Black Enterprise articles from March 2005

Black Enterprise archives from March 2005

Your two cents: the essence buyout.(Web Features)
March 1, 2005... We asked blackenterprise.com readers how they felt about Essence Communications Partners agreeing to sell the remaining 51% of its ownership to Time Inc. Here's what you had to say: It makes good business sense--14% They sold out--34%...

Resource line.(Web Columns)
March 1, 2005... Whatever your professional or entrepreneurial needs, you can find advice at blackenterprise.com. Interactive Media Editor Latif Lewis' column provides useful resources for business owners, corporate executives, and budding investors. ...

Web tools.
March 1, 2005... FRANCHISE FINDER www.blackenterprise.com/franchisefinder Select from franchises that suit your interests and open your dream business today! GET $25 WHEN YOU INVEST www.blackenterprise.com/bemoney ShareBuilder and...

The greatest sports myth.(Publishers's Page)(equal opportunity for African Americans in sport)
March 1, 2005... Ask just about anyone to name one industry where African Americans have not only achieved parity, but dominance, and the vast majority would point to the world of sports. At first glance, this would seem tree. Generations of Americans have...

Putting together the Top 50 blacks in sports.(About This Issue)(Editorial)
March 1, 2005... Our ongoing mission at BLACK ENTERPRISE is to showcase the talents of some of the most powerful and brightest African Americans in the world of business and beyond. In this issue, we spotlight high-ranking individuals within the business of...

No biz like show biz.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... I am a 29-year-old African American and an avid watcher of the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. I was truly interested in your article about the lack of black talent in from of, and behind, the camera of daytime television ["Daytime's...

Thanks for the 'Drama'.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... YOUR ARTICLE "DAYTIME'S OTHER DRAMA" CAME RIGHT ON time. Recently, I decided to pursue a career as either a TV or film writer, director, or producer. I suspected that, as in a lot of industries, jobs behind the scenes would be difficult to...

Diversity? Yes, but ...(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... I READ WITH INTEREST CAROLYN M. BROWN'S ARTICLE IN THE December 2004 issue titled "Daytime's Other Drama," in which she discusses African Americans on daytime television in front of, and behind, the camera. The Young and The Restless was...

"N" as in not funny.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT CHAPPELLE'S SHOW IS VERY FUNNY ["Funny Money," December 2004], but it would be even more appearing and more amusing if the "N" word wasn't used so excessively or unnecessarily. Chappelle and his writers should do one...

Franklin Raines steps down from Fannie Mae: was the former CEO right to shoulder the blame for accounting irregularities?(Around The Nation)
March 1, 2005... At the tail end of last year, Franklin Raines, chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae, announced an "early retirement." The news followed months of allegations by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) that Fannie Mae had been...

Privatizing Social Security: do African Americans stand to gain from President Bush's controversial plan?(Washington Report)(George W. Bush)
March 1, 2005... One of the biggest debates brewing on Capitol Hill this year involves President George W. Bush's desire to overhaul the nation's Social Security system. So far, the proposals being bandied about are broad in scope. But since he first ran for...

Paying homage to a political icon.(In Memoriam)(Shirley Chisholm)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
March 1, 2005... March is National Women's History Month, and no woman is more deserving of remembrance during this time than Shirley Chisholm, who died at the age of 80 this past January, leaving behind an unprecedented political legacy. She was the first...

Ed Gordon to host show on NPR.(Newsbytes)(National Public Radio)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Former BET Tonight host and Emmy Award-winning journalist Ed Gordon heads to National Public Radio to host a new public affairs show, a move that comes on the heels of Tavis Smiley's departure from NPR. The one-hour program broadcasts on 86 NPR...

Social Security myth vs. reality: true or false? African Americans bear the most cost but receive the least benefits.(Facts & Figures)
March 1, 2005... Social Security isn't just for retired seniors; it also provides protection for workers--and their families--in the event the household breadwinner is disabled or dies. Many people assume that African Americans and Hispanics bear a large...

Don't be alarmed if you have an ARM: homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages should carefully reassess their situation before refinancing.(Homeownership)(adjustable rate mortgage)
March 1, 2005... With economists projecting several interest rate hikes through 2006, financial advisers say now is the time for borrowers to take a second look at the loan terms of adjustable-rate mortgages. "Rates are likely to trend upward over the next year...

Buy and hold is back: Eric McKissack of Channing Capital Management waits for good companies to recover from bad times.(Stock Picks)(Harkel Corp.)
March 1, 2005... For Eric McKissack, CEO and chief investment officer of Channing Capital Management L.L.C., when a company's stock price falls sharply, that can signal a buying opportunity not to be missed. "When a stock price falls, our analysis may suggest...

A sound rebound: long-awaited economic growth helped Barbara Bowles' stock selections prosper.(Portfolio Review)
March 1, 2005... Last year, Barbara L. Bowles, founder and CEO of The Kenwood Group, a Chicago-based equity management services firm, estimated that an economic rebound was on the horizon--and it wasn't far from the truth. When she supplied BLACK ENTERPRISE...

Getting large: big company stocks could be ready to roll.(Mutual Fund Focus)
March 1, 2005... With interest rate hikes scaring money out of the stock market, consumer spending rising, and fuel costs climbing, you couldn't ask for a better backdrop for large-cap value funds. The reason: Large company shares and cheaper priced, or value,...

School fees vs. investing.(Money Matters)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Q I recently moved to the U.S. from the Caribbean I have $5,000 and I'm trying to obtain a second degree. I know this money can't pay for my school fees, but it could pay a part. Or I could get a regular job and invest the $5,000. Please...

Selling the brand: a willingness to adapt helps an embroidery designer expand beyond uniforms.(Making It)
March 1, 2005... When UPS needed someone to make reusable vinyl bags to sort small goods in its hubs three years ago, the conglomerate didn't go to one of its large suppliers to handle the job. Instead, it zeroed in on Prestige Design Group Inc., a 16-employee...

Breaking new ground: find the right location for your business and the customers will come.(Starting Up)
March 1, 2005... When Will Gist went searching for a location for his new Maui Wowi Fresh Hawaiian Blends franchise, he had specific criteria in mind. For starters, his smoothie business had robe near a high volume of foot traffic and situated in an area where...

Make me a match: SBA program brings big buyers face-to face with small vendors.(Small Business News)(Small Business Administration's 'Business Matchmaking' and 'Virtual Matchmaking' programs)
March 1, 2005... According to the Small Business Administration, the fastest growing segment of small businesses in the United States is the minority business community. "It already represents more than 15% of all businesses in the United States and marketers...

Spread the word.(Savvy Solutions)(marketing strategies for cosmetics store)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Q I have a cosmetics store located in Cincinnati, in the largest mall in the tri-state area. The store has been open for a month now and business has been rather slow. What would be your suggestion or advice on how to get the word out that my...

Mixing business with pleasure: this Microsoft executive is spearheading Windows media and entertainment initiatives.(Black Digerati)
March 1, 2005... Perfectly positioned to help usher in the next wave of digital entertainment, Cassandra Cummings, business development manager of the Media/Entertainment Technology Convergence Group at Microsoft, turned a childhood affinity for technology into...

Upgrading mobile technology: a smart investment for more efficient and faster business operations.(Hot Picks)
March 1, 2005... It is important to periodically update your technology to enable your business to produce more in less time. Upgrading your mobile devices is one aspect of this technology refreshment that you should not ignore. Your 4-year-old cell phone...

PC revival.(Cyberwise)(personal computer)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Q I recently purchased a new PC and now I don't know what to do with my old computer. It's not powerful enough to run new programs and I don't want to throw it away. Any suggestions? --T. Williams Via the Internet A Don't get rid...

Is being the best good enough? Surviving the double standard in your organization.(Diversity Watch)(recruitment of black executives)
March 1, 2005... It often seems that black executives must be supermen and superwomen just to remain at the same level as their white counterparts. And if they make a mistake it could prove to be the equivalent of Kryptonite to their careers. An example of...

Diversity leader.(powerplay)(L. Renee Richardson)(Brief Article)(Interview)
March 1, 2005... L. Renee Richardson, Director of African American Markets for Tapestry Recent U.S. Census data shows blacks in the U.S. now represent 13% of the population, a 16% increase since 1990. According to the University of Georgia's Selig Center...

Market watch.(Since You Asked)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Q I am an upcoming senior majoring in marketing and I am unsure about my future. I keep getting mixed signals about the job market for those in marketing positions. Is the market all that bad? And do I even have a chance, considering I am an...

Georgia Power.(On The Move)(appointment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... 1 Ronald D. Brown has been elected to the board of directors of Georgia Power, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. As a member of the board, Brown is responsible for managing the affairs of the company and supervising the...

Assurant.(On The Move)(apppointment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... 2 Michele Coleman Hayes has been elected to Assurant's board of directors. She will also serve on the board's nominating and corporate governance committee as well as its compensation committee. Mayes brings extensive legal expertise,...

Prime Access Inc.(On The Move)(appointment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... 3 Lorraine McNeill-Popper is the new executive creative director of Prime Access Inc., a leader in multicultural advertising and marketing services. She is charged with business development as well as directing all creative work produced by the...

PBS&J's National Transit Services Division.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... 4 Frank T. Martin has been promoted to division manager of PBS&J's National Transit Services Division. He will be responsible for business development and overseeing transit projects throughout PBS&J's transit division. He will also be...

United States Distance Learning Association.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... 5 Reggie Smith III is the first African American elected to the board of directors for the United States Distance Learning Association. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training. Smith is...

Convention calendar.(powerplay)(Calendar)
March 1, 2005... The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars Networking Weekend March 4-7, 2005; New York; 212-290-8600; www.jackierobinson.org Association of Black Cardiologists 18th Annual Scientific Sessions March 5, 2005; Orlando, FL; 678-302-4222;...

Progress through properties: after being laid off, Stephan Jackson enhanced his family's wealth by investing in real estate.(Black Wealth Initiative)
March 1, 2005... WHEN STEPHAN JACKSON, A PRODUCT manager for Hewlett-Packard in Newark, California, lost his job in May 2002, he was faced with making some major life changes. Jackson, 35, had pulled down a $98,000 salary for two years before his unit was shut...

Aiming for financial readiness: Maj. Frank Davis needs improved fiscal maneuvers to secure his family's future.(Family Finances)
March 1, 2005... Maj. Frank Davis of Stockbridge, Georgia, knows what it's like to sit in an airplane and see a missile soar by. He spent a year, from July 2003 to July 2004, in the Middle East, serving mostly in Kuwait with sporadic duty in Iraq. Although...

Essence of the deal: what does Time Inc.'s takeover mean for the popular black women's magazine?(Business News)
March 1, 2005... For 35 years, Essence magazine has been a household name, projecting the image and voice of a proud and independent black woman. And that powerful brand is more than just the flagship of one of the nation's largest black-owned businesses. It's...

Growing pains: we'll show you how to deal with a sudden expansion or an unforeseen slowdown in your business.(Entrepreneurship)
March 1, 2005... Kevin Brown remembers the heady days Of 1995 all too well. "I had just started my own marketing communications firm," says Brown, now 40. "A significance portion of the business was coming from dot-com companies [and] we also had some major...

Green light, yellow light.(Entrepreneurship)(considerations for expanding business)
March 1, 2005... What are some of the signs that it may be time to branch out? "Cash flow," says Tom W. Williams Jr., managing partner of Williams, Adley & Co. L.L.C., a CPA and management consulting firm headquartered in Oakland, California. "When your...

Why you need a mentor: mentors are the most important resource for success on the job. Finding them can be a task: positioning yourself to be selected as a mentee is another. Here's how to accomplish both.(Careers)
March 1, 2005... Connie Lindsey can testify to getting by with a little help from her friends--those who are highly placed and influential in the corporate world. She learned that lesson soon after joining The Northern Trust Co. in 1993, when a mentor suggested...

The 50 most powerful African Americans in sports: think you know who the real players are? Forget those who earn millions on the field. Here's our all-star list of entrepreneurs and executives (OK, and a couple of athletes) who drive the sports industry.(Special Report)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2005... TURN ON JUST ABOUT ANY MAJOR sports program, and you're likely to see black athletes excelling. Baseball's Barry Bonds, football's Curtis Martin, Shaquille O'Neal in the NBA, and the NHL's Jerome Iginla are all exceptional athletes. But...

Now hear this: want to become a better communicator? Shut up and develop your listening skills.(Peak Performance)
March 1, 2005... Are you having a hard time being heard at work? Do you find yourself nagging your spouse and children about the same old-same old with few or no results? According to Michael P. Nichols, author of The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to...

New venture.(Help Yourself)(starting out in the kiosk business)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Q I have been a paralegal for 24 years, and I am at the point of burnout. I would like to venture into a kiosk business, but I'm not quite sure how to get started or what approximate startup costs would be. Can you point me in the right...

When an emergency strikes, will 911 be there to help?(Consumer Life)(tracing cell phones)
March 1, 2005... You are probably one of the millions of people who carry their cell phones at all times in case of an emergency. You may think your cell enhances your personal safety. But outdated systems nationwide are unable to trace wireless calls, meaning...

Fee for all: avoid airline surcharges before you take off.(Consumer Alert)
March 1, 2005... You've heard the expression "What you don't know won't hurt you." Well, that doesn't fare well when it comes to your money. Hidden charges can take a toll on your wallet. While hotels, car rentals, and vacation getaways are notorious for...

Over the limit.(Ask Your Advocate)(debt consolidation)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Q My husband and I filed bankruptcy in 1999. Unfortunately, we credit scores since this happened. We are currently struggling to pay two credit cards [which are] over the limit. We were considering a debt consolidation program, but we were...

Master of the game: Chess whiz Maurice Ashley.(The Enthusiast)
March 1, 2005... After being crowned the first black International Grand Master of Chessin March 1999 (a title held by roughly 800 other players in the world), Maurice Ashley made history again in January 2003 as the first African American to play for the U.S....

Great getaways: a retreat guide.(First-Class Ticket)
March 1, 2005... With the line between business and lifestyle almost indistinguishable, it's becoming more important to make time to escape the pressures of day-to-day demands--if only for a few days. Yes, you may have to spend a few more hours catching up on...

Shirt savvy.(The Finer Things)
March 1, 2005... A perfect thank-you gift for a star executive--male or female--is the Ike Behar C.E.O. program. Custom Express Originals allows the recipient to design his or her own custom shirt, choosing from four different collar styles, barrel or French...

In the bag.(The Finer Things)
March 1, 2005... You'll be making impressive house calls this spring with the Judith Leiber doctor's satchel (also called the Adelaide). This canvas tote is soft, yet sturdy, rimmed and accented in shiny crocodile. This bag is available in parrot green, black,...

Bold moves.(The Finer Things)
March 1, 2005... Hosiery is the latest accessory to punch up a navy suit or add flair to a weekend look. Richard James, the famed Savile Row designer, offers an eclectic mix of bold colors and geometric designs in mercerized cotton, Lisle yarns, and merino...

Networking with the best: gear up for this year's Entrepreneurs Conference.(Entrepreneurs Conference)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Black Enterprise/General Motors Entrepreneurs Conference, currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, will be held May 18-22, 2005, at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas. This year's theme, "Seasons of Change: Taking Risks, Embracing...

Financial enpowerment series.(Extra Options)(interactive seminars)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Look out for the BLACK ENTERPRISE Financial Empowerment Series (FES), coming soon to a city near you! Hosted by AXA Advisors and sponsored by Cadillac, these interactive seminars are structured to Orovide intense financial coaching directly...

Black Enterprise Unlimited.(Unlimited Options)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Black Enterprise Unlimited is a division of Earl G. Graves Ltd dedicated to the creation of products and services designed to meet your business needs. We can be contacted at B.E. Unlimited, 130 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011-4399; fax:...

Back talk with George Foreman.(Interview)
March 1, 2005... George Foreman, 55-year-old boxer turned entrepreneur, made, perhaps, one of the most successful professional transformations in the history of television personalities. He went from being a taciturn and intimidating boxer to a gregarious...