Black Enterprise articles from August 2007

Black Enterprise archives from August 2007

News with a perspective.(WEB FEATURES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Visit blackenterprise.com for insightful weekly columns. Portfolio manager and author William E. Thomason analyzes the fluctuations in the stock market and gives his stock pick of the week in his Stock Sense column. Editor-at-Large Sakina...

Site relaunch.(WEB FEATURES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... BlackEnterprise.com is completely new. Gain access to all of the BLACK ENTERPRISE lists, from the Top Hollywood Power Brokers to the Best Companies for Diversity. In addition, you can watch the new Black Enterprise Business Report television...

The best of Black Enterprise is yet to come.(publisher's page)
August 1, 2007... It all started nearly four decades ago with an idea: Without economic empowerment, the hard-fought political and social gains of the civil rights movement would never result in true freedom and equality for black Americans. That idea gave birth...

The rewards of wealth building.(About This Issue)
August 1, 2007... You've achieved your goal of squirreling away nine months worth of living expenses in your emergency fund by banking the paycheck from a second job and brown-bagging your lunch every day. You haven't had a vacation since leaving college,...

Jacksonville's split personality.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... This is a response to citing Jacksonville, Florida, as one of the "Best Cities for African Americans" in your May 2007 issue. The Farmers moved to Jacksonville nine years ago. They appear to be a nice family but, unfortunately, they lack the...

Minority support welcome.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... I WAS SO PLEASED TO OPEN THE MAY ISSUE OF B.E. AND FIND AN article about African American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender groups in corporate America ("Out of the Corporate Closet," Powerplay, May 2007). As an African American lesbian...

Too much information?(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ "OUT OF THE CORPORATE Closet" in the May '07 issue of BE. Ms. Theodore expressed that she was looking for a company that would accept her sexual orientation. Why did she need to bring up her lifestyle in the...

Hindering perceptions.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... After having read "Out of the Corporate Closet" in the May issue, I began to wonder if the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning community would ever really be recognized and accepted by society. I own and manage a...

Serving justice.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... REGARDING THE ARTICLE "NAACP PRESIDENT RESIGNS" (Newspoints, May 2007), kudos to Julian Bond and the board for holding strong and deciding not to change from a social justice organization to a social services organization. Mr. Gordon seemingly...

Wanted: black stock.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... I THOROUGHLY ENJOY BLACK ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE AND ALL its affiliated ventures (Our World with Black Enterprise, the Website, etc.). However, I have been unable to find a comprehensive list of black-owned/black-controlled publicly traded...

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 1, 2007... In "40 Best Companies for Diversity" (July 2006), the type of business for Johnson Controls Inc., a global growth company with business that include automotive seating and interiors design and manufacturing, should have been listed as...

Dimensions International acquired: CEO says Honeywell will take the company where he could not.(B.E. 100s)
August 1, 2007... THREE YEARS AGO, RUSSELL WRIGHT, CHAIRMAN AND CEO of Dimensions International (No. 24 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $186.2 million in sales) orchestrated the acquisition of SENTEL Corp., a fellow BE 100s firm, that was some 85% of...

Turnaround man: Xerox executive Kevin Warren helps drive up profitability.(POWER PLAYER)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... How did cash-strapped, debt-laden Xerox Corp. turn around its fortunes in six years to make a $1.5 billion cash acquisition of Global Imaging Systems Inc.? By investing in diverse talent. In May, under the leadership of Kevin Warren, 44,...

A chill deal: Simeus Foods International partners with Unilever.(B.E. 100s)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... SIMEUS FOODS INTERNATIONAL INC. recently signed a long-term agreement with Unilever's food service division, FoodSolutions North America, to handle the production of all of the company's branded frozen products distributed throughout the U.S.,...

Auto dealers applaud Chrysler sale: industry analysts predict vast cuts.(BUSINESS NEWS)
August 1, 2007... News that DaimlerChrysler AG would sell Chrysler Group to a private equity firm was met with relief and optimism by African American Chrysler dealers who expect the deal will bring much-needed stability to the organization. DaimlerChrysler...

Hero for minority business passes: Parren J. Mitchell battled on behalf of economic equality.(IN MEMORIAM)(Obituary)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... THE MEMORIAL DAY DEATH OF former Rep. Parren J. Mitchell, 85, was a fitting farewell and a testament to a life lived battling economic inequality by way of legislative prowess. Awarded a Purple Heart for his service in World War II, it was...

Will Malveaux's popularity bode well for HBCU? Bennett College president's public persona may help with fundraising.(AROUND THE NATION)(Julianne Malveaux, historically black college and universities)
August 1, 2007... Dr. Julianne Malveaux, 53, the MIT-trained economist and nationally recognized writer, syndicated columnist, radio talk-show host. and TV personality, may not have seemed like the logical choice to succeed Dr. Johnnetta Cole as president of the...

You can't take it with you: dying without a will means leaving things to chance.(FACTS & FIGURES)
August 1, 2007... WHO'S GETTING YOUR MONEY, YOUR HOUSE, OR guardianship of your children when you die? According to a recent survey, many blacks are leaving it up to the state to decide, Only 32% of African American adults have wills, compared with 52% of...

Hot stocks, cool prices: as the market surges, here's how to invest in growth stocks without overpaying.(INVESTMENT STRATEGIES)
August 1, 2007... GROWTH IS GOOD. AND THE EARNINGS NUMBERS ON WALL Street look strong. In the first quarter of this year, the median company in the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index posted year-over-year earnings growth of 10.1%--marking the 19th straight...

A few standouts: Tuna Amobi says great stock values sometimes lie in out-of-favor sectors.(STOCK PICKS)(Interview)
August 1, 2007... Will they or won't they? The ongoing speculation of whether the Fed will cut interest rates later this year has helped fuel recent market volatility. But the likelihood of such a cut seems to have dimmed, and that's cast a shadow on several...

Double your money: one big winner helps Jeffrey Marcus' portfolio outpace the S&P 500.(STOCK UPDATE)
August 1, 2007... A COMPANY THAT MAKES CAST METAL PARTS AND fasteners for the aerospace industry may not sound exciting, but from May of last year through early June, shares of Precision Castparts Corp. (PCP) nearly doubled, jumping an eye-popping 99%. Powered...

5 things to know about trading up: how to juggle the tricky process of buying a bigger house.(HOMEOWNERSHIP)
August 1, 2007... As an engineer and Six Sigma consultant, Chris Moore is--to put it mildly--a pretty detail-oriented guy. So when time came for the Floridian to trade up to a pricier home, he and wife Marie attacked the task with zeal. "We developed a matrix,"...

Who's in charge? Understanding who's managing your mutual fund.(INVESTOR INSIGHT)
August 1, 2007... So you finally found a fund that's been good to you and a portfolio manager who seems to be worth his or her salt. Too bad there's no guarantee that your fund will continue humming along the same way and that the manager will stay in place. ...

Taxing retirement.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... QA I recently changed jobs and won't be able to invest in my new company's 401(k) until January 2008. Can I rollover my 401(k) with my former employer into a Roth IRA or must I invest in a traditional IRA? --B. Logan Alpharetta, GA...

Three strikes you're in: Scott Tucker redesigned his business and reaped major rewards.(MAKING IT)(In Square Circle Design Concepts)
August 1, 2007... THE ROAD TOWARD ENTREPRENEURSHIP HASN'T ALWAYS been a smooth one for Scott Tucker, CEO and creative director of the New York-based production design company In Square Circle Design Concepts. After two false starts, the company is finally coming...

What else you got? Incorporating auxiliary products into your business can provide multiple streams of revenue.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)
August 1, 2007... Georgia Crossi 56, can attest that the Chicago-based cosmetic and plastic surgery practice of Dr. Tinsley & Associates provides more than just traditional services. Cross left Dr. Tinsley's three offices with more than a tummy tuck, breast...

Relief in sight? Committee approves bill to help small businesses cope with rising energy costs.(BUSINESS NEWS)
August 1, 2007... The increasing cost of energy continues to place a financial burden on small-business owners (See "Making Sense Out of Energy Deregulation," Enterprise June 2007), but is assistance on the way? The House Small Business Committee unanimously...

Looking to expand.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... QA I'm looking to grow my real estate business, and I'm interested in government grants available to black-and minority-owned businesses. I've reached out to SCORE, but do you have any other suggestions? --D. Thompson, New York Start...

Send in the Spelbots! Spelman College's tech team's got game.(BLACK DIGERATI)
August 1, 2007... THE SOCCER PLAYERS STORM THE field wearing their team uniforms. Playing before a crowd in Bremen, Germany, these athletes may not be household names like Beckham, Ronaldinho, or Zidane, but they are part of a growing field in technology. These...

Too cool for school: hardware devices get smarter.(GOING MOBILE)(List)
August 1, 2007... BY NOW, WE'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HIGH-TECH devices that deliver on the wow factor. Good-looking gadgets are now de rigueur for both the tech savvy and the fashion conscious. So what's left to impress us? Well, technology is getting smaller,...

Backseat driver: software takes the wheel in powering mobility.(GOING MOBILE)
August 1, 2007... WHEN IT COMES TO MOBILE TECHNOLOGY, ONE THING IS CERTAIN: WHAT'S "in" always possesses the cool factor--style and functionality. Much of what we consider cool, however, rests on the hardware side--sleek handhelds, superthin laptops, slider cell...

Lost in (cyber)space.(CYBERWISE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... QA I have had my small business Website since January. However, I have had very few hits and seem to be invisible online. My site hosting company has been of very little assistance for search-engine optimization, I would like to leave, but my...

International appeal: a savvy professional builds a career in the world market.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Interview)
August 1, 2007... Being close to headquarters was once the way to further your career. Does an international role provide more visibility now? When you are away from the home office one, of the benefits is the autonomy. You're in an environment where you get to...

E-mail correspondence: it's easy. It's fast. Make sure you manage it!(MAKING CONNECTIONS)
August 1, 2007... EVERYONE HAS ONE. AN E-MAIL MISSTEP STORY IN WHICH A COLLEAGUE receives the wrong e-mail and, as a result, attends the wrong meeting, misses an appointment, or misconstrues the message. New York attorney Yves Denize relates her account...

Need more than M.B.A.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Master of business administration degree)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... QA I obtained my M.B.A. last year and I am having the hardest time landing a decent job. I am looking for a position in management but never get considered for such positions. I have enclosed my resume for your review. What am I doing wrong?...

H. Eric Hilton.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... New Position: Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary Organization: H.J. Russell & Co. Location: Atlanta Responsibilities: Directs and oversees legal matters for the company and its affiliates Former...

Margaret Simms.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... New Position: Director of Low-Income Working Families Project Organization: Urban Institute Location: Washington, DC Responsibilities: Oversees this initiative, which delves into the challenges faced by 9 million low-income...

Darryl R. Jackson.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... New Position: VP-U.S. Sales Organization: Chrysler Group Location: Auburn Hills, MI Responsibilities: Oversees all U.S. business centers, field sales, as well as commercial and government sales and remarketing Former Position:...

Gail Christopher.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... New Position: Vice President, Health Programs Organization: W.K. Kellogg Foundation Location: Washington, DC Responsibilities: Heads foundation's health initiatives Former Position: Vice President and Director of the Health...

Dave Bozeman.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... New Position: VP and General Manager, Powertrain Operations Organization: Harley-Davidson Motor Co. Location: Milwaukee Responsibilities: Oversees production of transmissions and engines for the Sportster and Buell models ...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Brief article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2007... African American Chamber of Commerce Golf Invitational Aug. 7; New York; 914-699-9050; www.aaccnys.org Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. 2007 National Convention Aug. 9-13; Orlando, FL; 410-554-0040; www.apa1906.net National...

Prescription for success: Shannon Humes-Leavell monitors her investments to ensure she stays on track to meet her goals.(Black Wealth Initiative: SECURING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE)
August 1, 2007... Declaration Financial Empowerment From this day forward. I declare my vigilant and lifelong commitment to financial empowerment and hereby pledge the following: 1 I will use homeownership as a foundation for building wealth. 2 I will...

Drawing the line: Kimberly Burney must avoid emotional spending or risk repeating past mistakes.(Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 83)
August 1, 2007... "IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO receive." But there's something to be said for keeping that philosophy in perspective. Just ask Kimberly Burney. "I'm always rescuing people," says Burney, 45. She has a big heart, but her generosity has...

Buying your first home? 10 things you need to know before you make the biggest purchase of your life.(HOMEOWNERSHIP)
August 1, 2007... LIKE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, PAMELA Jowers dreamed of one day getting married and buying a home with her future husband. But the 31-year-old, who lives in Moody, Alabama, decided that she didn't need a ceremony to make her dream come true. She...

Above the rest: our Small Business Awards winners reap the rewards of passion and perseverance.(AMERICAN'S BEST SMALL BUSINESS)
August 1, 2007... WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS and achieve personal wealth? The answer lies within our 2007 Small Business Awards winners, celebrated earlier this year at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by General Motors...

The making of an indie: producing an independent film requires more than talent. Get a close-up look at the development of these movies from idea to screen.(BUSINESS OF ENTERTAINMENT)
August 1, 2007... AFTER COMPLETING HIS FIRST MOVIE, The Ski Trip, in 2005, Maurice Jamal was eager to get back in the director's chair. "I wanted to tell a story that hadn't been told before," says Jamal. He was confident that his debut film, made for just...

The Black Enterprise Guide to the Best of Everything: products, places, style purveyors, and some really great experiences.(SPECIAL REPORT)(List)
August 1, 2007... WHO'S THE HOTTEST MEN'S DESIGNER? WHERE CAN A woman find the most stylish shoes without sacrificing comfort? What are the premium accoutrements for today's business and lifestyle demands? And which premier destinations help you escape from it...

A steady pace: maintaining momentum is key to accomplishing goals.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... WHILE WORKING AS A TECHNOLOGY FELLOW AT THE UNIVERSITY of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey, Kirstin L. Riddick envisioned a career in education. Over the next year, she devised a...

Effective planning strategies.(3 Part Of A Series)
August 1, 2007... 6 Visualize your goal and work backward. Application: "Once you have clarity about your reason or rationale, you must envision what you are seeking to accomplish," says Fran Briggs, president of the Fran Briggs Cos., a personal and...

The sky is not falling: ways to help you identify and combat excessive worrying.(ATTITUDE ENHANCEMENT)
August 1, 2007... Anjela N. Minter had always been the anxious type, but after giving birth to her first child, Christopher, her paranoia skyrocketed. "I worried as often as I breathed," admits Minter, CEO of SAVVY Special Events Marketing Group. Minter says she...

Getting ahead.(PEP TALK)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... QA I'm a 27-year-old college graduate who can't secure a full-time job. I've temped in the fields of administration and data-entry, since I have some experience there. Unfortunately, some of the full-time staffers I encounter are resistant and...

Go green! Saving the environment can help you save big bucks.(CONSUMER LIFE)
August 1, 2007... SAMARA SWANSTON ENJOYS A POSITIVE CASH FLOW. She recently received a $2,000 tax credit. In addition, her monthly utility bill dropped about $20, and her grocery bill is at an all-time low. What's her secret? The answer is simple: She's gone...

A new trend in auto financing: car mortgages? Shoppers pay longer to get the car they want.(CONSUMER NEWS)
August 1, 2007... As a full-time real estate agent and married mother of two, 35-year-old Monica Johnson of Powder Springs, Georgia, needs to manage her time well. To spend her time driving to properties most efficiently, Johnson purchased a nicely equipped...

Flying the passenger-friendly skies: tips, advice, and tools to deal with airport complications.(CONSUMER EMPOWERMENT)
August 1, 2007... Consumers who lead busy lives have little time for airport complications. "Any planning can make your experience better at the airport," says Edna Z. Ruano, spokesperson for Southwest Airlines. "We recommend customers check in online. Consumers...

Frequent flier freebies?(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... QA I take frequent business trips during the year, sometimes several in the same month, and my flights are often delayed or canceled, or I get bumped. Some carriers offer to switch flights or simply apologize for the delay, but as a frequent...

In the lap of luxury: Thomas Mathes knows how to welcome his guests.(THE ENTHUSIAST)
August 1, 2007... OPTING FOR A LUXURY HOTEL. STAY MEANS NEVER having to compromise on comfort and convenience. The environment should be warm and inviting, with guests feeling secure in having all their needs and expectations met. "A luxury hotel offers...

A taste of Italy: good wine, fresh ingredients, and a class that brings it all together.(FIRST-CLASS TICKET)
August 1, 2007... Foreign visitors to Italy, including expatriate Italians, often make pilgrimages there for three experiences: the country's antiquities, its wine, and the pleasures of the Italian kitchen. Recently, in between visits to wineries and thermal...

Miami makes a comeback this Labor Day weekend!(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)
August 1, 2007... Our premier networking and leisure event, the Black Enterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge, returns to the luxurious Doral Golf Resort and Spa, Aug. 30-Sept. 3. For more information on our 14th annual event, full of friendly competition,...

Women of Power Summit.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)
August 1, 2007... Women of Power Summit Experience the power again! Registration for the third annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm[R] opens Aug. 27! This exciting, four-day executive leadership conference designed especially for...

Black Enterprise Business Report.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Announcing the Black Enterprise Business Report, America's most trusted televised source for African American business and financial information! BEBR, with new host Shon Gables, gives you what you want and need. It's the only nationally...

Backtalk: with Liya Kebede.(Interview)
August 1, 2007... THE LIFE OF A SUPERMODEL DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ALL ABOUT RUNWAYS, MAGAZINE COVERS, AND PHOTO shoots. As the first black woman to be the face of Estee Lauder cosmetics, Ethiopian native Liya Kebede is an international beauty breaking barriers and...