BBN Sept. '16 by Black Business News Group

Publisher's Message Geeting!

conomic empowerment is one of the chief cornerstones towards sustainability for our Blackowned businesses and communities. In this issue we want to re-emphasize the history, impact and your continued need to support the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). A quick review of history, reminds us of their important role in leveraging their legislative experience and influence to highlight and address the causes and initiatives that affect Black Americans. From the early days of the civil rights movements of the 60’s, the CBC has been on the forefront. The CBC was later formally established on March 30, 1971 and delivered its statement to President Richard Nixon during a formal meeting with him that included 60 Pubisher/Chief Executive Officer recommendations for executive action on issues facing Black Americans. (see page 44)

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 Phyllis Dixon

Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

ENTREPRENEUR EDITOR Kim Anthony

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Linda Ware

PRODUCTION MANAGER Narishima Osei

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dean Jones Linda Ware Ralph D. Sutton Timothy Lester, Jr. Veronica Hendrix Giavanna Foster P. Yvette Thomas Thia Fins

GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Harris Tia Robinson

Earl 'Skip' Cooper, Publisher/ BBN with Ms. A Shuanise Washington, President/CEO, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. A Van Howard photo Of surprising note to many, the Congressional Black Caucus had a long history of bipartisan collaboration and members who are both Republican and Democrat. History is a great teacher, and we can learn from history that we’ve been able to get more accomplished united, than divided. There’s much truth to the old adage, a house divided will not stand. The many initial goals and objectives of the CBC are still in play, and will continue to take your support by being involved, informed and committed. One of their key initiatives that the CBC has, which directly correlates with Black Business News (BBN) is its “Economic Development & Wealth Creation Taskforce.” This taskforce helps to develop initiatives that accelerate economic recovery and ensure underserved communities get on a path towards economic growth; directly analyzes programs that have been beneﬁcial including neighborhood stabilization funds, community development block grants and empowerment zones. Additionally, it speciﬁcally addresses topics related to the Agriculture, Financial Services, see Publisher's Message on page 82

STORY EDITORS Wanda Flagg Jennifer Marie Hamilton

PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Foxx Sabir Narishima Osei

PUBLIC RELATIONS CarVer Communications

CONTENT ADMINISTRATOR La Sandra Stratton

LAYOUT/TYPESETTING Lion Communications Copyright © 2016 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. 

3  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

About

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: •

promoting USA-based black-owned business enterprises to a world wide audience.

•

oﬀering business growth enhancing information on education, exhibitioning, international trading, technology, industry trends, and more.

•

exploring major public and private sector contracting methods to educate black-owned and operated enterprises.

•

providing an aﬃrmative inﬂuence for emerging entrepreneurs by sharing innovative design and creative cultural content that exposes them to the history of black enterprises and urges them to participate in the USA’s future. advocating and promoting on behalf of black-owned businesses by promoting the need for expanding an economic foundation that supports an unfettered and self-sustained urban society with USA job creation and economic opportunity, where blacks work, live and operate viable business enterprises.

view back issues at: https://issuu.com

2016-2017 Black Business Association Upcoming Events

Septembe 2016

Financial Lending & Procurement Pavilion

Feuary 201 7

Annual Awards Dinner

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Salute to Black Women Black Business News Group Publications Black Business News Black Business News International Black Business News Travel Africa

Contents

Black Business News… 3

Publisher's Message

Government 8

10 12 14 15 16

Letter to America's Hardworking Men and Women Report: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance in the United States Obama Move Surprises the Oil Industry Congress Addresses Police Killings South by South Lawn: U.S.-Africa Business Forum

53 56 74 75 76

Messenger Platform One Minute Meditation at Your Desk Winery of the Month: Marke Wines Obamas Featured in October Essence Michelle Obama’s True Personal Style Is Not What You Think 100 Years in the Making, Black History and Culture Museum Ready for Reveal

International 86 92

African Stock Exchanges Amb. Linda Thomas Greenﬁeld Meets President Edgar Lungu

Columns

70 104 130 132 133

Take A Look! Shopping Gallery Books to Consider... BBA Master Planner Resource Vault

Entertainment 22

BBN Show Biz Buzz

Editorials/Perspectives 28 42 44

Black Voters Have Plenty to Lose with Trump Congressional Black Caucus Foundation CBC Leads Policy Discussions

Business 30 33

Making Global Local: Building Partnerships, Supporting U.S. Jobs, Growing U.S. Exports Facebook Supports Payments Via

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Government

President Obama's Open Letter to America's Hardworking Men and Women THE WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TO AMERICA’S HARDWORKING MEN AND WOMEN: SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 When workers raise their voices for a fair wage and dignity in the workplace, they sustain the story of America: the idea that if you work hard, you should be able to get ahead, retire with dignity, and leave something behind for the next generation. At the beginning of the last century, American workers came together to fight for dignity and justice in the workplace. They stood up, marched, and raised their voices for a 40-hour workweek, overtime pay, a minimum wage, and the right to organize for better pay and benefits. They fought to make dangerous jobs safer, whether working in a plant or fighting a fire. These hard-fought victories became the cornerstones of the greatest middle class the world has ever known. Today, we again face a changing economy. Since I took Office, we’ve made extraordinary progress together. We have steadily come back from the worst economic crisis in generations. But too many American families don’t yet feel like they’ve gotten their fair share. That’s why Americans need a voice at work.

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For years, labor unions have been the driving force for raising that voice. But as union membership has fallen, inequality has risen. It’s not hard to understand why. It might be easy to dismiss or even punish a lone employee coming forward and asking for a fair wage. But when folks come together—when it’s not just one voice but a chorus—they’re impossible to ignore. That’s a key reason why Americans in unionized jobs still make roughly 26 percent more than their non-union peers. As I've said before, if I were looking for a good job that lets me build some security for my family, I’d join a union. If I saw a problem in my workplace, I’d organize my coworkers to do something about it. Especially because today, more workers than ever need a stronger voice—from pipefitters and fast food workers to journalists and tech workers. So in today’s economy, we should make it easier, not harder, for you—America’s workers—to make your voices heard. We know that when employees come together and start a conversation about how to build a better workplace, we all benefit. That’s why whether you’re a union member, an organizer, an activist, or just an employee ready to speak up, I’m proud of the work you do to continue and grow that conversation. You have the right to join together, speak up, and win a seat at the table. You have the right to talk to your coworkers about how much you make or how you’d change your workplace, as long as you’re not doing it while you’re supposed to be working. And the law says an employer can’t fire you, demote you, or change your shift because you’re talking to colleagues about advocating for yourselves, whether that’s through a union or through some other means. History shows that working families can get a fair shot in this country—but only if we are willing to organize and fight for it. So whether you simply talk to your coworkers or supervisors about what matters to you, or take the step of joining a union, the power ultimately rests with you. If folks like you keep up the fight, I have no doubt that America will always be a nation where if you work hard you can get ahead and build an even better life for your children. That’s why I started my career as an organizer all those years ago—and it’s why I believe in you. Sincerely,

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Government

Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance in the United States in 2015

he recent report from the Census Bureau shows the remarkable progress that American families have made as the recovery continues to strengthen. Real median household income grew 5.2% from 2014 to 2015, the fastest annual growth on record. Income grew for households across the income distribution, with the fastest growth among lower- and middle-income households. The number of people in poverty fell by 3.5 million, leading the poverty rate to fall from 14.8% to 13.5%, the largest one-year drop since 1968, with even larger improvements for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and children. Meanwhile, the ratio of earnings for women working full-time, fullyear to earnings for men working full-time, full-year increased to 80% in 2015, the highest on record. Every State has seen declines in its uninsured rate since 2013 as the major coverage provisions of the Aﬀordable Care Act have taken eﬀect. Solid employment growth and robust real wage growth so far this year suggest that incomes are continuing to rise in 2016, and, building on the progress shown in this Census report, the President will continue to call on Congress to take steps to invest in job creation, wage growth, and equal pay for equal work.

SIX KEY POINTS IN TODAY’S REPORT FROM THE CENSUS BUREAU 1. Real median household income rose by 5.2% in 2015, the fastest growth on record. Median household income grew $2,798 to $56,516 in 2015, the ﬁrst time that annual real income growth exceeded 5% since the Census Bureau began reporting data on household income in 1967. Data from 2016 so far point to further strong gains in real household incomes, which depend on employment, nominal wages, and inﬂation. As

of August, total nonfarm job growth has averaged a solid 182,000 jobs a month so far in 2016, and hourly earnings for private-sector workers have increased at an annual rate of 2.8%, much faster than the pace of inflation (1.3% as of July, the latest data available). 2. The total number of Americans below the poverty line fell by 3.5 million from 2014 to 2015, and the official poverty rate fell to 13.5% due to the largest one-year drop since 1968. The poverty rate for children under age 18 fell by 1.4 percentage point (p.p.) from 2014 to 2015, equivalent to more than 1 million children lifted out of poverty. Meanwhile, the poverty rate for those ages 18 to 64 saw its largest one-year decline on record (-1.1 p.p.), and poverty fell 1.1 p.p. for those ages 65 and older. As noted below (see point 5), the official poverty rate does not reflect the full effect of antipoverty policies because it includes only pre-tax income and excludes the direct effect of key

President Obama w Jason Furman, Cha Council of Econom Advisors

policies like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Supplemental Poverty Measure, which is designed to include the eﬀects of these programs but also takes into the cost of basic needs when setting the poverty threshold, decreased 1.0 percentage point in 2015, from 15.3% to 14.3%. 3. Households at all income percentiles reported by the Census Bureau saw gains in income, with the largest gains among households at the bottom of the income distribution. While real median household income increased 5.2%, gains were even larger in the lower half of the income distribution, ranging from an increase of 5.5% for households at the 40th percentile to an increase of nearly 8% for households at the 10th percentile. While households at the top half of the

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with air, mic

income distribution also saw increases, their gains were smaller, with an increase of 2.9% in the 90th percentile of household income. 2015 marked the first time real household income grew at all percentiles reported by the Census Bureau since 2006, and real income growth in 2015 was the fastest since 1969 for the 10th, 20th, 40th, 50th, and 60th percentiles. Although the level of income inequality remains high, multiple measures of inequality—including the Gini coefficient, the ratio of the 90th percentile of income to the 10th percentile, and the share of income going to households at the top of the income distribution—fell modestly in 2015 as a result of this pattern of income growth. 4. All racial and ethnic groups saw increases in household incomes and decreases in poverty in 2015. As shown in the chart below, all racial and ethnic groups saw gains in real median household income and reductions in their respective poverty rates. Hispanic Americans saw both the largest gains in median income (6.1%), while Black Americans and Hispanic Americans saw the largest reductions in poverty (-2.1 p.p. and -2.2 p.p., respectively). The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), which includes the effects of a number of important antipoverty programs (see point 5 below), shows a similar pattern, with all racial and ethnic groups seeing reductions in poverty. 5. In 2015, refundable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) lifted 4.8 million children out of poverty. The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), which includes the effects of a large number of antipoverty programs, is widely acknowledged to measure poverty more accurately than the official measure. Unlike the official poverty measure, the SPM measures post-tax and post-transfer resources, combining earnings with assistance from government programs—including in-kind transfers like food assistance—minus net tax liabilities and necessary expenditures on work, child care, and health care. The measure also bases the poverty line on the cost of meeting basic expenses. Together, in 2015, 9.2 million Americans, including 4.8 million children, were lifted above the poverty line by refundable tax credits, including the EITC and the CTC, illustrating their critical importance to the social safety net. Additionally, research has shown that helping lowincome working families through the EITC and CTC not only reduces poverty, but also has positive longerterm effects on children, including improved health, educational outcomes, and labor force participation and earnings in adulthood. Expansions to the EITC and CTC signed into law by President Obama as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 lifted 1.0 million children out of poverty in

2013 according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; these provisions were made permanent under the bipartisan agreement at the end of 2015. The President’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget includes a number of provisions to further strengthen tax credits for working families, including an expansion of the EITC to workers without qualifying children. (Note that some of these estimates rely on survey data, which research has shown tend to underreport household use of certain programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, leading to underestimates of the poverty-reducing effects of these programs.) 6. In 2015, the share of people without health insurance declined in almost every State, and all States have seen gains since 2013, reflecting continued progress under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Today’s new data from the American Community Survey (ACS) show that 49 States and the District of Columbia saw their uninsured rates decline in 2015. The uninsured rate has fallen in every State (as well as in the District of Columbia) since 2013. While the ACS is not the first survey to report estimates of State-level insurance coverage in 2015, the survey’s extremely large sample size allows it to provide particularly reliable estimates. While all States have seen increases in insurance coverage since the ACA’s major coverage provisions took effect in the beginning of 2014, the extent of those gains have varied widely by State. Notably, States that have expanded Medicaid under the ACA have seen larger coverage gains on average, particularly if they started with a larger uninsured population. If Medicaid non-expansion States had seen coverage gains comparable to those seen by Medicaid expansion states with similar uninsured rates, the uninsured rate in these states would have been nearly 3 percentage points lower in 2015, increasing the magnitude of these states’ coverage gains since 2013 by almost two-thirds. Today’s Census release also included an estimate of the national change in the uninsured rate based on the Current Population Survey (CPS). According to the CPS, the national uninsured rate dropped by 1.3 percentage points from 10.4% in 2014 to 9.1% in 2015, bringing the cumulative gain since 2013 to 4.3 percentage points. The new data from the CPS are broadly consistent with evidence from other Federal and private surveys showing that coverage gains continued during 2015; those surveys show that gains have continued into early 2016. The cumulative coverage gains since 2013 have put the uninsured rate at its lowest level ever.  https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2016/09/13/incomepoverty-and-health-insurance-united-states-2015

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The Oil Industry was Surprised by this Move from Obama By Nick Cunningham

he Obama administration shocked the oil industry last week, pulling the plug on a major oil pipeline from the Bakken that had become a flashpoint between a pipeline company on the one hand, and a growing coalition of Native American tribes and environmentalists on the other. Everyone was anxiously waiting a Friday ruling from a U.S. federal judge, who was weighing a request from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to stop construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline, a $3.8 billion 1,168-mile oil pipeline that would run from North Dakota to Iowa and Illinois. The pipeline would threaten sacred lands and drinking water resources for the tribe. Dakota Access exploded into a national controversy in recent weeks, as protests against the project swelled and violence broke out after protesters were attacked by dogs. Environmentalists have been keen on turning the Dakota Access Pipeline into a rerun of the Keystone XL saga, elevating the project to a national symbol around which protestors could be rallied. But unlike Keystone XL, it did not take eight years to grab the White House’s attention. On Friday, September 9, a federal judge ruled against the Standing Rock Sioux’s request to block construction, handing Dakota Access a victory by allowing construction to proceed. However, an hour later, something really unusual occurred. A joint letter was issued from the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Interior. The letter asked the pipeline company to “voluntarily pause” construction anyway, even though the court had ruled in the company’s favor. Energy Transfer Partners, the lead company on the Dakota Access Pipeline, saw its share price sink more than 3% on Friday and it was down another 2% during early trading on Monday. “We appreciate the District Court’s opinion on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act,” the three agencies wrote. “However, important issues raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other tribal nations and their members regarding the Dakota Access pipeline specifically, and

pipeline-related decision-making generally, remain.” The agencies wrote that they will need time to determine whether or not they have to review the permitting decisions again, due to the issues raised by Standing Rock Sioux. “Therefore, construction of the pipeline on Army Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe will not go forward at this time.” This may seem like a bit of arcane procedural mumbo jumbo, but the effects could be far-reaching. The Obama administration said that not only would it not allow the pipeline to move forward, at least temporarily, but it also said that the conflict highlighted the potential need for nationwide reform on how infrastructure is sited on Native

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lands. Troy Eid, a former U.S. attorney in Colorado and expert in Indian law, told the Associated Press that the Dakota Access Pipeline “is a textbook example of how not to do a project.” The lack of consultation with the tribe blew up in the pipeline company’s face. Now, the policy landscape could shift against the industry. Up until now, Native Americans have only been consulted on infrastructure projects, Eid said, not making actual decisions on whether or not projects move forward. Ultimately the U.S. federal government made all of the decisions. But with its Sept. 9 letter, the Obama administration could upend that arrangement, perhaps forever. "This could bog down or delay every single infrastructure project moving forward,"

Brigham McCown, former acting administrator for the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, told the AP. "I don't think they even realize the can of worms they've opened." "There is no question it will be much more difficult and costly for these projects to move forward in the future," Brian Jorde, a Nebraska lawyer who worked with Keystone XL opponents, told the AP. The pipeline companies did not expect such a great deal of political risk to Dakota Access ahead of time. Since the pipeline does not cross an international boundary , many industry analysts thought the pipeline would not receive the level of attention – from either activists or the White House – that the Keystone XL project attracted. Opponents of the pipeline see this as a huge victory. “Our voices have been heard,” said Dave Archambault II, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. “The Obama administration has asked tribes to the table to make sure that we have meaningful consultation

on infrastructure projects. Native peoples have suffered generations of broken promises and today the federal government said that national reform is needed to better ensure that tribes have a voice on infrastructure projects like this pipeline.” Major pipeline projects be forced to clear a much higher bar in the future, but there are near-term effects on the industry as well. Dakota Access was supposed to be completed by the end of the year, with construction already 45% completed. It would carry 470,000 to 570,000 barrels of Bakken oil per day when operational, connecting North Dakota oil fields to refineries in the Midwest. From there, the oil would be much better connected to the rest of the country. Blocking construction of Dakota Access will leave Bakken drillers without a major conduit to get their oil out. That would leave them competing for scarce pipeline space, raising costs and forcing them to discount their crude, or shipping crude by rail, a costlier alternative. "In the absence of a new alternative, (Bakken) crude will have to use the existing infrastructure to move," said Sandy Fielden, the director of research for commodities and energy at Morningstar, according to Reuters. "Producers will have to take lower prices to compete with imports.” In short, the Bakken is already seeing oil production decline, and the disruption of Dakota Access will inflict further pain on operators in the region.  www.businessinsider. com/the-oil-industry-wassurprised-by-this-move-fromobama-2016-9

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Government

Congress Passed a Bill Addressing Police Killings By Matt Connolly

Congressional staﬀers raise their hands in protest of grand jury decisions that declined to prosecute two separate white police oﬃcers who killed two separate black men in Missouri and New York. Source: Getty Images

fter watching nationwide protests unfold against police brutality, members of Congress did what they have seemed incapable of doing for years: something. A bill passed by both chambers of Congress and headed to President Barack Obama's desk will require local law enforcement agencies to report every police shooting and other death at their hands. That data will include each victim's age, gender and race as well as details about what happened.

"You can't begin to improve the situation unless you know what the situation is," bill sponsor Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) told the Washington Post. "We will now have the data." It's not the ﬁrst time Congress has tried: The same law was actually passed back in 2000, but was allowed to lapse in 2006 and was never reauthorized (despite repeated attempts by Scott). Because it takes years for enough local departments to start submitting all that data, the original law barely

yielded anything before it expired. e a long time once more to get a usably large picture of police killings across the country, the federal government has an enforcement mechanism to make sure agencies submit: The Department of Justice can withhold federal funds from any states that don't comply. There's other legislation in the pipeline aimed at combating police brutality following the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice, including bills that would require police departments to

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South by South Lawn:

arlier this year, President Obama stopped by South by Southwest ® to issue a challenge to creative thinkers, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the country: "We are at a moment in history where technology, globalization, our economy are changing so fast," he said. "How can we start coming up with new platforms, new ideas, new approaches across disciplines and across skill sets to solve some of the big problems that we're facing today?" On Monday, October 3, President Obama is bringing the creative thinkers and innovators who work at the cutting-edge of the changing world we live in to help answer that question. From ﬁlmmakers and artists to entrepreneurs and public leaders, the White House will host inspiring and eﬀective people who are dedicated to change to discuss how we can leverage our newest technologies to tackle our toughest challenges.

presented by National Geographic will screen on the South Lawn of the White House. FILM: On Sunday, October 2, the American Film Institute (AFI) welcomes the young artists of the 3rd Annual White House Student Film Festival to premiere their work. Students in grades K-12 submitted short ﬁlms on this year's theme: The World I Want to Live In. They will be joined by President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities member Alfre Woodard.

INTERACTIVE: President Obama will join a conversation with Academy Awardwinning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe about the importance of protecting the one planet we’ve got for future generations. The domestic premiere of DiCaprio’s new climate documentary ﬁlm Before the Flood

EXHIBITS: Learn firsthand what it’s like to be locked up in solitary confinement. This virtual reality experience places the viewer inside a 6-foot by 9-foot cell with little more than a bed and toilet. People can experience the psychological impacts of confinement, like blurred vision, hallucinations, and a sense of floating that may occur after long-term sensory deprivation. The Guardian used game engine

comply with federal racial profiling standards and stop local agencies from receiving military weapons and equipment. "It's not a new issue ... it's not isolated incidents by rogue police," Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) said during a Capitol Hill briefing featuring mothers of son who were killed by police. "We have a lot of work to do." It's just a first step: The bill is a first step to address a major

problem activists, lawmakers and reporters faced after the deaths of Brown, Garner, Rice and others at the hands of law enforcement. As the subject of police brutality was pulled into the national spotlight, concrete data regarding the use of deadly force against civilians by police oﬃcers wasn't nearly comprehensive enough to make concrete statements about its application; there was no way,

technology and The Mill worked from ﬁrst-person accounts of cell design and spatial audio capture to create this groundbreaking and innovative documentary. PERFORMANCE: And don't miss special musical performances by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, the Lumineers, DJ Beverly Bond, and more! PARTICIPATE: To learn how you can tune in and participate in this one-of-akind event at the White House visit: www.whitehouse.gov/SXSL. 

for example, to determine what percentage of those killed by police were black, or male. Police departments keep their own data, meaning there's no oﬃcial measure of how often this happens.  https://mic.com/articles/106392/ congress-just-passed-a-billaddressing-police-killings-while-noone-was-looking#.3BMV8UhVn

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Government

U.S.-Africa Business Forum

Strengthening trade and ﬁnancial ties between the United States and Africa.

uring the week of September 19, 2016, on the occasion of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. Department of Commerce will co-host the second U.S.-Africa Business Forum, a day focused on increased trade and investment between the U.S. and African nations. The U.S.-Africa Business Forum will build on the progress of the inaugural Forum, held during the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit with the participation of nearly 50 heads of state or government and more than 150 global CEOs – to further develop trade and business opportunities between the United States and Africa. As President Obama reiterated in Ethiopia last summer, “Africa’s progress will depend on unleashing economic growth — not just for the few at the top, but for the many, because an essential element of dignity is being able to live a decent life. That begins with a job. And that requires trade and investment.” Held in New York City, the U.S.-Africa Business Forum will bring together African heads of state with CEOs of U.S. and African companies to strengthen commercial and financial ties between the United States and Africa. The Forum will focus on U.S. private sector engagement in Africa in sectors like finance and capital investment, infrastructure, power and energy, agriculture, consumer goods, health care, and information communication technology. Government leaders will engage with business executives from both sides of the Atlantic, working to develop solutions for greater trade and investment in Africa. “We are thrilled to partner with Mike Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies once again for the second U.S. Africa Business Forum,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “Our successful first gathering in 2014 brought together hundreds of American and African CEOs with nearly every African head of state, demonstrating that the U.S. private sector is eager to increase its commercial connection to African economies. As the Obama Administration sharpens our focus on shifting the relationship between the U.S. and Africa from one based on aid to one based on trade, we will continue to support events, partnerships, and initiatives that deepen our ties of commerce and investment.”

“African markets hold many untapped opportunities for U.S. investors and companies – and capitalizing on them would create jobs and improve lives on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “That’s the goal of this year’s Forum – to foster the strong ties between the U.S. and Africa that will drive greater economic growth and lift earnings in both places.” For more information about last year’s forum, visit usafricabusinessforum.bloomberg.org. The site will be updated with more information about September’s event and media accreditation registration.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on ﬁve key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable

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Government

he lack of financeable power projects in Africa is a key constraint to scaling renewable power and establishing low-emissions development trajectories for the continent’s many emerging economies. That is why President Obama launched Power Africa, which brings together technical and legal experts, the private sector and governments from around the world to increase the number of people with access to power on the continent. The U.S.-Africa Clean Energy Finance (US-ACEF) initiative also drives down investment risk for clean power ventures and helps unlock the significant private sector financing interested in the market. Through Power Africa and US-ACEF, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) connects African energy project sponsors with U.S. companies and their innovative solutions in order to turn great ideas into viable, bankable projects on which to deploy the billions of investment dollars now available. This conversation, moderated by USTDA Director Leocadia I. Zak, will bring together CEOs from African clean energy companies to discuss how project preparation assistance can help unlock investment in clean energy across Africa.  activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat: Bloombergdotorg and Twitter @ BloombergDotOrg.

About the U.S. Department of Commerce

The U.S. Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved standards of living for all Americans by working in partnership with businesses, universities, communities and our nation’s workers. The department touches the daily lives of the American people in many ways, with a wide range of responsibilities in the areas of trade, economic

development, technology, entrepreneurship and business development, environmental stewardship, and statistical research and analysis. For more information, visit commerce.gov.  www.bloomberg.org/press/releases/ bloomberg-philanthropies-u-sdepartment-of-commerce-to-host-2ndu-s-africa-business-forum-in-new-yorkcity-during-71st-un-general-assembly/

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Congratulations to our Honorees: "Outstanding Entrepreneur Award"

Cleveland O'Neal III • Sharon Coleman • Norma J. Williams, Esq. • Cynthia Lopell • Daniel O. Morgan

"Minority Business Advocate of the Year" Dorothy Randle

Special thanks to all our a endees, sponsors, exhibitors, panelists and volunteers. We are very apprecia ve of our par cipants and supporters. We look forward to next year's Infrastructure Spending & Capital Access Program and Awards Presenta on in recogni on of Na onal MED Week. To view photos from the Infrastructure Spending & Capital Access Program, please visit the gallery: h ps://bbala.smugmug.com/Infrastructure-Spending Sincerely,

Earl "Skip" Cooper II President and CEO

BBN Show Biz Buzz By Linda Ware

Promos for Dr. Strange Begin to Hit the Theatres and the Internet

arvel’s Doctor Strange follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world

Chiwetel Ejiofor

of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilizing a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel cinematic universe. “Doctor Strange” follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions. It appears trouble will be coming for the Sorcerer Supreme right at the front doorstep of his Sanctum Sanctorum, at least judging by these new photos and those posted earlier today from the Doctor Strange set in New York City. Which is where stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Chiwetel Ejiofor were both spotted in full glory as Stephen Strange and Baron Mordo, respectively, while filming multiple action scenes in which they flee from mysterious men. A huge theme of this trailer is the before and after transition of Strange’s life. So a grey to gold, and we’re out of New York (for now). Here’s where we hear Cumberbatch’s voice for the first time, “I don’t believe in fairy tales about chakras, or energy, or the power of belief,” he says, in a credible (if very Hugh-Laurie-asHouse-like) American accent. This shot is also our first time glimpse of Baron Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor). In a confusing bit, Mordo isn’t a straightup villain in the movie like he is in

the comics. He’s supposedly morally very grey, but has a camaraderie with Strange. Which makes sense, since set photos seem to have them on the same side, at least for part of the movie. In theaters November 4.  ww.kcsr.org/showthread.php?page=6&t=138365

Play Tennis like Serena Williams in this new Snapchat Game

ust in time for the US Open, Gatorade has come out with a new Snapchat game that honors the legacy of Serena Williams. Titled Serena Match Point, the 8-bit game is available on ESPN's Snapchat Discover channel, and features 22 levels — one for each of the record-tying 22 Grand Slams that Williams has won. Snapchat has begun incorporating TV shows on its platform, but this is the ﬁrst time that the company has featured a multi-level game. The game lets users play as Williams against a range of diﬀerent opponents, and features simple controls. You just need to tap one of three on-screen tennis balls to serve, and tap left or right to return the opponent's shots. If you miss three shots in a row, you go back to the beginning of Williams' career. Gatorade has also released a desktop version (www.gatorade.com/ serenamatchpoint) of the game, and if Williams wins her record-breaking 23rd slam at this year's US Open, the company will add and release a bonus level to commemorate her achievement.  http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/ games/play-tennis-like-serenawilliams-in-this-new-snapchat-game/ ar-AAiiii5?li=AAfq3b1&ocid=spartand hp

"Queen Sugar" is on OWN - the Oprah Winfrey Network

he contemporary drama Queen Sugar, set in the fictional town of Saint Josephine, Louisiana, chronicles the lives and loves of the estranged Bordelon siblings: Nova (Rutina Wesley, True Blood), a worldly-wise journalist and activist; Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Unforgettable), the savvy wife and manager of a professional basketball star; and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe, Awkward), a formerly incarcerated young father in search of redemption. After a family tragedy, the Bordelons must navigate the triumphs and struggles of their complicated lives in order to run a struggling sugarcane farm in the Deep South. Led by acclaimed film director Ava DuVernay, who directed the first two episodes, all episodes in the series’ debut season are directed by women. The series will air regularly on Wednesdays at 10/9c. Queen Sugar is produced for OWN by Warner see page 24 23  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

BBN Show Biz Buzz

from BBN Show Biz Buzz on page 23

Horizon Television. The executive producers for Season 1 are Ava DuVernay, Melissa Carter and Oprah Winfrey. The series is based on the book by Natalie Baszile.  http://www.queensugarown.tv/

Kofi Siriboe

Rutina Wesley

Joel Edgerton (The Great Gatsby, Zero Dark Thirty). “Mildred and Richard Loving were not political activists,” producer Nancy Buirski said. “They considered themselves to be an ordinary couple who loved each

Oprah Winfrey & Ava DuVernay other and were willing to ﬁght for the right to live together and raise their children in peace in their home state.” The ﬁlm will be in theaters starting November 4th.  http://wtvr.com/2015/05/14/richardand-mildred-loving-movie

Dawn-Lyen Gardner

"Loving"

he story of Richard and Mildred Loving has been made into a major motion picture. The Lovings were an interracial Virginia couple arrested in the 1950s for violating state law that prohibited interracial marriage. The couple sued, and in 1967, their case was heard by the United States Supreme Court. The movie stars Ruth Negga (World War Z, The Samaritan) and

Ruth Negga & Joel Edgerton

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Coming This Fall and Winter

ver 64 ﬁlm will be on display throughout the 2016 Fall and Winter movie season. The list includes an extraordianry number of projects featuring African Americans and Africans. Already highlighted in past Show Biz Buzz articles are: Queen of Katwe (Lupita N'yongo, David Oleyeo), The Magniﬁcent Seven (Denzel Washington), Dr. Strange (Chiwetel Ejiofor, see page 22), Hidden Figures (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe) and The Birth of A Nation (Nate Parker). Add the following movies to your Must See/Must Support list. • Boo! A Madea Halloween, featuring Tyler Perry • What Now!? a Kevin Hart stand up with Halle Berry and Don Cheadle making cameo appearances • Bad Santa 2, featuring Tony Cox • Kidnap, featuring Halle Berry • Collateral Beauty, featuring Will Smith

Kevin Hart

Tony Cox

Don Cheadle

Halle Berry

• Miss Sloane, featuring Gugu Mbatha-Raw • Almost Christmas, featuring Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, • Fences, featuring Denzel Washington, Viola Davis If you know of some ﬁlm projects that we have missed, please send an e-mail to the BBN Show Biz Buzz at mail@bbala.org.  www.bbala.org

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

StarTalk Returns on the National Geographic Channel

Denzel Washington

Halle Berry

Will Smith

new season of Neil deGrasse Tyson's StarTalk has kicked off on the National Geographic Channel. The oneh o u r discussion s e r i e s broadcas ts on Monday evenings Neil deGrasse Tyson (check your local listing for show times). 

Editorial

Black Voters Have Plenty to Lose with Trump

ace — always a subtext in American politics — has moved center stage in this year’s presidential campaign. Republican Donald Trump called Democrat Hillary Clinton a “bigot.” Clinton responded by using Trump’s words of racial offense against him. History suggests both parties have fallen short on racial justice. Jefferson Davis Democrats were slave owners, Confederates, against Reconstruction and members of the violent Citizens Councils and the KKK. They supported legal segregation, and Southern Dixiecrats opposed the Civil Rights Movement. After the Civil Rights Act was signed July 2, 1964, Democratic Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina turned Republican in September and began the campaign to convert white Dixiecrats to Republicans. Many of today’s Republicans are old Jeff Davis Democrats! In 1968 Nixon adopted this Southern Strategy as a road to the White House. Reagan launched his 1980 campaign with a racial message of “states’ rights” in Philadelphia, Miss., where Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney were murdered for registering black voters. In 1988, George H.W. Bush introduced us to Willie Horton. After Barack Obama became president, Republicans introduced 395 new voter restrictions targeting blacks. Trump continues this tradition not by using “dog whistles” but a foghorn of racism, religious bigotry, sexism and xenophobia. Trump’s personal history of racial bigotry includes a federal housing discrimination lawsuit; an ad calling for the death penalty of innocent young black males in the Central Park Five rape case; an attempt to discredit Obama’s presidency with the “birther” issue; innuendo suggesting Obama became editor of Harvard’s Law

Review because of his race; a campaign demanding Obama’s educational transcripts, implying his admission to colleges rested on something other than intellectual merit; complaints that a judge was unable to treat him fairly in court because of his Hispanic heritage; and promoting false and stereotypical information about the black community.

What do blacks have to lose by electing Trump? He will appoint Supreme Court justices who do not support black interests. He will support racially discriminatory voting laws like North Carolina’s. He will not fix the damage done by the Shelby court decision to the Voting Rights Act. And he will not support a $15 minimum wage. Blaming black and Democratic officials, this is how Trump addressed their constituents: “You’re living in your poverty, your schools are no good, you have no jobs, 58 percent of your youth is unemployed.” Who can deny there are many unmet needs and problems in urban areas, but that’s not primarily the result of black or Democratic will, ideas or leadership, but of Republican policies! Democratic and black mayors find themselves

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President of the United States of America Barack Hussein Obama governing “the hole” in the donut. The donut’s substance and sugar — the money for these cities — is controlled by congressional Republicans, governors and state legislatures dominated by rural and suburban constituencies. Failing cities are not the result of liberal and progressive policies. Democratic ideas and programs that were working have been gutted and purposefully discredited, defunded and attacked ideologically by the very Republicans who did the gutting. Conservative privatization and states’ rights ideologies undercut any ideas or programs that advanced the public good or made us a more perfect union. There are more black elected oﬃcials, but their actual power has been weakened through redistricting schemes of stacking and packing. Policy and budget resources are controlled by Republicans, not Democratic and black mayors! Blacks haven’t given “blind support” to either party; rather, they have supported both parties when they’ve

earned it. Lincoln and the Radical Republicans earned black support. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, won the Civil War and ended slavery. Radical Republicans supported the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments and Reconstruction. When Republicans wearied of advancing black interests, less-than-perfect Democrats began earning black support with better opportunities under FDR’s New Deal. Today’s Democrats are more like Lincoln’s Republicans. T r u m a n desegregated the military; LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, launched a War on Poverty and passed Medicare and Medicaid. Blacks aren’t giving Democrats “blind loyalty” and don’t have permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. Blacks support those who support them, as all intelligent voters do. Blacks, in coalition, will demand that a Clinton administration more fully address the interests of those most in need as we work to make America greater. 

www.rainbowpush.org

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Business Development

Making Global Local: Building Partnerships, Supporting U.S. Jobs, Growing U.S. Exports

aking Global Local is an initiative designed to connect towns and cities across the country with USTDA's export-promoting programs. Over the past year, U.S. companies have increasingly targeted emerging economies as export destinations. Given its unique role, USTDA is well-positioned to support U.S. businesses interested in entering or expanding their presence in developing and middleincome countries. The hallmark of USTDA's assistance is establishing links between U.S. companies and foreign project sponsors, bringing private sector solutions to development challenges abroad. Last year, USTDA’s reverse trade mission program connected nearly 700 U.S. ﬁrms to foreign decision makers during 32 events across 69 American cities. The aim of Making Global Local is to increase the number of U.S. businesses that are beneﬁtting from the Agency's programs in order to expand their exports to emerging markets and create high-paying jobs in their communities. To accomplish this goal, USTDA has forged innovative partnerships with business development and trade promotion organizations across the country. Along with our colleagues throughout the federal government, USTDA is fully committed to helping U.S. businesses build things here and sell them everywhere. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with our partners amongst federal, state, and local governments, the U.S. business community, and overseas stakeholders by Making Global Local for communities across the United States. Becoming a Partner Organization Interested in becoming a Making Global Local Partner Organization? By building strategic partnerships, USTDA and local business organizations can support the creation of high-paying jobs through the growth of U.S. exports. If you are committed to this goal and have local market knowledge, we want to partner with you! By understanding the Agency's programs, partner

organizations can help companies in their communities maximize the benefits of working with USTDA. Examples of partner organizations include: •State, county, and city governmental entities •Local non-profit economic development organizations •Small Business Development Centers •World Trade Centers •Academic institutions Benefits of Becoming a Making Global Local partner organization include: •Recognition as a Making Global Local partner organization on USTDA's website •Direct delivery of USTDA news & events •Access to a network of regional and industry experts to speak at events •Opportunity to co-host USTDA roundtables •Support for joint marketing and outreach campaigns Contact us to learn how USTDA's program can expand exports sales in your community by becoming a Making Global Local partner organization. We look forward to working with you! Ashley E. Chang, Director of Public Engagement Or call us at (703) 875-4357 Partner Resources Here are a list of resources, documents and images that may be helpful for your organization as you continue to work with USTDA on future events and activities. •MGL Partner Resources Packet •Partner Resource Guide •Making Global Local Fact Sheet This Fact Sheet provides an overview of USTDA's Making Global Local initiative and a current listing of Making Global Local Partner Organizations •U.S. Trade and Development Agency Program Overview

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This fact sheet provides information on USTDA's programs, including the International Business Partnership Program, and how the Agency supports U.S. Small businesses across the country. •Business Case Form Partner Organizations can complete this business case form in order propose potential site visits at U.S. Companies or organizations in the local area. This form can also be used to provide USTDA with leads to city/state industry clusters with export potential. Making Global Local State Briefs •Generating Exports - California •Generating Exports - Illinois

•Generating Exports Pennslyvania •Generating Exports - Texas •Generating Exports - Washington Making Global Local Partner Organizations can now share their aﬃliation with USTDA by adding this Partner Badge to their website or marketing material. •Making Global Local Partner Badge This Making Global Local logo can be downloaded and shared via numerous digital and print marketing channels. •Making Global Local Logo Are you working with USTDA to host an event or featuring the

Agency in your material? Feel free to download and utilize our logo as necessary. •U.S. Trade and Development Agency Logo Other helpful links •Current USTDA contracting and business opportunities •Information for U.S. Businesses and Exporters •USTDA Events Calendar  https://www.ustda.gov/program/ making-global-local

Facebook Messenger Payments Oﬀer New Transaction Platform

acebook recently announced that it would enable businesses to accept payments via Messenger, another step forward in using chat-based messaging as a commerce tool for businesses communicating and transacting with technology-savvy clients. There’s enthusiasm and excitement around using messaging as an interface to facilitate shopping and purchasing and to make it a bit more personalized and conversational. Facebook will enable U.S. users to make payments to businesses on Messenger. Businesses will sell products and services directly to customers in Messenger. Customers can check out with a few easy clicks, without ever leaving the Messenger app. Person-to-person payments via debit cards have been possible since last year. Businesses can currently apply to be considered for a closed beta test of the payments-via-Messenger service. The capability ,ay roll out “more broadly by the end of the year.” www.facebook.com/messenger

October 1-2, 2016 Chattahoochee Hills, Atlanta, GA http://manyriversfestival.com

BUSINESS

Marriott-Starwood Deal Done, Loyalty Programs to be Combined By Danny King

ith Marriott Inter national completing its $13 billion

Starwood websites, mobile apps and call centers. Other member perks include a

“Marriott will deliver an unparalleled guest experience with more hotels in more global

acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts on Friday, members of the Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest programs are eligible to start transferring points between accounts. Marriott launched a microsite (www.members.marriott.com) to enable members of both loyalty programs to learn how to link accounts. Customers are eligible to transfer points at a 3-to-1 ratio (three Marriott Rewards points equals one SPG Starpoint). Starwood and Marriott guests will have their current status matched in the combined company’s loyalty program. Guests are eligible for “exclusive member rates” as well as perks such as free WiFi when reserving rooms directly, through Marriott and

chance to win tickets to the Super Bowl party and the 2016 World Series as well as access to SPG luxury suites at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Marriott paid $21 in cash plus 0.8 shares of Marriott stock per Starwood share. At Marriott’s closing stock price of $69.80, the acquisition was worth about $13 billion. Marriott now oversees more than 5,700 hotels totaling about 1.1 million rooms across 30 brands, making it the largest hotel company in the world. In comparison, Hilton Worldwide has about 4,700 hotels and 775,000 rooms, and InterContinental Hotels Group has about 5,000 hotels and 749,000 rooms.

destinations, an unrivaled range of comprehensive accommodations to suit every traveler, and the industry’s best loyalty programs,” said Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson. With the acquisition, Marriott added three board members, including former Starwood CEO Bruce Duncan. The company will hold a conference call on Friday. On Oct. 14, Marriott will hold a “Global Travel Day” at New York City’s Rockefeller Center to promote the combined company. The festival will feature a 4,140-square-foot interactive map showing Marriott’s global footprint.  www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/ Hotel-News/Marriott-Starwooddeal-done-loyalty-programscombined?t=head&cid=eltrMtgNews

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Business

Apparel/Textiles and Free Trade Agreement Compliance The U.S currently has Trade Agreements with the Central American countries, Dominican Republic, Panama, Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Colombia, Korea, Morocco, Canada, Mexico, Peru and Singapore. Additionally the U.S. has Trade Preference Programs under the African Growth and Opportunity Act - AGOA, The United States Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act – CBTPA, the Andean Trade Preference Act – ATPDEA and the Haitian Textile and Apparel Trade Preference Programs. The textile/apparel sector is a key component of the U.S. economy. The numerous free trade agreements provide benefits to producers/exporters/importers in the United States and partner countries. The rules of these agreements are sometimes complex and errors in the application of the agreements can be costly to companies. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, are critical elements in ensuring compliance with these agreements, which supports international trade. This seminar will focus on textiles/apparel free trade agreements and the U.S. exporters/producers/importers responsibilities associated with utilizing them. Topics covered will include rules of origin, record keeping, certifications/certificates of origin, and the ramifications for violations. Although the focus of this seminar is textile/apparel, the information provided will be of interest to additional industries.

**There is no cost to attend** Location: Los Angeles Textile Show, California Market Centre – Pent House-29 Date/Time: September 28, 2016 at 1:00PM Presenters: Julieanne Hennessy - U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service Richard Stepson - U. S. Department of Commerce, Oﬃce of Textiles and Apparel TBD - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations Jacqueline Spungle - U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Oﬃce of Trade, Textiles and Trade Agreements

Participating Agencies include: USDOC - Commercial Service (USFCS) USDOC - Oﬃce of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations (ICE/HSI) Register for Free Trade Agreement Compliance Seminar https://build.export.gov/california/losangelesdowntown/events/latextileshow/index.asp Register for the LA Textile Show at: http://www.californiamarketcenter.com/latextile/registration.php

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BBN Overview:

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

n recognitional of the 2016 Annual Legislative Conference hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Black Business News offers this overview of the foundation and the Congressional Black Caucus. The mission and vision of the foundation, and the caucus that it serves, are achieved through the programmatic efforts that have been designed, initiated and executed over the years. The extraordinary success of this foundation is a credit to the dedication and sincerity of the congressional representatives that have been elected by the people since 19xx. CBCF addresses the Vision and achieves its mission by: • Facilitating the exchange of ideas and information to address critical issues affecting our communities. • Providing leadership development and scholarship opportunities to educate the next generation of leaders. • Promoting public health and financial empowerment for all communities through innovative programs. • Developing strategic research and historical resources for the public, academics, educators, and students. The CBCF programs and projects have been instituted one-by-one over the timeline of the Caucus and the foundation.

Timeline •

1970 - AfricanAmerican lawmakers hold

Mission

Our mission of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is to advance the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public.

•

their ﬁrst Annual Legislative Conference 1971 - Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is established by 13 members of the 92nd United States Congress 1976 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) is established by CBC as a non-partisan research institute to promote involvement in the national political process 1983 - CBC members and their communities led the movement to make the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a federal holiday 1986 - CBCF launches its Internship Program to give future black leaders an opportunity to work in public service • 1988 - CBCF’s Scholarship Program begins providing ﬁnancial assistance

Vision

We envision a world in which all communities have an equal voice in public policy through leadership cultivation, economic empowerment, and civic engagement.

•

to gifted motivated students in CBC districts 1992 Annual Golf & Tennis Scholarship Classic is ﬁrst held to raise money for the burgeoning Scholarship Program 2002 - CBCF purchases its four-story building on Washington, D.C.’s Embassy Row • 2006 CBCF’s Katrina Relief Fund donates more than $250,000 to rebuild Louisiana and Mississippi communities • 2006 - The Avoice Virtual Library Project launched 2009 - Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI) is launched to educate the public on social justice issues related to HIV 2010 - The Spirit of Health Living initiative begins supporting faith-based

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•

education on Type-2 diabetes prevention and care 2013 - $4 million invested in AfricanAmerican owned banks to spur economic development in black communities 2014 - China Study Abroad Program is created to provide international exploration to CBC students in member districts 2014 - Center for Analysis and Research (CPAR) is created to identify, analyze and disseminate policy-related information 2014 - CBCF launches Emerge 535 to place 535 African-American interns on Capitol Hill 2015 - CBCF launches Policy Now, a virtual community engaged in public policy issues that impact black communities

Keep Up With What's Happening Now CBCF continues the work of achieving Vision and Mission goals through the programs and application of communication technologies. We may all participate in and beneﬁt from the programs and projects. CPAR: open-minded inquiry into economic independence, public health, education, leadership, and other issues aﬀecting the global black community to inform current policy debate in local, state and federal government and impacts policy in the global black community. Policy Now: A "virtual" community designed to engage the public around policy issues impacting black communities. It serves as a

permanent link between citizens and public policy makers and expand our ability to connect stakeholders in the academic, government and public policy communities across the country in real time. AVoice: This Virtual Library is a premier source of information about historical and contemporary AfricanAmerican policy issues important to researchers, academics, educators and students. Avoice captures and preserves the rich history of African-

American political and legislative contributions for future generations. Public Health: CBCF produces district-level forums throughout the country to explore public policy concerns, promote public health and financial empowerment and to solicit opinions and recommendations of citizens at the local community level. Publications: CBCF regularly publishes special reports addressing key public policy issues affecting the global black community, including economic independence, public health, education and leadership. View the many publications at: www.cbcfinc.org/publications. CBCF LIVE!: View upcoming events and review videos of past events at: www.cbcfinc.org/mediacenter/live. Keep abreat of recent news by viewing the CBCF press releases while in the Media Center.

Reciprosity This brief overview Congressional Black

of the Caucus

Foundation reminds us that achieving and maintaining freedom, democracy and good governance are hard work. It is the work of the activists that education and motivate us, politicians that represent us and carry out our legislative demands, the experts they employ, and us, the voting public. It is our responsiblity to become an informed community. It is our responsibility to be an active community. That activity includes taking part in some of the demonstrations that have meaning for our speciﬁc community and our greater community. Visiting the CBCF website to learn about the issues and concerns regarding public policies and asking questions of our representatives so that we achieve more clarity and better direction. Most of all, that activity means that we must vote in every and all elections.

So take the time to view some of the CBCF Legislative Conference videos on CBCF LIVE! (if you can't be there Live!), read some of the research reports, ﬁnd your congress and senate representative's website and share your opinions, wants and needs. The work of the CBCF makes us all better citizens in general and informed champions for civil, economic and health rights in the USA.  www.cbcﬁnc.org

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Business

CBC Foundation Leads Policy Discussions

Charles Rangel

By Thia Fins, BBN Contributing Writer

n 1970, 13 African American members of the United States Congress gathered in Washington, D.C., and formed a body designed to "positively inﬂuence the course of events pertinent to African-Americans and others of similar experience and situation," and focus on "achieviong greater equity for persons of African descent in the design and content of domestic and international programs and services. Called the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the organization grew out of a body founded in 1969 called the Democratic Select Committee. The 13 members of that selected comitted consisted of Shirley Chisholm, William L. Clay, Sr., George W. Collins, John Conyers, Ronald Dellums, Charles Diggs, Augustus F. Hawkins, Ralph Metcalfe, Parren Mitchell, Robert Nix, Charles Rangel, Louis Stokes, and Washington, D.C. Delegate Walter Fauntroy. On a motion by New York’s Charles Rangel, one of only two remaining members of the original 13, the body voted to rename the committee the Congressional Black Caucus. That inaugural body has grown to include 43 members including the current lone Republican member-Congresswoman Mia Love of Utah. Since its founding, the CBC has consisted primarily of Democratic

Parren Mitchell

Ron Louis Dellums Stokes William George W. Clay, Sr. Collins

Ralph Metcalf

Shirley Chisholm

Robert Nix

John Conyers Walter Fauntroy

Augustus Hawkins

Charles Diggs

Original Congressional Black Caucas members of the House of Representatives. There have only been seven Black senators elected. since the caucus' founding, and only five of them have been members of the caucus--all Democrats-have served as members of the Congressional Black Caucus. They are Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, elected in 2013 and currently serving; Carol Moseley Braun (1993–1999) of Illinois, Barack Obama (2005–2008) of Illinois, Mo Cowan (2013) of Massachusetts, and Roland Burris (2008–2010). Burris was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in December 2008 to fill Obama's seat for the remaining two years of his senate term, after his election as president. Cowan was appointed to temporarily serve until a special election after the seat was vacated by John Kerry following his appointment as secretary of state. In 1976, the CBC established a foundation which began as a non-partisan research institute. Today, the foundation is organized as a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy, research and educational institute with an office located near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. It consist of a board of directors and two advisory councils. R. Donahue

Peebles is the chairperson of CBCF and A. Shuanise Washington is its president and chief executive officer. Each year during September, the foundation holds an annual legislative conference that plays a large role in furthering the agenda of the CBC—facilitating the exchange of ideas and information to addressing the critical issues affecting the global African diaspora. The CBCF Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) is the leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global Black community. Thought leaders, legislators and concerned citizens engage on economic development, civil and social justice, public health and education issues. More than 9,000 people attend 70 public policy forums and much more. Join subject experts, industry leaders, elected officials and citizen activists to explore today’s issues from an African-American perspective. The 2016 Annual Legislative Conference took place Sept. 14 to 18, and the highlight was an address by President Barack Obama as he concludes his historic term as America’s first African American president. 

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The United States will host the ﬁfteenth annual U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, commonly known as the AGOA Forum, on September 26, 2016, at the U.S. Department of State, in Washington, D.C. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the U.S. government's signature trade initiative with sub-Saharan Africa. The AGOA legislation mandates the annual AGOA Forum to foster close economic ties between the United States and its partners in sub-Saharan Africa. This year’s theme is “Maximizing AGOA Now while Preparing for the Future Beyond AGOA.”

Quote of Note “…In fact, if you want to give Michelle and me a good sendoﬀ don’t just watch us walk oﬀ into the sunset, now. Get people registered to vote. If you care about our legacy, realize everything we stand for is at stake. All the progress we've made is at stake in this election. My name may not be on the ballot, but our progress is on the ballot. Tolerance is on the ballot. Democracy is on the ballot. Justice is on the ballot. Good schools are on the ballot. Ending mass incarceration -- that's on the ballot right now! ”

Barack Obama Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards Dinner 2016 www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-oﬃce/2016/09/18/remarks-president-congressional-black-caucus-foundation-46th-annual

45  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

re you a Small Business interested in selling your product or services to Metro or to Prime Contractors that do business with Metro? Would you like to learn how to win contracts as a Prime Contractor through SB Prime, Metro's exciting set-aside initiative? If so, we invite you to come grow with us and learn about Metro Connect. Start now and register for a How to Do Business with Metro Workshop. Metro staff will show you how to take advantage of the vast array of products, services and transportation related opportunities projected over the coming weeks, months and year. As an added bonus, Metro's procurement staff will host informal interviews with firms before the workshop, starting at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2016 8:30 a.m.: Registration 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: One-on-One with Contract Administrators and Continental Breakfast 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Program

Metro Headquarters 3rd Floor, Board Room, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Topics: Highway Project Update, Procurement Update, Certiﬁcation Update, Small Business Prime Update, LA SAFE/511 Next Generation Update To learn more about how Metro Connect's Small and Disadvantaged Business Certiﬁcations can help open the door to contracting opportunities with Metro visit Metro Vendor Portal. For further questions, please contact Marisela Villar at VillarM@metro.net or via phone at 213.922.2235.

46  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Retiree Conﬁdence on the Rise, EBRI Finds

hile retirement confidence among U.S. workers appears to be stabilizing, confidence among today's retirees continues to climb, finds the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in its latest Retirement Confidence Survey. Workers who said they were "very confident" in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement rose from 13% in 2013 to 22% last year. In 2016, that percentage leveled off at 21%. However, the percentage of retirees who are "very confident" continued to rise in 2016 to 39%, up from 18% in 2013. Historically, retiree confidence has exceeded worker confidence, said the report.

Worker perceptions vs. retiree realities Each year, the study reveals findings that compare worker expectations and perceptions with the actual experiences of current retirees. For example: • While 78% of workers are at least "somewhat confident" that they will have enough money to afford basic expenses in retirement, an even higher percentage (84%) of current retirees feel that way. An even sharper contrast emerges when considering the affordability of medical expenses. Thirty-eight percent of workers say they are "not too" or "not at all confident" in their prospects for funding medical care, while just 21% of retirees share that level of concern. • The age at which workers expect to retire has crept upward through the years, while the actual retirement age for retired respondents has changed very little. In 1991, just 11% of workers said they expected to retire after age 65. In 2016, the percentage increased to 37%. By comparison, the actual percentage of retirees who retired after age 65 was 8% in 1991 and rose to 15% in 2016. The median age at which retirees said they retired held steady at age 62 throughout the 25-year period. • Only 8% of today's workers said they plan to retire 38% of retirees say their current expenses are "somewhat higher" or "much higher" than before age 60, yet they expected when they first retired, while the same percentage said their expenses are 36% of today's retirees left the workforce "about the same" as they expected 48  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

before reaching that age. Why the difference? The study's authors said that each year they discover a sizable percentage of retirees who retire earlier than planned--46% in 2016. Reasons cited include health problems or disability (55%), changes at their company such as downsizing or closure (24%), and having to care for a family member (17%). Despite these findings, workers can take heart knowing that today's retirees feel more confident than in past years, and in knowing that the years ahead offer time to modify their retirement planning strategies if necessary.

About the survey The 26th annual Retirement Confidence Survey was cosponsored by EBRI, a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization that focuses on health, savings, retirement, and economic security issues; and Greenwald & Associates, a Washington, DC-based market research firm. The survey was conducted in January and February 2016 through 20-minute telephone interviews with 1,505 people, including 1,000 workers and 505 retirees. Full results can be viewed at ebri.org. FWR IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES Regina L. Faison *Wealth Manager/Registered Principal Faison Wealth & Retirement Services C/O Woodbury Financial Services 3070 Bristol Suite 500, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Office Direct -949-200-8212 * Efax - 949-556-9806 * Regina cell - 714-329-7184 Customer Service Email- service@faisonwealth.com Ph# - 949-939-1194 Website - http://faisonwealth.com "Helping businesses and individuals achieve their life goals" *Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC and Registered Investment Advisor. Woodbury Financial Services P.O. Box 64284*St. Paul, MN 55164*-800-800-2638. Insurance offered through Faison Wealth and Retirement Services is not affiliated with Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. Faison Wealth and Retirement Services and Woodbury Financial are not affiliated entities.

Faison Wealth & Retirement Regina Faison Wealth Manager/Registered Principal* 3070 Bristol Street Suite 500 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 949-200-8212 714-329-7184 regina@faisonwealth.com www.faisonwealth.com

49  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business

Deepak Chopra’s OneMinute Meditation You Can Do at Your Desk

Welcome to More.

r. Chopra believes you can begin practicing meditation anywhere -- even at your desk with your eyes open - STOP Meditation. This is very simple to practice in just one minute any time during your day to relieve stress and enhance your focus. In this short video from Sonima.com (www.sonima. com/videos/ one-minutemeditation),

C h o p r a explains how you can do a one-minute meditation at your own desk to give yourself a mini-break from the day's stresses and help you regain mental clarity and calm.

Chopra’s Tips on How to Practice STOP Meditation 1. STOP what you're doing. 2. TAKE some deep breaths and focus on the sensations of your breathing. You can even count your breaths i.e. inhale "1," exhale "2," inhale "3" etc. This helps you reconnect with the present moment and also creates a buﬀer between your thoughts and your actions. 3. OBSERVE what is going on. Ask yourself four questions: * Who am I? * What do I want? * What is my dharma or purpose? *What am I grateful for? 4. PROCEED with your day with this new sense of mindful awareness (based on your

Open the door to a hotel you don’t just visit. You own it. Choice Hotels® is committed to achieving more diversity in hospitality with exclusive incentive programs designed to reduce up front costs and provide more support to minority hotel developers. And our commitment doesn’t stop there. Choice Hotels promotes and pursues diversity at all levels, ranging from our workforce to our hotel guests, from our suppliers to entrepreneurs looking to create wealth. Like you. Open the door to hotel ownership opportunities with Choice Hotels. Because you’re not in business for less. You’re in it for more. www.choicehotelsdevelopment.com/#&panel1-2

thoughts or answers to the questions above).  By JESS BARRON www.livestrong.com/blog/deepakchopras-one-minute-meditation-candesk-eyes-open 53  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

What you're going for... • • • • •

The Technology of Entertainment The Future of Business Tech (Is Now) A Smarter and Safer World The Technology Fueling Social Justice & Sustainability The Hottest Tech for Health, Wellness, Sport, Fashion & Beauty

Read The Agenda:

www.cvent.com/events/2016-black-enterprise-techconnextsummit/agenda-efcc591331be4cd0af4011bcfa14674f .aspx#tabs-2

Why Attend... 1. Connect 2. Learn 3. Recruit 4. Innovate

https://www.cvent.com/events/2016-blackenterprise-techconnext-summit/registrationefcc591331be4cd0af4011bcfa14674f.aspx

Marke Wines

http://www.markewines.com

arke Wines are a reflection of my journey. It is a journey that defies conventional expectations…and leads to unexpected destinations. The result of this journey is my personal portfolio of the art of winemaking. My journey began on the West Coast of Africa, in Sierra Leone, many years ago. And it has taken me from the table in my grandparents’ home in Freetown, where wine was a traditional part of sharing a Sunday meal, to my studies in enology at UC Davis and an MBA from Sonoma State University, to consulting for some of the leading wineries in California.

And now I can offer you wines of my own. It has been a career I could never have imagined, and my wines encapsulate my best efforts, my hopes, and my dreams. Like painting, winemaking is working with a living medium and coaxing it to evolve organically by applying brushstrokes of technical skills. In a delicate dance between control and surrender, I let the character of the grapes guide my hand, as opposed to imposing one preferred technique. Each grape has a voice of its own, and my job is to amplify that it, mix it with others, and resolve the discordant tones into a harmony. Through the winemaking process, the wine takes on a life of its own, changing and developing. It teaches me about itself—and it teaches me about myself. As it evolves, I evolve. And this magical connection between the artist and the creation is what I look forward to with each undertaking. Each bottle is a time capsule of what happened during that vintage, as well as a personal expression.

favorite African fabric.

LIBA Liba (pronounced Lee-bah) is Krio for courage. Courage has been an important ingredient in my growth as a winemaker and, more important, as a person. Pinot Noir’s natural strawberry aromatics have long haunted me, but it was the red grape’s transparency in showing the hand of the winemaker that piqued my interest in working with it. My dream is to highlight the brush strokes of winemaking, so it was natural that I settled on pinot noir to start. Liba is a red fruit-dominant wine that is balanced with full flavor, without being overpowering. 2012 and 2013 vintages are available for purchase.

BILIV

WINES

The 2012 BILIV (Bee-Leaf) is a nicely balanced red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. In Krio, my native dialect from Sierra Leone, BILIV means “faith.” The people who live there have suffered war and continue to live in challenging circumstances. ”Fo gey BILIV” means you should have faith and belief in better days to come. This is truly inspirational. I feel a kinship with my people in Freetown, in believing what is possible. With “BILIV” in my craft and vision, I believe that this blend will evolve beautifully over time. Fo gey BILIV!

Growing up a warring country, I learned that the gifts of gratitude and the spirit of sharing transcend anything money can buy. People should come first, wine second, and profit third, that’s my philosophy. And so I’ve named the wines in my native language, Krio, and abstracted the pattern of the labels from my

Due to very limited quantities we are no longer offering online purchasing. If you wish to place an order please email Andrea at andrea@markewines.com with your order and contact information and we will contact you to place the order. 

Purchase

56  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

64  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

www.nubianskin.com/us

Sell Your Products & Services on

Black Business Association is joining forces with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and a number of other businesses and community organizations to help promote safe driving through

It Can Wait.

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Friendship Day OR ANY SPECIAL OCCASION

Business Technology:

Take A Look! by LaSandra Stratton

heck out what these ﬁrms and organizations have to oﬀer for your personal interests, personal wealth building, and business expansion opportunities.

Eboticon app (www.eboticon. com)

locations to other goTenna users up to several miles away. In less than a minute, you can create a smart, people-powered network, anywhere. No towers, routers or satellites required. Great for any

goTenna is designed to be attached externally to any gear and used with any iOS or Android device. Like other smart devices, your goTenna will continuously improve with new features and ﬁrmware upgrades. goTenna combines the reliability of radio communication with your smartphone’s intelligence and ease of use. goTenna comes in pairs — one for you, one for a friend. You can connect your goTenna to any other goTennas inrange. Make your network as big or small as you want! goTenna is not a walkietalkie — it's better. 

Flipagram www.ﬂipagram.com

he Most Dynamic Lifelike Emojis on the Market. Send hilarious fully animated gifs

and popular expressions to your friends. You will love sending and receiving Eboticons! 

goTenna www.gotenna.com/

adio waves power your goTenna network on the go. Pair goTenna to your smartphone via Bluetooth and use the goTenna app to send texts and

oﬀ-grid group activity. By avoiding voice and focusing on text and GPS, we’re able to make goTenna lighter, smaller, and simply more reliable. goTenna’s range is similar to 2W VHF, professional-grade 2-way radios and depends on your environment. In an open environment you can expect up to 5 miles of range. In a congested environment you can expect up to 1 mile of range. Unlike a walkie-talkie, you won't have to worry about switching channels and goTenna lets you know whether or not your message was received.

reate, share and discover fun photo-video stories set to music you love! Most of us have tons of photos in both our Camera Roll and on Instagram. Why not combine all those photos into one video slideshow we can share with friends and family? That's exactly what Flipagram does. Flipagram is a sharing app that has one sole purpose, to help you make short movies out of your images. You can link up your Instagram account and pull directly

70  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

from it, which makes for a neat way to rediscover old pictures you may have already forgotten about. If you plan on uploading the short video to Instagram, you can even have Flipagram time the video for you and evenly space all slides. Or you can manually choose the length of each. Once you're done, you can choose music from your music library to go along with your Flipagram movie. From there, all you have left to do is share it. Flipagram supports native sharing to YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, email, and export to Camera Roll. Check out the Flipagram Featured Creators program described in the Flipagram Blog. Your work could be selected for speciap recognition. 

in your destination. For each option you get all the useful info that Maps has taught you to expect: descriptions, location info, hours, links to websites, menus, directions, etc.

All your travel info in one place Now you can ﬁnd travel details like reservations and conﬁrmation numbers in one easy app. Google Trips simply gathers your travel information

from Gmail and Inbox, then organizes it automatically. Plus, the entire app is available oﬄine, so you can see your info wherever you are.  Submitted by LaSandra Stratton, Chief Content Administrator of the Black Business News.

Google Trips https://get. google.com/trips

oogle Trips is a standalone app that can provide critical oﬄine support when needed. Google Trips makes it easier than ever to plan and organize your trips. It automatically maps out a half day or a full day with suggestions for things to see and do. Want to see more? Tap the "magic wand" to see more nearby sights. Each tap of the wand gives you a fresh set of nearby attractions.

Coming to your e-mail box.

Find things you want to do Want to know what museums are within walking distance? Done. From cafes to parks to beaches, Google Trips shows you tons of cool things near and far, so you can ﬁnd your next destination faster. Thematic categories like “Things to Do” and “Food & Drink” are populated from Google’s unparalleled database of places

Read Back Issues at: https://issuu.com/blackbusinessnews

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Community/Public Interest

Obamas in Essence, Open Up About Their Impact On Black Kids By Lilly Workneh

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fter eight years in the White House, the Obamas certainly have accomplished a lot. But, in the October issue of Essence magazine, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama said that it’s the impact they’ve had on black and brown kids that they consider among their proudest achievements. Essence The first couple grace the cover of the October issue of “Essence.” The cover story, which includes stunning pictures of the couple, highlights the most notable moments of Obama’s eight-year term. The first lady also shared what she feels the couple has done to inspire black and brown kids. “I think when it comes to Black kids, it means something for them to have spent most of their life seeing the family in the White House look like them. It matters,” FLOTUS told ESSENCE. “All the future work that Barack talked about, I think over these last few years we’ve kind of knocked the ceiling of limitation off the roofs of many young kids’ imaginations of what’s

possible for them.” The power of representation is certainly not lost on POTUS either. In 2014, Obama launched “My Brother’s Keeper,” an initiative that aims to provide mentorship and guidance to young men of color. It’s a move he sees as one of his most notable achievements, and one he hopes will live on long after he’s gone. “For me, things like My Brother’s Keeper… that’s something I’m confident we’ll be continuing after we leave,” Obama said. Yet, Obama acknowledged that there’s still plenty of progress to be made. “On a host of issues, we’ve made real progress. And I can unequivocally say that America is better off now than we were when we came into office,” Obama said. “By almost every economic measure, we’ve better off. But having said that, we still have a lot of work to do.”  www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/obamas-cover-essenceapplaud-the-impact-theyve-had-on-black-kids_ us_57d15b4de4b00642712ba1e3?utm_hp_ref=michelleobama

“Very casual. No makeup, a t-shirt, and a pair of ripped jean shorts or workout pants because I’m always on the By Jamie Feldman verge of going to or coming from [working out],” she told InStyle’s Ariel Foxman. “I love color and pieces that ichelle Obama’s legacy will live on long after make me feel good, but it’s much more informal.” her time in the White House is over, thanks The fashionable first lady is constantly knocking it to her commitment to health, her elegant out of the park in flattering silhouettes and beautiful stature, and of course, designs, but she explained she tends “not to worry” her unparalleled about trends. style. “What works for an 18-year-old selfie queen may not We’ve grown for a 52-year-old first lady who is a mom of teenagers accustomed over the she is trying to be a good role model for,” she said. years to regularly There is, however, one trend Obama and the “selfie swooning over queens” have in common: social media. FLOTUS FLOTUS in the credits her daughters for helping her understand the likes of Naeem need to have an active presence. Khan, Narciso “I live with Generation Z and I know their habits, the Rodriguez and way they take information in is so different,” she said, Jason Wu. However, adding, “We’ve got to meet our constituents where they according to a new are, and they’re on Snapchat.” cover interview for We are #blessed for this interview, Michelle. Head to InStyle’s Oct. 2016 InStyle to read more; the issue hits newsstands Sept issue ― the first 16.  time the glossy has www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ ever featured a first michelle-obama-personal-style-instyle_ lady ― Obama says us_57d1564fe4b06a74c9f2bd9e?utm_hp_ref=michelleher true personal style is quite different than how it obama appears in her fancy shmancy presidential life.

Michelle Obama’s True Personal Style Is Not What You Think

75  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

100 Years In The Making, Black History And Culture Museum Ready For Reveal By Tanya Ballard Brown

hen peals ring out from a 130-year-old church bell at the Sept. 24 dedication ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, they will signal the end of a long journey. The historic "Freedom Bell" usually hangs in Williamsburg, Va., in the tower of the First Baptist Church, which was founded by slaves. It started making its way to Washington, D.C., on Monday, according to The Associated Press, in order to herald this latest historical event. "The connection between a congregation founded in 1776, the forging of First Baptist Church, the ﬁrst black president opening the ﬁrst national African-American museum, all of those dots are being connected," the Rev. Reginald Davis told WVEC. But in truth, it took more than a few people, and a century's worth of starts and stops, to shift the museum from conversation to construction.

"A long time coming" The idea of the museum was ﬁrst proposed in 1915 by black veterans of the Civil War. A year later, Rep. Leonidas C. Dyer, R-Mo., introduced HR 18721, a bill that called for a commission to "secure

plans and designs for a monument or memorial to the memory of the negro soldiers and sailors who fought in the wars of our country." Three years later, Dyer — who also authored the 1918 Dyer Anti-Lynching bill — upped the ante and drafted a bill to erect an African-American monument in the capital. In Begin with the Past: Building the National Museum of African American History and Culture, author Mabel Wilson writes that Dyer's 1919 bill "sparked a round of discussions among the various committees overseeing federal land." There was even talk of building the memorial on the National Mall, but a decision on how to pay for it was put off. In 1929, things looked hopeful again when Congress passed legislation establishing a commission charged with building an African-American memorial. But once again, no money was allocated for it — it was the Depression — and the project lost momentum. The museum gained new champions during the civil rights era, but it wasn't until 1986 that Congress passed a joint resolution supporting private efforts to build it. The efforts inched forward in 1991 when a Smithsonian blue-ribbon commission pushed for creation

of the museum, recommending that the iconic, red-brick Arts and Industries Building be its temporary home. But political squabbles over funding and a site location stymied that eﬀort. The arrival of the new millennium, however, seemed to bring with it new momentum to get the museum built. In 2003, Congress passed the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act, a bill making the museum part of the Smithsonian Institution. Over the next few years, a board was selected and more than $240 million was raised from donors such as Oprah's Charitable Foundation, Samuel L. Jackson and his family, Michael Jordan and his family, the LeBron James Family Foundation, the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, Earvin and Cookie Johnson and family, and Mellody Hobson and George Lucas. The federal government kicked in $270 million. "They took advantage of having the ﬁrst African-American president, and of President Obama's legacy," Emmett Carson, president and chief executive of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and an authority on African-American giving, told The Washington Post in

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When it opens, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., will be the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African-American life, history and culture. Alan Karchmer for NMAAHC

May. The other pieces fell into place once the location was decided in 2006: an architecture design team selected in 2009, and ﬁnally, in February 2012, a groundbreaking. "This day has been a long time coming," Obama said during the ceremony.

The building and collections Today the 400,000-square-foot museum stands on the National Mall near the Washington Monument. The art of the Yoruba people, with origins in Nigeria and Benin, inspired its tiered facade. In 2012, NPR's Melissa Block talked to Paul Freelon, architect of record for the project, who described other inﬂuences that led to its design. "David Adjaye, our lead designer, came up with the idea of trying to link the building form to a cultural icon that was signiﬁcant. There are other aspects of the design, for instance, the porch, which is, I think, more akin to what you see in America — not only in black culture but across the nation. And so it's really a blending of cultural icons

that we think speak to the AfricanAmerican culture." The majority of the exhibition space is underground. On the bottom level, museumgoers will find themselves in literal and metaphorical darkness: slavery. Then, as they ascend, visitors move through exhibits exploring the Jim Crow era and the civil rights movement, until finally reaching light and joy — above-ground galleries devoted to culture, music, dance, literature. "The Power of Place," an exhibition on the third floor, is about "the diversity of African-American history and culture across a wide expanse ... thematic, chronological and geographic," Paul Gardullo, one of the museum's curators, recently told NPR. Some of the museum's more than 35,000 artifacts include slave shackles, a dress Rosa Parks made in the 1950s, Muhammad Ali's boxing headgear, and a circa 1918 charm featuring one of the founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the first Greeklettered organization for black women. (Full disclosure: I am a member of this sorority.)

In that 2012 NPR conversation, Freelon noted that the museum's contents wouldn't just focus on "well-known names." "These facilities should express the ideals and vision of the everyday person. There were foot soldiers, if you will, of the civil rights movement that need to be commemorated. And often, those stories, because they're unfamiliar, are really quite interesting. And so our eﬀorts to pull out the interesting stories goes beyond just the marquee names that we all know." That method of organizing the vast collection — and the choices made for exhibits — seems to hew closely to a hope the president expressed back in 2012. "I want [my daughters] to see how ordinary Americans can do extraordinary things," he said. "I want them to appreciate this museum, not just as a record of tragedy, but as a celebration of life."  www.npr. org/2016/09/14/493688656/100years-in-the-making-black-historyand-culture-museum-ready-forreveal

77  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Community/Public Interest - Obituary

Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles — Pastor, Civil Rights Leader, 'Lovely Human Being' By David Waters

is given name was Samuel, like the prophet. But when he was a small boy in Mississippi in the 1930s, his mother started calling him Billy, after the famous evangelist Billy Sunday. “My mother would see me having funerals for dead birds or baptizing cats and dogs, so she started calling me little Billy,” Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles recalled in an interview a decade ago. “When I started school and people were calling me Samuel, I had no idea who that was. I was Billy.” For the rest of his life, he was

Billy to family and friends, and Rev. Kyles to countless others around the world who were inﬂuenced by his ministry, music and witness — not only to history but to the gospel. Rev. Kyles, who saw his decades of work for civil and human rights as a logical and necessary extension of his ministry, died Tuesday after a long illness. He was 81. “Billy was the interpreter of our struggle, our witness,” Jesse Jackson said at a tribute to Kyles held April 3 at Monumental Baptist Church, the South Memphis congregation he led for 55 years.

“He fought to change the order of things. He was a founding father of the New Memphis and the New South.” Rev. Kyles was too ill to attend the tribute, which fittingly focused as much on his lifelong ministry as his moment in history. The lanky, soft-spoken, genial pastor was best known as the man who witnessed the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel. King, Ralph Abernathy and Jesse Jackson were on their way to Kyles’ home for dinner. Rev. Kyles was on the balcony a few steps from King when the fateful shot was fired. The tragic scene was recounted in a short film, “The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306,” which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2008. “I’ve asked many, many times, ‘Why was I there at that crucial moment in time?’” Rev. Kyles said many, many times as he traveled around the world every January and April to recount King’s final minutes. He didn’t accept honoraria for those appearances. “Over the years, God has revealed to me why I was there. Crucifixions have to have witnesses.” They also need believers. Rev. Kyles was a true believer in the same gospel that informed, directed and motivated King. Like King, his friend and mentor, Rev. Kyles was a preacher’s son and son of the Deep South. He

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was born in 1934 in Shelby in Mississippi’s Delta. When he was 6, his father, Rev. Joseph Henry Kyles, moved the family to Chicago. “He said, ‘I need to get my boys out of Mississippi,’” Rev. Kyles later recalled. Young Kyles started singing before he started preaching. By age 15, he was featured with gospel groups such as the Maceo Wood Singers. “Sam Cooke and I used to stand under a streetlight and sing together,” Kyles told an interviewer for the National Visionary Leadership Project. “The Staple Singers lived a block over. We were always singing.” Aretha Franklin, who was born in Memphis and whose father was a prominent preacher, said Rev. Kyles’ version of the gospel song “Never Grow Old” inspired her own hit version. One evening when Kyles was supposed to sing in church, he got up and announced that he had been called to preach. He was 17. “There was no voice that spoke to me, but it was such an urge that it became almost like a burden,” he said. His mother, Ludie “Queen” Kyles, wept. “She said, ‘I always knew you would, I was just waiting for you to know.’” Kyles ﬁnished school, then seminary. In 1959, a clergy friend invited him to preach to a ﬂedgling congregation in Memphis. He preached and they invited him back. He returned to the pulpit nearly every Sunday for 55 years, becoming the founding pastor of Monumental Baptist Church.

 April 11, 1968 - Rev. James Lawson (left) and Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles during a press conference. On April 16, the sanitation strike came to an end as an agreement was reached with city oﬃcials. (Fred Payne, Courtesy Special Collections/University of Memphis Libraries) September 23, 2009 - The Dalai Lama, Rev. Samuel Billy Kyles and Dr. Benjamin Hooks step out to the balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated at the National Civil Rights Museum. The Dalai Lama was moved when he discovered he was standing in the space where King's life was taken and blessed it. (Mike Brown/The Commerial Appeal)

continues on page 80 79  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Community/Public Interest - Obituary Rev. Billy Kyles

from page 79

“I made a decision early on that I didn’t want to be known as the singing preacher,” he said. “They didn’t take singing preachers seriously. I wanted to be known as the preacher who could sing.” Like King, Rev. Kyles also wanted to be known as the preacher who worked for justice. King “taught us to preach to the whole person and to challenge wrong wherever you ﬁnd it, not just from the pulpit but in the streets,’’ Rev. Kyles told me in 1998. Like King, Rev. Kyles worked both sides of the pulpit. In Memphis, he joined the local branch of the NAACP and became one of the early leaders of the movement in Memphis. In 1961, Rev. Kyles’ daughter, Dwania, was one of 13 AfricanAmerican ﬁrst-graders to integrate Memphis City Schools. “We did not want to make the mistake that Little Rock had made and send high schoolers,” Rev. Kyles said. “So we decided to send our 5-year-olds. Because high schoolers are tainted already, but a 5-year-old is going to act like a 5-year-old.” In 1964, Rev. Kyles was arrested along with six others for refusing to sit in the back of a segregated Memphis city bus. They threatened to start a Montgomery-like bus boycott. Two weeks later, city buses were quietly desegregated. “Billy was a civil-rights leader because he was a gospel preacher,” said Rev. Dr. James Netters, pastor emeritus of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood and Kyles’ oldest friend and colleague. “He was being faithful to the gospel by standing up for his human rights and the human rights of others.” After King’s death in 1968, Rev.

Kyles kept standing up. He formed the Memphis chapter of Jesse Jackson’s Operation PUSH in 1974, the first one outside Chicago. He led local efforts to desegregate all schools, register voters and elect African-Americans to public office, including Harold Ford Sr., the city’s first black congressman and Willie Herenton, the city’s first elected black mayor. “I can remember many an evening sitting on my father’s lap at our kitchen table listening to my Dad and Rev. Kyles strategize on important matters,” said former congressman Harold Ford Jr. “Rev. Kyles was an unusual giant in spirit and faith in that he believed more in doing God’s work than just talking about the work God wanted us to do. I will miss him, and so will many, many others.” In 1994, President Bill Clinton, another friend, sent Rev. Kyles to help monitor South Africa’s first multirace voting. Nelson Mandela was elected South Africa’s president. He later hosted Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Rev. Kyles was a man who knew Kings and Presidents, but never acted like one. His church office was nondescript. He refused to get call-waiting so he could focus on one conversation at a time. He kept his car spotless in case someone needed a lift or a load toted. He wouldn’t ordain a minister who hadn’t been to seminary. He wouldn’t let church out before 1:30 p.m. because it’s the Lord’s Day, not a day for football or shopping. He remained steadfastly loyal to his church and South Memphis neighborhood. He turned down suggestions to

sell the property or use his fame to build a megachurch. “We could have taken the money and built a bigger place somewhere else, someplace maybe a little quieter or safer,” James Short, a deacon, told me years ago. “But Reverend said that if people say the neighborhood has got too bad for the church, that’s an indictment of the church.” Rev. Kyles’ retired from the pulpit and from public life in 2014, battling age and related illnesses. Tuesday, his wife, Aurelia, his children, and his longtime friend, Rabbi Micah Greenstein, gathered around his hospital bed to say goodbye. “When I kissed his forehead after praying and singing at his bedside, I whispered, ‘Thank you, Billy, go with God, for you are a part of us forever,’” Greenstein said. “He was more than a witness to history and an icon of the civil rights movement who fought with grace for justice. He was such a sweet, gentle man. Such a lovely human being.” To watch a series of interviews with Rev. Kyles, visit visionaryproject. org  http://www.commercialappeal.com/ news/rev-samuel-billy-kyles-diesat-81-316a5171-f5e7-1659-e0530100007f3679--377203561.html

http://www.commercialappeal.com/ news/rev-samuel-billy-kyles-diesat-81-316a5171-f5e7-1659-e0530100007f3679--377203561.html

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Community/Public Interest - Obituary

Bill Nunn dies at 63 By Larry McShane

ctor Bill Nunn, a regular in friend Spike Lee’s films and best known as the towering, boombox-toting Radio Raheem in “Do The Right Thing,” died Saturday morning (9/24/2016). He was 63. The 6-foot-3 Nunn — who also appeared in Lee’s “School Daze,” “Mo’ Better Blues” and “He Got Game” — passed away in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Lee announced via Facebook. Both were Morehouse College alums, with Nunn graduating in 1976. “Long Live Bill Nunn,” posted Lee. “Radio Raheem is now resting in power. Radio Raheem will always be fighting da powers dat be. May God watch over Bill Nunn.” Across a career that spanned nearly three decades, the versatile Nunn appeared with Harrison Ford in “Regarding Henry,” Whoopi Goldberg in “Sister Act,” Al Pacino in “Lockdown” and Tobey Maguire in the “Spider-Man” trilogy. Nunn died in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Lee announced on Facebook Saturday. (Paras Griffin/ Getty Images) He also memorably played Duh Duh Duh Man, the drug gang enforcer and personal bodyguard to Wesley Snipes’ Nino Brown character in the 1991 film “New Jack City.” Nunn was featured in the 2004 Broadway revival of “Raisin In The Sun” with Sean Combs and Audra McDonald, and was cast in three television series — “Traps” with George C. Scott, a sitcom titled “Local Heroes” and “The Job” with

Paras Griﬃn/Getty Images

Denis Leary. The 6-foot-3 Nunn wore matched brass knuckles marked “LOVE” and “HATE” as Raheem, whose boombox blared Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power” as he walked through Bedford-Stuyvesant. The character dies from a police chokehold during a brawl outside the local pizzeria. The 1989 movie classic was his second collaboration with Lee after his major movie debut in “School Daze.”

Dissing Koch still Spike’s ‘right thing’ “‘School Daze’ was one of the highlights of my life because it was the first chance I had to act on screen,” he once said. “I would have been happy if that had been it, because I proved that I could do it.”  www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ movies/bill-nunn-radio-raheem-dies63-article-1.2804911

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Publisher's Message Publisher's Message

from page 3

Small Business and Ways and Means Committees, overseeing issues related to: protection of small and minority businesses;

and stabilization of distressed communities, the economy, banking system, housing, insurance, job creation and economic development. They need our support, as they are ﬁghting to support us in Washington D.C. Their agenda for 20152016 starts with 5 top concerns of our communities: 1) Voting

Rights Restoration; 2) Criminal Justice Reform; 3) Promoting Economic Growth; 4) Creating Educational Opportunities and Promoting Educational Equity; and 5) Ensuring Corporate Workforce Diversity. Their third agenda item, mirrors the BBN and its aﬃliate organization, the Black Business Association's (BBA) (headquartered in Los Angeles, California) top area of advocacy and services to Black-owned and other diverse-owned business enterprises. We recognize that all programs and services need to be funded ﬁrst and be self-sustaining revenue generators in order to have a lasting positive impact, as history has taught us about Black Wall Street – Tulsa, Oklahoma. Not only should we support Black-owned businesses and our communities, but those organizations like the CBC, who have the passion, resources, access to other lawmakers and

advocacy for the underserved Black business owners, and other diverse businesses. Thank you for your continued support of our magazine, and each other! Stay tuned for the many exciting changes and opportunities that the last quarter of 2016 will bring, and for 2017! Please remember the tremendous sacriﬁce of others before us, willing to die for our right to vote, and to have our voices heard. This is a very important presidential election, be sure to vote on Tuesday, November 8th. All votes matter, including yours. Let your voices be heard.  Best wishes,

Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

Pubisher/Chief Executive Oﬃcer

Remember to get out and vote on November 8th! www.bbala.org

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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 lastest issue of The Exchange Magazine www.nse.co.ke/media-center/ecommunique/exchange-magazine/ category/50-free-version.html

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International

USTDA Trade Lead: South Africa - Global Logistics Service Provider for Container Terminal Project Compulsory Briefing Session: July 6, 2016 (Johannesburg) Proposal Deadline: September 30, 2016 Background: Transnet, a South African state-owned freight logistics company, recently issued a request for proposals for the design, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and eventual handover of an inland container terminal in Tambo-Springs. The objective of the project is to migrate rail-friendly cargo off the country's road network. The Tambo-Springs terminal will be located east of Johannesburg, in Ekurhuleni along the N3 motorway, near the Johannesburg-to-Durban rail corridor. The proposed terminal is an integral part of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Committee's Strategic Integrated Project 2, which aims to advance the country's industrial development while boosting export capability. The project is designed to complement Transnet's five existing inland container-handling terminals in the province. The concession will be for a 20 year period and features the greatest participation from the private sector that Transnet has ever seen. Transnet is seeking a global logistics service provider that can demonstrate technical expertise, maintain a minimum of Level 4 broadbased black economic-empowerment status with a commitment to reach Level 2 by the third year of operation, and abide by the requirements for supplier development and skills transfer. Link for more information: http://www.transnetfreightrail.co.za/Website/ tender_pdf/RFQ-CRAC-KGG-21543-ADVERT.pdf

87  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

International

Africa’s Largest Public-opinion Survey is Under Threat, but Here’s What You Can do About It By Peter M. Lewis and Carolyn Logan

frobarometer is a panAfrican, non-partisan research network that conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, economic conditions, and related issues in more than 35 countries in Africa. Through our findings, ordinary citizens can have a voice in policymaking processes that affect their lives. We are the world’s leading research project on issues that affect ordinary African men and women. We collect and publish high-quality, reliable statistical data on Africa which is freely available to the public. We are proud of what we have achieved so far and our goal is to have Afrobarometer surveys in all African countries.

Afrobarometer’s surveys are in danger - we need your support Unfortunately, resources to promote democracy and good governance in Africa are drying up as other priorities have taken center stage. As a result, a continuation of survey research projects like Afrobarometer is under threat. Afrobarometer currently faces the prospect of either seriously scaling back its work (from 36 African countries to just 10 or 12) or shuttering entirely. As we’ve spread the word about these challenges, we’ve been grateful for the rallying of support from

those in academia and international policy and development those in academia and international policy and development circles who are frequent users of our data. You can add your voice by taking a brief survey about Afrobarometer’s impact. Better still, tell elected representatives, funding agencies, foundations and your networks why survey research is important and what uses and impacts of Afrobarometer data you have seen. Every voice helps. Afrobarometer is also seeking donations, through a “Donate” link at the top of our homepage. Together, perhaps we can ensure that millions of ordinary African citizens don’t lose an important opportunity to have their voices heard, and with it their ability to push for good policies and better governance.

research have any impact on their lives? We think it does, and we need your help to sustain it. At Afrobarometer, one of our core goals is to give voice to ordinary Africans — to “let the people have a say” — in the political processes and policy debates simmering across the continent. But making those voices heard requires breaking down barriers. Polls are part of daily — or these days, hourly — existence in the West, but opinion surveys are still a relative newcomer on the African political scene. And African political elites have been slow to embrace them, often because survey results challenge leaders’ claims to “speak for their people.”

What is the value of what we do?

But evidence-based policymaking is a priority for Africa as well. Increasing numbers of people in the media, civil society and even government now champion survey data and polling as a way to bolster public voice in policy and politics — a critical pillar of democracy on the continent. Here’s an example. In one of the most authoritarian countries we’ve surveyed, brieﬁng the government on our ﬁndings looked like a dicey assignment — until the secretary of the cabinet revealed himself to be a true believer in data and evidence.

To Africa specialists, the value of public-opinion survey research is clear enough, as recent analyses of Afrobarometer ﬁndings on Nigeria’s elections, presidential term limits, infrastructure and the escape from poverty, and (in)tolerance of homosexuality show. But how does the data we collect beneﬁt the lives of the people we interview? Tens of thousands of respondents give us an hour or more of their time to answer a long list of questions. Does survey

Grappling with the data revolution

88  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

a valid survey, leaving us without data to counter the government’s claim that national consultations revealed a mere 10(!) very brave souls who opposed the extension of President Kagame’s term in oﬃce.

Opinion polls promote good governance

He laid out strict ground rules for the assembled civil service heads: They were welcome to critique the methodology, but if they could not find fault with the methods, then they must accept the findings. After a lively debate that eventually confirmed the validity of the data, the group then grappled with abysmal popular ratings of government performance in improving living conditions for the poor, ensuring that people had enough to eat and creating jobs. In all probability, this was the first time that these government officials ever had to answer to citizen feedback on the government’s performance. For some of these officials, the news they received was distinctly uncomfortable.

Citizens’ voices fuel debate and (sometimes) action Another Afrobarometer ﬁnding touched a nerve in high places: Most Africans support limiting their presidents to two terms. In Burkina

Faso, the finding that 65 percent of citizens favor term limits was widely circulated. When the national effort to prevent his third term succeeded in October 2014, then-President Compaoré left the country. In Burundi, the debate was less conclusive. Although Afrobarometer reported in January 2015 that 62 percent of Burundians support term limits, President Nkurunziza remains in office, while our national partner who conducted the survey had to join many others who fled the country. Even so, it’s important that these debates took place at all. Virtually everyone in Burundi now knows that in extending his tenure in office, the president was overruling the wishes of his people. This public knowledge may yet prove a powerful weapon in the struggle for democracy and better governance in Burundi. Contrast that with Rwanda, where freedom of speech is so constrained that Afrobarometer cannot run

People’s voices can be a potent agent of change, as our survey results on corruption in Ghana showed. Like citizens in many countries, Ghanaians regard the police as their most corrupt institution (89 percent said “some,” “most,” or “all” were corrupt). The legal/ judicial system fared almost as poorly (85 percent). The public outcry, amplified on the nation’s many radio and TV chat shows, led to some important changes. Ghana’s chief justice introduced reforms to clean up the judiciary, citing the public opinion findings as an impetus. By contrast, Ghana’s police administration first tried to discredit the findings, then publicly blamed the Ghanaian people for corrupting the police. But while the police administration has yet to seriously address the problem of corruption, it is still a noteworthy day when national leaders have to respond publicly to citizens’ dismal views of their performance. This ability to expose leaders to popular assessments of their performance represents a sea change in Africa, a stark departure from the past, when “public voice” was often limited to voting in elections that offered little choice and pre-ordained outcomes. While many countries now hold remarkably competitive elections, the need for public input goes well beyond marking a ballot every four

89  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

see page 90

from page 89

or ﬁve years. If democracy depends on the millions of daily interactions between a state and its citizens, then citizens’ voices must be heard every day, and no political or policy debate can be considered complete without them.

•

Afrobarometer needs support to continue our contribution to democratization in Africa Afrobarometer funding goal for Rounds 7 and 8, 2016-2020, is $32.6 million. This will allow us to do the maximum number of 3638 surveys for two rounds, as well as a full complement of capacity building, communications and analysis activities.

•

In terms of timing, our funding through the end of 2016 is nearly secured, but ideally we need to start receiving new funds as early as possible in late 2016 and early 2017 to ensure uninterrupted continuation of AB activities, especially Round 7 surveys. As far as our traditional donors, there have been a number of factors affecting their ability to continue supporting us. To recap briefly the current situation: • Through 2015, most of our support came from five core donors: DFID, the Mo Ibrahim

•

Foundation, SIDA, USAID and the World Bank. As noted, Swedish Internatioanl Development Corporation Agency (SIDA) has come forward with a commitment of $5.0 million over the next five years t o w a r d s R o u n d s 7 and 8; but they have been reluctant to proceed until at least one other core donor comes on board. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was prepared to commit $2.5 million over the next five years. However, in the absence of sufficient support to ensure coverage of a minimum of 33 countries per round during Rounds 7 and 8, in May they withdrew their offer of support. (They require data from a minimum of 33 countries in order to include the data source in their governance index). In the meantime, both the Department for International development

•

(DFID) and the U.S. Agency for Internaitonal Development (USAID) – which between them provided nearly two-thirds of Afrobarometer’s budget in Rounds 5 and 6 – have indicated that they are currently unable to contribute towards Rounds 7 and 8. Both face environments in which funds for Africa-wide democracy and governance initiatives – which have historically been our primary source of funds – have been drastically cut or eliminated. We also learned recently that

the World Bank’s Trust Funds, which were the main source of funds for supporting the work of non-government entities such as Afrobarometer, are largely being phased out at the Bank, so prospects for significant future funding are not promising. Afrobarometer now needs contributions from oganizations, companies, non-profits and individuals to reach our desired financial goals through 2020. These new funds will insure that our program can continue and our outputs will inform and affect public policy in Africa. To learn all about our work and program visit www. afrobarometer.org. To donate click on the DONATE button at the top right of the homepage. Thank you for your interest and support.  www.washingtonpost.com/news/ monkey-cage/wp/2016/09/09/africaslargest-public-opinion-survey-is-underthreat-but-heres-what-you-can-doabout-it/?wpisrc=nl_cage&wpmm=1

90  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

International

US Under Secretary of State for African Aﬀairs Linda Thomas Greenﬁeld Meets President Edgar Lungu of the Republic of Zambia

President Lungu with US Assistant Secretary for African Aﬀairs Linda Thomas Greenﬁeld (third from right) after she paid a courtesy call on President Lungu at Waldorg Astoria Hotel in New York

nited States of America Under Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas Greenfield has congratulated President Edgar Lungu on his re-election, saying his second tenure in office is a clear manifestation of the Zambian people on his leadership. She noted that although there were some flaws in the electoral process, President Lungu was duly elected and he is a legitimate president whom the US government recognizes. “President Lungu you have been inaugurated and you are the President of Zambia known within and internationally,” said Ms Greenfield.

Speaking during a closed door meeting at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, the US Under Secretary of State for African Aﬀairs said her government recognises President Lungu’s re-election and advised him to promote political dialogue as Zambia’s Head of State. She however warned that the US government would not tolerate violence and political instability saying those that will found wanting will be held accountable for their deeds. The US envoy said the US government has been keenly following the democratic trends in Zambia and that her government will continue to work with the Zambia government to foster development.

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Ms Greenfield pointed out that the Zambian military personnel in peace keeping missions abroad were the best the US has worked with as they have shown exemplary behaviour during trainings and other military engagements. The US Under Secretary has since pledged her country’s continued financial support for Zambian military training and increase the number of personnel in various trainings. She cited the Mandela-Washington Fellowship (https://yali.state.gov/washington-fellowship) programme as one of the programmes many Zambians have benefited from and more others will be engaged in. And President Edgar Lungu commended the United States government for its continued commitment to Africa. Mr. Lungu has since assured Ms Greenfield that his administration will continu https://tse1.mm.bing. net/th?&id=OIP.M219dfc46c4773b571488f98e7e8194 23o0&w=306&h=178&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0&r=0 e to promote democratic principles in order to move the country forward.

He further told her that his government has in this vain given back media operating licenses that were suspended to some broadcasting houses due to unprofessional conduct which he said threatened the unity and security of the nation. Recently, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) announced that it has lifted its ban on the broadcasting licences on two community broadcasting houses.

IBA Chairman Justin Mutale, the IBA board chairperson, said the move followed the two stations’ adherence to the operating licences they were earlier issued. The three are the Itezhi Tezhi Community Radio Station and Muvi TV, respectively. President Lungu also disclosed government will now embark on measures to improve the economic status of the country. He explained that some of the measures his government will take includes cutting unnecessary subsidies on fuel and electricity which he said will bring hardships in the beginning but will help improve the economic status of the nation in the long run. 

This event will serve as a meet and greet for US small businesses attending the USAID Africa Missions Small Business Conference in South Africa on November 1st and 2nd, 2016. The event will provide an opportunity for the South Africa Conference attendees to meet each other, and discuss topics of interest in preparation for the upcoming Mission to South Africa.

International

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Google Play Store Search: "Zambia USA Chamber"

Find links to the chamber website and facebook page, and embassies; access business resources; receive breaking news; view relevant video presentations; communicate via Twitter, smartphone and e-mail.

www.zambiausachamber.org 97  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

International

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

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International

One Africa:

Tell the US Government that North Africa is Africa Too!

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. 

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International

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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 Hope to see you soon!!! In the meantime visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/CulturalInteriors-West/140688362658236

112  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

New Location Leimert Park Village 3347 W. 43rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90008 1-323-299-6383 www.zambezibazaar.com shop@ zambezibazaar.com

113  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

1-484-459-6625 zimbabwegallery@yahoo.com www.shonasculpture.com @ZimbabweGallery www.facebook.com/Zimbabwe Gallery P P 3500 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30326 G M 2841 Greenbriar Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

Shop for all of the NoMu products at: https://shop.nomu.co.za and www.amazon.com

Downtown Culver City: 9537 Culver Blvd. 310-202-5453 Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm www.honeyskettle.com 114  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

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

Krispy Kruchy Chicken is in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Los Angeles. Krispy Krunchy Chicken is a cajun-style chicken (bone-in and tenders), served fresh, never frozen and fried in zero trans fat oil. Their menu also includes signature dishes of Traditional Wings; Krispy Wings; Cajun Sweet & Sour Wings; Cajun Tenders; Red Beans and Rice; Jambalaya; Boudin Bites (Cajun rice balls); Krispy Shrimp and Honey Butter Biscuits. For additional information, please call Krispy Kruchy at 1-323-293-3332 or visit www. krispykrunchy.com. 117  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Parker House Sausage (www.

parkerhousesausage.com) was started by Chicago entrepreneur, Judge H. Parker who came to Chicago from Montgomery County, Tennessee with little more than the conviction that there was a potential market for homemade sausage products prepared according to his mother’s recipes. By 1919 Judge Parker began selling his unique blend of herbs and spices mixed with ﬂavorful, savory sausage from a horse drawn cart on a retail basis. Recognized as one of the oldest family owned businesses in the U.S. In 2014 Parker House expanded its product line to include chicken products including breakfast sausage, hot links, and smoked sausage.

SHOP ONLINE! //shop.parkerhousesausage. com

We invite you to browse through our store and shop with conﬁdence. Need a dinner idea. Go to the Recipe Page on our website. Thanks for visiting!

ince people from all walks of life really enjoy Down South cooking, NFL Pro Reggie Kelly thought, why not bring a piece of the South to their homes. Reggie and his wife founded KYVAN® FOODS. KYVAN® Foods is a supplier to great customers like Kroger, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Firehouse Subs, Performance Foodservice, Hot Shots Distributing and more. As stated by Reggie, “It’s my goal to pass down to my kids (Kyla & Kavan) and to everyone the gift passed down to me… An Appreciation Of Good Food.” Thanks and God Bless! Website: http://kyvan82.com Shop Online: http://kyvan82.com/store Store Locator: http://kyvan82.com/storelocator

www.wosa.us

http://aaavintners.org

http://shallwewine.com

Ma's Best is a bakery specializing in the production of home-style yeast rolls and baked products. www.facebook.com/masbestrolls/#!/masbestrolls/?tab=page_info#!/masbestrolls/info

Try all 3 ďŹ&#x201A;avors!

In your local grocery store or shop online for syrups, recipes, and books. Learn about our special projects and join the recipe contest.

MICHELE FOODS, INC. 1-708-331-7316 www.michelefoods.com

127  September 2016  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 Gift of Books and Music Come see our unsurpassed collection of books, music, videos, children’s books, and games!

1-323-294-0324

www.esowonbookstore.com  //esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events

128  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Books to Consider

Books to Consider... I'm Judging You: The DO-BETTER Manual

wit and a unique perspective, I’m Judging You is the handbook the world needs, doling out the hard truths and a road map for bringing some “act right” into our lives, social media, and popular culture. It is the DoBetter Manual.  https://www.amazon.com/Im-Judging-You-Do-BetterManual/dp/1627796061/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8& qid=&sr=&linkCode=sl1&tag=awesoluvvi04-20&linkId=abae 4db3fe36eb4386cae8e359e740b4

by Luvvie Ajayi

omedian, activist, and hugely popular culture blogger at AwesomelyLuvvie.com, Luvvie Ajayi, serves up necessary advice for the masses in this hilarious book of essays With over 500,000 readers a month at her enormously popular blog, AwesomelyLuvvie. com, Luvvie Ajayi is a go-to source for smart takes on pop culture. I’m Judging You is her debut book of humorous essays that dissects our cultural obsessions and calls out bad behavior in our increasingly digital, connected lives. It passes on lessons and side-eyes on life, social media, culture and fame, addressing those terrible friends we all have to serious discussions of race and media representation to what to do about your fool cousin sharing casket pictures from Grandma’s wake on Facebook. With a lighthearted, Luvvie Ajayi razor sharp

Believing in Magic: My Story

of Love, Overcoming Adversity, and Keeping the Faith

by Cookie Johnson

n her new memoir, Cookie Johnson, wife of NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, shares details of her marriage, motherhood, faith, and how an HIV diagnosis twenty-five years ago changed the course of their lives forever. On November 7, 1991, basketball icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson stunned the world with the news that he was HIV-positive. For the millions who watched, his announcement became a pivotal moment not only for the nation, but his family and wife. Twenty-five years later, Cookie Johnson shares her story and the emotional journey that started on that day—from life as a pregnant and joyous newlywed to one filled with the fear that her husband would die, she and her baby would be infected with the virus, and their family would be shunned. Believing in Magic is the story of her marriage to Earvin nearly four decades of loving each other, losing their way, and eventually finding a path they never imagined.

130  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

November 7, 2016 will mark a quartercentury since the announcement and Cookie’s survival and triumph as a wife, mother, and Godfearing woman. Cookie has never shared her full account of the reasons that she stayed and her life with Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Believing in Magic is her story.  Cookie Johnson

www.simonandschuster. com/books/Believingin-Magic/CookieJohnson/9781501125157

The Keeper of the Kumm

by Sylvia Vollenhoven

he Kumm – the story. “A story is a medicine for a person,” and the resultant memoir is a stitching together not only of Vollenhoven’s lost history but also that of so many who share her past of dispossession, eradication, humiliation and brutality. Vollenhoven writes: “Crossing over the barriers between worlds requires a process of reduction, letting go of the things of your old life.” And she lets go, completely, surrendering to the ancestral voices that have been whispering and calling. Here she finds and traces the ancient wisdom of the Bushman visionary // Kabbo who lived in the 1800s and who travelled to Cape Town

and the Bleek family of Wynberg who subsequently recorded his stories and visions. Today the Bleek/ Lloyd Archive is housed at the University of Cape

Sylvia Vollenhoven town and consists of over 12,000 handwritten pages and hundreds of notebooks of records. The LloydBleek collection of San folklore was entered into the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 1997. As Vollenhoven has noted, “It is a heritage that is not known to most of the descendants of //Kabbo and the /Xam-ka !ei people whose language has been wiped out.” Keeper of the Kumm is a bold and brave attempt at self-discovery, in fact of self-recovery. It is a spiritual book, a political book, a book filled with magic, dreams, visions, love and laughter and an unstoppable urge towards healing deep and ancient scars that cut across the ages. Vollenhoven writes: “We have been stripped of our ancestral places and our names. We are largely ignorant of our heritage and true identity. But if we search with open hearts, our rituals and stories can revive us.” And she ends: “If Africa is the birthplace of all humanity, then we are all children of the San.” Reading Vollenhoven’s autobiography is an experience. A little like being present at a ritual where the spirits linger. Once you pick it up, you can’t put it down. And you might emerge at the end of it with a new vision of where we live, connected through a tissue of time, to what has gone before and what must still arrive.  http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-08-18-writtenon-the-soul-sylvia-vollenhoven-on-being-coloured-andlistening-to-ancestral-voices/#.V-qekIWcHIU

131  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Septembe 2016

BBA Financial Lending Pavilion & Awards Luncheon Held in recognition of National MED Week, the BBA Financial Lending Pavilion brings together business owners, banks and investors in an effort to facilitate exchange of information and initiation of development deals. For particiation information call 1-312-291-9334 or send an inquiry to mail@bbala.org. 

Marc 201 7

BBA Salute to Back Women Business Conference The conference highlights the achievements of African American women entrepreneurs, offers workshops and a retail pavilion. For particiation information call 1-312-291-9334 or send an inquiry to mail@bbala.org 

Jun 201 7

BBA Annual Awards Dinner Taking place at the LA Hotel Downtown, the awards dinner will highlight the achievements of African American entrepreneurs and the government agencies and corporate entities that provide positive supports for African American businesses. For particiation information visit www.bbala.org. 

132  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

www.worldlibrary.org

Organizations Media/Information Africa Interactive Multimedia Press/Content Agency in Africa www.africa-interactive.com Africa World Press Books www.africaworldpressbooks.com African Trade Magazine www.africantrademagazine.com African Vibes Magazine www.africanvibes.com The Africapitalist www.tonyelumelufoundation.org/ africapitalisminstitute/africapitalist-magazine The African World www.theafricanworld.tv Africast TV www.africast.tv Afritorial www.afritorial.com www.facebook.com/Afritorial AllAfrica http://allafrica.com Black Wall Street Times http://bwstimes.com Black Business News Group www.blackbusinessnews.net Black Children's Books and Authors http://blackchildrensbooksandauthors.tumblr.com BlackPast.org www.blackpost.org Black Press USA www.blackpressusa.com Black Then https://blackthen.com BridesNoir www.bridesnoir.com The Chocolate Voice www.thechocolatevoice.com CuisineNoir www.cuisinenoirmag.com DiasporaVoice www.blogtalkradio.com/diasporavoice Publish Africa http://wow.gm/publishafrica Rock Me Africa //rockmeafrica.com YouTube Educational Channels http://teacherswithapps.com/197-educational-youtube-channels-know World Library

Africa Leadership Forum http://africaleadership.org The African Union www.au.int/en Black Business Association www.bbala.org CauseCast www.causecast.com www.causecastfornonproﬁts.com 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 Disrupt Africa http://disrupt-africa.com/ The Exchange Magazine www.nse.co.ke Silicon Harlem http://event.siliconharlem.net Ventures www.ventures-africa.com United Nations http://webtv.un.org

U.S. Government

Commerce Department www.doc.gov International Trade Administration http://trade.gov Minority Business Development Agency www.mbda.gov Power Africa www.usaid.gov/powerafrica Small Business Administration www.sba.gov State Department www.dos.gov Trade Africa www.usaid.gov/tradeafrica White House www.whitehouse.gov

133  September 2016  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819