Black Enterprise articles from May 2007

Black Enterprise archives from May 2007

Blogging top cities.(WEB FEATURES)(www.blackenterprise.com/top cities07)(Website overview)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Now that you've read which cities are hottest for African Americans, log on to www.blackenterprise.com/top cities07 to get tips from city insiders. Whether you're looking to move or just visit for a few hours, blackenterprise.com will tell you...

News with a perspective.(blackenterprise.com)(Website overview)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Visit blackenterprise.com for insightful weekly columns. Hollywood insider and author George Alexander keeps readers abreast of the business of entertainment, while portfolio manager and author William Thomason analyzes the fluctuations in the...

The new great migration.(publisher's page)(migration of African Americans from North to South)
May 1, 2007... Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These most basic and priceless birthrights of humanity, affirmed by no less hallowed a document than the U.S. Declaration of Independence, are most valued by black Americans, who fought, struggled,...

Southern charm prevails.(About This Issue)
May 1, 2007... The South hasn't lost its charm. Just as in 2004, seven Southern cities secured spots on this year's Top 10 Cities for African Americans list. Two others hail from the Midwest, and the last is in the Mid-Atlantic region. Since our ranking...

Have we overcome?(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... I've been reading BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine for more than a year now and always look forward to Earl Grave's editorials. But his remarks in the January 2007 issue, "Carrying on the Legacy of Ed Bradley" (Publisher's Page), were something right...

Schools flunking out.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... "KIDS SAY: YOU'RE FIRED! TO SCHOOLS" (FACTS & FIGURES, January 2007) illustrates that foul language, drug and alcohol abuse, and unruly classrooms are what students are contending with in public schools. The results of the research survey show...

First impressions count.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... CLOTHES DO MAKE THE MAN OR WOMAN, AND A FIRST impression is a lasting one. I was reading the article "Finishing Touches" (Lifestyle) in the January issue and think it is an excellent idea to provide information about what to wear and what not...

Political party politics.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... This is in response to the letters in the February 2007 Letters column concerning the article "Rise of the Black Republicans?" (November 2006). I am neither Democrat nor Republican (I'm Independent), but I wanted to share this. Many African...

Representing management consultants.(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... I'VE BEEN AN AVID READER OF BLACK ENTERPRISE FOR a couple of years now and always enjoy reading articles about the top blacks in various industries, such as the recent ones about Wall Street and Hollywood. While it is great to see African...

Truth in advertising.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... I WAS SO IMPRESSED AND TOUCHED BY THE AD ON PAGE 42 of the January 2007 issue regarding the 16 powerful sisters working for Verizon. Is this really happening in corporate America? I have never seen so many powerful, successful black women in a...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
May 1, 2007... In "Suits, Jobs, and Training" (February 2007), David J. Maurrasse, Ph.D., should be identified as president and CEO of Marga Inc (www.margaic.com). In "Beyond U.S. Shores" (Moneywise, March 2007), the phone number for the Janus Overseas...

Will presidential debate rise above race? A candidate's color should have no bearing on his credentials.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
May 1, 2007... TO WIN HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION, SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-Ill.) will likely need to gain the support of African Americans. He will have to battle a slew of other Democratic contenders for this constituency, most notably Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.),...

Firms create $42 billion company: Atlanta Life acquires Jackson Securities to increase investment offerings.(B.E. 100s)(Atlanta Life Financial Group Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... The merger of two of the nation's oldest black-owned financial, services companies has created a full-service firm that will manage more than $16 billion in life insurance and $42 billion in assets. Atlanta Life Financial Group, founded in 1905...

Granite broadcasting goes bankrupt.(B.E. 100S)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... One of the largest black-owned media broadcasting companies in the country. Granite Broadcasting Corp. in New York (No, 29 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $137 million in sales), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection at the U.S....

NAACP president resigns: tension between Bruce Gordon and the organization's board led to departure.(AROUND THE NATION)(National Association for the Advancement of Colored People )
May 1, 2007... After 19 months on the job, Bruce S. Gordon, a 61-year-old retired Verizon executive, resigned from his post as president of the NAACP, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. The announcement, which came just two days after...

Ford's savvy political move.(POWER PLAYER)(Harold E. Ford Jr.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... FORMER REP. HAROLD E. FORD JR. OF TENNESSEE HAS MOVED INTO corporate America as vice-chairman and senior policy adviser for Merrill Lynch while continuing to chair the Democratic Leadership Council. This move may strengthen his clout in...

'N' word means divide and conquer: blacks debate whether the epithet should be stricken from use.(AROUND THE NATION)
May 1, 2007... THE USE OF THE WORD "NIGGER" HAS THE BLACK community divided between activists calling for a boycott and scholars asserting that it has a place in history and should remain alive. Recently, spearheaded by Councilman Leroy Comrie, the New York...

ICV sells Hilsinger: investment firm nets more than 30% return on sale.(B.E. 100s)(ICV Capital Partners L.L.C. and Palladium Equity Partners sold Hilsinger Holdings to PNC Equity Partners)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Three years after acquiring Hilsinger Holdings, a leading provider of optical and ophthalmic products, ICV Capital Partners (No. 4 on the BE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS list with $400 million in capital under management) and Palladium Equity Partners...

Losing the war on weight: obesity rates growing for African Americans.(FACTS & FIGURES)(Statistical data)
May 1, 2007... AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE STEADILY GROWING AROUND the waistline. According to the national report Health, United States, 2005, obesity in black women and black men jumped almost 11 and 7 percentage points, respectively, between 1994 and 2002. ...

Keep an eye on oil: Calvin H. Baker offers a range of large- and mid-cap stocks.(STOCK PICKS)
May 1, 2007... AS A MANAGING DIRECTOR AND SENIOR portfolio manager at Brown Capital Management Inc. (No. 6 on the BF, ASSET MANAGERS list with $2.7 million in assets under management), Calvin H. Baker is part of the team that leads the firm's large- and...

Media matters: a biotech pick infects Bernard Beal's portfolio.(PORTFOLIO REVIEW)(Statistical data)
May 1, 2007... When Bernard Beal, CEO of New York-based investment bank M. R. Beal & Co. (No. 6 on the BE INVESTMENT BANKS list with $42.2 billion in total managed issues), crafted his portfolio for BLACK ENTERPRISE, last spring, he chose stocks priced under...

Mortgage crisis: risky home loans are coming home to roost.(HOMEOWNERSHIP)
May 1, 2007... They seemed like a godsend. As home prices went up and up during one of the greatest housing booms in American history, along came new-fangled mortgages that helped homeowners afford what they otherwise couldn't. One problem: Now the...

Think big: capture top returns with these large-cap mutual funds.(MUTUAL FUND FOCUS)(Statistical data)
May 1, 2007... Large-cap stocks have spent the last several years playing catch-up with their more popular small-cap counterparts. Over the last five years, the small-cap Russell 2000 index posted a return of 12%, compared with the total return of 7.8% for...

Measuring fund returns.(YOUR MONEY)
May 1, 2007... Are you getting what you're paying for? As an investor, "knowing what you don't know" can be critical. But even if you're diligent about researching your mutual fund investments, it can be difficult to find the answers you're looking for....

Creating a CD ladder.(MONEY MATTERS)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... QA I have a modest amount saved that I'd like to put to work by buying certificates of deposit, but I'm leery of tying up too much of my money to get the highest yield. Any suggestions?--Kyron Johnson New York City Assuming you have enough...

Above and beyond: dedicated and determined, this year's nominees are true models of success.(SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS)
May 1, 2007... The mark of a good entrepreneur is being able to succeed in the face of adversity. This year, we recognize those who did just that. The winners of the Small Business Awards will be announced at the 12th annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs...

A new vision of Africa: Microsoft's chairman in Africa touts business opportunities on the continent.(BLACK DIGERATI)(Cheick M. Diarra)
May 1, 2007... WHEN TALKING ABOUT AFRICA, Cheick M. Diarra's voice crackles with enthusiasm. He wants to make it very clear that he is referring to the other Africa. "It might not be as sexy for the newspapers, but there is a large majority that is not sick...

Bring funky back ... to the future: these speakers are small in size, big in sound.(B.E. TESTED)(JBL Inc.'s JBL Spot multimedia speakers)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Justin Timberlake claims to be bringing "sexy" back, but JBL Inc. may have already beaten him to the punch. The audio maker's JBL Spot multimedia speaker is a sleek, futuristic-looking trio that features clear, noise-free audio from one end of...

The world of wikis: online community changes the way we manage information.(TECH NEWS)
May 1, 2007... WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THE WORD WIKI, THEY USUALLY think of Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia founded in 2001. Through the work of volunteer contributors, Wikipedia has become the world's most popular online encyclopedia, with more than 5.3 million...

Real life--online: SecondLife.com takes Net communities one step beyond.(TECH NEWS)
May 1, 2007... The line between the real world and the virtual one keeps getting harder to draw. Early Internet successes such as BlackPlanet.com (www.blackplanet.com), which launched in 1999, offered users a portal to connect with each other via similarities...

P.C. phone home.(CYBERWISE)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2007... QA What is Internet telephony and what does it mean for me? Won't it leave me tied to the office. --Wayne Marcil Miami In a nutshell, Internet telephony (also known as VoIP, Voice over IP, and IP telephony) allows you to make...

Using the network: a savvy professional understands how the right connections can lead to a corner office.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Interview)
May 1, 2007... BE: You've been in a manufacturing role, moved into information systems, then finance. You were responsible for all pet care and snack foods factories in North America, held a corporate staff" officer role in finance, were general manager of...

Out of the corporate closet: how African American gays and lesbians can gain ground in the workplace.(DIVERSITY WATCH)
May 1, 2007... When Melissa Theodore was looking for her first job out of college, she considered several accounting firms. When choosing which one to join, the New York University graduate was extremely cautious. She wanted to work for a firm that was...

O.K. in H.R.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... QA I am a 31-year-old recent graduate with a bachelor's in organizational studies, and I'm looking to get into human resources. I have noticed that most employers are looking for experience over education. What steps should I take to get into...

Ken Mills.(joined Food Lion as vice president of sales and marketing)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... New Position: Vice President of Sales and Marketing Organization: Food Lion Location: Salisbury, NC Responsibilities: Drives primary sales and marketing initiatives Former Position: Vice President of Marketing, Red Lobster...

Jo Ann C. Jenkins.(joined The Library of Congress as Chief Operating Officer)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... New Position: Chief Operating Officer Organization: The Library of Congress Location: Washington, DC Responsibilities: Day-to-day operations including planning, reviewing, monitoring, and directing overall infrastructure support...

Tangee Gibson.(joined ARAMARK as senior vice president, human resources)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... New Position: Senior Vice President, Human Resources Organization: ARAMARK Location: Philadelphia Responsibilities: Oversees H R functions in Domestic Food, Hospitality and Facility Services--the company's largest business group...

Christopher Powell.(joined Scripps Networks as executive vice president)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... New Position: Executive Vice President of Human Resources Organization: Scripps Networks Location: Knoxville, TN Responsibilities: Implements programs to recruit, develop, and retain new employees Former Position: Vice...

William A. Garland Jr.(joined First Citizens Bank as vice president)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... New Position: Vice President Organization: First Citizens Bank Location: Columbia, SC Responsibilities: Offers business purpose loans to companies, assists business owners with short-term and long-term strategies and financial...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Brief article)(Calendar)
May 1, 2007... The 33rd Annual Convention, National Conference of Black Mayors Inc. May 2-6, Baton Rouge, LA; 404-765-6444; www.ncbm.org Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. 2007 Western Region Conference May 3-6; Las Vegas; 919-678-9720;...

A handsome reward: the Collins family completes its path to financial freedom.(Black Wealth Initiative)
May 1, 2007... "WE'RE COMPLETING OUR JOURNEY from the pit to the palace," says Samuel Collins Ill. After years of sacrifice, he and his wife, Doris, are preparing to move into an historic estate in Hitchcock, Texas. Once owned by Confederate Army lieutenant...

Decision time: will Victoria Reddic be able to retire early and pay her daughter's College expenses?(Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 80)
May 1, 2007... VICTORIA REDDIC IS TRYING TO AVOID getting squeezed in a financial vise. The 50-year-old widow is feeling the tension of wanting to retire early but recognizing that in the next few years she'll need to make college tuition payments for her...

Will you outlive your savings? How to make sure you're setting an adequate goal.(RETIREMENT PLANNING)
May 1, 2007... RAMONA HENDERSON PEARSON WANTS her family to join an exclusive club with 9 million members: The households in this club have a net worth of at least $1 million. A past president of the National Association of Black Accountants, the married...

It's a family reunion: here's your guide to planning the perfect gathering.(CONSUMER LIFE)
May 1, 2007... WHEN IT COMES TO negotiating million-dollar construction deals, C. David Moody Jr., president and CEO of C. D. Moody Construction (No. 87 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $37 million in sales), is in his element. But for an upcoming...

Warning signs: more than 40% of blacks suffer from a cardiovascular condition. Knowing the risk factors and treatment options could keep you from becoming a statistic.(EXECUTIVE HEALTH)
May 1, 2007... WHEN R&B SINGER GERALD LEVERT DIED FROM A heart attack last year at the age of 40, many of his fans were stunned. But internationally renowned cardiologist Christopher J.W.B. Leggett, director of cardiology for Medical Associates of North...

Bottom ups! With consumers craving soda substitutes, these entrepreneurs are serving up alternatives in the new-age beverage market.(BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES)
May 1, 2007... FOR YEARS, FRIENDS HAD RAVED ABOUT CALVITA Frederick-Sowell's homemade iced tea and urged her to start a business. After spending a rigorous 20 years as a general civil practice attorney, she realized it was time for a change. "Add to that the...

Top 10 cities for African Americans 2007: our readers and editors select the best places in which to live, work, and play.(SPECIAL REPORT)
May 1, 2007... FOR MOST, LIVING THE GOOD LIFE includes high-paying jobs, affordable homes, a vibrant social life, and short commutes. How can you achieve such a first-rate lifestyle? Well. we identified 10 locales that promise a trove of business,...

Admitting when you're wrong: telling colleagues you've made a mistake is sometimes the best course of action.(ATTITUDE ENHANCEMENT)
May 1, 2007... AT SOME POINT IN THEIR CAREERS, MOST PEOPLE WILL have to figure out how to salvage a work-related decision that, in hindsight, led to a wrong choice. Whether it had to do with personnel, the direction of a project, or accepting or rejecting a...

Sticky situations: find S.U.C.C.E.S.S. by knowing key elements of effective ideas.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)(Made To Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die)(Book review)
May 1, 2007... All ideas are not created equal. Think of the millions--maybe billions--of thoughts, facts, theories, beliefs, values, objectives, and concepts you've attempted to communicate during your lifetime to family members, colleagues, friends,...

Surviving a setback.(PEP TALK)(Brief article)(Column)
May 1, 2007... QA I'd been working on a manuscript for almost a year and a half. When my home computer crashed, I began using the public library's computers. One fateful day, an inattentive employee deleted my entire book. With no back up, there was nothing...

Achievers know best: invaluable strategies and wise words from those at the top.(TAKE A LESSON)
May 1, 2007... THE PATH TO SUCCESS IS NOT A SECRET. THOSE WHO have attained it are willing to share, he it helpful tactics to move your career forward or encouraging words for risk-taking. Hearing from those who have journeyed toward success is imperative to...

Are you a smart and happy shopper? A new approach to retail satisfaction.(BUYING POWER)
May 1, 2007... "I VIEW SHOPPING AS A SPORT. I EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY some type of physical exertion in going to different stores and finding good deals," says Melisa Hamilton, student services coordinator with the Kansas State University Upward Bound program,...

Planning a budget-friendly vacation? These tips will help you get there.(CONSUMER LIFE)
May 1, 2007... Planning their annual family vacation is something DawnDenise and Douglas Capers III of White Lake, Michigan, anticipate with zeal. And last year was no different. The Capers decided to take their two kids, ages 12 and 2 1/2, to Walt Disney...

Prosper with innovative business ideas: website offers new twists on traditional ventures.(PRICELESS RESOURCES)(www.springwise.com)(www.whototalkto.com)(Website overview)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... IT'S HERE. THE PANACEA FOR IDEA-STUMPED ENTREPRENEURS IS GIFT-wrapped inside one booming Website (www.springwise.com). From inventive business concepts to the latest consumer trends, a staff of 8,000 "springspotters" dotted throughout 70...

Double take.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(managing credit cards)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... QA I've had an account with a credit card company since 1990. In September 2006, I was charged twice for car services. On the September bill from the car services company, I was credited for the first transaction and only charged for the second...

Riding high: a music executive gets back in the saddle.(THE ENTHUSIAST)(Jaylaan Llewellyn)
May 1, 2007... As Jaylaan Llewellyn affectionately strokes and pats her horse's mane, spectators understand that such gestures express fondness, direction, and expectation. Dasani is considered "green," or young, but he is one of the horses in a hunter...

South African heights: economic growth continues to inspire the travel experience.(FIRST-CLASS TICKET)
May 1, 2007... After my 15-hour intercontinental flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg, in Delta's Business Elite class, my first official mission was to find a perch from which I could take in the South African sunrise--a warm and spiritual experience equal to...

Back talk with Chris "Ludacris" Bridges.(Interview)
May 1, 2007... CHRIS "LUDACRIS" BRIDGES HAS EVOLVED FROM RAPPER to philanthropist to social activist. He met with Sen. Barack Obama last November to discuss a solution to the AIDS epidemic. Soon after this meeting, Bridges and YouthAIDS embarked on the "Kick...