We are on for the Tuesday, April 17 appearance of writer and journalist Farai Chideya. She will talk about the role of the media in covering race relations in an America that the Census says is growing more diverse. Farai speaks often on race and politics, and her talk will be insightful. We'll also be giving away copies of her book, "The Color of Our Future," to new members and renewals. Farai's appearance is our principal membership drive event. It starts at 6 p.m. in the public room at the Inquirer/Daily News building, 400 N. Broad St.

Mark your calendars for June 2, 8:30 p.m. to see the renowned Dance Theater of Harlem, under the direction of Arthur Mitchell. Remember "Firebird," that gorgeous dance created by Mitchell's company and that for years has been the belle of the dance world. It's on the program. PABJ members are selling tickets as a fund-raiser. Tickets are $50 and $40, and can be purchased from any PABJ member. The performance will be held at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts.

As part of our Dance Theater project, we also are planning a panel discussion on dance featuring Mitchell and other local dance company directors on Wed., May 30, at 6 p.m. This discussion is a PR event for the organization, a way to get our name before the public and to offer information on a subject by people who live it. The event will be free.

We are working on what we hope to be a series of issue breakfasts. The plan is to offer them quarterly (the local chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association has offered to join us on some of them). Our first would be on reparations, and a committee has been formed to set it up. We would invite experts on various topics (or newsmakers) to speak during a before-work breakfast. If you'd like to join that committee, please contact Germaine Edwards.

In conjunction with the Philadelphia Tribune, we are working on a roast for longtime journalist Kendall Wilson. Member Sheila Simmons is spearheading this event, which is scheduled for the fall. She could use your help; please email her.

A plug: Our own Sarah Glover, a photographer in The Inquirer's South Jersey bureau, is running for director of Region II. Please give her your support.

And don't' forget the Region II/VI conference in Pittsburgh, April 19-22, 2001.