BBA News APR '10 by Black Business News Group

In This Issue... Cover Story page 3 National Broadband Plan and What It Means for Small Business page 6 2010 Salute to Black Women page 9 Health Care Reform is Law! page 18 Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Move! - The White House Urges Change - page 37 Focus on Africa - Trade Show Marketing page 44 SBA News - WOSB Proposal page 58

Pres. Obama Has His... You Get Yours! Black Business News

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE LIMITED EDITION

Now On Sale! A commemorative limited-edition magazine, unlike any other special tribute issued to recognize the election of Barack H. Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America, has been published by the Black Business Association.

To order your copy, call the BBA office at (323) 291-9334 or email to: mail@bbala.org

Hurry! Buy Your Copy Today - Quantities are limited!

President’s Message Earl “Skip” Cooper, II President/Chief Executive Officer

Massive Annual Spend is Devoid of Responsible Transparency

he Black Business Association (BBA) has long strived to promote opportunity for African American and small business contracting, to meet annual product and service outsourcing needs of the US public and private sectors. When corporate America exercised rightsizing and downsizing strategies of their firms in the 1980-90’s, the phenomenon benefited a number of major corporations through mergers and acquisitions at multi-billion dollar levels that will almost certainly not be replicated for years to come. Sadly, we are now experiencing the downsizing of entire major cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles, to name a few. What is really critical to this state of affairs is that, unlike stockholder controlled corporations, the public sector does not have the operational luxury of benefiting from lucrative merger and acquisition processes. The Federal government created legislation to safeguard the nation from undergoing this type of economic implosion, but it seems that some Powers That Be didn’t get that memo. A considerable amount of time and effort has gone into the general business model of launching and operating socioeconomic development programs. To the

contrary, there has also been a serious lack implementing courses of action that lead to positive outcomes for those programs. Nevertheless, the spirit and intent of legislation for socioeconomic development includes employment, supplier utilization, and support among protected classes designated by race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age, which still present enormous parity gaps. The protected classes add up to a wide range of American citizenry, and yet the distribution of annual corporate spend among these groups by the public and private sectors is more disproportionate today than it was when programs first began in the mid1960’s. Banking, finance, insurance, petroleum, energy, food/beverage, entertainment, technology, and telecommunications are making some unreal multi-billion dollar profit margins. To be clear, it is not so much the excessive profits that can be pointed to as the problem for the shrinking economy, as much as it is how these major industries have chosen to implement their respective annual spend for operational products and services. The annual spend dollars are simply not getting out to enough companies to help defray the tax burden required to run large scale

economies like the city of Los Angeles, thereby creating vast disparity gaps in the American landscape. For example, let’s take a snapshot of the National Minority Supplier Development Council that has a membership base of the top Fortune 2,000 corporations, plus many of the major municipalities and state agencies. This is a 38-year old organization that records an aggregated annual corporate spend with minority businesses in excess of $100 billion. This sounds like a really good outlay, but this annual spend with minority firms was achieved by Corporate America sourcing qualified minority firms and awarding such contracts on a competitive basis. Therefore, if regular competition is the business model, the public and private sector economic development programs may be redundant in that they are not showing any added value or innovative application in supporting the protected classes to build underserved communities. Contracting fairness is apparently resolved where any company demonstrating responsive competitive pricing and responsible management will reach parity through an auditable win-capture rating of contract opportunities. All the same, one has to question the significance and relevance of what $100 billion means regarding the protected class groups and to what extent does recording such a large annual spend accomplish if the very communities and cities where minorities reside are going belly up. Pronouncing an annual collective spend of one hundred billion see President’s Message on page 41

3 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Over 40 years of service Founded 1970

Fannie Mae IBM Kaiser Permanente LAEDC Los Angeles World Airports Northrop Grumman Corporation Raytheon Company S.C.R.P.C. Sempra Energy Southern California Edison Swinerton Builders Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. Turner Construction Company Union Bank of California USBank Verizon Walt Disney Company WellPoint Wells Fargo Bank Lyceum Management Services, Ex Officio Hollis Smith, Ex Officio Paulette Williams, Ex Officio

Kevin M. Caliup, Treasurer AIA/E-World Strategy Narishimah Osei, Parliamentarian Osei & Associates Gwen Moore, Director GEM Communications Candida Mobely-Wright, Director Voices, Inc. Angela Walton, Director Melador Technologies, Inc. Angela Reddock, Esq., Legal Counsel

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

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

PRODUCTION MANAGER Narishima Osei

STAFF

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ian Foxx ▪ Sabir • N. Osei

Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, President/CEO Kesha Vontreese, Administrative Consultant Steven Turner, Economic Development Editor Tony Hayward, Marketing Director

LAYOUT/TYPESETTING

CORPORATE PARTNERS

W. Gladney ▪ C. Collins

PHOTOGRAPHY

Lion Communications

AEG American Honda Motor Company AT&T Bank of America The Boeing Company California Lottery Citibank Coca-Cola Enterprises Comerica Bank Department of Water & Power Donald Sterling Corporation

BBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ted Davis, Chairman IsComp Systems, Inc. Nathan Freeman, Vice Chairman Figueroa Media Group, Inc. Eugene Jones, Secretary NVA Financial Group, Inc.

AFFILIATES African American Unity Caucus Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs Black Women’s Network California Black Chamber of Commerce California Council of Black Chambers The Greenlining Institute Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense & Education Fund National Black Business Council The National Association of African American Chambers of Commerce The National Black Chamber of Commerce Pan African Film & Arts Festival Recycling Black Dollars

2010 Events

February • Black Business Awards Dinner - 36th Anniversary of the BBA March • Salute to Black Women May • World Trade Week Conference June • Business of Black Music Conference & Awards Dinner August • BBA 40th Year Celebration November • Utilities Procurement Exchange Summit & Awards Luncheon • Call for information •

323-291-9334 4 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

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

In This Issue… 3

Responsible Transparency Mission

6 9

18 37

National Broadband Plan Salute to Black Women California RecoveryNew Office of Economic Development The Recovery Act-Minorities Losing Out Health Care Reform is Law Let’s Move!

Africa Focus

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

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

•

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

•

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

•

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

•

Providing training for entrepreneurial professional development;

•

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

•

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

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

President’s Message

Trade Show Marketing Scott Retires from Africare page 44

Privatizing P i ti i the th C Convention Center

SBA News WOSB Proposal

Calendar

Columns 33 - Business Opportunities of the Future 43 - Take A Look! 53 - Financial Management 65 - Books to Consider...

BBA Action Alert 17 - Help for Haiti U.S. Small Business Administration

2007 Journalist of the Year Award

Los Angeles Minority Business Center (LA/MBOC)

2010 Media Firm of the Year Award

he Federal Communications Commission (FCC) delivered to Congress a National Broadband Plan setting an ambitious agenda for connecting all corners of the nation while transforming the economy and society with the communications network of the future -- robust, affordable Internet. “The National Broadband Plan is a 21st century roadmap to spur economic growth and investment, create jobs, educate our children, protect our citizens, and engage in our democracy,” said Chairman Julius Genachowski. “It’s an action plan, and action is necessary to meet the challenges of global competitiveness, and harness the power of broadband to help address so many vital national issues.” The Plan was mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009 and produced by an FCC task force that set new precedents for government openness, transparen-

cy, and rigor. Information for the plan was gathered in 36 public workshops, 9 field hearing, and 31 public notices that produced 75,000 pages of public comments. The debate went online with 131 blogposts that triggered 1,489

comments; 181 ideas on IdeaScale garnering 6,100 votes; 69,500 views on YouTube; and 335,000 Twitter followers. The task force augmented this voluminous record with independent research and data-gathering. Titled “Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan,” the Plan found that while broadband access and use have increased over the past decade, the nation must do much more to connect all individuals and the economy to broadband’s transformative benefits. Nearly 100 million Americans lack broadband at home today, and 14 million Americans do not have access to broadband even if they want it. Only 42 percent of people with disabilities use broadband at home, while as few as 5 percent of people living on Tribal lands have access. Meanwhile, the cost of digital exclusion for the student unable to access the Internet to complete a homework assignment, or for the unemployed worker who can’t search for a job online, continues to grow. Comments of FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Now that we actually have a National Broadband Plan, our work is just beginning. The Plan lays out a strong roadmap, and it is now our responsibility as a Commission to put those words on the page into action. This Plan is being unveiled at a

Commissioner Mignon Clyburn

crossroads in our Nation’s telecom policy. Down one path, we could fall prey to the familiar bureaucratic tendency to grind things to a halt, search for reasons to say “no”, and fail to take any meaningful action. Down another path, we could tackle the challenge before us, fostering competition to encourage innovation and investment, working towards universal access and digital literacy, and enabling our first responders to protect and defend our country during the moments that call for emergency communications. Let there be no doubt that the only responsible option is the latter path. We must not succumb to the threats of special interests or the familiar blanket assertions that all government involve-

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ment is negative. Now is the time to be bold, and we owe it to all Americans to step up to the challenge and seize the moment. There are several areas in particular which I believe necessitate immediate action. Near universal adoption - without this we will be supporting the development of a long-lasting underclass of those who do not have access to the most basic needs. One crucial aspect of broadband adoption is making broadband affordable. Public safety and homeland security - the plan provides concrete steps for a nationwide public safety wireless broadband network – one that will provide needed functionality and interoperability for the public safety community. The Plan’s recommendations regarding Next Generation 911 and Next Generation Alerting are vital to ensuring that as consumers’ reliance on new media expands, so does the government’s ability to communicate with them in times of emergency. Spectrum - the plan is committed to finding innovative ways in which we can make more spectrum available over the next decade. The demands for spectrum are, and will continue to be, great. At a high level, we must set meaningful long-term goals that include both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. However, the Plan does not study the impact that a spectrum selloff would have on women and minorityowned broadcast television stations. Competition - competition is the best method for ensuring better prices and services for consumers, and the ultimate incentive for investment and innovation. If we are serious about connecting America; about leading the world technologically and economically; about ensuring that all consumers, no matter their income level or geographic location, have sufficient access to online services, then we should be very concerned about the competitive state

of broadband service. Broadband and Small Business Broadband is becoming a prerequisite to economic opportunity for individuals, small businesses and communities. Those without broadband and the skills to use broadband-enabled technologies are becoming more isolated from the modern American economy. This is due in part to the rapidly changing nature of work in the digital age. Sixty-two percent of American workers rely on the Internet to perform their jobs. Broadband and the Internet make it possible for small businesses to reach new markets and improve their business processes. They have also become a critical pathway for individuals to gain skills and access careers. And it is a core infrastructure component for local communities seeking to attract new industries and skilled work forces. As a result, small businesses, workers, and communities must have the broadband infrastructure, training and tools to participate and compete in a changing economy. Broadband can help every community. Unfortunately, certain communities, such as African Americans, Hispanics and rural Americans, face low adoption rates, further limiting the potential benefits of broadband (see Chapter 9). National broadband goals Goal 1: At least 100 million U.S. homes should have affordable access to actual download speeds of at least 100 megabits per second and actual upload speeds of at least 50 megabits per second. Goal 2: The United States should lead the world in mobile innovation, with the fastest and most extensive wireless networks of any nation. Goal 3: Every American should have affordable access to robust broadband service, and the means and skills to subscribe if they so choose. Goal 4: Every community should have affordable access to at least 1 Gbps broadband service to anchor institutions such as schools, hospitals and

government buildings. Goal 5: To ensure the safety of Americans, every first responder should have access to a nationwide public safety wireless network. Goal 6: To ensure that America leads in the clean energy economy, every American should be able to use broadband to track and manage their realtime energy consumption Download the Plan Read and study the National Broadband Plan in order to identify and understand how to secure what you need for your business, for your education, for the education systems in your neighborhood, and for all of the users that you might imagine. Visit www. broadband.gov and select the Download icon. Apps for Inclusion The FCC and the Knight Foundation are partnering to sponsor an Apps for Inclusion challenge set to launch soon. The Challenge encourages technology innovators, in collaboration with local organizations, to review government and community services and develop tools that will improve lives by making it easier for citizens to receive these services through mobile and online applications. With $100,000 in prize money at stake, we are looking for innovative apps that are specifically targeted to people at the edge of the digital divide – those who traditionally have lower adoption rates and are often geographically and economically isolated. Our goal is to foster the creation of a new suit of social-purpose apps that leverage the talent and ideas of Americans across the country to implement core goals of the National Broadband Plan – the utilization of technology to improve Americans’ access to health, education, public safety, key government services and more. Visit www. broadband.gov and select the Apps for Inclusion icon to register to participate. &

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Congresswoman Maxine Waters Rips into NBC Universal’s Jeff Zucker Over Lack of Diversity Joe Flint, Los Angeles Times

iery Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) took NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker to task for the lack of African American actors and shows on NBC. In a hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee on the proposed $30-billion marriage between cable giant Comcast and NBC Universal, Waters used her time to question Zucker about why the network has not done better in creating shows that would appeal to the black community. “Is there some assumption that black programming is not profitable?” Waters asked Zucker. “Not at all,” he replied. Why then, she wondered, are there no shows on NBC aimed specifically at black viewers? She noted that Tyler Perry has created very successful movies and TV shows. Zucker tried to point out that the network had a history of successful black shows, but Waters wasn’t up for a trip down memory lane. “That was then and now is now,” she said, adding, “Black viewers deserve the kind of content they feel good about. ... I don’t understand why you don’t pursue it and why you don’t do it.” Waters pressed Zucker to do a better job on reaching out to African Ameri-

cans and then asked Jean Prewitt, president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance who was testifying against the Comcast-NBC Universal deal, whether her group could help Zucker out so “they are not sitting here in 2010 with no black programs.”

Prewitt said that was possible but that the network would have to “sit on its hands” when it came time to negotiate deals. Programming from diverse sources was one of the subplots of this hearing. Although much of the discussion was similar to hearings held earlier this month, there was also a heavy focus on how media consolidation has made it tough for independent producers to get shows on broadcast and cable television. Zucker, whose NBC network is struggling in the ratings, kept saying he was interested in quality shows and didn’t care where they came from. Waters said she’d be willing to “call all my friends in the industry and set up a meeting with you.” Coming to Zucker’s rescue later in the hearing was Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), who mentioned Al Roker’s prominence on NBC. That gave Zucker a chance to mention Bryant Gumbel’s role on “Today” and Lester Holt’s role with MSNBC. “I think we’ve done a good job. It’ll never be perfect,” Zucker said to Cohen. &

ACTION ALERT!

Citizens E-Mail and Telephone Campaign

Tell your U.S. Congressional Representatives and Senators to support a strong financial regulatory reform package to protect the people and the economy of the U.S.A. by creating a new Council to detect threats to the financial system and set up a Consumer Protection Agency to police people’s dealings with financial institutions.

Y OU R LI N K TO A F R I C A N A M E R I C A N B U S I N ES S ES C E L E B RAT I N G 4 0 YEA RS OF SE RV I C E

2010 Salute to Black Women Saturday, March 27, 2010 Omni Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

2010 Salute to Black Women

ver 200 women gathered in recognition of the six (6) Salute Honorees and of Women’s History Month on March 27, 2010 at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D35th District) served as the Honorary Chairperson and South African Consul General Jeanette T. Ndhlovu served as the Honorary Co-Chairperson. In concert with the Women’s History Month theme “Writing Women Back into History,” the Salute started with a morning business conference of educational workshops on financial and self improvement topics to ensure that attendees will write their own history. The Salute Marketplace offered networking and shopping time. The Salute Luncheon was the backdrop for presenting the awards to the 2010 honorees. & Photo Legend: 1) (l-r) 2010 Honorees Towalame Austin (Philanthropic Visionary Award), Faye Washington (Outstanding Executive Leadership Award), Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, President/CEO, Black Business Association, Forecee HoganRowles (Outstanding Business Leadership Award), Genell Brown (Special Recognition Award), and seated, Ms. Lillian Mobley (Lifetime Achievement Award). 2) Honoree Towalame Austin, President, Magic Johnson Foundation, looks at the Salute To Black Women Event Journal. 3) Honoree Assembly Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass accepts the Outstaning Public Service Award. 4) Mistress of Ceremonies Norma T. Hollis, President/CEO, Speakers Etcetera. 5) Patrice Covington, of Dream Girls cast sings for the audience. 6) (l-r) Wendy Greuel, Comptroller, City of Los Angeles, greets “Skip” Cooper. 7) Workshop participants. 8) Honoree Ms. Lillian Mobley enjoys see page 12

her bouquet. 9) (l-r) Honorable Karen Bass with sculptor Stella Jones. 10) (l-r) Lula Washington, Billie Greer, Governor Schwarzenegger’s office, and Charmaine Jefferson. 11) Salute guests browse the Salute Marketplace. 12 (l-r) Wendy Gruel, Renee Bizer, Wells Fargo, Kesha Vontreese, BBA Office Manager, Norma Hollis. 13) Lula Washington, Charmaine Jefferson, Brenda Tyson cheer for the honorees. 14) The famous BBA Dessert Buffet. 15) Attendee Ms. Theodawn Brown. 16) Earl “Skip” Cooper, II greets the Salute to Black Women audience. Photos by: Ian Foxx, Sabir

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Governor Schwarzenegger Establishes Office of Economic Development

Signs Executive Order, Appoints Director, Launches Web Site to Improve Communication between Businesses and State overnor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed an executive order establishing the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GoED), a one-stop shop to help businesses acquire the direction, infor-

him to boost California’s economy.” Those who want to do business in California must interact with the state in many ways, such as establishing, registering and maintaining their businesses, obtaining permits and licens-

GoED is open for business and can be contacted toll free at 877-345-GoED (877-345-4633) or at www.business. ca.gov. GoED has been established, staffed

mation and resources they need to invest, succeed and expand in California. The Governor appointed Joel Ayala, former president and chief executive officer of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, as director of the new office. “California is the best place in the world to do business, and by cutting red tape and streamlining functions, my Office of Economic Development will make the state an even better partner to the economy,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “This office is exactly what businesses need to navigate through state requirements and take advantage of state resources, and Joel Ayala is exactly the person to head it up. He knows what it takes to create jobs and bring businesses to our state, and I am looking forward to working with

es, reporting required information and paying taxes. The state also has more than 100 individual economic development programs and services available to businesses. At GoED, experienced staff will guide businesses through the various state requirements and help them access state resources. The idea of creating a one-stop shop to cater to California businesses needs was originally suggested as a part of the Governor’s 2004 California Performance Review and again in a February 2010 Little Hoover Commission report. The office will have three defined functions: to promote California as a place to do business; to support businesses interested in starting, growing, financing, expanding or relocating in California; and to help those businesses facing challenges to operating in California.

and housed using existing state resources. The Administration is currently in the process of drafting legislation that will make GoED a permanent entity in state government. Joel Ayala has been appointed to lead GoED as the director. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $138,000. “I’m looking forward to working with the Governor, businesses and the people of California to improve the economy and get people back to work,” said Joel Ayala. “The development and growth of businesses is more important now than ever due to the economic hardships so many communities face. Improving California’s business climate will attract new businesses and allow greater prosperity for businesses that are already here.” &

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Advocates Say Minorities Losing Stimulus Work By: Jesse Washington, Associated Press

ispanic and black businesses are receiving a disproportionately small number of federal stimulus contracts, creating a rising chorus of demands for the Obama administration to be more inclusive and more closely track who receives government-financed work. Latinos and blacks have faced obstacles to winning government contracts long before the stimulus. They own 6.8 and 5.2 percent of all businesses, respectively, according to census figures. Yet Latino-owned business have received only 1.7 percent of $46 billion in federal stimulus contracts recorded in U.S. government data, and blackowned businesses have received just 1.1 percent. That pot of money is just a small fraction of the $862 billion economic stimulus law. Billions more have been given to states, which have used the money to award contracts of their own. Although states record minority status when they award contracts to businesses, there is no central, consistent or public compilation of that data, according to Laura Barrett, director of the Transportation Equity Network. She and other minority advocates are calling for complete and publicly accessible demographic information on all contracts and jobs financed by the stimulus. Minority businesses are often too small to compete for projects; do not have access to the necessary capital, equipment or bonding requirements; or lose bids to companies with well-established relationships. There also has been an emphasis on spending stimulus money quickly, which favors businesses that have won past contracts. But minority advocates say that blacks and Latinos have been harderh it by the recession, and getting a fair

share of stimulus contracts is key to the recovery of these communities. Unemployment among blacks and Hispanics is much higher than among whites. And although unemployment among whites increased at a faster rate during the worst of the recession than among minorities, rates of those considered underemployed — including people who have given up looking for full-time work or people working part-time because there is no full-time work available — increased faster among minorities than whites. Figures from the Department of Transportation on highway stimulus spending — at the heart of the government’s effort to lift the economy— have further concerned advocacy groups. Six percent of the $16.9 billion in

Federal Highway Administration contract money spent by states has gone to disadvantaged business enterprises, which includes companies owned by minorities as well as women, veterans and the disabled, according to department press secretary Olivia Alair. Out of $1.1 billion in state-spent Federal Aviation Administrationcontract money, 7.8 percent has gone to disadvantaged businesses,Alair said, and 8.6 percent of direct Transportation Department contract dollars have gone to those companies. Alair said some minority companies

might not be included in those figures because they are not small businesses or choose not to classify themselves as disadvantaged. Minority businesses also areeligible for stimulus grants, but those are not tracked by race. Still, “these numbers are far too low,” especially when compared with state and federal goals,” Barrett said. “The businesses and communities that need federal dollars most are seeing the least.” The Obama administration has taken steps to address minority concerns. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wrote governors in December urging them to work with disadvantaged businesses. LaHood suggested unbundling large contracts to make them more accessible to small businesses, and emulating a Missouri contracting project that made community groups and openness part of the process. LaHood’s department has pledged $20 million in subsidies to help disadvantaged businesses pay bonding premiums and fees, and has established a

short-term loan program that lent $4.9 million in 2009. Last month, LaHood announced $9.9 million in grants to help businesses owned by minorities and women compete for federal contracts. Federal agencies held more than 300 events nationwide to educate minority businesses about stimulus opportunities, said White House spokesman Corey Ealons. He also said there is a backlog of awarded contracts that have not yet been entered into the tracking database. The founder and chief executive of

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see Stimulus Work on page 29

Dr. Jill Biden Visits Haiti with First Lady Michelle Obama

was honored to join the First Lady on an incredibly moving trip to Haiti. Like many of you – I have watched news reports and have read numerous accounts of the crisis in Haiti since the earthquake in January. Witnessing the impact of the devastation on the people of Haiti as well as the relief efforts of Haitians, Americans, and dozens of other countries and organizations was powerful for both me and Michelle. There is clearly much work to be done in Haiti, but after seeing the situation first-hand, I left with a sense of tremendous hope. The will of the Haitian people and the strong commitment of partners from around the world will help Haiti build back better. As a teacher, I was particularly gratified to visit an organization called Children’s Place, which is supported by Mrs. Preval. The First Lady and I met teachers and students who are using empty school buses as classrooms in an innovative effort to ensure that their education continues, even amidst terrible destruction. We also visited College St. Pierre, a secondary school where many students were killed when the building was destroyed three months ago. There we saw Haitians and dozens of volunteers working to rebuild a school that will once again educate Haiti’s future leaders. It was an incredible honor to meet the many individuals who have been at the core of the relief and recovery work, and to relay President Obama’s message that Haiti will have a steady and reliable partner in the United States of

America throughout these efforts. I hope this visit helps to remind everyone that we can all still play a role in helping Haiti restore its future – please visit the Haiti Earthquake Relief page on WhiteHouse.gov for ways that you can help from wherever you are. Thanks for reading, and for taking action. www.whitehouse.gov

Donate • •

•

Contribute online through ClintonBushHaitiFund.org. Text “QUAKE” to 20222 to charge a $10 donation to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund (the donation will be added to your cell phone bill). Find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information.

Get Information about Friends or Family The State Department has several resources for inquiring about the welfare and whereabouts of friends and

family in Haiti: To Ask For or Provide Information About U.S. Citizens in Haiti: • Email the Task Force at Haiti-Earthquake@state.gov OR • From the U.S. or Canada, call 888407-4747 (Other countries, call 202-501-4444) For U.S. Citizens in Haiti Seeking Assistance or Reporting Their Status/ Whereabouts: • Email the Embassy at ACSPaP@ state.gov OR • Call the Embassy’s Consular Task Force at 509-2229-8942, 509-

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see Help For Haiti on page 57

Editorial:

Black Business Association Applauds the New Health Care Reform Bill courage coverage. The tax credit will be targeted to those firms with employees whose average wages fall below a certain threshold.

he Black Business Association (BBA) supported the campaign to enact the historic health care reform legislation that was recently passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law by President Barack Obama. This measure will reduce the burden on small business owners and their workers, guaranteeing Americans, including many African Americans who are both under- and uninsured, will receive affordable, quality health insurance and health care. Small businesses pay up to 18 percent more per worker than large firms for the same health insurance policy. Some of these higher costs are passed on to small firm employees in the form of lower wages, while others eat into the profits of small businesses that could otherwise be used for research and development and for much-needed investments. Some of the key measures for the small business community include: •

•

Businesses will be able to purchase health insurance through an ”insurance exchange” – allowing them to choose among a multitude of plans that will provide better coverage at lower costs than they could find in the current small group market. Many small businesses that provide health insurance for their employees will receive a small business tax credit to alleviate their disproportionately higher costs and en-

•

• The current reform options include financial incentives for medium-and large-sized firms to provide health insurance coverage through so-called “pay-or-play” provisions. Firms with payrolls or employment levels below a certain threshold, which includes the vast majority of small and minority businesses, will be exempt from the pay-or-play provisions. The creation of an insurance exchange will also provide better and lower-cost options for workers in small businesses that do not offer health insurance. Low-income individuals and families would receive sliding scale subsidies to help them purchase insurance. Additionally, health insurers will not be allowed to screen potential enrollees for pre-existing conditions. The reforms will help spur entrepreneurial activity by increasing the incentives for talented Americans to launch their own companies, and will increase the pool of workers willing to work at small firms. Further, health care reform will reduce the phenomenon of ”job lock,” in which workers are reluctant to leave a job with employersponsored health insurance out of fear that they will not be able to find affordable coverage. • Reductions in absenteeism and improvements in worker productivity resulting from better health outcomes because of expanded coverage will particularly benefit small businesses.

With these new health care reforms in place, we begin to close the gap on health disparities and reduce the burden of disease that hurt our community. The 20th century saw sweeping civil rights legislation come to pass. On Sunday, March 21, 2010 the nation turned enacting change that will make good on the promise of ensuring that every American has access to high-quality, affordable health care. &

President Barack Obama signs the health insurance reform bill in the East Room of the White House, March 23, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Health Care Reform is Signed into Law

n the morning of March 23, 2010 the President made it official: things are going to change quite a bit between Ameri- President Barack Obama’s signature on the health insurance reform cans and their health insurance companies. The bill at the White House, March 23, 2010. The President signed the bill President signed health reform into law, with a with 22 different pens. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy) package of fixes not far behind, and in the process created a future for the country in which President explained what the signing was really about: Americans and small businesses are in control of their own “Today, I’m signing this reform bill into law on behalf of my health care, not the insurance industry. mother, who argued with insurance companies even as she Having expressed all due admiration for Speaker Nancy battled cancer in her final days. Pelosi, Senate Leader Harry Reid, and those Members of I’m signing it for Ryan Smith, who’s here today. He runs Congress who showed the courage to stand up to an avaa small business with five employees. He’s trying to do the lanche of misinformation and insurance industry attacks, the

19 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

20 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

right thing, paying half the cost of coverage for his workers. This bill will help him afford that coverage. I’m signing it for 11-year-old Marcelas Owens, who’s also here. (Applause.) Marcelas lost his mom to an illness. And she didn’t have insurance and couldn’t afford the care that she needed. So in her memory he has told her story across America so that no other children have to go through what his family has experienced. (Applause.) I’m signing it for Natoma Canfield. Natoma had to give up her health coverage after her rates were jacked up by more than 40 percent. She was terrified that an illness would mean she’d lose the President Barack Obama meets with the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss health house that her parents built, care reform in the State Dining Room of the White House, (Official White House Photo by so she gave up her insurance. Pete Souza) Now she’s lying in a hospital bed, as we speak, faced with just such an illness, praying that she can somehow afford to We are a nation that faces its challenges and accepts its get well without insurance. Natoma’s family is here today responsibilities. We are a nation that does what is hard. because Natoma can’t be. And her sister Connie is here. What is necessary. What is right. Here, in this country, we Connie, stand up. (Applause.) shape our own destiny. That is what we do. That is who we I’m signing this bill for all the leaders who took up this are. That is what makes us the United States of America. cause through the generations -- from Teddy Roosevelt to And we have now just enshrined, as soon as I sign this Franklin Roosevelt, from Harry Truman, to Lyndon Johnson, bill, the core principle that everybody should have some bafrom Bill and Hillary Clinton, to one of the deans who’s been sic security when it comes to their health care. (Applause.) fighting this so long, John Dingell. (Applause.) To Senator And it is an extraordinary achievement that has happened Ted Kennedy. (Applause.) And it’s fitting that Ted’s widow, because of all of you and all the advocates all across the Vicki, is here -- it’s fitting that Teddy’s widow, Vicki, is here; country. and his niece Caroline; his son Patrick, whose vote helped So, thank you. Thank you. God bless you, and may God make this reform a reality. (Applause.) bless the United States. (Applause.) Thank you. Thank I remember seeing Ted walk through that door in a summit you. in this room a year ago -- one of his last public appearances. All right, I would now like to call up to stage some of the And it was hard for him to make it. But he was confident that members of Congress who helped make this day possible, we would do the right thing. and some of the Americans who will benefit from these reOur presence here today is remarkable and improbable. forms. And we’re going to sign this bill.” & With all the punditry, all of the lobbying, all of the game-playing that passes for governing in Washington, it’s been easy at times to doubt our ability to do such a big thing, such a complicated thing; to wonder if there are limits to what we, Q: Will I be required to provide coverage that I can’t afas a people, can still achieve. It’s easy to succumb to the ford? sense of cynicism about what’s possible in this country. A: No. But today, we are affirming that essential truth -– a truth The President’s proposal does not require that small busievery generation is called to rediscover for itself –- that we nesses provide coverage to their employees. Instead, the are not a nation that scales back its aspirations. (Applause.) President’s proposal provides tens of billions of dollars in We are not a nation that falls prey to doubt or mistrust. We new tax-credits to small businesses to make it easier for don’t fall prey to fear. We are not a nation that does what’s them to provide coverage if they choose to do so. easy. That’s not who we are. That’s not how we got here.

“I Own a Small Business”

see Health Care Reform on page 25

21 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

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n this vulnerable economy, consumers are looking for ways to cut costs and save while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. MetLife is educating consumers on effective and creative ways to save. Saving doesn’t have to be difficult; consumers can begin by cutting back on everyday spending. For example, if gas prices continue to increase, a person could take the train or car pool with a neighbor or a friend. Here are five additional tips for saving on everyday expenses: • Frugal Food: The grocery bill is one of the easiest places to cut costs. According to an October 2009 Consumer Reports article, some store brands are manufactured by the same big-name companies that make national brands— but cost 27 percent less. Shoppers should consider these brands to save money. • Frugal Fashion: Instead of heading to the local mall, consumers could save by shopping at an outlet mall. Outlets have the same fashion finds, including shoes, clothing and more, without the hefty price tags. • Frugal Fix-It: Those people with a knack for building, repairing or growing things should put these skills to work. Labor charges are usually the most expensive part of any repair, maintenance or contractor bill. Also, in general consumers can easily learn to change their own oil or spark plugs, for example, and reduce the cost of maintaining their vehicles. • Frugal Fitness: Exercise is a key to good health, but can hurt con-

sumers’ wallets. The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association reports that the median yearly cost of a gym membership is $775. If the gym or a trainer is a must, consumers should make sure they get their money’s worth and go regularly. If not, there are economical ways to exercise at home with exercise DVD, a pair of weights and a jump-rope, for example. Spending less on everyday purchases and maintaining an overall sensible budget, is one of the first and most important steps in weathering tough economic times and securing a family’s financial future. For more information about how to develop a financial plan, consumers can call call 1-800-MET-

LIFE to find an experienced representative or visit www.metlife.com to review free online resources. & About MetLife MetLife is a leading provider of insurance, employee benefits and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. reaches more than 70 million customers around the world and MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States (based on life insurance in-force). The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, auto and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. For more information, visit www. metlife.com.

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22 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

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CALIFORNIA BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION HOSTS AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP WEEKEND IN CAPITOL CITY Coalition of Economic Social and Civic Leaders Announce 3-day Summit April 22-24, 2010 Sheraton Grand Hotel -Sacramento, CA SACRAMENTO, CA--The California Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation (CBCCF) announces its African American Leadership Weekend organized to address social, civic and economic disparities and solutions within the African American community. In conjunction with the California State Conference of the NAACP, the Sacramento Chapter of the 100 Black Men, Nehemiah Corporation of America, Black Advocates in State Service and the California Legislative Black Caucus, the Chamber Foundation hosts three days of dialogue, creating aggressive strategy to improve African American conditions in education, workforce development, green economics, wealth-building, healthcare, public safety and faith. $XEU\ 6WRQH 'LUHFWRU &%&&)

Leadership Weekend organizer and Director of the California Black Chamber Foundation, Aubry Stone said this event is necessary to pull the community together and make immediate changes to the poor economic conditions African Americans continually face. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is an ongoing discussion of the best practices to improve socioeconomic circumstances for African Americans,â&#x20AC;? said Stone, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We envision a world in which the black community is free of all disparities and able to contribute fully to advancing the common good.â&#x20AC;? Conference workshops will cover Government Politics, Green Economy and Workforce Development, Faith Based Leadership, Media and Entertainment, Education, Healthcare, Criminal Justice and, Finance.

$OLFH +XIIPDQ 6WDWH 1$$&3 President

Members of the U.S. Congress California Legislative Black Caucus and other elected officials, including Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, will join CBCCF and its coalition partners to develop specific strategy addressing systemic struggles African Americans face throughout the state of California.

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The conference provides the Chamber an opportunity to bring community leaders together. Their goal is to determine a single strategy and plan to maximize social and economic development across the entire state, utilizing educational models to build better communities. ###

Health Care Reform from page 21

Today, small businesses pay up to 18 percent more than large firms for the same health insurance policy. The independent and non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that with health insurance reform, premiums for small businesses will go down. In addition, you will be protected from sudden, arbitrary rate hikes because a worker get sick; because insurance companies will no longer be permitted to base the cost of coverage on health status. Q: Why would it be easier to provide coverage than it is today? A: Reform will provide at least three tangible benefits that will make it easier and cheaper for small businesses to provide coverage: First, by allowing small businesses to buy coverage through an insurance exchange—the marketplace where you can shop for health insurance— small businesses will get the benefit of

pooling together their employees with millions of others, which will lower their own exposure, lower risk and ultimately lower costs. Second, operating through an exchange will reduce administrative costs for small businesses and their employees by enabling them to easily and simply compare the prices, benefits, and quality of health plans. Third, many small businesses will be able to get a tax credit to help cover the cost of the coverage they offer.

coverage if I cannot afford to provide it? A: Yes. Employees at small businesses that don’t offer coverage can get tax credits to purchase coverage.

Q: Will I be able to pool with other small businesses to buy coverage? A: Yes. The President’s proposal bill gives small business owners the leverage that big businesses enjoy by allowing them to buy coverage through the exchange. This gives them greater buying power in the market place and spreads the cost of coverage across a much larger pool - both of which help to hold down premiums.

Q: What are you going to do about all the confusing forms I have to fill out? A: Make it simple. Health reform will require plans to use clear and plain language on insurance forms so that you can easily understand what benefits and what doctors are covered in your plan. And, it will standardize forms to reduce the confusing and overwhelming paperwork that all Americans have to confront today. &

Q: Will my employees be able to buy

www.whitehouuse.gov

Q: Will my taxes go up to pay for the cost of covering the uninsured? A: No. Your business taxes will not go up. Instead, you may be eligible for new tax credits to help offset the cost of covering your employees.

25 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

African Vibes Magazine • 4th Anniversary Celebration Avalon Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA

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Your $1000 Idea African Vibes Magazine has partnered with Keller Graduate School of Management, a subsidiary of Devry University, to present an Ideas Contest to address the question “What can you do with $1000 to help fight poverty in Africa?” African Vibes Magazine will award the person with the most compelling idea, $1000 to implement their idea at the African Vibes Magazine 4th Anniversary event. Ideas will be judged based on the following: Reach: How many people would this idea affect? Depth: How deeply are people impacted? How urgent is the need? Attainability: Can this idea be implemented within a year or two? Efficiency: How simple and cost-effective is the idea? Longevity: How long will the idea’s impact last? Feasibility: Can the Idea be implemented within the specified budget of $1000 Relevance: Is the idea relevant to the contest topic? Sustainability: Can the idea sustain itself or will it always require a new investment to be sustained? Contest details and submission form can be found at http://anniversary.africanvibes.com . If you have any questions regarding the contest, please email Lisa Brown at lisa.brown@africanvibes.com.

In Memory:

J. Bruce Llewellyn 1927-2010

he pioneering New York entrepreneur was as dedicated to social change as he was to building great businesses. J. Bruce Llewellyn, who died on April 8 at age 82, was a bustling lion of a man, with a shock of white hair and matching goatee. Throughout his 50-year career as a serial entrepreneur he was always prepared to pounce on a deal. The son of Jamaican immigrants rose from running a Harlem liquor store in the early 1950s to being the owner, chairman and CEO of the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, during which he ramped revenues north of $500 million annually. Llewellyn was also one of the few CEOs to own two companies that were on the Black Enterprise 100 list of Industrial/Service companies. The first was Fedco Foods, a New York City grocery chain, and later the Coca-Cola business. He moved from groceries to bottling cokes, gaining control of that company in 1983, because the margins were higher and hassles were fewer. Accomplishments were normal in Llewellyn’s family. His sister, Dorothy A. Cropper, was a judge of the New York State Court of Claims until retiring in 2002, and his first cousin is former Secretary of State Colin Powell. In 1994, Llewellyn spoke to Charlie Rose about Powell’s potential as a presidential candidate. Along the way, Llewellyn kept expanding his portfolio. In 1985, he bought WKBW-TV, an ABC affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y., and four years later he and other investors purchased South Jersey Cable for more than $400 million. An internationalist in his interests,

from 1978-80, Llewellyn served in the Carter administration. He was president of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), in Washington, DC. A little more than a decade later, in 1992, he was part of the group of prominent African-American businessmen and politicians who welcomed ANC President Nelson Mandela on his first trip to New York City. A Hard Charger in All Arenas Twice Llewellyn showed interest in purchasing a pro football team. But Sports Business Journal reports that he rejected buying the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks because he thought it was overpriced. A decade later, Llewellyn and his son-in-law, best-selling author Tom Clancy, combined forces to buy the Minnesota Vikings. When Llewellyn had to undergo emergency heart surgery, the deal evaporated. A serial philanthropist as well, the City College of New York graduate set up a fund for the J. Bruce Llewellyn Two-

Year Fellowships for African-American Doctoral Students in economics, business, science, technology, engineering, and math-related fields. Fellows receive $10,000 per year to attend the City University of New York. In 1963, Llewellyn was also one of the founding members of One Hundred Black Men, Inc. of New York City. More Than Just Money He was also a mentor. Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the former NBA great, is often praised for his Magic Johnson Enterprises which has investments in businesses that cater to underserved minority communities. In his book, 32 Ways To Be a Champion in Business, Johnson says that Llewellyn sparked his social consciousness. Johnson writes that he told the entrepreneur, “I want to make a lot of money like you,” upon meeting him. In response, Llewellyn said, “No, Magic. If money is all you want, there will never be enough of it, and you will never be happy. You have got to be about more than that. You have the opportunity to be a leader who can do great things and change people’s lives for the better. You can be a businessman who is also a catalyst for change.” This was a personal philosophy that united Llewellyn’s business acumen and his optimistic vision for African Americans. In 1990, he told Nation’s Business magazine that, “Business is the emancipator of a group of people. The trick is to get your hands on the levers, on the money, to get the guy off your back. That’s the real world, and that’s the plight of the black community--they don’t have the leverage.” That is a worthy epitaph for an exceptional businessman. & Frank McCoy is a regular contributor to The Root. He covers business and technology. www.theroot.com

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Do Business with BBA Member Businesses & Advertisers 27 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

4-Star General

www.californiasbdc.org/ governorsconference

President Barack Obama nominated Lt. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr. to be the Air Forceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next four-star general. Rice is currently commander of U.S. Forces Japan and of 5th Air Force at Yokota Air Base, Japan. He is a 1978 Air Force Academy graduate and a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours. He flew B-52G bombers for much of the 1980s. Rice commanded the Air Force Recruiting Service from May 2002 to January 2004, and has been with Pacific Air Forces since January 2005, when he took command of 13th Air Force at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. &

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Stimulus Work from page 15

one of the nation’s largest black-owned construction companies, Richard Copeland of THOR Construction Inc., said minority-owned companies usually employ 60 percent minorities. “If we can’t get on these jobs,” he said, “we can’t hire our people from our community, so poverty and drugs and crime and unemployment and welfare become habitual.” His company has done a small amount of weatherization work through Minnesota stimulus contracts. He said many minority businesses can’t develop the capability to do government work because a “good old boy” network shuts them out of contracts: Copeland’s company has its headquarters in Minneapolis, and has 200 full-time employees and offices in

Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Atlanta. He said he abandoned highway work years ago to focus one recting buildings. “These big highway contractors try to keep you off the project, and when you get on, they try to make sure you don’t come back,” he said.“We hear about this all across the country.” That’s what Samuel Foley Jr., a lawyer for the black-owned construction company Holley Enterprises, says happened to his client. Holley was subcontracted by James J. Anderson Construction to perform demolition and salvage operations on a subway station repair project in Philadelphia. This enabled Anderson to meet contract guidelines for minority participation, but about two months later Holley’s contract was unfairly terminated, Foley said. Anderson Construction said in a statement that Holley violated the terms

of the contract. Anderson said it did not perform any of the work itself and gave the contract to another disadvantaged business. Foley, chairman of the National Black Chamber of Commerce Construction Committee, said many companies “play games to get rid of the minoritycontractor.” “This is not a unique situation,” he said. “For the past 30 years in Philadelphia it’s been this way.” & www.associatedpress.com BlackPoliticsOnTheWeb.com

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President Obama signs the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act that reforms the process of student loans to make higher education more affordable, allowing students to get loans without relying on large banks as unnecessary middlemen, and saving American taxpayers $68 billion in the coming years. www.whitehouse.gov

National Financial Reforms Benefit African Americans

ead the Financial Reform Report issued by the White House detailing the benefits of the recently instituted financial reform measures. With the knowledge provided, African Americans may revive and recast their challenged financial plans and procedures. The report is available on the Black Business Association website at www.bbala.org. Some of the benefits are: • markets for consumer financial products and services operate transparently, • protect borrowers from unfair, deceptive or other illegal mortgage lending practices, • new credit card law bans rate hikes on existing balances and other unfair practices, • enforce new rules that give consumers a real choice as to whether to join expensive overdraft programs, • promotion of financial education and financial literacy, • better protection from fraud and unscrupusee Reform Benefits on page 75

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31 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

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32 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

- Business Opportunities of the Future -

Bacteria: Refining the Fuels of Tomorrow By: Dave Greenfield, Smarter Technology

ependence on pricy oil has led to a crusade to find the “fuel of tomorrow.” It will take several fuel sources to replace oil: wind, solar, hydro and bio fuels have been in use, even if not widespread use, for years. Far more new is the idea that bacteria could be the next alternative fuel to relieve oil of its tremendous burden. It is hoped that bacteria could be used to produce fuels that behave like those derived from petroleum. San Carlos, Calif.-based LS9 is working on this “renewable petroleum,” which can be engineered from E. coli and other

bacteria. This is not the first time that scientists have tried to harness the power of bacteria. In 2008, a fuel cell was developed that could generate electricity, and at least one other company is known to be working on the same idea. LS9, however, is hoping that bacteria fuel can be used as a widespread, viable alternative to fossil fuels, and it’s hoping to be the one that delivers. LS9 uses tools that are already in use in synthetic biology to change the genetic pathways that bacteria, animals and plants use to produce fatty

Green Plastic Biodegrades Organically By: R. Colin Johnson, Smarter Technology

lastics today, such as the popular polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used in disposable drinking bottles, are not generally reused in other drinking bottles but in a secondary plastic product such as packing material, which in turn eventually ends up in the landfill. Today, more than 13 billion plastic bottles are thrown away each year, and about 63 pounds of plastic for every man, woman, and child in the United States end up in landfills. Green polymer chemistry changes all this by quickly breaking down plastic drinking bottles into basic monomers, which can then be easily reassembled into pristine new polymers that are again used for drinking bottles—thus forming a smarter sustainable model for plastic: reusing the same materials over and over. Organo-catalysis allows reuse of both common PET as well as plant-based plastics made from renewable sources in the environment.

“What we have done at IBM is develop a catalyst that can go into our material, and break it down very rapidly into the building blocks [monomers] that you can very easily build back up [into polymers],” explains Bob Allen of IBM Research. “It’s what we call a chemical recycling process.” IBM is also sponsoring researchers at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) to develop the recycling process for a wide variety of PET-based plastics for food containers, beverages and other liquids. The goal is to develop a wide array of PET and plant-derived polymers that can create a 100 percent recyclable plastic economy for the consumer goods, health care and electronics industries. For instance, special biodegradable polymers could be delivered right to the site of a malady before breaking down and releasing their drugs. And electronic devices, such as

acids. Fatty acids are very similar molecularly to diesel fuel. LS9 has been able to modify this process so bacteria generate diesel-producing strains. Says Steve del Cardayre, Vice President of Research and Development for LS9, “We divert those fatty acid pathways. It’s like a detour.” By taking the carboxylic acid group (made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen) away from the fatty acids, researchers produce a hydrocarbon. It is the hydrocarbons that can be processed into fuel. Del Cardayre says that bacteria fuel is not an “alternative” to petroleum. “We need a way to make petroleum itself. Biology can do it. Over the course of billions of years, cells have figured out that hydrocarbons are a good way to store energy.” & www.smartertechnolgy.com

security cards, could be designed to have a specific lifetime, before breaking down in an environmentally responsible way. The main technique uses environmentally benign organic catalysts in place of conventional metal oxide or metal hydroxide catalysts in what is called a ring-opening polymerization process, which is used to produce almost any sort of PET container (the one with the “1” recycling label), supplemented by renewable polymers made from crop plants. The ultimate goal is to reduce the cost and efficiency of recycling plastics for primary uses so that it rivals the cost of disposing of the plastic in a landfill, thereby enabling a closed sustainable lifecycle for packaging in the future, whereby the same renewable materials are used over and over again. The researchers are also developing higher-molecular-weight polyesters for a new generation of recyclable clothing made from sustainable, renewable resources. & www.smartertechnolgy.com

33 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

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Digital Documents: Publishing for Every Man, Woman and Child

4. Book Builder: Site for creating digital books. http://bookbuilder.cast.org 5. PDF Flash: Upload a PDF to create a professional-looking Flash-based digital book. www.pdfflash.com 6. MyPublisher: Free software that allows users to create colorful photo or digital books (there is a price to print). www.mypublisher.com

ith the introduction of the iPad, the Kindle, the Sony ereader and more, publishing is going digital. While some of the digitization tools and techniques are costly, some of the software is affordable and is opening the door to the digital book market to all interested parties. Whether your area of interest or expertise is education, marketing, storytelling or simply sharing photos and ideas, your book can be created then diplayed inat digital format. Some combination of the ten tools tested and assembled by David Kapuler and shown below should get you started on the road to digital publishing. You may check out some existing digital publications in case you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen or read a digital publication as yet. View the Lakers magazine at www.lakers.com or download the free Kindlel software for PCs at www.amazon.com.

book. www.panraven.com

7. Tabblo: Create a user account to make digital books with photos. www. tabblo.com/studio a book to either share with others digitally or order in the form of hard copy. Also, educators can create student accounts for better management. www. mixbook.com 2. BookRix: One of the best sites for advertising your digital book; very userfriendly, and a nice social environment. www.bookrix.com 3. Panraven: A nice site for creating, sharing, and purchasing your digital

8. SmileBooks: Create beautiful storybooks online or download their software to store on your hard drive. www. smilebooks.com 9. Blurb: Site for making photo books to order. www.blurb.com 10. Lulu: Create print or ebooks with this user-friendly site. www.lulu.com & David Kapuler is the media and technology specialist at the Greendale (WI) School District. Read his blog at http://cyberkap. blogspot.com.

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9th Annual Veterans and Small Business Training and Outreach Conference April 13-15, 2010

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Westin Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, CA

Participating agencies: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Elite SDVOB Network Department of the Navy, Camp Penderton Naval Hospital, Small Business Administration, General Services Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Procurement Technical Assistance Center. The conference is open to both government, non-government personnel, small and large businesses, veterans and non-veterans.

www.implanners.com/veterans

35 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Graduate Programs in Nonprofit Management Spring Colloquium 2010 Open to students, alumni, and the public. MGT 411, Room 307, 5:00 PM- 6:30 PM January 27 – “Implementing a Social Media Plan” Rachael Post, Principal, Luna Sky Media February 10 - Open House - "Transforming Disinvested Communities" Dr. Robert Ross, President and CEO, The California Endowment Note: This class is held in the 3nd floor Small Berg with prospective MBA students February 17 – “Celebrating Our Heritage – Lessons Learned” Charmaine Jefferson, Executive Director, California African American Museum Robert Kirschner, Director, Skirball Museum Note: This session will be held at the Skirball Museum and includes an introduction and free access to the “Road to Freedom” Civil Rights Exhibit at the Skirball Center March 3 – Executive Leadership Forum “Hearing Our Voices – An Author’s Roundtable” Panel Discussion of Nonprofit Authors: Dr. Thomas Backer, “Evaluating Community Collaborations” Mike Allison, “Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations” Note: This class is held in the Small Berg March 17 - “Understanding Incubators –Getting Up and Going” Paul Vandeventer, President and CEO, Community Partners March 24 - “New Trends in Pro Bono Ethics” Joel Bashevkin, Executive Director, Western Region, Taproot Foundation April 14 - “Engaging Celebrities in Social Awareness Campaigns” David Figueroa and Araceli Campos, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) April 21 – “Youth Advocacy and the Foster Care System” Zaid Gayle, Executive Director, Peace4Kids April 28 - “Trends in Philanthropy in Southern California” Sushma Raman, President, Southern California Grantmakers

MBA School of Nonprofit Management American Jewish University Please RSVP to egrice@ajula.edu or call 310-440-1260 to attend these sessions For program information visit our website www.ajula.edu/mba

of Pediatrics, in collaboration with the broader medical community, will educate doctors and nurses across the country about obesity, ensure they regularly monitor children’s BMI, provide counseling for

et’s Move is comprehensive, collaborative, and communityoriented and includes strategies to address the various factors that lead to childhood obesity. It fosFirst Lady Michelle Obama speaks to students in Jackson, Mississippi ters collaboration among the leaders in government, medicine and science, business, education, athletics, com- tritionally munity organizations and more. And sound and it takes into account how life is really consumer lived in communities across the country f r i e n d l y – encouraging, supporting and pursu- f r o n t - o f ing solutions that are tailored to chil- p a c k a g e dren and families facing a wide range l a b e l i n g . This will of challenges and life circumstances. President Barack Obama kicked off put us on path the launch by signing a Presidential a Memorandum creating the first ever t o w a r d s Task Force on Childhood Obesity which 65 million includes the DPC, Office of the First parents in Lady, Interior, USDA, HHS, Education, A m e r i c a having NEC and other agencies. Administration and public and private easy access to the information needed healthy eating early on, and, for the first efforts are already moving to combat to make healthy choices for their chil- time ever, will even write a prescription obesity and reach the First Lady’s na- dren. for parents laying out the simple things Already, the private sector is re- they can do to increase healthy eating tional goal: sponding. The American Beverage As- and active play. Helping Parents Make Healthy sociation announced that its member Major New Public Information CamFamily Choices Parents play a key role in making companies will voluntarily put a clear, paign: Major media companies – inhealthy choices for their children and uniform, front-of-pack calorie label on cluding the Walt Disney Company, teaching their children to make healthy all of their cans, bottles, vending and NBC, Universal and Viacom – have choices for themselves. But in today’s fountain machines within two years. committed to join the First Lady’s efbusy world, this isn’t always easy. So The label will reflect total calories per fort and increase public awareness of Let’s Move offers parents the tools, container in containers up to 20oz. in the need to combat obesity through support and information they need to size. For containers greater than 20 public service announcements (PSAs), make healthier choices for their fami- oz., the label will reflect a 12 oz. serv- special programming, and marketing. lies. The Administration, along with ing size. While more work remains to The Ad Council, Warner Brothers and partners in the private sector and medi- be done, this marks an important first Scholastic Media have also partnered step in ensuring parents have the in- with the U.S. Department of Health and cal community, will: Empower Consumers: By the end of formation they need to make healthier Human Services (HHS) to run PSAs featuring top professional athletes, this year, the Food and Drug Adminis- choices Provide Parents with a Rx for HealthScholastic Media’s Maya & Miguel, and tration will begin working with retailers ier Living: The American Academy and manufacturers to adopt new nusee Let’s Move on page 61

37 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

BBA Receives “Media Firm of the Year” Recognition

he U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), The Los Angeles Minority Business Opportunity Center (LA/MBOC), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognized the information outreach work of the Black Business Association (BBA) during the 15th Annual Regional MED Week convocation by awarding the BBA the “Media Firm of the Year Award.” This award was created to pay tribute to minority entrepreneurs, firms and associations that have demonstrated industry leadership, business success, economic impact, and community involvement through the provision of or use of Media. The BBA is being recognized for the two publications and their application of e-mail communications to outreach to their constituency. The Black Business News, published monthly, pro1

vides articles and information of interest and value to the minority business community. The Black Business News International, published quarterly, is focused on facilitating business connections and communications between the African American business community and business thriving on the African continent. The BBA is also agressive in its use of E-mail for fast and direct communitcations, its website as a resource center for the business community (www.bbala.org), and FaceBook (www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Business-Association) for building a community of entrepreneurs intent on growing their businesses. Though headquartered in Los Angeles, the BBA communicates with the worldwide business community. Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, President/CEO of the Black Business Association thanks the agencies and organizations that issued the award and has pledged to continue to strive to make the BBA the premier business services association in the U.S.A. & Photo Legend: 1) Los Angeles Councilwoman Jan Perry congratulates Skip receiving the “Media Firm of the Year” award. 2) Councilman Bernard C. Parks gives “Skip” the Certificate of Appreciation issued by the City of Los Angeles. Photos by: Michael Douglass

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To see if you qualify, stop by your local branch, call 1-888-818-6060, or visit unionbank.com/diversebizloans Crenshaw Branch: Karen Smith, Branch Manager, 3501 W. Jefferson Boulevard, (323) 737-3483 Ladera Heights Branch: Renee Givhan, Branch Manager, 6719 La Tijera Boulevard, (310) 342-1779 This is not a commitment to lend. Financing subject to credit and any applicable collateral approval. Other restrictions may apply. Eligible borrowers must meet all criteria for the Business Diversity Lending program. Financing available to businesses located in California, Oregon or Washington.Terms and conditions subject to change. ©2008 Union Bank of California, N.A. Member FDIC

Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Message from page 3

dollars without transparency of positive outcomes does not make for credible economic progress, especially when the Fortune 2,000 corporations continue to do business only with other like companies. This results in no change in the game and the hierarchy of wealth remains analogous to the start of addressing socioeconomic barriers. More than ever before there is a deferred dream for black-owned business proprietors who are chasing evasive contracting opportunities and awards. The certification process and upfront requirements are often taking black business enterprise for a big ride, particularly when it comes down to meeting with diversity specialists who can present a good game, but in the end can produce no tangible or transparent results on how the outsourcing budgets are being invested. In reality, capturing contracts by small business owners can only be reached at a much higher management level than the diversity officers are being held accountable, or conscientiously prepared, to deliver. We are today in an economic crisis that has a direct correlation to how small businesses are being compromised - in plain sight - due to the lack of business offerings that that go to black-owned and other small business enterprises. The lack of transparency in obtaining competitive bids is an obvious problem as the lack of participation from small business is withering away. It is withering away with the populace seeking areas of refuge within corporate America as consultants, contractors, leased employees and temporary workers. This is good for Corporate America which can aptly continue to prosper, and bad for small business enterprises who can barely forecast next month, less alone produce a five to ten year plan with meaningful accuracy. Scrutiny of the deficient transparency in contracting does not serve to engage folks in a pity party; I am actually shar-

ing this for public and private buying organizations to take a look at their probable waste of time and material in the name of socioeconomic development. It will do the public and private sector good to change their approach of promoting the window dressing of supplier diversity, the gatekeepers of opportunity, and the door blockers of prosperity, and use that same money elsewhere to invest in real community growth. With few exceptions, corporations are wasting considerable money with supplier diversity programs, and outreach officers are useless when they are unable to share purchasing forecasts on

outsourcing requirements. The excuse normally shared by outreach specialists is that the outlook on outsourcing is proprietary, when in reality supplier diversity managers are ill-equipped to allow any transparency on how their organizations plan to invest in the growth of small business enterprises. It is a waste to have supplier diversity managers unable to conduct business site visits in areas that need economic development. The past era of just-intime purchasing brought on a massive need to bundle corporate contracts so as to give major suppliers the ability to see Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Message on page 51

Caltrans Construction

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El Camino College offers the training and advising you need to enhance your ability to bid for and WIN state highway construction contracts. Now is the time to get bid ready with assistance in the areas of procurement, personnel, cash flow, marketing and more!

Appointments with a business advisor are available at the SBDC at no charge to you. For more information, call the SBDC at 310.973.3177. Be sure to attend the free Economic Stimulus event on Thursday, November 19, 2009, in the City of Compton to learn more about stimulus opportunities available from Caltrans and other state and federal agencies. Visit californiasbdc.org for details.

Small Business Development Center Hosted by El Camino College 13430 Hawthorne Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250 310.973.3177 southbaysbdc.org

41 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

REGIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE in Association with our UNITED PARTNERS LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUSINESS FEDERATION LAUSD • GREENLINING INSTITUTE WWW.JOBING.COM • L A AREA CHAMBER DEPT. OF LABOR • WORLD FINANCIAL HI-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY • CPUC MONARCH GRAND VACATIONS MANHATTAN BAGEL • SEMPRA UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX Invite You to the

6th Annual Summit

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•Contracting Information •Employment Opportunities •Links to Sponsor Websites •Event Announcements •Resources:

• President’s Message • Financial Management • Meeting Management • International News • BBA Publications • Other Information

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42 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

on such topics as buying a home, foreclosure prevention, deposit insurance, privacy, fraud, scams, balancing a checkbook, and investing in a 401(k).

Technology:

Take a Look! by LaSandra Stratton Check out what these firms and organizations have to offer for your personal interests, personal wealth building, and business expansion opportunities.

//blackboard.com/Mobile/Overview.aspx Blackboard is preparing to release Blackboard Mobile Learn, a new version of the company’s flagship learning management system tailored for smart phones and other mobile devices. Mobile Learn will mimic the full functionality of the Web-based Learn platform, including two-way communication between students and teachers, access to gradebooks, blog access and commenting, discussion board participation, and student-to-student e-mail communications.

www.MyMoney.gov MyMoney.gov is the U.S. government’s website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics of financial education. The site houses important information from 20 federal agencies

www.letigames.com iWarrior is an iPhone game (iTunes link), created by the cross-Afrian team of Kenyan Wesley Kirinya and Ghanaian Eyram Tawia of Leti Games. It’s a unique top-down shooter game that utilizes the iPhone’s inbuilt accelerometer to both move and shoot. Your goal: protect your village, livestock and garden from the incoming marauding animals. The team has built in a completely different way to play using your finger to slide and tap, you

can move and shoot. iWarrior also allows you to play your own music while playing the game. The game costs $2.99. KIJIJI is a port of iWarrior for most j2me midp2.0 devices. It is code named the BIG FIVE. These big five beasts of the safari include the Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo, Lion and Elephant. The game is made up of five stages in which the bushman protects his village from these beasts.

www.techmasai.com Techmasai’s goal is to monitor and consistently profile, interesting technology startups with a focus on Africa. We write about companies and products which we see as having a c o m mercial, cultural and developmental impact Munashe Gumbonzvanda on the aka Nash – Founder contin e n t . TechMasai will also responsibly highlight foreign firms investment and development in the continent. TechMasai does not take any political or racial standpoint. We are committed only to innovation. We however are committed to Gender Equality. & Submitted by LaSandra Stratton BBA member, Chair of the BBA International Trade Committee.

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Trade Shows in Nigeria & South Africa contact: www.gathersstrategies.com

July 25-27, 2010 The only event that focuses on the A-Z of the Continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Food & Beverage Industry

FACT SHEET 2010

SAITEX 2010 FACT SHEET Southern African International Trade Exhibition d 25-27 July West African International Telecommunications Exhibition and Conference with the Nigerian ICT Business Solutions Expo e Lagos, Nigeria 1-3 June 2010 f

Fair Trade for Women

business owners in the United States continue to struggle to obtain equal acby Ambassador Miriam Sapiro, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative cess to capital and contracts. According to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, n March 11th, 2010, President munity, there is one segment that is female entrepreneurs receive more Obama issued an Executive growing faster than most: enterprises loan denials than their male counterOrder launching the Nation- owned by women. Today small busi- parts. In 2008, women won only 3.4% al Export Initiative, with the goal of nesses owned by women employ more of all federal contracting dollars. As a doubling U.S. exports over the next 5 than 4 million workers and contribute former entrepreneur myself, I know that years in support of 2 million new jobs. about $1 trillion to the U.S. economy. for a woman starting her own business, As Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Even among these thriving companies, or trying to take her business to the one of the ways in which I help promote it is clear that businesses that export next level, every opportunity counts. exports and support new jobs is by su- tend to grow faster, add jobs faster, and That is why I was pleased when, earpervising the Office of Small Business, pay higher wages. Yet currently only lier this month, the U.S. Small Business Administration released a proposed rule aimed at expanding government contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses. And next month, the President will host an entrepreneurship summit that will focus, in part, on the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Muslim communities around the world. Shaping U.S. trade policy to foster job-creating opportunities is USTRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number one priority, and supporting small businesses, including United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk and Deputy United States Trade Rep- those run by women, resentative Miriam Sapiro during a recent visit to Mexico City. is an essential part of this goal. Market Access, and Industrial Competi- 1 out of every 100 small and mediumWe cannot, of course, achieve this tiveness. This office is responsible for sized businesses markets its products goal simply by focusing on domestic inisupporting small businesses and help- abroad, and most of these companies tiatives. In order to maximize economing them increase their exports. export only to a single country. At the ic growth and development, more opToday, there are nearly 30 million office of the United States Trade Rep- portunities also need to be extended to small and medium-sized businesses of resentative (USTR), and in coordination women around the world. In too many every kind in the United States. These with other U.S. government agencies countries, women still face significant businesses are the primary sources as part of the National Export Initiative, barriers to participating in the global of jobs for Americans, and they have we are working to find new ways to economy. According to the World Trade generated almost two-thirds of all new help these business owners boost their Organization, women own only 1% of employment during the last 15 years. exports in order to grow and prosper. Within this part of the business comDespite their successes, women see Fair Trade on page 57

45 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

17 Strategies For Getting The Most Out Of Trade Shows by Marc Goldberg for Skyline

n the white paper “Successful Exhibiting Strategies in Uncertain Times” Marc Goldberg provides 17 proven strategies to get even better results, culled from his 25 years of trade show marketing training. Download the complete report at www.skyline.com/Request/ Successful-Strategies-White-Paper. 17 Trade Show Marketing Strategies: 1. Make Trade Shows a Part of Your Integrated Marketing Communications Plan: Four questions to determine your strategy and tactics. 2. Exhibit for the Right Reasons: Four key objectives that matter for top management. 3. Proactively Evaluate the Shows in Which You Participate: Six criteria exhibitors use to select shows… and the three that matter now. 4. Evaluate the Space You Occupy Versus Your Objectives: Spend only just enough to achieve your marketing goals.

…“Trade shows still provide the largest return on investment.”

results. 7. It’s the Quality of the Audience, Not the Quantity: Why a drop in attendance could be a good thing. 8. Focus on Your Targeted Audience: Finding tactics that will get your target audience in your booth. 9. Don’t Rely on Traditional Selling Techniques: Waiting for attendees to walk in doesn’t work anymore – so here’s what does (see suggestions in the full report). 10. Use 1:1 Relational Concepts: How to make an in-booth experience more meaningful to your best prospects. 11. Invest in a Motivated Staff: Six elements of a good trade show booth staffer. 12. Recruit Management as Part of Your Exhibiting Team: What management can do to help, rather than hinder your trade show program. 13. Exhibiting is Not Just Collecting Names or Swiping Badges: Avoid the pitfalls of focusing on numbers rather than quality. 14. Create a “Follow-up TEAM”: Make a plan to take full advantage of your leads, the most valuable outcome of the show. 15. What is Your Measure of Success? Measure the Results: Eight things worth measuring, and ten

things to report about each show to your management. 16. Plan to Work the Show Every Moment the Show is Open: Why and how to squeeze more value from your trade show investment. 17. Think Bigger – Think Beyond the Trade Show Floor: Four effective places to event market outside of trade shows (see suggestions in the full report). The answer to thriving during an economic downturn, or even during an economic recovery, is not to avoid exhibiting altogether, but instead to exhibit smarter. With the 17 strategies for boosting your trade show results in Successful Exhibiting Strategies in Uncertain Times, you’ll do better at trade shows no matter what the economy brings. &

5. Focus on the Budgeting Objective - Reducing Your Cost of Ownership: Six non-productive places you should spend less on. 6. Invest in Graphics: The value graphics provides in boosting your 46 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

AFRICA VILLAGE BY WOMEN 2010

Ratanga Junction - Capetown, South Africa June 5 - July 11, 2010

What’s In It For Me? •Local, National & International News

•Government & Corporate Contracting and Supplier Opportunity Information

eading Women of Africa (www.leadingwomenofafrica.com) launches Africa Village By Women, 2010, the first of an annual cultural display representing Africa as a whole. The 32 day event takes places during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup and opens on June 5, 2010 at Ratanga Junction, Century City, Cape Town - South Africa. Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Zambia, in support of this event, is ready to champion yet another noble cause to boost economic empowerment for women. The Africa Village by Women 2010 will include an EXPO and a number of proceedings, ranging from Gala dinners, executive breakfast and events, celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of Africa, together with music concerts, fashion shows and art exhibitions.

•Links to Corporate Partner, Organization Affiliates & Annual Event Sponsor Websites •BBA Annual & Special Event Announcements •Business Operation Education and Information &

Where Do I Find It? •BBA website

www.bbala.org

Africa Village By Women Event Line Up

•Black Business News monthly publication

1. Trade Show/Exhibition: 32 days of showcasing African Women creations and innovations as well as other opportunities

•Black Business News/ International - quarterly publication

2. Opening Ceremony Gala dinner, June 5, 2010: Promoting unity of Africans and highlighting the role of women entrepreneurs, in socio-economic sustainability in Africa.

•Black Business News Internet Edition &

3. Top Executive Breakfasts: With celebrities, leaders, personalities, role models and other women’s platforms. Daily activities include public appearances and addresses, autograph signing and many more.

How Do I Participate & Benefit?

4. Fashion Show: Witness the sensation of African beauty! Africa’s renowned beauty and clothing design collections.

•Join the BBA at

www.bbala.org

5. Live Entertainment and Talent Competition: Live concerts by Africa’s most talented artists.

•Advertise in the BBA publications

6. Closing Ceremony Gala Dinner: July 10, 2010 For enquiries about the AVBW2010 and logistic planning purposes please contact Leading Women of Africa, USA Representative Ms. Aze Malawo, M.P.A, M.A on 206-419-1580 or 425-242-8443 or send e-mail enquiries to: Aze.Malawo@ hotmail.com or Azem@leadingwomenofafrica.com. &

•Attend BBA Events Hosted to Benefit the African American Community of Businesses

47 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

International:

Senior Vice President, Jeannine B. Scott to Leave Africare After seven years of exemplary service as Senior Vice President, Jeannine B. Scott has announced her departure from Africare “It’s been an honor, privilege and pleasure for me to work for an organization whose mandate is so important and to

have been able to pursue my life’s passion,” Scott said as she reflected on her time at the oldest and largest AfricanAmerican led organization working exclusively to provide development and humanitarian assistance to Africa. Scott has made significant contributions that will leave the organization stronger than when she joined it. As Senior Vice President, Scott oversaw Africare’s operations of over 200 projects in 23 countries as well as the establishment of offices in France and

Canada. She was particularly active in working with regional directors, as well as other staff across the organization, to find potential opportunities to increase programming, nearly tripling program operations to a record of $80 million in 2009 alone. “She leaves an endearing legacy at Africare for having helped engender the sense of family which underpins Africare’s heritage, culture and success to-date,” Africare President, Darius Mans noted. Additionally, Scott managed the development of the organization’s current Strategic Plan and established the Africare Office of Food for Development, which has generated over $100 million in resources for the organization to-date. She introduced a focus on women and gender as an integral part of all Africare programs and distinguished Africare’s role in the water and sanitation sector at both the global policy level and the operational level. Scott opened new global opportunities for funding and for raising Africare’s profile by forging and expanding relationships with private sector donors and multilateral agencies in the U.S., Europe and Africa. Her strong relationships with African governments led Africare to serve as a partner in the inaugural 2009 African First Ladies Health Summit that was attended by 22 African First Ladies in Los Angeles, California. As Africare’s representative to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and United Nations Children’s

Fund (UNICEF), Scott ensured that Africare was recognized by the United Nations and other international organizations as a critical partner. Reacting to news of Scott’s departure, Mary Pack, Vice President for Domestic and International Affairs at the International Medical Corps said, “I worked closely with Jeannine on a number of collective initiatives and saw first hand the important contributions she made not only on behalf of Africare but on behalf of the humanitarian and development community as a whole.” A graduate of Vassar College, Scott also earned a Masters in International Relations from Yale University. She began her professional career with Africare in several ascending capacities beginning as a Program Manager at headquarters in Washington, DC, and culminating in the appointment as Country Representative to Senegal, with simultaneous responsibilities in Mauritania, Cape Verde and The Gambia (making it a total of 14 years tenure at Africare). She then served at the African Development Bank, first as a bank staff member, and then as a U.S. appointee as Advisor and Alternate to the U.S. Executive Director, before returning to Africare as Senior Vice President in 2003. Scott is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Palme d’Excellence by President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the 2009 DAWN Mentor by the Diaspora African Women’s Network. She also serves as a board or advisory member to numerous well-known organizations including The Council of Foreign Relations, Millennium Water Alliance, Yale University, The World Food Law Institute of Howard University Law School and North Carolina Central University. She is the coordinator of the African American Unity Caucus (AAUC), a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and the Women’s Foreign Policy Group, and she served on the Working Groups

48 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

see Scott Retires from Africare on page 50

“A FEW NOTES ON AFRICA” President Obama Donates Portion of Nobel Prize Funds to Africare $100,000 was donated to Africare Africare was founded in 1970 and has more projects in Africa than any other U.S.-based charity, reaching communities in 25 countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Its programs address needs in three principal areas: health and HIV/AIDS; food security and agriculture; and water resource development. www.whitehouse.gov

EX-IM Bank Agrees to Finance Egyptair Purchase of 5 Boeing Aircraft The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) and EgyptAir, the national flag carrier of Egypt, have signed

EX-IM Bank Annual Report is Online Ex-Im Bank’s FY 2009 Annual Report is now available online. The report details Ex-Im Bank’s record year of activity in FY 2009, in which the Bank acheived milestones in total financing authorized ($21 billion) and direct small-business support ($4.4 billion). The financial report includes summaries and listings of FY 2009 authorizations, FY 2009 financial statements and notes, and the Man-

documents finalizing Ex-Im Bank’s support for EgyptAir’s purchase of five Boeing 737800 aircraft as part of a major fleet renewal. Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg noted “In the current economic environment, the fleet renewal requires a scale of financing difficult to secure from the private sector alone, “and we are glad to fill the gap as the United States’ official export credit agency. This is good for Egypt, good for the regional and world economy, and good for American workers.” www.exim.gov

MULTILINGUAL MBENDI. MOBI MBendi website and news products now offer multilingual options. MBendi has launched the new 100 million web page, 32 language website for cell phones and other mobile devices. What exactly is it? With 57% of the developing world’s population now owning cell-phones, could it be their passport to the global economy? Also, soccer fans going to South Africa for the FIFA World Cup tournament from around the world can now use their cell-phones to find out where to go and what to do in the region, conveniently in their own languages. Then, given the depth of MBendi’s information on the global resources industry, mbendi.mobi becomes an essential tool for the world’s mining and energy executives on the move.

agement’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition. www.exim.gov

EX-IM Bank Holds Annual Conference in Washington, DC

Four key Administration officials discussed “Working Together to Support

South Africans of all language groups will find a website that presents information in all their languages, as well as Swahili and Arabic. Each language section of MBendi. mobi comprises three million web pages. Translation of the English website navigation and framework was carried out by Weblingo, an international network of 900 incountry, professional language translators. Core information, such as news items and descriptions of companies and properties, is in the language of origin, usually English. MBendi.mobi is designed for viewing on a small screen. It is easy to navigate and to switch between languages. The pages are designed to minimise bandwidth usage, important in countries where mobile data services are slow or expensive. MBendi. mobi provides details of accommodation, restaurants, event venues, travel attractions, news, people and organisations, all interlinked. Listings in the directories are free, and can be made via MBendi.com. To explore mbendi.mobi - take out your cell-phone, fire up its web browser and go to http://mbendi.mobi to see our elephant and decide for yourself. (If you don’t have a web browser on your phone, you can also access MBendi.mobi using your computer’s web browser). Bookmark the version of the website in your native language. SEE YOU ON THE CONTINENT. &

U.S. Exports” at Ex-Im Bank’s 2010 Annual Conference in Washington, DC. From left, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke; Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew; modera- President Obama tor John Podesta of Center for American Progress; SBA Administrator Karen Mills; and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk. President Barack Obama detailed the Administration’s National Export Initiative during an address at the Bank’s 2010 Annual Conference. &

49 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Photo: Ashley Sullivan, Mattox Photography

What is “Pass It On!” ???

n a few weeks Africare will launch an exciting new campaign to connect you to people overcoming major challenges impacting the African continent-- issues like unsafe drinking water, food insecurity, and the growing number of children orphaned by AIDS. Our new “Pass It On!” campaign

Scott Retires from Africare from page 48

for the United Kingdom’s Empowering African Women, the Center for Global Development’s African Development Bank and the Inter-Action Humanitarian Partners Working Group of which she was the Co-chair. “Talented, jovial and hard working, Jeannine, the gazelle of Africare, will be leaving the organization with a wealth of experience and history.” Africare’s longest serving employee and current Senior Country Representative, Al-Hassana Outman-Sherriff remarked “Undoubtedly, she will continue helping

will carry these messages around the world through a series of powerful testimonies and unique stories told directly by the individuals who see, work with, or benefit from Africare’s assistance on the ground. The stories come from more than 20 African nations, covering a variety of key issues. They all carry positive messages of growth and empowerment on the African continent! Beginning September 1st, Africare will introduce you to a new story— once a month for 16 months— from a child, grandmother or Africare staff member who will “have something to tell you” about the important work Africare is

implementing on the ground. Each will be packaged in a format that is ready to “pass on” to a friend or someone you know through video, social network, and even your phone! And if you live in Washington, DC, you’ll see our stories on buses and in Metro stations across the city. Sign-up to receive the messages and support the “Pass It On!” campaign using this special link - www.africare.org/ news/enews_signup.php. Learn more about Africare’s current projects, long history and esteemed leaders at their website - www.africare. org. &

the people of the African desert.” Scott moves on to the private sector, continuing her life’s commitment to Africa’s development. Her last day at Africare will be March 26, 2010. Africare is a leading non-profit organization specializing in African development aid. It is also the oldest and largest African-American led organization in that field. Since its founding in 1970, Africare has delivered more than

$800 million in assistance and support — over 2,500 projects and millions of beneficiaries — to 36 countries Africa-wide. Africare has its international headquarters in Washington, DC, with field offices currently in some 23 African countries. & www.africare.org www.allafrica.com

Support Black Businesses Hire and/or Contract With

Black Businesses Practice Recycling Black Dollars

50 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

President’s Message from page 41

meet quick demands and short turnaround requirements. Consequently, local smaller companies lost a considerable edge to deal directly with area managers and department heads to sell products to local offices. Long gone are the days of office supply stores, automotive repair/supply, hardware and/ or general commodities. It has come down to construction, contract personnel, and personal service contracts to gain real access to the billions of annual corporate spend. Today, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age in hiring is now protected classes. Nevertheless, my current work reveals a considerable number of corporate executives placing diversity in supply chain management as its least important business initiative. The major chambers of commerce are apparently suspect to this instability, as such groups offer no standing or ad hoc committees to remotely address socioeconomic development programs. In spite of the fact that I am optimistic that somewhere, somehow, corporate America will gain a better understanding on how valid socioeconomic development programs benefit their personal bottom line. Higher revenues can be enjoyed when lower income communities are assisted in building with fair trade practices. In southern California, the utilities are acutely aware of their service territories, but yet the leadership is quiet as to how poorer communities steadily decline in business activity. Housing is only as good as the jobs generated to occupy and maintain them. We had a much needed wake-up call in America some fifty years ago. Even the time passing from the Great Depression of the 1930’s still had not jarred us enough to realize that we are all in this American enterprise together. The nation went right back to old ways of a class system and race was

the easy divide. During this era, for most blacks it was a distant concept to have equal protection under the laws as promised by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to have rights as a citizen. I can still vividly remember when the late great President John F. Kennedy gave his civil rights speech of June 11, 1963, where he asked for legislation to give all Americans the right to be served in facilities that are open to the public such as hotels, restaurants, theaters, retail stores, and similar estab-

lishments, as well as greater protection for the right to vote. This was my first glimpse at a transparent process that many others watched as well, and roughly one week after the President’s speech, a Democratic congressional representative, Emanuel Celler, introduced new civil rights legislation in the House as H.R. 7152 on June 20, 1963. Even without C-SPAN television, it was easy to see the status as it passed the house in February 1964, despite the tragic assee President’s Message on page 57

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52 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

When Father Time Catches Up With Our Parents by Atty. Caprice L. Collins

e all expect it to happen eventually—our parents getting older. Not just older chronologically, but physically and mentally older as well. It’s a difficult and sometimes painful process to realize that our parents are in fact aging. With each passing year, your parents, too, may be showing more obvious signs of time gone by. Even the spryest of spry eventually start to slow down and need more help than they did before. Sometimes it happens slowly and you have time to adjust to your new reversed role as the caregiver. When you visit, you notice they are not keeping up with their normal routines; they may need more help around the house, or help managing their checkbook and bills. And other times, the caregiver role reversal is thrust upon you suddenly and unexpectedly due to an illness or accident which can cause much stress

Atty. Caprice Collins and concern for your parents’ well being. When these turns of events happen, there may also come a time when your parents will need more care than you can provide on your own. They may need in-home care, an assisted living facility, or even a nursing home. The good news is you can help them plan now for these eventual needs and help them prepare for this next stage in life when the time comes. Set up an appointment for them to meet with a qualified estate planning attorney, one who focuses their practice in that area. That attorney can help your parents with a comprehensive estate plan, including a Revocable Living

Trust, Pourover Will, Financial Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, and “HIPAA” Authorization Form. A Revocable Living Trust will hold your parents property and facilitate your management, as successor Trustee, of that property in the event of their disability. Similarly, as “Agent” under your parents’ Financial Powers of Attorney, you can manage any assets which are outside their Trust, file their income tax return, etc. Their Trust and Financial Power of Attorney should contain “Medicaid triggers” which allow you, as their decision-maker, to engage in planning strategies which will enable them to qualify for Long-Term Care Medicaid for nursing home care. That way, their assets may not have to be exhausted on medical bills and nursing home costs and can be retained instead to provide them a better life. Health Care Powers of Attorney enable you, as their Agent, to make medical decisions for them if they are unable to make them for themselves. A Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or “HIPAA” Authorization Form allows for you and others to have access to your parents’ protected health

53 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

see Father Time on page 66

Thank You,

for the special recognition and honor given to our company,

Sullivan International, Inc. recently during your Black History Month Celebration. We especially appreciate our SCE Partners present and past that directly contributed to SIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth and development over the years: JOE ALDERETE VINCENT CRANEY CECIL HOUSE DEBBIE LUMPKIN SALLY MARTINEZ GEORGIA NELSON FRANK QUEVEDO DENNIS THURSTON GRACE WHITCOMB

Sullivan International, Inc.

Barbara Sulllivan George, President - 562.590.0512 www.Sullivaninternational.com - www.PEOpleonesource.com - www.onyxglobalhr.com

Editorial:

Privatization of the Los Angeles Convention Center

he Black Business Association (BBA) has become aware that consideration of strategies to privatize operations of the Los Angeles Convention Center is underway by the City of Los Angeles. The BBA believes the entire Southern California region will benefit exponentially by having the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) as the selected operator of the Convention Center. Beyond a doubt, AEG (www.aegworldwide.com) is one of the world’s most effective sports and entertainment event management company. Moreover, AEG operates right here in Los Angeles, and the effort needed to increase revenue and lower costs to meet government services has AEG’s name written all over it. The citizens of this great city deserve and require an investor who will not abuse the privilege of operating such an important venue, just to serve its own business gains. The City of Los Angeles has too often endured avaricious machinations of private interests who care little about maintaining the integrity of our esteemed city. While getting all competing interests to move in synch is a daunting undertaking, the privatization of the

Convention Center with AEG’s event management team will ultimately be the proper business course correction, allowing AEG’s their operational capacity and expertise to vastly improve Los Angeles’ visitor and tourism outcomes. The BBA enthusiastically and confidently supports AEG, as it has created contract engagement and many inclusion opportunities for our members, a very critical component in any public/private partnership consideration. We recommend that the leadership of the City of Los Angeles continue to open doors for positive business growth by partnering with AEG, a company that has functioned as the most positive event management firm for the City of Los Angeles and surrounding communities. &

What’s In It For Me? •Local, National & International News

•Government & Corporate Contracting and Supplier Opportunity Information •Links to Corporate Partner, Organization Affiliates & Annual Event Sponsor Websites •BBA Annual & Special Event Announcements •Business Operation Education and Information &

Where Do I Find It? •BBA website

www.bbala.org •Black Business News monthly publication •Black Business News/ International - quarterly publication

Black Business News

•Black Business News Internet Edition

International Edition To be added to the International Edition mailing list or to advertise in the publication send an e-mail request to: mail@bbala.org. View the International Edition at www.bbala.org and www.yudu.com Search: Black-Business-News-International

How Do I Participate & Benefit? •Join the BBA at

www.bbala.org •Advertise in the BBA publications •Attend BBA Events Hosted to Benefit the African American Community of Businesses

56 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Fair Trade for Women

Help For Haiti from page 17

from page 45

the world’s wealth, have only a 10% share of global income, and occupy only 14% of leadership positions in the public and private sector. It is therefore no surprise that women account for 70% of the world’s poor. This situation not only negatively impacts women and their families, but holds back countries that are only utilizing only about half of their economic potential. It is not too late to remedy these shortcomings. Doing so will require a concerted effort to include women in the new economic opportunities that we are creating, and not just in the United States but around the world. At USTR, we are striving to ensure that U.S. trade policy is developed and implemented in a way that includes benefits for working women and their families. As President Obama said on International Women’s Day, we are “doing all of this not only because promoting women’s empowerment is one of the best ways to promote economic development and economic success. We are doing it because it’s the right thing to do.” & www.whitehouse.gov www.ustr.gov

2229-8089, 509-2229-8322, 509-2229-8672

•

When contacting any of the numbers or using the emails above, please include the following information: • The full name, date of birth and passport information (if known) of the persons in Haiti you are trying to contact. • Their contact information in Haiti;

•

telephone numbers, email address, hotel name or address (if known) Your name and contact information, and your relationship to the person in Haiti (parent, spouse, friend etc.) Any special or emergency circumstances.

Federal Response Info For information on how each federal department and agency is responding to the earthquake in Haiti visit the Help for Haiti website at whitehouse.gov. &

First Lady Michelle Obama, Haitian First Lady Elisabeth Delatour Preval, and Dr. Jill Biden, receive flowers from children at “The Children’s Place” in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Official White House Photos by Lawrence Jackson & Samantha Appleton)

Quote of Note...

“We’re doing all of this not only because promoting women’s empowerment is one of the best ways to promote economic development and economic success. We are doing it because it’s the right thing to do. I say that not only as a President, but also as the father of two daughters, as a son and a grandson, and as a husband.”

President’s Message from page 51

sassination of President Kennedy just months prior, and it fully passed the Senate on June 30, 1964. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Congressional Public Law 82-352 on July 2, 1964. Perhaps, we can remind ourselves that this vision and legislative action means not to divest, but to build America with all resources. BBA members are great resources to that end. &

57 T Aprilh 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

President Barack H. Obama International Women’s Day

Advertorial-Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, LLC:

How to Know When to Buy More Gold By Jeff Clark, editor of Casey’s Gold & Resource In a recent conversation with a fellow gold analyst, he was emphatic that the price one pays for physical gold should be ignored. “What’s far more important,” he insisted, “is how many ounces I own in relation to the total value of my assets.” Building a core position in gold bullion is a smart goal, to be sure, and a strategy Casey Research has been advising for years. However, ignoring the price you pay for gold could be seen as foolhardy; sure, it’s insurance, but isn’t price part of the consideration when you shop for insurance? So, who’s right? The World Gold Council just released their 2009 annual report on gold trends. From the densely populated pages of interesting data, there’s one compelling tidbit I gleaned that may shed some light on the buying behavior of gold investors. Overall investment in gold was 7% higher in 2009 than 2008. This is significant when you consider that demand in the fourth quarter of 2008 – during one of the worst financial meltdowns in history – was so great that shortages of physical metal abounded everywhere. And yet investors bought more gold in 2009 when investor fear about global financial uncertainty was subdued. Further, 2009 total funds invested in all forms of gold exceeded 2008 by 20%, and the average price was 11.6% higher. In other words, investors were buying gold even though the price wasn’t necessarily “low.” To be sure, that’s a broad statement. But the fact remains that year-on-year, more gold was purchased at higher prices when the markets were less scary, than when the price was lower, and Hank Paulson was on CNBC every 15 minutes pontificating on how to save America’s financial system. This isn’t to suggest one shouldn’t pay attention to price. And the data doesn’t identify how many of those who purchased gold last year were first-time buyers, as certainly there were newcomers to the sector that contributed to higher demand. But it begs the question, who would continue to buy gold when the price is higher? Whoever doesn’t own enough, that’s who. The gold I bought last month was certainly higher priced than what I paid in 2008. But I’m trying to position my assets for protection from eventual dollar debasement and rising inflation. So perhaps focusing more on acquiring sufficient ounces to withstand a storm rather than stubbornly buying none, waiting for “cheaper” prices, however you define that, is a better mindset. Not owning enough gold is equivalent to holding a million-dollar mortgage and having a $10,000 life insurance

policy. It won’t help much when you really need it. Of course we should pay attention to price. But the trick is not letting that distract you from buying what you need. You’re not buying gold bullion as a speculation (although we expect to make a bundle on our holdings), but as a sound form of cash in an environment where government has no respect for a balance sheet and sees inflation as the only way out of its black hole of debt. During periods of inflation, the government does fine; it’s the citizens that suffer from the lost purchasing power of their savings. It’s clear our currency is being debased. What’s your plan of defense? For those diligently accumulating gold, how do you know when you have enough? Check your anxiety quotient. If Ben continues printing money or Obama promises more goodies than he has the money to pay for, and you remain calm, then you likely have adequate gold. These are the investors who can afford to be stubborn about price as they build their holdings. In my opinion, this is where we all want to be.

“In our book, owning physical gold, in the form of one-ounce coins, is where your first dollar should go.” What form of gold should you buy? It depends on why you’re buying it. If you understand gold’s role in history, owning a physical form will come naturally to you. If you see the threat of inflation on the horizon, or you worry about what is being done to the dollar, you’ll own both coins and an ETF. If you’re worried about possible exchange controls someday, you’ll consider a Perth Mint Certificate. And the more gloomy your outlook about the global economy, the greater the percentage of all forms of gold you’ll buy. That said, we maintain a bias toward physical ownership. GLD and other gold ETFs are fine and do offer protection. But the custodian isn’t going to airmail gold to you when you cash in your shares; having the “hard money” in your hand gives you the freedom an ETF cannot. In our book, owning physical gold, in the form of one-ounce coins, is where your first dollar should go. I remember when my wife and I decided it was time to get life insurance. We just had our kids, and it was time to play grown-up. Given what 5,000 years of history has taught us about the value of gold, and given what’s happening at this moment in history to our currency, are you playing grown-up with your investments? &

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Please complete then submit this form with your payment. Please type or print. Name: Title: Company: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Telephone: E-mail: URL: Type of Business: W/MBE Certified by:

Fax:

Year Established:

NAICS Codes: Briefly describe your products and/or services

New membership Renewal Membership

Select Type of Membership Regular Member-$200 annual dues 51% African-American owned, Voting membership

Corporate Member-$2,500 annual dues Major corporation, Non-voting membership Associate Member-$100 annual dues Non-business owner, Non-voting membership Student Member-$25 annual dues Full-time registered student, Non-voting membership Amount enclosed $ Payment type: credit card Visa MasterCard Card #: Signature Fax Payment to: 323-291-9234

Exp. Date

Payment type: check/money order—make payable to: Black Business Association Mail to: P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA For information Call: 323-291-9334 Email: mail@bbala.org Website: www.bbala.org

Let’s Move from page 37

Warner Brothers’ legendary Looney Tunes characters. Next Generation Food Pyramid: To help people make healthier food and physical activity choices, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will revamp the famous food pyramid. MyPyramid.gov is one of the most popular websites in the federal government, and a 2.0 version of the Web site will offer consumers a host of tools to help them put the Dietary Guidelines into practice. Empower Change: USDA has created the first-ever interactive database – the Food Environment Atlas – that maps healthy food environments at the local level across the country. It will help people identify the existence of food deserts, high incidences of diabetes, and other conditions in their communities. This information can be used by parents, educators, government and businesses to create change across the country.

LetsMove. g o v : To help children parents, teache r s , doctors, coaches, the n o n profit and busin e s s c o m munities and others understand the epi- First Lady Michelle Obama participates in the Spring Garden Planting d e m i c Event on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photo of child- by Lawrence Jackson) h o o d obesity and take steps to combat it, step-by-step strategies for parents, the Administration has launched a new and regular updates on how the federal “one-stop” shopping website -- Lets- government is working with partners to Move.gov -- to provide helpful tips,

see Let’s Move! on page 70

Business Development:

5 Questions to Assess Your Startup Readiness by Nick D’Ambrosio for Startup Nation

ost of us know people who went to an early stage company and had great success. We also know those who have not been so fortunate. In today’s market starting a company or joining an early stage company is not for the faint of heart. Statistically speaking, less than 10% of all new companies last 5 years. I am not trying to discourage people from taking risks. I know firsthand the tremendous upside that comes from owning a business. It is, however, critical that you fully investigate and prepare yourself for this new venture. Many of the common mistakes businesses make can be avoided by doing your homework upfront. The below are five questions to help you assess your startup readiness and eliminate unwanted surprises.

1. Has your 10-15 years at ABC Company really prepared you for this new venture? While many of the skills you have learned over the years will help you make the transition, many of the character traits needed to be successful have nothing to do with past experience or past job skills. While managing a large staff is great, managing 3 employees with little money in the bank is a whole different world. You need to have a combination of smarts, talent, detachment, energy, courage, thick skin and the ability to motivate not just yourself but those around you. 2. Are you crystal clear on what it is you are trying to achieve by making this move?

While this may not seem like a question to ask, ask it! Knowing exactly why you are working 60 hour weeks with no guarantee is going to give you the motivation to keep pushing. I know many people who built successful companies and were stunned when this success failed to make them happy. Is it money, autonomy, freedom, a simple change from your current situation? 3. Have you properly researched both the company/idea and is this a business that has potential? Remember, great products/services are just a start. They certainly don’t guarantee long term success. Have you ever been to a great restaurant that a few months later was closed? They had a great menu, prices and still failed. Do your homework on the industry. Look at the statistics, research the market, and talk to people within this market. Research, research, research. Make sure you are not chasing the latest craze, the one with a very short lifespan. I had a friend who swore the refinance market was a home run. He failed however to anticipate the number of others who had the exact same feeling. Competition is good; it proves there is a market. Saturation is a completely different animal. 4. Do you have the funding or access to funding to keep your dream alive? Trust me, the few customers you know you can close are great, but can they keep your doors open for more

than a few months? Can you survive 12-18 months if the current market conditions remain the same? What if they deteriorate? Failure to raise money is a very common reason small businesses fail. Many people don’t take the time to do a proper business plan. In some ways they are afraid of what they may find. Try and gain as much insight into this venture prior to quitting your job and investing your life savings. 5. Do you have a backup plan? So you’ve done your homework, and you’re ready to make it happen. Have you thought about exit strategies? The what if’s? We all like to focus on the best case scenario; it’s what gets us to take the chance in the first place. We do, however, need to focus on the other part of the equation. What if this business doesn’t take off? What if you go 6-12 months with no income? How will this impact your family? Can you still pay your bills? Can you find another way to make money? Lastly, there are many people (family, friends, and neighbors) who will no doubt tell you all the reasons not to make such a bold move. Be careful who you get your advice from. The best advice I received when starting my business was from someone who actually started a business and succeeded. While your friends and family will try to be helpful, their advice is not nearly as valuable as the advice you can get from those who have been in the trenches and know first hand what it takes to make your dream a reality. &

62 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Community:

Central Avenue Intersection Renamed for Ezekiel “Ezequiel” Mobley, Jr. By Marie Y. Lemelle, MBA, Platinum Star Public Relations

onnecting the African American and Central and South American communities was a lifelong passion for Dr. Ezekiel “or Ezequiel, if you speak Spanish,” C. Mobley, Jr. His legacy was memorialized at the intersection of 43rd Place and Central Avenue when Councilwoman Jan Perry, City of Los Angeles Council District 9 held a renaming ceremony surrounded by his family and friends at the northeast corner in his honor on Thursday, April 15 at 10:30 a.m. The intersection, the heart of the Central Avenue Jazz Corridor, represented the pulse of the jazz circuit during the 1900s through the 1950s and down the block from the world famous Dunbar Hotel. It is also the neighborhood of the highly anticipated Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival held the last weekend in July and a popular gathering place for the community to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the weekly Central Avenue Farmers Market. “Ezekiel was a jazz enthusiast and loved the Afro-Latin influence in music and food,” said Ora Mobley-Sweeting, his mother and an acclaimed human rights activist. “My son was an activist and devoted to revealing and sharing the African and Latino culture globally, especially in the cities he loved from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. to his final residence in Pittsburgh.” Mobley, Jr. died in June 2006 at the age of 53. Mobley Jr.’s roots in Los Angeles run

deep. He served as the executive director of the Central City South Assn. of Commerce and Industry whose board members included USC, the 32nd Street Market, and Dunbar Economic Development Corp now known as the Central Avenue Heritage Foundation. Dr. Mobley also served as the executive director of the non-profit United Neighborhood Council in Los Angeles. His political involvement included his service as a legislative aide to then Speaker of the Assembly Antonio Villaraigosa and in D.C. as Chief of Staff to former Councilman Frank Smith of the District of Columbia City Council. His duty to his country was served in the U.S. Army as a Captain. “His kindness, humility, and genuine love for community belied his accomplishments and credentials,” said Candida Mobley, his sister, the CEO of Voices, Inc. and who also serves on the board of directors for the Black Business Association, The Links Incorporated-Beverly Hills West Chapter, and the West Angeles CDC. Mobley, who spoke Spanish fluently, created and produced the first Spanish language TV program in Pittsburgh, which was broadcast widely in cities throughout the United States. Mobley’s bilingual (Spanish/English) public affairs program, HOLA!, also was viewed on a web cast live on a worldwide basis. He created another progressive and innovative public affairs cable television show, “Africa at the Millennium TV.” Both shows were produced in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. As a contributing correspondent for the African Times newspaper, one of his many articles included, “Black

Mexicans: Forgotten Africans?” which appeared in a 1995 issue. An accomplished author, in 2000, he wrote a book about his mother entitled, “Nobody Gave Me Permission: Memoirs of a Harlem Activist.” Mastering higher education was evident in Mobley’s life and his pursuit of knowledge has influenced his nieces, Tomora Ezekia Wright and Danielle Candida Wright. “In the fall I will be attending Howard University to pursue a degree in marketing,” said Tomora. She plans to one day take over her mother’s business, Voices, Inc. Danielle has been accepted to Syracuse University where she will enroll in the pre-law program. “I intend to follow in the footsteps of my Uncle Ezekiel as an attorney,” she said. “I was too young to get to know my uncle. However, I am fortunate enough to continue his legacy. Like him, I am determined to absorb as much knowledge as possible and share with others.” Dr. Mobley was a cum laude graduate of Howard University, a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center, the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and the London School of Economics and Politics in the UK. Dr. Mobley was the editor of the Hilltop newspaper at Howard University and the Georgetown University Law Journal. He was one of the first Administrative Fellows at Harvard University. At various times he served as a Board Member of the Harvard University Alumni Association of Southern California, the Board of the Pacific Chapter of the United Nations Association, the Latin American Cultural Union, and Educational Innovations, Inc. &

63 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

VERACITY REALTY, INC. “Dedicated to Truthfulness” Let us see what we can do for you in both Commercial & Residential finance!

Jonathan Thompson, Commercial Broker Phone: 800-455-2142 Cell: 323-309-2885

Rhonda Thompson, Residential Loan Officer Phone 800-455-2142 Cell: 323-387-9439 CA Dept. of Real Estate, Real Estate Broker: 01781216 *APR: Includes appraisal, title insurance, escrow, points & other loan cost is 6.487%

Four Season’s Production Multi-Cultural Multi-Functional

Multi-Purpose Multi-Faceted

Manufacturing, Productivity, Growth & Expansion Economical

Globalization

Empowerment

“We’re Fired Up and Ready to Go”

Open Supplier Certification Process The Verizon Communications Corporation is seeking to identify a greater share of African American-owned and operated businesses to match to potential operating contracts. The data base that Verizon procurement management personnel are instructed to review is the California Public Utilities Commission Clearinghouse.

Entrepreneurial Business Development Diversified Subdivision Product-Mix Creating Jobs Across America City by City State by State National and International Trade Exchange

“Yes We Can”

BBA members wanting to expand market opportunities with a telecommunication company should consider completing a supplier certification application. To obtain an application go to the Internet web address www.cpuc.gov and visit the supplier diversity page for an online application.

“Something New and Excitingly Different on the Horizon” Commercial

Residential

Genell Brown, Artist Designer

Our Community Source Contact: Keasha L. Charles

888-988-8551 Phone & Fax

- BBA Special Recognition Award 2010 -

The BBA encourages all members to participate in this process that works to create greater opportunities for all African-American owned and operated firms. Last year the California Verizon Company reported an annual spend with African American owned suppliers in excess of $40 million.

64 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Malik’s Books Online

alik’s Books has closed operations in the Baldwin Hills Mall. Malik’s is now operating as an online bookstore. Malik’s is now available to serve our customer’s needs 24/7 via the world wide web with bigger deals and a larger selection. We will remain as active in the South Los Angeles community as we have always been. Please visit us at www.Malikbooks.com and/or www.autographbooks. com. For other information give us a call at 818-564-5694. If you want to coorespond with us, send letters to Malik’s Books, 3939 Crenshaw Boulevard, #324, Los Angeles, CA 90008. Thank You again for all your support and patronage over the years and visit us on the Web. &

Malik’s Books

www.Malikbooks.com • www.autogrpahbooks.com malikbooks@att.net • 818-564-5694

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

Black Book Stores!

Eso Won Books

African American Books 4331 Degnan Ave., Leimert Park, Los Angeles

“Give Books as Gifts to Friends & Family” Check out our unsurpassed collection of books, music, video, children’s books, and games!

“Eyes on The Prize” on DVD and EsoWon has it. 323-294-0324 www.esowonbooks.com //esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events

Books to Consider... The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander. As the U.S.A. celebrates the nation’s “triumph over race” with the election of Barack Obama, the majority of young black men in major American cities are locked behind bars or have been labeled felons for life. Although Jim Crow laws are not on the books, an astounding percentage of African Americans remain trapped in a subordinate status—much like their grandparents before them. Atty. Alexander argues that, by targeting black men and decimating communities of color, the U.S. criminal justice system functions as a contemporary system of racial control, even as it formally adheres to the principle of color blindness. It challenges all of us—to place mass incarceration at the forefront of a new movement for racial justice in America. Wake Up Black America We’re Sleepwaking Back To Slavery by Robert R. Johnson. The book relates that most young Blacks have gotten away from doing what has made Blacks successful in this country, young Blacks are not receiving a reasonable education, most young Blacks are also not working but lurking on the street corners and going to jail, we suffer from Blacks killing Blacks, and not having Black-owned businesses. “Wake Up” provides an Action Plan to solve the problems and calls on Black Americans to work together to improve our communities. &

65 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Lucy Florence Culture Center 3351 W. 43rd St. Leimert Park Village Los Angeles, CA 90008

Shop our boutiques Enjoy our Cuisine Exquisite Venue for your Special Event ……

Tinashe @ the Boardroom inside Lucy Florence

We are open daily! 1-6pm

Tote & Satchel HANDBAGS, beautifully restored, one-of-a-kind vintage HANDBAGS, the hottest DESIGNER SHOES, Cuff links, sterling silver jewelry, and Italian handmade Murano glass JEWELRY.

Father Time from page 53

care information, when needed. If the time comes that one of your parents need care in a nursing home, you’ll have the tools you need to help facilitate that. At that time, of course, you’ll want to choose a facility carefully. Consider the following factors: proximity to you and other family members, the ratio of nursing staff to residents, the facility’s safety and overall ratings, etc. You can find a listing of nursing homes in your area and their ratings and ratios at: www.Medicare.gov/NHcompare. If you plan now, you and your parents will be ready whatever the future

might bring. A qualified estate planning attorney can help tailor a plan to your parents’ unique needs. & Caprice L. Collins is a top rated Harvard Law School trained attorney, fellow alum with President Barack Obama, a BBA member and a noted speaker on Living Trusts and Estate Planning. Ms. Collins’ law practice is devoted exclusively to Estate/Business Planning and Trust Administration. She is the only South Bay/Central Los Angeles member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, a distinguished organization of attorneys recognized by Money Magazine and Suze Orman as a first choice for Estate Planning legal services. Her seminars are said to be “inspiring, entertaining and easy-to-understand.” www.collinslawgroup.com

Shop, Eat, Relax in

Little Ethiopia

Experience Africa in America

66 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Culture, Retail, Entertainment Fairfax Boulevard

between Pico & Olympic Los Angeles

Government:

SBA Proposes Women-Owned Small Business Rule to Expand Access to Federal Contracting Opportunities

he U.S. Small Business Administration has released a proposed rule aimed at expanding federal contracting opportunities for womenowned small businesses (WOSB). The proposed rule is available for public comment for 60 days. The proposed rule is part of the Obama Administration’s overall commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal contracts, in particular those owned by women, minorities and veterans. This proposed rule identifies 83 industries in which WOSBs are under-represented or substantially under-represented in the federal contract marketplace. This rule is aimed at providing greater opportunities for WOSBs to compete for federal contracts, while achieving the existing statutory goal that 5 percent of federal contracting dollars go to women-owned small businesses.

Alberto G. Alvarado, Director Los Angeles SBA District Office

“Women-owned small businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of our economy, yet they continue to be under-represented when it comes to federal contracting,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “Across the country, women are leading strong, innovative companies, and we know that securing federal contracts can be the opportunity that helps them take their businesses to the next level, expand their volume and create good-paying jobs. This proposed rule is a step forward in helping ensure greater access for women-owned small businesses in the federal marketplace.” The creation of a rule to increase federal contracting opportunities for WOSBs was authorized by Congress in 2000. Since that time, SBA took a number of steps to study and analyze the market, including looking at participation by women-owned small businesses across all industries. Various draft rules were made available for public comment in prior years, but the Obama Administration chose last year to draft a new, comprehensive rule, based on the analysis of the prior studies and on all the questions and comments previously received. Some of the components of the proposed Women-Owned Small Business rule include: • To be eligible, a firm must be 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more women, and primarily managed by one or more women. The women must be U.S. citizens. The firm must be “small” in its primary industry in accordance with SBA’s size standards for

Karen G. Mills, Administrator Small Business Administration

that industry. In order for a WOSB to be deemed “economically disadvantaged,” its owners must demonstrate economic disadvantage in accordance with the requirements set forth in the proposed rule. • Based upon the analysis in a study commissioned by the SBA from the Kauffman-RAND Foundation, the proposed rule identifies 83 industries (identified by “NAICS” codes) in which women-owned small businesses are under-represented or substantially under-represented. • The SBA has identified eligible industries based upon the combination of both the “share of contracting dollars” analysis, as well as the “share of number of contracts awarded” analysis used in the RAND study. This differs from an earlier proposed version of the rule which identified only four industries in which women-owned small businesses were under-represented. This earlier version proposed to identify eligible industries based

67 T April 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

see SBA WOSB page 71

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