Black Enterprise articles from April 2007

Black Enterprise archives from April 2007

Black wealth unlimited.(website service enhancement)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... We've updated our Wealth Building section to include a searchable database of the featured readers who practice our Declaration of Financial Empowerment principles. Find their tips on how to apply the tenets of wealth building to your life. You...

Women of power.(website service information)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Our series on powerful women continues online with video and blogs from our recent Women of Power Summit in Phoenix. This month, discover your own power quotient with our online leadership quiz.

The evolution of our wealth-building mission.(publisher's page)(Editorial)
April 1, 2007... When we launched the BLACK ENTERPRISE Black Wealth Initiative with our January 2000 issue, we set a simple yet important goal: to close the "black wealth gap"--the difference in the household net worth between the average white household and...

A pledge to fiscal fitness.
April 1, 2007... It's often said, without question, that "what goes up, must come down." After all, it's hard to dispute physics. But with respect to investing and the stock market, it's only partially true. Though the stock market can produce sharp inclines as...

Demystifying the stock market.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... I was moved to respond after reading the article "Living the Millionaire Life" by Lynnette Khalfani in the December 2006 issue. I feel that the stock market is a largely untapped medium for African American wealth building, and I was pleased...

Advice taken.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED YOUR DECEMBER 2006 ISSUE featuring powerhouses in the entertainment industry ("Reel Prophets"), including screenwriters, directors, and novelists. An author myself, I will heed the advice given and continue to educate...

A dream business come true.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... I WAS SO DELIGHTED TO RECEIVE MY DECEMBER 2006 issue of BE because it featured a story about how to start your own day spa ("The Great Escape"). In September, I opened Samone Spa Bar, which is a skin and nail spa in Chicago. I have been in...

Future of film is looking up.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... [As an] African American screenwriter, it is very encouraging to see that African Americans will soon be power brokers in Hollywood ("Reel Prophets," December 2006). I like the use of the word "prophets" because it is a faithful few who believe...

Striking the right chord.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... PUBLISHER EARL G. GRAVES SR. SOUNDED EXACTLY THE RIGHT NOTE WITH his editorial on charitable giving in your December 2006 issue. While the black community has been very giving of time and money to various philanthropic causes, we have been...

Star gratitude.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... THANK YOU FOR THE DECEMBER 2006 issue of BE featuring Laurence Fishburne and others who are involved in Hollywood's entertainment medium. I am definitely a fan, and I appreciate the time that he and many others are taking to make sure our...

Correction.(Correction notice)
April 1, 2007... In "Top 50 Power Brokers in Hollywood," March 2007, Queen Latifah's upcoming TV movie, Life Support, is an HBO film.

Barack Obama for president? White House hopeful's biggest challenge will be introducing himself to Americans.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
April 1, 2007... IN FRONT OF THE OLD STATE CAPITOL OF ILLINOIS WHERE President Abraham Lincoln once said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand," Illinois Senator Barack Obama announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States. ...

A brand-new game: Hank Aaron sells all but one of his auto dealerships but expands food franchise.(B.E. 100s)(Hank L. Aaaron Sr. of Hank Aaron Automotive Group)
April 1, 2007... After seven years in business, Hank L. Aaron Sr., CEO of the Hank Aaron Automotive Group (No. 15 on the BE AUTO DEALERS 100 list with $136.7 million in sales), is getting out of the car dealership game. Recently, Aaron sold four of his five...

Madison Research sold.(B.E. 100s)(WFI Government Services Inc. acquires it)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... The Madison Research Corp. (No. 70 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $62 million in sales) was acquired by San Diego-based WFI Government Services Inc. in August for $69 million, subject to certain adjustments. As a result of the...

CEO finds new home at another drug co.: Bradley Sheares to lead Reliant Pharmaceuticals.(POWER PLAYER)(bradley T. Shears appointed as chief executve officer)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Bradley T. Sheares was named CEO of Reliant Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, in January. This makes him one of the highest ranking and most visible African American senior executives in the pharmaceutical industry. ...

Mary Winston leaves scholastic.(POWER PLAYER)(resigns from post of executive vice president and chief financial officer of Scholastic Corp.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... MARY WINSTON, 45, HAS RESIGNED AS SCHOLASTIC Corp.'s executive vice president and chief financial officer after three years of service. Company CEO Richard Robinson said in a statement that Winston "improved operating margins, produced more...

Jerri Devard resigns from Verizon.(POWER PLAYER)(Verizon Communications Inc.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Jerri DeVard, senior vice president of marketing and brand management for Verizon Communications, has resigned after four years of service. During her tenure, she handled national marketing strategies for consumer and small business...

Dimensions International's big deal.(B.E. 100s)(Department of Defense contract)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Dimensions International (No. 35 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $122.8 million in sales) landed a three-year contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. Dimensions will assist primary contractor American Engineering Manufacturing...

Cole goes to Ebony.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Harriette Cole joins Ebony)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Harriette Cole, editorial director of Uptown magazine and an editor of American Legacy Woman magazine, has left both publications to join Ebony magazine as creative director. The primary reason cited for making the move from top editor to...

Are African Americans the core organic consumer? Loyalty can be strengthened by bringing organic foods to minority neighborhoods.(FACTS & FIGURES)
April 1, 2007... AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE DEDICATED buyers of organic foods than their white counterparts, according to a recent study. The Hartman Group reveals that African Americans are 24% more likely to be core organic consumers than members...

Technical analysis: Patrick Lyons sees potential in a few tech stocks.(STOCK PICKS)
April 1, 2007... TECH STOCKS TOOK A FEW HITS IN JANUARY AS SOME leading names announced weaker than expected earnings. But Patrick Lyons, an equity portfolio manager with NCM Capital Management Group Inc. in Durham, North Carolina (No. 7 on the BE ASSET...

Green pastures: Isaac Green's picks proved to be fertile ground for investors.(Piedmont Investment Advisors L.L.C.)
April 1, 2007... The words "core equity and fixed income" are melodic to Isaac H. Green, president and CEO of Piedmont Investment Advisors L.L.C. in Durham, North Carolina, which has $1.3 billion in assets under management. The portfolio of stocks that Green...

Wall Street--the best address: why your home shouldn't anchor your retirement plan.(Total Return)
April 1, 2007... THE OLD SAYING IS THAT, "THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE home." Yet from my view, there is simply no place like the stock market. When it comes to retirement planning, it is hard to make a better long-term investment. According to research by Edward...

How to become a financial planner.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Q&A I would like to get into the financial planning field, but I'm not sure where to start. I would like to complete any necessary course work, but I'm also interested in opportunities for on-the-job training. Any suggestions? ...

Friends and family: two longtime friends combine forces to create a social work practice.(RACHELLE "SHELLY" HUTCHINSON AND VANESSA Robinson-Dooley)
April 1, 2007... FOR RACHELLE "SHELLY" HUTCHINSON AND VANESSA Robinson-Dooley, it was only a matter of time before their personal and professional lives intertwined. The two met at the University of Georgia, where they took most of their classes together. At...

Finding fulfillment: if your inventory is outgrowing your storage space, it's time to consider a distribution center.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)
April 1, 2007... It was nothing but a shell when Douglas and Keena Kelly laid eyes on it--just walls and gravel. But the Illinois-based owners of Ouvxz (pronounced OO-vix) imagined that with their personal touch the vacant structure could be the perfect spot...

Small-business credit card use on the rise: plastic debt is becoming popular, but is it a smart way to finance your enterprise?
April 1, 2007... You're ready to launch your business. Your business plan is solid. You've done all of your homework. The only thing you need now is startup money. Business grants and venture capital have been difficult for black entrepreneurs to obtain, and...

Tomorrow's TV today: Preston A. Davis leads ABC Networks' transition from analog to high-definition broadcasts.(BLACK DIGERATI)
April 1, 2007... TELEVISION STATIONS HAVE BEEN IN THE MIDST OF A transformation since Congress mandated February 2009 as the final deadline for switching their broadcasts from analog to digital. While the transition remains daunting, Preston A. Davis, president...

Convert videos easily: changing your old VHS tapes to DVDs is a snap.(TECH 1-2-3)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2007... As a growing number of consumers adopt DVD technology, VHS is being rendered largely useless. So, as the selection of DVDs, burners and players grows, many people are left wondering what to do with their old VHS tapes. With the help of Sony's...

iPhone: Apple redefines what you can do with a mobile phone.(HOT PICKS)(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2007... All hail the new iPhone! The debut of Apple's cell phone at the MacWorld conference and Expo in San Francisco in January was equivalent to a consumer electronics rock star basing in the attention of adoring fans on the convention floor. As the...

Do-it-yourself Websites.(CYBERWISE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... QA Would you let me know the name of a company that helps startups build Websites and also develop blogs? --N. Turner Philadelphia A growing number of Internet companies are he ping small business owners establish a presence on the...

More than sea, sand, and sun: a passionate executive uses culture to unify and economically empower a region.(THE EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Interview)
April 1, 2007... BE: Will Tempo do for the Caribbean what MTV has done for U.S. culture? FM: The goal is not exactly that linear. My interest is in elevating Caribbean people and having the region recognized for the powerful, vibrant force that it is. The...

Challenging the status quo.(critical evaluation of the book, Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds' in Business Win)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Karen Thompson-Yancey, senior director of enterprise portfolio management for HCA, says Mavericks at Work: Why the Most Original Minds' in Business Win (William Morrow; $26.95) spotlights a new way to compete, lead, and succeed in business....

Taking money off the table.(ACTION PLAN)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com, 58% of hiring managers say they leave some negotiating room when extending initial job offers. The survey also found that many of the hiring managers will agree to a candidate's request for...

Medical prescription.(Felecia Williams of Children's Hospital opines on challenges of healthcare industry, her management strategies)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Felecia Williams, M.D., says constantly changing regulations, faltering fee structures, and a disappearing workforce have posed challenges to the healthcare industry. "It's vital that the business of healthcare exist to support quality...

Say goodbye--if only for a while: how a sabbatical could save your career.(Pat Harris of McDonald's Corp.)
April 1, 2007... Pat Harris, McDonald's global chief diversity officer, is sold on sabbaticals. A 31-year veteran of the Oak Brook, Illinois-based quick-service restaurant giant, she recently returned from her third paid break from the office. Every 10 years...

Nobody's business.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(employee resignations)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... QA I plan to submit my resignation at my current place of employment to accept a position elsewhere, I do not wish to disclose the name of the new employer to my current manager or co-workers. Is there a tactful way to handle this? ...

Yolanda Clark.(ON THE MOVE)(appointed as managing director of American Automobile Association)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Position: Managing Director of Public Relations Organization: AAA Location: Orlando, FL Responsibilities: Manages PR and strategic communications Former Position: Chief Spokesperson and Director of Strategic Communications and...

Michael Bohler.(ON THE MOVE)(vice president and national property manager of Transatlantic Reinsurance Co.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... New Position: Vice President and National Property Manager Organization: Transatlantic Reinsurance Co., Facultative Commercial Property Department Location: New York Responsibilities: Markets and underwrites global business ...

Lloyd Metz.(ON THE MOVE)(appointed as managing director of ICY Capital Partners L.L.C.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... New Position: Managing Director Organization: ICY Capital Partners L.L.C. Location: New York Responsibilities: Oversees leveraged buyouts in addition to venture and growth capital to help companies maximize their investment stream...

John C. Graves.(ON THE MOVE)(joined AXA Advisors L.L.C.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... New Position: Financial Professional Organization: AXA Advisors L.L.C. Location: New York Responsibilities: Spearheads a national group of financial professionals who provide wealth management strategies to corporations and...

Samuel R. Thomas Jr.(ON THE MOVE)(joined The Washington Convention Center Authority as Deputy General Manager)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... New Position: Deputy General Manager Organization: The Washington Convention Center Authority Location: Washington, DC Responsibilities: Responsible for event and facilities management and oversight of contractors Former...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)
April 1, 2007... Chicago Hinority Business Development Council's 40th Annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair April 2-4; Chicago; 312-755-8880; www.cmbdc.org National Association of Black Social Workers National Conference April 3-7; Detroit;...

Sweet dreams: a few smart real estate deals have helped the Washingtons open a trio of ice cream parlors.(Kerri and Darryl narrates on purchase of house and business strategies)
April 1, 2007... FOR KERRI AND DARRYL WASHINGTON, sweet dreams start at home. Homeownership has proven to be a blessing for family life, as well as a wealth creator-one that has enabled the couple to open their own business selling sweets at their three Maggie...

Eyes wide open: a newborn son prompts the Fleuriots to create a financial plan.(Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 79)
April 1, 2007... BABY CARRIAGES CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE. That's just one of the eyebrow-raising realities facing Terry and Jean Emmanuel Fleuriot, parents of 4-month-old Jean Pierre. Married for just two years, the New Britain, Connecticut, couple is still in the...

Where to invest now: the year started off with the economy sending mixed signals, so what can you expect for the rest of 2007?(INVESTMENT STRATEGIES)
April 1, 2007... MAJUANA MARTIN ISN'T A NOVICE when it comes to real estate. Ask her about the condo she bought for her daughter Breana, a senior at Hampton University, and she can rattle off a detailed description, complete with square footage. Sporting a...

Time for tech? As YouTube continues to generate buzz and Google trades at near $500 per share, the tech sector may be ready to regain market leadership.(MUTUAL FUND OVERVIEW)
April 1, 2007... INVESTORS WHO RETREATED TO THE SIDELINES FOLLOWING the dot-com bust, may soon want to re-enter the game. "There are lots of exciting developments in technology today," says Ralph Wells, who has some 35% of his portfolio in technology. "They are...

The chairman speaks: one of the most powerful men in Washington, House Ways & Means Chair Charles Rangel, shares his views on the economy, tax policy, and building wealth.(INVESTMENT STRATEGIES)(Interview)
April 1, 2007... WHEN THE DEMOCRATS WON MAJORIties in the House and Senate in November's mid-term elections, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) became chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, which oversees legislation and policies related to taxes, trade,...

All that glitters ... four fine-jewelry professionals prove they have the mettle for the business.(CAREER PROFILE)(Larry H. Barkley Sr., Akeem Anishere, Nicole Davis, Hugh Nelson)
April 1, 2007... THE WORLD OF JEWELRY IS A VAST ONE, with estimated sales of $61.9 billion in the U.S. alone, according to the Jewelry Industry Research Institute. But despite the fact that 65% of the world's diamonds were mined on the African continent, there...

Redefining the game: women take time out to figure out how to make corporate politics work best for them.(WOMEN OF POWER (PART 3 OF A SERIES))
April 1, 2007... "ARE YOU A GREAT LEADER?" IT'S A QUESTION EVERY woman who is aspiring to lofty professional heights must ask herself, it is also the title of a quiz we invite you take as part of our third and final installment for the Women of Power package....

Leaving the fast lane: nationwide's Donna A. James made it to the corner office. But a health scare forced her to question whether the price she paid was worth it.(WOMEN OF POWER (PART 3 OF A SERIES))(Interview)
April 1, 2007... Donna A. James was a successful professional with one objective in mind: to become CEO of one of the nation's largest corporations. At the time she was executive vice president and chief administrative officer of human resources, corporate...

Feel the power again: hundreds of women reconvene at BE's Women of Power Summit to talk about professional goals and dreams and how to make them happen!(WOMEN OF POWER)(Black Enterprise)(Conference news)
April 1, 2007... "DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME," SAID A senior executive who, infuriated with the way her boss was handling a work issue, stormed out of his office, turning off his lights and closing his door behind her. The audience roared with laughter as she...

Are you a great leader?(WOMEN OF POWER (PART 3 OF A SERIES))
April 1, 2007... WHAT MAKES A STRONG leader... ability, strength, character? In a competitive, global market, great leaders are change makers and encompass all three of these attributes. They are also innovators and intelligent risk takers with a boundless...

What's the point? Strategies to help you present a stellar argument to any jury.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)
April 1, 2007... TWO YEARS AGO, ATTORNEY MICHAEL Z. GREEN LED Texas Wesleyan University's search committee to replace a retiring dean. Faced with the prospect of refereeing a potentially contentious campaign between candidates, Green, who is also a professor of...

April showers: these motivational items will help you leap into spring.(INSPIRATIONAL NOTES)
April 1, 2007... WHETHER YOU ARE AT WORK, OR IN THE CAR, DON'T MISS A chance to be uplifted, inspired, and empowered. From gardening projects to soft hymns, these inspirational items can help you welcome spring and brighten your spirit. Change is good, The...

Break in and stay in ...(PEP TALK)(radio broadcasting)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... QA I had a college radio show for three years, but breaking into the business seems nearly impossible. I would stand outside the local radio stations, but realistically I have work and other responsibilities. I have limited experience, but...

Who should provide your auto financing? Shopping for the best rates can save you thousands on your next vehicle.(CONSUMER LIFE)
April 1, 2007... LISS MAYNARD, A 37-YEAR-OLD ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL; from Douglasville, Georgia, wasn't looking forward to the new year. For the past three years, she had dished out thousands of dollars getting her 1997 Chrysler Sebring to pass the state's...

No more bankruptcy: once the debt is paid, here's how to regain your financial footing.(CREDIT MANAGEMENT)
April 1, 2007... After her husband's death, Louise Tripplett found herself alone with four children, while bills poured in faster than she could pay them. "The bills amounted to more money than I had coming in," she explains. Tripplett decided filing for...

It's tax time! Some tips, tools, and advice to get you through this stressful season.(DID YOU KNOW?)
April 1, 2007... While it's prudent to engage in tax planning throughout the year, here are some tips, tools, and advice to guide you through last-minute filing. Credits and Exemptions Taxpayers can deduct more for each exemption this year. The amount has...

Mystery shopping.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... QA I need advice on how to become a mystery shopper. I live in a small, rural town but I am willing to travel to the next largest city if necessary. I'd like to do this on a part-time or full-time basis. --M. Veale Lewiston, NC ...

Her chemical romance: Yvonne Adediji is "nosy" and L'Oreal loves it!(THE ENTHUSIAST)
April 1, 2007... "I HAD A PASSION FOR FRAGRANCES FROM AN EARLY age," says Yvonne Anekwe Adediji, reflecting on her youth in London. "I used to smell everything." Her favorite childhood scent: a blend of baby powder and Chanel No. 5 that signaled her mother's...

1. Bringing sexy back.(ON THE FAST TRACK: FINER THINGS)(Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Fast, sleek, and the envy of anyone within earshot of its throttle, the two-seater Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano continues to define what is roadworthy. Available in two six-speed transmissions, its powerful six-liter V12 engine revs from 0 to 60 in...

2. A classic goes mod.(ON THE FAST TRACK: FINER THINGS)(Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... The design team on the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe has brought classic, traditional luxury motoring to a sportier destination, Unmistakably a Rolls with design features that include the long bonnet, large diameter wheels, and...

3. On the front line.(ON THE FAST TRACK: FINER THINGS)(Audi R8)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... The Audi R8 midsize sports car is revving at the starting line ready to compete with the best in its category. Offering power (420 horses in a V8 FSI engine), speed (0 to 62 in 4.6 seconds), control (quattro permanent four-wheel drive) and...

All muscle: James Brown likes a classic he can take to the streets.(PERSONAL PASSIONS)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... IT WAS A HOT, MUGGY DAY, AND Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs trudged off the field after a mini-camp session during off-season training. "We were scheduled to have an interview," recalls sports commentator James Brown, who watched with...

Heavenly hideaways: where to go to get away from it all.(FIRST-CLASS TICKET)
April 1, 2007... WHEN TONY SHELLMAN STEALS AWAY FROM the demands of his business, his island of choice is Jamaica. "The energy is great, and the people take good care of you," says the owner of the new contemporary men's clothing company, Parish/Nation. He...

Backtalk with Judge Hatchett.(Glenda A. Hatchett)(Interview)
April 1, 2007... AT ANY GIVEN TIME OF THE DAY, VIEWERS CAN PEER into the courtroom of Judge Glenda A. Hatchett. Ruling with a stern yet compassionate gavel on the nationally syndicated court show Judge Hatchett, now in its seventh season, she continues to boast...