November 2017 " by Black Business News Group

Publisher's Message

ovember 11th is Veterans Day, a day set aside that our nation celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service. As a Viet Nam Veteran, it is with pride and gratefulness to say thank you to all of the selfless men and women who have proudly served our country by putting their lives on the line daily, to serve and protect our freedoms we enjoy as a nation. Even though the United States is not perfect, we have it far better in our country than most of the nations Pubisher/Editor-In-Chief around the world. As African Americans, we all have family members and ancestors who fought against the tyranny and cruelty of the enslavement of Africans in this nation, and continued in fighting and securing many of the freedoms we have today. We have a come a long way, but still have a long journey ahead of us as we seek to level the playing field, create economic empowerment, build stronger families and empower our communities. African American Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran business owners have many business opportunities that are slated for the month of November, where many corporations and Federal agencies are offering a myriad of conferences and events for this very vital and important segment of our business community. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is sponsoring National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW), which kicked off on October 30th and runs through November 3, 2017. On November 25, the SBA will be hosting “Small Business Saturday®” – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. Please contact the SBA (www.sba.org) for additional information and to register.

Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

Black Business News Group P.O. Box 43159 Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA 1-323-291-7819 Fax: 1-323-298-5064

www.blackbusinessnews.net PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Sarah Harris Dean L. Jones Phyllis Dixon

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 Aman Williams LaSandra Stratton

GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Harris Tia Robinson

STORY EDITORS Wanda Flagg Jennifer Marie Hamilton

PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Foxx Sabir Narishima Osei

CONTENT ADMINISTRATOR La Sandra Stratton

Plan ahead for the upcoming 2017 National Veterans Small Business Engagement Conference (https://nvsbe.com), which will be held December 5-7, 2017 in St. Louis, MO. Attendees can participate in Business Opportunity Sessions, where a Procurement Decision Maker Host from the Department of Veterans Aﬀairs, other government agencies or the commercial sector will outline their organization's major program activities and their speciﬁc procurement opportunities as well as

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. 

see Publisher's Message on page 58 3  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

About

The mission of The Black Business News (BBN) 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 (a division of the Black Business Association) 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/blackbusinessnews

2017 Black Business Association Upcoming Events

November

Procurement Summit 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 6

14 17 18 19 21

Democrats Win Big in Elections Widely Viewed as Referendums on Trump Trump Is Rapidly Reshaping the Judiciary FCC Vote Could Force Low-income Households Oﬄine Trump to Allow Imports of African Elephant Trophies Interior Department to Allow Imports of Elephant and Lion Trophies from Africa, Reversing Obama Policies Elephants Action Network

Entertainment 24 28

BBN Show Biz Buzz Ava Duvernay at Hammer Museum Gala

48 57 61 62 76

How to Invest with a Social Conscience How to Increase the Value of Your Freelance Business Applications now open! Introducing the $15M Lighter Capital Intuit Developer Fund Congresswoman Maxine Waters Receives a 2017 Glamour Women of the Year Award Stephen Curry to Teach Online Basketball Course

Community/Public Interest 88 90 91 93 94

First Obama Foundation Summit Martin Luther King Statue Unveiled at Newcastle University The Best High School Principal in the Nation Dr. Margaret Burroughs Centennial Birthday Celebration NAACP warns Black Passengers about Traveling with American Airlines

Obituary/Memorials 95 96 98

Fats Domino Dies at 89 Robert Guillaume, Dies at 89 David S. Cunningham, Jr.

International Business 30 32 35 39 40 41 42 43 44

11 Young African American Entrepreneurs to Support this Holiday Season Building for Beyond with the Insights Engine Project 4 Billion More People will be Flying Annually by 2036 These Women Just Raised $1M For Their Clean Beauty Company Startup Co-founder Becomes 14th AfricanAmerican Woman to Raise $1 Million New Online Portal Oﬀers Loans to African American Entrepreneurs in Chicago Best Small-Business Loans for Minorities GQ Names Colin Kaepernick ‘Citizen of the Year’ Flying Taxis? Uber and NASA Pair Up to Make That Happen

101 102 103 104

Alibaba Sales Went up $12 Billion USD in Just Two Hours on Singles Day Over 45,000 Residents to Access Clean Water in Tanzania Monrovia’s Beach has a Luxury Mall How South Africa Is Telling Its Story Through Tourism

Columns 86 105 111 146 150 151

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

Government

Democrats Win Big in Elections Widely Viewed as Referendums on Trump By Christina Wilkie

t was a good night to be a Democrat, as the party's candidates won a slate of closely watched races stretching from Virginia to Washington state on Tuesday. At the gubernatorial level, Democrat Ralph Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie in a hotly contested race in Virginia, which many analysts viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump. The victory was "a backlash to Trump and Trumpism, pure and simple," wrote Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. In New Jersey, Democrat Phil Murphy won a gubernatorial race against Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who struggled to get out from under the shadow of the deeply

Justin Fairfax, will be Lt. Governor, Virginia

unpopular outgoing governor, Republican Chris Christie. Moving down the ballot, Democrats in Virginia also won competitive races for lieutenant governor and attorney general. In January of 2018, Democrat Justin Fairfax will be sworn in as lieutenant governor, making him the first African American elected to statewide office in Virginia since 1989. And the state's attorney general, Democrat Mark Herring, was reelected after a bitter campaign. In Virginia's legislature, Democrats flipped at least 10 seats in the Republican controlled House of Delegates, and it was still unclear late Tuesday night which party would control the chamber, which has been under a Republican majority since 1999. Razor thin margins in at least five races Tuesday made it likely that provisional and absentee ballots would need to be counted, potentially delaying results. The party's victories in Virginia energized Democrats across the country, as Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe (D) told The Washington Post. "This, what a sparkplug," he said. "This is the revitalization of the Democratic Party in America. This

Vi Lyles, Mayor-Elect, Charlotte, N.C. isn't just about Virginia tonight." In Washington state, control of the state senate also went to Democrats, when Manka Dhingra won a special election, giving the party a one-seat majority, and putting the state government fully under the control of Democrats, who hold the governorship and the majority in Washington's House of Representatives. Mayoral races, too, produced a swath of Democratic victories, most notably in New York City, where mayor Bill de Blasio cruised to victory over Republican Nicole Malliotakis. Voters in Charlotte, N.C. elected

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Jenkins was elected to the Minneapolis City Council, becoming the ﬁrst openly transgender AfricanAmerican woman elected to the city council of a major U.S. city.

Ravi Bhalla the city's first African American female mayor, Democrat Vi Lyles. In Hoboken, N.J., City Councilman Ravi Bhalla (D) beat five other candidates to become the city's first Sikh mayor, according to The Associated Press. Democrats attributed much of their success Tuesday to an energized party base that is deeply opposed to Trump's policies and his rhetoric. Former Vice President Joe Biden captured what many in the party were feeling: "A resounding defeat tonight for President Trump. Voters around the country rejected the ugly politics we have seen this past year. Instead, they chose candidates who unite and inspire us."

Other Historic Wins By Philip Lewis and Willa Frej, Huﬃngton Post

he Democratic Party won a number of races across the country in Tuesday’s elections, securing key state legislative seats and governorships. Many of those victories also made history. Transgender activist Andrea Andrea Jenkins

Sheila Oliver New Jersey elected Sheila Oliver as its first female African-American lieutenant governor. Oliver is no stranger to breaking records: She became the first African-American woman to be elected as Assembly speaker in New Jersey and only the second black female speaker in U.S. history. Yvonn e Spicer was elected the first mayor Yvonne Spicer of the city of Framingham, Massachusetts. Wilmot Collins arrived in Helena, Montana, 23 years ago as a refugee from Liberia. A l l available information shows that Collins will become the first black Wilmot Collins mayor in Montana’s history. Voters in St. Paul, Minnesota, made history by electing Melvin Carter as the city’s first AfricanAmerican mayor.

“I’m thrilled. I’m elated. I’m humbled,” Carter, a former St. Paul city c o u n c i l member, told a group of supporters at Mel a victory Carter party. “We’ve built what I’m excited to say is a big, bold, bad vision for the future of St. Paul.” Jonathan McCollar will become the first AfricanA m e r i c a n mayor of Statesboro, G e o r g i a , defeating incumbent Jan Moore. “It’s that the city was ready Jonathan McCollar for change, he said Tuesday. “This is just evidence of the work from the people that were part of this movement.” Brendon Barber, a Georgetown, South Carolina, city councilman since 1998, will become the city’s first ever AfricanAmerican mayor. The Georgetown native said his knowledge of Brendon the city and Barber its municipal employees makes him well-positioned for the job. Mary Parham Copelan will become Milledgeville, Georgia’s, first female African-American mayor,

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see page 8

Government 2017 Historic Election Results

Mary Parham Copelan

victory speech. from page 7

beating incumbent Gary Thrower by just six votes. “I along with each one of you know that we needed real change and real progress for our city,” she wrote on Facebook following her victory. Booker Gainor, 27, will become Cairo, Georgia’s, ﬁrst AfricanAmerican mayor. “It feels amazing,” Gainor said. “I don’t even know how to describe it.” Mazahir Salih will be the ﬁrst SudaneseAmerican to join the Iowa City Council following her win on Tuesday.

Another Historic Win

By Gregg Re | Fox News LaToya Cantrell, a liberal community Booker Gainor organizer whose political career began as she helped her storm-ravaged neighborhood recover from Hurricane Katrina, was decisively elected the ﬁrst woman mayor of New Orleans in a historic win Saturday. The 45-yearold Democrat, who currently serves on the City Council, will succeed termlimited fellow Democrat M i t c h Landrieu as the city celebrates its 300th anniversary next year. "Almost 300 years, my friends. And New Orleans, we're still making history," Cantrell told a cheering crowd in her

Mazahir Salih

Medicaid Expansion Maine residents approved a ballot initiative Tuesday to expand Medicaid coverage under Obamacare to about 70,000 more people across the state. It’s the first time Americans voted on the issue through a referendum. The Maine Democratic Party called the referendum “a tremendous victory.” “The people of Maine have once again sent a clear message of support for affordable, accessible health care,” MDP Chair Phil Barlett said in a statement. Maine joins 31 states, plus the District of Columbia, in passing Medicaid expansions. Efforts are also underway in Idaho and Utah to put similar measures on 2018 ballots.  www.cnbc.com/2017/11/08/democrats-win-up-anddown-the-ballot-in-legislative-mayoral-and-governorsraces.htm www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/democratic-victoriesfirsts-election-day_us_5a026c51e4b092053058cf38

LaToya Cantrell

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Government - Editorial

e Highest Gas Tax Increase in the State’s History, Eﬀective November 1, 2017, Was Not a Treat By Aubry Stone and Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

alifornia braces for the enactment of the highest gasoline tax in the state’s history, a combined 32 cents per gallon (12 cents on gasoline and 20 cents on diesel gas), on November 1, 2017 – making California’s gas prices the second highest in the nation. November 1 is also the date that the seasonal surcharge for California’s reformulated gasoline summer blend ends, which would have amounted to a saving of several extra cents per gallon for Californians. As such, we will not feel the full impact of this increase right away. However, like a ton of bricks, the new gas tax increase will eventually work out to approximately $1,200 less discretionary income per family. In addition to the current annual vehicle licensing fee, Californians will also see a new transportation improvement fee, ranging from $25 to $175 eﬀective January 1, 2018. Also, zero-emission vehicles will be accessed an additional $100 road improvement fee, eﬀective July 1, 2020. These taxes could not come at a worst time as President Trump proposes to cut California Community Block Grant Funds for housing, job training, education, pre-disaster mitigation, and counterterrorism funding to California, placing an even greater strain on California’s volatile revenues, disproportionate spending growth, mounting debts, and inadequate infrastructure, such as water.

Moreover, t h e s e re gres sive t a x e s contribute to poverty and the economic, academic, Earl "Skip" and health Copper, II dispa ritie s between wealthy, middle income, and poor Californians. A Federal Reserve Board of Governors’ 2015 report found that state excise and sales taxes on gas and goods increase income inequality because even though these are consumed by the rich and poor alike, poorer households tend to pay greater shares of their income on these taxes. Is there no end? Over the past eight years California has enacted $244 billion in new taxes and fees according to Board of Equalization Member Jerome Horton. A Tax Foundation study that compared the 50 states across the major tax types that make up a state tax burden found that California is ﬁrst in the nation for: • The highest marginal individual income tax rate at 13.3%, • The highest tax rate for the middle class at 9.3%, and • The highest statewide sales tax rate at 7.25%. Because California has the highest income and sales taxes in the nation, the proposed elimination of federal deductions for state and local taxes (SALT) will hit California’s middle income and

Aubry Stone poor the hardest. Not to mention the proposed federal reductions to Medicaid and Medicare, Community Development Block Grant funds, and other job creation and poverty prevention programs, all to fund a tax cut for the wealthiest Californians. Because Californians are not aware of the cumulative eﬀect of these allegedly well-meaning tax increases, voters often lose sight of the devastating impacts they have. At the local level, in November 2016, voters passed 80% of the unprecedented 452 tax increases and 97% of the 184 bond measures placed on the ballot by California local governments and special districts. The high taxes in California are causing an exodus of the middle class and a perpetuation of poverty as 1 in 4 Californians live below the poverty line and California is second only to Hawaii in the number of people living paycheck to paycheck, according to GOBankingRates.com. California Department of Finance statistics show that more middle income people are exiting California than are moving to the state. According to the IRS, there is a larger net exodus of people in

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Government

California's Chief Justice Gives Bail Reform a Boost By Associated Press

ﬀorts to do away with cash bail in California received a big boost when the state's top judge got behind a proposal to end what critics say is a system that keeps poor people behind bars while wealthier suspects can pay for their freedom. California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye (taNEE' kahn-TEEL sah-kah-OOweh) said Tuesday that instead of cash bail, the state should rely

on assessments of defendants' danger to the public to determine whether they should be released. The proposal endorsed by CantilSakauye is contained in a report by a group of judges that concluded the state's cash bail system "unnecessarily compromises victim and public safety" and "exacerbates socioeconomic disparities and racial bias." It would require legislative approval to go into law. 

the 35 to 54 age group and among those making between $100,000 and $200,000 annually. California is quickly becoming the state of the “haves and have nots.” Housing alone absorbs up to 70% of the income for the poor and middle class Californians and the 405 freeway, which spans over 72 miles of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, remains crowded because more people are working two jobs; and both parents and children often have to work to maintain a household in California. This makes the unemployment numbers 5.0% in California and 4.6% in Los Angeles look good until you realize that unemployment among Blacks is 7.5%, for Latinos it is 6.3 %, and among Asians it is 3.3%. Additionally, income for California’s middle class and poor is declining. A 24/7 Wall Street study on “States Where the Middle Class Is Dying,” found that of the average pre-tax income earned by the middle 20% of earners in each state, California ranked ﬁrst in the country for middle class income

that declined the most, 7% between 2009 and 2013. A subsequent analysis between 2010 and 2014 showed that the income among middle class California households continued to fall while the state’s top 20% of state earners grew by 5.6%. The middle class is moving closer to the bottom, not the middle. Sure, California taxes the richest 1%, but the impact on them is not as severe as it is on the health and welfare of the middle income and poor. Taxes are necessary for a safe community, quality schools, and a clean environment, and should be used to stimulate sustainable jobs. However, the majority of California’s new taxes and the proposed federal cuts will disproportionately affect California’s poor and middle class, whose communities are often impacted the most by crime, pollution, educational challenges, and unemployment. While the more affluent may benefit from the proposed state and federal tax policies; they will cause the vast majority of women and people of color, especially African Americans, to continue to suffer

California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye © The Associated Press www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/californiaschief-justice-gives-bail-reform-a-boost/arAAu0VRV?ocid=spartandhp

with less discretionary income, higher unemployment, excessive health disparities, substandard educational opportunities; greater homelessness, poor housing opportunities, excessive crime and more pollutants in our communities. Clearly these excessive taxes should not be placed on the shoulders of poor people. Frederick Douglas put it best when he said, “Power concedes nothing without demand.”  Aubry Stone is the President/CEO of the California Black Chamber of Commerce (www.cbcc.org) Earl “Skip” Cooper, II serves as the President/CEO of the Black Business Association (www.bbala. org) Jerome E. Horton, Third District Member of the California State Board of Equalization contributed to the article. Member Horton also serves as the Board of Equalization’s Property Tax Committee Chair (website address)

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Government

Zimbabwe's Army Seizes Power By MacDonald Dzirutwe

imbabwe’s military seized power early on Wednesday saying it was targeting “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe, the only ruler the country has known in its 37 years of independence. The atmosphere in the capital remained calm. The military said President Mugabe and his family were safe. Mugabe himself spoke by telephone to the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, and told him he was confined to his home but fine, the South African presidency said in a statement. The main goal of the generals appears to be preventing Mugabe’s 52-year-old wife, Grace, from succeeding him. But whether or not he remains in office, it is likely to mark the end of the total dominance of the country by Mugabe, the last of Africa’s generation of state founders still in power. Mugabe, still seen by many Africans as an anti-colonial hero, plunged Zimbabwe into a fresh political crisis last week by firing his vice president and presumed successor. The generals believed that move was aimed at clearing a path for Grace Mugabe to take over and

announced on Monday they were prepared to “step in” if purges of their allies did not end. “We are only targeting criminals around him (Mugabe) who are committing crimes that are President causing social and Mugabe economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice,” Major General SB Moyo, Chief of Staff Logistics, said on television. “As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.” CAREENING OFF A CLIFF Even many of Mugabe’s most loyal supporters over the decades had come to oppose the rise of his wife, who courted the powerful youth wing of the ruling party but alienated the military, led by Mugabe’s former guerrilla comrades from the 1970s independence struggle. “This is a correction of a state that was careening off the cliff,” Chris Mutsvangwa, the leader of the liberation war veterans, told Reuters. “It’s the end of a very painful and sad chapter in the history of a young nation, in which a dictator, as he became old, surrendered his court to a gang of thieves around his wife.” The opposition Movement for Democratic Change called for a peaceful return to constitutional democracy, adding it hoped the military intervention would lead to the “establishment of a stable, democratic and progressive nation state.”

President Zuma — speaking on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) — expressed hope there would be no unconstitutional changes of government in Zimbabwe as that would be contrary to both SADC and African Union positions. Zuma urged Zimbabwe’s government and the military “to resolve the political impasse amicably." ECONOMIC DECLINE Zimbabwe’s economic decline over the past two decades has been a drag on the southern African region. Millions of economic refugees have streamed out of the country, mostly to neighboring South Africa. Soldiers deployed across Harare on Tuesday and seized the state broadcaster, ZBC, and ordered staff to leave. Shortly afterwards, three explosions rocked the center of the capital, Reuters witnesses said. The United States and Britain advised their citizens in Harare to stay indoors because of “political uncertainty.” The southern African nation had been on edge since Monday when Chiwenga, Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, said he was prepared to “step in” to end a purge of supporters of Emmerson Mnangagwa, the vice president sacked last week. In the last year, a chronic absence of dollars has led to long queues outside banks and an economic and financial collapse that many fear will rival the meltdown of 20072008, when inflation topped out at 500 billion percent. Imported goods are running out and economists say that, by some measures, inflation is now at 50% a month.  www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ zimbabwes-army-seizes-powertargets-criminals-around-mugabe/arBBEYQmi?OCID=ansmsnnews11

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Government - Judiciary

Trump Is Rapidly Reshaping the Judiciary By Timothy Meads

resident Donald J. Trump has done more to reshape the federal judiciary with a conservative outlook towards the constitution than any president since President Richard Nixon. This has been no accident. The New York Times (www.

worth the read. The plan was pretty straightforward and was all started by White House counsel, Donald F. McGahn II: "Start by ﬁlling vacancies on appeals courts with multiple openings and where Democratic senators up for re-election next

courts, where legal philosophy is less crucial. Nearly a year later, that plan is coming to fruition. Mr. Trump has already appointed eight appellate judges, the most this early in a presidency since Richard M. Nixon, and on Thursday, the Senate

President Barack Obama with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Merrick Garland March 2016 © Reuters nytimes.com/2017/11/11/us/politics/ trump-judiciary-appeals-courtsconservatives.html) reported in detail

the systematic plan Trump and his team took to ensure a changed judiciary with strict constitutionalist bonaﬁdes. Charlie Savage’s piece is well

year in states won by Mr. Trump — like Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania — could be pressured not to block his nominees. And to speed them through conﬁrmation, avoid clogging the Senate with too many nominees for the district

Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to send a ninth appellate nominee — Mr. Trump’s deputy White House counsel, Gregory Katsas — to the ﬂoor. Republicans are systematically ﬁlling appellate seats they held open

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during President Barack Obama’s final two years in office with a particularly conservative group of judges with life tenure. Democrats — who in late 2013 abolished the ability of 41 lawmakers to block such nominees with a filibuster, then quickly lost control of the Senate — have scant power to stop them. Most have strong academic credentials and clerked for wellknown conservative judges, like Justice Antonin Scalia. Confirmation votes for five of the eight new judges fell short of the former 60-vote threshold to clear filibusters, including John K. Bush, a chapter president of the Federalist Society, the conservative legal network, who wrote politically charged blog posts, such as comparing abortion to slavery; and Stephanos Bibas, a University of Pennsylvania law professor who once proposed using electric shocks to punish people convicted of certain crimes, although he later disavowed the idea. Of Mr. Trump’s 18 appellate nominees so far, 14 are men and 16 are white." While the federal judiciary system may not be on the mind of most Americans, Conservative voters who cared may have helped push President Trump over the electoral finish line. Indeed, Trump often spoke on the campaign trail how we would bring in conservative judges. “For now, conservatives are reveling in their success. During the campaign, Mr. Trump shored up the support of skeptical rightwing voters by promising to select Supreme Court justices from a list Mr. McGahn put together with help from the Federalist Society and the conservative Heritage

Foundation. Exit polls showed that court-focused voters helped deliver the president’s narrow victory. Now, he is rewarding them. “We will set records in terms of the number of judges,” Mr. Trump said at the White House recently, adding that many more nominees were in the pipeline. Standing beside the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, he continued, “There has never been anything like what we’ve been able to do together with judges.” President Trump has the opportunity to reshape constitutional law for at least the next forty years with the sheer magnitude of young, conservative, judges he is appointing. "As a result, Mr. Trump is poised to bring the conservative legal movement, which took shape in the 1980s in reaction to decades of liberal rulings on issues like the rights of criminal suspects and

of women who want abortions, to a new peak of inﬂuence over American law and society." “What makes this a unique opportunity in modern history is the sheer number of vacancies, the number of potential vacancies because of the aging bench, and the existence of a president who really cares about this issue in his gut,” said Leonard A. Leo, an informal adviser to Mr. Trump on courts who is the executive vice president of the Federalist Society." The full piece by Savage goes into other areas such as the growing concern that the judicial branch will become just as partisan as Congress, how liberals are reacting, and the long and sometimes diﬃcult process of appointing federal judges.  https://townhall.com/tipsheet/ timothymeads/2017/11/12/nyttrump-is-rapidly-reshaping-thejudiciary-n2408326

2017 Women’s Leadership Conference “Creating Connections … Building Bridges”

Friday, November 3rd thru Sunday, November 5th Hilton Garden Inn, El Segundo, CA www.TheBellaNetwork.com

he Bella Network 2017 conference includes workshops led by over 20 accomplished corporate professionals, certified coaches and successful entrepreneurs who are fired up and ready to build a powerful network that includes top-level business women and entrepreneurs exchanging ideas and sharing experiences. Women who are invested in making the connections to support your efforts and are willing to advocate on your behalf. The Bella Network wants successful people to learn more about what you are doing and how they can support and advocate to give you ACCESS. Access to resources — people, processes, tools and, yes, money — investors, loans, grants, and partners.

15  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Government

FCC Vote Could Force Lowincome Households Ofﬂine By Steve Dent

ootstrapping yourself out of poverty via the internet is about to get a lot harder in the US. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC www.fcc.gov), led by industryfriendly chairman Ajit Pai, has voted along party lines to reform the low-income Lifeline broadband subsidy program. Among the most contentious items are a proposal to tighten eligibility requirements and cap spending, and another to halt subsidies through internet resellers like Windstream. If voted through, the latter proposal could force over 70% of Lifeline enrollees to seek a new provider, and many would have no option at all. Lifeline gives low-income households a $9.25 monthly credit towards discounted home internet service from 900 participating companies. Until last year, that could only be applied to landline and mobile voice service, but former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler expanded the program to broadband early last year. However, Pai scrapped an FCC directive that came at the end of Wheeler's tenure that allowed nine new companies to participate, and promised more cost-cutting reforms, supposedly to close the digital divide. Some of the reforms are still in the proposal stages, but the FCC issued a direct order yesterday that directly affects Tribal land residents. Those folks used to receive a $25 monthly subsidy on top of the $9.25

discount, but in 90 days, they'll no longer be able to obtain the $25 subsidy through resellers. That will give many Native Americans far fewer options for mobile internet. "This will be a travesty to Indian Country because it will turn back the clock to times when consumers had but one choice," Joe Redcloud from the South Dakota Sioux Tribe told the Washington Post. Another proposal suggests that the FCC eliminate Lifeline subsidies across the US through carriers that don't operate their own networks, but resell services from AT&T, Verizon and other companies. Advocacy group Public Knowledge says that 70% of Lifeline subscribers use such resellers, so they would be forced to use AT&T, T-Mobile and other direct providers. This is not real reform. This is cruelty. It is at odds with our statutory duty. It will do little more than consign too many communities to the wrong side of the digital divide. However, those carriers are often more expensive than resellers, so switching could eliminate much of the $9.25 Lifeline benefit. In some instances, low-income users wouldn't have any option at all. "In many states, facilitiesbased providers have opted out of offering Lifeline-supported service altogether and prefer to allow nonfacilities-based wireless providers to serve Lifeline subscribers and the low-income segments of the wireless market," Public Knowledge wrote. Finally, the FCC is looking at a cap that could drastically reduce the

Lifeline budget and institute more rigorous checks. "The reforms that we implement and propose today seek to ... curtail the waste, fraud and abuse that continue to plague the Lifeline program," Pai said ahead of the vote. That includes forcing subscribers -- many of whom have their broadband bill entirely paid by Lifeline -- into copaying part of their bill. That could effectively cut off a lot of the most needy Lifeline recipients from the internet altogether. "The co-pay requirement would create significant attrition in the program since most subscribers are on plans that provide no-cost service, and many Lifeline subscribers lack bank accounts and access to basic financial services," Public Knowledge said. The advocacy group notes that there is no support for the FCC's plan in the 50-plus dockets filed since the proposal was issued. Meanwhile, dozens of others from veterans, seniors, Tribes, and even the wireless industry have urged it not to implement the proposed items. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who voted against the bill, put it succinctly. "This is not real reform. This is cruelty," she said. "It is at odds with our statutory duty. It will do little more than consign too many communities to the wrong side of the digital divide."  www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/fccvote-could-force-low-income-householdsoffline/ar-BBF5sve?li=AA4Zoy&ocid=spar tandhp

17  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Government

Trump to Allow Imports of African Elephant Trophies By Timothy Cama

he Trump administration is reversing an Obama administration ban on bringing to the United States the heads of elephants killed in two African countries. The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said it has determined the hunting African elephants in Zimbabwe and Zambia "will enhance the survival of the species in the wild," which is the standard by which officials judge whether

to allow imports of parts of the animals, known as trophies. "Legal, well-regulated sport hunting as part of a sound management program can benefit the conservation of certain species by providing incentives to local communities to conserve the species and by putting muchneeded revenue back into conservation," an FWS spokesman said in a statement late Wednesday, after hunting group Safari Club

International announced the policy. Imports will now be allowed for elephants killed between Jan. 21, 2016 and the end of 2018. The decision, cheered by some hunting and gun rights groups, is a stark reversal from the policy under the Obama administration. The United States and international authorities say the African elephant is a threatened species, and the Obama administration argued that allowing trophy imports would harm

18  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

the animals by encouraging killing them. It is also part of a wide-ranging effort by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose department includes FWS, to promote hunting. "Some of my best memories are hunting and fishing with my dad and granddad, and then later teaching my own kids to hunt and fish . That's something I want more families to experience," Zinke said in a September sta tement in which he announced that the arcade

game Big Buck Hunter would be temporarily installed in the department's headquarters. The National Rifle Association's lobbying arm praised the elephant trophy decision. "By lifting the import ban on elephant trophies in Zimbabwe and Zambia the Trump Administration underscored, once again, the importance of sound scientific wildlife management and regulated hunting to the survival and enhancement of game species in this country and worldwide," Chris Cox, executive director of the group's Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement. Animal rights groups slammed the Trump administration. "Let's be clear: elephants are on the list of threatened species; the global community has rallied to stem the ivory trade; and now, the

U.S. government is giving American trophy hunters the green light to kill them," Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, wrote in a blog post. https://blog.humanesociety. o r g / w a y n e / 2 0 1 7 / 11 / i n t e r i o r department-allow-importsel ep han t-l ion- t r oph ie s- afr i careversing-obama-policies.html "What kind of message does it send to say to the world that poor Africans who are struggling to survive cannot kill elephants in order to use or sell their parts to make a living, but that it's just fine for rich Americans to slay the beasts for their tusks to keep as trophies?"  www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ trump-to-allow-imports-of-africanelephant-trophies/ar-BBF1qJx?li=B Bmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

Interior Department to Allow Imports of Elephant and Lion Trophies from Africa, Reversing Obama Policies By Wayne Pacelle, President/CEO, The Humane Society

ith barely contained enthusiasm, Safari Club International (SCI) announced on its own initiative today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has reversed critical elephant protections established during the Obama administration, allowing imports of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia. For decades, Zimbabwe has been run by a dictator who has targeted and killed his political

opponents, and operated the country’s wildlife management program as something of a live auction. The United States has listed African elephants under the federal Endangered Species Act, and hunting trophies can only be imported if the federal government finds that killing them positively enhances the survival of the species. Under the prior administration, FWS made the eminently reasonable

decision that Zimbabwe – one of the most corrupt countries on earth – was not managing its elephant population in a sustainable manner. Government officials allegedly have been involved in both poaching of elephants and illegal export of ivory tusks. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe even celebrated his birthday last year by feasting on an elephant. Zimbabwe’s elephant population

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see page 20

Government Endangered Species

from page 19

has declined 6% since 2001 and evidence shows that poaching has increased in areas where trophy hunting is permitted (such as in the Chirisa and Chete safari areas). A number of problems with Zimbabwe’s elephant management remain unresolved to date: the lack of an elephant management plan; lack of sufficient data on population numbers and trends; anemic enforcement of wildlife laws; lack of information about how money derived from trophy hunting by U.S. hunters is distributed within Zimbabwe; and lack of a national mechanism, such as government support, to sustain elephant conservation efforts in the country. This jarring announcement comes on the same day that global news sources report that Mr. Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s aging dictator, is under house arrest following a military coup. This fact in and of itself highlights the absurdity and illegal nature of the FWS decision to find that Zimbabwe is capable of ensuring that elephant conservation and trophy hunting are properly managed. During the last two years, poachers in the country have poisoned several dozen elephants, including young calves. Government officials cash in by capturing elephant calves who are still dependent on their mothers and exporting them to China for use in zoos. Perhaps not surprisingly, a hunting outfitter advertised elephant hunts in Zimbabwe as soon as the SCI announcement was made public. It’s a venal and nefarious, pay-to-slay arrangement that Zimbabwe has set up with the trophy hunting industry. Notably, an FWS decision to allow imports of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe is legally required to be

published in the Federal Register, and no such formal decision has yet appeared. SCI’s announcement indicates that elephant trophies will also be allowed to be imported from Zambia. The elephant population in Zambia has suffered a dramatic decrease over the last few decades, from more than 200,000 elephants in 1972 to just a little over 21,000 according to the Great Elephant Census in 2016. Ivory trafficking remains a threat to the country’s elephant population. Even more ominous, the FWS has just erected a new website that provides a guide to trophy hunters seeking to import lion trophies. Just last year the FWS listed the lion as threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act, set up criteria that must be met before the FWS would allow the import of lion trophies, and prohibited imports of trophies from captive lion populations hunted in fenced enclosures – commonly referred to as canned lion hunting – in South Africa. Unbelievably the news gets even worse, as the Department of the Interior has also just announced that it is forming a euphemistically named advisory

group, the International Wildlife Conservation Council, that would allow trophy hunters an even more prominent seat at the table of government decision-making, ignoring the copious science that trophy hunting undermines the conservation of threatened and endangered species. Let’s be clear: elephants are on the list of threatened species; the global community has rallied to stem the ivory trade; and now, the U.S. government is giving American trophy hunters the green light to kill them. What kind of message does it send to say to the world that poor Africans who are struggling to survive cannot kill elephants in order to use or sell their parts to make a living, but that it’s just fine for rich Americans to slay the beasts for their tusks to keep as trophies? It’s time for the era of the trophy killing of Africa’s most majestic and endangered animals to come to a final close, and the United States should not be retreating from that commitment.  https://blog.humanesociety.org/ wayne/2017/11/interior-departmentallow-imports-elephant-lion-trophiesafrica-reversing-obama-policies.html

20  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Elephants Action Network By www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-globalinitiative/about-us/action-networks/elephants-actionnetwork

he Elephants Action Network was created in response to a landmark Commitment to Action announced at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2013 Annual Meeting, uniting a number of CGI members in a collective effort to save Africa’s elephants. The Action Network coordinates the diverse work of members active in elephant conservation to achieve more substantive and expansive impact. Without continual and committed work in this space, African elephants may disappear within the next decade. The Action Network focuses on a range of issues, including capacity building to address poaching on a local scale, ranger and enforcement training, quantification of poaching conviction rates, illegal ivory supply chains, and international security and trafficking networks. The Action Network also prioritizes demand reduction campaigns, raising public awareness, and broadening diverse stakeholder engagement.

positive impact on elephant conservation. • Coordinate efforts to design

solutions, share best practices, and bring more awareness to high-priority action areas. • Redefine solutions to better recognize local community ownership, as well as social, cultural, and economic needs and aspirations.

Contact tracks@clintonglobalinitiative.org

Objectives • Encourage cooperation, foster partnerships, and increase transparency among actors in the space to make a lasting,

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BBN Show Biz Buzz By Linda Ware

Hulu to Adapt Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man for Streaming

resh off the critical success (and multiple Emmy wins) of its recent Margaret Atwood Ralph Ellison (Photo: David adaptation The Handmaid’s Attie/Getty Images) Tale, Hulu is getting ready to bring another pivotal, politically charged classic of 20th century literature to the screen. Variety reports that the streaming service has put into development a TV version of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, a landmark novel of black alienation in 1950s America. Hulu acquired the rights to Ellison’s National Book

Neil de Grasse Tysn

Award-winning novel, which follows an unnamed black man from his Southern upbringing into a world of political activism, self-serving grandstanding, and pervasive, inescapable racism, earlier this year. The project is still in early development, and no script has been written as of yet.  www.avclub.com/hulu-to-continue-its-run-of-politicallycharged-literar-1819889772

Star Talk! and Neil de Grasse Tyson Still Making Intelligence Cool

he StarTalk network of shows whether podcasts, cable tv or live bridge the intersection between science, pop culture and comedy with clarity, humor and passion. Exploring captivating subjects such as space travel, extra-terrestrial life, the Big Bang, the role science plays in people’s lives, the future of our Earth and the environment, the science behind the most iconic sports plays in history, and breaking news from the universe. Or, as our host Neil deGrasse Tyson says, “Everything under the sun; Or rather under the universe!” for an audience of “All the people who never knew how much they’d love learning about space and science.” Tyson and our other show hosts are joined each week by comedian co-hosts, celebrities, and other special guests. The Star Talk lineup includes: Star Talk Radio

Chuck Nice

(Fridays at 7pm ET), Star Talk TV (National Geographic channel Sunday evenings), StarTalk All-Stars podcast (Sirius XM Insight Channel 121), StarTalk Playing with Science podcast (Wednesdays 7pm ET), and StarTalk Live! coming to a stage near you. Tune in on "Let's Make America Smart Again!" with Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Chuck Nice, and former NASA chief scientist Ellen Stofan. Get all of the details on the Star Talk family of shows, productions and news at: www.startalkradio.net/aboutus. Stay Cool. Get Smart.  www.startalkradio.net/

Sean Combs has Changed his Name to "Love"

ean Combs took to Twitter on Nov. 4, his 48th birthday, to tell his 13.3 million followers that he is changing his name to LOVE, but he will also answer to "Brother Love." "I decided to change my name again!," captioned a video of him explaining his decision. "My new name is LOVE aka Brother Love. #TakeDat."

Since breaking into the music scene in the late '90s, "LOVE" has been known by many different monikers. Since 2005, he's been known as Diddy. "Hey yall. I have some very serious serious news. I've been praying on this and I decided that - I know it's risky and I know it's corny to some people - I decided to change my name again," he said in his video, shot on the beach. "I'm just not who I am before. I'm something different. So my new name is Love, aka Brother Love. I will not be answering to Puffy, Diddy, Puffy Daddy or any of my other monikers but Love or Brother Love." "It's my birthday, I feel good," he continued. "God is the greatest. I give all the glory, and I thank my momma and daddy."

Like the Beatles said, "All you need is love.".  www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/all-you-need-islove-puff-daddy-or-diddy-changes-his-name-yet-again/arAAutfbK?ocid=spartandhp

Jay-Z To Be Honored With 2018 Salute To Industry Icons Award

live Davis and the Recording Academy™ will present the annual Pre-Grammy®Gala on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at Sheraton New York Times Square, the evening preceding the 60th Annual Grammy Awards®. As part of the celebration, entrepreneur and 21-time Grammy winner Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter will be recognized as the 2018 Grammy Salute To Industry Icons® honoree for his significant contributions to the music industry and his numerous philanthropic endeavors. "We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to honor JAY-Z with this year’s GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Award. His contributions as an industry trailblazer and music visionary only begin to touch on the tremendous impact he’s made both in entertainment and beyond," said Neil Portnow, President/ CEO of the Recording Academy. “JAY-Z also embodies the vibrant spirit of New York City and we couldn’t imagine a more fitting honoree as we return to Manhattan for this year’s GRAMMY Awards." Since 1996, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and 21-time GRAMMY Award winner Shawn "JAY Z" Carter has been a dominant force in popular culture, with multiple businesses and accolades across the recording industry. Among his achievements, Carter has served as President of Def Jam Recordings, launched the successful Made In America festival, acquired luxury spirits brand Armand De Brignac, and maintains his role as majority owner in the 40/40 sports clubs. In 2013, Carter launched Roc Nation Sports, whose

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see page 26

BBN Show Biz Buzz

from BBN Show Biz Buzz on page 25

roster includes NBA Champion Kevin Durant and MLB All-Star Robinson Cano. Carter became co-owner in global streaming service, TIDAL, in 2015. In 2017, Carter became the first hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. Carter is active in giving back to the community, most notably through

his philanthropic work through the Shawn Carter Foundation. The Foundation, founded in 2002, is dedicated to helping individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education, encouraging them to tap into their potential. Since the foundation launched, Shawn Carter Scholars are studying at more than 100 institutions of higher education throughout the nation. For more information about the

Academy, please visit grammy. com. ď &#x192; By: Music Connection BBN Editing www.musicconnection.com/jay-z-saluteindustry-icons-award/

The Lion King Live-Action Cast Announced

isney has announced a host of actors officially joining the live-action The Lion King's cast following previous reports of their involvement. Beyoncé has officially boarded the project as the voice of Nala, after reports back in March named the performer as the top choice for the role. And after previous reports, Disney has confirmed Billy Eichner will voice Timon and Seth Rogen will take on the role of Pumba. Chiwetel Ejiofor is confirmed to play Scar, while Alfre Woodard is Simba's mother Sarabi. Rounding out the cast is JD McCrary as Young Simba, Shahadi Wright Joseph as Young Nala, John Kani as Rafiki, and John Oliver as Zazu. The hyenas will be played by Florence Kasumba (Shenzi), Eric Andre (Azizi), and Keegan-Michael Key (Kamari). Disney screened the first footage from the film, which is set for a July 19, 2019 release, at D23 Expo earlier this year. Jon Favreau, who already tackled Disney's live-action The Jungle Book to massive box office success, is directing the film. Donald Glover will be voicing Simba, while James Earl Jones returns to play Mufasa. “It is a director's dream to assemble a talented team like this to bring this classic story to life,” Favreau said about the cast. 

By Jonathon Dornbush www.ign.com/articles/2017/11/01/ full-the-lion-king-live-action-castannounced-beyonce-john-oliver-sethrogen-conﬁrmed-to-star https://www.facebook.com/kwelitv

View 'Black Panther' Character Posters and Videos

ew character posters that highlight the heroes and villains of Wakanda have been released. The stunning imagery is simple yet powerful,

letting each individual speak for themselves. Each poster features a close-up portrait of its subject (www. twitter.com/theblackpanther). The posters -- feature cast members Chadwick Bosman, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong'o, Forest Whitaker, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Andy Serkis, Martin Freeman, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, and Winston Duke. "Black Panther" is due in theaters on February 16, 2018.  www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/ check-out-the-stunning-new-blackpanther-character-posters/arBBEMotX?ocid=spartanntp

BBN Show Biz Buzz

Ava Duvernay Speaks About Men at Hammer Museum Gala By Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times

va DuVernay had a few choice words for men at the Hammer Museum’s Gala in the Garden on Saturday night. Taking to the stage after an enthusiastic introduction by J.J. Abrams, the evening’s honoree said she would normally devote her speech to women, but on this night she was switching things up. “I won’t focus on men … who develop and dwell in the dark, dangerous places that make the world unsafe for so many women,” said DuVernay, who was nominated for an Academy Award for the 2016 feature documentary “13th.” “I will focus on the men I’ve encountered who chose not to use their privilege to diminish but rather to uplift. Tonight, I’m gonna tell a

few stories about the good guys — in a spirit of salute, in a spirit of sanctuary, in a spirit of soothing an open wound that has been festering past the point of attention and care.” Which is what DuVernay did with her speech. She thanked, among others, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and her father for “being one of the good guys,” and she urged other fathers to “be a good guy to your daughters and your sons and let them know that they can find a place where they have equal footing, and that they can do anything.” The sentiment struck a chord with the crowd, which gave DuVernay a standing ovation. “I love what she said about men,” actress Jane Lynch said. “Because

we’re beating the [stuffing] out of Harvey Weinstein right now, and we’re very angry with men. But I love that she talked about the men who helped her create a safe space where she could make her art.” The filmmaker’s words fell on the ears of a Hollywood-heavy crowd reeling from the mounting allegations of sexual misconduct against producer Harvey Weinstein. Zachary Quinto, the gala’s cochair, introduced the evening’s musical performers, sister indierockers Haim. “I love this museum, and I love the work they do,” he said. “I love that they celebrate emerging artists and they’re really interested in elevating the conversation about art and its social and political relevance.” 

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United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross will lead a Trade Mission to China - mid-November 2017

This multi-sector mission will promote U.S. exports to China by supporting U.S. companies in launching or increasing their business in the marketplace, as well as address trade policy issues with high-level Chinese officials. Key elements will include business-to-government and business-to-industry meetings, market briefings, networking events and opportunities to promote new deals and agreements between mission participants and Chinese entities through signing ceremonies. Addressing the imbalance in U.S.-China trade has been a central focus of discussions between President Trump and President Xi, and this trade mission will advance the bilateral commercial relationship by promoting business deals between U.S. and Chinese firms, as well as addressing market access barriers faced by U.S. companies. President Xi and other senior Chinese officials have signaled their interest in improving the U.S.-China President Xi relationship through increased exports of U.S. goods and services to China. If you’re interested in participating in the upcoming mission, we encourage you to submit and complete an application at: https://www.commerce.gov/ChinaMission2017Application. Why participate in the Mission? Business Development Missions organized by the U.S. Government provide a unique opportunity for businesses interested in exploring export opportunities overseas. This mission will advance the Administration’s goal of reducing the U.S.-China trade deficit by promoting U.S. exports. The schedule will primarily consist of briefings from U.S. government officials and outside experts on the business environment in China, engagements with Chinese officials and senior Chinese business leaders, networking opportunities, and opportunities to promote agreements between mission participants and Chinese entities at signing ceremonies. Mission participants will also be presented with the opportunity to engage with Secretary Ross and other senior U.S. and Chinese government officials as events unfold around President Trump’s first visit to China. The mission may also present opportunities to engage with high level Chinese officials. Additional Information? For more information, visit the mission’s website at www.Export.gov/Chinamission2017 Direct questions to the Department of Commerce Office of Business Liaison at: BusinessLiaison@ doc.gov or 1-202-482-1360. The application deadline for this mission will be Friday, September 29, 2017. After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required. The fee schedule for the mission is below: $10,000 for large firms or trade associations $9,500 for a small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) $1,500 each additional firm representative (large firm, SME, or trade association – limit one additional representative per company) Expenses for air travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant. Bobby Hines, International Trade Specialist - Textile/Apparel/Food/Agriculture/Publishing DownTown LA Export Office: U.S.D.O.C.|International Trade Administration 213-894-4231/C 213-276-3675 Email: bobby.hines@trade.gov Apparel/Textile: Register for Made In The U.S.A: http://otexa.trade.gov/scripts/MadeInUSAPost.exe Food & Toy Catalog Events in the Czech Republic FOR GASTRO - https://build.export.gov/czechrepublic/tradeevents/eg_cz_113201 FOR TOYS - https://build.export.gov/czechrepublic/tradeevents/eg_cz_113202 Report A Trade Barrier: http://tcc.export.gov/report_a_barrier/index.asp www.export.gov or http://www.trade.gov/

Business - Holiday Shopping

11 Young African American Entrepreneurs to Support this Holiday Season By Natural Hair Kids http://naturalhairkids.com/ author/admin/

just want to start off by saying that this is an article that you definitely want to read with your children if they are expressing interest in entrepreneurship. It’s never too early or late to develop an enterprising child. Children who think like entrepreneurs will develop leadership skills, heighten their creativity and become excellent problem solvers. In fact, there are plenty of kids in the African-American community who are making waves in the business world. Here are some that you should definitely support this holiday season:

Gabby's Bows Invented by a seven year-old and her Mom, Gabby’s Bows solves the age-old problem of disappearing barrettes and has now transformed into a highly successful barrette business for this mother/ daughter duo. Gabby is very involved with the day-to-day operations of the business, including: tackling inventory, data entry, sales tax coding, filling orders, writing thank you notes, etc. “She gets upset if I conduct any business without her.” Her mom says. It’s no surprise that Gabby was also recently named SC Young Entrepreneur of the Year (the youngest to ever receive this award). GaBBY Bows come in eight colors and are available for purchase in nearly 100 Walgreens, Bilo and Once Upon a Child stores in SC, GA and NC. Shop online or find a store near you at gabbybows.com.

BeeSweet Lemonade The world first learned of Mikaila Ulmer when she fearlessly entered ABC’s show Shark Tank with her BeeSweet Lemonade. At just 10 years old, she secured a sweet deal with investor Daymond John, who put up $60,000 for a 25% stake in the company. But the deal didn’t end there, in addition to his investment, Daymond stated that he would mentor Mikaila. But Mikaila has been enterprising for a long time. She got

bit by the enterpreneurial bug at just four years old, when her family encouraged her to enter a children’s business competition. Not only is Mikaila serious about her business, she’s also serious about providing a sustainable life for others. She makes her BeeSweet Lemonade with local honey, and a percentage of her earnings go towards saving the honeybee. Support Mikaila’s business at beesweetlemonade.com.

http://

E & C Popcorn Company Ethan and Collier run an online store that specializes in gluten-free gourmet caramel popcorn. There parents set out to teach the two about entrepreneurship and thus, the E & C Popcorn Company was born. Their popcorn contains only the freshest ingredients with no preservatives or high fructose corn syrup. Their popcorn is also air-popped making it free of fatty oils. Yum! Get your popcorn fix at www.eandcpopcorn.com.

Super Business Girl Asia Newson, aka Super Business Girl, started her candle business when she was just five years old. She learned how to make candles from her father, and instantly began turning her creations into profit. As the youngest entrepreneur in Detroit, she would eventually gain worldwide recognition when 20/20 cameras caught her selling her candles to people on the street. Asia states that her goal is to “recognize the potential in every child and develop intrinsic security that makes optimum use of their individual talent.” Today, Asia’s business Credit:ellentv has expanded into a fullfledged empire. In addition to candles, she now sells t-shirts, accessories and more on her online store. You can also catch Asia giving motivational speeches

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around the world. View and support her store www. superbusinessgirl.com.

her entire collection.

Mr Cory’s Cookies

Moziah Bridges, also known as Mo, started his company Mo’s Bows at nine years old, when he struggled to find fun and fashionable bow ties that suited his personality. He took initiative and created his own, using his Granny’s scrap fabric. You may have seen Mo on ABC’s Shark Tank. He didn’t secure a deal, but Shark Tank investor Daymond John was so impressed with Mo and his business that he offered to mentor Mo for free. Mo states that bow ties make him look and feel good, but more importantly, he believes designing the bow ties allow him to help make the world a better place. View Mo’s Bows at http://mosbowsmemphis.com.

Credit: Mr Cory’s Cookies Mr. Cory is such a little gentleman. He takes his business so seriously, that he called himself Mr. Cory, and this was just at nine years old! Mr. Cory knew that he wanted to make the world a better place. He figured out a way to do this by combining his two favorite passions, sweet treats and business. And thus, we now have Mr. Cory’s Cookies. The cookies, which practically melt in your mouth, are all-natural and only made from high quality ingredients. Satisfy your sweet tooth at www.mrcoryscookies. com.

The Honey Bunch Kids Chental-Song Bembry, a teenpreneur, is a creative force to be reckoned with. She’s the writer and illustrator of the extremely popular book The Honey Bunch Kids. It’s an animated series that follows the lives of a group of middle school kids, as they learn the true meaning of friendship. Chental’s business is truly a family affair. Her mother helps her run her business which now includes a lifestyle brand of book bags, home items and clothing. Check out her Zazzle Store: www.zazzle.com/the_ honey_bunch_kids.

Maya's Ideas Maya Penn is representing for the natural hair kid entrepreneur community. She’s a lady with many talents. Some of her many job titles include business owner, illustrator, animator, artist, designer, writer and philanthropist. She began her foray into business at eight, when she started designing ribbon headbands for friends and family. Her business then took off! Maya now offers an entire retail brand of handcrafted accessories and eco-friendly clothing from recycled fabrics. Visit http://mayasideas.com to see

Mo’s Bows

Women’s Rabbit Association Laetitia Mukungu has a true charitable spirit. She founded Women’s Rabbit Association at just 14 years old. It’s a nonprofit organization that combines her love of education and agriculture. The organization farms rabbits for profit, in order to help women of Kenya pay for the children’s educational needs. Though she is now 18, her passion for entrepreneurship continues to thrive and her business remains successful. Read more and give your support at www.africarabbitcentre.com.

Essynce Couture What girl doesn’t like to play dress up? Essynce Moore began her career early on,when she started designing clothes at six. Essynce has always loved beauty and creativity. She took that passion to the next level with the launch of a clothing line in 2013, Essynce Couture. In addition to overseeing her fashion line, Essynce is a stylist, motivational speaker and author. Update your wardrobe at www.essyncecouture.com. These kidpreneurs are a true inspiration and we’re incredibly proud of them. Please support them and the other Black businesses in the Shopping Gallery starting on page 119.  http://naturalhairkids.com/11-young-african-americanentrepreneurs-to-support-this-holiday-season

31 November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Google Publisher's Blog

Building for Beyond with the Insights Engine Project By Jonathan Bellack, Director of Product Management, Publisher Platforms

t Google, we’ve always believed that our mission “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible” is closely aligned with that of the media industry. Without you, there’s no information. This partnership is what sets us apart, and what fuels our commitment to helping you build thriving and sustainable businesses. Our commitment is particularly evident in how we’re evolving DoubleClick (www. doubleclickbygoogle.com). There’s no doubt that the dual explosions of programmatic advertising and mobile devices have ushered in a new digital era fueled by data. Today, you can be better news publishers, entertainment programmers or app developers — and make smarter content and business decisions — with the immense amount of information available to you. We believe there is a new opportunity emerging to turn raw data into powerful insights. So, we are announcing

the Insights Engine Project, an ongoing initiative to bring Google’s cloud computing and machine learning expertise to DoubleClick’s reporting and forecasting systems. We want to make it easier for you to optimize your business for success with both consumers and advertisers. Our teams have been hard at work for some time now, and today we are announcing seven features in development, many of which are already in testing with select partners.

Custom data analysis and

visualization with BigQuery and Data Studio All the data in the world is not much use if you can’t analyze it and see the results. To make this easier, we are connecting DoubleClick to two powerful Google tools — BigQuery (https:// cloud.google.com/bigquery) and Data Studio (www.google.com/analytics/ data-studio). BigQuery is Google’s fully managed, petabyte scale, low cost enterprise data warehouse for analytics. Data Studio turns your data into customizable informative

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dashboards and reports that are easy to read and share. Both connectors are in beta now, with broad availability in early 2018.

Smarter decisions with insight cards and a new forecasting experience Late last year, we started using Google machine learning to offer opportunities and experiments in DoubleClick for Publishers and Ad Exchange. So far, our partners have implemented more than 6,700 recommendations worth millions of dollars in new revenue.1 Often, the most valuable insights are not simply into what has happened in your business, but also into what your peers are doing, and especially into what comes next. In the months to come, a new set of insight cards in DoubleClick will give you information about how you are performing relative to your peers on key success metrics like ad viewability, site latency, and more. And to help you be more confident about the future, we will also be launching a new forecasting experience that includes automatic growth detection, seasonal adjustments, and easy viewing of historical data side by side with

future predictions.

Audience insights for more relevant content and ads The Insights Engine Project does not stop with business data. We also believe that helping you learn more about your audience can help you deliver more relevant and higher quality experiences.

In the months to come, we will be conducting two limited tests of sharing demographic and interest insights with our partners, including using those insights to deliver more relevant ads in programmatic deals with DoubleClick Bid Manager advertisers. These tests will help us explore the best way to make ads and content more relevant for users, while ensuring their privacy and preferences are respected.

Supporting the news industry with subscription offers Finally, subscriptions are becoming a more and more important part of the business of our partners in the news industry. So,

we are also testing the application of machine learning and audience insights to the subscription business — helping you optimize the best moment to reach users when they have a higher likelihood of paying.

The first step As we enter the next phase of digital growth, in a world that’s AI-

first and where data is king, we’re excited to partner with you in new ways to drive sustainable growth beyond tomorrow into the further future. We are confident that when you have the right pieces of information in the right places, the possibilities are endless. The Insights Engine Project starts with the initiatives I have described here, but will continue into 2018 and beyond, so stay tuned to learn more about how you can start taking advantage of these new capabilities.  https://doubleclick-publishers. googleblog.com/2017/10/building-forbeyond-with-insights.html

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2017 During one week each November, thousands of events and competitions in 160 countries inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity while connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors. Powered by the Kauffman Foundation, the initiative is supported by dozens of world leaders and a network of more than 15,000 partner organizations. GEW is held November 13-19, 2017.  https://genglobal.org/gew

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34  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Changing Landscape

4 Billion More People will be Flying Annually by 2036 By Ryan Craggs

ith more seats, more flights, and lower prices than ever, air travel has become accessible in ways the Wright brothers likely never imagined. That trend shows no signs of slowing down; in fact, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 20 years from now, the number of annual passengers will nearly double to—get this—7.8 billion people. For reference, the current population of Earth is 7.4 billion, and will grow to just 8.5 billion by 2030. The study, just published by the IATA, which supports global standards for airline safety, efficiency and sustainability, forecasts continued yearly growth at the current average of 3.6%, eventually rising from 4 billion people this year to nearly 8 billion. The Asia-Pacific market will drive much of that growth, according to the report, accounting for "more than half the new passengers over the next two decades." In particular, China will eclipse the United States as the world's largest aviation market. Previous estimates projected that would happen by 2024, but this year's report sees the tipping point around 2022. China should grow to 1.5 billion passengers by 2036, while the U.S. will grow to just 1.1 billion. Additionally, India will surpass the United Kingdom to take fourth place by 2025, and Indonesia will pass the U.K. by 2030. If you're at all familiar with the economic concept of BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, to which Indonesia is sometimes added— then airline growth in these countries makes a lot of sense. These economies are growing rapidly, and with that growth comes an emergent middle class, as the Christian Science Monitor notes. As more people have more disposable income, they'll be able to pay for more flights. But, of course, massive growth comes with myriad

challenges. "Increasing demand will bring a significant infrastructure challenge," Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, said in the IATA report. "The solution does not lie in more complex processes or building bigger and bigger airports but in harnessing the power of new technology to move activity offairport, streamline processes, and improve efficiency." De Juniac went on to say that planning for such growth and remaining efficient will require innovation across the industry, and not just building bigger airports with more runways and more gates. Additionally, these projections are predicated on current global agreements and policies—but increased protectionism and travel restrictions could lower the 2036 figure by as much as 1.1 billion passengers. All this is to say: Air travel looks a lot different than it did 30 years ago—and 20 years from now, it'll look a lot different, too.  www.cntraveler.com/story/4-billion-more-people-will-beflying-annually-by-2036?mbid=nl_102917_Daily&CNDID=3 8890654&spMailingID=12242315&spUserID=MTQ5NTc0O TAyMDYxS0&spJobID=1262515413&spReportId=MTI2MjU xNTQxMwS2

35  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Marketing

How Poor Website and App Performance Create “Digital Desertion” By Carmen Carey

very second counts in today's online world. Today’s online shoppers expect a greater level of website and app performance than they did three years ago. Slow rendering time and digital disappointment will often drive consumers to a competitor’s offerings. Consumer expectations have become more demanding and patience with poor performance has diminished. Apica conducted a survey with research agency 3Gem in an effort to better understand consumers and how they're interacting with websites and apps. We surveyed 2,500 web and app users in the U.S., U.K., and Sweden to understand their expectations regarding digital experiences as well as uncover what impacts their opinion of brands. A key finding from the survey is that, on average, 83% of consumers in all markets are affected negatively by poor website or app performance. While around half of respondents say they lose patience and are somewhat negatively affected by page loading delays, over 35% of respondents say they abandon poor performing sites and apps quickly — often in 10 seconds or less.

Not Willing to Wait Online shoppers want to view

merchandise and place their orders as swiftly as possible. We can all relate to the new reality of sandwiching in time to buy groceries, last-minute birthday gifts or book a vacation while dashing to work, rushing in between meetings

that the impact is signiﬁcant and leads them to abandon sites quickly. Users expect web pages and apps to load faster than they did three years ago — 75% of respondents have this expectation.

or trying to get a meal on the table. The survey showed that 40% of Internet users won’t wait more than 10 seconds for a website to respond before navigating away. In fact, 11% of consumers won’t even give a website ﬁve seconds before moving onto another site. Most respondents agree that slow website or app loading is a source of frustration. More than 35% agree

The Impact on Brand Loyalty Poor web or app performance undermines people’s relationship with a brand and has a signiﬁcant eﬀect on customer loyalty. Overall, 60 percent of consumers would be less loyal towards a brand if they experience poor website or app performance. And consumers expect uptime. In the U.S. and U.K., 10% of Internet

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users would never go back to a brand for goods and services after an experience with poor web or app performance.

The Social Effect The power of word-of-mouth, particularly via social media, has changed the brand table stakes as every poor experience can be broadcast with a single swipe. As a result, brands will be further impacted as consumers are likely to tell friends, colleagues and the connected universe about their experiences. The vast majority of consumers will mention poor web page or app performance to friends or colleagues, with 83% of respondents admitting they would either definitely or perhaps share a poor website or app experience. Tagging a brand and socializing a poor experience can significantly multiply the negative experience, with significant impact on the brand.

What Does This Mean for Online Retailers? This

survey

aﬃrms

that

consumers are more demanding and less forgiving when it comes to website and app performance, and retailers should heed the warning. With three-quarters of users expecting sites and apps to perform faster than they did three years ago, e-commerce businesses must recognize that they need to manage the peaks and troughs of online traﬃc and deliver consistently exceptional customer experiences. The survey also highlights “Digital Desertion” syndrome: if users are disappointed by their digital experience, they often move over to competitors’ websites — leaving your online shopping cart abandoned for a site that provides a better digital experience. The revenue and brand impact is further impacted by the new reality that nearly four in 10 consumers indicate they would likely share a poor online experience with friends or colleagues. There's nothing to dispute — negative digital experiences are likely to have an impact on brand

reputation and loyalty. In today’s e-commerce environment, the pressure is on retailers to continuously monitor and optimize their online performance to ensure they deliver a digital experience that meets users’ expectations. This means taking a proactive approach in the development lifecycle by conducting comprehensive performance testing aimed at ensuring the user experience in production and optimal monitoring capabilities to respond to issues in production before they impact the user experience. Don’t leave your revenue, brand and customer experience to chance.  www.targetmarketingmag.com/ article/how-poor-website-and-appperformance-create-digital-deserti on/#ne=4a21b9167bf658408191e 7c49140a9aa&utm_source=today%40-target-marketing&utm_ medium=newsletter&utm_ campaign=2017-10-30&utm_content= how+poor+website+and+app+perform ance+create+%E2%80%9Cdigital+de sertion%E2%80%9D-5

37  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Finance

These Women Just Raised $1M For Their Clean Beauty Company By Leigh Weingus

Amanda Johnson and K.J. Miller

hen K.J. Miller and Amanda Johnson met at Harvard Business School, they put their brains together and found a hole in the market: nontoxic makeup for women of color. Now, at 31, the duo just reached a huge milestone— they've become the 15th and 16th African-American women ever to raise $1 million in venture capital to further grow their business. Their company is called Mented (www.mentedcosmetics.com), which is short for "pigmented." Johnson and Miller first started taking preorders in January 2017 for their nontoxic, vegan nude lipsticks, and the company had its official launch in March. The duo aimed to raise $500,000, and they've now reached double that goal. To give you some perspective, the average startup founded by a black woman raises only $36,000 in funding. "Word-of-mouth has been really exciting for us," Miller told Forbes. "Girls have been tagging their friends in their posts. The message is

really resonating. Women of color were used to being treated as an afterthought. It's not every day that you're a priority." So, what's next for the brand? In addition to growing their team, they'll add more products, including eye palettes. "We are honored to have this title, and we owe everyone that has supported and believed in our brand a wholehearted thank you for helping us reach this achievement," Miller and Johnson wrote on their Facebook page (www.facebook.

com/mentedcosmetics/ posts/1604314456296319).  www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/meetthe-women-who-just-raised-1-millionfor-their-clean-beauty-company?utm_ source=Full+Newsletter&utm_ campaign=b3f165f468-EMAIL_ CAMPAIGN_2017_10_20&utm_ medium=email&utm_term=0_f324fc0ba7b3f165f468-22490187

Lip Shade - Peach Please

39  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Finance

Startup Co-founder Becomes 14th African-American Woman to Raise $1 Million By Nancy Dahlberg

Kristina and James Jones Jr. founded Court Buddy, a legal-tech startup, in Miami.

nly 14 African American women have raised $1 million or more in venture capital, and Kristina Jones of Miami-based Court Buddy is one of them. Court Buddy is a legal-technology startup founded by James and Kristina Jones that helps clients save money on legal fees by avoiding paying high retainers and hourly fees that traditional law ﬁrms charge while also helping thousands of attorneys grow their law ﬁrms. The company announced Wednesday that it has raised $1 million in seed funding.

When the husband-and-wife team launched Court Buddy in 2015 in Miami, its web-based instant-matching platform allowed consumers to choose the a-la-carte legal services at ﬂat rates and then be matched to pre-screened solo and small law ﬁrm attorneys. Since then, Court Buddy has launched an app, CourtBuddy Chat, and a secured attorney-client payment exchange, CB Direct Pay. Now once matched, consumers can instant message and video chat and solo attorneys manage legal tasks and collect legal fees on the platform.

The Court Buddy platform has matched over 11,000 consumers with attorneys across the country Earlier this year while participating in the 500 Startups accelerator, Court Buddy soft-launched Instaclient for lawyers, which allows lawyers to pre-screen paymentveriﬁed clients who have pending court appearances or court-related matters before representing them. More than 5,000 lawyers signed up for Instaclient within 30 days of the launch. LDR Ventures led the seed funding round, with participation from XFactor Ventures/Flybridge Capital, UpHonest Capital, GingerBread Capital/KKR, LSS Fund, Equipo Ventures, 500 Startups, L.A. Women Angels, and several angel investors. Andrew Koven of LDR Ventures will join Court Buddy’s board of directors as part of the deal. “With the new infusion of capital from our investors, not only can we continue building on our core products, but we can also hire more top talent to support the company’s rapid growth and expansion,” said CEO James Jones Jr., also a Florida attorney. Court Buddy won the American Bar Association’s Brown Select Award for Legal Access earlier this year, was a winner of the inaugural American Entrepreneurship Award in 2016, and was the 2015 Miami Herald Business Plan Challenge People’s Pick Winner.  www.miamiherald.com/news/business/ article177001046.html

40  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Finance

New Online Portal Oﬀers Loans to African American Entrepreneurs in Chicago

impleGrowth (www.fundera.com/simplegrowth) is an online lending marketplace built to help Chicagoland small businesses quickly discover their credit options on one site. It is the ﬁrst local lending platform designed to strengthen the ability of small business owners to access capital and ﬁnancing. SimpleGrowth leverages the proprietary technology of Fundera (www.fundera.com), the leading online credit broker in the U.S., and the marketing and business assistance expertise of Small Business Majority ( w w w . smallbusinessmajority.org), the leading national advocacy

organization for small businesses.

How It Works Step 1: Fill out a questionnaire

Chicagoland small businesses fill out an online questionnaire powered by Fundera. Step 2: Get matched with CDFIs in the Chicagoland area Fundera uses its technology to match eligible Chicagoland small businesses with leading missiondriven lenders in the Chicagoland area. These lenders will have five business days to review the application, request additional materials and decide on an offer. Step 3: Assess your options If a Chicagoland lender is unable to render a decision, or denies an applicant, small businesses will be able to apply for other credit options on Fundera’s national platform as quickly as possible. Step 4: Get connected to business assistance From the outset, if small businesses need help with business coaching, planning or marketing, Small Business Majority will work to connect them with Chicagoland’s best business assistance centers. Participating lenders and business assistance centers include: Accion, LISC Small Business, Women's Business Development Center. 

41  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Finance

Best Small-Business Loans for Minorities By Steve Nicastro

inority-owned businesses are growing at a faster pace than overall U.S. businesses. Minority entrepreneurs owned 8 million, or 29%, of the nation’s nearly 27.6 million businesses as of 2012, up from 5.8 million in 2007, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. However, securing ﬁnancing can be a challenge for minorities. According to the federal Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), minority

entrepreneurs may have lower credit scores and fewer assets to secure loans than other business owners. The average credit score of a minority small-business owner is 707, which is 15 points lower than the average of all small-business owners in the U.S., according to a 2016 study by credit bureau Experian.

Compare small-business loans carefully When shopping for loans, be sure to compare APRs, the true cost of borrowing including all fees. NerdWallet’s (www.nerdwallet.com) small-business loans comparison tool can help. We gauged lender trustworthiness, market scope and user experience, among other factors. Find the Small-Business Loans Comparison Tool at: www.nerdwallet.com/blog/category/loans/?trk=nw_ gf_5.0.

Check Out Government Agency Loan Options SBA Community Advantage Loans: This program is for businesses, including those owned by minorities, that need $250,000 or less and are located in underserved communities. The SBA

works with local mission-based lenders to provide financing. From October 2016 to January 2017, 32% of the SBA’s 7(a) loans for startups and existing small businesses, including Community Advantage loans, went to minority business owners. Check out the SBA website (www.sba.gov) for more information and a list of approved lenders. SBA Microloans: The SBA offers microloans of up to $50,000 through nonprofit organizations. Interest rates range from 8% to 13%, and there’s a maximum repayment term of six years, according to the SBA. The Opportunity Fund is one partner, and 90% of its borrowers are minority business owners, according to the company. There’s also LiftFund — more than 55% of its borrowers identified as Hispanic as of March 2016 — and Accion, which draws 60% of its borrowers from minority communities. Contact your local SBA district office for assistance. National African-American Small-Business Loan Fund: The Valley Economic Development Center (https:// vedc.org) and JPMorgan Chase announced a smallbusiness loan program for African-American-owned small businesses in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles in 2015. Loan amounts range from $35,000 to $250,000, and borrowers receive financial consulting as well as technical assistance with marketing and business plan development. JPMorgan Chase: The bank said in late 2016 that it would commit $75 million over three years to increase access to capital for small businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans. This commitment includes a $4.6 million grant to nonprofit microlender LiftFund to help small businesses in New Orleans, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin, Texas, obtain capital quickly. It also includes a $1.9 million grant to the Association for Enterprise Opportunity to help develop a platform that connects small businesses with community development financial institutions to provide small-business loans to underserved entrepreneurs. www.nerdwallet.com/blog/small-business/small-businessloans-for-minorities/

42  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Marketing

GQ Names Colin Kaepernick ‘Citizen of the Year’ By Rebecca Savransky

olin Kaepernick has been named GQ's 2017 "Citizen of the Year." GQ referred to Kaepernick as "the man who became the movement." "Much has changed in the four years since Colin Kaepernick was last on the cover of GQ. Back then he was a rippling superhero of a quarterback on the rise," the magazine wrote. "But a simple act - kneeling during the national anthem changed everything. It cost him his job. It also transformed Colin Kaepernick into a lightning rod and a powerful symbol of activism and resistance." Kaepernick in 2016 became the first NFL player to take a knee during the national anthem before games. He said he was protesting police brutality and racial injustice. Earlier this year, the issue was thrust back into the spotlight after President Trump attacked NFL players who kneel during the anthem. Following the president's comments, multiple players began taking a knee when the anthem played ahead of their games and several coaches spoke out against Trump's remarks. Trump then called for the NFL to implement a rule requiring that players stand during the anthem, saying their actions were disrespectful to the flag and the country's soldiers. Last month, Kaepernick signed a book deal, reportedly worth just more than $1 million. Kaepernick also recently filed a grievance against NFL owners,

accusing them of colluding to keep him out of the league in retaliation for his outspoken views on social justice.  www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ nﬂ/gq-names-kaepernick%e2%80%98citizen-ofthe-year%e2%80%99/arBBEUDZv?ocid=spartandhp https://www.gq.com/

43  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Looking Forward

Flying Taxis? Uber and NASA Pair Up to Make That Happen By Alyssa Newcomb

ber (www.uber.com) is taking a big step towards making its vision of ﬂying vehicles a reality, announcing on Wednesday an agreement with NASA (www. nasa.gov) to develop a ﬂeet of air taxis by 2020. While the ride-hailing service and the U.S. space agency may seem like an odd couple, the relationship is necessary in order to keep

everything running smoothly when Uber ultimately takes to the skies. "The space act that we signed with NASA is initially about collaboration around air traffic management," Jeff Holden, Uber's chief product officer, told NBC News. With so many aerial vehicles flying at a low attitude, the collaboration will be necessary to help manage the skies. Uber also announced that Los

Angeles will be the second U.S. city where it will test its uberAIR service. Dallas-Fort Worth is the first U.S. launch partner, while Dubai will be the first global city. Holden said he expects Uber will have its first flight demonstrations in 2020 and have the service commercially available by 2023. That's well ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where

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The Boring Company Elon Musk the service could be especially useful as an already congested city prepares to host athletes and fans from around the world. Uber's air travel initiative was announced last October with the promise of putting an end to long commutes, letting passengers hail an aircraft ride with the push of a button. In the case of Los Angeles, Uber has 20 strategically placed locations around the city for the Uber network. The idea is to build a network of vertical takeoﬀ and landing aircraft that would greatly reduce commutes, while also helping to ease vehicle pollution in major cities. In a video released Wednesday by Uber, the company showed what it will be like to order a seat on one of the aircraft, which will take oﬀ

and land vertically. "It's an inspirational way to travel, too," said Holden. "You push a button, fly over the city, and you land. No volatility." If everything goes according to plan, it will also be economical. A commute between San Francisco and San Jose, which would typically take two hours during rush hour and cost $111, would be cut down to just 15 minutes. That route by air could initially cost $129, with the price dropping to $43 in the near term and $20 in the long term, according to a forecast from Uber. Holden said he's confident Uber can stick to the timeline. And when people finally get to commute by air, he hopes they think of it as an "incredibly life-changing experience." "This offers people the opportunity to get from point A to point B super fast," he said. Not only that, but he hopes the price will delight passengers, too. "[I hope people say], 'I can not believe how inexpensive this is. I can afford to use this type of service every day."

Tunnel Under LA to Bypass Traﬃc

While Uber is going high, Elon Musk is going low. The Boring Company (www. boringcompany.com), which began as an idea Musk shared on Twitter, is making real progress on its first tunnel. Last month, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO showed off the first photo of a tunnel being dug in the Los Angeles area. "Should be 2 miles long in three or four months and hopefully stretch the whole 405 [north to south] corridor from [Los Angeles International Airport] to the 101 in a year or so," Musk tweeted. The way Musk sees it, cars and people would be able to travel through the Boring Company's network of tunnels on an electric sled. Those sleds would pick them up at designated spots above ground along the tunnel network. The cars would then be taken in an elevator down to the tunnel, where the sleds could reach speeds as high as 150 mph, getting people where they need to be faster and making rush hour traffic a relic of the past.  www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/ flying-taxis-uber-and-nasa-just-paired-upto-make-that-happen/ar-BBEIAWl?li=AA4Z oy&ocid=spartandhp

45  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

From: NAACP

ne of the most troubling prospects for 2017 is the nomination of Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions for Attorney General. Senator Sessions stands against everything that you and I fight for: He's spoken out against the Voting Rights Act, and has described the work that the NAACP and ACLU do to protect civil rights as "un-American." We must do all we can to prevent him from rolling back the rights and protections our parents and grandparents worked so hard to gain, and we've worked so hard to preserve. Please make a donation today — even $4 can make a real difference — to help us fight back in 2017. The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States. And our president-elect has appointed Jeff Sessions, a man who's actively threatened to strip us of our rights throughout his career. Can we trust someone with our rights — and our lives — with a track record like this? • Sessions was denied appointment as a federal judge because of racist comments he made to a colleague. • He opposed and criticized the removal of the Confederate flag from public spaces. • He once joked that he approved of the Ku Klux Klan until he learned its members smoked marijuana. Too many of our brothers and sisters have sacrificed for the rights we have today. We're ready to battle for our rights in 2017 — and we need your support.

Please contribute what you can right now and help us resist: http:// action.naacp.org/StopSessions

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Dear Friends, It is my honor to write to you as your newly elected President and CEO. In the face of a brutal and near-daily national assault on civil rights and progressive issues, the NAACP has recognized the immediate need for a leader to guide the organization during its strategic re-envisioning process. The NAACP has a long legacy of activism and civil rights leadership, but I am committed to retooling and refreshing the Association to best confront 21-century challenges. As president, I seek to shepherd the Association into a period of growth and strength: building our ﬁeld, our funds, and our force as a champion of civic engagement. I will use every tactic in our playbook to ensure that African Americans can achieve equality in the United States. Will you join me (www.naacp.org)? Looking forward,

47  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Finance

How to Invest with a Social Conscience: Some Popular Options By Tom Petruno, Los Angeles Times

f you want to invest for the social good — or at least, how some professional money managers define the social good — there are plenty of options. But the No.1 rule of socially responsible investing is the same as for any investing: Do your homework. Just because an investment meets socially responsible standards doesn't automatically mean it's a good idea financially. "You can pick a bad investment just as well in socially responsible investing as in mainstream investing," said Jed Emerson, chief impact officer at ImpactAssets, which advises investors on socially responsible strategies. With that caveat, here are details on some popular ways to invest with a social conscience:

Mutual Funds Dozens of funds invest in stocks using screens that evaluate companies by what's known as ESG standards: environmental, social and governance. For most funds that has always meant no tobacco, alcohol, gambling or weapons companies. Beyond that, socially responsible funds can judge companies by a wide variety of factors, such as employee benefits,

community impact and philanthropy. In recent years, some of the most popular stocks with socially responsible funds have been tech issues, including Apple Inc. and wireless giant Qualcomm Inc. There's a reason for that: With technology, "you can see the benefits of what they make" in society, said Amy Domini, founder of Domini Social Investments. Just as important as the social standards a manager applies to a fund is whether he or she is a good stock picker in general — and whether the funds management fee is reasonable. Among socially responsible stock funds, one is dominant: The Parnassus Core Equity fund, based in San Francisco, is by far the sector's largest fund, with $11.3 billion in assets. It also has the best track record in the sector over the last 10 years, earning 10.4% a year. That beat the 7.9% average annual gain of the Standard & Poor's 500 index. For a full list of socially responsible funds, including performance data, go to: charts.ussif.org/mfpc. If you save money via a 401(k) retirement plan, and socially responsible funds aren't in the plan, you can petition the company to add social funds to the menu.

48  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Credit Unions Joining a credit union is a simple way to invest in a community — either a geographic community or a community of people with similar interests. That's because credit unions are nonprofit and are owned by their members. Because of their nonprofit status, credit unions often pay better rates on deposits and charge lower rates on loans than banks.

Microlending Organizations such as Zidisha and Kiva provide small loans to people in the developing world with the goal of giving the borrowers and their communities an economic boost. Microlending is made simple for lenders and donors, but it's complex under the surface and has fueled controversy over interest costs, transparency and other issues. Best advice: Read as much as you can on the Web about the pros and cons.

Community investment Notes Pioneered by the Calvert Foundation in 1995, these notes allow investors to make loans of as little as $20 for specific causes such as affordable housing, education or entrepreneurs who are targeting social ills. These aren't donations: The notes have specific maturities and pay set interest rates to the investors. About $250 million of the notes are outstanding. They range in term from one year to 10 years. And given how low interest rates in general are, the rates paid on the notes are competitive with other investments. For

example, a three-year community investment note now pays a 1% annual yield. By contrast, a three-year U.S. Treasury note yields 1.07%. Justin Conway, vice president of investment partnerships at Calvert, said that about 60% of lending via the notes is done in the U.S. Historically the notes have a 100% repayment rate, Conway said. But it is conceivable that the notes could lose money, so investors need to read the details carefully.

B Corporations A small but growing number of companies have formally adopted a new business status: They specifically say that their mission is greater than simply maximizing earnings for shareholders. Instead, they also pledge to do right for their employees, communities and the environment. Legally, companies in many states (including California) now can change their status to a "benefit corporation." A second option is to be certified a "B Corp." by B Lab, a nonprofit group. B Corp. status isn't a legal change, but a public pledge. Among the companies that have become B Corps. are apparel maker Patagonia, e-commerce firm Etsy and King Arthur Flour Co. The problem for investors is that almost all B Corps. are privately held. That means the only way to own a stake would be via a private equity investment. But this is a space to watch: It could become a broader public investment option in the years to come. 

Educate Black! Invest Black! Buy Black! Bank Black! 49  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Looking Forward

NASA Opens $2 Million Third Phase of 3D-Printed Habitat Competition Future missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond will require innovative options to shelter our explorers, and we won’t be able to carry all of the materials with us from Earth. NASA’s 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge, a Centennial Challenges competition, seeks ways to create or develop the technologies needed to create such habitats on-site, and challenges citizen inventors to lead the way. Today, NASA and challenge partner Bradley University of Peoria, Illinois, announce the opening of Phase 3 of the competition for team registration. “The ideas and technologies this competition has already produced are encouraging, and we are excited to see what this next phase will bring,” said Monsi Roman, program manager of NASA’s Centennial Challenges. “The solutions we seek from our competitions are revolutionary, which by nature makes them extremely difficult. But this only fuels our teams to work harder to innovate and solve.” The goal of the 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge is to foster the development of new technologies necessary to additively manufacture a habitat using local indigenous materials with, or without, recyclable materials. The vision is that autonomous

machines will someday be deployed to the Moon, Mars or beyond to construct shelters for human habitation. On Earth, these same capabilities could be used to produce affordable housing wherever it is needed or where access to conventional building materials and skills are limited. Bradley University President Gary Roberts said the school is honored to be the challenge p a r t n e r once again. "Bradley prides itself on e x p e r i e n t ia l learnin g and student engagement,” R o b e r t s said. “This challenge isn’t something our students can

50  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

learn about in a textbook or in a classroom. This is a forward-thinking concept coming to life, and they have a chance to see it firsthand. They will meet the people making it happen and learn about the ideas that are fueling innovation. This could change the way they

imagine the future and push their creative limits." The 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge is divided into phases. The Phase 1: Design Competition called on participants to develop state-of-the-art architectural concepts and was completed in 2015. The Phase 2: Structural Member Competition focused on manufacturing structural components and was completed in August 2017. The now-open Phase 3: On-Site Habitat Competition challenges competitors to fabricate sub-scale habitats using indigenous materials with or without mission-generated recyclables, and offers a $2 million total prize purse. Phase 3 has five levels of competition. Interested teams may register through Feb. 15, 2018. Full details, schedule and rules can be found here: www.bradley.edu/challenge. In addition to NASA, Bradley University has partnered with sponsors Caterpillar Inc., Bechtel and Brick & Mortar Ventures to run the competition. NASA’s Centennial Challenges Program is part of the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, and is managed at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. For more information about the program, visit: www.nasa.gov/winit. For more information about other challenges and prize opportunities with NASA, visit: www.nasa.gov/ solve.  www.targetmarketingmag.com/post/4-ways-boosttraﬃc-small-website

51  November 2017  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, December 12, 2017 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.

Business - Micro-Business

How to Increase the Value of Your Freelance Business By Shravani Reddy

f you've started a freelance career in the telecom and tech industries, you know that they're very competitive, and clients are looking for top talent to work on their projects. There's been an inﬂux of tech freelancers over the past few years, so you must learn how to stand out from the crowd in order to earn a competitive salary and attract as many clients as possible. How do you increase your professional value? Here are ﬁve strategies that can help.

1. Create Your Brand. There are many people with your skills in the freelance marketplace, so you must know your strengths and technical skills. Use these to attract a cluster of clients who are looking for those speciﬁc skills. Then invest in the quality of your services, including how you present yourself and how you deliver a project. If you show uniqueness, you will see your freelance career skyrocket.

interpersonal skills. These will help you interact more successfully with your clients. Having strong interpersonal skills will increase your success rate in both your freelance career and your personal life. Learn to inform clients when you will be away, when there are changes to a project or if you need more time to complete a project. Also, ask your clients to give you honest feedback, and learn to take criticism constructively and use it to improve your future projects. Future potential clients should not replace previous or current ones; they should supplement them. Every client relationship you establish is important, so invest in it.

success in freelance is based on having a top-notch reputation. You certainly don't want your clients to write negative reviews. When clients know that you deliver more than expected, they will become repeat customers.

5. Invest in Your Personal Development. Career and personal development can take diﬀerent shapes, so you should explore all the options available to you. For instance, you can go back to school and get another degree; use tools that will boost your career; ﬁnd peers in your industry to discuss developments; and read about new research and

2. Diversify Your Portfolio. Clients and projects will require various skills and know-how. For you to increase your employability rate, you must have a wide portfolio that helps you stand out in diﬀerent search ﬁlters. Reading widely will also give you a competitive edge, so keep informed on telecom and other technology advances.

3. Establish Lasting Relationships. You

must

invest

your

4. Exceed Expectations. When delivering on assigned projects, always plan to deliver more than your clients expect: Underpromising and over-delivering will give you extra credit and improve your credibility. Remember that

trends in the industry. In short, you can increase your value as a professional by taking advantage of all the educational and training avenues available to you.”  www.baselinemag.com/blogs/ how-to-increase-the-value-of-yourfreelance-career.html

57  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business

Publisher's Message from page 3

address forecasted needs for 2018 and 2019. We need to create transferrable wealth and resources. The need for African Americans to support one another continues to grow. Like the old adage, “squeaky wheel gets the oil,” we need to continue our eﬀorts to ensure that the underserved African American business community has fair and equal access to the necessary ﬁnancial and capital resources to expand our businesses, thereby creating employment opportunities and economic empowerment for communities and families. The Black Business Association (BBA), headquartered in Southern California, will begin a series of Procurement Summits on November 14th at Los Angeles Southwest College. This series of

summits will cover topics to assist small and minority businesses with being prepared to compete successfully in the corporate and government contracting space, as well as oﬀering one-on-one match making sessions with contract representatives. To register for the Procurement Summit go to: www.eventbrite.com/e/ black-business-associationprocurement-summit-seriestickets-38963159860. To get detailed information on the Summit go to: https://brojure.com/blackb us i n es s - as s oc i a ti o n/ 2 0 17 black-business-associationprocurement-summit-series/ edit. You may also contact the BBA oﬃce by phone at: 1-323-291-9334 ; by email inquiry at: bbamail2009@ gmail.com ; or visit our website at: www.bbala.org. The many tragic events that plague our headlines such as the never ending accounts of sexual harassment coming from the entertainment industry, lawmakers,

and almost every other industry or Russia's long-term and continuing interference in our election process, are impacting and threatening to undermine the trust and conﬁdence of the American people about our elected oﬃcials and the election process. I believe, however, that these revelations will be the precursors of major change and birth more opportunities for African American entrepreneurs in industry, politics and the justice system. In the wake of this overarching disunity, I can’t put enough emphasis on the importance of us being united as a people and as a nation. A house divided will not stand. Remember, support African American businesses during the 2017 Thanksgiving, Christmas and Kwanzaa holiday season. We must employ Black Dollar Buying Power ($1.3 trillion) for our businesses and communities to empower our quest for sustainable economic development. We have a present and future to build. We can build wisely if we learn from our past and work together for our futures. www.bbala.org

58  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Start-Up Opportunity

Applications now open! Introducing the $15M Lighter Capital Intuit Developer Fund By Taylor Soper

eattle-based Lighter Capital, which oﬀers an alternative to venture capital and traditional bank loans, today announced a new $15 million fund in partnership with Intuit to support developers designing apps for Intuit QuickBooks. The fund, which comes from Lighter Capital’s credit facility, will go toward startups developing apps on the QuickBooks platform. Qualiﬁed companies can receive $50,000 to $500,000 from Lighter Capital in four-to-six weeks, and

up to $2 million overall. This is the ﬁrst formal partnership between Lighter Capital and Intuit. Interested startups can learn more about the new fund here. Founded by Seattle-area entrepreneur Andy Sack, Lighter Capital provides revenue-based loans to companies — it’s an alternative to venture capital where entrepreneurs must forfeit equity. The ﬁrm raised a $100 million fund in 2015. Sign up to receive more information about the Lighter

Capital Intuit Developer Fund and the application process - www. lightercapital.com/intuit. www.geekwire.com/2017/lightercapital-partners-intuit-launch-15mfund-quickbooks-developers/

61  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Awards

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Receives a 2017 Glamour Women of the Year Award By Sam Reed

t 79, California Rep. Maxine Waters was the oldest of the nine women Glamour Magazine honored at its annual Women of the Year Awards held November 13th at the King's Theater in Brooklyn. But she took to the stage with more energy and passion than any of her younger counterparts. "I feel so very special," said Waters after accepting her award from Zendaya, who was clad in a hot pink Viktor & Rolf jumpsuit. "I am so pleased to see the

Solange concern that you are showing about what is happening at the highest

Maxine Waters with Zendaya level of government." She went on to address "young people" in a thunderous tone that straddled the line between motivational speaker and preacher. "You recognize when a leader is dangerous — even if that leader is the president of United States of America!" she roared. "I want you to know that you can stand up to him or anybody else... and I continue to say, 'Impeach him!'" Before exiting the stage, she led the crowd in a rousing chant of "Impeach 45," ﬁst raised to the ceiling. The evening's other honorees, Nicole Kidman, Solange,

Samantha Bee, Gigi Hadid, Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, astronaut Peggy Whiston, refugee-turned-education activist Muzoon Almellehan, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins and surprise WOTY, outgoing Glamour Editor in Chief Cindi Leive, all took to the stage to deliver gracious thank-you speeches. However it was the women who did not hail from Hollywood, like Waters, who received the greatest support from the audience.  www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ maxine-waters-led-crowd-impeach45-chant-at-glamour-women-yearawards-1057978

62  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Exhibit Your Books with the U.S. Commercial Service at Book World Prague 2018! The U.S. Commerce Department is pleased to offer an opportunity to exhibit titles during our sixth annual book fair exhibition at Book World Prague, May 10–13, 2018. No need to travel --- just send us your titles and catalogues and we will exhibit them for you!

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

Registration Deadline February 28, 2018

Registration Fees Small companies: $150 Medium companies: $300 Large companies: $375

Targeted list of contacts

Registration

Inclusion in the Prague Book Fair catalogue

Bobby Hines International Trade Specialist DownTown LA Export Office United States Bobby.Hines@trade.gov Tel: 213 894 4231

Online promotion through the U.S. Embassy website Post-show follow-up and trade leads

WHY IS THE CZECH PUBLISHING MARKET INTERESTING? As a nation of avid readers, Czech Republic has the world’s highest number of published titles per capita. More than one third of total book production are translations.

More information Mr. Zdenek Svoboda U.S. Commerial Service Prague Czech Republic Zdenek.Svoboda@trade.gov Tel: +420 257 022 323

We will help you to maximize opportunities in the Czech market and match your titles with interested publishers.

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64  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Small Business Conference

www.smallbusinessconference.energy.gov

Registration is now open for the 17th Annual U.S. Department of Energy Small Business Forum & Expo (DOE2018), May 22-24, 2018 at the Westin Galleria Houston, Houston, Texas.

he DOE Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization created the Annual DOE Small Business Forum & Expo to connect the agency's offices, power administrations, laboratory and technology centers, and prime contractors with small business entrepreneurs to meet the mission needs of the Department of Energy (www.doe.gov).. DOE2018 is a great way for small businesses to network and discuss their services and solutions with agency procurement officials, small business program managers and prime contractor representatives already working within DOE. DOE2017 brought in over 800 attendees and over 100 exhibitors! Of those in attendance, 30% were representatives from government agencies, large businesses, and industry. Register now and become part of the Department of Energy's mission.

For more information, visit smallbusinessconference.energy.gov.

www.

Registration Fees: Early Bird Rate - $299 (expires Feb. 28, 2018) Regular - $379 (till 5/19/2018) Onsite - $449 (5/20/2017 to on-site) For Registration and General Information: Mr. Earl Morgan Hotline: (571) 297-4006 Email: InfoDOE@aetherquest.com

Set-Aside Alert For more information about Set-Aside Alert, the "eyes and ears" of small business federal contractors, visit our website at www.setasidealert.com. Or contact Tom Johnson, Publisher at tjohnson@setasidealert. com. 

68  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Business - Holiday Shopping

Misty Copeland & Barbie

Ibtihaj Muhammad & Barbie

lympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad made history in 2016, when she became the first member of the U.S. Olympic team to compete in hijab. Now she's making history again by teaming up with Mattel to create a Barbie designed after her. But this is more than a special-edition doll: It's the first-ever Barbie to wear a hijab, which makes it a crucial win for inclusivity and representation. Mattel released the doll as part of its “Sheroes” collection, which features a line of Barbies modeled after a diverse range of accomplished women. Gabby Douglas (Olympic Champion), Ava DuVernay (Director, Author, Documentarian), Ashley Graham, and Misty Copeland (Prima Ballerina) are among the famous figures who have been given the Barbie treatment.  www.glamour.com/story/first-ever-hijabwearing-barbie-ibtihaj-muhammad http://nytlive.nytimes.com/ womenintheworld/2017/11/14/in-afirst-mattel-introduces-a-hijab-wearingbarbie-doll http://barbie.mattel.com/shop/en-us/ba/ sheroes-dolls Ava DuVernay & Barbie

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Gaggy Douglas & Barbie

27th Annual BZB Holiday Gift & Art Show 7 BIG Shopping Days!!! Shop BZB Black Friday & Saturday, Nov 24 & 25 Saturdays til Christmas, Dec 2, 9 & 16 Friday & Saturday, Dec 22 & 23 60+ POP-UP Shops

General Admission, A Smile! Shiloh Family Life Center 1510 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 (9th & P) --------------------------------------Info & Exhibitor Application Visit the 'BZB SHOP Til You SHOP' Website! or e-mail: bzb25years@bzbinternational.com or call: 1.202.550.7060

Visit the Black Business Association "Shopping Gallery" Page 115(?)

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Business

www.ustda.gov

Business - Sports

Stephen Curry to Teach Online Basketball Course By Steve DelVecchio

tephen Curry is a two-time NBA MVP who has clearly mastered the art of playing basketball, and he is looking to pass on some of his knowledge to amateur players. However, the Golden State Warriors star will not be taking the traditional basketball camp approach. Curry has partnered with MasterClass (www.masterclass. com), an online education forum in which experts teach courses in their respective fields. He’ll be teaching a class that begins early next year. “If I think about where I was when I was 13, if I had access to this type of curriculum, I would have been a much better player faster,” Curry told ESPN’s Chris Haynes. “It took me a while to learn how to practice and do the drills the right way. I want people to see how I invest in my game, how I train, what I do in my workouts and what’s my mental approach. So, when the opportunity with Masterclass came about to put a class together where I can show people my unique way of playing this game, it was natural fit. The goal is for everybody to get better and enjoy basketball more. I want them to push and challenge themselves and hopefully they see the game differently.” Curry is the first basketball player to work with MasterClass. Courses that were taught in the past and are currently being offered have been led by women’s tennis star Serena

Williams, chef Gordon Ramsay, pop icon Christina Aguilera, actor/ comedian Steve Martin and many more. Through passing his skills and training methods to others, Curry believes his game can also beneﬁt. “I get to assess my own game and see what I could have done better like when I get into a pick-and-roll situation, or a situation where I have to make quick decisions, you can freeze at that moment and explain everything that can possibly h a p p e n with all the different outcomes and why I chose to do what I did, versus what I could have done better,” he said. “I think hearing that from my perspective DrStephen Curry

should be pretty interesting to people who either watch our games, or just play basketball themselves.” The enrollment fee for an individual course with MasterClass is $90, and $180 gives users unlimited access to all of the courses taught by professionals and experts. Curry said one of the things he hopes

76  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

to convey is how much time and preparation has gone into his style of play. “There’s a progression to everything that I do,” he said. “So, if you watch our games and you see the way that I play and you don’t know what goes into the work behind it, then you might obviously have that opinion that if you want to play like Steph, you just show up to the court, shoot 40-footers or shoot oﬀ of one foot, try all these crazy dribble moves and that’s how you play. But, there is an education about just how much time I put into what I do.” Between Curry’s online course and the new business venture his wife Ayesha has embarked on, the Currys have much more to oﬀer than just entertainment.. ” https://www.msn.com/en-us/ sports/nba/stephen-curry-to-teachonline-basketball-course/ar-BBF2l 1Y?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp

77  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

The holiday season is quickly approaching. Both customers and prospects are on the lookout for great deals during the holidays. So now is the time to get started planning yours. Staying ahead of your competition is important this time of the year. Are you ready to get started?

How to Create Great Holiday Direct Mail: Target — Make sure that you are targeting the right holiday messages to the right people. Yes, your offers need to be targeted. But if you send a Christmas greeting to a Jewish family, you are missing out on a great opportunity to connect with them on a more personal level. The better you target and personalize, the better response you will get. So really look at your data to make sure you have enough information to target correctly. Fun — Have fun with your mail pieces! This time of year is full of fun, so join in and create a mail piece that is not just an offer, but a really fun experience. Think outside of the box about what you can do differently to have more fun with your prospects and customers. It does not have to be super expensive. Think about adding some texture as a way to make your piece feel different or fun folds that keep on going. Savings — Make sure you are offering great savings to your prospects and customers. This time of year, they expect it. Remember, it’s all in the wording of the offer. Interpretation is the key, so a higher percentage off a lower-cost item is seen as a better deal than a lower percentage off a high-price item. Target the discounts based on things they are interested in. You can use variable data to make a highly targeted coupon. Sharing — Offer a way for people to share the savings with friends and family for the holidays. This time of the year, people love to share. So you can have your message expand well beyond your list when they do. This can really help to increase your ROI and make customers and prospects happy they can share. Great holiday mail incorporates all four of the items above. It is a special time of year that is also reflected in the special types of mailings that get sent out. Don’t just send a postcard — be extra creative for the holidays to not only stand out in the mail box, but to get people to respond. Also, don’t wait for December. Send something for Halloween and Thanksgiving, too. Really get into the holiday spirit and have fun. Customers will appreciate it. If you have a little extra funds for the holiday campaigns, consider using video or fun cut-outs. Anything you can do to make your mail more interactive and staying on message will help increase your ROI. Make sure that as you are brainstorming ideas, you continue to look at it from the customer’s perspective. You need to focus on what they will respond to and enjoy. If possible, get some customer feedback on your ideas before you launch — just to make sure you are on the right road. Are you ready to get started on a fun holiday campaign? www.targetmarketingmag.com/post/4-great-holiday-mail-tips/#ne=4a21b9167bf658408191e7c49140a9aautm_source=today%40-target-marketingutm_medium=newsletterutm_campaign=2017-10-12&utm_content=4+great+holiday+mail+tips-4

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80  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

The Truth Matters: A Citizen's Guide to Separating Facts from Lies and Stopping Fake News in Its Tracks

Welcome to More.

By Bruce Bartlett

Open the door to a hotel you don’t just visit. You own it.

istinguish fake news from reliable journalism with this clear and concise handbook by New York Times best-selling author Bruce Bartlett. Today’s media and political landscapes are littered with untrustworthy sources and the dangerous concept of “fake news.” This accessible guide helps you ﬁght this deeply troubling trend and ensure that truth is not a permanent casualty. Written by Capitol Hill veteran and author Bruce Bartlett, The Truth Matters presents actionable tips and tricks for reading critically, judging sources, using fact-checking sites, avoiding conﬁrmation bias, identifying trustworthy experts, and more. 

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

www.amazon.com/Truth-MattersCitizens-Separating-Stoppingebook/dp/B0722FZL5M/ref=sr_1_1 ?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511584 387&sr=1-1&keywords=truth 82  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Thanksgiving 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.

Cyber Attack Protection System

lug-ins are a viable option for adding protections against cyber attackers using Email as an access conduit. Startup cybersecurity tech vendor Trustiﬁ (https://trustiﬁ.com) sells an email plug-in that encrypts and postmarks

messages and verifies a sender’s identity. It appears as a button on the Outlook tool bar. “Before you click send, you choose whether you want it to be encrypted or not,” said Idan Udi Edry, the company’s CEO. Trustifi has patented an affordable email security solution that encrypts, tracks, and postmarks all your electronic communication, in just one click. Trustifi’s advanced technology uses military-grade encryption to give you the peace of mind you need to concentrate on what’s truly important. Trustifi tracks all your email communications, giving you answers to the most important questions: Who opened it? When

they opened it? Where it was read? What device was used to read it? Our patented solution postmarks your confidential information, and is a federally-approved form of legal delivery, so you can send all your certified documents, securely and instantaneously.  https://trustifi.com

Write Better with Grammarly.com

rammarly leaves outdated spelling and grammar checkers in the dust. The service goes beyond the basic spell check and grammar check built into the word processor, as Grammarly can identify correctly spelled words that are used in the wrong context. Grammarly helps you write mistake-free on Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and nearly anywhere else you write on the web. Grammarly scans your text for common and complex grammatical mistakes, spanning everything from subject-verb agreement to article use to modifier placement. Grammarly isn’t just a safety net. You’ll get detailed explanations for all your mistakes and weekly progress reports to keep you on the ball. No matter what drives you — acing that big paper, being an allstar at work, or simply improving your everyday writing — Grammarly will be there to help you put your best foot forward.

The software is free at www. grammarly.com.  www.grammarly.com

Teach Your Expertise Online, On Teachable

reate and sell beautiful online courses with Teachable ( w w w. t e a c h a b l e . c o m ) . Your skills and experiences are unique and valuable. Easily build a beautiful course website, share your knowledge, and be rewarded for it.

Easily create an online course with our powerful yet simple allin-one platform. Let Teachable do the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters - creating courses with our user-friendly interface. Allow your students to easily sign up to your school, view curriculums and previews, and purchase your courses. With just a few clicks, you’ll get a fully functioning school with learning management, payment gateways, and sales & marketing tools. Your content is your greatest asset. Take it to the next level with Teachable’s top-notch v i r t u a l classroom experience. Get a professional website outof-the-box with minimal

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configuration necessary. Plus, enjoy full control to personalize any aspect of it. Get started with just your email and the name of your school. It’s as simple as that -- no payments or credit card information required.  www.teachable.com

Duﬂ will Pack and Ship for Your Next Trip

he Dufl service helps you save time when preparing to travel: 1. Register with Dufl. Download the DUFL app, register and order a welcome kit. DUFL will send you a large suitcase to fill with the clothes you typically wear on the road. When finished, schedule a pick

take from your DUFL virtual closet. 4. Arrive at Your Destination. Your DUFL will be waiting for you. 5. Scheduel a Pick Up. Ready to go home? Schedule a pick up, aﬃx the appropriate shipping label and leave your bag at the hotel desk. 6. That's It. No unpacking, no laundry, no visit to the dry cleaner. No hassle. The travel concierge you’ve always wanted. Visit the website and view the tutorials to get the full story on this shipping service.  www.duﬂ.com

BLeBRiTY, New Charade Style Game App

up and the bag will be sent to the DUFL warehouse. 2. Duﬂ Storage. Duﬂ will inventory, photograph, clean and store your clothes so that they are ready for your next trip.

L 3. Scheduel Your Next Trip. Enter your destination and arrival date, then pack by tapping on the photos of the clothes you’d like to

ife just a lil' happier and game night got a lot blacker! Jesse Williams and his crew have done it again! Presenting BLeBRiTY: This charades inspired gem boasts over 30 hilarious creative categories that are guaranteed to turn any gathering into an epic explosion of comedy and culture! Play with friends, family and your favorite cousins over the holidays, or when you're waiting in line or a lobby. From '80s Babies' to 'Things Bougie Black Folks Love', from 'HBCUs' to 'White Folks at the

Cookout' to 'Celebrities Only Black Folks Know', this gaming experience is made for us by us, and it's fun for the whole family! With imagery, titles, and terms we know and love, BLeBRiTY is sure to be THE GAME to turn any party all the way up!.  www.blebrity.com

Facebook Creator App

With the Facebook Creator app you can easily create original video, go live with exclusive features, and connect with their community on Facebook — all from their pocket. Features include: Live Creative Kit: Create live broadcasts with a personalized and fun feel. Creators can add intros and outros, custom live stickers that viewers can use to interact, and graphic frames to create a consistent brand. Community Tab: Centralize comments from Facebook and Instagram, and messages from Messenger. Camera & Stories: Use fun camera effects and frames and easily crosspost content to other platforms and also access Facebook Stories. Insights: Easily access your project metrics. A Website for Creators has been set up to provide resources and tips on how to create great videos, connect with fans, and grow on Facebook. Join the Facebook for Creators community here: www. facebook.com/creators/join.  https://newsroom.fb.com/ news/2017/11/announcing-newtools-for-the-creator-community

Submitted by LaSandra Stratton, Chief Content Administrator of the Black Business News.

87  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Community/Public Interest

First Obama Foundation Summit www.obama.org

ormer United States President, Barack Obama, will welcome global leaders, including founder, Tony Elumelu, CON to Chicago today as his foundation, Obama Foundation holds its ﬁrst ever global summit. “This October, we’re bringing together hundreds of leaders from all a round the world for a hands-on exchange of ideas in my hometown — the city of Chicago,” the former US president said in a video clip posted on Twitter. “This leadership summit will be a place to gather and learn from one another and

Michelle & Barack Obama

Tony Elumelu Michelle Obama and Prince Harry

Adebola Williams

Gloria Estefan

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Barack and Michelle Obama with Chance the Rapper

then go back to your communities to lead others in the hard work of change,” he said. Obama is known to advocate active citizenship and has been finding ways to implement his outof-office blueprint for global progressive politics since he left office in January. According to the conference organisers, Elumelu who is the only African to speak at the inaugural global summit was chosen as a model – a pioneer

Common & Lin-Manuel Miranda

in the space – who brings an “incredibly important perspective.” Founder, Tony Elumelu will speak on the panel ‘Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Emerging Markets.’ The two-day inaugural summit, taking place October 31 to November 1, according to the foundation’s website, will welcome hundreds of young leaders to “exchange ideas, explore creative solutions to common problems and experience civic art, technology and music from around the world.” The Obama Foundation listed Matteo Renzi and Prince Harry among other speakers at the summit that will take place at the Marriott Marquis McCormick Place in the city of Chicago, United States. “The Summit will feature ﬁve main stage sessions with talks on topics ranging from motivating young people to choose a civic path to technology’s role in creating equitable and inclusive communities. “The summit will also include breakout sessions on topics ranging from communicating across diﬀerences to art and culture’s role in creating productive cities to understanding race in relation to one’s civic identity. Breakout sessions will provide attendees with the opportunity to dive deeper into topics, engage directly in conversation, and learn new skills, ” Obama Foundation said. Obama will be joined by his wife, Michelle, to hear and engage directly with leaders at the conference. “And what makes me so hopeful, so optimistic, is that so many of you have shown up, dived in and embraced the kind of active citizenship that makes our democracy work,” Obama said in an earlier video.  http://www.tonyelumelufoundation. org/news/elumelu-joins-obama-worldleaders-in-chicago/

89  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Community/Public Interest

Martin Luther King Statue Unveiled at Newcastle University

statue of Martin Luther King has been unveiled at Newcastle University by a friend of his that joined the civil rights leader on a visit to the city 50 years ago. The two metre tall bronze statue was commissioned to mark the anniversary of Dr. King's trip to the university to accept an honorary degree. It was unveiled by Andrew Young, a close friend and colleague of Dr. King's, who served as a mayor, a congressman and then as the US Ambassador to the United Nations. The base of the statue is encircled by bronze lettering inset into the paving, featuring text taken from the speech he gave while accepting his degree in 1967. It would turn out to be Dr. King's last public address outside the US, as he was assassinated six months later.

A new statue of Martin Luther King has been unveiled at Newcastle University (Newcastle University/PA)

Andrew Young, a close friend and colleague of Martin Luther King unveiled the statue (Newcastle University/PA)

Professor Eric Cross, Dean of Cultural Affairs, said: "This statue is a lasting tribute to the values that Dr. King stood for and a unique record of one of the most significant moments in the university's history. "Sadly, the challenges of racism, poverty and war are still relevant to this day. Having a statue of such an inspirational figure as Dr. King on our campus will

remind all visitors to the university of our commitment to social justice and the need to keep Dr. King's legacy alive." The unveiling was attended by more than 100 guests, including Robert A. Brown, the President of Boston University. Sculptor Nigel Boonham said: "It was a privilege to be asked to make a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr - he is a gift to a sculptor. "I searched for the essence of the man by collecting and studying over 100 black and white photographs as well as listening to his speeches."  www.aol.co.uk/news/2017/11/13/martin-luther-kingstatue-unveiled-at-newcastle-university/

90  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Community/Public Interest

The Best High School Principal in the Nation By Tim Flach, The State, Tribune News Service

Chapin students and faculty celebrate principal Akil Ross being named best in the nation. © Tim Dominick/The State/TNS

he newly crowned National High School Principal of the Year —Chapin's Akil Ross —flunked third grade. He repeated the grade because he was "not up to par" as a student. He also tried to doctor his report card, turning the Fs into As, in an unsuccessful attempt to convince his mother he was a top student. Eventually, he learned that a better way to turn Fs into As was studying. The experience taught him the value of attention to detail and how to better focus, which turned his life around and laid the groundwork

for a career in education that has earned him top awards. The most recent came on Oct. 20 when he was surprised at a school assembly with the announcement that he had been named best in his profession by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Ross said he frequently uses his experiences from back in third grade to inspire students to do better. "I tell them academic struggles are a huge part of personal development," he said. Ross, principal of Chapin

High School, Lexington South Carolina, who attended Duke University and played linebacker for the Blue Devils, became a teacher with the idea of also coaching football. But he decided he could have more impact as a principal. He wants to help change students so they mature and become successful after leaving school, he said.  www.msn.com/en-us/news/ world/poachers-target-africaslions-vultures-with-poison/arAAswb5c?ocid=spartandhp

91  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Community/Public Interest

A Soiree with a Social Conscience By Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times

he social justice spirit was most evident in the selection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s gala annual Art + Film Gala’s honorees. Mark Bradford’s work addresses a range of sociopolitical issues as well as art history. George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Art, set to break ground in Exposition Park in January, he said, promises to bring jobs to the area and make art accessible to young people of diverse backgrounds. “The secret,” Lucas said during the cocktail party, “is you gotta give kids inspiration and make them realize they can have a world that isn’t the one that they know, which is pretty narrow, but one that they can expand and fantasize and imagine — which is kinda what I did with ‘Star Wars.’ And it opens their minds up.” Lucas’ wife, Ariel Investments President Mellody Hobson, will serve as the museum’s board chair. “We really want to take a page out of LACMA’s

book in terms of how accessible they’ve made their museum,” she said. “People from all walks of life — age, race, everything — coming to learn and enjoy it. That, to me, is the ultimate success.” 

Mellody Hobson and George Lucas

Mark Bradford

Museum of Narrative Art

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Community/Public Interest

Dr. Margaret Burroughs Centennial Birthday Celebration: The Legend and First Lady of the African American Art Movement

event, which took place in its history that creating a museum was seen as necessary in order for

argaret Burroughs created a voice for AfricanAmericans that was not present until she established the DuSable Museum in her home. This home welcomed luminaries like artist Charles White, Gordon Parks, Augusta Savage and many more who related to her commitment to developing the voice of African American artists. Margaret Burroughs (19152010) was an artist herself who captured the life of children in the African American community in a very positive way. Her fame never affected her promoting the young artist of every artistic discipline. She authored books for children like What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black. Dr. Burroughs creativity can be seen in her artwork that shares our appreciation for use

in the settings by which individuals interpret their cultural identity. Fascinating is the fact that Burroughs established two museums, the DuSable Museum and the South Side Community Arts Center in Chicago. Creating venues that allow African-American creative artists to fashion their culture to be previewed inside their community was critical to Burroughs’ thinking. The Burroughs’ mansion located at 3806 South Michigan Avenue was the first home of the DuSable Museum but its history is also attached to the Pullman Porters who regarded the mansion as the Quincy Club. It is from this type of socially empowering

DuSable Museum African-Americans not to have to ask permission to have their cultural voice allowed and free. Margaret Burroughs is a true African-American and American treasure. Her spirit forged the voice of the African-American artist and broadcast their spirit of creativity from Chicago to the world.  www.margaretburroughs.com

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Community/Public Interest

NAACP warns Black Passengers about Traveling with American Airlines By Rob McLean

he NAACP has warned AfricanAmerican travelers to be careful when flying with American Airlines. The group issued an advisory late Tuesday, saying it has noticed "a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers, specific to American Airlines." It said the incidents "suggest a corporate culture of racial insensitivity and possible racial bias" and advised travelers to exercise caution. "Booking and boarding flights on American Airlines could subject them [to] disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions," the advisory said. American Airlines spokeswoman Shannon Gilson said the company was "disappointed" to hear about the advisory and is "committed to providing a positive, safe travel experience for everyone." "Our team members -- a diverse community of gate agents, pilots, and flight attendants -- are proud to serve customers of all backgrounds," she said. In response to NAACP President Derrick Johnson's call for an audience with the airline's leadership, Gilson said representatives from the organization would be invited to the company's headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. "We are committed to having a meaningful dialogue about our airline and are ready to both listen and engage," she said. Related: NAACP issues its first statewide travel advisory, for Missouri

The organization described four examples in particular -- including one in which it said an AfricanAmerican woman and her infant child were removed from a flight from Atlanta to New York after she asked if their stroller could be retrieved from checked baggage before she left the plane. The NAACP didn't provide the name of the woman or say when the events it described are alleged to have taken place. American Airlines didn't comment on the specific allegations. Johnson said the NAACP's "growing list of incidents ... involves behavior that cannot be dismissed as normal or random." In August, the organization issued a travel advisory for Missouri, citing several discriminatory incidents in the state as reasons for individual visitors to travel with "extreme caution." It said at the time that the Missouri advisory was the first ever issued by the organization, at the state or national level.  www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/naacp-warns-blackpassengers-about-traveling-with-american-airlines/ ar-AAu0Xu4?ocid=spartandhp

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Community/Public Interest - Obituary/Memorial

Fats Domino Dies at 89 By David Browne

ats Domino, the genial, good-natured symbol of the dawn of rock and roll and the voice and piano behind enduring hits like "Blueberry Hill" and "Ain’t That a Shame," died Tuesday at the age of 89. Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish coroner's office in Louisiana, confirmed his death to the Associated Press. A contemporary of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis, Domino was among the first acts inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was reportedly only second to Presley in record sales thanks to a titanic string of 11 top 10 hits between 1955 and 1960. Those hits, which also included "I'm Walkin'," "Blue Monday" and "Walking to New Orleans," sounded like nothing that came before. Thanks to his New Orleans upbringing, Domino's signature songs fused Dixieland rhythms, his charming, Creole-flecked voice, and his rolling-river piano style. His hits, most cowritten with his longtime producer and partner Dave Bartholomew, became rock standards, covered by Led Zeppelin, Cheap Trick, Randy Newman, Ricky Nelson, and John Lennon. "After John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Fats Domino and his partner, Dave Bartholomew, were probably the greatest team of songwriters ever," Dr. John told Rolling Stone in 2004. "They always had a simple melody, a hip set of chord changes, and a cool groove. And their songs all had simple lyrics; that's the key." Domino himself, who preferred to let his music rather than image do the talking, was typically modest about his accomplishments: "Everybody started callin' my music rock and roll," he once said, "but it wasn't anything but the same rhythm and blues I'd been playin' down in New Orleans." Born in 1928, Antoine Domino was playing piano and performing in New Orleans honky tonks and bars by the time he was a teenager. At 14, he dropped out of high school, taking jobs like hauling ice and working at a bedspring factory as a way to supplement his music. Domino's career was effectively kicked off at New Orleans Hideaway Club. While playing piano in local

Fats Domino © Clive Limpkin/Getty bandleader Billy Diamond’s band, Diamond nicknamed Antoine "Fats" — partly in homage to keyboard-playing predecessors like Fats Waller and partly because, as Diamond told one crowd, "I call him ‘Fats,’ ‘cause if he keeps eating, he’s going to be just as big!" Domino was initially hesitant about the nickname, but it stuck. Later, at the same club, Domino met Bartholomew and Imperial Records head Lew Chudd, who signed Domino to his label. In 1949, Domino cut his first Imperial single, "The Fat Man," a rewrite of the drugaddiction song "Junker’s Blues" that many consider one of the earliest rock records. Although it didn’t make the top 40, "The Fat Man" was a huge R&B hit and established Domino’s sound and image for decades to come. From then on, Domino’s hits kept coming. He scored nine gold singles, although he never had a No. 1 record on the pop chart. (Frustratingly, Pat Boone’s vanilla remake of "Ain’t That a Shame" did go No. 1 in pop in 1955.) In his memoir, Chuck Berry wrote admiringly that, in 1955, Domino was making $10,000 a week on tour. From the start of his career, Domino wasn't a largerthan-life figure like Presley or Lewis. Married at 20, he was a notorious homebody who eventually had eight children (all of whose names began with the letter "A"). Asked by Rolling Stone in 2007 about riots that took place during early rock and roll shows that featured him and other acts, Domino simply replied, "I don't know. It wasn't anything in the music, so it must have been something in the audience."

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see page 96

Community/Public Interest - Obituary/Memorial

Robert Guillaume, Emmywinning Actor, Dies at 89 By Hillel Italie, AP

obert Guillaume, who rose from squalid beginnings in St. Louis slums to become a star in stage musicals and win Emmy Awards for his portrayal of the sharp-tongued butler in the TV sitcoms "Soap" and "Benson," has died at age 89. Guillaume died at home Tuesday in Los Angeles, according to his widow, Donna Brown Guillaume. He had been battling prostate cancer, she told The Associated Press. Among Guillaume's achievements was playing Nathan Detroit in the first all-black version of "Guys and Dolls," earning a Tony nomination in 1977. He became the first African-American to sing the title role of "Phantom of the Opera," appearing with an all-white cast in Los Angeles. While playing in "Guys and Dolls, he was asked to test for the role of an acerbic butler of a governor's

Fats Domino

from page 95

Yet Domino's influence was tangible. In 1968, Paul McCartney wrote the Beatles' "Lady Madonna" with Domino in mind (Domino would cut his own version that same year). To ensure that bass guitars on his records could be heard above his rumbling piano, Bartholomew would double the bass and guitar parts — a technique later picked up on by Phil Spector for his Wall of Sound. Domino's

mansion in "Soap," a primetime TV sitcom that satirized soap operas. "The minute I saw the script, I knew I had a live one," he recalled in 2001. "Every role was written against type, especially Benson, who wasn't subservient to anyone. To me, Benson was the revenge for all those stereotyped guys who looked like Benson in the '40s and '50s (movies) and had to keep their mouths shut." The character became so popular that ABC was persuaded to launch a spinoff, simply called "Benson," which lasted from 1979 to 1986. The series made Guillaume wealthy and famous, but he regretted that Benson's wit had to be toned down to make him more appealing as the lead star. The career of Robert Guillaume

almost ended in January 1999 at Walt Disney Studio. He was appearing in the TV series "Sports Night" as Isaac Jaffee, executive producer of a sports highlight show. Returning to his dressing room after a meal away from the studio, he suddenly collapsed. "I fell on the floor, and I couldn't

dexterous piano style, influenced by pioneering predecessors like Waller and Professor Longhair, also reverberated. "Anytime anybody plays a slow blues," Dr. John told Rolling Stone, "the piano player will eventually get to something like Fats. It was pre-funk stuff and it was New Orleans and he did it all his way. He could do piano rolls with both hands. He was like Thelonious Monk in that way." In 1960, Domino released his last top 10 hit, "Walking to New

Orleans." Soon after, he left Imperial and continued recording for a number of other labels. As with his 1950s peers, he scored few hits from that point on — but more due to changing times than from the scandals or army duty that derailed Presley and Lewis. As Rolling Stone writer Charles M. Young wrote about Domino’s less-than-dark side, "Offstage, he gambled a bit, had a thing for fancy cars and jewelry and was known to cook beans in his hotel room."

premierspeakers.com

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Community/Public Interest - Obituary/Memorial get up," he told an interviewer in 2001. "I kept floundering about on the floor and I didn't know why I couldn't do it. I didn't know it was it was caused by my left side being weaker than the other." Fortunately, St. Joseph Hospital was directly across from the studio. The 71-year-old actor was taken there and treated for a stroke— the result of a blood clot that blocked circulation of blood to the brain. They are fatal in 15 percent of the cases. Guillaume's stroke was minor, causing relatively slight damage and little effect on his speech. After six weeks in the hospital, he underwent a therapy of walks and sessions in the gym. He returned to the second season of "Sports Talk," and it was written into the script that Isaac Jaffee was recovering from a stroke. Because of slim ratings, the second season proved to be the last for the much-praised show. Guillaume resumed his career and traveled as a new spokesman for the American Stroke Association. He also made appearance for the American Heart Association. "I'm a bastard, a Catholic, the son of a prostitute, and a product of the poorest slums of St. Louis." This was the opening of

"Guillaume: A Life," his 2002 autobiography in which he laid bare his troubled life. He was born fatherless on Nov. 30, 1927, in St. Louis, one of four children. His mother named him Robert Peter Williams; when he became a performer he adopted Guillaume, a French version of Williams, believing the change would give him distinction. His early years were spent in a back-alley apartment without plumbing or electricity; an outhouse was shared with two dozen people. His alcoholic mother hated him because of his dark skin, and his grandmother rescued him, taught him to read and enrolled him in a Catholic school. Seeking but denied his mother's love and scorned by nuns and students because of his dark skin, the boy became a rebel, and that carried into his adult life. He was expelled from school and then the Army, though he was granted an honorable discharge. He fathered a daughter and abandoned the child and her mother. He did the same to his first wife and two sons and to another woman and a daughter. He worked in a department store, the post office and as St. Louis's first black streetcar motorman. Seeking

something better, he enrolled at St. Louis University, excelling in philosophy and Shakespeare, and then at Washington University (St. Louis) where a music professor trained the young man's superb tenor singing voice. After serving as an apprentice at theaters in Aspen, Colo., and Cleveland, the newly named Guillaume toured with Broadway shows "Finian's Rainbow," ''Golden Boy," ''Porgy and Bess" and "Purlie," and began appearing on sitcoms such as "The Jeffersons" and "Sanford and Son." Then came "Soap" and "Benson." Guillaume's first stable relationship came when he married TV producer Donna Brown in the mid-1980s and fathered a daughter, Rachel. At last he was able to shrug off the bitterness he had felt throughout his life. "To assuage bitterness requires more than human effort," he wrote at the end of his autobiography. "Relief comes from a source we cannot see but can only feel. I am content to call that source love." 

Domino continued to record and tour for decades after his initial success. In 2005, he was back in the news after his Lower Ninth Ward home was flooded to the roof during Hurricane Katrina. After initial reports that he was missing, Domino was eventually rescued and, with his wife Rosemary and one of their children, lifted into a boat. "I ain't missin' nothin’," Domino said after the rescue. "Just one thing that happened, I guess. I'm just sorry it happened to me

and everybody else, you know?" In the storm, he lost most of his possessions, including almost all of his gold records. As disastrous as it was, Katrina also gave Domino a renewed life. Alive and Kickin', a new album released a year after the storm, became one of his most acclaimed works (RS named it one of the top albums of the year). In 2007, he released Goin’ Home, an all-star Domino tribute album featuring covers by Elton John, Nell Young,

Tom Petty, Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, Lenny Kravitz, and Lucinda Williams. Of his partner’s contributions to rock history, Bartholomew said Domino is "just like the cornerstone — you build a new church and you lay the cornerstone, and if the church burns down, the cornerstone is still there." 

www.msn.com/en-us/tv/celebrity/ robert-guillaume-emmy-winning-actordies-at-89/ar-AAtZYbp?li=BBmkt5R&o cid=spartandhp

www.msn.com/en-us/music/ news/fats-domino-rock-androll-pioneer-dead-at-89/arAAu2dEn?ocid=spartandhp

97  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Community/Public Interest - Obituary/Memorial

DAVID S. CUNNINGHAM, JR. Former Los Angeles City Councilman June 24, 1935 – November 15, 2017

avid S. Cunningham, Jr., an original member won special election held on September 18, 1973. of the Black Business Association, and co- He represented the 10th district until 1987, when he founder of Cunningham, Short & Berryman, resigned. Inc., considered one of the top African American Dave is known in Los Angeles as a proud father business consulting firms of the late 60s and early 70s, with each of his children pursuing college and sound passed on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. He was professions. David Cunningham, III took up the gavel vice president of Cunningham, Short, Berryman and in his Dad’s name as a Superior Court Judge. Dave Associates before his election to the Los Angeles City Cunningham's family and children were his “private” Council. and most valued part of his life and career. Dave Cunningham was born June 24, 1935 in In 1973, Cunningham, 38, was endorsed by Mayor Chicago, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Bradley for the latter's old seat on the City Council in a cartographer until 1960. He earned a bachelor's degree special election held on September 18, 1973. in Political Science and Economics from the University In the early 1970s, the 10th District included "parts of California, Riverside, in 1962; the following year he of the Leimert Park, Crenshaw, Wilshire, West Adams, did an internship with the Coro Foundation intership and Fairfax areas. It ran from "Olympic Blvd. on the program in Public Affairs after which he served as Administrative Aide to Assemblyman Charles Warren while attending Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Subsequently, he then moved to Lagos, Nigeria, to become West Africa regional manager for the DuKane Corporation. In 1968, the Los Angeles consulting firm of Cunningham Short and Associates was founded. In 1969, Ron Berryman joined the firm renaming the consulting group Cunningham Short Berryman and Associates. 1972 David earned a master's degree in Urban Studies from Occidental College. Cunningham, 38, was endorsed by Los Angeles (l-r) Earl "Skip" Cooper, II, President/CEO, Black Business Association, Mayor Tom Bradley for former City Councilmember David S. Cunningham, Jr., and Gene Hale, the latter's old seat on the Chairman, GLAAACC. City Council. Cunningham 98  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

north, to La Cienega Blvd. and Cattaraugus Ave. on the west, to Rodeo Road and Jefferson and Adams Blvds. on the south, to the Harbor Freeway on the east. The district was 50% Black, 12% Asian-American, 12% Mexican-American, 20% Jewish, 5% Caucasian, and less than 1% American Indian. When he ran for re-election in 1975, he was described as "on his way to becoming the City Council's most prominent liberal” and that He was. He got "consistently high marks from clean-air groups, and he has publicly battled for fluoridated water and a ban on oil drilling in Santa Monica Bay. He has also suggested the city cut off funding to the Los Angeles Unified School District unless it desegregates its schools. Dave continued to enamor the African American community by mentoring others and was considered the ultimate “Diplomat” when working on real estate, charters schools, and lobbying issues, supporting the Democrats who had similar views of how the city could be run. Dave’s recommendations to others included referrals to allies when trying to get issues pushed through. Dave is fondly known for going toeto-toe with anyone who stood in the way of the people.

Corporations, the city and county of Los Angeles, and the national stage waited patiently to get the direction from Dave before moving on or voting. His legal skills were outstanding and he played a major role in helping the Wattstar Theatre and Education Center Project in Watts, CA taking up the passion of Mayor Tom Bradley for Watts to be restored to its former glory. Dave guided the project as a reliable and resourceful Board Member and worked closely with Latham & Watkins, Warner Bros., and County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas of the 2nd District to push the project through. Governor Jerry Brown recalled the land for the project in 2016, but the thrust to get the project fully permitted, securing the deed for the land, and continued. Dave was a person for all the people. He will be remembered as the ultimate Community Activist and Mentor to hundreds of young adults who used his image as an African American Icon in the African American communities and as the rebel who would not stop until the mission was accomplished. Rest in Peace Good Brother. 

(l-r) Former City Councilmember David Cunningham congratulates Gregg Irish, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board (WIB), as CDD General Manager Richard Benbow looks on. Cunningham was the first public official to hire Irish shortly after he finished college. Los Angeles Sentinel March 11, 2011

99  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

International

WEST AFRICA

HOSTED BUYER EVENT: MICE WEST AFRICA – WELCOME TO THE EMERGING WEST AFRICAN REGION 23-25 November 2017, Accra, Ghana I am very happy to inform you that MICE West Africa celebrates its inaugural event November 23 to 25 in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. The organizing Street of Gold Foundation (SOG), founded by Mr. Royal Panford who acts as its CEO, cooperates closely with the nation's Ghana Tourism Authority to develop the common understanding of the importance of the meetings industry inside the country, and offers the platform for the nations – but also for the regions’ providers to connect with the international buyers. But the SOG is working far beyond the normal organizational efforts to create the muchneeded platform for exhibitors and buyers. SOG also assists the visitor through connecting them to the appropriate organizations and associations to ensure that groups to Ghana experience the country at its best and enjoy incredible value for money. Oh – and one word about Ghana: Should you think about the Ebola disease outbreak. Ghana did not have a single case. This information has been published by the WHO and the US CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interested? Let’s meet in Accra! Apply to the MICE West Africa hosted buyer programme to connect with local suppliers and to site-inspect the destination during the post-event Site Inspection Programme. Find details on www.micewestafrica. com. 

100  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

International

Alibaba Sales Went up $12 Billion USD in Just Two Hours on Singles Day By Keith Estiler

ingles Day (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Singles%27_Day) is considered to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year in China, commencing on midnight before November 11. For the annual holiday, Alibaba racked up a whopping $12 billion USD in sales in just two hours as per Business Insider. Customers from about 192 countries took to the e-commerce giant’s website to order $1 billion USD worth of goods in the ﬁrst two minutes alone. Not to mention, “In the ﬁrst hour, Alibaba processed 325,000 orders per second and more than 60 brands recorded sales of more than $15 million,” BI reported.

P h a r r e l l Williams recently performed at Alibaba’s 11.11 Countdown Gala (www.verdict. Pharrell Williams

co.uk/11-11-globalshopping-festival)

alongside tennis superstar Maria Sharapova who attended the event to help amplify purchases. Conclusively, Alibaba’s billionaire founder Jack Ma (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ma) is utilizing this year’s Singles Day event as an experiment to help revamp China’s $4 trillion USD traditional retail sector with technology.  https://hypebeast.com/2017/11/alibaba-2017-singles-day

101  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

International

Over 45,000 Residents to Access Clean Water in Tanzania By Jonathan Musa

he Mwanza Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (Mwauwasa) is expected to end the water shortage in the region. The authority plans to construct a water project that will serve more than 45,000 residents of the area. The project is among three others, which will be implemented in Misungwi and Magu districts in Mwanza Region as well as Lamadi in Simiyu Region at a cost of Sh37 billion. The project is funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the French Development Agency (FDA) and the Tanzanian government. The Mwauwasa Managing Director, Eng Anthony Sanga, told The Citizen

(www.thecitizen. co.tz) on Sunday on

the phone that the project had been under implementation since February 16, this year, by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, and more than 45,000 residents were expected to beneﬁt from it. Meanwhile, only 8,000 out of 299, 759 residents of Magu District, have access to safe and clean water, according to the census conducted in 2012. "This project will have the potential to produce more than 7.25 million litres from the current

that produces only 900,000 litres of water," Said Eng Sanga. Supporting Eng Sanga's comments, Magu District executive director Lutengano George said the completion of the project will reduce the challenges that area residents faced looking for clean water for domestic use and consumption.

"The implementation of this project is basically meant to help residents, especially women and children, to be able to access clean water without necessarily covering long distances with containers on their heads." Said the DED. Meanwhile, in Misungwi District, the project will reach 23,315 residents in Misungwi town and in Nyahiti Village. The managing director said Mwauwasa was expecting to construct two water storage tanks within the city, which will have the capacity of holding 3,000,000 liters daily.  http://allafrica.com/ stories/201711070179.html

102  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

International

Monrovia’s Beach has a Luxury Mall by Annalies Winny

Chinese construction company, TSMO Investment Corp., has come to town to build T M Mall, Liberia’s first Western-style shopping complex. The glass structure will house a Cold Stone Creamery franchise and H&M. The Nigerian cinema giant Silverbird has landed Liberia’s first state-of-the-art movie theater in TM Mall, complete with Blade Runner posters and the smell of fake butter. As locals speculate about what will actually fill the mall, expansion plans are afoot for a boardwalk. The shopping center quickly shot up, built entirely with materials brought in from China on 1,000

hotels, apartment complexes, and restaurants run by Lebanese entrepreneurs — many born and raised in Liberia — who’ve dominated the hospitality market for decades. For Monrovia, “there’s some serious beneﬁts to having a mall of that size,” Mvogo says, bringing tax revenue and other places for those who do have money to spend

shipping containers, according to TSMO staﬀ. The land, leased from a private owner, sits at the foot of UN Drive, a hub of diplomatic headquarters hosting some of Monrovia’s poshest

it. GDP has risen steadily under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Still, with 64% of Liberians living below the poverty line, “the mall is not going to cater to 85% of the population,” says the city’s mayor,

Clara Doe Mvogo. But to thrive, it doesn’t have to. The mall is only the beginning. Following the growing trend of prolific building by Chinese contractors in Liberia, and across Africa, the project’s long-term vision includes rollerbladers skating down a boardwalk, playgrounds, more hotels, and a new port on Miami Beach. The construction wave has brought state-of-the-art roads and municipal buildings, but also, at the mall, complaints about exploitative labor practices and displacement of residents in informal settlements. Near the mall entrance, passersby stop in their tracks to watch Hollywood film trailers playing on a giant outdoor screen. Sharply dressed Liberians, American and Lebanese expats, and women in hijabs float in and out of the semifinished building, where fixtures are labeled in both English and Chinese. Still-vacant retail spaces are said to be going for around $35,000 a year. Visits to the mall playground, T M Kidsland, are $10 a head.  BBN ED www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-chinesedevelopers-turning-liberias-beach-into-a-luxuryplayground/ar-BBEMfUz?ocid=spartandhp

103  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

International

How South Africa Is Telling Its Story Through Tourism By Sarah Khan

oday, a mention of South Africa conjures images of penguins waddling along gleaming white beaches, the Big Five roaming through Kruger National Park, rolling vineyards, and Table Mountain. But as recently as 30 years ago, few international visitors experienced these charms. What did the tourism landscape look like in 1987? "White." "That sums it up." From 1948 to 1991, South Africa was governed by the brutally oppressive apartheid system, which segregated the country's races and ensured power and wealth was mostly enjoyed by the white minority. By the 1980s, the regime was in its final throes, and worldwide pressure to end apartheid and free Nelson Mandela drove sanctions that limited overseas tourism. As a result, most of South Africa's tourism industry was made up of white domestic holidaymakers. "In the 80s, as a non-white person, I had no clue that an industry like tourism existed," says Enver Mally, chairman of the board for Cape Town Tourism and director of African Eagle Day Tours, which offers immersive township experiences. "For us, it was very difficult to travel to places.” With Mandela's release in 1990 and the country's first democratic elections in 1994, things changed rapidly. South African Airways resumed flights to the U.S., Australia, and parts of Europe and expanded to new markets. Suddenly, all eyes were on the nation. “Many international visitors flocked to experience the new South Africa,” says Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism from 2003-2013 and founder of destination-marketing agency Destinate. “Tourism numbers saw a drastic increase during the ‘postapartheid honeymoon-phase.’” Instead of brushing history under the rug, apartheidera relics were transformed into museums dedicated to telling the story of South Africa’s turbulent road to democracy. The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and the District Six Museum in Cape Town recount personal experiences of lives affected during the regime, and former prisons were transformed into powerful museums like Constitution Hill and Robben Island, which remain major tourist destinations today. The safari industry also boomed, as more and more

visitors descended to experience Kruger National Park and other game reserves. The nation’s first push to lure leisure travelers came with the historic 1995 Rugby World Cup, which marked South Africa’s re-entry onto the global sports stage after decades of pariah status. "We started fixing our airports, hotels, and basic road infrastructure—that was the start of us capitalizing on that 15 minutes of fame," says Enver Duminy, current CEO of Cape Town Tourism and a member of the board of South Africa Tourism. Sports eventually brought South Africa to the forefront again, in the form of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. "That became the tipping point for South Africa as being seen as a global destination," says Duminy. "The time was right for the destination to put its best face forward. We were in the households of millions of viewers who may have had the perception of South Africa having lions roaming around." The country still reaps post-World Cup benefits: improvements in roads, airports, and safety and security have transformed South Africa into a bluechip destination. The country welcomed 10.8 million international tourists between May 2016 and May 2017—in 1988, by contrast, the county saw less than 400,000 foreign visitors. Today, tourism is the nation’s fastest-growing sector, for the first time in history surpassing mining as the biggest contributor to South Africa's GDP. Cape Town alone drew 1.7 million tourists between July 2016 and June 2017. Tourism boards have also been savvy about targeting new methods and markets. “It is no longer about the destination or your unique selling points; it is about the story,” says Du Toit-Helmbold. “Our story is a complex one and is best told through local people.” South Africa continues to leverage its international spotlight by luring visitors with a diverse mix of offerings. The nation is home to a some of the continent’s

104  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

top luxury safari lodges, with a strong focus on conservation; the revitalization of Johannesburg’s Central Business District is bringing visitors back to areas that were once a hotbed for crime; the opening of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in a Thomas Heatherwick-designed building in Cape Town is a boon for the continent’s art community; and local chefs like Luke DaleRoberts, whose Test Kitchen consistently makes appearances on world’s best lists, are at the forefront of a vibrant culinary scene. "Across South Africa, tourism is the new gold," says Mally. There's still much work to be done—South Africa is still deeply segregated and racked with economic and political dysfunction, and the tourism industry can often seem like a sterilized bubble existing in an alternate reality to the rest of the country. But considering where things were just three short decades ago, it's worth marveling over how far the country has come.  www.cntraveler.com/story/how-south-africa-is-tellingits-story-through-tourism?mbid=nl_111717_Daily&amp; CNDID=38890654&spMailingID=12383187&spUserID= MTQ5NTc0OTAyMDYxS0&spJobID=1281634007&spR eportId=MTI4MTYzNDAwNwS2

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

105  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

COMING TO YOUR E-MAIL BOX. Business/Government Contract Opportunities Business In Africa Commentaries/Editorials Financial Management Tech Tools for Growth Mobilization Africa Travel for Business & Pleasure

Read the Back Issues of our Digital Publications at: https://issuu.com/blackbusinessnews

konya

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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. 

www.uniteafricans.org

Shopping Gallery

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Zumo Learning System with Tablet e Zumo Learning System provides an accessible learning environment for children of all abilities. Zumo helps children fall in love with STEM.

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112  October 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

SUPER SOAKER

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113  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

www.fentybeauty.com

Skin Care for You om Smokey Robinson www.skinphonic.com

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https://ﬂawlesshair.com 115  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

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Artwear Handpainted Handbags, Skirts, Tees, Accessories, Calendars, Wall Hangings & More! http://gbabysworld.blogspot.com Gbabyartwear@hotmail.com or Gbabyart345@gmail.com Find Gbaby Products at the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Collectiveâ&#x20AC;? http://www.atthecollective.com 280 Elizabeth Street, Atlanta, GA

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DigitalKente www.digitalkenteshop.com 118  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

TMBLR v1

a sneaker optimized for kids playtime

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"Sole Savers" Rollable Flat Shoes The perfect companion for any avenue, just throw them in your bag and go.

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Nubian Skin Sale! Get ready to be on the Nubian Skin website on Friday 24th November because we're having a sale you won't want to miss!

www.nubianskin.com

The Economic Turn Around in the USA is in Our Hands •Buy Products Made or Assembled in the USA •Hire One New Employee •Eat an Extra Meal Out Each Week •Start/Grow a Business to Generate Wealth & Jobs

Buy Black  Save Black  Invest Black 123  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Collection Bed, Bath & Beyond http://bsmith.com/shop

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This magniﬁcent handcrafted concert grand is a "Best of" in terms of sound, new technology, beauty, and construction. Massively well-built to withstand the rigors of intense concert performances without compromise, the SHADD Concert Grand is a coveted treasure for pianists and collectors. With a rich voluminous sound that performs true to all genres of music, this phenomenal instrument has a rare diversiﬁed ability to play from the softest whisper with pure clear sound to a major roar with a bass section exuding an abundance of power and resounding singing sensations.

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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

126  November 2017  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

127  November 2017  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

Downtown Culver City: 9537 Culver Blvd. 310-202-5453 Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm www.honeyskettle.com 128  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Buy Black! Bank Black! Educate Black! Invest Black!

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

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. 132  November 2017  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 and turkey 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! NOW IN THE FROZEN FOODS SECTION!

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

Delicious Southern Flavors At Home!

Whether you’re north or south of the Mason-Dixon line, east or west of the Mississippi, Grandma Maud’s gives you a taste of the South in your own kitchen.

Try our Recipes:

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You’ll ﬁnd our Bean Meals, Southern Seasonings and Pie Fixin’s in supermarkets throughout the U.S.A. (Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, Safeway and Kroger Stores) – and online at: (h ps://eyelevellink.com/collec ons/ vendors?q=Grandma%20Mauds) or call us at: 1-773-493-5353!

Not Just Cookies NJC is a cookie company providing, natural desserts superior in quality and taste. Our cookies and pies are made with the nest ingredients. We oﬀer select gluten free and vegan desserts that are rich in taste. Not Just Cookies is a certi ed Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) founded by Johnathon Bush.

e can cater for any event or party. We oﬀer custom packaging for all of our cookies and pies to suit any need. Cookie platters also available. Corporate gis, company parties, restaurants looking to outsource pastries, we're here for you. e menu: Turtle Cookies, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal, Butter Cookies, Oatmeal Raisin, Brownies, Snickerdoodle, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Ginger Cookies, Vegan Brownies, Gluten Free Chocolate Chip, Sweet Potato Pie, and Fruit Pies (apple, cherry, blueberry or peach). Visit www.notjustcookies.com for online shopping, store locations, shipping and catering details. Talk to us by calling: 1-800-833-4541 or send NJC an inquiry at: info@notjustcookies.net. Remember Santa's Milk & COOKIES! 137  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

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 ﬂavors!

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

141  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

www.wosa.us www.winetalkwithmarcia.com

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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!

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144  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Books to Consider

Books to Consider...

I'm Judging You: The Do-Better Manual

by Luvvie Ajayi

ith over 500,000 readers a month at her enormously popular blog, AwesomelyLuvvie. com, Luvvie Ajayi has become 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—from the cultural importance Luvvie Ajayi of the newest Shonda Rhimes television drama 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, rapier 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.  www.barnesandnoble.com/w/im-judging-you-luvvieajayi/1123425896#/

Hacks: The Inside

Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns that Put Donald Trump in the White House

by Donna Brazile

n the fallout of the Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee-and as chaos threatened to consume the party's c o n ve n t i o n- -D e m o c r a t s turned to a familiar figure to right the ship: Donna Brazile. Known to millions from her frequent TV appearances, she was no stranger to high stakes and dirty opponents, and the longtime Democratic strategist had a reputation in Washington as a onestop shop for fixing sticky problems. What Brazile found at the DNC was unlike anything she had experienced before-and much worse than is commonly known. The party was beset by infighting, scandal, and hubris, while reeling from a brazen and wholly unprecedented attempt by a foreign power to influence the presidential election. Plus, its candidate, Hillary Clinton, faced an opponent who broke Donna Brazile every rule in the political playbook. Packed with never-before-reported revelations about what went down in 2016, Hacks is equal parts campaign thriller, memoir, and roadmap for the future. With Democrats now in the wilderness after this historic defeat, Hacks argues that staying silent about what went wrong helps no one. Only by laying bare the missteps, miscalculations, and crimes of 2016, Brazile contends, will Americans be able to salvage their democracy.  www.amazon.com/Hacks-Inside-Break-ins-Breakdowns-

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Donald/dp/0316478512/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509888 051&sr=8-1&keywords=donna+brazile

We're Going to Need More Wine:

Just Mercy: A Story

of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice— from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time

Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True

by Gabrielle Union

abrielle Union gives us a powerful collection of essays about gender, sexuality, race, beauty, Hollywood, and what it means to be a modern woman. The forty-four-year-old actress who launched her career with roles in iconic ’90s movies—instantly became the insightful, outspoken actress that Hollywood has been desperately awaiting when in 2016, with honesty and heartbreaking wisdom, she revealed her own trauma as a victim of sexual assault: "It is for you that I am speaking. This is real. We are real." In this moving collection of thought provoking essays infused with her unique wisdom and deep humor, Union uses that same fearlessness to tell astonishingly personal and true stories about power, color, gender, feminism, and fame. Union tackles a range of experiences, including bullying, beauty standards, and competition between women in Hollywood, growing up in white California suburbia and then spending summers with her black relatives in Nebraska, coping with crushes, puberty, and the divorce of her parents. Genuine and perceptive, Union bravely lays herself bare, uncovering a complex and courageous life of self-doubt and selfdiscovery with incredible poise and brutal honesty. Throughout, she compels us to be ethical and empathetic, and reminds us of the importance of confidence, self-awareness, and the power of sharing truth, laughter, and support.  www.amazon.com/Were-Going-Need-More-Wine/ dp/0062693980

r y a n Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanship—and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever. Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice. 

Bryan Stevenson

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www.amazon. com/Just-MercyStory-JusticeRedemption/ dp/081298496X

Books to Consider

The Smart Money Woman by Arese Ugwu

Meet Zuri. She’s living a fabulous life. Great car, gorgeous apartment, well paid job. Meet Zuri. Broken down car, an apartment she cant afford, a job she’s about to lose.

What’s a broke girl to do?

ith her best friends T a m i (the flighty fashion designer), Lara (the tough oil and gas executive), Adesuwa (the conservative lawyer), and Ladun (the fabulous housewife), Zuri grows a little, learns a lot and navigates her way to making better financial decisions and building wealth. This book tackles, debt, spending, the consumerist culture of the African middle class, the Arese Ugwu fear and misconceptions surrounding money and the lack of it, love, friendships, cultural and societal pressures and the roles they play in success. With each chapter comes a Smart Money Lesson, there to help you work your way up the financial ladder.  www.amazon.com/Smart-Money-Woman-Arese-Ugwu-ebook/dp/B01K4H7QNW

Living Apart:

How the Government Betrayed a Landmark Civil Rights Law

by Nikole Hannah-Jones

ore than forty years after President Johnson signed the landmark Fair Housing Act into law, residential segregation in America remains unresolved. Designed to help dismantle the nation’s racially divided housing patterns, the act has gone largely ignored by every presidential administration— Democrat and Republican alike—since 1968. In Living Apart, ProPublica investigates this failing, particularly how subsequent leaders, following President Nixon’s lead, have declined to use the billions in grant dollars awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as leverage to fight segregation. Their reluctance to enforce a law passed by both houses of Congress and repeatedly upheld by the courts reflects a larger political reality. Again and again, attempts to create integrated neighborhoods h a v e foundered This Nikole E. Hnnah-Jones ebook includes an exclusive afterword by the author, as well as an appendix of original documents dating from the Nixon administration, revealing the internal politics swirling around the Fair Housing Act shortly after its enactment.  www.goodreads.com/book/show/16144686-livingapart

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Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together

by Van Jones

an Jones burst into the American consciousness during the 2016 presidential campaign with an unscripted, truth-telling style and an already established history of bridge-building across party lines. His election night commentary became a viral sensation. A longtime progressive activist with deep roots in the conservative South, Jones has made it his mission to challenge voters and viewers to stand in one another’s shoes and disagree constructively. Now, in Beyond the Messy Truth, Jones offers a blueprint for transforming our collective anxiety into meaningful change. Tough on Donald Trump but showing respect and empathy for his supporters, Jones takes aim at the failures of both parties before and after Trump’s victory. He urges both sides to abandon the politics of accusation and focus on real solutions. Calling us to a deeper patriotism, he shows us how to get down to the vital business of solving, together, some of our toughest problems. “The entire national conversation today can be reduced to a simple statement— ‘I’m right, and you’re wrong,’” Jones has said. But the truth is messier; both sides have flaws. Both parties have strayed from their highest principles and let down their core constituencies. Rejecting today’s political tribalism, Jones issues a stirring call for

a new “bipartisanship from below.” Recognizing that tough challenges require the best wisdom from both liberals and conservatives, he points us toward practical answers to problems that affect us all regardless of region or ideology: rural and inner-city poverty, unemployment, addiction, unfair incarceration, and the devastating effects of the pollution-based economy on both coal country and our urban centers. In explaining how he arrived at his views, Jones shares behind-the-scenes memories from his decades spent marching and protesting on behalf of working people, inspiring stories of ordinary citizens who became champions of their communities, and little-known examples of cooperation that have risen from the fog of partisan conflict. In his quest for positive solutions, Van Jones encourages us to set fire to our old ways of thinking about politics and come together where the pain is greatest.  www.amazon.com/Beyond-Messy-Truth-ApartTogether/dp/0399180028

On Becoming

by Toke Makinwa

oke Makinwa never envisaged that she would be a successful media personality. She began her journey as a bubbly child but grew into a lonely teenager after the devastating loss of both her parents. For so long after, it seemed as though she would never find herself. On Becoming is the real Toke Makinwa telling us what it is like to be one of the most talked about celebrities in Nigeria. She reveals the truth behind her 14-year relationship with the man she finally married. A marriage that ended in an atrocious scandal that nearly brought her to her knees. In the wake of the peaks and troughs that characterise Toke’s experiences, she now shares her struggle with blinding betrayal, finding forgiveness and drawing strength from her faith in God. On Becoming is Toke’s journey through pain to victory.  www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAAEILQ/ ref=pe_2571790_260497570_em_1p_0_des

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BBA Master Planner November, 2017 Black Business Day Procurement and Award Summit

awards dinner highlights the achievements of African American entrepreneurs and the government agencies and corporate entities that provide support for African American businesses. For particiation and sponsorship information visit www.bbala. org and call 1-323-291-9334. 

Government and Corporate Contracting Procurement Summit in recognition of the MBDAs Minority Enterpriise Development (MED) week (https:// medweek.mbda.gov/) Nov 14th at L.A. Southwest College. Interface with contractors from the pub- Annual Salute to Black Women lic and private sectors. Event includes one-on-one Business Conference, Vendor matchmaking sessions, exhibits, workshops, net- Faire & Awards Luncheon working opportunities and an awards luncheon. In recognition of National Women’s History For general particiation and matchmaking inforMonth, this conference highlights the achievemation visit www.bbala.org and call 1-323-291ments of African American women entrepreneurs, 9334.  along with workshop, including a workshop designed especially for young ladies between 13 and Financial Workshop 18 years of age, entitled “Role Models for SucConducted in collaboration with financial corporate cess.” This conference also provides the opporpartners of the BBA to identify loan opportunities tunity for vendors to promote and sell their goods for African American-owned business enterprises. and services in the Vendor Faire. A favorite feaFor general particiation and information visit www. ture of the annual Salute is the African American bbala.org and call 1-323-291-9334.  Dessert Buffet. For particiation and sponsorship information visit www.bbala.org and call 1-323291-9334. 

March 2018

2017-2018

Financial Literacy Training & Workshops

April 2018

Local banking and financial institutions in col- All About Supplier Diversity laboration with the BBA provide financial literacy Certification training for its members and aspiring Youth Entre- Business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs learn preneurs. For general particiation and information about supplier diversity certifications, which certifivisit www.bbala.org and call 1-323-291-9334.  cations they are eligible for, how to apply; and how to leverage certifications for contracting opportunities. This workshop is conducted in collaboration with Thomas & Webster. For particiation and sponsorship information visit www.bbala.org and Black History Month Annual call 1-323-291-9334. 

February 2018

Awards Dinner & Celebration In recognition of Black History Month, the annual 150  November 2017  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net  1-323-291-7819

Resource Vault Media/Information Africa Interactive Multimedia Press/Content Agency in Africa -- www.africa-interactive.com Africa is a Country -- www.africasacountry.com Africa News & Stories -- http://africatodaytv.com Africa Newsroom -- www.africa-newsroom.com Africa World Now Project -- www.africaworldnowproject.org 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 AfricaFocus -- www.africafocus.org Africast TV -- www.africast.tv The African World -- www.theafricanworld.tv Afritorial -- www.afritorial.com www.facebook.com/Afritorial AllAfrica (news) -- 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 Blavity Inc. -- www.blavity.com BridesNoir -- www.bridesnoir.com The Chocolate Voice -- www.thechocolatevoice.com CuisineNoir -- www.cuisinenoirmag.com DiasporaVoice -- www.blogtalkradio.com/diasporavoice How Africa, The Rise of Africa -- http://howafrica.com KweliTV -- www.facebook.com/kwelitv Macauhub -- www.facebook.com/Macauhub Publish Africa -- http://wow.gm/publishafrica Red Media Africa -- www.facebook.com/RedMediaAfrica Rock Me Africa -- //rockmeafrica.com YouTube Educational Channels -- http://teacherswithapps.com/197-educational-youtube-channels-know United Nations -- http://webtv.un.org World Library -- www.worldlibrary.org

Black Female Founders -- www.blackfemalefounders. org Nigeria (Africa) ﬁnancial news -- //nairametrics.com She Leads Africa -- http://sheleadsafrica.org

Organizations African Leadership Forum -- http://afrialeadership.org African Union -- www.au.int/en Black Business Association -- www.bbala.org Black Emergency Managers Association International -- www.blackemergmanagersassociation.org CauseCast -- www.causecast.com www.causecastfornonproﬁts.com Community Healing Network -- www. communityhealingnet.org Pan African Film Festival -- www.paﬀ.org United African Organization -- http://uniteafricans.org Zambia-USA Chamber of Commerce -- www.zambiausachamber.org

Investment/Development Africa Reports -- www.africareports.com African Development Bank -- www.afdb.org African Export-Import Bank -- //afreximbank.com/ afrexim/en AfrigadgetTV -- www.afrigadget.com Disrupt Africa -- http://disrupt-africa.com/ The Exchange Magazine -- www.nse.co.ke Silicon Harlem -- http://event.siliconharlem.net Ventures -- www.ventures-africa.com

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

Culture/Arts Cultural Events/Content -- www.okayafrica.com Hungry Black Man -- https://thehungryblackman.com Shadow & Act -- //shadowandact.com/about-us

Commerce/Entrepreneurship #IAMWANDA -- www.facebook.com/IamWANDAorg African Success Stories -- www.risingafrica.org

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Resource Vault Small Business Administration -- www.sba.gov State Department -- www.dos.gov Trade Africa -- www.usaid.gov/tradeafrica White House -- www.whitehouse.gov

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