Black Enterprise articles from April 2008

Black Enterprise archives from April 2008

Dr. King's legacy of faith.(publisher's page)(Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)(Editorial)
April 1, 2008... ow faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. --Hebrews 11:1 "Work hard, do your best, get an education, and you can be anything you want to be when you grow up--even the president of the United...

Black and green.(About This Issue)(Editorial)
April 1, 2008... At a time when we're bombarded with discussions about red states and blue states, it's abundantly clear that growing numbers would rather shift the conversation toward "green states." The concern over all things environmental has quickly become...

Partnership equals success.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kudos to Mr. Graves for his Publisher's Page in the December issue, which promotes "the ultimate partnership," that is, marriage, as one of the many foundations of success in every aspect of life. It is for the...

Forgotten city.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... I WAS SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED BY THE 2008 BLACK ENTERPRISE CONVENtion Calendar (January 2008). Nothing in regard to any African American-related event in New Orleans was on it. It seems that the African American middle and professional classes...

Operation inspiration.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, SEVERAL friends of mine voted for Hillary Clinton because they want their daughters to see that a woman can be president of our great nation. I'm happy for those daughters, but young white women are not at risk in the...

Furthering the racial discussion.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It truly pleases me that a prominent African American-owned publication, such as Black Enterprise magazine, chose to endorse Sen. Barack Obama as Democratic nominee for president ("Why Barack Obama Should Be...

Right man.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... I RECEIVED THE JANUABY 2008 ISSUE ON JAN. 4, 2008, THE day after the Iowa caucus. And guess who was on the front cover? Barack Obama--what a coincidence! Obama had just made history, and Mr. Graves' comments were just right and highly...

... Right time.(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2008... BRAVO TO THE WRITERS OF SUCH AN ELOQUENTLY AND spectacularly written article about "Why Barack Obama Should Be President" (January 2008). The six reasons outlined were right on target. His message is universal, his personality energetic, and...

Corrections.(Letters)(Correction notice)
April 1, 2008... In "Breaking Records, (Techwatch. February 2008), Nell Caesar (right) was misidentified as Drew Edgar in the photo. In Top 25 Moneymakers in Hollywood" (March 2008). Keenen Ivory Wayans' name was misspelled

Tax brackets: economic growth plan requires reading between the lines.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
April 1, 2008... FEARS OF A RECESSION COUPLED WITH AN UNSTEADY stock market led President George W. Bush in January to introduce an economic stimulus package aimed at boosting public spending that includes nearly $150 billion in tax rebate checks for low-to...

Bob Johnson's new Liberia venture: BET founder set to open luxury African hotel.(B.E. 100s)
April 1, 2008... AS PART OF A $30 MILLION INVESTMENT INITIATIVE SPEAR-headed by Robert L. Johnson, CEO of RLJ Development L.L.C. (No. 8 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $472.2 million in sales), and involving a delegation of African American...

Lloyd Trotter leaves General Electric: joins private equity firm GenNx360 Capital Partners.(POWER PLAYER)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.'s TOP-RANKing African American executive, Vice Chairman Lloyd G. Trotter, 62, is ending his nearly 40-year tenure with the company to become a general partner with New York-based private equity firm GenNx360 Capital...

After the storm: New Orleans-based bank emerging strong post-Hurricane Katrina.(B.E. 100s)(Liberty Bank and Trust Co.)(Interview)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THREE YEARS AGO, LIBERTY BANK AND TRUST CO. (NO. 8 on the BE BANKS list with $299.3 million in assets) was nearly wiped out by Hurricane Katrina. Offices were flooded, ATMs vandalized, and customers had scattered to...

I'm beautiful: women struggle to define their beauty in the workplace.(FACTS & FIGURES)
April 1, 2008... MORE THAN 80% OF BLACK WOMEN CONSIDER THEMSELVES beautiful, according to a survey conducted by Procter & Gambles My Black is Beautiful initiative in conjunction with Essence Communications. Sixty percent believe that there's a relationship...

A critical conversation: tips for starting a dialogue with your parents that's crucial to preserving family wealth.(PERSONAL FINANCE)
April 1, 2008... THE FOUND HIMSELF IN A FINANCIAL BIND. WHEN Khalid Sumner became the father of twin girls in 2003, he could envision future college tuition bills for his daughters. But a year later, when his grandfather became ill, Sumner was hit with expenses...

Recession--proof investing: Holland Capital's Monica Walker repositions her portfolio to weather economic turmoil.(STOCK PICKS)(Interview)
April 1, 2008... Portfolio managers are human too. They feel pressures. They worry about results. So when there's a sense that the country is on the path to a recession, they move rapidly to make adjustments and protect their positions. Over the past 16 months,...

On target: a few pennies shy, just one of Patrick Lyons' stock picks failed to hit its mark.(STOCK UPDATE)
April 1, 2008... THE BASKET OF TECH STOCKS THAT PATRICK LYONS picked in January 2007 had a good year. But for investors disciplined enough to take at least some profits after four of the five stocks reached Lyons' 12- to 18-month price targets, it was a great...

Tax season's silver lining: use your refund to boost your financial security.(Total Return)
April 1, 2008... AS THE OLD ADAGE GOES, "BE CAREFUL what you wish for." Though it may seem counterintuitive, one thing you shouldn't want this tax season is a large refund. It actually signals that you've given the government an interest-free loan for the last...

A bull in China? Opportunities abound but recent volatility requires investors to tread cautiously.(MUTUAL FUND FOCUS)
April 1, 2008... You just cannot ignore the trail China has been blazing in recent years. We've all had more than ample opportunity to gawk at the impressive numbers put up by stocks in the nation's Shanghai composite index--up 97% in 2007, and 130% the year...

Sin stocks.(MONEY MATTERS)(stocks involving in industries like gambling, alcohol, and tobacco)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... Q A I'm currently looking into sin/vice stocks--i.e., gambling, alcohol, tobacco--and and I'd like to know what's looking good heading into the next decade. A. Scott Thompson Via the Internet While they're not every investor's cup...

Challenging times: experts urge business owners to take preemptive measures during economic uncertainty.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RECESSION HAS BEEN ON THE MIND OF TANYA ALLFORD-Thompson in recent weeks. While business is good today, the co-owner of The Amazing Cakes Bakery in Mableton, Georgia, is keeping her eye on reports that the nation is...

Bonded together: couple builds lucrative general contracting firm.(MAKING IT)(Tom and Gwenay Coniglio and The Coniglio Co.)(Company overview)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TOM AND GWENAY CONIGLIO MAY HAVE FACED SOME trials when they began an interracial relationship, but their love may have been truly tested when they got married and went into business together. The couple entered the...

Natural success: one teen's hair trauma launched a thriving beauty products company.(MAKING IT)(Eden BodyWorks' Jasmine Lawrence almost lost all of her hair because of a harsh chemical relaxer)(Company overview)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AFTER A FULL DAY OF CLASSES, JASMINE LAWRENCE HUSTLES TO WORK. Not the typical job most 16-year-olds have. Lawrence is president and CEO of EDEN BodyWorks, an all-natural haircare and beauty products line based in...

Home work.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(staying at home and making money)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... QA Iam wondering how I can earn money while staying at home and being a mom. I have a little money saved up, but I want to make more. I am a 28-year-old single parent. How can I get started? --S. Davis Quebec, Canada There are a...

She got game: Jacqueline Beauchamp's BCFx looks to diversify video games.(BLACK DIGERATI)(Nerjyzed Entertainment Inc. presents Black College Football Experience)
April 1, 2008... WHEN IT COMES TO VIDEO GAMES, historically black colleges get no respect. But that could change if Jacqueline Beauchamp, CEO of Nerjyzed (pronounced "energized") Entertainment Inc. has her way. Beauchamp and three colleagues pooled their...

Viable computing options: could this be Linux's time to shine?(TECH NEWS)
April 1, 2008... WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT AN OPEN-SOURCE REVOlution for years now. And although "revolution" might be an overstatement, the Linux operating system is emerging as a formidable player. Until recently, Linux was used mainly by IT pros and PC...

Shine on.(B.E. PICKS)(Sony Ericsson Z555i)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You know mobile devices are getting smarter when you don't need to touch them or use voice commands to get them to obey. Case in point: Sony Ericsson's Z555i (www.sonyericsson.com; $159 MSRP, cheaper with a carrier...

What the pros hear: Dr. Dre helps develop high-end headphones.(TECH NEWS)(Monster Cable Beats headphones)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... As a hip-hop legend and producer, Dr. Dre needs no introduction. However. when he's walking among thousands of geeks and worn-out media types at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, even the master of hip-hop beats can be invisible,...

Tag, you're IT.(B.E. PICKS)(JBL On Time 400IHD )(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... For owners of iPods and other MP3 players, JBL's On Time 400IHD digital sound system gives new meaning to the term "instant gratification." The system lets you listen to subscription-free HD radio stations and tag music you hear on the radio...

Bag it up.(B.E. PICKS)(Belkin Laptop Hideaway)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... In a time of backpacks and messenger bags, Belkin's new Laptop Hideaway is a welcome break. The stylish laptop storage bag helps you keep your portable PC and accessories organized in simple style. The Hideaway accommodates standard and...

Recyle it.(CYBERWISE)(recycling old computers)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... QA I have a stack of old computers and some office equipment that I don't need anymore. I'd like to get rid of them, but what's a safe way to go about it? --Anonymous Via the Internet These days, with everyone from major corporations...

The competitive edge: how a sports pro scores profits for his company.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(David Joel Stern)(Interview)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Will the NBA Development League (D-League) become the source for NBA talent? I think it already has, and our league will continue to increase in importance and value for NBA teams as our player alumni, who...

Emotion vs. passion: knowing the difference can mean derailment or advancement in the workplace.(MAKING CONNECTIONS)
April 1, 2008... "I CREATE SOFTWARE FOR A LOT OF BONDS AND CREDIT derivative traders who need to quickly act on market opportunities," says Felix Muchomba, a software engineer and assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch. "The kind of business my clients...

Here's what I'm looking for! Employees and management still disagree on what is important.(EXECUTIVE MEMO)
April 1, 2008... FOR EMPLOYEES, THE TOP THREE DRIVERS OF JOB RETENtion are benefits, compensation, and growth and earnings potential according to a recent survey by the Spherion Corp., a Florida-based staffing and recruiting agency. But employers taking...

Survival mode.(ACTION PLAN)(mergers and acquisitions could be the answer for struggling businesses)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... COMPANIES ARE CONSTANTLY IDENTIFYING OPTIONS THAT WILL ENSURE survival. "Mergers and acquisitions could be the answer for struggling businesses," says Michael S. Harper, principal and director of business development at Platinum Financial Group...

Performance pays.(POWERPLAY)(pay for performance)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... A WHOPPING 80% OF COMPANIES SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEY ARE offering performance-based bonuses, according to Hewitt Associates, a global human resources services company. "Simply going to work does not warrant a pay increase in today's business...

On board.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(boards of directors)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... QA I believe I would make a valuable contribution to a corporations board of directors How would I position myself to be asked to serve on one that provides compensation? I have volunteered as a board member on state chapters of professional...

Wallace Ford.(On The MOVE)(GoodWorks International L.LC.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: President and Chief Operating Officer Organization: GoodWorks International L.LC. Location: Washington, DC Responsibilities: Overseeing public and private sector development in Africa and...

James E. Hutchinson.(On The MOVE)(Hub International Northeast L.L.C.)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President Organization: Hub International Northeast L.L.C. Location: New York Responsibilities: Oversees all insurance company relationships and...

Michael McKenzie.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Senior Director, Business Development & Strategy Organization: Microsoft Corp. Location: Seattle Responsibilities: Leads team for complex deal strategy and execution across platforms and...

Burnetta Williams.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Corporate Vice President and Treasurer Organization: FedEx Corp. Location: Memphis, TN Responsibilities: Oversees programs for financing the company's capital needs, risk management, cash...

Robert Perkins.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Vice President, Inclusion and Talent Management Organization: Burger King Corp. Location: Miami Responsibilities: Oversees internal and external inclusion strategies Former Position:...

Convention calendar.(Brief article)(Calendar)
April 1, 2008... National Alliance of Market Developers Inc, April 17-20; Atlanta; 908-561-4062; www.namdntl.org The aRi Group L.L.C. 1st Annual Wealth Building Conference April 18-19; National Harbor, MD; 301-346-6765; www.thearigroupllc.com National...

Marketing to men: opportunities for an upscale demographic.(TRENDS)(BBraxton)
April 1, 2008... STUDIES HAVE PROJECTED STEADY GROWTH FOR THE $1.8 billion men's grooming market, but until recently the specific needs of black and Latino men had been overlooked. Now, entrepreneurs are bringing top-quality grooming to the African American and...

A Caribbean connection: Website brings the islands closer to home.(WORTH CHECKING OUT ...)(CaribbeanFever.com )(Website overview)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... KEEPING PEOPLE CONNECTED ACROSS THE DIASPORA 24 hours a day, seven days a week is what Dahved Levy and his partners had in mind when they launched CaribbeanFever.com (www.caribbeanfever.com) in September 2007. As the site has recorded more than...

A McDonald's homecoming: Ernie Adair, chairman and CEO of National Black McDonald's Operators Association.(DIVERSITY Q)(Interview)
April 1, 2008... As the first black-owned McDonald's, the franchise on South Stony Island Avenue in Chicago has been a historical site since 1968, but now it stands as a monument to the National Black McDonald's Operators Association, the largest African...

A secure future: Tremaine Wright used home equity to start her dream business.(Black Wealth Initiative)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Declaration of Financial Empowerment From this day forward, I declare my vigilant and lifelong commitment to financial empowerment and hereby pledge the following: 1 I will be use homeownership as a foundation...

Making moves: after relocating, Alicia Bennett tries to figure out what to do with her rental property.(Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 89)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SOMETIMES MOVING FORWARD IN LIFE requires you to move, And if you own property, moving may mean putting a home on the market. Alicia D. Bennett, who had worked as a paralegal for nine years with the U.S. Department...

Master your money: have plenty of financial questions, but few answers? Start moving up the learning curve with our 10 things you need to know about your finances.(PERSONAL FINANCE)
April 1, 2008... MANY MIGHT ASSUME THAT AN ATTORNEY WOULD have all the answers. That was not the case with Lott Rolfe. The 35-year-old from Little Rock, Arkansas, had a whole battery of questions about his finances: How could he and his wife, Terry, crank up...

Get ready for the next big thrill: smooth out your ride in the market by knowing your tolerance for risk taking.(THE MONEYWISE 100)(Table)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NO RISK, NO REWARD. IT'S A PLAIN-spoken maxim that Richard Marshall Jr. lives by. The U.S. Navy commander, who currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and works at the Pentagon, invests in mutual funds and seeks to...

Let's talk money: dollars and cents can make for interesting pillow talk and may save your marriage.(LOVE & MONEY (PART 3 OF 3))(Reprint)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] IN THE HAZE OF LOVE, NEWLYWEDS often forget to discuss the one topic that experts say can make or break their marriages--money. Arguments over finances are a leading cause of marital strife, and figuring out how to...

Growing a green business: how to plant seeds of success and profit from the booming environmental movement.(B.E.ING GREEN)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE: A FEW SCRIBbles on a cocktail napkin--be they product blueprints, song lyrics, or business plans--have proved to be million-dollar ideas. Bianca and Michael Alexander, who hatched their own...

Love and basketball: ex-NBA all-star conquered stuttering to inspire others.(TRIALS AND TRIUMPHS)(Bob Love )
April 1, 2008... "THERE ARE NO PERFECT PEOPLE," CHICAGO BULLS legend Bob Love says his grandmother would tell him as a young boy. "No matter who you are or where you come from, everyone has a disability of some sort. But just hold on to your dream and one day...

It's all up to you: accountability is key in attaining goals.(ATTITUDE ENHANCEMENT)
April 1, 2008... When Monique Hayward opened Dessert Noir Cafe & Bar in Beaverton, Oregon, three years ago, the newly christened entrepreneur says she felt a sense of freedom at not having to answer to anyone. "There was no one forcing me to keep this...

Change is good.(PEP TALK)(career change)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I'm a 28-year-old college graduate currently at a standstill. I was a printing consultant for several years but now I'm pursuing media planning. With no experience, I am in an entry-level position. My colleagues are...

Choosing the right tax professional: before you file, read these last-minute tips.(CONSUMER LIFE)
April 1, 2008... IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN--TAX SEASON. AND IF you're one of nearly 1.4 million Americans who were audited last year, you know that now is not the time to take a gamble. "Choose your preparer as carefully as you would choose your doctor or...

Apartment hunting tips for college grads: looking for your first place? We've got the tools you'll need for a successful search.(CONSUMER LIFE)
April 1, 2008... THINK OF COLLEGE AS A WAY STATION ON THE BOAD TO "the real world." Once you've got your diploma in hand, say hello to adulthood and goodbye to dorms and dining halls. It's time to get your own digs and cook your own meals. Here are some things...

Sample sale savvy: here's how to make the most of your shopping experience.(BUYING POWER)
April 1, 2008... You're probably familiar with the term "sample sale," but you may not know what one is. The definition of a sample sale has changed slightly over the years, says Kathryn Finney, editor of TheBudgetFashionista.com. A true sample sale is an event...

Unwanted phone calls.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(telephone harassment by debt collectors)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... A I've been receiving threatening calls from a debt collector about a bill that my brother failed to pay. I explained that I am not the account holder, but the calls continue. What can I do? --C. Gibbons Indianapolis No one likes...

Big fish: Ishama Monroe angles for prize bass.(THE ENTHUSIAST)
April 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FACED WITH THE DILEMMA OF COMpeting in a regional tournament with the Military Bass Anglers Association or keeping his job as car salesman, Ishama Monroe chose fishing--and won $1,100. Since that fateful day in...

A luxurious drive--and efficient, too.(THE FINER THINGS)(Lexus LS 600, Tesla Boadster and Cadillac Escalade)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... A Sharp Performance [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It was "already smart: Its voice-activated navigation system provides real-time traffic information, including road closures, construction, accident data, and directions with just a business...

Black Enterprise is seeing stars!(All Access)(The Beverly Hilton's chic ballroom filled with celebrities)(Brief article)
April 1, 2008... At this year's pre-Oscar party, the who's who of black Hollywood came out to celebrate our presence and progress on the silver screen. Some 650 guests filled The Beverly Hilton's chic ballroom, including Eva Pigford, John Singleton, Malinda...

Back talk with Jarome Iginla.(Interview)
April 1, 2008... JAROME IGINLA HAS EMERGED AS ONE OF THE PREmier players in the National Hockey League. The 30-year-old Edmonton, Ontario, native rose to stardom in the hockey world after helping the Canadian Olympic team garner a gold medal during the 2002...