Black Enterprise articles from December 2005

Black Enterprise archives from December 2005

The NBA dress code: setting high standards.(publisher's page)
December 1, 2005... On Nov. 1, opening day of the 2005-2006 National Basketball Association season, NBA Commissioner David Stern implemented a policy that, frankly, I am amazed the league has gone without for as long as it has: a dress code. The NBA (as well as...

Why our list is hot.(About This Issue)
December 1, 2005... The atmosphere inside Studio C in New York is wired. Behind the photographer, small groups of entourages, stylists, and makeup artists huddle around this year's brightest African Americans under 40. CNN anchor and reporter Soledad O'Brien is...

Conscience calls.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... As I sat watching Oprah Winfrey's tour of the Gulf Coast, the one question that burned in my heart was "What can I do to help my people?" In your August 2005 issue, you featured a group called NGAAP founded by Darryl Lester and Athan Lindsay...

From theory to practice.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I LOOK FORWARD TO MY BE MAGAZINE EVERY MONTH. THE ARTICLES YOU write are very informative; inspiring; and give good, solid direction. It is because of the sound wisdom and advice this magazine gave me that I was able to buy my first home. My...

Spiritual business.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... EVERY DAY, I START OUT BY PRAYING TO MY HIGHER POWER TO AID ME IN becoming a better supervisor, parent, and person, and to help me become more financially equipped to maintain the balance one must have in life. In addition to my scriptural...

The best investment.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... MANY THANKS TO BLACK ENTERPRISE and Nicole Lewis for the article "Invest in Yourself" in the August 2005 issue. I am a 20-year-old college student at a community college contemplating my future. Before reading your article, I was very hesitant...

Actively committed to B.E.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I just wanted to thank you for the article about extreme adventures in the September issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine C Journey to Adventure." Lifestyle). I've been a dedicated BLACK ENTERPRISE reader for as long as l can remember and am...

Motivated and inspired.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... CONGRATULATIONS ON CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE. The primary purpose for this letter is to express my feelings about your article on Arthur George Gaston ("A.G. Gaston: Rough Road to Riches," August 2005). The sheer determination that...

Quest for success.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... AS I EMBARK ON THIS NEXT PHASE OF MY JOURNEY IN LIFE, I AM SO VERY thankful for BLACK ENTERPRISE. I am in the very early stages of starting a business offering AutoCAD services--one of many endeavors. I have read or known about BLACK ENTERPRISE...

The measure of success.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES across the nation have long been ignored by much of the mainstream media. The exception is the negativity portrayed on television. Most of my disabled friends are able to overcome their circumstances to achieve...

Corrections.(Letters)(Correction Notice)
December 1, 2005... In "Rebuilding an Empire" (November 2005), we mispelled the name of Capri Capital Advisors Chairman and CEO Quintin E. Primo III. In "Smart Retirement Planning for Every Age" (October 2005), we incorrectly reported that the Gipsons did not have...

Herman J. Russell: master builder: this entrepreneur built a construction empire brick by brick while reshaping the Atlanta skyline.(Ultimate Wealth Builders)
December 1, 2005... When Herman J. Russell bought his first property in 1946--a vacant lot where he later built a duplex--it's likely that the ambitious 16-year-old had no idea what his first entrepreneurial endeavor would lead to. Acquiring and developing real...

FEMA chided for playing favorites: minorities in line for Katrina reconstruction contracts may finally get a shot.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
December 1, 2005... After complaints that small and minority-owned firms were being excluded from no-bid contracts awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for jobs related to the recovery from Hurricane Katrina, FEMA announced in October that it would...

Now playing: celebrities hope to give black films a fighting chance.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... It's hard enough to get a black film made in Hollywood. But it's even harder to get it distributed. Actors Will Smith, Duane Martin, and Blair Underwood have teamed up with producers Nia Hill and D'Angela Steed to change that. In July, the...

First to the starting line: educated blacks and Hispanics more likely to start businesses, but money woes squash dreams.(BUSINESS NEWS)
December 1, 2005... They are writing business plans, meeting bankers, and scouting locations. Americans who are young, male, and black or Hispanic are much more likely to be involved in a business startup than other segments of the population. According to...

Should every vote count? Nearly 1.4 million black men have no political voice.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
December 1, 2005... The struggle for voting rights has been a long one in the black community. From literacy tests to Jim Crow laws, blacks in America have had much to overcome to gain power at the polls. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) says many blacks are...

Are co-ops the way? Experts say cooperatives enable black communities to build wealth.(AROUND THE NATION)
December 1, 2005... Scholars and community activists called for more research on cooperatives in response to a Department of Agriculture hearing in September, beseeching officials to study urban and worker-owned co-ops among different racial groups. Such research...

Foreman going for another round.(NEWSBYTES)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman has inked several exclusive licensing deals with MM Companies Inc. in exchange for a 35% ownership share of the company. As a result MM Companies, former owner of online custom music retailer...

Sears Holdings Corp.(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Aylwin B. Lewis, 51, one of BE'S Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America, was appointed CEO of Sears Holdings Corp. in September. Lewis is also president of the company, which was created by the merger of Kmart Holding Corp....

Verizon Communications Inc.(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Jerri DeVard has added another notch to her belt at Verizon Communications Inc. DeVard, 47, one of SE'S Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America, became senior vice president of marketing and brand management in September. She will...

Overreaching for the roof: home buyers are stretching the purse to live American dream.(FACTS & FIGURES)
December 1, 2005... Home prices are rising faster than incomes, causing home buyers to hazard a financial stretch they can't sustain, finds a report by The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. Median home prices grew four times faster than the...

When guarding your investment is key: Nita Swinton turned to a principal-protected annuity to guard against market losses.(INVESTMENT STRATEGIES)
December 1, 2005... Nita Swinton has found a way to lessen the sting when the stock market declines. A few years ago, Swinton became alarmed when her retirement investments began to decline sharply. The married mother of twin girls was holding some losers in her...

Northern bounty: Ken Kammal of BASE Investment Management says companies in Canada are expanding.(STOCK PICKS)
December 1, 2005... When Ken Kammal, founder, chief executive, and chief investment officer of BASE Investment Management Co., looks at Canada, he sees a strong economy and undervalued gold and energy companies. Kammal has placed great faith in the Canadian...

Slow growth is a winner: Alfred Jackson's patient approach delivered positive returns.(PORTFOLIO REVIEW)
December 1, 2005... Last year, Alfred Jackson, a partner at Davis Hamilton Jackson & Associates in Houston, took a look ahead and decided it was best to be conservative with his investment philosophy. Given the rising interest rat e environment and his belief...

The new Roth 401(k): save now and enjoy tax-free withdrawals in retirement.(PERSONAL FINANCE)
December 1, 2005... Imagine life during your retirement years--free of work and free of kids. Now, it could be free of taxes. The Roth IRA has been around since 1997, allowing workers to invest after-tax income toward retirement. Contributions grow tax-free and...

The 5 Keys to Value Investing: learn to evaluate companies and build a stock portfolio.
December 1, 2005... This year, the financial markets have perplexed even the most bullish of money managers. Individual investors bold enough to engage in stock picking on their own can get help from The 5 Keys To Value Investing by J. Dennis Jean-Jacques (The...

CD, IRA, OR 401(k)?(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Q A Since there won't be any social security by the time I'll be of age to collect it what would be the best vehicle to invest in for the next 40 years--an IRA, CD, or 401(k)? --D. Williams Via the Internet Since you are talking about...

Damage control: disaster recovery company puts hurricane victims back in business.(MAKING IT)
December 1, 2005... Corey Pitts took a moment to assess the insurmountable devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region this summer. As he stood in a heavily soiled hotel lobby in New Orleans, he says it took every ounce of his strength not to...

Urban appetite: companies change focus to appeal to young, inner-city consumers.(CLOSING THE SALE)
December 1, 2005... They seemed an odd couple at first--one a conservative and established institution, the other a group of energetic disciples of hip-hop culture. But when the U.S. Postal Service joined the 135th Street Agency to throw a media reception in New...

Property passion: one fireman's endeavor into real estate is providing affordable housing for his community.(MAKING IT)
December 1, 2005... Everytime fire station bell sounds, Jeffery Sealey and his crew have to be ready for anything. The morning they were dispatched to rescue Margaret Smith and her two toddlers from their burning home was no different. Arriving on the scene,...

First impressions: your business card speaks volumes.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... What does your business card say about you? In many cases, it isn't as promising as you think, says Sonya Lowery, author of The Secret Language of Business Cards: And what your brochure is saying behind your back, (Jordan Maxwell Publishing;...

No vacancies.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Q A I am interested in the real estate business, but I have no experience in that field. I want to buy and rehabilitate vacant houses in Baltimore for resale. How should I start and what basic knowledge do I need to have? --Priscilla J....

Lowery recommends the following to ensure you're making a positive impression with your business card.(ENTERPRISE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Stick with the standard size. Larger format or odd shaped cards can be cumbersome. A standard size card will be easier for people to put in a business card bolder. Consider offset printing. Though digital printing is generally cheaper...

Tech the halls: these must-have gadgets should be on every holiday gift list.(HOLIDAY BUYERS' GUIDE)(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2005... 1 IPOD LOOK AND LISTEN This latest version of the ubiquitous iPod solidifies Apple's dominance in the MP3 player kingdom. The lighter, thinner iPod makes the most of your music experience by letting you watch music videos and TV shows...

Funny business: the man behind the largest urban comedy festival.(CAREER PROFILE)
December 1, 2005... Former drummer and Morehouse graduate Ron Wilson followed his instinct and learned the discipline of entertainment law. The Berkeley, California, native knew that understanding the creative and business aspects of entertainment would allow him...

Take the work home: get your boss to see the benefits of working from outside of the office.(MAKING CONNECTIONS)
December 1, 2005... Sheila Herring was happy to land a job that offered a great salary good benefits, and the opportunity to telework--perform duties from outside of the office. "Teleworking has provided me job flexibility to be a productive employee without...

In the money.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(job in investment companies)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Q A I am interested in getting into the institutional investing career field, Where should I begin my search for companies in this field and qualifications to enter this career? I have been in the investment arena with sales since graduating in...

Food Network.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 1 Kim Williamson has been named director of programming for the Food Network. In her new position, she is responsible for overseeing primetime programs produced by several independent production companies, including half-hour series one-hour...

Russ Parr Morning Show.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 2 Darryl Huckaby has been promoted to ,vice president of operations for the Russ Parr Morning Show. He is responsible for programming and national marketing campaigns, in addition to working closely with the programming departments to boost...

National Black Programming Consortium.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 3 Jacquie Jones is the new executive director of the National Black Programming Consortium. She plans to broaden the support base of the organization by promoting and funding documentaries and dramas that appeal to African Americans. Prior to...

Illinois Tool Works Inc.(appointments)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 4 James H, Wooten Jr, has been promoted to vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of Illinois Tool Works Inc., a developer and processor of engineered components, industrial systems, and consumables. Wooten will be responsible...

Money magazine.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 5 Sheryl Hillard Tucker has been promoted from executive editor to editor-at-large for Money magazine. In her new position, she will lend her expertise to a number of the organization's publications, beginning with Health, where she will assist...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)
December 1, 2005... National Council of Negro Women 52nd National Convention Nov. 28-Dec. 4; Washington, DC; 202-737-0120; www.ncnw.org 100 Black Men of America Inc. Leadership Summit Dec. 1-4; Miami; 404-688-5100; www.100blackmen.org Black Enterprise/AXA...

Building a better future: expert advice helped our 2004 financial fitness contest winners create the right foundation to reach their goals.(Black Wealth Initiative)
December 1, 2005... WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCES, THINK OF TIME AS AN ALLY. WE NEED TIME TO MAKE OUR DREAMS COME TRUE. FOR OUR 2004 BLACK ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL FITNESS CONTEST WINNERS, THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING ONE FILLED WITH VICTORIES AND...

Year-end investment strategies: the end of the year could be the beginning of great portfolio returns.(INVESTING)
December 1, 2005... MARKED BY SOARING OIL PRICES AND surging floodwaters, 2005 has been a difficult year for investors. Generally, the larger U.S. stock and bond markets have gone nowhere. Foreign markets, though, have had a decent year while some areas of real...

What it takes to be a successful intrapreneur: three corporate dynamos run with a big idea and bring in megaprofits for their companies .(FROM THE CORNER OFFICE)
December 1, 2005... WHAT'S AN IDEA WORTH? TO A CORPORATE entity willing to embrace and support it, the right idea could bring millions, Lockheed Martin Information Technology, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin and the brainchild of its president, Linda Gooden, made...

Hotlist 05: they're bold, innovative, powerful--and all under 40.(Cover Story)
December 1, 2005... OVER THE YEARS, BLACK ENTERPRISE HAS DEVELOPED A REPUTATION FOR IDENTIFYING BUSINESS SUPERSTARS IN INDUSTRIES RANGING FROM FINANCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT. We have placed a spotlight on many of them before they have achieved...

High-performance R&D, delivered.(Wyeth)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Determined to boost its output of innovative new medicines, Wyeth's research & development leadership teamed with Accenture to reengineer the way the pharmaceutical company discovers new molecular entities and moves them through preclinical...

High performance delivered for government.(New York City 311)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... More than 2000 non-emergency city services in 170 languages for 8 million residents-services that once took 14 pages of telephone numbers in New York City-are now available 24/7 with a single call to 311. Working closely with the city's...

Building a good rep: doing so could make or break your future.(ATTITUDE ENHANCEMENT)
December 1, 2005... Jerome Henderson spent the first nine years of his professional life running down wide receivers as a defensive back in the National Football League. These days, he has a new playbook--managing a team of mortgage bankers in Raleigh, North...

Inspirational notes: prescriptions to make you feel good again.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)
December 1, 2005... Two years ago, Sheraun Britton-Parris struggled with self-doubt. After she quit her marketing job to launch an inspirational T-shirt line, insecurities prolonged her path to entrepreneurship. But short, simple, repetitive phrases gave...

Wandering in the dark.(HELP YOURSELF)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Q A I am 37 years old and trying to enter the world of freelance writing. I have no writing experience at all but love the written word. I am working, but not as a full-time writer because of the pressure and deadlines involved. I was looking...

Speaking out on diversity.(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... BLACK ENTERPRISE'S top Companies for Workforce Diversity: * AFLAC * ARAMARK * BANK OF AMERICA * BELLSOUTH * DAIMBLERCHRYSLER * FANNIE MAE * FEDEX EXPRESS * MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. * MCDONALD'S...

Shopsmart: simplify your life: holiday buyers guide: fun, practical gifts for the kid in all of us.(YOUR CONSUMER ADVOCATE)(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2005... 1 THE SOUND OF MUSIC KENSINGTON STEREO DOCK Developed for the iPod, this wireless device combines two functions in one: It simultaneously recharges your iPod and turns your mobile system into a home stereo, With minimal setup and the click of...

Don't be a fuel: ways to save on gas.(SECRET SAVINGS)
December 1, 2005... In recent months, gas prices have swelled to record numbers. The Energy Information Administration reports the national average is swiftly moving upward to more than $3 dollars per gallon for regular grade. But don't fret; the Alliance to Save...

It's in the mail: websites show how to get free products delivered to your doorstep.(PRICELESS RESOURCES)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Many consumers get excited when they receive a free product sample in the mail once or twice a year. Did you know that reputable manufacturers are clamoring to get their products into your hands year-round? Sites like www.mytownoffers.com and...

Restoring credit.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Q A I am a recent college graduate and have a very low credit score. I had six credit cards that I let go into collections. I will start my career--which, ironically, is in the financial services industry--during the summer. I realize my past...

Shall we dance: Nathan Daniels' grand ballroom sweep.(THE ENTHUSIAST)
December 1, 2005... Boxing champ Evander Holyfield's fancy footwork on the TV show Dance with the Stars didn't earn him first prize, but the surge in attention ballroom dancing is receiving is a big win, according to Nathan "Hawes" Daniels. "I've noticed increased...

The spirit of giving: holiday buyers' guide: gifts for the very people in your life.(LIFESTYLE)(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2005... 1 IN THE BLACK With a history that dates back to 1845, Glashutte Original introduced watches for women in 1874 and has continued its tradition of exquisite designs. Its Star Collection includes the Black Secret, a time piece accentuated with...

Stepping out: June Ambrose rings in holiday style.(IN FASHION)
December 1, 2005... June Ambrose's passion is fashion. She shops for a living. Unlike many in her industry, Ambrose gives direction instead of taking it, designing looks, forecasting trends, and hosting fashion segments for VH1, MTV, Regis & Kelly, and The View....

State farm signs on as host.(WOMEN OF POWER SUMMIT)
December 1, 2005... BLACK ENTERPRISE is partnering with State Farm Insurance Co. to launch the inaugural Women of Power Summit, the highly anticipated professional leadership conference designed exclusively for women of color executives. Focusing on the unique...

Backtalk with Walter Mosley.
December 1, 2005... Walter Mosley, best-selling author of 21 books available in 21 languages is a study in subtle literary craftsmanship. His books dissect the political and economic relationship between race and class. His latest novel, Cinnamon Kiss, is the 10th...