Black Enterprise articles from January 2007

Black Enterprise archives from January 2007

A taxing proposition.(websites)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Celebrities such as singer Ronald Isley, actor Wesley Snipes, and even former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell have had brushes with Uncle Sam over taxes. This month, log on to blackenterprise.com to learn how to avoid unhappy returns.

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

Carrying on the legacy of Ed Bradley.(african american journalists)
January 1, 2007... The world knows that we lost a giant of American journalism when 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley died at the age of 65 on Nov. 9, 2006. Bradley established himself as an icon professionally, earning 20 Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, a...

Transform your life.(self discovery)
January 1, 2007... Like it or not, we've all had to follow rules in our lives. Whether demands came from parents and teachers or employers and clients, at some point we were told what to do. And we often did it without question. If not, we faced consequences, and...

Other ways to pay for college.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... As a first-generation college graduate who has received a B.A. in international economics and an M.B.A., I have accomplished more than both my parents and grandparents. After landing my dream job of becoming an economist, I applied as a...

Getting the story straight.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... AS A LONGTIME SUBSCRIBER TO BLACK ENTERPRISE, I AM troubled by the news regarding black financial institutions and the state of black business in general. I read that black banks are closing, merging, or downsizing. New black banks are not...

Correction.(Correction notice)
January 1, 2007... * In "Kitchen Aid" (Lifestyle, November 2006), Antoinette Fraser's Website is incorrect. The correct Website is www.stclairkitchenandhome.com.

Don't forget the not-so-little people.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I APPLAUD YOUR ARTICLE RECOGNIZING THE 75 MOST POWERFUL BLACKS ON Wall Street (October 2006). As a first-year hire on Wall Street myself, it is great to read about people who have paved the way for me. I look forward to continuing in their...

Successful networking.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I APPRECIATED the advertising supplement on Financial Freedom written by David A. Hinson in the October 2006 edition. My mother-in-law was recently widowed this past summer and my father-in-law left her...

Making strides.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I WAS EXTREMELY PLEASED TO SEE BILL LEWIS ON THE October 2006 cover of BE and even more elated to read your announcement that Deval Patrick is poised to become governor of Massachusetts. The alumni of A Better Chance continue to prove that,...

Beware of being biased.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AFTER READING THE OCTOBER article "Insuring Your Wealth." I got the impression that the article's content was significantly influenced by life insurance salespeople who earn sizeable commissions on variable and whole...

Thompson Hospitality buys restaurant chain: food service co. sees move as recipe for growth.(Austin Grill acquired)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Thompson Hospitality Inc. (No. 22 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $188 million in sales) has purchased all six locations of Austin Grill, a Tex-Mex restaurant chain in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas, in an effort to...

Developer lands $600m deal: Full Spectrum NY scores project to revitalize downtown Jackson, Mississippi.(Downtime Jackson Partners contracts)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... New York-based urban development company Full Spectrum NY recently landed its first major project outside the New York metropolitan area with a deal worth approximately $600 million to develop a stretch of downtown Jackson, Mississippi. Full...

Protesters put pressure on the hill: government cuts affect early detection program for cervical and breast cancers.(American Cancer Society's)
January 1, 2007... At age 23, Kimberly Huigginbotham got the news many women her age don't expect to hear--she had breast cancer. Higginbotham credits early detection as key in her fight to beat the disease, and the primary reason she joined 10,000 volunteers in...

Ed Bradley made our stories prime-time news: veteran CBS News correspondent succumbs to leukemia.(Obituary)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... DURING ED BRADLEY'S 25 SEASONS WITH CBS'S 60 Minutes, he earned 20 Emmy awards for investigative pieces that included a riveting report on the reopening of the 50-year-old Emmett Till murder case. The long-revered network trailblazer, who was...

Black churches missing out on federal aid: only 2.6% received funding for programs.(George W. Bush on fedral aid for African American churches)
January 1, 2007... African American church leaders from across the country were invited to the White House to stand with President Bush as he detailed a plan to help churches and community groups gain access to millions of federal dollars to provide day care,...

Kids say: you're fired! To schools: survey shows serious problems in teaching environment.
January 1, 2007... FOUL LANGUAGE, DRUG AND alcohol abuse, and unruly classrooms are what students are contending with in public schools, according to a national survey. Reality Check 2006: How Black and Hispanic Families Rate Their Schools is the second...

Stocks you can bank on: Raymond Stewart sees above-average gains in financial institutions.(RASARA Strategies Inc.)
January 1, 2007... Raymond Stewart President & Chief Investment Officer RASARA Strategies Inc. Raymond Stewart, president and chief investment officer of RASARA Strategies Inc., has an approach to investing not shared by traditional money managers. He likes...

Lagging the market: Randell Cain's picks go south in 2006.(Atlanta Life Investment Advisors)(petroleum stocks)
January 1, 2007... A year ago when Randell Cain, principal and portfolio manager at Atlanta Life Investment Advisors, targeted stocks in the oil industry and the housing market, he felt those two areas were on a growth trajectory that would steer his stock values...

Yearning to learn: Miami youth put stock-picking skills to the test.(Unlimited Investors's Ann McNeill on investments)
January 1, 2007... When Better Investing trustee Ann McNeill showed up last summer at the organization's annual conference with more than 50 young people in tow, she put her youth club on center stage by the sheer strength of its numbers. Formerly the...

Inflation woes: secure your portfolio against rising prices.
January 1, 2007... Each year it seems you need more money to pay for the same things, whether it's a slice of pizza or bottle of aspirin. If your investments are going to help you achieve your financial goals, they have to beat inflation, the steady increase in...

Kid-friendly business sources.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... QA My 13-year-old son is always looking for ways to make money, and he has shown an interest in starting his own business. Are there programs out there that can help him? --Anonymous Via the Internet It's great that you want to...

Pet practitioners: surgeons take the plunge into entrepreneurship and become owners of a thriving veterinary clinic.
January 1, 2007... WHEN PARIS THE CHIHUAHUA TOOK a tumble a few months ago, owner Tracey Brown put her and her daughter's pet in the car and drove to the nearest veterinary clinic, only to be told the surgery couldn't be done on the puppy for several days because...

Build your own franchise: Nemos Seafood partners are growing a chain of healthy take-out restaurants.(Chris Spears, Gary Williams's Nemos Seafood restaurants)
January 1, 2007... With a growing number of health-conscious diners looking for nutritional dishes on fast-food restaurant menus, Chris Spears and Gary Williams are making sure these selective eaters have somewhere to go. In 2004, the business partners opened the...

Pain reliever: six common and costly management mistakes--and advice to help you avoid each one.
January 1, 2007... LIFE AS A BUSINESS OWNER MEANS dealing with a daily dose of challenging decisions, any one of which can have a significant effect on operations. But entrepreneurs don't always have to be trailblazers. Here are six costly management mistakes...

Avoiding invention scams.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... QA I have an invention I came up with for cars. The Patent & Trademark Institute of America wants to go with my project, but I would have to pay $750 to start the project. I only have a rough sketch/diagram and I do not have a prototype. I'm...

Content with a kick: Tony Cort combines marketing experience with a black belt to start an online martial arts channel.(Breakthrough Interactive Group Inc.)
January 1, 2007... EIGHTEEN YEARS OF TAE KWON DO taught Tony Cort a thing or two about discipline, confidence, and self-defense. However, this second-degree black belt realized that while America loves a good martial arts movie now and then, the industry doesn't...

Information technology at its best: how to build a flourishing IT enterprise in a competitive market.(CBX Technologies Inc.'s Christian D'Andrade)
January 1, 2007... Building a thriving business in the fast-paced, highly competitive information technology market is more demanding than ever. Many entrepreneurs struggle to find answers to help them compete. But Christian D'Andrade, the force behind CBX...

Vonage V-Phone: use your laptop to make calls via the Internet.(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2007... For millions of business travelers, a cell phone or a cell-capable PDA is the communication tool of choice. But for those mobile professionals who insist on lugging their wireless laptops around, the Vonage V-Phone is an inexpensive...

TomTom GO 910: on the road again.(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2007... Plan your next road trip with this GPS navigator, The TomTom GO 910 offers detailed maps of the United States. Canada, and Europe, including restaurants and gas stations. View your route on the 4-inch LCD screen via the quickest or shortest...

Tee off online.(e-commerce business planning)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... QA I would like to start an e-commerce T-shirt and accessories business and I am not sure how to begin. Also, is it imperative for me to have a business plan or can I start my business without one? --P. Candi Brooklyn, NY Starting...

Working it out! How a young executive overcomes obstacles on the job.(Citigroup Realty Services's Susan Chapman)(Interview)
January 1, 2007... Name Susan Chapman Title Global Head of Operations, Citigroup Realty Services Location New York Age 37 Charge Oversees 14,000 properties. representing 90 million square feet of space in 96 countries BE: What obstacles...

Leadership training.(Duke Energy Corp.'s merger with Cinergy Corp.)(Theopolis Holman on leadership)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... With a pending merger between Duke Energy and Cinergy, Duke Energy's Group Vice President Theopolis Holman sought insight on how to unite the two organizations successfully with a new leadership team. "Mergers can test the best...

What you look like online.(executive recruiting)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... According to a survey of 100 executive recruiters conducted by executive job search and recruiting organization ExecuNet, 77% of recruiters use search engines to check the backgrounds of potential job candidates. Of those, 35% of recruiters...

The book list.(The Inside Track to Careers in Real Estate)(Brief article)(Book review)
January 1, 2007... The Inside Track to Careers in Real Estate by Stan Ross (Urban Land Institute: $19.95) looks at how professionals from a variety of backgrounds can apply their talents and skill sets to carve out a successful career in real estate. The book...

Managerial rudeness: bad attitudes can demoralize your staff.
January 1, 2007... When Maurice Moragne became vice president of sales administration in 2004 at a beauty care corporation in New York City, he was ambitious and enthusiastic. His fervor, however, was dampened by an executive who berated Staffers and picked on...

Never too late to start.(graduation studies)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... I am a 50-year-old woman returning to school, and I have no idea what I would like to study. I have done administrative work for over 30 years, but I'm thinking of venturing into a new career, or maybe even acquiring a degree that would allow...

Christopher B. Howard.(University of Oklahoma)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Christopher B. Howard New Position: Vice President for Strategic and Leadership Initiatives Organization: University of Oklahoma Location: Norman, OK Responsibilities: Spearheads student, faculty, and staff leadership...

Quentin Roach.(appointed at Bausch & Lomb Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Quentin Roach New Position: Vice President of Global Customer Strategy & Process Management Company: Bausch & Lomb Location: Rochester, NY Responsibilities: Developing processes that leverage sales, marketing, and customer...

Sherri Brewer.(appointed at OneUnited Bank)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Sherri Brewer New Position: Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Officer Company: OneUnited Bank Location: Los Angeles Responsibilities: Oversees all of retail banking as well as more than 55% of the company's workforce ...

Barry Wade.(appointed at ZMagic Multicultural Advertising)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Barry Wade New Position: Chief Operating Officer Company: ZMagic Multicultural Advertising Location: New York Responsibilities: Oversees business development, creative materials, and client acquisition Former Position:...

Sandra L. Thompson.(appointed at Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Sandra L. Thompson New Position: Director, Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection Organization: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Location: Washington, DC Responsibilities: Ensures soundness of financial institutions...

More bang for the buck: moving to Georgia saved the Salmon family thousands in education costs and property taxes.(Black Wealth Initiative)(Amir Salmon, Gilda Salmon)
January 1, 2007... HIGH PROPERTY TAXES, Deteriorating infrastructure, and an undesirable urban environment drove Amir and Gilda Salmon away from the Garden State in June 2006. At age 41, the Salmons had spent all their lives in Paterson, New Jersey, but decided...

Taking stock of your assets: the Keesee family has built a significant investment and real estate portfolio. Now they plan to safeguard it.(Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 76)
January 1, 2007... THE REAL ESTATE MARKET HAS BEEN very good to Leon and Terri Keesee. Just in their 30s, the couple has amassed a level of wealth that many people never see in their lifetime. Their assets total $2.2 million with more than $292,000 in equity...

Building vs. buying a home: the options for homeownership may be more complicated than you think. Make sure you make the right choice.(HOMEOWNERSHIP)
January 1, 2007... After the pipes burst in the house that Will and Tina Alston were planning to purchase, the two thought twice about buying the 10-year-old home. Worried that they would rack up repair costs for the modern, but older, homes they were...

The rules of reinvention: starting from scratch isn't an easy feat, but it can be done. Here's our take on how to open new doors and create the life you've always wanted.(MOTIVATION)
January 1, 2007... IN APRIL 2004, JOY HARRIS AND DaWayne Brashear became co-owners of Edit Interiors, a Bloomfield, New Jersey, company specializing in interior architecture and design. Determined to make the business a success, the pair enrolled in an intense...

Best business opportunities for 2007: are you ready to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams? We've identified this year's five most promising markets.(ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
January 1, 2007... FOR SOME ENTREPRENEURS, HANGING out a shingle marks an opportunity to build wealth or live out a lifelong dream. But for Osyris Uqoezwa, starting The Racy Choice, an innovative lifestyle management company that promotes natural and healthy...

Team players: successful partnerships don't just happen. These young entrepreneurs have discovered the key to combining their unique talents.(ENTREPRENEURSHIP)(Cover story)
January 1, 2007... CAMERA FLASHES POP DURING A PHOTO SHOOT IN an intimate studio located in downtown New York City. Shane and Shawn Ward, the twin brothers who own Detny by SHANE&SHAWN, a hip and contemporary shoe company, are the main attraction. The pair is...

Slaying the green-eyed monster: take steps to conquer your envy and live your life satisfied.(ATTITUDE ENHANCEMENT)
January 1, 2007... ANTWEA REDIC RECALLS THE SICK FEELING she got when she encountered alumni of her graduate school at various meetings and annual conferences who had landed great jobs because they knew the right people. "I hated hearing about the lucrative...

It's a new year: these motivational items can help you start it right.(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2007... WHETHER YOU ARE AT HOME, AT WORK, OR IN THE CAR, DON'T MISS A chance to be uplifted, inspired, and empowered. From wise words to luscious landscapes and sweet songs, these inspirational pleasures can help you get through your day and,...

Going back to college.(admissions)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... QA I am 48 years old and have spent most of my life taking care of others. Now I want to do something for myself, namely return to college. Do you have any suggestions? --D. Grandy Silver Spring, MD I would recommend first...

Seeds of change: buying black farm products enriches the health and wealth of our community.(BUYING POWER)
January 1, 2007... DAVID ROACH LEARNED OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIC, FACING black farmers while studying business finance at Moreh0use College, but years later its far-reaching consequences hit him hard when he saw one of his high school students feeding her young...

Touchdown! Tips on securing hard-to-get tickets.(CONSUMER LIFE)
January 1, 2007... Undoubtedly, you've heard stories of the great extremes fans will go to in order to see their favorite team or hear their favorite musical artist--you may even have a few tales yourself. But special events tickets can be obtained without...

By land, air, and sea: new passport rules in effect.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... If you're planning to travel abroad in the new year, you may want to make getting a passport your New Year's resolution. Effective Jan. 8, a passport will be required for U.S. citizens traveling by air between Canada, Mexico, Central and South...

Get educated.(educational websites)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... If you want to get your kids to dive into learning, why not pair their studies with everyday learning experiences? The U.S. Department of Education, along with 30 federal agencies, has formed Federal Resources for Educational Excellence, or...

Real estate ambitions.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... QA My wife and I have a 10-acre track of land in middle Georgia in a fast-growing area that we desire to turn into a 14-home subdivision. I'd like to know what kind of financial groups exist in the real estate arena that can support us. ...

In a glass by itself: stemware is essential to the wine experience.
January 1, 2007... ACCORDING TO TONY LAWRENCE, a sommelier and wine educator based in Philadelphia, the wine experience is a sensual ritual involving textures, bouquets, color, and tasting notes. Lawrence points out that wine tasting uses almost all the...

?Habla ingles? Clifton Chestnut teaches language in Madrid.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... MADRID IS AN URBAN LOVER'S DREAM. Sophisticated, affluent, and cultured, it is Spain's economic center and one of the most important cities in the European Union. And according to !esMADRID! (www.esmadrid.com), which promotes the city's tourism...

Miguel Angel & Urban Spa.(services)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... * Hotel Occidental Miguel Angel & Urban Spa (29-31 C/Miguel Angel, www.miguelangelhotel.com) is a five-star property just south of Madrid's main business district. It houses famed Catalan chef Sergi Arola's two-star Michelin restaurant La...

Urban Hotel Madrid.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... * Urban Hotel Madrid (Carrera de San Jeronimo 34, www.derbyhotels.es) is an art deco-inspired property. "It's part of the Derby chain, which owns some equally swank hotels in Barcelona. Highlights are the rooftop terrace bar with shallow...

Hotel Villa Magna.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... * Hotel Villa Magna, a Park Hyatt Hotel (Paseo de la Castellana 22, www.villamagna.park.hyatt.com) stands in the heart of Salamanca, the city's financial and cultural district. The stylish hotel is also walking distance from museums and upscale...

Restaurante Memento.(Restaurant review)
January 1, 2007... * Restaurante Memento (Calle Caracas 1, www.restau rantememento.com) is a minimalist new spot owned by American chef Karen Bell. The cuisine is Californian/Continental. "[Bell] took this place over and did some exciting things with the menu....

La Bardemcilla.(Restaurant review)
January 1, 2007... * La Bardemcilla (Augusto Figueroa 47; www.labarde mcilla.com) is an in-crowd favorite owned by the Bardem family, known for their roles in Spanish films. "[This tapas eatery] serves excellent beef and lamb dishes. It's very, very lively on the...

Ananda.(Nightclub review)
January 1, 2007... * Ananda (Avenida Ciudad de Barcelona). This Indian-themed open-air terrace nightclub attracts eclectic personalities such as British soccer star David Beckham. "Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights they do a really good party, and it's...

Larios Cafe.(Nightclub review)
January 1, 2007... * Larios Cafe (Calle Silva 4). Just off Madrid's famed Gran Via (the city's main street), this beautiful spot has "a lot of live Cuban music and Top 40 downstairs. It's definitely a more sophisticated crowd on the upper floor. You see couples...

The Madrid Metro is fast and efficient, running from 6:05 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.(TRANSPORTATION)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The Madrid Metro is fast and efficient, running from 6:05 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. One-way tickets cost one euro. Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced.

Part of the European Union, Spain uses the euro.(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Part of the European Union, Spain uses the euro. At the time of publication, one euro was equal to U.S. $1.28.

Finishing touches: the fashion statement is in the detail.(Samanta Shoes launches men's shoes)(collars)(cuffs)
January 1, 2007... The suit is usually the most challenging purchase in a man's wardrobe. But even when he's successful in his selection, his other concern should be the elements that complete the ensemble in style. Music industry veteran Jimmy Rosemond, who is...

Experience the power again.(All Access)
January 1, 2007... Experience the power again at the second annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm[R], Feb. 7-10 at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Confirmed guests include author, keynote speaker, and licensed...

The early bird gets the worm!
January 1, 2007... Register today for the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by General Motors: Where Deals Are Made and save $100 off the regular registration price. Use promotional code ECSTD07 when you register. This year's conference,...

Need to get your financial house in order?(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Not sure how to go about it? Tune in to BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine's Keys to a Better Life and get advice from Merill Lynch financial planner Darnell Jackson about how to hire a financial adviser. Also, stay in shape by learning the secrets to...

Don't miss Our World with Black Enterprise.
January 1, 2007... Don't miss Our World with Black Enterprise this month as renowned broadcast journalist Ed Gordon talks with actor Derek Luke, megamogul Russell Simmons, acclaimed gospel artist Donnie McClurkin, and more! Our World is the show you turn to for...

Back talk with Chris Gardner.(Gardner Rich and Co.)(Interview)
January 1, 2007... Chris Gardner introduced himself to the gentleman getting out of the red Ferrari and asked two questions: "What do you do?" and "How do you do that?" It turns out the man was a stockbroker who commanded a salary of $80,000--not a year, but a...