Publisher's Message
B
lack History Month, or African American History Month if you prefer, is commemorated annually in the United States as a time to reflect upon and salute the countless valuable contributions that African Americans have made to this nation and to the world. The observances usually play out as opportunities to recognize accomplishments in the areas of inventions, medicine, science, business, the arts and everything else that black people have excelled at leaving our mark. In today’s contentious climate, regardless of a person’s political affiliations or beliefs, it is undeniable that the creative and innovative work of African Americans on all sides of every aisle is impactful around the globe, with one of the Pubisher/Editor-In-Chief most outstanding features being our strong will to survive no matter the circumstances. A lump of coal is no more than a lump of coal until pressure has been applied to it. Once continuous pressure has been applied to a lump of coal over a period of time, it produces a diamond. On a broader scale, we have seen this example played out in our lives as a race of people; when considering our roots, it has been the pressures of life that have birthed some of our most noteworthy people and achievements. Some of what I refer to as the “Black Diamonds Among Us” are mentioned within this issue of the Black Business News, including some who forged the way for black entrepreneurs and business people. They include individuals such as Reginald Lewis, was profiled during his lifetime in Forbes magazine as one of the 400
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
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see Publisher's Message on page 75 3 February 2018 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.
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offering business growth enhancing information on education, exhibitioning, international trading, technology, industry trends, and more.
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exploring major public and private sector contracting methods to educate black-owned and operated enterprises.
•
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.
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2018 Black Business Association Upcoming Events
February Annual Awards Dinner February 24th
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 7 8 14 16
17
18
Stockton will Give Poorest $500 a Month, no Strings Attached Global Mayors Sign the Chicago Climate Charter Congress Creates New Health Care Crisis for 26 million Americans National Democratic Redistricting Committee - On the Road U.S. Attorney General Opposes Plan to Reform Prison Sentencing Creating Transparency in White House Security Clearance Process
Editorials/Perspectives 20 51 53 54 54 55 56 57 57
LeBron James Discusses Gun Laws in Wake of Douglas High Shooting Why Black History Month Still Matters in 20178 Reginald F. Lewis, Billion Dollar Empire C-Suite Leaders Convene to Strengthen Diversity and Inclusion Strategies Divine Ndhlukula – Zimbabwe A. G. Gaston, $40 Million Dollar Empire Datari Turner, Prolific Independent Producer Bubba Wallace to Make History in Daytona New Director of Community Business in Los Angeles
Entertainment 24 68
BBN Show Biz Buzz "Black Panther" Shatters Sales Records
Business 31 32
Getting it Right the First Time Leads to Successful Expots! Kenneth Chenault to Join Airbnb Board
32 36 38 40 44 64 67
McDonald's Hires Two Outsiders for U.S. Marketing Roles Amazon Opens a Supermarket with no Checkouts African Countries Move Towards Cheaper Continental Flights Mall For Africa Expands to 11 Markets Black Women’s Buying Power is Helping to Define Mainstream Culture: Report Declutter Your Cloud: Organize Your Files in 5 Easy Steps Digital Security Reminders
Community/Public Interest 88
Welcoming a Black Female Composer Into the Canon. Finally.
Obituary/Memorials 90 91 92 94
Olivia Cole, Dies at 75 Hugh Masekela, South African jazz trumpeter, dies at age 78 Wyatt Tee Walker Helped MLK Change Birmingham, the World Edwin Hawkins, US Gospel Singer has Passed
International 98 99 100 101
Study Shows African Immigrants as Significant Contributors to U.S. Economy Ethiopian Airlines to Off Flights from Addis Ababa to Chicago Jacob Zuma Resigns Cyril Ramaphosa Succeeds Zuma as South Africa's President
Columns 82 96 106 142 145 146
Take A Look! African Stock Exchanges Shopping Gallery Books to Consider... BBA 2018 Master Planner Resource Vault
5 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
THE WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH 2018 A PROCLAMATION
T
his February, we celebrate National African American History Month to honor the significant contributions African Americans have made to our great Nation — contributions that stand as a testament to their resolve, resilience, and courage. Over the course of our Nation’s history, African Americans have endured egregious discrimination and bigotry. They have, nevertheless, always been determined to contribute their earnest efforts to America’s greatness. This annual observance is an opportunity to remember the challenges of our past, but also to honor countless African-American heroes who inspire us to shape our country’s future. This year’s theme, “African Americans in Times of War,” calls our attention to the heroic contributions of African Americans during our Nation’s military conflicts, from the Revolutionary War to present-day operations. Throughout our history, members of the Armed Forces have fought to secure freedom and liberty for all, defending our country both on our shores and in foreign lands. African Americans have shouldered an enormous share of the burden of battle in every American military engagement, donning our Nation’s military uniforms to answer the call of duty. For far too long, African Americans bravely fought and died in the name of freedom, while at the same time struggling to attain equality, respect, and the full privileges of citizenship. Because of their love of country, these heroes insisted on serving and defending America despite racial prejudice, unequal treatment, diminished opportunities, and segregation. Their valorous acts in the face of grave injustice revealed the true meaning of American patriotism — service before self. It was not until 1948 that President Harry S. Truman ordered desegregation of the military, providing “equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the Armed Forces without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.” It took another 5 years before the Secretary of Defense abolished the last segregated African-American military unit. These hard won victories for justice catalyzed other victories, as they cast a harsh light on aspects of our social and civic lives that remained segregated. Those who fought against and ended segregation in the military reminded the Nation of its obligation to the self-evident truth of equality written into the Declaration of Independence. We remember soldiers like Sergeant Henry Johnson of the Harlem Hellfighters, the all-black National Guard unit that was among the first American forces to arrive in France during World War I. Johnson suffered 21 wounds during front-line combat and received France’s highest award for valor. To acknowledge his exceeding bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and a Purple Heart. We remember pilot Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., who commanded the famed Tuskegee Airmen and became the first African American General in the United States Air Force. We remember soldiers like Major Charity Adams Earley, who was commander of the only all-African American Women’s Army Corps unit that served overseas during World War II. She was a trailblazer in her efforts to recruit more women to military service in spite of rampant racism and segregation. These and countless other African Americans triumphed over ignorance, oppression, and injustice to make indelible contributions, not only to our military history, but even more importantly to our American history. They are an integral part of our Nation’s story. We are indebted to the individual and collective perseverance and patriotism of these outstanding men and women, as we are to all African Americans who have served, and continue to serve in the Armed Forces of this great Nation. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2018 as National African American History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortysecond.
Government
By Alix Langone
T
he mayor of Stockton, Calif. wants to provide a universal basic income for the city’s poorest residents. Starting this year, an experimental program called the Stockton Economic Empowerment D e m o n s t r a t i o n (SEED https://www. stocktondemonstration.org) will pay $500 a month to a few hundred of the city’s lowincome residents, no strings attached. The idea behind universal basic income, or UBI, is to provide a degree of economic security for the most vulnerable people in a community. The goal is to counteract the destabilizing forces of globalization and technological innovation that has lead to job loss and wage stagnation for countless workers, according to CNBC. A lot of big names in Silicon Valley support UBI — Mark Zuckerberg advocated for the concept in his commencement speech at Harvard in 2017. Another Facebook executive who supports providing people with free money and no restrictions is Chris Hughes, who has personally donated $1 million to help Stockton’s program get off the ground this year. It’s no accident that much of the support for UBI comes from Silicon Valley, where the potential for mass unemployment is starker than most other places in the U.S. Major companies there are in neck-
to-neck competition to create laborsaving technologies — such as selfdriving cars — that will inevitably replace greater numbers of humans with automation and robots. Stockton is a town already facing these problems — the city has been plagued by a lack of job opportunities, low wages and high housing prices as Silicon Valley exploded around it, replacing once attainable middle-class security with a job market that requires highly skilled workers and relies heavily on automation, according to KQED News. The Bay Area city even had to declare bankruptcy in 2012. This slow economic crumble is what inspired Michael Tubbs, the city’s 27-year-old mayor, to start SEED. His own experience growing up in Stockton seeing his mother struggle to provide for their family on a cashier’s job at a Discovery Zone, despite working long hours, made him realize something had to change.
“I think Stockton is absolutely ground zero for a lot of the issues we are facing as a nation,” Tubbs said in an interview with KQED. UBI is not a new concept and support for it has historically been partisan. Republican President Richard Nixon tested UBI in several cities from 1968 to 1971 and found it did not negatively affect work ethic. Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. also supported basic economic security for all Americans, believing racial and economic inequality to be intimately intertwined. Other countries like Finland and Canada started to test out UBI programs last year, but results from the experiments are not yet fully realized. If Stockton’s SEED program yields promising results, it may put itself on the international map. www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/ this-city-will-give-poorest-dollar500-amonth-no-strings-attached/ar-AAv4WV b?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp
7 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government - Climate Change
Global Mayors Sign the Chicago Climate Charter at the North American Climate Summit
M
ayor Emanuel was joined at the North American Climate Summit by municipal leaders from across the world, including Mexico City Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Vice Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors Christiana Figueres, to sign the Chicago Climate Charter, a firstof-its-kind international charter on climate change. The Chicago Climate Charter represents more than 50 cities, and tens of millions of people in cities across the world. Download a copy of the Chicago Climate Charter at: www. cityofchicago.org/content/dam/ city/depts/mayor/Press%20Room/ Press%20Releases/2017/December/2 017ChicagoClimateCharter.pdf .
"Rather than burying our heads in the sand, Chicago is working with cities across the country and around the world to address the threat of climate change," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "The Chicago Climate Charter represents tens of million residents who are committed to confronting climate change headon. Even as Washington fails to act, cities have the power and will to take decisive action to protect our planet and the health and safety of our residents." At the North American Climate Summit, cities are taking action to articulate commitments to the Paris Agreement and highlight the scope and scale of city climate action in the United States following the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
standards and best practices of measurement and transparency; • Advocate alongside other mayors for greater local authority and flexibility to develop policies and local laws that empower cities to take aggressive action on climate;
President Barack Obama and Chicago Mayor Rham Emanuel at Climate Summit tbo.com
By signing the Chicago Climate Charter, cities are pledging to: • Achieve a percent reduction in carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement; • Quantify, track and publicly report city emissions, consistent with
• Recognize and include groups traditionally underrepresented in climate policy; • Incorporate the realities of climate change and its impacts into local infrastructure and emergency planning through
8 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
strategies of adaptation and resilience; • Support strong regional, state and federal policies and partnerships, as well as private sector initiatives, that incentivize the transition to a new climate economy; and • Partner with experts, communities, businesses, environmental justice groups, advocates and other allies to develop holistic climate mitigation and resilience solutions. The will be
signed available
charter at
www. northamericanclimatesummit.com.
Cities are engaged and ready to
take decisive action. Many local leaders will make individual and specific commitments to combat climate change. There are many specific pledges, including: investing in public transit systems to reduce the carbon footprint; providing safe public transportation and accessible land use; accelerating affordable renewable energy access; and reducing the carbon footprint in new and existing public and private buildings and infrastructure. “The North American Climate Summit sends a timely message
to leaders around the world that cities are taking strong, swift and measurable action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, ensure their communities are more resilient and transition their local economies to benefit from a low-carbon world,” said Global Covenant of Mayors Vice-Chair Christiana Figueres. “Cities and local governments have a critical role to play in stepping up ambition on climate change, and it is very
encouraging to see so many coming to the table as we head into the 2018 Stock Take year.” Since the Trump administration’s announcement to pull out of the Paris Agreement, cities across the United States and around of the world have shown their commitment to creating a truly sustainable future for their residents. America’s Pledge, an initiative led by former
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and California Governor Jerry Brown, formally aggregates and quantifies all U.S. climate action to submit to the U.N. Commitments made by U.S. cities to the Chicago Climate Charter are in support of America’s Pledge. "This Charter is a great example of how cities are working together and encouraging one another to aim higher, and it will add momentum to America's progress fighting climate change,” said America’s Pledge CoChair Michael R. Bloomberg. “All the U.S. cities signing the charter are making commitments in support of America's Pledge - which sends a strong signal to the world that we will keep moving forward toward our Paris goal, with or without Washington. I want to thank Mayor Emanuel for spearheading this effort and for leading by example through his work in Chicago." The Summit also featured the fifth-annual C40 Cities Bloomberg
9 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Chicago Climate Charter from page 9
Philanthropies Awards, celebrating the most innovative and impactful efforts by mayors to tackle climate change. Recognizing the increasingly important role cities must play in driving climate action
in the United States, for the first time ever the Awards will celebrate one winner from a US city and one winner from the rest of the world. “Nowadays, our worldwide philosophy should be ‘Think local, act global’. The winners of the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards are evidence of the stunning innovation and disruptive progress by cities around the world to shape the century ahead” said Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris and Chair of C40. “These projects should be considered blueprints that other cities can adapt to accelerate their own efforts.” Mayors are committed to working through existing organizations, including Climate Mayors, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, the Urban Sustainability Directors Network and ICLEI to develop partnerships with other cities. These commitments made under the Chicago Climate Charter will be clustered around central ideas and themes to better aggregate impact and provide guidance for Mayors
who are looking to peers for new ideas. The North American Climate Summit was hosted by Mayor Emanuel, in concert with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. The Summit is supported by the Joyce Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation and the
Climate Change Website, Mayor Emanuel worked with cities around the country to post after online. The research can be found on the City of Chicago’s “Climate Change is Real website, www.cityofchicago. org/climatechangeisreal.
Crown Family Philanthropies.
Energy
About the City of Chicago
The Global Covenant of Mayors is the world’s largest and first-ofits-kind international alliance of cities and local governments taking action to combat climate change. The international alliance is made up of nearly 7,500 cities and local governments, all of whom have committed to meet or exceed the planned contributions of their respective national governments to the meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and report regularly and publicly on their progress.
The City of Chicago has long taken action on climate. Recently, Mayor Emanuel announced the city reduced its carbon emissions by 11% from 2005 to 2015, bringing the city to 40% of the way to meeting its Paris Climate Agreement goals. The reduction in greenhouse gases over the past decade came while the number of jobs within the city increased by 7% and is equivalent to shutting down a coal power plant for fourteen months. In April, the Mayor announced that by 2025 all of Chicago’s public buildings will be powered by 100% renewable energy. The transition means that 8% of the city-wide electricity load or 1.8 billion kilowatt hours will come from clean and renewable sources. This follows the 2013 commitment that the City made to eliminating coal from its electricity supply. When the Trump administration unceremoniously removed research from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s
About the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate &
About America’s Pledge In July 2017, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and California Governor Jerry Brown launched the America’s Pledge initiative, which will aggregate and quantify the actions of states, cities and businesses and other nonnational actors in the United States to drive down their greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. An unprecedented number of
10 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government - Citizen Action
N
oNRAMoney.org was created for the sole purpose of telling candidates they must reject and denounce the National Rifle Association (NRA) or they don't get our votes. The
simplicity of Grover Norquist's No New Tax pledge but used for good not evil. There are two pledges available on the NoNRAMoney.org website. The Candidate Pledge asks
U.S. cities, states, businesses, and universities have reaffirmed their commitment to helping America reach its Paris climate goals. Whether through declarations like We Are Still In or new pledges and commitments of their own, these non-national actors are maintaining U.S. momentum on climate action in the absence of federal leadership.
and blue states — works together to strengthen local efforts for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting efforts for binding federal and global-level policy making. This group is a part of the America's Pledge initiative.
About Climate Mayors More than 377 Mayors from around the country have committed to the Paris Agreement as part of the Mayors National Climate Agenda, or Climate Mayors. This network of U.S. mayors — representing over 67 million Americans in red states
About C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group C40 Cities connects more than 90 of the world’s greatest cities, representing 650+ million people and one quarter of the global economy. Created and led by cities, C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing
candidates to refuse NRA funding (A Pledge By Elected Officials and Candidates that they will not take NRA money nor tout NRA ranking but will pursue common sense gun laws). The Voter Pledge asks citizens to refuse to vote for any candidates that accept NRA funding (A Pledge by Individuals to oppose any candidate for any office who takes NRA money or touts a favorable rating by the NRA). In addition to the website there is a hashtag to use to follow and support the campaign - #NoNRAMoney. Visit the website to be informed about the campaign. Time to make the NRA radioactive. www.nonramoney.org/
the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens. C40’s work is made possible by our three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Realdania. To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit www.c40. org, follow us on Twitter @c40cities or Instagram @c40cities and like us on Facebook at http://www. facebook.com/C40Cities. www.cityofchicago.org/city/ en/depts/mayor/press_room/ press_releases/2017/december/ ChicagoClimateSummitCharter. html
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12 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government - International
Congress Creates New Health Care Crisis for 26 million Americans By Sarah Kliff
L
ast fall, Kim Wagenaar started to plan how she would close the health clinic she runs in rural North Carolina — when Congress let funding lapse for thousands of centers like hers 124 days ago and counting. The Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Center offers primary care services to patients, largely uninsured and unable to afford visits elsewhere. Its four buildings, scattered across suburban Charlotte and more rural areas to the north, do not suffer from low demand. They saw more than 8,000 patients last year alone. “I’m usually a very optimistic person,” Wagenaar says. “I always feel like the community health centers have great support. But I’ll be honest, this is the first time I’m not 100 percent sure this will get fixed.” Nationally, millions of Americans visit community health centers each year. An estimate from 2016 found the 2,000 centers provided care to 26.5 million people. They rely heavily on federal funds that have passed with bipartisan support in recent decades. George W. Bush expanded the program, and the Affordable Care Act made another big investment in them. But this fall, the $3.6 billion budget lapsed at the same time as the Children’s Health Insurance Program. CHIP, which provides coverage to millions of poor children, just got its funding back in late January. But community health centers were not included in the
deal. Legislators from both parties have said they want to extend the health centers’ budget. But so far, they haven’t. If they don’t do it very soon, health care access will decline for potentially millions of vulnerable Americans. Bush and Obama were both advocates Community health centers began as a tiny experiment in Mississippi and Massachusetts in the 1960s, a small element of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s war on poverty. An enterprising young doctor named H. Jack Geiger had done work in South Africa and saw the difference that access to primary care could make for underserved communities. Four decades later, it was George W. Bush who pushed for a major expansion of the program. As the New York Times reported in 2008, the president “came to admire the missionary zeal and cost-efficiency of the not-for-profit community health centers” and “proposed to open or expand 1,200 clinics over five years (mission accomplished) and to double the number of patients served (the increase has ended up closer to 60 percent).” President Obama followed up on the Bush-era expansion with increased community health center funding through the Affordable Care Act. With the law expanding coverage to millions, the Obama administration wanted to ensure that the newly insured would have adequate access to medical
services. Community health centers experienced another growth spurt. The number of patient visits grew from 19.5 million in 2010 to 26.5 million in 2016. An additional 200 community health centers opened and increasingly expanded their work into dental and mental health services. When Obamacare funding lapsed in 2015, Congress passed a bill funding both community health centers and CHIP for an additional two years — until September 30, 2017, when both initiatives saw their budgets lapse. “There was a fairly widespread assumption that this would become the norm, that these two programs would travel together,” says Sara Rosenbaum, a health policy professor at George Washington University who has written on community health centers. “One program would address coverage and the other access, but this year has upended that assumption. Now the program is standing on its own.” Community health center advocates preferred having the two travel as a unit, a pair of programs that both make it easier for underserved communities to get
14 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
health care. They worry about now having to fight the battle for funding on their own, without the CHIP program as part of the package. “I’ve always had this philosophy that it’s better to be the ornament than the tree,” says Dan Hawkins, senior vice president at the National Association of Community Health Centers. “They [CHIP] were the tree — but I guess we’re the tree now. While I am thrilled for them that their crisis is averted, we now stand alone. We’re the biggest program out there that remains uncertain of its funding.” Community health centers are expected to close Rosenbaum recently led an analysis of what would happen if Congress let funding lapse. Community health centers would still have other income streams, including other grants, as well as reimbursements from the insurance plans (often Medicaid) that cover 77% of their patients. But the loss of the federal dollars currently at stake — $3.6 billion in annual funding — would be a significant hit. Some places, like North Carolina, would be hit harder than others. North Carolina, for example, is among the 18 states that have not
expanded Medicaid. This means that it still has high uninsured rates among its patients and is relies more on federal funding. Wagenaar estimates that losing federal funding would reduce their budget by 52% — and that would force the clinic to make some tough decisions. “I’ve had these contingency plans in place and ready since October [when funding lapsed],” she says. “We’re working with our lawyer to start crafting a reduction in workforce plan so that I can make sure employees get an appropriate amount of notice.” She’s applying for other grants too, as a safeguard, but that wouldn’t be enough to keep the clinic afloat. “We’ll probably at minimum have to close two sites, one in each county we serve,” she says. “We’re still waiting on other grants we applied for. Worst case, we’d close three of our four sites and leave Rowan County entirely.” Congress is dallying Congressional aides on both sides of the aisle say they expect community health center funding to be attached to the next must-pass piece of legislation. That is likely a bill to fund the government that’ll need to pass when the current shortterm patch runs out on February 8. “It is my belief that providing this critical, long-term funding needs to be a top priority when the House returns next week,” Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote in an op-ed last Friday. But so far, there is no firm proposal. The biggest obstacle is figuring out how to pay for it, according to Hawkins. Congress use the euphemism “pay-for” when describing the process of cutting one program to fund another. “It’s all about the pay-fors,”
Hawkins says of his conversations with congressional staff. “It wasn’t in the tax bill, it wasn’t in the continuing resolution a few weeks ago, and it’s all about where are you going to get the money? They’re working through that. We hear they’re closer than ever.” Community health centers are asking for Congress to keep their funding relatively stable, at $3.6 billion each year, which would work out to $36 billion over a decade (although it’s not clear whether Congress would extend its budget for that long — its last extension, for example, was only for two years). This is a tiny amount of money compared to the $1.5 trillion price tag of the recent Republican tax cuts. Funding it for two years, as Congress did in 2015, would work out to $7.4 billion — less than half the estimated $18 billion cost of the first phase of the border wall that President Trump has proposed. And that frustrates the supporters of these centers, who point to how effective they are given their relatively small costs. Wagenaar hopes the funding will come through but also emphasizes that some damage has already been done. She has frozen hiring on seven positions at her clinics. That includes an open position for a doctor, who could be seeing patients and expanding the clinics’ capacity if it weren’t for the lapsed budget. “Our staff have had to cover for the providers [who] were missing, so they are not only seeing their patients but seeing some additional patients,” she says. “In the last three years we’ve seen 30% growth in our patients, so I really need more space. But I can’t open another site if I don’t know I have the funding to keep it open.” www.msn.com/en-us/money/healthcare/ congress-creates-new-health-carecrisis-for-26-million-americans/arBBIBzTi?ocid=spartandhp
15 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government - Elections
We're Going to Republican States and We're Bringing Obama with Us By Deborah Barfield Berry
F
ormer president Barack Obama will join a national effort to address redistricting concerns, including traveling to red and swing states to help Democratic candidates campaigning on the issue, his former attorney general said.
National Democratic Redistricting Committee (https:// democraticredistricting.com), a group led by Holder that was set up to address redistricting concerns across the country. The group's efforts come as Democrats and Republicans battle over the
Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd U.S. Attorney General and NDRC Chairman “I expect that later this year, you will see him campaign," Eric Holder said of Obama. “He will be focused on the races that will matter for redistricting. “He has identified this as his chief political activity in his post presidency." It would be part of the
control of Congress and state legislatures in the midterms. Both parties have decried election maps as unconstitutional while simultaneously fighting over who
will draw them in the future. Holder, who spoke to reporters at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor, said he briefed Obama on the group’s strategy earlier this week. The effort will include supporting redistricting reform efforts in states, raising public awareness, launching l e g a l challenges and helping e l e c t Democratic candidates f o c u s e d on “fair” redistricting. Holder said the 2018 elections are vital to that effort. " T h e s e are in some ways the first critical steps for putting in place people who will take power back from politicians and give it to the people," he said. “There’s a system now where politicians are picking their voters as opposed to citizens choosing who their representatives are going to be. And it’s a fundamental affront
16 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
U.S. Attorney General Opposes Plan to Reform Prison Sentencing By Sarah N. Lynch, Reuters
A
ttorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday warned the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to not approve a draft criminal sentencing reform bill that he claims would reduce sentences for "a highly dangerous cohort of criminals." In a letter seen by Reuters, Sessions told Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman and fellow Republican Charles Grassley that he feared passage of the legislation would be "a grave error." Grassley's committee is slated to make edits to the draft bill at a hearing on Thursday, before it can be sent to the full Senate for a possible vote. The bill, unveiled by a bipartisan group of lawmakers last fall, aims to lessen prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and it would also do away with the three-strike mandatory life provision. It would also give judges more discretion in how they sentence non-violent offenders. At the same time, it would toughen sentencing in some cases by adding mandatory minimums
for crimes such as interstate domestic violence and trafficking in fentanyllaced heroin. S e s s i o n s ' opposition to the draft bill comes as no surprise. During his time in the Senate, he helped to kill a similar bill that was backed by many of his Republican and Democratic colleagues on the Judiciary Committee. Since becoming attorney general a little more than a year ago, Sessions has made combating violent crime, illegal immigration and drug offenses his priority. Last year, he issued a memorandum to all U.S. Attorneys' offices instructing them to charge people with the highest provable offense - a move that is designed to trigger mandatory minimum sentences under laws passed in the 1980s and 1990s that critics
to our system of Democracy.” Holder said redistricting is an issue he and Obama have talked about for months and even before Holder left the Justice Department in 2015. The group will target states, including Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North
Carolina and Ohio. Several other states, including Pennsylvania and Texas, are on its watch list. Holder said he will travel to states to help Democratic candidates and raise awareness about the impact of gerrymandering. He said he also hopes to engage more young people and people
Attorney General Jeff Sessions © REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
say can wrongfully criminalize drug addicts and disproportionately affect minority communities. He also has blamed marijuana for directly helping fuel the ongoing opioid epidemic, and earlier this year he revoked Obama-era guidance that urged federal prosecutors not to prioritize marijuana cases in states where it is legal. www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/usattorney-general-opposes-plan-toreform-prison-sentencing/ar-BBJ8Rof? li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp
of color about the long-term consequences of elections “so they’re organized and energized to get out and vote come November. www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/ onpolitics/2018/02/07/eric-holder-weregoing-republican-states-and-were-bringingobama-us/315007002/
17 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Government - Travel Advisory
Reps. Lieu, Nadler and Cummings Introduce Bill to Create Transparency in White House Security Clearance Process Jenna.Bushnell@mail.house.gov
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ongressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) have introduced the “Commonsense Legislation Ensuring Accountability by Reporting Access of NonCleared Employees to Secrets (CLEARANCES)" Act that would require the White House to regularly report the status of security clearance holders working in the Executive Office of the President. Under existing law, the President can choose to keep employees on staff with interim security clearances indefinitely without notifying Congress. The CLEARANCES Act would serve to create more accountability and oversight of who has access to classified information. Upon introduction, Mr. Lieu said: “As we’ve seen, transparency hasn’t come so easy to the Trump White House. White House officials have repeatedly contradicted themselves on whether they allowed Rob Porter to have an interim security clearance despite concerns over allegations of domestic abuse. Aside from the moral failings, we’re looking at potentially dangerous breaches in our national security protocols. What’s worse is that, despite our oversight duties, Members of
country. The security clearance vetting process is meant to ensure the safety and security of every American and maintain the integrity
Ted Lieu
dcpols.com
Congress have no mechanism to figure out who in the White House has access to classified information and whether they are doing so under an interim clearances. I’ve asked, time and again, why people like Jared Kushner have security clearances despite repeatedly failing to properly disclose information on clearance forms. By using interim security clearances, the White House is circumventing an essential process that ensures government officials handling classified information are not vulnerable to blackmail or manipulation. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to ensure that classified information is properly safeguarded.” Upon introduction, Mr. Nadler said: “The Trump White House continues to show a blatant disregard for the security of this
Jerrold Nadler
wnd.com
of our government. By refusing to take that responsibility seriously— to frivolously ignore the concerns raised by investigators and feed classified information to staffers who pose a potential danger to national security—Donald Trump has again abused the trust of the American people and placed our security at risk. It falls to Congress to reestablish that trust, which is why this legislation is so critical to our nation.” Upon introduction, Mr. Cummings said:
18 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
“Congress needs answers about the White House’s dysfunctional security clearance process, but the Trump Administration refuses
Elijah Cummings
justice4michigan.org
to turn over information. This legislation will hold the White House accountable and ensure at least some transparency for how the President is handling our nation’s most closely guarded secrets.” This bill would require the White House to report the following information to Congress every three months:
• A list of the name and position of each individual working in the EOP who holds a security clearance of any kind, including the President’s staff, or an individual in the EOP whose function is to advise or assist the President, as well as any other individual working in the EOP. For any individual who holds a security clearance of any kind detailed to the EOP from another agency or organization, including universities, think tanks, and/or the private sector, a list of the individual’s name, position, and the agency or organization that employs that individual. • • For each individual in the lists above: • The status (temporary or permanent) and level (Secret, TS, TS/SCI, etc.) of his or her clearance; • The date his or her security clearance investigation was initiated, the dates of any interim reports or notifications from investigating agencies, and the date it was adjudicated (if applicable) including any renewal of a security clearance; • The name and position of any individual not listed above for whom the President has
provided access to classified information, the date that the information was provided, and the classification level of that information. • The name and position of any individual working in the EOP for whom the President or authorizing personnel in the EOP granted a security clearance, despite an unfavorable recommendation from the White House Security Office, a Department or an Agency, and the date the President or authorizing personnel in the EOP made the decision; • The name and position of any individual working in the EOP for whom a security clearance has been revoked or suspended, and the dates of such decision; • The name and position of any individual working in the EOP who has possessed interim security clearances for longer than one year, and a justification from the White House Counsel as to why it is in the national security interest of the United States to keep this individual in the position without a permanent security clearance.
Quote of Note “I see Americans of every party, every background, every faith who believe that we are stronger together; Black, White, Latino, Asian, Native American; young, old; gay, straight, men, women, folks with disabilities, all pledging allegiance under the same proud flag to this big, bold country that we love. That's what I see. That's the America I know!” Barack Obama
19 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
LIEU.HOUSE.GOV
Government - International
LeBron James Discusses Gun Laws in Wake of Douglas High Shooting By Alec Nathan
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leveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James spoke out recently regarding the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead. "We have a kid who wasn’t legally unable to buy a beer at a bar, but he can go buy an AR-15?" James said at his All-Star availability in Los Angeles, according to the Palm Beach Post's Tom D'Angelo. "It doesn't make sense. I'm not saying it should be legal for him to go buy beer. But how is it possible that we can have minors go buy a gun?" James, a father of three, also said he thinks legislators need to have a sense of urgency when it comes to changing gun laws because of how frequently school shootings have occurred: "We've seen these schools and
EMichelle Farsi/Getty Images
these tragedies happen in America and there's been no change to gun control. I don't have the answer to this. But we have to do something about it. We're all sending our kids to school right? We drop them off at 8 o'clock. At 3:15 they're going to be ready to get picked up. Either we're picking them or someone in our family is picking them up or they have to take a bus or there's aftercare and they stay until 5. If they have study hall they stay until 5:30 or whatever. But we all feel like our kids are going to return, right? "To the families in Parkland, down in Broward County, it's sad and I'm sorry and it's just a tragedy and I hope we don't continue to see this because it's too many in the last 10 years with guns."
James' comments came four days after Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr called out lawmakers for their reluctance to address what he believes is a need for gun control reform. "It doesn't seem to matter to our government that children are being shot to death day after day in schools," Kerr said, per CNN. com's Jennifer Hansler. "It doesn't matter that people are being shot at a concert, at a movie theater. It's not enough, apparently, to move our leadership, our government, the people who are running this country to actually do anything." http://bleacherreport.com/ articles/2760194-lebron-jamesdiscusses-gun-laws-in-wake-ofdouglas-high-shooting
20 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
BBN Show Biz Buzz
for The Players' Tribune in 2015 under the same name. Bryant tweeted the following regarding Tuesday's honor: "What?? This is beyond the realm of imagination. It means so much that the @TheAcademy deemed #DearBasketball worthy of contention. Thanks to the
By Linda Ware
Samuel Jackson to Voice "Frozone" Character Again
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ixar has released n e w concept art and cast photos ahead of “Incredibles 2” which will hit theaters on June 15, 2018. Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, and Sarah Vowell reprise their roles as Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, and Violet Parr, as do their allies Samuel Frozone storify.com L. Jackson as Frozone and writer/director Brad Bird as fan favorite fashion designer Edna Mode. Matt Fernandez http://variety.com/2018/film/news/pixar-incredibles-2cast-disney-1202672359/
Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' Nominated for Best Animated Short at 2018 Oscars
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n addition to being one of the greatest players in NBA history, Kobe Bryant is now an Oscarnominated producer. The animated short, which received an Oscar nomination Tuesday, is based on a poem Bryant wrote
Dear Basketball genius of @GlenKeanePrd & John Williams for taking my poem to this level. It's an honor to be on this team. #OscarNoms" He wrote the poem in the midst of his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant was named an All-Star 18 times and won five championships, two Finals MVPs and one regularseason MVP. He is third on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Dear Basketball is an animated journey through Bryant's career, taking viewers from his beginnings as a child with a dream to the end of a storied 20-year NBA career. It already won a pair of awards at the 2017 World Animation Celebration after debuting at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. Mike Chiari http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2755511-kobe-bryants-dearbasketball-nominated-for-best-animated-short-at-2018-oscars
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More 2018 Oscar Nominatoions
he 2018 Oscar nominations include nods to several African Americans. Listed categories and nominees are: • Best Movie: Get Out • Best Actor: Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq. • Best Actor: Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out
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• Best Supporting Actress: Octavis Spencer, The Shape of Water • Best Supporting Actress: Mary J. Blige, Mudbound • Best Director: Jordan Peele, Get Out • Best Documentary Feature: Strong Island • Best Original Screenplay: Get Out • Best Adapted Screenplay: Dee Rees, Mudbound • Best Original Song: Raphael Saadiq, "Mighty River", Mudbound • Best Animated Short: Dear Basketball The 2018 nominations are rife with records and milestones: Dee Rees, who directed the film Mudbound, is the second black woman to be nominated by the Academy for screenwriting, after Suzanne de Passe for Lady Sings the Blues in 1972; Mary J. Blige is the first person to be nominated for both a performance and for an original song (Mudbound) in the same year; Jordan Peele,Get Out, is the first black film maker ever nominated for directing, writing and producing in the same year; Jordan Peele is the 5th black person to be nominated for Best Director; Get Out is the first February release to be nominated for an Oscar since The Silence of the Lambs in 1991; Octavia Spencer is tied with Viola Davis as the most nominated black actress of all time. Alissa Wilkerson www.msn.com/en-us/movies/oscars/12-surprising-records-andmilestones-from-the-2018-oscar-nominations/ar-AAv4Bcx?li=AA2 qN5v&ocid=spartanntp
Halle Berry Launches Hallewood and Fitness Friday
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alle Berry is sharing her fitness program with all who are ready to become fit or more fit. She is offering us "Fitness Friday." Each week until the launch of #hallewood I’m going to pick a question that you ask and Peter Thomas and I will do our best to answer. First, we were asked: if you have weight to lose, is it better to lose weight before you start working out? Peter says it’s best do them simultaneously. You
can start by walking each day or doing jumping jacks for cardio, while using very light weights, or again holding water bottles in each hand if you don’t have weights. And you can also start the Plank Pulls. Here’s to getting started! You asked how to get started? It’s simple... you just decide to start! You decide today that you are worth it! Go to: www.instagram.com/p/BeJY_lFgDwy/?utm_ source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_ufi to get on and stay on the road to fitness and good health. www.imdb.com/title/tt1825683
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Jennifer Hudson to Portray Aretha Franklin
t was recently announced that Jennifer Hudson will portray Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in an upcoming BioPic about the life of Ms. Franklin. Jennifer was hand-picked by Ms. Franklin pathmegazine.com to play the role. Aretha Franklin's legacy spans six decades. She is one of the most honored artists in Grammy Award history, is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Jennifer Hudson Fame, is in the NAACP Hall of Fame, superselected.com the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Mike Flemming, Jr. www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/aretha-franklin-choosesjennifer-hudson-to-star-in-mgm-queen-of-soul-film-biopic/ ar-BBIkitk?ocid=spartandhp BBN Ed.
‘Black Panther’ Premiere Gloriously Celebrates African Royalty
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he Hollywood premiere for the long-awaited “Black Panther″ movie had a dress code that told guests “royal attire requested” and, damn, they delivered. On Monday night, actors, actresses, and other attendees gathered to celebrate African culture and rock truly Halle Berry #hallewood 25 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
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stunning outfits in every color of the rainbow. The Marvel film follows a black superhero, T’Challa, who faces danger when he returns home and becomes king of the African nation Wakanda after his father dies. At the technicolor premiere, the star, Chadwick Boseman, donned a black and gold silk dress shirt. Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Nakia, wore a gorgeous purple gown with a gold harness. “I was hoping for this,” “Black
Angela Bassett
Lupita Nyong'o
Danai Gurira
Panther” costume designer Ruth E. Carter said on the purple carpet. “All of the award shows I was watching on TV, I was like, ‘Oh, you wait until ‘Black Panther’ red carpet rolls around. It’s a celebration.” Carter added: “How best to get the party started than to, on premiere night, have the cast, have the crew, have the directors and everybody participate in this
Daniel Kaluuya
Chadwick Boseman
prints? Everyone can join in the fun!“ “Black Panther” arrives in theaters Feb. 16. Michael B. Jordan
explosion of patterns and African
Jenna Amatulli www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/
26 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
kids a few more songs to perform on their upcoming tour. It’s a musical summit between different corners of the black diaspora. The visionary stretches of Black Panther: The Album succeed at playing everything to everyone. www.truthbtoldwithcarlwest. blogspot.com/
Roy Wood, Jr. New Host of "This Is Not Happening" Black Panther Cast black-panther-premiereafrican-royalty_ us_5a707dcae4b05836a25697fd www.msn.com/en-us/movies/ news/lupita-nyongo-angelabassett-janelle-monae-andmore-look-regal-at-blackpanther-premiere-see-the-looks/ ar-BBIs6IG?ocid=spartandhp Photo credits: Charlie Gallay, Neilson Barnard, Emma McIntyre Getty Images
Kendrick Lamar's Black Panther: The Album
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n keeping with the spirit of black self-sufficiency exemplified by Black Panther’s native Wakanda, director Ryan Coogler called a rapper for the Black Panther
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his Is Not Happening has big things in store with new host Roy Wood Jr. at the helm of the storytelling madness. Season four debuts on Friday, February 2 at Midnight ET/PT on Comedy Central with a supersized one-hour premiere featuring stories about “filth” from Roy Wood Jr., Howie Mandel and Scott Thompson. Wood Jr. is extending his hosting
soundtrack. He reached out to Kendrick Lamar to contribute a few songs and, after showing the artist a considerable chunk of the film, got back a full 50-minute album from the rapper and his Top Dawg Entertainment collective. Black Panther: The Album is a plush collaboration between Lamar and breakout R&B singer SZA. Black Panther: The Album is more than just a tasteful tie-in album that gives the TDE Roy Wood, Jr.
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duties to include original companion interstitials that will air on Fridays beginning with the launch of season four of This Is Not Happening. Each episode of This Is Not Happening centers on a specific theme – e.g. “wasted,” “romance,” et. al. – with host Wood Jr. and a roster of comedians recounting their most outrageous true-life tales in front of a live audience at Cheetahs in Hollywood. This Is Not Happening originally debuted as a digital series on cc.com, which will continue to feature exclusive digital stories throughout the run of new episodes. http://humormillmag.com/roy-woodjr-tapped-new-comedy-central-showhost-not-happening
How to Watch ‘2 Dope Queens’ HBO Specials Without Cable
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subscription that includes HBO, or you can’t get to a TV, you can watch HBO online, on your phone or on another streaming device via one of the following cable-free, liveTV streaming services. They cost a monthly fee but all come with a free trial: Amazon Prime (www. amazon.com), DirecTV Now (www. directvnow.com/thegoodstuff2), Sling TV (https://www.sling.com/#!). The four one-hour shows will each have a special guest. The premiere, which is titled “New York”, will feature Jon Stewart. The following week’s episode, titled “Hair,” will feature Robinson and Williams explaining “black hairstyles” to guest Sarah Jessica Parker. Next up is the “Hot Peen” episode featuring actor Tituss Burgess, while the finale, “Black Nerds”, brings Uzo Aduba to the stage. “A lot of entertainment likes to show black women being super serious, kind of no joy, no interior life — but they’re good at their jobs,” says Robinson. “It’s true black women like to work hard and they’re good at their jobs, but there’s more to us than just being these strong figures. We like to have fun, hang out with each other and be silly and goofy. We’re all human, we all have the same sorts of issues that we go through.”
https://heavy.com/ entertainment/2018/02/2-dopequeens-hbo-live-stream/
Netflix Gives Series Order to Michael B. Jordan’s SciFi Family Drama ‘Raising Dion’
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etflix has given a 10-episode series order to a sci-fi family drama “Raising Dion,”
ans of the ‘2 Dope Queens’ podcast are likely already well aware, but Phoebe based on a short film and comic Robinson and Jessica Williams book by director Dennis Liu. are headed to television. The pair of The series revolves around a New York-based comedians, who BBN Ed. young, recently widowed Africanhave transformed into massive stars Tim Keeney American mother who discovers due to the success of their podcast her son has magical powers. (Time called it the Her struggle with being third-best podcast a single mother is in 2017), will have compounded by her need four one-hour to teach Dion how to specials on HBO. handle his supernatural The premiere skills and her search for will first air on answers about the source Friday, February of his abilities, with help 2, at 11:30 p.m. from her late husband’s ET/PT, while new best friend. episodes will air Veteran showrunner every following Carol Barbee has joined Friday. If you Phoebbe Robinson & Jessica Williams "2 Dope Queens" the project and penned don’t have a cable 28 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
the first episode of “Raising Dion,” to be helmed by Liu. Actor Michael B. Jordan is on board as an exec producer through his Outlier Society Productions; he will also appear as Dion’s dead father. Macro’s Charles D. King, Kim Roth and Poppy Hanks are exec producers with Kenny Goodman and Michael Green By Cynthia Littleton
Phoebe Robinson. She started interacting with Rowling on Twitter a few years ago and met her for the first time this summer (the two share a birthday and they partied together. It was adorable). Williams' role has yet to be revealed. By Proma Khosla https://mashable.com/2017/10/06/ fantastic-beasts-jessica-williams-newcasting/#LUob2eYxf5qL
http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/ raising-dion-netflix-michael-b-jordanseries-order-1202581345
Jessica Williams in Fantastic Beasts 2
ABFF HONORS 2018
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BFF Honors is an annual awards show saluting excellence in motion pictures and television. Presented as part of the industry's awards season, the event celebrates individuals of African descent who have made distinguished contributions to Jessica Williams vulture.com
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he Daily Show alum Jessica Williams is about to join a highly exclusive list of massive Harry Potter fans who ended up in the movies. Pottermore revealed a whole slate of new Fantastic Beasts cast members, with Williams joining the team for this magical sequel. Williams is a longtime Potter fan and regularly vocalizes her love of the series on her podcast 2 Dope Queens, hosted with comedian
American culture through their work, as well as the year's best movies and television shows. ABFF Honors, which stems from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), was created by Jeff Friday, to promote camaraderie among multicultural artists in Hollywood. The ABFF Honors on February 25th begins with red carpet arrivals, followed by an elegant and spirited awards dinner where the competitive awards and special honors are presented. In just two years, ABFF Honors has become one of the most talked about nights in Hollywood, attracting top-tier talent and press coverage in mainstream as well as African American media outlets. The 2018 Honorees are: Ava Duvernay, Industry Visionary Award; Billy Dee Williams, Hollywood Legacy Award; Omari Hardwick, Distinguished ABFF Alumni Award; and Tiffany Haddish, Rising Star Award. Jeff Friday, president & CEO, ABFF Ventures and Suzanne de Passe, CEO of de Passe Jones Entertainment serve as the show's executive producers. www.abffhonors.com/index.html
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'Yardie'
dris Elba wants to upend the way black characters are portrayed in films — even in gangster films. "We tend to go for the violence. We tend to go for the most traumatic part. Of course, these films can be compelling but [they paint a bleak picture]," the actor-turned-director said. "The opportunity here was to try and make this feel different. Yes, it is a gangster film, there is a gangster character in it, but this is an opportunity to put a different lens on Jamaica and Jamaican culture." "Yardie," based on the cult novel
29 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
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by Victor Headley, premiered recently in the Sundance festival's world cinema dramatic competition, is billed as dramatic coming-ofage period piece that starts with young Jamaican boy witnessing his brother get killed. A decade later, he's the right-hand man to a gang leader, and after a mission goes wrong, he decides to find his brother's killer. The movie "[humanizes] the experience of black people doing nefarious activities, and Jamaicans specifically. It's very rewarding to see that. Despite the film's title ("Yardie" is a derogatory term for Jamaicans in London), the way the movie portrays Jamaican culture will leave Jamaicans feeling "a sense of dignity." "They're going to be pleasantly surprised because of the love story, the love story is everything. Yvonne is the reason D can carry on this kind of trajectory." Ultimately, the film's perspective will make the Jamaican gangster film relatable to anyone. "Everyone's dealt with trauma," the actor said. "Jamaican trauma is no different from American trauma or Syrian trauma or Italian trauma." The film is set in the '80s in both Kingston, Jamaica and London. "That's why it's very important for me to have Jamaican actors in this film," Elba said. "My actors were very much my partners on that." Part of keeping the storyline real was filming where the story would have actually taken place — "in the hood," Elba said. "We're talking about major shootings every night. A lot of young boys getting murdered in that part of the area," he said. The film commission and police
Actor Mark Riho Smith, actor Shantel Jackson, director/actor Idris Elba, actor Sheldon Shpehard, and actor Raez, from the film, "Yardie." Photographed in the L.A. Times Studio at Chase Sapphire on Main, during the Sundance Film Festival. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Venus Williams Leads Team USA to Victory
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spoke to the gang leaders, who agreed to ceasefire for the week that they were shooting "Yardie" in the neighborhood, Elba said. By Annie Z. Yu www.latimes.com/entertainment/ envelope/sundance-film-festival/la-etmn-sundance-chase-idris-elba-yardie-
eam USA, from left, CoCo Vandeweghe, coach Lisa
Raymond, Venus Williams, Serena Williams and Lauren Davis celebrate after defeating Netherlands in the Fed Cup tennis competition in Asheville, N.C., on February 11, 2018. www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/theday-in-sports-photos/ss-BBIZNjC?ocid=spartan dhp#image=15
30 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
EXPORTING REQUIRES COMPLETING, AUTHENTICATING, NOTARIZING AND OBTANING DOCUMENTS. GETTING IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME LEADS TO SUCCESSFUL EXPORTS! Join the U.S Commercial Services, L.A. Area COC and Global Registrations to: learn how to get your goods to your target countries efficiently and without pitfalls
EXPORT DOCUMENTATION: Getting it Right all the time. • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Confused about what documents are required to export your products? Understanding the various levels of Certi cate of Free Sales and their differences. Learn where to get your documents: Certi cate of Free Sale, GMP certi cate, Certi cate of Origin, and more Understand the documents needed to register your products with various Ministries of Health in each country Learn why and which documents are needed for hassle-free exports Learn from experts about Overseas Distributors and their challenges: International Agreements and pitfalls Import Licenses and navigating Product Registration issues Certi cation of documents with various embassies Not getting paid? Goods held in Customs? Errors in Documents submitted under Letters of Credit = No Payment Incomplete or inaccurate documents accompanying shipments = No Loading or Goods Seized at Entry Certi cate of Origin / Commercial Invoice and other documents not authenticated = Not Legally Accepted
Cost: $25
REGISTER HERE: events.lachamber.com/sbaweb/events/events.asp
When: March 6, 2018; 8:30am - 11: 30am [Continental Breakfast and parking included] Where: L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 S. Bixel Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 For questions give me a call:
Bobby Hines, International Trade Specialist Commerce|International Trade Administration 213-894-4231/ bobby.hines@trade.gov
Business - On The Move
Departing AmEx CEO Kenneth Chenault to Join Airbnb Board By Reuters Staff
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eparting American Express Co (AXP.N) Chief Executive Kenneth Chenault will become Airbnb Inc’s first non-affiliated independent board director, the home rental service’s CEO Brian Chesky said. This is the first addition to board since the company was founded in 2008, an Airbnb spokesman said. Last week, Facebook Inc (FB.O) appointed Chenault to its board, making him the first non-white
director on the social network’s board. Chenault is leaving American Express on Feb. 1, ending a nearly 17-year tenure at the helm of the No. 1 U.S. card issuer by spending. “As the CEO of American Express, Ken has built one of the most successful trust based companies in the world,” Chesky wrote in a letter to some of Airbnb
hosts. www.reuters.com/article/us-airbnbchenault/departing-amex-ceokenneth-chenault-to-join-airbnbboard-idUSKBN1FE2T2
McDonald's Hires Two Outsiders for U.S. Marketing Roles By Jessica Wohl
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cDonald's is hiring two marketing executives for its U.S. business, the latest additions of outsiders from the consumer goods industry as the Golden Arches seeks fresh perspectives to shake up its approach. Kenny Mitchell is joining as McDonald's USA's VP of brand content and engagement and Lizette Williams is coming in as head of cultural engagement. The appointments come after PepsiCo's Morgan Flatley joined McDonald's last year as its U.S. chief marketing
officer. Mitchell joins McDonald's Feb. 5 from PepsiCo's Gatorade, where he was head of consumer engagement, leading global integrated marketing. Mitchell fills a post left vacant after Joel Yashinsky left McDonald's in 2017. Williams is joining January 29 from Kimberly-Clark, where she was the packaged goods maker's North American multicultural marketing leader. Prior to KimberlyClark, she also worked at PepsiCo
on its Quaker brand. In her position, a new one at McDonald's, she'll be responsible for developing the company's efforts to build brand devotion among multicultural customers. Both Mitchell and Williams will report to Flatley. http://adage.com/article/ cmo-strategy/mcdonald-shires-outsiders-u-s-marketingroles/312099
32 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Asia Pacific Business Outlook April 16 - 17, 2018 ~ Los Angeles http://apboconference.com/register Special Discount for U.S. Commercial Service Clients, enter code: USCS-AP2018 Now in its 31st year, Asia/Pacific Business Outlook (APBO) is North America’s premier event for business leaders who want to expand their trade and investment in the Asia/Pacific region. The USC Marshall School of Business and the U.S. Department of Commerce have been working together on APBO since 1988 to help exporters take advantage of tremendous opportunities and overcome challenges in the constant changing economies of Asia. More than just a business conference, APBO is a comprehensive networking and learning experience designed to provide business leaders with the contacts and the latest, relevant and valuable information available–all focused, organized and distilled into two invaluable days. The conference attracts a nationwide group of about 300 American executives who operate throughout the Asia/Pacific region. The conference provides a unique mixture of over 50 leading academic, business and government experts to advise a diverse audience of American firms on how to become more competitive in the dynamic Asia/Pacific marketplace, including private one-on-one appointments with senior commercial officers from American embassies and consulates in 18 economies. Access 18 Markets in Two Days: Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam Contacts for APBO: ciber@marshall.usc.edu or tel: 213.740.7130 www.apboconference.com U.S. Commercial Service Contacts: Jason Sproule - U.S. Commercial Service, Los Angeles. Tel: 949-283-0690, Jason.Sproule@trade.gov Erica Ramirez - U.S. Commercial Service, Irvine, Tel: 949-660-7105, Erica.Ramirez@trade.gov
34 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
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Sincerely, Gina Paige President, African Ancestry Maternal Country of Ancestry: Nigeria Maternal Tribe of Ancestry: Fulani
Business - The Future is Here
Amazon Opens a Supermarket with no Checkouts By Chris Johnston
I
n a move that could revolutionise the way we buy groceries, Amazon has opened a supermarket with no checkout operators or self-service tills. Long queues formed outside the Amazon Go store in Seattle before it opened its doors to the public on Monday. It uses hundreds of ceilingmounted cameras and electronic sensors to identify each customer and track the items they select. Purchases are billed to customers' credit cards when they leave the store. On entering the store, shoppers walk through gates similar to those in the London underground, swiping their smartphones loaded with the Amazon Go app. Then they are free to put any of the sandwiches, salads, drinks and biscuits on the shelves straight into their shopping bags. There's no need for a trolley or basket, since you won't be unpacking it again at the till. In fact, unless you need to be ID-checked for an alcohol purchase, there's also no need for any human interaction at all. With the help of sensors on the shelves, items are added to customers' Amazon Go account as they pick them up - and delete any they put back. An electronic receipt is issued as they exit. The store opened to employees of the online retail giant in December 2016 and had been expected to allow the public in more quickly. But there were some teething problems with correctly identifying shoppers of similar body types -
Customers enter the store by scanning the Amazon Go app on their smartphone and children moving items to the wrong places on shelves, according to an Amazon insider. A s i d e from the t e c h n o l o g y, the shop is a conventional food store. G i a n n a Puerini, head of Amazon Go, said the store had operated well during the test phase:
36 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
"This technology didn't exist - it was really advancing the state of the art of computer vision and machine learning."
How Does it Work? Grab-and-go shopping has been the "future of retail" for some time now. But now Amazon believes its time has come - or at least that it is ready for real-world testing. They're calling it "Just walk out"
today.com and while they won't spill the beans on just how it works, they say it uses "computer vision, d e e p learning algorithms and sensor fusion, much like you'd find in a selfdriving car". You scan a QR code
as you enter. After that, your phone can go back in your pocket. Hundreds of infra-red ceiling cameras have been trained (with Amazon employees as guinea pigs) over the past year to differentiate between customers as they move around the store, and between items for sale, even those with similar appearances, such as different flavours of the same canned drink.
faster customers can make their purchases, the more likely they are to return. Making the dreaded supermarket queue a thing of the past will give any retailer a huge advantage over its competitors. The Seattle store is not Amazon's first foray into bricks and mortar retailing. In 2015 the firm opened its first physical bookshop, also in Seattle where the company is based. There are now 13 in the US as well as dozens of temporary popup outlets. Customers must have the Amazon Go app, and scan a QR code from it as they pass through a turnstile. In its third quarter results in October, Amazon for the first time put a figure on the revenues onenewspage.com generated by There are weight sensors on the its physical stores: $1.28bn. Yet shelves to help indicate if an item almost all of that was generated by has been taken or put back. And Whole Foods. some items carry a visual dot code, While its stores may not yet be like a bar code, to help cameras moneyspinners, analysts have identify them. said Amazon is using them to raise Amazon isn't offering any brand awareness and promote information on how accurate the its Prime membership scheme. system is. Prime members pay online prices However, one journalist attempted at its bookstores, for example, to shoplift some cans of soft drink - while non-members are charged but the system spotted it and added the cover price. them on his bill. Brian Olsavsky, Amazon chief Amazon has not said if it will be financial officer, recently hinted that opening more Go stores, which are rivals should expect more Amazon separate from the Whole Foods shops in the months and years chain that it bought last year for ahead. $13.7bn (£10.7bn). "You will see more expansion As yet the company has no plans from us - it's still early, so those to introduce the technology to the plans will develop over time," he hundreds of Whole Foods stores. said in October. However, retailers know that the www.bbc.com/news/business-42769096
37 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business - Transportation
African Countries have Taken the First Major Step Towards Cheaper Continental Flights By Yomi Kazeem
A
lmost three decades after it was first proposed, African nations have finally taken a major step towards opening the continent’s skies. On Jan. 28th, 23 African countries launched the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative by the African Union (AU). The initiative is largely based on the agreements of the Yamoussoukro Decision of 1999 (pdf www.iata.org/policy/promoting-aviation/ Documents/single-african-air-transport-market.pdf). An immediate benefit of the single air market will be enhanced connectivity between African nations and a reduction in flight ticket prices. Consequently,
Europe. The bigger picture however, is littered with the promise of job creation, improved intra-African trade and freer movement of people. As shown by a 2014 study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), liberalizing routes for 12 key African countries will boost economies on the continent with more than 150,000 additional jobs and an extra $1.3 billion to the continent’s annual GDP.
this is expected to result in more regular direct flights between African countries rather than trips which previously involved stopovers in the Middle East or
moves by several African countries to relax visa rules for African nationals. In addition, liberalized airline routes on the continent will likely result in a boost to
Opening Up African Air Routes Woulf Boost Economies The launch of the single air market follows closely on
38 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
the long-touted potential of intra-African tourism. Last year, a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report showed that between 1995 and 2014, while the total number of international tourist arrivals to Africa more than doubled, Africans accounted for only four in every 10 visitors. Making it easier for Africans to visit African countries without the hassle of long, paperwork-laden visa applications or expensive, long-winding air travel will inadvertently boost the Africa’s tourism revenues even further.
Grown Three-fold Since 1995 But while launching the single air market with 23 countries is “an important step forward,” Rapahel Kuuchi, IATA’s vice president for Africa says its benefits will not be fully realized unless there is “effective implementation” of the countries signed up and also increased adoption by the 32 countries yet to join. https://qz.com/1191558/africa-union-launches-singleafrican-air-transport-market/
Africa's Tourism Export Revenues Have
39 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business - eCommerce
African E-Commerce Giant Responds to Demand, Expands into 11 New Markets By Peter Pedroncelli
E
-commerce MallforAfrica
platform (www.
mallforafrica.com) has continued with its aggressive African expansion plan by entering 11 new markets in response to demand for the company’s patented platform.
and U.K. online retailers, will now be available in Angola, Chad, Guinea, Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, according to a MallforAfrica press release.
items to choose from that are shipped straight to the customer’s door. The technology used within the platform is therefore bridging the gap between African consumers and global retailers.
MallforAfrica is an e-commerce platform that allows Africans to buy online internationally. Photo: MFA The desktop and mobile app, which lets Africans purchase products from more than 250 U.S.
The app is already available and popular in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda, with over 8.5 billion
This new development will see far more African consumers given access to a e-commerce
40 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
and m-commerce platform that effectively manages every aspect of the order and return cycle, providing Africans in those new markets with more online shopping options than ever before. A quick visit to the MallforAfrica site reveals that users have the ability to shop via their mobile device or computer at well-known international brands that include Nordstrom, Marks&Spencer, Next and Macy’s. These brands would ordinarily be inaccessible to a typical consumer in most parts of Africa, but thanks to MallforAfrica’s patented platform and Africa’s high levels of mobile internet penetration, African online shoppers have a whole new world of e-commerce at their fingertips. Global retail e-commerce sales will reach $4.5 trillion by 2021, which represents a 246.15% increase worldwide from 2014, according to Statista.
New Markets for MallofAfrica The Nigerian-based platform wishes to take advantage of this growing trend with the launch of their app in 11 new African markets. MallforAfrica CEO Chris Folayan expressed his excitement at the fact that his innovative platform is now available in more parts of the continent. “This is an exciting time for Mall for Africa as our rapid growth will afford
millions of new customers the opportunity to shop from the most desired retailers,” said Folayan, according to the press release. “Current customers in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda love our platform which is why we are rolling out in 11 additional countries and will continue to expand our platform to meet the needs of customers worldwide,” he howafrica.com uncova.com added. Since 2011, Africans have been currencies to ensure that paying for able to use the patented app to goods via the app would not be a purchase goods in the U.S. or the stumbling block. U.K. for delivery to African countries, In December MallforAfrica but in 2017 MallforAfrica also was awarded a fashion retailing made it possible for Africans in accolade for their efforts in providing certain parts of the continent African consumers with access to sell their unique artisan to international markets through products into the U.S. using the innovative tech. online platform, according to The African e-commerce ITWebAfrica (http://stores.ebay.com/ business won the Drapers Award mallforafrica). for Innovation in Fashion at the This was made possible through recently concluded Drapers Award an extension of the existing ceremony in London, Techcabal partnership with global e-commerce reports. market leader eBay. MallforAfrica finds itself in good In order to deal with the fact that company as the recipient of the many Africans remain unbanked international award, with previous and do not have credit cards, winners including the likes of H&M, the e-commerce innovators Next and BooHoo.com. came up with their very own https://afkinsider.com/141611/ payment platform known as the african-e-commerce-giantMallforAfrica web-card, according responds-to-demand-expands-intoto TheAfricaReport. 11-new-markets/ This web-card allows African users to pay for orders in local
41 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business - Buying Power
Black Women’s Buying Power is Helping to De ne Mainstream Culture: Report By Taryn Finley Black Voices
A
recent Nielsen report is confirming just how much financial power black women have when it comes to setting trends in mainstream consumerism. The “African-American Women: Our Science, Her Magic” report (www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/ reports/2017/african-american-women-our-science-hermagic.html?afflt=ntrt15340001&afflt_uid=_fMyMsMUmHA.9 jz6VznEgHbQlgzzfGLQRUI1q3faVr3j&afflt_uid_2=AFFLT_ ID_2), released Fall 2017, combines stats with the viral
#BlackGirlMagic movement to show just how much of an asset black women are to the United States economy. Despite making up only 14 % of the country’s female population, the roughly 24.3 million black women are trendsetters and brand loyalists who play a vital role in influencing mainstream culture in fashion, beauty, television, music and civic engagement for women of all races, information sourced from various Nielsen analytics tools found. “I think the report is important because being a girl is great, being a black girl is magic,” Cheryl Grace, Nielsen’s SVP of U.S. strategic community alliances and consumer engagement, told HuffPost. “But being a black woman consumer is pure power and Nielsen thought it was time to add a bit more weight behind the hashtag with some real clear data points. And that’s why we really wanted to come forward and celebrate the fact that black women are in a unique place of power at the intersection of culture, commerce and consciousness.” With steady growth in education, income and selfawareness, black women have set trends and broken barriers for all women. A recent U.S. Census survey
over from 2007 to 2015, owning more than 1.5 million businesses with more than $42 billion in sales. In addition, 64% of black women also agree that their goal is to make it to the top of their profession, which is 95% higher than non-Hispanic white women, according to the report. Grace said that it’s also important to note the great share of responsibility black women hold in the estimated $1.2 trillion spending power of black people overall. Black women’s use of social media has played an especially vital role in their influence, according to the report. Compared to white women, they overindex by 86% for spending at least five hours on social networking sites each day. 43% of black women say they like to share their opinions about products and services by posting reviews and ratings online, and 47% agree that people often come to them for advice before making a purchase. Grace said black women’s usage of social media as a virtual town hall to discuss products and hold brands accountable is nothing to take lightly. “We’re using it to galvanize our sisters [and] our consumers around everything from political movements, economic empowerment and social protest so that’s where this power truly starts to tap in because it’s the advice, it’s the referrals, it’s the feedback that we’re
(www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15209.html) shows that black female entrepreneurs had
the highest rate of growth (67%) out of other groups in the number of firms they held primary ownership 44 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
able to give and receive from communities that plays an important role,” she said. She also noted the impact black women’s tastes have on celebrities and pop culture in general. “What black women are purchasing, other women think are cool so they’re purchasing it, too. All of that has an impact and when it comes to the fact that we love keeping up with celebrity news and gossip, it also highlights those consumption habits and behaviors a lot of the celebrities that we love and acknowledge now wouldn’t be in existence if it wouldn’t have been for the black woman’s support,” Grace said. The report found black women also shop with a cause, supporting businesses that align with their values and beliefs. 60% of black women are more likely to purchase brands that support a cause they care about (7% higher than non-Hispanic white women), 52% are more likely to buy from a company that they know supports a charity (6% higher) and 43% expect the brands they buy to support social causes (17% higher). Black donors overall gave away 25% more of their incomes than white donors and almost two-thirds of black households make charitable donations that total about $11 billion per year, according to W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-blacksdonors/black-americans-donate-to-make-a-differenceidUSTRE81M1WI20120223). In addition, 38% of black
women have donated money to religious organizations within the past 12 months. Despite black women’s dollars holding so much power, they often go overlooked. When it comes to consumerism, 63% of black women agree that they are willing to pay more for high quality items (12% higher than non-Hispanic white women). Yet they are often left out of the marketing campaigns for top brands. In most health and beauty product categories, black women over-index white women for dollars per buyer and buying households, the report stated, noting a considerable shift to natural hair products. Nielsen advises that because of this, it’s wise for more of these brands to diversify their product lines (see: Fenty Beauty www.vibe.
has some advice for brands: “Follow the money.” “I think that it is important to understand that black women value value and values,” she continued. “So we like things that offer us value and we also like to bring our personal values to our decisions. So we know that family is important to black women, we know that our religion is important to black women, we know that we tend to be self-reliant and those types of things really do power how we’re spending our money, spending our time and I think brands should be aware of [the] value and values equally.” See the full report here: www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/ reports/2017/african-american-women-our-science-her-magic. html?afflt=ntrt15340001&afflt_uid=2jECJ5M362s.QIqgj5Y8UbHFV LgpaV8eT_8aEaarw5i5&afflt_uid_2=AFFLT_ID_2.
www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-women-nielsenreport_us_59c3fec2e4b06f93538d3a05
com/2017/09/rihannas-fenty-beauty-dark-shadesofficially-sold-out).
Nielsen also notes that black women have been historically overlooked by investment and financial services industries, despite data that indicates that they would be good candidates (49% say they enjoy learning about financial products and services, which is 34% higher than non-Hispanic white women). Given the information in this report, Grace
45 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Images thisisthevillage.com afrolems.com vibe.com colorlines.com
Business - Finance
Breaux Capital - Morehouse Grads Financial Service Start-Up By Hasani Malone, TBTNewsBusiness
A
recent report for the University of Chicago’s GenForward project shows that Black millennials are suffering from worse financial burdens than their white and Asian counterparts because of comparatively lower rates of employment. Three Morehouse graduates are working to turn that around for Black millennials with BREAUX Capital (www.breauxcapital.com), a financial technology company meant to improve the financial welfare of Generation Y’s and young Black entrepreneurs. Brian Williams met Derrius Quarles and Ras Asan at Morehouse College, and after their graduation from the school (Quarles and Asan in 2013 and Brian in 2014) they decided to stay in touch. Their discussions about improving economic mobility for all Black people led to the birth of BREAUX Capital, a financial savings and education platform. “We thought about how we could merge wealth building and the black male, millennial community. In our conversations we figured there didn’t exist a space where Black millennials could build wealth in real time,” Williams said. Williams and his fellow co-founders believe the first step to financial wellness is through saving. BREAUX Capital offers an online automated savings platform, where users can decide how much money they would like to be set aside and allows members to build their savings over time.
There are three tiers in the BREAUX community: BREAUX 20, BREAUX 50 and BREAUX 100 all of which gives members access to automated savings as well as access to the “wealth building forum,” which allows members to connect online. “We initially started as an online investment club where initially you would buy at your stake and each month you would contribute to it,” Williams said. “We learned during that process that a lot of us are seeking that knowledge bridged with cultural competency.” But most importantly, the company creates a community for Black, male millennials with similar financial aspirations and provides them with a platform to connect with one another. Besides their online forum, members are able to connect at BREAUX Capital official events like BREAUXComing, which is put on annually during the Morehouse Homecoming Week in October. Here, the company is able to interact and engage directly with their target demographic of young, black males. They’re currently working on their second annual event TechGroove, which will start in mid-2018, which is a tech-infused, job symposium that allowed Morehouse students to network amongst companies like Jiffy, Mozilla Firefox and LinkedIn. They’ll also be launching Little BREAUX, a mentorship program that incorporates
Derrius
Ras
Brian principles of wealth building and entrepreneurship for young black men. truthbtoldwithcarlwest.blogspot.com
46 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
50 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Tribute - Black History Month
Why Black History Month Still Matters in 20178 By Gretel Kauffman
F
ebruary 1st marked the start of Black History Month, the annual event dedicated to the study and celebration of centuries of African American contributions and experiences. Does this celebration, officially begun 42 years ago, hold more – or less – relevance today? As the country grapples with issues of racial inequality amid unrest – which some argue is fueled by the election of Donald Trump – and the police shootings of unarmed black men, advocates say, yes: The increasing awareness of the country's racial history can reduce hostility by providing Americans with a better understanding of current movements and ideology. While some scholars debate the merits of designating the month of February to the study and celebration of black history, most agree that recognizing and discussing the past is a crucial step toward future reconciliation. "What's happening is deeper than a question of miscomprehension of history," says Gerald Horne, a professor of history and African American studies at the University of Houston. "However, a step on the road toward … reconciliation would be a better understanding of history." Beyond that, Professor Horne
notes that the African American civil rights movement may serve as a model for today's opponents of the Trump administration – "for those in particular who are seeking to learn about resistance to unjust authorities, there is no better example than the history of people of African descent in North America." Some observers, for
example, have wondered if the unexpectedly large turnout for the Jan. 21, 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C., and in cities across the US, could become a political movement. An examination of the past can also offer a better understanding of current events and contemporary ideology, says Jonathan Holloway, a historian at Yale University. He cites as an example parallels between the civil rights movement and the modern Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. "Black Lives Matter is a
contemporary articulation of the same ethos: it is not calling for the destruction of the State, it’s calling for a recognition of basic humanity and of civil rights and civic freedoms," Professor Holloway tells the Monitor in an email. "Granted, it’s using a different voice that many of the movement leaders used in an earlier era, but BLM is saying that the American promise has not been kept. A good student of the past would understand this." This February marks the second Black History Month for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., which opened in September 2016. Horne
describes the museum, owned by the Smithsonian Institution, as a "huge step forward" – one that would not have been possible without Black History Month. This past summer, Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the museum, spoke of the importance of using the past to work toward a better future. "[I]f a nation understands its history, it is a wonderful tool to help a nation figure out how they live their lives, how to understand the conditions they face," Mr. Bunch
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see page 52
Tribute - Black History Month from page 51
told The Christian Science Monitor. "It is this tension between the joy of history and then using that as a weapon, as a tool, as a way to better understand who we are – to provide contextualization, and maybe on good days, a little healing and reconciliation." The necessity of bettering Americans' understanding of black history is virtually undisputed. But critics from varying schools of thought have questioned whether devoting a month to black history simply promotes separatism and devalues the experiences of AfricanAmericans. "The question here is not so much whether blacks have disproportionately suffered historically – they have – or whether we still feel the legacy of that – we do – as it is whether the correct response to that suffering is to segregate black history into a separate branch of the curriculum or a single month," writes Charles C.W. Cooke, editor of the conservative National Review Online. "Black Americans are not visitors putting on a cultural show, nor are they legally separated. They are an integral, inextricable part of the country’s past, present, and future. The curriculum should treat them as such." Tyrone Williams, a professor of English and Africana Studies at Xavier University in Ohio, similarly argues that "[settling] for the crumbs of a black history month" does "more harm than good." "For blacks, the implementation of black history month represents a retreat on the front lines of cultural warfare," he writes. "Whatever ameliorating effects black history month was supposed to have had, the fact remains that it has failed to have any lasting impact on race relations in the United States." Some supporters of the holiday agree that, in an ideal world, a black history month would not be necessary. "I’m hoping for a time that we get rid of it," Marvin Dulaney, chair of the history department at the University of Texas at Arlington, told The Dallas
Morning News. "Not because I don’t think black history should be celebrated, but because I’m hoping for infusion and inclusion; that it would just be redundant to do a black history month." But, Dr. Dulaney and other scholars say, that time hasn't come yet. And in the years to come, Professor Holloway of Yale says, citizen engagement during Black History Month may prove increasingly important. President Trump's remarks during Wednesday's African American History Month Listening Session were characterized by brief, vague mentions of renowned black leaders and interspersed with attacks on CNN and boasts about African-American voter turnout, garnering widespread criticism and leaving many concerned about the president's perceived lack of knowledge and interest in black American history. Without the country's leader driving the national conversation about racial equality, Holloway tells the Monitor, recognition and change will need to come from the bottom up, rather than the top down.
frenchie-pop.blogspot.com "It is going to have to be up to the citizens of this country to educate the leader of the country about civil rights, civil liberties, elementary education about America’s great citizens, the country’s past and its astonishing capacity for difference and inclusion," he says. "How the citizens educate the president remains to be seen. Much of it, I suspect, will have to happen in the streets until he appears willing to learn." www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2017/0202/Why-Black-HistoryMonth-still-matters-in-2017
52 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Tribute - Black History Month
Reginald F. Lewis
W
e review the life and legacy of business pioneer, philanthropist and titan Reginald F. Lewis. Lewis, a Harvard Law School graduate, who rose to prominence as a lawyer, financier, and leader of the
global food company TLC Beatrice International. Lewis was the firstAfricanAmerican ever to close an overseas billion dollar leveraged buyout deal. He acquired an unprecedented global conglomerate of 64 companies in 31 countries, and paved the way for future entrepreneurs and black leaders through his life's work until his untimely death at age 50. "Reginald Lewis is a pioneer
because he executed a $1 billion buyout of Beatrice International Foods. No one had done anything of that size – black nor white. He's the first African American to do an overseas buyout," says Mrs. Loida Lewis, wife of Reginald F. Lewis. Additional high praise from Kenneth Chenault, Chairman and CEO of American Express notes, "There is no doubt that Reginald Lewis' success paved the way for me, and many others, and I think that really is the test and demonstration of real leadership." Discover the legacy and celebrate the 30th anniversary of Reginald F. Lewis' historic billion-dollar deal by watching Pioneers: Reginald F. Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar Empire on these PBS affiliates: • Friday, February 16, 8:00 p.m. WLIW21 • Sunday, February 18, 7:30 p.m. THIRTEEN
• Saturday, February 24, 7:00 p.m. NJTV Available for Streaming Nationally at thirteen.org after Feb 18th. About Reginald F. Lewis First to seriously consider the purchase of Paramount Pictures First Black billion-dollar deal maker First African American Law Firm on Wall Street First to be accepted at Harvard University Law School without applying Among the first 5 black males to have a museum named after him At $985 MM, the deal was the largest offshore leveraged buyout ever by an American company.
https://theundefeated.com/features/state-of-the-black-athlete-nbagolden-state-warrios-the-conscience-of-a-champion/. www.amazon.com/reginald-f-lewis-Books/ s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Areginald%20f%20lewis
53 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Tribute - Black History Month
C-Suite Leaders Convene to Strengthen Diversity and Inclusion Strategies w o r k s h o p s and coalition updates aimed at elevating diversity and inclusion strategies. More than 185 companies were represented in conversations that focused on op e rat i ona lizi ng the CEO Action pledge Ken Frazier, Merck CEO commitments "The way to create diversity is to diversify." within their n January 17, 2018, CEO organizations, and as a broader Action for Diversity & business community, to help drive Inclusion™ (CEO Action) cultural change and business and Merck convened a one-day improvements. Throughout the day signatories summit with Chief Human Resources heard from thought leaders such as Officer and Diversity & Inclusion Officer from signatory companies. Van Jones, founder of Dream Corps Almost 250 attendees gathered and CNN commentator, and subject for a series of candid discussions, matter experts like Dr. Mahzarin R.
O
Divine Ndhlukula – Zimbabwe
D
evine Ndhlukula tackled a male-dominated industry head on, inspiring countless women on the continent to pursue their dreams despite the odds. Divine is the founder and Managing Director of SECURICO, a security company she started in the late 90s in her cottage with four employees and very little capital. Today, SECURICO is one of the largest security firms in Zimbabwe, with
Banaji, professor of psychology Harvard University. Attendees also engaged in transparent discussions about overcoming challenges, and driving accountability with CEOs from Merck, Institute for Corporate Productivity and Moody’s. Workshops focused on the complexities of implementation for organizations at various stages in their diversity and inclusion journey, and honed in on fundamental activities to put ideas into action: • Start early in the process: Don’t be afraid to have conversations before ideas are fully baked. Involve more people and bring in different viewpoints early on to increase engagement later in the process. • Try something new: Change requires bold action so bring a new idea to your leadership team and don’t be afraid to experiment to drive innovation to the field. • Take a layered approach: Involve various levels of management in the conversation to generate change that extends deep into your organization. www.ceoaction.com/events/2018/ c-suite-leaders-convene-tostrengthen-diversity-and-inclusionstrategies/ more than 3,500 employees. Divine is ready for regional dominance, with plans to expand into other countries on the continent, starting with Mozambique and Zambia. Last year, Divine was selected as one of the most influential female leaders in the world by Empowering a Billion Women by 2020, a global women empowerment movement whose list also included world leaders like Michelle Obama, Hilary Clinton, and Mozambican former first Lady Graca Machel. www.africa.com/top-africanfemale-business-leaders/
54 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
A. G. Gaston $40 Million Dollar Empire
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irmingham entrepreneur and businessman A. G. Gaston (1892-1996), was one of the most successful African American business owners in Alabama. Gaston overcame humble beginnings and racial discrimination to build a $40 million business empire, which included a savings and loan bank, business college, construction company, motel, real estate business, burial insurance company, two cemeteries, and two radio stations. Although criticized for what some viewed as an accommodationist attitude during the Birmingham civil rights movement in the 1960s, Gaston nevertheless used his accumulated wealth to provide financial support to the movement's leaders and participants at crucial times and worked behind the scenes to help the movement achieve its goals. Arthur George (A. G.) Gaston was born on July 4, 1892, in Demopolis, Marengo County, to Tom and
Booker T. Washington Business College Rosa Gaston. Gaston spent his early childhood living with his grandmother in Demopolis because
his father, a railroad worker, died soon after his birth and his mother worked as a family cook for A. B. Loveman, a wealthy Jewish businessman, 25 miles away in Greensboro. Although his grandmother lived in poverty, Gaston nevertheless began to develop his entrepreneurial skills early in life by charging neighborhood children admission in the form of pins or buttons for the privilege of playing on the swing in his grandmother's yard—the only one in the neighborhood. At the age of 13, Gaston rejoined his mother when she accompanied the Lovemans to Birmingham in 1905. Soon after arriving in Birmingham, Gaston's mother enrolled him in the Tuggle Institute, a privately run charitable school for African Americans. The Tuggle Institute had adopted Booker T. Washington's i n d u s t r i a l educational philosophy, which emphasized the skilled trades and business. Washington, who visited the school often to make inspirational
A. G, Gaston speeches to the students, quickly became Gaston's role model. www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/ article/h-2062
55 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Tribute - Black History Month
Datari Turner, Proli c Independent Producer in Film and Television By TBTNEWS BUSINESS
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ariety announced recently that film and television producer Datari Turner and the Blackhouse Foundation have partnered with Facebook's Creative Shop to launch SEEN, a program that provides underrepresented filmmakers with the tools they need to build digital marketing campaigns using Facebook products and services. A Boy. A Girl. A Dream, fresh off its Sundance premiere last month, was selected as SEEN's flagship film. The campaign for the film increased its Facebook following from 100 to over 50,000 and generated nearly 38,000 shares. Additionally, the ads reached nearly 17M people and earned almost 16M unique video views. A Boy producer Turner calls the campaign "groundbreaking" and adds that it helps reduce the cost of marketing a film. Check out a clip from the film: https://youtu.be/xlrZrGG1d8U. One of the most prolific independent producers in film and television, Turner is crafting a career like no other. As founder of Datari Turner Productions (https:// datariturnerproductions.com) in 2010, he has produced 30 feature films, including six (6) films that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival: A Boy. A Girl. A Dream (2018); Gook (winner of the NEXT Audience Award in 2017), Ten Thousand Saints (2015), Luv (2012), Another Happy Day (2011) and Salvation Boulevard (2011). All told, his films have
Datari Turner celebritynetworth.com
earned 98 festival award nominations. Datari has worked with 4 Academy Award winners (Jennifer Connolly, Common, Marisa Tomei and Ellen Burstyn) and 13 Academy Award nominees, including Ethan Hawke, James Franco, and Ruby Dee. Possessing a keen eye for talent, Turner gave actors Ryan Destiny (Star) and Michael Rainey, Jr. (Power) their big screen debuts and cast rapper Common in his first lead film role (Luv). On the television side, Datari has produced 100 hours of original programming for networks such as WE tv, BET, TV One, Starz and Oxygen. Datari is creator of the hit WE tv franchise Growing Up Hip Hop, currently in its 4th season and the network's highestrated program. In 2015, Datari signed a first-look deal with CodeBlack/Lionsgate Films. In 2016, he signed a first-look deal with Entertainment One to produce original, unscripted programming for the studio. He is currently executive producing a new Showtime series about the NBA Draft with Lebron James.
56 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
New Director of Community Business in Los Angeles Garcetti's Office of Economic Development. F o r m e r l y Sonya Kay Blake serving as the Governor's onya Kay Blake is the Small Business Advocate, CEO newly appointed Director of the National Association of of Community Business Women Business Owners in Los Los Angeles Mayor Eric Angeles, and a small business
startup consultant to aspiring entrepreneurs in South Los Angeles, Sonya brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her dual role as the Mayor's policy adviser on small business startup and growth, and his primary outreach representative to the small business community.
the Daytona 500 since 1969, keywordsuggest.org has no fear of driving the No. 43 Chevrolet for Richard Petty Motorsports. That would be the same car that the legend drove to seven victories in the Daytona 500. Busting down racial barriers in a sport long reserved for whites is heavy stuff for Wallace, and he’s keenly aware all eyes By Bob Velin are on him. The arrell “Bubba” Wallace, rookie invites glare from his fans the first full-time African- and haters, starring in his own American driver in the eight-episode docu-series ”Behind Monster Energy NASCAR Cup the Wall: Bubba Wallace,” on the series since Wendell Scott in Facebook Watch show page. Wallace is one of at least eight 1971, and the first black driver in
black drivers in NASCAR’s 70year history who reached the Cup level: Elias Bowie, Charlie Scott, George Wiltshire, Randy Bethea, Willy T. Ribbs and Bill Lester. Wendell Scott, who made the last start for a black driver in the Daytona 500, is the only one to win a Cup race, on Dec. 1, 1963. The next win at a NASCAR national event by a black driver came in 2013 when Wallace took the Truck Series checkered flag at Martinsville. Wallace and other young drivers have benefited from NASCAR’s efforts to diversify the field and perhaps give the sagging sport a boost while helping attract a new generation of fans. NASCAR research showed diversity among its fan base has grown from 20% to 24% over the last five years.
S in
Darrell "Bubba" Wallace, Jr.
Bubba Wallace to Make History in Daytona
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www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/ bubba-wallace-set-to-make-historyas-black-driver-in-daytona-021718
57 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
From: NAACP It’s a new year for voting rights, President Trump has disbanded his Advisory Commission on Election Integrity – which we all knew to be nothing more than a voter suppression scheme. The Commission demanded a wide range of voter data from all fifty states and D.C. under the guise of hunting down “voter fraud.” But in the hands of Vice President Pence and “Voter Suppression King” Kris Kobach, the data would have become a weapon for voter suppression – an arsenal of information to keep Americans, especially Black and Brown Americans, away from the polls. We immediately recognized the Commission as malevolent and simply illegal and sought justice in the courts. From Pennsylvania to Florida, Indiana to Texas, Georgia to Utah, we stopped states from unlawfully disclosing voter information to Trump’s Commission. And our method worked: in his explanation of the Commission’s demise, Trump cited “the endless legal battles” which left the Commission without the data necessary to accomplish its objectives. This is a major victory but we’ve got lots of work ahead. According to Kobach, the administration is already making plans for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to take over the investigation, matching state voter rolls to federal databases of noncitizens. IT’S TIME TO MAKE DEMOCRACY WORK FOR EVERYONE. Add your name to the thousands who have said they are ready to stand up for democracy in 2018. Onward, Derrick NAACP President and CEO
Please contribute what you can right now and help us resist:
http://action.naacp.org/StopSessions
58 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
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,
Derrick Johnson NAACP President and CEO © 2017 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
59 February 2018 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. We will help you to maximize opportunities in the Czech market and match your titles with interested publishers.
More information Mr. Zdenek Svoboda U.S. Commerial Service Prague Czech Republic Zdenek.Svoboda@trade.gov Tel: +420 257 022 323
61 February 2018 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.
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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.
63 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business - Technology
Declutter Your Cloud: Organize Your Files in 5 Easy Steps By TechSoup Staff
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he convenience of cloud storage makes it easy to back up your files. But unless you put the time in to organize that space, it can quickly become overwhelming to try to keep track of everything.
folder for those photos "2018-1-6_Family_ Ski_Trip." If you create folders and stay diligent with your folder naming system, it will be much easier to keep track of everything in your cloud storage. The trick is to choose a naming system that works for you and then put it into practice.
2. Create Your Folders All of the major cloud storage services allow you to create folders for storing files. In Google Drive, you can click the New button in the upper left corner and select
#1 You might need that report for work tomorrow, but now you can't locate it among those 10,000 family photos and other items in the cloud. Sound familiar? Here's a system that will help you declutter your cloud, whether you're using Box, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or another service.
1. Develop a Folder Naming System Decluttering your cloud space will mean developing a file system and then putting everything in its proper place. One method to implement is to name all of
Folder, or right-click anywhere in the browser space and select New Folder. Microsoft OneDrive works the same, and so on. Start creating folders for your different file types. Even if you have too many loose files to come up with folder names for everything in the beginning, create some folders because you can then start to declutter your cloud. There are certain folders that you will use more often than others, so be sure to assign values to those (if your cloud storage includes that option). In Google
#2 your folders using a system that you will remember, such as Date_Type_FolderName. The "Date" and "FolderName" markers are obvious in their meaning; the "Type" marker is used to keep work and personal files separated properly. Here's an example of how to use this system. Let's say you have a couple hundred digital pictures from your ski trip on January 6, 2018. You could name the
Drive, for example, right-click a folder and select Add star. Then when you need to find that folder (or other starred folders) quickly, you can click Starred on the left side of the screen. And it will automatically locate it for you.
3. Start Moving Files Drag individual files to their assigned folders. You can select multiple files at once by holding down Ctrl
64 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
#3 or Command and clicking each file. Or you can hold down Shift, click at the beginning of a group, and then click at the end to bulk-select all the files in the group. Then simply drag them into the assigned folders. Feels great, doesn't it? You don't have to get all of your files moved in one sitting. Just start making a dent in the project.
of those tags.
5. Create Subfolders Even after you create folders in the main section of your cloud storage and get all of your files moved, the inside of the folders can still be tremendously cluttered. This is where subfolders can come in handy. Create subfolders the same way that you created the folders
#4 4. Assign Tags to Files Another great way to keep track of your files, above and beyond storing them in folders, is by assigning tags to them. Right-click any file and select Properties. For many file types, especially in Windows, there are options to add many additional descriptors that will help you index your files. For example, for a Microsoft Word document, if you look at the Details tab in the Properties dialog box, you will find a section titled Description. That section
in the main section. Then you can move files into subfolders and make it even easier to find them when you need them. Just remember to use the same naming system for your subfolders. Depending on how many months or years you have been uploading files to your cloud storage, decluttering it can seem like a daunting task. Just follow the steps above, make steady progress, and you will get control of it in no time!.
#5 allows you to add a title, subject, tags, categories, and comments. You can add numerous tags and keywords in this section. Adding them will help Windows to locate the file later on, so long as you search for one or more
http://blog.techsoup.org/posts/declutter-your-cloud-organizeyour-files-in-5-easy-steps?utm_source=hs_email&utm_ medium=email&utm_content=60188679&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8FB 3UvVXz0iL90qbrtOghXWxT8fffC6O1jRTAkMQWgGj2OL-94IR LldYPcZZDg5xep3ibDdp29QCMx3Ond8aVMTN5N_A&_ hsmi=60188679
65 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business - Digital Security
Digital Security Reminders to Start Off 2018 1: Protect your privacy wherever you are connected. Your phones and tablets need security like your computer and laptops. When you connect to public Wi-Fi at your local coffee shop or airport or hotel, your phone and personal information may be at risk because those Internet connections may not be secure. Norton WiFi Privacy creates a personal VPN, and encrypts the data you send and receive, at home or on the go.
2: Protect ALL your devices. Cybercriminals keep coming up with new threats such as ransomware, malware, viruses, and social media hacking. Ensure that all your smartphones, laptops and tablets are secured. Did you know that your current Norton Security subscription may have additional licenses left? Check the details and make sure ALL your devices are protected.
3: These days criminals don’t just break in, they log on. Be sure to protect all the new electronics you bought over the holidays. Did you just buy a new smart TV, fridge, or cool new gadget over the holidays? All it takes is one compromised baby monitor or smart thermostat for cybercriminals to potentially infiltrate your network and reach your sensitive data. Norton Core is a secure and powerful Wi-Fi router with jaw-dropping speed, network level encryption and unlimited device protection. All can be managed from your easy-to-use app.
4: Protect your personal information. Identity theft is a lot more than just a
lost credit card. In 2016, there was a new victim of identity fraud every 2 seconds.1 2017 has been full of data breaches from companies such as Equifax, Forever 21, Uber, Whole Foods, and other big household brands. Those breaches could’ve compromised your identity along with your personal information. A stolen identity could be used to file fake tax returns, apply for a loan or damage your credit. Be sure to get protection against identity theft. Norton and LifeLock are now part of the same company, and so we help you protect your identity. So you can upgrade your current Norton protection to include LifeLock identity theft protection at a special low price as well.
5: Periodically change your passwords. In a world where "password" is still one of the top passwords, it’s good digital safety to regularly change them. Make sure you’re using lower case and capital letters, numbers and symbols, and combine them into something you can remember. Instead of "norton", try "N0rt0n!". Or if you want something easier, try Identity Safe, a free feature included with your Norton Security subscription. It can remember passwords so you don’t have to. Find the security system that suits the needs of your company and personal safety: Search using terms like: digital security, internet security, cloud security, anti-virus, etc.
67 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business - Media Majesty
"Black Panther" Shatters Sales Records By Deborah Vandin BBN Edits
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he King of Wakanda reigned supreme this President's Day holiday weekend as Disney's "Black Panther" proved to be a pop cultural phenomenon, shattering box office records with an estimated $235 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales for the four-day holiday weekend. The Marvel Entertainment release, the first global superhero blockbuster with an African American director and a mostly black cast, exceeded expectations and set records for a February opening and for a Presidents Day weekend debut. The previous record holder was "Deadpool," which made $152 million domestically over the four-day holiday in 2016. "Black Panther" is the fifth highest domestic opening weekend of all time, behind only "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (2015), "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (2017), "Jurassic World" (2012) and "Marvel's The Avengers" (2012). Critics and audiences pointed two thumbs straight up. "Black Panther" landed an A-plus audience rating from CinemaScore, and a 97% "fresh" rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes. That makes "Black Panther" — directed and co-written by 31-year-old Ryan Coogler ("Creed") with co-writer Joe Robert Cole and starring Chadwick Boseman — the most well-received superhero film ever, Marvel or otherwise. "Results like this go beyond anything anyone ever could have hoped for," said Dave Hollis, president of global distribution at Disney. "The momentum that the
film has, has left us unable, even, to keep up with projections. It's unbelievable." "Black Panther" is set in the mythical kingdom of Wakanda, which is Lupita Nyong'o and Letitia Wright. Matt Kennedy/ rich with the miracle Marvel Studios-Disney via AP metal vibranium and is the most technologically pool gave "Black Panther" five out advanced nation on the planet. of five stars on a comScore/Screen The Afrocentric movie touches Engine PostTrak audience survey. on ideas of colonialism and the The moviegoers were 37% African American, 35% white, 18% Latino, reverberations of slavery. A prevailing belief among some 5% Asian and 5% other. Hollis added that more "Black in Hollywood has been that movies with mostly black casts don't do well Panther" ticket buyers were in the at the foreign box office, but Disney 18-24 and 25-39 age brackets than reported $169 million in international is typical for a Marvel superhero ticket sales — a figure expected movie. "Black Panther" had Imax's to climb dramatically when "Black biggest weekend ever, bringing Panther" opens in major markets including China, Japan and Russia. in $35 million globally from 676 With Hollywood criticized for not screens. "The film represents taking a putting diverse voices behind the movie and turning it into an event, camera or enough people of color in starring roles, the box office and that's what Marvel, Imax and numbers for "Black Panther" are Ryan Coogler have accomplished with these results in our network," telling, Hollis said. "It's a testament to an Imax Chief Executive Greg Foster extraordinarily made film," Hollis said. "It absolutely opened up the film said. "But also, a big part of it too says very clearly that inclusion for a new audience," Foster said. and representation matter. It's a "There were people who don't powerful thing for people to see go to the movies as frequently as themselves and know that they're we'd like, and this was a movie that seen in the films we put up in a was top of mind. People had to be movie theater. Audiences deserve there." to see themselves on screen. Not www.msn.com/en-us/movies/ news/how-massive-is-blackonly because it's the right thing to panther-at-the-box-office-a-recorddo, but it makes for better, richer shattering-dollar235-million/arstorytelling." BBJleYG?ocid=spartandhp An ethnically diverse audience
68 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
A
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, March 12, 2018 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.
Publisher's Message wealthiest businesspeople in America. At the time of his death in 1993, his personal wealth was estimated by Forbes to be in excess of $400 million. We have other success stories like Oprah Winfrey, who leveraged her natural personality, intelligence and natural ability to connect with people to go from being a local-market talk show host with broad crossover appeal, to becoming the first African American woman to start and grow a major television network and media empire. Also included throughout this issue for your greater edification are notables such as A.G. Gaston, who came from very humble Alabama beginnings and faced the same issues and challenges that most of us do. However, using those obstacles for stepping stones, Gaston built a veritable empire worth an estimated $40 million. His life story is well worth the read and worth taking to heart as an example to emulate. Dr. Carter G. Woodson was not wrong when he
sought to establish Negro History Week back in the 1920s, as a time to celebrate the great achievements of the Negro in America. However, almost 100 years later, I would be remiss if I didn’t emphasize my belief that, as African Americans, we should embrace our history not just for a day or a week or a month, but every day of every year. And in doing so, we can thereby pass our rich legacy and heritage on to our younger generations, so they know where they come from and never forget. In closing, as we persevere through the divisive political climate, global turmoil and social injustices, I ask that we all strive to make a difference by supporting each other’s businesses, and in the end by choosing to allow life’s circumstances to make us better, not bitter. Celebrate our Black history, by joining the long of list of those before us were willing to create it. And, as President and CEO of the Black Business Association, I invite you to join the Board of Directors, members, and friends as we host our Awards Dinner, themed “African Americans in Times of War”, in recognition of Black History Month, with Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, a veteran of the Korean War as a veteran of the United States Air Force, on February 24, 2018 at the California African American Museum. As African Americans we need to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements and the history of African Americans every day of the year. www.bbala.org
International Women's Day March 8, 2018 Now, more than ever, there's a strong callto-action to press forward and progress gender parity. There's a strong call to #PressforProgress motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive. www.internationalwomensday.com lovemiddlesbrough.com
75 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Business
www.ustda.gov
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Valentine's Day OR ANY SPECIAL OCCASION
Business Technology:
Take A Look! by LaSandra Stratton
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heck out what these firms and organizations have to offer for your personal interests, personal wealth building, and business expansion opportunities.
"Service" May Save Money on Hotel Costs
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f you’ve ever booked a hotel room only to see the rate for that very room go down, there’s hope: The website Service (https:// getservice.com) has just launched a new system that will make sure you don’t overpay for a reservation. Once you sign up for a Service account, the company will monitor your email inbox for reservations, then watch “the rate for price drops, automatically rebooking users in the exact same room at the lower rate,” Service says. The company keeps a 30% cut of the difference between the old and new rates for rebooking, which is similar to another thing they offer: Service can also help secure compensation for flight delays and cancellations in exchange for a 30% cut of any settlement they’re able to arrange with an airline. (They handle all the back and forth, sparing you the headache.) There’s also a subscription model that costs $49 a year but lets you keep 100% of any savings—which Service says could top $300 a year. (Users aren't charged if your room rate doesn't go down.) www.cntraveler.com/story/this-newservice-could-save-you-hundreds-on-hotel-
stays?mbid=nl_020218_Daily&CNDI D=38890654&spMailingID=12862329&sp UserID=MTQ5NTc0OTAyMDYxS0&spJobI D=1340162464&spReportId=MTM0MDE2 MjQ2NAS2
On-Demand Auto Rental Coming to an Airport Near You
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here’s an app for that. What the on-demand economy did to the taxicab experience it is now doing to the rental-car experience. And the movers in this game are carmakers themselves— specifically, European luxury brands. The BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler have each dipped big toes into the on-demand rental-car business with their ReachNow (https://reachnow. com/en/brooklyn-ny) and Car2Go (www.car2go.com) services.
Volkswagen-owned Audi, has acquired Silvercar (www.silvercar. com), an Austin-based startup that was already making good on its promise to radically streamline the fly-and-drive process through a slick smartphone app, Silvercar users can book one of the company’s Audi A4 sedans—all brand new, all identically equipped, and, yes, all silver—at a growing roster of U.S. airports. The camera-enabled app scans a QR code on the windshield, which starts the rental period, unlocks the doors, and even pops the trunk for your bags. Moreover, the app pushes your itinerary to the car’s in-dash navigation system for a quick getaway. There are no mileage restrictions and no fees for child-seat rentals, and all vehicles include highway toll
transponders that add tolls to your bill with no additional charges. www.afar.com/magazine/car-rentalenters-the-on-demand-age?
Create, Publish, Sell Your Book for Free
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ulu.com was founded to establish a more effective and profitable route to publishing. This remains a core tenet of Lulu. com's mission -- making content
creation and consumption a simpler and more rewarding experience for people around the world. Since introducing self-publishing in 2002, Lulu.com has empowered creators in more than 225 countries and territories to produce nearly two million publications. Lulu.com is available in six languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Dutch. Lulu's other companies include Glasstree Academic Publishing, an online publishing platform for academic authors. Lulu Jr., allowing children to become published authors, encouraging creativity, strengthening literacy and building self-esteem. And Replay Photos, offering professional photography of collegiate and professional sports, including a range of personalized products. www.lulu.com
Avant Garde
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Storytelling
opic is an ambitious new entertainment & storytelling studio from First Look Media, dedicated to working with creators at the forefront of culture. From Academy Award®-winning
films (Spotlight) to television, audio and digital, we explore a wide range of subject matter, both fiction and nonfiction, with an emphasis on stories of consequence. On Topic. com we focus our efforts on visual and audio stories programmed around monthly themes. Our approach – challenging, compelling and unconventional – reflects our commitment to discovering and amplifying independent new voices, and supporting established ones. You can follow us everywhere: On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, iTunes, and YouTube. www.topic.com
New Option - Uber
Express Pool
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xpress Pool adds something new to your journey: walking. In an effort to make those shared rides more efficient, cheaper, and direct, you'll now have to walk to and from your designated pick up and drop off points so the driver doesn't have to deviate from the route to get you where you need to go. In this new option, you’ll request your Express Pool from, say, that bar or museum you just explored, wait a couple of minutes, and then your Uber app will connect you with your ideal driver, according to Ethan Stock, Uber's Director of Product: Shared Rides. That driver-rider match won’t be be at your front door anymore. Once you’re connected with your route, the app will map your walk to meet your driver (probably one or two blocks), who will then pick you up and then drop off a few people on the way before finally leaving you one or two blocks away from your final destination. We'll admit. It's a lot of steps— figuratively and literally. The trick here is to request your Uber about 10 minutes before you need to leave, Stock told reporters last week, which will give you plenty of time for the app to match you with your driver and for you to reach the meet up point. The Express Pool app is also
courting people that usually use public transport or drive to work: commuters. Express Pool is another part of Uber’s plan to get more cars off the roads. Since launching in 2014, Uber Pool's one billion rides have saved 56,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and 6.3 million gallons of gas. “More people are taking fewer cars, together. And that means less congestion on the road and less pollution," said Meghan Joyce, Uber’s Regional General Manager for the U.S. and Canadian cities. "It means that our cities can be a little bit more of an enjoyable place.” www.cntraveler.com/story/with-expresspool-uber-offers-an-even-cheaper-rideoption?mbid=nl_022118_Daily&CND ID=38890654&spMailingID=12981636&sp UserID=MTQ5NTc0OTAyMDYxS0&spJob ID=1341961822&spReportId=MTM0MTk2 MTgyMgS2
Submitted by LaSandra Stratton, Chief Content Administrator of the Black Business News.
83 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
85 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - Black History and Culture
Welcoming a Black Female Composer Into the Canon. Finally. By Micaela Baranello
Florence Price (1887-1953) was the first black woman to have her music played by a major American orchestra.
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n November 1943, the composer Florence Price wrote to Serge Koussevitzky, the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, asking him to consider performing her scores. “Unfortunately the work of a woman composer is preconceived by many to be light, froth, lacking in depth, logic and virility,” she said. “Add to that the incident of race — I have Colored blood in my veins — and you will understand some of the difficulties that confront one in such a position.” It was her second letter to Koussevitzky; there is no evidence he ever replied to her. Price (1887-1953) was the first black woman to have her music played by a major American orchestra when the Chicago Symphony performed her Symphony in E Minor in 1933. She was a prominent member of the African-American intelligentsia, corresponding with W.E.B. Dubois and setting to music poems by
Langston Hughes and Paul Laurence Dunbar. But after her death, she swiftly faded into the background of a canon dominated by white men, and much of her work was thought to be lost until a trove of manuscripts was discovered in 2009, in what had been her summer home outside of Chicago. Among the pieces found were her two violin concertos, the first recording of which has been released this month by Albany Records, with Er-Gene Kahng as soloist and Ryan Cockerham conducting the Janacek Philharmonic. “My first impression was that this was such gorgeous, accessible music,” Ms. Kahng said in an interview. She will also give a live performance of the Violin Concerto No. 2 with the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra in Bentonville on Feb. 17. (Full disclosure: Ms. Kahng and I are colleagues at the University of Arkansas’s Department of Music.)
Born to a middle-class family in Little Rock, Ark. — her father was the city’s first black dentist, and the governor was said to have been his patient in secret — Price later wrote that she traveled with her mother to England and France at the age of 5. She was a star when she attended the New England Conservatory, one of the rare private composition students of the school’s president, the eminent composer George Whitefield Chadwick. Her mother, however, insisted she conceal her race. Price occupied the prestigious final position in her graduating class’s recital, but the program lists her as hailing from “Pueblo, Mexico.” In 1893, the composer Antonin Dvorak proclaimed that an American art music should be built on AfricanAmerican idioms. The musicologist Douglas Shadle has pointed out that, while white composers eagerly took up this directive — arguably culminating in George Gershwin’s
88 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
“Rhapsody in Blue” — many largely forgotten African-American composers did as well, and often took exception to what they saw as white appropriation. Price was, Mr. Shadle said in an interview, “really the culmination of the African-American intellectual stream that followed in Dvorak’s footsteps.” She became wellknown for her arrangements of spirituals; the great contralto Marian Anderson closed her historic 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial with Price’s arrangement of “My Soul’s Been Anchored in De Lord.” But Price did not only quote folk songs. Describing her Symphony No. 3 in a 1943 letter to the conductor Frederick Schwass — her canvas began to broaden to the symphonic scale in the early 1930s — Price wrote that “it is intended to be Negroid in character and expression.” “In it,” she went on, “no attempt, however, has been made to project Negro music solely in the purely traditional manner. None of the themes are adaptations or derivations of folk songs. The intention behind the writing of this work was a not too deliberate attempt to picture a cross-section of present-day Negro life and thought with its heritage of that which is past, paralleled or influenced by contacts of the present day.” Marquese Carter, a doctoral student at Indiana University who specializes in Price’s work, said in an interview that she “uses the organizing material of spirituals. You may not hear direct quotation, but you will hear playing around with pentatonicism, playing around with call and response, some of these organizing principles that African-American scholars like Amiri Baraka have pointed out as indicative of black musical discourse.”
“Florence Price is a representation in music of what it means to be a black artist living within a white canon and trying to work within the classical realm,” Mr. Carter added. “How do we, through that, create a sound that sounds our culture, sounds our experience, sounds our embodied lives?” “Everything she was doing was musically mainstream but at the same time idiosyncratic,” he said. “Her music has kind of a luminous quality that strikes me as her own. Our understanding of American modernism of the 1930s and 1940s is not complete without Price’s contribution.” Writing to a conductor in the ’40s, Price described “an accumulation of hundreds of unpublished and unsubmitted manuscripts.” She continued to compose up to her death; absent her tenacity and advocacy for her own music, her legacy was incompletely preserved and has had to be reconstructed piece by piece. But she was also meticulous, and the manuscripts that were discovered nine years ago, now in the University of Arkansas library with many of her other papers, are mostly complete and easily performed. The question is, who will perform them. Even by late last year, when challenged by a group of local musicians to diversify their programming, the Boston Symphony replied that, while it was working on the problem, audiences still wanted to hear “specifically the universal masterworks composed between 1600 and the mid-1900s.” The orchestra had programmed music by Price some months prior, but only a string quartet in a community concert, not one of the larger symphonic pieces she created as her style matured. If American orchestras truly wish to diversify their programming — the Chicago Symphony and
Philadelphia Orchestra, to name just two important examples, recently announced seasons without music by a single female composer, living or dead — Price is one of the many artists who deserves greater exposure. The Fort Smith Symphony in Arkansas is beginning a project to record her four symphonies for the Naxos label, based on editions prepared by the composer James Greeson, and in May will perform her First Symphony and (in a world premiere) the Fourth, another of the works unearthed in her summer house. “While Price was quite proud of her accomplishments, she always felt like there was a limitation on the reception of her music, because of her race and because of her gender,” Mr. Carter said. When she tried to find a publisher for her song “Sympathy,” set to a Dunbar poem that later inspired Maya Angelou, one told her it was just a little bit too chromatic. Mr. Carter speculates that Price identified with the caged bird in the poem. But, as we hear the soprano move into her upper register on the line “But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings/I know why the caged bird sings,” we can also hear the full flowering Price has always deserved. www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/arts/ music/florence-price-arkansassymphony-concerto.html Violin Concerto no. 2: www. youtube.com/watch?time_ continue=3&v=A50gEwDu6bU My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord: www.youtube.com/watch?time_ continue=2&v=wf9VuDoP5tE Symphony No. 1: www.youtube. com/watch?time_continue=3&v=ceCVkhz2wU Sympathy 02 (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings): www. youtube.com/watch?time_ continue=14&v=qLnZ9mb0IZk
89 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - Obituary/Memorial
Olivia Cole, Actress in 'Roots' and 'Backstairs at the White House,' Dies at 75 By Mike Barnes
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livia Cole, the Emmywinning actress best known for her performances in the 1970s miniseries Backstairs at the White House and Roots, has died. She was 75. Cole died Friday at her home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, her agent, Susie Schwarz at SDB Partners, told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was immediately available. Cole also portrayed the gossipy Miss Sophie alongside Oprah Winfrey on the 1989 ABC miniseries The Women of Brewster Place and on a subsequent, short-lived series. Cole received her supporting actress Emmy for her turn as Matilda — the wife of Ben Vereen's Chicken George and mother of Georg Stanford Brown's Tom — on Alex Haley's Roots, which was broadcast on ABC in January 1977 on eight consecutive nights and watched by an estimated 140 million people. On the nine-hour 1979 NBC miniseries Backstairs at the White House, Cole was perhaps even more memorable as Maggie Rogers, the mother of Leslie Uggams' Lillian Rogers Parks. Both real-life women spent years working as maids for U.S. presidents over several decades. For that performance, Cole received another Emmy nom, for outstanding lead actress in a limited series or special, and "established her, with the possible exception of
Cicely Tyson, as the finest black dramatic actress in Hollywood," People magazine noted in a 1979 profile. Cole also appeared as Corrine in the Oscar best picture winner Coming Home (1978); in Some Kind of Hero (1982), with Richard Pryor; opposite Paul Winfield in James Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain (1984); and with Ice Cube in First Sunday (2008). Cole was born on Nov. 26, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, the only daughter of parents who moved with her to Harlem. She attended Hunter College High School, Bard College in New York and then the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She returned to the U.S. in 1964 and appeared in Romeo and Juliet at the American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Connecticut. In 1966, Cole made her Broadway debut in a revival of The School for
Scandal — just one of the many stage appearances during her career — and then landed a gig as Deborah Mehren on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. Cole bossed around Ned Beatty on the CBS series Szysznyk in 1977-78 and also appeared on television on Police Woman, North and South, Family, L.A. Law and Murder, She Wrote. Cole was married to actor Richard Venture, who died just last month; they met when starring in a play at the Arena Stage in Washington, and he discovered the town of San Miguel de Allende while filming the Costa-Gavras drama Missing (1982) there. The couple divorced a couple of years later, and she lived in Mexico for some 30 years, Schwarz said. She did not have any known survivors. www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/ olivia-cole-actress-in-roots-andbackstairs-at-the-white-house-diesat-75/ar-AAv89Ez?ocid=spartanntp
90 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - Obituary/Memorial As well as close friendships with jazz legends such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charles Mingus, Masekela also performed alongside stars Janis Joplin, Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s. He was married to singer and activist Miriam Makeba, known as “Mama Africa”, from 1964 to 1966. In 1976, the man who became known as the father of South African jazz composed Soweto Blues in response to the uprising in the vast township. He toured with Paul Simon in the 1980s while continuing his political engagement, writing Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela) in 1987. The song became an anthem of the antiapartheid struggle. Towards the end of a career that spanned five decades he performed at the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg. The South African president, Jacob Zuma, said the nation would mourn a man who “kept the torch of freedom alive”. “epitaph” to his long career. “It is an immeasurable loss to South African social media was the music industry and to the immediately flooded with tributes to “brother Hugh”, whose career country at large. His contribution and work was closely intertwined to the struggle for liberation will with the troubled politics of his never be forgotten,” Zuma said in a statement. homeland. The arts and culture minister, Masekela was born in Witbank, a Mthethwa, described mining town in eastern South Africa, Nathi Masekela as “one of the great and was given his first trumpet by the anti-apartheid activist archbishop architects of Afro-Jazz”. “A baobab Trevor Huddleston, who formed a tree has fallen, the nation has pioneering jazz band in Soweto in lost a one of a kind musician,” the 1950s that became a launchpad Mthethwa wrote on Twitter. for many of South Africa’s most www.theguardian.com/music/2018/ famous jazz musicians. jan/23/hugh-masekela-southMasekela went on to study in african-jazz-trumpeter-diesthe UK and the US, where he had aged-78 significant success.
Hugh Masekela, South African jazz trumpeter, dies at age 78 By Jason Burke
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statement from the trumpeter’s family said Masekela “passed peacefully” in Johannesburg, where he lived and worked for much of his life. “A loving father, brother, grandfather and friend, our hearts beat with a profound loss. Hugh’s global and activist contribution to and participation in the areas of music, theatre and the arts in general is contained in the minds and memories of millions across six continents,” the statement read. Masekela had been suffering from prostate cancer for almost a decade. He last performed in 2010 in Johannesburg when he gave two concerts that were seen as an
91 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - Obituary/Memorial
Wyatt Tee Walker Helped MLK Change Birmingham, the World Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker (left) with Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth in 1998
By Greg Garrison
(AL.com/Frank Couch)
Rev. A. D. King, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev. Bernard Lee, and Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker. (AL.com/Frank Couch)
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ivil rights leader Wyatt Tee Walker, who died on Tuesday at 88, was the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s organizer for the 1963 marches in Birmingham that galvanized the nation when city officials used dogs and firehoses to restrain demonstrators.
While King was in the Birmingham jail, Walker was the one who assembled notes written by King that became the famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," said Samford University historian Jonathan Bass. "He is the editor and compiler of the 'Letter from Birmingham Jail,'" said Bass, author of "Blessed are
92 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
From left, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Wyatt T. Walker, Dr. Calvin B. Marshall, and Dick Gregory commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington in Chicago in 1996. (Credit: AP Photo/ Bebeto Matthews)
the Peacemakers," a book focused on King's letter and the clergy he addressed in it. "Without Walker, the most important document of the civil rights era doesn't exist," Bass said. "He's the one who takes the notes from King and puts it all together. He always said he was the only who could decipher King's chicken-scratch. He was putting together a literary jigsaw puzzle of all these random notes that King was passing out." Walker joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1961 and served as executive director until 1964. In the spring of 1963, Walker arrived in Birmingham and scouted downtown for Operation "C" - Operation Confrontation. Downtown Birmingham was a thriving, but thoroughtly segregated, area filled with most of the city's retail shops, banks and lunch counters. The movement had just suffered a major defeat in Albany, Ga., when police refused to use violence against the protesters and avoided the trap of bad publicity. Walker knew that Birmingham Public Safety Commissioner Eugene "Bull" Connor would play into the non-violence demonstrators' hands by ordering violence against them. "Walker was such a pivotal figure," Bass said. "He is often overlooked, even with his own self-promotion." During the Birmingham marches, Walker stayed off the front lines so that he could continue to organize and promote. King, the Rev. Ralph Abernathy and the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth led from the front. "Walker doesn't participate in the marches, always
staying outside, coordinating activities, planning, looking to the next phase," Bass said. "He always said King, Abernathy and Shuttlesworth were the great symbols of the movement." In famous pictures from the era, Walker is seen leaning toward King and whispering into his ear. "That sums that relationship," Bass said. "He's willing to be behind the scenes organizing. He had this ability to assume King's voice. A lot of times things attributed to King were at least edited by Walker. He had this natural public relations affinity. He understood the media. He knew when they came to Birmingham that Bull Connor was going to help the cause and the media was going to promote the images he wanted publicized to shed the light on injustice. He was talented in terms of strategy, getting people committed to a movement at the right moment. He's the one that kept things running. He had this pragmatic ability to get this message out. He's the public relations genius behind the movement in Birmingham. I don't think King's message gets out the same without Walker." Walker, the longtime senior minister of Canaan Baptist Church in New York, took part in a 1998 symposium with the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. When Shuttlesworth found Walker at the back of the sanctuary, he threw an arm around him and began laughing and reminiscing. "We had some times, didn't we?" said Shuttlesworth, who died in 2011. "The Lord still has his anointing on you," Walker said. www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2018/01/civil_rights_leader_wyatt_ tee.html
93 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Community/Public Interest - Obituary/Memorial
Edwin Hawkins, US Gospel Singer has Passed By Adam Sweeting
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t has been said that the devil has all the best tunes, but this was emphatically not the case with Oh Happy Day, an exuberant paean to the spiritually cleansing powers of Jesus. It was a hymn written in the mid-18th century, but it was Edwin Hawkins, who has died of pancreatic cancer aged 74, who popularised it and turned it into a global standard. The song became a hit in 1969, credited to the Edwin Hawkins Singers, and reached No 2 in the UK and No 1 in France and Germany, as well as No 4 on the US’s Billboard Hot 100 chart. It sold more than a million copies in two months, and would eventually sell 7m internationally. It had first appeared on an album, Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord (1968), recorded by the Northern California State Youth Choir. The choir had been formed by Hawkins and Betty Watson while Hawkins was a university student at Berkeley, taking a course in interior design. “I formed the choir at the local church in Berkeley, the Ephesian Church of God and Christ,” Hawkins told Blues & Soul magazine
in 1970. “We originally only wanted about 500 records,. We sold them all to the church’s r e g u l a r patrons and had another 1,000 or so pressed to take with us to a youth convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The whole album was recorded on a simple two-track machine because we could afford no more.” The choir sold 600 records in Cleveland, before returning to California and discovering that the underground people had been showing an interest in our album. It was decided to release it as a single, on the newly created Pavilion label. “Then the label got distribution with Buddah [another label] and they felt it would be a better move commercially if we became the Edwin Hawkins Singers,” Hawkins recalled. So it proved. In 1970 it won a Grammy award for best soul gospel performance. Also performers like the Four Seasons, Glen Campbell, Johnny Mathis, Elvis Presley, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples covered the song. George Harrison cited it as an inspiration for his hit My Sweet Lord. Hawkins was born in Oakland, California, to Daniel and Mamie Hawkins. Daniel was a
longshoreman who played the Hawaiian guitar, and Mamie was a pianist who accompanied Edwin and his numerous siblings in a family church singing group. By the time he was seven on most Sunday afternoons the group would sing in a church somewhere. In later years he would tour regularly with assorted family members as the Hawkins Family, and often performed with his brother Walter, a singer and composer. Edwin and Walter were involved in developing the Love Center Ministries mission in Oakland. Walter died in 2010, also from pancreatic cancer. The Edwin Hawkins Singers were back on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970 when they appeared on Melanie’s single Lay Down (Candles in the Rain), which reached No 6, but that was their last mainstream success, although they released albums consistently throughout the 1970s. In 1971 their recording of Every Man Wants to Be Free won the Grammy for best soul gospel performance. In 1978 they did it again with Wonderful! During the 80s and 90s Edwin recorded frequently with the Music and Arts Seminar mass choir, and in 1993 he won the Grammy for best gospel choir or chorus album for Recorded Live in Los Angeles. In 2007, Edwin was voted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame. He is survived by siblings Feddie, Daniel, Carol and Lynette. www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jan/17/edwinhawkins-obituary
94 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
www.meetingsafrica.co.za convention@southafrica.net
95 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
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.
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• 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
96 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
International
Study Shows African Immigrants as Significant Contributors to U.S. Economy
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study has been carried out by the New American Economy, a Washington-based research advocacy group which was focused on African immigrants and their varied levels of education. The U.S. immigrant population from sub-Saharan Africa (49 countries with a total population of more than 1.1 billion) had grown from 723,000 to more than 1.7 million between 2010 and 2015 (http://research. newamericaneconomy.org/report/power-of-the-purse-howsub-saharan-africans-contribute-to-the-u-s-economy).
In the study, it was found out that a total of 16% of the immigrant population had a master’s degree, medical degree, law degree or a doctorate when compared with the U.S. born population which had a total of 11%. Senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute think tank in Washington, Jeanne Batalova said that many refugees are recipients of the “diversity visa program” with the population of the African immigrants being very diverse in their “educational, economic and English proficiency profile”. This means that African immigrants are comparatively
held to higher standards than other immigrants and respectively, U.S. citizens. As well as highlight the different levels of education, the study also refutes what many believe to be the opinions of the U.S. President that immigrants contribute little to the American economy. Andrew Lim, associate director of research at New American Economy, believes African immigrants make America look good, and said: “Overwhelmingly the evidence shows that (African immigrants) make a significant, positive economic contribution to the U.S. economy.” If anything, the study is proof that immigrants are significant contributors to the U.S. economy and have little to no negative effect on overall wages or employment levels for U.S.-born workers. Read the full research report at: http://research. n e w a m e r i c a n e c o n o m y. o r g / w p - c o n t e n t / u p l o a d s / sites/2/2018/01/NAE_African_V6.pdf . http://africanleadership.co.uk/study-shows-africanimmigrants-significant-contributors-u-s-economy
98 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
International
Ethiopian to Kick off Flight Services from Addis Ababa to Chicago in June STAT Times
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thiopian Airlines Group, the largest aviation holding company in Africa will commence direct flight services
from Addis Ababa to Chicago from June 2 using Boeing 787
Dreamliner. Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one of the most technologically advanced aircrafts in the carrier’s fleet family, featuring up-to-date amenities with redefined travel experiences. The move will connect passengers from the entire African continent with Chicago and beyond through Ethiopian’s Addis Ababa hub. It will also connect East bound travelers from the USA to Africa. The connectivity has been planned to facilitate shortest total travel time for its customers.
Tewolde GebreMariam, group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said: “Chicago will be our fourth destination in the US, and seventh in the Americas. It’s the third biggest city in the US, and one of the most important global aviation hubs. We will be bridging the air connectivity gap as our flights will be the only direct service between Chicago and Africa. “Chicago is the main hub of our Star Alliance partner, United Airlines. The flights will be operated along with United Airlines to offer best services to travelers from US, and will connect to over 55 destinations in Africa. The services will further boost the growing economic and people-to-people relations between the US and Africa, and will enable greater flow of trade, investment and tourism,” said GebreMariam. www.cnbcafrica.com/apo/2018/01/16/ mhttp://www.stattimes.com/ethiopian-tokick-off-flight-services-from-addis-ababato-chicago-in-june-aviation?utm_source=T he+Corporate+Council+on+Africa+%28R evised%29&utm_campaign=cd15ed2302EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_01&utm_ medium=email&utm_term=0_4004c77546cd15ed2302-325783485
USTDA at ENERGYNET'S POWERING AFRICA Summit
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STDA's Thomas R. Hardy, Lida Fitts, and Andrea Lupo will be speaking at EnergyNet's Powering Africa Summit in Washington, D.C. on February 28 - March 2, 2018. To learn more, please visit: www. poweringafrica-summit.com.
99 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
International
South Africa's Jacob Zuma Resigns After Pressure from Party
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma gyonlineng.com
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n a televised statement, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma said he was quitting with immediate effect but said he disagreed with his ANC party's decision. The ANC had told him to step down or face a vote of no confidence in parliament. The 75-year-old has been facing calls to give way to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC's new leader. Mr. Zuma, who has been in power since 2009, faces numerous allegations of corruption. He began his speech by laughing and joking with members of the press, asking them why they looked so serious. After paying tribute to those whom he had worked with over the
years, Mr Zuma said that violence and division within the ANC had influenced his decision to step down. "No life should be lost in my name and also the ANC should never be divided in my name. I have therefore come to the decision to resign as president of the republic with immediate effect," he said. "Even though I disagree with the decision of the leadership of my organisation, I have always been a disciplined member of the ANC. "As I leave I will continue to serve the people of South Africa as well as the ANC, the organisation I have served... all of my life." The ANC (African National Congress) issued a statement saying Mr Zuma's resignation provided "certainty to the people of
South Africa". Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte told reporters: "President Zuma remains a principled member of the ANC. The ANC wants to salute the outstanding contribution he has made." Mr Zuma, a former member of the ANC's military wing in the days of apartheid, rose through the ranks of the party to become president. He led the country for more than a third of its time after apartheid. But he leaves office with several scandals hanging over him, and with South Africa's economy in dire straits.
What led up to Zuma's resignation? A meeting of the ANC's National Executive Committee had announced its decision to recall Mr Zuma on Tuesday and gave him until the end of Wednesday to resign. ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu then announced a parliamentary motion of noconfidence for Thursday, with Mr Ramaphosa sworn in as president as soon as possible after that. http://www.bbc.com/news/worldafrica-43066443
100 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Cyril Ramaphosa Succeeds Zuma as South African President
South Africa's new President Cyril Ramaphosa farmersweekly.co.za
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yril Ramaphosa has become South Africa's president a day after embattled leader Jacob Zuma resigned. He was the only candidate nominated by Parliament, which is dominated by his African National Congress. MPs broke into song at the announcement. In his first presidential speech, Mr. Ramaphosa, 65, said he would tackle the corruption which allegedly became widespread under Mr. Zuma. President Ramaphosa told parliament that corruption and state capture were "on our radar screen". He is due to deliver a State of the Nation address on Friday. This was
delayed last week amid uncertainty about who should deliver it and Mr Zuma's reluctance to step down. One opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, walked out of the parliamentary debate. It wants new elections, rather than the ANC deciding on the identity of the new president. Mr. Ramaphosa has said his priority is reviving South Africa's battered economy. But it won't be easy: Unemployment is currently at almost 30%, a rate which rises to nearly 40% for young people. Low growth rates and dwindling investor confidence were compounded by two credit agencies downgrading the economy to junk status.
One of the first steps in improving that investor confidence is addressing the persistent claims of corruption at the heart of government.
New hope for the economy There is a renewed sense of hope as Mr. Ramaphosa is taking over the reins of Africa's most industrialised economy. The markets appeared to welcome Mr Zuma's resignation. The South African currency, the rand, reaching its strongest levels in three years - at 11.6570 rand for $1 in early trading. www.bbc.com/news/worldafrica-43070771
101 February 2018 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:
J
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
Find Maisha, Mala, Malina & Mhina at:
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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.
www.zyrobotics.com info@zyrobotics.com
107 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
SUPER SOAKER
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108 January 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
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Skin Care for You om Smokey Robinson www.skinphonic.com
www.mentedcosmetics.com
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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 “Collective� http://www.atthecollective.com 280 Elizabeth Street, Atlanta, GA
https://www.tracyreese.com/ www.andreaiyamah.com
DigitalKente www.digitalkenteshop.com/ 113 February 2018 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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New Arrivals! We're pleased to present our Naked collection bras, which will be available in our biggest size range yet - up to a UK 40G! ese brilliant bras all have a 3-part cup with added mesh for additional support, and are made with so micro bre for ultimate comfort. ey have NO padding, and work with your natural shape, providing a gentle and supportive li.
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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 118 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Collection Bed, Bath & Beyond http://bsmith.com/shop
http://marvin-sin.squarespace.com
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.
www.shaddpianos.com
Baron's Painting & Decorating Service Baron Williams 30 Years of Experience in the Greater Los Angeles Area Specializing in Exterior and Interior Painting, Tiling, Linoleum Flooring,
Cultural Interiors West &
Cordially Invited Cultural Interiors West 5573 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019
& Wall Paper
"I will paint any one story building or house for $2,500 satisfaction guaranteed."
1-323-490-3774
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
121 February 2018 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
122 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Z
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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 123 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken is Incredibly Good By Shirley Hawkins
I
f you like biting into juicy, succulent, mouth watering chicken just dripping with fall-off-the-bone flavor, look no further than Honey’s Kettle Chicken located in downtown Culver City. People travel from miles around just to savor Honey’s Kettle Chicken, voted “Best Chicken in L.A.” by Los Angeles Magazine and the Huffington Post. And no wonder—its owner, chef Vincent Williams, has spent 45 years frying up millions of pieces of chicken just oozing with that unmistakable Southern flavor. Founded 17 years ago by husband-and-wife team Vincent and Arlene Williams, the duo only uses farm-fresh, hormone and antibiotic-free chickens dipped in a secret-recipe batter and fried in 100% peanut oil. The result is a light and crispy
battered fried chicken is nongreasy and made from scratch. ‘I fry about 600 pounds of chicken a day,” boasted Vincent, who said that he uses only the finest quality ingredients. He always keeps his ingredients top notch because one of his goals was to build “one of the greatest restaurants ever made.’’ The chicken will knock you out-but don’t forget to order Honey’s magnificent sides. If you like handmashed potatoes, freshly prepared. coleslaw, lip-smacking macaroni and cheese, sautéed green beans, scrumptious catfish, delectable corn on the cob, tasty pecan pie, iceshaker lemonade and homemade biscuits dripping with honey, make a bee-line to Honey’s. There is always a lunchtime crowd eagerly lined up and trailing out the door, patiently waiting to get their Honey ‘fix.’ Customers have been known to tear open their orders in the paper bag and start munching the crackling, golden pieces right there on the curb. Fans have even driven from as far away as Las Vegas and San Diego to bite into Honey’s famous bird, and celebrities such as rapper Kendrick Lamar, singers Keisha
Cole and Justin Timberlake, Queen Latifah, Stevie Wonder, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and former model Tyra Banks have all ordered from Honey’s. Believe it or not, William’s business was not an overnight success. “I went through 30 straight years of pure hell,’’ Williams recalls in his efforts to keep his business afloat. ‘’But my goal now is to build a multi-billion dollar company and to make sure to keep it in the family.” Williams is a long-standing member of the Black Business Association. ‘’The chicken is outstanding,’” said Earl ‘Skip” Cooper II, publisher and editor of the Black Business News and the CEO and president of the Black Business Association. “Their sides, including their mashed potatoes and green beans, are outstanding. And I really have a thing for their original blueberry biscuits.” Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken is located at 9537 Culver Blvd. in Culver City. Open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Phone: 1-310-202-5453. Website: www.honeyskettle.com.
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. 128 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Parker House Sausage
(www.parkerhousesausage.com) was started by Chicago entrepreneur, Judge H. Parker who came to Chicago from Montgomery County, Tennessee with little more than the conviction that there was a potential market for homemade sausage products prepared according to his mother’s recipes. By 1919 Judge Parker began selling his unique blend of herbs and spices mixed with flavorful, savory sausage from a horse drawn cart on a retail basis. Recognized as one of the oldest family owned businesses in the U.S. In 2014 Parker House expanded its product line to include chicken products including breakfast sausage, hot links, and smoked sausage.
LOOK FOR US IN THE FROZEN FOODS SECTION!
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!
S
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:
//grandmamauds. com/recipes
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! 132 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Not Just Cookies NJC is a cookie company providing, natural desserts superior in quality and taste. Our cookies and pies are made with the finest ingredients. We offer select gluten free and vegan desserts that are rich in taste. Not Just Cookies is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) founded by Johnathon Bush.
W
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 gifts, company parties, restaurants looking to outsource pastries, we're here for you. The 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. 133 February 2018 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
137 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
www.wosa.us www.winetalkwithmarcia.com
http://aaavintners.org
http://shallwewine.com
https://unclenearest.com
Eso Won Books
African American Books 4327 Degnan Boulevard, Leimert Park, Los Angeles
Give the Gift of Books and Music Come see our unsurpassed collection of books, music, videos, children’s books, and games!
1-323-294-0324
www.esowonbookstore.com //esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events
140 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Books to Consider
Books to Consider...
How to Be Black
B
by Baratunde Thurston
aratunde Thurston’s comedic memoir chronicles his coming-of-blackness and offers practical advice on everything from “How to Be the Black Friend” to “How to Be the (Next) Black President”. • Have you ever been called “too black” or “not black enough”? • Have you ever befriended or worked with a black person? • Have you ever heard of black people? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this book is for you. It is also for anyone who can read, possesses intelligence, loves to laugh, and has ever felt a distance between who they know themselves to be and what the world expects. Raised by a problack, Pan-Afrikan single mother during the crack years of 1980s Washington, DC, and educated at Sidwell Friends School and Harvard University, B a r a t u n d e Thurston has more than over thirty years' experience being black. Now, through stories of his politically inspired Nigerian
name, the heroics of his hippie mother, the murder of his drug-abusing father, and other revelatory black details, he shares with readers of all colors his wisdom and expertise in how to be black. “As a black woman, this book helped me realize I’m actually a white man.”—Patton Oswalt. https://www.amazon.com/dp/ B005GFPZZO/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_ encoding=UTF8&btkr=1B010MH9ZYC/ref=dp-kindleredirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Black Panther: A
Nation Under Our Feet Vol. 1 (Black Panther) by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Stan Lee
A
new era begins for the Black Panther! MacArthur Genius and National Book Award-winning writer TaNehisi Coates (Between the World and Me) takes the helm, confronting T'Challa with a dramatic upheaval in Wakanda that will make leading the African nation tougher than ever before. When a superhuman terrorist group calling itself The People sparks a violent uprising, the land famed for its incredible technology and proud warrior traditions will be thrown into turmoil. As suicide bombers terrorize the population, T'Challa struggles to unite his citizens, and a familiar villain steps out of the shadows. If Wakanda is to survive, it must adapt — but can its monarch, one in a long line of Black Panthers, survive the necessary change? Heavy lies the head that wears the cowl! www.amazon.com/dp/B01JT4A2DW/ref=dp-kindleredirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
So You Want to Talk About Race
142 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Books to Consider
I
by Ijeoma Oluo
n So You Want to Talk About Race, Editor at Large of The Establishment Ijeoma Oluo offers a contemporary, accessible take on the racial landscape in America, addressing head-on such issues as privilege, police brutality, i n t e rs e c t i o n a l it y, micro-aggressions, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the "N" word. Perfectly positioned to bridge the gap between people of color and white Americans struggling with race complexities, Oluo answers the questions readers don't dare ask, and explains the concepts that continue to elude everyday Americans. Oluo is an exceptional writer with a rare ability to be straightforward, funny, and effective in her coverage of sensitive, hyper-charged issues in America. Her messages are passionate but finely tuned, and crystalize ideas that would otherwise be vague by empowering them with Ijeoma Oluo aha-moment clarity. https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Talk-About-Race/ dp/1580056776
You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson
B
eing a black woman in America means contending with old prejudices and fresh absurdities every day. Comedian Phoebe Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: she's been unceremoniously relegated to the role of "the black friend," as if she is somehow the authority on all things racial; she's been questioned about her love of U2 and Billy Joel ("isn’t that . . . white people music?"); she's been called "uppity" for having an opinion in the workplace; she's been followed around stores by security guards; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all. the. time. Now, she's ready to take these topics to the page—and she’s going to make you laugh as she’s doing it. Using her trademark wit alongside pop-culture references g a l o r e , Robinson e x p l o r e s everything from why Lisa Bonet is "Queen. Bae. Jesus," to breaking down the terrible nature of casting calls, to giving her less-than-traditional advice to the future female president, and demanding that the NFL clean up its act, all told in the same conversational voice that launched her podcast, 2 Dope Queens, to the top spot on iTunes. As personal as it is political, You Can't Touch My Hair examines our cultural climate and skewers our biases with humor and heart, announcing Robinson as a writer on the rise. www.amazon.com/You-Cant-Touch-My-Hair/ dp/0143129201/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= 1517938107&sr=1-1&keywords=phoebe+robinson
Searching for Cloves and Lilies by Regine Rousseau
143 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
T
he poems in Searching for Cloves and Lilies began when I asked friends and strangers, "what's your favorite body part?" most people answered my question and opened up to me. Others just smiled at my question, shook their heads, and left it to my imagination. I Regine Rousseau took their answers and silence, and created these poems. As the poems developed their own lives and their own body parts," they moved through and beyond the physical realm... what will your search bring you in these pages? R e g i n e Rousseau was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Haiti. She is excited to self publish her first collection of poetry, Searching for Cloves and Lilies. Regine’s desire to become a serious writer first bloomed as a high school student. She went on to graduate from Knox College, where she studied theater with an emphasis in Playwriting. Conflicted between her love of art and business, Regine set aside her acting ambitions to pursue a career in sales and marketing. While working full time, she began a few entrepreneurial ventures and worked on her writing in the evenings. She writes the wine column (Shall We Wine) for South Suburban News and is often featured in the lulu.com e- newspaper as a theater critic. She is at work on her second book. www.lulu.com/spotlight/RegineRousseau
Black Comix Returns
S
by John Jennings
tylish, vibrant and extremely diverse mix of artists and graphic novelists – for an art or comics enthusiast it’s like being a kid in a candy store. Or I guess I should say an art supply store. T h i s collection f e a t u r e s mostly indie artists, but of all mediums – digital or traditional, cartoon or realistic, full colour or monochrome, you name it. While it’s true of any multi-artist gallery that some of the styles won’t be my favourites, I can’t deny that everyone in here has buckets of talent. Seriously, the work here is pure, gleaming eye candy and is fantastic. I also thought the essays featured were well-written, as well as important – especially the one regarding diversity and artists, and that while it’s vital to have diversity in fiction, it’s even more vital to have diversity with its creators. But just to add, it’s not a book of short stories. They do talk about the books these artists have worked on or written, but John Jennings there aren’t many full postblackthebook.blogspot.com comics featured. Most of the comics are snippets from larger works. That’s not to say they aren’t lovely, though. https://bloodredvelvet.wordpress.com/2018/02/19/bookreview-black-comix-returns
144 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
BBA 2018 Master Planner February Black History Month Annual Awards Dinner & Celebration In recognition of Black History Month, the annual awards dinner highlights the achievements of African American entrepreneurs and the government agencies and corporate entities that provide support for African American businesses. Our Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Rev. Cecil "Chip" Murray. For particiation and sponsorship information visit www.bbala.org or information visit www.bbala.org or call 1-323call 1-323-291-9334. 291-9334.
March Annual Salute to Black Women Business Conference, Vendor Faire & Awards Luncheon In recognition of National Women’s History Month, this conference highlights the achievements of African American women entrepreneurs, along with workshop, including a workshop designed especially for young ladies between 13 and 18 years of age, entitled “Role Models for Success.” This conference also provides the opportunity for vendors to promote and sell their goods and services in the Vendor Faire. A favorite feature of the annual Salute is the African American Dessert Buffet. For particiation and sponsorship
April All About Supplier Diversity Certification Business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs learn about supplier diversity certifications, which certifications 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 call 1-323-291-9334.
May
145 February 2018 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
African Technology Foundation -- www.thea25n.com 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 StayWoke -- www.staywoke.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 Breaux Capital -- www.breauxcapital.com Disrupt Africa -- http://disrupt-africa.com/ The Exchange Magazine -- www.nse.co.ke Harlem Capital -- http://harlem.capital Silicon Harlem -- http://event.siliconharlem.net Ventures -- www.ventures-africa.com
U.S. Government Commerce Department -- www.doc.gov
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
146 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819
Resource Vault International Trade Administration -- http://trade.gov Minority Business Development Agency -- www.mbda. gov Power Africa -- www.usaid.gov/powerafrica Small Business Administration -- www.sba.gov State Department -- www.dos.gov Trade Africa -- www.usaid.gov/tradeafrica White House -- www.whitehouse.gov
147 February 2018 Black Business News www.blackbbusinessnews.net 1-323-291-7819