Black Enterprise articles from July 2005

Black Enterprise archives from July 2005

The myth and reality of diversity.(Publisher's Page)
July 1, 2005... For 35 years, BLACK ENTERPRISE has championed the cause of equal opportunity and inclusion for African Americans and members of other ethnic minority groups at all levels of corporate America. In fact, we pioneered and perfected the coverage of...

35 years of diversity coverage.(About This Issue)
July 1, 2005... Socially, the discussion of race is sensitive, Politically, it's a hot-button issue. And as various studies reveal how our nation's shifting demographics will impact commerce, race is currently engaged in an uneasy courtship with corporate...

Dedicated to progress.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I would like to thank BE for doing a story on my former college professor, Marvin Dunn ("To Sow With Love," April 2005). I appreciated my hometown more after taking his class. He spoke his gardening project then, and to see him still actively...

Saving and giving at the same time.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I was pleased to find the "Web Coupon Cutter" article in the Shopsmart department of the April 2005 issue. There is indeed much money to be saved by shopping online, and it is great that BE is providing this valuable information to its readers....

Education equals homeownership.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I would like to applaud BE for taking a serious approach to educating readers about home financing. It is very important because, as African Americans, we have the lowest homeownership rate of any ethnic group in this country. Bringing relevant...

Corrections.(Letters)(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2005... We incorrectly printed that Brandon Griffin, one of the 2005 Teenpreneur Small Business Award nominees (Enterprise, May 2005), was located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is located in Gary, Indiana. In "Form & Function" (May 2005), we...

Oprah Winfrey: America's ultimate brand: from television to publishing, this media maven has turned her name into a $1 billion fortune.(Ultimate Wealth Builders)
July 1, 2005... When Oprah Winfrey negotiated a lucrative deal with KingWorld, her show's distributor, she proved that content is king. Winfrey walked away with the rights to produce and host The Oprah Winfrey Show. That was just the beginning for the...

Bankruptcy law gets tough on debtors: latest legislation seeks big payback for creditors.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
July 1, 2005... For decades, declaring bankruptcy has been a last-resort measure to re-establish financial standing for economically distressed individuals and families. Now, a new, controversial law--the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act...

Hawkins found guilty of perjury: B.E. 100s CEO awaits sentencing in connection with Philadelphia corruption scheme.(B.E. 100s)(LaVan Hawkins)
July 1, 2005... Self-made restaurateur and politically connected millionaire LaVan Hawkins, who built an empire ranging from five-star restaurants in the Midwest to burger and pizza franchises dotting the East Coast, appears to be heading toward a long stretch...

McGuire to join Citigroup: top Wall Street banker leaves Morgan Stanley.(AROUND THE NATION)(Raymond J. McGuire)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Raymond J. McGuire resigned from his position as co-head of global mergers and acquisitions at Morgan Stanley to join Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking as global co-head of investment banking. Effective July 6, McGuire will work with...

CBC member helps blacks gain access to homeland security contracts: securing small business deals for minorities a priority for Rep. Bennie Thompson.(WASHINGTON REPORT)(Congressional Black Caucus)
July 1, 2005... A member of the Congressional Black Caucus has taken a leadership role on a key committee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security and has racial equity in the agency's contracting practices among his priorities. Rep. Bennie G....

Marriott steps up diversity efforts.(NEWSBYTES)(Marriott International Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Marriott International Inc. has pledged $1 billion to minority- and women-owned suppliers and plans to double minority owners and franchisees in the next five years. The lodging giant invested $20 million in the Urban Lodging Fund of RLJ...

Television industry veteran Darnell Washington paid $3 million for KTGF-TV, an NBC affiliate in Great Falls, Montana.(NEWSBYTES)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Television industry veteran Darnell Washington paid $3 million for KTGF-TV, an NBC affiliate in Great Falls, Montana. Washington's company, Destiny Communications, got the opportunity to acquire KTGF when its former owner was forced to sell it...

Black business stability: strong direction and specialized business plans increase the chances of surviving.(FACTS & FIGURES)
July 1, 2005... Survival is a more urgent issue for black businesses than for other minority-owned companies, according to a Small Business Administration study. Dynamics of Minority-Owned Employer Establishments, 1997-2001 finds that black companies have the...

Emergency adjustments: the Asante family has learned to change with their financial realities.(INVESTMENT STRATEGIES)
July 1, 2005... When the stock market bubble burst in 2000, Randy Asante sought professional help managing his investments. The 42-year-old accountant had been investing in the stock market on his own since 1998, but after losing $6,000 when the market...

Get the loan you deserve: African Americans can avoid being steered into bad loans by following these tips.(HOMEOWNERSHIP)
July 1, 2005... Real estate industry experts are warning that the increase in sub-prime lending has opened the door for unscrupulous lending practices, known in the banking industry as predatory lending. Subprime loans are generally high-cost loans made to...

Rely on long-term trends: in uncertain times, Larry Folmar of Folmar Financial Group chooses consistency.(STOCK PICKS)
July 1, 2005... Larry E. Folmar, president and chief executive officer of Southfield, Michigan-based Folmar Financial Group Inc., is cautioning his clients to expect the financial markets to be unstable for the next two or three years. Folmar, whose firm...

Foreign intelligence: Ron Holt of Hansberger Global Investors delivers positive returns from overseas stocks.(PORTFOLIO REVIEW)
July 1, 2005... Although the portfolio of stocks Ron Holt recommended to BLACK ENTERPRISE readers a year ago realized a total return of 12.95% from March 26, 2004, to March 24, 2005, he says it wasn't good enough. Holt, president and director of research at...

Creating your investment plan: here are some simple steps for those developing a financial strategy.(MONEY BASICS)
July 1, 2005... Shaundra Patterson knows that achieving financial freedom requires having a plan. Unfortunately, like many people, the 24-year-old federal employee who lives in Richmond, Virginia, is stuck between her desire to act and not knowing what to do...

Transfer or pay it off?(MONEY MATTERS)(credit card balance)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Q A I currently have a Visa card with a $1,500 balance and a 10.9% interest rate. I'm considering obtaining a Visa with my credit union with a rate of 8.9% and transferring the balance. Would this negatively affect my credit score? Would it be...

Indulge yourself: entrepreneur manages a successful boutique spa while keeping her day job.(MAKING IT)(Tonya Edmonds)
July 1, 2005... For Tonya Edmonds, launching Skin Savvy Spa Express started as a means to protect herself from a possible layoff and as an investment that would provide her with another source of income. Now, her day spa serves as a haven for clients longing...

Sweet aspiration: how these friends came together to make country juices.(MAKING IT)(James Harris, Nathaniel Shaw, Robert Smith)(Ensemble Beverage Co.)
July 1, 2005... Life tastes a little sweeter for James Harris, president and cofounder of Ensemble Beverage Co., L.L.C., producer of Heritage Southern lemonades, teas, and juices. Together with his business partners, Nathaniel Shaw and Robert Smith, Harris...

Creating competition or customers? Hair-weaving maven gives away her trade secrets to gain more clients.(MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES)(Marcella Ellis)
July 1, 2005... Marcella Ellis, a 15-year hairstylist, doesn't mind divulging her salon secrets. In fact, she makes it her business. Entrepreneurial suicide, you think? To Ellis, owner of Marcella Ellis Signature Hair Replacement Center, it's clever business...

Training day.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(home improvement training)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Q My partner started a cleaning business but it has gone beyond cleaning to painting and includes some decorating, screening, and sanding hardwood floors. We need more training in certain areas, such as how to use spraying tools to paint faster...

Answering the call: Lockheed executive brings efficiency to government systems.(BLACK DIGERATI)(Linda Gooden)
July 1, 2005... If there's one moment that sums up Linda Gooden's commitment to her work, it came on the evening of 9-11. After terrorists flew a plane into the Pentagon, Gooden led a staff of 200 people back into the smoldering building to ensure that vital...

Tuning in to podcasts: audio shows are catching on with listeners who own iPods and other digital players.(TECH NEWS)
July 1, 2005... Independent recording artist Eric Cire sold 1,000 units of his debut album, "ericcire.com," in one month, thanks in part to a new audio technology trend--podcasting. Podcasts are homemade MP3 recordings that allow anyone with the available...

Creating an online newsroom: now, you can direct a reporter to a Web URL where your dynamic press kit awaits.(E-BUSINESS)
July 1, 2005... For a business owner who rarely uses a publicist, Johnny May has certainly managed to garner a lot of media attention over the last three years. The 36-year-old president of Pontiac, Michigan-based Securities Resources Unlimited--an independent...

Dos & don'ts of setting up and maintaining an online newsroom.(TECHWATCH)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... * DON'T force journalists to register or sign in for access. They're busy folks and may very well decide not to bother. * DO offer the opportunity for journalists to enter their e-mail address they wish to be kept abreast of the latest news...

Distant helper.(CYBERWISE)(virtual assistants)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Q I started a real estate business earlier this year and it's starting to pick up. I'm on the road a lot and I need help but I can't afford to hire anybody at this early stage of my business. I'm thinking about using a virtual assistant...

You can't do it alone: building an effective team brings bottom-line results.(EXECUTIVE MEMO)
July 1, 2005... Kathryn Block's first--and perhaps most important--challenge as the newly appointed director of channel strategy and marketing for Campbell Soup in Camden, New Jersey, was finding a way to mesh 11 marketing managers with diverse backgrounds and...

Fly safe: an aviation investigator sets some ground rules.(CAREER PROFILE)
July 1, 2005... I often tell prospective applicants this is a gruesome job," admits Beverley Drake. "I've told so many gory stories of death and destruction to my sons that they've avoided flying." But Drake, who is the first and only black female senior...

Ready to go? Assess your position, develop a strategy, then decide if it's time to leave.(EXECUTIVE MEMO)
July 1, 2005... It's Monday morning, and the thought of facing that pile on your desk--and another week with your irate boss--fills you with dread. If this describes your situation, you probably fit into one of two categories, according to David A. Thomas,...

A travel bug?(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Q I am trying to establish a career as an independent consultant in the travel/tourism business. I have I an undergraduate degree in marketing and foreign languages and a master's in tourism/ travel management and marketing. I am also...

Dillard University.(ON THE MOVE)(Appointed Marvalene Hughes as first women president)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... 1 Marvalene Hughes has been elected the first women president of Dillard University, a historically black liberal arts college in New Orleans. Hughes has acquired a wealth of experience during her extensive career in higher education and has...

Choice-Point.(ON THE MOVE)(Appointed Ray H. Robinson as the board of directors)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... 2 Ray H. Robinson has been elected to the board of directors of Choice-Point, a leading provider of identification and credential verification services. A prominent Atlanta community leader, Robinson brings leadership skills and dedication to...

Scripps Networks.(ON THE MOVE)(Appointed Lasherelle R. Bailey as director of business affairs)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... 3 Lasherelle R. Bailey has been named director of business affairs for Scripps Networks, the company that operates The Food Network, Home & Garden Television (HGTV), DIY-Do It Yourself Network, Fine Living, Shop at Home Network, and Great...

Nike Inc.(ON THE MOVE)(Appointed Larry Harper as general manager for the central region)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... 4 Larry Harper has been named general manager for the central region at Nike Inc. In this new role, Harper is responsible for marketing, sales, and developing operational strategies to promote the Nike Brand as well as the region's community...

Mary Kay Inc.(ON THE MOVE)(Appointed Julia Simon as vice president of legal resources)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... 5 Julia Simon has been appointed vice president of legal resources for Mary Kay Inc. She is charged with overseeing U.S. legal issues, worldwide labor, and employment law matters. Simon's most recent position was as the company's director of...

Convention calendar.(POWER PLAY)(Calendar)
July 1, 2005... July 2005 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ...

Never too soon to save: Megan J. Stewart is committed to staying on the fast track to early retirement.(BLACK WEALTH INITIATIVE)
July 1, 2005... MEGAN J. STEWART IS UNLIKE MANY OF Instead, Stewart is trying to outfit her investment portfolio for an early retirement. "I can't fathom working 20 to 40 years at the same job like our parents did, especially if it's doing something I'm not...

Better days ahead: for the Baker family, patience and discipline are the keys to financial freedom.(FAMILY FINANCES: FINANCIAL FITNESS CONTEST WINNER NO. 60)
July 1, 2005... WHEN BAKARI BAKER OF OAK PARK, Illinois, graduated from college his options were limited. He had to get a job, but after earning a B.A. in biology from Clark Atlanta University, Baker could only find work at a rental car company. Today, he...

Game on! Video games are a multibillion-dollar industry where few African Americans manage to get at the controls. Some insiders are taking aim at this sector's invisible hurdle.(SPECIAL REPORT: GAME ON)
July 1, 2005... AS A BOY, MIKE CHUBB WAS INTRIGUED BY COMPUTER--generated special effects. Whether watching Star Wars, Terminator 2, or playing video games such as Virtua Fighter, Chubb marveled at how computers could digitally breathe life into characters and...

Breaking in! Breaking into the video game industry requires a certain amount of talent. But talent alone will not earn you a position making games. Here are some guidelines you should follow to make your path into the field a prosperous one.(SPECIAL REPORT: GAME ON)
July 1, 2005... * Determine your area of interest: There are many career options from which to choose when working in the video game industry. Jason Della Rocca, executive director of the International Game Developers Association, says it's smart to first...

Midyear investment strategies: savvy investors monitor their portfolios all year long. Here are some adjustments to consider now.(INVESTING)
July 1, 2005... WHETHER PREPARING INCOME TAXES or squeezing in last-minute charitable contributions, most financial planning occurs at the beginning and end of the year. But for investors who like to stay on top of their finances, summer gives you some...

Online banking: are you ready? Taking the leap is as easy as point, click, and save.(CONSUMER LIFE)
July 1, 2005... WHEN VANESSA AND CYRIL BRIGHT married last year, they merged their banking styles. For the newly weds, it was a matter of old meeting new. Vanessa is s self-described online banking whiz Her hubby prefers to pay his bills in person and in cash....

The rewards and risks of forming a partnership: millions of people co-own privately held companies, family businesses, and business partnerships, but establishing them--and keeping them together--is never easy. You might want to read this before you say "I do" to your next partner.(BOOK EXCERPT)(Reprint)
July 1, 2005... "PARTNERSHIP" IS A SEDUCTIVE BUZZword in the business world today. My phone company wants to be my "partner in communication," and my doctor at Kaiser Permanente wants to be my "partner in health," Company owners heat constantly about the...

The 30 best companies for diversity: when it comes to minority representation, these corporations mean business.(SPECIAL REPORT)(Cover Story)
July 1, 2005... WHAT MAKES A COMPANY GOOD AT DIVERSITY? The answer to that simple question has become increasingly complicated over the years. The bottom-line benefits of diversity and relatively new phenomenon of diversity lists published by mainstream...

Women in franchising.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)
July 1, 2005... With the complexities of juggling a family and career, sell-employment, particularly franchising opportunities, are especially appealing to women. "Seventy Five percent of the adult population has that grain of sand in their shoe. They want to...

Coverall.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... When Coverall Cleaning Concepts was founded in 1985 the company had one goal in mind--to revolutionize the commercial cleaning industry. By recruiting those individuals who desire to take control of their own professional future and financial...

Snelling Personnel Services.(Daryl Gatewood)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... Meet Daryl Gatewood, one of Snelling's franchise owners in the Denver, Colorado area. Daryl was named 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year for Big Business by the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce. The awards spokesperson said, "With grit and...

Choice Hotels[R].(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Choice Hotels International[R] is one of the world's largest hotel franchising companies, with more than 5,000 hotels open and under development worldwide. The company franchises under the Comfort Inn[R], Comfort Suites[R], Quality[R], Sleep...

JAN-PRO.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(JAN-PRO Cleaning Systems )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Over the last ten years, JAN-PRO Cleaning Systems has launched thousands of new career beginnings for women in franchising. Now is a terrific time to join JAN-PRO. We are growing in excess of one million dollars a month as well as adding an...

Cold Stone Creamery.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Cold Stone Creamery recently welcomed a new dynamic owner/operator to its growing faro fly of ice cream lovers and passionate entrepreneurs. Meet Myrtle Everette-Stroman, a proud African-American woman and owner of the Cold Stone Creamery...

Golden Krust.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION)(Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill )
July 1, 2005... Bakers of Superior Quality * Hardo Bread * Buns * Patties * Etc. 3958 PARK AVENUE BRONX, N.Y. 10457 718-655-7878 718-583-1883-FAX Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill is the nation's largest Caribbean Franchise and...

Express Personnel Services.(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... Express Personnel Services can simplify your search for your own business. Express provides temporary and flexible staffing, evaluation and direct hire, professional/contract staffing, business solutions and management consulting to individuals...

'Yes' can lead to stress: here's how to say no without feeling guilty.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)
July 1, 2005... Thank goodness it's Saturday! Your workweek was scheduled to the hilt, and you are ready to kick back with a good book in peace and solitude. Just as you slide in to your favorite chair, the phone starts ringing. As soon as you say, hello, you...

A defining moment: Deborah C. Wright of Carver Bancorp says success goes beyond the surface.(TAKE A LESSON)(Interview)(Excerpt)
July 1, 2005... In February 2005, Deborah C. Wright, president and CEO of Carver Bancorp, holding company of Carver Federal Savings Bank (No. 1 on the BE BANKS list with $616 million in assets) was named chairman. For Wright, success has come in many forms,...

What part of 'n-o' don't they understand? Learn to decline with finesse.(PEP TALK)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... It's tougher to turn down an offer, an invitation, or an assignment when faced with someone who won't seem to take "no" for an answer. Sue Johnston, founder and head coach of the consulting firm It's Understood Communication...

Finding your passion.(HELP YOURSELF)(career choice)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Q I'm a 23-year-old single morn and I'm completing my degree this fall. Now that I'm a mother, I feel pressured to pick a career path and be successful. After much self-analysis, I've realized that while I am enthusiastic, energetic, and...

Homeowners associations: breaking the rules can cost you more than the monthly fee.(BUYER BEWARE)
July 1, 2005... In 1992, Connie Cross was excited about purchasing her first home, a townhouse in Austell, Georgia. As a member of a homeowners association, she received all-inclusive services such as water, trash, and lawn maintenance for only $40 per month....

One man's trash ... donating your unusual household treasures.(CONSUMER LIFE)
July 1, 2005... Don't know what to do with grandma's antique grand piano or that 1985 Chew taking up space in your driveway? Before searching high and low for a buyer, you might consider donating the items to charity. There are more than 1 million...

Cleaning up your credit: here is a new book to help you get there.(DID YOU KNOW)(Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Credit but Were Too Ashamed to Ask: Tools, Tips and Hidden Secrets so Fixing Bad Credit, Building and Maintaining AAA Credit)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
July 1, 2005... So you wanna know about credit but don't know the first place to start? Then pick up a copy of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Credit but Were Too Ashamed to Ask: Tools, Tips and Hidden Secrets so Fixing Bad Credit, Building and...

Don't go phish: new internet scam is no game.(CONSUMER ALERT)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... It's hook line, and sinker: Phishing--a new high-tech scare that deceives you into disclosing personal information that exposes you to identity theft and fraud. Like fishermen who cast their line, "phishers" do the same with phony...

Increasing a FICO score.(ASK YOU ADVOCATE)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Q My FICO score is 698, Last year, I paid off a debt to the IRS; refinanced my home, which has $300,000 in equity; and I carry less than $5,000 on three credit cards with $70,000 in credit available. What steps are needed to score above 720? I...

Sky writing: astrophysicist has a pen collection that is out or this world.(PERSONAL PASSIONS)(Neil deGrasse Tyson)
July 1, 2005... Whenever the universe flinches, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson fields a barrage of calls from national media for comment. It's just part of the territory for the Frederick P. Rose director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York. When...

An intoxicating retreat: American seeds sow a Tuscan experience.(FIRST-CLASS TICKET)(Villagio Inn & Spa)(Hotel Review)
July 1, 2005... For a pampering, Italian-style getaway, embrace la dolce vita in northern California with a stay at the 112-room Villagio Inn & Spa. But arrange to arrive at the Vintage Estate in Yountville in the evening--as I did--and order the "Tuscan...

Bella figura: Florence makes its best impression.(CITY PROFILE)
July 1, 2005... With a history steeped in the arts, Florence. the capital of Italy's Tuscany region, today provides some the world's finest fashion goods. Salvatore Ferragamo is a leading style merchant. There are also the twice-annual fashion trade shows like...

Exotic blooms: Francis Queeley makes a grand floral statement.(THE ENTHUSIAST)
July 1, 2005... Designing hundreds of floral arrangements for productions such as the Trumpet Awards and the Super Bowl requires Francis Queeley to consider several factors, from panning television cameras to weather conditions. Queeley, 41, owns Island...

Get into the swing!(GOLF & TENNIS CHALLENGE)
July 1, 2005... If you missed this year's Entrepreneurs Conference, there is plenty of time to register for our next high-powered networking event scheduled Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-5, 2005. This year marks our 12th annual hosting of the Black Enterprise/...

Mark your calendar for September.(Unlimited Options)
July 1, 2005... Be on the lookout this September for the next Financial Empowerment Series (FES) being held in Cleveland. Over the course of the year, BLACK ENTERPRISE will host FES in Raleigh, North Carolina; New Orleans, and Houston. Each seminar...

Back talk with Johnnetta B. Cole.(Interview)
July 1, 2005... Johnnetta B. Cole made history in 1987 by becoming the first African American woman to serve as president of Spelman College. At her inauguration, Bill and Camille Cosby made a $20 million donation to the school--at that time the largest single...

The Black Enterprise African American travel guide presented by Allstate.(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... WELCOME We are constantly striving to achieve a balance between the demands of our careers and our person lives. Escaping the pressures of everyday life to connect with family and friends has far-reaching benefits on your personal health,...