Diversity Works! Magazine - 2007 Winter Edition

Winter Edition 2007

=DiversityWorks!

Urban League

M a g a z i n e Volume 2 Issue 1

“Did You Hear What I Think I Said�: The Impact of Nonverbal Communication on Corporate Diversity Building a Solid Family Foundation and Successful Business Remembering Our Legends African American Quilting: A Legacy An official publication of the An Affiliate of the National Urban League

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Urban League San Diego County

Empowering Communities.

Changing Lives.

contents

CREDITS Publisher - Maurice D. Wilson Editor-in-Chief - Pamela S. Perkins Managing Editor - Sheri L. Williams Assistant Editor - Paulette Bartley-Royster Research & Development Manager - NJ Mitchell Graphic Designer - Graphics by Design Photographer - Larry Morgan Cover Design - Graphics by Design Cover Design Concept- NJ Mitchell Contributing Writers - P.S. Perkins, NJ Mitchell, Wil Cason Walter Davis, S. L. Woods

16. African American History -- Black Inventors Colors of Inovation - Thomas L. Jennings, born in 1791, is believed to have been...

Cover Story

20. History of the African American Quilt - The history of the quilt as it pertains to ...

Nonverbal Communication within the corporate culture is often overlooked and/or undervalued in its impact upon the health of the organization.

Communication Practitioners often cite that Nonverbal Communication accounts for as much as 93 percent of an individual's believability.

22. The Impact of Nonverbal Communication

28. Building A Solid Family Foundation and Successful Business - As a husband, father and business owner...

29. Freeing Our Families From Generational Poverty - If your childhood was anything like mine, you grew up...

32. Black Families: A Need to Look at Our Past, Present and Future - While traveling through Europe, Africa and ...

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Message from the Publisher Message from the President/CEO

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Editor-in-Chief -- Speak Your Legacy

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Remembering Our Legends - The final months of 2006, called on Americans to take...

10. NUL -- History of the National Urban League - The National Urban League, which has played so...

35. Black Business Association of San Diego Makes its Professional Debut - The Urban League of San Diego County welcomes the newly...

36. Strategies For Cross-Generational Relationship Building - Here we highlight what we think are the best ways to push past generational...

38. Diversity Works! Employer Partners - As one of over 57000 employers in the region...

12. Black Inventions and Inventors - Biscuit Cutter, A.P. Ashbourne; Super Soaker, Lonnie Johnson...

13. FYI -- how much do you know about your history - How much do you know about your Black History?...

14. Book Review - Los Angeles, CA) - Africans and African Americans have been overlooked...

15. Black History Facts - How much do you know about African-Americans past and present?...

DiversityWorks!

How Are WE Doing?

Cecil Steppe, President s I travel around I am often asked, “How is the League doing?” My response is, "Like all other non-profits we have our challenges, primarily fiscally in the area of fund raising." In the face of ever-changing societal needs and concerns, new funding mandates and fluctuating sponsor support, the Urban League finds itself where most service agencies are - in a state of flux, a state of transition. We are transitioning from a 53-year-old social service organization trying to do business, to a business that does social service work. This is wholly different from how we operated and pursued funds in the past although our mission and purpose has not changed. To put it succinctly, we are re-engineering the Urban League of San Diego County from Good to Great!

We often suffer from a lack of historical understanding of who and what the Urban League is. Many challenge our existence but are unaware of the many lives we have touched and helped. Please do not pass over the article in this issue declaring the wonderful legacy of our national agency. Many believe that institutions such as ours have outlasted their usefulness. I say, they do not understand the collective importance of our heritage and continual efforts to evolve.

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This brings me to my message on Black History Month: If our actions are based upon assumptions of others, then before we draw conclusions we should get to know the truth first. And because many are not aware of factual American history, they operate on assumptions, biases, and unrealistic perceptions. This causes a breakdown in our willingness to understand, show compassion and reason towards one another. It also leads to indifference, fear and discrimination.

As with the existence of the Urban League, many are challenging the need for Black History Month. I say we need it now more than ever because many are not only forgetting our past, but there are energies around us causing us to repeat our past. Black Nationalist Marcus Garvey once stated, “A Man without a history is like a tree without roots.” Knowing about the past accomplishments of African Americans overrides the belief that they and other Black and Brown Ethnic-Americans made no contributions to the development of our nation.

On the contrary, if you take a little time to do some research, you will find that African Americans played a significant role in making America the superpower she is today through the harshest of times. This month, take every opportunity to learn more about them. I leave you with a quote from Hispanic philosopher George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” Let's not forget our REAL American history. Learn the truth that “sets us ALL free” and don't dwell negatively on the past.

Black History is American History!!!

Maurice Wilson, Publisher e dedicate this issue of Diversity Works! Magazine to the history and contributions of a people integral to establishing the United States as the superpower she is today. Black History IS U.S. American History.

There are a plethora of Black History Month activities in the schools, churches, organizations and associations of San Diego, but from a bird’s eye view, you might not know it. While this may be cause for concern, I am not in a panic. Black History Month as an observance originated by Carter G. Woodson was not an attempt to award “special recognition” to some and not to others, but a noble effort to remind all of us of the significant contributions of a specific culture to the incredible fabric of American pluralism. We can not separate Black History from American History or World History. It is the very circumstance of imperialistic domination and the resulting enslavement of African people that placed America in the economic superpower status it enjoys today--the result of 400 hundred years of free and cheap labor. Yes, the legacy continues.

We must teach our youth that although none of us are proud of the past, we are ready to move forward with mutual respect and forgiveness - forgiveness of those who sold and bought us, as well as the lingering effects of “self-enslavement.”

Our discussions of the past should not be relegated to one day, one week, or one month.

Our history helps us to live boldly in our present and move hopefully into our future. The dialogue and healing between the many cultures that comprise the American experience is long overdue.

Making Diversity Work is first understanding how events from the past shape our future. Let us go forward in the spirit of conciliation and celebration in our common heritage of building this great nation and the contributions of Black Americans to that legacy - past, present and future!

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Black History Month

Editor-in-Chief

Speak Your

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elcome to the winter edition of Diversity Works!

Magazine. It is an exciting time to witness the vast contributions of African Americans and other Ethnic Americans to the economic, political, religious and social affairs of U.S. American history. In this issue we celebrate the contributions of Blacks to technology, innovation and invention. We celebrate a legacy of resilience. There is a lot to be grateful for as well as matters to be concerned about. Not since PostReconstruction have African Americans been able to make the type of socio-political and economic gains of the past three decades. With the recent win of Democrats to the House and the Senate, we now sit in some of the most important seats of decision-making in the history of Black political achievement. We are experiencing unprecedented contributions to the fields of Biotechnology, Neuroscience, Aeronautics, Medicine, Sports, City Planning, Waste Management, Entertainment, Education and the list continues.

I encourage Black families to sit down with their children and surf the net for the astounding contributions we are making in every arena of American life; if we do not, our children will continue to be fed what appears to be an inexhaustible supply of negative images and stereotypes of Black culture. I am purposefully not including a list of our heroes and sheroes, because our "people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"! Do your homework and find out why we are the most resilient people on the planet. If you do not know who you are or whose you are, there are thousands of people lined up to tell you who you are not! Which brings me to the main point of my letter today…

Who are you? Who or what are you named after?

Does your name have a meaning? Are you aware that it is a tradition of many Jewish families to name their child after the 8th day of their lives so that they may know the spirit of the child before they name them and thus mark them for life with a word that will follow them forever? Naming and Identity are incredibly complex issues for people of African descent here in the Americas due to the scourge of slavery and its identity destroying legacy. How many young fathers and mothers brand their children with exotic, ethnic sounding names

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Black History Month

not possessing a clue as to what that name means IF it has a meaning. What about nicknames like “Killer” or “Monster?” Where are the names of our African Ancestors or the African American forefathers and foremothers? How are we keeping their legacies alive?

What about personal identity and the urban identification with pimps, thugs, ho's and "bit@#*#? Have we so quickly forgotten the very recent fallout of the "N" word blast across the airwaves of media around the GLOBE by a citizen of our own country - the one we built brick by brick? But of course, he used the same word or a derivative of the same word invoked by some Black folks in every corner of the nation. What's the problem?

The problem is the POWER of naming and identification. What you name, you claim! We hear this preached from many a pulpit on any given day of the week, but we pour forth into the streets spewing toxic garbage from our mouths continuing the defeatist legacy that many of our children are adopting. "He who owns the words, owns everything!" Do you own any words?

What words do you use to define yourself and those within your community? Could there be a connection between our naming and the destructive conditions that exist within our communities? Until we recognize our God-given source of power- the WORD - and its impact on our community health, we will continue to bury a legacy of hope, endurance, brilliance, sacrifice, love and courage under a pile of self-hate so high we could not dig out of it if we wanted to. Do you want to claim your rightful heritage? Do you want our community to be "transformed by renewing its mind"? Celebrate Black History Month by reclaiming your incredible legacy! Speak the word of healing today and claim it for yourself and your people. Otherwise, there's always the "N" word NOBODY, NOTHING, NADA!

Pamela S. Perkins

Legacy!

Diversity Works

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Say It Loud….

I'm Black and I'm Proud

Remembering Our Legends

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he final months of 2006, called on Americans to take a moment and reflect on the legacy of two great public figures. As I ponder the legacy they leave behind, I remember their immortal words that have left an indelible mark on my psyche. 38th President Gerald Ford called for "A Time of Healing" during the Watergate scandal, a time when the nation felt deeply shocked and betrayed. The other soul that danced into our lives sliding across our hearts was the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. I will never ever forget, his call to "Say it Loud; I'm Black and I'm Proud!" It changed my world. As I began to think about their legacy and recall the numbers that have transitioned over the past two years within the African American community, during this celebration of Black History Month I thought it time to remember and pay homage to a legacy that speaks volumes about a people of faith, resilience and PRIDE! The origins of Black History Month can be traced to 1926, when Harvard-educated Black historian Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week to celebrate the history, contributions and culture of African-Americans. Woodson chose the second week in February for the new festival to link the celebrations to the birth dates of Black activist Frederick Douglass (February 7, 1817) and President Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809). Fifty years later, as part of the American bicentennial celebrations in 1976, the week was expanded to become National Black History month. Happy Black History Month!

Remembering Our Legends •

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Coretta Scott King (1927-2005), the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement”

Wilson Pickett (1941-2006) R&B/Rock & Roll and Soul Singer. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991

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Octavia Butler (1947-2006), Science Fiction Writer. She won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards

Rosa Parks (1913-2005), Mother of the Civil Right Movement, she was 42 years young on December 1, 1955. She was not any more tired that day than any other day, but in her own words "the only tired I was, was tired of giving in", on that day, she refused to give up her seat to a white man

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John H. Johnson (1918-2005), Founder & Chairman of Johnson Publishing Company, Inc, "Failure is a word that I don't accept", read his best selling autobiography Succeeding Against the Odds

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Luther Vandross (1951-2005) Lutha, R&B Superstar, many famous songs including: "Here and Now"

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Johnnie L.Cochran Jr.(1937-2005), Famed Attorney and Law Legend, was one of the most sought after lawyers in the United States

James Brown (1933-2006), “The Godfather of Soul,” before his transition celebrated 50 years in Showbiz. SAY IT LOUD, I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD!

Richard Pryor (1940-2005), King of Comedy/Actor Legend. In the 70's he wrote comedy for Mel Brooks and Lily Tomlin. His 1982 album "Live on the Sunset Strip" is considered by many to be his masterpiece. In 1988 he was the first recipient of the Mark Twain Mark Humor Award

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Black History Month

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Gordon Parks (1912-2006), Famous African American Photographer of the 20th Century

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Ed Bradley (1941-2006), Journalist CBS News and 60 Minutes

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Ruth Brown (1928-2006), R&B Singer, brought a popular music style to rhythm and blues. She also won a Tony Award for her Broadway performance in the musical Black and Blue. The original soundtrack won a Grammy Award

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George Stevens (1932-2006), San Diego City Councilman, Deputy Mayor and Baptist Preacher. Fourth District Councilman from 1991-2002. Civil Rights activist

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Gerald Levert, (1966 - 2006) American R&B Singer and son of Eddie Levert Sr of the Ojays Gerald blessed us with many songs including his duet with his father that scored as another number

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one single "Baby Hold on to Me" Lou Rawls (1933-2006), Singer, Actor and Voice-Overs He was blessed with a four-octave vocal range. The incredible Lou Rawls, 60-plus albums, three Grammy wins, 13 Grammy nominations, one platinum album, five gold albums and a gold single and a Star on the Hollywood Hall of Fame

Remembering history is ours to do something with, to use as we make choices to design our lives and move forward. Let us remember! As we celebrate the legacy of Black History Month we are reminded that it is not just a celebration of a history of Black people, but the history of America.

NJ Mitchell, Research & Development Manager, DW! Magazine

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= Urban League San Diego County

Empowering Communities.

Changing Lives.

History of the National Urban League he National Urban League, which has played so pivotal a role in the 20th-Century Freedom Movement, grew out of that spontaneous grassroots movement for freedom and opportunity that came to be called the Black Migrations. When the U.S. Supreme Court declared its approval of segregation in the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision, the brutal system of economic, social and political oppression the White South quickly adopted rapidly transformed what had been a trickle of African Americans northward into a flood.

Those newcomers to the North soon discovered they had not escaped racial discrimination. Excluded from all but menial jobs in the larger society, victimized by poor housing and education, and inexperienced in the ways of urban living, many lived in terrible social and economic conditions.

Still, in the degree of difference between South and North lay opportunity, and that African Americans clearly understood.

But to capitalize on that opportunity, to successfully adapt to urban life and to reduce the pervasive discrimination they faced, they would need help. That was the reason the Committee on Urban Conditions Among Negroes was established on September 29, 1910 in New York City. Central to the organization's founding were two remarkable people: Mrs. Ruth Standish Baldwin and Dr. George Edmund Haynes, who would become the Committee's first executive secretary.

Mrs. Baldwin, the widow of a railroad magnate and a member of one of America's oldest families, had a remarkable social conscience and was a stalwart champion of the poor and disadvantaged. Dr. Haynes, a graduate of Fisk University, Yale

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Black History Month

University, and Columbia University (he was the first African American to receive a doctorate from that institution), felt a compelling need to use his training as a social worker to serve his people.

A year later, the Committee merged with the Committee for the Improvement of Industrial Conditions Among Negroes in New York (founded in New York in 1906), and the National League for the Protection of Colored Women (founded in 1905) to form the National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes. In 1920, the name was later shortened to the National Urban League.

The interracial character of the League's board was set from its first days. Professor Edwin R. A. Seligman of Columbia University, one of the leaders in progressive social service activities in New York City, served as chairman from 1911 to 1913. Mrs. Baldwin took the post until 1915.

The fledgling organization counseled black migrants from the South, helped train black social workers, and worked in various other ways to bring educational and employment opportunities to blacks.

Its research into the problems blacks faced in employment opportunities, recreation, housing, health and sanitation, and education spurred the League's quick growth. By the end of World War I the organization had 81 staff members working in 30 cities.

In 1918, Dr. Haynes was succeeded by Eugene Kinckle Jones who would direct the agency until his retirement in 1941.

Under his direction, the League significantly expanded its multifaceted campaign to crack the barriers to black employment, spurred first by the boom years of the 1920s, and then, by the desperate years of the Great Depression. Efforts at reasoned

persuasion were buttressed by boycotts against firms that refused to employ blacks, pressures on schools to expand vocational opportunities for young people, constant prodding of Washington officials to include blacks in New Deal recovery programs and a drive to get blacks into previously segregated labor unions.

As World War II loomed, Lester Granger, a seasoned League veteran and crusading newspaper columnist, was appointed Granger's successor.

Outspoken in his commitment to advancing opportunity for African Americans, Granger pushed tirelessly to integrate the racist trade unions, and led the League's effort to support A. Philip Randolph's March on Washington Movement to fight discrimination in defense work and in the armed services.

Under Granger, the League, through its own Industrial Relations Laboratory, had notable success in cracking the color bar in numerous defense plants. The nation's demand for civilian labor during the war also helped the organization press ahead with greater urgency its programs to train black youths for meaningful blue-collar employment. After the war those efforts expanded to persuading Fortune 500 companies to hold career conferences on the campuses of Negro Colleges and place blacks in upper-echelon jobs.

Of equal importance to the League's own future sources of support, Granger avidly supported the organization of its volunteer auxiliary, the National Urban League Guild, which, under the leadership of Mollie Moon, became an important national force in its own right.

The explosion of the civil rights movement provoked a change for the League, one personified by its new leader, Whitney

M. Young, Jr., who became executive director in 1961. A social worker like his predecessors, he substantially expanded the League's fund-raising ability-and, most critically, made the League a full partner in the civil rights movement. Indeed, although the League's tax-exempt status barred it from protest activities, it hosted at its New York headquarters the planning meetings of A. Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other civil rights leaders for the 1963 March on Washington.

Young was also a forceful advocate for greater government and private-sector efforts to eradicate poverty. His call for a domestic Marshall Plan, a ten-point program designed to close the gap between the huge social and economic gap between black and white Americans, significantly influenced the discussion of the Johnson Administration's War on Poverty legislation.

Young's tragic death in 1971 in a drowning incident off the coast of Lagos, Nigeria brought another change in leadership.

Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., formerly Executive Director of the United Negro College Fund, took over as the League's fifth Executive Director in 1972 (the title of the office was changed to President in 1977).

For the next decade, until his resignation in December 1981, Jordan skillfully guided the League to new heights of achievement. He oversaw a major expansion of its social-service efforts, as the League became a significant conduit for the federal government to establish programs and deliver services to aid urban communities, and brokered fresh initiatives in such League programs as housing, health, education and minority business development. Jordan also instituted a citizenship education program that helped increase the black vote and brought new programs to such areas as energy, the environment, and non-traditional jobs for women of color-and he developed The State of Black America report.

In 1982, John E. Jacob, a former chief executive officer of the Washington, D.C. and San Diego affiliates who had served as Executive Vice President, took the reins of leadership, solidifying the League's internal structure and expanding its outreach even further.

Jacob established the Permanent Development Fund in order to increase the organization's financial stamina. In honor of Whitney Young, he established several programs to aid the development of those who work for and with the League: The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Training Center, to provide training and leadership development opportunities for both staff and volunteers; the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Race Relations Program, which recognizes affiliates doing exemplary work in race relations; and the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Commemoration Ceremony, which honors and pays tribute to long term staff and volunteers who have made extraordinary contributions to the Urban League Movement.

Jacob established the League's NULITES youth-development program and spurred the League to put new emphasis on programs to reduce teenage pregnancy, help single female heads of households, combat crime in black communities, and increase voter registration.

Hugh B. Price, appointed to the League's top office in July 1994, took over the reins at a critical moment for the League, for Black America, and for the nation as a whole. In the early 90's, the fierce market-driven dynamic of "globalization," was sweeping the world, fundamentally altering the economic relations among and within countries and reshaping the link between the nation's citizenry and its economy, fostering enormous uncertainty among individuals and tensions among ethnic and cultural groups.

This economic change and the efforts of some to rollback the gains African Americans fashioned since the 1960s, made the League's efforts all the more necessary. Price, a lawyer with extensive experience in community development and public policy issues, intensified the organization's work in three broad areas: in education and youth development, individual and community-wide economic empowerment, affirmative action and the promotion of inclusion as a critical foundation for securing America's future as a multi-ethnic democracy.

Among Prices most notable achievements was establishing the League's Institute of Opportunity and Equality in Washington, DC, which conducted a

research and public policy analysis of urban issues and the Campaign for African American Achievement, a community mobilization and advocacy initiative created to raise awareness and promote the importance of achievement through through the formation of the National Achievers Society, Doing the Right Thing recognition in local communities and the Nation Urban League's Scholarship Program.

On May 15th, 2003 the board of Trustees of the National Urban League Voted overwhelmingly to appoint former New Orleans Mayor Marc H. Morial as the league's eighth President and Chief Executive Officer. As New Orleans Chief Executive, he was one of the most popular and effective Mayors in the city's history, leaving office with 70 percent approval rating. After being elected as one of the youngest Mayors in the city's history, crime plummeted by 60 percent a corrupt Police Department was reformed, new programs for youth were started, and stagnant economy was reignited.

Since his appointment to the National Urban League, Morial has worked to reenergize the movement's diverse constituencies by building on the strengths of the NUL's 95 year old legacy and increasing the organization's profile both locally and nationally.

In his first year, Morial worked to streamline the organizations' headquarters, secured over $10 million dollars in new funding to support affiliate programs, created the first Legislative Policy Conference "NUL on the Hill', revamped the State of Black America report, created profitability for the annual conference, and secured a $127.5 million equity fund for the minority businesses through the new markets tax credit program. He introduced and developed a stronger strategic direction of the organization with a "five point empowerment agenda' that focuses on closing the equality gaps which exist for African Americans and other emerging ethnic communities in education, economic empowerment, health and quality of life, civic engagement, and civil rights and racial justice.

Diversity Works

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Black Inventions & Submitted by Walter Davis •

Biscuit Cutter A.P. Ashbourne

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Lubricators Elijah McCoy

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Ice cream Mold A.L. Cralle

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Furniture Caster David A. Fisher

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Super Soaker Lonnie Johnson

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Horse Bridle Bit L.F.Brown

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Baby Buggy W.H. Richardson

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Folding Bed L.C. Bailey

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Rocket Catapult Hugh MacDonald

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Blood Plasma Dr. Charles Drew

Stairclimbing Wheelchair Rufus J. Weaver

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Bicycle Frame Issac R. Johnson

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Horse shoe Oscar E. Brown

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Sugar Refinement N. Rillieux

Guitar Robert Flemming ,Jr

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Coin Changer James A. Bauer

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Elevator Alexander Miles

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Horse Riding Saddle Wm. D. Davis

Helicopter Paul E. Williams

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Space Shuttle Retrieval Arm Wm. Harwell

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Pacemaker Otis Boykin

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Clothes Dryer G.T. Sampson

Golf Tee George F. Grant

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Gas Mask Garrett Morgan

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Shoe W.A. Detiz

Fire Escape Ladder J.B. Winters

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Guide Missile Otis Boykin

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Celluar Phone Henry Sampson

Motor J. Gregory

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Traffic Signal Garrett Morgan

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Player Piano Joseph Dickinson

Telephone Transmitter Granville T. Woods

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Lawn Mower John A. Burr

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Pressing Comb Walter Sammons

Lantern Micheal Harney

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Hair Brush Lyda Newman

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Electric Cutoff Switch Granville T. Woods

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Typewriter Burridge & Marshman

Arm for Recording Player Joseph Dickinson

Thermo Hair Curlers Soloman Harper

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Heating Furnace Alice H. Paker

Curtain Rod S.R. Scottron

Relay Instrument Granville T. Woods

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Train Alarm R.A. Butler

Doorstop O. Dorsey

Gas Burner B.F. Jackson

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Airship J.F.Pickering

Lawn Sprinkler J.W. Smith

Telephone System Granville T. Woods

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Radiation Detector Geo. Carruthers

Doorknob O. Dorsey

Kitchen Table H.A. Jackson

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Folding Chair Purdgy/Sadgwar

Automatic Gearshift R.B. Spikes

Galvanic Battery Granville T. Woods

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Peanut Butter George W. Carver

Photo Print Wash Clatonia J. Dorticus

Video Commander Joseph N. Jackson

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Hand Stamp W.B. Purvis

Urinalysis Machine Dewey Sanderson

Electric Raillway System Granville T. Woods

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Paints & Satins George W. Carver

Photo Embossing Machine Clatonia J. Dorticus

Remote Controllers Joseph N. Jackson

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Hydraulic Shock Absorber Ralph Sanderson

Roller Coaster Granville T. Woods

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Sani-Phone Jerry Johnson

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Auto Air Brake Granville T. Woods

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Rotary Engine Andrew J. Beard

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Printing Press W.A. Lavallette

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Car Couple Andrew J. Beard

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Envelope Seal F.W. Leslie

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Letter Box G.E. Becket

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Laser Fuels Lester Lee

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Stainless Steel Pads Alfred Benjamin

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Pressure Cooker Maurice W. Lee

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Torpedo Discharger H. Bradberry

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Window Cleaner A.L. Lewis

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Disposable Syringe Phil Brooks

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Pencil Sharpener John L. Love

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Home Security System Marie Brown

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Fire Extinguisher Tom J. Marshal

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Corn Planter Henry Blair

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Lock W.A. Martin

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Cotton Planter Henry Blair

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Shoe Lasting Machine Jan Matzeliger Ironing Board Sarah Boone

Black History Month

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Fountain Pen W.B. Purvis

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Lotion & Soaps George W. Carver

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Dust Pan L.P.Ray

Postal Letter Box P.B. Dowing

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Automatic Fishing Reel George Cook

Refrigerator J. Standard

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Insect Destroyer Gun A.C. Richardson

Toilet T. Elkins

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Mop T.W. Stewart

Resource: Little Africa.com http://www.littleafrica.com/resou rces/inventors.htm

Inventors

FYI

For Your Information

How much do you know about your Black History?

1.

2.

3.

Which African American inventor published a Farmers' Almanac?

A. Otis Boykin B. Madame Walker C. Benjamin Banneker D. George Washington Carver Who was the first African American woman to receive a patent?

A. Bessie Blount B. Madame Walker C. Sarah Goode D. Marjorie Stewart Joyner Who was the first African American heavyweight champion as well as an inventor?

A. Jack Johnson B. Lewis Howard Latimer C. Lonnie Johnson D. George Grant

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Which inventor's last name became the “real _____�?

A. John Lee Love B. John Standard C. John Christian D. Elijah McCoy

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Which inventor invented a railroad car coupler nicknamed the jenny coupler?

A. George Grant B. Frederick Jones C. Andrew Jackson Beard D. Ernest Everett Just

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What was Black History Month originally called?

A. The African American Festival B. Black History Celebration C. Black History Day D. Negro History Week

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Which of the following black inventors is alive today?

A. Philip Emeagwali B. Otis Boykin C. Henry Blair D. Emmett W. Chappelle

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Which millionaire black entrepreneur and inventor started out by washing laundry?

A. Madame C. J. Walker B. Granville T. Woods C. Sarah Boone D. Rufus Stokes

10. Which of the following black inventors developed the blood bank?

A. Mark Dean B. David Crosthwait C. John Lee Love D. Charles Richard Drew

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Which one of the following black inventors did not invent something related to food?

A. Bessie Blount B. Lewis Howard Latimer C. George Washington Carver D. Lloyd Augustus Hall

1. C 2. C 3. A 4. D 5. D 6. A 7. B 8. C 9. A 10. D

Black History Quiz

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Yes, I want to join and support the Urban League. My Annual Pledge Contribution is checked below.

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Diversity Works

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Recognition Denied 14

BOOK REVIEW RECOGNITION DENIED PAYS TRIBUTE TO BLACK CONTRIBUTIONS IN AMERICA’S CIVIL WAR AND BEYOND Angeles, CA) - Africans and African Americans have been overlooked for their contributions to mankind in most arenas. From developing the original writing form to the science of trigonometry that was credited to Pythagoras the Greek, the achievements of Blacks have been virtually ignored throughout history. Seeking to set the record straight in at least one arena, author and artist, Kenneth E. Brown recently produced his latest book, Recognition Denied: A History of the Black Soldier in America's Civil War. Thoroughly researching and supporting his contention that “…without the use of Black soldiers in the war, the Union would not have won,” Brown documents the important roles Blacks played in not only the American Civil War, but in the history of the world as well. Brown supports his research with detailed summaries of battles, photographs, battle schematics, graphs, and geographic maps, accompanied by a CD with all of the books contents, audio narration, hyper links to major Black Civil War websites and a genealogical link to 200,000 Black soldiers who served in the Civil War. “Not only has Western history significantly minimized Black achievements, some important Black achievements have been completely ignored as to their Black origins, and some others have been credited to other races,” Brown explained. “I am of the opinion that if Blacks, as well as all people, knew the positive history of the Black race, a number of Black children would take more pride in their heritage and therefore would have more options that could affect their lives in a positive way. This could even result in fewer Black youngsters in prison.”

Author of an historical novel, A View With Rage: Love and War in the Black South, 18501900, Brown also created “The Black Heritage Collection,” a series of miniature sculptures consisting of great Blacks up and through the American Civil War including Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Phyllis Wheatley and Frederick Douglass, along with a Civil War soldier, cavalryman and a gun tower commemorating Africans during the Middle Passage. The collection is comprised of individual sculptures, business card holders and a chess set.

Also co-creator of the limited edition, "African Legacy" chess set - named so because chess was created in Africa - Brown modeled its pieces after the most famous West African masks, which he cast in sterling silver, bronze and pewter.

A Braddock, PA native, Brown graduated with honors from California State University at Los Angeles. A computer technician and graphics specialist by profession, Brown is owner of Alphacad Design Solution.

A labor of love, Recognition Denied pays tribute to all of the brave Black soldiers who contributed to winning America's Civil War. Recognition Denied is available in Los Angeles at Eso Won Bookstore, 4331 Degnan Blvd. and at Amazon.com for African American History Month. For additional information contact Brown at (310) 418-7599 or visit the website at blackheritagesculptures.com.

(Los

Black History Month

Article by, Rae Jones, RAEDIANT Communications (323) 294-5280 or raediantcommunications@hotmail.com.

H

ow much do you know about African-Americans past and present?

• February 1 Today in 1926, what is now known as Black History Month was first celebrated on this date as Negro History Week. It became a month-long celebration in 1976.

• February 2 Today in 1914, artist William Ellisworth is born in Washington, North Carolina.

Educated at Syracuse University, he was a student of Florida artist Augusta Savage.

His works were exhibited at Atlanta University, the Whitney Museum, the Two Centuries of Black American Art exhibit, Fisk University, Hampton University, the North Carolina Museum of Art and private collectors.

• February 3 Today in 1956, Autherine J. Lucy becomes the first black student to attend the University of Alabama. She was expelled three days later “for her own safety” in response to threats from a mob. In 1992 Autherine Lucy Foster graduated from the University with a master's degree in education. The same day, her daughter, Grazia Foster, graduated with a bachelor's degree in corporate finance.

gation at an Orangeburg bowling alley.

Today in 1925, students staged strike at Fisk University to protest policies of white administration.

• February 9 Today in 1960, 100 Johnson C. Smith University students staged sit-ins at downtown Charlotte lunch counters.

• February 10 Today in 1854, founder and first president of Livingstone College, Joseph Charles Price was born • February 11 Today in 1996, Penn's Baccalaureate Speaker was the Right Reverend Barbara Clementine Harris, a Philadelphian who was the first woman ever to become a bishop in the Anglican Communion.

• February 12 Today in 1900, for a Lincoln birthday celebration, James Weldon Johnson writes the lyrics for “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. With music by his brother, J. Rosamond, the song is first sung by 500 children in Jacksonville, Fla. It will become known as the “Negro National Anthem.”

• February 13 Today in 1635, America's first public school, the Boston Latin School, opened in Boston. Black students were excluded from attending.

• February 4 Today in 1986, a stamp of Sojourner Truth is issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

• February 14 Today in 1867, Morehouse College organized in Augusta, Georgia. The institution was later moved to Atlanta.

• February 5 Today in 1990, Columbia University graduate and Harvard University law student Barack Obabma became the first African American named president of the Harvard Law Review.

• February 15 Today in 1848, Sarah Roberts barred from white school in Boston. Her father, Benjamin Roberts, filed the first school integration suit on her behalf.

• February 6 Today in 1898, Melvin B. Tolson, author, educator, poet, was born. Today in 1961, Jail-in movement started in Rock Hill, S.C., when students refused to pay fines and requested jail sentences. Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee urged south-wide “Jail, No Bail” campaign.

• February 7 Today in 1872, Alcorn A&M College opened.

• February 8 Today in 1968, Thirty South Carolina State students were shot, and three were killed by police, in what was called the Orangeburg Massacre. Students were protesting segre-

• February 16 Today in 1857, Frederick Douglass elected President of Freedman Bank and Trust.

• February 17 Today in 1870, Congress passed resolution readmitting Mississippi on condition that it would never change its constitution to disenfranchise Blacks.

squadron served honorably in England and in other regions of the European continent during World War II. • February 20 Today in 1927, Sidney Poitier was born in Miami, Florida.

Today in 1968, state troopers used tear gas to stop demonstrations at Alcorn A&M College.

• February 21 Today in 1987, African Americans in Tampa, Florida rebelled after an African American man was killed by a white police officer while in custody.

• February 22 Today in 1911, activist and social reformer Francis Ellen Watkins Harper died. Harper founded the National Convention of Colored Women in 1864 and was involved in other projects for women's rights.

• February 23 Today in 1868, Dr. William Edward Burghardt DuBois, educator and civil rights advocate, was born.

• February 24 Today in 1864, Rebecca Lee Crumpler becomes the first black woman to receive an M.D. degree. She graduated from the New England Female Medical College.

• February 25 Today in 1978, Pensacola native Daniel “Chappie” James, first African American four-star general, dies in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

• February 26 Today in 1920, Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Associated Publishers.

• February 27 Today in 1872, Charlotte Ray graduates from Howard Law School. She is the first African American lawyer in the U.S. • February 28 Today in 1704, Elias Neau, a Frenchman, opened school for Blacks in New York City.

• February 18 Today in 1913, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was incorporated at Howard University.

• February 19 Today in 1942, the Army Air Corps' all African American 100th Pursuit Squadron, later designated a fighter squadron, was activated at Tuskegee Institute. The

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African American History Black Inventors homas L. Jennings, born in 1791, is believed to have been the first Black person to receive a patent for an invention. He was 30 years old when he was granted a patent for a dry cleaning process.

Jennings was a free tradesman and operated a dry cleaning business in New York City. His income went mostly to his abolitionist activities. In 1831, he became assistant secretary for the First Annual Convention of the People of Color in Philadelphia, PA. Slaves were prohibited from receiving patents on their inventions. Although free Black inventors were legally able to receive patents, most did not. Some feared that recognition-and most likely the prejudice that would come with it-would destroy their livelihoods.

Rep. George Washington Murray was a teacher, farmer, and U.S. Congressman from South Carolina from 1893 to 1897. From his seat in the House of representatives, Murray was in a unique position to bring into focus the achievements of a people recently emancipated. Speaking on behalf of proposed legislation for a Cotton States Exhibition to publicize the South's technological process since the Civil War, Murray urged that a separate

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space be reserved to display some of the achievements of southern Blacks. He explained the reasons why Blacks should participate in regional and national expositions saying: "Mr. Speaker, the colored people of this country want an opportunity to show that the progress, that the civilization which is now admired the world over, that the civilization which is now leading the world, that the civilization which all nations of the world look up to and imitate--the colored people, I say, want an opportunity to show that they, too, are part and parcel of that great civilization."

And he proceeded to read the names and inventions of 92 Black inventors into the Congressional Record.

Judy W. Reed may not have been able to write her name, but she patented a handoperated machine for kneading and rolling dough. She is probably the first AfricanAmerican woman to obtain a patent.

Sarah E. Goode is believed to have been the second African-American woman to receive a patent.

Henry Blair was the only person to be identified in the Patent Office records as "a

colored man."

What we know about early African American innovators comes mostly from the work of Henry Baker. He was an assistant patent examiner at the U.S. Patent Office who was dedicated to uncovering and publicizing the contributions of Black inventors.

Around 1900, the Patent Office conducted a survey to gather information about Black inventors and their inventions. Letters were sent to patent attorneys, company presidents, newspaper editors, and prominent AfricanAmericans. Baker recorded the replies and followed-up on leads. Baker's research also provided the information used to select Black inventions exhibited at the Cotton Centennial in New Orleans, the World's Fair in Chicago, and the Southern Exposition in Atlanta. By the time of his death, Baker had compiled four massive volumes.

Lewis Howard Latimer was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1848. He enlisted in the Union Navy at the age of 15 and upon completion of his military service, returned to Massachusetts and was employed by a

patent solicitor where he began the study of drafting. His talent for drafting and his creative genius led him to invent a method of making carbon filaments for the Maxim electric incandescent lamp. In 1881, he supervised installation of electric light in New York, Philadelphia, Montreal, and London. Latimer was the original draftsman for Thomas Edison and as such was the star witness in Edison's infringement suits. Latimer had many interests. He was a draftsman, engineer, author, poet, musician, and, at the same time, a devoted family man and philanthropist.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1856, Granville T. Woods dedicated his life to developing a variety of inventions relating to the railroad industry. To some he was known as the "Black Edison". Woods invented more than a dozen devices to improve electric rail-

ed natural gas to electricity for everyday use.

Applications of EGD include refrigeration, desalination of sea water, and reducing the pollutants in smoke. He holds more than 40 patents for various inventions. In 1964, served on the President's Panel on Energy.

Mark Dean and his co-inventor Dennis Moeller created a microcomputer system with bus control means for peripheral processing devices. Their invention paved the way for the growth in the information technology industry. We can plug into our computers peripherals like disk drives, video gear, speakers, and scanners.

Dean was born in Jefferson City, Tennessee, on March 2, 1957. He received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee, his MSEE from Florida Atlantic University, and his

tion and early interest in plants. He received his early education in Missouri and Kansas.

He was accepted into Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, in 1877 and in 1891, transferred to Iowa Agricultural College (now Iowa State University) where he earned a B.S. in 1894 and an M.S. in 1897. Later that year Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute, convinced Carver to serve as the school's director of agriculture. From his laboratory at Tuskegee, Carver developed 325 different uses for peanuts--until then considered lowly food fit for hogs--and 118 products from the sweet potato. Other Carver innovations include synthetic marble from sawdust, plastics from woodshavings, and writing paper from wisteria vines.

Carver only patented three of his many discoveries. "God gave them to me," he said,

“Currently, Dean is vice president of performance for the RS/6000 Division. He was named an IBM fellow in 1996 and in 1997, received the Black Engineer of the Year President's Award. Dean holds more than 20 patents. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1997.� way cars and many more for controlling the flow of electricity. His most noted invention was a system for letting the engineer of a train know how close his train was to others.

This device helped cut down accidents and collisions between trains.

Alexander Graham Bell's company purchased the rights to Woods' "telegraphony," enabling him to become a full-time inventor.

Among his other top inventions were a steam boiler furnace and an automatic air brake used to slow or stop trains. Wood's electric car was powered by overhead wires. It was the third rail system to keep cars running on the right track.

Success led to law suits filed by Thomas Edison. Woods eventually won, but Edison didn't give up easily when he wanted something. Trying to win Woods over, and his inventions, Edison offered Woods a prominent position in the engineering department of Edison Electric Light Company in New York. Woods, preferring his independence, declined.

Dr. Meridith Groudine was born in New Jersey in 1929 and grew up in the streets of Harlem and Brooklyn. He attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and received a Ph.D. in Engineering Science from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena.

Gourdine built a multi-million dollar corporation that is based on his ideas in the field of electrogasdynamics (EGD). Using the principles of EGD, Gourdine successfully convert-

Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University. Early in his career at IBM, Dean was chief engineer working with IBM personal computers. The IBM PS/2 Models 70 and 80 and the Color Graphic Adapter are among his early work. He holds three of IBM's original nine PC patents.

Currently, Dean is vice president of performance for the RS/6000 Division. He was named an IBM fellow in 1996 and in 1997, received the Black Engineer of the Year President's Award. Dean holds more than 20 patents. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1997.

When you can do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world. - George Washington Carver.

"He could have added fortune to fame, but, caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world."

George Washington Carver's epitaph sums up a life-time of innovative discovery. Born into slavery, freed as a child, curious throughout life, Carver profoundly affected the lives of people throughout the nation. He successfully shifted Southern farming away from risky cotton, which depletes soil of its nutrients, to nitrate-producing crops such as peanuts, peas, sweet potatoes, pecans, and soybeans.

Farmers began rotating crops of cotton one year with peanuts the next.

Carver spent his early childhood with a German couple who encouraged his educa-

"How can I sell them to someone else?"

Upon his death, Carver contributed his life savings to establish a research institute at Tuskegee. His birthplace was declared a national monument in 1953, and he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1990.

Charles Drew, a Washington, D.C. native, excelled in academics and sports during his graduate studies at Amherst College in Massachusetts. He was also a honor student at McGill University Medical School in Montreal, where he specialized in physiological anatomy.

It was during his work at Columbia University in New York City where he made his discoveries relating to the preservation of blood. By separating the liquid red blood cells from the near solid plasma and freezing the two separately, he found that blood could be preserved and reconstituted at a later date.

The British military used his process extensively during World War II, establishing mobile blood banks to aid in the treatment of wounded soldiers at the front lines. After the war, Drew was appointed the first director of the American Red Cross Blood Bank. He received the Spingarn Medal in 1944 for his contributions. He died at the early age of 46 from injuries suffered in a car accident in North Carolina.

Percy Lavon Julian synthesized physostigmine for treatment of glaucoma and cortisone for the treatment of rheumatoid

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arthritis. He is also noted for a fire-extinguishing foam for gasoline and oil fires. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Julian had little schooling because Montgomery provided limited public education for Blacks.

However, he entered DePauw University as a "sub-freshman" and graduated in 1920 as class valedictorian. He then taught chemistry at Fisk University, and in 1923, earned a master's degree from Harvard University. In 1931, Julian received his Ph.D. from the University of Vienna.

He returned to DePauw University, where his reputation was established in 1935 by synthesizing physostigmine from the calabar bean. Julian went on to become director of

slipped away from McCoy, and he died in an infirmary after suffering financial, mental, and physical breakdown.

Jan Ernst Matzeliger was born in Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana in 1852. He immigrated to the United States at age 18 and went to work in a shoe factory in Philadelphia. Shoes then were hand made, a slow tedious process. Matzeliger helped revolutionize the shoe industry by developing a shoe lasting machine that would attach the sole to the shoe in one minute.

The shoe lasting machine adjusts the shoe leather upper snugly over the mold, arranges the leather under the sole and pins it in place with nails while the sole is stitched to the

Bath graduated from the Howard University School of Medicine in 1968 and completed specialty training in ophthalmology and corneal transplant at both New York University and Columbia University. In 1975, Bath became the first AfricanAmerican woman surgeon at the UCLA Medical Center and the first woman to be on the faculty of the UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute. She is the founder and first president of the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness. Bath was elected to Hunter College Hall of Fame in 1988 and elected as Howard University Pioneer in Academic Medicine in 1993.

The aroma of sausage and scrapple cook-

Matzeliger died poor, but his stock in the machine was quite valuable. He left it to his friends and to the First Church of Christ in Lynn, Masschusetts. research at the Glidden Company, a paint and varnish manufacturer. He developed a process for isolating and preparing soy bean protein, which could be used to coat and size paper, to create cold water paints, and to size textiles. During World War II, Julian used a soy protein to produce AeroFoam, which suffocates gasoline and oil fires.

Julian was noted most for his synthesis of cortisone from soy beans, used in treating rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. His synthesis reduced the price of cortisone. Julian was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1990.

So, you want the "real McCoy?" That means you want the "real thing," what you know to be of the highest quality, not an inferior imitation. The saying may refer to a famous African-American inventor named Elijah McCoy. He earned more than 50 patents, but the most famous one was for a metal or glass cup that fed oil to bearings through a smallbore tube. Machinists and engineers who wanted genuine McCoy lubricators may have originated the term, "the real McCoy." McCoy was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1843, the son of slaves who had fled Kentucky. Educated in Scotland, he returned to the United States to pursue a position in his field of mechanical engineering. The only job available to him was that of a locomotive fireman/oilman for the Michigan Central Railroad. Because of his training, he was able to identify and solve the problems of engine lubrication and overheating. Railroad and shipping lines began using McCoy's new lubricators, and Michigan Central promoted him to an instructor in the use of his new inventions.

Later, McCoy moved to Detroit where he became a consultant to the railroad industry on patent matters.Unfortunately, success

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Black History Month

leather upper.

Matzeliger died poor, but his stock in the machine was quite valuable. He left it to his friends and to the First Church of Christ in Lynn, Masschusetts.

Garrett Morgan was born in Paris, Kentucky in 1877. As a self-educated man, he went on to make an explosive entry into the field of technology. He invented a gas inhalator when he, his brother, and some volunteers were rescuing a group of men caught by an explosion in a smoke-filled tunnel under Lake Erie. Although this rescue earned Morgan a gold medal from the City of Cleveland and the Second International Exposition of Safety and Sanitation in New York, he was unable to market his gas inhalator because of racial prejudice. However, the U.S. Army used his device as gas masks for combat troops during World War I. Today, fire fighters save lives because, by wearing a similar breathing device, they are able to enter burning buildings without harm from smoke or fumes.

Morgan used his gas inhalator fame to sell his patented traffic signal with a flag-type signal to the General Electric Company for use at street intersections to control the flow of traffic.

Dr. Patricia E. Bath's passionate dedication to the treatment and prevention of blindness led her to develop the Cataract Laserphaco Probe. The probe, patented in 1988, is designed to use the power of a laser to quickly and painlessly vaporize cataracts from patients' eyes, replacing the more common method of using a grinding, drill-like device to remove the afflictions. With another invention, Bath was able to restore sight to people who had been blind for over 30 years.

Bath also holds patents for her invention in Japan, Canada, and Europe.

ing in kitchens along the east coast of American has made it a little easier for kids to get up in the morning. With quickened steps to the breakfast table, families enjoy the fruits of the diligence and hard work of Henry Green Parks, Jr. He started the Parks Sausage Company in 1951 using distinctive, tasty southern recipes he developed for sausage and other products.

Parks registered several trademarks, but the radio and television commercial featuring a child's voice demanding "More Parks Sausages, mom," is probably the most famous. After consumer complaints about the youngster's perceived disrespect, Parks added the word "please" to his slogan.

The company, with meager beginnings in an abandoned dairy plant in Baltimore, Maryland, and two employees, grew into a multi-million dollar operation with more than 240 employees and annual sales exceeding $14 million. Black Enterprise continually cited H. G. Parks, Inc., as one of the top 100 black firms in the country.

Parks sold his interest in the company for $1.58 million in 1977, but remained on the board of directors until 1980. Parks also served on the corporate boards of Magnovox, First Penn Corp., Warner Lambert Co., and W.R. Grace Co., and was a trustee of Goucher College of Baltimore. He died on April 14, 1989, at the age of 72.

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African American

epicted in the quilt are pictures of:

D

together sewed several quilts which still exist.

African American women first learned to sew and A quilt made by Phyllis, a slave imported from quilt as slaves and they sewed for their owners the Congo in 1818 when she was 12 or 13 years and themselves. Although men worked with textiles in western African countries, slave owners old. She became the plantation cook and quilter. insisted women slaves do the sewing, weaving, A rare picture of an African American woman and her and quilting. quilt after emancipation, around 1890. The quilt appears to be a treasured possession; however, few Women slaves dominated plantation textile proslave quilts survived the heavy use and harsh laun- duction during the 18th and 19th centuries; however, they did not own the quilts they made. Slaves dering. who became skilled quilters often enjoyed higher Larger plantations in the antebellum South had status, better food, clothing, housing, and more specially equipped buildings known as "sewing freedom of movement. houses" or "loom rooms" in which all the sewing, Despite the hardships for slave women, they quilting, and weaving took place. chose to quilt for themselves after working long Occasionally, slave women and plantation misdays in their owner's fields or house and taking tresses developed special relationships and coop- care of their own families. Quilting offered a eratively quilted. Jane Arthur Bond and her mis- refuge from slavery, a creative outlet, and a tress Rebecca Bond Routt became friends and chance to make something for themselves.

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Black History Month

by Sheri L. Woods To date no evidence supporting any of these stories has been found. Other stories told that slaves would take pieces of material from a family member's clothing before they were sold or traded. They would take the torn garment and sew it along with other rags into quilts and use the quilts for warmth. They took pride in taking someThe story begins with the Underground thing that was old and worn and creating Railroad. As rumor has it, run away slaves something of beauty and uniqueness. traveled under the blanket of darkness to destinations of opportunity and freedom. Although no evidence has been found supWhile traveling they were in need of places porting the theory of the quilts, one has to to go for restoration and refuge. They need- wonder where the stories originated and if ed safe houses. As it is told, slave women there is some truth to the different variawould sew pieces of material, ranging from tions of this particular story. Be it fact or ficold garments to empty flour sacks together tion, the teller has weaved a believable creating quilts. In the center of the quilt was story filled with love, compassion and an image of a log cabin with a black circle for hope. the chimney hole. This image symbolizing safety was hung in the windows of the safe houses. Run away slaves would spot the quilts and know that this was a place of refuge and safety. he history of the quilt as it pertains to African-Americans during slavery is weaved through stories passed down from generation to generation. Children sitting in laps and at feet listening while “Big Mama� lovingly and majestically dramatizes events of the past as it was told to her.

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In the minds of the listeners are visions of black women sewing pieces of old garments together to form these quilts, taking extra measures to design the log cabin with a chimney hole in the center of the quilt representing safety for those on their way to freedom.

We embrace the camaraderie experienced in this endeavor as homes were opened to help fellow men and women regardless of the unforeseen consequence if they were found out. We imagine humanity at its best.

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“Did You Hear What I think I Said?”

The Impact of Nonverbal Communication on Corporate Diversity P.S. Perkins, Founder & CEO Human Communication Institute, LLC

onverbal Communication within the corporate culture is often overlooked and/or undervalued in its impact upon the health of the organization.

Communication Practitioners often cite that Nonverbal Communication accounts for as much as 93 percent of an individual’s believability. This 93 percent can be broken down into 55 percent visual and 38 percent vocal (not to be confused with verbal). In other words, the old saying “actions speak louder than words” is just as true today as when it was coined centuries ago. Let’s take a closer look at the impact this area of communication has on the organizational culture.

What is Nonverbal Communication?

As a Communication Practitioner, I define nonverbal communication as “the unspoken messages transmitted and received that we are aware of and those we are not aware of.” Yes, there are times we intentionally transmit messages such as when we dress for a certain occasion and there are times when we are not aware of messages we send as when we exhibit a nervous body tic like fidgeting. Often times when we think of Nonverbal Communication (NVC), we immedi-

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ately focus on body language or facial expressions. And whereas NVC does include these elements, they are only small part of a vast area of behavioral study. One of the first things we must be aware of is that NVC is culturally bound. This means that as language symbols differ from culture to culture, so do nonverbal symbols differ from culture to culture.

Our NVC language is often the biggest cultural barrier. As a result, even though the corporate environment may include workers that attempt to speak the same verbal language, many are definitely not speaking the same nonverbal language. As many diverse cultures attempt to assimilate to the Eurocentric language patterns of the organization, they still DO NOT assimilate to the nonverbal language patterns of the organization UNLESS advised or forced to do so. Often this coercion takes place as a result of some infringement that can no longer be tolerated by the dominant culture coworkers. I bring up the dominant culture here because it is the entity that determines what the acceptable patterns of NVC within the organization

are just as it does the verbal patterns of the organization.

Now let’s take a look at some of the areas of NVC that affect the organizational communication environment. The following NVC issues often create a substantial amount of miscommunication and misunderstanding between cultures. NVC includes arenas such as: silence, appearance, space, time, touching, gestures, facial expressions, smell, paralanguage and rituals. These arenas of NVC communication greatly impact issues of negotiation, conflict, boss/worker expectation, deadlines, promotion and EVERY area of organizational progress. So in other words, the culturally bound nonverbal communication of each employee

Continued on p. 26

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The Urban League of San Diego County presents A Diversity Summit Diversity & Inclusion: Ensuring Success in the Global Market

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Golden Hall Conference Center, Promenade Thursday/Friday, October 11-12th, 2007 Invited Speaker's include: • • • • •

Elaine Chao - US Secretary of Labor Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole - President of Bennett College Lolita Chandler - Avon Products Carolyn Green - AXA Juan Williams - Journalist and NPR Senior Correspondent and more…

Join the Urban League of San Diego County and the San Diego business community for a day of discussion, training and sharing of best practices from some of the brightest and highly regarded professionals in the field of Diversity & Inclusion!

Contact: Maurice D. Wilson - 619-266-6244 e-mail: maurice@sdul.org Please also visit our website at: www.sdul.org Summit Chair, Sheron A. Maxwell 24

Black History Month

CDM is proud to support the Urban League of San Diego County

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The Impact of Nonverbal Communication on Corporate Diversity “We are futuristic in our focus on time and consistently looking to the future as a measurement of security and attainment. This drives our economy and our global relationships.”

Continued from p. 22 is added to the mix of all organizational interaction. An individual may think they are saying or transmitting one message and the message is being received by the listener in a totally different way.

Or they may not be trying to transmit any specific message but their nonverbal manner is being interpreted in a certain way that impacts the co-worker relationship and context. Just think about how much miscommunication exists between people of the same culture, then add to the mix differing world views and NVC patterns of communicating. Yes, it is a lot to absorb!

Let’s examine a few NV arenas in an effort to understand just how great its impact is on the organizational setting.

First, we will examine paralanguage.

Paralanguage can be defined as “how you say what you say; the noise surrounding your words.” It includes variables such as tone, pacing, accent, dialect, emphasis, stress and so on.

These tend to be regional and ethnic markers identifying where a person is raised. However, many cultures have transcended these basic areas of identity to include measurements such as: class, education, intelligence and viability.

Yes, we often “label” people by how they sound. An example of this might be how the Southern accent often labels a person as “slow or dim witted.” We see this in the television spoofs such as the Dukes of Hazard, Hee Haw, and other caricatures of Southern identity. We never tend to hear southern accents on National News Broadcasts. We generally must tune into the BBC to hear any accent other than the General American accent. Understand how different this must be for individuals that live in much more globally aware countries.

Some individuals immediately distinguish between Black and White culture

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vocal patterns when determining an individual’s worth to the situation. I have an acquaintance who is an African American female professional that recently experienced a very traumatic dismissal from a post she held for well over eight years in spite of glowing appraisals and awards she received during her tenure. She shared with me and others who were surprised by her situation, that several of her European American colleagues stated that “she scared them” with what they deemed abrasive communication patterns. They particularly cited her vocal aggression and excessive use of gestures during communication altercations.

There were of course other variables used to substantiate her dismissal but the aforementioned factors were included in the determination.

It is a substantiated fact that African Americans tend to be more nonverbally expressive in their paralanguage and kinesics (body language). It is interesting how this issue surfaces in many areas of collective behavior such as sports and politics. Just think of how many rules and regulations are mandated by the NBA and NFL in their attempt to curtail what is often considered “inappropriate behavior or apparel” based mainly on the cultural contributions of African Americans.

Notice the attention given to political activist Al Sharpton’s manner of speaking and cultural hairstyle. Remember when Howard Dean lost the Democratic presidential nomination when he was caught acting un-presidential while on the campaign trail? This is only one variable of NVC import impacting the workplace; just think of the infusion of multiple variables.

We experience this same phenomenon when distinguishing male and female voices and the fact that male voices and their speaking patterns are most often

equated with power and dominance. So who is more likely to be promoted and given positions of authority?

Time or chronemics is another NVC arena that impacts the organizational culture. Think about the vast amount of attention paid to meetings, deadlines, schedules, and other mandates of worker time and bottom-line results.

Remember that NVC is culturally bound. U.S. American culture is extremely time conscious. We are futuristic in our focus on time and consistently looking to the future as a measurement of security and attainment. This drives our economy and our global relationships. We expect the world to adhere to and follow our rush towards technological and scientific achievement. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING is done according to a schedule, the clock. We punish individuals who do not adhere to the perceived prescription of time. When we travel and do business, we often find it hard to deal with the slow pace at which negotiations take place or the lack of punctuality exhibited by others not on our schedule.

We can look at structured time in two ways: activity driven (monochronic)

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and relationship driven (polychronic).

This is a very basic way to explain a complex social behavior. The United States and most of the technologically “developed” countries operate on monochronic time. Everything is based on the importance of the activity. The meeting starts promptly at ___. The deadline is hard and fast. We live our lives by the clock. As a result, we experience a highly stressed culture. Many of our dis-eases are the result of stress bought on by mandates on our time.

Cultures that are polychronic tend to base their lives on harmony of relationships and to nature as witnessed in Native American cultures. We travel south of the border or to Spain and experience a siesta in the middle of the “working” day. We visit the Caribbean and are encouraged to slow down - no problem man.

I remember growing up and being aware of the cultural marker of CP Time - Colored People’s Time. As I became knowledgeable about time as a NVC code, this cultural proclivity began to make sense. After slavery, people of African descent in the U.S. became the victims of negative caricatures and stereotypes. One of these caricatures was “Step & Fetchit.” These distortions were built on the stereotype that Black people were “slow and lazy.” They required consistent oversight in order to get things done in a timely and proficient manner. Hmm… Could coming from polychronic cultures and being forced into monochronic patterns have anything to do with the clashing between the two ideologies concerning relationship to self, others and nature? As cited earlier, there are many cultures that have a more polychronic perception of time. I will never forget listening to a sportcaster’s commentary on a talented young Dominican athlete that had been recruited to play minor league baseball here in the U.S. He sang his praises concerning his skills and accolades while in the Dominican Republic.

Unfortunately, the young player could not seem to “cut

the mustard” here in the U.S. His behavior was “unprofessional” and he lacked “discipline.” Why? Well according to the commentator, he just could not seem to get to practice ON TIME! It appeared his family obligations kept getting in the way. Hmm… What about the impact appearance has on the organizational dynamic? We have young workers in urban apparel.

Devout Islamic women wearing head to floor coverings for modesty. We experience young women intermingling social and business wear. Many businesses establish dress codes to deal with the cultural variations, but this is not always easy to adjust as in the case of cultural/religious mandates. Lastly, ponder the impact on space when adjusting to accommodate the physically challenged worker. How about trying to create ergonomically correct office space?

It should be obvious the MAJOR role Nonverbal Communication plays in workplace dynamics. The organization-

al culture thrives positively or negatively based on the Communication environment and its ability to move the company forward in its mission. And yes, the mission should be the connecting factor of the organizational culture. But it is important to remember that we all bring ourselves to the table. Hopefully, this brief insight into the realm of Nonverbal Communication will assist you in determining the type of training tools you want to incorporate into your Orientation, Professional Development and Educational Training Programs. We can all learn how to get along, but first we must acknowledge that our differences exist and instead of mandating that everyone become “yellow pencils” or assimilate, let’s move towards Organizational Acculturation (reference fall 2006 article) and understand the behaviors that make us unique and similar. I hope you understood what I think I said! Otherwise, there’s always the future of robotics, but you did see Will Smith in I, Robot didn’t you? Scary!

Diversity Works

27

Building a Solid Family Foundation and Successful Business By, Wil Cason

s a husband, father and business owner, I know the value of investing quality time with my family. It was Wednesday morning and my day to take my son, Galen, to preschool. As we walked inside his classroom, I noticed seven other parents standing around the classroom engaged in a conversation. Three of Galen’s classmates ran to greet him with a hug and said, “Galen, are you going on the fieldtrip?”

Galen grabbed my hand and said “Daddy, will you go on the fieldtrip with me?” I thought to myself, I forgot about the fieldtrip and I have a few work related tasks to complete. “Yes, I said, let’s go and have some fun.” His face beamed with excitement. That day, we had an enjoyable time together.

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Solid Family Foundation While the growth of families becoming business owners increase, more families are discovering the benefits of work-life-balance. As a business owner, people often ask me, “How do you do it with four children five and under? Where do you have the time to grow your personal development company?” My answer, “I enjoy doing what I do, I love being with my family and building a successful business - it is a balancing act.”

Your balancing act can work for you, your family and your job if you: 1.

2.

3.

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Commit to focusing on your family before the business.

Your first obligation is family.

Keep an awareness of the needs of your family. Have each member communicate their hopes, dreams, and goals and post it up.

Create a family vision statement.

Plan family time to develop a Family Vision Statement. Clearly identify the image and future accomplishments of your family.

Work toward balancing your time.

Black History Month

4.

5.

When it is work time, dedicate focusing on work related tasks.

For example, two hour blocks of uninterrupted time. Schedule thirty minutes for play time with the kids. Create a balance by having leisure and fun time. Simply ask family members what they enjoy doing and make it a point to incorporate their fun time into your day.

Reduce levels of stress daily.

Discover what you enjoy doing to relax. To reduce stress, I take walks, listen to music, and read books.

Develop supportive relationships with other families.

Connect with other families who are committed to creating a solid foundation and successful business. Communicate and share success stories and areas of challenge.

It may seem difficult at times, however; there is a tremendous joy when you create a solid family and a successful business simultaneously. The frequent challenge is how to effectively dedicate quality family time. My wife Kimberly and I know that we are modeling leadership skills that will affect our children for a life time. Our children are excited to join us as we create a legacy of future entrepreneurs.

Successful Business Approach Just as your family needs you to thrive, your business does too. Taking the necessary steps to expand your business will keep you happy as well.

1.

2.

Commit to the vision.

A vision statement paints the picture of what direction the business is going.

Surround yourself with people that have an enormous vision of life and business.

Create a network with other professional business owners and

3.

4.

leverage their strengths with yours.

Involve your family in the business.

Family members are innovative thinkers; incorporate some of their ideas into your business. Your kids enjoy just being in your presence and they gain an appreciation for your business. Our kids help distribute seminar flyers in the evenings and weekends.

Awareness of business trends.

Keep alert of the conductions of the market in your industry. Stay ahead of the market trends by being innovative and different. Be the first to introduce a new product or service to the market.

Expand your knowledge and be open to learning new things.

The major element to building a solid family foundation and successful business is appreciating the values and gifts each member contributes.

Furthermore, setting the pace of your day with your family and work in mind creates life-work-balance.

Nevertheless consider, at the end of your day, tilting the balancing scales more to the family side. The greatest gift families can give each other is the encouragement to go for their dreams.

Wil Cason is a speaker, author, and trainer and resides in Northern California.

Email wil@wilcason.com

Freeing Our Families from Generational Poverty “The old ball and chain. Money doesn't grow on trees. I'm not made of money. A paycheck away from poverty. From hand to mouth. We can't afford that. When I win the lotto. I'm just waiting for my ship to come in.

Do I look like Rockefeller to you? Do I look like Santa Claus?”

By, P.S. Perkins

I

f your childhood was anything like mine, you grew up hearing the same clichés about money day in and day out. This is especially true if you grew up in a family or community where money was a consistent issue of concern. Actually, I consider myself one of the more fortunate individuals; at least my mother and father tried to discuss their financial hardships away from the impressionable ears of us kids, but we still were not spared the burden they felt trying to “make ends meet” or “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Take a moment to listen to those around you. Listen to yourself and the discussions you have concerning money. Is your communication concerning finances poverty driven?

Are you speaking yourself into financial wealth or financial death? True, we are living in hard times, but when have times not been hard for marginalized groups or the working class poor of America, the majority of the world for that matter? However, even the rich have bills and financial concerns. So the issue becomes how do we break the cycle of generational poverty plaguing our community. This article seeks to examine just one area, but an important one concerning the question of the perpetuation of poverty within our families.

According to the Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC), the source of official poverty estimates cited by the U.S. Census Bureau, poverty rates remained statistically unchanged for Blacks (24.9 percent) and Hispanics (21.8 percent) between 2004 and 2005. The poverty rate decreased for non-Hispanic Whites (8.3 percent in 2005, down from 8.7 percent in 2004). In single female-headed households, the poverty rate was at 39.2 in 2005.

Obviously, race and class are contributing factors to these numbers. How do we break the cycle?

We all understand that education is a key factor in uplifting any individual out of unemployment and underemployment. We also understand that it is vital to save and create nest eggs for our retirement and children’s future. We’ve heard the value of creating 401K’s, IRA’s, Stock Portfolio’s and other financial planning safeguards. But how many of us are really getting the urgency of financial planning? And do we talk about these issues at home with our children?

According to an article written by Tom Abate entitled, “Americans Saving Less than Nothing…”, “Kevin Lansing, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco, tracks the personal savings rate -- the Commerce Department’s measure of how much consumers have left after spending is subtracted from income. In November (2005) the savings rate was a negative 0.2 percent.” (San Francisco Chronicle, 1/8/2006) These statistics reflect our nation as a whole. So what’s the solution?

For those of us who were born into a mentality of poverty, I want to suggest that we start to SPEAK WEALTH! We need to change our language concerning money in our homes, in our churches, in our communities. We need a NEW financial attitude! We need to completely refrain, STOP talking about what we do not have, what we are never going to have, how broke we are!

We expend too much negative energy on thinking and talking about money.

Many of us are acquainted with the bible scripture which states, “As a man thinketh, so is he.” Now, I am not trying to preach “prosperity ministry.”

What I am speaking about is the understanding that you can not achieve what you can not believe! It is a fact. Too many of us speak poverty and expect riches. Have you ever stopped to think that your thoughts are energy?

Everything, I mean everything ever created was first a thought that became

a word which then became a thing!

Why do you think so many of the wise sages and teachers of our past and present placed so much emphasis on teaching us to guard our mouths? “In the beginning was the WORD.” This is the creative power we ALL possess.

The universe DOES answer every deep thought and desire. The “Law of Attraction” is a real principle that works like any other universal principle. I assert that the major factor perpetuating poverty within our households is the absence of positive energy towards thinking, communicating and working towards wealth.

Think about it. How do you communicate about money with your children?

What is your general attitude concerning finances? I am sure if you take a close look and start to monitor the way you think and speak about money, you may find that it is the mentality of lack that is keeping you and your family impoverished. Yes, it all begins in the mind, even the effort it takes to redesign your life. Finding work, going back to school, finding a new job, building a dream - IT ALL TAKES POSTIVE THOUGHT - FAITH! We need to break the cycle of poverty in our homes which will then ripple out into our communities and into the society-at-large. “Free your mind and the rest will follow.” It only takes a word - YOUR WORD!

Diversity Works

Presents the Multicultural Heritage Awards ’07

7 March 29, 2007 11:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m.

Marriott Hotel & Marina 333 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, Ca. 92101

Co-Sponsored by:

To celebrate the multicultural spirit of our region, the San Diego Business Journal’s Multicultural Heritage Awards will honor San Diego’s most prestigious firms, large and small, for their commitment to diversity in their company and community.

Companies can be nominated by following the simple instructions below.

Award recipients will receive special recognition at the event and in the Business Journal. Nominees will also be recognized in the newspaper.

2007 Keynote Speaker

Ruben Barrales

President & CEO San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

NOMINATION CRITERIA To nominate a deserving firm (yours included), briefly answer the following questions on your company letterhead: 1. List nominee name, address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address and number of employees.

2. What has your firm or organization done to develop a multicultural understanding and appreciation in your community?

3. What has your firm or organization done to develop a multicultural understanding and appreciation in the San Diego region?

4. How has your firm's commitment to diversity made a difference within your profession or industry?

5. What programs or other strategies are implemented within your own workplace to recognize or promote diversity?

6. List nominator name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

7. List two reference firms with contact information (such as law firm and accounting firm).

8. Mail or e-mail high resolution color logo and one or two company or staff photos to one of the addresses below.

Submission Deadline: Feb. 23, 2007

For more information contact Sara Wiese at 858-277-6359, Ext. 3143.

Fax nomination information to 858-277-2149, e-mail to swiese@sdbj.com or mail to San Diego Business Journal Events Department • 4909 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 200 • San Diego, CA 92123.

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Black History Month

A diversity of great technology and solutions starts with a diversity of great people

At Raytheon, an inclusive culture is one of the things we believe gives us a competitive advantage. By recognizing the uniqueness of individuals, empowering employees, and truly valuing their input, our company consistently performs beyond all expectations. It’s a philosophy we’ll always embrace. It’s right for people, and it’s right for business.

We’re proud to feature Raytheon employees in our ads. To join them in a rewarding career, visit

www.rayjobs.com © 2006 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved. Raytheon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants. U.S. citizenship and security clearance may be required. “Customer Success Is Our Mission” is a registered trademark of Raytheon Company.

Diversity Works

31

Black Families: A Need to Look at Our Past,

by Walter Davis

W

hile traveling through Europe, Africa and The Middle East in the 1980's, I was simply amazed at how the Greeks built a temple over a Roman one, which in turn had a Greek one on top of it, which in turn had a Roman one on top of it and so on up to 12 levels.

Photos of statues from the Middle East and Africa had been mutilated as the picture to the right to disguise African features.

As I traveled the world and studied different historical accounts of people, I realized the powers in charge of telling the history of multiple cultures practiced covering up and distorting history to benefit and advance their personal world view.

Talk to people about the origin of the word Europe. Have you ever heard of Princess Europa? Neither had I until I began to search more deeply into the history of Blacks throughout the world¹.

In wonderment, I have witnessed our Black History Month celebrations whittled down to a few hundred years of Black contributions from American slavery to the present. This is not enough to honor the legacy of a people incredibly significant to world history.

So, why focus on the past? Why is it important?

Black people must understand who they are in order to move forward.

“Hate kills the hater. Those who hate us, never win, until we hate them, that is when we destroy ourselves,” said Richard Nixon during his impeachment.

Some Black people are consumed with hatred. It results in us killing ourselves. It results in our families being destroyed. It results in the proliferation of shame. Shame is the driving emotion behind an out of control chemical addiction rate. A large portion of the

Black population is incarcerated by a judicial system that treats the illness of addiction as a penal issue instead of a medical one.

The civil rights movement was stopped by the introduction of drugs into our neighborhoods.

Phoenician Woman, Dr. Karen Now, drug use Carr, Associate Professor of has spread widely History, Portland State University to rural areas with gang violence, the destruction of families and prisons bursting at the seams with people who should be in treatment.

Many Black people do not know who they are. Many do not realize that Blacks and Whites have taken turns enslaving each other. The latest period of Blacks enslaving Whites was between the seventh century and 1488 and it was not the first time. This eclipses the 400 years of Black slavery in America.² Many believe that Whites have the patent on slavery and they cannot bring their hearts to forgive. This causes a synergy of self-destructive behavior.

Black history goes back tens of thousands of years, yet, the focus appears limited. If many people were aware of the pattern of slavery and cover up, the pain, hatred and dysfunctional behavior could be assuaged in the Black community.

In order for families to be successful together, they must be able to talk, trust and understand their rich legacy.

Hence, it is very important that Black people take a good look at the past to avoid future mistakes. A healthy assessment of this past can reveal a rich heritage of pride and great contributions to

mankind.

Communication is intrinsic to this effort. Blacks must learn to communicate better with each other; this is not unique to Blacks either. Humanity needs to come to the unifying table of Communication.

I watched in awe as people gathered recently for the All People's Breakfast in San Diego to honor Dr. King. Native Americans, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites all came together to celebrate diversity.

American culture has come a long way.

We still have a long way to go to be inclusive and tolerant.

Blacks, like many others, have the challenge of forgiving, even in the face of others transgressing upon them.

Without effective communications skills - the POWER OF WORD - this is a daunting task.

Communication workshops, chemical addiction workshops, technology fairs, political activism, education and reaching out to other cultures are imperative to Black families realizing their full potential.

Embracing the richness of the past and grasping the opportunities of the present, shall give way to a bright future for Black people. There are many good people within our ranks striving to make a difference.

Jason Russell says it best “because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” ¹Windsor, Rudolph R. From Babylon to Timbuktu.

Atlanta: Windsor Golden Series, 1988. ² Lane-Poole, Stanley. The Story of the Moors in Spain. 1886 ISBN: 0-933121-19-9

Walter Davis is Progressive Diversity and The African American Front Editor for San Diego County Times. 760-917-1251, wdavis@walterdavisenterprises.com.

Present and Future 32

Black History Month

Diversity Works

33

Join the Urban League

34

Black History Month

of San Diego County

Black Business Association of San Diego County

by P.S. Perkins

he Urban League of San Diego County welcomes the newly formed Black Business Association (BBA) of San Diego County. The BBA held its Gala kick-off at the beautiful Solamar Hotel in the San Diego Gas Lamp. It was a "Who's Who" of San Diego "minority" owned business leaders, civic leaders and patrons! The ceremony was spearheaded by the Association's President, Gail M. Spivey who moved from Miami, FL in December of 2005 and caught a vision - a vision to bring Black Businesses together to "share in the economy of San Diego through advocacy, networking, training and other resources." Spivey states, "When I first started my company, Gail M Spivey & Associates, public relations & consulting firm, it was very difficult. I was new in town and nobody knew me. Fortunately, a couple of individuals provided valuable information and I was on my way. I acquired my first client and as I began assisting them other small businesses wanted me to represent them in the same capacity. It did not take me very long to realize that many of the small businesses were suffering with similar concerns. I envision many small start-up businesses growing and having the capacity to provide goods and services of every kind to the mainstream business community."

T

Shigeru Inoue, who presented a congratulatory letter to President Spivey. His remarks included the common struggles of Japanese and African Americans in their quest for equality and their vast contributions to the fabric of American history.

Another unexpected delight for attendees was the appearance of the San Diego Wildcats, a new semipro basketball team. Team majority Owner Anthony Lacey and several players were on hand for autographs and team mementoes.

When asked what the future looks like for the BBA, President Spivey remarks, "The short term goal of the BBA is to have 100 businesses join by the end of 2007 and increase existing businesses per capita by 15 percent. Our long term goal is to have 500 strong association members assisting Black and other minority businesses in acquiring billions of dollars in procurement contracts." San Diego Black and other Ethnic-American businesses are on the move, and the BBA stands poised to help them get there!

Diversity Works! Magazine plans to update you frequently on the achievements of the BBA. Please visit their website at www.bbasandiego.com for a Calendar of Events. (l-r) Maurice Wilson, P.S. Perkins, Mitch Mitchell, Gail Spivey

The Gala event included keynote speaker Eugene "Mitch" Mitchell, Vice President of External Affairs for Sempra Energy. Mitchell encouraged Black business owners to take advantage of the vast opportunities available for "minority" contractors and added that the only barriers were the ones we place on ourselves by not being proactive. Another highlight of the evening was a presentation by the Honorary Consul General of Japan in San Diego, Dr. Michael

Photo

by Lar

ry Mo rgan

Makes its Professional Debut!

Diversity Works

35

Strategies for CrossGenerational

by Simma Lieberman & Kate Berardo

ere we highlight what we think are the best ways to push past generational barriers and build strong intergenerational relationships. We've divided the strategies into mindset tips (how to approach cross-generational differences) and practical tips (the small things you can do during a conversation to improve your communication).

Mindset Strategies:

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show geared for another generation. Look at a website that focuses on the issues of other generations. Get familiar with music that spans generations like jazz, blues, rock and roll, classic, hip hop, and world music from cultures you are not familiar with. Understanding each others music can help build perspective.

Behavioral Strategies

Approach with Interest. Approach generational differences with interest, not fear or negativity. Take interest in the interests of others. You can learn fascinating things about other people if you choose to do so.

Take a Learning Orientation. The value of difference is that you can learn from each other. If someone from another generation has specific skills that you don't (say, an appreciation for looking at history and tradition, or the ability to use email effectively), consider setting up a skill exchange. These type of self-development opportunities translate into more opportunities for career advancement as well as more fulfilling and successful workplace environments.

•

Be flexible as to the means of your communication (faceto-face, email, etc.)

•

Avoid generational jargon. Speak in plain terms and avoid idioms that are not widely understood.

•

Be attentive. Look for signs that you may be misunderstanding each other, whether it is a confused look, an unclear response, or an unintended reaction.

•

Practice active listening. Turn up your listening dial across generational differences. Listen for clear expressions of different values or outlooks than you have. Seek to understand the individual better by listening carefully to what they say (or don't say).

•

Show Respect. Most generations have felt they don't get the respect they deserve. Using the strategies above, you can show coworkers that you do respect them, their background, and their outlook on life--and build powerful relationships as a result.

Be Mindful of how your assumptions are influencing your interactions.

Narrow your categories. In your mind, how long do people stay categorized by their generation: “one of the old guys” or “part of that young group?” At what point do they become individuals: Antoine, the man who likes motorcycles, fought in World War II, and thinks Elvis is still the King; Janelle, the woman who runs marathons, loves the city, and is allergic to peanuts? Categorizing people is a natural process that allows us to make sense of the world around us. You'd have a hard time describing an apple without using categories like a type of fruit, sweet or tangy, green or red, Granny Smith or Braeburn. Life is richer and your observations and reflections of people more accurate if you can move away from simple classification and allow for individual variations.

Simma Lieberman Associates generational programs help different generations initiate dialogues and develop strategies for effective collaboration. Simma is currently offering free half-hour consultations to people and organizations who are interested in exploring the impact of generational differences in their workplace. Call Simma directly at (510)-527-0700 to set up an appointment.

Put yourself in their shoes. Do you know what their day-today is like? Do you know what motivates them, excites them, gets them down--or how they want to be treated? Empathize with their situation, needs, and values. You can do this sometimes directly by asking questions and taking an interest in their interests and indirectly by getting involved in some of the traditions and pastimes of another generation. Watch a TV

Relationship Building

DiversityWorks! Partners • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

AIG Insurance - http://www.aig.com/gateway/ American Airlines - http://www.aacareers.com Bank of America - http://www.bankofamerica.com/careers/ Cardinal Health - http:// www.cardilan.com Citibank - http://www.citigroup.com CIC Research - http://www.cicresearch.com/newhome2/ Cost Plus World Markets - http://www.worldmarkets.com Cox Communications - http://www.cox.com/CoxCareer/ Cubic Corporation - http://www.cubic.com Curtis Moring Insurance Agency, Inc. - http://www.thinkcmi.com/ Enterprise Rent-A-Car - http://www.erac.com/recruit/ Federal Bureau of Investigations - http://www.fbijobs.com Genentech Inc. - http://www.gene.com/careers/ Hawthorne Machinery - http://www.hawthorn.cat.com IBM - http://www-03.ibm.com/employment/ Integrits - http://www.integrits.com Keith Goosby Inspirations & Motivations - http://kgim.blackportal.com Kaiser Permanente - http://www.kaiserpermanentejobs.org/ Kyocera - www.kyocera.com/kai Lockheed-Martin, Maritime Systems & Sensors - www.lockheedmartin.com Loews Coronado Bay Resort & SPA - http://www.loewshotels.com/ Manpower of San Diego http://www.manpowerprofessional.com/sandiego/ National University - http://www.nu.edu/ Neighborhood National Bank - http: www.neighborhoodnationalbank.com NorLab Business Solutions North Island Financial Credit Union - http://www.myisland.com/island/ San Diego Padres - http://www.padres.com Qualcomm - at: https://jobs.qualcomm.com/ Science Application International Corp. (SAIC) http://www.saic.com/career/find.html Scripps Research Institute - http://www.scripps.edu SDSU Research Foundation - http://www.foundation.sdsu.edu San Diego Business Journal - http://www.sdbj.com San Diego Gas & Electric - http://www.sdge.com/careers or San Diego Monitor News -http://www.sandiegomonitor.com San Diego National Bank - http://www.sdnb.com San Diego County Sheriff's Department - http://www.sdsheriff.net/jobs/ SeaWorld San Diego - http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources/ Sempra Utilities - http://www.sempra.com/careers.htm Solar Turbines - http://esolar.cat.com/solar/ Sony Corporation - http://www.sonyjobs.com Southern California Edison - http://www.edison.com/careers/ Starbucks Coffee Company - http://www.diversityconnections.com/ Sycuan Casino - http://www.sycuan.com/sycuan_casino/human_resources.html The Hartford - http://www.thehartford.com/ The San Diego Union Tribune - http://www.signonsandiego.com The Pacific Institute - http://www.pac-inst.com/ Timmis J Moore UCSD - http://www.ucsdhcjobs.org/ Union Bank of California - http://cce.uboc.com/ United Way of San Diego - http://www.uwsd.org/about/jobs.asp UPS - https://ups.managehr.com/ US Bank - http://www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/careers/careers.cfm Viejas Casino - http://www.viejas.com/html/aboutus/employment.cfm Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. - http://www.walmartstores.com/careers/ Wells Fargo Bank - https://www.wellsfargo.com/employment/ Washington Mutual Bank - http://www.wamu.com/about/jobs/default.asp

Become a

DW! Partner

s one of over 57000 employers in the region we are counting on your support to help make Diversity Work! here in San Diego. For over 50 years, the Urban League of San Diego County has assisted many of its citizens in preparing for and finding meaningful employment. For most of that time, you, our area employer, has been assisting us along the way.

And now more than ever, your help is needed to help us meet our mission. That is why we are asking you to become a Diversity Works! Partner.

According to research by the Hudson Institute, a nationally recognized social trends think tank, within the next 10 to 15 years, demographic trends, technological advances, and economic globalization will shape the workplace. The U.S. workforce will continue to expand, although at a much slower rate.

However, its composition will shift to a more balanced distribution by age, sex, and race/ethnicity.

Keeping pace with these changing workplace dynamics, while implementing the mandate of our mission to assist African Americans and other underserved people achieve social and economic equality, the Urban League of San Diego County has strategically positioned itself to better serve San Diego through our Diversity Works! initiative.

Through Diversity Works! we help you find, and if necessary, develop scarce diverse human resources. For example, our Diversity Job Bank has attracted over 1000 jobseekers.

And the students who attend our workshops undergo behavior modification training in conjunction with our award-winning workreadiness and diversity training, producing outstanding results. This combination produces employees who are truly work-ready. Consequently, as our employer investor-partner, you will benefit not only from finding highly qualified job candidates in our job bank, but perspective employees who attend our workshops are also prepared attitudinally to enter the workplace.

We are asking you to invest $1,200 year. This is not a donation, but an investment and a smart business move. It will provide you with unlimited posting/reviews to our Diversity Job Bank (www.ulsdcjobs.net), mention in our Diversity Works!

Magazine, featured employer on our website and discounts on our next Career Fair scheduled for (27 April, 2006).

To facilitate answering your questions, we will conduct monthly luncheon seminars to explain the benefits of this initiative here at the League’s corporate office; 720 Gateway Center Drive, San Diego CA 92102. Please RSVP with Barbara Webb, Deputy Director, at 619-266-6232 as space is limited and for lunch ordering purposes.

Here’s to the continued success of our social venture partnership.

A

=

Urban League

Diversity Works!

Job Bank

Diversity Works!

Online Diversity Network for

Diversity Recruitment

Post your resume on-line today!

www.ulsdcjobs.net