Black Enterprise articles from November 2007

Black Enterprise archives from November 2007

Enough is enough.(publisher's page)
November 1, 2007... Today, we live in a society happy to watch black people denigrate themselves, a culture that sees such self-denigration as a form of entertainment--and a lucrative one at that. The worst, most profane and self-destructive of the black community...

Are entrepreneurs born or made?(About This Issue)
November 1, 2007... For almost four decades, BLACK ENTERPRISE has profiled entrepreneurs, detailing the events that led to the launch of thousands of ventures. Many of these daring capitalists dreamed of starting their own company as a child, while others were...

Unappreciated commentary.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... BLACK ENTERPRISE continues to be my favorite magazine. It has earned my respect over the years, and I can always count on it for sound financial advice and inspiring accounts of personal triumph. I even use Be when discussing personal finances...

We must tell our own story.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... MR. GRAVES IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT ABOUT THE DIRECTION some blacks have chosen ("Taking Back Our Race," Publisher's Page, June 2007). Thank God it is not too late to redirect their energies in a positive direction. The creation of black...

Correction.(LETTERS)(Correction notice)
November 1, 2007... In "A New Trend in Auto Financing: Car Mortgages?" (Shopsmart, August 2007) Monica Johnson's lender was incorrectly identified. The auto loan was provided by Citizens Auto Finance.

Temporary insanity.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As a longtime subscriber, I have to say that your article "The Best of Everything" (August 2007) suggests that you people have lost your minds. I can't imagine that a magazine that preaches building wealth and...

It's not what you say ...(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... I RELUCTANTLY ENJOYED "A TASTE OF ITALY" (LIFESTYLE, August 2007). Aside from the mouth-watering list of produce and products from the soil of la bella Italia, Mr. Dumas touched upon the lures of places like Verona, the stage of Shakespeare's...

Exchanging places: Carver Bancorp transfers stock listing to Nasdaq.(B.E. 100s)(Carver Bancorp Inc., Nasdaq Stock Market)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DEBORAH C. WRIGHT, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF CARVER Bancorp Inc. (No. 1 on the BE BANKS list with $764.9 million in assets), recently rang The Nasdaq Stock Market ceremonial closing bell in Times Square to celebrate...

Operation fusion: CEO combines three separate acquitions to form multimillion-dollar corporation.(BUSINESS NEWS)(chief executive officers)
November 1, 2007... Entrepreneur Albert H. Frazier is making moves to position his emerging enterprise as a major player in the logistics and material handling industries. Frazier recently combined three separate acquisitions to create Goods Movement Inc.: W&H...

MV trarsportation wins $133m contract: deal makes firm one of nation's largest bus operators.(B.E. 100S)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... MV TRANSPORTATION (NO. 10 ON THE Be INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $430.5 million in sales) has snared a $133 million contract to operate 139 fixed-route buses in California's San Gabriel and Pomona valleys. The contract with Foothill Transit...

Vioxx warrior promoted: Ken Frazier leaves legal role for executive post.(POWER PLAYER)(Kenneth Frazier)
November 1, 2007... THE EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBLE for fighting thousands of lawsuits related to the prescription drug Vioxx has moved into the top ranks of pharmaceutical giant Merck. Kenneth Frazier, who served as general counsel for Merck, the New Jersey-based...

Rod Adkins named SVP at IBM.(POWER PLAYER)(senior vice president, International Business Machines Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... ROD ADKINS HAS BECOME BIG BLUE'S FIRST BLACK senior vice president responsible for oversight of development and manufacturing for the IBM Systems and Technology Group. The 49-year-old tech innovator, who joined IBM in 1981, will manage more...

Black network shifts gears: struggling channel to focus on broadband TV.(BUSINESS NEWS)(BLACK FAMILY Channel)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... FOLLOWING THE SHUTDOWN OF THE BLACK FAMILY Channel's television platform in May. the network's broadband launch is expected to boost the channel's bottom line and provide new opportunities for young black actors and filmmakers. "It's a new...

Banking pioneer mourned: William Hudgins, founder of Carver Bank, molded a business legacy over 50 years.(IN MEMORIAM)(Obituary)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS MOURNING the loss of William Randolph Hudgins, a trailblazing African American entrepreneur who in 1948 helped found the Carver Federal Savings and Loan Association (better known today as Carver Bank and the...

An ounce of prevention: diabetes is on the rise among blacks, but little is being spent to thwart its occurrence.(FACTS & FIGURES)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... THE DEATH RATE FROM DIABETES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS grew more than 46% from 1980 to 2004, while the rates of stroke, heart disease, and cancer declined roughly 45%, 38% and 11%, respectively, according to Health. United States 2006, a report...

Looking for good buys: in an uncertain economy, it may be too early to bail out on retail stocks.(SECTOR WATCH)(Table)
November 1, 2007... FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN BEN Bernanke kicked off the holiday season early by delivering a present to the nation's retailers, Cutting the fed funds rate by half a point in September breathed new life into Wall Street's outlook for the retail...

Power up! American Century's Joe Sterling says utility shares still have juice.(STOCK PICKS)(Interview)(Table)
November 1, 2007... Forget legacy of Enron and the shadow that it cast over utilities and corporate America as a whole. Today, utilities have managed to return to their more conservative, buttoned-down ways--and that's benefited their stocks, says Joe Sterling, a...

Large-cap lesson: did William Young's play for stability pay off?(STOCK UPDATE)(Table)
November 1, 2007... A YEAR AGO WILLIAM YOUNG WAS ALREADY watching the market with cautious eyes. Last November, the president of Buford, Dickson, Harper & Sparrow, a portfolio management and financial services company based in St. Louis, selected a portfolio of...

Mortgage mess: how to determine your exposure to the subprime crisis.(INVESTOR INSIGHT)
November 1, 2007... The closest you've come to a subprime mortgage is what you've seen on the nightly news. So why is your portfolio taking a hit? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What started with overzealous lenders and their bad loans later spread to other...

Taking full advantage: what you need to know during open-enrollment season.(INSURANCE)(Table)
November 1, 2007... Fall means more than the kickoff to football season. It's also open enrollment season: the time when employees can make changes or enroll in new benefits for the coming year. So when you're calling the plays for 2008, what should be on your...

Enron redux.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... QA I started a new job and have the option of buying company stock, up to 8% of my salary, at a 10% discount. Is this a good investment, or should I stick to my 401(k)? With the Enron fiasco, I'm wary. --L. Harris Chicago Call me...

Natural attraction: bath and body products maker delivers wholesome goodness.(MAKING IT)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "HAD I NEVER GOTTEN SICK. I WOULD HAVE NEVER started a business," says Dawn Fitch. Created in 2002, Pooka Inc. manufactures handmade bath and body products without preservatives. Believing only the purest ingredients...

In case of emergency: strategize: preparedness for small-business owners in handling a crisis is key.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Black Broker's Bribe" was the newspaper headline that shocked Bernard Beal. In the mid-1990s, the chairman and CEO of M.B. Beal & Co. (No. 6 on the BE INVESTMENT BANKS list with $40.9 billion in torn managed issues)...

Getting it sold.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... QA I'm an artist looking to sell my work. Can you offer me some information on ways to market my paintings as well as how to get my artwork published? --H. Lassiter Suffolk, VA The opportunities for exposure are endless for...

Out of this world: Noah Samara and WorldSpace: no longer silent partners in the satellite radio industry.(BLACK DIGERATI)
November 1, 2007... IN LATE 1999, NOAH SAMARA, CEO of Silver Spring, Maryland-based WorldSpace Inc., was driving along Lake Langano in southern Ethiopia when he heard a broadcast of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World." Although the song is a classic, the...

Wi-Fi on steroids: will WiMAX provide the juice for souped-up connections?(TECH NEWS)
November 1, 2007... You're on a train that's speeding toward New York City. You're putting the finishing touches on your big presentation; you just need to access the company intranet to grab that last bit of information. The connection slows to a crawl... then...

Get the picture: here's how to choose the best digital camera for your needs.(B.E. WORKSHOP)
November 1, 2007... ANYONE WHO HAS EVER PORED OVER THE ADS IN THEIR LOCAL PAPER OR whiled away hours online in search of a new camera knows the experience can be mind-numbing. "Just because you have a budget of $600, doesn't mean you need to spend that much to get...

Cell phone freedom--at your own risk.(CYBERWISE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... QA OK, so there's all this talk about locked versus unlocked phones, with advice and Websites that help you unlock them. Why are they locked in the first place? Is it a security issue or something else? --P. Jones Atlanta When it...

Talent scout: how this exec finds and develops leaders internally.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Interview)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How do you identify key leaders? First, personal leadership: what's the character or values, work ethic, integrity that a person has, and how good are they at developing other people on their team? The second...

Finding your place in the world: global diversity has become a corporate catchphrase. But does the concept of inclusion mean exclusion of African American workers in the U.S.?(DIVERSITY WATCH)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When the CEO of Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG offered to promote mote Michelle Gadsden-Williams from head of diversity in the U.S. to vice president and global head of diversity and inclusion, it meant having to move...

Face it.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... QA Where I work, employees are allowed to create their own personal Web page in the company directory. You also have the option of posting pictures of yourself to 70% of employees who have personal Web pages post pictures (face only). Do you...

Ben DeBerry.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: President Organization: Carlyle Group Location: Chicago Responsibilities: Expanding the company geographically and overseeing the expansion of the company's healthcare and financial...

Kheri Holland-Tillman.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Vice President, Marketing, Amstel Light and Dos Equis Brands Organization: Heinken USA Location: White Plains, NY Responsibilities: Leads the development and implementation of innovative...

T. Hudson Williams.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... New Position: Vice President of Diversity and Multicultural Initiatives Organization: Time Warner Inc Location: New York Responsibilities: Overseeing the promotion of culture inclusion at Time Warner along with implementing...

Dean Seavers.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: President & CEO, GE Security Organization: General Electric Location: Bradenton, FL Responsibilities: Manages all aspects of GE Security worldwide including profit and loss, growth, and...

Ronaldo T. Nicholson.(ON THE MOVE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Regional Mega Project Program Director Organization: Virginia Department of Transportation Location: Chantilly, VA Responsibilities: Leads the coordination of major construction, along with...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Brief article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2007... Diversity Best Practice 14th Annual Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Summit Nov. 1-2; Washington, DC; 202-463-3760; www.diversitybestpractices.com National Association of African Americans in Human Resources Nov 13-15; Charlotte, NC;...

All about business: Ryan Mack teaches kids to take steps toward financial freedom.(Black Wealth Initiative)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN A BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, CHURCH, more than SO adults attentively take notes as a 1S-year-old authoritatively spouts off tips on financial empowerment. Without the mentorship of former Wall Street trader Ryan Mack,...

After the storm: following a tragic loss, the Chambers family is starting to see the light.(Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 86)(Ken Chambers, Tonia Chambers)(Table)
November 1, 2007... THEY SAY TROUBLE COMES IN THREES. That was certainly true for Ken and Tonia Chambers. The tragedy began with the unexpected death of their 18-year-old daughter, Rachelle. The dissolution of the law firm where Tonia worked as a paralegal and the...

S.O.S. sorting out subprime: does distress in the housing market spell lasting trouble or has it created prime opportunities to put your money to work?(SPECIAL REPORT)(Table)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TIMES HAVE CHANGED FOR MIKE TEER. A real estate broker in Riverside, California, Teer's business has fallen off dramatically over the last 18 months. And it's no wonder. In the first half of this year, Riverside...

Classroom cash: 529 college savings plans continue to improve. Good thing, too. Just look at what degree is going to cost you.(PERSONAL FINANCE)(Table)
November 1, 2007... HE MAY BE 46, BUT BRUCE SNEED STILL remembers the faces of his mother and father the day' he graduated from college, just as if it were yesterday. His dad was a master sergeant in the Air Force, his mom a homemaker, and Bruce--now a financial...

Survival of the fittest: B.E. gives you the tools you need to help ensure the success of you venture.(SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS GUIDE)(Black Enterprise)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] THE TERRAIN: HARSH. The challenges: unforgiving. The potential rewards: priceless. It's a jungle out there for small-business owners. Many trek through the wilds of entrepreneurship to gain their bounty: from...

A sound setup: choosing an ownership structure can be tricky, but knowing your options can help determine the right fit.(STRUCTURE)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OVER FOUR DECADES AND A MYRIAD OF CHANGES, College Crib, a Nashville, Tennessee-based Greek fraternity and sorority apparel store, is still standing strong. Started in 1966 by the late Earl Price Sr. and Hortense...

Money matters: using sound resources, you can find capital for your business.(FINANCING)
November 1, 2007... FASHION DESIGNER KARA SAUN GARNERED NATIONAL praise as runner-up on the first season of Bravo's reality competition series Project Runway. Showing her styles at the 2005 New York Olympus Fashion Week, Saun not only wowed television viewers, she...

Every little bit helps: effective marketing strategies can gain you clients and, ultimately, revenues.(MARKETING)
November 1, 2007... "I ACTUALLY BITE MY NAILS, WHICH most people find to be the most ridiculous thing in the world," says Tricialee Riley, owner of the Polish Bar of Brooklyn, in New York. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After 13 years in the cosmetics industry,...

Keeping up with the Joneses: outfitting your company with up-to-date technology is vital.(TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2007... WHEN GLOBAL SHIPPING GIANT UPS OFFERED SUMMITLINE Industries Inc. a small-business supplier contract back in 2003 worth $10 million, it came with a stipulation. "We needed to do a technology overhaul in order to get the contract," says Stun...

Making your mark: five steps to brand your success.(BRANDING)
November 1, 2007... WHAT IS A BBAND? ACCORDING TO MELISSA D. JOHNSON, founder, president, and CEO of Velvet Suite Marketing Consulting Group L.L.C. (www.velvetsuitemarketing.com), a Cincinnati firm that assists clients in building brands, a brand has the courage...

Knowing is growing: five strategies to develop you and your business.(GROWTH)
November 1, 2007... "LET ME TELL YOU WHY PEOPLE DON'T REACH THEIR goals," says Andrew Morrison, "They don't reach their goals because they don't believe that they're going to reach their goals." As founder and president of the Small Business Camp...

A graceful (and lucrative) exit: succession planning lets you profit from your business even after you leave.(EXITING)
November 1, 2007... "YOU WORK YOUR WHOLE LIFE TO BUILD A GREAT company," says Julie Gordon White, principal of the Richmond, California-based BlueKey Business Brokerage M&A, which assists clients in buying, growing, or selling a business. "And the goal should be...

The power of commitment: mere motivation is often not enough to achieve your goals.(ATTITUDE ENHANCEMENT)
November 1, 2007... MICHELLE TUCKER KIRK HAS NEVER HAD A SHORTAGE of entrepreneurial ideas, ranging from starting an event planning company to launching a charter school. Among those ideas is her bridal shop, A Beautiful Day Bridal, located in Durham, North...

From boys to men: Tardy's book provides a resource for single moms struggling with their sons.(WORDS TO STRIVE BY)(The Big Payback: A Guide on Raising a Young Man as a Single Mother from the Perspective of a Young Man)(Book review)
November 1, 2007... Every single mother faced with the daunting task of raising a male child should read The Big Payback: A Guide on Raising a Young Man as a Single Mother from the Perspective of a Young Man (Cederick Tardy Enterprises; $15) by Cederick W. Tardy...

Do your homework.(PEP TALK)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... I'm a 28-year-old preschool teacher with dreams of owning a hotel resort as well as a day spa. am writing all my ideas down on paper. But how do I go about submitting them to companies? A. Robinson Via the Internet Your current...

Do you really need that warranty? What you should know before you buy a protection plan.(CONSUMER LIFE)
November 1, 2007... YOU'VE FOUND THE 46-INCH FLT-SCREEN HDTV OF your dreams. You approach the register, plastic in hand, ready to pay. Just then, the store clerk asks that fateful question: "Would you like to purchase an extended warranty?" Like most people you...

Seasonal shopping tip sheet: bring some cheer and cash back into your holiday.(BUYING POWER)
November 1, 2007... Hate holiday shopping? You're not alone For many, the joys of the season are eclipsed by jostling shoopping center crowds jammed parking lots, and long lists of expensive gifts that won't be paid off until June. Don't despair--here are a few...

Tax breaks for school.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... I was to d that there are tax breaks for people studying for advanced degrees. Do you have more information about this? Anonymous Via the Internet The short answer is: Yes, there are education tax credits as well as tax deductions....

Hot rods: racer Nicole Lyons gives her picks on the street's top performers.(THE ENTHUSIAST)(Nicole Lyons)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Her love affair with fast sexy, cars began at age 4. Nicole Lyons remembers the rev the engine and the exuberance it fueled within her as she sat on her father's lap. Her late father, famed street racer Jack Davis,...

Holiday affair: three event pros share ideas for toasting the season in style.(EXECUTIVE ENTERTAINING)(professionals)
November 1, 2007... COME ALL YE FESTIVE THE INVITE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Your invite must reflect, the sophistication of your event," offers Amber Renee, principal designer for Georgia-based Bluorchid by Naked Eye Image (www.nakedeyeimage.com)....

Looking to make moves in your career?(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Looking to make moves in your career? Log on to BlackEnterprise.com and participate in our free career fair! The Black Enterprise Online Career Fair will connect you with companies seeking experienced professionals...

Sick of reruns?(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sick of reruns? Well, help is on the way. Check out this fall's new episodes of Our World with Black Enterprise and catch up on all of the latest topics, high-profile guests, and sharp insight from the African...

It's official--the 2008 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by General Motors is scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina!(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)(Conference news)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's official--the 2008 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by General Motors is scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina! Mark your calendars; registration opens Dec. 1. Visit...

Registration for the third annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm[R] is open!(All Access: YOUR MONTHLY PASS TO B.E. EVENTS, TV, AND RADIO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Registration for the third annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm[R] is open! This exciting, four-day executive leadership conference designed especially for professional women of color is moving out West to the...

Have you been watching?(All Access)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Have you been watching? The new season of Black Enterprise Business Report is in full swing! Tune in weekly to the only nationally syndicated television program that provides you with news about the minority business...

Backtalk with Tony Dungy.(Interview)
November 1, 2007... What are your thoughts on the NFL strengthening its personal conduct policy? It's important that we do that. The NFL has grown in popularity and in order to keep this going we've got to maintain the trust and the confidence of the fans and...