BBA News MAY 10 by Black Business News Group

In This Issue... President’s Message…page 3 U.S. Takes Aim for Mars…page 6 Diaster Cleanup Contract Opportunities…page 8 White House Report on Jobs…page 12 NBA All-Star Week-End 2011 Vendor Search…page 17 U.S. Ambassador to the African Union Meets with BBA…page 38 We Remember: Dr. Dorothy Height…page 21 Ms. Lena Horne…page 27

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary

Presidential Proclamation - Small Business Week Small business owners embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and strong work ethic that lie at the heart of the American dream. They are the backbone of our Nation’s economy, they employ tens of millions of workers, and, in the past 15 years, they have created the majority of new private sector jobs. During Small Business Week, we reaffirm our support for America’s small businesses and celebrate the proud tradition of private enterprise they represent. Our Nation is still emerging from one of the worst recessions in our history, and small businesses were among the hardest hit. From mom-and-pop stores to high tech start-ups, countless small businesses have been forced to lay off employees or shut their doors entirely. In these difficult times, we must do all we can to help these firms recover from the recession and put Americans back to work. Our Government cannot guarantee a company’s success, but it can help create market conditions that allow small businesses to thrive. My Administration is committed to helping small businesses drive our economy toward recovery and long-term growth. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has supported billions of dollars in loans and Federal contracts for small businesses across the country. The Affordable Care Act makes it easier for small business owners to provide health insurance to their employees, and gives entrepreneurs the security they need to innovate and take risks. We have also enacted new tax cuts and tax credits for small firms. Still, we must do more to empower these companies. In this year’s State of the Union address, I proposed creating a $30 billion lending fund to help increase the flow of credit to small businesses, and I call on the Congress to pass this legislation quickly. My Administration is also working to extend and enhance Small Business Administration programs that have helped small business owners acquire loans and hire workers. This week, we celebrate the role of entrepreneurs and small businesses in our national life. They are the engine of our prosperity and a proud reflection of our character. A healthy small business sector will give us vibrant communities, cutting edge technology, and an American economy that can compete and win in the 21st century. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 23 through May 29, 2010, as Small Business Week. I call upon all Americans to recognize the tremendous contributions of small businesses to our Nation with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtyfourth. BARACK OBAMA

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

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Stems From Trade Restrictions

he Black Business Association (BBA) members and other emerging small business enterprises are often faced with innumerable barriers resulting from integrating into wellestablished public and private buying systems, processes, and cultures. But with a dedicated commitment toward cooperative economics, major product and service operational requirements can be met by BBA members through strategic supply chain economic development alliances. Thereby the BBA commends the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) who celebrated its 47th annual observance of small business enterprise, as it paused to acknowledge and recognize small business enterprise as the backbone of the nation’s economy. President Barack Obama in his National Small Business Week proclamation of May 23-29, 2010, stressed how his Administration is committed “to helping small businesses drive our economy toward recovery and longterm growth”. Long before the BBA was formed 40 years ago, small business enterprises have been touted as the hub of the American economy; on the other hand, small business defaults on the SBA loans last year experienced a

dramatic rise. In fact, since 2004 the loan default rate of 2.4% rose to 8.4% in 2007, and still worse for 2008, this default rate climbed to 12%. Figures like these could be a sign that the backbone of America is being neglected and not receiving the contract engagement attention that it undoubtedly needs to stay afloat. Although there is always the factor that some small businesses may appear to be a supply chain risk, it stands to reason that having no small businesses is a greater risk that large businesses will too inevitably fail from a failed economy. Consequently, the failure rate of small business enterprises should be more closely viewed by the private sector in contrast to its methods, procedures and strategies that could possibly better spread the purchasing opportunities over a broader economic landscape. While there is a deep recession and record unemployment coming out of 2009, there is a bright spot for black business enterprise. According to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, a leading indicator of newbusiness creation in the United States, reports African-Americans experienced the largest increase in entrepreneurial activity between 2008

and 2009. Rising from 0.22 percent in 2008 to 0.27 percent in 2009, the rate was the highest over the 14 years of reported data. Also optimistic, particularly for California is where three of its cities are in the top ten cities with new entrepreneurial activity. These cities listed in order are Atlanta, Phoenix, Riverside (CA), Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Washington, DC, as California remains the hot entrepreneurial state for small business enterprise growth. When you make use of economic expansion it can be a masterful component with eradicating improvised parts of deprived socioeconomic conditions. So why are so many disadvantaged business enterprise programs still at the starting gate of black business engagement? The indicators show that black business investments are taking place with establishing firms, but there is a lag of interest being demonstrated by the supply chain processes of major corporations. Still with low percentage records, black-owned business suppliers have limited access to corporate contracting with the Fortune Top 500 corporations. The BBA knows first-hand as a resource bank of opportunity that major corporations apparently avoid making complete use of black business referral services, not unlike our colleagues operating chambers of commerce. Collectively, multi-trillion dollar annual spends are taking place without regard to seeking a return on investment from black business communities. This Corporate America aloofness from black business engagement is not exclusive see President’s Message on page 47

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Over 40 years of service Founded 1970 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 Fannie Mae IBM

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.

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

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 August BBA 40th Year Celebration November Utilities Procurement Exchange Summit & Awards Luncheon • Call for information •

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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

President’s Message Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Stems from Trade Restrictions

6 8

U.S. Aims for Mars MBDA News-Disaster Cleanup Contract Opportunities California Recovery-

___ 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:

•

White House Reports on Jobs NBA All-Star 2011 Call for Vendors Let’s Move!

Africa Focus

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. &

Small Business Conference

U.S. Ambassador to the African Union Meets with BBA U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Addresses Economic Issues

SBA News N New Export Assistance Toolls Available

Calendar

Columns 33 - Take A Look! 52 - Books to Consider...

BBA Action Alert 13 - Help for Haiti Cover image - savethedate.com U.S. Small Business Administration

2007 - Journalist of the Year Award Minority Business Development Agency

2010 - Media Firm of the Year

21st Century Space Exploration: “The Next Chapter That We Can Write Together Here at NASA”

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. This afternoon, President Obama visited the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to discuss the Administration’s goal to seek new frontiers for human space flight. The President declared that he is “100 percent committed to the mission of NASA and its future,” and laid out steps and investments that the Administration is making towards space exploration. He announced a $6 billion increase in NASA’s budget over the next five years, focusing on making cuts elsewhere as the government instituted a freeze on discretionary spending. The President said that this investment will increase exploration of the solar system and also Earth-based observations that will increase our understanding of the world and its climate in order to protect the environment for future generations. The President explained that the Administration will extend the life of the International Space Station by more than five

MARS

years in order to conduct research that will help improve our daily lives while working with the private sector to make reaching space more affordable. He also announced a $3 billion investment into developing an advanced “heavy lift rocket,” aiming to finalize the design for the rocket by 2015. The President said that “nobody is more committed to manned space flight, to human exploration of space than I am,” but explained that “we’ve got to do it in a smart way.” He said that the Administration is “setting a course with specific and achievable milestones.” “Early in the next decade, a set of crewed flights will test and prove the systems required for exploration beyond low Earth orbit. And by 2025, we expect new spacecraft designed for long journeys to allow us to begin the first-ever crewed missions beyond the Moon into deep space. So we’ll start -- we’ll start by sending astronauts to an asteroid for the first time in history. By the mid-2030s, I believe we can send humans to orbit Mars and return them safely to Earth. And a landing on Mars will follow. And I expect to be around to see it. But I want to repeat -- I want to repeat this: Critical to deep

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and proposed a $40 million initiative led by the White House and federal agencies to develop a plan for regional and economic growth. He explained that his plan will add more than 2,500 jobs along the Space Coast in the next two years, with the potential of thousands more as companies compete to be a part of the new space transportation industry. “So this is the next chapter that we can write together here at NASA. We will partner with industry. We will invest in cutting-edge research and technology. We will set far-reaching milestones and provide the resources to reach those milestones. And step by step, we will push the boundaries not only of where we can go but what we can do. Fifty years after the creation of NASA, our goal is no longer just a destination to reach. Our goal is the capacity for people to work and learn and operate and live safely beyond the Earth for extended periods of time, ultimately in ways that are more sustainable and even indefinite. And in fulfilling this task, we will not only extend humanity’s reach in space -- we will strengthen America’s leadership here on Earth.” & www.nasa.gov

space exploration will be the development of breakthrough propulsion systems and other advanced technologies. So I’m challenging NASA to break through these barriers. And we’ll give you the resources to break through these barriers. And I know you will, with ingenuity and intensity, because that’s what you’ve always done.” President Barack Obama tours SpaceX launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, April 15, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy) The President spoke about his focus on creating jobs,

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NASA Administrator Charles Bolden

Minority Business Development Agency - Business Development News Building a New Haiti: Business, Commerce and Investment

he American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR) in collaboration with the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service is pleased to announce the upcoming event “Building a New Haiti: Business, Commerce and Investment”. This event, June 9-11, 2010 at Club Indigo in Port au Prince, Haiti will provide a unique opportunity for companies to take part in an historic international endeavor: the building of an economically sustainable Haiti.

Objectives: Disseminate information on Haiti reconstruction strategies, programs and procurement practices of the Haitian Government, Multilateral and Donor community, including the United Nations, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and U.S. Agency for International Development. Provide a space to facilitate direct business networking between American, Haitians and Dominicans companies.

About the Event: This event will combine formal presentations about the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) with sectoral and project opportunities, sources of financing, and other resources available to companies interested in doing business in or with Haiti.

Who should attend: U.S. Businesses

Dominican Businesses Haitian Businesses Non-Governmental Organizations

Minority Business Development Agency Summit 2010 Washington, DC June 8 - 10, 2010

there has been tangible progress, too. The 2010 MBDA Summit will feature discussions on: • the legal landscape confronting race-based business programs • revised regulations and policies associated with minority business programs • new programs and strategies for minority business growth • legislative activities of stakeholders and Congress In addition, the Summit will include opportunities for stakeholder collaboration, business meetings and a congressional reception. With your participation, we can continue to build a strong global network of minority businesses, and strengthen and devise strategies designed to increase the capacity of MBEs so they are economically viable and sustainable into the future. www.mbda.gov

he purpose of the MBDA Summit is to bring minority entrepreneurs, thought leaders, practitioners and stakeholders together in for a single purpose: to strengthen public policies and programs directed at fostering the growth and competitiveness of minority business enterprises. Much energy and enthusiasm was generated during the first Summit last year and

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Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center 1200 H Street NW Washington, DC 20012

Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week MED WEEK 2010

President Barack Obama is briefed about the situation along the Gulf Coast following the BP oil spill, at the Coast Guard Venice Center, in Venice, LA, Sunday, May 2, 2010. Pictured, from left, are U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) to advise the Secretary of Commerce on key issues pertaining to the growth and competitiveness of the nation’s Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs).

August 23 - 27, 2010 Omni Shoreham Hotel Washington, DC

ational MED Week is the major conference dedicated to empowering minority business owners with the knowledge and tools necessary for success. The theme for MED Week 2010 is “Strategies for Growth and Competitiveness in the Global Economy”.

New Advisory Council Established

he Department of Commerce announces the establishment of the National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprise (NACMBE). The purpose of the NACMBE is

Disaster Contracting Assistance Center (DCAC) The Disaster Contracting Assistance Center (www.disastercontractingassistance.gov) provides a central point of reference for businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, womenowned businesses and small- and medium-size enterprises, to register for and become aware of federal contracting opportunities. While the DCAC does not award contracts, our mission is to ensure that businesses understand the process and are aware when

opportunities become available.

Contractors Wanting to Assist in Cleanup in the Aftermath of a Disaster If you are a small business interested in helping with Federal response to a disaster, you will do three things: FIRST STEP: Register in the Central Contractor Registry at www.ccr.gov. Once you have accessed the website, go to “Help” link on the top of the page and read the CCR Handbook. It will tell you all the information you will need to register. To begin your registration go to the CCR Home page and select “Start a New Registration” on the left hand side of the page. At the end of the registration, small business will be asked to com-

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see MBDA.GOV on page 10

MBDA.GOV from page 9

plete SBA’s Supplemental Page. For information on registration assistance, contact: Toll-Free Phone Nbr: 1-888-227-2423 Outside U.S.: 1-269-961-5757 DSN: 661-5757 CCR Email: ccr@bpn.gov Hours of Operation are 9 - 5 (EST) Monday - Friday. Voice mail messages will be taken if all lines are busy; all calls will be returned. SECOND STEP: Register in FEMA’s Debris Removal Contractor Registry (DRCR): https:// asd.fema.gov/inter/nerr/home.htm. FEMA has established a web-based Debris Removal Contractor Registry (DRCR), specifically for state and local governments to use to identify and pre-qualify available debris removal contractors. For questions or technical difficulties, please email fema-rims@ dhs.gov. All vendors interested in doing business with FEMA should send an e-mail to FEMA-Industry@dhs.gov. THIRD STEP: The Army Corps of Engineers also has its Disaster Resource Contractor Registry at www.lrl.usace.army.mil/DisasterEquip (firms must also be register in CCR). The Corps of Engineers has developed this contractor registry for assistance with their disaster response mission. The Corps of Engineers uses its engineering and contracting capabilities to support FEMA and other Federal, State and local government agencies in a wide variety of missions during natural and man-made disasters. Information in this registry will be used by Corps of Engineers offices that are looking for specific goods or services during emergencies. Submission of information is voluntary. Information will be considered For Official Use Only within the Federal government. Submission of information to this registry

DOES NOT expressly or implicitly commit the Federal government to procurement of products or services. For any questions regarding the Army Corps Contractor Registry, please email disasterresponsereg@lrl02. usace.army.mil. Also, the following resources are available for assistance. FEDBIZOPPS Once you have registered with CCR, you can go to www.fedbizopps.gov. This is the single government point-ofentry for Federal government contract opportunities over $30,000. Managed by the General Services Administration, FedBizOpps allows businesses to sign up for e-mail notification of open contracts related to specified fields. At the website, on the right hand side, under Related Links, click on “Vendor Notification Services”, which will allow you to receive email alerts by contract number, classification or all contract notices. Information on registration assistance: You can reach the FedBizOpps Help Desk by clicking on the “Help Desk” link on the bottom of the FEDBIZOPPS web page, calling 877-472-3779 or sending an email to fbo.support@gsa.gov. The Help Desk is open between 8am and 6pm EST (M-F). Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) PTACs form a nationwide network of procurement professionals dedicated to providing you: www.aptac-us.org An understanding of the requirements of government contracting, and the know-how to obtain and successfully perform federal, state and local government contracts. At little or no cost, PTACs provide a wide range of assistance covering every phase of government contracting – from initial registrations through contract completion. Small Business Development Centers

Offer One-stop assistance to individuals and small businesses by providing a wide variety of information and guidance in local, easily accessible branch locations. For any other contracting opportunities, please contact the state, county, or other local municipalities in the area that you would like to do business in, to find out what is available and what their requirements may be. &

Assembly District 47 People’s Council Small Business Commission, U.S. Department of Commerce, and The Minority Business Development Agency present

Understanding Access to Capital in Your Community Friday, May 21, 2010 8:30 - 10 a.m. FAME Renaissance 1968 West Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 This seminar is designed to provide small businesses: •

Updates on loan programs authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

•

Technical assistance and information about contracting and financing opportunities

•

Access to local banks that are currently lending in this challenging economic climate

RSVP: Please call 323-937-4747 or e-mail: Patrice.marshall@asm.ca.gov &

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2nd Governor’s Conference on Small Businesses & Entrepreneurship

he second Governor’s Conference on Small Businesses & Entrepreneurship was held recently in Oakland. Produced by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GoED) and the state’s Small Business Development Centers, the conference gathered more than 800 small business owners, association leaders and small business support organizations from all over California to share ideas and prac-

“Governor Schwarzenegger made it clear when he established GoED that he wanted to make it easier to do business in California,” said GoED Director Joel Ayala. “I can think of no better way to do this than by bringing businesses together with this small business conference and working with our partners to provide the tools, resources, and information that small businesses need to help lead the

tical solutions to drive the small business economy forward. “Small businesses are the backbone of California’s economy, and they will be the driving force of California’s recovery,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Small businesses make up 98 percent of all California businesses and provide over half the employment in California. This means it is vital that they have the support and resources they need to come back stronger than ever, and that’s exactly why I am having a second small business conference and why I launched GoED.” California is one of the largest economies in the world with a gross state product of over $1.8 trillion. This could not be possible without the contribution of California’s 3.2 million small businesses.

state’s economic recovery.” The day-long conference featured companies and organizations such as Google, Wired Magazine, Business Matchmaking, the Milken Institute, Comcast, Café Press, Hewlett Packard, U.S. Small Business Administration, Asian Pacific Island American Public Affairs and many others. The conference also featured ten morning and afternoon breakout sessions focused

on: Social Media and Online Marketing; Innovation; Selling to Government; Selling to Big Business; Start-Up Strategies for Success; Raising Investment Capital; Access to Borrowing; Health

Care Reform; “Greening” Your Business; and International Trade. Additionally, the conference included a free vendor expo open to the public. “This conference represents a partnership effort that is critical to helping improve our state’s economic climate for small businesses,” said California Small Business Development Centers State Chair Kristin Johnson. “Small see Recovery.CA on page 57

Available for download now “International Trade Trends” & “Growing Together: China and Los Angeles County” reports and presentation slides by Jack Kyser and Dr. Nancy D. Sidhu www.LAEDC.org/tradeoutlook

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Remarks by President Obama on the Monthly Jobs Number

HE PRESIDENT: All right. Good morning, everybody. On what seems like a daily basis, we’re barraged with statistics and forecasts and reports and data related to the health of the economy. But from the first days of this administration, amidst the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, I’ve said that the truest measure of progress would be whether or not we were creating jobs. That’s what matters in people’s lives. What matters is whether someone who needs a job can find work -- whether people can provide for their families and save for the future and achieve some measure of economic security. Everything we’ve done has been with this goal in mind. And today, I’m happy to report that we received some very encouraging news. In April, the economy added 290,000 jobs, with the vast majority -- approximately 230,000 -- coming from the private sector. This is the largest monthly increase in four years. And we created 121,000 more jobs in February and March than previously estimated, which means we’ve now seen job growth for four months in a row. These numbers are particularly heartening when you consider where we were a year ago, with an economy in freefall. At the height of the downturn, around the time that I took office, we were losing an average of 750,000 jobs per month. So this news comes on the heels of a report last week that the overall output of our economy -- our GDP -- is increas-

ing. We now know that the economy has been growing for the better part of a year. And this steady growth is starting to give businesses the confidence to expand and to hire new people. I should also note that the unemployment rate ticked up slightly from 9.7% to 9.9%. Given the strength of these job numbers, this may seem contradictory, but this increase is largely a reflection of the fact that workers who had dropped out of the workforce entirely are now seeing jobs again and -- are now seeking jobs again, encouraged by better prospects. Now, I want to emphasize: The economic crisis we’ve faced has inflicted a lot of damage on families and businesses across our country, and it’s going to take time to repair and rebuild. Over the course of this recession, more than 8 million jobs were lost. So there are a lot of people out there who are still experiencing real hardship. And we’ve got to be mindful that today’s jobs numbers, while welcome, leave us with a lot of work to do. It’s going to take time to achieve the strong and sustained job growth that is necessary. And of course, long before this recession hit, for a decade middle-class families had been experiencing a sense of declining economic security. So, yes, we’ve got a ways to go. But we’ve also come a very long way. And we can see that the difficult and at times unpopular steps that we’ve taken over the past year are making a difference. Productivity is up. The hours people

are working are up. Both are signs the company may be hiring more workers in the months to come. We saw the largest increase in manufacturing employment since 1998. And we can see the benefits of our Recovery Act in the strong employment reports from construction and other sectors, where we’ve made key investments in creating and saving jobs. Of course, there are limits to what the government can do. The true engine of job growth in this country will always be the private sector. That’s why we are very pleased to see the strong employment growth on the private sector side. What government can do is help create the conditions for companies to hire again. What it can do is build the infrastructure and offer the incentives that will allow small businesses to add workers, that will help entrepreneurs take a chance on an idea, that will lead manufacturers to set up shop not overseas but right here in United States of America. And that’s what we’ve been doing. Right now, a series of tax incentives and other steps to promote hiring are taking effect. Because of a bill I signed into law a few weeks ago, businesses are now eligible for tax cuts for hiring unemployed workers. Companies are also able to write off more of their investments in new equipment. And we’re spurring additional investments in school renovation, clean energy projects, and road construction, which will create jobs while laying a new foundation for lasting growth. In addition, as part of health reform, 4 million small businesses recently received a postcard in their mailbox telling them that they’re eligible for a health care tax cut this year. It’s worth perhaps tens of thousands of dollars to each of these companies. And it will provide welcome relief to small busisee Job Numbers on page 19

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Haiti Stage 2: CWS helping expand rural food co-ops, reunite child domestic workers with their families

nitial Haitian government plans to relocate huge numbers of families to cities outside Port-au-Prince are being thwarted by land ownership issues and costs, adding to the frustrations of those made homeless by the quake. But humanitarian agency Church World Service (CWS) is dealing within those realities and says it now is expanding its work to help families recover where they are and to support host communities stretched to accommodate migrating survivors. Those programs will range from repair of houses damaged by the quake and expansion of host homes where survivors are permanently relocating, to building food security for all by expanding already-successful farm cooperatives. The effort marks transition of the international NGO’s focus on emergency response to sustainable recovery and rebuilding in quake-devastated Haiti. “We’ll still be providing emergency aid as needed, but we’re now working with partners in Haiti to respond to some very specific needs and for the longer-term development programs that are necessary to truly enable Haiti to build back better,” said CWS development and humanitarian assistance director Donna Derr. With contributions already received

and donations the agency hopes to raise in an expanded U.S. fundraising appeal, CWS says its specific rehabilitation focus will include: • Permanent house repair for homes that can be made habitable and safe with minor repairs Expansion of host housing in locations outside quake-affected areas Increasing food security and food availability for the displaced and their host communities Basic services and transitional support for displaced people now living

In Haiti’s Artibonite and North West regions, CWS’s Derr says, “There are 13 rural cooperatives that are supported by Church World Service and our Haitian partner SKDE (Christian Center for Integrated Development). Year after year and disaster after disaster in Haiti, these co-ops have continued to grow and help their communities enjoy food security. Now they face the • challenge of providing enough food for many of the more than 200,000 people • who fled Port-au-Prince.” Derr says CWS support will include effective and transparent management • of the co-ops’ revolving funds and fair credit opportunities for women entrepreneurs and farmers to expand their crop production. “We’ll also be assisting co-ops in strengthening the ‘Passing on the Gift’ schemes that most of them carry on,” she said. “It’s an empowering, self-perpetuating way to build income and food sources, in which members who receive gift of animals such as chickens or goats share their offspring with other community members.” In Fonds Parisien and Ganthier, A woman sells charcoal in a camp of families near the border with the Dominican made homeless by the earthquake in Haiti, in January. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance Republic, Church World Service and partners Servicio Social de in spontaneous Iglesias Dominicanas and Christian Aid • encampments are already serving two spontaneous • Rebuilding and expanding local ca- camps of displaced people—survivors pacity to provide services and pro- who had no assistance until CWS’s tection for vulnerable children and partner agencies arrived. “Here, we’ll youth in Port-au-Prince provide food, water, and temporary • Individual small grants for quick shelter materials and assist residents livelihood recovery in leadership formation and community • Direct services for 1,200 people organizing,” said Derr. with disabilities and their families in Child domestic workers, former gang metropolitan Port-au-Prince members, teen mothers to benefit • Ongoing provision of material supCWS and Haitian partners have a port particularly to people still living longstanding commitment to serving in tent camps vulnerable children. At the outset of its • Continued management and op- Haiti quake response, Church World eration of a Santo Domingo - Port- Service determined to expand an existau-Prince humanitarian corridor ing program focusing on the ongoing Rural Agricultural Co-ops: stretched needs of the country’s most vulnerable to help feed migrating survivors

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see Help For Haiti on page 47

SBA-SCORE Business Training Schedule for May 2010

CORE is a nonprofit association of more than 12,000 business experts who volunteer as mentors. SCORE offers free mentoring and low-cost workshops nationwide. A resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE has helped more than 8.5 million entrepreneurs since 1964. For workshop registration or general information call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE office near you or visit online at http://www.score.org. All of the SCORE workshops described here will be held at: 330 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 190, Glendale, CA 91203 unless otherwise noted.

“Should You Consider a Franchise” Saturday,May 15, 2010 - 10:00 am to noon

Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 10:00 am to noon

The workshop will be a discussion of what to look for when considering a franchise. Special focus will be on what it takes to be successful within the franchise concept as well as what is necessary to become a multi-franchise owner. . Presenter: Phil Binderman

Master email communications with this comprehensive look at best practices and winning strategies for getting and keeping quality subscribers, increasing deliverability and open rates, writing good headlines and content, saving time, getting readers to take action and more!

“The Power of Credit Management” Thursday, May 20, 2010 - 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

“Corporate Structure, Personal Liability and Your Small Business” Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 10:00 am to noon

In this workshop you will learn the benefits of knowing how to manage your fico (credit) score and learn what it takes to qualify for an SBA loan, and how to maintain your credit score and much more.........

“Business Plan” Saturday, May 21, 2010 - 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, 350 S. Bixel Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017, Wells Fargo Room

What is a business plan? How do I write one? Business plans are essential for any successful business - and this workshop will enable you to propel your ideas forward and share your vision of your company with others. Presenter: Robert Kendig-SCORE Counselor

“How to Create, Start and Manage a New Business” Saturday May 22, 2010 - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm An in depth workshop where we will explore the processes of business concept to reality. You will be given the tools and ideas to consider and alternative paths to achieve them. A step by step process, we will find ways to think “outside of the box” and see you and your venture flourish. Presenter: Mark Colonomos

With the changing corporate horizon, it has become increasingly difficult to keep track of what people do and where they stand on the corporate ladder. We will cover personal liability and how it will relate to your small business.

“Sales and Your Small Business” Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 10:00 am to noon In this workshop you will learn that we can all sell and it’s a matter of practice. You will also have the opportunity to role play and practice some sales and buying skills. You will get a chance to learn about connecting your marketing plan with your sales. Bring your one sales problem to share with the group at the workshop.

“Business Plan” Saturday, May 29, 2010 - 10:00 am to 1:00 pm What is a business plan? How do I write one? Business plans are essential for any successful business - and this workshop will enable you to propel your ideas forward and share your vision of your company with others. Presenter: Robert Kendig-SCORE Counselor & SCORE Los Angeles 09@scorela.org

“The Power of Email Marketing”

15 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

www.sba.gov

16 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

NBA 2011 All-Star Game Management is Seeking Minority Vendors NOW! Sunday, February 20, 2011 • Staples Center, Los Angeles

he 2011 NBA All-Star Game and associated festivities will be held in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. Vendor opportunities for the 3-day program of events abound, however, vendors interested in providing services for this special event must register and be approved. Registration begins on May 17, 2010. The NBA All-Star Vendor Diversity Program of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has been providing opportunities to Woman and Minority owned vendors to participate in the All-Star procurement process for over a decade. Working in partnership with local certifying agencies and business advocacy groups the NBA will identify woman and minority-owned businesses in the Greater Los Angeles area. Through the efforts of these partners the NBA will disseminate information and applications to the local business community. Upon completion of the application process a Woman and Minority Vendor Database will be available on the NBA All-Star Vendor Diversity web-site. This database will serve as a resource for NBA Staff, Partners, and Primary Contractors seeking to procure goods and services for All-Star. While participation in the program does

not guarantee a bid opportunity it does provide on-going information on the procurement process and through the guide introduces these business to potential purchasers for All-Star and its related activities. The first step in the process is to complete the application on the All-Star Vendor Diversity at www.nba.com/allstarvendordiversity. In addition to the application, you will find FAQ, Vendor Guide, Certifying Agencies and Green Iniative information. The vendor services required include but may not be limited to: Advertising • Public Relations Marketing • Audio / Visual Catering • Florist Construction / Building Materials Courier Services • Electrical Services Drug Testing / Medical Supplies Employment Services - Temporary Staffing Event Management • Fencing Furniture Rental Gifts (items, baskets) • Graphic Design Hardware Suppliers IT • Telecomm Janitorial Services Supplies Office Machines/Rental Copiers, etc. Office Supplies • Painters Photography Printing: Banners, Signs, Invitations

Minority Vendor Registration Begins May 17, 2010 Ends September 1, 2010 Promotional Products Security Services Shipping • Trucking Transportation: Bus - Car Services Warehouse Space • Waste Removal &

www.nba.com/allstarvendordiversity

17 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Job Numbers from page 12

ness owners, who too often have to choose between health care and hiring. So that’s what’s already come online. But we still have more to do. In my State of the Union address, I called for a $30 billion small business lending fund, which would help increase the flow of credit to small companies that were hit hard by the decline in lending that followed the financial crisis. And obviously small businesses are a major source of job creation. This morning, we sent draft legislation to Congress on this fund, which now includes a new state small business credit initiative. This state initiative, which was designed with the help of governors and members of both the House and the Senate, will help expand lending for small businesses and manufacturers at a time when budget shortfalls are leading states to cut back on vitally important lending programs. In addition, with state and local governments facing huge budget gaps, we’re seeing layoffs of teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other essential public servants -- which not only harms the economy, but also the community and the economy as a whole. So we are working with Congress to find ways to keep our teachers in the classrooms, the police officers on the beat, and firefighters on call. A few months ago, I also proposed giving people rebates to upgrade the energy efficiencies of their home. This will not only save families money, it will create jobs in the hard-hit construction and manufacturing sectors, since things like windows and insulation are overwhelmingly made in the United States of America. I was gratified to see a bipartisan vote to pass this proposal, called “Home Star,” in the House of Representatives yesterday. I’m calling on the Senate to act as well. And I’m urging Congress to expand the clean energy manufacturing tax credit, which is helping create jobs across America building wind turbines and solar panels.

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Do Business with BBA Member Businesses & Advertisers Even as we take these steps to increase hiring in the short and long run, we’re also mindful of other economic factors that can emerge. So I want to speak to the unusual market activity that took place yesterday on Wall Street. The regulatory authorities are evaluating this closely, with a concern for protecting investors and preventing this from happening again. And they will make findings of their review public along with recommendations for appropriate action. I also spoke this morning with German Chancellor Merkel regarding economic and financial developments in Europe. We agreed on the importance of a strong policy response by the affected countries and a strong financial response from the international community. I made clear that the United

States supports these efforts and will continue to cooperate with European authorities and the IMF during this critical period. So this week’s job numbers comes as a relief to Americans who found a job. But it offers obviously little comfort to those who are still out of work. So, to those who are out there still looking, I give you my word that I’m going to keep fighting every single day to create jobs and opportunities for people. Every one of my team that’s standing alongside me here has the same sense of mission. We’re not going to rest until we’ve put this difficult chapter behind us. And I won’t rest until you, and millions of your neighbors caught up in these storms, are able to find a good job and reach a brighter day. Thank you very much, everybody. &

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

In Memory:

Dorothy Height 1912-2010

he year is 1929 and the Harlem Renaissance is at its height. It is the home of Black intellectuals and literary giants like Alain Locke, Zora Neale Hurston, and Claude McKay. Nearly 200,000 Blacks have migrated from the South to escape racism in search of a better way of life, making that city of just three square miles the largest concentration of Blacks in the country. It’s also the year that a young college bound Dorothy Height is accepted into Barnard College, but by the time she arrives to register she is denied admittance because the great institution of higher learning for women has reached its quota of two Negroes. “I couldn’t bear to call home and report that I wasn’t going to college after all—that they didn’t want me,” Dr. Height writes in her memoir “Open Wide the Freedom Gates.” She was urged by her brother William to apply to New York University. It was the last day of registration and with her acceptance letter from Barnard she rushes across town to meet with Dean Ruth Schaeffer. “Dean Schaeffer studied the letter (Barnard’s acceptance). I’ll never forget her eyes as she looked up. She said, ‘A girl who makes these kinds of grades doesn’t need an application to enroll at NYU.’ A ray of hope crept into my heart. She gave me a form. When I filled it out, I was matriculated at NYU. From that day forward I have loved every brick of that university.” The life of Dr. Dorothy Height was full of rejection, risk and reward. She was what close friend and confidant, former first lady of Washington, DC., Cora Masters Barry calls, “undaunted.” “She never let anything turn her around. She had the courage of her convictions,” Mrs. Barry told The Final Call. Although Miss Height had a four-year scholarship from The Elks, like most college students, she needed extra in-

come. She was living in Harlem during the Depression and jobs were scarce. M i s s

Height ironed clothes for Broadway performers like Eddie Cantor and Simple Simon. She wrote obituaries for a Harlem mortician and was a proofreader for Marcus Garvey’s weekly newspaper The Negro World. “Although Garvey failed to realize all of his objectives, his movement still represents a liberation from the psychological bondage of racial inferiority,” Dr. Height writes.

“That was clear at The Negro World, a widely disseminated weekly edited by William Merchant. Pride in excellence was instilled every day. I thrived in that atmosphere.” The Garvey message of “One God, One Aim, and One Destiny” through the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) was well received by Blacks at the time but not by Whites. He worked to unite Blacks all around the world but was constantly under FBI scrutiny and investigation. Miss Height ventured into the midst of this without a concern. “In addition to taking a risk, she was able to make extra change even if it was not always a lot of money but in the connections she made with the many people that were there,” Professor T. A. Oduno told The Final Call. He is the Dean of Students at the Amy Jacques Garvey Institute in D.C. “The women in the UNIA played prominent roles. They had courage. They were winners. Dr. Height learned to stay focused and doing for self. If she ever made a relationship with you she kept it. It was called integrity. She saw that in Marcus Garvey.” Those early lessons carried Dr. Height throughout her lifetime. She stood with the men the world called controversial in their day—from Marcus Garvey to Dr. King, who many Blacks didn’t support at that time, to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. “She stood tall in her support and participation in the Million Man March,” said Mrs. Barry. “We met at my home with her, Dr. Barbara Skinner and Sister Claudette Muhammad of the Nation of Islam. We talked about women’s involvement in the march. We looked at the Minister’s mission statement and made some changes. He accepted our changes and we went forward as the women in support of the Million Man March.” “Dr. Height’s support of the Million

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

see Dr. Height on page 22

Dr. Height from page 21

www.californiasbdc.org/ governorsconference

Man March is the personification of all of her experiences. She has always been involved in controversy, restrictions and rejections. She was advised not to get involved because her organization would loose donations.” But that was not the way Dr. Height lived her life. She was guided by principles not the whim of people. “When she stood up at the March she said to those men, ‘I am here because of you.’ She was undaunted. That’s why nothing anyone said or did could keep her away,” said Mrs. Barry. Dr. Height writes in her memoir, “When I made my decision public (to support Minister Farrakhan), the phone started ringing. People called from all over to express their concern. One call, from some of my closest friends, came from Martha’s Vineyard. ‘We are calling you from a house full of your friends,’ they said. ‘We beg you not to have anything to do with the Million Man March. You have never been tainted. Please don’t do it.’” “Michelle Cowan, a good friend, did not hesitate to get to the point. ‘Dorothy,’ she said, ‘if you get involved with this march, I will no longer be able to justify Jewish support for the National

614 W. 7th Street (between Grand and Olive) L.A. 90014 • 213 612-0107 The coupon expires 6-01-10 and is for Dine-in Only. View our full menu at Sandellasdowntown.com. 22 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Council.’ “ ‘Well then,’ I replied, ‘I guess I’ll just have to find more African-American support.’ I did not feel that my involvement with the march was in any way inconsistent with my beliefs or the positions on issues that I had taken all of my life.” Freedom ain’t free. There’s always a price, always a sacrifice. Dr. Height paid both. Thousands came to the Washington Cathedral on April 29 to pay their last respects to the Civil Rights legend. In a eulogy delivered by Pres. Barack H. Obama, he detailed her long record of service, and the high place of honor and dignity she held. A historical display of Dr. Dorothy Height’s accomplishments. “We remember her not solely for all she did during the civil rights movement. We remember her for all she did over a lifetime, behind the scenes, to broaden the movement’s reach. To shine a light on stable families and

tight-knit communities. To make us see the drive for civil rights and women’s rights not as a separate struggle, but as part of a larger movement to secure the rights of all humanity, regardless of gender, regardless of race, regardless of ethnicity,” said Pres. Obama. “It’s an unambiguous record of righteous work, worthy of remembrance, worthy of recognition. And yet, one of the ironies, is that year after year, decade in, decade out, Dr. Height went about her work quietly, without fanfare, without self-promotion. She never cared about who got the credit. She didn’t need to see her picture in the papers. She understood that the movement gathered strength from the bottom up, those unheralded men

and women who don’t always make it into the history books but who steadily insisted on their dignity, on their manhood and womanhood.” & By Nisa Islam Muhammad -Staff Writer, The Final Call. www.finalcall.com

Small Business Transportation Resource Center-SW

Business Development:

5 Ways to Build Your Business without Competing on Price

hen you’re selling the same products as everyone else online (such as t-shirts, DVDs or computers), it might seem the best way to compete is on price and price alone. When all you focus on is having the lowest price, however, you tend to attract a certain type of customer (known in some circles as “bottom feeders”) and find yourself in a race to the bottom, serving fickle, price-sensitive customers who are here today, gone tomorrow (if your competitor is cheaper). The typical online retailer will focus on price as the #1 motivator for their customers, and while price is important, it’s not the only factor in the buying decision. Below, I share 5 things on which you can compete besides price, so you don’t get caught in a low price war with your competitors.

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Date

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Wednesday, February 10 Friday, March 19 Thursday, April 22 Thursday, May 13 Wednesday, June 23

3:45 – 5:15 PM 2:00 – 3:30 PM 3:45 – 5:15 PM 3:00 – 4:30 PM 3:45 – 5:15 PM

RSVP is required. Only 20 people will be invited per teleconference call. Reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis. Please reserve a date and time. RSVP to Carrolyn Kubota, Project Director, at (415) 348-6262 or via email at carrolyn@uspaacc.com. Once you receive confirmation, you will be informed of the teleconference number and pass code. Our SBTRC-Southwest office is operated by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization’s (OSDBU) Regional Partnership Division of the US DOT in an effort to increase the number of small businesses that are prepared to compete for, and enter into, transportation-related opportunities. Our purpose is to offer a comprehensive delivery system of business training, technical assistance, and dissemination of information targeted toward transportation-related small business enterprises within the Southwest region.

dependent on a low price being the primary/only motivator for people visiting your store.

#2 – A well k n o w n company/ organization that’s a customer #1 – A wider range of products/ varieties/models If you sell the same blue t-shirts as everyone else and that’s all you sell, then your value proposition to shoppers isn’t all that great. What if instead of selling just blue t-shirts, for example, you started selling blue t-shirts with different styles (v-neck and collar for example) or blue t-shirts with matching jeans? If you can offer a wider range than your competitors, then you’re less

If you sell, say, computers and you’ve got a well known company or organization on board as a paying customer, you should use that credibility to your advantage (with permission, of course). Put up a “Featured Customers” page and even post a case study or testimonial video from your marquee customer talking about how great your products/service/ support/shipping is. Potential customers in similar industries will see the testimonial, which helps build instant trust and rapport, especially if you sell high

ticket items.

#3 – A personal approach to customer service If your competitors are playing the low price but faceless company game, then you should play the moderate prices but small team willing to help game. If you sell to small companies or consumers, then the majority will prefer to buy from a small team who are passionate about what they sell rather than a big no-name corporate. Your About Us page can help here, so make it personal with lots of photos and a compelling “how we came about” story.

#4 – A reward points program If you can’t compete on price then why not award customers with points for every dollar they spend? They could then “trade in” these points against future purchases in your online store. It’s a great way to build loyalty. You could

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

see Build Your Business on page 29

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26 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

In Memory:

Lena Horne 1917-2010

inger, actress and civil-rights icon Lena Horne died on Sunday night in New York at the age of 92 of undisclosed causes. The jazz icon, whose signature song was “Stormy Weather,” famously fought racist attitudes in Hollywood in her efforts to become the first black leading lady on the big screen. She

died at New York-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan, according to The New York Times. Horne came to Hollywood in the 1940s and tried to break into the movies. Though she earned a contract with

MGM, she was barely cast in her early career because of the color of her skin. Ironically, the paper noted, she was so light skinned as a girl that other black children accused her of having a “white daddy.” Early in her career Horne earned fleeting roles in big-screen musicals such as 1946’s “Ziegfeld Follies,” appearing in one or two numbers that could easily be cut from the movie when it played in the South, where the idea of a black performer appearing in any role that was not subservient amid an all-white cast was unacceptable. S h e was born L e n a Calhoun Horne on June 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, New Yo r k . Her paternal grandparents w e r e e a r l y m e m b e r s of the NAACP civilrights organization and in a precursor to her lifelong battle on behalf of equal rights, Horne was the cover girl for the NAACP’s monthly bulletin in October 1919 when she was 2 years old. After her parents’ divorce, Horne was largely raised by her grandparents. When she was 16, her mother pulled her out of school to audition for

the dance chorus at the famous Harlem night spot, the Cotton Club. Horne made her Broadway debut a year after joining the Cotton Club chorus, appearing in the short-lived “Dance With Your Gods” in a voodoo dance sequence in 1934. She married at 19 and gave birth to two children before attempting to launch her movie career. Blessed with stunning good looks, an elegant, slightly mysterious stage presence and an unmistakably sexy allure, Horne’s big Hollywood debut was a disappointing one-song appearance in the 1942 musical “Panama Hattie.” According to the Times, she had better luck in a pair of all-black musicals from 1943, including “Stormy Weather,” which included the achingly sad title track that would become her signature song and which helped earn her the nickname “Negro Cinderella” early in her career. She refused to take the stereotypical roles offered to black performers — such as prostitutes and slaves — holding out for more substantial parts, which, in turn, limited her ability to appear in major films. She became the top-earning black performer in Hollywood by 1945, playing lucrative nightclub gigs and gaining popularity among both white and black G.I.’s during World War II, who often kept pictures of her in their footlockers. While doing U.S.O. tours, she openly criticized the treatment of black troops, which earned her a rebuke from the organization. She secretly married white arranger/conductor Lennie Hayton in 1947, and she claimed that the combination of her U.S.O. comments and friendships with such left-leaning civilrights figures as singer Paul Robeson got her blacklisted in Hollywood, preventing her from working for nearly a decade after her MGM contract lapsed in 1950. Horne continued to make some TV appearances during that time on shows such as “What’s My Line” and “The Judy Garland Show,” as well as singing

27 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

see Lena Horne on page 29

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Lena Horne from page 27

in nightclubs and recording albums. By the early 1960s she became actively involved in the civil-rights movement,

participating in protests and marches, including the 1963 March on Washington, as her film career began to fade. Her final acting gig in 1978, in which she played Glinda the Good Witch in the big screen version of “The Wiz,” came nearly a decade after her only substantial leading role, as a brothel madam in love with Richard Widmark

Build Your Business

MTV News staff •

Reposition your company and/or target a different type of customer Implement one of the five strategies discussed in this article

• from page 25

take it one step further and even send a VIP card in the mail to make your customers feel extra special.

#5 – Constant, informative communication Using postal mail or email marketing, you should send regular, useful information to your email list (you do have an email list, right?) and customer list (yes, they should be two separate lists) every month. You can talk about new products, link to “how to” videos or reviews for products you sell or even have a customer-of-the-month newsletter. The more you keep in touch with your customers, the better their top of mind awareness will be – i.e. when they’re in the market to buy the products you sell, you’ll pop into their mind first (at the top, ahead of your competitors). These five strategies are just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re finding that price is the most influential part of your customer’s purchasing decision (if you’re not sure, survey them), then you have three options: •

in 1969’s “Death of a Gunfighter.” In addition to two Grammy awards, she won a special Tony Award for her 1981 one-woman Broadway show, “Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music,” and continued to release albums into the 1990s and tour extensively in Europe and North America. &

Deal with it and try to lower your costs and corresponding prices

Which boat are you in? & Mitchell Harper is Co-Founder and CEO of BigCommerce. Subscribe to the BigCommerce Return on Investment blog to learn marketing strategies to grow your business.

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Do Business with BBA Member Businesses & Advertisers 29 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Rainbow PUSH LA Trade Bureau

The Rainbow PUSH LA Trade Bureau (RPC/Bureau) is focused on the implementation of economic, social, and education initiatives, as well as growing the office to become a strong voice for our constituents and Trade Bureau Members. Rainbow Push LA is connecting our Trade Bureau members with our Trading Partners for the purpose of doing business. Rainbow Push LA is committed to connecting our members to new opportunities that will not only bring us through the recession, but beyond it. Our innovative ideas are expressed through powerful programmatic pieces that are designed with everyone in mind. Please use the information below to contact the Los Angeles office to request a contact information form that may be completed then faxed or e-mailed to us. The information will reconnect us with you and will aid Mr. Israel in his upcoming meetings with corporate trading partners. Regina Black, Office Manager Rainbow PUSH/CEF Los Angeles, 1313 W. 8th Street, Suite 232, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Office Number: 213.483.3500 Fax Number: 213.483.3577 Email: rblack@rainbowpush.org Website: www.rainbowpushla.org

30 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Accessing Healthy & Affordable Food First Lady Michelle Obama speaks to students in Jackson, Mississippi

ore than 23 million Americans, including 6.5 million children, live in low-income urban and rural neighborhoods that are more than a mile from a supermarket. These communities, where access to affordable, quality, and nutritious foods is limited, are known as food deserts. By using the new interactive Food Environment Atlas (www.ers.usda.gov/FoodAtlas), users can see the location of food deserts across the country and other indicators of how successful communities are in accessing healthy food. Lack of access to proper nutrition is one reason why many children are not eating the recommended levels of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Food insecurity and hunger among our children is even more widespread. A recent USDA report showed that in 2008, an estimated 49.1 million people, including 16.7 million children, lived in households that experienced hunger multiple times throughout the year. (Household Food Security in the United States, 2008) Too often, these same school age children are not eating the recommended level of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy products. (source) So, Let’s Move to ensure that all families have access to healthy, affordable food in their communities. As part of the President’s proposed FY 2011 budget, the Administration announced a new program – the Healthy Food Financing Initiative -- a partner-

ship between the U.S. Departments of Treasury, Agriculture and Health and Human Services which will invest $400 million a year to provide innovative financing to bring grocery stores to underserved areas and help places such as convenience stores and bodegas carry healthier food options. Grants will also help bring farmers markets and fresh

able food in communities across the country. & www.LetsMove.gov www.facebook.com/letsmove www.mypyramid.gov www.ahealthieramerica.org

Eight Steps to Get More Fruits and Vegetables Into Your Neighborhood

o you live near a community garden? Does your neighborhood sell good-quality, lowcost c fruits and vegetables? Is there a farmer’s fa market in your neighborhood? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, q your neighborhood is ready for fo some healthy changes. Learn the eight e steps to follow to get more fruits and a vegetables in your neighborhood with w this helpful California-specific factsheet. fa If you’re outside California, please p be certain to check with your local c planning department regarding specifi c cs for your jurisdiction. & foods into underserved communities, boosting both family health and local economies. Through these initiatives and private sector engagement, the Administration will work to eliminate food deserts across the country within seven years. This Spring, LetsMove.gov will unveil specialized tool kits and strategies to help increase access to healthy, afford-

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

SENATOR BLOCKS EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR BLACK FARMERS SETTLEMENT

J Congresswoman Waters Requests FCC Public Hearings on Comcast-NBC Merger Colleagues Also Join Her in Submitting Questions for Comcast, NBC Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) is requesting that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hold public hearings on the proposed Comcast Corporation merger with NBC Universal (NBC). In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski that was signed by 45 other Members of Congress, the Congresswoman also submitted a series of questions for both Comcast and NBC to answer. “I have been concerned about media consolidation and a lack of programming and ownership diversity in media for years,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Comcast is the nation’s largest provider of cable and internet services, so the merger’s impact will affect virtually every American. My colleagues and I want the FCC to conduct a thorough review of the Comcast-NBC merger, including public hearings, and to have our questions answered in a timely and substantive manner.” Recently, the FCC agreed to extend the public comment period for the ComcastNBC merger by 45 days after Congresswoman Waters asked for the extension in a letter and later introduced legislation to mandate an extension by law. In this most recent letter the Congresswoman and her colleagues applauded the FCC for that decision and cited the FCC’s history of holding public hearings on previous large mergers such as AOL/Time Warner, MCI WorldCom/Sprint and AT&T/Media One as precedent for Comcast/NBC public hearings. The questions submitted by Congresswoman Waters and her colleagues include a detailed analysis of the companies’ employment of women and minorities in executive leadership, management positions, and contracting opportunities. The Members also inquire about Comcast and NBC’s efforts to foster creative freedom and diversity in media programming, distribution, and ownership, as well as seek information on the companies’ carriage agreements, cable rate increases, labor relations, advertising, and their compliance with current FCC rules. “With a new Administration and new FCC leadership, I believe that this merger will get the scrutiny it deserves,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Comcast and NBC’s records on corporate and programming diversity have recently been critiqued by many consumer and media advocacy groups. We all have a collective responsibility to ensure that women and minorities have a place in the corporate office and on television, and that the American people are not given less services or charged more money by a result of this merger.” &

ohn W. Boyd, Jr., President and Founder of the National Black Farmers Association, released the following statement following a development in the U.S. Senate on emergency funding to resolve the outstanding cases of discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture against black farmers: “In the past few weeks I attended the funerals of two leading voices for Black farmers. These everyday heroes hoped that they would see justice for the decades of discrimination they and tens of thousands of their colleagues faced from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The discrimination impacted their lives, their families and their health. Though they never lived to see a final resolution of this case, but I believe the moment for justice is near.” “Today was a historic day for the Black farmers. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), offered a unanimous consent request in the U.S. Senate for an important emergency funding measure that would provide $1.15 billion - in addition to the previously passed $100 million - to fund the settlement between the Black farmers and the USDA. We applaud Senator Reid for his work. “I recently met with Senator Reid and I know that he is personally committed to getting this passed. We are baffled why Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), whose own constituents have sought justice in both the Black farmers and Native Americans, would block today’s request. I have asked our members in Oklahoma and around the country to contact Senator Coburn and they are already calling. We look forward to visiting with him to resolve the matter expeditiously. We need to move quickly to resolve the matter before the May 31st deadline. “Each week or month of waiting means more Black farmers will not live to see a resolution of their cases. Justice can be difficult to achieve, and today’s developments remind us that we are so close and yet so far from achieving it.” &

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

of onboard storage.

Technology:

Take a Look!

www.intracen.org/publications

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

www.good50.com This SearchSite was created as a user-friendly search engine for older adults. The site features a larger search box, larger size letters, and fewer text ads. Larger print and less clutter makes it easier for seniors to search the Internet without help from the “kids”.

The International Trade Center’s (ITC) latest business guides are now free online. The nine guides cover topics like access to trade finance, Islamic banking, export promotion, electronic commerce, and more. Print versions may be purchased online from ITC’s e-Shop. ITC publishes books, a magazine, trade bulletins and online trade statistics, targeting small firms in developing countries and trade support institutions.

best practices in entrepreneurial leadership to advance economic growth around the world.

www.pranavmistry.com/projects/ sixthsense Early adaptors should check out this industry changing tech application. ‘SixthSense’ is a wearable gestural interface that augments the physical world around us with digital information and lets us use natural hand gestures to interact with that information. ‘SixthSense’ frees information from its confines by seamlessly integrating it with reality, and thus making the entire world your computer. The SixthSense prototype (approximately $350 to build) is comprised of a pocket projector, a mirror and a cam-

http://shoptalk.bet.com http://kin.com The Kin One and the Kin Two are two new phones that will be available from Verizon Wireless. The phones are for

This 9 episode web series explores and uses the open dialogue process that happens at the barbershop to stimulate dialogue within the African American community about a wide range of issues all from a male prospective. Their interactive blog provides the vehicle for views to be engaged in the conversation. Malik Yoba writes, directs and produces the series.

www.entrepreneurship.gov/summit/

men and women anywhere between the ages of 15 and 30 who want to broadcast their every thought, sight, and sound and want to know what their friends are up to as well. As a result, a lot of the phones’ functions are built around the social-networking experience. The Kin Two features an 8-megapixel camera with HD video recording and 8GB of internal storage. The Kin One has a lower 5-megapixel camera, which can shoot video only in standard definition, and it has 4GB

The Entrpreneurship.gov website offers an entire section on the recent Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship that provided the platform for identifying how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations, and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim-ma-

jority countries (MMC), including their minority populations, and Muslim communities around the world. Entrepreneurship.gov is focused on leveraging

era that are coupled in a pendant like mobile wearable device. Both the projector and the camera are connected to the mobile computing device in the user’s pocket. The projector projects visual information enabling surfaces, walls and physical objects around us to be used as interfaces; while the camera recognizes and tracks user’s hand gestures and physical objects using computer-vision based techniques. The software program processes the video stream data captured by the camera and tracks the locations of the colored markers (visual tracking fiducials) at the tip of the user’s fingers using simple computervision techniques. The movements and arrangements of these fiducials are interpreted into gestures that act as interaction instructions for the projected application interfaces. & Submitted by LaSandra Stratton BBA member, Chair of the BBA International Trade Committee.

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

Estelle for Humanity Empowering the Community Contact: Phone 323.281-0776

Press Release The 9th Annual Honor Thy Father Awards Dinner A Tribute to Fathers & Male Mentors

Los Angeles, CA - "One of the least recognized though most important groups in our community are our Fathers. Too often we are exposed to the negative images of Black males, which in many cases overshadows the good that many Black men do." Muhammad Nassardeen (2005)

Estelle for Humanity, KIA & Associates and CORE-CA are on a mission to honor good men in our community. The 9th Annual Honor Thy Father Awards Dinner is a very special awards dinner ceremony that allows the average family the opportunity to honor their father, husband, brother, uncle or male mentor on this Fathers Day, June 20th in grand style.

Our fathers provide strength, wisdom and leadership. This event is the

first of it's kind to give recognition to those men who are committed to family and community. Most of the men are being publicly acknowledge for the very first time. For some this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The 9th Annual Honor Thy Father Awards Dinner will be held at the Proud Bird Restaurant. This is a must attend event. The spirit will be moving as we hear the untold stories of our family heroes. For information you may contact Estelle for Humanity at:

323.281-0766 / www.honorthyfather.org

34 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

ww.bbala.org

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

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

Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce & Countryvilla Health Service

13th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic

and

Comedy Night

in support of

Join the Fun! Share the Laughs!

“Awareness of Alzheimer’s and Dementia”

REGIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SFV announces the California POP & Jazz Council Annual Dini Awards Honoring the Amazing

June 17-19, 2010 East Valley Golf Club Champions Course 36211 Champions Drive Beaumont, CA 92223

Mr. Herb Jeffries

For more information call: 909-771-7561 or visit Blackchamberofcommerce.org

Catalina’s The show is 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Tickets are $35 pre-bought, $45 at the door. RSVP: Cathy Segal-Garcia cathy@cathysegalgarcia.com www.capopandjazzcouncil.com

35 T May 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. 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. 4. Fashion Show: Witness the sensation of African beauty! Africa’s renowned beauty and clothing design collections.

•Black Business News Internet Edition &

How Do I Participate & Benefit? •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

36 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

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

International:

U.S. Ambassador to the African Union Visits the BBA

he U.S. Ambassador to the African Union, the Honorable Michael R. Battle, met recently with business owners and government agency representatives to discuss business and investment opportunities across the African continent. Ambassador Battle is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which is also the headquarters of the African Union. Meeting with Ambassador Battle were V. Anthony Thompson, Chengdu Industrial Management LTD; Bobby Hines, International Trade

Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce; Brenda Jackson, Opera Star and Entrepreneur; Emmett Cash III, Energy+Plus; Pierre DuPont, DuPont Trust; Debra Earle, Community Service Outreach Network; Roger Williams,

JRP; Kevin Thuo, Kenya ConsulateLos Angeles; and BBA President/CEO see Ambassador Battle on page 51

Ambassador Kennard on The Transatlantic Relationship-USA/EU

William E. Kennard is the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union. He was nominated by Barack Obama in August 2009 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2009. He was also chairman of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 1997 to 2001, appointed by Bill Clinton in November 1997. Thank you for the warm introduc-

tion. And thank you to AmCham EU (American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union) for the invitation to open this year’s transatlantic conference. Before I offer a few thoughts on where I see the transatlantic relationship headed, let me take a minute to give some of my impressions from my time here. Two months normally wouldn’t merit a look back, but these have been two very active months, and I think this will prove to have been a pretty remarkable time in the evolution of the European Union.

We have a new Commission; the Lisbon Treaty is being implemented. President Van Rompuy and High Representative Ashton are taking steps to define their new roles. The European Parliament has begun to exercise significant new powers. We’ve all watched with great interest the unfolding of the Greek debt crisis, which has challenged the stability of the euro. And the joint response by the U.S. and Europe in Haiti has demonstrated yet again that in the wake of any major human disaster, the whole world looks to the response of the U.S. and Europe. It’s a fascinating time. And those are just the headlines. Somewhat less visible has been our

38 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

see Ambassador Kennard on page 41

World Trade Week and the National Export Initiative by Ambassador Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative

resident Obama proclaimed this week to be World Trade Week – a time to consider the wellpaying jobs and economic benefits that a smart trade policy can bring to American workers and their families, as well as trade’s important role in restoring our global economy. The President and I believe that trade can be an important element of America’s economic recovery. International trade not only helps to provide more affordable goods and services for families across the country, but it boosts the bottom lines of our businesses that export and allows them to hire workers here in the United States. As United States Trade Representative, I work every day to break down trade barriers and enforcing America’s rights in the global trading system, to increase the exports that can support jobs here at home. That is why President Obama and I, along with others in this Administration, are working to support two million ad-

ditional American jobs through the National Export Initiative, which aims to double exports over the next five years. We’re already starting to see positive growth across the country, but there is still a lot more work to do. Companies such as Suniva, headquartered in Georgia, are working to

Nigeria’s President Yar’Adua Dies After Long Illness President Yar’Adua died on Wednesday May 5, 2010 at the Aso Rock presidential villa. Yar’Adua’s wife Turai was at his side when he died. A cause of death has not been provided. Yar’Adua took office in 2007 in a country notorious for corruption and gained the accolades of many for be-

build new green-technology manufacturing plants to increase their sales of high-efficiency solar cells and high power modules to companies around the world. One pending location is Michigan which has the potential to create 500 direct jobs in Saginaw County. Or like Guntert & Zimmerman, a concrete paving equipment located in Ripon, California, currently looking to hire additional local workers thanks to expanded exports to the Czech Republic. With the help of a business loan see World Trade Week on page 45

ing the first leader to publicly declare his personal assets when taking office — setting up a benchmark for comparison later to see if he misappropriated funds. Yar’Adua sought to end the violence in the oil-rich Niger Delta. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has been attacking oil installations, kidnapping petroleum company employees and fighting government troops since January 2006 in what it called a protest against the unrelenting poverty of people in the Niger Delta. The unrest had cut Nigeria’s oil production by about a million barrels a day, allowing Angola to overtake it as Africa’s top oil producer. &

39 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

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

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. &

‘Actorvist’ Isaiah Washington to Host Roundtable Discussion in Support of the People of Sierra Leone - The TRUTH

overing everything from acting to education, Isaiah Washington will host an intimate roundtable on May 22. Washington will invite the audience to participate in dialogue during the event which will cover a range of topics including: education in developing countries, investing in development, identity and social responsibility. Washington will provide the environment for stimulating conversation and wants to spur others to action. Sharing what he’s learned from Hollywood to the ghettos of Sierra Leone - Mr. Wash-

ington wants to provide insight and inspire action. Proceeds from the TRUTH will benefit The Gondobay Manga Foundation, which was founded by Washington after he discovered his direct ancestry to the Mende people of Sierra Leone. The Foundation advocates cooperative planning to achieve positive, timely improvements in the lives of the people of Sierra Leone. By uniting passionate people, the Foundation strives for immediate impact by addressing one village at a time. The Foundation will, exhibit the principles of reform and rightful

Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 10am - 3pm Hilton Universal City 555 Universal Hollywood Drive Universal City, CA 91608 Registration: $100 Online:http://tgmfthetruth.eventbrite.com Onsite: 8am - 9am, May 22

behavior to the people and government of Sierra Leone. Mr. Washington’s personal path and the vision of the Gondobay Manga Foundation exemplify what is possible when one person’s ancestral discovery leads them home to champion the rights and needs of their people. &

40 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Ambassador Kennard from page 38

intense work with Europe on a number of fronts. There has been intense joint work on aviation security in the wake of the Christmas Day bombing attempt, post-Copenhagen coordination on climate change, several tough joint statements on Iran, joint efforts at the London Conference on Afghanistan, and collaboration to promote development in the Western Balkans and in Africa. My point here is not just to make the case that it has been a busy two months but to point out that behind some of the recent handwringing about the state of the transatlantic relationship, the fundamentals of the U.S.-EU partnership are sound. The United States needs Europe – the EU and the member states – more than ever. And vice-versa. That is not to say that nothing in the relationship has changed. This is a complex and dynamic relationship. The institutional shifts introduced by the Lisbon Treaty have, and will continue, to impact transatlantic relations. But fundamentally, the United States welcomes the Lisbon Treaty as a step that will make the European Union a more integrated and decisive partner. The early signs are good. Secretary Clinton and her new EU counterpart, High Representative Ashton, have met twice in recent months and spoken often. There is no doubt that the United States will have strong and productive relations with both President Van Rompuy and High Rep Aston, just as we have had with President Barroso. Another important institutional change: the new powers of the European Parliament. I’ve had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with Parliament’s leadership and many MEPs since I arrived. This will continue and our Mission’s engagement with Parliament will intensify. Parliament must hear from all of us. This is something that AmCham already fully appreciates. And I commend AmCham’s leadership for the creative ways you have increased your interaction with Parlia-

ment. Recent months have seen much concern and speculation about the state of transatlantic relations. This has been fed by disappointments over the results of the Copenhagen Conference, fears from some that the U.S. and China are developing some sort of G-2 relationship, and the fact that the President will not be traveling to Europe for a Summit in the spring. Frankly, we need to keep all of this in perspective. Many of you in this room this morning can speak from experience about the ups and downs in the transatlantic

relationship in recent decades. This is not new. The fact is that focusing on the date of a particular summit meeting or how often the President travels to Europe ignores what is at the heart of this relationship. The U.S. and EU still share the world’s deepest and broadest economic partnership – not to mention the fundamental values and common history that unite us. Transatlantic trade flows dwarf any other economic relationship in the world. I’d cite the numbers, but Dan Hamilton would tell me that they are out of date because

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see Ambassador Kennard on page 43

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

Ambassador Kennard

“The Obama Moment” Book Launch

from page 43

he is here to unveil the most recent figures, and you will hear from him next. I also want to say a word or two about the role of the member states post-Lisbon. It’s very important to remember that in our current focus on Lisbon, we must not forget that the member states continue to play a central role in EU decision-making. While Lisbon continues the trend that has seen the locus of decision-making increasingly shift to Brussels, the fact is that the EU Council, made up of representatives of the 27 member states taking instruction from capitals, has the final say on all major EU decisions, in many cases together with the European Parliament. While more and more decisions on European matters are today made in Brussels, they are still taken by the member states. One must never forget that authority given by the member states can be taken away. The United States of course has a long history with individual European nations, and this will not change. I’m often asked by my colleagues at U.S. embassies in the member states how I think the Lisbon Treaty will impact the way the U.S. government conducts business in Europe. I always say that Lisbon should not lessen our focus on the member states. Just the opposite. With ever more decisions on issues that impact U.S. interests being made at the EU level, it is critical for our embassies in the member states broaden their engagement with their host governments to include the full range of issues on the EU agenda. This includes working with the Members of the European Parliament elected from the host countries. You must do the same. So I was glad to learn that the national AmChams are taking a similar approach. You have a critical role to play in shaping decisions that are made in Brussels. In one way or another, these decisions will impact the operations of all U.S. firms active anywhere in the Europe. I’m sure that each of you has a strong

‘The Obama Moment’ was launched in Brussels on, the first anniversary of U.S. President Barack Obama’s inauguration. This latest EUISS (European Union Institute for Security Studies) book addresses the prospects for EUUS relations during the Obama era and provides an authoritative analysis of the most topical global questions of our time: multilateralism, the economy, disarmament and climate change. The launch was attended by William E. Kennard, the US Ambassador to the EU, and Alan Seatter, a director within the EC Directorate-General for External Relations. partnership with the U.S. Ambassador and Commercial Service staff in your host country. But I hope that your policy dialogue with them and with your host government and legislature includes not just decisions that are going to be made in your capital, but also those that will be made here in Brussels. Your colleagues here at AmCham EU can, I’m sure, provide you with position papers and background. And I have been working with our embassies to help them partner with you on EU-wide issues just as they already partner on national-level issues. Let me wrap up by setting out a few priorities. On my first day at the Mission, I kicked off a strategic goal-setting exercise to determine precisely where we will focus our energies. The priority for me is achieving concrete results. I feel a great sense of urgency to see concrete deliverables, or, as I often tell my team, to put some points on the board. No issue is more important than getting our economies growing and creating jobs. The President announced in his State of the Union address a new National Export Initiative to double American exports in five years. There’s a huge amount we can do here on this front to boost bilateral trade, create jobs, and restore sustained growth to our economies. I believe that we need to focus on addressing specific regulatory barriers that impede trade and new investment,

making sure that we work together up front on emerging technologies to promote compatible regulations. I had the privilege of serving as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission in the 1990s at the dawn of the tech revolution. So I saw firsthand how the right regulatory environment can open markets to new technologies and new investment and create millions of new jobs. So I am very excited about the prospect of working on innovation issues here. As you know, there is a so-called Innovation Dialogue that is a component of the Transatlantic Economic Council, the TEC. I think we should all agree that this can and should be more than an “innovation dialogue,” we need more than a dialogue, more than a discussion. We need a clear action plan that leads to outcomes. Innovation and entrepreneurship are at the core of President Obama’s plans for economic recovery in the U.S., just as they are the centerpiece of the EU’s new EU2020 strategy, just announced here yesterday. And it’s great to see that innovation is prominent on AmCham’s own agenda for economic growth. With this alignment of priorities, we have a unique opportunity to drive forward an innovation action plan. We’ll be looking in particular at the intersection between climate change and new technologies. I’m glad that you will be devoting time to this sub-

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see Ambassador Kennard on page 45

Ambassador Kennard from page 43

ject today, and we are very fortunate that Juan Verde from the U.S. Department of Commerce is here today and will be participating. Juan brings terrific experience to our efforts -- and you will all appreciate that, in a former career -- he founded an AmCham Chapter in Europe. You know, speaking of careers, I guess you could say that I am on my fourth career, most of it in the private sector, but now two tours in government. And I have had the opportunity, in the both the public and private sectors, to work with and learn from some incredibly talented leaders. In my experience, the essence of their success is the result of two things: vision and execution. Great leaders have the ability to focus on what is most important; and they know how to motivate people to execute that vision with focus and discipline. Because, after all, vision without execution is, well, just a dialogue. The same applies to our work on the transatlantic economic relationship. We must focus on what is most important. So I will close this morning with a story. My family and I have never lived in Europe so we are enjoying very much the experience of learning about the rich history of this continent. And I recently read a wonderful story about the construction of one of the great buildings of Europe: St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. One day while it was being built, one of the King’s inspectors went to inspect the construction site. He approached one of the work-

ers and asked, “What are you doing?” The workman said, “I’m cutting stone.” Then he asked another worker, also a stonecutter, “What are you doing?” “Well, I am making 5 shillings a day,” he said. Then, he asked a third stonecutter, “What are you doing?” The third worker put down his chisel and said, “I’m helping Sir Christopher Wren build a magnificent cathedral.” Now, all three of these men had the same job, but only the last man had vision. He could see beyond the slabs of stone and see the soaring nave and the resplendent dome of the cathedral. As our economies struggle to recover from the worst recession in half a century, those of us who have a stake in the transatlantic relationship have a huge responsibility to make sure that this relationship -- which represents roughly half of the economic output on

World Trade Week from page 39

Ambassador Ron Kirk from the Export-Import Bank, Guntert & Zimmerman will soon be giving Californians the opportunity to get a job. We know that jobs supported by exports pay 13 to 18 percent more than the national average. So these are the kinds of success stories that USTR wants to multiply by giving American

the planet -- is nurtured in a smart and focused way. So as we organize our work together -- whether through the TEC or the myriad other ways in which we interact with the EU, we don’t have the luxury to simply go through the motions, with our agendas, and our workstreams and our dialogues. We have an obligation to spend time on a shared vision of what is most important for this relationship. We must focus on the outcomes that will move the needle. The actions that our political leaders will recognize have real value. Outcomes that will bring sustained economic growth and get our people back to work. And I very much look forward to working with all of you to make that happen Thank you. & http://useu.usmission.gov exporters a level playing field and a fair shot to compete for business around the world – because we want every American to have a job and the benefits that come with it: the security of knowing you can buy groceries and pay your mortgage, along with the sense of accomplishment that comes from a full day’s work. So be sure to learn more about what USTR is doing during this World Trade Week, and every day, by visiting USTR. gov. A smart, robust trade policy for America will make sure that we don’t leave any jobs on the table. & www.ustr.gov Follow Ambassador Kirk’s travels all over the world as U.S. Trade Representative; President Obama’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues. www.ustr.gov

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

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

46 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

Help For Haiti

Quote of Note...

from page 13

children, including those who work as domestic servants. The agency’s long-term assistance will continue that work in Port-auPrince, along with support for former gang members and teenage mothers in Lasaline and Carrefour Feuilles. Part of that work will also include a pilot family reintegration project to help reunited restavek children and their families in rural areas. During the quake, local partner FOPJ (Ecumenical Foundation for Peace and Justice) was left homeless like many of the children it serves, when that agency’s center was severely damaged. FOPJ and CWS assistance to the youth and children is continuing nonetheless, with education, vocational training, life skills and emotional support services. CWS plans to assist FOPJ with the purchase a new building in which to house its community center for children. With no functioning port now in Haiti, and as the country looks at the task of building and rebuilding much of its infrastructure, CWS and its partners in the ACT Alliance also “intend to make sure that the humanitarian corridor from the Dominican Republic to Haiti remains a lifeline,” said Derr. Those agencies and other NGOs have relied on sending relief and materials through the DR. How to Help Contributions may be made online or by phoning 800-297-1516 or by mailing to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515 (please indicate Haiti Earthquake). Church World Service is member of the ACT Alliance, an international coalition of churches and related organizations responding to emergencies and collaborating in development work.

Also Donate Here to Help •

Contribute online through Clinton-

“We’re going to do everything in our power to protect our natural resources, compensate those who have been harmed, rebuild what has been damaged, and help this region persevere like it has done so many times before.”

President Barack H. Obama, Deepwater BP Oil Spill

•

BushHaitiFund.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, 5092229-8089, 509-2229-8322, or 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. &

President’s Message from page 3

to the private sector, where the public sectors sometimes completely miss the important aspects of small business wealth management, as well. For instance, May 2010 turned out to be extremely hurtful month against small business when the City Mayor of Los Angeles and its council members elected (13 to 1) to place economic sanctions against all of Arizona over the state’s anti-immigration law that allows police to stop and review identification from people based on their race.

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

see President’s Message on page 58

JWFA

Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, LLC M a n a g i n g We a l t h I n t e l l i g e n t l y

WHY OWN GOLD IN YOUR IRA/401k Changing jobs creates a great opportunity for you to switch, or rollover, your former employer’s retirement plan into an IRA. Plus, it usually provides you with more investment options than if you left the money in your former employer’s plan or rolled the money into your new employer's retirement plan. The early 1980s presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy stocks. Today, economic and political conditions appear to offer a similar opportunity in tangible assets such as physical gold. With the global economic environment growing more uncertain, physical gold has become the #1 alternative for IRA, 401k, 403b, and Pension Plans, as well as for non-retirement funds. Gold is produced primarily for accumulation while other commodities are produced primarily for consumption. Gold’s value does not arise from its usefulness in industrial or consumable applications. It arises from its use and historical worldwide acceptance as a store of value. Gold is money. A healthy measure of gold clearly belongs in every portfolio for the “Four Ps” – Personal Purchasing Power Protection. There are six primary reasons why investors own gold: As a hedge against inflation. As a hedge against a declining dollar. As a safe haven in times of geopolitical and financial market instability. As a commodity based on gold’s supply and demand fundamentals. As a store of value. As a portfolio diversifier. According to Bloomberg.com, on October 15, 2009, Paul Tudor Jones of Tudor Investment Corp, who manages about $11.6 billion out of Greenwich, Connecticut, told its investors, “I have never been a gold bug… but Gold is just an asset that, like everything else in life, has its time and place. And now is that time…Gold appears to be cheap. In our view, gold’s value should increase as its scarcity relative to printed currencies increases.” JAMAAL WILKES FINANCIAL ADVISORS makes 401(k) rollovers easy with just a few simple steps. Please call us at (310)209-8298 or email gold@jamaalwilkes.com for a web seminar presentation. Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors is an independent Registered Investment Advisor www.jamaalwilkes.com Phone: (310)209-8330 6601 Center Drive West, Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90045

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Focus On What Matters

know this is hard to do, especially when one is weathering draw downs. And of course a liberal dose of gloating from the bears during these times doesn’t help either. But let’s not get sidetracked by the little things and let’s face it, the haters are going to show up every time gold corrects. We really should be used to that by now. They’ve been doing it for 10 years. The cold hard reality is that gold is still in a secular bull market and the naysayers are having to ply their trade from ever higher levels. So let’s take a look at what’s really happening shall we.

GOLD SCENTS by Toby Connor $1025.

That breakout was also tested during the February yearly cycle low. I doubt we will see gold back below $1000 for the remainder of this bull market. Now gold is trying to breakout and hold above the next big resistance level of $1200. The initial break in December was repulsed. Now we have a second break that is in the process of testing the breakout. The single most important point everyone should keep in mind is the breakout above the 1980 high of $850. If it wasn’t for a once in a generation stock and credit market collapse I don’t think gold would have ever dropped back below that level. Even so the move was very brief and has now been tested at the last B-wave bottom.

Folks, I seriously doubt the world will ever see sub $850 gold again. Just like we’ve never seen sub $250 gold after the breakout in the 70’s. So anyone forecasting $700 gold just doesn’t understand how bull markets work. It just ain’t gonna happen. Next came the breakout above the last C-wave high at

Now I have no idea whether this breakout will be the one that holds or whether gold will have to consolidate a bit more. But sooner or later gold is going to break above this level and never look back. I think we probably have enough time left in the current intermediate cycle for it to happen soon, but if not, I’m confident it will happen and I’m on board and ready for the ride when it does. My suggestion is when you start to get sidetracked by the daily wiggles or the intermittent draw downs you come back and look at these charts and stay focused on what really matters. & www.bullionvalues.org

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary

Presidential Proclamation - World Trade Week For our Nation to compete and win in the 21st century, we must rebuild our economy on a stronger, more balanced foundation. Part of that effort will require us to boost our exports, which are critical for our longterm prosperity and which support millions of American jobs. World Trade Week is an opportunity for us to reaffirm the importance of trade to our Nation’s continued economic recovery and growth. Our Nation is still emerging from an unprecedented economic crisis. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and millions more remain underemployed, limited to part-time work or odd jobs. To help them, we must do all we can to spur job creation and restore economic security. Producing and exporting more goods and services is essential to strengthening our ability to compete for customers outside our borders. My Administration is proud to launch the National Export Initiative, a comprehensive strategy to promote American exports. This initiative brings senior Government officials together with leaders from the private sector to increase trade opportunities for businesses of all sizes, including individual entrepreneurs. To ensure American companies have free and fair access to global markets, we are enforcing existing trade agreements, addressing issues in pending agreements, and forging new ones that protect our businesses, workers, consumers, and environment. We are also opening new markets and encouraging development with trade preference programs. These steps will bring us closer to accomplishing the ambitious goal I set in this year’s State of the Union address to double our Nation’s exports over the next five years. As we pursue measures to safeguard our future prosperity, we must remember that we still have the most innovative and productive workers in the world. We have the most dynamic and competitive economy, and we remain the top exporter of goods and services. As other nations and markets grow, our leadership will not be guaranteed. Yet, our success has never been guaranteed. It has been forged through decades of hard work, ingenuity, optimism, and common purpose. This week, let us renew the enduring principles that have driven our Nation to the forefront of human progress. With our ships, trucks, trains, planes, and fiber optic lines, we will send our goods and services to every corner of the globe. Together, we will make this new century an American century yet again, and secure a bright future for generations to come. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 16 through May 22, 2010, as World Trade Week. I encourage all Americans to observe this week with events, trade shows, and educational programs that celebrate the benefits of trade to our Nation, American workers, and the global economy. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtyfourth. BARACK OBAMA

Ambassador Battle from page 38 Earl “Skip” Cooper, II. The Ambassador greeted all participants and thanked them for taking time to meet with him on short notice. He discussed his new post as ambassador to the African Union 5 and what that office can mean for business and investment development between the USA and African nations. He noted that he is looking forward to moving ahead to building a substantive, comprehensive 8 relationship between the African Union as a regional continental body and the United States government. Africa is composed of five regions, with a sixth one just added: The African diaspora in the United States. The African Union considers the Sixth Region to be very, very important and intends to deepen its relations with 10 the United States. Ambassador Battle invited those present to monitor the website to stay abreast of issues, programs and processes that may be of interest and value to the establishment and operation of business and investment ventures http://www.usau.usmission.gov. & www.usau.usmission.gov/ www.african-union.org www.doc.org Photo Legend: 1) (l-r) Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, President/CEO, Black Business Association, Pierre DuPont, V. Anthony Thompson, Ambassador Michael R.

7 6

Battle, Kevin Thuo, Roger Williams, and Bobby Hines, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce 2) (l-r) Kevin Thuo, V. Anthony Thompson, Amb. Battle, “Skip” Cooper, Roger Williams, Bobby Hines and Debra Earle. 3) (l-r) Bobby Hines, Ambassador Battle. 4) (l-r) Pierre DuPont, Ambassador Battle.

5) V. Anthony Thompson, Ambassador Battle. 6) (l-r) Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, Ambassador Battle. 7) (l-r) Brenda Jackson, Amb. Battle. 8) (l-r) Roger Williams, Bobby Hines 9) Debra Earle makes a point. 10) (l-r) Emmett Cash, III and Kevin Thuo. 11) (l-r) Brenda Jackson, Pierre DuPont and V. Anthony Thompson listen intently to Ambassador Battle.

51 T May 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 Brand Within by Daymond John (www.daymondjohn.com). Mr. John informs us, in his second book, that everyone has their own walking brand and how you package and carry yourself will have far-reaching ramifications over the course of your life. Aimed at aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs, THE BRAND WITHIN is the second release in Daymond John’s bestselling “Display of Power” series of business and empowerment books. It examines the loyalty-based relationships that brands and celebrities seek to establish with their customers and fans. Drawing on his experiences and insights from almost two decades in the fashion business, John maintains that branding relationships have penetrated every aspect of our lives – from birth to the boardroom. THE BRAND WITHIN will show you how to nurture your personal and business brand relationships and not only survive, but thrive in the marketplace. Two of the books written by Dr. Pinkett are shown below. Another book, Black Faces in Whites Places: 10 Strategies for African Americans to Redefine the Game and Reshape America is schedule for release soon. Campus CEO: The Student Entrepreneur’s Guide to Launching a Multimillion Dollar Business and No Money Down CEO: How to Start Your Dream Business with Little or No Cash (Audio Business Course). Dr. Pinkett’s books may be ordered at www.amazon.com. &

52 T May 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%

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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

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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. 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.

53 T May 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

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Relax Do Business with BBA Member Shop, Eat, in Businesses & Advertisers Little Ethiopia Experience Africa in America

Culture, Retail, Entertainment Fairfax Boulevard

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between Pico & Olympic Los Angeles

54 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

between

Crenshaw & Leimert Blvds. 43rd Street-43rd Place, Los Angeles

Government:

SBA Offers Tools to Help Exporters Succeed as Part of World Trade Week

he U. S. Small Business Administration is offering new, free tools for new and established small business exporters to help them grow and succeed in international trade. Small businesses will now have access to six-part podcast series, an introduction to exporting YouTube video and an online training course. SBA is making these new tools available as part of the World Trade Week celebrations taking place May 17-21 nationwide to raise awareness of the increasing importance of international trade to the nation’s economy. “Exporting is a critical strategy for helping small businesses grow and create jobs,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. “We’re working every day to help small businesses break into exporting, reach more international markets and be more competitive in the global economy.”

cfm?CourseId=72. National Export Initiative: This year’s World Trade Week activities support President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which calls for doubling U.S. exports and supporting two million jobs over the next five years. President Obama has outlined five steps the Administration is taking to help U.S. firms expand sales of their goods and services abroad: • creating a new Cabinet-level focus on U.S. exports, • expanding export financing, • prioritizing government advocacy on behalf of U.S. exporters, • providing new resources to U.S. businesses seeking to export, and • ensuring a level playing field for U.S. exporters in global markets.

PODCAST Series: The podcast series is available online at www.sba.gov/ tools/audiovideo/Podcasts/INTL_ TRADE.html and focuses on Growing Your Business Through Exporting; Developing an Export Strategy; Preparing for Global Markets; Conducting Market Research; SBA Exporting Loan Program; and a Small Business Success Story.

In addition to the podcasts and other regional events to highlight World Trade Week, SBA will host a business forum on international trade at National Small Business Week, which will be held in Washington, DC, May 23-25. The forum, Customers, Profits, Jobs and Growth, will focus on how to take advantage of opportunities in exporting to expand your business, reach new markets, increase sales, and weather economic downturns. For more information on National Small Business Week, visit www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com.

Video & Online Tools: The introduction to exporting video is available at www.youtube.com/user/sba#p/u/0/ UFQIAszJWn4, and the free, online exporting course, “Take Your Business Global,” is available at http://web. sba.gov/sbtn/registration/index.

Other Resources: In addition to the new online tools, SBA Resource Partners – Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers and SCORE – are available to assist small businesses in every U.S. State and Territory who are interested in ex-

Karen G. Mills, Administrator Small Business Administration

porting. These resource partners can help entrepreneurs identify potential export markets, facilitate export transactions, develop linkages between United States small business and prescreened foreign buyers, advise on participation in international trade shows, assist in obtaining export financing and in facilitating the development or reorientation of marketing and production strategies. In addition to counseling resources in every state and territory there are export specialists available at the 8 SBDC International Trade Export Assistance Centers and SCORE online international trade advisors. To find your local counseling resources please visit www.sba.gov. World Trade Week was first proclaimed in 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as an annual event to be held the third week in May. Over the past decades, it was renamed World Trade Week and has expanded to include many activities to highlight the importance of international trade, especially exports, to the economy. &

55 T May 2010 T Black Business News T www.bbala.org

www.sba.gov/news

Caltrans Construction

Money for You Can

MEAN

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

FAME ASSISTANCE CORPORATION

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