11-Apr by Black Business News Group

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A Multiple Award Winning Publication

APRIL/MAY 2011

Recognizing National Small Business Week

IN THIS ISSUE... Publisher’s Message…page 3 Cover Story-Small Business Week…page 24 Let’s Move.....page 67 International News…page 68

AEG Invites Current and Interested Supplier Partners to our

Supplier Portal, an online communication tool designed to enhance the relationship between AEG and our partners. The portal is an online and paperless tool that will provide you with: tIncreased visibility for AEG business opportunities tExtended Company Profile in online directory tDirect email updates from AEG clients and buyers tEasy accounts payable information sharing tIncreased exposure for MBEs, WBEs, and DBEs It is important that you register your business so that we have the ability to contact you for participation in future opportunities. Suppliers seeking to initiate business with AEG are encouraged to register as well. Registration is simple and we invite you to visit our Supplier Portal at your earliest convenience:

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Publisher’s Message Earl “Skip” Cooper, II National Small Business Week

n recognition of National Small Business Week, the Black Business Association (BBA) is hosting its 37th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. This year, we have the honor having California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Commissioner Tim A. Simons as our keynote speaker. National Small Business Week is a time to pay tribute to the contributions made by the countless small businesses around the country to our national economy. National Small Business Week is an annual event dating back to 1963. The President of the United States, by proclamation, recognizes the significance of our small businesses. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognizes the special contributions made by outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners. National Small Business Week 2011 will honor the estimated 27.2 million small businesses in America. This year’s event will be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, DC, May 18th through 20th. Karen Mills, SBA Ad-

ministrator is one of the many keynote speakers. Small and minority businesses are the drivers of our economy. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. They also create 60 to 80 percent of new jobs in the country, while employing roughly half of all private sector employees. On the procurement side, small businesses supplied more than 25 percent of the total value of federal prime contracts this past fiscal year. I find it interesting that small and minority businesses produce 13 to 14 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms. These patents are twice as likely as large firm patents to be among the one percent most cited. Given that 40% of all high technology workers (i.e. scientists, engineers, computer technicians, etc.) are employed by small business, the future of the U.S. technology race is highly influenced by the fiscal health of small businesses. We applaud President Barak Obama and his administration for the enactment of the Small Business Jobs Act, passed in September of 2010. With the support of just two Republicans in the Senate and one in the House, it was passed based on the belief it would generate enough momen-

tum to replace the more than 8 million jobs taken by the recession -- the majority from small businesses. The Act included $42 billion to extend several small-business loan programs created by prior year’s Recovery Act and give tax cuts to small businesses and their owners that would encourage new investment and hiring. Another feature of the Small Business Jobs Act was increasing the maximum size of loans supported by the Small Business Administration from $2 million to $5 million. Further, some manufacturingrelated loans could reach up to $5.5. million. However, it is the contention of many that the government can’t create enough jobs to replace the millions that we lost in the recession. But the government can create conditions for small businesses to hire more people through steps like tax breaks and reduced red tape. Of the roughly 1.2 black-owned businesses in this country, the Black Business Association will recognize Johnson Hair Products as “Business of the Year”. Johnson Hair Products’ long and extensive business history is summarized on page 23. With over 90 percent of all job placement/staffing agencies being small businesses, please refer to page 49 for a story on Hawkins Staffing. C

3 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

About the Black Business News…

Black Business News

The mission of The Black Business News is to inspire and inform public and private sector industry representatives on the importance of smart small business growth. As a versatile source of socioeconomic development activity, the Black Business News imparts current local, national and international industry trends related to small businesses across the United States of America (USA), detailing greater access to financial capital, management efficiencies, business education, mentors and networks. The goals of the Black Business News include: •

increasing the use of business enterprises owned by USA-based blacks, by advocating for greater access to leading finance lenders and successful business managers.

•

working to merge resources, values, profits, technology throughout the public and private sectors.

•

balancing major public and private sector contracting methods with positive outcomes of black-owned and operated enterprises.

•

providing an affirmative influence for or emerging entrepreneurs sharing innoovative design and creative cultural conntent that exposes them to the history of black enterprises and excite them to participate in the USA’s future.

•

advocating and promoting on behalf of black-owned businesses by promoting the need for expanding an economic foundation that supports an unfettered and selfsustained urban society with USA job creation and economic opportuniwhere blacks work, live and operate able business enterprises.

P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 323-291-9334 Fax: 323-291-9234

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Steven Turner

PRODUCTION MANAGER Narishima Osei

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Marie Hamilton • Dean Jones Steven Turner ▪ LaSandra Stratton

GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Harris

STORY EDITORS Wanda Flagg

PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Foxx ▪ Sabir • Narishima Osei

CONTENT ADMINISTRATOR LaSandra Stratton

t y, vi-

The posting of stories, commentaries, reports, documents and links (embedded or otherwise) on this site does not in any way, shape or form, implied or otherwise, necessarily express or suggest endorsement or support of any of such posted material or parts therein.

AWARDS U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

2007 Journalist of the Year Award LA/Minority Business Opportunity Center (LA/MBOC)

2010 Media Firm of the Year 4 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

FEATURES…

April 2011

Publisher’s Message: National Small Business Week

8 GOVERNMENT… 8 12 14 16 24 25

US to Improve Renewables, Energy Independece DOE/Google Promote Electric Vehicle Use President Obama Hosts Town Hall via Facebook MBDA Solicits for Business Center Operaors SBA National Small Business Week SBA Offers New Lending Tool Kit

26 BUSINESS… 26

Special Feature - Black Business Association’s Salute to Black Women

30 37 39 40 42 48 51

Trade, Contracting, Challenges, Grants Get this White House App for Your Phone LA Starts Electric Vehicle Pilot Wal-Mart Buys into Social Media Marketing Jason Young - Changing the Face of Education Profile: The Hawkins Company Yucaipa/Johnson Purchase Radio Stations

60 PUBLIC INTEREST/COMMUNITY… 63 67

10 Tips for Non-Profits Let’s Move - Healthy Recipes for Kids

68 INTERNATIONAL… Columns 44 - Take A Look! 83 - Books to Consider... 89 - Calendar Action Alerts 02 - AEG Supplier Portal 60 - Help for Haiti, Alabama Sponsors 07 - Black Business Association

68 70

Focus: Zambia and Tanzania

72 74

Resources for Going Global

Zambikes Producing Life Changes Products in Zambia Bridging the Gap Between Afro-Brazilians and African Americans

Cover image - Sarah Harris 5 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Over 40 years of service Founded 1970

About the BBA…

Since 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Los Angeles, has been instrumental in the incubation and development of more than 15,000 African-American businesses. Nationally, we have access and influence with more than 85,000 African-American-owned and women/ minority-owned firms via strategic alliances with more than 100 women/minority trade associations in more than 42 states nationwide.

___ Our Mission ___ The Black Business Association’s mission is to advocate and promote the development of African-American owned businesses with the goal of creating a firm economic base that support the self-determination and survival of the African-American and urban community by: •

Identifying and creating financial opportunities for the growth and stability of African-American owned businesses;

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Being a community voice that advocates for the success of small businesses;

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Being a conduit for the merging of resources, values, profits, technology and people;

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Promoting development and support of minority business enterprises within the domestic and international economies by encouraging and generating greater access to market opportunities and capital;

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Providing training for entrepreneurial professional development;

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Supporting and contributing to the economic base and progress of the African-American community; and

•

Developing coalitions that support our political endeavors to effectively achieve public recognition and political influence for African-American business owners.

___ Advocacy ___ The Black Business Association maintains very effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials for the support of African-American business development. Locally, statewide and in Washington, DC, we are constantly aware of pending legislation that might affect our member’s businesses, their growth and even their ability to conduct business. When legislation is being considered that affects our mission, the BBA quickly mobilizes to work with key policy makers to support, defeat or modify the bill and pursue the BBA position. As an organization, we are constantly at the helm, securing innovative means and policies that protect our constituency and their business interests. C

2011 Events May 12th

“Microfinancing Workshop” May 19th

“Financial Management Workshop”

June 2nd

37th Annual Black Business Associaion Awards Dinner Thursday, 2nd 6:00pm - 10:00 pm

Well-deserved recognition to corporations, government agencies and individuals that have been most supportive of the growth and development of the Black Business Association and the African American business community as a whole

November

Utilities Procurement Exchange Summit & Awards Luncheon

Black Business Association P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA Tel: 323-291-9334 Fax: 323-291-9234 mail@bbala.org www.bbala.org www.facebook.com

honoring African American entrepreneurs and offering one-on-one opportunity exploration

• Call 323-291-9334 for information on sponsorship and participation •

7 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbala.org

Government

President Barack Obama reviews electric vehicle while touring AT&T site. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama Doubles Down on Renewables, Energy Independence

.S. President Barack Obama said recently that the U.S. needs to free itself from dependence on foreign oil, and set a goal of reducing oil imports by one-third in a decade. In a measured speech at Georgetown University in Washington, DC., the President said “American ingenuity, American know-how” can lead the nation into a future that doesn’t involve risking energy security on tumult in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere.

“To make ourselves more secure — to control our energy future — we will need to harness that ingenuity. It is a task that won’t be finished by the end of my presidency, or even the next. But if we continue the work that we have already begun over the last two years, we won’t just spark new jobs, industries and innovations; we will leave your generation and future generations a country that is safer, healthier, and more prosperous.” Demand will no doubt exceed supply, and as nations like India and China

grow and industrialize, it will only get worse, President Obama said. “As two billion more people start consuming more goods, and driving more cars, and using more energy, it’s certain that demand will go up a lot faster than supply. So here’s the bottom line – there are no quick fixes. And we will keep on being a victim to shifts in the oil market until we get serious about a long-term policy for secure, affordable energy.” The President added: “We cannot keep going from shock when gas prices go up to trance when they go back down on the issue of energy security, rushing to propose action when gas prices rise, then hitting the snooze button when they fall again. We can’t keep on doing that. It is time to do what we can to secure our energy future.” DEMAND VS. SUPPLY Looking inward to the domestic energy situation, President Obama

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said the U.S. has just 2 percent of the world’s oil reserves yet uses 25 percent of them. “Even if we drilled every drop of oil out of every one of those reserves, it still wouldn’t be enough to meet our long-term needs,” he said. One way to meet this need: partner with Canada, Mexico and Brazil. A second way: “safe and responsible” off-shore drilling. “I don’t think anyone’s forgotten that we’re not even a year removed from the largest oil spill in our history,” President Obama said, his booming voice quieting the room. “I know the people of the Gulf Coast haven’t. What we learned from that disaster helped us put in place smarter standards of safety and responsibility. “For example, if you’re going to drill in deepwater, you’ve got to prove that you can actually contain an underwater spill. That’s just common sense.” A third way: natural gas. “Recent innovations have given us

the opportunity to tap large reserves — perhaps a century’s worth — in the shale under our feet. Now, we have to make sure we’re doing it safely, without polluting our water supply.” A fourth way: biofuels made from switchgrass, wood chips and other biomass. “If anyone doubts the potential of these fuels, consider Brazil. I was just there, and already, more than half of Brazil’s vehicles can run on biofuels. And just last week, our Air Force used an advanced biofuel blend to fly an F-22 Raptor faster than the speed of sound…I’m directing the Navy and the Departments of Energy and Agriculture to work with the private sector to create advanced biofuels that can power not just fighter jets, but trucks and commercial airliners.” TRANSPORTATION & FUEL Obama said the energy problem manifests itself most clearly in the transportation sector, where 70 percent of petroleum consumption occurs. Not

to mention that it’s the second largest part of the average family’s budget, he said. “Last year, we established a groundbreaking national fuel efficiency standard for cars and trucks. Our cars will get better gas mileage, saving 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program. Our consumers will save money from fewer trips to the pump — $3,000 on average over time. And our automakers will build more innovative products. Right now, there are even cars rolling off assembly lines in Detroit with combustion engines — I’m not talking about hybrids — that can get more than 50 miles per gallon. We know how to do it. We know how to make our cars more efficient.” To underscore his point, Obama announced a new goal: by 2015, federal agencies must purchase all of their vehicles as alternative fuel, hybrid, or electric models. “All of them should be alternative see Energy Independence on page 11

Government

President Barack Obama speaks to Georgetown University audience regarding energy independence for the USA. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 9 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Energy Independence from page 9

fuel,” he said. With that said, Presient Obama called for “more powerful incentives to consumers” and rewards for “communities that pave the way for adoption” of electric vehicles. But the challenge is to overcome the battery, which has delayed electric car production in the United States. “Soon, America will be home to 40 percent of global manufacturing capacity for these batteries,” he said, adding that America must manufacture batteries to attract the domestic manufacture of electric cars. But it comes back to energy. “The thing about electric cars is that, well, they run on electricity. Secretary Chu knows that. And even if we reduce our oil dependency, a smart, comprehensive energy policy requires that we change the way we generate electricity in America.”

NUCLEAR POWER President Obama also touched on Japan and the nuclear power question. Succinctly: “We can’t simply take it off the table.” He expanded: “America gets onefifth of our electricity from nuclear energy. It has important potential for increasing our electricity without adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. But I’m determined to ensure that it’s safe. That’s why I’ve requested a comprehensive safety review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to make sure that all of our existing nuclear energy facilities are safe. We’ll incorporate those conclusions and lessons from Japan in designing and building the next generation of plants.” He added: “You will have a customer if you’re producing clean energy… innovators are willing to make those big capital investments.” THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE The President called for a “clean energy standard” to drive private investment, but acknowledged that government support is vital. I’ve visited gleaming new solar arrays among the largest in the world, tested an electric vehicle fresh off the assembly line — about five feet before Secret Service told me to stop — and toured once-shuttered factories where they’re building advanced wind blades as long as a 747 and the towers to support them. I’ve seen the scientists searching for that next big energy breakthrough. And none of this would have happened w i t h o u t government support.

He then outlined the threat of slowing this support: “We’re already paying a price for our inaction. Every time we fill up at the pump; every time we lose a job or a business to countries that invest more than we do in clean energy; when it comes to our air, our water, and the climate change that threatens the planet you’ll inherit – we are already paying that price. These are the costs we’re already bearing. And if we do nothing, that price will only go up.” THE GENERATIONAL FACTOR President Obama closed by speaking directly to the Georgetown students in the room, telling them that the era in which they have come of age — “fewer walls,” “constant information” and “economic turmoil” is evidence enough that America “can change for the better” — and that “young people” must “push America.” “We need that. We need you to dream big. We need you to summon that same spirit of unbridled optimism, that bold willingness to tackle tough challenges and see those challenges through that led previous generations to rise to greatness –- to save democracy, to touch the moon, to connect the world with our own science and imagination.” The reason? If nothing more, because it’s not to be left to future generations — and because “all of our challenges are within our power to solve.” C By Andrew Nusca and Larry Dignan, www.smartplanet.com Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/03/30/ obama-administration-s-blueprint-secureenergy-future

www.healthcare.gov

11 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Government

GREEN BUILDING Presient Obama also touched on green building and the need to waste less energy. “Today, our homes and businesses consume 40 percent of the energy we use, costing us billions in energy bills. Manufacturers that require large amounts of energy to make their products are challenged by rising energy costs. That’s why we’ve proposed new programs to help Americans upgrade their homes and businesses and plants with new, energy-efficient building materials like lighting, windows, heating and cooling – investments that will save consumers and business owners tens of billions of dollars a year, free up money for investment and hiring, and create jobs for workers and contractors.” He discussed the financial hurdles for homeowners to build more efficiently. “They’ll get their money back. You will save money on your electricity bill that pays for those improvements that

you made. But a lot of people may not have the money up front so we’ve got to give them incentives to do that…with the right incentives in place, we can double the use of clean energy.”

Secretary Chu (DOE) Announces New Funding and Partnership with Google to Promote Electric …includes the availability of $5 Vehicle Use million in new funding for community-based efforts to deploy electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and charging stations. Funding Opportunity Announcement, including application instructions and deadlines, is available at FedConnect.net.

Since its inception in 1993, DOE’s Clean Cities program helped save nearly 3 billion gallons of gasoline

Government

s part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to reduce U.S. oil imports by one-third by 2025, Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced new steps underway at the Department of Energy to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles. This includes the availability of $5 million in new funding for community-based efforts to deploy electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and charging stations. He also outlined a partnership with Google Inc. and more than 80 EV stakeholders to help consumers find charging stations nationwide. Secretary Chu and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made the announcement on a conference call with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, and St. Paul Mayor Christopher Coleman - leaders of three of the nation’s nearly 100 Clean Cities Coalitions. “The Department of Energy’s Clean Cities initiative is bringing together local governments and industry to demonstrate the benefits of advanced technology vehicles and help communities use less oil and gasoline to power their vehicles,” said Secretary Chu. “The initiatives announced today are just the latest steps in our broader efforts to reduce America’s dependence on oil, improve our energy security, and save families and businesses money.” Under the $5 million in electric vehicle funding announced, local governments and private companies will partner to apply for funding to help ac-

celerate installation of electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure. Communities will work to develop plans and strategies for EV deployment, update their EV permitting processes, develop incentive programs, or launch other local or regional initiatives that improve the experience of EV users and help bring these highly energy-efficient vehicles in the marketplace. More information on the Funding Opportunity Announcement, including application instructions and deadlines, is available FedConnect.net (www.fedconnect. net/FedConnect/PublicPages/PublicSearch/Public_Opportunities.aspx) under the title “DE-FOA-0000451 Clean Cities FY 2011 FOA.” In a related effort, DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is joining with Google Inc. and various industry leaders to provide consumers with consistent, up-to-date information about the EV charging stations in communities nationwide. Drawing on Google Maps, this new collaboration will coordinate an online network of all U.S. charging stations and will serve as the primary data source for GPS and mapping services tracking electric vehicle charging locations. More information is available on the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) - www.afdc. energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/geoevse.php. The Clean Cities Program is a publicprivate partnership that brings together federal, state and local governments, the auto industry, private sector fleet

operat o r s , a n d c o m munity leaders to help c o m munities m a k e their vehicle fleets more energy efficient. Since its inception in 1993, Clean Cities Coalitions and its stakeholders have saved nearly 3 billion gallons of gasoline. The Clean Cities Program supports a broad portfolio of technologies, including alternative and renewable fuels, fuel economy measures, idle reduction technologies, and emerging technologies like electric vehicles. Read more information on the Clean Cities program (www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities). Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; and St. Paul, Minnesota have been three of the leaders nationally in developing policies to reduce the dependence on oil and gasoline locally. Projects underway include the deployment of electric vehicles and chargers, E85 flex fuel vehicles and infrastructure, biodiesel facilities that turn used cooking oil into vehicle fuel, natural gas vehicles, and consumer education efforts. The accompanying chart exhibits the Top 25 Clean Cities Coalitions and amount of gasoline their efforts have helped displace from 2005-2009. C www.energy.gov/news/10280.htm

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TOP 25 CLEAN CITIES COALITIONS Rank

State

Coalition

Cumulative Displacement 2005-2009 (Gallons of Gasoline)

Twin Cities Clean Cities

135,175,133

Valley of the Sun Clean Cities (Phoenix)

86,739,806

Clean Fuels Ohio

84,137,431

Greater Indiana Clean Cities

67,576,029

New York City and Lower Hudson Valley Clean Communities

63,728,157

State of Maryland Clean Cities

53,849,126

Chicago Clean Cities

47,758,243

Los Angeles Clean Cities

47,524,841

Dallas-Ft. Worth Clean Cities

44,525,015

Southern California Clean Cities

42,295,552

Commonwealth Clean Cities Partnership

38,495,6818

Tucson Clean Cities

37,138,418

Greater Long Island Clean Cities

32,865,885

Western Riverside County Clean Cities

31,734,027

Puget Sound Clean Cities (Seattle)

29,387,885

St. Louis Clean Cities

29,269,485

Kansas City Regional Clean Cities

27,409,150

San Joaquin Valley Clean Cities

26,569,597

Denver Clean Cities

24,030,743

Utah Clean Cities

23,577,151

Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities

22,495,293

San Diego Clean Fuels Coalition

21,765,744

Clean Cities-Atlanta

21,172,066

Central Texas Clean Cities (Austin)

20,218,686

Las Vegas Clean Cities

19,687,387

Small Business Jobs Act - A Game Changer The Small Business Jobs Act, increases 7(a) loan limits from $2 million to $5 million, 504 loans from $1.5 million to $5.5 million, micro loans from $35,000 to $50,000, and increases the 7(a) Express Loans from $300,000 to $1 million. The legislation also creates a $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund to help eligible small banks make small business loans and provides $1.5 billion to start the State Small Business Access Credit initiative, which builds on successful state-run programs. This is a game changer. Please get the word out. Visit www.sba.gov for details. STEVEN D. TURNER, Slaton Group Financial Advisory / Insurance Services / License #0G12789 http://www.slatongroup.com

Locations: Downtown Culver City: 9537 Culver Blvd. 310-202-5453 City of Compton: 2600 E. Alondra Blvd. 310-638-7871 www.honeyskettle.com Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm

13 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Government

President Obama Talks to the Nation via FaceBook Jesse Lee Reports on the White House use of Technology to Touch and Teach the Nation

Government

e noted after the President’s town hall in Virginia that the questions he got from the crowd mirrored almost perfectly the issues that are being debated right now in Washington, and that the philosophical differences guiding that debate will have profound implications for the lives of virtually every American throughout their lives. And so while a Facebook Town Hall on our fiscal future might seem an odd fit at first glance, the President explained in his opening remarks why a platform like that was important: And historically, part of what makes for a healthy democracy, what is good politics, is when you’ve got citizens who are informed, who are engaged. And what Facebook allows us to do is make sure this isn’t just a one-way conversation; makes sure that not only am I speaking to you but you’re also speaking back and we’re in a conversation, we’re in a dialogue. The questions came from a number of sources, from Facebook employees in the room to Facebook users across the country who had opportunities to ask questions live or days ahead of time. As it happened, a Facebook employee raised in Detroit asked a question we hear a lot on all of our channels online, from Facebook to Twitter to YouTube to WhiteHouse.gov: Q. Hi, Mr. President. Thank you so much for joining us today. I am originally from Detroit, Michigan, and now I’m out here working at Facebook. So my question for you kind of builds on some of the things we were just talking about. At the beginning of your term you spent a lot of time talking about job creation and the road to economic recovery, and one of the ways to do that would be substantially increasing federal invest-

ments in various areas as a way to fill the void left from consumer spending. Since then, we’ve seen the conversation shift from that of job creation and economic recovery to that of spending cuts and the deficit. So I would love to know your thoughts on how you’re going to balance these two going forward, or even potentially shift the conversation back. THE PRESIDENT: Well, you’re exactly right that when I first came into office our number-one job was preventing us from getting into another Great Depression. And that was what the Recovery Act was all about. So we helped states make sure that they could minimize some of the layoffs and some of the difficult budget choices that they faced. We made sure that we had infrastructure spending all around the country. And, in fact, we made the biggest investment in infrastructure since Dwight Eisenhower built the Interstate Highway System. We made the largest investment in history in clean energy research, and it’s really paying off. For example, when I came into office, we had about 2 percent of the advanced battery manufacturing here in America. And as everybody here knows, what’s really holding us back from my goal of a million electric vehicles on the road is that battery technology is still tough. It’s clunky; it’s heavy; it’s expensive. And if we can make significant improvements in battery technology then I think the opportunities for electric vehicles, alternative vehicles that are much cheaper -- our opportunities are limitless. So those were all investments that we made in the first two years. Now, the economy is now growing. It’s not growing quite as fast as we would like, because after a financial crisis, typi-

cally there’s a bigger drag on the economy for a longer period of time. But it is growing. And over the last year and a half we’ve seen almost 2 million jobs created in the private sector. Because this recession came at a time when we were already deeply in debt and it made the debt worse, if we don’t have a serious plan to tackle the debt and the deficit, that could actually end up being a bigger drag on the economy than anything else. If the markets start feeling that we’re not serious about the problem, and if you start seeing investors feel uncertain about the future, then they could pull back right at the time when the economy is taking off. So you’re right that it’s tricky. Folks around here are used to the hills in San Francisco, and you’ve driven -- I don’t know if they still have clutch cars around here. Anybody every driven a clutch car? (Laughter) I mean, you got to sort of tap and -- well, that’s sort of what we faced in terms of the economy, right? We got to hit the accelerator, but we’ve got to also make sure that we don’t gun it; we can’t let the car slip backwards. And so what we’re trying to do then is put together a debt and deficit plan that doesn’t slash spending so drastically that we can’t still make investments in education, that we can’t still make investments in infrastructure -- all of which would help the economy grow. In December, we passed a targeted tax cut for business investment, as well as the payroll tax that has a stimulus effect that helps to grow the economy. We can do those things and still grow the economy while having a plan in place to reduce the deficit, first by 2015, and then over the long term. So I think we can do both, but it does require the

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balanced approach that I was talking about. If all we’re doing is spending cuts and we’re not discriminating about it, if we’re using a machete instead of a scalpel and we’re cutting out things that create jobs, then the deficit could actually get worse because we could slip back into another recession. And obviously for folks in Detroit, where you’re from, they know that our investments can make a difference because we essentially saved the U.S. auto industry. We now have three auto companies here in America that are all turning a profit. G.M. just announced that it’s hiring back all of the workers that it was planning to lay off. And we did so, by the way, at the same time as we were able to increase fuel efficiency standards on cars for the first time in 30 years. So it can be done, but it takes a balanced approach. (Applause.) C

Members of the audience listen as President Barack Obama participates in a town hall meeting moderated by CEO Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

15 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Minority Business Development Agency

Call for Applications: Business Center Solicitation Spring 2011

he Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has announced a solicitation for competitive applications from prospective candidates to operate MBDA Business Centers (MBC) in the three locations shown in the chart.

2011. • The grant award period under this solicitation is five years and successful applicants will initially be funded for the first award year with subsequent funding periods subject to MBDA Business Center performance and funding availability. • MBDA anticipates a total of $855,000 will be available annually to fund the financial assistance awards from FY 2011 through FY 2015.

Government

MBDA Business Center

David Hinson, National Director, MBDA The strategic business consulting services provided by the MBDA Business Centers will generate increased financing, public and private sector contract opportunities and related awards to minority businesses. In addition, the services will help minority-owned firms create and retain jobs.

Three Individual Cooperative Agreements • MBDA intends to award three (3) individual cooperative agreements to manage and run the MBDA Business Centers beginning September 1,

Each MBDA Business Center is strategically located in areas with significant levels of minority population and minority-owned firms. Not limited by geographic regions, the MBDA Business Centers may serve minority businesses in all fifty states and Puerto Rico. The MBDA Business Centers are part of the MBDA nationwide services network - they will collaborate with one another, MBDA staff and private sector strategic partners to serve minorityowned businesses and achieve program goals.

Eligible Applicants For-profit entities (including but not limited to sole-proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations), nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, American Indian Tribes and educational institutions are all eligible to apply to operate the MBDA Business Centers.

Applications must be submitted electronically and time-stamped at www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight-Saving Time (EDT) on May 5, 2011. Applications that are timestamped after the deadline will not be considered. Applicants must review and adhere to the full Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement. This document outlines program details and instructions for submitting and application. Download a MBDA Business Center Grant Application. Note: The MBDA Business Center program is not a grant program to start or to expand an individual business. Applications must be to operate a MBDA Business Center and to provide business consulting services to eligible minority-owned firms as set forth in the Federal Funding Opportunity. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be considered by MBDA for funding.

Application Information Materials Listings of support materials may be found in this announcement on the MBDA website (www.mbda.gov/ main/programs/mbda-businesscenter-solicitation-spring-2011). The content is based on the Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) for the MBDA Business Center program and are intended to provide information to interested parties concerning the MBC Program and the preparation of an application for funding under

Submission Requirements

16 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

see MBDA on page 17

MBDA National Enterprise Center (NEC)

Chicago NEC

New York NEC

MBDA Business CenterLocation (State, City) One of the following cities: Milwaukee, Wisconsin or Minneapolis, Minnesota One of the following cities: Hartford, Connecticut, Stamford, Connecticut, Boston, Massachusetts or Queens, New York

One of the following counties in Southern California: Kern, San Francisco NEC Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or San Diego

from page 16

this competitive solicitation. The informational materials are not a substitute for the MBC application and program requirements set forth in the FFO. Should there be any inconsistencies between the FFO and the informational materials, the FFO is the controlling document and shall prevail. C www.mbda.gov Join MBDA National Director Hinson at the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors’ (AM&AA) 3rd Annual Global Merger & Acquisition Symposium (M&A Symposium) London, England May 10th – 12th, 2011 www.amaaonline.com/node/3856

Competition ID#

$225,000

2228055

$275,000

2228057

$355,000

2228059

Watch this new video on the one year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act featuring Vice President Joe Biden.

One Year of the Affordable Care Act: We’ve Come a Long Way When President Obama signed the health reform law, the Affordable Care Act, on March 23, 2010, it was a moment that was decades in the making. Presidents from both parties had attempted to reform our health care system and as President Obama said, he wasn’t the first President to try and pass health reform, but he was determined to be the last. Vice President Biden has recorded a new video looking at the work to pass reform and how the law is already helping the American people. Watch the video at this address: www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/03/23/one-year-affordable-careact-we-ve-come-long-way

17 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Government

MBDA

Federal Funding Years 1-5

GSA - Greening the Supply Chain

emissions can be used in the Federal procurement process to make the Government’s supply chain more sustainable. In June 2010, the Section 13 Working Group issued a report, Recommendations for Vendor and Contractor Emissions (www.fedcenter.gov/Documents/index.cfm?id=15392&pge_prg_ id=27834&pge_id=3649), stating that sustainability considerations, especially GHG emissions data, should be used in the procurement process through an incentivized, phased approach. The scale and breadth of the Government’s purchasing power has a significant impact, not only on federal government’s

ucts and services, providing training, and making it easier to find GSA’s green offerings. As part of the EO’s requirements, GSA partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense to lead an interagency working group, known as the Section 13 Working Group, to determine whether contractor greenhouse gas (GHG)

environmental footprint, but also on the Federal supply chain. To implement the report’s recommendations, GSA has established the Federal Supply Chain Emissions Program Management Office (PMO). The PMO, administratively managed by FAS (Federal Acquisition Service), will fully leverage GSA’s business and acquisition expertise. Its initiatives in-

clude the GreenGov Supply Chain Partnership (www.gsa.gov/portal/content/240789) and the Federal Supplier Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Pilot (www.gsa.gov/portal/content/240793). The PMO also manages the Section 13 Working Group, which is moving forward in answering the “areas of further exploration” outlined in the report, as well as coordinating with the Section 9 Working Group on guidance for inclusion of vendor GHG emissions data collection and accounting in the Federal GHG Accounting and Reporting Guidance. The Section 13 Working Group has stood up several sub-working groups to focus on specific topics. Download a PDF for an overview of the working groups (www.gsa.gov/graphics/fas/Section_13_Working_Groups. pdf). A number of companies have already proven that reducing GHG emissions across their supply chain is beneficial to their bottom line, reduces risks and improves operational efficiency. The PMO will work collaboratively with industry partners, academia and nonprofits to harness existing lessons learned and identify the most efficient path towards leveraging procurement to reduce GHG emissions across the federal supply chain. Along with GSA’s Zero Environmental Footprint Goal (www.gsa.gov/portal/content/130449), this new PMO expands our role as a leader in the Federal community’s sustainability efforts. C Contact: Nancy Gillis, Director GSA Federal Supply Chain Emissions Program Management Office (PMO) (703) 603-8108 Nancy.Gillis@gsa.gov

19 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Government

n October 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance. This EO calls on Federal agencies to set and meet specific sustainability related targets throughout their operations. As part of this undertaking, General Services Administration (GSA) is leveraging its purchasing power to promote green products (www.gsa.gov/portal/content/105365) and technologies in recognition of the critical importance of “greening” the Federal procurement process. GSA is increasing its offerings of green prod-

2011 OSDBU Procurement Conference April 21, 2011 Dulles Expo Center, South Hall

he OSDBU Procurement Conference (www.fbcinc.com/osdbu) is a national conference fostering business partnerships between the Federal Government, its Prime Contractors, and small, minority, service-disabled veteran-owned, veteranowned, HUBZone, and women-owned businesses.

Procurement Opportunities

Procurement Matchmaking Procurement Matchmaking will be offered as a value-added opportunity to meet with buyers in special, prescheduled one-on-one meetings with participating buyers during the conference. This portion of the event is limited in availability and is offered to small businesses registered for the overall conference on a first come, first serve basis. Procurement Matchmaking “matches” small company “sellers” with participating “buyers” represented by government agencies and large business Prime Contractors. These buyers and sellers will convene for a series of one-on-one meetings that will occur throughout the OSDBU event in a special matchmaking meeting room. How Does Matchmaking Work? How Do I Participate? • Register for the Conference -- In order to participate in Procurement Matchmaking, you must first register for the conference by completing the Attendee or Exhibitor Registration Form (click here to register). Registration for the Procurement Matchmaking program will be offered on a first come, first serve basis to the first 300 companies that register for the

21 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

www.fbcinc.com/osdbu

Government

Exhibitors from Federal, state and local governments and Federal Government large business prime contractors are looking for small, minority, 8(a), SDB, HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program participants, service-disabled veteran-owned, veteranowned, and women-owned businesses who provide the goods and services listed below. Federal agencies post information on contract opportunities over $25,000 on the Internet through FedBizOpps at http://www.fedbizopps.gov. Visit the FedBizOpps website to register for electronic notification of contract opportunities. Subcontracting opportunities with large business prime contractors can be found at http://web.sba.gov/subnet. Additionally, exhibitors may bring procurement opportunities with them

for distribution at the conference.

overall conference and select participation in Procurement Matchmaking. 2010’s conference had well over 900 waitlisted for this event so don’t delay in registering early. • Receipt of Confirmed Matchmaking Registration (starting January 2011 until February 2011) -- Upon completion and verification of your registration in the OSDBU Conference, you will receive an email confirming your position in the Procurement Matchmaking event within 48 hours. If the event is “sold out” you will be placed on a wait list. • Complete Separate Registration for Procurement Matchmaking (February 2011) -– During the first week of February 2011 all businesses registered for the Matchmaking event will receive an email inviting them to go to the Matchmaking registration page and complete their company profile in anticipation of being matched with buyers for a custom schedule. This registration process will entail providing a company description, contact information and special keywords/codes that will be used to match your company with participating procurement representatives for a special, customized Matchmaking meeting schedule. • Set your Custom Face-to-Face Schedule of Matchmaking Meetings -- During the first week of April 2011 the Matchmaking Team will send you an email inviting you to return to the system to begin the matchmaking scheduling process. During this process you will be presented with a schedule for the day and the selection of procurement representatives that match with your organization based on the keywords you provided at the time of registration. With this information, you will be able to build a schedule of appointments with your matches to best organize your day. C

YOUR LINK TO AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS CELEBRATING OVER 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

37TH ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011 OMNI LOS ANGELES HOTEL AT CALIFORNIA PLAZA 251 SOUTH OLIVE STREET LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012

Special Keynote Speaker

Tim A. Simon Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission

DINNER CHAIR Patten Energy Brandon Supply Corporation Freeman Alternative Resources, Inc. DINNER CO-CHAIRS

SUPPORTERS

Donald Sterling Corporation

For more information, contact the Black Business Association at: (323) 291-9334 | mail@bbala.org | www.bbala.org

BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

50Year

Legacy Returns to it’s

Roots

The renewal of a family of products that revolutionized the ethnic hair care industry starting in the 1950s.

arch 31, 2009 – Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) has sold its Johnson Products Company unit, one of the world’s most recognized market leaders in African-American hair care products, to RCJP Acquisition, Inc., a newly formed independent entity comprised of Los Angeles-based private equity firms Rustic Canyon/Fontis Partners, LP and St. Cloud Capital LLC, along with an AfricanAmerican management team of industry veterans. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The company will operate as Johnson Products Company, Inc. The new management team will be led by two industry veterans with strong ties to the business, husband and wife team, Eric Brown and Renee Cottrell-Brown. They have extensive experience in the ethnic hair care arena, having both held senior executive positions with the Pro-Line International, Inc. subsidiary of Alberto-Culver Company (NYSE:ACV). Brown will serve as chief executive officer, with Cottrell-Brown as executive vice president. Founded in 1954 by George Ellis Johnson, Sr., Johnson Products, formerly headquartered in Chicago, has been a mainstay brand for more than a half-century in the African-American

www.johnsonproducts.com

community. In 1971, the company became the first minority-run enterprise to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Today, Johnson Products offers more than 30 hair care products, including the Gentle Treatment and Ultra Sheen brands. The company’s operating office is in Dallas. “The acquisition of Johnson Products represents the renewal of a family of products that revolutionized the ethnic hair care industry starting in the 1950s, and a next stage of growth for a legendary company that has been an iconic figure and

The new Johnson Products Co. will provide us with a platform to bring product innovations and promotions to a unique multi-cultural consumer group. model of success for African-Americans,” Brown said. “The new Johnson Products Company will provide us with a platform to bring product innovations and promotions to a unique multi-cultural consumer group and reintroduce the brands to a new generation. We have an outstanding, motivated team, and we are extremely excited and optimistic about the future of this new venture.” Johnson Products has annualized sales of more than $23 million. Its products are sold throughout

the United States and participate in a global market that the company estimates to be approximately $1.8 billion. The management team brings more than 55 years of experience to the newly formed company. It has helped launch some of the industry’s most successful ethnic hair care brands, including the Soft & Beautiful, Comb-Thru and Just-For-Me product lines, all part of Pro-Line International. Founder George Johnson, 82, whose company became part Procter & Gamble in 2003 with its acquisition of Wella AG said, “It makes me extremely happy to know that the brands of Johnson Products will be owned by people who understand the African-American consumer market and care about the brands. Eric Brown and Renee Cottrell-Brown will be successful in re-energizing the company.”

SBA 48th National Small Business Week By Steven Turner

Government

Featured Speakers

ational Small Business Week is a national recognition event to honor the nation’s top entrepreneurs each year. The distinguished group of small business owners are hailed each year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a collection of corporate co-hosts. The 2011 event marks the 58th anniversary of the agency, and the 48th annual Presidential proclamation of National Small Business Week. It will be held in Washington, DC, May 18th through the 22nd, 2011. The National Small Business Marie Johns, Deputy AdWeek will honor leaders, busi- ministrator, Small Business Administration nesses and lenders throughout the United States, including Person of the Year. The 2011 California State Winner is Barry Levin, Chairman and CEO of Snak King Corp. in the City of Industry. Some of the other awards include The Phoenix Awards, recognizing a public official, a business owner and a volunteer whose efforts have helped their businesses or communities recover successfully from a disaster. The Lender of the Year, honoring finan- Gail McGovern,President/ CEO, American Red Cross cial institutions, including those that provide financing for small business exporters and inner city businesses. The Entrepreneurial Development Awards honoring Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and SCORE for their innovation and excellence in assistance to entrepreneurs andsmall businesses. The Dwight D. Bill Rancic, Eisenhower Award for Excel- Real Estate lence, recognizing large prime Developer contractors who have excelled in their utilization of small businesses as

suppliers and subcontractors. The Gold Star Award, recognizing exemplary performance of federal staff who manage the aggressive goals and strategic initiatives that help ensure a role for small business in the federal marketplace. The Frances Perkins Vanguard Award, honoring government and industry for excellence in the use of Karen Mills, Administrator women-owned small businesses as Small Business prime contractors and subcontracAdministration tors. The Small Business Prime Contractor and Small Business Subcontractor of the Year, honoring small businesses that have provided government and industry with outstanding goods and services as prime or sub contractors. Small business owners from across the country will be honored for their accomplishments as the nation’s leading small businesses. A focal point this year’s National Seth Goldman, President/ Small Business Week will be a seTeaO, Honest Tea ries of executive panel forums on Health Care, International Trade, Energy, and Finance. In addition, there will be a procurement session with corporate buyers and prime contractors who will discuss small business partnering and mentoring opportunities for small businesses seeking government contracts. The small business community nationwide can also take part in the Cathy Hughes, Founder/ forums, and view other Small BusiChairperson, Radio One Inc. ness Week events that will be Webcast live at www.NationalSmallBusinessWeek.com. The Black Business News applauds all nominees, winners and corporate sponsors. C

24 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

SBA Launches New Online “Lender Toolkit”

• Find a Loan Package, which allows users to select a loan type and download all the associated forms. Instruction on how to complete the loan package and standard boilerplates will help lenders prepare more accurate loan applications, increasing the probability of guarantees to worthy small businesses.

• Find a Service Center enables the lender to search for servicing center contact information based on the loan processing parameters of loan type and stage. Lenders can also Find a Lender Relationship Specialist by selecting a local district office from a pull-down list. • Lender FAQs provide answers to questions about the SBA’s approach on the financing and underwriting of loans to small business owners. • Recent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) notices, which display current versions of loan processing, servicing and liquidation documents along with a copy highlighting any updates. • Weekly Lending Report, which provides details on lending activity for SBA loan programs, along with comparisons for FY 2009, 2010 and 2011 for the period ending that week. • The SBA’s commitment to transformation is reflected in the new Lender Toolkit, which is part of the redesigned SBA.gov website, which went live in December 2010. Designed to better meet the needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs, the enhanced website features SBA Direct, which allows visitors to seek information on starting or growing a business, financial assistance, and regulatory compliance based on their location, type of business, and specific needs. The project is also a flagship for the agency’s Open Government Plan, with the goal of building an online presence for SBA that is transparent, participatory and collaborative. C

Karen G. Mills, Administrator Small Business Administration

SBA Offers Online Small Business Training and Local Counseling & Mentoring SBA is dedicated to helping you and your small business succeed. There are a variety of online trainings which cover many business topics for you to learn. • Starting a Business • Managing a Business • Financing a Business • Contracting • Other Featured Training SBA provides small business counseling, mentoring and training through a variety of programs and resource partners, located strategically around the country. • Find a Local SBA Office • Small Business Development Centers • SCORE • Women's Business Centers • Veterans Business Outreach Centers • U.S. Export Assistance Centers • Procurement & Technical Assistance Centers. C

25 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Government

mall business lenders now have access to more in-depth information and resources on U.S. Small Business Administration loan programs through the new Lender Toolkit on the agency’s recently redesigned website. The new site strengthens SBA collaboration with its lending partners, making it easier for them to identify the points of contact, loan programs and financing options that will best expand access to capital for local small businesses to help them grow and create jobs. Elements of the streamlined Lender Toolkit include useful tools like the ability to download and submit loan packages, updates on interest rates and important lending news, all at www.sba. gov/for-lenders. “Lenders are vital partners in our efforts to help entrepreneurs and small business owners grow successful companies and create good paying jobs in their communities,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. “Over the last two years, we’ve worked hard to strengthen these partnerships. This new online toolkit puts more information on SBA loan programs at lenders’ fingertips and makes it easier for them to use these programs to meet the capital needs of their small business customers.” The online Lender Toolkit features:

Special Feature

The 2011 Salute to Black Women Business Conference and Awards Luncheon: An Attendee’s Perspective By Jennifer Marie Hamilton

Special Feature

t must have been the enormous sense of gratitude felt by all that accompanied all of the accolades given to each of the honorees at the 2011 Salute to Black Women Business Conference and Awards Luncheon that made the event more than just great but heart felt. A sincere gratitude was felt on as many different levels as those who were in attendance that day. For example, for those in attendance, representing the general audience, if they were asked what gratitude they felt, for certain, there would be a gratitude for simply being knowledgeable of such an event taking place, as well as, for being able to attend, and not to mention, a gratitude for the Black Business Association (BBA) to put on such a gala affair at a very reasonable cost. Then, if those of the BBA staff, who were working in the background to put on the event, were asked the same question, beyond a doubt, they would have a gratitude for being able to work on such a momentous juncture as to affect change in the lives of others, especially in the lives of women, as the 2011 Salute indeed was an occasion that uplifted the human spirit and inspired all those in attendance to achieve greatness in their own lives. Additionally, the powerfully informative workshops, given during the morning, would warrant another expression of gratitude by all those who were lucky enough to attend, as one workshop; the panel discussion presented by the Northrop Grumman Corporation, with its Corporate Director, Gloria Paulani, as the moderator, and Sandra Evers-Manly, Linnie Haynesworth, and Patricia A. Newby, as the panel constituents, became so full, it was standing room only. Moreover, in addition to the panel discussion, each workshop host was just as dynamic as the presentations they gave, as audience members gained novel insight into very significant topics such as, Creating

Generational Wealth, as presented by Attorney Caprice Collins of the Collins Law Group and E-Marketing, for business growth and gaining a competitive edge, as presented by Phallu Morgan of the BBA, as well as, an interactive workshop on energy upgrades, as presented by “Energy Upgrade” California in Los Angeles County. Therefore, it would probably not be too far reaching to say that if each of the workshops’ hosts were to express gratitude that it would be that they may have felt a genuine appreciation for having been given the opportunity to add a depth of learning, as only they could provide, that empowered everyone who attended. How about asking the many volunteers who dedicated their time to just helping out where needed what gratitude they may have felt? Surely, they would proclaim overwhelming gratitude for simply being a part of such a special occasion to help further its success that day, by which they can feel privileged to have been associated with, not to mention, feel grateful for the thoughtful recognition, given by the BBA, to have mentioned each volunteer’s name in its 2011 Salute to Black Women Business Conference and Awards Luncheon program booklet. Thereby, personally speaking, as a volunteer at the 2011 Salute, I definitely attest to this feeling of gratitude. Next, gratitude was felt by all as Chairwoman of the BBA Board of Directors, Gwen Moore, spoke gracious words of wisdom, and as the Mistress of Ceremonies, Natalie Cole, kept everything on point and at its best, and also, well worth mentioning, for being deeply moved by Pastor Beverly (Bam) Crawford’s prayer to bless the ensuing meal and program. Councilwoman, Jan Perry’s, announcement that she would be running for Mayor of Los Angeles in the next election had the audience cheering, as further substantiation of the strong sense of gratitude felt that day.

Ask an honoree, and one can only imagine the gratitude they must have each felt, by evidence of just how committed each one was in making sure they were in attendance that day, overcoming many obstacles, where at least two honorees, Yvonne Burke and Alice Hoffman, made huge strides to overcome in getting there. Also, evident by their commitment is how each honoree must have cleared and maneuvered their schedules and worked out any conflicts to make sure they were not only there, but ready to share the stories of their lives, in which each one of them did with absolute tenacious ferocity. Each one spoke about what motivates and encourages them to have persevered and what still pushes them to persevere in their life’s work that it only left the audience awe inspired. In addition to sharing her story, however, Lula Washington was prepared to gift the audience with two of her students from her infamous school of dance who brought several members of the audience to tears with their performance. Furthermore, put together all of this with the multiple vendors enriching the venue with their wonderful goods and services, along with a great meal and a smorgasbord of beyond belief, delicious desserts, at the Dessert Reception that followed the program, as provided by BBA members of whom own some of Los Angeles’s finest bakery businesses, that undoubtedly made everyone in attendance become instantly that much more grateful to have been there, and one could not have asked for a better day. A day we must remember and keep in the forefront of our minds could have possibly been a dream come true for not only those that were honored at the 2011 Salute that day, but also for a multitude of those, who have lived long before, but whose memories last throughout generations in our Nation’s history. Therefore, imagine what dreams come true each of the honorees are for one or several of our ancestors who were limited by the times in which they lived and could not personally realize all the things each honoree has achieved, but now through those honored that day -Nichelle Nichols,

28 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

see Salute on page 30

Special Feature

Trade Opportunities, Challenges/Contests, Contracts, & Grants Trade Opps

he U.S. Commercial Service www.trade.gov/cs is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in nearly 80 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets.

TRADE (872-8723). For market research, more trade events, trade leads, and information on how to export, please visit www.Export.gov. •Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX, May 2-5, 2011, Vidya.Desai@trade.gov •Waste Expo 2011, Dallas, TX, May 9-12, 2011, Amanda.Ayvaz@trade.gov •2011 National Hardware Show with Lawn and Garden World, Las Vegas, NV, May 10-12, 2011 Graylin.Presbury@trade.gov

Business

•Electric Power 2011, Rosemont, IL, May 10-12, 2011, Mark.Wells@trade. gov

The International Buyer Program (IBP) of the U.S. Commercial Service has announced the list of U.S. trade events selected to participate in the 2011 program. To exhibit your business to buyers around the world select the shows you are interested in and contact the IBP at a Commercial Service office near you by calling 1-800-USA-

Salute from page 28

Brenda Wright, Chef Marilyn Cole, Yvonne Burke, Alice Hoffman, Lula Washington, and Judy Pace-Flood representing the Kwanza Foundationsome of our ancestors’ dreams have now become a reality. Hence, we can all have an expression of gratitude for the sacrifices our ancestors have made whose struggles have helped all those who have come after them to realize their own dreams. Therefore, how appropriate that the 2011 Salute to Black Women Business Conference and Awards Luncheon takes place during the month of March, which has been nationally proclaimed

•National Restaurant & Hotel-Motel Show, Chicago, IL, May 21-24, 2011, Carol.Rudman@trade.gov •International Pow Wow 2011 - Travel/Tourism Industries, San Francisco, CA, May 21-25, 2011, Shelby.Peterson@trade.gov •AWEA WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition 2011 (American Wind Energy Association), Anaheim, CA, as Women’s History Month, and even more appropriate, that the theme chosen for this year’s Salute was “Our History is Our Strength”. Finally, ask anyone the gratitude felt for the President of the BBA, Earl “Skip” Cooper, II for spearheading the 2011 Salute to Black Women Business Conference and Awards Luncheon, by which he works to remind us of women and organizations whose light continuously beam all around us, making this a better world in our present day and for our future, what might be said about his mission in bringing ceremonies such as these about annually, and I am convinced a huge, resounding “THANK YOU” would be heard if we were to all speak at once. C

May 22-25, 2011, Mark.Wells@trade. gov •2011 American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE11), Washington, DC, June 12-16, 2011, Vidya.Desai@trade.gov •National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference & Expo, Boston, MA June 12-14, 2011, James. Yi@trade.gov •InfoComm International, Orlando, FL, June 15-17, 2011, Graylin.Presbury@trade.gov •HBA (Health and Beauty Association) Global Expo, New York, NY, June 2830, 2011, Amanda.Ayvaz@trade.gov •American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Atlanta, GA, July 24-28, 2011, Shelby.Peterson@trade.gov •AUVSI’s Unmanned Vehicle Systems International 2011, August 1619, 2011, Carol.Rudman@trade.gov •Graph Expo 2011, September 11-14, 2011, Chicago, IL, James.Yi@trade. gov •RETECH (Renewable Energy Technology Conference & Exhibition) 2011, Washington, DC, 3rd Exhibition & Conference for the All-Renewable Energy Industry, Sept 20-22, 2011, Mark.Wells@trade.gov •Natural Products Expo East/Organic Products Expo – BioFach America, September 21-24, 2011, Baltimore, MD, Shelby.Peterson@trade.gov •PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011, September 26-28, 2011, Vidya.Desai@ trade.gov •High Point Market – Fall 2011, High Point, NC, October 22-27, 2011, Philippa.Olsen@trade.gov •National Funeral Directors Association International Convention and Expo, Chicago, IL, October 23-26, 2011, James.Yi@trade.gov see page 31

30 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Trade, Challenges, Contests, Grants from page 30

•IFAI Expo Americas 2011 (Industrial Fabrics Association International), Baltimore, MD, October 25-27, 2011, Amanda.Ayvaz@trade.gov •Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Expo (LAGCOE) 2011, Lafayette, LA, October 2527, 2011, Mark.Wells@trade.gov •The SEMA Show & AAPEX: Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week 2011 (AAIW 2011), Las Vegas, NV, November 1-4, 2011, Shelby.Peterson@trade. gov •American Film Market 2011, Washington, DC, November 2-9, 2011, Sean. Timmins@trade.gov •Greater New York Dental Meeting, November, New York, NY, November 25-30, 2011, Carol.Rudman@trade. gov •POWER-GEN International 2011, Las Vegas, NV, December 6-8, 2011, Blanche.Ziv@trade.gov

WWW.TRADE.GOV/CS

tell people you care about an issue, or participate in a challenge. The government posts challenges in many areas of public concern - health, employment, environment and more. Citizens share the challenge information with friends and neighbors. Then, talented and caring people find and offer suggestions for resolving problems and support the resolutions they think best meet the challenge. When you read about a challenge at www.challenge.gov that you or someone you know has the concern, knowledge and experience to formulate and submit a suggested resolution, Sign Up and participate. New challenges are posted periodically and many challenges are in progress right now, so visit the challenge.gov website regularly to stay abreast and to participate.

Contracts

he Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006 requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) establish a single searchable website, accessible to the public at no cost, which includes for each Federal award:

• • •

• •

the name of the entity receiving the award; the amount of the award; information on the award including transaction type, funding agency, etc; the location of the entity receiving the award; and a unique identifier of the entity receiving the award.

USAspending.gov was first launched in December 2007 to fulfill these requirements. Prime award information shown on the website is provided by Federal Agencies through four main source systems (see Sources of Data). USAspending.gov receives and displays data pertaining to obligations (amounts awarded for federally sponsored projects during a given budget period), not outlays or expenditures (actual cash disbursements made against each project). Read the latest OMB-issued memoranda M-09-19, “Guidance on Data Submission under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act” as it provides guidance to agencies on how to report information to USAspending.gov. USAspending.gov has been recently updated with 2011 data to display of first-tier sub-award data (subcontracts and subgrants). Sub-award information shown on the website is provided by FSRS (see Sources of Data). The latest guidance documents pertaining to sub-award reporting can be found under News.

WWW.STARTUPAMERICAPARTNERSHIP.ORG

Track and learn about entrepreneureal opportunities through the Startup America Partnership. Information is also available at: www.kauffman. org, twitter.com/startupamerica and www.facebook.com/startupamerica.

WWW.USASPENDING.GOV

Grants

HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH INTEGRATED PRECLINICAL/CLINICAL AIDS VACCINE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (IPCAVD) (U19) MODIFICATION 2 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=53329 DOL: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND CAREER TRAINING GRANTS PROGRAM MODIFICATION 3 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=65773 MCC: MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP SOLICITATION (APS): PARTNERSHIPS IN MCA COUNTRIES MODIFICATION 2 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=72814 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY COOPERATIVE ECOSYSTEM STUDIES UNIT MODIFICATION 7 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=76393 DOT: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DOT/FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION RAILCAR MAINTENANCE PRACTICES MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=80573 USAID: AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTSOUTH AFRICA USAID-PRETORIA STRENGTHENING ANGOLAN SYSTEMS FOR HEALTH (SASH) MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=84413 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REGION 3 GREAT LAKES WIND POWER-MAKING IT WILDLIFEFRIENDLY MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=85913 GDIT: GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 04182011-KV-1 GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88233

31 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

see page 37

Business

Challenges/ Contests hallenge.gov works when you

WWW.CHALLENGE.GOV

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3 Easy Steps to Starting a Business Analytics Effort Companies that use data analytics typically have more revenue growth and a higher return on capital investment.

To overcome the obstacles to widespread analytics adoption, the IBM and MIT study offers up some insightful steps organizations can take to get such a valuable IT-business focus up and running. They are: 1) Take Big Steps: Focus analytics efforts on the biggest and highest-value opportunities. One point to remember is that business analytics is much more than simply gathering and analyzing data. It’s about maximizing the value of data throughout the organization. That was the case with the Cincinnati Zoo. It had data residing on four systems with information about the number of visitors, purchases made in the gift shop, money spent on concessions and membership information. Leveraging business analytics software, the Zoo can now see who its 1.2 million annual visitors are, and where they were spending their money. With this insight, the Zoo anticipates an additional 50,000 visitors this year and a $350,000 increase in revenue. (Read more about the Cincinnati Zoo analytics effort at www.smartertechnology.

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Business

op-performing companies typically are the ones embracing data analytics. According to an IBM study that surveyed 1,900 CFOs, analytics-driven organizations had 33 percent more revenue growth and 32 percent more return on capital investment. With such significant benefits, it is not surprising that there is increased interest in business analytics today. This point rang true in an IBM Institute for Business Value and MIT Sloan Management Review study (www-935.ibm.com/services/us/gbs/ thoughtleadership/ibv-embeddinganalytics.html), which surveyed 3,000 business leaders in 108 countries. Fifty percent of those surveyed said that improving their analytics capabilities was a top priority. The survey also found that several organizational issues are holding most companies back from using business analytics. The primary obstacle was that most companies did not know how to use analytics to improve their business.

com/c/a/Smarter-Strategies/ZooUncages-Data-Boosts-Revenue-andAttendance/.) 2) Identify Needs: Don’t take the traditional—and usual—approach in gathering data and extracting insights. First, identify what insights you need, and then, you’ll know what data you need to focus on. This keeps the data deluge as low as possible and provides an efficient way to start moving forward and making decisions based on analysis. 3) Make use of Technology That Works for Your Users: A wide variety of business analytics technologies and tools are available today. Explore the various alternatives and keep the learning curve low. Techniques such as data visualization and simulation tools don’t require niche skill sets, so they can be put to use right away. The study says that organizations that use this type of “selective” approach can focus resources and efforts narrowly. Taking these steps allows an organization to hurdle the perceived obstacles to the more widespread deployment of business analytics. And this in turn generates insights that will put an organization ahead of its competitors. C

Business Development

Building Your Business for Success: The Importance of Ownership

ne of the keys to economic independence for African American business owners is the acquisition and ownership of commercial real estate. By controlling the buildings and land that house the means of generating revenue, an entrepreneur can better attain the goal that underpins what being in business is all about: maximum self-determination. With interest rates now at historically low levels and the economy growing at a slow pace, now is a prime time for many business owners to consider the purchase of commercial real estate. The benefits and drawbacks to commercial real estate ownership vary from business owner to business owner, but potential buyers should educate themselves about the obvious and sometimes hidden benefits to the ownership of a commercial property. Below are some of the major benefits to real estate ownership, versus leasing a commercial space.

Tax Deductions

Added Value To Business

For many Black business owners, a primary benefit of commercial real estate ownership is the tax deductibility of property that can be taken on the interest portion of the monthly commercial loan payment. These deductions can be substantial and each business owner should consult a qualified tax specialist about his or her unique situation.

Unlike some residential loans, many commercial loans are assumable. This makes the business and its real estate much easier for a buyer to acquire, and enhances the value of the business tremendously.

Equity Appreciation On average, commercial real estate properties will appreciate about two to three percent above inflation over the long term. Paying rent provides no appreciation or equity. Quite candidly, the BBA has members who have been paying rent for a decade or more, with no equity accrued and never having positioned themselves to benefit from any hope of equity appreciation. Using some of the most conservative estimates, potential equity appreciation can result in significant financial gains over a period of decades.

A Retirement Fund Through various circumstances, many minority and small business owners will not receive a pension when they decide to retire. In such cases, the equity appreciation on commercial property can be significant. An owner can decide either to sell the property upon retirement to cash in on equity appreciation, or lease the property to another business for a continuous retirement income stream. In fact, in some situations, a business owner may be able to lease out an unused portion of the property, such as a spare office, before retirement for additional income.

No Taxes To Pay On Your Rent When a business leases its real estate, sales tax is paid on the rent paid to the landlord. When you own the real estate there is no tax to pay on the rent. The savings can be significant.

Easy Access To Financing Historically-low, thirty-year fixed interest mortgage rates are now available for owner-occupied commercial properties. Furthermore, there are flexible interest-only options from which entrepreneurs can benefit. In fact, in some instances, with strong financials a business owner may qualify for loan financing up to 100% of the purchase price for commercial real estate. A business owner should consult an experienced commercial mortgage adviser before making an offer on a commercial property, so that in addition to the tangible benefits outlined above, the business owner will have the satisfaction that only comes with property ownership. Truer words have never been spoken: â&#x20AC;&#x153;God bless the child thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got his ownâ&#x20AC;?. The Black Business Association will soon launch a program to assist African American business owners in acquiring commercial and industrial real estate.

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Do You Have the White House App for Your Phone? Reported by Posted by Macon Phillips

he White House recently announced two new developments for the White House’s mobile apps. Now, with the newly upgraded White House iPhone app, you can get an alert that President Obama is about to speak, then watch it live, right in the palm of your hand. Over 400,000 people have already downloaded the app, so if you don’t already have it make sure you do (tp://itunes. apple.com/us/app/the-white-house/ id350190807?mt=8&ls=1). That’s not all. When we first released the iPhone app, we heard from a lot of Android owners who wanted something for their devices, too. So we’re excited to announce the White House’s new official mobile app for the Android operating system (https:// market.android.com/details?id=gov.

whitehouse). With both of these mobile apps, Americans can get alerts directly from the White House, check out behind-the-scenes photos and videos, and read the latest news from the blog or the Briefing Room. As a reminder, WhiteHouse.gov is also optimized for any mobile phone’s browser. Take a look at http://m.whitehouse.gov to check it out. According to the numbers, more and more of you are using mobile devices to access content on WhiteHouse.gov. In the last two months, 6.6% of visits to WhiteHouse.gov came from the iOS or Android operating system - nearly double the share of visits over the same period last year (3.6%). We’re constantly working to make it easier for the American public to

Trade, Challenges, Contests, Grants

WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH.

DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88415

DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88393

DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PLANT PROGRAM GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88416 DOD: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF THE ARMY -- USAMRAA DOD BREAST CANCER IDEA AWARD GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88434 DOD: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF THE ARMY -- USAMRAA DOD BREAST CANCER TRANSFORMATIVE VISION AWARD GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88455 DOD: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF THE ARMY -- USAMRAA DOD MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CLINICAL TRIAL AWARD - REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PAIN, SENSORY SYSTEM GRANT /WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88473

DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH U.S.F.W.S. NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN MOUNTAIN-PRAIRIE REGION (MT/WY/ CO/UT/NE/KS/ND/SD) MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88313 ED: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (OESE): ENHANCED ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS GRANTS PROGRAM CFDA NUMBER 84.368A GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88353 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PACIFIC LAMPREY IN THE LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER GRANT

www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/04/19/do-youhave-white-house-app-your-phone

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Business

from page 31

DOD: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF THE ARMY -- USAMRAA DOD BREAST CANCER POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP AWARD GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88394 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE VEGETATION MAPPING AND MONITORING GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88413 DOD: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF THE ARMY -- USAMRAA DOD BREAST CANCER INNOVATOR AWARD GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88414 DOD: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF THE ARMY -- USAMRAA DOD BREAST CANCER ERA OF HOPE SCHOLAR AWARD GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH.

connect with the Administration. Please give us feedback on these new apps, the mobile website or anything else related to the White House online program’s technology (www.whitehouse.gov/tech/ feedback). C

PRESENTS A YO U R L I N K T O A F R I C A N A M E R I C A N B U S I N E S S O W N E R S ~ C E L E B RA T I N G O V E R 4 0 Y E A R S O F S E R V I C E ~

Financial Management Workshop IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Thursday, May 19, 2011 8:30am-12:30pm

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38 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Los Angeles Announces Electric Vehicle Pilot Program

he Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners approved the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Rebate Program – Charge Up LA – to ease the financial burden for residents who want to install a rapid (Level 2) charger at their home for qualifying electric vehicles. Beginning May 1, 2011, the LADWP’s goal is to provide rebates for 3,000 to 5,000 EV home chargers. The LADWP will track the EV charging patterns to ascertain where to allocate resources for potential energy growth. By monitoring charging patterns, the LADWP can guard against straining the grid. As gas prices continue to rise, EVs could become a better economic value for LADWP customers. Compared to regular gas-powered vehicles, the “fuel” cost of an EV is about equal to $1 per gallon. The range of the rebate will depend on the type of charger and the related equipment installed by the customer. To qualify for the rebate, customers must participate in LADWP’s Residential Time-of-Use Rate, which provides a significant discount for electrical use during “off-peak” hours—weeknights and anytime on weekends. During these “off peak” hours, EV owners will not only save money – they will take advantage of renewable energy from wind power. By charging at night – the peak hours of wind power and production – owners will maximize renewable wind power and will also ease the strain on the electric grid. Components of LADWP’s EV strategy include: EV Infrastructure: LADWP will upgrade the 86 existing City of Los Angeles owned public chargers. LADWP plans to invest in additional new public chargers after existing ones are upgraded. LADWP will also

encourage private owners of older style chargers to upgrade to the new standards. Data Sharing: LADWP is coordinating with major EV charger vendors to share data regarding EV purchases and driving patterns that will help determine locations for new chargers. LADWP is also developing a standard agreement with charger vendors to meet conditions of the U.S. Department of Energy’s “The EV Project,” aimed at bringing more federal grant funds to the city. Public Information: LADWP has established a website, www.ladwp. com/EV, for comprehensive one-stop information on the rebate program, installation and permits, rate discount and meter options. Regional Collaboration: LADWP is collaborating with regional agencies, industry, various jurisdictions and other electric utilities to foster a seamless driving experience throughout the region. Power Grid Upgrades: EV driving patterns and charging data will be used to help forecast and prepare the electric grid for energy growth related to EVs. The information will also support LADWP’s Smart Grid Demonstration Project. EV Discount: LADWP offers a 2.5 cent per kilowatt-hour (kWh) discount to residential customers who charge their EVs during off-peak hours when demand for energy is lowest (nights and weekends). The discount is available to customers on LADWP’s Residential Time-of-Use Rate, who already benefit from reduced rates during off-peak hours. Customer Service: A team of LADWP Customer Service Representatives has been trained to answer questions and assist customers with the charger installation process. For direct

assistance, customers may call 1-866-4840433 or email PluginLA@ ladwp.com. Download an application or the EV Home Charger Rebate and other information at www.ladwp. com/EV. C

39 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Wal-Mart Acquires Social Media Firm

Business

al-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Kosmix, underscoring its commitment to social and mobile commerce. Kosmix has developed a social media technology platform that filters and organizes content in social networks to connect people with realtime information that matters to them. Kosmix was an early pioneer of online shopping. The founders and the Kosmix team will operate as part of the newly formed @WalmartLabs and continue to be based in Silicon Valley. Walmart plans to expand the @WalmartLabs

team and expects this new group will create technologies and businesses around social and mobile commerce that will support Walmart’s global multichannel strategy, which integrates the shopping experience between bricks and mortar stores and e-commerce. Walmart operates retail businesses in 15 countries and e-commerce businesses in nine countries. Kosmix’s innovative technology platform searches and analyzes connections in real-time data streams to deliver highly personalized insights to users. The platform powers TweetBeat, a real-time social media

filter for live events with more than five million visits last month; Kosmix.com, a site to discover social content by topic; and RightHealth, one of the top three health and medical information sites by global reach. “We are expanding our capabilities in today’s rapidly growing social commerce environment,” said Eduardo Castro-Wright, Walmart’s vice chairman. “Social networking and mobile applications are increasingly becoming a part of our customers’ dayto-day lives globally, influencing how they think about shopping, both online and in retail stores. We are excited to have the Kosmix team join us to accelerate the development of our social and mobile commerce offerings.” “The world of social media is exploding and for millions of consumers their social connections matter hugely in their daily lives,” said Anand Rajaraman, co-founder of Kosmix. “Our work has focused on developing a social genome platform that captures the connections between people, places, topics, products and events as expressed through social media -be it a feed, a tweet or a post. We are thrilled to join one of the world’s largest companies and combine our work with Walmart’s vast online and offline retail businesses.” The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and the company anticipates it will close during the first half of this year. About Walmart Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 9,000 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Information about Walmart may be found at www.walmartstores. com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com. SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

40 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

7 Secrets for Outsourcing Effectively to Virtual Assistants

time consuming. If you’re busy, it doesn’t take long to become the bottleneck because they are always awaiting your approval to finish and launch projects. Luckily you can make your project management job easier by taking these seven steps… 1. Set up systems for communication. Ideally you want to use an online project management system, not just email. And decide how and when you expect to be notified. This is a must, and makes it easier for you and everyone on your team to know what’s happening at any given time. 2. Create a written and/or visual overview of your business and share it with your team. The more they understand what you do, how you do it, who you do it for, and where you’re trying to go, the easier it will be for them to help you. 3. Set aside time each day or week specifically for project management. Especially since you aren’t used to doing this, schedule appointments on your calendar or set reminders in Outlook or your Blackberry just for project management. 4. Set specific appointments or alarms to follow up on larger projects and due dates. Do this when you first assign a task or project to help ensure nothing slips through the cracks. 5. Create process documents and checklists for your VA. Then ask that they open and follow these each time

they perform a task. 6. Assign another VA to assist with project management. After about two years of outsourcing to my Vas, I got so busy I couldn’t carve out time to review their work. Things would stall for weeks as a result. Finally I had my team assign another VA to help with project management. She proofreads and tests everything before it’s declared done. And she also checks regularly to make sure tasks aren’t falling through the cracks. 7. Think of your relationship with your VA team as a collaboration. Don’t just be a task master. Treat them as an invaluable part of your team and work together to achieve your goals. It’s your business. While it may take some time and training to get your team working smoothly and efficiently, it’s well worth doing. Soon you’ll have way more time and energy to devote to growing your business—and having a fulfilling personal life. C

41 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Stacy Karacostas www.sttartupnation.com

Business

een thinking about hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) lately? Good for you! It’s a very smart move. In fact it’s one of the best ways to get more done—especially when it comes to online marketing—and still have a life. However, one thing you have to remember is that finding and hiring a good VA, while important and worth spending the time to do right, is just the start. You also have to learn how to outsource effectively or even the best VA won’t be able to do a lot for you. Plus once you start outsourcing tasks and projects, you’re going to have a new and different role to take on in your business. Because, in addition to taking care of clients and/or customers you’re going to go from “chief doer of everything”, to project manager, overseer and strategist. You see, you are the only person who truly holds the vision of your business in your mind at all times. And only you know how you want it all to look and work. That means, in the end, it’s your job to make sure everything is always done the way you want it. Unless you embrace your new responsibilities (or hire a dedicated project manager), at best you won’t be taking advantage of all the possibilities that come with having a VA team. At worst, the whole experience is going to be horrible and you’re going to end up with a mess to clean up. Even if you hire a dedicated project manager, you’re never entirely off the hook. The problem is that the project management alone can be pretty

Former Black Business Association Intern and Scholarship Recipient is Changing the Face of Education

Jason Young

Business

ason Young is the founder of Zindagi (onezindagi.com), a web and mobile platform that uses gaming to teach teens about money. This spring, Young and his co-founder Matt Garmur are participating in the Kauffman Education Ventures Program (EVP). EVP is an incubator for highly talented entrepreneurial teams that have been selected based on their potential to launch scalable ventures – companies that would be worth a billion dollars or more– that will change the face of education. Competition for spots in EVP was stiff; only 25 entrepreneurs were chosen out of a global applicant pool totaling nearly 800. It shouldn’t be surprising that Young made the cut. At age 28, Young already has a history of being first. Young was the first black valedictorian at Pacific Hills School, a college preparatory school in West Hollywood. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University, making him the first member of his family to earn a college degree. After graduating, he began working at Merrill Lynch, where he developed pricing structures for wealth management platforms with nearly a quarter trillion dollars in assets under management. In 2007, Young took a leap of faith and became one of the first employees at Wikinvest.com, a web 2.0 startup dedicated to making investing easier for normal people. Young’s entrepreneurial journey began

well before joining Wikinvest, however; at the age of 13, Young started his first real businesses, a fullservice travel agency. A few years later he came to the attention of the president and CEO of the Black Business Association, Earl ‘Skip’ Cooper, II. Mr. Cooper was impressed by his drive and offered him an internship along with on going mentorship. In Young’s own words, “the support of the Black Business Association has played a very important role in my success to date.” C

Biography

“I am looking to raise $20-$30 thousand in the short run. I am also looking for some consulting work. I would be particularly interested in consulting financial services institutions on how they can better reach and retain younger customers. I can also help businesses to figure out how they can better incorporate technology to improve core processes.”

Jason W. Young Social Entrepreneur A native of Inglewood, California, Jason Young is a fierce proponent of entrepreneurship, financial literacy and the pursuit of knowledge. He has learned from personal experience that embracing these ideals can lead to selfdetermination and prosperity, and most importantly, the ability to contribute to one’s community. His journey began nearly two decades ago when at the age of nine he had the chance to work for his friend’s father, a local plumber and small business owner. Inspired by this example as well as his time spent interning at the Black Business Association in Los Angeles, it was only a matter of time before he launched his own endeavors. In 1995, Jason became one of the country’s youngest travel

agents at the age of 13. After several prosperous years as a travel agent, Jason decided to switch to a career that would better leverage his strengths as an accomplished student and seeker of knowledge. In 1997, New World Tutoring Services was formed with the goal of helping underperforming students realize their full academic potential. The company’s successes included teaching a 7-year-old girl to read and helping a 40-year-old business student ace her statistics class. In 2000, after graduating as the first black valedictorian from Pacific Hills High School (formerly Belair Preparatory School), Jason chose to further his entrepreneurial endeavors by, ironically, choosing a school that lacked an undergraduate business program, Harvard College. During his time at Harvard, he shifted his focus to social en-

42 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Jason W. Young from page 42

The new Kauffman Education Ventures Program announced on July 14, 2010, that it will launch a competitive search for aspiring founders of high growth, scalable education enterprises. It is an example of free enterprise in action. The Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation is providing the opportunity for twenty founders of new, innovative educational enterprises with a free market approach. Candidates chosen will be immersed in an intensive, hands-on program designed to catalyze the creation of companies with the potential to generate thousands of jobs and dramatic economic benefits. Founders will be equipped with the time, resources and skills to take their ideas from thought to implementation. Those selected will receive six months training and education on every aspect of running a business, personal coaching to bring their ideas to market and competitive compensation to focus full-time on their ventures. They will be taught: •How to develop a brand •Develop negotiation and presentation skills, •Go to scale •Build financial models •Validate the market •Perform customer diligence •Find funding •Build a management team •Develop a board of directors According to Sandy Miller, director of Advancing Innovation at the Kauffman Foundation, “The rapid pace of change in the educational field in terms of technology, the growth of charter schools, new demands for post-secondary education and shifting priorities provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to catalyze their ideas. We are looking for the bold, visionary founders of entrepreneurial ventures that are poised to grow, show promise to be truly scalable and are able to adapt to the changes in the field.”

Application Process The open application process is available to anyone over the age of 18 with a transformative idea for the educational market. Applicants can be individuals or teams up to three people. Businesses from concept through young startup that offer a product or service to help people learn, directly or indirectly, and could change the face of education are eligible. Individuals interesting in learning more or applying should visit Kauffman Labs (http://sites.kauffman.org/labsapp/program_elements.cfm).

43 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Business

trepreneurship. As the vice president of the Harvard Black Men’s Forum, Jason helped to renew the organization: more than doubling its membership, raising nearly $200,000 (making it Harvard College’s third highest-grossing student organization), increasing attendance at its flagship event, the Celebration of Black Women by 10fold and establishing a scholarship for young black women who demonstrate both academic excellence and strong leadership potential. After graduation, Jason went to work for Merrill Lynch. As part of a two-man team, he played a major role in determining Merrill Lynch’s pricing strategy for the company’s wrap products (8 wealth management platforms spanning nearly a quarter trillion dollars in assets). In 2007, Jason left to join Nvest, Inc. (wikinvest.com), a stealth mode startup with the mission of simplifying the process of stock investing for everyday people. As a product manager for Nvest, Jason led their efforts to build out their data platform and their personal finance section. He also managed a team of over 50 contributors. In 2009, Jason left to launch Zindagi, LLC, a social enterprise that uses gaming to teach kids about money. Zindagi will create a new generation of financially capable Americans by combining social gaming with real money. Jason serves on the steering committee of the Ron Brown Scholars Program, a scholarship program dedicated to developing successive generations of African-American leadership. He also serves on the board of the Harvard Club of San Francisco. C

Educational Entrepreners Offered Funding and Training Opportunity

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.

Business

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whether and how to add a virtual component to their events. Included in the kit are research, articles, survey data, attendee feedback, case studies and a section on how to get started. Case studies are provided to reveal insight into topics such as how much to charge attendees, how to offer continuing-education credits, and 3-D vs. 2-D virtual environments.

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SlideShare is the world’s largest community for sharing presentations. With 45 MN monthly vistors and 90 MN pageviews, it is amongst the most visited 250 websites in the world. Besides presentations, SlideShare also supports documents, PDFs, videos and webinars. SlideShare features a vibrant professional and educational community that regularly comments, favorites and downloads content. SlideShare content spreads virally through blogs and social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Individuals & organizations upload documents to SlideShare to share ideas, conduct research, connect with others, and generate leads for their businesses. Anyone can view presentations & documents on topics that interest them, download them and reuse or remix for their own work. Try the system for free then go Pro for a fee.

http://new.digitellinc. com/#toolkit Virtual and hybrid-meeting and multimedia technology supplier Digitell has released its free Hybrid Meeting Tool Kit, an informational package designed to help planners determine

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We’re committed to making Funnel the easiest way to collect data on smartphones and tables. Funnel is a powerful data collection tool that has been shrunk to fit in the palm of your hand. Funnel lets you take your surveys anywhere. Every Funnel account includes our Survey Editor and rich Reporting Tools. The Survey Editor allows you to select a presentation theme from our catalog of professional themes, or create your own custom theme. In addition to the expected question types, we’ve created special questions that are suited for a mobile device. Also create Funnel surveys that work in over 100 languages. Reports are automatically created for each survey you pub-

lish. They include graphs and charts that summarize the results for each question. With Funnel, you see your data refresh immediately. With one click, you can export all your survey data to Excel.

www.slideshare.net/zipcast Zipcast™ is the new way to meet online and share information on your product, project or program. It’s free and simple. No downloads for anyone. Your Zipcast is public when you want your ideas to spread and private when it’s you and a colleague. Have your Zipcast going in 1 click (no more than 60 seconds). 1.Click Zipcast on any presentation 2.Select Public or Private 3.Start Zipcast & enable live video 4.Invite friends on Facebook & Twitter 5.Your Zipcast is ON Zipcast Pro provides features for meeting privacy and no commercial ads during your broadcast. Zipcast Free is available once you signup for a SlideShare account. C Submitted by LaSandra Stratton, Chief Content Administrator of the Black Business News.

44 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Business

Quote of Note... “So to all the riders here today, I want to say, as your Commanderin-Chief and as an American, thank you. We are grateful for you. You represent the very best in America. And in your fight to recover and in the ride that you’re about to begin, we see the values and virtues that make our country great. We may take a hit. We may endure great loss. But we are a strong and resilient people. We push on. We persevere. We’re confident in our cause. And we know that, like generations of Americans before us, we will emerge stronger than before.” President Barack H.Obama 45 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Business | Technology | Green | Health Expo

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47 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

IN SEARCH OF

Business

EXECUTIVE TALENT

THE HAWKINS COMPANY

ver the last 30 years diversity has become a corporate buzz word in the Nation’s leading boardrooms and the heads of American corporations have begun developing diversity trainings in the areas of management, development, and recruitment. The world was and is still changing, and in a progressive effort to remain competitive both public and private sector companies have to become educated in the recruitment of highly qualified women and minority candidates ready to compete for executive positions. Each year over the last several decades the number of women and minority graduates in executive career fields has increased exponen-

tially. However, the issue between companies and qualified minority professionals still remains the same: how do companies and executives find one another? In 1984, William D. Hawkins, Howard University alumnus and seasoned executive recruiting expert understood both the needs of businesses and executives and so he founded The Hawkins Company, a national executive search firm. Bill’s focus in both the private and public sector was to assist businesses with a diversified “Best-of-the-Best” pool of minority candidates and The Hawkins Company would emerge as a leader and pioneer in the recruitment of diverse senior level executives.

“My relationship with the Black Business Association began in the 1970s. I was involved in minority economic development and the company I worked for had partnered with the BBA on a training project. During this time I built long lasting relationships which would influence me favorably both professionally and personally” shared Bill. The Hawkins Company is one of the oldest and most successful African American owned executive search firms in the United States with locations in Southern and Northern California. Since its establishment in 1984, the Hawkins Company has completed more than 600 executive searches. Formatively, Bill Hawkins experience was as a banker and minority economic development consultant. Hawkins worked on community economic development projects at the National Economic Management Association (NEMA). Additionally, at NEMA Bill gained steadfast entrepreneurial skills and had the pleasure of assisting many BBA members with loan packaging and procurements. While at NEMA and beyond, Hawkins was mentored by a BBA founding member, Bob Collins. Collins introduced Bill to Dick Ferry of Korn Ferry International, the world’s largest executive search firm. Bill Hawkins became Korn Ferry’s only minority executive recruiter and the second minority executive recruiter in Korn Ferry history. During his time with Korn Ferry, Bill became interested in targeted executive recruitment, focusing on attracting outstanding minority talent. The Xerox Corporation was one of Korn Ferry’s premier clients. Xerox, long known for its social responsibility, became interested in identifying a minority PhD in electrical engineering to join the leadership team at their

48 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

The Hawkins Company from page 48

membership with the BBA as the cornerstone of its new strategic plan. The firm will grow its major corporate client base through marketing efforts aimed at organizations interested in retaining a “best in class” executive search firm. This effort is being spread-headed by Ms. Brett Byers, who also serves as the Programs Director Consultant to the BBA. Ms. Byers has previous recruiting experience as she has worked in management for one of the world’s largest staffing firms. She also has diversity recruiting experience through working for a career development non-profit that places minority college students in business and industry. The Hawkins Company has completed more than 600 national, regional, and local executive searches including searches for presidents, vice presidents, chief executive officers, chief operating officers, chief financial officers as well as other officers, directors, and senior managers. More than 70% of The Hawkins Company’s searches are national and 75% of the firm’s placements have been minorities as well as women. William D. Hawkins is a graduate of Howard University and has lectured extensively on recruiting and human resources issues nationally. He currently holds membership in numerous community, business, and professional organizations. The Hawkins Company is an executive search firm with a distinguished record in diversity recruiting. The company’s objective is always to find the best qualified executives. For more information or to contact The Hawkins Company visit www. thehawkinscompany.com or call 310.348.8800, C

49 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

By: Kristy Hinds www.kristyhinds.com kristyhinds57@gmail.com

Business

prestigious Webster Research Center in Rochester New York. Bill Hawkins was assigned the task of conducting a national executive search. Accordingly, Xerox hired an outstanding African American researcher who went on to be instrumental in the development of Xerox’s ink jet technology. Subsequently, Hawkins was asked to recruit an African American to head the black music division of Capitol Records, the music industry’s corporate giant. As a result of his experience, Hawkins knew he wanted to someday head his own executive search firm recruiting senior corporate executives with a strong emphasis on diversity. Armed with big search firm experience, family support, and the entrepreneurial drive nurtured in his early affiliation with the BBA, The Hawkins Company began in the bedroom of Bill’s son. Hawkins soon discovered a startup takes enormous discipline, sacrifice, and effort. Accounts from his previous firm were not interested in securing his services. Larger companies loved Bill’s expertise; however, endless meetings and conversations led to many dead ends and unsolicited requests for proposals. Despite his concerns of failure Bill continued to charge forward in risk and resilience. Moreover, Bill knew that there would be light at the end of the tunnel. As if on cue, Bill received a call from close friend Reverend J.L. Armstrong, who offered Hawkins space in his unused one room office on Wilshire Boulevard. Without reservation Hawkins jumped at the opportunity and never looked back. Bill would later partner with a solo practitioner and quickly landed clients including American Express, Marvel Entertainment, Sprint,

and First Interstate Bank. Bill’s confidence grew along with his client list. Therefore, when he received a call from the Southern California Gas Company (Pacific Enterprises), Hawkins and his partner immediately met with the energy giant. Pacific Enterprises was under intense pressure from former Assembly Member and current BBA Board Chair, Gwen Moore, who also chaired the powerful Utilities and Commerce board to improve their minority hiring process at the vice president level and increase procurements from minority businesses. Hawkins and his firm would compete head-tohead with his former firm for a senior level recruitment contract. Bill became confident and resigned knowing The Hawkins Company could fill the position with a world class executive. Bill was right, and The Hawkins Company won the contract. The Hawkins Company very successfully recruited several high ranking executives for Pacific Enterprises. Furthermore, Pacific Enterprises would appear on the cover of Fortune Magazine as the #1 US Corporation for Diversity. Bill’s executive recruits were on the cover of the magazine. “Through my education, career experience, business practices, and importantly my relationship with the BBA I learned to share with others the value of minority businesses. The BBA assists in building awareness that Blacks are involved and pioneering the way of entrepreneurial businesses in both the private and public sector” stated, Hawkins. Today, The Hawkins Company has a national practice that includes a staff of exceptional executive search consultants. The firm’s clients include fortune 500 corporations, major government agencies, non-profits, educational institutions, and emerging business. The Hawkins Company credits its historical relationship and current active

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The Yucaipa Companies and Magic Johnson Enterprises Acquire Phoenix Radio Stations

opportunities that have similarly-high growth and revenue potential. About The Yucaipa Companies The Yucaipa Companies is a premier investment firm that has established a record of fostering economic value through the growth and responsible development of companies. Since its founding in 1986, the firm has completed mergers and acquisitions valued at more than $30 billion. As an investor, Yucaipa works with management to strategically reposition businesses and implement operational improvements, resulting in value creation for investors.

About Magic Johnson Enterprises Magic Johnson Enterprises, formed in 1987, serves as a catalyst for community and economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. Through investment, partnership and consultation, Magic Johnson Enterprises has a portfolio of companies that strategically work together to reinforce the organization’s focus on serving emerging, multicultural communities. Learn more at www.magicjohnson.com. C

51 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Business

he Yucaipa Companies and Magic Johnson Enterprises have reached an agreement with Atmor Properties Inc. to purchase three FM radio stations in Phoenix, AZ: KVIBFM, KKFR-FM, and KEXX-FM. The new organization will operate under the name Riviera Broadcasting, LLC, and will be led by veteran broadcast executive, Michael Cutchall as CEO, and Jose Rodiles as COO. “We are thrilled to have the backing and support of one of the premier investment groups in the country,” said Cutchall. “These stations have a great connection to their listeners and provide advertisers great value. KVIB’s bilingual Spanish-English pop-radio provides advertisers with a broad multiethnic audience. KKFR, offering R&B and Hip-Hop, is top five among 18 to 34-year-olds. Moreover, KEXX is the only alternative music FM station in Phoenix. We are proud of the team that operates these stations and look forward to working with Yucaipa and Magic Johnson Enterprises.” “We are extremely optimistic about the value-creation potential in radio,” said Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises. “Market conditions make this the right time to take advantage of this opportunity, and we are confident we have the best leadership team in place to build out an exceptional broadcast radio group.” Yucaipa’s Managing Director Ron Burkle added, “We are excited about entering the Phoenix radio market and backing this excellent management team. We believe Riviera Broadcasting will be a great platform to serve the Phoenix market and we will continue to look for additional radio investment opportunities.” Backed by Yucaipa and Magic Johnson Enterprises, Riviera Broadcasting, LLC is currently seeking ventures and

Los Angeles Urban League 38th Annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Dinner Celebrating 90 Years of Service to the Community Thursday,April 28, 2011

Honoring Innovators of Educational Reform Michelle Rhee, Founder, StudentsFirst and Honorable Kevin Johnson, Mayor, Sacramento, California

Dinner Chairs: Phil Griffin, President, MSNBC & Howard Schultz, CEO, Starbucks For information on early sponsorships and reservations, please call 323-299-9660.

52 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

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310.568.5000 53 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

WHY ARE MORE BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES USING SLATON INSURANCE GROUP? BECAUSE THEY DELIVER! Insurance Management Services As a client of Slaton Insurance Group you’ve already made the decision to work with proven resources to help your business manage its risk exposure and to stay within compliance. The independent insurance agents of the Slaton Group will help you manage risk and reduce loss while maintaining adherence to your insurance budget. We are an integrated, single source provider for your insurance needs.

STEVEN D. TURNER Slaton Group License #0G12789 Financial Advisory / Insurance Services 16161 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 382 Encino, California 91436 Telephone: 818-585-1374 E-mail: sturner@slatongroup.com Website: www.slatongroup.com

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Slaton Group is an independent insurance agency dedicated to providing quality commercial and personal insurance programs. Since we are not limited to any one company, we can shop the marketplace to give you the best protection at the most competitive price. 55 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

56 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

57 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Haiti: The RLJ Companies

and Global Building Solutions Form A Joint Venture Company For Economic Development in Haiti.

Community/Public Inerest

LJ Companies recently announced that it will team up with manufacturing company Global Building Solutions to develop quick and cost-effective mass housing in Haiti following the country’s January

AP Photo

earthquake. The venture, which will be known as Caribbean Opportunity Holdings, is planning to build a structured insulated panel (SIP) manufacturing facility in the area near Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s secondlargest city. “We know that putting a manufacturing facility in-country as opposed to shipping all of the materials…from outside will create more jobs and make it

cheaper to make the houses,” said Lisa Pickrum, chief operating officer of RLJ Companies, which was founded by Robert L. Johnson. “We have found that sustainable projects that help people in the long term… only come about and are maintained when you move beyond aid into profit sharing businesses.” Johnson also launched RLJ Development L.L.C. (No. 8 on the BE Industrial/Service list with $605.2 million in revenue) and is the creator of Black Entertainment Television. Most buildings in Haiti are made of concrete blocks, which tend to crumble in hurricane or earthquake conditions. The SIP technology is uniquely applicable to Haiti because it is waterproof, humidity resistant, resistant to earthquakes up to magnitude 7.0, and lightweight. Caribbean Opportunity Holdings will produce the pre-engineered and exportable building materials in Cap-Haitien, about 130 miles north of Port-au Prince, where the magnitude 7.0 earthquake killed an estimated 230,000 see Help For Haiti on page 61

60 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Help for Haiti from page 60

people in January and left 1.3 million survivors homeless and living in tent camps. “We chose [Cap-Haitien] as a place that would be able to sustain some job creation and tourism,” says Pickrum. Scores of displaced people are moving to Cap-Haitien, putting a lot of economic strain on the province. The project will also serve Port-auPrince since the building materials cre-

ated at the plant can be shipped by barge or truck to help build infrastructure across all of Haiti. Pickrum declined to give the cost of the facility, but estimated that it would be a multimillion dollar budget that would create 150 to 300 jobs in that location. COH will profit by selling construction and building materials to nonprofit organizations and donors. Although, the return will not be large initially, Pickrum says the increased infrastructure will pave the way for longer term tourism developments like hotels.

The two companies have a track record of constructing projects where infrastructure is scarce. GBS partnered with RLJ Companies in 2008 to build a four-star luxury resort and spa in Monrovia, Liberia, in less than 12 months. The RLJ Kendeja Resort & Villas, a 78-room villa style hotel, which opened March 2009, was the first hotel construction completed in Liberia in twenty-five years. C www.blackenterprise.com/2010/04/13/ rlj-companies-to-bring-jobs-buildhomes-in-haiti/

Alabama: Help the Tornado Victims

needs and mobilize a response for communities affected by the deadliest series of twisters in more than 40 years. To designate your gift to US Disaster Relief, write “US Disaster Relief Fund” in the designation field. DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL: Assisting local clinics and health-care providers whose facilities have been destroyed or evacuated. Direct Relief USA has been in contact with National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC), the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), and State Primary Care Associations across several southern states to offer medical material aid to partner clinics from the organization’s standing inventory. To designate your gift to Disaster Relief, write “Emergency Preparedness & Response” in the designation field. ALABAMA BAPTIST CONVEN-

TION: The Alabama Baptist Convention’s State Board of Missions is gearing up to help storm victims in the state, and say that right now, the biggest need is for donations. “A donation will help us deploy our feeding units, which can feed 60,000 meals a day,” said Keith Hinson, public relations associate with the Board of Missions. “Donations will alllow us to deploy volunteers and resources more effectively to help victims of the storm, as well as churches whose facilities were damaged,” Hinson said. Currently the 3 things you can do to help in the effort are to Pray for all affected by the storm throughout the Southeast and pray for volunteers involved in relief effort; Donate by credit card or check; Serve because volunteers are needed in the relief effort. Ways you can serve and give can be found at www.alsbom.info. C

61 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Community/Public Inerest

owerful tornadoes ripped through the South, leveling entire towns and killing hundreds of people in six states. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center was able to give 24 minutes’ notice of the approaching tornadoes, but for many people throughout the region, that wasn’t enough time to escape the deadly twisters. The majority of fatalities occurred in Alabama. Visit www.networkforgood.org to make donations to organizations you wish to support. Here are organizations that are working on relief and recovery in the region. AMERICAN RED CROSS: Opening emergency shelters for families affected by the severe storms. To designate your gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief, select “National Disaster Relief” in the designation field. SAMARITAN’S PURSE: Sending Disaster Relief Units to help victims of the violent storms in Alabama and North Carolina. To designate your gift to U.S. Disaster Relief, write “US Disaster Relief” in the designation field. SALVATION ARMY: Responding to the deadly tornado activity throughout the South, mobilizing feeding units, and providing support to the victims. To designate your gift to support relief after these tornadoes, write “April 2011 Tornado Outbreak” in the designation field. AMERICARES: AmeriCares is working with the National Conference of Community Health Centers to assess

10 Tips for the Times Ahead for Non-Profits

•

munity needs is a strong argument for support. Be realistic. The federal budget is being cut. Assess your vulnerabilities. Don’t get blindsided. Anticipate what’s ahead, and instead of panicking, take the time to carve out options and develop contingencies. Develop a back-up plan (or two) that will enable you to maintain core services, even if your organization is hit with massive cuts. Since projected federal budget cuts are already affecting how foundations give, monitor changes in the kinds of grants foundations are making and the kinds of organizations they’re giving to. If you haven’t already done so, now is also the time to look seriously at non-grant sources of support, such as individual donors and earned income opportunities. Social enterprise is the wave of the future for nonprofits. And major gifts are still out there, if donors are convinced of the community need and of your ability to meet it. Build relationships with potential donors now. Look for opportunities to build new partnerships and collaborations. Don’t accept a grant for less than it will take to do the job you propose to do unless you have additional funding sources or reserves. Doing a bad job on a shoestring can be worse than not doing it at all. You may have to make hard, painful choices. If so, it’s your responsibility to do so thoughtfully and with foresight. Otherwise what your organization becomes will be shaped by abdication, rather than design. Manage the organization’s budget with great discipline. Then, if you have to eliminate programs and staff positions, you’ll be certain that these cuts could not have been avoided. The current environment challenges nonprofits to clearly articulate who they are, what they do, and

This article summarizes a March 2011 roundtable discussion with {Centered}’s Contributing Editor Jim Abernathy and Grantsmanship Center trainers Mary Ruth Clowdsley, Barbara Floersch, Judy Gooch, and Chuck Putney. www.tgci.com

63 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Community/Public Inerest

alking about the current federal budget negotiations is like talking about the weather. Cuts are happening, but unless you’re a member of Congress or a power broker, you can’t do much about it. What you can do is position your organization to survive-and to continue to serve your community. Severe cutbacks in the nonprofit and public sectors have occurred more than once since The Grantsmanship Center first started training, in 1972. Recently several of our trainers and our editorial board met to discuss what more than two centuries of combined experience have taught us about surviving hard times. Here are 10 key ideas that came out of our meeting. We hope these will help you through the days ahead. In future issues of {Centered}, we’ll discuss these suggestions in more detail. • Keep a close eye on your community’s needs, and focus your available resources on those that are the most pressing. • Continue to do what you do best. This is no time to experiment, unless some innovation promises greater community impact or economy. • Every proposal should have a solid evaluation plan. Now, more than ever, grantmakers want documentation of how their financial investments make a difference. And now, more than ever, your organization should want the same. • Make sure you understand what outcomes are. Include specific and realistic outcomes in your proposals, and speak in terms of indicators of change rather than methods or activities. Most organizations that come to our trainings have not been documenting outcomes. Documentation has always been important, but it is more crucial now than ever. Proof that your services have the desired impact on com-

why their work is critical to the community’s well-being. If there is a human need--or any other kind of need--that relates to your mission but that can’t be met in the current environment, document the damage you see. It’s important for the arguments you’ll need to make in the future. Think about the role of public information in influencing future funding. As you collect documentation of unmet community needs, share it with elected officials. In this era of cost-shifting, governments and organizations will try to shield themselves from public anger, so you can expect to see a lot of buck-passing and finger-pointing. Don’t get caught in the crossfire. Since there is a lot of ignorance about the nonprofit sector, position yourself to communicate about how costs are being shifted, how these shifts impact the critical needs of your community as a whole, and how they impact individual residents. When a cut comes down the line, make it clear--to the community, in the newspaper, to the voters--what it means, who’s getting cut off, who’s going to go hungry or cold. This may prompt donors to contribute needed funds, and it may encourage politicians to reconsider what they decide to cut. • The organizations that will fare best are those that do the best job of planning, focusing on community needs, and documenting the benefits of what they are doing. These are the organizations that make a real difference in the long run. Beyond that, the people who make a real difference are the ones who persevere. The short-term forecast may look gloomy, but you’re not facing it alone. As you continue to carry out the missions of your organizations, lend support to each other, sharing ideas and resources. C

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64 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

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Rainbow PUSH LA Trade Bureau The Rainbow PUSH LA Trade Bureau (RPC/Bureau) is focused on the implementation of economic, social, and education initiatives, as well as growing the office to become a strong voice for our constituents and Trade Bureau Members. Rainbow Push LA is connecting our Trade Bureau members with our Trading Partners for the purpose of doing business. Rainbow Push LA is committed to connecting our members to new opportunities that will not only bring us through the recession, but beyond it. Our innovative ideas are expressed through powerful programmatic pieces that are designed with everyone in mind. Please use the information below to contact the Los Angeles office to request a contact information form that may be completed then faxed or e-mailed to us. The information will reconnect us with you and will aid Mr. Israel in his upcoming meetings with corporate trading partners. Regina Black, Office Manager Rainbow PUSH/CEF Los Angeles, 1313 W. 8th Street, Suite 232, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Office Number: 213.483.3500 Fax Number: 213.483.3577 Email: rblack@rainbowpush.org Website: www.rainbowpushla.org 66 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Let’s Move!

Recipes for Healthy Kids Judging Teams Begin School Visits

and appearance/presentation. The judging teams will help determine the three finalists (one from each category) that will participate in a national cook-off event this summer at the American Culinary Federation Conference in Grapevine, Texas, on July 25. To recognize and share the culinary creativity nationwide, the top ten recipes in each category will be published in a Recipes for Healthy Kids Cookbook to share with students and families.

And the response was, well… amazing. Winograd’s recipe, Chic’ Penne,was selected as a semi-finalist in the whole grain category from among the 340 recipes originally submitted. Fifteen recipes, including Winograd’s, were chosen back in February to move forward as semi-finalists in the competition from schools in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina.

There will be a grand prize chosen by the judging panel as well as a Popular Choice winner based on public voting. Voting for the Popular Choice award will close May 31. Be sure to try one of these delicious recipes at home. Even better -- try them all! For a complete list and to vote on your favorite recipe go to www.recipesforkidschallenge.com/submissions.

A true cross-section of America. Competing teams submitted recipes in each of three categories: whole grains, dark green and orange vegetables, and dry beans and peas. Each recipe will

be judged on taste/flavor profile, appeal to students, creativity/originality,

Please follow USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service on Twitter at http://twitter. com/usdanutrition. C www.letsmove.gov

67 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Community/Public Inerest

he First Lady and the Department of Agriculture launched the competition last September, challenging teams of school nutrition professionals, chefs, students, and community members to develop creative, nutritious, and kid-approved recipes that schools can easily incorporate into National School Lunch Program menus.

Zambia and Tanzania: Fast-Growing Economies Set the Stage for ICT

International

The featured image is by Muhammad Karim and was pulled from Wikimedia

anzania (7.2 percent average GDP growth) and Zambia (6.9 percent average GDP growth) will be among the ten fastest-growing economies between 2011 and 2015, according to The Economist. Both are members of SADC, and both are involved in spatial development corridors (Nacala for Zambia and Central for Tanzania) like the Maputo corridor, which will bolster economic development as infrastructure comes online. Having an eastern coastline, Tanzania benefited easily from the undersea cable developments of Seacom and Eassy, being a landing point for both. In addition, the countries of the EAC have implemented terrestrial backhaul between them to connect the common market through broadband. Tanzania’s potential ICT consumer market has similar demographic indicators to Kenya’s. Tanzania’s popula-

tion of 41 million is comparable to Kenya’s of 40 million, according to the CIA World Factbook. The annual average income of Tanzanians ($1 500) is comparable to Kenyans’ ($1 600). Tanzania’s population is mostly rural (75 percent), like Kenya’s (78 percent). And the rate of migration to cities between 2005 and 2010 was estimated as 4.1 percent for Tanzania and 4.0 percent for Kenya. This means that there are approximately 1.6 million people moving to cities, where accessing ICT infrastructure should be easier. Tanzania does differ from Kenya on mobile penetration and internet use. Tanzania’s mobile penetration rate was 39.9 percent in 2009, compared to 48.7 percent in Kenya, according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Only 1.6 percent of Tanzanians are estimated to be internet users while the estimate for Kenyans is ten percent. So, there is still plenty of room for

growth in this market for service providers. Tanzania’s ICT market is quite liberalised. The regulatory agency is the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). There are four key policies that guide the ICT sector: National Telecommunications Policy (1997), National ICT Policy (2003), National Postal Services Policy (2003), and the National Information and Broadcasting Policy (2003). However, Tanzania has not implemented the policies well, according to the Tanzania ICT Sector Performance Review 2009/2010 policy paper by ResearchICTAfrica. Because the ICT sector is liberalised, the major four segments of the market are competitive, according to ResearchICTAfrica. The four segments are network carrier infrastructure, network services for fixed and mobile telephone operations, network application

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the undersea cables, so the regional fibre backbone is extremely important to weaning its market from satellite providers. Zamtel, the primary fixed-line operator, is also rolling out a national fibre network. However, Zambia’s terrestrial backbone is still dominated by microwave links, according to the Zambia ICT Sector Performance Review 2009/2010 policy paper by ResearchICTAfrica. Zambia’s population (over 13 million) is much smaller than Tanzania’s. However, this may not be a limiting factor for ICT enterprises seeing that Zambia is part of SADC, making it also a member of the tri-partite alliance underway between COMESA, EAC, and SADC. Zambia’s mobile penetration rate is about 34.1 percent while the percentage of internet users is only 6.3 percent. As with Tanzania, these low numbers represent continued growth opportunities in the market. The Zambian ICT market liberalised in the early 1990s, so the current market structure is a reflection of this. The Zambian ICT market is competitive overall, but the state-owned Zamtel monopolises international voice and PSTN services and Airtel (Zain) has consequently not been able to eliminate the roaming charges as it has with its networks in other parts of Africa. Zamtel has now become a private company, with 75 percent of ownership residing with LAP Green Network of Libya. The monopoly of the international gateway should change with the implementation of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Act of

2009. Other legislation, including the Postal Services Act and the Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) No. 21, should help liberalise the market more, resulting in higher penetration rates and lower prices. There are three licensed mobile operators in Zambia – Cell Z (Zamtel), Airtel (Zain) and MTN Zambia. Airtel is the leader with about 70 percent of the market, according to ResearchICTAfrica. MTN Zambia has captured about 26 percent of the market, leaving Cell Z with a small slice. The internet market is more evenly distributed among the top three players in terms of revenue – Africonnect (now owned by Vodacom Business Africa), Zamtel and Zamnet. However, there are ten internet service providers of note, including MTN and Airtel, making the internet market highly competitive. In 2010, Airtel introduced 3G to the market. Tanzania and Zambia both represent the growth potential of many COMESA, EAC and SADC countries due to their low penetration levels, increased liberalisation and competition, access to high-speed broadband, and anticipated price reductions in the next several years. If they follow course, this will create a much larger number of users for broadband, opening the door to many opportunities to provide products and services in these, and regional, markets. C Written by Lauri Elliott www.afribiz.net/content/zambia-andtanzania-fast-growing-economies-set-thestage-for-ict

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Lusaka, Zambia

International

services, and content service provision. Licences are allocated according to this market structure. The fixed line competitors in Tanzania are Tanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL) and Zantel, but, as with most African countries, fixed line penetration is extremely low. The mobile sector, on the other hand, is growing fast. There are six major mobile operators – Vodacom, Airtel (Zain), TiGO, TTCL-mobile, Zantel-mobile and Sasatel. While the internet sub-sector got a boost from the undersea cables, it is well below its potential. It faces several challenges, including power interruptions, lack of computers, low ICT literacy, and businesses still operating under the low-bandwidth usage paradigm, according to ResearchICTAfrica. But the biggest challenge is price. Prices have gone down (TTCL reduced prices more than 50 percent in 2009) but not to such a level that will spur mass adoption. The price issue is not just about the ICT service fees, but also about the computer hardware sector, which imports the majority of computers. This means prices are higher. Tanzania is currently working to establish a solid national fibre backbone to complement the international bandwidth provided by the undersea cables. This involves both government and private sector players like Vodacom, which has helped to speed things along. This fibre backbone is also part of a regional network in East Africa, which will connect Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Ta n z a n i a and Zambia.

Zambikes International: Producing Life Changing Products

International

ambikes International is an American start up company incorporated in California in 2010 that connects life changing companies and products to the world. By providing worldwide distribution for Bamboo bicycles and excellent customer service, Zambikes International is able to not only bring an incredible product to your door, but also provide increase employment and impact into the lives of Zambians. In Zambia, unemployment is over 50%, literacy is low, and school is not free. Finding a job supports more than the individual; it also supports their children, brothers, sisters, and the entire community. When you buy a bamboo bike, you are employing 40+ Zambikes workers that are a part of an entire community being developed in Lusaka West, Zambia. Over the last 3 years, Zam-

bikes has been dedicated to serving the Zambian community with quality, life-changing transportation products and healthy training and development for their employees. Learn more about Zambikes at www.zambikes.com. Buying a bamboo bike helps Zambikes Zambia continue in their effort to provide Zambikes and Zambulances around the Southern African region. ZAMBULANCE NEWS Over the past few years, co-founder and designer Daryl Funk has been designing our life-saving bicycle ambulances, which have now been distributed all over southern Africa. Recently we traveled 2,000 kms

(1,300 miles) to northern Zambia to an area called Luwingu. It is a very rural area with bad roads, and with our recent rains the roads were even worse than normal. The Safe Mothers Action Group there had received 8 of our Zambulances a month earlier, and we visited to see how they were doing. Zambulances had transported more than 40 mothers to rural health clinics to give birth. They have a great system where the women get a prenatal check up and get assigned a delivery week. The Zambulance will then pick them up on the desired week. Then they will stay at the clinic until they deliver the baby. For many people, like the ones who belong to Safe Mothers Action Group in Luwingu, these Zambulances and bikes are the difference between life and death. Please continue your support through purchases and donations so we can save more lives - www.akerfa.org. C

Zamcart – Heavy load carrying trailer

Zambulance

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Addis Build International Construction Exhibition 2011: May 11-14, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

business in the region • A strong brand building environment via product demonstrations • The ability to check and evaluate

competition • Opportunities for attendees to see, touch, smell or try before buying C www.addisbuild.com

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ddis Build 2011 is one of the biggest leading trade fair for the building construction industry. It will be held at the Addis Ababa Exhibition Center, May 11-14, and is being organized by Expotim International Fair Organizations Inc. It will showcase Building Materials and Systems,Construction Equipments, Prefabricated Buildings,Roads and Flyovers, Construction Tools, Marble Granite and Ceramics, Kitchen and Bathroom Products, Landscaping, Safety and Security Equipment, AirConditioning, Lighting, Flooring, Interiors, Specialist Vehicles Detection Equipment, Floor Finishes, Identification Systems, Interiors & Lighting, Locking Equipment, Marble & Granite Products, Rescue and Emergency Equipment, Security Doors, etc. By participating in the 2nd ADDISBUILD International Construction, Construction Materials and Technologies Exhibition, your company will have the following benefits: • Sales – via a targeted audience of qualified buyers at specialised industry events who have come to see you • Building a network of new and productive business contacts and establish local partnerships which is a very effective way of doing

Resources For Going Global The U.S. Commercial Service - Your Global Business Partner. With offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration uses its global Network and international resources to connect U.S companies with international buyers worldwide. If you have any questions about these initiatives, please contact your local U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist. To find the trade specialist nearest you please visit http://www.buyusa.gov/home/us.html.

Event: ACCESS 2011 International Trade Forum Venue: Westin Galleria Houston, Texas Date: April 26-27, 2011 Learn more/register: http://www.buyusa.gov/houston/ access2011.html Discover export opportunities and expand your company’s global reach at this event. U.S. Department of Commerce Senior Commercial Officers from Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia regions including Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, India, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates will provide information, help you identify new export markets and develop market entry strategies. For more information, please contact Larry.Tabash@trade.gov

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Event: Complying with U.S. Export Controls and Complying with the ITAR Venue: Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Date: April 27-29, 2011 Learn more/register: http://www.floridaexporter.com/ compliance Join the Bureau of Industry and Security, Florida District Export Council, and U.S. Commercial Service for two official courses on U.S. export regulations – “Complying with U.S. Export Controls” and “Complying with the ITAR”. The 2-day “Complying with U.S. Export Controls” (April 27-28, 2011) is taught by official BIS staff and covers information exporters need to know to comply with U.S. export control requirements on commercial goods. The oneday “Complying with the ITAR” (April 29, 2011) is designed for any person or company who exports defense articles, defense services, or technical data.

Event: Discover Opportunities in South Africa Venue: Johannesburg and Cape Town Date: September 19-23, 2011 Learn more/register: http://www.export.gov/trademissions/ southafrica2011 Registration Deadline: July 18, 2011 The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing this trade mission. Led by a senior Department of Commerce official, this trade mission will introduce U.S. suppliers of energy efficient technologies, agricultural equipment, and educational institutions or skills development service providers to potential buyers and allow them to explore new business opportunities. South Africa represents the largest economy and most sophisticated and diversified industrial and services sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. The country also stands to benefit from rapid growth anticipated in many of its Sub-Saharan African trading

partners. The mission will visit both Johannesburg and Cape Town, allowing participants to access two of the largest markets and business centers in the country. The itinerary consists of customized one-on-one business appointments with potential agents, distributors and partners, market briefings, and meetings with key government officials. For more information, please contact Teresa.Yung@trade.gov or telephone: 202-482-5496

Event: Boost Your Sales by Connecting with Spanish Investors - ServiceSolutionsUSA Venue: Online Directory for U.S. Service Firms and Economic Development Agencies Date: Your firm featured online and at Invest in America events in Spain and the U.S. Learn more/subscribe: http://www.buyusa.gov/spain/en/ usserviceinitiative.html Expand your business opportunities originating from Spain. Spanish investment in the US soared from $14 billion to $43 billion in just three years through 2009, making it the 10th largest investor country in the US. This continuing trend is important to the US economy and provides untapped opportunities for US companies, especially in the areas of clean energy, clean tech and infrastructure. The online ServiceSolutionsUSA directory promotes the services of USbased firms and economic development agencies to investors in Spain. This directory gives US companies access and exposure to Spanish clients who seek US expertise in accounting, branding, banking, consulting, global logistics, trade finance, insurance, legal, regulatory, site selection, and other needs. Key Spanish partners supporting this initiative include the Spanish government’s Institute of Foreign Trade, the Spanish Bio-tech Association, the Confederation of Employers and Industries of Spain - the largest business association in the country, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Spain.

Special Offer: Commercial News USA Offers Free Arabic Translation and 2-for-1 Special Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers exporters an inexpensive way to promote their products and services in 178 countries worldwide. Now, you can take advantage of a special offer: Buy two ads and get the third ad for free (Based on one-time rates. This does not include Showcase section). Moreover, advertisers in the May-June issue will receive a free listing ad online in Arabic. Commercial News USA reaches more than a quarter-million buyers worldwide. For more information, call 1-800-581-8533, x 822, or visit http://www.thinkglobal.us, or email advertise@thinkglobal.us.

Marketing: Promote Your Products in 178 Countries Worldwide for $499 Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of

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Resources For Going Global the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers exporters an affordable way to promote their products and services in 178 countries

worldwide. Now, you can advertise in the USA Product Showcase section of the magazine for just $499. Commercial News USA reaches more than a quarter million buyers worldwide. For more information, call 1-800-581-8533, x 822, or visit http://www. thinkglobal.us/499, or email advertise@thinkglobal.us.

Apps World – June 1-2, 2011 www.apps-world.net/africa Cape Town Convention Center

Models, Strategies, Technologies, Development and Marketing of Mobile Money “From mobile banking, SMS chatting to stock market updates and sharing photos through mobile phones, the catalogue of mobile applications in Africa seems to be growing by the day. Thanks to the mobile phone penetration which has heavily outstripped PC penetration, availability of affordable bandwidth and the demand to do more than voice and text on the mobile phone.” African e-Development Resource Centre In Africa, the potential for Apps go far beyond games, entertainment and publishing. With a total population of just over one billion, infrastructure is lacking throughout the continent especially in the areas of health, agriculture, banking, education and more.&nbsp; Apps are being touted as one of the solutions.

Hurdles do exist in development of the nascent industry – particularly challenges within billing infrastructure needed to monetise this market.&nbsp; However, the implementation of mobile money is providing a solution that is becoming an integral to the business of mobile apps in Africa. Apps World Africa 2011 will explore the potential of applications to assist in the development of the globe’s second largest continent. Bringing together the telcos, handset manufacturers, government ministries and organisations, marketing houses and more, this event will thoroughly explore whether APPs are the answer for Africa, and allow all the stakeholders to build pertinent partnerships in the industry. Topics covered at the show include: • Operator case studies – models and business models of app related own labels, and app store partnerships and liaisons • Handsets – which has the most compelling offering in this market • Developers in the region – challenges and success stories • Mobile money - rise of mobile money apps and how these interact with the banking sector • Apps for public services and health – is this really the answer for Africa? • m-Commerce for agriculture – mobilising the farming community through apps • m-Education – increasing literacy through apps• Apps for marketing & brand building - experiences of leading African brands with app related campaigns 73 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

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The potential of apps to change the landscape of Africa is boundless. Increased literacy, widespread access to healthcare, farming and agricultural aids and more is being facilitated by mobile apps.

Afro-Brazilian.com Launches to Bridge Gap Between Afro-Brazilians and African Americans

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he first website dedicated to educating African Americans on Afro-Brazilian culture has been launched. The website is part of the LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS agency’s commitment to enriching the understanding of the diversity of the Latino and African American culture. Afro-Brazilian.com will celebrate Afro-Brazilian culture through the development of original content highlighting the history, culture and historical struggles of Afro-Brazilians. The website will also feature facts on Afro-Brazilians; Brazilian events taking place in the US and Brazil; updates on Brazilian politics; and the upcoming World Cup and the Olympic Games. Afro-Brazilian.com will also feature articles from noted Brazilian and African American reporters across the US. Brazil has made international headlines over the past several months with the election of its first woman president and the announcement of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. Although Brazil has been a major tourist destination for decades, many do not know much about the country, the people nor its culture. According to MercoPress, an independent online news agency, Afro-Brazilians represent the largest ethnic group in Brazil, making up more than 49 percent of the population. Afro-Brazilians have a cultural influence on Brazil that spans from cuisine, literature, sports, and art, among others. Some of the little known facts on Afro-Brazilians include: • 49.6 percent of Brazilians are black, mulatto or pardo • In Brazil, people of African descent are categorized through several

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groups, mainly pardo, black and mulatto Afro Brazilian ancestry belongs to two major groups—West African and Bantu; West African includes the Yoruba, Ewe, Fanti-Ashanti, Ga-Adangbe, Igbo, Fon and Mandinka tribes; The Bantu were brought mainly from Angola, Congo, Zimbabwe and Mozambique Slavery in Brazil was officially abolished on May 13, 1888 As of 2007, the largest Afro-Brazilian metropolitan area is Salvador, Bahia, with more than 1.8 million (53.8%) pardos and 990,375 blacks (28.5%) [Total: 82.3% or 2.859 million people]; The state of Bahia also has the largest percentage of pardos (62.9%) and blacks (15.7%) Although Afro-Brazilians are mainly Catholics, many also practice Candomblé and Umbanda Capoeira, one of the most iconic symbols of Brazilian culture, was developed by African slaves from Angola and Mozambique Many influential Brazilian authors are of African Brazilian descent, including Machado de Assis, Lima Barreto and João da Cruz e Sousa African culture has been instrumental in the development of Brazilian cuisine. Feijoada, Brazil’s staple dish, was developed by African slaves Blacks and pardos have a low representation on Brazilian television. In 1996 Taís Araujo was the first and only black actress to be featured as a protagonist in a telenovela The International Federation of Football History & Statistics Player of the Century lists 15 Afro-Brazilian play-

ers among their 20 best Brazilian players list Rodrigo Pederneiras, the principal choreographer to the world-renowned Brazilian dance troupe Grupo Corpo, said, “The influence of African culture is tremendous in everything in Brazil, in all parts. In the music, in paintings, in the religion like candomblé, in the food, in the dance rhythms.” “Although Afro-Brazilians have a significant and influential presence in Brazil, they are grossly underrepresented by the media,” said Paulo P. Lima, editor-at-large of Afro-Brazilian.com. “The website was created to raise awareness of the unique and rich Afro-Brazilian culture and the historical parallels it shares with the African American community. “ Afro-Brazilian.com will debut with three original articles spotlighting culture, religion and cuisine. The articles, written by Lima, introduce some of the most colorful, insightful and tasty aspects of Afro-Brazilian culture. The articles also establish a foundation for a deeper analysis on the complicated history and future of Afro-Brazilians. Afro-Brazilian.com will also provide partnership opportunities for companies interested in reaching the Brazilian market. The website will provide a series of advertising opportunities that include web banners, editorial features, background sponsorships and contests, among others. “Our goal is to educate and encourage African Americans to establish a brotherhood and explore the rich African influences in Brazil. Many do not know that Brazil has the largest population of African descendants outside of Africa,” said Kim L. Hunter, president/CEO of LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS. “Brazil will remain in the international spotlight for many years to come, so understanding the Brazilian people, specifically Afro-Brazilians, is crucial to any American planning to travel and explore business opportunities in Brazil.” Track information on the th culture and history of Afro-Brazilians and their impact on Brazil, th at www.Afro-Brazilian. com. co C

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3rd Annual East Africa Trade & Commodity Finance Conference 2011: May 17, Nairobi, Kenya Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel Among those providing expert opinion and unique insight will be leading industry decision makers from local and international banks; export credit agencies; multilaterals; lawyers; commodity traders and many other protagonists within the world of East African trade and commodity finance and beyond. The format of the conference will enable delegates to contribute to vigorous panel discussions as well as gain individual perspective from case study presentations. As always, networking opportunities will be at the heart of the conference and can be used to develop new business contacts as well as expand industry awareness through peer-topeer discussions. For futher information, visit http://www.exportagroup.com/events/conferences/3rd-AnnualEast-Africa-Trade-&-Commodity-Finance-Conference_302. C

Nigeria to Build Three New Oil Refineries The new refineries are to be built by the government to complement the ailing ones constructed in the mid 70’s by the military administrations. This is part of the move to end fuel importation and boost job creation. Vice President Namadi Sambo made the disclosure at the May Day celebration in Abuja. He said bold steps have been taken to grow the economy through the construction of three new refineries, 10 thermal stations in strategic locations, and two hydro power plants to improve electricity supply. “Contracts for the construction of East West roads and rehabilitation of the Lagos-Abuja railway lines have been awarded by the government to boost the transportation system in the country,” he added, SEE YOU ON THE CONTINENT. C

1st February 2011 - 30th April 2011

est of Africa is a country specific online trade show bringing competitive products and resources from Africa’s rapidly growing economies to an international marketplace. As the demands of the global marketplace evolve and the world economy recovers from the fiscal crisis of 2008 - 2009, the Best of Africa international trade fair provides a unique and timely opportunity for African exhibitors to increase brand awareness, establish new markets, develop franchising partnerships, reach new customers and recruit new suppliers globally. Visitors can find African suppliers, manufacturers and distributors in one place. Rich in natural resources, Africa offers vast reserves of oil, metals and precious stones. With thousands of pristine travel destinations, the tourism industry, including health & wellness tourism, continues to grow steadily. Best of Africa is a golden opportunity for African enterprises to connect with thousands of motivated buyers, and for international businesses seeking investment and B2B trade opportunities in Africa. BusinessGlobal.com has partnered with the Pan-African Development Corporation (PADC) to create this virtual trade fair. The PADC is devoted to the development of commerce and enterprise in Africa – the organisation’s mission is to bring Africa to the world, and the world to Africa. BusinessGlobal.com, in partnership with the PADC, is particularly proud to showcase many of Africa’s finest businesses to the rest of the world. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Africa has made remarkable gains in promoting growth and achieving economic stability, averaging more than 6% over the past five years. The IMF has increased financial support to African countries affected by the economic crisis, revised its lending instruments to make them more flexible, and is working to double concessional lending. The Fund continues to provide advice and technical assistance for strengthening economic policymaking in Africa, and to design more sophisticated frameworks for improved integration into the world economy. With global efforts such as these to encourage growth in this region, it is an opportune time for African businesses to access international markets. In recent years, Africa has built increasingly stronger ties with China – in 2007 Chinese companies invested a total of US$1 billion in Africa, overtaking Britain as Africa’s thirdlargest business partner and catching up with France. Trade between China and Africa reached USD $100 billion in 2008 and is expected to top USD $100 billion in 2010. Africa now supplies a third of the oil fuelling China’s economic boom, with Angola surpassing Saudi Arabia as the largest exporter of oil to China. With more oil reserves than North America, and an estimated 40% of the world’s potential hydroelectric power, Africa is on the verge of becoming a major global energy provider. With major world players now paying attention, African businesses have the opportunity to expand into new markets worldwide. C

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International

“A FEW NOTES ON AFRICA”

Best of Africa Trade Show

Export:

Learn about Opportunities in Africa, Middle East and South Asia Markets The Westin Galleria Houston Houston, Texas April 26 & 27, 2011

xport markets are not only vital to economic development but also to your company’s growth. Find out how the U.S. Commercial Service can help your company to: • Identify new export markets and opportunities • Obtain the resources necessary to succeed in foreign markets • Develop market entry strategies Join 19 Senior Commercial Officers in Houston, Texas on April 26 and 27,

2011 for the annual meeting of the U.S. Department of Commerce Senior Commercial Officers from the Africa, Middle East, and South Asia regions including: Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, India, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. Commercial Service will sponsor the two-day business confer-

ence that will consist of: • •

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Sessions on market entry strategies, financing, and mitigating risk Concurrent sessions covering country and industry specific information and opportunities Pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with Foreign Commercial Service Officers High-profile keynote speakers Numerous networking opportunities

Contact Bobby Hines bobby.hines@ trade.gov for participation information or visit www.buyusa.gov/austin/access2011conference.html information and registraton. C

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ACCESS 2011 International Trade Conference

JWFA

Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, LLC M a n a g i n g We a l t h I n t e l l i g e n t l y

WHY OWN GOLD IN YOUR IRA/401k Changing jobs creates a great opportunity for you to switch, or rollover, your former employer’s retirement plan into an IRA. Plus, it usually provides you with more investment options than if you left the money in your former employer’s plan or rolled the money into your new employer's retirement plan. The early 1980s presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy stocks. Today, economic and political conditions appear to offer a similar opportunity in tangible assets such as physical gold. With the global economic environment growing more uncertain, physical gold has become the #1 alternative for IRA, 401k, 403b, and Pension Plans, as well as for non-retirement funds. Gold is produced primarily for accumulation while other commodities are produced primarily for consumption. Gold’s value does not arise from its usefulness in industrial or consumable applications. It arises from its use and historical worldwide acceptance as a store of value. Gold is money. A healthy measure of gold clearly belongs in every portfolio for the “Four Ps” – Personal Purchasing Power Protection. There are six primary reasons why investors own gold: As a hedge against inflation. As a hedge against a declining dollar. As a safe haven in times of geopolitical and financial market instability. As a commodity based on gold’s supply and demand fundamentals. As a store of value. As a portfolio diversifier. According to Bloomberg.com, on October 15, 2009, Paul Tudor Jones of Tudor Investment Corp, who manages about $11.6 billion out of Greenwich, Connecticut, told its investors, “I have never been a gold bug… but Gold is just an asset that, like everything else in life, has its time and place. And now is that time…Gold appears to be cheap. In our view, gold’s value should increase as its scarcity relative to printed currencies increases.” JAMAAL WILKES FINANCIAL ADVISORS makes 401(k) rollovers easy with just a few simple steps. Please call us at (310)209-8298 or email gold@jamaalwilkes.com for a web seminar presentation. Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors is an independent Registered Investment Advisor www.jamaalwilkes.com Phone: (310)209-8330 6601 Center Drive West, Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90045

Advertorial-Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, LLC:

U.S. Global Investors: Don’t Fear a Pullback in Prices

ecently, one of my fellow presenters at the Denver Gold Group’s European Gold Forum was Dr. Martin Murenbeeld from Dundee Wealth who put the notion of a “gold bubble” in context with the following chart. If you compare the current bull cycle for gold against gold’s run from the 1970s and 1980s, you can see that today’s run has been slow and steady. It’s also missing the sharp spikes typical of a bubble. Also, a key difference in this gradual move higher is the growing affluence of the developing world. There people have traditionally turned to gold as a store of wealth and we are seeing that in unprecedented numbers in countries such as China and India.C

JAMAAL WILKES FINANCIAL ADVISORS Tel (310) 209-8298 jkw@jamaalwilkes.com Process to BUY Gold & Silver with Qualified Funds: 1. We use Sterling Trust, a division of Equity Trust Company, a national leader among IRA custodians that hold precious metals in IRA accounts. As an industry leader, Sterling Trust and its affiliates, provide services to over 140,000 individuals and businesses nationwide whose assets exceed $10+ billion; 2. A Sterling Trust Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA is established for your Client, or accountholder, the IRA annual fee of $75, a 1-time set up fee of $50, and first year gold storage fees of $125 totaling $250 are paid, and Sterling Trust receives the transfer, rollover, or contribution of funds into the IRA. A Precious Metals IRA kit and forms are available on-line at: www.SterlingTrustCompany.com; 3. We will consult and advise Accountholder on how to structure their investment in gold (precious metal bullion products). Preliminary Buy Order Quotes will be in writing by email and/or fax to Accountholder, or the Accountholder’s designated representative; 4. JWFA will provide Accountholder with an itemized invoice that shows the type and quantity of gold (precious metal bullion products) purchased and the respective purchase price which must be signed by Accountholder, or Accountholder’s designated representative, and payment instructions must be provided to Sterling Trust. Accountholder faxes invoice to Sterling Trust IRA Services group; 5. Sterling Trust will issue payment to JWFA following the instructions provided by the Accountholder which will include shipping/delivery instructions to its depository within the Delaware Depository Service Company (web: www.DelawareDepository.com). Please contact me at (310) 209-8298 or jkw@jamaalwilkes.com with any questions. Thank you. C

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2011 BLACK WRITERS ON TOUR

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011

9:00AM - 4:00PM

CARSON COMMUNITY CENTER

A Special Opportunity for Exhibitors! Space is Limited - Register Today! When:

Saturday, April 16, 2011 9:00am to 4:00pm

Purpose:

Where: Carson Community Center 801 E. Carson Street Carson, California 90746 . Who: Expected number of Authors - 300+ Expected number of Exhibitors - 100 Projected attendance - 5,000 - 6,000 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Authors Writers Aspiring Writers Readers Book Clubs Librarians Major Publishers Literary Agents and, Others.

To give exposure to AfricanAmerican authors, writers, and exhibitors increase their sales, motivate, and develop aspiring new writers and authors.

Activities: !

Workshops and Seminars

Exhibit Booths

Poetry Jam Competition

Let the Elders Speak Forum

Children’s Writing Contest

Children Writers' Competition Showcase Plus...Shop with our vendors for wonderful “Mother’s Day” gifts!

For more information contact: Ernestine Dixon !(818) 256-7588

!dixon.ernestine@yahoo.com

Books to Consider... Hole In The Head A Life Revealed

by Smith Leonard Productions This award-winning feature length documentary tells the story of Vertis Hardiman and nine other young children, attending the same elementary school at Lyles Station, Indiana. The children were severely irradiated during a medical examination conducted by the local county hospital in 1927. The experiment was misrepresented as a newly developed cure for the scalp fungus known as ringworm. In reality the ringworm fungus was merely the lure used to gain access to innocent children whose unsuspecting parents blindly signed permission slips for the treatment. Vertis Hardiman was five years old and the youngest. After 20 years of friendship with writer/producer Wilbert Smith, through their church choir, Vertis unburdens himself to Wilbert with an incredible story, finally exposing the severe physical complication caused by this shocking medical crime. This medical crime has severe physical consequences for Vertis - namely a harshly irradiated and malformed head and actual hole in his skull. Remarkably, not one person in his community had ever been aware of Vertis’ suffering because he always wore a wig and woolen beanie to cover his shame. During this filming Vertis reveals his secret stating that only four individuals outside of a few medical specialists have ever seen his condition. “I hid it because I look like a monster.” Wilbert Smith’s in-depth research led to his discovering four additional survivors of this horrific event. Their collective accounts add breadth and lend credence to this incredible story. Other surviving victims had similar stories but

none as painful and shocking as Vertis’. This documentary reveals that the Lyles Station experiments were not an isolated event. One such example involves radiation experiments performed in Israel in 1951 against 100,000 darker-skinned immigrant children, a tradegy financed by the United States Army. Amazingly, many of these victims arrived on U.S. soil in cages for further study, in an attempt to determine human reaction to over-exposure to radiation. This film is not simply an indictment of inhumane government-sanctioned medical experimentation. Rather, it reflects the incredible strength of one man who survived the harshest imaginable circumstances through the power of the human spirit. His simplicity and life philosophy always lifted the spirits of those he touched. For information and to order the documentary contact Wilbert Smith, Ph.D., Managing Partner, Smith Leonard Productions, 2235 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 111, Altadena, CA 91001 or 626-3751367. C www.amazon.com

City of Los Angeles Business Inclusion Program The City of Los Angeles is striving to increase the participation of small, emerging, veteran, women and minority-owned businesses in City contracts. All City departments utilize the City’s electronic marketplace, Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (www.labavn.org), to post all opportunities subject to advertising. We encourage business owners to register on www.labavn.org to receive notifications of contracting opportunities as well as updates on implementing the program. Visit www.losangelesworks. org for additional information regarding doing business in and with the City of Los Angeles. Mayor’s Office of Economic & Business Policy

83 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Give the Gifts of Knowledge, Inspiration, Entertainment. Shop the

Black Book Stores!

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!

Future events April 13 Lavaille Lavette - 86400 Manage Your Purpose to Make Every Second of Each Day Count April 16 Storytelling Hour at EsoWon April 20 Manning Marable signs Malcolm X at EsoWon April 21 Tyrese Gibson at EsoWon April 22 Tavis Smiley April 30/May 1 EsoWon at USC for the Los Angeles Times Book Fair. May 2 Sister Souljah

323-294-0324 • www.esowonbooks.com //esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events

Malik’s Books Online

alik’s Books has closed operations in the Baldwin Hills Mall. Malik’s is now operating as an online bookstore. Malik’s is now available to serve our customer’s needs 24/7 via the world wide web with bigger deals and a larger selection. We will remain as active in the South Los Angeles community as we have always been. Please visit us at www.Malikbooks.com and/or www.autographbooks.com. For other information give us a call at 818-5645694. If you want to coorespond with us, send letters to Malik’s Books, 3939 Crenshaw Boulevard, #324, Los Angeles, CA 90008. Thank You again for all your support and patronage over the years and visit us on the Web. C

Malik’s Books www.Malikbooks.com www.autogrpahbooks.com malikbooks@att.net 818-564-5694

A Positive Economic Turn Around in the USA is in Our Hands uu

•Buy Products Made or Assembled in the USA •Hire One New Employee •Eat an Extra Meal Out Each Week •Start/Grow a Business to Generate Wealth & Jobs uu

Buy Black C Save Black C Invest Black 84 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

85 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Bernahu Asfaw or Getahun Asfaw

1041 S. Fairfax Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90019 323-938-8827 or 323-938-8806 Fax: 323-932-6047 messob@gmail.com • www.messob.com

Open 7 days a week 11am - 11pm

Rooibos Tea House African Red Tea Imports

323-658-7832 533 N. Fairfax Avenue Los Angeles

www.africanredtea.com Nira Levy Maslin, CEO

Artwear

A Royal Blend of all natural West African herbs and fiery spices www.kingspepper.com 323.291.4267

Before you grill, Before you bake,

Artwear may be found at: Sika’s / 4330 Degnan Ave., Leimert Park Baldwin Hills Plaza Farmer’s Market each Saturday 10am-3pm

www.gbabyartwear.com

Buy King’s Pepper & Shake, Shake, Shake! 86 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.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

Wilshire-Crescent Heights 6301 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles

800-888-3595

Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

www.comerica.com

87 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

May 10-12, 2011 Visit the 2011 DOE Small Business Conference website (http:// smallbusinessconference. energy.gov/) or call 877-837-8623 for more information.

BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM LAUNCHES DIGITAL MAGAZINE Tuesday, May 10th “For everyone interested in doing business with Metro”

Watch & Support the Africa Channel! Time Warner • Comcast Don’t have the Africa Channel in your area? Call Time Warner at: 1-888-892-2253 and ask that the Africa Channel be broadcast to ALL regions of your state. For information on the Africa Channel visit www.theafricachannel. com or send an e-mail inquiry to info@theafricachannel.com.

he digital version of Black Meetings & Tourism magazine is now available on-line. The current issues, as well as archived issues, can be viewed by visiting www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com and click on the image link located on the home page. The digital version is just a small part of BM&T’s expanded on-line presence, which includes a host of new departments, the twice-monthly e-newsletter, an increased focus on leisure travel, and many new marketing opportunities. Our newly designed website offers a guest blog page, a video page and a variety of interactive and custom advertising products that will allow vendors direct access to the more than 45 billion dollar African-American travel market. C

88 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Calendar

The One Child Our Village Foundation invites the community to join them in their efforts to raise funds to fight all cancer types. For detailed information, please call 323-239-4844 between the hours of 10am until 2pm, or email onechildourvillage1997@yahoo.com.

April…

May…

4th-9th

6th-7th

4th Annual Lagos Black Heritage Festival Held in Lagos Nigeria, West Africa to celebrate the culture, art and history of Africa. For detailed information visit www.facebook. com/pages/LagosBlack-Heritage-Festival/301943951426.

21st 2011 OSDBU Procurement Conference The OSDBU Procurement Conference is a national conference fostering business partnerships between the Federal Government, its Prime Contractors, and small, minority, servicedisabled veteran-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and women-owned businesses. Visit www.fbcinc.com/osdbu for details and registration.

26th-27th Access 2011 International Trade Conference Find out how the U.S. Commercial Service can help your company to export or import. Join 19 Senior Commercial Officers in Houston, Texas for the annual meeting of the U.S. Department of Commerce Senior Commercial Officers from the Africa, Middle East, and South Asia regions Contact Bobby Hines bobby.hines@trade. gov for participation information or visit www. buyusa.gov/austin/access2011conference.html information and registraton.

30th 5k Walk All Over Cancer Walk-athon

Black Business Expo 2011 Marlton Square (Old Santa Barbara Plaza, Crenshaw area). Emphasis will be on the Tom Bradley Business Institute and the future of Black Folk’s in America.

18th The African Network - May Networking Event The topic of the event is: Growing Africa’s Green Economy: Opportunity for Entrepreneurs. Featured speaker Tara Lynn Gray, CEO of MannaClean (www.mannaclean.com), will address the need for African Entrepreneurs to see this as an opportunity in fostering entrepreneurship on the continent. Please RSVP using the TAN evite. You may RSVP to info@theafricannetwork.org. For more information regarding this TAN event, please contact Sade Sobande at 408-406-2589 or ssobande@theafricannetwork.org.

18th-22nd Chamber Management Training The US Black Chamber School of Chamber Managemnt will conduct a training program at the University of Phoenix Washington, DC Campus entitled “Promoting Chamber Growth, Efficiency and Influence”. Learn more by emailing kathleen@usbci.org or visiting www.usbci. org.

August… 28th Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Deducation Ceremony For details on the event and to make contributions contact the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., 401 F Street, NW, Suite 334, Washington, DC 20001, 1.888.484.3373.

12th-14nd West Coast Expo West Coast Expo (WCE) is an exposition and trade show for small, medium, and large businesses with goods, products and services to

June… 2nd Black Business Association 37th Annual Awards Dinner Annual Salute to Black business owners and executives and the private and public sector entities that support the advancement of black business. For detailed information contact the Black Business Association at mail@bbala.org or by phone at 323-291-9334.

7th-8th AGOA Forum The 10th AGOA Forum will be held in Lusaka, Zambia. The forum is an excellent opportunity for interested business people to learn first hand how to start or increase trade with Africa-based businesses. Learn more about the forum and how to participate by visiting www.agoa.info.

market on the West Coast. Our featured pavilions: Business, Technology, Green Life, and Health & Beauty will offer attendees unique, informative and exciting opportunities to interact with experts, specialists and vendors enabling them to learn about, evaluate, test and purchase products and services. Visit www.westcoastexpo.biz for detailed information. C

July…

89 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

FUTURALLIA 2011 Comes to Kansas City Global Business Event to be Held in United States for First Time After editions in Belgium, Poland, Canada, Qatar, and most recently France, the sixteenth edition of FUTURALLIA 2011 will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, May 2011. Whether you call it business matchmaking, business speed dating, or B2B meetings, FUTURALLIA is a fast-paced and intense business event where, all in all, more than 9,000 meetings will take place. The concept is simple: to gather more than 800 entrepreneurs from countries across the globe for two days of pre-selected and pre-arranged one-on-one networking meetings. Futurallia’s proprietary match-making software system has been perfected with twenty years of experience. The Kauffman Foundation is proud to be a sponsor of Futurallia KC 2011. For more information, and to register for this event, visit www.FuturalliaKC2011.com

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 Los Angeles

and

Comedy Night Join the Fun! Share the Laughs! 90 ± April/May 2011 ± Black Business News ± www.bbnews.org

Reach Thousands of African American Entrepreneurs

U.S. Small B usiness Adm LA/Minority inistration & Business Op portunity Co mmittee

YOUR LINK TO AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS

AWARD WI NNER! 2007 “Journ alist of the Ye ar” 2009 “Media Firm of the Y ear”

The Black Business News, an award winning publication, is pleased to invite you to be an integral part of our information community Your Link to African American Business Owners. The Black Business News is the ofÞcial voice through which public and private entities advertise contract and business opportunities available to African American entrepreneurs. Gain access to a highly afßuent target market via outreach and advertising opportunities. • Outreach to Black Businesses • Advertorial/Feature Story Advertising • Profiles and Business Listings • Classified Ads and Bid Opportunities

Black Business News

Our readers are members of business associations, Black business owners, corporate buyers, prime contractors, community organizations and elected ofÞcials, who all turn to the Black Business News for business development news and information to take their business and project efforts to the next level of proÞtability and success!

In Th vember 2008 is Iss ue…

5 Co ver S tory: we g Wher o e do Barack from h er Obam USA. a, 44th e? Preside 6 Bla nt of the ck Bu sines Profi s Succ le Dicker ess 9 Fo son Employee reclo sure Benefits $8.68 R 31 Sm Billion Settleme elief nt. all Bu sin A dm inistr ess Online Train ation

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Reserve Your Ad Space Today! Call Tony Hayward 949-798-9844

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Deadline: Every third Friday of the Month! Special Offer: 50% Discount for Regular Financial BBA Members Advertising Opportunities (1x, 3x, 6x, 12x) Full Page Color w/Feature Story Full Page Color Half Page Color w/Feature Story Half Page Color Quarter Page Color Eighth Page Color Website Advertising Opportunity (1x, 3x, 6x, 12x) Webpage, Link & Marketing Message E-Blast Advertising Opportunity Issue Dedicated Marketing Message

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Black Business News Black Business News International • Get the News You Need • Find the Information that will Make a Difference • Promote Your Business to The BBN Community • Send Your Contact Information to info@blackbusinessnews.net and we will send BBN and BBN-I to You Name News Black Business Compamy Industry Website E-mail

ion International Edit

Community l African Economic Serving the Globa

Fall 2008 USD$5.00

Contents

g: EOY charitable Corporate Givin houshealth, education, opportunities in ing, and more.

in Africa’s tour-

t Tourism: Investment vital and is eviden ism industr y is active, nt. all across the contine

Feature Articles: Constructisve “Strategies For the Engagement with African Diaspora” gement: “Diaspora Enga Beyond” Remittances &

le: Moyo District InvestmentofProÞ Uganda of the Republic

tory Professional Direc tments Charitable Inves

twins recently orpaned , III in Ghana with Rev. Leon R. Perrysee Corporate Giving page 21