senator Irma Hunter Brown Dear Colleagues, Welcome to this special edition of the American Legacy Foundation®'s February e-News, with a focus on Black History Month. This issue emphasizes the Foundation's commitment to Priority Populations by highlighting news of interest, innovative Legacy initiatives and the groundbreaking work conducted in communities across the nation by our grantees. Read Article ...    New Panel of Youth Advocates Help to Spread Message of Tobacco Control In February, 15 students nationwide were selected to the American Legacy Foundation®'s Youth Activism Council. Chosen from a competitive field of nominees from across the country, the Council will help Legacy communicate to young people the health risks of using tobacco products, as well as provide training and resources to other organizations concerned with the issue of tobacco use. Read Article ...    African American Grantee Focus The American Legacy Foundation® promotes a number of grant opportunities in African American communities. In 2007, the foundation awarded grants to several organizations for their innovative approaches and commitment to the Black community. These are a sampling of recently funded Priority Populations (ethnic/racial minority groups and other underserved populations) grants aimed at addressing disparities in a culturally competent manner in the Black community. Read Article ...    A Dose of the Magical Amount On January 22nd, truth® launched its latest advertising execution, called the 'Sunny Side of truth®' The truth® smoking prevention campaign educates teens about tobacco by exposing Big Tobacco's marketing practices, as well as highlighting the toll of tobacco use in relevant and innovative ways. Read Article ...    Tobacco and the Music Industry Advocates say no to tobacco smoke As musicians and fans gear up to honor the year's best musical entertainers at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, advocates around the country continue to expand tobacco prevention's reach into the music industry and counteract tobacco industry inroads into the music industry. Read Article ...    Nothing Mild about Black & Milds They are long, slim and available in a variety of flavors, including apple, cream and wine. Originally manufactured by John Middleton, Inc., but recently acquired by the Altria Group, Inc., Black and Milds cigars may be a silent epidemic in the African American community. Recent evidence suggests that consumption of this addictive product is on the rise, and more specifically there is an increased usage in urban Black communities. Read Article ...    Putting an End to Smokeless Tobacco Research finds that smokeless tobacco is addictive and causes cancer. The American Legacy Foundation® is dedicated to helping communities curb the use of all forms of tobacco addiction. While not as visible as cigarettes, smokeless tobacco use is a serious public health problem across the country, especially in rural communities. Read Article ...    Aspiring Funny Man Takes on A Serious Issue Moore a Positive Influence for African American Youth St. Louis native Tahir Moore is an up and coming comedian who traveled the country last summer for a serious purpose: to educate teens about the dangers of tobacco use. Moore, 23, has appeared on MTV's "Yo Mama" program showing off his comedic talents. But last summer, he put comedy on hold to travel with the truth® youth smoking prevention campaign's annual summer tour. Read Article ...	Above, a portrait of      Thurgood Marshall In 1619, the first African Americans arrived at Jamestown, VA. In 1967, Thurgood Marshall became the first African American to sit on the Supreme Court In 1926, historian Carter Godwin Woodson established Negro History Week which would later become Black History Month In 1943, the first cadets graduated from the segregated flying school at Tuskegee Institute (later Tuskegee University) The first American colony to abolish slavery was Vermont in 1777. The first of the original 13 Colonies to abolish slavery was Pennsylvania in 1780. In 1914 Garrett A. Morgan, born the son of former slaves, was awarded a U.S. patent for his 'Safety Hood and Smoke Protector' also known as the Gas Mask. The invention was put to the test in July of 1926 when Garrett and others donned the devices to rescue 32 men trapped in an underground explosion beneath Lake Erie