Black Enterprise articles from February 2007

Black Enterprise archives from February 2007

Controlling her own destiny.(WEB FEATURES)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Want to transition from employee to entrepreneur? Log on to blackenteprise.com to read about women who have cut corporate ties for a more fulfilling life as business owners.

Web tools.(blackenterprise.com)
February 1, 2007... 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 ShareBuilder and...

Resource line.(WEB COLUMNS)
February 1, 2007... Whatever your professional or entrepreneurial needs, you can find advice at blackenterprise.com. Interactive Media Editor Philana Patterson's column provides useful resources for business owners, corporate executives, and budding investors....

Web highlights.(blackenterprise.com)
February 1, 2007... JOB SEARCH Give yourself a free career makeover using our online job search. Go to: Career B.E. NOW ON TM AND RADIO Look for streaming video and audio clips from our latest business news ventures. FINANCIAL PLANNING GUIDE ...

If you want a mentor, be a mentor.(publisher's page)
February 1, 2007... If I've heard it once, I've heard it a million times. Sometimes it comes in the form of a sincere and impassioned letter, along with a resume, business plan, or press kit, Often, the request is earnestly delivered after an introduction and the...

Secrets of their success.(About This Issue)
February 1, 2007... Corporate America is quickly becoming corporate Earth, as more and more businesses strive to establish themselves in the ultracompetitive global marketplace. With the rise of the multinationals comes additional pressure for the managers and...

Inspiration found.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... My name is Aarica J. Blackett and I am a 20-year-old junior economics major--French minor at Spelman College. I wanted to inform you of how deeply moving your October 2006 issue was. Currently, I am studying abroad in Strasbourg France, for...

Open your eyes ...(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... I READ YOUR ARTICLE "RISE OF THE BLACK REPUBLICANS?" (NOVEMBER 2006) and, consistent with almost everything in your magazine, I found it informative. While I recognize that my thinking may not be in line with many younger brothers and sisters,...

... And pay attention.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... KUDOS ON YOUR ARTICLE "RISE OF The Black Republicans?" (November 2006.) Although I am a registered Democrat, I find it highly disturbing that African Americans blindly vote Democratic without considering all aspects of a candidate's campaign....

The write way to grow.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... I read the article in the November 2006 issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE about self-publishing ("The Write Way to Grow") and thought it was very misleading. People who are going to tackle the world of self-publishing need to understand that...

To choose or not to choose.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... THE LETTER TO THE EDITOR TITLED "REST OR WORST?" in the November 2006 issue was such a sad commentary on the lack of will of some African Americans. We cannot continue to blame other people, institutions, etc., for what we as a people do to...

Correction.(Correction notice)
February 1, 2007... In "Reel Prophets," December 2006, Lifetime Movie Network optioned Crystal McCrary Anthony's novel Home-court Advantage, not Gotham Diaries.

Nationwide attack on affirmative action: Michigan loss leaves proponents retooling their strategy for future battles.(DIVERSITY WATCH)
February 1, 2007... MICHIGAN VOTERS' SUPPORT Of A CONTROVERSIAL BALLOT issue against affirmative action in areas such as university admissions and government contracting and employment may diminish opportunities for blacks and other minorities in the state. The...

Power shift: will African Americans benefit from the Democratic takeover of Congress?(WASHINGTON REPORT)
February 1, 2007... The excitement Democrats felt after winning back the majority in both the House and the Senate during the mid-term elections is still palpable. Voters have spoken, making clear their dissatisfaction with the GOP's corruption, their handling of...

Harding brews success at Anheuser-Busch.(POWER PLAYER)(Michael S. Harding)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Michael S. Harding will be brewing a new formula for revenue and market share growth at Anheuser-Busch. With his recent appointment as president and CEO of the Anheuser-Busch packaging Group, the beverage maker's $2.4 billion subsidiary,...

A memorial fit for King.(AROUND THE NATION)(King Memorial Foundation, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a memorial in the nation's capital will finally be erected next year. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial will be the first of its kind in Washington, D.C.'s National Nail honoring an African...

The major leagues: have front-office positions opened up for blacks?(FACTS & FIGURES)
February 1, 2007... FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. PROFESSIONAL SPORTS HAVE BEEN DOMINATED BY AFRICAN American athletes. Now there are a growing number of people of color behind the scenes, where owners, general managers, and coaches call the shots and control the...

Slow and steady: Alfred Jackson favors companies with slow but positive growth.(STOCK PICKS)
February 1, 2007... Alfred Jackson Principal Davis Hamilton Jackson & Associates L.P. It's been said that abundance is, in large part, an attitude. For Alfred Jackson of Davis Hamilton Jackson & Associates, the prevailing investment attitude at the...

High hopes: Ralph Mitchell's picks have growth potential.(portfolio overview)
February 1, 2007... Expectations about consumer spending on new, bigger, and better homes fell short, impacting the overall performance of the portfolio presented a year ago by Ralph Mitchell, president and senior financial adviser of Braintree,...

This trainer needed financial training: Cassandra Mack learned to look beyond today for a solvent tomorrow.(investment strategies)
February 1, 2007... Social worker, entrepreneur, author, public speaker--Cassandra Mack was a lot of things, but "investor" wasn't one of them. That changed after a chance meeting with a childhood friend, Ivory Johnson, director of financial planning at the...

Solo 401(k): planning for retirement? Another option for the self-employed.(YOUR MONEY)
February 1, 2007... Most entrepreneurs are concerned not only with growing their business but with effectively funding and securing their retirement. Until recently, business owners could only choose from a short list of options, namely a SIMPLEIRA, SEP-IRA, and...

Picking a 529 College Savings Plan.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... QA I want to begin saving for my daughter's college education and I need assistance in understanding the 529 College Savings Plan. I've been reading so much material and honestly, I am confused. How do you pick the right state and rate? ...

A matter of perception: TCL Financial overcomes prejudice to gain new clients.(TCL Financial & Tax Services)
February 1, 2007... IT STARTED OFF IN 2003 AS A MODEST. HOME-BASED business in Jackson, Mississippi; a spare bedroom was its office, and tax preparation its only service. The owner, Tim C. Lee, planned to work for a predominantly black clientele. He never expected...

United States Postal Service: entrepreneur expands business to include the post office.(Denise Christopher's management of CKB Enterprises)
February 1, 2007... When Denise Christopher launched CKB Enterprises in 1998, she relied on the local post office to deliver her ethnic haircare and beauty supply products to customers across the country. The idea of forming a business alliance with the United...

Getting paid to speak: learn the techniques that professionals rely on to earn money as a public speaker.(BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES)
February 1, 2007... Whatever your area of expertise, whatever techniques you've used to develop your successful business, there's an audience out there who wants to hear how you did it. And they're willing to pay you well to share your secrets. Public speaking has...

A self-serving opportunity.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(starting a vending machine business)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... QA I am making preparations to go into the vending machine business. Can you offer any advice on where I can gather information on this type of business and where I can begin? --D. Roberson Savannah, GA Vending is an ideal way to...

Risking it all: William Teel snags a $1.4 billion government contract, the largest ever awarded to a small business.(BLACK DIGERATI)(joint venture of 1 Source Consulting Inc. and RS Information Systems Inc.)
February 1, 2007... WHEN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DECIDED TO offload its entire IT infrastructure to a third-party vendor, William Ted jumped at the chance to prove himself worthy of the project. And though he was a former software writer for the DOE, this...

PDAs that get around: no cell phones, but these pocket PCs have what a traveler needs.(HOT PICKS)(personal digital assistants)(Mio P550, Pharos Traveler GPS 525 and HP iPAQ rx5915)
February 1, 2007... With a variety of global positioning systems available for automobiles, mapping out driving directions has never been easier for today's business traveler. You can even locate gas stations and restaurants along the way. But wouldn't it be nice...

The future belongs to the unwired; Ultra-Wideband technology will lead the next wireless revolution.(TECH NEWS)
February 1, 2007... Whether it's a cell phone that can download MP3 music files or a personal digital assistant that sends and receives e-mail messages, wireless technology is a feature cherished by most digital device users. This world of untethered...

The buzz about HD Radio.(CYBERWISE)(high definition radio)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... QA I've been hearing a lot lately about HD radio. What is it? Is it the same technology used in HDTV? --T. Feliciano Flushing, NY Many people assume that HD Radio is like HDTV, but for radio. HD Radio, a digital broadcasting...

Writing the book on opportunity: publisher of black-oriented imprint takes a fearless approach to pursuing goals.(THE EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Linda Gill)(Interview)
February 1, 2007... BE: Publishing can be hard to break into. How did you do it? LG: By using informational interviews with mid-level executives to gain an understanding of the industry. I used every contact, including family and friends, to establish these...

Cues we miss: how black women can improve their opportunities in the workplace.(DIVERSITY WATCH)
February 1, 2007... Early in her career at a law firm, Robbie Narcisse was invited to a social outing at a country club with the firm's partners. Believing the gathering was optional, Narcisse didn't attend. Days later, two of the firm's partners told her they...

A job prescription.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Healthcare services )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Q A I am 34 years old and have two years before I obtain my bachelor's degree in health administration. What job opportunities are available with a bachelor's degree only? The research I have done reveals a preference for a master's degree with...

Hilliard C. Terry III.(appointment of Hilliard C. Terry III.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... New Position: Vice President and Treasurer Organization: Agilent Technologies Inc. Location: Santa Clara, CA Responsibilities: Responsible for global treasury including cash, risk, and pension management Former Position:...

Carlos R. Clark.(appointment of Carlos R. Clark.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... New Position: Assistant Provost for Student Financial Aid Organization: Prairie View A&M University Location: Prairie View, TX Responsibilities: Manages the administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid ...

Jacqueline Moore Bowles.(Jack and Jill of America Inc)(appointment of Jacqueline Moore Bowles)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... New Position: National President Organization: Jack and Jill of America Inc. Location: Washington, DC Responsibilities: Spearheads the organization's mission of youth leadership and development Former Position: Regional...

Bernie Young.(ON THE MOVE)(The Martha Stewart Show appoints Bernie Young.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... New Position: Co-executive Producer Organization: The Martha Stewart Show Location: New York Responsibilities: Oversees the daily production of the show and maintains its brand and mission for the audience Former Position: CEO...

Sherice Torres.(appointment of Sherice Torres)(Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... New Position: Senior Vice President, Hard Goods Organization: Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products Location: New York Responsibilities: Heads business development, creative efforts, and licensing for toys, paper goods, and...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)
February 1, 2007... Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit Hosted by State Farm Feb 7-10; Phoenix; 800-209-7229; www.blackenterprise.com/wps National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates Feb. 12-17, Baton Rouge, LA; 207-839-8004; www.naaas.org...

Brothers who mean business: twins De'On and De'Juan Collins view entrepreneurial pursuits as key to building wealth.(Black Wealth Initiative)
February 1, 2007... DE'JUAN AND DE'ON COLLINS ARE amazed at the money you can make when you tap into the right market. The Lubbock, Texas, natives graduated from Texas Tech in December 2006 with degrees in finance and stewardship of their 2-year-old real estate...

Getting started: armed with a college degree and a new job. Jeff Wilson seeks some smart moves to build lasting wealth.(wealth management)
February 1, 2007... JEFF WILSON II WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE in 10 years. "I'll be surprised if it takes that long," says the optimistic 22-year-old. Wilson received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Bowie State University in December 2006. A month later...

Musicpirates going overboard! Artists fight back to protect their livelihoods.(INDUSTRY WATCH)
February 1, 2007... RAPPER TALIB KWELI WORKED ON HIS CD The Beautiful Struggle for more than eight months before it fell into the wrong hands and portions of it ended up on the Internet, where it was available for illegal downloads six months before it was...

Let the inventor beware: your million-dollar idea is vulnerable to deceptive invention promoters. We'll show you how to avoid the scams.(INVENTIONS AND IDEAS)
February 1, 2007... CALVIN FLOWERS RELATES TO PARENTS who struggle to keep their teenagers from running up the telephone bill. While growing up, he and his six siblings gave his mother headaches because they abused their phone privileges. "When the bill...

House for sale: the housing market has slowed, but you don't have to wait to sell. Here's what you can do to ensure your property is snapped up!(home selling tips)
February 1, 2007... WHEN OTIS DARRELL RECENTLY RETIRED from the U.S. Postal Service, he knew exactly what he wanted to do: sell his house and move closer to family members in the South. Darrell, 67, planned to move to Georgia, and he figured the sale of his...

For the executive in training: these leadership and career advancement programs are among the best in class.(executive education courses)(Table)
February 1, 2007... IN TODAY'S GLOBAL ECONOMY, WHERE COMPETITIVE advantage reigns, successful firms rely heavily on the intellectual capital of their executive leadership to manage resources, reorganize departments, forecast trends, and take competitive risks. To...

How to play the game: it takes comprehensive strategies, work-life balance, and a powerful network for women to win in the corporate arena.
February 1, 2007... THE MYTH OF THE SUPERWOMAN IS ALIVE AND well and, as much as we hate the term, we hate even more what the label does to us. The implication causes us to become corporate contortionists, stretching and bending in directions and dimensions that...

Making the connection: mentors, sponsors, and a network you can count on.(WOMEN OF POWER (PART 1 OF A SERIES))
February 1, 2007... WHILE WORKING AT WARNER-Lambert Co. (now Pfizer Inc.) from 1995 to 2002, Mary Winston attracted the attention of then-CFO Ernie Larini. As assistant treasurer in charge of setting strategy and overseeing execution of all financing and financial...

The balancing act: how busy executives make their lives work.(WOMEN OF POWER (PART 1 OF A SERIES))
February 1, 2007... ACCORDING TO A 2005 SURVEY BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics 2005 survey, more than 70% of women with children work outside the home. With an increasing number of these women climbing the corporate ranks, balancing...

Suits, jobs, and training: Joi Gordon is grooming thousands of women for career success.(WOMEN OF POWER)(Dress for Success Worldwide)(Cover story)
February 1, 2007... LIKE MOST PROFESSIONAL WOMEN, Zoe Sheppard, a counselor with PHOENIX House Foundation, a national drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, has a treasure trove of work-life anecdotes about navigating her career path. Yet, unlike many of her...

An apple a day: educator teaches adults and youth to ward against obesity year-round.(EVERYDAY HERO)(Yvonne Sanders-Butler, Browns Mill Elementary School principal )
February 1, 2007... AS A YOUNG GIRL GROWING UP IN Vaughan, Mississippi, Yvonne Sanders-Butler loved the sweet, delectable desserts she helped her mother prepare. But overindulging her appetite led to weight issues at a young age and to obesity in adulthood. In...

Too much of a good thing? A different dose of self-help.(WORDS TO STRIVE BY)(The Last Self-Help Book You'll Ever Need: Repress Your Anger, Think Negatively, Be a Good Blamer, and Throttle Your Inner Child)(Book review)
February 1, 2007... Do self-movement books really help to improve our lives? Not at all, according to Paul Pearsall, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist. In his book, The Last Self-Help Book You'll Ever Need: Repress Your Anger, Think Negatively, Be a Good Blamer,...

Success products.(PEP TALK)(marketing)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... QA I would like to place training and leadership quotes on motivational products sold by a company like Successories. I don't have any contacts, so my calls and letters have not gotten a response. Please help. --K. McGhee Via the...

Planning a home improvement project: the right way to work with contractors.(CONSUMER LIFE)
February 1, 2007... YOUR HOUSE IS 50 YEARS OLD. IT CREAKS A BIT, AND THE insulation is not what it used to be. But living in a cul-de-sac where your children can play safely makes it all worthwhile. So, you've been contemplating making a few upgrades to that old...

Shopping on a dime: Kathryn Finney gives hints on how to be in style under budget.(SECRET SAVINGS)(How to Be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less)(Book review)
February 1, 2007... Someone who effortlessly combines personal style with financial savvy--that's the definition of a budget fashionista given by the self-proclaimed patron saint of budget shopping, Kathryn Finney. In her book, How to Be a Budget Fashionista: The...

Dispute a late fee?(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(credit cards)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... QA I have a store credit card that I've had for at least two years. I've paid it in full every month and have never been late. I was just recently late on a bill that was about $100. I paid half of it prior to the due date and the remaining...

Off the wall: Keith Collins' larger-than-life designs.(THE ENTHUSIAST)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... When Keith Collins told his family that he was going to make carpets for a living, they were sorely disappointed. His father, a radiology professor at UCLA, had much higher academic and professional hopes for his son. If Collins had had a...

Lifestyle.(YOUR ENTREE TO LUXURY LIVING)(Artexture )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The intricacy of the work, the combining of varying textures, and the love of art drew his business, Artexture (www.artexture.com), in two creative directions: developing large wall tapestries that range in size from 3 feet by 4 feet to 18 feet...

Double takes.(PRECIOUS PLATINUM)(Oscar Heyman and Brothers Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Oscar Heyman & Bros. brings sparkle to your countenance with doubly paired radiant jewels set in platinum. These brilliant earrings offer two blue sapphires (8.34 carats), two oval sapphires (5.74 carats), and two round diamonds (.10 carats)....

Time signature.(PRECIOUS PLATINUM)(Bulgari S.p.A.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... It's their smartest, most complex watch in design and function. From the Bulgari Assioma collection, this timepiece is self-winding, operates in two time zones, and offers a perpetual calendar that automatically remembers the number of calendar...

No ordinary clutch.(PRECIOUS PLATINUM)
February 1, 2007... Its strong lines, detail, and diamonds (14 carats) easily move this solid platinum minaudiere out of the accessory category to make its own fashion statement. Whereas most handbags function to complement a look, this OGI design will set the...

Design management: Robin Wilson keeps your renovations on schedule and within budget.(AT HOME)(Robin Wilson Home )
February 1, 2007... FOR RENOVATION AND HOME-DESIGN PROJECTS, Robin Wilson prefers to be involved in the project early, but she is often called in to rescue and repair projects gone awry. One of her clients began construction on a brownstone last May with the...

Celebrate success. Embrace innovation.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV AND RADIO)
February 1, 2007... Celebrate success. Embrace innovation. Experience power in progress as more than 500 executive women of color gather in Phoenix, Feb. 7-10 for four inspiring days of empowerment sessions, networking opportunities, and nightly entertainment at...

Black Enterprise.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV AND RADIO)
February 1, 2007... BLACK ENTERPRISE has developed a reputation for identifying business superstars in industries ranging from finance and technology to media and entertainment. In our March issue, we'll once again unveil the movers and shakers in Tinseltown with...

Our World with Black Enterprise.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV AND RADIO)
February 1, 2007... Starting this month, Our World with Black Enterprise will debut four brand-new episodes! Tune in to catch Ed Gordon's one-on-one interview with rapper-actor Ludacris and more! To find out about some of our other upcoming headliners,...

Back talk.(Sheryl Lee Ralph, actress, activist)(Interview)
February 1, 2007... From award-winning actress to altruistic activist, Sheryl Lee Ralph continues to be seen and heard. Though 50-year-old Ralph remains a respected face in Hollywood, her top priority is HIV/AIDS advocacy. Her efforts, spanning 16 years, include...