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YOUR LINK TO BLACK BUSINESS ENTERPRISE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA The Official Business Journal of the Black Business Association
U.S. Small Business Administration 2007 Award Winner “Journalist of the Year”
JULY 2009
IN THIS ISSUE
5 African Americans May Retire in Poverty 5 CDFIs Have More Money to Lend 12 Economic Recovery: California 17 Highlights of the 35th Annual BBA Awards Dinner 38 Website as a Sales Tool 41 SBA News: SBIC Improvements
STRENGTHENING OUR BONDS TO
AFRICA
pg 26
Pres. Obama Has His... You Get Yours! Black Business News SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE LIMITED EDITION
Now On Sale! A commemorative limited-edition magazine, unlike any other special tribute issued to recognize the election of Barack H. Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America, has been published by the Black Business Association.
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President’s Message Earl “Skip” Cooper, II President/Chief Executive Officer
Challenging Gates Open Doors of Opportunity
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ormally, the Black Business Association (BBA) confines its advocacy to building business relationships for its members. However, the idea that skin color can still play a role in the decision making and actions of a law enforcement officer compels us, as a national socioeconomic development advocacy group, to not bury our collective heads in the sand. The work that remains to achieve economic parity in America is as important to the growth and prosperity of the entire nation as the obligation to seek methods of engaging each other on mutual grounds of respect and fair intentions in all other dealings. Would it not be the apology heard around the world if a law enforcement officer expressed contrition for making a mistake or made an admission of wrongdoing during an encounter with a black man during his/her police duties? This wishful thinking is in reference to the recent arrest of esteemed Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., an African American, from inside his own home located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Although all formal charges of disorderly conduct were dropped before any formal arraignment, there remains among many folks a general feeling that racial bias came into play on the part of the arresting Cambridge police officer. In the greater sociological scheme of American life, this will be remembered as an inconsequential incident, with the exception I would assert for those African Americans within ten feet of this message who have personally (or through a family member) experienced similar situations with law enforcement.
What made this particular occurrence a matter of national concern came about when President Barack Obama, upon being asked about the arrest of his friend, Professor Gates, made a clear statement that the Cambridge Police had acted “stupidly” by arresting Gates while in his own home. Thus, here is how a police officer’s public apology would make a world of difference, by declaring an error in judgment. Disappointingly, however, to date the arresting officer, Sergeant James Crowley, who is white, has made his position even more clear than that of the President by stating that extension of an apology then, now, or in the future will not happen. From the abovementioned civil rights incident, a business correlation can be drawn to how public and private sector annual outsourced spending patterns should be more equitably shared in plain sight. The type of transparency needed to build parity can come in number of ways that will not disclose any proprietary activity of the major buying organizations. One good method can be to host semi-annual briefings with subcontractors on the forecasted outsourcing requirements. Another is to regularly post outsourcing needs in universally shared business publications, such as the BBA’s own Black Business News and www.BBALA.org. Likewise, publishing success stories of black suppliers doing business with
major buying organizations is another effort that will help ensure valuable information is disseminated among businesses that can use it best. As an invited guest, I recently witnessed an exemplary socioeconomic development outcome at Sempra Energy Corporation’s Annual “Diversity Champions Celebration” at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Building a diverse supplier and workforce at Sempra goes handin-hand with the organization’s core values of ethics, respect, quality performance, vision and being a socioeconomic responsible community partner. The people of Sempra make the difference of achieving economic parity and engaging them at every level of activity is how to achieve favorable results. Congratulations to Sempra Energy for getting it right! Transparency in action represents how the Harvard Professor Gates anarchy can be averted when organizations place inclusion on their normal agenda of operation. In the face of employing a negative or positive act of transparency, either can serve as a strong reminder of how the doors of opportunity require collaboration and partnership to open. Thank you for your interest in this month’s Black Business News. Also, please make time to visit our online bid announcements posted daily at www. BBALA.org. &
6th Annual
Procurement Exchange Summit Awards Luncheon 6 One-on-One Matchmaking Appointments Doing Business with the Utilities Presented by the California Public Utilities Commission
3 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Over 35 years of service Founded 1970 Starlett Quarles, urban X marketing
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Black Business Association
AEG American Honda Motor Company AT&T Bank of America The Boeing Company California Lottery Citibank Coca-Cola Enterprises Comerica Bank Department of Water & Power Donald Sterling Corporation Fannie Mae IBM Kaiser Permanente LAEDC Los Angeles World Airports Northrop Grumman Corporation Raytheon Company S.C.R.P.C. Sempra Energy Southern California Edison Swinerton Builders Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. Turner Construction Company Union Bank of California USBank Verizon Walt Disney Company WellPoint Wells Fargo Bank Lyceum Management Services, Ex Officio Hollis Smith, Ex Officio Paulette Williams, Ex Officio
P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 323-291-9334 Fax: 323-291-9234 mail@bbala.org www.bbala.org
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Earl “Skip” Cooper, II
PRODUCTION MANAGER Narishima Osei
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS W. Gladney ▪ C. Collins
PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Foxx ▪ Sabir • N. Osei
LAYOUT/TYPESETTING Lion Communications Copyright © 2009 by Black Business Association. All Rights Reserved.
BBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ted Davis, Chairman IsComp Systems, Inc. Nathan Freeman, Vice Chairman Figueroa Media Group, Inc. Eugene Jones, Secretary NVA Financial Group, Inc. Kevin M. Caliup, Treasurer AIA/E-World Strategy Narishimah Osei, Parliamentarian Osei & Associates Gwen Moore, Director GEM Communications Candida Mobely-Wright, Director Voices, Inc. Angela Walton, Director Melador Technologies, Inc. Angela Reddock, Esq., Legal Counsel
3 President’s Message Gates Challenge Opens Doors
5 Economic Issues: •African Americans Retirement Challenge •New Business Loan Sources 8 New Surgeon General 9 New Leaders for NNPA 10 HBCU Initiative Has New Director 11 gen neXt: Daniel Griffin 12 Economic Recovery: California 16 35th Annual BBA Awards Dinner 26 Africa Focus Africa’s Wake Up Call
AFFILIATES
STAFF Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, President/CEO Kesha Vontreese, Administrative Consultant Brett Byers, Special Projects Consultant
COMMITTEE COORDINATOR
In This Issue…
African American Unity Caucus Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs Black Women’s Network California Black Chamber of Commerce California Council of Black Chambers The Greenlining Institute Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense & Education Fund National Black Business Council The National Association of African American Chambers of Commerce The National Black Chamber of Commerce Pan African Film & Arts Festival Recycling Black Dollars
Join the BBA! 323-291-9334 4 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
38 Is Your Website an Effective Sales Tool ? 41 SBA News SBIC Program Improvements
51 Calendar Executive Promotions •Jerome Horton Pg 9
Columns
40 - Take A Look! 42 - Books to Consider...
Cover image - White House Photo
African Americans Lagging in Investment Savings, Will Retire into Poverty Without Changes
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ignificant differences can be found across race and ethnicity in the way U.S. employees save and invest in their 401(k) plans, accord-
ing to 401(k) Plans in Living Color: A Study of 401(k) Savings Disparities Across Racial and Ethnic Groups— The Ariel/Hewitt Study. This pioneering report—the largest, most comprehensive examination of 401(k) saving and investing behaviors of AfricanAmerican, Hispanic, Asian and white employees—found that regardless of age or income, African-American and Hispanic workers have lower participation rates and contribute less to their 401(k) plans than their white and Asian counterparts. As a result, their 401(k) account balances are negatively impacted and chances for a comfortable retirement significantly compromised. The Ariel/Hewitt Study analyzed 401(k) information for nearly 3 million employees across 57 large, primarily FORTUNE 500 companies in the U.S. It was conducted by the Ariel Education Initiative, the nonprofit affiliate of Ariel
Investments, a n d Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company. The Chicago Urban League, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the National Council of La Raza, the National Urban League, and The Raben Group also participated. The study was funded with a grant from The Rockefeller Foundation. In response to the study, Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, remarked, “401(k) plans are now the primary way Americans save for their golden years. Most are unaware there see Investment Challenge page 6
CDFI Fund Receives 192 Applications Requesting More than $270 Million Under the 2009 Supplemental Round
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he U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund announced that it received a total of 194 applications from 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico for the fiscal year (FY) 2009 supplemental round of the CDFI Program. The applicants requested an aggregate of over $270 million in financial assistance. In order to accommodate the additional solicitation of applications, yet still expedite the flow of Recovery Act award dollars into low-income communities, the CDFI Fund announced all $90 million of Recovery Act funding earlier this month. A second announcement will be made in September 2009, when approximately $52 million of annual appropriations will be awarded to the most highly rated applicants. During the initial FY 2009 application round, the CDFI Fund received 260 applications requesting more than $237 million in assistance. The applications from the initial round were due on Octo-
ber 27, 2008. Through these two FY 2009 application rounds, a total of 419 applicants have now requested an aggregate total of $507 million in assistance through the CDFI Program. CDFI Chairman Jose Serrano, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, The “I’m incredPoint President/CEO Maria Torres, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Timibly pleased othy Geithner, June 29, 2009 to see the impressive number of CDFIs that have awardees later this fall and I’m confiapplied in this supplemental round. dent that they will immediately begin Coupled with the geographic diversity to use these awards to enhance their that they represent, this clearly demon- ability to deliver much needed financial strates the demand for capital by CD- services and products within distressed FIs throughout the country,” said CDFI communities.” For information on CDFI Fund and its Fund Director Donna J. Gambrell. “I’m programs, visit www.cdfifund.gov. & looking forward to congratulating our
5 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Investment Challenge ments. In addition to participation and conare significant savings disparities in 401(k) plans across racial and ethnic groups. This study reveals important differences that must be addressed if retirement security is to be a reality for all Americans.” The results of the study show that African-American and Hispanic workers are less likely than their Asian and white counterparts to participate in their 401(k) plans. Two-thirds (66 percent) of African-American employees and 65 percent of Hispanic employees participate in their company’s defined contribution plans, compared to 77 percent of white workers and 76 percent of Asian workers. Even after adjusting for factors such as age and income, the disparity remains. Additionally, African-Americans and Hispanics contribute to their 401(k) plans at much lower levels than their white or Asian counterparts. Among those who save, white employees contributed 7.9 percent of income, compared to Hispanic and African-American workers, who contributed 6.3 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively. At 9.4 percent, Asian workers had the highest contribution rate of all groups. Not surprisingly, lower participation and contribution rates lead to smaller average account balances for AfricanAmerican and Hispanic workers. The Ariel/Hewitt study illustrates this point dramatically. For example, employees who earn between $30,000 and $59,999 show a significant difference in 401(k) account balances: African-Americans ($21,224), Hispanics ($22,017), Asians ($32,590), and whites ($35,551). This disparity exists even at higher pay levels. For instance, African-American employees who earn $120,000 or more have saved $154,902 in their 401(k) plans compared to $223,408 for white workers in the same pay range. While other factors influence account balances, the variation exists even after these adjust-
tribution rates, The Ariel/Hewitt study examined three other factors that can further impact an employee’s 401(k) plan balance—equity exposure, loans and withdrawals. The findings revealed that AfricanAmerican workers are less likely than Hispanics, whites and Asians to invest in equities. African-Americans had twothirds (66 percent) of their 401(k) assets invested in the stock market. By comparison, whites and Asians had 72 percent and 73 percent, respectively, of their 401(k) plan assets invested in equities. Hispanics had 70 percent of their assets invested in equities. These findings are compelling because the stock market has historically outperformed all other investment options over the long term. It is generally understood among investment experts that employees with long-term time horizons should have a significant amount of their assets invested in equities.
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in five doing so. “These statistics are troubling because loans and withdrawals jeopardize long-term financial security to satisfy immediate needs. The impact is heightened during an economic downturn, when unemployment rises and withdrawals and loan defaults increase. We now realize this risk is magnified for AfricanAmerican and Hispanic workers based on the results of our study,” said Barbara Hogg, principal at Hewitt Associates and co-leader of The Ariel/Hewitt Study. “Without a significant effort to improve savings and investing behaviors, African-American and Hispanic workers are in danger of retiring into poverty,” states Hobson. The Ariel/Hewitt Study outlines five decisive recommendations for policymakers and employers. These recommendations include: •Encouraging employers to voluntarily collect and report 401(k) plan data by race and ethnicity. Knowledge is power, and collecting and reporting data about 401(k) plan participants would enable employers to know and manage where gaps exist among their workers. •Modifying loan requirements to decrease the likelihood of default. Extending the amount of time a terminating employee has to pay off a loan may improve overall retirement savings, particularly during challenging economic times such as these. Other options could include allowing loan repayments after termination or exploring new options for allowing loans to roll over from one employer to another. •Mandating financial education at all levels in both private and public
“Without a significant effort to improve savings and investing behaviors, African-American and Hispanic workers are in danger of retiring into poverty,”
HI African-Americans are also more likely than the study population overall to have a loan and are more than twice as likely to take a hardship withdrawal from their 401(k) plans. Nearly two of every five African-American workers and almost a third of Hispanic workers borrowed from their retirement accounts compared to just one in five white workers. By contrast, Asian workers were the least likely to take a loan against their 401(k) plans, with less than one
6 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
schools to boost financial literacy. A financial literacy curriculum would provide generations of future employees a comprehensive understanding of both the mechanics and importance of sound money management, saving and investing. •Designing 401(k) plans in a way that benefits a broad, diverse employee base. Features like automatic enrollment with high default contribution rates and periodic contribution increases can go a long way, effectively driving strong, robust participation across all demographics. •Communicating and educating employees in a way that helps them make wise choices. Creating user-friendly and easily understood communication enables workers to learn more about how to effectively manage and grow their savings. This communication should incorporate different cultural perspectives that resonate with diverse groups of employees. “By taking immediate action, employers, government and employees can make a big impact in helping all Americans achieve a comfortable standard of living in their retirement years,” concludes Hogg. & About Ariel Education Initiative & Ariel Investments, LLC. Ariel Education Initiative, the nonprofit affiliate of Ariel Investments, was founded in 1989 by John W. Rogers, Jr. (Founder and Chairman of Ariel Investments, LLC) as a private operating foundation with a mission to strengthen John W. Rogers, Jr. the neighborhoods and cities in which we live and work. Ariel Investments is a Chicagobased money management firm and mutual fund company that serves individual investors through its no-load mutual funds and manages separate accounts for institutional clients. Since its inception in 1983, Ariel has grown from
2 to 75 employees with $3.9 billion in assets under management. Investors should consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses before investing. For a current prospectus which contains this and other information about the funds offered by Ariel Investment Trust, call 800-292-7435 or visit www.arielinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Distributed by Ariel Distributors, LLC, 200 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, IL 60601. ©2009 About Hewitt Associates. Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) provides leading organizations around the world with expert human resources consulting and outsourcing solutions to help them anticipate and solve their most complex benefits, talent, and related financial challenges. Hewitt consults with companies to design and implement and communicate a wide range of human resources, retirement, investment management, health management, compensation, and talent management strategies. As a leading
outsourcing provider, Hewitt administers health care, retirement, payroll, and other HR programs to millions of employees, their families, and retirees. With a history of exceptional client service since 1940, Hewitt has offices in more than 30 countries and employs approximately 23,000 associates who are helping make the world a better place to work. For more information, please visit www.hewitt.com. --------------------------------------------------Download the 401(k) Plans in Living Color: A Study of 401(k) Savings Disparities Across Racial and Ethnic Groups—The Ariel/Hewitt Study at www.arielinvestments.com or www. hewitt.com. For More Information contact: Merrillyn J. Kosier, Ariel Investments 312-726-0140 Maurissa Kanter or Catherine Brandt Hewitt, 847-883-1000
6th Annual
Procurement Exchange Summit Awards Luncheon 6 One-on-One Matchmaking Appointments Doing Business with the Utilities Presented by the California Public Utilities Commission
7 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Dr. Regina Benjamin Nominated BBA to Host for U.S. Surgeon General CDFI Director Donna Gambrell
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resident Barack Obama nominated for U.S. Surgeon General a rural family physician who has faced hurricanes, flood and fire to care for impoverished patients along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. President Obama says Dr. Regina Benjamin understands the needs of the poor and uninsured, making her uniquely qualified to be America’s doctor as his administration tries to revamp the health care system. For her part, Dr. Benjamin on Monday ticked off preventable diseases that have claimed nearly all her relatives — diabetes, high blood pressure, lung cancer. She pledged to fight so that, in her words, “no one falls through the cracks as we improve our health care system.” The surgeon general is the people’s health advocate, a position that can be tremendously effective with a forceful personality and Dr. Benjamin has that reputation. A decade ago, the New York Times called her “angel in a white coat,” a country doctor who made house calls along the impoverished Gulf Coast, paid whatever her patients could scrounge. From those early days she has
emerged as a national leader in the call to improve health disparities, pushed by the need in her own fishing community of Bayou La Batre, Ala., and its diverse patient mix — where immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos make up a growing part of the population. Her nonprofit clinic was rebuilt by volunteers after being destroyed by Huricane Katrina, only to burn down months later. Dr. Benjamin later told of her patients’ desperation that she rebuild again, recalling one woman who handed her an envelope with a $7 donation to help. “If she can find $7, I can figure out the rest,” Dr. Benjamin said last fall as she received a $500,000 MacArthur Foundation “genius grant,” money she dedicated to finishing that job. Dr. Benjamin became the first black woman and the youngest doctor elected to the American Medical Association’s board. She also received the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights in 1998, and Pope Benedict XVI awarded her the distinguished service medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. Her nomination for surgeon general requires Senate confirmation. & MSNBC.COM July 13, 2009
ommunity Development Financial Institution Fund (CDFI) Director Donna Gambrell will be the keynote speaker for the BBA/CDFI Luncheon on September 3, 2009 at the City Club in Downtown Los Angeles. CDFI (ww.cdfifund.gov) is a division of the U.S. Treasury Department. Director Gambrell will address how the current administration’s economic stimulus plan effects job creation, business development, and community empowerment. Donna J. Gambrell has served as Director of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund since November 26, 2007. The CDFI Fund expands the capacity of financial institutions to provide credit, capital, and financial services to underserved populations and communities in the United States. Prior to the CDFI Fund, Ms. Gambrell served as a Deputy Director at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). She served 18 months in the Gulf Coast Region (from February 2006 to August 2007) – as part of a temporary assignment – working on rebuilding initiatives in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which struck the region in 2005. In 2004, Ms. Gambrell received a National Public Service Award for her innovative work over the years in formulating public-private partnerships. Please contact the BBA office to preregister to attend this important economic recovery information opportunity - 323-291-9334. &
8 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Bakewell New Head of National Newspaper Publishers Association
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os Angeles Sentinel Publisher Mr. Danny Bakewell, has been elected the new chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a federation of more than 200 Black-owned newspapers. Mr. Bakewell will embark on a program to fortiy the power of the Black Press of America by unifying its ranks while also uniting with civil rights organizations. "It's important to lift the stature of NNPA at least to a place that it is at least equal to other major Black organizations in the country, such as the National Urban League, the NAACP, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and others. We must have constant collaboration with them. They need to be a part of us and our agenda needs to be a part of them." The Black Press, Black civil rights organizations, the Black church and Black businesses have long worked together for the advancement of Black people. But, in recent years, although leaders from those entities have spoken at each other’s conferences, there have been few instances in which the organizations have actually met and collaborated on specific issues.
“What we have [in the NNPA] is a national member organization. But, we talk about it from a local perspective. We distribute 15 million papers into the households of Black people per week. And, if you take that and multiply it [by the number of people who actually reach each paper], you could get to maybe a hundred million people,” Bakewell says. Even during the current economic downturn, Black newspapers are struggling like others, but none of NNPA’s member papers have gone out of business. Bakewell says he will lead the organization to leverage its own power to gain advertising dollars from places where they have been withheld. “You take the federal government. It is the only remaining governmental body that still has set-asides,” he says. “There’s 10% mandate set-aside in every federal government agency that must be allocated for contracts with minority firms.” Bakewell said he intends to help strengthen some of NNPA’s smaller papers by creatively escalating the organization’s push for advertising dollars. As a start, he is committed to working
Governor Appoints Jerome Horton and Congratulates Judy Chu
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overnor Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced the appointment of Jerome Horton to represent the 4th District for the California Board of Equalization following the election of Judy Chu to Congress. “Jerome Horton is a committed public servant with a solid record of protecting taxpayers and supporting tax policies that promote economic growth, which is exactly what California needs
right now. I am confident that he will work with the rest of the board to help rebuild our state’s diverse economy by encouraging businesses to grow and stimulating job growth,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I congratulate Judy Chu as the first Chinese-American woman ever elected to Congress and thank her for her continued service to this state.” Mr. Horton has owned and operated Horton & Associates, a government consulting agency since 2007. He previously represented the 51st Assembly District in the California State Assembly from 2000 to 2007. Prior to joining the California State Assembly, Mr. Horton served on the Inglewood City Council
with U.S. Representative Charles Rangel, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, the most powerful finance-related committee in the U.S. Congress. Simultaneously, a coordination of messages among the NNPA member papers would influence public policy as it pertains to civil rights and the advancement of Black people, he says. “If we ever coordinated our mesage and take it to the local audience as an overriding public policy address, nobody can beat it. That’s the way that we get a real bang for our efforts. People have got to see us as America’s Black Press.” Ms. Natalie Cole, publisher of Our Weekly, is the new NNPA Secretary. & Citizen Hyde Park News, Chicago, IL
from 1996 to 2000. From 1979 to 2000, he worked at the Board of Equalization where he advanced through the ranks from business tax auditor, to legislative deputy specializing in business tax law, auditing and legislative policies. “As a public servant and small business owner, I look forward to representing the taxpayers and utilizing my experience to retain and grow businesses in the Los Angeles area and throughout California,” said Jerome Horton. Mr. Horton, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. This appointment requires Senate and Assembly confirmation. The 4th District of the Board of Equalization represents over 8 million residents in Los Angeles County. &
9 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
John W. Wilson, Jr. is New Executive Director for White House Initiative on HBCUs from Office of Communications & Outreach, Press Office
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.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the appointment of John Silvanus Wilson, Jr., Ed.D, as executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). “We’re delighted to have someone with the breadth and quality of experience that Dr. Wil-
son brings to address the challenges our HBCUs face,” President Obama said. “His expertise and insight will be invaluable to the Department.” As executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, Wilson will work with the presidentially appointed HBCU Board of Advisors and assist the Secretary as liaison between the executive branch and HBCUs. He also will work with 32 federal agencies that support HBCUs through federal grants and contracts. “I am pleased president Obama se-
lected Dr. Wilson to head the White House Initiative. Among other things, he will be a strong advocate for HBCUs with the federal agencies,” said Dr. William R. Harvey, President of Hampton University for the last 31 years. Wilson has been an associate professor of higher education at George Washington University (GWU) since 2006, when he took research leave as executive dean of GWU’s Virginia campus, a post he has held since 2002. He joined the staff at George Washington in 2001 to help develop a strategic plan for the university. Previously he spent 16 years at MIT, where he served as director of foundation relations and assistant provost. As director, Wilson helped to lead two major capital campaigns that raised a combined total of nearly $3 billion. In that context, he more than doubled the productivity of
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see Wilson Appointment on page 23
Daniel Griffin: Recycling Black Dollars, One Wing at a Time by starlett quarles, president, urban X marketing
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ew Black Business Association (BBA) gen neXt member, Daniel Griffin, is on a mission. As coowner of one of Los Angeles’ most successful Wing Stop franchises, Griffin is dedicated to improving the socioeconomic status of his community; as well as nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of today’s urban youth. A South LA native, Griffin is a true example of what giving back to ones community looks like. As an underprivileged youth, Griffin always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. Despite his life of living in temporary foster care and domestic violence shelters, Griffin always knew that he would become a success and a role model for inner city youth. His strategy: Basketball. Once considered one of Crenshaw High School’s basketball greats, Griffin was able to establish a successful professional career in Taipei, Taiwan. Unfortunately, due to a severe knee injury, Griffin was forced into an early retirement. As a result, he returned home and returned to the community that raised him. Shortly after his return to Los Angeles, Griffin began teaching in the Compton School District; and eventually at his alma mater, Crenshaw High School, where he taught and coached basketball. While working as a teacher, he never strayed from his goal of becoming a business owner. After teaching for eleven years, Griffin finally took that leap and opened a Wing Stop franchise in the heart of the Crenshaw community. He told Rollout Magazine: I’ve gone full circle from being a Section 8 tenant to now being a Section 8 landlord”… “I went from patronizing businesses and now people patronize my businesses. I went from being a student at my high school to becoming a teacher at the very same high school.” Griffin states that one of the main in-
gredients to his success in life is that his circle includes giving back to his community. Most of Griffin’s Wing Stop staff includes students and residents from the Crenshaw/Leimert Park area of urban LA. “I love giving back to my Crenshaw family,” Griffin states. “I wouldn’t be the businessman I am today without my experience growi n g up in South LA. I feel it’s my responsibility to emp l o y f r o m within t h e Crenshaw area. It not only helps local families, but it also helps to keep money recycling within my community.” In terms of his business, Griffin’s Crenshaw Wing Stop earned recognition as one of the top grossing franchises nationwide its first year in operation. The franchise is recognized for its array of flavored chicken wings, including Smoked BBQ, Teriyaki, Hawaiian, Mild, Original Hot and one of the consumer favorites, Lemon Pepper. All are a delicious treat. So what’s next for Griffin? He is now pursuing a career as a motivational speaker. Through his story, his goal is
Starlett Quarles, President, urban X marketing to inspire urban youth to pursue their passions and to empower their communities. He also hopes to ignite their entrepreneurial spirits and encourage them to one day become business owners. “The BBA and the black business community have been very supportive of me,” says Griffin. “As a young entrepreneur, I definitely want to follow their example by helping the next generation of inner city dreamers reach their highest potential. Each one, teach one, right?” For more information on Griffin’s Wing Stop, please call 323-296-WING (9464) or visit www.WingStop.com to place your online order. Griffin’s Wing Stop is located at 3825 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008. To book for speaking engagements, please contact Daniel Griffin at DanGriff31@ yahoo.com. &
Procurement Trade Mission to Washington, DC September 2009 & Call 323-291-9334
11 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Waste Is Killing California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
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n San Luis Obispo County, a 20-yearold drug abuser who was the sole caretaker for his seriously disabled father provided such poor care that, according to the grand jury in that county, the father frequently had bedsores, he was not properly cleaned, adult protective services had to be called in and, ultimately, he died before he was 60 years old. Incredibly, the son was being paid by the state, through the In-Home Supportive Services Program, for this substandard care. Though this kind of abuse of taxpayer dollars is not rampant, we know it exists. So how could the Legislature in good conscience propose its latest budget fix -- one that would increase taxes, cut children off our healthcare rolls, reduce funding to education and put more strain on law enforcement - - without first eliminating this kind of fraud and waste? Legislators are continuing to draft
solutions to our now $26.3-billion state budget deficit. We’re close to filling the gap, but I will not sign a package that raises taxes or fails to address the entire deficit. There is a need for compromise, and I have proposed a path forward that would include ensuring that tax dollars go to citizens in need of services and not to waste, fraud or excessive compensation for those who provide those services. These reforms won’t entirely address falling revenues and rising costs, but they will help immediately, and especially in the years to come. It’s time we take action on them. Take the CalWorks program, for example, which is designed to give lowincome Californians a helping hand, temporarily, as they get back on their feet. Of the approxi-
Governor’s Letter to Cal Cities Adopt 25% Small Business Participation Plan for AR/RA Projects Dear Friends,
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o date, the federal government has awarded more than $20 billion in merican Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to our great state. As these funds flow through state and local governments, I urge you to consider the place of small and disadvantaged businesses in contracting and procurement. My administration places a great emphasis on spending funds efficiently in ways that
create jobs and help our state through these difficult times. With small businesses comprising more than 98 percent of California’s enterprises and employing most of California’s workforce, the economic prosperity of our local communities lies substantially in their hands. As an elected official, there are at least three critical roles you can play in this process: First, I urge you to adopt my administration’s goals of 25% small business participation and 3% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation in your procurements and contracts. Second, local officials can review pro-
mately 525,000 cases that currently involve cash assistance from CalWorks, only 22% are meeting the minimum
program requirements. That means 78% aren’t trying to get on their feet at all. They’re not working, not looking for work, not seeking job training, not performing community service and not pursuing an education. So here is a simple, common-sense reform: Make sure every Californian getting a CalWorks check has to check in just twice a year so a supervisor can keep tabs on their progress. If they make zero progress, their benefits run out after two years rather than the current five. By doing this, we could save $850 million over the next two budget cesses and determine if bureaucratic obstacles to access to government contracts for all small businesses exist and could be removed. For example, the California Department of General Services (DGS) has implemented a quick and efficient online small business certification process that can be completed in 20 minutes. This system has facilitated an exponential growth in the number of certified small businesses bidding on state contracts. I ask that all city and county governments with small business preference or other programs to accept certifications from my DGS for small businesses and DVBEs when bidding at the local government level. DGS already has small business certification reciprocity agreements with a number of local and regional agencies, such as the County of Sacramento and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. I have
12 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
years, and ultimately $1.5 billion per year -- and we could also save the CalWorks program. Medi-Cal is another example. It’s an essential program to nearly 7 million Californians, but it’s growing by 8% per year because of rising healthcare costs, increased caseloads and various changes to the program. It’s now unaffordable and unsustainable. I’ve proposed a couple of simple fixes, one of which is to centralize and modernize the outdated, pen-and-paper eligibility process that is currently run by 27,000 employees scattered throughout our 58 counties. This one change would save approximately $500 million per year. These ideas are not new. But there has never been a Legislature willing to betray its masters and work for the benefit of the people over certain special interests. That’s certainly true of reforming retirement promises to state employees. No long-term fix is more important to our state’s solvency. That’s why I’ve proposed -- for new hires only -- to change our unsustainable retiree pension formulas and to require proper funding of promises when they’re made. In 1999, state employees’ pensions were increased to a point where some employees could retire after 30 years,
at as young as 50 or 55, and continue to earn 90% of their highest salary plus cost-of-living increases for the rest of their lives. That’s debt the state is obligated to pay although there is no money to pay for it. The debate on this increase on the floor of the state Senate in 1999 took only one minute. By simply taking another 60 seconds to return pension formulas for new hires to their pre-1999 rates, we would see a savings of nearly $95 billion in reduced pensions by 2040, with more billions to be saved beyond that. When it comes to In-Home Support Services, grand juries in six counties have found that the program has no safeguard against fraud. Care providers are able to collect state checks under aliases, and some providers bill the state for far more hours than they worked -- with no oversight. The current state of the program puts clients “at risk of physical and financial injury,” according to Ventura County’s grand jury. Requiring background checks of providers and hiring more fraud investigators could save the state hundreds of millions of dollars this year alone. Legislators want to save programs. Well, let’s save them, but let’s do it by getting rid of the fraud and waste, with common-sense reforms that will make
asked DGS to work with every community to expedite this reciprocity process. By opening up local procurement to the 16,005 small businesses certified with the state, a wider pool of small businesses will be able to bid on local government contracts, allowing for more competitive bids.
Recovery Task Force and state agencies, stand ready to work with you to see that the funds coming to your local communities are spent with the greatest speed and economic impact.
Third, please actively seek small and underrepresented business participation in your procurements by publicizing procurement notices as widely as possible so that they reach all the businesses in your community. Not only will this allow for more businesses to participate in the process, but it also means more competition for bids, which can ultimately generate savings for your community. Thank you for all you do to help get our economy growing and to get jobseekers back to work. I, along with my
government more efficient and reduce costs. Put together, the ideas I’ve laid out will save approximately $2 billion in this current year -- toward our $26.3-billion problem -- and phenomenally more in coming years. The writer Arthur C. Clarke said good ideas come in three phases: 1) “It can’t be done,” 2) “Sure, it can be done, but it’s not worth doing,” and 3) “I said all along that it was a good idea.” In Sacramento, legislators are still stuck at No. 2 when it comes to reforming some of state government’s bureaucracy. But I’m confident it won’t be very long until we’re all agreed that these reform proposals have been good ideas all along. & (This report can be read at: http:// www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-schwarzenegger32009jul03,0,3240249,print.story)
Our Economic Recovery Plan (OERP). Do Business with
Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger &
Quote of Note... “African Americans have helped to build our nation brick by brick and have contributed to her growh in every way, even when rights and liberies were denied to them.” President Barack H. Obama
13 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
BBA
Member Businesses & Advertisers
Over 39 years of service Founded in 1970
Procurement Trade Mission to
Washington, D.C. SEPTEMBER 9-11, 2009
presented by the
Black Business Association in cooperation with
National Black Business Council (NBBC) National Black Business Association (NBBA) California Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) To become a Trade Delegate or for more information, contact: Earl “Skip� Cooper, II, President/CEO 323.291.9334 or mail@bbala.org
The Black Business Association 35th Annual Awards Dinner
H
YO U R L I N K T O B L A C K B U S I N E S S E N T E R P R I S E IN SOUTHERN C ALIFORNIA ~ OV E R 3 9 Y E A R S O F S E RV I C E ~
35th Annual Awards Dinner IN RECOGNITION OF BLACK MUSIC MONTH 2
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eld at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, the dinner honored an exceptional array of corporations, government agencies and individuals that have been most supportive of the growth and development of the Black Business Association (BBA) and the African American business community as a whole. The gala also recognized outstanding entrepreneurs, professional executives and corporations who serve as examples of the great results possible when “Best Practices” are applied to operating a business, corporation, or to achieving professional excellence. The 2009 Honorees are: Smokey Robinson, Lifetime Achievement; Miller Longdon, Jr., Business Pioneer; James DuBose, Rising Star; 102.3 FM, KJLH, Community Service; Jim Brown, President’s Recognition; Linda B. Wright, Supplier Diversity; Beverly A. King, Special Recognition; Verizon Communications, Major Corporation of the Year; Wells Fargo Bank, NA, Small Business Lender of the Year. &
Photo Legend:
1) (l-r) Elva Lima, VP-Strategic Programs Verizon, Donald T. Sterling, President, Los Angeles Clippers & Dinner Chairman, Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, President/CEO, Black Business Association, Janet DuBois, Pan African Film & Arts Festival, Miller Longdon, Jr. and James DuBose 2) (l-r) Jim Brown with his wife
17 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
35th Annual Awards Dinner
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IN RECOGNITION OF BLACK MUSIC MONTH 7
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Monique and their children (l-r) Morgan and Aries. 3) Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford, Donald Sterling 4) Barbara Sullivan, President, Sullivan International with Maxine Von Phul, President, WinMax Construction 5) Ted Davis, Chairman, Black Business Association and President, IsComp 6) (l-r) “Skip” Cooper, Linda B. Wright, and Ted Davis 7) (l-r) Anthony Piazza, Honda American Motor Company with Abrey Stone, President, California Black Chamber of Commerce 8) Denise Peoples, President/CEO of Peoples Choice Staffing 9) Jim Brown salutes Donald T. Sterling 10) Guy Black, The Guy Black Show, 102.3 FM KJLH 11) Vinny Brown, Executive Vice President, KJLH Radio 12) Willis Edwards, Beatrice Fakhrian (Bill Duke’s Manager) and Bill Duke (actor/director) 13) James DuBose accepts the Rising Star Award 14) Barbara A. King accepts the Special Recognition Award 15) Ron Tyson, member of the Temptations, with “Skip” Cooper 16) (l-r) Carl Gordon, presents Jim Brown with a University of the Hood insignia jacket as “Skip” Cooper looks on.
18 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
YO U R L I N K TO B L A C K B U S I N E SS E N TE R P R I S E IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ~ OV E R 3 9 Y E A R S O F S E RV I C E ~
PRESENTS THE
6th Annual
Procurement Exchange Summit Awards Luncheon 6 One-on-One Matchmaking Appointments Doing Business with the Utilities Presented by the California Public Utilities Commission
November 5, 2009 Sheraton Gateway LAX Hotel 6101 W. Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
Proudly presented by the
Black Business Association Supporting organizations: California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) National Black Business Council, Inc. and the California Black Chamber of Commerce
To RSVP and for more information, call 323.291.9334. | Visit us online at www.bbala.org.
Introducing the... AFRICAN AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT COLLABORATION
Sponsored by the National Black Business Council (NBBC) Black Business Association (BBA) & California Black Chambers (CBC)
Hosts of the new business resource websites:
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20 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
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Essential Business Tools for Small Business Owners in Financial Crisis Survival Strategies, Business Owners’ Edge, Time Time Management and Internet Marketing Presenters: The Optimize Group, Inc. y Beeson Terhorst LLP y Time Strategies y SCORE
INTERNET MARKETING (SCORE) August 13, 2009 Doubletree Hotel Ontario 222 N. Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, CA 91764 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Meal Provided Please Register in Advance A high-impact workshop series designed to empower small business owners with knowledge and strategic tools to stay competitive and on course to achieve business success! To register, call Sally Virgen at 626-302-8883 or via email at sally.virgen@sce.com
22 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
A high-impact workshop series designed to empower small business owners with knowledge and strategic tools to stay competitive and on course to achieve business success!
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To see if you qualify, stop by your local branch, call 1-888-818-6060, or visit unionbank.com/diversebizloans Crenshaw Branch: Karen Smith, Branch Manager, 3501 W. Jefferson Boulevard, (323) 737-3483 Ladera Heights Branch: Renee Givhan, Branch Manager, 6719 La Tijera Boulevard, (310) 342-1779 This is not a commitment to lend. Financing subject to credit and any applicable collateral approval. Other restrictions may apply. Eligible borrowers must meet all criteria for the Business Diversity Lending program. Financing available to businesses located in California, Oregon or Washington.Terms and conditions subject to change. ©2008 Union Bank of California, N.A. Member FDIC
Wilson Appointment from Wilson on page 10
the office he managed and reached a record annual revenue stream of more than $50 million. “This is a superb appointment. As a graduate of Morehouse College, John Wilson knows well the contributions, strengths and heritage of our nation’s HBCUs,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). “In this position, he can now play a central role in ensuring that these institutions are strengthened in their capacity to help us all meet the challenging goal that President Obama has set--that America will regain its position as the number one nation in the world in producing college graduates.” Wilson also held several teaching
positions during more than a decade in Harvard University’s Afro-American Studies Department, as well as in their Graduate School of Education. His primary research and teaching interests include advancement and finance in higher education, and the transformation of aspiring college and universities, especially HBCUs. Wilson has served as a board member for Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, and for the Independent Federal Savings Bank in Washington, DC. He also has served as an official advisor to a variety of efforts to improve black colleges, including initiatives led by the Kresge Foundation, the Mott Foundation, and the United Negro College Fund. He has received distinguished alumni awards from Morehouse College and from the National Association for Equal
6th Annual
Procurement Exchange Summit Awards Luncheon 6 One-on-One Matchmaking Appointments Doing Business with the Utilities Presented by the California Public Utilities Commission
Opportunity in Higher Education. Wilson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Harvard University, and both master’s and doctoral degrees in educational administration, planning, and social policy, also from Harvard University. & 2009 National HBCU Week Conference August 30 - September 2, 2009 Renaissance Hotel, Washington, DC www.ed.gov/whhbcu
Black Business Association Procurement Trade Mission to Washington, DC. September 2009
23 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
International:
Africa: Obama’s Wake Up Call By Ayo Oyoze Baje, Opinion allAfrica.com
B
arack Obama, the 44th American President, is not one to mince words or equivocate on sensitive and crucial issues that have to do with good governance or the lack of it. Almost dripping with patriotic fervour and oratorical firepower, couched with the courage and candour of a concerned son-of-the-African soil, Obama’s speech at Ghana touched virtually all the areas of stabilizing institutions and instruments of democratic process that, pitiably, the continent grossly lacks. His speech was thorough, thoughtprovoking and one capable of stirring the soul of the African continent, the cradle of civilization, to rise up from its prostrate posturing and take its destiny in its own hands. It has to look inwards, identify its vast potentialities and tap such for self-development, to be at par in trade relations instead of always looking to the western world for various aids. Africa is exceedingly blessed with enormous natural resources of the sun, the wind, oil and gas, mineral deposits of all imaginable kinds from iron ore to gold, copper, tin and diamond. It also boasts of agricultural resources and intellectual giants whose prodigious contributions to human development cannot be underestimated. Africa, indeed, needs not be a begging continent. The fact that it is, must be seen as a great indictment on the poor leadership it has witnessed for decades. And that calls for not just urgent concern but swift actions on the part of the people and the leaders to reverse the ugly trend. But first, we as Nigerians must ask ourselves why Obama chose to go to Ghana instead of the so-called ‘Giant of Africa’, whose “illustrious citizens” raised funds running into millions of naira surreptitiously to support his presidential bid then. Ghana, as Obama himself revealed, has shown that it is capable
close the gap between the few rich and the poor majority. In essence, Ghana has shown more respect for the institution of democracy than Nigeria, Congo, Zimbabwe or even Kenya, Obama’s own country of birth, has exhibited. By visiting Ghana, Obama has passed the poignant mes-
of conducting free and fair elections, made more transparent and credible by the active involvement of its people. It has also shown that its natural resources and the revenues that accrue from them are meant to address infrastructural needs of stable power supply, good access roads and revitalize the services. These include quality education, healthcare delivery, transportation, etc, which engender socio-economic harmony and
26 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
“A FEW NOTES ON AFRICA”
package will be distributed through the United Nation’s programs - UN Joint programme, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
The First Annual Mandela Day A global call to action has been issued across the world invitiing caring people to recognize the date of July 18th, Nelson Mandela’s Birthday) as an annual ‘Day of Humanitarian Action’ in perpetuity. Visit www.mandeladay. com for information on how to participate this year and in future years.
Irish Address Hunger and other Challenges in Tanzania
Namibia Earns Top Spot in Regional Trade Ranking Namibia is the trade-friendliest country in southern Africa and the second most tradefriendly on the continent as far as acrossborder activities are concerned, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Trade Enabling Report for 2009 shows. Namibia performed significantly better in two of the four pillars used to compile the index, namely market access and business environment. With market access, the country improved its international standing from 78th place last year to 33rd place this year, while its ranking for business environment jumped from 94 to 54.
5th Africa-Asia Business Forum Has Tourism Focus
The Ministry of State for Overseas Development recently announced €1.75 million in funding to combat hunger, reduce maternal and newborn mortality, tackle HIV and resettle refugees. The funding
The AABF V ended with a call to public and private sector representatives and civil society organizations to seize
sage that America will not suffer fools gladly. That is, when it comes to the critical issues of laying the foundation of sustainable democracy based on making the people’s votes count and making the leaders accountable to the people, more by concrete actions than by puerile platitudes. The fact that Obama’s clarion call for the enthrone-
ment of democratic ethos and norms in the continent is in line with his inaugural speech, where he did promise that his administration would not condone acts of political brigandage, arbitrariness or outright violation of the people’s collective will, shows a man that keeps to promises. Said he during his swearingin ceremony. “We will not apologise for
the opportunity of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa to open up Asian markets to Africa, brand Africa’s unique and rich heritage and cooperate in the implementation of a continent-wide tourism development strategy. “Africa still remains a distant land to many people in Asia. In some cases the negative image caused by lack of information prejudices Asians against Africa. There is a need, therefore to publicize the real situation of Africa including its diverse and wonderful tourism attractions and vibrant growth in recent years.”
Beer Giant BEE Action SABMiller announced a broad-based black economic empowerment transaction in South Africa, which will involve an equity issue of approximately 10% of its South African subsidiary. SEE YOU ON THE CONTINENT. &
our way of life, nor will we waver in its defence, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken, you cannot outlast”. That warning signal, one hopes should sink deep in the minds of Nigerian leaders who, in their self-righteousness, chest-beat about the capacity to foist their will on the people rather than obey the dictates of the constitution. For instance, when the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threw its weight around in Ekiti state over the rerun of governorship election in only 10 local government areas and ensured electoral victory for its candidate by all foul means instead of allowing the voters’ voices to be heard, such a country cannot hope to be counted in the comity of democratic nations. Especially, when the preceeding general elections in 2007 was adjudged as similarly characterized by massive fraud. Obama’s speech should, therefore, prick the conscience of those who misuse the instruments of political power
27 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
for plundering state resources or for selfaggradisement to the detriment of the good majority of the people. It should stir the antidemocratic mindset of those who clamour for automatic tickets on the platform of a political party, in an era when the world is asking for a level playing field and a widened political space for all candidates, to sell their manifestos and political ideologies to the people. What is pertinent in Obama’s speech is the paradigm shift of attention to the African people who should show more (l-r) U. S. President Barack H. Obama walks with H.E. John Atta Mills, President of the interest and participaRepublic of Ghana tion in the democratic process. The era when the Jomo Kenyatas, the Kwame Nkrumas and the Azikiwes took the centrestage as political demigods in the clamour for the continent’s independence from colonial rule has long come and gone. Now, he reiterates, is the moment for the citizens to know their rights and duties in democracy and be the determinants of the continent’s future. They must seek for and see to it that credible people get into government and make them provide the enabling environment for their business ideas and entreprenueral skills to come to the fore. Now is the time also for the leaders to re-order their priorities and give greater attention to tapping geothermal, biofuel and solar energy as alternative sources. Africa, he believes, could be the world’s food basket and even become that engender good and accountable ing what Obama calls true rule of law an exporter. Emphasis should shift to leadership could America be happy that makes everyone equal before the agriculture and qualitative healthcare and come in to provide the needed constitution’s guiding credo. delivery. America is concerned about The ultimate aim, of course, is to aid in polio-eradication, reducting the the four critical areas of stabilizing dehigh maternal mortality rate and fight make democracy acquire its true meanmocracy, optimizing opportunities, asthe scourge of malaria. The monster of ing of being “a government of the peosisting in qualitative healthcare delivery corruption must, therefore, be tackled ple, by the people and for the people”. and prompt conflict resolution. frontally, not by official denunciation Can the continent rise to this challenge Only when the people have assisted that says more than it does but by hav- of change? I think, YES WE CAN! & in developing institutions and policies
28 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Financial Services Constortium Presents...
Let’s Do Business 2
Thursday, July 30, 2009 • 7:30am - 5:30pm Westin Bonaventure Hotel - Downtown Los Angeles 404 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
www.ldb2.com
Economic Recovery Websites
T
he websites shown here provide information on the American Economic Recovery Process. Monitor the nation’s economic life cycle for yourself. The President www.whitehouse.gov
Supplier Diversity Contract Bid Opportunities The Financial Services Consortium with their “prime” financial services suppliers, in partnership with a coalition of community based organizations, such as the BBA, will host a one day business development forum to review contract opporunities for qualified diverse suppliers. Let’s Do Business Minority Technical Assistance Scholarship Program The Let’s Do Business (LBD) grant funds various pre-approved techinical assistance and educational programs to qualified diverse business owners. All scholarships will be awarded by the Small Business Technology Development Center. Follow this link to download the Scholarship Application form - www. ldb2.com/scholarship-application.pdf. The scholarship deadline is July 1, 2009. BBA Members are highly encouraged to apply.
National Economic Recovery www.recovery.gov Track Health Reform www.healthreform.gov U.S. Department of Education www.ed.gov/index.jhtml U.S. Department of Energy www.energy.gov U.S. Department of Commerce www.commerce.gov
BBA Members are encouraged to register for the event and apply for the scholarships ASAP!!!! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your foot in the door with the Financial Services Industry. &
U.S. Treasury www.ustreas.gov Grants.gov www.grants.gov California’s Economic Recovery
www.recovery.ca.gov Caltrans
www.dot.ca.gov/Recovery &
Leon H. Sullivan Summit Awards Celebration August 27, 2009
The gala event formally announces the date and location for the upcoming Leon H. Sullivan Summit and celebrates and honors leaders in the global community who have made a significant difference in our world - particularly as it relates to uplifting the lives of the poor. Our Invited Honorees Include: Winston Duncan, Mia Farrow, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Herbie Hancock, Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Quincy Jones, Tyler Perry
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - Eisenhower Theater, Washington, DC Tickets are: VIP $125 and $100 To purchase tickets or for more information contact The Summit Office • 202-736-2239 • www.thesullivansummit.org
29 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Save the Date!!
California Construction Expo 2009 The Premiere Gathering for Construction, Designers, Construction Professional, Suppliers and Construction Workers August 13, 2009 • Los Angeles Convention Center • 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Full Access Pass $55:
Access to all events activities, workshops and lunch program. Price increases after July 31, to $70.
Exhibitor Early Registration:
Standard Exhibit: $700 • Corner Exhibit: $1,000 Double Exhibit: $1,200 • Double Corner Exhibit: $1,500 Prices increases after July 31. For more information regarding the Expo, please visit CalCon’s website - www.calcon.com. Metropolitan’s Registration & Certification is needed for contracting success!!
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Small Business Development:
CBCC to Share New Technology Opportunities for SmallBusiness Entrepreneurs
T
he 14th Annual Ron Brown Business and Economic Summit will be held in San Jose, California on August 19-21, 2009 at the Wyndham Hotel “Plugging Into Technology for Small Business Success. ”Hundreds of small business owners and vendors will come together to learn and share their technological strategies for small business success in the ever-changing economic landscape. Produced with small business success in mind, the 2009 Ron BrownSummit will include a full day of presentations by some of America’smost
recognized technology experts and organizations, along with keynote presentations by Mr. Ken McNeely, President, California AT&T, and feature small business procurement fair with contracting opportunities from various state government agencies. Other Summit highlights will include an in depth panel dialogue on technology application for small businesses to reduce overhead and improve their bottom line, moderated by Ms. Teri Takai, Chief Technology Official for the State of California, Q&A panel discussions, exhibits and numerous networking opportunities.
“Bringing together small business experts to showcase the importance of leveraging technology and business processes has always been our intention,” said California Black Chamber, CEO Aubury Stone, “Knowing attendees and sponsors see the Ron Brown Summit as an important business tool reinforces the significance of the event.” The Summit seeks to reinforce the mutual benefits between State Government, Fortune 500 Companies and the Small Businesses the utilize their product and services. The Ron Brown Summit takes the California Black Chamber’s commitment to educating its members in how to best position their business in this economic environment to a new level. By attending the Summit, members will be armed with valuable industry information they can use to protect and grow their business. Additional details and registration information can be found at www.calbcc.org. &
33 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
34 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
If you’re having trouble making your house payment, you’re not alone. Call us. We may be able to help. If you’re a Countrywide mortgage customer having a difficult time making your house payments, call one of our specially trained Home Retention Specialists. Countrywide wants to help you to keep your home. The sooner we can talk, the sooner we can try to help.
Call Countrywide Mortgage Help: 1-888-200-5872 Reference number: 222 5 AM – 9 PM PT, Monday – Thursday 5 AM – 7 PM PT, Friday
Equal Housing Lender. © 2008 Countrywide Bank, FSB. Member FDIC. Trade/service marks are the property of Countrywide Financial Corporation, Countrywide Bank, FSB, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries.
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35 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
African Marketplace Boutique
Crenshaw-Baldwin Hills Mall, Crenshaw & King Blvd. Los Angeles, California USA
Queen Aminah’s Clothing A Royal Blend of all natural West African herbs and fiery spices
BALDWIN HILLS-CRENSHAW MALL African Marketplace Boutique, Suite #285
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www.kingspepper.com 323.291.4267 Before you grill, before you bake,
Specializing in quality products for the whole family imported directly from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Mali including: •Cultural Clothing for men women and children •Arts, Sculpture, Masks from the African Diaspora •Authentic Jewelry from African Designers
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Queen Aminah’s Clothing also offers Community Outreach Services: •Fashion Shows for Churches, Organizations and Civic Associations •Black History Presentations for Schools, Churches, Corporations and Government Agencies •Rites of Passage Programs for At-Risk Teen Girls, Teen Mothers, and Adult Women
Buy King’s Pepper African Marketplace Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Mall Los Angeles
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Shop with BBA Advertisers 36 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Open 7 days a week 11am - 11pm
37 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
7 Simple Ways to Turn Your Website into an Effective Sales Tool By Stacy Karacostas, StartupNation www.startupnation.com
N
owadays everyone is in a crazy hurry—especially on the Web. As a result, your Website has less than one second to capture your visitors’ attention once they land on it. Plus maybe a couple more seconds to show them you have what they’re after. Then, even once they’re hooked, visitors have to be able to: •Find what they want quickly and easily •Know exactly how to take action •And have all the info they need to take action confidently
Fail to do any of these things and you know what happens next, right? They click away. Because there are millions of other sites they can go to instead. Sadly, most small business Websites are still nothing more than electronic brochures. They might look nice, but they aren’t really designed to grab visitors by the eyeballs and convince them to call or buy. If your Website isn’t growing your business, here are seven simple tips to amp up its sales-making power... 1. Banish Fancy Landing Pages If you can’t navigate back to your opening page from the rest of your site, or it has an “enter here” or “skip intro” option, it clearly isn’t important. So dump it. Web designers love to build these, but most Web users hate them. Who has time to wait for them to load??? Besides, visitors should be able to find what they need within two clicks of your home page, and landing pages just add another click. 2. Don’t Make ‘Em Guess Put a big, bold, benefits-oriented headline front and center that lets visitors know exactly what they can find on your site (“Welcome to our site” is NOT an effective headline). Also make sure your navigation is consistent on every
page, and easy-as-pie to locate and understand. Get too creative here, and people won’t know why they should click or even that they should click at all. 3. Axe Snoozer Content Advertising great David Ogilvy once said “You can never bore someone into doing business with you.” Whether you sell B2B or B2C, your Web copy should sound like you’re having a friendly, informative conversation with one other person (i.e., your reader). So write like you speak and don’t be afraid to sound human. 4. It’s Not About You This might come as a shock, but site visitors don’t want to know all about you, what you do, and how you do it— at least not right away. First they want to know what you can do for them! Because if you don’t have what they need, they could care less about your experience, processes and so forth. Focus on the benefits of what you offer up front. The rest can come later. 5. Give ‘Em What They Need The more expensive your products and services, the more information people need to make a confident buying decision. If all you have are pictures, and/or less than 250 words of text per
page, it’s not enough. Your site should answer all your prospects’ questions and deal with their objections right then and there. And always include your complete contact info (not just an email form) so they know you’re a legit business. 6. Let ‘Em Skim Before they start reading on the Web, most people skim or scan to see if you have what they’re after. Few things are more difficult to skim than large blocks of text. So keep sentences short (ideally 20 words or less) and paragraphs less than five lines long. And use subheads and bullets whenever possible. 7. Tell ‘Em What to Do It’s not enough to put your contact info on your site then expect people to call. If you don’t tell prospects what to do next, there’s no telling what they might do. But chances are good it’ll involve clicking away from your site. Want them to call you? Say so AND put the phone number right there. Want them to go to a specific page, sign up for a newsletter, or buy something? Tell them and include a super obvious link or big, bright button. & Source: www.startupnation.com/articles/9460/1/turn-website-effective-salestool.htm
California Black Chamber of Commerce/Chamber Foundation 2009 Annual Events and Activities Calendar
August 19th-21st • www.calbcc.org Ron Brown Business Economic Summit & Youth Scholarship Awards • Wyndham Hotel, San Jose, CA The Summit addresses supplier diversity issues, corporate matching efforts, state and federal contracting & procurement opportunities. Our Youth Entrepreneur Summit & Scholarship Awards will climax the Ron Brown Memorial event topped off with exceptional world renowned entertainment.
38 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Books to Consider... The Ignored Economic Genocide by Dr. George Makita Alula. The people of Congo have suffered the slavery system and two genocides based on economic reasons. Between 1885 and 1908, ten million Congolese lost their lives during the Congo Free State era under the reign of the Belgian King Leopold II for rubber, copper and diamonds exploitation - many survived with hands severed. Successive rebellion wars cost six million of Congolese’s lives in ten years. The current Congolese genocide is happening in a deafening silence. Visit the website (www. theignoredeconomicgenocide.com) for information on the contents or the publisher (www.Xlibris.com) to purchase the hardback or softback book.
Straw: Finding My Own Way by Darryl Strawberry. An eight-time All Star, four-time World Series Champion, and the 1983 National League Rookie of the Year Darryl Strawberry is as well-known for his behavior on the baseball field as much as his controversial behavior off of it. Now, for the first time in his own words, Strawberry takes readers through his rise as a Met, Dodger, and Yankee, his brushes with the law, his triumphant battle over cancer and his religious awakening in his incredibly revealing and captivating memoir.
The 10Ks of Personal Branding - (K)reate a Better You by Kaplan Mobray. Are you an employee stuck in a career rut? Are you a student looking to get the right start? Or do you just want to create a better you? In The
Malik’s Books
M
a l i k ’ s Books offers a variety of collectible Obama memorabilia. We carry everything from Obama Watches to elegant 100% crystal Obama plaques. Our inventory includes all of President Obama’s bestselling novels, commemorative plates and mugs, large hand woven Obama throws, Crystal Obama plaques, Obama pins, the ever so popular Obama watches, posters, inaugural speeches, and much much more. Malik’s Books, located in the Baldwin Hills Mall in the African Marketplace on the second floor, gives you direct access to all your Obama memorabilia needs. The privately owned Malik’s Books offers a prime selection of African American books and conscious literature. Come by your community bookstore and take a look at what we have to offer. &
Malik’s Books Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall 2nd Level 323-292-2212 • www.Malikbooks.com • malikbooks@att.net 10Ks of Personal Branding, author Kaplan Mobray offers ten mustknow insights to building your personal brand. In this inspiring guide, learn how to focus your life’s goals with your life’s actions to create a powerful package called “you.” Filled with easy-to-follow instructions and valuable tips on developing your personal brand, this guide explains
the10Ks of personal branding: •Know thyself •Know what you want to be known for •Know how to be consistent •Know how to accept failure as part of building your personal brand •Know how to communicate your personal brand attributes •Know how to create your own opportunities •Know and master the art of connection •Know that silence is not an option •Know your expectations, not your limitations •Know why you are doing what you are doing today and how it will shape where you are headed tomorrow These ten (10) principles can change your life, give you focus, propel you career, and take you to a much greater place. &
39 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Eso Won Books
African American Books 4331 Degnan Ave., Leimert Park, Los Angeles
“Give Books as Gifts to Friends & Family” Check out our unsurpassed collection of books, music, video, children’s books, and games!
323-294-0324 • www.esowonbooks.com //esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events
TSA Secure Flight Information Secure Flight is a program to provide uniform watch list matching by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to enhance the security of domestic and international commercial air travel through the use of improved watch list matching. Under the Secure Flight program, airlines will be required to collect Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) including a passenger’s full name (as it appears on the passenger’s non-expired government issued ID), date of birth, gender, and TSA issued Redress Number (if available). TSA is implementing Secure Flight in phases. Airlines working closely with the TSA will begin collecting SFPD from customers at the time of ticket purchase in the Fall of 2009. For more information, visit www. tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight.
2009 Events
and
Comedy Night Join the Fun! Share the Laughs!
September •Trade Mission to Washington, DC September •Black Busines Day Conference & Luncheon November •Utilities Procurement Exchange Summit & Awards Luncheon • Call for information •
40 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
323-291-9334
Government:
Recovery Act Changes To SBIC Program = Increased Funding Available For Small Businesses
E
ffective immediately, small businesses that would otherwise have difficulty securing private equity or venture capital may find funding easier to get as a result of changes made as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Investment Company program.
Alberto G. Alvarado, Director Los Angeles SBA District Office
“The Recovery Act expands SBA’s venture capital program to increase the pool of investment funding available to the Small Business Investment Companies licensed by SBA,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. “We believe those companies will be better equipped by these changes to help sustain and grow small businesses for their next important growth steps.” SBICs are privately owned and managed venture capital firms which are licensed and regulated by SBA. SBICs use a combination of funds raised from private sources and money raised through the use of SBA guarantees to make equity and mezzanine capital investments in small businesses. There
are approximately 338 SBICs with $17.4 billion in capital under management. The changes made as part of the Recovery Act are: • The Recovery Act makes SBICs eligible for greater SBA guaranteed funding and requires SBICs to invest 25 percent of their investment dollars into “smaller” businesses. Also, the amount of funding an SBIC may invest in a single small business is set at 10 percent of an SBIC’s total capital rather than the previous limit of 20 percent of an SBIC’s private capital only. This translates to an effective 50 percent increase in funding available to a single business by an SBIC. • Maximum SBA funding levels to SBICs will increase up to three times the private capital raised by the SBIC, up to a maximum of $150 million for single SBICs, or up to $225 million for multiple SBICs that are under common control. The cap for all licensees was set at $137.1 million before the Recovery Act. • These limits are even higher for SBICs that are licensed after October 1, 2009, that certify that at least 50 percent of their investments will be made in small businesses located in low-income areas, up to $175 million for single licensees and up to $250 million for jointly controlled multiple licensees.
• Changes made to the SBIC program under the Recovery Act are permanent. Industry associations have commended SBA for these changes and SBA continues to encourage new SBICs to apply for licensing and actively participate in the program. The SBIC program was created to stimulate the growth of America’s small businesses by supplementing the longterm debt and private-equity capital available to them. Since the SBIC program’s formation in 1958 through April 2009, it has invested approximately $56 billion in more than 106,000 small businesses in the United States. For more information about the SBA’s Investment Division and SBIC program, go to www.sba.gov/INV or call 1-800-U ASK SBA. &
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BBA
Advertisers Monitor the Recovery A private sector tool developed for monitoring the progress of the nation toward economic recovery is the Fortune Recovery Index. Found at www.fortune.com/recoveryindex, you may use the software tool to check out the strength of the economy via seven different metrics and chart the path to date of each one. Checking the recovery index periodically might help you be the one who in the know regarding early signs of the economic rebound. The early bird makes the most profit, maybe. &
41 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Zizini Safaris, Inc. Zizini Safaris provides the traveller with an unsurpassed and memorable experience of a lifetime in Tanzania. We share with you the beauty of Tanzania; its rich natural resources, warm, friendly people, and a wealth of cultural experiences; offer the opportunity to gain an appreciation of the flora and fauna of these beautiful lands, which will evoke the need to protect and enhance these experiences for today and future generations.
Zizini Safaris, Inc. 466 Old Craigville Road Centerville,MA 02632 (866) 948 ZIZI (9494) info@zizinisafaris.com www.zizinisafaris.com
Tuesday, July 14th “For everyone interested in doing business with Metro”
Listen to
KDEE 97.7FM Watch & Support the Africa Channel! Time Warner • Channel 176 Don’t have the Africa Channel in your area? Call Time Warner at: 1-888-8922253 and ask that the Africa Channel be broadcast to ALL regions of California. For information on the Africa Channel visit www.theafricachannel.com or send an e-mail inquiry to info@theafricachannel.com.
The California Black Chamber Foundation’s Radio Station
LIVE on Your Computer
www.kdeefm.org
42 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
2009 Events
www.themarathonclub.org
September •Trade Mission to Washington, DC September •Black Busines Day Conference & Luncheon November •Utilities Procurement Exchange Summit & Awards Luncheon
• Call for information •
323-291-9334 REACH ACROSS AMERICA PROGRAM TO OFFER FREE MEDICAL CARE Faithful Central Church will host and facilitate Reach Across America (RAM) at the Forum to provide free medical, dental and vision care for one week to anyone in need (uninsured, underinsured, unemployed, underemployed persons). Depending on specific health conditions, most attendees will be able to have their dental, vision & medical needs met right on the spot. RAM has the tools and expertise needed to issue prescription glasses, and repair dental issues within the week! So be sure to arrive early if you need to be seen. There is a need for more volunteers and licensed medical professionals. Please be a blessing to someone in need.
REACH ACROSS AMERICA PROGRAM • August 11 - 18, 2009, at The Forum 3900 W Manchester Blvd., Inglewood,CA • beginning at 5:30AM daily http://ramclinic.info RAM needs Volunteers: Medical Doctors (all specialties) and Nurses, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, Ophthalmic Techs, Paramometry Techs, General Dentists, Oral Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry, Registered Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants. CALIFORNIA LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ONLY CONTACT: Jean Jolly, Volunteer Coordinator, Remote Area Medical, jeanjolly@ramusa.org 865.579.1530
43 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Technology:
Take a Look! by LaSandra Stratton Check out what these firms and organizations have to offer for your personal interests, personal wealth building, and business expansion opportunities.
http://business.twitter.com/twitter101 Finally ready to check out Twitter and how this communication system might be of benefit as you strive to grow your business. Visit this site and take the time to study each section. Be Twitter Literate!
www.monster.com Looking for a job or a new career, visit the Monster website where you will find job listings, resume writing assistance, and more. The nationwide Monster Career Fair will be coming to Los Angeles in October. Visit the site now to get ready to participate in the fair and to compete for (and win) the job of your dreams.
Thursday Blues
www.wikinvest.com/concept/ Cloud_Computing Cloud computing is an emerging computing technology that uses the internet and central remote servers to maintain data and applications. Cloud computing allows consumers and businesses to use applications without installation and access their personal files at any computer with internet access. By running business applications over the internet from centralized servers rather than from on-site servers, companies can cut some serious costs. &
at
Uncle Darrow‛s High Noon-2pm Every Thursday
Come by for lunch and relax to blues and jazz from our house band! 2560 S. Lincoln Boulevard, Marina del Rey North East corner of Washington & Lincoln
“LA Times Magazine favorite cajun food”
310-306-4862 • www.uncledarrows.com
Submitted by LaSandra Stratton BBA member, Chair of the BBA International Trade Committee.
44 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
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BBA
Members & Advertisers
2009 Events
September •Trade Mission to Washington, DC September •Black Busines Day November •Utilities Procurement Exchange Summit & Awards Luncheon • Call for information •
323-291-9334 45 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Leimert Park Village An African American Cultural, Retail, Foods & Entertainment Center. Degnan Boulevard between
Crenshaw & Leimert Blvds. 43rd Street-43rd Place, Los Angeles
Shop, Eat, Relax in
Little Ethiopia
Experience Africa in America
Culture, Retail, Entertainment Fairfax Boulevard
between Pico & Olympic in Los Angeles
46 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Black Business News International Edition Four issues a year Winter • Spring • Summer • Fall
Call for advertising rates and information. Call to be added to the International Edition mailing list.
323-291-9334 or e-mail:
mail@bbala.org
Lucy Florence Culture Center 3351 W. 43rd St. Leimert Park Village Los Angeles, CA 90008 Shop our boutiques Enjoy our Cuisine Exquisite Venue for your Special Event ……
Down Home Pot Roast Seafood Gumbo Chicken/Chicken Sausage Gumbo Smokey's Rice & Beans www.smokeyrobinsonfoods.com • weloveourcustomers@sfglfoods.com
Tinashe @ the Boardroom inside Lucy Florence
We are open daily! 1-6pm
Tote & Satchel HANDBAGS, beautifully restored, one-of-a-kind vintage HANDBAGS, the hottest DESIGNER SHOES, Cuff links, sterling silver jewelry, and Italian handmade Murano glass JEWELRY.
47 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
OERP starts with ME.
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Hong Kong Book Fair Catalog Show July 22-28, 2009
The CS Global Publishing Team invites you to showcase your titles at the Hong Kong Book Fair! With a stable rule-of-law, English fluency and the world’s freest economy, the Hong Kong market is an important one for U.S. publishers. For the first time ever, CS Global Publishing Team is coordinating a U.S. Pavilion at the Hong Kong Book Fair to showcase American titles. The Hong Kong Book Fair takes place July 22-28, 2009. Last year’s event boasted 485 exhibitors and over 829,000 retail visitors. Put your titles in front of these exhibitors and attendees by participating in our U.S. Pavilion. For $100, you can showcase your titles at our U.S. Pavilion and enjoy the following: • Internet promotion: An introduction of the U.S. publishers and titles on CS Hong Kong website • Media exposure for U.S. participants • Help matching titles to interested Hong Kong and Chinese publishers • Post event de-brief webinar session The deadline to sign up is July 8, 2009. Publishers will need to send sample books to our Hong Kong office no later than July 10, 2009. Each publisher can showcase a maximum of 5 titles. Once you register, we will provide shipping details. There is a space limit, so we will be accepting participation on a first come, first serve basis. We are limiting participation to 30 publishers, and will assess titles beforehand to ensure that the Hong Kong market is a good fit for these books before approving participation. We are also planning a post-fair webinar to provide participants with information about the show. To register, please contact Publishing Team Leader Dawn Bruno at Dawn.Bruno@mail.doc.gov or 212-809-2647. For more information about CS Publishing Team activities, visit www.buyusa.gov/publishing. Dawn Bruno, Global Publishing Team Leader dawn.bruno@mail.doc.gov • www.buyusa.gov/nyc
http://hkbookfair.hktdc.com
NATIONAL YOUTH BASKETBALL PROGRAM COMES TO LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Clippers is offering a unique youth program to area boys and girls ages 4 to 18. The National Basketball Academy will run a specially developed youth basketball program including camps, clinics, tournaments, leagues and youth basketball training beginning in the summer of 2009. The academy will work with local schools and recreation programs to bring camps into communities throughout the area. The program, the Los Angeles Clippers Youth Hoops Program, will begin this year with clinics, skill and performance training programs and 5 summer camps and will have programming available every month throughout the year. Every participant will receive tickets for Clippers games as well as great basketball instruction. To learn more about the National Basketball Academy, visit www.thebasketballacademy.com. 2009 CLIPPERS BASKETBALL CAMP LOCATIONS California Lutheran University 60 West Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 June 29-July 03, 2009 9:00 am-2:30 pm Cabrillo High School 2001 Santa Fe Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90810 July 13-17, 2009 9:00 am-2:30 pm Morningside High School 10500 Yukon Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90303 July 20-24, 2009 9:00 am-2:30 pm Citrus College 1000 West Foothill Boulevard, Glendora, CA 91741 July 27-July 31, 2009 9:00 am-2:30 pm American Sports Center 1500 S. Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805 Aug 3-Aug 7, 2009 9:00 am-2:30 pm
49 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Calendar July… 18th Mandela Day A global call to action across the world to recognize the date of July 18th, Nelson Mandela’s Birthday) as an annual ‘Day of Humanitarian Action’ in perpetuity. Visit www.mandeladay. com for information on how to participate this year and in future years.
18th Black Sports Agents Association (BSAA) Awards Gala Gala fundraiser will be held at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California. BSAA hosts sports camps and concerts for kids along with mentoring programs. Contact Tyler Turner for sponsorship and participation information Email: tyler. turner77@gmail.com Phone: (310) 936-9354.
19th-21st 16th Southern African International Trade Exhibition - SAITEX Since its inception in 1993 SAITEX has successfully promoted increasing international trade between South Africa, African and foreign companies. The 2009 SAITEX is co-located with Africa’s Big Seven (AB7) a composite of seven separate but co-located events that define the various stages and specific technologies required to move produce from the field through the processing, packaging and marketing phases eventually culminating in retail sales. The combined trade exhibit will be held at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. For information visit Exhibition Management Services at www.exhibitionsafrica.com.
22nd-24th NBCC 17th Annual Conference National Black Chamber of Commerce conference information is available at www.nationalbcc.org. Send e-mail to info@nationalbcc.org.
22nd-25th 13th Annual International African
American Hotel Ownership / MultiCultural Tourism Summit & Trade Show The 4-day summit will take place at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa. Topics include means of becoming a hotel owner or investor and participating in the tourism industry. Register at www. nabhood.com or call 323-291-9334 for detailed information.
23rd L.A. Financial Federal Credit Union Opens Grand opening at 9:00 AM at 3719 S. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles California, next to the HOPE Banking Center. Contact Lance Triggs or his executive assistant Adrienne McMiller at 213-891-2914 for information.
August… 7th-11th 2009 Leadership Institute The Tavis Smiley Foundation Youth 2 Leaders program for high school and middle school students will be held on the campus of UCLA. Participation application deadline is May 31st. See details at www.youthtoleaders.org.
9th-16th Bahia, Brazil - Festival of the Boa Morte 2009 Experience the culture of Afro-Brazil on this exciting tour. See details on page 49. For information send an e-mail query to info@ctoinc. com.
Angeles and other cities across the USA. For information visit www.naca.com.
September… 3rd-7th BlackEnterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge 2009 JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Orlando, FL. Go to www.blackenterprise.com/begt.
21st 25th Annual AAI Awards Dinner The Africa-America Institute (AAI) will welcome Ghana’s president, H.E. John Evans Atta Mills, who will accept the AAI African National Achievement Award on behalf of the people of Ghana. Call 212-949-5666 or go to www. aaionline.org for details.
29th-October 1st 7th Biennial U.S. – Africa Business Summit The Corporate Council on Africa conference will be held at Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC. Go to www.africacncl. org for details and/or to register. &
For a complete listings of events around Southern California visit SAVETHEDATECENTRAL.com
Send your event notice to:
Calendar
26th-28th MBDA MED WEEK Minority Enterprise Deveopment (MED) Week will be celebrated in Washington, DC. MED Week is the largest federally sponsored conference held on behalf of minority entrepreneurs and business enterprises. For information www. MEDWeek.gov.
27th Leon H. Sullivan Summit Awards Celebration - Africa Rising The gala awards dinner will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. For information visit www.thesullivansummit.org.
at mail@bbala.org.
ww.bbala.org
•Contracting Information •Employment Opportunities •Links to Sponsor Websites •Event Announcements •Resources:
28th-31st Save The Dream Tour Multi-day mortgage restructing event to aid at-risk homeowners save their properties and their futures. The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) will be in Los
50 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
• President’s Message • Financial Management • Meeting Management • International News • BBA Publications • Other Information
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Please complete then submit this form with your payment. Please type or print. Name: Title: Company: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Telephone: E-mail: URL: Type of Business: W/MBE Certified by:
Fax:
Year Established:
NAICS Codes: Briefly describe your products and/or services
New membership Renewal Membership
Select Type of Membership Regular Member-$200 annual dues 51% African-American owned, Voting membership
Corporate Member-$2,500 annual dues Major corporation, Non-voting membership Associate Member-$100 annual dues Non-business owner, Non-voting membership Student Member-$25 annual dues Full-time registered student, Non-voting membership Amount enclosed $ Payment type: credit card Visa MasterCard Card #: Signature Fax Payment to: 323-291-9234
Exp. Date
/
Payment type: check/money order—make payable to: Black Business Association Mail to: P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA For information Call: 323-291-9334 Email: mail@bbala.org Website: www.bbala.org
VERACITY REALTY, INC.
$20 Billion in Infrastructure Building Bonds Can Mean Money for You!
“Dedicated to Truthfulness” Let us see what we can do for you in both Commercial & Residential finance!
Jonathan Thompson, Commercial Broker
V
Phone: 800-455-2142 Cell: 323-309-2885
Rhonda Thompson, Residential Loan Officer Phone 800-455-2142 Cell: 323-387-9439 CA Dept. of Real Estate, Real Estate Broker: 01781216 *APR: Includes appraisal, title insurance, escrow, points & other loan cost is 6.487%
Open Supplier Certification Process The Verizon Communications Corporation is seeking to identify a greater share of African American-owned and operated businesses to match to potential operating contracts. The data base that Verizon procurement management personnel are instructed to review is the California Public Utilities Commission Clearinghouse.
Sign Up Now for the California Construction Contracting Program If your business provides services, from asphalt to porta-potties; from backhoes to fencing; from catering to architectural and engineering services, now’s the time to prepare for the upcoming reconstruction projects from Caltrans and other municipal agencies. FREE construction-related business management advising and training is available through the California Construction Contracting Program. Contact the El Camino College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for more information or visit www.buildcalifornia.org.
El Camino College SBDC
BBA members wanting to expand market opportunities with a telecommunication company should consider completing a supplier certification application. To obtain an application go to the Internet web address www.cpuc.gov and visit the supplier diversity page for an online application. The BBA encourages all members to participate in this process that works to create greater opportunities for all AfricanAmerican owned and operated firms. Last year the California Verizon Company reported an annual spend with African American owned suppliers in excess of $40 million.
52 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
13430 Hawthorne Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250 310.973.3177 www.southbaysbdc.org
Reach Thousands Leaders in Business and Government YOUR LINK TO BLACK BUSINESS ENTERPRISE and the AFRICAN GLOBAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (GAEC) The Black Business Association, SBA 2007 Journalist of the Year, is pleased to invite you to be an integral part of our publication. Black Business News - International. The Black Business News is the official voice through which public and private entities advertise business and investment opportunities, gain access to a highly affluent target market via outreach and advertising opportunities.
Black Business News International Edition
Internat
ional Ed
Black B usiness News
•Outreach to Black Businesses in the USA and around the world •Advertorial/Feature Story Advertising •Profiles and Business Listings •Classified Ads and Bid Opportunities
ition
Serving the Glob al African
Econom ic Comm unity
Contents
Fall 2008 USD$5.0 0
Corporat
e Giving: opportu nit EO ing, and ies in health, ed Y charitable more. ucation, hous-
Our readers are BBA members, Black business owners, corporate buyers, prime contractors, community organizations and elected officials, who all turn to the Black Business News for business development news and information to take their businesses to the next level of profitability and success!
Tourism
ism indust : Investment in Africa ’s all across ry is active, vit al and is tourthe con evident tinent.
Feature Ar “Strateg ticles: ie Engage s For Construc m tisve African ent with the Diaspora ” “Diaspor a Engage Remittan m ces & Be ent: yond” Investm en t Pr of the Re public of oƤle: Moyo Dis Ug
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trict
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Reserve Your Ad Space Today! Call 323-291-9334 • E-mail: mail@bbala.org
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Special Offer: 50% Discount for Regular Financial BBA Members
Rev. Leon
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For more information contact: Earl “Skip” Cooper, II at 323-291-9334 E-mail: mail@bbala.org
53 T July 2009 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org
Choose to care. Choose to celebrate. Choose to dream. At Comerica Bank, we choose to care about the dreams and visions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We choose to celebrate equality and diversity among all people, and we’re dedicated to ringing the bells of freedom. Choose to celebrate the dream with us.
Crenshaw 3825 Crenshaw Boulevard Los Angeles
El Segundo 2321 Rosecrans Avenue El Segundo
800-888-3595
Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.
www.comerica.com
Wilshire-Crescent Heights 6301 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles