Black Enterprise articles from February 2002

Black Enterprise archives from February 2002

Top cities in review. (Web Features).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Now that we are officially in a recession and at war, find out how the black populace has been affected in BLACK ENTERPRISE'S "10 Best Cities for African Americans." See how lay-offs and new public officials have influenced black constituents'...

Overcome the job market. (Web Features).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... In this uncertain corporate climate, staying optimistic about job security is difficult. In line with the four-part career management series starting in this issue, blackenterprise.com will give entry-level, mid-career, and seasoned...

Franchise solutions. (Web Tools).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Have you been looking for the right business opportunities to fulfill those entrepreneurial dreams? We at blackenterprise.com can help you find the industry that suits your talents perfectly. By using our free Franchise Finder, you can locate...

ShareBuilder by Netstock. (Web Tools).(online investment service)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... ShareBuilder and blackenterprise.com are offering investors a unique and innovative way to invest for the long term. Through blackenterprise.com ShareBuilder, you can set up an online account that will build your portfolio over time through...

Read the fine print. (Web Columns).(Web site on George W. Bush tax cut)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Get the lowdown on President George W. Bush's new tax cut and proposed stimulus package. Business Editor Hughes follows the legislation to see if it will deliver all it promises. His columns will also give insightful advice to small-business...

Excellence in leadership. (Publisher's Page).(importance of reporting on African Americans in leadership positions)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
February 1, 2002... The current National Football League season comes to a close when Super Bowl XXXVI is played on February 3, 2002, in New Orleans. There were 21 African American quarterbacks on the rosters of the 31 NFL teams this season. Today, this...

About this issue.
February 1, 2002... For three decades, our February issue has been designated as the annual careers and opportunities guide. Although we have not departed from tradition, the editors of BLACK ENTERPRISE believe this issue represents much more. Think of it as your...

Happy returns. (Letters).
February 1, 2002... AS A LONG TIME SUBSCRIBER AND A FINANCIAL advisor, I want to commend you for your coverage of financial and investment issues. The African American community sorely needs this information, and you serve us well. In the article "Investing...

Customer's view. (Letters).
February 1, 2002... I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH I enjoyed the article in the November 2001 issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE featuring Evelyn Arnette and her company, A Customer's Point of View ("Secret Service," Powerplay). I work for more than 70 different...

Success by design. (Letters).
February 1, 2002... I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR informative article on black auto designers ("Performance by Design," November 2001). Reading the designers' profiles, I was surprised at how closely their formative years mirrored mine. I, too, have been...

Inventive minds. (Letters).
February 1, 2002... AFTER READING YOUR ARTICLE "AMERICA'S Leading Black Doctors" in the August 2001 issue, I was really proud to see us really contributing. This article will surely serve as an inspiration for many black medical school students as well as those...

Other great cities. (Letters).
February 1, 2002... THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHTS PROVIDED IN the July 2001 issue of BE on the "10 Best Cities for African Americans." While I agree in principle that we need to spotlight cities like Houston, Chicago, and Dallas--cities with a strong...

A battle for business: firms cut workforce and streamline operations in a harsh economy. (Business News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Donna Lewis is another business owner struggling not to fall victim to a hostile economy. Sales at her Home Sweet Harlem Cafe in New York, which opened in July 2000, averaged about $18,000 monthly from its opening through August 2001. In...

From boardrooms to snowboards: Ex-Maytag CEO now heads U.S. Olympic Committee. (Newsmaker).(Lloyd Ward)(Brief Article)(Interview)
February 1, 2002... He may no longer be associated with Maytag Corp., but Lloyd Ward is hoping he can play the repairman for a 2002 Olympic Winter Games that have been plagued by scandal. The former Maytag CEO (see "Navigating Bough Waters," this issue) took...

Going solo: former Alliance Capital exec forms private equity firm. (Where Are They Now?).(Frank Savage of Savage Holdings L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Frank Savage wants the world--and he's starting with Africa. The former chairman of Alliance Capital Management International left the financial services powerhouse to form Savage Holdings L.L.C., a private equity firm that will invest in...

Leveling the field: Major League Baseball batting for minority businesses. (Business Opportunities).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Major League Baseball is trying to level the playing field through a program designed to encourage minority- and female-owned businesses to form partnerships with the league. As part of the league's Diverse Business Partners Program, which...

Wittnauer International. (Newsbytes).(acquired by Bulova)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... * What time is it? According to Wittnauer International (whose parent company, Wittnauer Worldwide L.P., is No. 83 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $35 million in sales), it was time for a sale. The company, and several of its...

ABC Radio Networks. (Newsbytes).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... * ABC Radio Networks partnered with Radio One Inc. (No. 17 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $177.2 million in sales) under the banner of Urban Advantage Network to expand ABC Network's reach in the African American community. The deal...

Radio One. (Newsbytes).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... * Speaking of Radio One, they recently announced a partnership with satellite radio provider XM Satellite Radio to offer five channels of urban programming targeted to African Americans and urban listeners. Satellite radios allow listeners to...

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) USA Inc. (Newsbytes).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... * Black ad agencies are in--according to Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) USA Inc. The firm hired African American advertising agency Burrell Communications Group L.L.C. (No. 3 on the BE ADVERTISING AGENCIES list with $179.4 million in billings) to...

A call to arms: African Americans under represented in Special Ops. (Facts & Figures).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... As part of the United States' war on terrorism, thousands of military troops--many of whom are African American--will be called upon to assist in the fight. However, surprisingly few will do so as part of the elite U.S. Special Operations...

Investing in brand names: your favorite products can pump up your portfolio's performance. (Investment Clubhouse).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Heinz Ketchup, Hanes Underwear, Coca-Cola Classic, Campbell's Soup, Sara Lee Cheesecake, and Clorox bleach. Sound like a shopping list? Well, in a way, it is. Anyone who is in the market for stocks ought to check out a...

Food for thought: manufacturers of consumer staples, such as food, can deliver delicious profits in a slowing economy. (Mutual Fund Focus).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... It happens whenever the economy sputters. Wall Street develops an appetite for food stocks the minute bad news crops up. Once there's talk that a recession is coming, shares of companies like General Mills (NYSE: GIS), Kellogg (NYSE: K), or...

Value at bargain prices: Harold Singleton of Metropolitan West Capital Management buys stocks at a discount. (Private Screening).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Harold Singleton, senior vice president of Metropolitan West Capital Management, says there is value in any market if you know where to look. His firm, which manages $2.2 billion in total assets for institutional clients and high net worth...

Slow growth slows losses: there's a method to James Nevels' steady approach to investing. (Stock Update).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... James E. Nevels, chairman and CEO of the Swarthmore Group in West Chester, Pennsylvania, believes his stock picks from last year will give him peace of mind this year. "We're in a difficult environment, but I see recovery by the second quarter...

The gateway to wealth: new B.E.-GE initiative seeks to close the home ownership gap. (Real Estate Strategies).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... African Americans have always trailed whites as home owners. Since 1995, the percentage of African American homeowners in the United States has trailed the percentage of white homeowners by 26% or more--a problem that many believe contributes...

Learning about funds. (Ask B.E.).(letters)
February 1, 2002... Q I'm a beginner investor, and I'm 25 years old. My current salary is in the $38,000 to $45,000 range, and I want to start investing as soon as possible. Where would a single female in these [economic] conditions find out how to purchase a...

Mining venture capital: to gain financing today, use the right tools or get the shaft. (Business Opportunities).(advice for entrepreneurs from the National Association of Investment Companies)
February 1, 2002... In case you've been comatose for the past year or so, the gold rush is over. Entrepreneurs seeking their mother lode through the Net represent a dwindling breed. Many venture firms that funded them have rolled up their tents. And other...

Building for the future: how one entrepreneur created a business in his basement. (Making It).(Anthony Thompson's Kwame Building Group Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... For Anthony Thompson, working over the weekends has paid off. Thompson, 41, is owner of St. Louis-based Kwame Building Group Inc., a provider of construction management, contract-claims management, estimating, scheduling and engineering...

Bucking the trend: one radio station is thriving despite industry slowdown. (Making It).(Cutting Edge Broadcasting Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Economic turmoil may be hurting the advertising industry, but Springfield, Massachusetts-based Cutting Edge Broadcasting Inc., is bucking the trend. The station, which broadcasts adult contemporary music (a mixture of jazz and easy listening)...

Book query. (Savvy Solutions).(letters)
February 1, 2002... Q I would like to know if there's a catalog from which I can order books by black authors on how to start a business. --K. Hoffman Westover, Maryland A Unfortunately, there is no such catalog that l know of. However, at the risk of...

Working virtually works for her: online assistance is slowly catching on. (Black Digerati).(Virtual Support Services L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... For Victoria Parham's company to run at an optimal level, she needs high-speed Internet access. But, as president of Virtual Support Services L.L.C. (www.vsscyberoffice.com), she was forced to live without this must-have technology for several...

Some things old, some things new: Comdex 2001: will technology revive in 2002? (Tech News).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Although last fall's COMDEX didn't feature any groundbreaking technologies or earth-shattering news, some products did stand out. We all know it was a tough year for technology, but the question remains: Will it recover? There are signs that it...

Hidden messages: terrorists aren't the only ones with encryption tools. (Inside Technology).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... During the months and days leading up to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, officials suspect that hijackers and planners of the attacks used steganography, a method of hiding encrypted messages within,...

Laptop Evo-lution. (B.E. Reviews).(Evaluation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Compaq's new Evo N200 is a mini notebook that packs a punch. The 2.5-pound notebook features a 700MHz Pentium III-M (Intel's mobile PIII chip) and 192MB of RAM. While our test focused more on usability than benchmarks, we can tell you the N200...

Oh Mio, my-o. (B.E. Reviews).(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
February 1, 2002... Polaroid's new Mio instant camera is sure to elicit oohs and ahhs. Its metallic silver exterior and curvy form make it an attractive option to other instant cameras. And rather than the usual large, instant pictures, the mio delivers photos...

Tight spaces.(multifunction fax machine from Panasonic)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Smaller offices call for smaller tools. But this doesn't mean a business needs to sacrifice quality for convenience. Take the new Panasonic multifunction fax machine. It features the usual scan-copy fare, as well as a flatbed scanner that...

Touchy-feely.(Atek Super Mini Optical Mouse)($49.95)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 1, 2002... Not everyone is fond of the touchpad or pointing stick device on most laptops. Some people like the feel of a good, old-fashioned two-button mouse. The Atek Super Mini Optical Mouse is a precise pointer that is more accurate than its ball-based...

Company lands Sony content deal. (Tech Buzz).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Axe Multimedia Entertainment has won approval to become a content developer for Sony's Clie handheld. The 1-year-old Miami-based digital media entertainment company, which showcases and promotes films and media produced by a global black...

Clicks or tire kicks? (Cyberwise).(online car buying)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Q I thought online car buying was supposed to be the next-big thing to hit the Web--what happened? --Shane Blake Baltimore A Ah... the best laid plans of mice and men... well, you know the rest. From the mid 1990s to the dawn of...

Power to the (right) people: new book shows why great employees rule! (Inbox).
February 1, 2002... It's been said that bosses are stressed, not by the people they fire, but by the people they don't. And while we may not be able to attribute that quote to any one executive, author Jim Collins believes it is a motto by which to run a...

Not just a pretty face. (Career At A Glance).(Christie Dinham)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... At 5 foot 9 inches, Christie Dinham is striking. It's a look that launched a successful modeling career during her early 20s. Signed with prestigious agencies that included Elite in her native London, England, to Bethann Hardison's agency,...

Surviving a corporate marriage: charting your course with a new script. (Up The Ladder).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Yaw Asare Aboagye, a 32-year-old former manager, now co-founder of www.conscioushiphop.com, says that before the recently merged company, marchFIRST, filed chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcy this past April and his job was cut, he wished he'd been...

No sad goodbyes. (Since You Asked ...).(severance package negotiation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... QA My company just experienced [a round of] layoffs. They told us to expect more by the middle of the year. I was surprised to learn that an employee does have some leverage in negotiating their severance package. Should I be part of the next...

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.(Curt Tomlin)(controller/VP)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Curt Tomlin has joined the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company as vice president and controller. He is responsible for company-wide accounting, financial reporting, financial analysis, and mergers and acquisitions. He was the former vice president and...

KinderCare Learning Centers Inc.(Miriam Dingle Liggett, VP)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Miriam Dingle Liggett was recently named vice president of operations, eastern region for KinderCare Learning Centers Inc., and is responsible for the operations of 437 early childhood learning centers in 15 states on the east coast....

Johnson Publishing Company.(Jeff Burns Jr.)(Assoc. Publisher, Ebony)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Jeff Burns Jr. is now the associate publisher for Johnson Publishing Company's Ebony magazine. The former senior vice president has new duties that include promoting, marketing, and merchandising the magazine's brand name.

The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group Inc.(Valerie V. Davis-Howard, VP)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Valerie V. Davis-Howard has been promoted to vice president at The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group Inc., a national management consulting firm based in Troy, New York, where she will be charged with developing strategy and direction for the...

Business and Professional Women/USA.(Dr. Jane E. Smith, CEO)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Dr. Jane E. Smith joins Business and Professional Women/USA as CEO where she oversees all of the operations of the organization including their political action committee and Business Woman Magazine. She is the former president and CEO of the...

Convention calendar. (Powerplay).(includes contact numbers)
February 1, 2002... * United Negro College Fund's National Alumni Council Conference, now called the NAC-NPAC/UNCF General Leadership Summit, will be held January 30-February 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Call 703-205-3463. * National Association of African...

The value of voting: proxy voting is your chance to have a say in the management of the companies you invest in. (Black Wealth Initiative).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... YOU MIGHT CALL DR. HENRY S. WILLIAMS AT&T'S LESS-than-silent partner. The 72-year-old retired radiologist monitors the company from his Beverly Hills home. He voted for the wireless spin-off and has a hand in making several other decisions,...

An education in investing: Linda Paul has set out to learn all the right lessons about establishing a financial plan for her future. (Family Finances).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... LINDA R. PAUL'S SITUATION MIRRORS MANY AFRICAN Americans who graduate from college strapped with student loan payments and other debts. The 24-year-old financial analyst has about $15,000 in student loans, $1,500 in credit card balances, and...

A time for bold leadership: Richard Parson's deal-making prowess and ciplomatic touch has catapulted him to become CEO of AOL Time Warner, the world's largest media powerhouse. (Cover Story).(Company Profile)(Interview)
February 1, 2002... ON AN UNUSUALLY WARM DECEMBER DAY, RICHARD DEAN PARSONS IS WHERE HE usually is--in the thick of the action. One minute, he's in a strategic powwow with top executives, in the next, he's peppered with questions from financial news reporters....

Navigating rough waters: steering their companies through an economic storm, America's leading black executives are facing their boldest challenges yet.(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2002... ACTS OF TERRORISM. AN ECONOMY IN RECESSION. A TURBULENT stock market. Waning consumer confidence. Rising unemployment. If it weren't for scant inflation and low interest rates, corporate America would have steered right into the middle of a...

Where the jobs are: this economy is both the best and the worst of times. But while corporate downsizing is making for a bleak future, there are still career opportunities to be found. (Career Overview).(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2002... CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH? IN THIS ECONOMY, THERE ARE several truths. The truth is that we are in a recession. The truth is that you will have to work harder than ever to keep your current job--or get another if you are caught in the cross fire....

Career guide for a lifetime. (Career Management).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... ANXIETY, FRUSTRATION, AND INSECURITY ARE A LOT OF WHAT professionals are feeling in the workplace today. With more than 7.7 million Americans out of work at the end of 2001, and more cuts expected this year, we are not only challenged...

Getting a foothold on your career: in an uncertain job market, here's how to stay optimistic about your future. (Career Management Part 1 Of A Series).(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2002... "ON GRADUATION DAY, I FELT THE WORLD WAS MINE," EXCLAIMS 26-year-old Brian Pittman. "The next day reality set in." Pittman, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina with a degree in computer science, would...

Make yourself accountable: when it comes to building a career, the buck stops with you. Here's hot to reap the rewards by taking responsibility.('Black Enterprise Guide to Building Your Career')(Excerpt)
February 1, 2002... AN AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE MANAGER IS PROMOTED TO head a business unit at a large corporation. Over the past three years, she has proven herself to be an excellent candidate, possessing all the technical qualifications necessary for the post....

Investing 401: developing a solid tax strategy is critical to making sure your profits don't turn into a loss. (Investing Part 4 Of A Series).
February 1, 2002... AS INVESTORS WRESTLE WITH THEIR 2001 TAX RETURNS, THEY'LL quickly discover that the odds are stacked in favor of the IRS. Investment gains are fully taxable, while investment losses are deductible only in part: perhaps a small part. Heads the...

Who really gets your money? In the aftermath of September 11, Americans donated $1.3 billion to charities. But it's still unclear who will benefit from your cash. How can you protect your donation the next time you decide to give? (Consumer Empowerment).
February 1, 2002... "I'M SORRY," APOLOGIZES DEBRA JOHNSON, AS SHE SOBS UNCONTROLLABLY. "Every time I think that he's not coming back, I can't stop crying. I'm supposed to be strong for the kids. "I cry every night," she continues, "praying that he will come...

The New Psycho-Cybernetics: The Original Science of Self-Improvement and Success that Has Change the Lives of 30 Million People. (Words to strive by: the science of self-image).
February 1, 2002... More than 50 years ago, plastic surgeon Dr. Maxwell Maltz had a revelation after witnessing behavioral and personality changes in patients after disfiguring accidents or corrective surgery: How you see and what you believe about your self-image...

Don't play `small'. (Bottom Line).(quote from Nelson Mandela about fear of self)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented, and fabulous? Actually,...

Getting inspired. (In The Know).(books about self-help and motivation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Q I am an avid reader and have enjoyed a couple of the titles you recommended in last month's Motivation section ("Required Reading," January 2002). How about recommending some (faith-based] inspirational titles, such as some excellent stuff by...

Mortgage maneuvers: how doing your homework helps. (Consumer Life).(how to select a good mortgage broker)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... "An article in the Washington Post said that interest rates were the lowest they had ever been in 40 years," recalls homeowner Maria Webb. "That's what made me decide to start shopping for a home." That was in 1993. By late summer 1996, Webb...

The prosecution won't rest: Washington law group fights housing discrimination. (Buying Power).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Over the past 10 years, an estimated 14 million blacks have moved from the city to the suburbs. While these numbers sound impressive, they only represent 39% of all blacks in America. In Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, lawsuits...

Bargain movie rentals: no lines, no late fees--now that's blockbuster. (Secret Savings).(online DVD rental services)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Leon Thomas' family loves movies. And so, every week he visits his local video outlet in Morristown, New Jersey, to pick up rentals for three different tastes. His wife, Janice, likes comedies, his son, Evan, likes Disney and he likes...

Go on--do it yourself! A virtual how-to toolbox. (Secret Savings).(web site provides information about do-it-yourself home repair)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... If you like tinkering with gadgets, don't mind getting your hands dirty, and have a proclivity toward fixing things, www.doityourself.com, has a toolbox for you. It offers a free full carpenter's list of options and detailed information for...

Make no assumptions. (Ask Your Advocate).(home buying advice)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Q With mortgage rates as low as they are, I am considering buying a house. Some of the houses I've looked at are also expensive. Everyone says it's a buyer's market, but how can I determine what I can afford to buy? --C. Coleman...

Point break: Rick Blocker rides the waves. (Personal Passions).(African American surfer)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... "C'mon, meet me down there," Rick Blocker yells to a pedestrian from the driver's window as he heads to the beach, a surfboard attached to the roof of his car. The guy on the street said that he had always wanted to surf. "You'd be...

Live and let dive: a James Bond travel experience. (Travel Talk).(Nassau, Bahamas, hotel offers packages that commemorate James Bond)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... You don't need a license to kill, or Sean Connery's secret agent sex appeal, but a self-indulgent, fearless Bond (James Bond-like) attitude will come in handy for a vacation adventure that has you retracing his steps in Thunderball (1965) and...

The chill factor. (Extras).
February 1, 2002... Originally designed in 1957, the Cocktail Shaker's sleek, stainless steel contours transcend time, while Dan Chelea's Martini Chiller moves forward in design and practicality. The sophisticated cone-shaped, lead crystal glass ice holder chills...

A cut above. (Extras).
February 1, 2002... It's harder than a sapphire with more brilliance than a diamond, and for a fraction of the cost. Only an expert jeweler can tell the difference. Designers Charles & Covard's man-made Moissanite jewel is engineered from meteoric silicon and...

An aloha bouquet. (Extras).
February 1, 2002... Send a gift from the tropics--Ginger, Heliconia, Psitticorum, and Calathea--Hawaiian flowers from Hana, a small town on Maui. Harvested daily, flowers are grown without pesticides, and each is hand washed in a pure biodegradable soap. Place...

What's happening. (Lifestyle).
February 1, 2002... In Baltimore (888-BALTIMORE; www.baltimore.org), for black history month, the Maryland Historical Society is featuring the exhibit What's it to you? Black History is American History, highlighting black achievements in the state from the late...

What's new on the bookshelf: check out our two latest editions. (B.E. Books).('In the Black: A History of African Americans on Wall Street' and 'Black Enterprise Guide to Building Your Career')
February 1, 2002... As you make your list of wise ways to begin the new year, don't overlook the guidance and inspiration that can come from great books. Rounding out a series that is designed to motivate as well as educate, BLACK ENTERPRISE Books has two great...

Down, not out: is the heart of technology still beating? (Postscript).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... In technology, the road to success is long and bumpy. Last year, those bumps took its toll on companies large and small as CEOs of corporations and start-ups struggled to stay on course in what was a watershed year for the industry. Shaken out...