Black Enterprise articles from April 2006

Black Enterprise archives from April 2006

Last-minute tips for tax-time procrastinators.(WEB FEATURES)
April 1, 2006... Waited until the last minute again? Fortunately, there's still time. This year, you'll have until April 17 to file, since the 15th falls on a Saturday. Take the extra time to let us help you make the most of your filing. Log on to our special...

Franchise finder: www.blackenterprise.com/franchisefinder.(WEB TOOLS)
April 1, 2006... Select from franchises that suit your interests and open your dream business today!

Get $25 when you invest: www.blackenterprise.com/bemoney.(WEB TOOL)
April 1, 2006... ShareBuilder and blackenterprise.com allow you to invest online through automatic, recurring dollar-based investments.

Resource line.(WEB COLUMNS)
April 1, 2006... Whatever your professional or entrepreneurial needs, you can find advice at blacknterprise.com, contributing editor Sakina Spruell column provides useful resources for business owners, corporate executives, and budding investors....

Web highlights.(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... JOB SEARCH Give yourself a free career makeover using our online job search. B.E. NOW ON TV AND RADIO Look for streaming video and audio clips from our latest business news ventures. HOMEOWNERSHIP Find our the steps you need to take to...

Stay focused on your wealth-building goals.
April 1, 2006... Feb. 10, 2006, marked yet another milestone in the history of BLACK ENTERPRISE. In recognition of our 35 years of providing essential business information for success-oriented African Americans, I was given the honor of ringing the bell to...

What it takes to be a top-flight manager.(African American entrepreneurs)
April 1, 2006... Over the years, BLACK ENTERPRISE has strived to provide the best career advice to help African Americans succeed in corporate America. In the pages of our monthly Powerplay section and in career development features, we have consulted the...

Hold on to your dream.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... I am writing this letter in response to "Building a Better Future" (December 2005). The June 2005 Block" Wealth initiative winner reminded me of my and my wife's struggles to achieve the American dream of homeownership, business ownership....

Helpful homeownership strategy.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... AS A BLACK ENTERPRISE SUBSCRIBER, I WAS PLEASED to see your Around the Nation piece titled "Are Co-ops The Way?" (Newspoints, December 2005). My organization, NCB Development Corp. (NCBDC), an affiliate of National Cooperative Bank, works to...

Issue hits home.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... I had to take the time to thank you for producing such a consistently beneficial publication. Every single issue is packed with information that pertains to me personally--either as a small business owner or as a minority trying to improve my...

How to help.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... I REALLY ENJOY READING THE PUBLISHER'S PAGE every month because I have similar views. I am glad that someone is writing about the issues that need to be addressed in the community ("Saving Our Young Black Men," January 2006). Many people know...

A pledge to assist.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... THANK YOU, BE, FOR BRINGING TO LIGHT THE challenges of our young men [when it comes to their] college educations ("Saving Our Young Black Men," January 2006). It is also tragic at the high school and junior high school levels. As African...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
April 1, 2006... In "L.A. Confidential" (Lifestyle, March 2006), Brad Johnson was incorrectly identified. Johnson is managing partner for Windows restaurant in downtown Los Angeles and co-owner of V Bar at the Venetian hotel Las Vegas.

Personal finance 101: HBCUs to develop financial planning curriculum for students.(AROUND THE NATION)
April 1, 2006... During her four years of teaching personal finance at Hampton University, Lisa L. Martin has seen students who have never even broached the subject of financial planning. And what they don't know about financial planning can hurt them and...

At the forefront of biotechnology: Nuvelo CEO Ted Love makes multimillion-dollar deal with Bayer.(POWER PLAYER)
April 1, 2006... Ted W. Love, M.D., chairman and CEO of Nuvelo Inc., orchestrated an agreement in January with Bayer HealthCare AG to develop and commercialize Nuvelo's alfimeprase, a potentially life-saving drug that dissolves blood clots. Nuvelo is a...

Amtrak picks Black-owned ad agency; IMAGES USA charged with helping Amtrak recoup major losses by targeting minorities.(BUSINESS DEALS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Atlanta-based IMAGES USA (No. 12 on the BE ADVERTISING AGENCIES list with $41 million in billings) was tapped in January to handle advertising and marketing for Amtrak's mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, an assignment that could be worth up...

First lady of the movement remembered; the nation pays respect to the late Coretta Scott King.(IN MEMORIAM)
April 1, 2006... The 10,000-seat capacity of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church cathedral was inadequate to contain all the music, tearful anecdotes, and presidential tributes offered for Coretta Scott King, an aspiring opera singer who laid aside her own...

The raid on financial air: Congress raises student loan interest rates and freezes Pell Grants.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
April 1, 2006... While Republicans tout the whittling down of the national deficit by a potential $50 billion to $70 billion, minority congressional members argue it is being done at the expense of educational grants, which African Americans are more likely to...

Floyd Gary Thacker. CEO of former BE 100s company Thacker Operating Co., has been charged with fraud and conspiracy.(NEWSBYTES)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Floyd Gary Thacker. CEO of former BE 100s company Thacker Operating Co., has been charged with fraud and conspiracy for providing thousands of dollars in gifts to a former Houston official. Thacker, owner of the Atlanta-based construction and...

Patricia A. King has been named to the board of Harvard University.(NEWSBYTES)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Patricia A. King has been named to the board of Harvard University, making her the first African American woman member of the university's governing corporation. King, a law professor at Georgetown University, officially starts May 1 and...

A letter signed by slave poet Phillis Wheatley was sold to a private collector.(NEWSBYTES)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... A letter signed by slave poet Phillis Wheatley was sold to a private collector of African American literature and art for $253,000 by New York-based Swann Auction Galleries in November 2005, making it the highest amount paid for a letter...

After the storm: will New Orleans become integrated post-Katrina?(FACTS & FIGURES)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history. Claiming over 1,000 lives and leaving thousands homeless, the storm carved a swath of destruction through the Gulf region, causing an estimated $125 billion in...

Entrepreneurial ambitions: before launching their business, the Jacksons had to get their finances in order.(INVESTMENT STRATEGIES)
April 1, 2006... Ibrahim Jackson, 30, and his wife, Natasha, 30, purchased a house in Baldwin, New York, about three years ago. At the time, they had $12,000 to $15,000 in debt, and Natasha was transitioning from being a full-time employee to a part-time one....

Smooth sailing: Piedmont Investment's Isaac Green offers a conservative portfolio.(STOCK PICKS)(Piedmont Investment Advisors)
April 1, 2006... Times are changing and it's definitely time to get back to basics. That's clearly the sentiment of Isaac H. Green, president and CEO of Piedmont Investment Advisors. Green, who heads the $800 million Durham, North Carolina-based investment...

Confident consumers: tried-and-true spending patterns lift Vivian Hairston's favorite stocks.(PORTFOLIO REVIEW)
April 1, 2006... When Vivian Hairston declared that consumers will always buy soap, diapers, food, and medicine, regardless of economic ups and downs, she was tapping into an underlying truth that helped the portfolio of stocks she gave BLACK ENTERPRISE last...

Prepare for happier returns: here are some things you can do to maximize your income tax returns.(YOUR MONEY)
April 1, 2006... As you put the finishing touches on your 2005 tax return, you can knock off a few dollars by keeping these recent changes in mind: Capital gains and losses--New rules require that you provide details about every investment transaction you...

Budget for single mom.(MONEY MATTERS)(tips and resources)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Q A I'm a single mother with a monthly take-home of $6,500 after taxes. Where do I turn for legitimate help when budgeting family? --A. Dae-Harlan Chicago Our Declaration of Financial Empowerment Principle No. 4: to engage in sound...

Full speed ahead: entrepreneur puts his company on the fast track for growth.(MAKING IT)(Leonard Wright and Road One Express Inc.)
April 1, 2006... The day Road One Express Inc. delivered its first package in April 2001, Leonard Wright, president and co-founder, had $40 to his name. Within two months, the 42-year-old entrepreneur was heading up a courier service that was pulling in $20,000...

Procter & Gamble: international healthcare supplier company delivers on its bid to contract with minority vendors.(DOING BUSINESS WITH ...)
April 1, 2006... Advocating change is one thing, but being at the forefront of progress is another. That simple, yet cogent notion explains why at the end of fiscal 2005, Procter & Gamble, the multinational healthcare and beauty supply company, exceeded a goal...

Read all about it: extra, extra! Here's how to turn your company's news into everyone's business.(CLOSING THE SALE)
April 1, 2006... If you've been in business for a while (or even if you haven't), you're likely familiar with many of the tried-and-true methods of promoting your products or services: advertising in newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. And...

Capitalizing on clutter.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Q A I was watching a television show that profiled a professional organizer. Can you help me learn more about how to start a business as a professional organizer? M. Edmond Brooklyn Being organized is a definite asset to becoming...

Mission (being) accomplished; technology CEO helps fight terrorism on many fronts.(BLACK DIGERATI)
April 1, 2006... Every day 20,000 oceangoing containers enter the nation's 361 ports, according to Chicago-based global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney. Given the difficulty of inspecting such a large number of containers without severely hampering the...

Let it rip; Riptopia makes going digital pain-free.(HOT PICKS)
April 1, 2006... When most of us have a serious tech problem, we usually call a professional. However. Michael Warren, 38, and his brother Chris, 36, are a bit different. In 2004. when Michael had trouble creating and organizing a music library, the two created...

Broadband to go: Verizon's Ev-DO lets you take it to the streets.(TECH NEWS)
April 1, 2006... In January, Verizon Wireless and Palm announced the release of the Palm Treo 700w Smartphone, the first Palm Microsoft device to take advantage of Verizon Wireless' broadband access service on its Evolution Digital Optimize net work (Ev-DO)....

Light on the ears ... easy on the eyes.(B.E. REVIEWS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Let's face it, size matters. And when it comes to wireless headsets, small and cute are definitely the way to go. So much the better if the device packs Bluetooth power into a sleek, futuristic design. Throw in a chic velvet carrying case, and...

Playing for dollars.(CYBERWISE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Q A I have a 15-year-old nephew who plays video games all the time. He's very good at it. Are there any job opportunities that allow teenagers to earn money for playing video games? Could he be a tester or something like that? C....

Share and share: a new option for work/life balance.(MAKING CONNECTIONS)
April 1, 2006... After Lathonia Oates gave birth to her daughter, she wanted to spend more time at home and less at work While Oates enjoyed her demanding job as a Texas-based medical recruiter, she approached her employer about splitting her job...

Handling conflict in a diverse work environment; find the right place and time to air your differences.(DIVERSITY WATCH)
April 1, 2006... Assembling a diverse worldforce to maximize benefits at a corporation is the easy part. Managing the inevitable conflict requires talent. As director of diversity and multinational people strategies at Booz Allen Hamilton, Patrick McLaurin...

Chain reaction.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Q A I have been employed in procurement and strategic sourcing for the last three years. I currently hold an M.B.A. in administration and have an interest in supply chain management and the field of operations. Do you have any suggestions as to...

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International.(ON THE MOVE)(Arnold W. Donald becomes new president)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Arnold W. Donald is the new president and chief executive officer of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the largest charitable funder of diabetes research in the world. He has a successful track record in leading science-...

UPS.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Teri Plummer McClure has been promoted to senior vice president of legal & compliance and general counsel for UPS. The first female and African American to hold the post, Plummer McClure is responsible for the company's global compliance...

Storage Deluxe.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Andrea Ogunkoya has been promoted from director of sales and marketing to vice president of operations for Storage Deluxe, a developer and manager of self-storage facilities in the New York region. She is now responsible for overseeing 19...

MTV Networks.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Billy Dexter has been named executive vice president and chief diversity officer of MTV Networks. In this newly created executive position, Dexter will work with the company's diversity councils and teams to create more formal structures and...

Howard University.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Sidney H. Evans Jr. has been appointed chief financial officer and treasurer of Howard University. In addition to overseeing an annual budget of more than $750 million, Evans is charged with providing fiscal planning, budgeting, and financial...

Convention calendar.(Calendar)
April 1, 2006... Kellogg School of Management 2006 Black Management Association Conference April 7-9; Evanston, IL; 847-467-ALUM; www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/BMA Conference National Forum for Black Public Administrators National Conference April 8-12;...

In the green: the love of golf drives this professional's charitable endeavors.(BLACK WEALTH INITIATIVE)
April 1, 2006... EMERSON U. FULLWOOD GOLFED often with buddies at a premier ocean side country club in North Carolina. During one outing, he teed off with Kenneth Johnson, his cousin an attorney out of Greensboro. Growing up, the two men had been taught by...

Drafting a financial blueprint: the Starks family hopes to attack their debt with disciplined saving and improved budgeting.(FAMILY FINANCES)
April 1, 2006... WHEN IT CAME TO MANAGING THEIR cash flow, William and Julanda Starks were once directionless. Now they have a detailed plan for budgeting their money. Why the big change? "Julanda had been working part time. When she switched to full time this...

Wealth protection strategies for the average investor: our panel of expert financial advisers tells you what to do with your portfolio in the post-Greenspan era.(INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE)(Interview)
April 1, 2006... THESE ARE UNCERTAIN TIMES FOR investors. As the Greenspan era--a period that included one of the longest economic expansions in history--came to a close, we witnessed successive interest rate hikes, exorbitant oil prices, and the cooling down...

Foreign powers: with many investors anticipating an off year for the market, where can you find funds that will beat expectations?(MUTUAL FUND OVERVIEW)(Cover story)
April 1, 2006... FOR MANY MUTUAL FUND INVESTORS, 2005 WAS A disappointing year. Domestic stock funds gained less than 7% on average, according to Chicago-based Morningstar Inc., while bond funds returned about 2%. Both categories wound up far below their...

Congratulations, you're a manager! Now what? First-time supervisors should properly prepare for the new challenges.(CAREER MANAGEMENT)
April 1, 2006... Tyrone Dugan was a newly hired assistant manager at fast-food franchise Qdoba Mexican Grill in Florissant Missouri, when he confronted one of the challenges new managers face--a cold reception from some of his 10-member staff. Even though no...

Home team advantage: when you're buying a house, it pays to have a strong lineup of specialists on your side.(HOMEOWNERSHIP)
April 1, 2006... Tracey and Michael Garner of Kennesaw, Georgia, spent three glorious years in their first home, which they purchased for $134,000. But once their family grew to include three young children--Jarius, 6, Jalen, and Jaeda, 2--they needed a much...

Break the mold: let your individuality shine through.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)
April 1, 2006... Emeril Lagasse had the catch phrase "Barn!" James Brown had the show-stopping moves. Michael Jackson had the single white glove. The trademarks of these stars are entrenched in our collective memory, but you don't have to be a celebrity chef,...

A new day: former IBM exec stops living for others and starts celebrating herself.(TRIALS & TRIUMPHS)
April 1, 2006... To the outside world Lisa J. Whaley seemed to have it all. A successful career as a sales and marketing executive after a 22-year climb up the corporate ladder at IBM, a loving husband, two beautiful daughters, and several properties. But at...

B.E.'s successpert speaks.(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Muriel Maignan Wilkins, an executive coach with Washington, D.C.-based Isis Associates, offers the following tips for creating personal and professional fulfillment: * Find your sweet point. Determine your ideal working conditions, duties,...

Publish your poetry.(PEP TALK)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... QA I am the author of inspirational poetry. My goal is to have this poetry published in cards, songs, books, personal appearances/readings, television, radio, and other media. I appreciate any advice you can give me in reference to achieving...

Hybrid hysteria: the real deal on energy-saving cars.(CONSUMER LIFE)
April 1, 2006... Gas prices still have you down? Thought about trading in your car for something that gets better mileage? Maybe you're environmentally conscious and have considered getting rid of your car altogether. Wherever you fit in, a hybrid may be the...

Worth every cent: there's more to being a smart consumer than simply slashing your budget.(BUYING POWER)
April 1, 2006... Have you ever bought something on a friend's recommendation only to see it languish on your shelf? Or perhaps you've spent extra on the full version of a product only to use the most basic features? If so, you're not alone. The last five years...

Bankruptcy bureaucracy: with the new law in effect, here's what you should know.(DID YOU KNOW?)
April 1, 2006... Most people file bankruptcy to regain control of their finances. Although the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law in April 2005, many are still unaware of the changes and their potential impact To help...

Art appreciation.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Q A I bought my first piece of limited edition art. Since that time, the piece has sold out. I have purchased two more pictures by the same artist, including another sold-out limited edition piece. Contrary to my husband, I see these pieces as...

Staying in tune: Phenoyd Ezra's business is perfecting pianos.(THE ENTHUSIAST)
April 1, 2006... Phenoyd Ezra is a second-generation piano finisher who is accustomed to unusual requests. "Right now I have a piano that is being done in an Escalade riptide," says Ezra, referring to polishing a piano to resemble a particular paint finish...

Where and how to hit the road: exciting driving experiences that take you out of cruise control.(GREAT DRIVES)
April 1, 2006... when the rest of the world is immersed in a busy workday schedule, Greg Smith prefers to lose himself on the road along strikingly poetic landscapes to get away from it all. "I go driving to regroup," says the Los Angeles-based television...

Brand new sessions.(ENTREPRENEURS CONFERENCE)
April 1, 2006... Four days in Dallas could mean the difference between outpacing the competition and keeping your business afloat. The 2006 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference hosted by General Motors will offer exciting new sessions designed to motivate,...

Back talk with Bebe Moore Campbell.(Interview)
April 1, 2006... No matter your gender, class, ethnicity, race or religion, mental illness doesn't discriminate. According to the National Mental Health Association, an estimated 2.3 million Americans have bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive...