Black Enterprise articles from February 2006

Black Enterprise archives from February 2006

Big breaks for women of power.(working women)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Learn about the turning point in the careers of female executives in this issue's 50 Most Powerful Black Women in Business. How did Deborah C. Wright break into banking? Who opened the door for Oprah Winfrey? Find out the answers and more...

Resource line.(blackenterprise.com)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Whatever your professional or entrepreneurial needs, you can find advice at blackenterprise.com. Editor-at-Large Sakina P. Spruell's column provides useful resources for business owners, corporate executives, and budding investors....

Web highlights.(web services listed)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... JOB SEARCH Give yourself a free career makeover using our online job search. B.E. NOW ON TV AND RADIO Look for streaming video and audio clips from our latest business news ventures. HOHEOWNERSHIP Find out the steps you need to take to...

A historic rite of passage.(Editorial)
February 1, 2006... Nearly 18 years ago, I experienced one of the proudest days of my personal and entrepreneurial life. It was the day my son Earl Jr., better known as Butch to family, friends, and business associates, joined our company. It was a special time...

Why women of power win.(women executives summit meetings)
February 1, 2006... AS BLACK ENTERPRISE prepares to welcome more than 500 women to our inaugural Women of Power Summit this February in Phoenix, we thought this was a perfect time for our magazine to celebrate the achievements of black women at the highest...

Getting our financial priorities straight.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... At age 24, I am blessed to be a homeowner, investor, student, and professional. Finally, there is a voice that I can listen to because it is speaking my language. The article "Investing in Your Home vs. Your Retirement Account" (Moneywise,...

Extend B.E. to Africa.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... A FEW MONTHS AGO, I WAS IN A friend's office reading a copy of BE that was sent to him by his female American pen pal. After reading the magazine, I quickly noticed that there were many things that I needed to know about business. I gain a...

Home-schooling.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING HOMEOWNERSHIP AS A LINCHPIN FOR building individual wealth. The information and inspiration you are providing your readers is a great service to our community and will go a long way to close the stubborn gaps in...

Hope for the Gulf region.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... Just wanted to convey my very best to you and the staff of BLACK ENTERPRISE for once again producing an insightful and thought-provoking issue. The cover package exploring the devastating toll the hurricanes took on small black businesses in...

Positive reinforcement.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO read "Virtually Yours" in the November issue. The article empowered me, a young CEO who emigrated from the Caribbean seeking her American dream. Circumstances made me defer my entrepreneurial aspirations to launch...

Not all good news.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... "BLOWN AWAY BY KATRINA" (NOVEMBER 2005) WAS CERTAINLY AN encouraging article about a disastrous situation. There are, however, several realities about the New Orleans area that must be addressed: First, New Orleans is still seven feet below sea...

Informed gratitude.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATIVE ARTICLE YOU WROTE on the devastating effect Hurricane Katrina had on the economic and social fabric of the African American community in the Gulf ("Blown Away By Katrina," November 2005). I was so moved...

Corrections.(Letters)(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2006... * The population of the Phoenix metropolitan area was incorrectly listed as 1.4 million ("City Insider," November 2005). It is actually 2.8 million. * We printed the incorrect age for Charles King, vice president and agent of William...

Firms skid on rising oil and gas prices: CEOs struggle to find solutions to meet their bottom lines.(Chief Executive Officer)
February 1, 2006... Valerie Daniels-Carter runs her Burger King and Pizza Hut franchise business more than 1,000 miles away from the Gulf Coast region that was hit by Hurricane Katrina. She may seem like an unlikely victim of Katrina, but her business didn't...

Bush administration not making the grade: what has the government done for African Americans lately?(WASHINGTON REPORT)
February 1, 2006... As President George W. Bush's approval ratings continue to plummet, it seems like a major swath of Americans are finally paying attention to the concerns that most black Americans spotted four years ago, ranging from a failing public education...

Give me a tax break: legislators debate allowing households to deduct mortgage insurance payments.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
February 1, 2006... The Mortgage Insurance Fairness Act may enjoy bipartisan support in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, but lawmakers are dragging their feet when it comes to signing the legislation into law. If passed, it will enable households...

Bob Johnson makes hotel history: BET founder leads all-black $100 million real estate deal.(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Robert L. Johnson, CEO of RLJ Development L.L.C. (No. 40 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/ SERVICE 100 list with $92.2 million in sales), inked a deal for more than $100 million to build a hotel and condominium project in Norfolk, Virginia. RLJ...

Black males locked out of jobs: white ex-cons more likely to find work than black counterparts.(study on criminals)
February 1, 2006... New York City is the land of opportunity--as long as you're not a black male with a criminal record. A new study from a team of Princeton University sociology professors revealed that race and criminal history continue to play a role in...

The U.S. National Slavery Museum.(research on slavery)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... The U.S. National Slavery Museum, the only museum dedicated to the study of American slavery, has met half of the $100 million needed to build the structure. "Most of the $50 million we've raised so far is from federal and state funds," says...

Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons' media group.(NEWSBYTES)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons' media group launched a video-on-demand channel for hip-hop music, aiming to capture a coveted urban male demographic with programming that partly relies on branded entertainment from sponsors. The channel, dubbed...

Matlock Advertising & Public Relations.(acquires Ventana Marketing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Matlock Advertising & Public Relations (No. 9 on the BE ADVERTISING AGENCIES list with $48.7 million in billings) is delving further into the Latino market by acquiring Ventana Marketing. The deal, announced in October, makes Ventana's owner,...

Jay-Z opened a new 40/40 Club.(new club sports bar)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... Jay-Z opened a new 40/40 Club sports bar and lounge in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The project cost $4 million to complete. He's in talks with Magic Johnson to open a site in Los Angeles in 2006, followed by sites in Las Vegas in 2007 and...

Heart & Soul magazine.(NEWSBYTES)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Heart & Soul magazine has reemerged after being purchased by Twenty-First Century Group. Publisher Edwin V. Avent says the magazine's focus will change slightly. "Our new theme is healthy, wealthy, and wise. Not only will we be providing our...

Working hard for the money: experts cite black women putting in more hours than their counterparts.(FACTS & FIGURES)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Black women with bachelor's degrees are edging out white and Hispanic women with the same education level in the earnings race. Economists say this may be a result of black women docking more hours or juggling more than one job. According...

Heal thy finances: after divorce, Camille Graham found the right prescription to eliminate debt and secure her retirement.(financial management)
February 1, 2006... When her marriage ended, Camille Graham continued to pursue one of her biggest dreams--to become a doctor. Achieving her goal, however, would require perseverance and sacrifice. Graham got married in 1994 after her third year at Harvard...

Stick with the trends: Ralph Mitchell of Carthage Financial Group relies on stocks that capitalize on current events.(financial services )
February 1, 2006... Ralph Mitchell is a portfolio manager who strikes while the iron is hot. The president and senior financial adviser of Braintree, Massachusetts-based Carthage Financial Group, thinks money managers should look for companies that are likely to...

Growing with demand: Steve Singleton's picks met consumer needs and outpaced competitors.
February 1, 2006... Last year, Steve Singleton, senior vice president and director of research at Robert Van Securities, recommended that BLACK ENTERPRISE readers invest in companies that showed signs of accelerated growth. The five stocks he picked from the...

Strictly by the numbers: some funds use only statistical data to avoid risk.
February 1, 2006... Mutual fund managers move billions of dollars of investors' money each year. They're a highly educated group, backed by skilled researchers and State-of-the-art software. Yet, according to mutual fund tracker Morningstar, only 37.27% of them...

Invest small sums online: opening an Internet account can be the doorway to financial success.
February 1, 2006... Desmond Keyes was introduced to the world of investing when his father gave him seven shares of a utility company stock as a high school graduation gift in 1979. As his income grew and he started a family, his interest in investing grew, too....

Rating I-bonds.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... QA I've been purchasing Series I savings bonds from the U.S. Treasury to balance out the more aggressive/speculative ]investments in my portfolio. How would you rate I-Bonds as an investment? --H. Shepherd Via the Internet As you have...

Your story here: Dante Lee's online black news portal is a leading destination for press releases.
February 1, 2006... For small business owners, publicity is one of the best forms of marketing--it's inexpensive and often free. When black-owned businesses and organizations want to get noticed by black media, many send their press releases to Diversity City...

Getting paid faster: government suppliers receive quicker payments with purchasing cards.
February 1, 2006... Everywhere Mirinda Jackson turns she sees minority small business owners who don't realize the value of accepting purchasing cards from their customers, mainly the federal government and large corporations. Offered through Visa and MasterCard,...

How to open a successful coffee house: Society Coffee starts with the ideal location in Harlem.(coffee shops management)
February 1, 2006... Lively activity inside a small restaurant catches the attention of a young couple waiting to cross Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem. They peer inside large glass windows to see patrons having a good Lime at Society Coffee, a chic espresso...

Food for Thought.(snack food marketing)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... QA I have a snack food product that I created and would like to introduce to Frito-Lay. How would I go about doing this? Is there a particular person I should contact, and how do I make that contact? --S. Reed Via the Internet The...

Righting the digital ship: Network Solutions executive spearheads customer service makeover.(customer service management)
February 1, 2006... When Champ Mitchell took the helm as chairman and CEO of Herndon, Virginia-based Network Solutions in 2001, the company was known not for its domain name registration and Web services, but for its poor customer service. "It was the worst...

Fulfilling audiovisual dreams: accessories are a sweet spot for electronics resellers.(E-BUSINESS)
February 1, 2006... As Suzette Kelly spouts off the latest must-haves in audiovisual equipment, it's clear she's a fan of the industry. But even more, Kelly, president of Divine Visual and System Corp. (www.divine visual.com), has dug her heels into a hot,...

Showcase your talent: emerging artists get exposure on TapItFame.com.(radio services)
February 1, 2006... The artists have names like Miki Vale, Richard Shade, and Nire, none of which are recognizable to the average person, and that's exactly how Jonathon Alexander wants it. In fact, the more exposure he can build up for those singers, bands,...

Recognize this voice? speech recognition reduces keyboard tedium.(B.E. TESTED)(Product/service evaluation)
February 1, 2006... In recent years, advancements in computer memory, processing speeds, and PC microphones have helped make voice recognition software an increasingly viable option for companies that rely heavily on dictation- intensive tasks to produce weighty...

Sew what?(business through internet)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... QA Can I operate a sewing business over the Internet? Customers can send me their clothing with a specific detail. Is this viable? --B. Johnson Via the Internet You can start an online sewing business right away at home. If you own a...

Relax your grip: learning the fine art of delegating.
February 1, 2006... As director of U.S. external communications for Avon, Cassandra Hayes oversees all print and online communications targeted to 650,000 independent sales representatives, popularly known as Avon Ladies. Managing a staff of 10, she distributes...

It's cheaper to keep 'em: losing a good employee is going to cost you.(Sony Corporation of America human resource management)
February 1, 2006... Compared to my mom and dad, who stayed with one employer for more than 20 years, I am practically a mercenary when it comes to jobs," says George Thompson, a 38-year-old corporate attorney who works in the legal department of Sony Corp. of...

Fixing diversity-challenged companies: corporations learn the difference between minority representation and true inclusion.(human resource)
February 1, 2006... Two years ago, at a professional meeting, a fellow stood up and said, 'I'm trying to figure out how to retain minorities and women,'" recalls R. Roosevelt Thomas Jr., founder of The American Institute for Managing Diversity and author of...

Age on your side.(Age Discrimination in Employment)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... QA I am a 54-year-old man with a bachelor's in business administration, and I'll received master's in management this spring. I have years of practical and life experience but I cannot find a job. Can you recommend a course of action to help me...

ABC Radio Networks.(Omar Thompson appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... 1 Omar Thompson has been appointed vice president of marketing and communications for ABC Radio Networks. In his new role, Thompson will oversee all marketing and communications initiatives for the company's products and services in the...

Youth Guidance.(Vivian Loseth appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... 2 Vivian Loseth is the new executive director of Youth Guidance, a social service nonprofit agency dedicated to developing programs for at-risk elementary and high school students in Chicago. The first African American appointed to this...

Safeway Inc.(White James D. appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... 3 James D, White has been named senior vice president, corporate brands at Safeway Inc., one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America. White will oversee the company's entire corporate brands organization including its marketing,...

Arbitron Inc.(Shellye Archambeau appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... 4 Shellye Archambeau has been elected to the board of directors at Arbitron Inc., an international media and marketing research firm. Archambeau brings 20 years of experience, creating sales growth in enterprise software and technology firms...

SAM'S Club.(Mark Goodman appointed)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... 5 Mark Goodman has joined SAM'S CLUB, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, as executive vice president, marketing and membership. He is responsible for strategy development, marketing, enhancement of the membership experience, and samsclub.com....

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Brief article)(Calendar)
February 1, 2006... Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, hosted by State Farm Feb.1-4; Phoenix; 800-910-8805; www.blackenterprise.com United Negro College Fund 60th National Alumni Council Conference Feb. 2-5; Dallas; 703-205-3463; www.uncf.org ...

Setting goals together: the Callaways are learning how to work through their different approaches to money.(investments by school )
February 1, 2006... ROBERT AND TAJUANA CALLAWAY admit that there were times when their financial beliefs collided and nearly derailed their hopes of making their dreams come true. The Callaways, who both hold administrative jobs at educational institutions,...

Stretching dollars further: the Adams family is striving to be more efficient on one income.(financial management)
February 1, 2006... OFTEN, LIFE IS ABOUT TRADE-OFFS. Theresa and Tony Adams had to make a tough decision two years ago. Who would care for their infant son, Corey? "I wasn't impressed with what was available for child care for little babies," says Theresa. ...

Teach your children the building blocks of finance: starting young people on the right path to wealth is the greatest gift of all.(financial management of single mother)
February 1, 2006... AS A 37-YEAR-OLD SINGLE MOTHER, Yvette Saul knows that the key to her financial empowerment starts with her ability to create and maintain a savings initiative and to adequately manage her family's finances. And while she didn't learn this as a...

Finding a niche within a niche: discover an even more distinct market and then capitalize on it.(small business growth)
February 1, 2006... Are you thinking about starting a business? Before you do, here's a pop quiz: Experts say this is a good way to ensure your business survives and thrives. Entrepreneurs including the founder and publisher of BLACL ENTERPRISE magazine) have...

Business boot camp: how one BE editor survived an intensive executive education program.(Business Executive)
February 1, 2006... WE HAD THREE HOURS TO CLOSE A deal that would bring us $28 million in revenues. Our first bid had already been rejected. After we crunched the numbers, bids were submitted, rejected, and resubmitted in a charged environment of heated...

The business of art: financially burdened, nonprofit institutions struggle to make dreams come true.(African American management)
February 1, 2006... WALTER TURNBALL WATCHED helplessly as the legacy that took him more than 30 years to build was ripped from him. In 2004, the number of appearances by the New York City-based Boys Choir of Harlem was cut back dramatically, and earned revenues...

50 most powerful black women in business: from the executive suite to the BE 100s, these dynamos are changing the direction of American business.(Cover story)
February 1, 2006... POWER. WHAT IS IT AND WHO HAS IT? CORPORATE muscle is defined by an executive's ability to have some bearing on the direction of a company. "There may be different degrees, but if you can influence decision making at a company, that is power,"...

African American-still chipping away at the concrete ceiling.(African American women executives reports)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2006... African American women executives wield power and influence in all areas from the competitive consumer products market to the fast-paced financial arena. They flex their muscle both here and abroad and make bottom-line decisions that impact the...

Girl franchising power.(Women's Franchise Committee)
February 1, 2006... Women pave their way in the franchising arena When the International Franchise Association created the Women's Franchise Committee (WFC) in 1996 the number of women-owned businesses was on the rise and many of those entrepreneurs were...

Women shaping the world ... executive education for women.(educational programs for African American women)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2006... When Lili St. Christopher was tapped by her employer to attend an executive education program, her options included a program for African-Americans and another focused solely on women. She leaned toward taking the program focused on...

Make up your mind: seven steps to making better decisions.(management techniques)
February 1, 2006... Each day, Donna Thompson, CEO of Chicago-based Access Community Health Network the nation's largest network of community health centers, makes countless decisions. Whether it's choosing to partner with an area hospital to care for patients...

A recipe for success: restaurateur blends business and community service.(restaurants services)
February 1, 2006... Hecky Powell, suburban Chicago's barbecue king, has gained as much renown for his finger-licking meals as he has for his ability to reach at-risk youth. He learned the main ingredient--hard work--from his father, Forrest E. Powell Sr., a...

Best business books.(business students career development)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... QA just finished my M.B.A. from Eastern University in Pennsylvania. I have been in school for some time and just started a career. I am currently working and looking for the top business books to read. --T. Wood Philadelphia Here are...

The clock is ticking ... Saver's Tax Credit to expire this year.(economic conditions reports)
February 1, 2006... Alvia Alexander is determined to provide a bright future for her 5-year-old son, Carlton. At the top of her list is making sure that in another 12 years or so Carlton has the means to attend the college of his choice. And while she tries to...

The doctor will e-mail you now: online visits increasingly covered by insurance companies.
February 1, 2006... Whether she's flying to Maryland to close on a million-dollar home or assisting a California businessman looking to relocate his corporation, Jenice Brinkley is always on the go. For the successful Georgia real estate agent who generated more...

Credit checkup: five things you need to know now.(financial management)
February 1, 2006... Whether you are buying a home, improving your credit, or guarding against identity theft, there are a few things that everyone should know about credit. BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to TrueCredit, a national provider of consumer credit management,...

Paying for school.(nursing practice)(Brief article)
February 1, 2006... QA I am a single African American woman in my 30s who has recently gone back to school for nursing. Soon, I will have to start my nursing clinicals and it won't be possible to do that and work at the same time. I don't want to give up now....

Rock stars in the making: Suzanne Le Mignot's jeweled creations.
February 1, 2006... Displayed in a downtown Chicago jewelry store window was a stunning smoky topaz stone that first romanced Suzanne Le Mignot. She loved the jewel but hated the setting. Le Mignot decided to buy the ring anyway, sketch a design to her...

Carnival-in Germany? It's not New Orleans, Brazil, or Trinidad, but it is festive.
February 1, 2006... Carnival celebrations are best known for bright colors, self-expression and pulsating rhythms, thanks to the city of New Orleans. Brazil's Carnival is also famous, and, of course, there is Trinidad's "Jump Up." New Orleans-styled revelry...

Courting contractors: over budget and behind schedule, a first-time remodel finally gets on track.(residential construction)
February 1, 2006... Hands down, I was sold on the house when I stepped onto the deck and saw the beautiful meadow and creek," recalls Alvin Adell. And there was one other huge incentive: The 3,200-square-foot Center Hall Colonial-style house in Colts Neck, New...

Get your company to invest in your professional development.(women executives summit meetings)
February 1, 2006... BLACK ENTERPRISE will present its first-ever Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm[R], Feb. 1-4, 2006, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. This special career enhancement event is a unique opportunity for companies to invest...

Backtalk with Tavis Smiley.(Interview)
February 1, 2006... As one of black America's biggest multimedia brands, Tavis Smiley hosts a talk show on PBS, has authored nine books (with another three due out this year), and developed a series of empowerment conferences. Born in Biloxi, Mississippi,...