Black Enterprise articles from May 2006

Black Enterprise archives from May 2006

Business and faith.(entrepreneurs faith for business success)(Editorial)
May 1, 2006... Many people see being a successful and determined businessperson as contrary to being a person of faith. This is one of the primary reasons that some are skeptical of the entrepreneurial initiatives of megachurches, the subject of our cover...

In support of our churches.
May 1, 2006... It was like any other Sunday morning. Rev. James T. Meeks was preaching to his last wave of congregants at Salem Baptist Church in Chicago's Roseland community when, in the middle of his sermon, shots rang out and police cars raced past....

Higher education iniatiative.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... Your article "Saving Our Young Black Hen" (Publisher's Page, January 2006) addresses what I have considered the single most important issue pacing higher education today. As president of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York,...

Rising to the challenge.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... THE NAME OF OUR CONSULTANCY IS SAGE CONSULTANTS L.L.C. We service disabled veterans and minority-owned businesses. We were moved by the article "Saving Our Young Black Men" (Publisher's Page,January 2006) and felt compelled to accept your...

Priority no.1: young Black men.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... I'M A BOARD MEMBER FOR A DALLAS AREA-BASED nonprofit called Mentoring Brother 2 Brother Inc. Our mission is to successfully mobilize at-risk African American young men between the crucial ages of 6 and 18 and guide them through educational...

So what's the story?(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... I thought the 50 women in this article ("50 Most Powerful Black Women in Business," February 2006) would have included more business owners, Most of these women are corporate employees. I used the word employee. They work for major corporations...

Money should be kid stuff.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... "TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF FINANCE" (FEBRUARY 2006) was not only insightful but encouraging to antipoverty and asset-building advocates at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law. We wholeheartedly agree that "the...

Big problem, no solution.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... WHILE EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE of the article "Black Males Locked Out of Jobs" (Newspoints, February 2006), I was ultimately looking forward to possible solutions or avenues one could take to break free from the condition expressed. I am...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
May 1, 2006... In "Tug of War for SBA Funding," (Newspoints, March 2006), it is incorrectly stated that the SBA's budget had been cut from $1.1 billion to $456.5 million over a five-year period. In fiscal year 2001, the SBA's budget was $999.5 billion,...

Barden takes helm of former Trump riverboat; bankrupt property in store for a major makeover.(B.E. 100s)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Don H. Barden, CEO of Barden Cos. Inc. (No. 8 on the be industrual/service 100 list with $372 million in sales) and the first African American to own a Las Vegas casino, expanded his portfolio recently by acquiring a riverboat casino and hotel...

RLJ Development acquires 100 hotels for $1.7 billion; landmark deal doubles number of black-owned hotels.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Dealmaker extraordinaire Robert L. Johnson is at it again. This time, his real estate investment company, RLJ Development L.L.C., signed an agreement to buy 100 hotels from White Lodging Services Corp. for $1.7 billion. Under the terms of...

Booker T. Washington Insurance insolvent: historic firm enters voluntary receivership.
May 1, 2006... Booker T. Washington Insurance Co. Inc. (No. 4 on the BE INSURANCE COMPANIES list with $56.2 million in assets) agreed to work with regulators in Alabama to save the company from collapsing and being forced to go out of business. The...

Aetna names CEO; Ronald A. Williams faces changing landscape for managed care.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... After helping the engineer recovery that that more than quintupled Aetna Inc.'s stock price, Ronald A. Williams, 56, has been named its Chief executive officer effective Feb. 14. Williams who joined the company in 2001, replaces John W. Rowe,...

Ferguson resigns from Federal Reserve post; exit leaves the board without Democratic representation.
May 1, 2006... Roger W. Ferguson Jr., 54, vice chairman of the Federal Reserve Board and the highest ranking African American ever to serve on its board of governors, resigned in April. Ferguson joined the board in 1997 and was reappointed in 2001 to a...

The death of a network: will there be work for black actors, writers, and producers?
May 1, 2006... For many of the black writers who tell the stories and craft the images we see on television, judgment day awaits. The recent news that The WB and UPN will cease operations and form a new network leaves many African Americans working behind the...

Remembering a renaissance man: Gordon Parks, celebrated photographer and filmmaker, dies at 93.(Obituary)
May 1, 2006... Some of the most memorable depictions of racial strife in America, whether captured in photograph or on film, have come by way of Gordon Parks. Parks, the first African American photojournalist for Vogue and Life magazines and Hollywood's first...

On the money: black female investors represent an untapped market for asset managers seeking new clients.(African American investment management)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... According to the 2005 African American Active Investor Study, a larger proportion of well-off black investors are young, female, and single, compared with other prosperous Americans. The survey reports that affluent African Americans are...

Pension problems: companies are trimming or eliminating employee benefits programs. How can affected workers cope?(retirement benefits trend)
May 1, 2006... When Bill Norwood started flying for United Airlines in 1965, he knew that at age 60, he would be grounded in retirement. But Norwood, now 70, never imagined that his pension would be significantly reduced from what he was promised when he...

A real media player: Bernard Beal of M.R. Beal & Co. looks to entertainment-related firms for growth.(M R. Beal & Co widens its services)
May 1, 2006... Although his firm may be best known for grading clients to municipal bonds, Bernard Beal is widening his view. The chief executive of M R. Beal & Co. leads a team that provides investment banking, financial advisory services, securities...

A not so graceful landing: despite positive returns, Grady's portfolio couldn't beat the Dow or S&P 500.
May 1, 2006... Graceful Grady, president of financial management firm Grady the domestic stock market to soar the way it did in the late 90s. He reasoned rising interest rates would hinder consumer and corporate spending, which in turn would weigh down the...

Wealth through a new novel reveals the road to prosperity.
May 1, 2006... When it comes to understanding financial advice and wealth-building strategies, reading textbooks doesn't work for everyone. A refreshing option for those who seek guidance is The Baron Son by Vicky Therese Davis, William R. Patterson, and D....

Switching to mutual funds.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... QA I have four government CDs worth $5,000, and each has reached maximum growth. F. Kinsey II New Orleans To obtain moderate growth from your investments, I'd recommend selecting a set of mutual funds that have varying investment...

Inspired performers: to build a profitable business, our nominees started out with solution-oriented ideas.
May 1, 2006... This year, we celebrate a group of entrepreneurs who were inspired to turn their innovative solutions into successful businesses. The winners of the Black Enterprise Small Business Awards will be announced at the 11th annual Black Enterprise...

Let it flow; smart ways to manage your cash.
May 1, 2006... To avoid the type of cash crunch that forces approximately 40% of new businesses to shut down each year, Brian Hamilton, senior analyst at ProfitCents, and two small business owners offer eight tips for improving your cash flow: 1 Price...

An idea is born.(baby products sales promotions methods)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... QA I created a baby product that I would like to sell to Toys-R-Us, but I need a prototype built for the presentation. What company can I use to create a prototype? T. Merges Atlanta Transforming your idea into a prototype is one...

Games people play: Imagery Media combines its creative skills with flash animation to entertain and train.(Imagery Media service growth)
May 1, 2006... Imagery Media hit the big time in 2003, when Clear Channel Radio hired the interactive animation studio to create an online video game to promote top New York City radio station Z100 and its lead DJ, Romeo. More than two years later, the game,...

And broadband for all: powered by satellite technology, high-speed Internet reaches rural users.(growth of broadband internet services)
May 1, 2006... With the need for broadband Internet access growing exponentially, rural areas without cable or DSL service will now be propelled into the digital age. Internet access through satellite broadband services has become a viable option for...

Technology meets supplier diversity; CVM DiversityQuest's innovative database helps companies find minority vendors.
May 1, 2006... Imagine a database of 2 million minority-and women-owned companies that large corporations can search to find suppliers in fields ranging from hospitality to computers. Imagine too that some of America's largest businesses, including Dell,...

What should it cost?(web site hosting services pricing methods)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... QA My college buddies and I are thinking about starting a Web design/software development business and are not too sure of pricing our talents. We would like to know what you suggest. M. Guy Edgewood, MD Web design and...

Pipeline to success: how companies and employees benefit from corporate succession planning.(business planning success)
May 1, 2006... Just hours after CEO Jim Cantalupo died of a heart attack in April 2004, McDonald's Corp. had a new chief executive in place. The quick move reassured employees and investors that the company was still in good hands. But within weeks,...

Honestly speaking ...: how wimpy language ruins a presentation.
May 1, 2006... What makes a speaker command a room? It's a combination of factors, but to dispute an old adage, it's not only how you say it, but also what you say. The words and phrases that explain and outline your message are vital. They not only impact...

You're hardworking--and?(career development council)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... QA I am a married mother of two who is interested in changing careers. Currently a software engineer, I would like to know what jobs, careers, are suggested for a hardworking and family-oriented person like me. I have considered real...

Exelon Corp.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... 1 Joyce Carson has been appointed vice president of investor relations at Exelon Corp., one of the nation's largest electric utilities. A nine-year veteran with the company, Carson has held a variety of positions in accounting and finance, most...

Georg Jensen USA Inc.(named Larry Barkley as president )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... 2 Larry Barkley has been named president of Georg Jensen USA Inc., an international luxury goods retailer. In addition to spearheading the reopening of the company's Chicago location and organizing a national retail expansion effort, Barkley is...

Digitas Boston.(promoted Torrence Boone as president )(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... 3 Torrence Boone has been promoted to president of Digitas Boston, a leading digital and direct marketing agency. His new responsibilities include driving the strategy and executing the company's services across the Boston client base, which...

Women in Film.(Cecelia Holloway appointed as new president)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... 4 Cecelia Holloway is the new president of Women In Film in Los Angles, A member of the organization's board since 2004, Holloway will now oversee WIF's mentor and internship programs. She most recently served as senior vice president of...

Broadcast Capital Inc.(Hank L. Torbert appointed as executive vice president)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... 5 Hank L. Torbert Hank L. Torbert has been appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Broadcast Capital Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm. He is now responsible for investment selection and analysis,...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... 3rd Annual Women of Color Conference May 10-11; Atlanta; 404-760-8190; www.spelman, edu National Organization of Concerned Black Men 2nd National Convention May 11-14; Washington, D.C.; 202-783-6119; www.cbmnational.org The 11th...

Passing on the wisdom of wealth: the Bell family enrolled their teenage son in a financial camp to expose him to the basics of money management.
May 1, 2006... WHEN DONNA AND TERRANCE BELL married 16 years ago, they didn't see eye to eye on money management. Donna, 41, is from a family of spenders, and Terrance, 44, is thrifty by nature. "I was spending and shopping as my husband blossomed...

A new world ahead: with new life changes underway, Stacy Hall is focusing on her own financial goals.
May 1, 2006... STACY HALL SAYS IT'S HER TIME NOW. "I've just begun to really think about my future," says Hall, 45, a divorced mother of grown children, ages 18 and 22, who are out of the house and self-sufficient. "Until now, I had to put all my energy into...

Masters of technology: these innovators combine inspiration with raw talent to create some of the world's most revolutionary technologies.
May 1, 2006... IN TECHNOLOGY, IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO build a better mousetrap. So what separates the dreamer from the innovator? That depends. How about persistence, a true love for what you do, and the ability to see beyond limitations? But to make a real impact...

Secrets of successful investment clubs: following these strategies can help yours enjoy longevity.
May 1, 2006... WHEN BLACK ENTERPRISE PROFILED the GrassRoots Investment Group L.L.C. in July 2002, the club consisted of a group of energetic, innovative investors who were relying on their individual expertise to improve their profits. "We have people who...

Shopping for the right mortgage: following this advice can help you find the loan that meets your needs.
May 1, 2006... MARI SPRINGS' VOICE QUIVERS AS SHE relives the tale of raising $4,500 in three months for a down payment on her first home. The 27-year-old needed to get approved for a $98,000 mortgage for a newly built three-bedroom, two-bath ranch in...

The business of faith: Black megachurches are turning pastors into CEOs of multimillion-dollar enterprises.(Cover story)
May 1, 2006... BISHOP THOMAS D. JAKES, IMPECCABLY attired in a gray suit and polka-dot tie, holds court in an opulent conference room dominated by floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook 400 acres of church-owned land. These days there is much for which he is...

Are you a procrastinator? Proven methods to start getting things done.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)
May 1, 2006... Do you make daily resolutions to clear piles of paper from your desk, wash 10 loads of laundry, clean the garage, and get to the gym--only to find yourself bogged down at the end of each day? You're not alone. A 2001 research study conducted at...

Beating the Sunday night blues: gear up internally to face the week ahead.
May 1, 2006... A 2005 study by the Families and Work Institute reports that 44% of American employees frequently feel overworked. "When you overextend yourself or take on too many tasks or responsibilities, you set yourself up for failure and dread starting...

Starting anew.(PEP TALK)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... QA I'm trying to re-establish my life. I was a victim of mental abuse, and finally filed for divorce after 20 years of marriage. I've lost my home to a sheriff's sale. I'm working but I am unfulfilled. I feel that I have a purpose in life....

Can a creditor garnish your wages? The dirty little secrets you were never told.
May 1, 2006... Credit card companies have scores of products. They also have just as many ways to collect payments if consumers default. Most people think garnishing wages happens only to those with tax debt. They're wrong. "Anytime you owe someone money and...

Coming to a TV near you: changes in technology give viewers more options than ever.
May 1, 2006... With the overload of technology, it's easy for consumers to overload. HDTV (high-definition television) and DVRs (digital video recorders) are both acronyms for products that require a dictionary to understand--and these products are more...

Shop elsewhere.(consumer rights)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... QA My brother was shopping for a particular doll for his daughter at Christmas. The doll had two types: an African American version and a Caucasian version. The problem was the African American doll cost more than the other type. My...

Going once ... going twice ...: Uladia Taylor's at auction.
May 1, 2006... GETTING STARTED * How to Get a License: A high school diploma or GED is required. Complete a state-approved auction program or complete an apprenticeship under a licensed auctioneer, Aspiring auctioneers must pass a written exam and...

Cruising the Mediterranean: a 10-day tour of arts, artifacts, and grand views.
May 1, 2006... Entranced by the serenity of Southern Europe's Mediterranean coastline, I basked in the sun's brilliance as it shimmied across the azure water. This part of the world is, indeed, a slice of paradise, In a few minutes, I would disembark from the...

A Philadelphia story: Lee Daniels returns to the City of Brotherly Love.
May 1, 2006... "The allure, excitement, and weather were very intriguing to me." says Lee Daniels about why he left his hometown of Philadelphia to head west when he was 18 years old. Also in pursuit of a Hollywood dream, he toiled and networked for 20 years...

Entreprenuers conference: time is running out!
May 1, 2006... Three out of four businesses fail within the first five years of operation, and in today's roller-coaster economy, you'll need a smart survival strategy if you intend to hold on for the ride. Find that strategy May 17-20 at the Black...

American's top entrepreneurs honored.(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... Join us Thursday, May 18, as we honor BLACK ENTERPRISE'S 2006 small business award winners. During the awards luncheon, BE will recongnize entreprenuers whose professional achievements have served as inspiration and guidance to others striving...

B.E 100s awards dinner hosted by ExxonMobil.(Black Enterprises)(Brief article)
May 1, 2006... On May 19, pariticipants of our entrepreneurs conference will celebrate the year's best in entrepreneurial achievement. The BE 100s list, compiled annually, is recongnized nationally as the measure of black-owned business success. It includes...

Back talk with Ed Gordon.(Interview)
May 1, 2006... For years, Emmy-Award-winning journalist Ed Gordon earned a reputation for landing high-profile interviews. In 1996, he sat down with O.J. Simpson following the former football giant's acquittal of double murder charges. He interviewed...