Publisher’s Message
T
his issue of the Black Business News commemorates African American History Month with feature articles highlighting outstanding African Americans in the world of business and entertainment. In this issue, we take a closer look at our current infrastructure and engagement of business models that are reshaping the emergence of leaders in the international business world. As we recognize African American History Month, we embrace the events in our history that led to us arriving where we are today - from slavery to freedom. This month’s cover graphic highlights an authentic bill of sale for four African American slaves dated on January 2, 1856. This bill of sale is a compelling part of African American history, the history America wants us to forget. See articles and images beginning on page 18. The theme for this year’s African American History Month issue is Civil Rights in America. This year of 2014 marks the historical 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Looking at the success of African Americans in the entertainment industry today, we celebrate the accomplishments of powerful role models and pioneers in their respective fields, including Samuel L. Jackson, Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Aretha Franklin, Arsenio Hall, Steve Harvey, and finally our President Barack Obama. We recognize Samuel L. Jackson, the busiest Actor in Hollywood. His outstanding 30+ year film career has generated the highest revenues of any actor in the industry. See page 36. As a people, we have seen improvement in the entertainment industry but we have a long way before we can stand firmly on the inside of Hollywood's infrastructure in solid positions of leadership in every aspect of the entertainment industry from film to television to sports. The Black Business News celebrates the vision for success that continues to evolve our people in positions of leadership and excellence on the business front. African American leaders are now emerging in the corporate business sector such as the appointment of the newly elected Board Chairman of Microsoft, Mr. John Thompson. Check out Microsoft’s commitment to African business startups on page 52. Former Lakers great and business mogul, 'Magic' Johnson, has officially joined the core investment group buying the WNBA L.A. Sparks, formerly owned by African American businesswoman, Paula Madison. See page 54. We see in our current achievements in business that though we have made great progress we must continue to strive toward the level of success as a culture that involves the full spectrum of freedom with all the rewards that comes with it based upon the key component of access to the full resources that exist for our people as a whole. We hope that you enjoy these articles and you can view our past articles in our quarterly International Black Business News editions and our Black Business News Travel Africa edition.
Black Business News Group P.O. Box 43159 Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA 323-291-7819 Fax: 323-298-5064
www.blackbusinessnews.net PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Earl “Skip” Cooper, II
ASSOCIATE EDITORS Sarah Harris Dean L. Jones
ENTREPRENEUR EDITOR Kim Anthony
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Belinda Foster
PRODUCTION MANAGER Narishima Osei
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS LaSandra Stratton Dean Jones Linda Ware
GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Harris Phallu Morgan
STORY EDITORS Wanda Flagg Jennifer Marie Hamilton
PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Foxx Sabir Narishima Osei
CONTENT ADMINISTRATOR La Sandra Stratton
LAYOUT/TYPESETTING Lion Communications Copyright © 2014 by Black Business News All Rights Reserved. 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.
Earl “Skip” Cooper, II
Pubisher/Chief Executive Officer 3 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
About
ABOUT THE BLACK BUSINESS NEWS GROUP… 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 news, the publications of the Black Business News Group impart current local, national and international industry and social trends and news affecting small businesses across the United States of America (USA), providing guides to greater access to financial capital, management efficiencies, business education, mentorship opportunities and social media networks. The goals of the Black Business News Group include:
2014 BBA Events
March
Salute to Black Women
June
Annual Awards Dinner
September
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promoting USA-based black-owned business enterprises to a world wide audience.
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offering business growth enhancing information on education, exhibitioning, international trading, technology, industry trends, and more.
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exploring major public and private sector contracting methods to educate black-owned and operated enterprises.
November
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gproviding an affirmative influence for emerging entrepreneurs by sharing innovative de-sign and creative cultural content that expos-es them to the history of black enterprisess and urges them to participate in the USA’s future.
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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 opportunity, where blacks work, live and operate viable businesss enterprises.
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Procurement Exchange Summit Black Business News Group Publications Black Business News Black Business News International Black Business News Travel Africa
Contents
BLACK BUSINESS NEWS…FEBRUARY 2014 GOVERNMENT… 10 13 14 15 28
State of the Union 2014 New/Safe Retirement Savings Plan - MyRA President Working for Peace in South Sudan US-Haiti Partnership Confirmed SBA Program Announcements
10
ENTERTAINMENT… 36 40
BUSINESS… 44 50 51 52 54
Profile: Samuel L. Jackson The Hollywood Buzz
Oprah 2.0 Fundraising Platforms We All Can Use BizSpark: A Boost for Tech Startups John Thompson, Microsoft's New Chairman 'Magic' Johnson Buys Another Sports Team
PUBLIC INTEREST/COMMUNITY… 70 71
First Lady on FAFSA 12 Free College Tuition Opportunities
INTERNATIONAL… 74 76 78 80
OPIC Promoting Foreign Investment Port of Mombasa Gets US Grant 22nd African Union Assembly Meeting Fast-Tracking African Start-ups
COLUMNS
3 - Publisher's Message 68 - Take A Look! 103 - Books to Consider... 105 - Calendar 107 - Resources SPONSORS 6 - Black Business Association
SPECIAL SECTION… 88
Shopping Gallery Cover image - Phallu Morgan
18
COMMEMORATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH… 18 19 20 24 26
White House Proclamation Carter G. Woodson, Champion of History The History America Wants Us To Forget John LeDay, Black Business Trail Blazer Continuing the Education Legacy, Scholarships
Government
State of the Union 2014
President Barack Obama reviews his speech one last time while waiting in a room at the U.S. Capitol prior to delivering the State of the Union address in the House Chamber in Washington, DC. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
F
acing a divided nation and even more divided Congress, President Obama gave his State of the Union address with a direct message to Republicans: Americans want change. Here are the big issues the president talked about and the Internet's reactions:
1. Education One of the prominent points the President made was on the state of education in America from childcare to college. Obama mentioned that a number of states have created programs to fund childcare because "they can't wait,"
he said. "As Congress decides what it’s going to do, I’m going to pull together a coalition of elected officials, business leaders, and philanthropists willing to help more kids access the high-quality pre-K they need." Obama also touted the broad technology changes he's helped implement in schools. "Tonight, I can announce that with the support of the FCC and companies like Apple, Microsoft, Sprint, and Verizon, we’ve got a down payment to start connecting more than 15,000 schools and twenty million
students over the next two years, without adding a dime to the deficit," he said. One of the programs Obama announced was the College Opportunity Summit (www. whitehouse.gov/the-pressoffice/2014/01/16/fact-sheet-presidentand-first-lady-s-call-action-collegeopportunity), which creates over
100 new commitments to give low-income students financial opportunities to go to higher education.
2. Obamacare see State of the Union on page 11
10 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government
State of the Union from page 10
The President called out his Republican constituents to get over their past problems with the Obamacare law. "I don’t expect to convince my Republican friends on the merits of this law, " he said. "But let’s not have another fortysomething votes to repeal a law that’s already helping millions of Americans." But with that, Obama called on people to get their friends and family to sign up for Obamacare, "I ask every American who knows someone without health insurance to help them get covered by March 31," he said.
3. Foreign Policy with Iran Though the State of the Union is traditionally meant to speak on domestic matters, Obama mentioned the rising tensions with Iran's nuclear program. "It is American diplomacy, backed by pressure, that has halted the progress of Iran’s nuclear program – and rolled parts of that program back – for the very first time in a decade," he said. "If John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan could negotiate with the Soviet Union, then surely a strong and confident America can negotiate with less powerful adversaries today," he said.
4. Income Inequality and Economic Growth Despite a lowering unemployment rate and rising corporate profits, President Obama acknowledged that everyday-Americans haven't been able to see economic growth, but "America does not stand still — and neither will I," he said on Tuesday night at this State of the Union address. "Upward mobility has stalled. The cold, hard fact is that even in the midst of recovery, too many Americans are working
more than ever just to get by — let alone get ahead. And too many still aren't working at all," he said. But Obama also said the first place to start is "access to a good job." He proposed to raise minimum wage which mirrored his support for the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013, which would raise minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $10.10. "In the coming weeks, I will issue an Executive Order requiring federal contractors to pay their federallyfunded employees a fair wage of at least $10.10 an hour – because if you cook our troops’ meals or wash their dishes, you shouldn’t have to live in poverty," he said. "Business leaders around the world have declared that China is
no longer the world’s number one place to invest; America is," Obama said.
5. Immigration Reform Republicans have been forced to face challenges of changing immigration laws, and Obama tonight called on more support for a bipartisan bill on immigration reform. "When people come here to fulfill their dreams – to study, invent, and contribute to our culture – they make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everyone," he said adding that immigration reform will reduce the deficit by $1 trillion.
6. Energy see State of the Union on page 12
11 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government
State of the Union from page 11
Energy was also a big talking point with the President focusing on American clean energy. "Every four minutes, another American home or business goes solar; every panel pounded into place by a worker whose job can’t be outsourced," he said. And the increasing debate of climate change played a part in his argument for changing energy standards, "because a changing climate is already harming western communities struggling with
drought, and coastal cities dealing with floods," he said.
7. Technology and Citizens' Privacy Obama pledged to focus more on increasing technology by partnering businesses to research universities. "My administration has launched two hubs for high-tech manufacturing in Raleigh and Youngstown, where we’ve connected businesses to research universities that can help America lead the world in advanced technologies," Obama said. "Tonight, I’m announcing we’ll launch six more this year." The president also made a call to action for Congress to continue funding future technology research.
"Congress should undo the damage done by last year’s cuts to basic research so we can unleash the next great American discovery – whether it’s vaccines that stay ahead of drug-resistant bacteria, or paper-thin material that’s stronger than steel," he said. "And let’s pass a patent reform bill that allows our businesses to stay focused on innovation, not costly, needless litigation."
8. Women's Issues Obama called the pay difference between men and women an "embarassment" and added that
"today, women make up about half our workforce. But they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. That is wrong," he said.
9. MyRA One of the big announcements was the creation of a program called MyRA. "While the stock market has doubled over the last five years, that doesn’t help folks who don’t have 401k's," he said. "That’s why, tomorrow, I will direct the Treasury to create a new way for working Americans to start their own retirement savings: MyRA." "Offer every American access to an automatic IRA on the job, so they can save at work just like everyone in this chamber can," the President
said.
10. Closing Remarks My fellow Americans, ...our freedom, our democracy, has never been easy. Sometimes we stumble; we make mistakes; we get frustrated or discouraged. But for more than two hundred years, we have put those things aside and placed our collective shoulder to the wheel of progress – to create and build and expand the possibilities of individual achievement; to free other nations from tyranny and fear; to promote justice, and fairness, and equality under the law, so that the words set to paper by our founders are made real for every citizen. The America we want for our kids – a rising America where honest work is plentiful and communities are strong; where prosperity is widely shared and opportunity for all lets us go as far as our dreams and toil will take us – none of it is easy. But if we work together; if we summon what is best in us, with our feet planted firmly in today but our eyes cast towards tomorrow – I know it’s within our reach. Believe it. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. If you missed the speech or want the review the content, watch the enhanced broadcast of the president's address, featuring charts, graphs, and images that help explain the policies and issues he discussed at www.whitehouse. gov or on YouTube at: www.youtube. com/watch?v=arhBRouSmWs. You may also read the president's full remarks at: www.whitehouse. gov/the-press-office/2014/01/28/ president-barack-obamas-stateunion-address. www.heavy.com/news/2014/01/ state-of-the-union-2014-barackobama-highlights www.whitehouse.gov/sotu
12 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government All workers may invest in the accounts, including those who would like to supplement an existing 401(k) plan, as long as their household income falls below $191,000 a year.
State of the Union 2014 "MyRA" Creating “MyRA” – A New Starter Savings Account to Help Millions Save for Retirement. The President will take executive action to create a simple, safe and affordable “starter” retirement savings account available through employers to help millions of Americans save for retirement. This savings account would be offered through a familiar Roth IRA account and, like savings bonds, would be backed by the U.S. government. On January 29, 2014, President Obama signed a presidential memo directing the Department of Treasury to create the governmentbacked retirement accounts. Here's a look at how MyRAs will work, according to the White House:
Who Can Open a MyRA? The accounts are targeted at the millions of low- and middle-income Americans who don't have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. That includes roughly half of all workers and 75% of part-time workers. The White House says it will "aggressively" encourage employers to offer the program, noting that they won't have to administer or contribute to the accounts. MyRAs will initially be offered through a pilot program to workers whose employers sign on by the end of the year.
How Will the Account Work? The account will function as a Roth IRA, which allows savers to invest after-tax dollars and withdraw the money in retirement tax-free. But unlike traditional Roth IRAs, the accounts will solely invest in government savings bonds. They will also be backed by the U.S. government, meaning that savers can never lose their principal investment. Workers will be able to keep the accounts when they switch jobs or contribute to the same account from multiple part-time jobs. They will also be able to withdraw their contributions at any time without penalty. However, anyone who withdraws the interest they earned in the account before age 59½ will get hit with taxes and a possible penalty, just like a Roth IRA. Another plus: while private retirement accounts of any size can come with a host of administrative expenses, the myRAs will be free of any fees. "This deals with the small saver problem," said David John, senior strategic policy adviser at the AARP Public Policy Institute. "Very often the administrative costs of those tiny accounts actually eat into the principal."
How Much Can I Invest? Initial investments can be as low as $25 and workers can contribute as little as $5 at a time through automatic payroll deductions. Like a traditional Roth account, savers will be allowed to contribute up to $5,500 a year under current limits. Once a participant's account
balance hits $15,000, or the account has been open for 30 years, she will have to roll it over to a private sector Roth IRA, where the money can continue to grow tax-free. Workers will have the option to switch to a Roth IRA at any time.
What Kind of Returns Can I Expect? While the accounts will offer a safe place for many first-time retirement savers to put their money, they shouldn't expect big returns. The White House said the accounts will earn the same rate as the Thrift Savings Plan's Government Securities Investment Fund that it offers to federal workers. That fund earned around 1.5 % in 2012, and had an average annual return of 3.6% between 2003 and 2012. With an average 2% interest rate, for example, a worker contributing $100 a month would accumulate around $6,300 in savings after five years, including around $300 in interest. "The good news is you don't have any risk on this account," John said. "The bad news is of course you're not going to have a huge amount of earnings on this account either."
Will This Help Solve the Retirement Savings Crisis? Retirement advocates are cheering the new savings program as an important step. But no one thinks this alone will fix the fact that millions of Americans have little-tono retirement savings. Obama's annual budget will again include a separate proposal to automatically enroll workers in IRA accounts, a long-touted plan which would require Congressional approval. "This is a start," John said. "Without the actions of Congress, there is a limit on what can be done." http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/29/ retirement/myra-accounts
13 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government
Pressing for Peace in South Sudan by Ambassador Susan Rice
President Barack Obama meets with Amb. Donald Booth, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, and Amb. Susan D. Page. Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
O
n January 24th I joined Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Amb. Donald Booth, and U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Susan Page in their meeting with President Obama in the Oval Office. It was a chance for him to thank them for their extraordinary service and many contributions as the United States continues to devote every effort to helping achieve lasting peace in South Sudan. It was also a chance to discuss next steps in resolving the crisis. The United States strongly supports full implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities
Agreement signed this week in Addis Ababa, the immediate release of the eleven detainees, and the establishment of a political process that leads to a durable solution. President Obama thanked Special Envoy Booth for his energetic support to the mediation led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. The President also conveyed his gratitude to Ambassador Page for her leadership and the invaluable work of US Embassy Juba. The President underscored as well our strong support for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan
(UNMISS) and the importance of ensuring that it can carry out its mandate to protect civilians and support efforts to ensure accountability for atrocities and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout South Sudan. The United States remains deeply committed to the people of South Sudan and fully supportive of their aspirations for a more peaceful and prosperous future for their young country. www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/01/25/ pressing-peace-south-sudan Read the President’s Statement on South Sudan at: www.whitehouse.gov/ the-press-office/2014/01/23/statementpresident-south-sudan.
14 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government
Enduring Partnership with Haiti by Ricardo Zuniga
P
resident Obama welcomed Haitian President Martelly to the White House. The visit served as an opportunity for the Presidents to discuss the way forward in Haiti, and how the United States can continue to support the Haitian government’s efforts to promote economic growth and strengthen Haiti’s democracy. The Presidents also discussed the close bonds between our two countries, anchored by the dynamic role of the Haitian American community in the United States. In recent years, much of our partnership has been focused on
supporting Haiti’s recovery from the devastating 2010 earthquake, but our relationship is broader than short-term reconstruction alone. With our Haitian partners, we are making steady progress on a number of fronts. Nearly all earthquake rubble has been cleared away. More than 90% of Haitians have transitioned out of camps and into housing. HIV/AIDS is on the decline. Cholera is down 83% from 2011 and the rate of fatality is below 1%. Crime is down. More than 2,000 new members of the Haitian National Police are on the streets since 2011. GDP
growth is on the rise (4% last year). Reliable access to electricity is up – with U.S. assistance having helped rehabilitate and upgrade 5 electrical substations in Port-au-Prince. Crop yields are improving thanks to better seeds, farming techniques, and improved market access provided to 100,000 farmers from USAID. More Haitian children are in school than ever before, including 60,000 students who were able to return to school following U.S. construction of more than 600 classrooms. Haiti continues to face major challenges, but the country has demonstrated its resilience and is moving forward. As it does, the United States remains committed to working with Haiti to create the conditions for sustainable long-term development, stability, growth, and prosperity. www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/02/06/ enduring-partnership-haiti
President Barack Obama holds a bilateral meeting with President Michel Martelly of Haiti in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 15 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
NASA Wants Your HELP!!! K-12 students are asked to research and design ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. NASA and Lockheed Martin are developing the Orion Spacecraft that will carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and on to an asteroid or Mars. Protecting astronauts from radiation on these distant travels is an important -- and very real -- problem that needs solving. Prize: All participants in this challenge, which include students from around the world, will have their names flown on board the Orion as honorary crew members. Deadline: March 14, 2014 Detailed Information: www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/ spacelife/explorationdesign/overview/index.html.
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17 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
www.whitehouse.gov/share/heres-how-comprehensive-farm-bill-goes-way-beyond-our-farms
Community/Public Interest - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
THE WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH, 2014 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION
A
mericans have long celebrated our Nation as a beacon of liberty and opportunity -- home to patriots who threw off an empire, refuge to multitudes who fled oppression and despair. Yet we must also remember that while many came to our shores to pursue their own measure of freedom, hundreds of thousands arrived in chains. Through centuries of struggle, and through the toil of generations, African Americans have claimed rights long denied. During National African American History Month, we honor the men and women at the heart of this journey -- from engineers of the Underground Railroad to educators who answered a free people's call for a free mind, from patriots who proved that valor knows no color to demonstrators who gathered on the battlefields of justice and marched our Nation toward a brighter day. As we pay tribute to the heroes, sung and unsung, of African-American history, we recall the inner strength that sustained millions in bondage. We remember the courage that led activists to defy lynch mobs and register their neighbors to vote. And we carry forward the unyielding hope that guided a movement as it bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice. Even while we seek to dull the scars of slavery and legalized discrimination, we hold fast to the values gained through centuries of trial and suffering. Every American can draw strength from the story of hard-won progress, which not only defines the African-American experience, but also lies at the heart of our Nation as a whole. This story affirms that freedom is a gift from God, but it must be secured by His people here on earth. It inspires a new generation of leaders, and it teaches us all that when we come together in common purpose, we can right the wrongs of history and make our world anew. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2014 as National African American History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
BARACK OBAMA
18 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Champion of African American History:
Carter G. Woodson by Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls
to Washington, D.C. and joined the Dunbar High School staff, which at that point was called the "M Street School." He taught there for years until joining the faculty at Howard University, where he began teaching Howard's first ever black history courses. Carter Woodson spent his career promoting the importance of black history as part of the American story, and in context of the birth and evolution of global civilizations. With
I
n the fall of 1870, a handful of students made their way through the northwest quadrant of the nation's capital, and through the doors of D.C.'s "Preparatory High School for Colored Youth," the country's first public high school for African American children. There, in the shadow of the American Civil War, and dawned with the spark of reconstruction, a converted basement-turned-classroom in the lower floor of Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church bore the seeds of Dunbar High School, which would become one of the country's preeminent institutions for African American educational achievement. The students and teachers who graced its hallways would be heard through the years in the halls of Congress, in the highest ranks of the U.S. military, at the heart of our civil rights movement, and in the upper echelons of medical and scientific study. One such voice was that of Carter G. Woodson; a journalist, author, historian, and co-founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). It was through his work with the ASNLH that Woodson spearheaded the celebration of "Negro History Week" in America, which served as the precursor to
Black History Month, which was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976. The son of former slaves, Woodson grew up poor, and unable to attend school regularly. Still, he managed to master scholastic fundamentals on his own. After entering high school at the age of 20, he earned his degree in 2 years and continued on with an impressive academic career earning a bachelor's degree from Berea College in Kentucky, a post as a school supervisor in the Philippines for nearly five years, a master's degree in 1908 from the University of Chicago, and his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University in 1912. After Harvard, Woodson moved
the publication of The Journal of Negro History, the formation of the ASNLH, and the inception of Negro History Week, Woodson is often cited as the "father of black history," and one of the earliest champions of African American empowerment through historic learning. Woodson taught us that, "those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history." It was his belief that a thorough and prideful understanding of our history as Americans, and a full grasp of the contributions of see Carter G Woodson on page 27
19 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The History America Wants Us To Forget By Phallu Morgan
L
et me start by giving you an example; If you run a series of domino games over 300 years but prevent approximately 14% of the players from learning how to play for approximately 180 years and then give them big, oversized lead gloves to play with for another 80 years. But then turn around and allow them full access to coaches and instructions for approximately 40 years, it will take the 14% quite a few domino games over years/generations to become competitive because the other 86% have advanced their game play by years/generations of practice and repetition. In the 1600’s slavery was started in this country. After slavery ended in 1865 the Emancipation Proclamation did not free slaves immediately. Furthermore,
until the 1960s African-Americans lived under laws that grossly discriminated against them. In the 1960’s, most African-Americans could not vote and had practically no access to higher education. Congress helped by passing the Civil Rights Act
20 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - BLACK HISTORY MONTH in 1964 and Voting Rights acts in 1965 which helped create laws to prevent inequality. They also helped in 1977 by passing the Community Reinvestment Act which intended to open banking to low and moderate-income neighborhoods. Unfortunately, we have still failed to eliminate a lot of inequalities. The laws passed helped but did little to change the mindset of years of hatred and bigotry. My family, as well as many others suffered under generations of knowing that certain doors were closed and it has taken generations for some to overcome that lack of family know-how. To be quite honest, it will take many more generations until the older generation that grew up entrenched in racism and taught that same hate to their children to pass
away. For years in America we have been hearing, “Stop playing the race card!” The truth is that the majority wants everyone to think that slavery was a long time ago, close to medieval times. The racism of the majority will take as many years/ generations to be eliminated as it will for African-Americans to get out of our educational, financial and psychological issues. We need to keep reminding the majority that we are smarter than they think and will not be bullied into adopting their false messages. I sincerely believe that one day Martin Luther King’s dream will be realized and we will not be judged by the color of our skin. Never forget your past, it’s the foundation that built your existence and the secret to your future.
21 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
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Community/Public Interest - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
John Leday, Founder, Pioneer, Legend
J
ohn Austin LeDay, was born in Basile, Louisiana. The seventh youngest of eighteen children born to Alsay and Edna LeDay. John, worked on his father’s farm until age fifteen, at which time he went to work on his uncle’s ranch in Beaumont, Texas. At age 19, he joined the Army serving in Europe with the 4th Engineering Combat Battalion. After his honorable discharge, he moved to Los Angeles, CA. In 1957 he married Christina Cruz and took a job at Tested Products Co. Starting as a $1.45 per hour truck driver, to shipping clerk, and Sales Manager in less than five years. In 1962 with a $3,500 in investment, John acquired a small building located on the south end of Los Angeles and began manufacturing floor care and Janitorial products. Under the company's “FloShine” label he would produce high-end and affordable floor waxes, cleaning products and his now famous “Cowboy” stripper/ degrease. Southend Janitorial Supply would rapidly grow to become a master Distributor for paper products while carrying a complete line of janitorial supplies and equipment. Southend would move to a larger building in the same neighborhood, and by 1967 named one of the top 100 Black Companies in America. In 1970 John and 12 other black business owners formed business alliances and founded the Black Businessmen Association (BBA) of Los Angeles. The BBA became advocates for the advancement and development
of black-owned business to help stimulate the economic growth of the black communities. The BBA is now a nationally recognized advocacy organization. Over the coming years John would travel tirelessly throughout the United States representing the BBA as well as other community organizations. Over the span four decades John LeDay has offered his services to numerous community, minority and small business organizations and programs both locally and on the national stage, other voluntary community affiliations includes: • Appointed by then Mayor Yorty after the civil unrest in Watts to help bridge the gap with big business and the community. • John chaired an organization called “Community Pride” that rehabbed the burned out buildings in Watts and helped reorganize the community after the civil unrest of 1965. • Co-founder of National Community Business Development; a non-profit organization designed to help minority businesses throughout the United States. • Chairman of Equipment Bank, a non-profit organization which received donated equipment from major corporations, which in turn was donated to minority small businesses in depressed areas. • Appointed by Bob Farrell from
the Eighth District, as a board member of the Advisory Council for HUD on Housing and Community Participation Committee where he served for four years as Board Chairman. • Appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to serve on the Advisory Council for California Small Business Development, a position he co-chaired for over six years. • Appointed by the Board of Directors of Southern California Purchasing Council to serve as the first Input Committee Chairman representing minority small business in Southern California. Although John has resigned from the public eye, he remains very active with God and family. He gets away whenever possible to his sprawling ranch in the Louisiana Bayou where he enjoys riding horses, visiting with family, friends, see John LeDay on page 25
24 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Announcing the First White House Maker Faire t the 2012 White House Science Fair, Joey Hudy wowed the President by using a homemade cannon to send a marshmallow flying across the State Dining Room. Joey then handed the President a business card reading, “Don’t be bored, make makke something.”” The say saying ayin ay ing became in beca ame a rallying cry forr the the President’s Presiden nt’s efforts to grow a generation of students who are e “makers of things, thin ng gss, not just consumers consume ers of things.” Inspired by “Joey Marshmallow” Marshm mallow w” and the millions of of citizen-makers citizen-ma ake ers r driving the next era era of American Ame erican innovation, we are thrilled d to announce plans to to host the firstever White House Maker Faire Hous use us se Ma Make kerr Fa ke F aire later this year. Meanwhile, you can an n get get involved invollved d by sending pictures or videos vid ideo eos of eo of your creations or a description of of how you are working to advance advvance the maker the ma make kerr movement ke move mo veme ve ment me nt to to maker@ ma make ake ker@ r@ ostp.gov, or on T Twitter using wiitter usi ing the h hashtag #IMadeThis. Joey’s hash sht sh htag g #IMa M deTh Ma T is. Take Joe oey’ ys advice advvice e – don’t don n’t be e bored, bore bore bo ed, d make make e something. som meth th hing. g. Maybe Mayb be you, you ou, like e Joey, Joe ey, can n take ta ake e your you ou ur making ma aking ng all allll the the e way way to to The House. e White Whitte H ouse usse. Maker Make Ma kerr Faires ke Fair Fa ires ir es and and similar sim imilililar ar events eve vent ntss nt can inspire inspiire more people people l to to become become entrepreneurs and to pursue careers in design, advanced
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manufacturing, and the related fields of science, scien nce ce, technology, technollogy g , engineering gy e gineering en and d mathematics (STEM). (STEM) M). The M) Administration A mi Ad m ni nist stra st ration is already alread ad dy partnering part pa r nering ne ne with and with h companies, comp panies, non-profi non n-profits, tss, a nd communities comm muni un nities to make the th he most m st of this mo this emerging em e mer mer ergi ging gi ng movement. mov ovem emen em entt. The en The Defense Defe De fe fens ens nse Advanced Projects Pro ro oje j cts Agency, orr DARPA, DARPA A, collaborated ed d with the Veteran’s Administration to Vetera an’’s Adm ministtra ati t on support supp port the the creation cre eatiion n of a TechShop Te echShop in Pittsburgh, Pitts sburg rg gh, where whe h re e members mem embe bers be rs can access acce ac esss cutting-edge cuttin ng-edg ge tools for making, andprovided a dproviided an d memberships memberships me for thousands thousand ds off veterans. With funding fund fu ndin nd ing in g from from the the Department Depa De part pa rtme rt ment me nt of nt of Labor, the AFL-CIO and Carnegie Carne egie Mellon University Un niversity are partnering partnerring with Pittsburgh with TechShop Tec echS hS hShop S Pittsb bur urgh g to gh to create cre cr eate an apprenticeship appren nticeship program for fo or 21st-centuryy manufacturing manu ufacturing and d encourage startups startups to manufacture domestically. dome do mest me stic st ical ic ally al lyy. Similarly, Simila arl rlyy, y, with witith h support supp su ppor pp ort or rt from Americorps and leading companies comp co mpan mp anie an iess and ie and foundations, foun fo foun unda datitition da onss, the on the Maker is Mak ker Education Educatiion Initiative Ed Iniitiiative i is working with schools and nd youthyouth th hserving servvin serv se ing ng organizations o ga or ani niza zza atition io s to o provide provide e students sttuden ents ts s with witih access acccess to Making. Makiing ng.. Later L te La ter this thiss year, yearr, the Administration Adm minisstratio on will will launch lau unch an n all-hands-on-deck all-handss-o on-deckk effort provide effo ef fort fo rt tto o pr prov ovid ov ide id e even even more mor ore e students stud st uden ud ents en ts and d entrepreneurs enttrepreneurs access to to the th tools, spaces, and mentors needed to Make. There are many ways in
John LeDay
always a wise word to share and a memory to keep in their heart. At 82 John still runs the day-today operation of Southend Janitorial Supply Inc. The company still flourishes after fifty plus years; still servicing large national accounts, still open to it’s walk-in neighbors and still located in our community, at the very South end of the city.
from page 24
listening to Zydeco and speaking French. On February 2, 2014, John's wife of 57 years, Christine Cruz, departed this world. Christine Cruz Le Day was a remarkable woman, she left an imprint on those who were blessed to know her, with
which companies, universities, mayors and communities, and foundations, and philanthropists can get involved. For example: • Companies could support Makerspaces in schools and afterschool programs, provide their employees with time off to serve as mentors, be “anchor tenants” for makerspaces like Ford’s partnership with TechShop, or, for multi-channel retailers, provide access to consumers for innovative Maker start-ups. Uniiver ersi s ties could add a “Maker • Universities option as part of their Portfolio” option process, create more admissions process, space es on campus for Maker spaces students and the community, and support research re esearch in advancing the support developme ent of better hardware development softwa are tools at national, and software an nd local levels, such as regional, and equipme ent in MIT’s FabLabs. the equipment Mayo Ma yors yo rs and and d communities could • Mayors ini niitiatives like design/ pursue initiatives productitiion on districts that allow production entr en ntrrepreneurs to create more jobs entrepreneurs or initiatives that expand access to Marker spaces, mentorship, and educ ed ucat uc atio at iona io nall opportunities na oppo op port po rtun rt unitititie un iess through ie thro th roug ro ugh ug educational their i schools, sch hools, l libraries, lib ibraries, i muse seum se u s, their museums, comm co m unity organizations.. and community Fo ndat Fo Foun datio da on ns and ns an philanthropists philillan ph nthrop pistts • Foundations c uld provide co prrovvide e matching matchi ma h ng hi g grants gra r ntss to to could comm mmun nitties that tha at are at are r interested int n eresste ed communities in embracing embra mb m braci ra aci cing Making, cing Makkin ng, in in the tth he spirit spirrit in And ndre rew re w Carnegie’s Carn Ca rneg rn egie eg ie’ss support ie sup upp port of Andrew for public publ publ blic ic libraries. lib ibra rari ra ries ri es. In particular, es par artititiccula cula lar, for the Administration has called for special efforts to ensure that girls and under-represented minorities are included in such STEM opportunities. Interested in getting involved? Email your thoughts, questions, or creations to maker@ostp.gov. Working together, we can prove that in America, the future really is what we make of it. www.whitehouse.gov/ blog/2014/02/03/announcing-firstwhite-house-maker-faire
25 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Celebrate African-American History With These College Scholarships
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ince 1976, every U.S. president has declared February as Black History Month, or National AfricanAmerican History Month. It's an important time set aside to recognize and celebrate the achievements of black Americans and the pivotal contributions they have made to their country. In honor of Black History Month, The Scholarship Coach has gathered a few scholarship opportunities available specifically to African-Americans who dream of earning a college degree. If this is you, we recommend checking out the following scholarship programs to help you offset the cost of tuition so you can graduate from college without breaking the bank. Are you planning on attending one of these historically black colleges and universities (www.uncf. org/sections/MemberColleges/ MemberColleges.asp)? If so, we encourage you to take advantage of the scholarship opportunities offered by the United Negro College Fund (https://scholarships. uncf.org). To get started, you must complete the UNCF General Scholarship Application (https:// scholarships.uncf.org/Program/ Details/e878ac43-a3ee-49fb-a4fc2421ed7712ff), which allows you to match and apply to as many of the scholarships for which you are
eligible. Each scholarship managed by UNCF has its own open and close dates, eligibility criteria and required documentation. Some do have their own applications, which you will need to complete separately. The UNCF offers hundreds of scholarships available specifically to African-American students, so make sure you complete the general application well in advance of the May 31 deadline to take
full advantage of these excellent opportunities. In addition to those myriad scholarships, the UNCF has also teamed up with The Merck Company Foundation and Merck Global Diversity Inclusion team to create the UNCF Merck Science Initiative (http://umsi.uncf.org). The initiative strives to increase the number of minority students in sciences and engineering, currently see Scholarship Coaching on page 27
26 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Scholarship Coaching from page 26
standing at only 3%, according to the program’s website. The 15 undergraduate scholarships, 12 graduate dissertation fellowships and ten postdoctoral research fellowships are among the most highly prestigious awards offered exclusively to African Americans. The awards include substantial funds for tuition, room and board, plus other exceptional opportunities, such as internships, available only to scholarship or fellowship winners. Though you’ll have to wait until fall to submit your application, the process is lengthy, so we suggest getting started well in advance of the September deadline. African American students shouldn't miss out on applying for Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships (www. thurgoodmarshallfund.net/ scholarship/about-scholarshipsprogram), which average over $3,000 per student per semester.
Carter G. Woodson from page 19
black people would provide us the foundation and vision we need to confidently contribute to society, and reach our full potential. I was struck by Carter Woodson's story both as we observe Black History Month at the White House, and as I reflect on the tangential story of another Dunbar faithful. My father, Dr. James E. Bowman, who would be 91 years old today, attended Dunbar and graduated at the age of 16, decades after Mr. Woodson had moved on, and amidst another era of struggle and restructuring in America. He would later become a renowned
Available to African-American students attending one of more than 50 Thurgood Marshall College Fund member schools and awarded based on need and merit, these scholarships have been an excellent resource for students since the organization’s inception in 1987. Applicants should demonstrate leadership qualities, service experience and hold a 3.0 GPA to meet eligibility criteria. You can start applying for the various scholarships offered beginning now, however make sure you check back often, as additional scholarships will be added during the month of February. Lastly, make sure you check out two scholarship opportunities offered by the NAACP, managed by the Poise Foundation (www. poisefoundation.org) and available to graduating high school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students. The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship (www. poisefoundation.org/programs/ scholarships/post-secondary/180. html), established in memory of a longtime NAACP member, is
available to current members of the NAACP under the age of 25. Between 20 and 40 scholarships worth $2,000 apiece are offered every year. Men should also check out the Hubertus W.V. Willems Scholarships for Male Students ( w w w. p o i s e f o u n d a t i o n . o r g / programs/scholarships/postsecondary/179.html), which are offered to engineering, chemistry, physics and math majors. Though not required, participation and membership in the NAACP is preferable for this scholarship, as well. The 20 to 40 scholarships awarded yearly are worth $3,000 each. To meet application eligibility requirements for both of the above scholarship programs, you must demonstrate financial need, hold at least a 2.5 GPA and be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S.
pathologist and expert in genetics and inherited disease, as well as the first African American resident at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, and the first African American to receive tenure at the University of Chicago Division of Biological Sciences. Like Mr. Woodson, and so many others over the years, my dad broke down barriers throughout his life and career, and left us a world better than the one he found. Today, Dunbar struggles against many of the same economic, social, family, and scholastic barriers to success that face so many schools in America, and which leave too many children fighting for the chance they deserve. But we can certainly learn from Carter
Woodson, that we need only look to our past to understand our capacity for forging our own destiny in the face of unrelenting challenges. The strength of our future as a country, as always, lives in the hearts and minds of our young people, and I can think of no surer vessel in which to place our faith. Carter G. Woodson is buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Suitland-Silver Hill, Maryland, and his D.C. home is preserved as a National Historic Site.
www.usnews.com/education/blogs/ the-scholarship-coach/2014/02/06/ celebrate-african-american-historywith-these-college-scholarships
www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/02/05/ champion-african-american-historycarter-g-woodson
www.ls.cc.al.us/blackhistory/ blackhistory.html
27 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government
SBA Amends Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Policy Directives
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he U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has amended its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Policy Directives in response to public comments and input from all parties involved in the program. These amendments - - published on January 8, 2014 in the Federal Register - - can be found and reviewed at https://federalregister. gov/a/2013-31374 for SBIR, and https://federalregister. gov/a/2013-31376 for STTR. The SBIR Program Policy Directive makes several key changes to the SBIR Program
relating to eligibility, the SBIR award process, SBIR Program administration, and fraud, waste and abuse. The changes to the STTR Program Policy Directive have been made to maintain concordance with the SBIR program. SBA also made several minor clarifying changes to ensure that the participants in both programs clearly understand certain program requirements. On December 31, 2011, the President signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. That Act contained the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011, which amended the Small Business Act and made several amendments to
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eing named to the Inc. 500|5000 list is one of the most prestigious tools in an organization’s arsenal. In any economy. Apply now to be included and enjoy: • Acknowledgement of your business’ success from Inc. — the leading publication for entrepreneurs
the SBIR and STTR programs and required SBA to issue amendments to the Policy Directives and publish the amendment in the Federal Register. SBA did so on August 6, 2012. SBA sought public comments on the final Directives, and stated that it may amend the Directives in response to these comments at a later time. This resulted in the January 2014 changes. For more information about SBIR and STTR, please visit www.sbir. gov..” http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/ story/Magic-Johnson-helping-sellObamacare-011514
companies, and a profile on Inc.com for all honorees Inclusion on the Inc. 500|5000 list is a highly coveted mark of entrepreneurial success. It elevates your company above its competitors and is proof of the talent, drive, and hard work you and your team bring to doing business
• Media exposure through national, local, and industry outlets (with over 25 million total media impressions)
GET MORE INFORMATION AND APPLY HERE:
• Editorial coverage in Inc. magazine for the top 500
www.inc.com/inc5000apply/apply. html?CID=em13_2014e2pl
28 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government
Reservists Eligible to Apply for SBA Working Capital Loans by Carol Chastang
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mall businesses that suffered economic losses when the owner or a key employee was called up to active duty are eligible to apply for a low interest loan of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small businesses can apply for a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL) any time from the date of notice of expected call-up and ending one year after the date of discharge or release. The program was created to enable eligible small businesses to pay operating expenses it could have covered if the owner or key employee hadn’t been called to active duty. “The absence of just one employee whose expertise is critical to the success of the company can pose significant challenges for a small business,” said SBA Acting
Administrator Jeanne Hulit. “These Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans provide funds that will help these small businesses cover operating expenses. This way our brave men and women in uniform don’t have to choose between serving their country and growing their businesses.” The MREIDL is a direct working capital loan, managed by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. The interest rate on these working capital loans is 4%, with terms up to a maximum of 30 years. In general, no collateral is required to secure an MREIDL of $50,000 or less. The loan cannot be used to replace lost income or profits, refinance longterm debt or to expand the business. Businesses can apply online at http://go.usa.gov/BcuA. To get an application by mail, or for
other questions about the loan program, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or by email at disastercustomerservice@ sba.gov. In addition to the MREIDL program, the SBA supports veterans starting and growing their businesses through its 68 local SBA district offices, 15 Veterans Business Outreach Centers nationwide, its partnership with 63 Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) with over 900 outreach locations, and 12,000 SCORE volunteers. Each year SBA helps more than 200,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and reservists. To learn more about additional opportunities for veterans available through the SBA, please visit the website at www.sba.gov/veterans.
Quote of Note... “History shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people, including the freedom of religion, are ultimately more just and more peaceful and more successful. Nations that do not uphold these rights sow the bitter seeds of instability and violence and extremism. So freedom of religion matters to our national security.” President Barack H. Obama
29 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
30 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government
10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Care Act from the exchange. Keep in mind, depending on the type of employment coverage available to you, you may not qualify for certain savings offered by the exchanges.
8. Can I buy insurance through Covered California if I already have a serious health problem? Yes. The amount you pay for a health plan will not be affected by your health status. This means that you can’t be charged more because of your health problem. It also means you will not have to wait to get the coverage you need.
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resident Obama’s Affordable Care Act “insurance exchangeâ€? opened throughout the nation, with “Covered Californiaâ€? serving as the State of California’s insurance. For information pertaining to your speFLÂżF KHDOWK FDUH LQVXUDQFH FRQFHUQV visit www.coveredca.com or call 800300-1506.
1506. Multilingual call centers will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. You can also ask that information be sent to you by mail.
4. Does every California resident need to buy health insurance through this marketplace? No. Peo1. Exactly what happened on ple who already have insurance Tuesday, October 1, 2013? For the through their employer or through ÂżUVW WLPH $PHULFDQV EHFDPH DEOH government programs such as Vetto buy health insurance online, by erans Affairs, Medicare or Medi-Cal phone or in person through a new can keep their insurance. marketplace exchange created by President Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Affordable Care 5. Is there a deadline to enroll? Act. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;open enrollmentâ&#x20AC;? period doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end until March 31. But if you want 2. Who is eligible to buy on the the insurance to take effect Jan. 1, marketplace? Can I buy on the ex- youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to buy it by Dec. 15. change even if I am not eligible for subsidies? The exchange can be 6. What does Covered Calused by individuals, families, as well LIRUQLD RIIHU" <RXÂśOO ÂżQG D YDULHW\ RI as small business owners who have private insurance plans with familiar 50 or fewer employees. Many small names such as Anthem Blue Cross, businesses will also be eligible for Kaiser and Health Net. You can enroll substantial tax credits if they use the in the newly expanded Medi-Cal proexchange. gram if your income is low enough. 3. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the California market- 7. If I have insurance from my SODFH FDOOHG DQG KRZ GR , ÂżQG LW" employer, do I have to do anything? Covered California, and its website No, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to, but if you is http://coveredca.com. If you prefer choose to do so, you can drop your to sign up by phone, call 800-300- employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coverage and buy a plan
9. If I have Medicare, can I purchase a plan on Covered California? Yes, but you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get help paying for it. Also, getting extra coverage on the exchange may not make sense. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because Medicare will be your main coverage, but you would still have to pay for a full health plan. Talk about this with an exchange helper WR ÂżJXUH RXW WKH ULJKW VWUDWHJ\ IRU you. 10. Some groups are exempt from being required to have coverage. Who are they? The categories include people who would have to pay more than 8% of their income for health insurance, people with incomes below the threshold required IRU ÂżOLQJ WD[HV WKRVH ZKR TXDOLI\ IRU religious exemptions, members of Indian tribes, undocumented immigrants, and people who are incarcerated. Also the plan is for residents who are citizens or legal permanent residents. Illegal immigrants are not eligible. www.mercurynews.com http://www.contracostatimes.com
31 ď&#x201A;ą February 2014 ď&#x201A;ą Black Business News ď&#x201A;ą www.blackbbusinessnews.net ď&#x201A;ą 1-323-291-7819
33 December 2013 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
SERVING THE INDUSTRY and the TRADE PIPE - VALVES - FITTINGS - METALS - TOOLS PROCESS CONTROLS - INSTRUMENTATION - WATER WORKS
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ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
Samuel L. Jackson: and the Oscar Goes to... By Linda Ware
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amuel L. Jackson is one of the most recognizable Actors in today’s film industry. When it comes to the Oscar and
Jules Winnfield
Golden Globe Awards, Samuel L. Jackson is definitely overdue in terms of receiving the recognition he deserves for his outstanding roles in top films in the Motion Picture industry as we know it. He has been by far the busiest actor over the past quarter of a century. In the natural progression of his outstanding career, it is only fitting that in the near future both the Oscars and Golden Globes should take notice to award Jackson with a Lifetime Achievement Award for the
outstanding roles and contributions that he continues to make to the world of film making. This type of film industry acknowledgement should be given to Jackson as he has truly earned this level of recognition. Jackson’s formula for success is directly connected to his innate ability to bring characters to life representing his commitment to excellence as one of the few steadily working professional African American Actors in Hollywood. In Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever, he played Gator Purify, a man addicted to crack cocaine who managed to get his hustle on with his girlfriend at his side played by Halle Berry. This role earned him an award for Best Supporting Actor at the Cannes see Samuel L. Jackson on page 37
36 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Entertainment
Samuel L. Jackson from page 36
International Film Festival. Under the direction of Quentin Tarantino in Pulp Fiction, Jackson delivered an emotionally charged performance in his riveting portrayal of Jules Winnfield co-starring with John Travolta and a strong cast of supporting actors. Although Jackson received an Academy
modern film industry, Shaft stands as one of the most historically groundbreaking films in urban film history with stars like Richard Roundtree setting the trend for the
Stephen Award nomination, it was Quentin Tarrantino and Roger Avary who won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. From dope addicts to military officials, his ability to portray a wide array of distinct and unique types of characters is unmatched. In Jackie Brown, Jackson played a pony tail wearing black market gun runner by the name of Ordell Robbie with an all star cast including Robert DeNiro, Bridget Fonda, Robert Forester and Pam Grier. The film became an urban classic largely in part to Jackson’s powerful role that grabbed fans and critics’ attention with his dynamic on screen work. When we look at the history of African American stars in the
Harrison
depiction of African American males as strong, intelligent characters. With Roundtree setting the bar for African American male stars, Samuel L. Jackson took the role of Shaft to a new level. J a c k s o n delivered a commanding performance as Colonel Terry Childers starring a l o n g s i d e Ford in Rules of
Gator Purify
Shaft Engagement. In Patriot Games he captured the military role of Lieutenant Commander Robby Jackson. In A Time to Kill, he played the unforgettable character of Carl Hailey a role that garnered rave reviews for the megastar actor. In The Negotiator, his role as Danny Roman illustrated his range in multifaceted character portrayals in the suspense film genre. In the Star Wars film trilogy, Jackson portrayed the sword toting action character, Mace Windu, master of the Jedi High Council, a role that illustrated Jackson’s brilliance as a consummate actor in dramatic roles but also showing his mastery as a see Samuel L. Jackson on page 38
Halle Berry
37 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Entertainment
Samuel L. Jackson from page 37
sci-fi star. In Django Unchained, he played the role of a house slave, Stephen, a role that captured the attention of audiences as a result of Jackson’s poignant characterization in expression and personal depth. In the superhero film industry, Jackson shines equally as his presence in crime dramas. His role as Nick Fury received rave reviews in Iron man, Iron Man 2, and The Avengers series. He is a globally identifiable actor in the urban and mainstream film markets. The box office numbers on Jackson’s films are mind boggling. Jackson since his career began, Jackson has shored up an acting resume with over 90 motion picture roles in box office films and with global box office revenues soaring over 12 billion dollars. The total of the box office revenues of Jackson films are incredibly above the totals for of any other film actor in today’s market. In the meantime, Jackson continues to work with the same vigor and rigorous schedule as what has made him the megastar he is today. Jackson recently wrapped up
working on the set of the action film, Robocop, with Michael Keaton directed by Jose Padilha. The film is set for release in the USA on February 12, 2014. In all his successes, he expressed that the man who inspired him more than any other human being on the planet is not another celebrity or producer in the industry but rather global leader, Nelson Mace Windu Mandela. “I have never met a better person in my life”, says Jackson in retrospect. Perhaps a political leadership role lies in his future. For now, he continues to be a force to be reckoned with on the big screen with the humility and grace comparable to a Mandela as Hollywood’s most successful and in demand big screen actor of all time. Yet with all the success of his star
PAFF February 2014
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he 22nd Annual Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) (www. paff.org) will be held on February 6-17, 2014 in Los Angeles. The film festival is the nation’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival. Over the years, it has showcased films from all parts of the world, including Angola, Austria, England, Bermuda, Canada, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Nigeria, and of course,
status, the multiple portrayals of characters across every genre of film making, and the high demand for his work in major films, Jackson has not received a Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor Award as an Academy Award or a Golden Globe for any of the powerful film roles that he has portrayed.
the United States. With the pulse on the international film market, PAFF has opened the minds of its audiences, and transported them to lands far away and back home again. “Over the years, the filmmakers from around the world have become more sophisticated in telling their stories,” says Asantewa Olatunji, the director of programming for PAFF. The Pan African Film Festival schedule is at www.paff. org
38 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
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: Increased visibility for AEG business opportunities Extended Company Profile in online directory Direct email updates from AEG clients and buyers Easy accounts payable information sharing Increased 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:
https://supplier.aegworldwide.com
Hollywood Buzz Report & Celebrity News by Linda Ware through the lives of those who live and breathe the music and all that comes with it. Daniels is vetting Danny Strong (The Butler, Screenwriter) as co-exec producer. Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey • Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry are teaming up again this time announcing the debut of Perry’s new series, Single Mom’s Club, which will debut on OWN in the fall season of 2014. The show will be based on the film, Single Mom’s Club, which stars Tyler Perry and Nia Long. The film will open in movie theaters nationwide on March 14,2014.
• Ice Cube’s action comedy film, Ride Along, is the surprise ticket at the box office soaring to the number one position at box offices nationwide. Ice Cube stars alongside Kevin Hart in the new hit movie. With the success of its recent release, there is no doubt that we can look for a Ride Along II. Ice Cube is one of the major producers of the film through his film production company, Cube Vision Productions.
• TV One will officially broadcast the highly anticipated 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards this month which is set to air on February 22, 2014. This year will mark the first year that TV One will broadcast the awards show. • Wayne Brady will host the 2014 BET Honors to be held on February 24, 2014. • Kerry Washington fans will happy to know that new episodes of Scandal are set to air beginning on February 27, 2014 on ABC Television.
• Steve Harvey is getting ready to get busier on network television. In addition to being the host of Family Feud, he is gearing up to host his own daytime talk show on February 10, 2014.
Steve Harvey
• Lee Daniels, one of the industry’s most celebrated directors best known for his hit film The Butler, is set to produce a new dramatic series for Fox Television entitled Empire. The series will be based on showing the world of hiphop
• Celebrated actor, Samuel L. Jackson, has back to back film releases this season with Robocop debuting on February 12, 2014. Jackson is also set to appear as Nick Fury in movie theaters across America this April in the box office debut of the highly anticipated film release, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Fans will see another side of Fury in the upcoming release.
• Get On Up, the motion picture biopic on the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, is continuing its power casting process announcing the addition of popular singer, Ralph Tresvant, to the cast. Tresvant will play the role of the legendary Sam see Buzz Report on page 41
40 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Entertainment
Lance Gross
Buzz Report from page 40
Cooke along side an all star cast including Viola Davis, Jill Scott and Dan Akroyd. Mick Jagger is producing this highly anticipated film. • Babyface is currently in the recording studio producing a brand new CD release for the Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin. The CD release is set
for debut in the spring of 2014. • Music Mogul and record label executive, Clive Davis, developed and debuted one of America's most celebrity R&B pop stars of all time, Ms. Whitney Houston. Davis saw within Houston an extraordinary talent and surrounded her with the best of the best to debut her music to audiences around the world. After capturing America's heart through multiple Grammys and recognition awards, Houston soon became
the new Queen of Pop setting the bar high as one of the most dynamic vocalists of all time. Davis is now in preparation to produce the powerful story on the silver screen through the making of the motion picture biopic on the life of the legendary Whitney Houston. According to Hollywood sources, Davis is considering Pop Star Rihanna and Meagan Good to star as Houston with further details to be announced. • Will
and
Jada
Pinkett
are
Whitney Houston
teaming up with Jay Z in a power producer think tank on the creation of a new comedy series in development for television about the world of electronic dance music. • Mary Mary’s reality show returns to WE-TV this month on February 27, 2014 with the show’s season three of episodes. • Erica Campbell's new solo gospel CD, The Help, is due out March 24, 2014. • Actor Lance Gross, best known for his role as Calvin on the TBS sitcom Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, is set to star in NBC’s drama series, Crisis, where he will portray a secret service agent on the series. • The reality series, The Preachers Of L.A., was recently given the green light for season 2. This is surprising because many people feel they should not have had a season 1 in the first place. The new season will begin this fall on the Oxygen network. Season 3 will include segments in L.A. and move across the US to include other cities, including Houston and Atlanta.
41 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
TO RECEIVE COMPUTER Attend 3 Hour Boot Camp Monday – Friday 10am – 1pm 4pm – 7pm Saturday 11am – 2pm Locations: Vary – Call For Schedule Questions: Call (323)754-3116 or Email: info@laoic.org
Business
Oprah 2.0: Book Club Marries Magazine, TV and Digital By Rachel Aydt
R
eading the original Oprah Book Club list is like throwing yourself into a dizzying cultural time machine. From Charles Dickens to Gabriel Garcia Marquez to Toni Morrison, her Book Club picks from the platform of her storied ABC television talk show imprinted a new generation of readers with classics, both new and old. When her talk show went away, her Book Club did too after a long 15-year run that spread “The Oprah Effect” across the lucky publishers of roughly 70 books. Her first selection, The Deep End of the Ocean, the first novel by Jacquelyn Mitchard, was such a huge success that after being chosen it skyrocketed Mitchard into a sort of writer’s life in reverse, with global success being an immediate effect of the selection. All good things come to an end, of course, but this doesn’t mean Oprah stopped reading. Now, with her OWN network up and running in full swing, her literacy advocacy has newly billed itself as Oprah 2.0. Sue Monk Kidd’s latest, The Invention of Wings, was named in December as the third book, propelling it to the #2 slot on USA Today’s list of the bestselling books of 2013. The inaugural book of Oprah 2.0 was Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, selected in June 2012, when it was already a bestseller. This was followed by The Twelve Tribes of Hattie, a debut historical novel by Ayana Mathis picked later that year, which never quite caught
on, peaking at #41 on USA Today’s bestseller list at the time. With The Invention of Wings, Oprah revisits an author who already benefitted greatly from the first club over a decade ago with her hit The Secret Life of Bees. “I think you’re going to love this [Wings] because it is layered, gripping, and it’s historical,” says Oprah in an online video clip directed Ayana to her new Book Mathis Club members. So what’s the same this time around? “Oprah is passionate for books and authors, and this reflects her desire to share what she loves with her followers,” explains Leigh Haber, books editor for O Magazine. “I say ‘Followers’ because as opposed to picking books on her show (ABC) it was just a question of sharing them with her viewing audience.” This time around, a vast infrastructure of digital media promises to boost visibility and sales, with new opportunities for connecting readers with the books she loves. “The major difference is that a much broader platform encompasses the digital book world. The reinvention of the club was to take advantage of all the platforms and reach much a broader spectrum.”
As with most magazine editors these days, Haber’s job responsibilities extend far beyond the printed page, but she’s not complaining. “This has been a great way to get to know colleagues from other wings of the Oprah franchise. I work closely with Leigh Newman at Oprah.com to coordinate our coverage. Sometimes they’ll do extra coverage for books that we can’t get to because of leadtime, so it’s a mutually beneficial
relationship. Plus, there are so many social media experts at OWN, Hearst, and at Oprah.com… As an editor you have to educate yourself, but you have a lot of support around you. It’s fun.” With the 2.0 iteration of the club, Oprah is able to contribute her personal comments about the books, which she does on her own iPad through the special digital edition. It’s not an insignificant observation that the first three picks of 2.0 were written by women. “For this book, one of the points she makes is how imprisoned women were in their roles, whether slave or free and how much hard work and sacrifice went into changing their situations,” says Haber. “She see Oprah 2.0 Book Club on page 45
44 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
Oprah 2.0 Book Club from page 44
highlights her favorite passages throughout the book, which is
awesome for book clubs.” The seamless conversation that takes place between the platforms creates a marketer’s dream of round-the-clock buzz. Take Twitter, for example. Scroll down on @OprahsBookClub and the accolades for her latest selection roll in with a genuine enthusiasm that puts most blurb copy to shame. (Posted one Oprah follower of Kidd’s latest, @RayTharp, “One of the most astronomically wonderful, inspiring & uplifting books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read.”) O Magazine, which was named by AdWeek as Launch of the Year in 2001, touts a monthly circulation of 12 million, and subsequently offers a huge amount of pulp real estate to Oprah’s support of books.
The January issue features an interview with Kidd, as does The OWN network, which recently aired Kidd’s interview with Oprah in the coveted Super Soul Sunday slot.
“In the magazine we have four pages a month for book coverage. We have our Reading Room, our Q&A with the author, Picks to Pick up Now, as well as special features for summer reading and our holiday issue, offering even more coverage,” says Haber. Readers who subscribe to Oprah 2.0’s email newsletter will loop back to the magazine coverage with links out to Oprah.com book features like “7 books that will make you smarter, happier and calmer”, “Memoirs that will get you through hard times,” and “3 reads that will point your life in the right direction.” Publishers who hit the Oprah Pick lottery can expect a long process. “Once she makes the pick, wheels start turning to support that pick
and to work with publisher to bring announcement and news to as many people as possible,” says Haber. Publishers and readers alike shouldn’t expect to see a regularly scheduled rollout of books, nor should they expect their backlist classics to be randomly selected as happened previously. “It’s hard to predict when they’ll be selected because it’s so organic and personal to what she responds to,” says Haber. Will there continue to be posthumous selections? “My impression is that her preference is to work with authors,” she says, unable to answer what Oprah’s whims will be with certainty, but keeping in mind the full scope of media possibilities. Read between the lines and it’s likely that Hemingway won’t be resurrecting to appear on Super Soul Sunday. http://publishingperspectives. com/2014/01/oprah-2-0-book-clubmarries-magazine-tv-and-digital
45 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
Prediction: Pendulum to Swing Back from Online to In-Store Buying from Joe McKendrick
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aybe brick-and-mortar stores will be part of our future after all. An IT industry visionary predicts that within the then next five years, buying in stores will be a smarter, more engaging experience than e-commerce. IBM has released its annual "5 in 5" predictions (www.research.
ibm.com/cognitive-computing/ machine-learning-applications/retailstores.shtml#fbid=fd2mC4wnTD8)
from some of its leading thinkers,
and an interesting and counterintuitive forecast pops out: that in-store purchasing will come back even stronger and surpass e-commerce. This flies in the face of all the conventional wisdom we've become accustomed to over the past decade, and even more astonishing is that it comes out of one of the world's leading tech companies. Online sales topped the $1 trillion mark worldwide last year. However, online stores are getting
smarter about the experiences and interactive digital experiences they can offer onsite. And there's even an instant gratification element available there as well, says Sima Nadler, IBM research lead for retail. "Being local will become increasingly important as shoppers demand the instant gratification of their purchases. Two-day shipping will feel like snail mail when a local store can offer customers a variety of fast pick-up or delivery options, see In-Store Buying on page 47
46 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
In-Store Buying from page 46
wherever they are." But the pendulum swinging back to physical stores doesn't suggest a return to low-tech shopping by any means. If anything, technology is boosting the on-site shopping experience. As explained in a video accompanying Nadler's prediction: "Advances in augmented reality, wearable computing, and location-based technologies will give shoppers richer in-store experiences. And as consumers share more personal information, they'll see retail stores transform into immersive shopping destinations personalized just for them. Buyers will tap cloud-based cognitive systems to get a clear understanding of their customers, and plan their store inventory more precisely." Many retailers support a multichannel shopping experience, with both a strong physical presence as well as online, and there is a great deal of overlap and interchange between the channels. A customer may likely do his or her research online for a product, then visit the store to more closely examine the actual item. Or, a customer may see an item in a store, and go online to shop for the best deals -- right there in the store. And, let's face it -- humans are social animals. Shopping and commerce has always been a big part of that social existence, going back to the marketplaces and agoras of olden days. Sitting in a room at home by oneself to do shopping may be convenient (especially this time of year), but there's always been a sizzle and spark to getting out and visiting stores.
commerce Disclosure: IBM is the prime sponsor of SmartPlanet. Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ ibm_research_zurich/11394858974/ sizes/z/in/photostream
IBM "5 in 5" Predictions
Read about and view all of the predictions in the "5 in 5" StoryMap at: www.research.ibm. com/cognitive-computing/machinelearning-applications/retail-stores. shtml#fbid=fd2mC4wnTD8 and www. flickr.com/photos/ibm_research_ zurich/11394858974/lightbox.
www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/ prediction-on-site-buying-will-beat-e-
47 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
RIO 2016 OLYMPIC COMMITTEE Partnership & Contract Opportunities For a list of current Rio 2016 Olympic Sponsors visit: http://rio2016.com/en/organising-committee/partners
Your American Contact: joel.Reynoso@trade.gov
For information on the Games visit http://export.gov/brazil/games/index.asp
For information on participating in or supporting the Voting Rights Act restoration movement visit these and other organization websites: • 50th Anniversary March on Washington - http://50thanniversarymarchonwashington.com.
• National Action Network - http://nationalactionnetwork.net/mow/
• NAACP - www.naacp.org
• National Urban League - http://nul.iamempowered.com
• Rainbow/PUSH Coalition
Verizon is joining forces with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and a number of other businesses and community organizations to help promote safe driving through
- www.rainbowpush.org
• Project Vote - www.projectvote.org
F
O
U
N
D
A
T
I
http://trayvonmartinfoundation.org
It Can Wait. http://itcanwait.com
48 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
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Business
Crowdtilt and Crowdhoster, Helping Us ALL Raise Money by Sonya James
I
ndiegogo (www.indiegogo. com) and Kickstarter (www. kickstarter.com) have forever changed how people raise money for creative projects. Launched in 2008 and 2009, respectively, millions of people have used the sites to realize their creative dreams. But what about the people who want to crowdfund for, say, a beer pong tournament? Or a night on a party bus? These poor funloving souls have, until recently, been left off the crowdfunding train, so to speak. Enter Crowdtilt (www.crowdtilt. com). Co-founded by James Beshara in 2012, Crowdtilt helps
people pool money together for anything from pool parties to political campaigns – things Kickstarter and Indiegogo don't allow their platforms to be used for. Crowdtilt takes a 2.5% cut, which is lower than average, in hopes not to deter people from financing every scale of event (think a Friday night out on the town to a down payment on a house).
Inspired by their rapid success, the Crowdtilt team launched Crowdhoster ( w w w . crowdhoster. com) in August 2013. It's the first free, customizable crowdfunding p l a t f o r m which allows users total control of their brand, funding goals, URL hosting, and communications. This means users don't need to use predetermined metrics or graphics. They can design the site to their needs and keep all of the profits. There are three areas that crowdfunding has left relatively untouched: One, civic crowdfunding. Projects you care about in your city from a toll road on the private side to a park project on the public side. Two, political crowdfunding. If Hillary Clinton wanted to raise money for her presidential run, crowdfunding would be a natural fit. But what tool would she use? Kickstarter restricts politics. But more than that, she would likely not use Crowdtilt.com, she would use her own brand. Lastly, the area that I think will
take to crowdfunding the most over the next two or three years will be
commercial crowdfunding. Right now you go to Crowdhoster. com and just fill out a couple of fields and click “launch.” I foresee it as being open and remaining open, true to open source philosophy. There will also always be a free version of Crowdhoster. Certain products don’t align with our credit card processing service provider – like firearms and pornography. They might even be legal but they won’t be processed. But the software allows you to plug in your own credit card processing and you’re up and running. We will not restrict campaigns thematically. That goes against the purpose of building this. Our belief and hope is that crowdfunding will end up being a source for good – a tool that groups do amazing things with as opposed to use for nefarious purposes. www.smartplanet.com/blog/puregenius/qa-james-beshara-co-founderof-crowdtilt-and-crowdhoster-onhelping-us-all-raise-money/?tag=nl. e662&s_cid=e662&ttag=e662&ftag=T RE383a915
50 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
Microsoft BizSpark Kickstarts New Software Businesses
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icrosoft Corporation created the BizSpark ( w w w. m i c r o s o f t . c o m / bizspark) program to support entrepreneurship and help startups grow their business. By providing founders with access to leading technology products, business and technical support, and market visibility, Microsoft is assisting young companies in their early
years, when they need it most. • More than 50,000 startups from over 100 countries are enrolled in the program. The program was founded in November 2008. • The three-year program provides startups with access to a global community of advisors, investors and partners as well as Microsoft software and services. • More than 1500 BizSpark Network Partners assist startups through financial and legal assistance, mentoring, networking and business advice. • Thirty-five percent of these members are in the U.S., with the remainder based internationally.
How To Participate in BizSpark • To qualify, startups must be less than five years old, be privately held, have less than $1 million (U.S.) in revenue and be
developing software. • Startups can apply for program membership at https://www.microsoft. com/bizspark/SignUp/ default.aspx or be nominated by one of 1500 BizSpark Network Partners around the world, including academic and government institutions, investors, incubators and mentors. • At the end of three years, companies graduate, retaining perpetual licenses to all the software used while in the program and significant discounts on support and new software.
Program Benefits • Software. Members receive immediate access to current, full-featured Microsoft software development tools, platform technologies and server products to build software applications. BizSpark members also get monthly Windows Azure benefits enabling them to quickly build, deploy and manage web applications. • Support. Startups become part of the BizSpark ecosystem and get access to world-class mentors, potential investors, clients, advisors, partners and valuable offers to help run their business. Startups also get access to technical, product and business training & support. • Microsoft BizSpark Partner
Network. To help early-stage technology startups, BizSpark enables access to a community of more than 1500 partners around the world — all involved in supporting entrepreneurship by providing mentoring, advice, investment, training, marketing and services. Some partners include Startup America Partnership LLC, Startup Weekend, Founder Institute Inc., DEMO, TechStars, SVForum, Seedcamp, RocketSpace Inc., 500 Startups and many more. More details can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/ bizspark/Partners/Default.aspx. • BizSpark Alumni. Graduates retain perpetual licenses to all the software used while in the BizSpark program and significant discounts on support, cloud access and new versions of software.
Additional Microsoft Programs for Entrepreneurs • Microsoft Ventures. www. microsoftventures.com. • Microsoft Innovation Centers (MICs). www.microsoft.com/mic/ default.aspx. • Microsoft DreamSpark. www. dreamspark.com. • Imagine Cup. www.imaginecup. com.
51 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
Microsoft Names John Thompson as Chairman By Dina Bass and Peter Burrows
with rivals including Apple Inc. and Google Inc. In picking Thompson, the board is betting that he’ll be able to use his experience running a security-software company to help turn around Microsoft. “Thompson’s going to be a major voice for the company,” James Staten, an analyst at Forrester Research, said in an interview. “They wouldn’t have made him chairman, if he didn’t have strong opinions about how to drive the company forward. And Satya is looking for strong partners on the board.”
Board Responsibilities
W
ith Microsoft Corp.’s appointment of John Thompson as chairman to replace co-founder Bill Gates, the world’s largest software maker is looking to the veteran technology executive as the main outside voice in its new leadership structure. Thompson was the lead independent director heading the board’s search for a new chief executive officer, resulting in the appointment of Microsoft insider Satya Nadella to replace
Steve Ballmer, the Redmond, Washington-based company said in a statement today. While the naming of Thompson and Nadella, who were already involved in Microsoft’s transition, signal continuity, it’s also the biggest break in the company’s history as the Gates-Ballmer duo who have been in charge for more than three decades step aside. The former CEO of Symantec Corp., Thompson, 64, is stepping in at a crucial point as Microsoft remakes itself to better compete
In a video that Microsoft posted online, Thompson said he was “looking forward to working closely with Satya and other members of the board. The board is always focused on long-term success of this great company and takes seriously its responsibilities to shareholders to ensure long-term success.” As Microsoft’s key products face decline, Thompson and Nadella will oversee a transition to a new organizational structure and integrate the $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia Oyj’s handset unit. The see Thompson New Chair on page 53
52 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
Thompson New Chair from page 52
management transition at Microsoft follows the worst decline on record for personal computers in 2013, when shipments dropped 10% and are projected to languish through 2017.
Florida Roots
The board, in annual reviews, rebuked the CEO for poor results in Windows and tablets machines, even as it lauded areas such as server software and expense cutting. Thompson helped to create an environment that sped Ballmer’s decision to retire, according to people with knowledge of the matter, and the director led the board in pressing the CEO on his strategy. Thompson listened to each board member and made sure Ballmer heard them, improving lines of communication and making strategy talks more productive, the people said.
people familiar with their thinking have said. Gates and Ballmer together own 8.3% of the stock; Gates is Microsoft’s largest individual shareholder with a 4.3% stake. A new director set to join the board next month is Mason Morfit, president of activist shareholder ValueAct Holdings LP. He’s eager to see Microsoft emphasize its business software and Internetbased cloud services rather than consumer technology, people familiar with the situation have said.
The son of a Florida postal worker and a teacher, Thompson joined International Business Machines Corp. straight out of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical The board, which is expanding University in 1971. The IBM to 10 members with the addition interviewer said he was interested in a stereo, so Thompson spent the session trying to sell him one, Thompson wrote in a New York Times column in 2012. He wound up with a job as a sales representative for IBM in Tampa, Florida. Thompson likes to tell people he spent “27 years, 9 months and 13 days at IBM” before joining technology security company Symantec as CEO in 1999. He took the company from $600 million to $6 billion in sales over his decade-long tenure, before stepping down in 2009. Microsoft’s new chairman also currently runs Virtual Instruments Inc., a San Jose, California-based maker of software that (l to r) Chairman John Thompson, CEO Sayta Nadella, Co-founder Bill Gates, tracks application and former CEO Steve Ballman. hardware performance. In an of Nadella, includes seven interview late last year, Thompson Board Moves independent directors. Three of the said he was determined to take the The new chairman is only seven have been on the board for company public, something he has Microsoft’s second since the more than eight years, including 33 never done in his career. company was founded by Gates years for David Marquardt, an early Performance Management and Paul Allen in 1975. Some investor in the software maker. After joining Microsoft’s board external candidates who discussed http://money.msn.com/businessin February 2012, Thompson was the CEO job with Microsoft news/article.aspx?feed=BLOOM&d involved in discussions about the expressed concerns they would ate=20140204&id=17319595 company’s performance under lack independence if both Ballmer Ballmer, regulatory filings show. and Gates stayed on as directors, 53 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Busines
Magic Johnson's Group Buys WNBA's L.A. Sparks
A
Photo: Richard Mackson Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Earvin "Magic" Johnson
n investment group led by Earvin "Magic" Johnson and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mark R. Walter has bought the WNBA franchise Los Angeles Sparks. The WNBA and NBA Board of Governors have unanimously approved the sale. The investment group includes Dodger co-owners Todd L. Boehly, Robert L. Patton and Stan Kasten. The franchise will remain in Los Angeles and play at Staples Center. The WNBA's 2014 game and television schedule will also be announced this week. "We are thrilled to welcome Magic Johnson and Mark Walter to the WNBA," said WNBA president Laurel J. Richie. "With their proven track record in the business realm, their commitment to the city of Los Angeles through civic engagement,
and their passion for the game of basketball, we look forward to partnering with our new owners to usher in a new era for this iconic team. This is a great day for Los Angeles, the Sparks franchise, its players, and of course, the loyal fans who have been so supportive of the team for 17 seasons." Johnson, who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships in the 1980s, has been involved with the Dodgers since before the 2012 season. "This is a great day for the city of Los Angeles and the Sparks," Johnson said. "The leaders of this great city came together quickly to keep this franchise right where it belongs—in the city of Angels. Thanks to my sister, Evelyn, playing college basketball, I have a great appreciation of the talented players that represent the WNBA. Our
group will now work together to bring our loyal fans another WNBA championship. " Johnson pushed some of his fellow owners of the Dodgers to buy the Sparks after Lakers ownership had decided to pull out. "Earvin came to me and said we need to help save the Sparks and keep them in Los Angeles," Walter said. "The decision was quite easy for our investment group due to the passion Magic has for this city, these great athletes and our phenomenal fans. This team and its great players should remain a part of the sports fabric of this wonderful
city." One of the league's original eight teams, Los Angeles won the WNBA championship in 2001 and 2002, and is the last team to have earned titles in consecutive seasons. Los Angeles advanced to the Western Conference Finals in three of the past six seasons, most recently in 2012. A trio of WNBA All-Stars – forward/center Candace Parker, forward Nneka Ogwumike, and guard Kristi Toliver – headline a talented roster. The reigning WNBA Most Valuable Player, Parker also earned the honor during her rookie season in 2008. Ogwumike took home the WNBA Rookie of the Year award in 2012, the same year Toliver earned the WNBA Most Improved Player award. www.usatoday.com/story/ sports/2014/02/05/magic-johnsonbuys-los-angeles-sparks-wnba-nbamlb/5229137
54 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
How to Comfortably Expand from Your Core Business by Brian Jud
B
lack Business News Editor's Note: This article was prepared for members of the publishing industry. However, if you review the 10 points you will find that they can apply to all business and industry sectors. If you seriously plan to grow your business in 2014 and beyond try these 10 points with minor modifications to #3, #7, #8 and #9. For #3 change 'content' to product or service. For #7 alter 'format of existing content' to 'offering of existing service' or 'features of existing products' or something like that. Consider Honey Baked Ham. Their prime marketing windows are Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas but through their local shops you may purchase a ham or beef sandwich (side dishes, and specialty foods and products) every day of the week. For #8 challenge your suppliers to upgrade and refresh their marketing program or content. If they don't have any ideas, offer some. And for #9, change your mind about your competition and look for partnerships. For instance, if you offer a signature dish at your restaurant, rather than waiting for customers to come to you, package that dish for sale in your local grocery stores to extend your outreach. If you think you are too small to exhibit in a local trade show find a complementary very small business and exhibit together. Even consider participating in a
local Farmer's Market this spring and summer just to test the value of this form of marketing. Enjoy the article and we hope you find your next, great growth proposition.
evolutionary 2. Ask, "How can we build on the capabilities and assets that already make us distinctive to enter new businesses and markets?" 3. Clearly define your target buyers and ask who else can use your existing content. 4. Search for unmet needs among current and new buyers and current and new markets 5. Are there any trends in your target markets that portend future opportunities? 6. How can you create more value for existing and potential customers?
W
hy don't more publishers seek sales in nonbookstore markets where they can sell more books more profitably? One theory is that they are skilled at executing clearly defined strategies but are not comfortable applying out-ofthe-box thinking. Or, when a new idea does emerge it is usually doomed because the publisher is organized to support one way of doing business and doesn't have the organization to support a new one, i.e., special sales. Here are
Ten Ways to Search for New Business Opportunities and Still Stay in Your Comfort Zone. 1. Tackle a business innovation and growth systematically and
7. How can you change the format (ebooks, audio books, calendars, booklets) of existing content to increase sales opportunities? 8. Can you extend your authors' brands to help them generate new sales for their books (i.e., speaking engagements, seminars)? 9. Is there a publisher of complimentary products that is already in the market you seek, one that you could work with on a joint venture? 10. Seek a simple extension of an existing capability or product that has applicability outside your core business. www.bookbusinessmag.com/blog/howcomfortably-expand-your-core-business?e=lion. comm@hotmail.com#utm_source=publishingbusiness-today&utm_medium=enewsletter_ headline_story2&utm_campaign=2014-02-07
55 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/Small_Business_Expo.pdf ď ? 1-646-681-5867
Business
The Parisian Book Fair 2014 When: March 21-24, 2014 (Friday to Monday) Where: Paris Expo – Porte de Versailles, Paris France A U.S. Presence organized by the American Embassy/Commercial Service in Paris
Who attends: Publishers, Distributors, Agents, Bookstores, Teachers, Students? Best Prospects for U.S. Publishers: Contemporary American Literature; Thrillers and Suspense books; Arts, Life Style & Design; Travel & Tourism; Nature & Wildlife; Spiritual and Self-Help Books; Comics, and Children’s Books. U.S Embassy/Commercial Service Paris is proposing 4 Booth Categories: 1. Exhibitor: Small Publishing House - Price: $ 2,405 (the furniture is not included) 2. Booster Package: Small Booth - Price: $ 908 3. A Table in the Right Center Pavilion: - Price: $ 549 4. Catalogue Display (display of 8 titles): - Price: $ 440 For information, registration contact: Valérie Ferrière, Trade Specialist, Books & Publishing Tel: 33-1-43-12-70-77 Valerie.Ferriere@trade.gov AMERICAN EMBASSY PARIS Bobby Hines, International Trade Specialist 444 S. Flower ST, 37th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071 213-894-4231, Cell: 213-276-3675, Fax: 213-894-8789 Bobby.hines@trade.gov Free Webinar: Export Opportunities in Mexico for Textiles and Apparel Thursday, November 7, 2PM EST: Covering: Market, Business culture, NAFTA Overview, Rules of Origins, Q&A https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/editWebReg.do?SmartCode=4Q0K laurie.mease@trade.gov Featured U.S. Exporter – FUSE features your company on U.S. Commercial Service Websites around the world. U.S. exporters seeking trade leads or representation in over 50 markets around the world should register for FUSE at: http:// www.buyusa.gov/home/fuse.html RIO 2016 OLYMPIC COMMITTEE is looking to work with international companies as partners. For a list of current Rio 2016 Olympic Sponsors visit: http://rio2016.com/en/organising-committee/partners Your American Contact: joel. Reynoso@trade.gov For information on Games visit http://export.gov/brazil/games/index.asp Cosmetic Catalog Show Czech Republic. Coming Soon
62 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
HOW TO SELL YOUR BOOK RIGHTS INTERNATIONALLY When: February 18th, 2014, at 10 Pacific Time Where: WEBINAR / at Your Desktop If you are interested in growing your international book rights sales and curious about knowing what experts recommend for working with overseas publishers this is a great and free opportunity to learn and get answers from Lynette Owen, Copyright and Rights Consultant. Registration Deadline: February 14, Friday, 2 pm PST Register Here: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/editWebReg.do?SmartCode=4Q3Z For questions, contact: Maura Kawai at Maura.Kawai@trade.gov or Sara Jones at Sara.Jones@trade.gov.
MORE TRADE OPPORTUNITIES Techtextil North America – International Buyer Program Select International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens May 13 – 15, Atlanta, Georgia www.techtextilNA.com www.texprocessamericas.com kari.martin@usa.messefrankfurt.com
World of Beauty & Spa Prague 2014 - Catalogue Show March 14 – 15, Prague, Czech Republic (www.beautyexpo.cz) COST: $200.00 plus cost to send catalogues to Prague Exhibitor Opportunities & Gold Key Available Register at: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=4K25 Contact: veronick.novakova@trade.gov
Asia Pacific Business Outlook Conference April 7 & 8 @ the University of Southern California Hear/meet with Senior Commercial Trade Officers from American Embassies in Asia. 18 dynamic markets in Two Days. Visit website for details: www.apboconference.com
Discover Global Markets in Africa and the Middle East May 1 & 2 San Antonio, Texas Visit website for details: http://go.usa.gov/WMPP Hear/meet with visiting U.S. Commercial Service Diplomats from 20 markets.
Featured U.S. Exporter – FUSE features your company on U.S. Commercial Service Websites around the world. U.S. exporters seeking trade leads or representation in over 50 markets around the world should register for FUSE at: http://www.buyusa.gov/home/fuse.html RIO 2016 OLYMPIC COMMITTEE is looking to work with international companies as partners. For a list of current Rio 2016 Olympic Sponsors visit: http://rio2016.com/en/organising-committee/partners. Your American Contact: joel.Reynoso@trade.gov For information on Games visit: http://export.gov/brazil/games/ index.asp Bobby Hines, International Trade Specialist 444 S. Flower ST, 37th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071 213-894-4231, Cell: 213-276-3675, Fax: 213-894-8789 Bobby.hines@trade.gov
63 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
FOR
Valentine's Day
OR ANY SPECIAL OCCASION
Business
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. www.spikes.com Spikes Security is a venturebacked Silicon Valley start-up founded in 2012. The company is focused on delivering secure, scalable, high performance software solutions that empower businesses with the freedom to safely leverage the web without fear of cyber attacks. It's initial offering is AirGap™, a powerful browser security solution that prevents all browser-borne malware from entering corporate networks and infecting endpoints.
Traditional detection-based security technologies are reactive and ineffective in stopping the ever growing number of complex zero-day attacks, APTs, and polymorphic threats delivered through the browser. The AirGap web security solution solves this problem with a patented, highly secure, virtualized browser isolated outside the firewall. All web content is accessed by end users through a lightweight, high performance viewer on the user desktop (and soon
mobile devices). This “air gapped” separation between the user and the browser ensures that the enterprise network will never be infected by browser-borne malware. Just as important, end users are empowered to use the web without fear. Visit Spike Documents to get educated on browser security issues. http://tapatalk.com If you've ever tried to follow multiple forums on a mobile browser, you know how inconsistent of an experience it can be. Tapatalk saves you time and makes it easy to follow all of your favorite online communities on your mobile device. You can monitor, post, and add photos to all your favorite forums, all in a single app. You can even elect to receive push notifications on your favorite threads. Tapatalk can also help you discover new forums based on the topics you like to follow. Tapatalk aggregates discussions from internet communities, from automotive to parenting, from gardening to horse-riding - You will meet passionate people who share the same interest and participate in great discussions on topics only you and the like-minded members truly appreciated. Build your own forum app with personalized app icon, look and feel, branding, plus additional fea-
tures including Google AdSense, Google Analytics, Admob, DoubleClick for Publisher, iAd, Push Notifications and more - 100% under your own brand with full control! We welcome existing Forum Runner or vBulletin Mobile Suite license holders to migrate your branded app to us. Your app will be delivered as an Upgrade so existing users can receive an update without downloading another app. http://dropitto.me With DROPitTOme (in Beta devel-
opment) you can securely receive files from anyone to your Dropbox.com account. With DROPitTOme you get an unique upload address: www. dropitto.me/username with password protection. Also, you will receive email notification when a new file is uploaded. When you don't want to receive any files simply turn off the upload feature. After authorization of our application Dropbox will grant us permission to add a folder within your Dropbox account called DROPitTOme. All the files sent to you via DROPitTOme will appear in this box. ALL your other files and folders will remain untouched within Dropbox. You can remove DROPitTOme at any time from your Dropbox account by visiting: https://www.dropbox.com/account#applications At the moment the maximum file upload size is 75MB. This is a free service - illegal or malicious use is not allowed. Submitted by LaSandra Stratton, Chief Content Administrator of the Black Business News.
68 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Fill Out Your FAFSA, Get Help Paying for College
First Lady Michelle Obama takes a selfie with Baltimore student Lawrence Lawson's phone following a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) workshop at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
D
uring her visit to T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, First Lady Michelle Obama asked students a good question: Why would the First Lady of the United States come to a school and spend time with students “just to watch you fill out a computer form?” The answer is that filling out one particular form – the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid – is one of the most important things students and families can do in planning for college success. “You don’t have to be the valedictorian. You don’t have to major in a certain subject,” the First Lady said in her remarks. “You don’t even have to be at the bottom of the income ladder to receive the money.” There is no income cutoff to qualify for financial aid, and most
federal student aid programs don’t take grades into consideration when you apply. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who joined the First Lady at the event, pointed out in his remarks that recent changes have made filling out the FAFSA much easier. “For too long, applying for financial aid and securing the best aid package has been much more complicated, and much less transparent, than it should have been,” Secretary Duncan said. The FAFSA, Secretary Duncan said, now uses “skip logic” so students need only to answer questions relevant to them. Improvements to the web-based form – now used by 98% of applicants – makes the form faster and easier to fill out, less than 30 minutes on average.
Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, provides more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and workstudy funds each year to more than 15 million students paying for college or career school. “Almost everyone is eligible for some kind of financial aid, and all you have to do to access that aid is fill out this one little form,” said the First Lady. “It’s so simple.” Later, Secretary Duncan and the First Lady visited with parents and students, discussing plans for college and how the FAFSA is a key step to achieving their postsecondary dreams. They also talked with school counselors about their work with students. You can take action by filling out the FAFSA (https://fafsa.ed.gov). www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/02/06/ fill-out-your-fafsa-get-help-payingcollege
70 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest
12 Tuition-Free Colleges COOPER UNION Every student enrolled at Cooper Union in New York City currently receives a full-tuition scholarship. But starting in the fall of 2014, the award will only cover half of the nearly $40,000 in tuition and fees charged by the school. The scholarships are merit-based, so students can apply for need-based financial aid to cover remaining tuition. U.S. News rank: 1, Regional Colleges (North).
COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS In exchange for free tuition, students at the College of the Ozarks work on campus 15 hours a week. Possible jobs at this Missouri college include dairy farming and custodial work. U.S. News rank: 10, Regional Colleges (Midwest)
BEREA COLLEGE Kentucky’s Berea College offers a similar deal: Work at least 10 hours on campus, and pay no tuition. Students may also be able to earn low hourly salaries of roughly $4.10 to $7.25. U.S. News rank: 76, National Liberal Arts Colleges
CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC Prospective students must audition for enrollment into Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music. Those accepted receive fulltuition scholarships. U.S. News does not calculate overall rankings for arts schools, including the Curtis Institute.
ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE This small school in Kentucky guarantees free tuition to students who live in the Central Appalachian service area. Residents of
Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee may qualify for Alice Lloyd College’s free tuition program. U.S. News rank: 40, Regional Colleges (South)
WEBB INSTITUTE The Webb Institute, a small engineering school in New York State, gives full-tuition scholarships to all students. The school enrolls fewer than 80 students, and most of them are men. U.S. News does not calculate overall rankings for specialty engineering schools, including Webb.
academy overlooks the Thames River. U.S. News rank: 2, Regional Colleges (North)
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY By pledging to serve in the U.S. Navy after graduation, enrollees at the Naval Academy receive free tuition. Students at the Annapolis institution are known as midshipmen. U.S. News rank: 12, National Liberal Arts Colleges
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY No tuition is charged at the Colorado-based Air Force Academy. After graduation, cadets are required to serve in the military. U.S. News rank: 25, National Liberal Arts Colleges
DEEP SPRINGS COLLEGE Students enrolled at California’s Deep Springs College don’t pay anything but must work on the school’s cattle ranch and alfalfa farm. The small school is a two-year institution, so it is not included in the U.S. News rankings.
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY Tuition is covered for students, also known as cadets, at West Point in New York. In addition to required military service after graduation, enrollees at the United States Military Academy must play on a sports team each semester. U.S. News rank: 17, National Liberal Arts Colleges
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY Students are also known as cadets at the Coast Guard Academy, where tuition is free and postgraduate service is required. Located in Connecticut, the
UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY Students at the Merchant Marine Academy in New York don’t pay tuition in exchange for service after graduation. They spend a "Sea Year" during college, visiting many countries aboard a school vessel. U.S. News rank: 3, Regional Colleges (North)
Other Ways to Pay Less for College Research regional tuition break programs (www.usnews.com/education/ articles/2011/07/27/how-to-qualify-for-outof-state-tuition-breaks), consider ways to get in-state tuition (www.usnews. com/education/best-colleges/payingfor-college/savings/articles/2009/12/23/ how-to-get-in-state-tuition) and explore
the U.S. News Paying for College center (www.usnews.com/education/bestcolleges/paying-for-college) for more ideas. www.usnews.com/education/ best-colleges/paying-for-college/ slideshows/12-tuition-free-colleges
71 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
AFRICA TRAVEL WEEK April 28-May 3, 2014
IBTM Africa
Cape Town International Convention Center Cape Town, South Africa 28th - 30th April 2014 www.africatravelweek.com
An event comprising of three co-located shows –
WTM Africa, IBTM Africa and
ILTM Africa encompassing Africa’s inbound and outbound markets for general leisure tourism, luxury travel and the MICE/business travel sector brought to you by Reed Travel Exhibitions (www.reedexpo.com)
2nd - 3rd May 2014
28th - 30th April 2014
International
U.S. to Boost Public-Private Investment for Growth By Elizabeth Littlefield, President/CEO, OPIC
A
generation ago, many nations across sub-Saharan Africa had to promote their markets to global investors largely on the basis of promise, the bright future over the horizon. Today, the case could not be more different. Tangible, compelling and vivid proof of progress is everywhere at hand. The rate of economic growth during the past decade has been roughly double the rates of the 1980s and 1990s. Africa's economy once rose and fell in tandem with natural resource prices. Now most growth comes from sectors such as transportation, manufacturing, telecommunications, wholesale and retail. While this is long-overdue good news, any African will tell you the news could easily be much better. Even as Africa grows each year, more than half of Africans—some 600 million people—still live without that basic prerequisite of a modern global economy, reliable electricity.
South Korea. The population of those nations combined roughly equals the number of Africans who live without power annually. How can Africa fully compete when countless factories and computers go dark during rolling blackouts? How can it compete in an era of non-stop, round-theclock communication when millions go home to candles or lanterns? Education is stunted. Healthcare suffers. Africa's power deficit is so pervasive that it shaves an estimated two percent off the continent's gross domestic product each year. President Barack Obama's “Power Africa” initiative, announced this June, steps up to this challenge, and it does so in a new, innovative way. Rather than trying to raise and direct donor money from development agencies and foreign countries, the main objective of Power Africa is to harness and catalyze private investment for electrification. President Obama believes Africa's power shortfall can best be solved through the rapid, relentless innovation and cost-conscious refinements encouraged by market discipline. Rather than focusing exclusively on mega-projects, Power Africa will foster a diversity of projects: mini-grid, off-grid, conventional fuels and renewables, as well as efficiency-enhancing projects in transmission and distribution.
POWER AFRICA …the main objective of Power Africa is to harness and catalyze private investment for electrification. The number is hard to conceive. Imagine the productivity loss from a one-day blackout for every nation of Western Europe plus Japan and
The aim is to double access to electrical power across subSaharan Africa. The model is to leverage every one dollar of public funds into at least $2 of private capital—provided investors are willing to meet minimum environmental and social standards, and operate with sound corporate governance. Never before have entrepreneurs and investors been enticed to take and give such a pivotal leadership role in addressing Africa's problems at the intersection of economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability. This public-private financing approach is viable. My agency has been making it work in Africa for four decades. Over the past decade alone, OPIC has supported over $1 billion in power projects across Africa. Currently, we have more than $4 billion in investments here, and it has been one of the fastest growing segments of our portfolio in recent years. In Togo, for example, we provided loans and political insurance to a public-private, OPIC Pres tri-fuel power plant that tripled with Ghana energy production in the Ghana, Se nation and helped reduce and busine blackouts that were crippling to businesses and homes. Just weeks ago, OPIC approved $185 million for a solar park that will feed power into the South African grid. In addition to increasing electrical capacity, it will create good local jobs. The manufacturer and supplier of the solar modules for the park is majority-owned by South Africans. As the sole development finance agency of the United States, we are capable of providing financing, guarantees, political risk insurance, see Investment for Growth on page 75
74 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
International
Investment for Growth from page 74
sident Elizabeth Littlefield holds a press conference in Accra, Ghana following a meeting a’s Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur. Littlefield traveled with an OPIC delegation to enegal and Liberia, where she toured OPIC-supported projects and met with government ess leaders to discuss development investment opportunities.
and support for private equity investment funds. The key difference between OPIC and a private investor, however, is that we participate in a project only if it will generate jobs, improve lives or help communities. We also have a mandate to foster solid business practices and the highest standards of transparency. Accountability is essential. OPIC does not merely hope that such benefits will be generated by our projects. We track results. We evaluate effectiveness. We constantly learn from our experience in projects large and small. One of my primary goals in my visit to West Africa is to listen. We want to hear investment ideas of all types—large or small, high-tech or low-tech. We seek disciplined partners who can combine their unique knowledge of local markets with a passion for commercial excellence and making an impact on people's lives. At OPIC, we believe that true partnerships of shared purpose, returns and impact do more than fulfill our promise to investors. They fulfill Africa's promise to future generations. http://allafrica.com/stories/201312020001. html
Fast Company Names iHub to Top 50 Innovative Companies List iHub (www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2014/ihub) is listed as #38 in the ranking of '50 Top Innovative Companies in the World 2014.' "The idea was that we would work and talk together," says Erik Hersman, founder of the Nairobi, Kenya–based technology center iHub (ihub.co.ke), "and that by putting a lot of smart people in the room, good things would happen." So far, so good: In 2013, the three-year-old iHub passed 10,000 members. Already, 152 companies have grown out of the iHub, many dedicated to applying technology to Africaspecific problems. Above all, it has helped dispel the notion that Africa's tech community is somehow lacking in ideas, talent, or ambitions.
75 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Innternational
Mombasa Port Seals Deal for Sh2.5bn Grant from the US By DANIEL TSUMA NYASSY
T
he Port of Mombasa is to receive a Sh2.5 billion grant from the United States Government given to the East Africa Community to boost trade. The fund, part of US President Barack Obama’s Trade Africa Initiative, will be used to improve efficiency. The United States Agency for International Development (USAid) will channel the fund through TradeMark East Africa. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Kenya Ports Authority general manager engineering services, Engineer Joseph Atonga said the money will be used to expand access roads and implementation of the proposed single window systems. The single window project is meant to link up the customs systems of all five EAC member states allowing for collection of import duties at the first point of entry of goods coming into the region, improve tax collection and movement of imports. The agreement was signed by USAid’s associate administrator, Mr .Mark Feierstein, and TMEA’s chief executive, Mr. Frank Matsaert. Other projects to benefit from the fund include upgrading of berths 1-14, review of KPA Act, construction and modernisation of cargo yards, setting up of two outlet roads and widening of the main roads to the port from the main gate to White House to nine metres.
In doing this, Mr Atonga said, the partnership will greatly move Mombasa p o r t towards realising i t s dream of becoming a global facility of choice for importers a n d exporters. M r Matsaert said the funding will also cater for a general Eastern African trade development package focusing on the North and Central corridors. “The agreement will advance common goals of increasing trade within East Africa by reducing the time and cost of transiting and transporting goods. The partnership will also support East African Community regional integration,” said Mr. Matsaert.
Freight costs Due to poor trade infrastructure in the region, freight costs per kilometre in East Africa are more than 50% higher than those in the US and Europe while within landlocked countries, transport charges can be as high as 45% of the value of exports. “The US Government is an
important partner in promoting regional and economic integration in East Africa. TradeMark EA will continue to focus its efforts on increasing trade and prosperity in the region primarily through investments that have the biggest benefit for the people and the private sector,” said Mr Matsaert. The ultimate objective is to reduce the time to import a container from Mombasa or Dar es Salaam to Burundi and Rwanda by 15% decrease the time a truck takes to cross selected borders by 30% thereby creating greater intraregional trade within the area and support the African Growth and Opportunity Act. www.nation.co.ke/business/Mombasaport-seals-deal-for-Sh2-5bn-grantfrom-the-US/-/996/2165792/-/g0rr0tz/-/ index.html
76 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
International
www.zambiausachamber.org
African Stock Exchanges • Bolsa de Valores of Cape Verde - www.bvc.cv (in Portuguese) • Bond Exchange of South Africa - www.bondexchange. co.za • Botswana Stock Exchange www.bse.co.bw • Bourse Regionale des Valeurs Mobilieres - UEMOA (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) - www.brvm.org • Casablanca Stock Exchange (Morocco) - www.casablancabourse.com/bourseweb/index. aspx • Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (Tanzania) - www. dse.co.tz
• Douala Stock Exchange (Cameroon) - www.douala-stockexchange.com/index_us.php • The Egyptian Exchange - www. egx.com.eg/English/homepage. aspx • Ethiopia Commodity Exchange - www.ecx.com.et • Ghana Stock Exchange - www. gse.com.gh • Johannesburg Stock Exchange (South Africa) - www. jse.co.za/Home.aspx • Khartoum Stock Exchange (Sudan, in Arabic) - www.kse. com.sd • Libyan Stock Market - www. lsm.ly/_layouts/membership/
• • • •
• •
•
• • •
login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fEnglis h%2fPages%2fdefault.aspx Lusaka Stock Exchange (Zambia) - www.luse.co.zm Nairobi Stock Exchange (Kenya) - www.luse.co.zm Malawi Stock Exchange - www. mse.co.mw Mozambique Stock Exchange (in Portuguese) - www. bolsadevalores.co.mz Namibian Stock Exchange www.nsx.com.na Nigerian Stock Exchange www.nse.com.ng/Pages/default. aspx Stock Exchange of Mauritius www.stockexchangeofmauritius. com Swaziland Stock Exchange www.ssx.org.sz Tunisia Stock Exchange - www. bvmt.com.tn Uganda Securities Exchange www.use.or.ug
Read the last issue of The Exchange Magazine www.nse.co.ke/media-center/ecommunique/exchange-magazine/ category/50-free-version.html)
77 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
International
Opening Session of 22nd African Union Assembly Meeting
A
n “email from the future” was delivered during the opening of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union by African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to encourage Africa to continue its fifty year development agenda (Agenda 2063), with the confidence that it is possible for the continent to achieve prosperity, integration and peace within that time, or less. The Africa of 2063, according to the email, is no longer a dark continent but rather one which is lit up using hydro, solar, wind, and geo-thermal energy, in addition to fossil fuels. It is an Africa at peace with itself after having tackled the root causes of conflict. The email compliments the continent’s commitment to invest in its people, especially in the empowerment of young people and women, as being key issues that made peace happen. It mentions the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the formation of Organisation of African Unity held in May 2013 as having been the start of a major paradigm shift: a point where Africa took charge of its own narrative. After reading her “email from the future”, the Chairperson sent a word of encouragement to all of Africa, that the contents of the email can be a reality. “It is impossible until it is done,” she concluded. In the meantime, Dr DlaminiZuma announced the appointment
of Mrs. Binta Diop as Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, “to ensure that the voices of women and the vulnerable are heard much more clearly in peacebuilding and in conflict resolution”. The opening session of the Assembly was also addressed by the Under Secretary General of the United Nations, who spoke about how the African Union and the United Nations can work together to address pressing crises and to build on Africa’s progress, announcing that “The United Nations is your unwavering partner” in the quest for
advancement and growth. The meeting, which elected President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania as the Chairperson of the African Union for the coming one year and Zimbabwe as the first Vice Chairperson, also heard from the newly elected President of the Republic of Madagascar Mr. Rajonarimamnianina Rakotoarimanana who paid tribute to his country men and women for making the choice for the restoration of constitutional order and going to the ballot box to elect
78 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Innternational
their leaders. He proclaimed a new dawn for development, peace and security in his country but also added the urgent need for vital assistance for the country to realize its full potential. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa took the floor to express his country’s appreciation for Africa’s support during the death and burial of its former President Mr. Nelson Mandela last year. He paid homage to other African countries for having supported and harboured not just the leadership of the struggle against apartheid, but also many
other South African liberation fighters and activists. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti, Mr. Laurent Salvador Lamothe took delivered the message of Haitian solidarity with Africa on behalf of the country’s President, Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly. Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr. Haile Marian Desalegn gave his final address as Chairperson of the African Union before handing over to President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. The opening ceremony also saw
the presentation of US$100,000 prizes under the Kwame Nkurumah Scientific Awards to two prominent African scientists; awards to Heads of State and Governments who have successfully championed the fights against malaria, launch of 2014 Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa and an acceptance statement by the incoming Chairperson of the African Union. Press releases on all the events are available at www.au.int as is the full list of the new bureau of the African Union.
79 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Microsoft Announces an Innovation Grant Program to Fast-Track African Startups
M
icrosoft Corp. has announced the five African startups it will award innovation grants designed to provide the financial support needed to cross borders and empower the next generation of developers and entrepreneurs in Africa. The grant is part of the company’s 4Afrika Initiative (www.microsoft.com/ africa/4afrika), which was launched in February 2013 to facilitate the company’s active engagement in Africa’s economic development to improve its global competitiveness. Last year, Microsoft 4Afrika extended the Microsoft Ventures partnership program to Africa, with startup accelerator 88mph as its first partner. Through the 4Afrika Initiative, Microsoft is now extending its support to include grants to startups, selecting five startups as the first set of recipients. The startups were selected based on the uniqueness and scalability of their solutions, their business models and the relevance of the key problems they are addressing. The solutions and apps developed by the startups are relevant to consumers and the African market, ranging from agriculture, education and consumer (gaming). These startups will receive funding: • access.mobile LLC (Uganda) A solution with a key focus in the agriculture and healthcare industries, giving enterprises the ability to collect, analyze and share clear, real-time information
about their operations and supply chain activity. http:// access.mobile user training
accessmobileinc.com • Africa 118 (Kenya) A mobile directory services solution that helps bridge the information gap both for enterprises and
Africa 118 Directory Service consumers. http://africa118.com • Gamsole (Nigeria) A mobile game production company creating Windows games, with downloads topping more than 4 million. http://gamsole.com • Kytabu (Kenya) A textbook leasing application for low-cost
tablets. Students can save more than 60% of their education cost by renting their textbooks on an hourly, weekly, monthly, school term or annual plan. http://kytabu.org • Save & Buy (Nigeria) A Web and mobile platform that enables Nigerians to save toward the purchase of items conveniently and securely through e-commerce channels. www.saveandbuy.com.ng In addition to grants, Microsoft will provide technical support and mentorship to help these startups develop their businesses through the company’s Center of Expertise. This group of Microsoft technology enthusiasts focuses on using Microsoft tools and technologies to solve business problems. The 4Afrika Initiative aims to help startups break through barriers and reach new heights with the help of Microsoft’s data platform solutions, unified communications, optimized desktops and enterprise project management. Gamsole “As part of the 4Afrika initiative, we are excited to be supporting startups that have developed
80 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest
African Startups from page 80
innovative solutions that address key issues in Africa,” said Amrote Abdella, director of Startup Engagement and Partnerships for 4Afrika. “Our support is aimed to showcase the importance of local innovation, but, more important, it highlights the great potential that African innovators have in competing with worldclass developers and entrepreneurs.” Abiola Olaniran, CEO of Gamsole, which has already developed some of the most popular Windows Phone games in Africa, said, “The Microsoft 4Afrika innovation grant
provides a great support as it helps entrepreneurs to further bootstrap
their companies without giving up equity or control. It allows us to not miss out on the kind of fast growth that only major cash infusion can provide.”
de Sousa, general manager for Microsoft 4Afrika. “Smart capital combines access to finance, technical skills development, business mentoring, sharing of
“A critical success factor in driving the economic success of entrepreneurs in Africa is access to capital together with a solid incubation foundation. Microsoft 4Afrika is partnering with local organizations in creating opportunities for ‘smart capital’ to be available to our young innovators,” said Fernando
global best practices and access to markets with the infrastructure provided by local partners to enable world-class companies to emerge from Africa.” The Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative is designed to help Africa improve its global competitiveness and, in just under a year, has successfully launched various programs across the continent, including these recent innovation grants, to reach is 2016 goal. This will help place tens of millions of smart devices in the hands of African youth, bring 1 million African small and medium-sized enterprises online, upskill 100,000 members of Africa’s workforce, and help an additional 100,000 recent graduates develop skills for employability, 75% of whom Microsoft will help place in jobs. Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/ press/2014/feb14/02-03seedfundingpr. aspx
81 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
International
Nigeria Summit 2014 Turning Growth Into Prosperity
Intercontnental, Lagos, Victoria Island
March 24, 2014 Bringing together 350+ international business leaders, investors, government ministers and influential thinkersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for a series of hard-hitting and frank discussionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;our flagship Nigeria Summit focuses on the major factors that will influence Nigeria's economic growth as it becomes Africa's fastest growing powerhouse. FOR DETAILED INFORMATION: www.economistinsights.com/countries-tradeinvestment/event/nigeria-summit-2014?region%5 B1%5D=1&region%5B5%5D=5
http://cemea.economistconferences.com/event/kenya
FraserNet, Inc. | 2940 Noble Rd., Suite 203 | Cleveland Heights | OH | 44121 frasernetinfo@frasernet.com
Internationl
One Africa:
Tell the US Government that North Africa is Africa Too!
J
oin with and support the United Africa Organization’s campaign to petition the U.S. Department of State to include the whole African continent under its Bureau of African Affairs.
Why? The State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, led by Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson, currently excludes Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Western Sahara from its agenda. Instead, the aforementioned countries are grouped with the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, together with Iran, Iraq, Israel and others. This artificial distinction between North Africa and the rest of Africa
negatively impacts US foreign policy relations throughout the entire continent of Africa. We unequivocally reject the argument that North African countries are outside the scope of African affairs. North Africa is geographically and historically part of the African continent, and all fifty-three (53) independent African states, including North African countries, are represented in the African Union (AU). It would be far more productive for the State Department to engage with the entire continent of Africa, including North Africa, under its Bureau of African Affairs. We are one Africa, from the Cape to Cairo, indivisible and bound together! Therefore, no square inch of African
land should be excluded from African affairs.
Sign The Petition!!! Go to www.change.org/petitions/ one-africa-tell-us-state-departmentthat-north-africa-is-part-of-africa and sign the online petition to support this important proposition. Next tell everyone you know to sign.
www.uniteafricans.org
www.starrafricanrum.com product of Madacascar
#GETCOVERED H E A LT H C A R E . G O V If you're uninsured, go to http://HealthCare.gov & find an affordable plan that works for you. #GetCovered www.whitehouse.gov/share/what-obamacare-means-you
84 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Thursday Blues at Uncle Darrow‛s High Noon-2pm Every Thursday
Come by for lunch and relax to blues & jazz from our house band! 2560 S. Lincoln Blvd. Marina del Rey North East corner of Washington & Lincoln
“LA Times Magazine favorite cajun food”
310-306-4862
www.uncledarrows.com 85 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
RESOURCES FOR GOING GLOBAL Event: Secretarial Energy Mission to West Africa • May 18-23, 2014 Secretary Pritzker will lead an Energy Business Development Mission to West Africa with stops in Ghana and Nigeria from May 18-23, 2014. This business development mission will promote U.S. exports to Africa by helping U.S. companies’ launch or increase their business in the energy sector in West Africa. This mission will assist U.S. businesses in initiating or expanding exports to the region by: • Arranging business-to-business introductions; • Providing market access information; and • Facilitating access to government decision makers. For more information, visit: http://export.gov/ AfricaEnergyMission2014
Activity: Energy Opportunities in SubSaharan Africa (webinars) • Feb 19, Feb 27, & Mar 6 Location: your computer (webinar) Cost: $25 per webinar Webinar 1 – Feb. 19: Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa- This webinar will provide an overview of the Power Africa as well as energy opportunities in southern Africa. Featured speakers from U.S. Commercial Service - South Africa, USAID, and USTDA. Register at: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/ editWebReg.do?SmartCode=4Q48 Webinar 2 – Feb. 27: Energy Opportunities in West Africa- This webinar will provide an overview of energy opportunities in West Africa. Featured speakers from U.S. Commercial Service - Nigeria and Ghana, Millennium Challenge Corporation and Ex-
Im Bank. Register at: https:// emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ ePublic/event/ editWebReg. do?SmartCode=4Q49 Webinar 3 – Mar 6: Energy Opportunities in East Africa - This final webinar highlight energy opportunities in East Africa. Featured speakers from U.S. Commercial Service - Kenya, USAID, and USTDA. Register at: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ ePublic/event/ editWebReg.do?SmartCode=4Q4A Marketing: Sell Your Products Worldwide in the USA Product Showcase Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of 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. Reserve your space in the next issue today. For information, call 1-800-581-8533, x 822, online to www.thinkglobal.us/499, or send e-mail to advertise@ thinkglobal.us. Marketing: Promote Your Company on the New Commercial News USA Website The newly redesigned Commercial News USA website makes it easier for buyers around the world to find American companies with products and services ready for immediate export and for U.S. exporters connect with buyers worldwide. Commercial News USA features hundreds of products and services from U.S. exporters. For more information and/or to review the current issue of the magazine, please visit www. thinkglobal.us. ᏊᏊᏊᏊᏊ 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 www. buyusa.gov/home/us.html or contact Bobby Hines at bobby.hines@trade.gov.
86 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Returning to Africa? African Repatriation is an invaluable online resource for any African national who is thinking about returning to Africa. Our industry articles and specialist editorials provide the latest sector information. Why not find out for yourself and become a part of our growing community today? www.africanrepatriation. com
Career Opportunities in Africa Search and apply online for the latest vacancies in Africa with African Talent. We provide candidates and employers with the tools and resources needed in today’s competitive job market. For employers, we offer numerous options to feature your jobs in Africa and for candidates, reviewing the most recent job vacancies in Africa is a fast, easy process. Uploading your CV is simple and takes just a few moments. www.africantalent.com 88 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Cultural Interiors West &
Cordially Invited Cultural Interiors West 5573 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019 Experience our exciting array of products from Cards to Cupcakes, African Masks, Asian Teacups, Healthy Herbal Teas, Gourd Purses, Candles, to Furniture
Artwear Handpainted Handbags, Skirts, Tees, Accessories, Calendars, Wall Hangings & More! http://gbabysworld.blogspot.com Gbabyartwear@hotmail.com or Gbabyart345@gmail.com Find Gbaby Products at the “Collective” http://www.atthecollective.com 280 Elizabeth Street, Atlanta, GA
Hope to see you soon!!! In the meantime visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/CulturalInteriors-West/140688362658236
JJ’s Belizean Cuisine 2618 W. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008 1-323-293-2926
92 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Collection Bed, Bath & Beyond
http://bsmith.com/shop
Bernahu Asfaw & 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
The Economic Turn Around in the USA is in Our Hands •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
Buy Black Save Black Invest Black 96 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Eso Won Books African American Books 4327 Degnan Boulevard Leimert Park, Los Angeles
Give the Gifts of Knowledge! Come see our unsurpassed collection of books, music, videos, children’s books, and games!
323-294-0324
www.esowonbookstore.com //esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events
AMERICAN GROWN by First Lady Michelle Obama
Available in your local bookstores now
What Would
Michelle Do?
by Allison Samuels
The Soul of a New Cuisine
A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa by Chef Marcus Samuelsson
99 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Custom Culturally Inspired Wedding Rings & Fine Jewelry For The Entire Family. Unique One of a Kind Pieces Create your own designs. Transform old into new.
JendayiCollection.com 323.898.7468 877.898.7468 Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, First Floor
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
103 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
How to Do Business with Metro - Monthly Workshop DECEMBER 11, 2012 9:30am – 12:00 pm March 11, 2014 ǣ x x x x
Ǧ
ǣ ǣ
ǡ ǡ
ǣ
ǡ ǡ
ǣ
ǡ Ǧ
ǣ
ǡ Ǧ
ǣ ǡ
͵ ǡ ͻͲͲͳʹ ̈́ǤͲͲ
Ǧ Ȁ Ǥ ǯ ǡ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ ǯ Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ ͻǣ͵Ͳ ǤǤ For further questions, please contact Sherman Gay, Ph.D. (HC) at gays@metro.net or at (213)922-3502. Ǥ ሺ ̷ Ǥ ሻ ǡ ǡ ǡ Ȁ Ǥ
104 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Books to Consider... In Her Hands: The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage by Alan Schroeder
B
orn Augusta Christine Fells on February 29, 1892, in Green Cove Springs, Florida, Augusta Savage was an important African American artist and arts educator. Savage began making art as a child, using the natural clay found in her community. Her
works from this time include portraits of such leading African Americans as W. E. B. DuBois and Marcus Garvey. Savage was considered to be one of the leading artists of the Harlem Renaissance, an AfricanAmerican literary and artistic movement of the 1920s. Savage won a Julius Rosenwald fellowship in 1929, based in part on her sculpture of her nephew entitled Gamin. The work depicted??with lifelike vitality??a young street child. Savage spent time in Paris and found support for her work there. She exhibited at the Grand Palais and won a second fellowship to continue her studies another year. Another grant allowed her to travel in Europe. Savage returned the United States in 1932 while the Great Depression was in full swing.
Augusta Savage by Jazzmen Phouayvongsa E-book biography of an activist, artist, and arts
educator, and inspiration. www.bookemon.com/book_read_flip.php?book_ id=270498&size=1.4&style=simple
105 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Calendar February…
www.reedexpo.com or www.africatravelweek.com.
June 25th
1st-28th African American History Month Look for and participate in programs and events in your community.
BBA 40th Annual Awards Dinner Plan to attend the Annual Salute Conference and Awards Luncheon. Participation and sponsorship information is available at www.bbala. org or send an inquiry to the BBA using mail@bbala.org.
September TBA
March 29th BBA Salute to Black Women Plan to attend the Annual Salute Conference and Awards Luncheon. Participation and sponsorship information is available at www.bbala. org or send an inquiry to the BBA using mail@bbala.org.
April 4th Greenling Institute 21st Annual Economic Summit Annual summit using the theme "21st Century Majority: Empowering a New Nation" will be held in Oakland, CA. Go to www.greenling.org for details.
28th-May 3rd
BBA Business Entrepreneur Training Institute Conducted in partnership with the Business Division of West Los Angeles College. The 15-week training program prepares the serious entrepreneur for operating a highly successful business. Participation fee is $75 and includes a one-year BBA membership and a certificate of completion. For information visit www.bbala.org or send an inquiry to the BBA using mail@bbala.org
October 23rd BBA 2014 Procurement Exchange Summit The Summit, Conference and Luncheon will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles. Participation and sponsorship information is available at www.bbala.org or send an inquiry to the BBA using mail@bbala.org.
Africa Travel Week Take in three expos in one at Africa Travel Week to be held in Cape Town, South Africa. Participation information is available at 107 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Resources Media Africa Interactive Multimedia Press/Content Agency in Africa www.africa-interactive.com Africa World Press Books www.africaworldpressbooks.com African Vibes Magazine www.africanvibes.com The African World www.theafricanworld.tv Africast TV www.africast.tv AllAfrica http://allafrica.com Black Wall Street Times http://bwstimes.com Black Business News Group www.blackbusinessnews.net Black Press USA www.blackpressusa.com BridesNoir www.bridesnoir.com CuisineNoir www.cuisinenoirmag.com DiasporaVoice www.blogtalkradio.com/diasporavoice Publish Africa http://wow.gm/publishafrica Rock Me Africa //rockmeafrica.com
www.causecast.com www.causecastfornonprofits.com Continental African Chamber of Commerce www.continentalacc.org Pan African Film Festival www.paff.org United African Organization http://uniteafricans.org Zambia-USA Chamber of Commerce www.zambiausachamber.org
Investment/Development Africa Reports www.africareports.com African Development Bank www.afdb.org African Export - Import Bank //afreximbank.com/afrexim/en AfrigadgetTV www.afrigadget.com The Exchange Magazine www.nse.co.ke YouTube Educational Channels http://teacherswithapps.com/197-educational-youtube-channels-know Ventures www.ventures-africa.com
U.S. Government
Organizations Africa Leadership Forum http://africaleadership.org The African Union www.au.int/en Black Business Association www.bbala.org CauseCast
Commerce Department www.doc.gov International Trade Administration http://trade.gov Minority Business Development Agency www.mbda.gov Small Business Administration www.sba.gov State Department www.dos.gov White House www.whitehouse.gov
109 February 2014 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819