Black Enterprise articles from March 2008

Black Enterprise archives from March 2008

The importance of being green.(Web Features)
March 1, 2008... We give a voice to those African American businesspeople and activists who are working to make a positive impact on the environment. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Exclusive BEing Green Articles * Did You Know?... Interesting...

Building wealth through homeownership.(RESOURCES)
March 1, 2008... Owning a home is critical to building lasting wealth. Whether you're looking to purchase a home or already own one, our newly launched homeownership section is the ultimate homeownership destination on the Web! * Mortgage financing...

Online extras.(Web Features)
March 1, 2008... 1 Top 25 Moneymakers in Hollywood We reveal our exclusive list of the African American entertainment powerhouses who wield the most financial clout. Find a historical slideshow of Hollywood's most bankable black stars, an online Oscar...

Staying focused on financial empowerment.(publisher's page)
March 1, 2008... With a seemingly dysfunctional financial industry undermined by the twin perils of excess debt and shrinking availability of credit, who knows how long these tumultuous times will wreak havoc on our fragile economy, whether government actions...

Making history at the box office.(About This Issue)
March 1, 2008... In Hollywood, the Oscar represents the ultimate prize related to cinematic excellence. But for studio executives, the real trophy is a good opening weekend--the first indicator that a motion picture will be a hit. Truth be told, the box-office...

Sinners can't be saints too.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I, too, want to make black America better ("Enough is Enough," Publisher's page, November 2007), However, Mr. Graves seems to have overlooked the fact that he placed Robert Johnson, former BET CEO and lead purveyor...

Impressive health coverage.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... I CONTINUE TO BE AMAZED BY THE WEALTH OF INFORMATION that BLACK ENTERPRISE issues. [Recently] I was reading your article regarding health insurance and the section 125 Flexible Spending plan ("Taking Full Advantage," Moneywise, November 2007)....

Charity benefits.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... MY HUSBAND AND I WERE READING THE OCTOBER issue where Mr. Graves talks about teaching and showing young people what financial independence is ("The Importance of Our Legacy, Publisher's Page," October 2007). I know that if more young people...

Independent entrepreneurship.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As a black entrepreneur, it was inspiring to read your article on Tamia and her decision to leave a major label and become independent ("The Rise of Independent Music," December 2007). My instructional basketball...

Show and prove.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... IT IS GOOD TO KNOW WHAT THE CANDIDATES' PLATFORMS are ("More Than Hot Air? You Decide," Newspoints, December 2007) but a better way of determining their intentions might be through examining past voting records and actions. An article that...

B.E. to the rescue.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2008... I RECENTLY GRADUATED COLLEGE AND WAS LOOKING for different things I could read to keep my mind fresh with what's going on in the business environment. I spoke with a friend and one of the things she recommended was BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine....

Correction.(Letters)(Correction notice)
March 1, 2008... In "Why Barack Obama Should Be President" (January 2008), presidential adviser Ted Sorensen's name was mispelled.

PRWT Services acquires pharmaceutical plant: firm wins multimillion-dollar contract with Merck.(B.E. 100s)
March 1, 2008... PHILADELPHIA-BASED PRWT SERVICES INC. (NO. 62 ON the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $65 million in sales) is expanding its reach with the acquisition of a chemical manufacturing plant from Whitehouse Station, New Jersey-based Merck & Co....

They have issues: new black-owned investment bank nets $90 billion in managed issues.(BUSINESS NEWS)(CastleOak Securities L.P.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... IF THE MARK OF A SUCCESSFUL investment firm is repeat business, then CastleOak Securities L.P. is marking its territory all the way to the bank. Since July 2006, the company has co-managed multiple deals for more than 35 blue-chip clients. ...

NAACP expands mortgage class action suit: civil rights group calls Bush's plan to halt the mortgage crisis faulty.(AROUND THE NATION)
March 1, 2008... Calling the Bush administration's plan to stem the tide of foreclosures deficient, the NAACP in December expanded its class action suit against mortgage lenders that the organization says engaged in racially discriminatory lending practices....

$3.5 million lawsuit points finger at black firm: World Wide Technology accused of racial discrimination.(B.E. 100s)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... A RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION LAWSUIT has been filed against the nation's largest black-owned company, World Wide Technology (No. 1 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $2.1 billion in sales). Former WWT employee Ernest...

Stains still set after SBA scrub: removal of $4.6 billion in incorrectly coded contracts failed to weed out large businesses.(WASHINGTON REPORT)(Small Business Administration)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY released its 2006 Top 100 Small Business Government Contractors report as a result of a self-described 14-month "scrub" to ensure that federal contracts were legitimately awarded to small businesses....

FCC adopts new media ownership rules: opponents fear increased consolidation will decrease minority ownership.(WASHINGTON REPORT)(Federal Communications Commission )
March 1, 2008... IN A THREE-TO-TWO PARTY LINE VOTE, THE FEDERAL Communications Commission recently approved a new rule that will lift a long-standing ban on newspaper/broadcast cross ownership. In a press release following the vote, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin,...

Former football pro closes doors of car dealership: Lincoln-Mercury dealership of Aeneas Williams Automotive Group underperforming.(B.E. 100s)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... IN EARLY DECEMBER, THE AENEAS Williams Dealerships (No. 60 on the RE AUTO DEALER 100 list with $41.1 million in sales) unexpectedly closed the doors of its Monroe, Louisiana-based Lincoln-Mercury dealership. "With so many unknown variables...

Valencia Gayles named CEO of True Agency: former COO will lead creative ad company.(POWER PLAYER)
March 1, 2008... VALENCIA GAYLES HAS SUCCEEDED IN AD CAMPAIGNS BY staying true to herself and true to transcultural communities. "To some degree, we're showing marketers that we're similar, but we're different," says Gayles, newly named CEO of The True Agency,...

Working for pennies? Huge pay gap between top executives and black employees.(FACTS & FIGURES)(Table)
March 1, 2008... ACCORDING TO THE INSTITUTE FOB POLICY STUDIES (IPS) STUDY OF EXECUTIVE PAY. Executive Excess 2007. CEOs of the largest U.S. companies made in just one day what the average American worker earns in a year The median annual income of the top 20...

Weak-dollar woes: how various fund options can help protect your portfolio.(INVESTMENT STRATEGIES)
March 1, 2008... BOBBY ARRINGTON, A SEMI-RETIRED SOFTWARE ENGINEER in Piano, Texas, enjoyed his latest trip to Italy a little more than a year ago--what he didn't enjoy was the hit to his wallet. "For my wife, Tita, and me to buy round-trip train tickets...

Bright spots in a tough market: Eugene Profit sees continued stamina in the tech sector.(STOCK PICKS)(Profit Investment Management )(Interview)
March 1, 2008... Don't call it a comeback, but technology stocks were a standout in 2007. Consider that the tech-laden NASDAQ composite index closed the year up 9.8%, its best finish in four years. This well outpaced the S&P 500, which rose just 3.5%. And in...

A rough spell: a tough start to 2008 pushes Terry Bedford's portfolio into the red.(STOCK UPDATE)(Bedford & Associates Research Group)
March 1, 2008... FOR MOST OF LAST YEAR, TERRY BEDFORD, PRESIDENT of Bedford & Associates Research Group in Hamilton, Ontario, could thank high commodity prices for the success of the five-stock portfolio he assembled ("The Price is Bight," March 2007). But the...

Wall Street: the next generation: James Perkins Jr. aims to make investing cool.(INVESTING)(Thrasher Funds' online marketing targets Generations X and Y)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HE IS ON A MISSION TO MAKE INVESTING COOL. JAMES Perkins Jr., the founder, CEO, and portfolio manager of Thrasher Funds, a New York City-based equities investment firm, wants to prove to members of Generations X and...

Discount days: closed-end funds look increasingly attractive.(MUTUAL FUND FOCUS)
March 1, 2008... When it comes to electronic gadgets and the latest fashions, deep discounts usually entice shoppers to buy. Not with investing. Oftentimes, the greater the discount, the more buyers stay away. Nowhere is this assertion more evident than in...

Join the club.(MONEY MATTERS)(how to start an investment club)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Q A I'm interested in starting an investment club with a couple of friends and family members. How can we get started? --G. Bowden Jr. New York City For starters, be aware that an investment "club" isn't as casual as it might...

Band with a plan: music group's strategic approach gains fans and profits.(BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES)(Fuzz Band)
March 1, 2008... THE FUZZ BAND DOES BUSINESS TO the beat of its own drum. The Hampton, Virginia-based band's strategy is a lucrative one: focus on corporate and private clients. Founded by Paul Saunders and Duane Smith in 1997 while attending Hampton...

Watchful eye: entrepreneur protects clients and his bottom line.(MAKING IT)(Elijah Shaw and Icon Services Corp.)(Company overview)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LET'S FACE IT: STUFF HAPPENS. BUT NOT IF ELIJAH SHAW can help it. "Security, when done correctly; is called prevention," says Shaw, president and CEO of Icon Services Corp., a full-service security and...

Up to code? Website eases compliance burden for entrepreneurs.(BUSINESS TOOLS)(Business.gov)(Website overview)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WARREN BROWN'S SWEET ENTERPRISE, CAKELOVE bakery, makes everything on-site at three of its locations. But, for its newest location in Canton, Maryland, its cakes and other goodies are baked in a neighboring county...

Nothing but net: Fran Harris offers advice on winning the game of business.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)(Fran Harris Enterprises)
March 1, 2008... FOR FRAN HARRIS, IT'S ALL ABOUT positioning herself for the next opportunity. As a certified life coach, business consultant, and CEO of Fran Harris Enterprises, a multimedia development company based in Dallas, Harris is constantly developing...

Drink up.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(how to start a beverage small business)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Q A I am planning to pursue a natural juice small business venture. Do you have any advice in locating or finding a bottling company? --G. Hopwood Atlanta The beverage industry is a market few have the stamina or resources to...

Open sesame: Mozilla's Window Snyder heats up open-source.(BLACK DIGERATI)
March 1, 2008... IN 2006, MOZILLA'S FIREFOX INTERNET BROWSER BOASTED a mere nine days of vulnerability (the time between when a security threat is discovered and when it's fixed) compared with Internet Explorer's whopping 284 days. And while the latter reigns...

Nokia 8800 sapphire arte.(B.E. PICKS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... WHEN IT COMES TO HIGH-END PHONE DESIGN, THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT Finland-based Nokia has the competition beat hands down. The company's 8800 Sapphire Arte is no exception. The tri-band looker (EGSM 900/GSM 1800/1900 and WCDMA 2100) features a...

Cardo System's' S-800 bluetooth headset.(B.E. PICKS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... WE NO LONGER STARE AT FOLKS AS THEY jabber endlessly via their in-ear Bluetooth-enabled headsets--now we just talk above them. And though we're still a bit old-fashioned when it comes to the plastic protuberances, it's still nice to have a...

Quicken starter edition 2008.(B.E. PICKS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FOR MANY OF US, THE IDEA OF SITTING DOWN to a complicated financial management program has kept us estranged from our finances. Quicken Starter Edition 2008 offers a pain-free way to get reacquainted. Geared...

Chris Curtis preaches the gospel of internet success.(YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Website overview)
March 1, 2008... IN NOVEMBER 2006, WEB BUSINESS consultant Chris Curtis began looking for ways to turn her frustration into a learning tool for the online business community. With more than 12 years of experience under her belt Curtis 37, realized that it was...

Social mobility.(CYBERWISE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q A I like the idea of using social networking sites, as they have been helpful for my new Internet design business. But I want something that works better with my mobile lifestyle. Any suggestions? --D. Allen...

Creative business: a savvy professional knows how to blend style and acumen for profits.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Interview)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You sound like the prototypical creative person. How did you acquire the skills to run a business? My mom had her own [fashion design] business, and my father was a master carpenter. So at a young age, I learned...

New work order.(ACTION PLAN)(The Future of Management by Gary Hamel)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... 1 HEIGHTENED COMPETITION, GLOBALIZATION, OUTSOURCING, AND TECHnological advancements are among a host of growing management challenges for which old business school theories and best practices solutions just don't suffice, asserts Ather...

Outplacement services.(POWERPLAY)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... DOWNSIZINGS, LAYOFFS, AND CLOSings are a permanent part of the employment landscape. "Few employees will go their entire career without experiencing unemployment as a result of harsh economic realities," says Leonard Posey, managing...

Get connected.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Q A I am interested in pursuing a career as an entertainment lawyer. I am currently a 21-year-old junior majoring is criminal justice, with a minor in sociology. I am planning to attend law school, but I am having trouble finding internships to...

Albert Myres.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affairs Organization: Reliant Energy Location: Houston Responsibilities: Managing the company's interface with government and regulatory...

Wendel Barr.(On The MOVE)
March 1, 2008... New Position: Chief Operating Officer Organization: Covance Inc. Location: Princeton, NJ Responsibilities: Operating business units worldwide Former Position: President, Early Development North America [ILLUSTRATION...

Aubyn Elaine Thomas.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Senior Vice President, Marketing Services Organization: Macy's Inc. Location: New York Responsibilities: Driving growth and service excellence for Macy's financial services businesses,...

Laurie Nicole Robinson.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Vice President and Assistant General Counsel Organization: CBS Corp. Location: New York Responsibilities: Executive and managerial tasks in interfacing with legal divisions, facilitating...

Brenda Freeman.(On The MOVE)(Turner Animation)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Chief Marketing Officer Organization: Turner Animation Location: Atlanta Responsibilities: Leading all areas of marketing on-air and trade creative services for cable, online, and digital...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Brief article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aspicomm Media Self-Publishing Symposium March 9, New York, NY, 516-642-5976, www.aspicomm.com The National Society of Black Engineers 34th Annual National Convention March 19-23, Orlando, FL,...

Alternative lifestyles in film: bringing closeted stories to the big screen.(TRENDS)(African American movies)
March 1, 2008... AT 33, FILMMAKER KIRK SHANNON-BUTTS HAS TAKEN on the challenge of bringing the alternative lifestyle to mainstream media. When he was younger, he noted the lack of love stories about African American men and was determined to change that. Now...

South African connections: small business owners work toward forming strategic alliances.(WORLDVIEW)
March 1, 2008... A STEADY GROWTH RATE AND respectable investment ratings have made South Africa one of the continent's political and economic success stories. The National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. embarked on a mission to explore opportunities...

It's all a science: conference for chemists of color.(WORTH CHECKING OUT ...)(National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers is giving black scientists something to look forward to this month with NOBCChE: 35 years of catalyzing scientific opportunities. Dedicated to...

A new type of gentrification: Melody Rollins makes a difference in Harlem.(Black Wealth Initiative: SECURING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MELODY ROLLINS IS NO STRANGER TO success. Soon after graduating with an M.B.A. from MIT's Sloan School of Business in 2001, she landed a job in New York City as an account manager and investment strategy firm, making...

The long road home: Elena Borneman wins our third annual Own Your First Home Contest.(HOMEOWNERSHIP CONTEST)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AFTER THE BIRTH OF HER TWIN DAUGHTERS, ELIZABETH and Victoria 12 years ago, Elena "Elle" Borneman promised them home that they could call their own--though she didn't know how or when she would be able to deliver....

Marrying for money: the path to greater wealth may start with making commitment--of the romantic kind.(LOVE & MONEY (PART 2 OF 3))
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] SINGLE PEOPLE BUY THEIR OWN china. It's one of the financial realities of life as a single person--no bridal registry. Of course, marriage is about far more than new bath towels and small appliances. When two people...

Stop living paycheck to paycheck! Put an end to the cycle and enjoy financial freedom.(PERSONAL FINANCE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOUR PAYCHECK IS BEING STRETCHED to its limit and you're feeling the pinch, you're not alone. In fact, you're in the majority. According to the American Payroll Association, 67% of Americans would find it...

Top 25 Hollywood moneymakers: these black powerhouses generate the most green in Tinseltown.(BUSINESS OF ENTERTAINMENT)(Cover story)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] THERE'S AN OLD QUERY: WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE fortune or fame? Well, in the business of entertainment, the answer is both. Those who call the shots or get a project green-lighted are often those who generate...

Edible endeavors: the caterer's recipe for success requires the right mix of resolve, menus, and clientele.(DREAM BUSINESS)(head start for catering business)
March 1, 2008... JACQUELINE FRAZER developed a passion for cooking at just 9 years old when she made her first cake for Mother's Day. Her love for the culinary arts continued to grow during her early teens as she worked in the family business--her father owned...

Don't settle: live the life you want with these 5 steps.(ATTITUDE ENHANCEMENT)(Solaris - House of Fine Graphics)
March 1, 2008... SONYA A. LOWERY HAD A GOOD LIFE--BUT SHE WANTED MORE. HER dissatisfaction prompted her to make pivotal changes in her persona] and professional life. Three years into her marriage and a budding graphic design enterprise, she left both her...

The center of success: author explores how confidence can take you further.(WORDS TO STRIVE BY)(Valorie Burton)
March 1, 2008... Are you among those already struggling to achieve those New Year's resolutions? Compared to the few who are on target, do you wonder why a select group of people always seem to succeed? The more important question is... Why can't you? ...

The right start.(PEP TALK)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Q A My partner and I have a global vision that involves profit and not-for-profit business ventures. We have given ourselves a two-year timeline and our business plan is thorough; however, our sole obstacle is acquiring the right people to...

True colors: how to tell if a product is really green.(BUYING POWER)
March 1, 2008... SHE CALLS HERSELF THE "BLACK QUEEN OF GREEN." JO Boykins, 42, of Bowie, Maryland, eats only organic foods, makes her own laundry detergent and household cleansers, and grows wheatgrass in her kitchen window. Her husband, Richard, 52, even uses...

Are you overinsured? Some policies may not offer much additional benefit.(CONSUMER LIFE)
March 1, 2008... OBTAINING THE RIGHT INSURANCE is vital to your financial security. Having life, health, disability;, and long-term care insurance can help you through tough times, but you don't want to overdo it. "You want to look at how much the insurance...

A new FICO scoring model: get ready for changes that could affect your score.(DID YOU KNOW?)(Fair Isaac Corp.)
March 1, 2008... IF YOU'RE WORKING TO IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT, LISTEN UP. Fair Isaac Corp., creators of the FICO credit score, announced a new scoring model expected to take effect this spring. The model, named FICO '08, provides a more precise way for lenders to...

Car trouble.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(car loan)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Q A My fiance co-signed on my car loan, but we are no longer together. Can I remove her from the loan? If so, how? --S. Williams Baltimore The short answer is: it depends. Your lender may let you remove a co-signer if it concludes...

The spirit of a man: Kedar Massenburg's intoxicating style of conducting business.(EXECUTIVE STYLE)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT'S A COLD MONDAY MORNING, BUT KEDAR MASSENBURG is breaking a sweat. A personal trainer is putting him through his paces during a workout at The Gym in Montvale, New Jersey. On a normal day, his strict routine...

Offshore oasis: Lisa Atkins basks in the development of Barbados.(ISLAND INSIDER)(Country overview)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] IT TOOK LISA R. ATKINS 15 YEARS TO AGREE TO HER husband's proposal to move their family to his homeland of Barbados. She finally consented in 2005 and, pregnant with her fourth child, moved with her husband and...

Podcast.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)
March 1, 2008... We're delivering the goods directly to you! BLACK ENTERPRISE podcasts are now available online at www, blackenterprise, com/podcasts. Hear from our experts anytime you'd like--from anywhere. They'll provide relevant business, financial, and...

Entrepreneurs Conference.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)(Conference news)
March 1, 2008... Have you registered for the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference * Expo yet? Early-bird registration has ended, but you can still sign up to attend the biggest and best event for black entrepreneurs and businesspeople. And you don't want...

B.E. on social networks.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Can't get enough BLACK ENTERPRISE? Then get more on your favorite social networking sites! Now you can enjoy BLACK ENTERPRISE on YouTube at www, youtube, com/BEMultiMedia and BlackPlanet at...

Our World with Black Enterprise & Black Enterprise Business Report.(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)
March 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new seasons are under way! If you couldn't make it to the third annual Women of Power Summit, let BEBR show you what you missed. Also, be sure to catch Our World for a firsthand look at the Black Enterprise party...

Back talk with Tim Story.(Interview)
March 1, 2008... WHEN TIM STORY'S NAME WAS attached to direct 2005's Fantastic Four film, there were skeptics aplenty. After all, this was a big-budget film adaptation of the most famous and beloved superhero family in the world of comic books. At that time,...