Black Enterprise articles from December 2004

Black Enterprise archives from December 2004

Give the gift of employment.(publisher's Page)(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... This issue marks five successful years of the BLACK ENTERPRISE Wealth Building Initiative, our campaign to help African Americans adopt the principles necessary to create multigenerational wealth. Since we began our crusade in the January 2000...

Learning from the pioneers of comedy.(About This Issue)(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... With comedy becoming a $5 billion industry in America, we couldn't help but take a moment to peek behind the curtain and see who was driving this economic force. We made a few interesting discoveries. The business of comedy is very...

Tech success.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... Thank you for the very well written story, "The Best CEO in Silicon Valley" [September 2004]. I've been a big ban of Symantec CEO John Thompson since my career at an information technology consulting firm in Connecticut. Symantec stands...

Saving black men.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SINCEREST APPRECIAtion for Earl Graves' willingness to share his personal experiences with prostate cancer ["Prostate Cancer at Homecoming," Publisher's Page, May 2004]. As he so accurately described, family, friends,...

Another way to the corner office.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I thank you for such an informative article ["Getting the Corner Office," August 2004], featuring four phenomenal women who have offered powerful suggestions as to "how to avoid the mistakes women make that put them outside the power circle."...

Inspired to make a difference.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... READING THE ARTICLE "FINANCIALLY PREPARED FOR LIFE" [May 2004] made me feel proud of Mrs. Nicole Simpson. Too often when black individuals (including me) are doing well financially, we forget or are not interested in helping the less fortunate...

Wealth: make it, don't fake it.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I HAVE JUST FINISHED READING YOUR JUNE 2004 issue. As usual it is packed with valuable information to help African Americans build wealth. Unfortunately, your article "In the Bag" in the In Fashion section [Lifestyle] left me stunned. In the...

Bravo to Baltimore.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... As a longtime subscriber to BE, I was pleased to read your article "Top Cities for African Americans" [July 2004], particularly because Baltimore made the list and I am one of me three top elected officials serving this city. I am currently the...

The mag biz.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... I HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN establishing a record/publishing company and would like to start my own magazine as well. Although I have the capital, I am not equipped with the knowledge of how to proceed with this venture. I would like to know if...

Correction.(Letters)(Correction Notice)
December 1, 2004... In our special report, "50 Best Colleges for African Americans" (October 2004), the University of Southern California was erroneously used as an example of a college or university considered for our list, despite not having an African American...

Kmart makes branding pro its new chief: Aylwin Lewis named eighth black CEO of Fortune 500 corporation.(Newsmaker)
December 1, 2004... Veteran fast-food restaurant executive Aylwin Lewis has replaced Julian Day as CEO of Kmart Holding Corp. Lewis' appointment makes him one of six African Americans who currently head a Fortune 500 corporation and one of eight who have ever held...

Raines stays cool under fire: Fannie Mae CEO says cooperation with regulators is not admission of guilt.(Business News)
December 1, 2004... Franklin Raines has survived another round of scrutiny at Fannie Mae--but not without concessions as the nation's largest source of financing for home mortgages has its accounting practices investigated. In an October congressional hearing, CEO...

Black farmers sue USDA for $20.5 billion: mismanaged 1999 settlement sparks class action lawsuit.(National News)
December 1, 2004... In September the Black Farmers and Agriculturist Association (BFAA) and 11 other plaintiffs filed a new suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Seeking $20.5 billion and class action status for up to 25,000 black farmers whom the...

Black board directors form network: annual summit addresses diversity in the boardroom.(Business News)
December 1, 2004... Forging relationships with top executives and getting onto key committees that oversee executive hiring and compensation was a main focus during a recent gathering of more than 80 African American corporate board members in Chicago. The two-day...

Cracker Barrel pays $8.7m to settle race case.(Newsbytes)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Cracker Barrel restaurant chain has agreed to pay $8.7 million to settle allegations that it discriminated against black employees and customers, The suits were filed in 1999 by a dozen employees who allege they were segregated from white...

Houston-based ChaseCom L.P. (No. 97 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $31.1 million in sales) has opened an inbound and outbound call center in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on the site of a former one.(Newsbytes)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Houston-based ChaseCom L.P. (No. 97 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $31.1 million in sales) has opened an inbound and outbound call center in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on the site of a former one. The operation creates 140 jobs, at $8 to...

Eight black physicians partnered to open an International House of Pancakes in Harlem this past July, and it is already ranked 14th in sales among the company's 1,167 franchises throughout 48 states and Canada.(Newsbytes)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Eight black physicians partnered to open an International House of Pancakes in Harlem this past July and it is already ranked 14th in sates among the company's 1,167 franchises throughout 48 states and Canada. Some residents opposed the IHOP,...

Handle with care: blacks are in weakest position to provide home care.(Facts & Figures)
December 1, 2004... African American caregivers are more likely than other groups to experience financial hardship as a result of home caregiving, reports Caregiving in the U.S. The April 2004 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP...

Adjusting investment styles: the Umoja Investment Club is benefitting from its willingness to change.(Investment Clubhouse)
December 1, 2004... Seven years ago, 10 African American women fresh out of college founded the Umoja Investment Club intending for it to be a learning tool. They wanted their club to help them better understand the world of finance as they began their careers as...

Proceed with caution: money manager Alfred Jackson looks for slow and positive growth.(Private Screening)
December 1, 2004... Alfred Jackson isn't excited about the economy just yet. A partner at Davis Hamilton Jackson & Associates L.P. (DHJA) in Houston, Jackson believes that, in this cycle of economic uncertainty, the country has already realized its highest levels...

One bad apple: Theodore Parrish's portfolio of A-rated companies had a minor flaw.(Stock Update)
December 1, 2004... The performance of the relatively conservative portfolio of stocks Theodore L. Parrish picked exclusively for BLACK ENTERPRISE was stymied by the underperformance of a single healthcare concern. His stock picks delivered a 3.43% return, while...

A less taxing way to invest: the yields on municipal bond funds are tempting--and tax exempt, too.(Mutual Fund Focus)
December 1, 2004... Investors looking to increase their portfolio's yield without holding junk bonds might want to take a look at long-term bond funds. According to mutual fund research firm Morningstar, long-term bond funds were yielding a respectable, if not...

Catching up on retirement.(Ask B.E.)(retirement planning)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A I am 41-years-old and have no retirement plan. I just started a new job that has a 401(k) plan. but the company doesn't match employee contributions. I make $53,000 a year, so how much should I put into the plan? --T, Crutcher Via the...

Raging beauty: one-time female boxing champ is winning bouts in sports management arena.(Making It)
December 1, 2004... Six years ago, former boxing champion Isra Girgrah Wynn (a.k.a. "The Raging Beauty") and husband Marry Wynn came together to showcase their latest main event, Raging Promotions Inc. The sports and entertainment management company specializes in...

Know the rules: home-based businesses strain to comply with the complexity of IRS regulations.(Management Advice)
December 1, 2004... The rules and regulations that home business owners must adhere to are more daunting than ever. Particularly challenging are the tax regulations, according to Home-Based Business and Government Regulations, a report compiled for the Small...

Art Noir: Philadelphia professionals hang up careers to create black art framing enterprise.(Making It)
December 1, 2004... With few resources and a lot of hope, Philadelphia entrepreneurs SCan Simmons and Kelly H. Walker were determined to bring the upscale world of black art and custom frame design to the heart of the Philadelphia 'hood. In October 2000, the duo...

Getting paid: collection tips for handling slow- or non-paying clients.(Capital Ideas)
December 1, 2004... How long does it take your customers to pay you? Have you developed a consistent accounts receivable program? How you answer these questions is a strong indicator as to how well you are getting paid. Sending an invoice doesn't always result in...

Knowing when it's time.(Savvy Solutions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... I've been running a business on the side and I think it might be time to become a full-time entrepreneur, but I'm worried about not having the steady paycheck. How can I be sure that my business will generate the kind of steady income I need if...

It's a team thing: Larry Sheffield has a knack for building high-tech departments and driving results.(Black Digerati)
December 1, 2004... If there's one thing that George Samenulk, chairman and CEO of antivirus and security developer McAfee Inc., recalls about Larry Sheffield, it's that his IBM co-worker had an uncanny knack for building and motivating teams and driving results....

Fujitsu biometric notebook PC.(dream machines)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The LifeBook P7000 packs more than just productivity. The 3.27 lb., ultra-portable PC lets you choose a fingerprint sensor for increased mobile security and features a modular bay that lets you slip in a battery or a combo drive. USB 2.0 and...

Nokia 9300 SmartPhone.(dream machines)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Business shouldn't always mean boring and the Nokia 9300 SmartPhone is making sure that stays the case. With the usual office-based tools (document, spreadsheet, presentations, calendar, contacts) via the Nokia PC Suite, the tri-band device...

SoniqCast element Aireo.(dream machines)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... It s a tad bigger than an iPod, but the SoniqCast Aireo has features that some MP3 users can only imagine: a 1GB SD card slot for additional media, 802.11b wireless capability, FM stereo receiver, dual headphones and FM transmitter. ($179.95;...

HP iPAQ h6315 pocket PC phone edition.(dream machines)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Mobile phone, camera, GSM, GPRS, WLAN (802.11), Bluetooth--what doesn't the HP iPAQ h6315 have? HP has upped the ante with 64MB of SDRAM and integrated SDI/O slot. Though we would have preferred an integrated keypad (like that on the Treo 600)...

Toshiba Qosmio E15-AV Notebook PC.(dream machines)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Want to combine your many home entertainment needs with powerful computing? Consider the Toshiba Qosmio E15-AV Notebook PC--the thinking woman's (and man's) computer. Funny sounding name aside, the Qosmio features one-touch CD/TV/DVD player...

Archos Gmni400.(dream machines)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... With a color LCD screen and a 20GB hard disk, the Gmni400 will help you put your friends' holiday gifts to shame This multimedia device lets you download hundreds of hours of music, create and organize your playlists directly from the device,...

Olympus C-8080 wide zoom digital camera.(dream machines)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Eight is enough to fill our holiday stockings this year. The Olympus C-8080 wide-zoom 8-megapixel DC features a 5x optical wide- angle zoom lens, manual control, and 10 shooting modes. There is also a dedicated hot-shoe that lets you attach an...

Sony 42-inch LCD WEGA flat-panel HDTV.(dream machines)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Sony 42-inch LCD WEGA flat-panel HDTV makes a bigger--and better--statement. The flat-panel giant features a WEGA engine system for enhanced home theater enjoyment, and the Twin View Picture-And-Picture feature lets users view...

Paint hustle: New Orleans artist went from the streets to mainstream.(Career At A Glance)
December 1, 2004... During his teenage years, Lionel Milton tagged public sites with graffiti in the ninth ward of New Orleans. His rebellious spirit and love for a burgenoning art form eventually led him to Young Artists/Young Aspirations (www.yayainc.com), a...

Brand me: marketing techniques to make you stand out.(Making Connections)
December 1, 2004... Orrin Hudson, founder of the Atlanta-based nonprofit Be Someone Inc. (www.besomeone.org) an organization that teaches children team building skills, continues to marvel at the attention he gets from strangers. "I wonder how [I got onto] their...

Excusez moi, parlez-vous francais? Learn another language to increase your marketability.(Making Connections)
December 1, 2004... Can you afford to hold your tongue? Americans often avoid learning a foreign language, simply because many people from other cultures speak English. But in today's global business environment, being bilingual, or better yet multilingual,...

Springboard to success: organization to help underrepresented groups navigate the corporate landscape.(Career Trends)
December 1, 2004... The women's liberation movement in the '60s was galvanized by women who demanded basic rights--the ability to hang up their aprons and take the workforce by storm. Fast forward about 40 years; women now have access to better jobs and feel less...

In retail fashion.(Since You Asked)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Q MY daughter is interested in a retail manufacturing position. She is a third year student at Morgan State University and has clerical, customer service, and sales experience. She is in dire need of gaining experience in a buyer's position....

Marc Ecko.(On The Move)(appointment)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 1 Emil Wilbekin is the new vice president of brand development for the men's fashion line Marc Ecko. Wilbekin is responsible for solidifying the brand by overseeing public relations, marketing, and advertising. He will develop media projects as...

National Association of Black Accountants.(On The Move)(appointment )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 2 Norman Jenkins, vice president of Marriott International Inc., was inducted as president and CEO of the National Association of Black Accountants, an association that advocates professional development. Jenkins is highly regarded in the...

Atlantic Records.(On The Move)(appointment)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 3 Ronnie Johnson has been promoted to executive vice president of Atlantic Records. He formerly served as senior vice president/general manager of the company's Urban Division. In his new role, Johnson will continue to oversee all urban music...

Granite Broadcasting Corp.(On The Move)(appointment)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 4 Lawrence Wills is the new chief financial officer at Granite Broad casting Corp. He is responsible for leading the company's corporate finance department and managing all of the company's financial reporting functions. Wills, who joined the...

Chicago Defender.(On The Move)(appointment)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... 5 Roland S. Martin has been named executive editor of the Chicago Defender, the historic black newspaper founded in 1905. Martin is charged with reshaping and leading its editorial operations. The award-winning journalist and syndicated...

Convention calendar.(Calendar)
December 1, 2004... National Black Caucus of State Legislators Annual Legislative Conference Nov. 29-Dec. 4; Philadelphia; 202-624-5457 www.nbcsl.com The National League of Cities Congress of Cities and Exposition Nov. 30-Dec. 4; Indianapolis;...

Taking steps toward financial independence: our 2003 financial fitness contest winners are reaching their goals with solid fiscal planning.(Black Wealth Initiative)
December 1, 2004... WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES. Anyone who is seriously committed to getting his or her financial act together can make significant strides by taking advantage of the wisdom of a financial adviser. A brighter financial future is on the...

Carver vs. OneUnited: in the battle for market share and customers, the nation's two largest black banks seek to grow through acquisition. Which one will ultimately win the fight to be No. 1?(B.E. 100s)
December 1, 2004... Deborah Wright has been kicking butt and taking numbers--the latest is No. 1. That's the place New York-based Carver Federal Savings Bank currently holds, having earned the top spot on the 2004 BE BANKS list with $529.57 million in assets. CEO...

Riding with the currency: when the dollar loses value in the world markets, there are pitfalls to watch out for. Here's how to benefit whether it is weak or strong.(Personal Finance)(Interview)
December 1, 2004... Harlan Brandon knows shoes. After 15 years of designing them for companies such as Nautica and Fila, the 50-year-old New York City native stepped out on his own two years ago and launched HBF Collection, his premier line of shoes. But his...

Sweet expectations: a recipe for success: in the darkest period of her life, Michele Hoskins found inspiration from a family recipe and created a multimillion-dollar company.(Book Excerpt)(Excerpt)
December 1, 2004... In 1997, Michele Hoskins was nominated for the BE Emerging Company of the Year award as founder and owner of Michele Foods Inc. She took a generations-old family recipe and turned it into a multimillion-dollar corporation that produces Honey...

Daytime's other drama: despite its popularity with black audiences, daytime television discounts black talent in front of, and behind, the camera. These industry insiders are pushing for change.(The Business Of Entertainment)
December 1, 2004... Tune in to television anytime during the day and you're bound to see a number of African American faces on screen. Take for instance the personalities hosting syndicated talk shows and court shows such as The View's Star Jones or Divorce...

Funny money: Black comedians have always been among the funniest. Now, by tapping into the business side of the industry, today's comics are laughing all the way to the bank.(The Business Of Entertainment)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2004... It's not just another punch line. Always the irreverent funnyman, Chappelle may joke about inking a $50 million deal with Comedy Central to continue his highly successful Chappelle's Show for another two seasons, but it's no laughing matter....

The challenges of securing capital for your business.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... A major challenge entrepreneurs face is how and where to get the money to fund that brilliant business idea. While there are many sources of business capital, the two most common are personal savings and bank debt financing. Outside of having...

Alone in your time zone: are you plagued by chronic lateness? Here's how to tell--and what you can do to change.(Attitude Enhancement)
December 1, 2004... Do you have a chronic lateness problem? Be honest with yourself. We won't call you out, but you know who you are. If you don't, then here is a clue: You miss deadlines and appointments at least 30% of the time (leaving behind lost opportunities...

Jack of all trades?(Help Yourself)
December 1, 2004... I'm a young, black man who needs advice on investing, money management, etc. I work in counseling, where there is no money, and I am trying to develop a clothing line but I don't have the funds or the know-how. --D. Jackson ...

Smores maker kit.(Shopsmart)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Sleeping bags, wild animals, and cold weather are not required to enjoy your favorite camp-time treat. Share family time at the kitchen includes four ceramic ramekins (perfect for holding marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars) four...

Cellboost instant power.(Shopsmart)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... When you find yourself far from home with no compatible charger in sight, power up with a Cellboost. This lightweight disposable recharger gives your weary phone 60 minutes of talk time and 60 hours of standby, and its small enough to fit in...

Homedics Therapist Select Programmable Percussion Massager.(Shopsmart)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Stressful days call for relaxing evenings, and the Homedics Therapist Select Programmable Percussion Massager is up to the task. The Percussion Massager offers five massages, and three speeds with heat to soothe tired, stressed, and sore...

Wire Snake Cable Organizer.(budget gifts)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... For the jungle of cables behind your computer, TV, and Stereo, Wire Snake Cable Organizers keep home electronics tidy and out of harms way. Available in an assortment of colors, these 2-inch snakes spiral around your cords and cables and are an...

Belkin Tunecast II Mobile FM Transmitter.(budget gifts)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Use your iPod. PDA MP3 CD, cassette Player, PC, or loptop to listen to your favorite tunes through any FM stereo receiver. The Belkin TuneCast It Mobile FM Transmitter connects portable music players to your cat or home stereo duick y and...

Ceramic Measuring Cups.(budget gifts)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Encourage their inner chef with Ceramic Measuring CuDs from Nigella Lawson's Living Kitchen. The teacup-inspired set of four includes 1/4 cup (2 oz.), 1/3 cup (3 oz.), 1/2 cup (4 oz), and 1 cup (8 OZ.). An essential tool for the novice chef,...

Better ways to buy: educate yourself with a consumer handbook.(Priceless Resources)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Consumer Action Handbook is published annually by the U.S. General Services Administration's Federal Citizen Information Center. Included are tips on cars credit, education, employment. health, housing, insurance, investing, travel, and...

A time to give: donate a tree for someone you love.(Did You Know?)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Honor employees, co-workers, or loved ones with a "gift that keeps on giving," through Trees for Life, an organization that offers resources for planting fruit trees in developing countries, For a $1 donation, you'll help protect the...

No credit card, no service?(Ask Your Advocate)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A What do you think about companies that refuse to accept check cards, cash, or personal checks as payment? I feel this is discriminatory. We all know that credit is not available to everyone, and not always for reasons in the user's control....

The art of motion: an engineer dances with capoeira.(Personal Passions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... "The first time I saw it, I was intidimated by it." This is a surprising admission from a 5-foot-9-inch dancer and former athlete who can hurl herself head over heels and land on her feet without using her hands "it looked difficult and...

New Orleans spice: a taste of art and culture in the Crescent City.(Travelogue)
December 1, 2004... A poetic fusion of the melody and the moment is what trumpeter Irvin Mayfield and photographer Gordon Parks crafted when they teamed up in 2001 to produce 10 jazzy tracks for their Half Past Autumn Suite CD. Their vision was not just one of art...

A personal booking.(the season's best)(Studio 162)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Snapshots of memorable moments are artistically arranged and custom designed to tell a personal history or celebrate a particular milestone in what Lauren Clayton calls heirloom books. Her company, Studio 162, offers several compilations,...

The greatest gift.(the season's best)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A legend is honored in a tribute as illustrious as his personality and accomplishments. GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali (Taschen; $10,000) weighs 75 pounds, measures 20"x 20", and is packed with contributions from hundreds of writers and...

Royal travels.(the season's best)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... The formula for Clive Christian Perfumes dates back to 1872, but its classic appeal is alluringly modern offering scents exotic and rare in three popular fragrances: No. 1, the world's most expensive perfume; 1872; and X. The perfumer has...

Mixing matters.(the season's best)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Its name is an exotic palindrome, Navan, a French Cognac, from the House of Grand Marnier, is richly enhanced by natural black vanilla, a rare spice from Madagascar. Traditionally a complex spirit to blend, the result is a rich, sweet, and...

Puff pieces.(the season's best)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... The Crown Series is the premier line of cigars from Zino Platinium Crown offers a strong yet balanced taste and an array of aromas from Dominican and Peruvian tobacco leaves that are aged up to five years. There are four types of cigars...

Beauty and the beat.(the season's best)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... It's diamond-studded and the first classic automatic chronograph by Tag Heuer for women. It's also their smallest ever at 53 millimeters. $2,195

The perfect sip: John D. Gregory enjoys an Armagnac moment.(The Enthusiast)
December 1, 2004... Southwest France's Gascogny region--dubbed France's Tuscany--is a gourmand's paradise, from textile and design to literature, food, and spirits. For brandy connoisseurs, there is Armagnac, France's premier brandy. For more than 600 years,...

A snowball's throw away.(Ski Challenge)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Where will the cool people be next Presidents' Day weekend? At the Black Enterprise/AXA Advisors Ski Challenge, enjoying the best in winter sports and power networking. Held at the beautiful Vail Cascade Resort & Spa in Vail, Colorado, from...

Celebrating our 35th anniversary.(Next Month)
December 1, 2004... Since our inception, BLACK ENTERPRISE has been committed to providing proven methods to build wealth through entrepreneurship, career management, and financial empowerment. We've come a long way in our coverage, yet we have further to go. ...