VH1 Soul is kicking off Black History Month this February with a new awareness spot directed by acclaimed producer/writer/director Spike Lee for SpikeDDB promoting DNA-based ancestry tests that can help viewers genetically determine where in Africa their African ancestors came from. The tests, from African Ancestry, Inc. ( www.africanancestry.com ), do not involve needles or blood, but instead require people to collect their DNA by rubbing a swab along the inside of their cheeks.

As a business professional have you ever committed any of the 5 most deadly networking mistakes? Often business professionals commit deadly networking mistakes. These tips point them out and tell you how to correct them the next time you meet some one.

The District of Columbia ranks first, Maryland second, and Virginia ninth in a new evaluation of how well state economies treat women, released today by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), an independent think tank located in Washington, DC. Report analyzes women’s wages, the gender wage gap, labor force participation, representation in managerial and professional occupations, business ownership, and poverty.

Majority women-owned firms are growing at a rate nearly twice the U.S. average, contribute $1.1 trillion in revenues to the economy and create jobs for 7.2 million Americans.

Talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey opened a world-class school for poor but talented South African girls Tuesday, fulfilling a long-cherished dream and a promise to her hero, Nelson Mandela.

Ranging in revenue size from $5 million to over $1 billion, the companies listed on the Div500 represent the nations top multicultural earners and challenge the long-held notion that diversity-owned businesses are small or insignificant.

As African Americans continue to climb the socioeconomic ladder, there are still unforeseen barriers to overcome. African American professionals in need of nannies are finding it difficult to secure them, due to sweeping generalizations about the black race, reports the New York Times.

Hiyaah Power is encouraging its members to become responsible global citizens. As such, we are posting relevant information for discussion and empowerment for women worldwide.

Barbara Corcoran, Bobbi Brown, Muriel Siebert and other high-profile female entrepreneurs talk frankly about what it takes to succeed. Featured in SmartMoney.