Black Enterprise articles from December 2007

Black Enterprise archives from December 2007

Where are they now?(WEB FEATURES)
December 1, 2007... Our Hot List is a snapshot in time; rarely does anyone stay hot for long. So, many of the ballers and shot callers from 2005 didn't get to grace the pages of the 2007 Hot List. But this doesn't mean they aren't still moving and shaking. Visit...

News with a perspective.(WEB FEATURES)
December 1, 2007... Visit BlackEnterprise.com for insightful weekly columns. Editor-at Large Sakina Spruell answers visitor's questions about building wealth in her personal finance column. Hollywood insider George Alexander keeps readers abreast of the business...

Web tools.(BlackEnterprise.com)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FRANCHISE FINDER www.blackenterprise.com/franchisefinder Select from franchises that suit your interests and open your dream business today! GET $40 WHEN YOU INVEST www.blackenterprise.com/bemoney...

Web highlights.(BlackEnterprise.com)
December 1, 2007... FROM THE CORNER OFFICE Get management tips from our CEO, Earl "Butch" Graves Jr., and other powerful execs. www.blackenterprise.com/fco HBCU ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT View and vote on HBCU alumni who are making a difference! ...

My wife, my partner.(publisher's page)(Viewpoint essay)
December 1, 2007... Let's face it: It is extremely difficult to build a multimillion-dollar company from scratch, negotiate the treacherous peaks and valleys of a successful career, or achieve financial security in an economy marked by uncertainty and rapid...

Our hot team.(About This Issue)
December 1, 2007... Every two years, we spend several months engaged in a global search for business superstars to include on The Hot List, our roster of the best and the brightest under the age of 40. By far, it is our most eclectic compilation of extraordinary...

Can't hide from breast cancer.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... I appreciate your willingness to keep [the breast cancer crisis] in the hearts and minds of Americans ("Winning the Battle Against Breast Cancer," October 2007). I have lost several family members to cancer, and my mother underwent surgery for...

The rich and not so famous.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... I THOROUGHLY ENJOY READING BLACK ENTERPRISE EVERY month and never miss an issue. The knowledge I have gained is invaluable and has motivated me to build my publishing and business empire. One of my favorite features is your annual BE 100s...

Enterprising hope.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT READING YOUR MAGAZINE gives me hope. I have been in the Marine Corps for over 15 years, and I look forward to pursuing my dream of owning my own enterprise in the food industry. I just write down all of my ideas until...

Educational aid for undergrads.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While African American college students, especially males, bate barriers to an equitable education ("Higher Learning," Facts & Figures, October 2007). there are programs on college and university campuses across the...

Inspired entrepreneurship.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... I would like to share with you my transition from a local government employee to an entrepreneur. It all began for me when I mustered the courage to resign from my job so I could be more flexible and have more time for my kids. My first...

Correction.(Letters)(Correction notice)
December 1, 2007... CORRECTION: In "Talent Scout" (Powerplay, November 2007), Bernard Bedon's company was misidentified. Bedon is the senior vice president, global talent management director at Publicis Groupe Media.

Knicks lose big: Isiah Thomas to appeal court's decision to award Anucha Browne Sanders in sexual harassment suit.(AROUND THE NATION)(Anucha Browne Sanders)
December 1, 2007... FORMER BASKETBALL MARKETING EXECUTIVE ANUCHA Browne Sanders was awarded $11.6 million in punitive damages in a sexual harassment suit against Madison Square Garden L.R and her former boss, Knicks President of Basketball Operations and Head...

More than hot air? You decide: presidential candidates sound off on their platform issues while BE places its bets on each party's nominee.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
December 1, 2007... Never have the choices been wider. Never have the stakes for 21st-century America been higher. The 2008 presidential campaign has already made history in terms of its diverse slate of candidates, the cost of the race, and its early start: There...

Bob Johnson opens car dealership: plans to provide a bridge to create more minority owners.(B.E. 100s)
December 1, 2007... Robert L. Johnson, founder of The RLJ Cos. (parent company of RLJ Development L.L.C., No. 8 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVlCE list with $460 million in sales), has widened the road for aspiring minority car dealers with a new automotive partnership....

McIntosh family sells car dealership: charges that Chrysler's "cut and run" strategy leaves dealers vulnerable.(B.E. 100s)(Kirkland Chrysler Jeep Inc. is sold to Chrysler L.L.C.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... AFTER 12 YEARS IN AUTOMOTIVE sales, the McIntosh family--well known in Seattle's metro area--recently sold Kirkland Chrysler Jeep Inc. (No. 84 on the BE AUTO DEALER 100 with $26.5 million in sales) to Greg Rairdon Jeep Chrysler. The Kirkland...

Investment firms unite: coalition fights new tax law.(BUSINESS NEWS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Minorities who work in the private equity and investment management sector battle mega funds such as The Carlyle Group and The Blackstone Group daily. Now they are facing another foe--Congress. Ways and Means Committee recently held a...

Businessman legend passes: Charles H. James II credited with transforming family business.(Charles H. James of The James Corp.)(In memoriam)
December 1, 2007... THE AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS community has lost one of its pioneers in Charles H. James II. As president and chairman of food distribution company The James Corp., James dedicated 36 years of his life to molding the multigenerational business...

Green interests growing: black attitudes reflect increasing concern for the environment.(FACTS & FIGURES)
December 1, 2007... BLACKS ARE GOING "GREEN", OR MAKING MORE SUSTAINABLE decisions that benefit not only their lives but the lives of generations to come. In a recent report on sustainability by The Hartman Group, a market research firm in Bellevue, Washington,...

There's still time to save: three year-end money moves you don't want to overlook.(FINANCIAL PLANNING)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THOUGH MOST PEOPLE FIND LITTLE HUMOR IN THE subject of taxes, proper tax planning requires a sense of timing, just like a well-delivered joke. Though you should have your tax strategies in place throughout the year,...

Real opportunities: don't let mortgage mayhem steer you away from sound investments.(STOCK PICKS)
December 1, 2007... Problems in the real estate market may make you want to run for the hills, but there are still some investment opportunities to be found. According to Arthur Oduma, a senior equity analyst with Morningstar, the Chicago-based fund research...

There's always one: stellar portfolio weighed down by Office Depot.(STOCK UPDATE)(Office Depot Inc.)
December 1, 2007... WHEN DAWN ALSTON PAIGE, CO-FOUNDER OF Durham, North Carolina-based Piedmont Investment Advisors (No. 12 on the BE ASSET MANAGERS list with $1.4 billion in assets under management), picked Office Depot as part of a defensive-minded portfolio,...

In control: tips for navigating a buyer's market.(HOMEOWNERSHIP)(Samantha Justice of Sibley Heart Center Cardiology)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SAMANTHA JUSTICE NEEDED TO MAKE SOME CONNECTIONS. In May, at a networking event for young black professionals, the 23-year-old human resources specialist for Sibley Heart Center Cardiology in Atlanta mingled with her...

Understanding the Fed: get a handle on how Ben Bernanke's decisions affect your wallet.(INVESTOR INSIGHT)
December 1, 2007... If you've ever had to bluff your way through a conversation on the Federal Reserve System--at a cocktail party, perhaps--you're not alone. After all, no institution is as camouflaged in academic jargon. And news reports about the Fed's...

The year in review.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Q My husband and I eventually plan to pick and invest in stocks ourselves; however, we are finding it difficult to learn how to read and analyze corporate annual reports. College classes can be expensive. Do you have any more affordable...

Picture of success: when filmmaker hit a rough patch, financing and friends helped smooth the way.(MAKING IT)(Caglevision Inc.)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AS THE SAYING GOES: WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, the tough get going. They also cry along the way, oftentimes to friends and family. "There were a lot of tears," says Kenya Cagle, president and CEO of Caglevision...

Calling all recruiters: AgentHR puts staffing agents in charge.(BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES)(Company overview)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] UNSTABLE MARKETS AND SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH have not put the squeeze on the recruiting and staffing industry. Personnel staffing agencies generated revenues of $130 billion in 2006, according to Hoover's, a...

Building your business: a strong Web presence is a must.(BUSINESS TOOLS)
December 1, 2007... "HAVING A PRESENCE ONLINE IS LIKE BEING IN THE PHONE book," says Maisha Walker. But, as with a telephone directory, not every company on the Internet is prominent enough. Many small businesses have an inadequate Web presence, says Walker, 34,...

Management: via e-mail: how to successfully manage virtual teams.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)
December 1, 2007... In 2004, Timothy A. Wilson took his management consulting and organizational development firm national in just two weeks and on a shoestring budget. Wilson, CEO of Massachusetts-based T.A. Wilson & Associates, hired a team of virtual workers to...

Identify and conquer.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Q I am a 22-year-old entrepreneur and want to expand my business. I sell body oil and other beauty and skincare products wholesale. I'd like to create a more professional display for my products and distribute them to stores along the East...

Geek, chic, or super [tech] freak? Find the perfect present for everyone on your list.(GIFT GUIDE)
December 1, 2007... Whether you celebrate Christmas Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, all of the above, or none, one thing's for certain: the holidays mean giving and receiving gifts. But acrylic scarves, holiday ties, itchy wool socks, and cheap cologne won't cut it (those are...

Count on this: how one young professional blends bean counting and financial controls with business savvy.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Stacey Ryan-Cornelius of Sarbanes-Oxley )(Interview)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How do you ensure your position as a strategic partner as opposed to a cash counter? With all the cost-control measures, we've had to find ways to cut costs. So, to have a significant investment, we ask: What's...

1 Work is an action word.(Action Plan)(The Obvious: All You Need to Know in Business. Period.)(Brief article)(Book review)
December 1, 2007... BERNARD BELL, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR TV ONE, INSISTS THAT HE knows there is no mystery to business success. "The secret is that there is no secret," he declares. The cable media executive contends that one's ability to excel in business is a...

2 A woman's advantage.(ACTION PLAN)(Cheryl Dorsey of Boston University Plastic Surgery Associates Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... ALTHOUGH THE MEDICAL PRACTICE SHE MANAGED WAS ALREADY thriving, Cheryl Dorsey knew that strengthening her management skills would only benefit her company and help her work environment continue to grow and develop successfully. "Leadership...

3 Creating your personal succession plan.(ACTION PLAN)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... ACCORDING TO THE SOCIETY FOR Human Resource Management 2006 Succession Planning Survey Report, more than 58% of companies surveyed use succession plans, which are career road maps for employees preparing to transition into higher-level...

Negotiating your move: been offered a big opportunity? Here's how to relocate successfully.(MAKING CONNECTIONS)
December 1, 2007... When Torra Haynes, manager of merchandising operations for Limited Brands in Columbus, Ohio, was offered a promotion that required her to relocate from New York, she balked at the idea of moving--even though the new position would benefit her...

Diversity hunt.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Q I have been a corporate communications specialist for six months. I would love to stay with this company, but they don't have any blacks in management. How can I find a company that promotes diversity? Can I include this in my objective on my...

Helen Shelton.(On The MOVE)(appointments in Ruder Finn Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Executive Vice President of Multicultural and Image Marketing Group Organization: Ruder Finn Inc. Location: New York Responsibilities: Oversees the communications goals of consumer brands...

Anthony Caudle.(On The MOVE)(appointments in Comerica Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Managing Director and Head of Corporate Investment Banking Group Organization: Comerica Securities Location: Detroit Responsibilities: Leading a national team of bankers and analysts with...

Anne Sempowski Ward.(On The MOVE)
December 1, 2007... New Position: President and Chief Operating Officer Organization: Fashion Fair Cosmetics Location: Chicago Responsibilities: Leading sales, product development, supply chain, and marketing; implementing initiatives to strengthen...

Barbara Ross Miller.(On The MOVE)(appointments in Sony Electronics Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Vice President, Multi-Channel Marketing Organization: Sony Electronics Inc. Location: San Diego Responsibilities: Assists in defining strategies and integrating initiatives that enhance the...

Rose Atkins.(On The MOVE)(appoinments in FarCor Studios)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Global President of Distribution and Co-Production Organization: FarCor Studios Location: Los Angeles Responsibilities: Developing worldwide marketing strategies and overseeing foreign...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... The Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center African-American Trailblazers Dec. 2-Jan. 7, 2008, Newport News, VA; 757-247-2360; www.newsomehouse.org Greater Washington, D.C. Black Memorabilia, Art & Doll Show Dec. 7-8; Washington, DC;...

Ready to go the distance: here's a closer look at three past winners: B.E. catches up with a few of our 2006 financial fitness contest winners to see if they're close to the finish line.(BLACK WEALTH INITIATIVE)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AS PART OF THE BLACK ENTERPRISE BLACK WEALTH INITIATIVE, we hope that an award of $2,000 and the advice of a financial adviser will enable contest winners to make some real changes in their financial lives. But we...

Eliminated student loan debt--now! Here's a foolproof plan to get rid of your debt while you're still young.(MONEY MANAGEMENT)(repaying loan)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LIKE MOST RECENT COLLEGE GRADS, Tamika Gambrell, now 26, left school with hefty student loans--debt that now has to be paid, along with all the other bills that come with living on one's own. Gambrell, who lives...

Me first! Putting others' needs before your own can be hazardous to your career and your health.(MOTIVATION)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] ANDREW J. MILISITS JR. THOUGHT HE could do it all. The 36-year-old husband and father of three is an entrepreneur, a soccer coach, and an active member of boards and organizations in the Washington. D.C., area. As...

The rise of independent music: indie labels maximize control.(BUSINESS OF ENTERTAINMENT)
December 1, 2007... FOR THE FIRST 12 years of her career, six-time Grammy Award-nominated R&B singer Tamia enjoyed the success of three chart-topping albums. Her 2001 solo hit, "Stranger in My House," and "Into You," her 2003 duet with rapper Fabolous, were both...

Hotlist 07: these bold innovators--all under the age of 40--are shaping our world.(DeAnna Allen of Dickstein, Shapiro and Morin L.L.P.)(Tyra Banks of Bankable Productions)(Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter of Def Jam Recordings)(Cover story)
December 1, 2007... MAKING THEIR MARK ON SECTORS RANGING FROM finance and medicine to media and entertainment, this year's roster of BLACK ENTERPRISE Hot List honorees are young, audacious change agents. Some have redefined American culture. Others have cut...

A click in the right direction: website teaches youth financial literacy.(EVERYDAY HERO)(Website overview)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY KIDS OUT THERE WHO ARE trying for that easy dollar, but that is just not the way," says Donald Lee Robinson. "You have to work and save to get the things you need." According to Charles...

'Tis the season: have a generous heart with these gifts of glee.(INSPIRATIONAL NOTES)
December 1, 2007... THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS UPON US AND IS OFTEN THE BEST TIME TO SHOW someone your appreciation. A gift that reflects your gratitude and highlights your thoughtfulness can be difficult to find. Nevertheless, these items will give anyone on your list...

Wanting more.(PEP TALK)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q I am a 23-year-old single mother with a full-time and part-time job. I'm also a member of the military reserves. Each job is necessary for me to pay just the basic bills. I really want to go back to school full...

Bright gift-giving ideas: some best buys this season for under $100.(HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE)
December 1, 2007... TO TAKE SOME OF THE HEADACHE OUT OF YOUR HOLIDAY shopping and the burden off your budget, check out our best picks for gifts under $100 for friends and family. From indulgences to gadgets to pet treats, these gifts will delight everyone on your...

Smoke signals: Johnny Drake on what to expect in a fine cigar.(THE ENTHUSIAST)(Renaissance Cigar Emporium)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LOUNGING IN A SOFT LEATHER RECLINER AFTER ALONG day, a single malt scotch or port in one hand and a premium, hand-rolled stogie slowly smoldering in the other is Nirvana for many cigar lovers. Unfortunately, smoking...

A Bahamas mancation--well, sort of: female writer embarks on a manly travel excursion.(FIRST-CLASS TICKET)(Graycliff Hotel)(Viewpoint essay)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I DIDN'T CUT MY CIGAR, A HUGE FAUX PAS, PARTICULARLY since I'm trying out a rugged, adventurous vacation designed for men--a mancation, if you will--at the Graycliff Hotel (www.gray cliff.com) in Nassau, Bahamas. At...

The luxury of giving: unique gifts for discriminating tastes.(HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Road Kill It's a cruiser truly unlike any other, particularly for the enthusiast who collects hot wheels. This open-air ride, the three-wheeled 2008 BRP Can-Am Spyder, handles like a sports vehicle as it...

Our world with Black Enterprise.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)
December 1, 2007... What do Alek Wek, Cedric the Entertainer, Magic Johnson, and Robert Townsend have in common? They can all be seen on Our World with Black Enterprise! To catch up with these superstars and a host of others, be sure to tune in each week. Stop by...

Black Enterprise Business Report.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Black Enterprise Business Report has what you're looking for! This television program about black business and entrepreneurship is the only one of its kind. Tune in weekly to get the latest, including presidential...

Women of Power Summit.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)
December 1, 2007... Registration for the third annual Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm[R] is almost sold out! Don't miss your chance to attend today's most highly praised event for executive women of color. Get ready for more sessions, more speakers, and...

Entrepreneurs Conference.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)(Conference news)
December 1, 2007... Attention entrepreneurs! Registration for the 2008 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by General Motors opens Dec. 1! This conference, May 14-17 at The Westin Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina, will give you exclusive...

Back talk with Terrie M. Williams.(Stay Strong Foundation)(Interview)
December 1, 2007... IT'S QUITE IRONIC THAT TERRIE M. WILLIAMS, WHO is well known as the president of her own public relations agency, an author, and the founder of a youth empowerment organization called the Stay Strong Foundation, once studied to become a...