Black to Business – Issue 45 – Spring 2010

The Periodical of the Black Business Initiative

George Ash Lawyer

Also in this Issue • Gospel Trailblazers • Successful Entrepreneurs • Community Publishers

Spring 2010 u Number 45

“A dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia Business Community.”

Black to Business

1

Message from the Board of Directors

In this Issue

Cassandra Dorrington, Chair, Black Business Initiative 1

Message from the Chief Executive Officer

2

COVER STORY George Ash, Lawyer

3

5

Friday’s Concrete Brent Symonds

7

Sunworld Tanning Adele Crawley

9

10

Ask The BBI

OUT & ABOUT WITH THE BBI

11

TRAILBLAZERS Gospel Groups

13

Community Publishers & Booksellers

15

Black Business Summit 2010 The Race to Business Success

19

People & Business on the Move

23

Constructing the Future Wrap-up Phase 1

25

Urban Hip Hop Zone Dalma Cain

27

PARTNER PROFILE Michelin North America (Canada) 28 Business & Community Events

29

Regional Reports Business Development

4

Central

6

Northern

8

Southern

26

26

Training Report

to adapt to recessionary times equals “survivability”.

Paul Adams

Message from the Board

Catch A Look Clothing & Barbershop

Spring 2010

S

pring is finally here. The Olympics, which seemed a lifetime away back in the summer of 2009, have come and gone. More importantly, we are seeing marked improvement in the Canadian economy in particular sectors. While the U.K. market is still considered in a recession, the U.S. has slowly been reducing its unemployment rate and is beginning to emerge from the recession.

Last year, as Canada was in the throes of the recession, I had a mistaken belief that we would see more people move into the world of entrepreneurship. Here we are one year later and, contrary to my belief, we have seen our business community shaken by the recession.

Those businesses in recession-proof industries have survived. Others have not been so resilient. “Survivability” is a complex creature. It is a mixture of ensuring your product or service is considered a staple and much needed. This basic foundation when coupled with good management, adequate cash flow and the ability Black to Business is the official periodical of

The Black Business Initiative and is published quarterly spring, summer, fall, and winter. Its goal is to support the BBI as it fosters a dynamic and vibrant Black presence within the Nova Scotia Business Community.

Mailed under Canada Post Publications Mail Sales Agreement no. 0040026687

For Advertising Information, Rates, Submitting Story Ideas, Notices or Community Events, or for More Information, call: 902-426-2224

If you align the profile of successful businesses to life in recessionary times, this would mean that you must be prepared for growth that is slow to minimal as you continue to hold and service your current market. In some ways, the life of a successful business is very similar to that of an Olympic athlete, in that successful preparation coupled with patience plus opportunity equals success. Unlike Olympians, we do not have to wait two to four years for an opportunity to enter. Entrance to the market can be anytime. However, much like Olympians, this business world is not for the weak of heart or the easily intimidated. It is necessary to have done your homework, to be fully conversant in business principles, and then to be willing at your designated time to step forth and be prepared to do what you have been practicing.

Without the right preparation, it is a frightening experience without much chance of success. However, with the right preparation, when all eyes are on you, given your patience coupled with your extensive practice, you truly live up to the hype. Having done your homework, you are prepared and while the conditions may not be optimal, preparation has prepared you for anything. It is these business owners, we salute and celebrate.

Being successful does not happen by luck or by chance, it is the result of preparation meeting opportunity.

Congratulations to all who have made it and continue to push forward. continued on page 6> The Black Business Initiative Centennial Building Suite 1201,1660 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1V7 Phone: 902-426-2224 Fax: 902-426-8699 Toll Free: 1-888-664-9333 E-Mail: bbi@bbi.ns.ca Web Site: www.bbi.ca Published by: the Black Business Initiative Editor in Chief: Rustum Southwell Design & Layout: Design North Production by: Mirabliss Media Productions Cover Photograph: Paul Adams

Black to Business

2

Spring 2010

Message From the Chief Executive Officer

Peter Marsman

S. I. Rustum Southwell

Heroes in our midst

O

n Sunday, February 28, 2010, in the final hours of the Vancouver Winter Olympics a 22-year-old Nova Scotian hockey player called “Sid the Kid” rammed in the winning goal (gold). Amidst the patriotic euphoria, the earlier hesitance to emphatically support the Own the Podium program had instantly disappeared. In a hundredth of a second, the second guessing and the doubts about team work and the efforts of heroes was immediately replaced with the pride of a celebrating country. An achievement that will last forever, Olympic gold, and Sidney Crosby, the hero, gave thanks to the many enablers along the way, as far back as his peewee years.

When I stood in the hot Roman sun outside of the Coliseum in May last year; I could not help but marvel at the permanence of excellence. Because the Coliseum still stands some two to three thousand years later, we cannot imagine the emotional conversations and discussions centered on this economic development and super stadium that far back in time. If those architects and visionaries were alive today they would be hailed as inspired leaders and enthusiastically saluted in awe of their insurmountable achievement.

Heroic acts sometimes begin in heated debate and the road there is never easy. Although a team of dedicated people will come forward to help and support, there is always an emotional centre, a rock. Such a case is the Africville Genealogy Society’s (AGS) recent settling of scores with the city of Halifax.

Irvine and Monica Carvery, Bernice Arsenault, Beatrice Wilkins, Linda Mantley, and Brenda Steed-Ross are some heroes in our midst. For them to put together a strategy and present it to the city leaders and win on every item is a remarkable achievement. In fact, they must be highly commended for this achievement. Only the future will truly reflect and appreciate what these heroes have achieved.

on the lives of these children from five to 15 years old and all of the community.

There are other heroes in our midst.

Elizabeth Cromwell, has worked for years to get Birchtown and the Black Loyalist Heritage Society (BLHS) to a point where they will have an effective museum which will be a permanent record of the Black Loyalist community and their contribution to and place in Canadian and Nova Scotian history.

For Elizabeth and BLHS members it may seem like progress has taken too long and each hurdle a clarion call to push on even harder, however, even this early they can look back and see significant progress.

If it is indeed about building something that will make an impact and last, like the Coliseum in Rome, then the work of the two Gordons – Doe and Tynes – on the Constructing the Future project must be counted with this group.

It is coordinated by Joel Marsman and delivered in partnership with the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). The first cohort of this pre-apprenticeship skills development strategy has exceeded our expectations. So much so that the second phase has three applications for every one spot available in the program, and this even before advertising began. Even more importantly it has opened up the possibility of a pool of skilled workers and entrepreneurs to work within the construction sector.

In the North End Community Health Centre of Halifax, there is a community garden run by children, and protected by all the parents in the entire community. They grow vegetables, greens and tomatoes, they then go to business school and make salsa or vinaigrette and sell them to the public. The money they make is donated to a selected community organization. Jessie Jollymore and her team at the North End Community Health Centre are the heroes behind this project. The garden is making a major impact

“If music be the food of love, play on.” These words from William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night are quoted here to highlight the work of the African Nova Scotian Music Association (ANSMA). From a lunch attended by 100 people 10 years ago to an awards celebration that is now a sold out must-attend annual event, ANSMA has made a permanent impact on the cultural establishment in Nova Scotia.

Delvina Bernard and company, the original founders can be proud of where association president Lou Gannon and his team have taken the organization.

If such heroes create miracles and seem to be walking on water, we only need to look beneath the surface to see some of the rocks on which they must stand.

These community economic development strategies have a strong nucleus of support, and we continued on page 8 >

Black to Business

3

Spring 2010

Shauntay Grant Photos: Paul Adams

“I was 12… or 13,” remembers Halifax lawyer George Ash of his first experience in a courtroom.

“I was travelling to meet a friend and there was this dog that came out onto the road. [It] knocked me off my bike, and I was sort of trapped out in the road on the downside of a blind crest, and there was a big truck coming. [But] I managed to get out of the road just before I got hit by this truck.”

“I remember going home and calling the police; they investigated, and I had to go to court to be a witness.”

A pivotal moment would follow.

“I was on the stand giving testimony,” remembers Ash. “And at the end of it, the judge said: ‘Your evidence was very compelling, and it made the case stick.’”

For young Ash, this brief exchange would spark a lifelong interest in the law.

“I think it’s just a wonderful profession to be in,” says Ash. “The law is always changing, and you’re always growing as a lawyer. You never know 100 percent of the law. You have to continue to become knowledgeable.

And, for the most part, the people in the profession are on top of their game, and you really have to be on top of yours in order to compete.”

Ash earned his Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie Law School in 2005. That same year he began articling at the Halifax law firm Boyne Clarke, where he is presently employed and practicing in the areas of wills and trusts, estate administration and litigation, and real estate. And though Ash is undoubtedly enthusiastic about his current profession, he chose a different path altogether after completing high school.

“The law is always changing, and you’re always growing as a lawyer. You never know 100 percent of the law.

You have to continue to become knowledgeable.

And, for the most part, the people in the profession are on top of their game, and you really have to be on top of yours in order to compete.”

“I’m from Monastery, and in Monastery there’s several teachers from the Black community,” says Ash. “My older sister was a teacher, my cousins are teachers... so it was

Black to Business

4

Spring 2010

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT just natural for me to go that route, even though at the time I knew it wasn’t going to be a career I would stay with. But I loved working with youth, and so becoming a teacher seemed like a good way to continue working with youth and helping them reach their potential.”

Ash earned a kinesiology degree (1997) and a Bachelor of Education degree (1998) from the University of New Brunswick. He was employed as a teacher with the Halifax Regional School Board for four years before a series of personal events would inspire him to pursue his passion for law.

Lyle Howe met Ash as a grade nine student at St. Patrick’s Alexandra School. Years later, he contacted his former Phys. Ed. teacher about pursuing a law degree.

“He gave me advice on surviving law school,” says Howe, who is presently articling at Boyne Clarke. “And since I’ve been here at the firm he’s helped me in thousands of ways. But even when I was in law school he would take the time out to field any inquiries that I had – he’s been there many steps along the way.”

“I went through a custody battle with [my oldest son] and I represented myself,” says Ash. “And that made me realize that I could do it – I could go to law school and do it.”

Apart from his work at Boyne Clarke, Ash chairs the Advisory Council for the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq Initiative at Dalhousie Law School. And though he’s already achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer, Ash is nowhere near finished dreaming.

And while he found it difficult leaving education – and in particular the youth he enjoyed working with as a teacher and sports coach – Ash ultimately feels he made the right move.

“I would like to at some point make partner,” says Ash. “I would like to continue to grow my practice.

Continue to work with great clients.

And help others break into this area of employment.”

“I’m extremely content with my choice,” he says. “I had my own practice about a year after I’d been called to the bar. And it does help that I’m at a great firm. The lawyers at Boyne Clarke have been very supportive of any endeavor I’ve taken on, allowing me to learn my legal profession and to maintain my commitment to community. But also, there’s always someone I can talk to, someone encouraging me, saying ‘You’re on the right track.’”

Ash credits his family, his friends, and his firm for helping him achieve his own professional goals. And he hopes his path will help inspire the next generation.

An attribute that Ash himself embodies through his support of young aspiring lawyers.

“It’s nice when I get a call from a former student of mine who is thinking of going into the legal profession,” says Ash. “I’ve had several students who have called me.”

“I can look at my children and say, ‘I achieved my goals of becoming a lawyer and being successful,’” says Ash. “And they have no excuse to say that they can’t do it.”

“Whatever they want to do, they can do.”

“I can look at my children and say, ‘I achieved my goals of becoming a lawyer and being successful,’” says Ash. “And they have no excuse to say that they can’t do it.”

REPORT

Gordon Doe

CEDIF: Invest in Nova Scotia The Black Business Community Investment Fund (BBCIFL) closed its sixth offering and raised $63,000. This puts the fund’s total portfolio beyond the half-million mark at $504,000 and achieves this year’s goal.

Thanks to all who worked to make this offering successful. Of the 30 people who invested this year, eight are first-time investors, placing the investor base of the fund at 88.

The fund’s impact is growing. Over the past six years, we have made eight investments in four different companies to the tune of $500,000. It is definitely a significant achievement for a fund of our size to be able to make this level of investment in local businesses, and create jobs and income for families in our community. The fund currently maintains positions in four companies – the Bin Doctor, the Stone Gallery, C.A. Wilkins and most recently ADEPA Management Inc. In terms of return, we have not incurred any losses on our investments to date, despite the recent economic downturn. We have earned, on average, an annualized return of 10 percent on our debt investments.

Constructing The Future We are gearing up to rerun our “Constructing The Future” program. Feedback from Phase I has been so positive that the demand to participate in Phase II is extremely high.

Without any active advertisement, we have more than 60 applicants. We are hopeful that our partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Workforce Development will continue, in order for us to run Phase II. Most of the students remain engaged and committed to pursuing their long-term dream in the construction industry.

ADEPA We remain optimistic regarding opportunities that our community can leverage in the construction industry. After what was a rather slow and challenging 2009, 2010 is shaping up to be a busy year for ADEPA. We continue to build new partnerships, as these will be critical for our long-term success. We welcome partners in every area of construction and we look forward to working with as many Black construction businesses as possible.

As always, please feel free to call me at 426-6985 if you have any questions or plan to invest.

Black to Business

Spring 2010

5

Catch A Look Clothing & Barbershop Paul Adams

Sunjay Mathuria

Troyce Ashe (l), and Marvin Upshaw (r) , Catch A Look

T

royce Ashe has always thought of himself as an entrepreneur.

Marvin Upshaw has always had an artistic side. Put the two together and you have Lower Sackville’s Catch A Look Clothing & Barbershop. And you can be sure you won’t find anything else quite like it in Nova Scotia.

When Ashe and Upshaw decided to put clothing and hair together, they knew they had what it took to make it a success. With years of experience in the industry, they were ready to make their dreams a reality. “It had been attempted in this province, but never at the level of combining the two into one entity,” says Ashe.

“Attempting to do it is half the battle,” says Upshaw. “We knew whatever we did was going to work, so we were sort of positive behind it.”

Ashe and Upshaw also attribute patience and dedication to getting their idea off the ground. “It was work ethic, taking it head-on, and doing what we can with our own resources,” says Upshaw.

And with the support of family and friends, Ashe and Upshaw opened up Catch A Look on December 4, 2008.

Throughout the store are personal touches that make Catch A Look stand out from any other clothing store or barbershop in the

city. Vibrantly coloured namebrand shoes line the partition at the back, which separates the retail from the haircuts. While waiting for their custom cuts, clients can relax on couches in front of the television or catch up on the coolest looks and find the perfect outfit.

There’s something in store for everybody.

“Our demographic ranges from 2-yearolds to 60-year-olds, everybody from all walks of life,” explains Upshaw.

“Everybody can come here and catch a mainstream type of vibe. We want to make ourselves convenient and accessible and comfortable with anybody who comes through the door.”

Upshaw says the most rewarding part of the job is the fact the store has evolved from his and Ashe’s ideas and hard work. “You appreciate it more when you have to do it hands-on and do it all yourselves,” he says. “And you appreciate it all – from the paint to the floors to the idea to handpicked clothing that Troyce does to the hands-on cutting and dealing with customers day in and day out. It all stems from our own views and our own ideas.”

“We hope to inspire anyone who wants to get into business, and tell people to actually take that risk and don’t let anyone tell you (that you) can’t do it,” says Ashe.

As for the future, Ashe and Upshaw plan to take it day by day. Ashe says there is the possibility of opening up another location in downtown Halifax.

But the two business partners are thinking about expanding to other provinces too.

Wherever they do end up, Ashe and Upshaw hope to maintain their unique service and the rapport they share with their customers and clients.

“That hands-on relationship with our customers is a big factor. If we’re going to imitate this, we want people who can live up to that name,” says Ashe.

With more than 15 exclusive namebrand clothing lines decorating the front of the store and the barbershop buzzing at the back, customers can get everything they need in one stop.

“It’s a good formula,” explains Ashe.

“It’s a one-stop shop. You can get your hair cut and a new outfit. You can catch a look in one day, from head to toe.”

“It’s good to have a place like this. It’s makes the neighbourhood a brighter place.”

Ashe also believes committing to a goal and staying positive can help accomplish anything.

“It’s rewarding, actually achieving something and taking a risk,” says Ashe. “You’ve just got to stay positive.

Anybody can have an idea. They even say the richest place in the world is the graveyard; people die with their dreams and aspirations. We just put our minds together and stuck with it.”

Ashe and Upshaw also hope their work will help inspire other young entrepreneurs achieve their goals.

500-546 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville, NS

902-252-3226 Myron Upshaw and Troyce Ashe

Black to Business

6

Message from the Board of Directors continued from page 1

For those of you preparing to enter, we at Black Business Initiative (BBI) are here for you. What can we do to support or facilitate your entry? I personally believe there is incredible talent just waiting to enter the market.

Just remember, success begins with a single step and with BBI in the wings, you are not alone.

On a secondary front, BBI/Adepa has just completed another successful year with the rollout of the Constructing the Future Program in the Halifax region. Given the feedback from this first program, we anticipate the second offering to be equally, if not more, successful as we have worked out the bugs and we are prepared for Year Two. To all our stakeholders, watch carefully as the graduates of this program become a force to be reckoned with in the construction sector. Many heartfelt thanks to all the people who have dedicated hours to make this program successful, as well as to you program participants.

Remember, success is hardly by luck and immediate but it is the culmination of hard work, dedication and perseverance and, of course, well deserved.

Most recently, we have heard some very positive news as it relates to our community and some longterm initiatives. We congratulate our partners, the Black Loyalist Heritage Society and Africville Genealogy Society for their dogged persistence in working to achieve their strategic plans. The injection of capital is strong support, to ensure viability and the realization of your vision. We at BBI like to believe that our ongoing work in the areas of community development and capacity building have played a small role in moving forward these successful initiatives.

From an organizational perspective, in 2009-2010 BBI has focused on strengthening our governance.

We recognize that the success and longevity of an organization is a result

of good governance, policies and practices, not to mention good people.

While establishing and managing all aspects of good governance is not glamorous, it is a necessity to ensure the transparency and objectivity of the board and all our organizational practices. The Board at BBI have been diligent in their focus and we are pleased to report that all our divisions and programs are functioning. We anticipate in the next few months that each entity will sign off on a series of Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) to ensure that we are all working towards one organization, one vision and one mission.

Thanks to all our stakeholders, board and staff members. Life at BBI and its composite group of companies is never static. On an annual basis, we wish farewell to a select group of employees who have departed and to those entering, hello. As you might know, BBI has been a training ground for many persons over its 14-year history. We at BBI have benefited as our alumni have gone forth and prospered and as such, we have BBI alumni in many places across the region. This has assisted us in our ability to spread the word and educate the masses on economic development across the region. The knowledge of BBI and its many entities continue to be infectious. We work to spread the knowledge of the “how to’s” for successful economic development across the region.

On a final note, BBI will be hosting our business summit this year June 23 to the 25th. As in previous years, it will be a great opportunity to listen to business leaders, learn best practices and network with other stakeholders and Black business owners to grow our businesses. We hope to see you there.

I always like to end by thanking a group of special people. Many thanks to those who have contributed to the success of BBI. While the list is long, I would like to sum it up as those staff, board members and key

Spring 2010

REGIONAL REPORT Central Njabulo Nkala

The experts have said the deepest recession since the 1930’s seems to be on its way out. This is an ideal time for businesses to take advantage of available opportunities.

This has been an unusually quiet season in the central region. I am hoping this will change soon. Planned are a series of outreach initiatives. We are looking forward to duplicating our successful Role Models on the Road program throughout the region along with some Business is Jammin’ presentations. These programs are focused on reaching out to Black youth, motivating and teaching them the importance of education and personal development as well as promoting entrepreneurship as a viable career option. Other programs and training for existing and potential business owners are also in the works.

I encourage those interested in hosting or partnering in any of our programs within the central region or those who want to know how we can work together to contact me at (902) 426-4281 or email: nkala.njabulo@bbi.ns.ca .

stakeholders who have given of their time, guidance and advice to support BBI and its composite entities in their pursuit of the mission and vision of BBI. We do not take your contribution lightly and we want to acknowledge all those, both in the past and currently, who contribute their time and energy to make this possible

Cassandra Dorrington, Chair

Black to Business

Spring 2010

7

Friday’s Concrete

Carol Dobson

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, who was down there working on the tiles, and we were talking about the size of the project, and it’s not done yet.”

“The guys on the crew like working with me because they know they’ll be doing something different every day.”

O

wner Brent Symonds named his company Friday’s because he’s discovered that’s his busiest work day.

“The contractors like to have their basement floors done on Friday so the concrete can harden over the weekend and they’re good to go on Monday morning,” he says.

Symonds got his start working with concrete in his youth, accompanying his grandfather on jobs. It evolved from helping his grandfather haul gear on and off the truck to summer work to working as a concrete finisher to eventually opening his own company five years ago.

At the same time he opened his business, he started building a new home in Hammonds Plains. Those two endeavours have consumed him and he admits he’s finally reaching the point where he’s seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

The region’s healthy homebuilding industry has been a benefit to him, with word of mouth being his best advertising thus far, and he finds himself on the road a great deal.

“Some days I’m in Peggy’s Cove, other days I’m in Bridgewater, or I’m in the Valley for a week or New Brunswick for a month,” Symonds admits. “I know it’s going to be a busy year ahead because of the construction that’s going on in this area (around Bedford). There’s a lot of construction around the Ravines area, plus over in Portland Hills and the Freshwater development.”

One of the most interesting projects he’s worked on is the massive $25 million home being built on the Northwest Arm in Halifax’s south end.

“When it started out, it was going to cost $7 million but it’s grown since then,” he says. “I did the concrete work, including some coloured floors, some stamping, some matting ... We came up with a lot of the special features as we went along.

The bulk of his business is in finishing concrete floors for basements, but he also works on driveways, walkways, and other smaller concrete projects and has a small cement mixer that he uses for mixing small amounts of concrete for decorative features, like rock walls.

Depending on the amount of work on hand, he has a team of workers he can rely on or works with other concrete companies in the area to get the job done.

“Sometimes it’s just me working on the job long into the evening,” he says. “The guys on the crew like working with me because they know they’ll be doing something different every day.”

Brent Symonds

Friday’s Concrete Ltd. •

Upper Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia

• 902-293-5717

Black to Business

Spring 2010

8

REGIONAL REPORT Northern

Message from the CEO

continued from page 2

accomplishment. Gordon Doe and the Board Members of this Fund should be proud of this achievement.

are pleased that our community development fund was there at the early stages in their development of sustainable strategies and part of their progress. Moreover, past Black Business Initiative (BBI) staff such as Evan Williams, now with the Province of Nova Scotia, worked closely with the AGS, and Sheldon States, now a teacher in Windsor, worked with ANSMA and BLHS. This is just a sample of some of the positive change delivered by heroes in our midst.

The team at the BBI, both board and staff, continues the hard work needed to result in success. Although we said goodbye to Evan Williams in January, the projects he was working on were quickly taken over

by Cheyanne Gorman-Tolliver and Shakara Russell. Dorothy Fletcher, Gregory Nazaire and Keisha Jefferies work closely with Jessie Jollymore and her team with the children’s garden. If many of the businesses and projects we are currently working on continue to make a difference, we will certainly be closer to our vision of a dynamic and vibrant presence in the Nova Scotia business community.

The Black Business Initiative with its Community Development Fund enables heroes and organizations to deliver on their goals and objectives.

We are also making inroads within our organization, this winter saw us passing the half million dollar mark with our Community Economic Development Investment Fund (CEDIF). This is a significant milestone, although delayed largely by the downturn in the global economy last year, is still a major

S.I. Rustum Southwell, CEO

Deep Panuke gas project business and career opportunities.

For information on business opportunities with EnCana’s Deep Panuke natural gas development in Nova Scotia’s offshore, visit the Deep Panuke pages on the EnCana website at www.encana.com/deeppanuke/business For information on employment opportunities at Deep Panuke, visit the Career section on EnCana’s website at www.encana.com or the Career Beacon website at www.careerbeacon.com

www.encana.com

ECOR-7758 Deep Panuke_Generic ad update.indd 1

1/20/09 11:21:51 AM

Cheyanne

Gorman-

Tolliver

Partnering with the African Nova Scotian Employment Center (ANSEC) and Cape Breton University Business Centre (CBUBC), the first African Nova Scotian Business Development Workshop was held in Sydney in January. Along with BBI, representatives from CBUBC, CBDC Coastal Business Centre, NS Co-operative Council, InNovacorp, and Sydney & Area Chamber of Commerce participated in this initiative to inform community members of the services available for new and existing entrepreneurs.

Congratulations to the members of the Sydney African Nova Scotian Service Providers on the success of the Proclamation Day event held in Sydney to open African Heritage Month. Honoured guest included Mrs. Beryl Braithwaite of Whitney Pier who was featured on the 2010 poster for African Heritage Month, Leading Ladies-Lasting Legacies.

Congratulations also go out to African Nova Scotian Affairs-Cape Breton Region and the Menelik Hall Association for another successful sold out African Heritage Month Gala. As part of the night’s event Joseph Parris (BBI Board Member & BIJ Board Chair) and Theresa Smith (Chairperson, UNIA Cultural Museum) were honoured with the Tom Miller Award for Human Rights and contributions to their community.

Another special event for African Heritage Month took place in New Glasgow. The Vale Quilters Association held an exhibition featuring the history of quilt making among African Nova Scotian communities.

For more information or to arrange a meeting please contact me at 426-8685, toll free at 1-888-664-9333 or by email: gorman-tolliver. cheyanne@bbi.ns.ca

Black to Business

Spring 2010

9

Peter Marsman

Sunworld Tanning

Chad Lucas

“In the end it was a lot more freeing to be our own company,” Crawley says.

Adele Crawley, Sunworld Tanning

S

unworld Tanning started with a classic case of entrepreneurial vision: Adele Crawley saw a need and figured the best way to fill it was to start her own business.

Crawley spent five years working in an office downtown in Scotia Square, where thousands of people pass through every day. One service the mall lacked was a tanning salon.

“I’ve always been a tanner, even though I’m Black,” Crawley says with a laugh. “I thought it would be a great thing to have (in Scotia Square) because there was nothing like it in the area for people to go to at lunch or after work. I decided to open my own place.”

Crawley was right: the idea was a hit. She estimates that the salon took in $2,000 on its first day of business. But like any company, Crawley and family business partners Tony Johnson (her cousin) and Debbie MacDonald (her mother) have seen their ups and downs.

They started in 2004 as a franchise of a company but later severed the relationship and started their own operation as Sunworld.

And she’s used to hearing from critics of the tanning industry, who link indoor and outdoor tanning with skin cancer. But Crawley has done her research and is quick to point out that moderate amounts of sunlight help the body produce vitamin D. She says that sunscreen manufacturers have done such a good job scaring people out of the sun that most people now have a Vitamin D deficiency— which has been linked to many other types of cancer.

Crawley says she’s all about helping people learn how to tan responsibly.

“You have to know what you’re talking about, and I don’t want to give people false information,” she says. “You do hear some horror stories, and a lot of people think you can go in (to a salon) and in two sessions you’re brown.

That’s not usually how it works.

“It’s like anything else: anything that’s good for you, if you get too much of it, it can have the opposite effect. We try to teach our clients how to tan smart, indoors and outdoors.”

Responsible tanning can also be a pick-me-up during the gloomy winter months, Crawley says, especially for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

She points out that people with darker skin need sunlight and vitamin D as much as anyone else—or even more.

“About 15 to 20 percent of our clientele are Black,” Crawley says. “The darker your skin is, the more vitamin D you need. One tan is equal to about 100 glasses of milk.”

After six years, business continues to grow at Sunworld. The company recently expanded with the BBI’s help, adding two more rooms and beds to bring the total number to eight.

“We definitely needed that expansion in order to continue to provide good service and quality to our customers,” Crawley says.

For her, the highlight of owning Sunworld is the relationships she builds with her clients.

“It’s really rewarding getting to know people,” she says. “And I like owning my own business. It’s a lot of hard work, but it really does pay off.”

5201 Duke St, Halifax Adele Crawley

422-9346

Black to Business

10

Question

Spring 2010

L

How can I get online marketing for my business?

A look at Google Local Business Listings.

Center. The Local Business Center is a Web application that provides listings for businesses on Google Maps. Listing a business here will make it visible to anyone anywhere in the world with access to the Internet – and did I mention it’s for FREE!?

Featured Expert: Njabulo Nkala,

Regional Business Development Manager Eighty-five percent of all Canadians use the Internet and about 15 million of us will go online at least three times today.

The Internet has morphed rapidly over the past few decades from just being a phenomenon for a few to becoming the ultimate resource for businesses selling and promoting products and services, accessing world-size market.

The challenge for many small businesses is figuring how to profit from this seemingly versatile resource without investing a lot of money, particularly in an environment where everyone’s cutting costs.

One good thing about the Internet is that users can access countless good, useful tools, legally, without having to pay a penny. In this article we’re going to examine how businesses can effectively market themselves online, for free, using Google. Google is more than an Internet search engine. Google has revolutionized the way we use the Internet by creating a wide range of handy tools and utilities that simplify our Internet experience, simultaneously opening enormous platforms for businesses to sell themselves.

Any smart business should be part of the revolution.

One really neat tool that Google has developed is the Google Local Business

This application, which is similar to Yellow Pages but is less expensive, wider reaching and allows business owners or any authorized persons to register or list their business. The listing increases your company’s visibility on Google to anyone searching for the type of business in a specific area. Google Local Business listings show up when users search for a specific business type followed by location on Google. For example, searching for “B&B, Digby NS” will give a listing of bed and breakfast operations in Digby.

Search results will show local business results on top of the search page with a Google map and list up to 10 local businesses. Clicking on “More results near Digby” will reveal all listed businesses and a map with a marking for each location. Users can access location information, a map and driving directions, as well as detailed information about each.

Setting up a listing is pretty straight forward. It is done through signing up at the Google Local Business Center website at www.google.com/localbusinesscenter.

First off, you will need to have a working email address. You will then need to create a new account (if you don’t already have a Google account such as Gmail) by clicking “sign up”. This will prompt you to enter some required information, as well as accept terms and conditions.

What’s good about your Google listing is that it not only allows you to add the address and contact information, but

it also to lets you to add descriptions of goods and services offered, hours of operation, any other pertinent information in identifying the business, payment options, photos and videos, and even upload coupons customers can print off for their next visit. You also get links to the listing that you can distribute through email. As well, you have the ability to edit your listing. Customers can write reviews of their visits to your business.

In order to ensure that only legitimate businesses are registered, Google requires all listings to be verified with a PIN that is sent after listing a submission, either through a phone message or a post card sent to the business owner, hence the need for valid contact information. Once verified, your operation will appear each time local searches are made of businesses similar to your specific type.

In this digital age where people are more likely to reach for their computer or mobile phone than their phonebook to look up the nearest pizza place, it makes good sense for a business to have online listings. While this article has focused on Google Local Business Center, there are other applications out there, paid and free that would achieve similar goals and possibly be more suited for your specific business needs. GenieKnows.com, a Halifax based company launched an online business directory service that offers both basic (free) and premium (paid) listings.

I also recommend that businesses use many of the available online directories and social networking applications, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn that are also very effective continued on page 28 >

Black to Business

Spring 2010

11

BBI Directory Launch December 3, 2009

Cassandra Dorrington, BBI Chair welcomes guests.

Guests of the BBI at the buffet.

BBI Board members Shirley Robinson-Levering and Bruce Johnson.

Funmi Joseph Director, Enterprise Development for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Jodi Lyne (keyboards) and his band, entertaining the crowd.

BBI Chair Cassandra Dorrington speaks with Lawyer and BBC Board member Paul Walter.

Celina & Ed Matwawana enjoying the evening.

Black to Business

Spring 2010

12

BIJ 2010 March Break Camp

Guests making connections at the BBI Directory Launch.

Ricky Anderson, Boxing Champ & Motivational Speaker with some of the youth from the BIJ Camp.

Young Entrepreneurs at the BIJ March Break Camp.

Atlantic Progress publisher Neville Gilfoy with Former BBI Executive Assistant Roselyne Orengo.

Brian Watson from the Dept. of Economic Development and Irvine Carvery of the Africville Genealogy Society.

Ansma Awards Show January 9, 2010

RS Smooth receives the 2010 BBI Industry Development Award.

Black to Business

From churches to festivals, schools to special events, these local groups are celebrating and sharing Nova Scotia’s rich gospel music heritage.

The Nova Scotia Mass Choir

F

rom theatres to churches, schools to community centres, the Nova Scotia Mass Choir (NSMC) has spent the past 18 years sharing its love of gospel music at home and internationally.

“When we sing this style of music, it moves people,” says NSMC president Rosella Fraser. “We also get ministered to by the music every time we perform. And not all of us are Christians.

But gospel still has the same impact.”

In its eighth year, the annual concert honours both Dr. King’s legacy and the contributions of leaders from the African Nova Scotian community.

“We want people to be aware of the rich history that African Nova

Shoulder To Shoulder

Scotians have,” says Fraser. “That’s why we continue with [The Dream Continues].”

And while not all members of this diverse group share the same cultural background, they are bonded by their mutual love of gospel music.

“When this mixed group of people first got together [in 1992 for a performance at the International Gospel Festival], it was just a fusion of Nova Scotians that love to sing,” says Fraser. “And our The choir’s blend of traditional and style developed into a traditional Nova contemporary gospel has earned them Scotian Black gospel musical style several accolades, including two East because even though the people came Coast Music Awards and two African from different walks of life, they fell in Nova Scotian Music Awards. love with this style of music.”

This year the NSMC partnered with CBC Radio to present their popular musical tribute concert to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., called The Dream Continues (formerly Share The Dream).

Peter Marsman

Gospel Groups Paul Adams

Spring 2010

13

Currently led by musical director Joe Colley – with regular participation from guest conductor Woody Woods – the Nova Scotia Mass Choir continues to bring audiences to their feet.

“Gospel music is very out there and in your face,” says Fraser. “When it’s bouncing and the beats are on, you can’t just sit.”

“People get moved,” she adds. “They get touched. And [that] really makes it worthwhile.”

A

chance invitation to perform at an Annapolis Valley school for African Heritage Month turned a praise and worship team into a gospel band.

“Four members of the band all played at the same church as the worship team,” remembers Lawrence Parker, a student support worker with the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board and founding member of the gospel band Shoulder To Shoulder.

“When I [taught] elementary school as an educational assistant, the principal wanted to do something for Black History Month, and asked if I had any ideas. And I said that a few guys that I went to church with did a presentation [on] the history of gospel music.”

It just took one school presentation for word to get around. “Some other

Black to Business

14

Spring 2010

schools heard about us because the kids liked us so well,” remembers Parker. “So we put a program together, and we’ve been together ever since.”

Peter Marsman

Shauntay Grant

The Sanctified Boys

The five-member band includes musicians Carey Langille and Mark Riley, and founding members Bobby Smith, Billy Lucas and Lawrence Parker.

Seventeen years since that inaugural school presentation, Shoulder To Shoulder is still going strong, playing at churches, festivals, schools, and special events around the province.

“This is our seventeenth year going around to schools,” says Parker.

“We do presentations on racial harmony and Black history, and we relate songs to it. We thought it would be a great way to celebrate African Heritage Month – which is in February – so when we go in to schools it’s usually [during] February and March.”

Not your usual venue for a gospel group. But Shoulder To Shoulder’s special way of presenting Black history through gospel music is both an entertaining and educational experience for young learners.

“We love music,” says Parker. “And we love playing at churches, of course, but our main venues are schools.”

Seventeen years since that inaugural school presentation, Shoulder To Shoulder is still going strong,...

W

allace Smith Jr. says there was not a particular “moment” where his gospel male quartet formally decided to become a performing band.

“People just kept asking us to sing,” says Smith of the North Preston-based group The Sanctified Boys (formerly The Deep River Boys).

A televised Brookes Diamond production featuring the Hallelujah Praise Choir – a group that Smith directs – led to the formation of The Sanctified Boys.

“When we started singing we were known as the male chorus from the Hallelujah Praise Choir,” remembers Smith.

“We came to church one Sunday and we started singing a song, and just out of the blue – when the song was over – Deacon Everett [Smith] jumped up and [said], ‘Wow! You guys sound just like the Deep River Boys!’”

A name that stuck. “People just kept [calling us] The Deep River Boys,” says Smith.

Unbeknownst to Smith in the beginning, that name had long been claimed by an American gospel group active mainly between the 1930s and 50s. “We went for about a year with a major identity crisis,” laughs Smith. “And I’m thinking, we have a CD that we’re working on, and we can’t title the CD Deep River Boys because we could be up for legal ramifications.”

And so bandleader Sean Downey came up with The Sanctified Boys.

Wallace Smith Jr., Rev. Wallace Smith Sr., Danna Willis, Michael Smith, and Raymond Smith – along with their band – brought a 2009 Atlantic Jazz Festival audience to its feet at a special Sunday gospel performance at the festival’s main stage tent.

The group continues to inspire audiences at festivals, churches and events around the province.

“Most of our music is high energy,” says Smith. “It’s all positive.”

“It’s about hope,” adds Smith.

“Gospel music let’s people know that there’s hope out there.”

Black to Business

15

Spring 2010

Chad Lucas

Paul Adams

Our methods of communication continue to evolve in the Digital Age, but written words and images still carry an unmatched power to reach people’s minds and hearts. This issue, we take a look at people who have made an art and a business of spreading the word, from passing on stories of Nova Scotia’s rich African heritage to helping a new generation find its voice.

For Bowden, editing and producing Teens Now Talk is about giving teenagers a voice and a chance to engage with the world around them.

“People ask why I do the magazine, and I say why not?” Bowden says.

“There was nothing here for youth.

Now they have a voice, and that’s a key part of the future. We need the youth to be engaged. They don’t read newspapers, and they’ll be the first to tell you that. You have to give them a platform that they themselves read and own.”

Jessica Bowden and some teens who help put the magazine together.

Teens Now Talk Magazine Jessica Bowden talks about her career with the passion and energy of a teenager—which is fitting, since teens are both her target audience and her main contributors.

“We feature 100 to 150 youth per issue, from stories and columns to pictures and quotes,” Bowden says.

“We receive tons of submissions every day. There’s no shortage of content.”

Bowden is the editor of Teens Now Talk, a magazine that’s written both for and by local teenagers. Now entering its third year of publication, the Halifax-based quarterly is available in locations ranging from high schools to Chapters and Wal-Mart.

TNT offers teenagers a chance to be involved beyond writing an article or submitting a photo—they can also get involved with production or promoting events sponsored by the magazine.

More importantly, Bowden estimates the magazine has highlighted the achievements or featured the work of close to 2,000 teenagers since the first issue launched in December 2007.

“I call it a triple-decker train, and all I am is the conductor,” Bowden says.

“I make sure it stays on track and has a guide, but the teens are the energy that propels the train going forward.”

The magazine is also a hit with parents and teachers, because it encourages youth to find creative outlets and pick up skills that will help them down the road. Bowden mentions one budding photography student who already has a cover photo from the magazine to include in her portfolio for university.

“Every child has the right to dream,” Bowden says. “The magazine helps them find the words to express it, and the strength to believe it.”

Look for Teens Now Talk in local bookstores, or visit on the web at www.teensnowtalk.com.

“Every child has the right to dream,” ...“The magazine helps them find the words to express it, and the strength to believe it.”

– Jessica Bowden

Black to Business

16

Spring 2010

Gloria Wesley loves to see the surprise and delight on people’s faces when they realize that they can write creatively—and well.

Paul Adams

Creative Expressions Consulting Wesley, who offers workshops ranging from adult literacy to “power writing,” considers that moment of discovery one of the most rewarding things she does.

“We’ll be in a workshop and people are reading their pieces and sometimes there’s one where everyone will just stop and say, ‘Oh, that’s so good,’” Wesley says. “You just see the person’s face light up when they get that acknowledgement from others. It really improves their selfesteem.”

Helping people unlock that hidden ability is the motivation behind Creative Expressions. A retired English teacher, Wesley began working on adult literacy with the Department of Education in 2005 before branching out with her own workshops.

“I had a background teaching high school students and I thought moving on to adult literacy would be a good thing,” Wesley says. “I want to inspire people, who have a lot of difficulty expressing themselves, to pick up a pen and start jotting down their ideas. I help people to be more creative.”

Wesley also practices what she preaches. She’s written a historical novel called Burlap and Lace that follows a family of Black Loyalists upon their arrival in Nova Scotia.

It’s available at Carrefour Atlantic Emporium bookstore in Historic Properties, Halifax.

“I love writing about African Nova Scotian history,” Wesley says.

Gloria Wesley of Creative Expressions Consulting

“I had a background teaching high school students and I thought moving on to adult literacy would be a good thing,”. “I want to inspire people, who have a lot of difficulty expressing themselves, to pick up a pen and start jotting down their ideas. I help people to be more creative.”

– Gloria Wesley

For more information on workshops and services, contact Creative Expressions Consulting at 443.1466. continued on page 17 >

Black to Business

17

Spring 2010

Paul Adams

Kilimanjaro Books and Café

Beku Fesshaye of Kilimanjaro Books and Café

The location may be different, but Kilimanjaro Books and Café is still a prime source for literature on all things African.

Owner Beku Fesshaye has amassed a large collection of new and used books at his café, which recently moved to 20 Titus Street, Halifax, just up the road from the old location on Dutch Village Road.

“It’s a far more comfortable location, the place is more visible and it’s a little bit more open,” says Fesshaye, an expatriate Eritrean who immigrated to Halifax in 1990. “I have all the books on the main floor now, so it’s easier for people to browse.”

Kilimanjaro is more than just a place to grab a book or a cup of tea; it’s become something of a gathering spot for many new and recent immigrants to Canada

in Halifax’s diverse West End. Fesshaye’s café also offers music and other assorted goods, a Western Union branch and more varied food menu on Sundays.

Fesshaye admits it’s been a challenging season for his café, just as it has for many small businesses and independent booksellers during recent tough economic times.

But he’s hopeful that the new location will help generate more traffic, especially once the weather grows nicer.

After all, good books are always in demand.

“It’s difficult for small businesses to survive, but we’ve made it so far and I don’t see any reason why things won’t get better,” he says. “I’m optimistic.”

Visit Kilimanjaro Books and Café at 20 Titus St. in Halifax.

“It’s difficult for small businesses to survive, but we’ve made it so far and I don’t see any reason why things won’t get better,” “I’m optimistic.”

– Beku Fesshaye

Spring 2010

18

Paul Adams

Black to Business

“The object was simple: we wanted to get people talking and informed about African Nova Scotian history. And I think we’ve done that.”

– Tony Colaiacovo

Juanita Peters of CACE and Tony Colaiacovo of Effective Publishing Ltd.

Times of African Nova Scotians Many of the province’s junior and senior high school students have a slice of African Nova Scotian history in their hands, thanks to Tony Colaiacovo.

Colaiacovo’s Effective Publishing Ltd. published and helped develop the Times of African Nova Scotians, a newspaper-style history journal that has become a key part of the curriculum in African Heritage and African Canadian Studies classes across the province.

The Times features articles on Nova Scotia icons like Viola Desmond and contributions from respected figures such as George Elliott Clarke and Sylvia Hamilton.

It hit schools in 2008 and was distributed to social studies students throughout Nova Scotia.

For Colaiacovo, the Times of African Nova Scotians was a natural extension of a successful series of guides capturing snapshots of local history. He has also published the Titanic Times, the Times of Pier 21 and the Times of Halifax.

All three are popular items in museum gift shops and local tourist attractions.

“As a publisher, I start with things that I’d like to know myself,” said Colaiacovo, who has been in the publishing business since 1979. “I suspected there’s an audience out there for people that were visiting and wanted to know more (about local history) than just the surface stuff you were given in the tourist literature.”

All of the Times publications are designed to look like a circa-1920s newspaper, complete with archival photos and headlines sometimes taken straight from the front pages of the era.

When Colaiacovo approached the provincial Department of Education’s African-Canadian Services Division about doing a similar project on African Nova Scotian history, the idea was a hit.

He collaborated with the Education Department and the Council on African Canadian Education to produce a 36-page journal that was thoroughly researched, peerreviewed by top scholars — and most importantly to students, an entertaining read as well.

“The demand has far exceeded our expectations,” says Colaiacovo.

“The object was simple: we wanted to get people talking and informed about African Nova Scotian history. And I think we’ve done that.”

To purchase any of the Times publications, write to: Effective Publishing, PO Box 31085, Halifax, NS B3K 5T9.

The future belongs to businesses ability to quickly identify best opportunities while embracing innovation in advance of the competition.

Business leaders need a fast strategic transformation in order to survive.

The importance of making the correct decisions in a timely fashion is reflected in the 2010 Black Business Summit theme: “Race to Business Success.”

As the premiere gathering of its kind, the Summit will bring together a wide variety of top notch speakers and participants from diverse backgrounds– from policy makers and leading thinkers to industry captains. Networking opportunities will be unparalleled.

Join hundreds of business leaders and entrepreneurs at the 2010 Black Business Summit. Don’t wait; register now to guarantee your seat!

jUNE 23–25, 2010

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, Halifax, Nova Scotia

BBI SUMMIT KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Judge Glenda A. Hatchett She’s strong, savvy and resolute. She’s intuitive, concerned and compassionate. She’s a realist, an innovator and a leader.

She’s Judge Glenda A. Hatchett, and she knows the difference between achieving success and making a difference.

sion approach, and continues to urge viewers to become mentors to at-risk youth in their communities.

A visionary who knows how to get results, Judge Hatchett is renowned in the legal community for her groundbreaking courtroom style.

Best known for her revolutionary “interventions,” she is widely respected for her work with today’s youth, which not only sets her apart from other judges, but also establishes her as a leader in the justice system nationwide.

After graduating from Emory University School of Law and completing a coveted clerkship in the U.S. Federal Courts, Judge Hatchett took a position at Delta Air Lines, where she would remain for almost 10 years. As the company’s highest-ranking African-American woman, Judge Hatchett served dual roles in both the legal and public relations departments. As manager of public relations, she supervised global crisis management, and handled media relations for all of Europe, Asia and 50 U.S. cities. In fact, her outstanding contributions were recognized by Ebony Magazine, which named Hatchett one of the “100 Best and Brightest Women in Corporate America.”

Judge Hatchett is also the author of the national bestseller, Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say (Harper Collins, 2003), based on her extensive professional experiences as a jurist and her own personal experience as a mother of two boys.

The Judge also serves as national spokesperson for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a non-profit volunteer organization that trains volunteers to represent abused and neglected children and help them navigate the court system.

In May 2005, Judge Hatchett received a special honor at the Mayor of New York City’s residence, Gracie Mansion.

Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, presented Judge Hatchett with the Mayor’s “Made In NY” award for her contribution to New York City’s daytime television community.

Alongside other “Made In NY” winners, actress Susan Lucci of “All My Children,” Geraldine Laybourne, CEO of Oxygen Media, and Twila Liggett, Creator/Executive Producer of PBS’ “Reading Rainbow,” Judge Hatchett presided over the opening bell at NASDAQ on the morning of the 32nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

When asked about her numerous accolades and awards, Judge Hatchett will always point out that her most important accomplishment is her ability to have a positive impact on the lives of troubled youth and their families. As evidenced by her popular, award-winning, nationally syndicated television series Judge Hatchett – which begins its sixth season on September 5, 2005 – Judge Hatchett defines a whole new courtroom televi-

The Jurist “I never really expected to be a lawyer. I went to law school to expand my options, and while I was there, I discovered a passion for litigation. After my clerkship, I started litigating at Delta Air Lines, and I truly believed I would remain there for the balance of my career. I couldn’t have been more wrong!”

youth would be exposed to successful executives and community leaders who would inspire them to make changes in their lives. Sentences often included sending troubled youth to one of the participating organizations in an effort to teach them how to take positive steps toward their futures.

After her first year on the bench, the local chapter of the National Bar Association recognized Judge Hatchett for her pioneering leadership in revolutionizing the Fulton County Juvenile Court system, selecting her as Outstanding Jurist of the Year.

Judge Hatchett was also honored with the Roscoe Pound Award, the highest award for Outstanding Work in Criminal Justice from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. The Spelman College Board of Trustees selected Judge Hatchett to receive the Outstanding Community Service Award, and she was also honored with the NAACP’s Thurgood Marshall Award. In 1990, Judge Hatchett helped found the Truancy Intervention Project, which enlists the help of legal volunteers to provide early, positive intervention with children reported as truants.

Judge Hatchett made the difficult decision to leave Delta in order to accept an appointment as chief presiding judge of the Fulton County, Georgia Juvenile Court. “If anyone had told me that I’d be a judge someday, I’d have said they were crazy! However, certain people I respect in the community asked me to consider the judgeship.” Upon accepting the position, Judge Hatchett became Georgia’s first African-American chief presiding judge of a state court and the department head of one of the largest juvenile court systems in the country. As Judge Hatchett states, “I simply could not turn down an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of wayward children. “

Today’s Woman Judge Hatchett won a Prism Award (2003) for Best Unscripted Non-Fiction Series or Special for Television for the “Carrie’s Out of Rehab” episode, a poignant look at addiction and recovery.

Interventions / Mentoring The compassionate mother of two quickly fell in love with her judicial role, and worked tirelessly during her eight-year tenure to make a difference in the lives of young people. The innovative judge soon garnered national attention for her “creative sentencing,” which can still be seen today in the form of “interventions” on her television program, Judge Hatchett.

Judge Hatchett did her undergraduate work at Mount Holyoke College, which presented her with an honorary degree and named her a Distinguished Alumna. Her other alma mater, Emory University Law School, named her Outstanding Alumni of the Year and presented her with the highest award given to university alumni, the Emory Medal, for her unwavering commitment to children’s issues.

The concept of interventions was groundbreaking. Judge Hatchett worked in conjunction with community organizations and businesses including the Boys and Girls Clubs and Urban League to design a program where troubled

An Atlanta native, Judge Hatchett maintains her Atlanta residence where she lives with her two sons. She also keeps an apartment in New York City, where Judge Hatchett is produced.

Judge Glenda Hatchett serves on the board of directors for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), a Fortune 500 company that is the nation’s leading provider of healthcare services. She was named Woman of the Year by the national organization 100 Black Men of America, and one of the 10 Women of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of America.

continued on next page >

BBI SUMMIT KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Omar Tyree

Hezekiah Griggs Omar Tyree is a literary icon. The New York Times best-selling author, NAACP Image Award recipient and 2006 Phillis Wheatley Literary Award winner for Body of Work in Urban Fiction, has published 19 books and has over 8 mil-

Born into poverty and homelessness, Hezekiah Griggs’ story is not unlike that of many young people in America today. Raised in the hardened inner cities of Northern New Jersey, this young man rose above his circumstances to become a multimillionaire at age 21.

lion readers worldwide.

In addition to his track record in publishing Tyree has entered feature film, promotes youth literacy, is a popular speaker and business strategist.

Tyree recently was offered a feature film deal for five of his books. His first film Leslie, based off of one of Tyree’s book characters in New Orleans, LA will begin production in 2010.

Always an advocate for literacy, in 2008 Tyree started the Urban Literacy Project which is dedicated to teaching the importance and the key strategies to help young people become more excited about reading. The initiatives first project was a book released

by Just Us Publishing called “12 Brown Boys.” In addition, Tyree has worked with several schools on implementing what he calls the five components to literacy,

Griggs has been called “America’s Youngest Media Mogul.” He founded HG3 Media in 2003 and since then has grown the business into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, managing 20 different corporate operations and 45 collective media properties. Griggs also serves as a consultative marketing strategist, leveraging his experience and success in youth marketing to help other organizations strategically manage their image and brand.

Griggs serves as Chairman of The Hezekiah Griggs III (HG3) Foundation, which provides valuable assistance to community youth programs throughout the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut tri-state area, as well as international programs that provide the tools and resources needed for young people to survive in the 21st century. He is also an active member of several other regional and national nonprofit organizations, including Choice International and the Visionary Leaders Foundation.

Tyree is a popular speaker on the university and corporate circuits. In his “The Equation” lecture, Tyree weaves together a full-proof formula for attaining life-long success in business, as well as everyday living. The success of the speeches over the last 8 years landed Tyree his first non-fiction book deal with John Wiley, the number 1 business publisher in the world. “The Equation: Applying the 4 Indisputable Components of Business Success” was released in January 2009.

Griggs’ business and philanthropic initiatives have been recognized by public figures including former President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), as well as the Northern New Jersey Media Group.

Also, Griggs is the recipient of more than 300 awards and honors from organizations, including: Florida International University, Optimists International, AME Churches, and the prestigious NAACP and Optimist’s International Youth Leadership Award.

One of Tyree’s passions is helping current and aspiring authors go to the next level. Omar Tyree Incorporated serves as a coaching and mentoring program to help authors understand all the innerworkings of publishing and help them develop their book ideas and take them to market.

Hezekiah Griggs, III’s image, brands, products and service offerings embody today’s savvy, smart, witty, wired, and creative youth. Hezekiah Griggs, III -- a man who rose from poverty and homelessness -- is an authentic voice and inspiring role model for this generation.

Sirena C. Moore At the age of seventeen, Sirena Moore, a self-motivated, highly ambitious teenage mother of twin girls entered the corporate world by working for industry leaders such as Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Advest and Palm, Inc. Her objective: obtain the skills necessary to fulfill her dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

By age 21, with a business plan but no start-up capital, she joined with her father and brother to launch Elohim Cleaning Contractors, Inc., a full-service construction cleaning firm that provides a wide range of services to general contractors and construction management firms throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

Armed with marketing, financial planning, organizational and managerial skills from her previous work, this fledgling entrepreneur managed to grow her business revenue by 210% in one year. Her strong faith, family bonds, and ability to operate debt-free, have been her catalysts for growth. By 2008, her multi-million dollar business was ranked #8 in Philadelphia’s Top Minority Businesses, employing 83 minority men and women from very diverse backgrounds.

Her success in managing one of the up-and-coming small businesses in the region earned her respect and visibility within the business community and has allowed this young entrepreneur to fulfill a childhood dream of gracing the cover of Black Enterprise Magazine last year. Now 28, she serves as one of the youngest Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Board members, co-chairing the Diversity Committee, is an active member of the Urban League Young Professionals, and has been named 2010 Small Business Person of the Year.

Ms. Moore is a strong advocate of programs addressing issues such as teen pregnancy, violence prevention, financial empowerment and career development. She sits on the board of We are S.E.E.D.S., which provides an array of services to inner city young women.

Her lifestyle and accomplishments have been an inspiration to her peers and the young people she serves. Most recently, she created SirenaSpeaks, LLC, to assist other small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams by encouraging and empowering them through her motivational talks. Her innovative techniques and ideas continue to be invaluable assets to her business and her community.

BBI SUMMIT KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Ephren Taylor II Ephren Taylor is a Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author and the CEO of two publicly traded companies, one of which is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of the “Top 100 Socially Conscious Corporations in the United States.” Named by The Michigan Chronicle as one of the top “ten people making a global difference,” at 27 years old Ephren W. Taylor II is currently the youngest African-American CEO of any publicly traded company in United States history.

Taylor began his career with his first business venture as a videogame developer at the age of 12 and built a multimillion dollar technology company, GoFerretGo.com by the age of 17.

how to utilize it. As a result, he’s become a frequently requested speaker and panelist across the country.

As a “business accelerator” Taylor oversees millions in assets serving a diverse clientele of blue chip, private and multi-tier branding development interests and is engaged in building investor and shareholder value through profitable and socially-conscious investing that empowers urban communities. Thus far he’s successfully developed multimillion dollar initiatives ranging from creating affordable housing for working-class families to the development and production of bio-fuels. Through his action on green energy and philanthropy, Taylor is leading a new wave of CEO’s focusing on corporate social responsibility. Under Taylor’s direction, nearly every company and initiative he has worked on has experienced accelerated growth.

Conference Program

A nationally recognized authority on personal wealth and entrepreneurial business development, Taylor appears regularly on FOX News, CNBC and has been featured on network shows such as ABC’s 20/20, Montel Williams and many others. He also has regular appearances in print and radio media including PBS, Black Enterprise, and the Miami Herald. Additionally, Taylor’s name has nearly 400,000 results on Google.

Beyond his unprecedented accomplishments at such a young age, Taylor is an author, inspirational speaker, and business mentor.

His 2009 Wall Street Journal best-selling book “Creating Success from the Inside Out” (John Wiley & Sons), serves as an expose of the mindset of today’s multi-millionaires while defining success as not only attaining wealth, but

Taylor is currently on a national wealth tour (www. wealthtourlive.com) an international 30 city tour promoting economic empowerment for the church community, youth entrepreneurship, adequate retirement planning, and socially conscious investing to rebuild America’s promise. The tour brings together private investors, educators, nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, and government leaders to create positive change in local communities.

Taylor has achieved a great deal of success and has been called this generations “Warren Buffet and Jack Welch.” However, what motivates Taylor the most is the ability to contribute as a thought leader to ideas for new solutions to problems that have plagued communities for years, decades, and in some cases, centuries.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 BIJ Golf Tournament 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Conference Registration at the Halifax Harbourfront Hotel

Thursday, June 24, 2010 Breakfast Greetings and Conference Opening Opening Plenary – Race to Business Success Workshop 1 – Create Your Economy (w/ Sirena Moore, Ephren Taylor, Hezekiah Griggs & Omar Tyree) Keynote Luncheon – Judge Hatchett Vendor Fair and Networking Session After Dinner Boat Cruise

Friday, June 25, 2010 Breakfast Workshop 2 – The Way Forward: Creating Diversity for Business Success Workshop 3 – Last Mile Advantage: Winning the Race to Business Success Keynote Luncheon – Omar Tyree Biz Show / Wrap Up AGM Dinner & Dance

Black to Business

23

Spring 2010

People & Businesses on the Move

The late Pte. Jeremiah Jones was posthumously awarded a Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service at a Truro ceremony on February 22. The medal, which was presented by Her Honour, Lieutenant Governor Mayann Francis and the Hon. Peter MacKay to his grandson Rocky Jones, was awarded for his single-handedly taking out a machine-gun nest with a hand grenade when Canadians were pinned down in the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War. The Africville Genealogy Society has successfully rallied all levels of government to assist them in building a church, and interpretive centre on the former site of Africville. In February, the federal government announced a $250,000 contribution; the provincial government is contributing $1.5 million over three years for capital costs; and the HRM’s contributions include $3 million, 2.5 acres of land at Seaview Park, establishing an African Nova Scotian function within HRM, and a park maintenance agreement for the Seaview Park lands.

Six leading ladies were honoured and saluted during this year’s African Heritage Month for their longstanding contributions to the fabric of this province. They are: Willena Jones, Beryl Braithwaite, May Sheppard, and the late Edith Cromwell, Ada Fells and Geraldine White.

Congratulations to Shauntay Grant and Juanita Peters for being named to the Chronicle Herald’s 2009 Honour Roll as members of the arts

community ‘who took giant steps forward’ last year.

Shauntay Grant and Susan Tooke have also teamed up to produce their second children’s book, The City Speaks In Drums, to be released in June by Nimbus Publishing. Grant has also been commissioned to write new poetry for a collaborative performance piece with the Camarata Xara Young Women’s Choir.

The Black Educators Association marked its 40th anniversary in November with a gala event at the World Trade and Convention Centre.

Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard was the guest speaker.

Anthony Sherwood has created and debuted a play about the life of William Hall, VC in honour of the 150th anniversary of his being awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for valour in the former British Empire (and in Canada today). The play was performed in Halifax on February 7 at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Hall’s life has also been commemorated with a stamp that was unveiled on February 2, at the Black Cultural Centre, as part of the Navy’s 100th anniversary and on Parliament Hill as well.

The Black Cultural Centre held its annual Sweet Sounds of Christmas on December 12, featuring Esther and Sheldon Smith, the Four Tones, the Auburn Drive High School Jazz Ensemble, the Nova Gospel Ensemble, and Percy Riley.

Taking Hold of our Health, a short video featuring local Nova Scotia youth who show-cased their talent regarding education about diabetes prevention through physical activity, healthy living, cultural awareness and good nutrition, has been released by the Health Association of African Canadians (HAAC). The video was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and in partnership with Southeastern Community Health & Wellness Centre, Canadian Diabetes Association, and the Black Cultural Centre, and features Spoken Word Artist Israel Jones talking about diabetes prevention.

The Health Association of African Canadians has signed a formal partnership with Canadian Blood services to educate members of our African Canadian community about the importance of becoming a blood donor and registering with One Match stem cell and marrow network.

Marko Simmonds released his new CD, “Marko Presents” at The Company House on December 5th.

The Preston Area Boys and Girls Club hosted a Charity Basketball Tournament from Dec. 19-20th 2009 at the East Preston Recreation Centre.

The proceeds will be directed towards a ski trip for children from the community.

The African Nova Scotia Music Association (ANSMA) held the 12th anniversary annual music award show in Halifax on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Casino Nova Scotia’s

Black to Business

24

Schooner Room. Congratulations to the winners including Pat Watson, BassZ, DJ R$Smooth, the family of the late Nelson Symonds, Billy Downey, Faith Nolan, and Gary Beals. The show also included a salute to great R&B divas including Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin.

Centre. They are Irvine Carvery, Wiley Cain, Carson Jackson, and Dennis Jackson. The guest speaker at this year’s ceremony was Pastor Brian Johnston of Zion Baptist Church, Truro, Nova Scotia and the guest entertainer was Pat Watson.

The Nova Scotia Department of Education commissioned Dr. Enid Lee to complete a review of the effectiveness of the programs and services implemented as a result of the recommendations of the Black Learners Advisory Committee (BLAC) Report, Redressing Inequity Empowering Black Learners. Dr. Lee’s report Reality Check: A Review of key programs areas in the BLAC Report for their effectiveness in enhancing the educational opportunities and achievement of African Nova Scotian learners is now available.

The Nova Scotia Mass Choir and the CBC co-presented “The Dream Continues: A Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” in January.

The lineup included Linda Carvery, Woody Woods, Novelee Buchan, the Sanctified Boys, Universal Soul, Jamie Sparks, and the Rev. Wallace Smith.

A 20th Anniversary Gala Celebration of the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq Initiative was held at Dalhousie University’s School of Law on January 22. At the evening gala, the Donald Marshall Jr. Memorial Award and the Judge Corrinne Sparks Award in Law were presented.

Theresa Brewster, Glace Bay, and Joseph Parris, Whitney Pier, received the Tom Miller Human Rights Award at the 3rd Annual Celebration Gala held on Saturday, January 30th at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. Parris is sharing this honour with Theresa Smith who runs the Glace Bay U.N.I.A. that BBI has supported through its Community Development Fund Program and presently through BIJ for a Community Garden Project.

Congratulations to this year’s inductees to the Rev. W.P. Oliver Wall of Honour at the Black Cultural

Nova Scotians were treated to a sneak preview of George Elliott Clarke’s new jazz opera “Trudeau” at the Sacred Heart School in January. In addition to his readings from the libretto, singers Janice Jackson and Stuart Hiseler were on hand to perform musical selections from the opera.

Darlene Strong’s travelling exhibit, “The Life and Times of Sand Hill” opened at the Cumberland County Museum and Archives on January 26, running until February 27.

Susan Tooke’s drawings from the book “Up Home”, by Shauntay Grant, were on display at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design in February and March.

Tooke spent a few days with the children at the Harbourside Elementary School to help them draw stories of their own lives and these drawings have been added to the exhibition.

Congratulations to Shyanne Dolliver of Dartmouth for being named the athlete of the year

Spring 2010

by the Nova Scotia Special Olympics. In her four years with the Special Olympics, she has won medals as a member of Team Nova Scotia and Team Canada.

David Woods read and performed his works, including “Native Song”, “Gottingen X”, and “Aunt Nellie Stories” at a number of venues in the Metro area during African Heritage Month. He is one of four writers whose work was featured on CBC Radio each Monday morning during the month of February. The others were Tesia Rolle (poet), Wanda Robson (storyteller), and Dr. Anthony Stewart (social history).

One of Black to Business’ photographers, Paul Adams, was featured in a story about weddings in the Chronicle-Herald on Sunday, January 24. The feature also included samples of his wedding photography.

The 5th Annual Black Loyalist Heritage Society Chocolate Festival was held on February 7. This year, florist Neville MacKay, was on hand to do a floral presentation.

“Mom Suse: Matriarch of the Preston Area Black Communities”, written by Vivian Willis and researched/edited by Gwen Simmonds, tells the story of a Nova Scotian woman who was witness to pivotal events which shaped our history during her 105 years of life (1883-1988).

After a fire destroyed their offices, the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association has moved continued on page 26 >

Black to Business

Spring 2010

25

Constructing the Future

Gordon Doe

Paul Adams

Paul Adams

Wrap-Up Phase I

Paul Adams

(top left clockwise); Trovias Smith, Gordon Tynes, Tyrone Dixion

I

t was a fitting event for a group of 15 graduates who had successfully completed the 40-week long “Constructing The Future” (CTF) program run by the Black Business Initiative (BBI).

Approximately 60 members of the Nova Scotia Black community, including graduates and their families and guests, met at the Citadel Hotel in Halifax on November 27, 2009, to attend the graduation ceremony of participants in BBI’s construction apprenticeship training program.

After the event, the assembled enjoyed a networking social and lunch.

The hour-long formal ceremony featured remarks from the Hon. Minister Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development, Dale Crawford, Director of Apprenticeship Training, Dept. Of Labour and Workforce, Ann Rogers, Nova Scotia Community College, Rustum Southwell, CEO, BBI, and Joel Marsman, the program coordinator. However, the real success of the program was evident in the

remarks of three of the participants who chose to speak at the event: Rhonda Drummond, Tony Shepherd and Tremayne Mensah. They spoke of what the program meant to them and how their lives have changed because of it. It was very emotional for Rhonda Drummond to speak as she recounted how an e-mail containing information on the program sent to her by her brother changed the course of her life. Among those in the audience was Senator Don Oliver.

I had the honour to act as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Feedback from Phase I has been so positive that the demand for Phase II is extremely high. Without any active advertisement, the BBI has received over 60 applications for the Phase II project. I am hopeful that BBI’s partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Workforce Development will continue and that BBI will be able to obtain financing to run Phase II. Most of the graduates remain committed to pursuing their long-term dream in the construction.

(top left clockwise); Omax Charles, Walter Muise, Zack Jarvis,Tony Sheppard, Tremayne Deleon Paul Adams

2009 Constructing The Future (CTF) Program Graduates: (top left clockwise): Nigel Lamey,Tyrone Dixion, Rhonda Drummond, Tony Sheppard, Michael Sparks, Roy Gangoo,Tremayne Mensah,Tremayne Deleon, Zack Jarvis, Kabello Setlhong & Trovias Smith

Tony Sheppard gives speech as Gordon Doe (BBI) looks on

Approximately 60 members of the Nova Scotia Black community, including graduates and their families and guests, met at the Citadel Hotel in Halifax on November 27, 2009...

Black to Business TRAINING REPORT Shakara Russell

We are in the process of revamping our training department’s courses and are excited about the new workshops and courses for 2010.

Look for our 2010/2011 Training Schedule [Metro] in the next Black to Business magazine. We encourage you to continue forwarding ideas for possible workshop topics.

The BBI has partnered with Social and Enterprise Development Innovations [SEDI], a charitable organization that works with community groups nationwide, to deliver their The City training program - developed by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) and the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC).

The program teaches youth budgeting, savings, credit and debt, insurance, identity theft, investing and much more. It is designed to assist youth in becoming financially self-sufficient.

Our training department will deliver this program in Metro with plans to expand delivery to other parts of the province by the end of the year.

For more information visit The City’s website at www.themoneybelt.gc.ca

For information on our courses outside of Metro, please contact me at: (902) 426- 6692; toll free: 1 (888) 664- 9333 or speak to your area RBDM.

26 People & Business on the Move continued from page 24

to a new headquarters at 71 Victoria Street in Amherst.

There have been many fundraisers for the people of Haiti since the earthquake struck in early January.

Asia and NuGruv were the featured artists at one held at Big Leagues in Dartmouth. Tesia Rolle and Taryn Della were among the artists at Voices for Haiti at The Company House, while the residents of Shelburne County held a lobster supper on January 31. In Halifax, the Halifax for Haiti concert on February 8 included the talents of Linda Carvery, Dutch Robinson, the Nova Scotia Mass Choir, and the cast of Drum (just prior to their leaving for the Vancouver Olympics) and raised $270,000.

IN MEMORIAM The BBI would like to extend its sympathy to the family of the late Dr. Edith Cromwell, a well-known and well-respected educator, community leader, and advocate and to the friends and family of Willena Jones, who passed away the morning of Monday, Feb. 22, in Truro. One of the six Leading Ladies honoured this year for African Heritage Month, Mrs. Jones was an educator, a mother, a respected elder and the first woman of African descent to teach school in Truro.

Spring 2010

REGIONAL REPORT Southern Greg Nazaire As winter ends, spring looks promising; especially in the Valley with regards to new business developments and expansions.

I have met with several people who have expressed an interest in starting a business. For example, a young woman in my region is planning to start a salon featuring, along with other services, African hair braiding.

Congratulations to Jessie Jollimore whose North End Community Garden project has garnered attention from coast to coast. She gave a fascinating presentation to the Black Business Initiative Board of Directors on the Garden and how the community supported the project. We are starting to replicate the community garden model throughout the province under the umbrella of Business is Jammin, the BBI’s youth charity. The initial stage will begin in Yarmouth with Chuck Smith and Bruce Johnson.

I would like to congratulate James Downey from Horace Construction on his successful fiscal year and thank him for volunteering to help our Constructing the Future program both as an eventual employer and more importantly, as a mentor to young apprentices.

Horace Construction was featured in the 42nd issue of the Black to Business magazine as a thriving African Nova Scotian construction firm that provides a variety of services ranging from paving to snow removal.

Should you require any further information or to book a regional visit, please contact me at: (902)426-1625 or the toll free number 1(800)668-1010.

Black to Business

27

Paul Adams

Urban Hip Hop Zone

Dalma Cain(r), Urban Hip Hop Zone

A

t Urban Hip Hop Zone in Dartmouth, it’s all about family.

The Cain family – Dalma and her three children, Tyson, Dalmyra, and Marcus – have owned and run Urban Hip Hop Zone since 2006. And they have been enjoying every minute of it.

“It was Tyson’s idea to open up the store. He wanted to give something back to the young kids,” says Dalma.

With the family on different schedules, Dalma says everyone pulls their weight in order to run the store efficiently.

“We’ve been here trying to keep things together, just by being ourselves,” she says.

Spring 2010

Sunjay Mathuria “I just think it’s nice to be focused on certain things that you can do in life. As long as you can be of service to someone, you’ll be alright. As long as my children are running the business, I’ll be behind them,” Dalma says.

“If someone comes here and I don’t have something, we’ll help them in whatever way we can. If we’re putting in an order, we’ll try to squeeze it in there,” says Dalma.

Besides meeting new people and keeping up with the styles, Dalma says one of her favourite parts of the job is watching her children succeed. “It keeps my spirit up, seeing my children do very well, keeping themselves together, keeping on the move, staying focused and being entrepreneurs.”

“It’s all about the younger generation and what I can do to help them and help the ones who are my age.”

By staying on top of the trends, Dalma hopes her work at Urban Hip Hop Zone will help as many people as possible express themselves.

As for the future, Urban Hip Hop Zone will offer customers the opportunity to design their own t-shirts, with their own original designs.

By bringing in different styles and looks, each Cain brings something unique to Urban Hip Hop Zone.

Dalma says the store will take part in a fashion show this summer that will showcase their clothing. They were also featured in a Bridal Showcase in March.

“Everyone has their own taste and it’s reflected in the store,” says Dalma.

Keeping busy is what makes Dalma feel younger each day.

And each different taste serves a wide range of customers. No matter the age group or style, Urban Hip Hop Zone will help customers keep up with the latest trends and fashions.

“It’s better to live young than grow old and be bitter,” she says. “It’s about being able to play different roles. Love what you’re in and get in the zone.”

“We just try to make everyone as comfortable as possible,” says Dalma.

With personally handpicked clothing items, Dalma says they order only so much of one product so that nobody will be dressed the same. Originality is a key component of running Urban Hip Hop Zone.

Dalma likens owning a business to a puzzle. “You get so many pieces and you try to fit together as best you can.”

“Everyone has a different aura about them. That’s why we’re individuals; so we can have our own way of thinking and wearing what we want.”

Business definitely runs in the family; one of Dalma’s sisters owns Gwen’s Bridal in Dartmouth.

And if a customer is looking for a specific item, Urban Hip Hop Zone will help find it.

135 Wyse Rd, Dartmouth

405-9900 or 802-9638

Black to Business

Spring 2010

28

PARTNER PROFILE

Michelin North America (Canada)

F

or a little more than 40 years, Michelin North America (Canada) has been a major player in the Nova Scotian economy. The three plants in this province – in Bridgewater, Granton, and Waterville – are not only major employers but also purchasers of goods and services from Nova Scotian companies, both large and small.

Worldwide, Michelin, which employs almost 120,000 people in 19 countries, has a corporate commitment to diversity and in Nova Scotia that commitment includes ensuring both a diverse workforce and supplier base.

Employment Partnership Committees (ANSEPC) Collaborative Partnership Network, the Black Business Initiative, and the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs,” Andrew Mutch, the Director of Personnel (Canada) of Michelin North America, says.

Some of the work that went into developing this partnership included site visits to the plant in Granton to illustrate how the manufacturing process works and create an awareness of the workplace skills required for employment, a session with a senior Michelin official from South Carolina on becoming a supplier, discussions with Manson Gloade, the Regional AWPI Coordinator, on how that particular partnership had developed, and reviewing Michelin’s hiring processes to ensure there were no systemic barriers.

In November 2008, the formal partnership agreement was signed.

In 2003, Michelin started working with the province’s First Nations to develop an Aboriginal Awareness Program (AWPI), and by 2007, Michelin Canada attained a representative workforce with aboriginals occupying both wage and salary positions.

In the intervening months, Mutch says Michelin has been monitoring job applicants coming from the African Nova Scotian community to determine the number of applicants and employment rates and to identify issues of educational preparation.

The next step was to form a similar partnership with the African Nova Scotian population.

“We have determined there are some educational barriers, so we’re developing a joint process for funding submissions for educational upgrading courses to the Department of Education,” he says.

“We set up a partnership with Joe Parris and the African Nova Scotia

Carol Dobson

Under the AWPI, a guide was produced that First Nations businesses could use to determine what was required in order to become a supplier to Michelin. Mutch says Robert Ffrench, VANSDA, E.D. wrote a similar document that can be used by African Nova Scotian businesses.

One of the next steps in the process will be to use the joint partnership between AWPI, BBI and Michelin to host a Minority Supplier/Procurement Fair in Nova Scotia, in conjunction with the upcoming BBI Summit in June.

“We think this supplier fair has a lot of value,” Mutch says. “There are probably a number of businesses in the province who think they are too small to be a supplier to Michelin but, if they are able to find another company to work jointly, there is strength in numbers. This is an opportunity to bring them together.”

Ask the BBI

continued from page 10

marketing tools in order to get optimal results.

As a caution, note that the information here is gleaned from experiential knowledge using this application and researching various sources, therefore, it is by no means exhaustive. Information on Google Local Business Center is mainly referenced from the Times-Standard January 28, 2010, article entitled “Global Exposure, Local Results.”

Black to Business

April 22, 2010

Atlantic Lotto Atlantic Canadian Entrepreneurship Expo World Trade & Convention Centre, Halifax Tradeshow Booth & Ticket Information: Telephone: 1-506-854-6933 email: ryan@gainmomentum.ca

April 24, 2010

Benefit Gospel Concert - feat. Gary Beals Emmanuel Baptist Church, Upper Hammonds Plains 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20.00 pp For more information or tickets call: The Black Cultural Centre (902) 434-6223, Emmanuel Baptist Church (902) 835-2472, Cornwallis Street Baptist Church (902) 429-5573

Spring 2010

29

May 2, 2010

2010 Provincial Spelling Bee Mount Saint Vincent University Auditorium (A&D) 2pm For more information: 1-800-565-3398 or (902) 424-7036

May 19 - 23, 2010

Provincial Black Basketball Association 38th Black Invitational Basketball Tournament For more information: website: www.blackbasketball.ca

May 13, 2010

Halifax Chamber of Commerce Spring Dinner Special guest speaker: Cameron Herold, former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK For more information: Telephone: (902) 468-7111 email: info@halifaxchamber.com website: www.halifaxchamber.com

NSGA’s 25th Annual African Dinner and Auction Nova Scotia Gambia Association Presents Journalist Stephanie Nolen African Music and Authentic West African Dinner 6:00 p.m.

Lord Nelson Hotel Tickets: $100, $75 for members For more information: Telephone: (902) 423-1360 email: info@novascotiagambia.ca

April 29, 2010

June 23 – 25, 2010

April 28, 2010

Chamber Golf Mini Tradeshow & Industry Feature 5:00 -8:00 pm Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, 1919 Upper Water St For more information: Telephone: (902) 468-7111 email: info@halifaxchamber.com website: www.halifaxchamber.com

April 30 – May 2, 2010

Saltscapes Expo Exhibition Park For more information: Tel: (902) 464-7258 ext. 243 Toll Free: 1-877-311-5877 ext. 243

Black Business Summit 2010 The Race To Business Success Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, Halifax, Nova Scotia Networking, Trade Show, Boat Cruise, Keynote Speakers, AGM Dinner & Dance Golf Tournament, Biz Show For more information: Telephone: (902) 426-2224 website: www.bbi.ns.ca

The Race to Business Success

The Black Business Initiative is proud to host the 7th Black Business Summit Workshops Boat Cruise Golf Tournament Biz Show

Networking Vendor Fair Keynote Speakers AGM Dinner & Dance

Cassandra Dorrington Judge Glenda Hatchett Conference Chair

Keynote Speaker June 24

Omar Tyree Keynote Speaker June 25

jUNE 23–25, 2010 Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel , Halifax, Nova Scotia

For more information, please call 902·426·2224 or visit our web site at www.bbi.ca

The Black Business Initiative Society’s Hector Jacques Award of Business Excellence is awarded biennially by the Board of Directors of the Black Business Initiative to recognize demonstrated business excellence of an outstanding or exceptional company or individual within the Nova Scotia Black Community.

Award eligibility is with any established business (minimum 3 years in business) in Nova Scotia with at least 30% Black ownership that has demonstrated business excellence and strong financial performance. The award may also be made to an individual business owner.

The Black Business Initiative Society’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award is awarded annually by the Board of Directors of the Black Business Initiative to recognize demonstrated business operational excellence of a company or individual within the Nova Scotia Black business community.

Who is eligible?

Any established business (minimum 3 years in business) in Nova Scotia with at least 30% Black ownership that has demonstrated strong business acumen and support for the community. The award may also be made to an individual business owner.

What are the criteria for consideration for both Awards?

I. Product or Service: Description of what makes your product or service outstanding II. Financial performance: Revenue growth over the past three years (as a percentage) III. Workplace excellence IV. Community involvement To nominate please contact: Shakara Russell, Regional Business Development Manager Telephone: (902) 426-6692 • Email: Russell.Shakara@bbi.ns.ca

Deadline for Nominations: May 11, 2010 If undeliverable return to: The Black Business Initiative Centennial Building Suite 1201,1660 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1V7

Publications Mail Agreement No.

Poste-publications

numéro de convention

0040026687 0040026687