Urban Views Weekly May 13, 2015 by Urban Views Weekly

May 13, 2015

Scholar of the Week â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Konstonza Peerman

Have You Prepared

an Emergency Game Plan

Free Family law Seminar

ForAnyone with Legal Questions about Divorce At this seminar, attorney Michael L. Donner will explain the legal ramiﬁcations of and answer your speciﬁc questions about: • Divorce • Custody, visitation and child support • Spousal support • Division of property in a divorce • Family law matters in the Juvenile Court • Protective orders-remedies against abusive spouses

*RichmonD* Third Floor Seminar Room 7275 Glen Forest Dr., Suite 310 • Richmond, VA 23226

Saturday, may 16 at 10 a.m. Wednesday, may 20 at 10 a.m.

Baltimore: The Greatest City In America? It’s not unusual A city of nearly for me to be 700,000, whose asked my population is nearly opinion on 70% Black, buys issues unrelated less than 5% of its to business, and goods and services this weekend in from Black-owned Baltimore was businesses. Instead of no exception. I’ll investing within the admit sometimes Black community, it’s difficult not to Black individuals are weigh in on guttaking their hardKatharine Julia “Poppy” Harlow, CNN Anchor interviewing wrenching issues earned dollars and President Busby in Baltimore, MD like the deaths investing in corporate of Black men at the hands of police, the crushing companies. These are the very same companies poverty in inner cities, or the seeming failure of hiring less than 1% of Black people for executive public education. I leave civil rights and social justice level positions. I’ve seen this scenario time after time issues to those who soldier on the battlefields. The as I travel the country, including time spent in St. events in Baltimore, however, required me to shift my Louis and Ferguson following the senseless death of a focus and offer economic empowerment as a solution young Black man. to the disparities in the Black community. Rather than continued off-shoring of American jobs, Walking the streets of Baltimore and talking with consider the impact of corporations on-shoring jobs U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and other back to cities. People with jobs create a tax base, political leaders, exchanging ideas with Lance which is something any municipality can get behind. Lucas - President of the Greater Baltimore Black We must stop placing bandages on this problem, and Chamber of Commerce, and listening to the energy begin spending resources on sustainable ideas that of young Black residents, it brought home how much allow Blacks to participate in the American Dream. Baltimore is like every other major U.S. city. One that Blacks helped create. Baltimore is a classic example of what happens when residents are locked out of legitimate earning opportunities afforded through business ownership.

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I am not ignoring the horror of police brutality or its flashpoint trigger of community outrage, but continues on page 9

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Urban Views Weekly | May 13, 2015

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By Dr. T

Three Black Women: Super (S) heroes for Justice Although her confirmation took longer than the seven most recent U.S. attorneys general combined, finally the first African American woman, Loretta Lynch, has been sworn in as our nation’s attorney general. Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby is the youngest chief prosecutor of any major city in America. Outspent by her incumbent opponent, she was overwhelmingly elected by the people of Baltimore because she campaigned on a promise to prosecute corruption within the city’s police department. Recently, she brought charges against all six police officers implicated in the death of Freddie Gray, a 25 year-old black male who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances. Stephanie RawlingsBlake was elected to her first full term as Baltimore’s Mayor, receiving 87% percent of the vote, and is only the second woman in history to hold the office. These three women are truly phenomenal and well-positioned to challenge and change the status quo, not only personally, but through public policy and perception as well. The institutional racial and gender-biased systemic barriers alone, which they have all had to face, on the road to where they currently stand, elevate them to the level of Super (S) hero status. There is something so unique to female leadership when it is compared to the leadership style of males that it invites more interrogation, examination and even appreciation. This does not by any means paint all males with the same brush, because there is clearly a range of leadership styles that are contained within both gender perspectives. However, there is a competitive, “I’m the Boss” style of domination as leadership that is more universally attributed to men than it is to women.

the positions and perspectives of others than their male counterparts. There is a growing appreciation of the traits that women use to keep families together, to organize people, to unite and make change in the shared life of the communities in which they live, work and serve. The qualities of shared leadership; nurturance and care for others should not only be sought after but are, in fact, needed in order to truly make a difference in the world in which we live today. A feminine way of leading includes helping the world to understand itself and pursue principled and value-based policies that not only make a difference to people but really matter as a foundation for real change.

Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D.

Founder and Artistic Director The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor Virginia Commonwealth University DrT@Margins2theCenter.com www.theconciliationproject.org

Women tend to be more inclusive in their leadership style, more collaborative and more empathetic to

These three women have been thrust into the vortex of the politics of systemic and institutional injustice. It is an historic moment and although we may not fully recognize the corner of destiny and legacy on which they stand, they may be the most powerful trio of women we have seen in a generation. They were chosen for such a time as this and it is not by accident that they are women who fearlessly bring the fullness of that identity to bear as they embrace the difficult and challenging jobs they have been chosen to fill. Loretta Lynch, Stephanie RawlingsBlake, and Marilyn J. Mosby are women in an historic time with a great potential to lead us at a time of enormous change. The magnitude of the historic responsibility they each hold will reverberate for decades to come. While fighting for justice, all three super (s) heroes are “working moms” (outside of the home). Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has a daughter; Marilyn J. Mosby has two young daughters, while Loretta Lynch is a stepmother to her husband’s two children.

Up Next Week: Scandal is Over Y’all!

TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll

An openly gay Eagle Scout said he has been axed by the Boy Scouts of America, one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. Brian Peffly believes it’s because of his sexual orientation. He reportedly got a call, and a letter, from Boy Scouts of America revoking his membership. Boy Scouts of America ended its ban on gay youth last year, but continues to forbid adult leaders who are “open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.”

What’s your take? Should a person’s sexual orientation prohibit their participation in the Boys Scouts and other youth organizations?

Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.

You’re invited

Join Virginia Commonwealth University and the East Marshall Street Well Planning Committee for Community Consultations on The Well, a series of learning and feedback sessions. Saturday, May 16 8:30 a.m.Breakfast 9 a.m. Program Pre-registration encouraged. Free and open to the public.

about k l a t ’s Let g your n i w o r g ss. busine 4

Urban Views Weekly | May 13, 2015

Ask us how: (804) 441-6255

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Gymnasium 1000 Mosby St., Richmond, Virginia 23223

About the project The East Marshall Street Well Project is a community-focused effort to engage dialogue about human remains from the 19th century discovered near East Marshall Street.

EMSW.vcu.edu VCU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university.

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Urban Views Weekly | May 13, 2015

Katrina: 10 Y On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast. More than 1,800 people died, and more than $108 billion in damage was caused. The Category 3 storm was the most expensive hurricane in United States history within the busiest hurricane season the country had ever seen, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ten years later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to evaluate its own response and the response of other agencies to the storm. We as citizens should use the CDC’s efforts as motivation to assess and improve our individual focus on staying safe in the face of dangerous hurricane situations.

Responsibility Major issues the agency handled post-Katrina included: • Infectious disease detection, prevention and outbreak control in shelters and affected communities; • Injury prevention for displaced people and rescue workers; • Environmental health and safety monitoring of homes, water quality and shelters; • Rebuilding public health infrastructure; • School health, and worker and responder safety recommendations and monitoring.

Good & Bad Always a strong critic of itself, the CDC identified weaknesses of many aspects of its post-Katrina efforts that it has sought to improve. The CDC reports that its operations organizational structure during Katrina, for example, was not adequate to support the needed communications between in-field leaders from state health agencies and federal officials. How did the CDC adjust its policies? One of the major efforts undertaken by the CDC was developing new standard operating procedures for pandemic responses, a collaboration with the United States Department of Health and Human Services. In another admitted shortcoming, the CDC found that its staff was 6

Urban Views Weekly | May 13, 2015

willing to volunteer in record numbers to deploy for Katrina, but many personnel lacked basic knowledge of emergency response operations. CDC now claims to be making an “unprecedented investment” in training staff through its Corporate University.

Your Communications Plan When do you think is the best time to reach out to your family members in the wake of a hurricane? If you said immediately, then you are on your way to establishing a powerful plan of action. If you put in the proper planning now, you can be the greatest advocate of community safety and support. Knowing how, when and who to communicate with are critical in helping you and yours make it safely through a hurricane and its dangerous aftereffects. Here is a quick scenario for you: Let’s say you smell the strong odor of natural gas emitting from your neighbor’s home after a hurricane comes through your area. Who will you call? Your utility company is most prepared to handle this, but do you know its number? Could you track down the number if your phone was dead and your Internet was out? Communication can be extremely challenging without properly working satellite signals, phone lines or electricity. There are some steps you can take, however, to make sure you’re able to get in touch with those you love.

Key Contacts Besides friends and family members, there are various organizations you should have programmed into your cell phone and also listed on a piece of paper. The National Weather Service recommends having the following agencies on speed dial, as well as connecting with them through their websites and social media accounts: • Local emergency management office; • County law enforcement; • State, county and city government; • Local hospitals;

• Local utilities; • Local American Red Cross; • Local TV stations; • Local radio stations; and • Your property insurance agent.

Sharing is Caring If you are able to secure local news or weather information through your contacts, it is important to share it with your friends, family and neighbors. Some of the most vital information you can share comes from the National Weather Service and relates to the time frame immediately following a hurricane: • Even if you think the hurricane has passed, hunker down for a bit longer; it may seem like a storm is over, but winds can quickly change direction even after the eye passes. • Always be alert for tornadoes, which are often spawned by hurricanes. • Remember that recovering from a disaster is a gradual process, so it is important to take disaster cleanup efforts one day at a time.

Keep Your Phone Charged There are many ways to keep your smartphone charged in the instance of a hurricane — and even more reasons to do so. A fully charged smartphone means you are connected to the outside world. Friends, family and emergency officials are all at your fingertips — as long as your phone is functioning. On the other hand, a dead battery can leave you feeling helpless and disconnected, unable to check on the well-being of your loved ones

Years Later By Bernard Freeman

and shuttered from new weather alerts. There are many ways to extend your battery life even if the power goes out. The important thing to remember is to make sure to start your post-power outage with a fully charged phone. If you’re waiting out the storm in your home, this means plugging in your phone while you’re hunkered down. An extra phone charger in your emergency kit isn’t a bad idea. Better safe than sorry.

Charging Tools One of the most helpful emergency preparation tools on a smartphone is its ability to receive alerts from national and local agencies. A dead phone keeps you out of the loop. Your battery charger is the most obvious tool that can keep this from happening, but a power outage will render it useless. You can buy a charger that uses solar power to keep your phone juiced up. There also are batterypowered backup chargers on the market that can give you several full charges after electrical options are unavailable. Additionally, you can use your laptop as a back-up power source. As long as you have battery life on your laptop, you can plug in your phone for a charge with a USB cable.

App Strategy Mobile applications, such as weather radars that use frequent updates to keep you in the loop, are invaluable during or after an emergency. They also are absolute battery drainers.

Some apps even run in the background of your phone when you’re not using them. This can cause your battery to quickly lose power. You can disable Wi-Fi on your phone, which will disallow these apps from running. You can search your phone’s application market for options that observe how you use your smartphone and recommend suggestions related to which apps you might delete to optimize your phone’s battery life.

Your Home’s Pain Points As with any emergency, your home is susceptible to damages during a hurricane. What it may be able to weather in an earthquake or tornado, it may not be as prepared for in the case of a tropical storm or hurricane. Knowing where to start is as simple as analyzing what dangers a hurricane poses. High winds mean your roof can be quickly ripped away. In heavy, sustained rain, any missing roof shingles or broken windows can lead to immediate water damage. These are important issues to address as hurricane season approaches. It’s important that you not wait too long to take action. The days leading up to a hurricane are best spent putting finishing touches on preparedness plans or safely evacuating, if ordered to do so. They are not effectively utilized hurrying through haphazard prevention efforts that can lead to missteps or mistakes.

Your Roof Do you have a few free hours on a Saturday morning? Set one aside to take a close look at your roof. A visual inspection can help you find weaknesses that are best addressed prior to a hurricane. After safely using a ladder to reach your roof, look for loose or missing shingles, paying particular attention to the edges of your roof. These deficiencies can allow high winds to get underneath other loose or compromised shingles, which can lead to widespread damage. If you have access to your attic, you also should take a look at your

roof from the inside. Check for any light coming through. This means there are gaps that need to be corrected before heavy rains come.

Fast Facts and Statistics

Deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history (1890 to 2010), according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency: Area or Hurricane or Name Year | Category | Deaths 1. Galveston, Texas 1900 4 8,000+ 2. Southeastern Florida 1928 4 2,500 3. Hurricane Katrina 2005 3 1,836 4. Louisiana 1893 4 1,100-1,400 5. South Carolina/Georgia 1893 3 1,000-1,200 Costliest hurricanes in U.S. history (1900 to 2010), according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency: Hurricane Name 1. Katrina 2. Ike 3. Andrew 4. Wilma 5. Ivan

Year | Category | Cost 2005 3 $108 billion 2008 2 $29.5 billion 1992 5 $26.5 billion 2005 3 $21 billion 2004 3 $18.8 billion

What Do Warnings Mean?

The National Weather Service deploys an array of watches and warnings to keep you safe in the face of hurricanes. Here’s what they mean, as defined by the NWS: • Tropical storm watch: Tropical-storm conditions are possible within the specified area. • Hurricane watch: Hurricane conditions are possible within the specified area. • Tropical storm warning: Tropical-storm conditions are expected within the specified area. • Hurricane warning: Hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area. • Extreme wind warning: Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane (115 miles per hour or greater) are expected to begin within an hour. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Chamber Membership could increase your bottom line. Come Grow with us! Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce

Urban Views Weekly | May 13, 2015

www.CVAACC.org

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NEW LOCATION

Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

Your fantasy celebrity board If you could have any five celebrities on your nonprofit board, who would you pick? Visualize yourself as chair of the board of a nonprofit you believe in. Maybe it’s a university, an early childhood education center, a food bank, international research institute, or performing arts company. You pick the nonprofit – and the board members! Focus first on your vision: as board chair, what do you want the organization or institution to accomplish under your leadership? Be specific. Do you want to ensure all first year college students graduate in less than five years with less than $12,000 in student loan debt? As an early childhood education program, are you seeking to enroll 97% of children under five years of age within a twomile radius? Do you need to fully automate the warehouse for the regional food bank? Maybe you want your research institute to bring two new drugs to clinical trial. As a performing arts company, do you seek to increase the number and quality of performances? You determine your vision, and then pick your board. Make a quick list. Does it include Sheryl Sandberg, Malala Yousafzai, George Lucas, and Melissa Harris Perry? Are Sean Hannity, Whoopi Goldberg, or Mark Zuckerberg on your list? What about Kim Kardashian, Loretta Lynch, John McCain, and Jon Stewart? Or maybe you are thinking of Serena Williams, Beyonce, Joel Osteen, Ellen DeGeneres, and Michelle Obama. You have a universe of celebrities to pick from! it’s easy for me to paint a picture far different than what I witnessed this weekend if the economic opportunities were anywhere near fair and equal. And there is no question in my mind that, given the opportunity, Baltimore’s Black residents would earn, work, give, share, learn and care about their city just the way pundits believe they should. From Baltimore: page 2

It struck me that Baltimore was the home of one of my heroes - the late, great Reginald Lewis, the man responsible for the first BILLION DOLLAR leveraged buyout orchestrated by a Black man. Lewis’ acquisition of food giant, Beatrice International, forever changed the range of possibilities for Black businessmen and women. His book, “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?” forever changed my life and I’m sure the lives of countless aspiring entrepreneurs. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Review your list with an eye to the qualities “your” celebrities possess. Look beyond the obvious “rich and famous.” In fact, don’t consider wealth and fame. Think about what attracts you to each celebrity. Is it their creativity, persistence, sense of justice, risk taking? Remember to focus on your vision. Which celebrities possess the qualities, experience, and connections that can bring your vision to life? Are they accessible? Committed to a personal or public vision that dovetails with yours? Are they passionate about it? Do they have access to people who can bring your vision to life? Do they follow through on their promises? Are they willing to be an advocate? Can they move beyond their “celebrity” to let a cause be the focus? Are they respected? Do they have political connections, influence, a proven track record – are they involved with other nonprofits? Once you have your top five, it’s time to determine how to approach each. Remember, this is your fantasy board – there are no barriers standing in your way. So, what will you say? How will you make your case? What do you want your celebrities to actually do as board members?

THURSDAY MORNING MIXER Network with other African American business owners, managers, and professionals. This is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and your business to “family” members who did not know that you existed.

Make connections that can grow your business. Make connections so you can refer others to someone that you just met.

Now, back to reality: can you think of people in your community who can help you bring your vision to life? Who will you pursue and why? The choice is yours.

May 14, 2015 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.

Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw - Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727. It is disheartening to imagine what the life of Freddie Gray - who grew up only blocks away from the neighborhood that gave rise to the brilliance of Reginald Lewis - may have been if his world was filled with a vibrant local economy. What if he had been at work instead of being sucked into a world of racial profiling and community policing gone awry? What if governments - local, county, state and federal - realized that the exclusionary practices that are commonplace in America are as much responsible for the deaths of Freddie Gray...and Michael Brown...and Walter Scott…and Eric Garner as any encounter with police misconduct? The refusal of policy-makers to make the connection between the discriminatory spending of public dollars and its failure to impact ALL of their constituents is as deadly as any choke hold or bullet. Yes, Black Lives Matter,

continues on page 11

Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce Boardroom - 4th Floor 6802 Paragon Place Suite 410 Richmond, VA 23230

Near Glenside and Broad. Office complex behind VA Credit Union

Free Admission for CVAACC members • Non-members $20.00 Please RSVP via the www.CVAACC.org Event Calendar Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce Email: Info@CVAACC.org • Phone: 804-823-7745 Sponsored by: A.W. Smith Financial Small Business Solutions www.AWSmithFinancial.com

Urban Views Weekly | May 13, 2015

Scholar of the Week

By Janeal Downs Ever since she was a little girl, Konstonza Peerman has wanted to go into the medical field. At first, she wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse, because she wanted to work with babies. However, soon she discovered her real interest was in women’s health. “Women’s health is really important to me because I had a grandmother that actually passed away from cervical cancer,” Konstonza said. This is what made Konstonza want to explore the female body, learn more about it, and learn ways to treat the ailments that affect the body.

Konstonza Peerman of

Cosby High School

In order to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, she will major in nursing at George Mason University in Fairfax. The school’s proximity to Washington D.C. and the opportunity to use simulations are two reasons she wants to go to GMU. One lesson she will take with her to college is the importance of keeping in contact with the people who helped her. Over the years, teachers have helped her by writing letters of recommendations and giving her advice for college. It is important to her to keep in contact with people from the past and build on these relationships.

Scholar0 ek of the We

Major Community Service: Feeding the homeless, John Randolph Medical Center

One relationship she cherishes is the one with her mother, who she said is her greatest influence. “My mom has really always pushed me to get out there and explore new things,” Konstonza said. “She’s my biggest inspiration because she’s always been there to push me and has always supported me in a positive way.” By putting her in different workshops, groups in church and exposing her to different places, Konstonza’s mother helped her discover new things.

Strong Interests: Health

Her mother has encouraged her to become a part of many different organizations such as Girl Scouts, where she still remains active.

GPA: 3.94

College of Interest: George Mason University

Favorite Activities: Church activities, Step Team

She has been involved with her church since she was a little girl and said participating in church activities is one of her favorite things to do outside of school. Konstonza has participated in the Junior Chorus, Junior Usher Board, Young Adult Choir, Young Adult Usher Board, and the Outreach Ministry. Her other favorite activity is being a member of her step team. With her step team, she was able to meet a lot of different girls and work closely with the captain, who was her best friend. Konstonza is also a member of numerous organizations and clubs at school, including the Red Cross Club, HOSA Club, Junior Advisory Council, the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, and National Art Honor Society. She has also had leadership roles by serving as the president of the Environmental Club and the secretary of the African-American Culture Club. Outside of school and church, Konstonza worked at the Petersburg Department of Parks and Leisure Services as a recreational aide and currently is a sales associate at Rue21. ™

While in high school, she has completed over 100 hours of community service and volunteer work. She fed the homeless in downtown Richmond and was able to provide clothing and toiletries for those in need. Last summer, she volunteered at John Randolph Medical Center where she tended to sickly patients. With a 3.94 GPA, Konstonza has been able to enjoy all of these extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities, all while maintaining good grades. She plans to continue to give back to the community once she completes college. “When I finally become Dr. Konstonza Peerman, I want to live my life happily and successfully,” Konstonza said. “I know by getting a higher education, it will prepare me for my future, and set me up for greatness.”

Watch for our Scholar of the Week segment, Wednesdays at 6:30 PM on 

$100 Scholarships Awarded Every Week

Encourage your scholar to apply! 10

Urban Views Weekly | May 13, 2015

Do you know a High School Senior who can meet the following criteria?

1. Have a 3.0 grade point average or better 2. Participates in extracurricular community service activities 3. Attends public school in Central Virginia Go to UrbanViewsWeekly.com for application and details.

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The Deal

How to Guide

How to Choose a Roofer

By Jason Alderman

Improving Millennials’ Financial Literacy with Mobile Technology The 2015 Financial Literacy Summit 2015 (http:// www.practicalmoneyskills.com/summit2015/), held April 15 in Chicago and co-hosted by Visa Inc. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, focused on how mobile technology might improve millennials’ learning, savings and investing behavior in the future.

Is your roof looking shabby and missing shingles? Are you finding little leaks here and there? Perhaps it’s time to start looking at replacing the old roof with a durable and good looking new cover. Putting a new roof on your home can increase its value. It is also a necessity in the event of a leakage or if a severe storm has torn shingles off your house. Professional roofing contractors are the most qualified people to perform this work. They will install a new roof safely and effectively. Roofers will provide a warranty for their work. If there are any problems with your new roof in the future, they will fix the problem. Your first step in finding a reliable roofer is to ask your family, friends and neighbors if they have recommendations. You can also look on the Internet for roofing contractors in your area. Some websites offer lists of professionals, along with reviews of their work. Personal recommendations will give you the best information. Be sure to focus on the quality of work as well as the cleanup process. You don’t want scraps of shingles and nails left over after the contractors have gone home. Don’t hire professionals who leave debris after they are gone. Pick someone with a long track record in your community. www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

the contractor will let them know that you will be taking a hands-on approach to this project. Some contractors travel the country looking for work. They appear after a community experiences a natural disaster or heavy storm. These contractors are making money from the insurance claims. If you hire one of them, they cannot provide realistic guarantees for their work. After all, they may be on the other side of the country if your roof starts to leak again. Becoming acquainted with local contractors is especially important if you live in an area prone to high winds or hurricanes. It is good to know who to call if your house needs repair work. Once you have contact information for several roofing contractors, call them. Inquire about the company’s background and how long they have been in business. Generally, a good roofer should offer a guarantee of anywhere from five to 12 years. If the company has been in business for less than five years, it will be difficult to determine the quality of their work. Continue to ask questions about time frames and estimates. You should always get a written estimate before proceeding with any work. Communicating with

Find out if the roofers recommend standard or architectural shingles, what they will do if they find damaged decking, and when they might be available to start. You should also ask about the warranty and whether you can have it confirmed in writing. Every professional who works on your property should be licensed and bonded. Insurance is particularly important for roofing contractors. They should be able to cover any damages they might cause to your property. It is also essential that workers are covered under their insurance as well, in the event someone is injured during the job. Before work commences, you must receive a written contract from the roofer. Read it over carefully. It will state the type of materials to be used, what the work will entail, and the final cost. Following these tips will help you find the best roofing contractor in your community. You can rest comfortably knowing that you made the right decision.

A recent FICO study said millennials, the demographic born between 1980 and 2000, not only represent the largest group of individuals using mobile banking applications, but also the biggest cohort partaking in Internet browsing, emailing, searching, social networking and news consumption on a smartphone or tablet, bypassing desktop machines entirely. By comparison, only 5 percent of 35-54 year-olds and 3 percent of those 55 years and older are using mobile devices exclusively. The Summit audience heard particularly eyeopening insights from a panel on how early education and mobile technology applications can help build future generations’ financial literacy. While online gaming (http://practicalmoneyskills. com/games/) is showing particular success in training grade and high-school age students in financial fundamentals, panelists suggested that the broader solution will depend on national educational policy and a broader understanding about young adults and their financial needs.

opportunities to build (their financial capabilities). They have a desire for change.” Such change, he said, should be driven by data, and policy should be made personal and tied to technology solutions embraced by younger citizens. Panelist Jason Young, CEO and Co-Founder of MindBlown Labs, an Oakland, California-based software developer behind the Thrive ‘n’ Shine personal finance game app for teens and young adults, said mobile technology will bridge the gap between financial literacy and a lifetime of successful financial decision-making. “Eighty to 90 percent of U.S. teens have smart devices. That’s huge, but the important thing to understand is that these aren’t just things they use. They’re a way of life.” Developing a stronger connection between financial literacy education and mobile technology could be beneficial for global educators and policymakers trying to improve spending, saving and investing knowledge for future generations. In January, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released a first-time global financial literacy study (http:// www.oecd.org/pisa/keyfindings/pisa-2012-resultsvolume-vi.htm) that revealed that U.S. students ranked between eighth and twelfth place among all 18 participating countries in overall literacy skills.

Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the central bank of the Philippines, told the audience that young Filipino adults are “struggling more than their older counterpart groups with regard to budgeting” and retirement planning, but he said he is still optimistic: “I believe there are certain characteristics of millennials that provide

Bottom line: Focusing on the way under-35 consumers use smartphones and tablets might provide a way for educators, financial services companies and policymakers to narrow the financial literacy gap.

and Black-owned businesses give real meaning to those lives. Black businesses hire Black people and reduce Black unemployment. Black businesses contribute to the tax base of their communities and create opportunities for concerned citizens to impact public education. Involved residents, able to earn a living, are more likely to be attuned to - and make demands of their local governments.

pittance Baltimore spends with Black-owned businesses is typical in other Black communities. As we’ve often said, if each of America’s 1.9 million Black-owned businesses could earn enough to hire just ONE new employee, there would be NO Black unemployment!

From Baltimore: page 9

Baltimore, as I’ve said, is not unique. Well over 60% of Black Americans live in major metropolitan cities, and I assure you that the

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

Don’t let the televised images and chatter mislead you. Black Baltimoreans know exactly what they want and need to make their city what it should be - a slice of American Pie. The same pie which has been historically forbidden to African Americans.

Urban Views Weekly | May 13, 2015

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Urban Views Weekly | May 13, 2015