4/1- Four NYPD officers indicted on murder charges: Killing immigrant could get officers 25 years to life: Associated Press; Four white police officers in New York were charged with murder for killing an unarmed African immigrant in a hail of 41 bullets. Amadou Diallo, a 22-year old street vendor from Guinea. was shot 19 times on February 4 1998 by the four police officers who were part of an elite street-crime unit looking for a rape suspect. The slaying frayed Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's already strained relationship with the black community.

4/4- Demonstrators protest against police brutality- Associated Press; Protestors march in Washington calling for President Clinton to help combat police abuses. The protest was over the shooting of Amadou Diallo

4/7- Blacks make progress, but racism still exists- Scripps Howard News Services; Article discusses feedback received from the release of the paperback edition of the book "America in Black and White" by Abigail and Stephan Thernstrom. Article notes that there are individuals that believe that racial prejudice has fled. Author points out that the truth is discussed in the book, pointing to employment and graduation rate differences between races.

4/14- ‘Do we really want to talk about race?’: Race issues forum aims to begin community dialogue- no author; Valdosta Project Change, The Valdosta Daily Times and Valdosta State University will sponsor "Do We Really Want to Talk About Race?" a race issues forum to be held April 21, 1998. Speakers include Dr. Ray Winbush, director of the Race Relations Institute at Fisk University, LaRonnia Williams, a retired educator and member of Valdosta's Project Change board, Rev George Bennett, a member of the Valdosta Project Change board, Rev Floyd Rose, and Dr. Michael Rogers

4/21- Forum tonight aimed at beginning local dialogue on race- no author; Article discusses the planned forum "Do We Really Want To Talk About Race?"

4/22- Dealing with our demons: Local residents come together for exchange on race relations- Brian Lawson; Article discusses the 2 hour forum held by Valdosta State University and Project Change "Do We Really Want To Talk About Race?"

4/24- Coca-Cola Co. sued for race discrimination: Plaintiffs claim soft drink firm has ‘glass ceiling’- Associated Press; Coca-Cola sued by four past and current black employees on the basis of race discriminations. Plaintiffs claim that black individuals are paid less and have fewer oppotunities to advance.

4/25- More efforts needed to combat racism- no author; More than 150 people attended the "Do We Really Want To Talk About Race?" forum. The meeting discusses the lack of communication between racial groups which they believe has held back progress.

4/26- Houseal says role models are desperately needed- Joe Dunlop; Willie Houseal wants to see more role models for African Americans to reduce crime rates.

4/27- Ethnicity not high on kids’ agendas- Weenam Chua; Kimberly Council became the first black student to win the Miss Lowndes High School beauty contest. Multiple comments from other students suggest that the high school students don't think about race as much as the previous generations.

4/28- Habitat proposal would eliminate substandard housing- Jodi M. Scott; Habitat for Humanity proposes eliminating over 100 substandard housing units and replacing them with Habitat houses. Habitat International chapter would assist in raising funds and proposed a date of 2015 to finish the project. This proposal was in conjunction with United Way, Habitat, and Weed and Seed.