Black Enterprise articles from November 2008

Black Enterprise archives from November 2008

BlackEnterprise.com's new look.
November 1, 2008... THE NEW BLACKENTERPRISE.COM WEBSITE IS live! The redesigned site offers new interactive functionality, a dedicated political center, a tools and resources area, reader forums, and expanded multimedia. You'll also find favorites such as...

BlackEnterprise.com's election center.
November 1, 2008... THE HISTORIC RACE FOR THE White House is just about over. After months of listening to the candidates on the stump discussing education, the economy, national security, healthcare, and foreign policy, we're ready for action at the voting booth....

The election of our lifetimes.(publisher's page)
November 1, 2008... What were you doing when Barack Obama ran for president?" Someday, each and every one of us will hear that question from a child or other member of a future generation whose world will have been shaped for better or worse by what we do--or...

It's now or never.(About This Issue)(Editorial)
November 1, 2008... In our October 2004 issue, BLACK ENTERPRISE hit the campaign trail with a little-known candidate named Barack Obama. In the cover story that chronicled his quest for a seat in the U.S. Senate, we posed the question: Could a victory put him on...

Deeper than decorations.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I was really happy to see the feature on Harmony Designs in the July 2008 issue ("A Space to Call Your Own," Lifestyle). I am from Mount Vernon, New York, and have spent a lot of peaceful time there. Harmony Designs...

A relevant resource.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... I THANK BLACK ENTERPRISE FOR ITS variety of timely, informative articles. As a college business professor, it is necessary to keep up with the latest trends in the business world. BE not only helps in that respect, it serves as a resource I can...

A necessary voice.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... THANK GOD FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MEDIA. WHILE MAINSTREAM MEDIA was concerned about John Edwards' affair, the president at the Olympics, Brett Favre, and Russia's invasion of a dissident province, we lost the creativity of a comedic genius and...

Correction.(Letters)(Correction notice)
November 1, 2008... In "The Business of Giving Back" (Powerplay, September 2008), the title of Rhonda R. Mims was listed incorrectly, The correct title is President; ING Foundation/Senior VP, Office of Corporate Citizenship & Responsibility, ING Americas.

Party politics.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... Tamara E. Holmes wrote an interesting article in the August 2008 issue titled "African Americans in GOP Weigh Race vs. Party" (Newspoints). The evenly paced article had one very significant factual flaw that is continually pat forth by Frances...

May the best man win.(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2008... I CONSIDER BLACK ENTERPRISE TO BE ONE OF THE BEST magazines published and always look forward to reading Mr. Graves' editorials. He is right on almost every time. In the August 2008 issue ("Election '08 Not About History, But Our Future,"...

Equal work, equal pay: Congress seeks to make gender pay discrimination a thing of the past.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
November 1, 2008... WOMEN ACROSS AMERICA ARE CLAIMING A SMALL victory thanks to the passage of a bill designed to end gender-based pay discrimination. H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act, still pending Senate approval, could make it easier for women to sue...

Media monopolies: broadcasting industry continues to shut out small minority operations.(BUSINESS NEWS)
November 1, 2008... WHEN THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION approved a controversial bid by Sirius Satellite Radio to acquire XM Satellite Radio for a reported $3.3 billion in July, many in the broadcasting industry saw the approval as giving big media leeway...

Thompson Hospitality buys marvelous markets: gourmet food company part of a niche strategy to diversify business.(B.E 100s)(Company overview)
November 1, 2008... THOMPSON HOSPITALITY CORE (No. 23 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $220 million in sales) in Herndon, Virginia, purchased Marvelous Markets, a gourmet food specialty chain for an undisclosed price. Established in 1990. Marvelous...

CAMAC going public: oil company's subsidiary to trade on Nigerian Stock Exchange.(B.E 100s)(Allied Energy P.L.C.)
November 1, 2008... HOUSTON-BASED CAMAC INTERnational Corp. (No. 2 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $1.6 billion in sales) reported that the Listing and Quotations Committee of the Nigerian Stock Exchange approved an application for shares of its...

WNBA report card: women's basketball league falls short in promoting diversity.(FACTS & FIGURES)(Women's National Basketball Association)
November 1, 2008... THE WOMEN'S NATIONAL, BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION IS playing fair in the sports arena and bests other pro sports leagues in both race and gender, according to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES). TIDES awarded the WNBA an overall...

Coping with stagflation: here's how to make the most of your investments in a tough economy.(INVESTMENT STRATEGIES)
November 1, 2008... CHICAGO FIREFIGHTER STANLEY WILLIAMS IS AMONG those Americans who feel the effects of rising prices and a sluggish economy. He has endured increases from gasoline and groceries to vacation budgets and private school tuition bills. Meanwhile,...

Sharper focus: Steven Moore narrows his sights to focus on players in the thick of the big picture.(STOCK PICKS)(Interview)
November 1, 2008... There's a school of thought that in both turbulent and calm markets, stock selection boils down to a tidy three-step process. Start by homing in on a change, a trend, an event, or some sort of trigger. Next, find a company in the heart of the...

Power moves: Joe Sterling's energy pick provided a boost while utilities fizzled.(STOCK UPDATE)
November 1, 2008... JOE STERLING, A PORTFOLIO MANAGER WITH AMERICAN Century Investments, in Kansas City, Missouri, picked three promising utility and energy stocks a year ago. However, only the shares of Sempra Energy (SRE) provided much power Sempra, a...

Real bargains: investing in REITs may prove profitable despite housing crisis.(SECTOR WATCH)(real estate investment trusts)
November 1, 2008... Buy-low investors might eye real estate now, considering how property values have been driven down. Equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) certainly are selling low compared to 2006 levels. REITs, publicly traded companies that own...

College living: buy vs. rent.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... QA I will be attending law school out-of-state and will probably be living in an apartment. For the next three years that can average from $24,000 to $28,000 (which is loan money). I feel like I can use that money toward buying a property. What...

Riding high: entrepreneur's motorcycle helmets fuel company's success.(MAKING IT)(Kerry Harris)(IHT Technology Inc.)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHILE STATIONED IN JAPAN AS A U.S. NAVY PILOT IN 2002, Kerry Harris took to riding a motorcycle to better navigate the heavy traffic. But there was one problem: "It gets hot," says Harris, a native of Canton, Ohio....

Creative license: with a little help, a mompreneur develops a bedding line for kids.(STARTING UP)(Beverly Sutherland)(ABC Kidz Designs Inc.)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEN BEVERLY SUTHERLAND, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT of Los Angeles-based ABC Kidz Designs Inc. decided to launch a juvenile bedding line, she incorporated an idea into her business plan that startups often overlook--the...

You can't take it with you: not having an estate plan can be costly.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)
November 1, 2008... WHILE MANY ENTREPRENEURS ARE BUSY RUNNING THEIR day-to-day operations, they seldom take the time to consider who will take over the reins when they retire, or how their wealth be passed on to family members in the event of their untimely death...

Test of time: hours put in play a key role in a business' success.(MANAGEMENT ADVICE)
November 1, 2008... WHEN KEITH MATHIS LAUNCHED HIS technology solutions firm in 2000 with his wife, Karen, he was still working a full-time job at another technology company. But by 2006, the then 52-year-old decided that his San Diego-based company, World Digital...

Get the message.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(launching product lines)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... QA I would like to design a line of coffee mugs with matching note pads, tote bags, and other accessories. I recently attended the New York International Gift Fair to check out the competition. I was very excited and feel this could really...

What's your sports fantasy? Online game puts basketball fans in the general manager seat.(BLACK DIGERATI)(PASPN.net )
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU COMBINE THE EXCITEMENT of professional basketball with the head games and heartburn of sports deal-making? PASPN.net (http://grn.paspn.net)--the first fantasy basketball game governed by the...

The politics of Web strategy: Obama's smart use of the Web helped him tap into key demographics; here's how you can do the same.(SMALL BUSINESS TECH GUIDE)(Barack Obama)
November 1, 2008... SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, TAKE NOTE: BARACK OBAMA has changed the political game, simply by utilizing the Web. By tapping into technology resources ignored by previous political strategists, Obama's campaign has forced entrepreneurs to rethink...

It's better to be safe ... backup devices help prevent crucial data loss.(TECH SOLUTIONS)
November 1, 2008... You've got the latest thin, light notebook, updated all your applications, and set up your superfast network. Wireless devices? Check. Minggl (www.minggl.com) managing your social networking sites? Check. Now you're ready to do some serious...

Too much of a good thing?(CYBERWISE)(web browsers)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... QA I just heard that Google has created a browser. Do we really need another Web browser? --M.B. Via Twitter While it's true that we do have our share of Web browsers--Internet Explorer, Opera, Yahoo, Firefox (and remember...

On point: an executive recruiter gives advice on staying relevant.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Sharon S. Hall)(Interview)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Name Sharon S. Hall Title Partner, Spencer Stuart Location Atlanta Age 51 Power Play Co-founded the diversity practice of one of the world's leading executive search firms How do you remain...

Identifying your skill set: what you should know first before looking for e new job.(MAKING CONNECTIONS)
November 1, 2008... According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there were 9.4 million unemployed U.S. workers in August. Unemployed in August, Kelly Mitchell, a financial analyst in prime brokerage sales and hedge fund consulting, expected to remain in finance....

Ready, set--let's find work! How to effectively prepare for the job search.(ACTION PLAN)
November 1, 2008... Finding a job requires many of the same approaches it takes to manage your career: strategy, focus, clarity, insight, and networking. You've probably sent out dozens of resumes and created career profiles on Monster, CareerBuilder, and...

Green degrees: an environmental education can lead to a variety of career options.(EXECUTIVE EDUCATION)
November 1, 2008... OLIVIA GLENN WORKS AS A SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO NEW JERSEY'S DEPUTY commissioner for natural resources in the department of environmental protection, coordinating the development of a new state park in the city of Paterson. When she began five...

Tips to find a job.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Q A I'm a 33-year-old who has been out of the job market for 14 months. Where do I start, and how do I get back in the job market after being out so long? --I. Pratt Via E-mail What a timely question and concern for most Americans...

Terence Carter.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Vice President of Drama Programming Organization: NBC Location: Burbank, CA Responsibilities: Oversees the development of the network's dramas Former Position: Director, Drama...

Val Bais.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Chief Executive Officer Organization: The National Hemophilia Foundation Location: New York Responsibilities: Direct the foundation's efforts to reorganize national chapters and lead...

Anthony Carter.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... New Position: Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion Organization: Johnson & Johnson Location: New Brunswick, NJ Responsibilities: Oversees all diversity and inclusion initiatives and the company's National United Way campaign ...

Baron Carr.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Vice President of Brand Marketing Organization: Carlson Hotels Location: Minneapolis Responsibilities: Oversees all national online and offline brand marketing Former Position: Vice...

Rosecita Jeffers.(On The MOVE)(Rosecita Jeffers as new chief executive officer at St. Kitts Tourism Authority)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Position: Chief Executive Officer Organization: St. Kitts Tourism Authority Location: St. Kitts, West Indies Responsibilities: Oversees management and direction of the country's tourism Former...

Convention calendar.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The College Expo Tour Nov. 8; College Park, MD; (877) 427-4100; www.blackcollegeexpo.com National Association of African Americans in Human Resources 2008 Conference Nov. 10-13; Las Vegas; (404) 346-1542;...

The new workforce: global diversity is changing America's HR terrain.(CORPORATE INITIATIVES)(human resource)
November 1, 2008... SCENARIO: THE U.S. MANAGER OF A GLOBAL PROJECT TEAM at Goldman Sachs became frustrated when team members in Japan offered little feedback during conference calls. Across the world, the Japanese team members felt similarly discouraged, feeling...

How the KAN-Do initiative is helping law students break barriers.(DIVERSITY Q)
November 1, 2008... MINORITIES REPRESENT 21.6% OF LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS, and enrollment is increasing. Despite increased enrollment in jurist doctorate programs nationwide, minority representation in the legal profession is significantly lower than in other...

Pan African Literary Forum advances diversity across Africa.(WORTH CHECKING OUT ...)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... THE FIRST ANNUAL PAN AFRICAN LITERARY Forum in Ghana hosted more than 200 writers, publishers, and filmmakers from Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom in July. PALF hopes that by bringing together aspiring writers it can...

Lending a hand: Pearl Woolridge works to help small businesses thrive.(Black Wealth Initiative: SECURING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE)
November 1, 2008... TWO YEARS AGO, PEARL WOOLRIDGE noticed an unusual jump in the number of visitors to the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "Crowds were coming in during days when there were no cultural events...

On shaky ground: Adriene and Rob Lambert work toward achieving financial unity.(Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 96)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THEIR FIRST YEAR OF MARRIAGE WAS full of the magic of romance, but newlyweds Adriene and Rob Lambert must now face the reality of money matters. As much as they love each other, they have conflicting money styles:...

Get in or get left behind: 5 best industries to get venture financing.(SMALL BUSINESS)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SHELDON GILBERT KNOWS YOUR FAVORITE color. He also knows how many times you added that flat screen TV to the online shopping cart without buying it and what you like to do in your spare time. The creator of...

An alternative approach: boost your portfolio by looking beyond stocks and bonds.(INVESTING)
November 1, 2008... SINCE THE STOCK MARKET PEAKED IN October 2007, the bear has been clawing investors. Bonds have delivered scant returns, and naturally, mutual funds holding these traditional investments have fared from so-so to sorrowful. Fortunately,...

The best man: today's race for the White House has been characterized as the most important in history. Here we share why Barack Obama must become the next president and his agenda to set America on a better course for the future.(ELECTION 'O8)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THEY CAME TO WITNESS HISTORY, ON a torrid August day in Denver, more than 80,000 people with unbridled enthusiasm and joyful expectation stood on mile-long lines and waited hours in sun-drenched Invesco Field at Mile...

What this election means to America.(ELECTION '08)
November 1, 2008... "But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the naysayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's been about you." Sen. Barack Obama in his acceptance speech at the...

How Obama can win battleground states: this election year, each of the 17 battleground states in play has the potential to determine the next president, and each requires distinctive strategies to win over its electorate, Black Enterprise sconsulted with political pundits and insiders to outline what Barack Obama must do to claim these electoral votes.(ELECTION '08)(Barack Obama)
November 1, 2008... MONTANA ELECTORAL VOTES: 3 Drive voter turnout in Montana's more populated, booming West. Maximize this newcomer-attracting region's registration of Democrats and Independents. Focus on education, cherished both East and West. Bypass...

Step up and help out: the benefits of volunteering.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "NOTHING WE CAN DO WILL BRING HIM BACK," SAYS Brittney Payton of her late father, famed Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton. "But he continues to live on in our work to help others" Payton, 23, was just a...

A call to action.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)(volunteers)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN THE THROES OF AN ECONOMIC downturn, there is a crucial demand for volunteers, says Alma Powell, chairwoman of America's Promise Alliance, an organization founded in 1997 by her husband, former U.S. Secretary of...

Start from within.(MOTIVATION)(volunteerism )(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "Our children and community members need to see people of color volunteer, inspire, and live as examples of excellence, integrity, competence, and accomplishment," says John B. Hammond III, executive director of 100 Black Men of America...

A valuable lesson.(PEP TALK)(working at a job you don't like)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Q A I work in my family's business, but it's not where I really want to be. I remain there because I don't want to let my father down, and because I'm not qualified to do anything else. My dream is to become an English teacher and writer, but I...

A helping hand: debt support groups provide a sounding board and financial guidance.(CONSUMER LIFE)
November 1, 2008... IF YOU'RE DROWNING IN DEBT AND IN NEED OF A FINANcial life jacket, you're not alone. Consumers currently have more than $960 billion in revolving debt. Fortunately, there are debt support groups that can help you break the cycle. Debt...

Know your rights if a store goes bankrupt: don't get cheated if a retailer shuts its doors for good.(BUYING POWER)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEN VERONICA WATTS, 39, OF Bowie, Maryland, spent $300 on gift cams for herself and a friend at a local spa, she waited about six months for the perfect occasion to cash them in. But she was a few months too late:...

Authorized user accounts are back: the FICO model gets another face-lift.(DID YOU KNOW?)(Fair Isaac Corp.)
November 1, 2008... Credit has been more difficult to come by as a result of the ailing economy, especially if you're trying to establish a credit history for the first time. To the relief of many, Fair Isaac Corp., creators of the FICO credit score, has revised...

Debt consolidation.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Q A I want to consolidate my debt. Could you give me names of some of the companies that are top ranked? --L. Chaira Los Angeles I'm sure you've been dreaming about the day when you'll get only one statement each month instead of...

Stocking the bar: keeping spirits high during the holiday season.(EXECUTIVE ENTERTAINING)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... FOR INTIMATE, SPONTANEOUS, or less formal holiday gatherings, you don't need a bartending license to satisfy and impress your guests. All you need is the right alcohol. Steve Nixon, owner and manager of two New York City lounges,...

In the fast lane.(CONCIERGE SELECT)(Porsche Sport Driving School)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Wet tracks, coned obstacles, and 16 hard turns at 100 miles per hour push the driver full throttle at the Porsche Sport Driving School in Birmingham, Alabama. There are a variety of programs focused on high-performance handling hosted by...

Rugged Terrain.(CONCIERGE SELECT)(Land Rover Experience and Driving School)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You may never drive across a river or maneuver uphill through seemingly insurmountable mud ruts: as a result, you may never fully optimize the ultra cool Terrain Response System, in the Range Rover Sport--unless you...

Members privileges.(CONCIERGE SELECT)(Ferrari Driving Experience)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Mont-Tremblant resort at the foot of the Laurentian Mountains, just 80 miles northwest of Montreal, is where you begin your high-speed, thrill-a-minute lessons at the Ferrari Driving Experience. There are basic...

Carribbean hideaway.(LIFESTYLE)(Cap Maison)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Home of the striking Piton mountains and the healing sulfur hot baths, St. Lucia now offers visitors its first residential-style luxury boutique hotel, Cap Maison. Located on a four-acre cliff top near Rodney Bay, Cap Maison offers guests the...

Pedaler's retreat.(LIFESTYLE)(cycling caper with the Pedalers Pub and Grille)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... If bike riding is your passion, consider a cycling caper with the Pedalers Pub & Grille. The bike tour specialist is planning its next trip to Vietnam, departing Dec. 8. The 10-day journey will take cyclists through Sapa, the ultralush and...

Black life on the square.(LIFESTYLE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... As Sen. Barack Obama holds the promise of a historic bid for the Oval Office, and in light of the 145th anniversary year of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, an exhibition hosted by the Decatur House (www.decaturhouse.org) on...

Women of Power Summit.(All Access)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Are you a woman of power? If so, register now to reserve your seat at the fourth annual Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm[R], Feb. 11-14 at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes resort in sunny Orlando, Florida, Next year's summit is...

Black Enterprise Television.(All Access)
November 1, 2008... Tune in to Our World with Black Enterprise and Black Enterprise Business Report to get the latest updates on our community and the minority business world. Topics on Our World range from politics to entertainment, while Black Enterprise...

B.E. elections.(All Access)
November 1, 2008... The race to determine the next president of the United States is down to the wire, and BLACK ENTERPRISE iS committed to keeping you in the know. Stay up to date with information about your favorite political candidates and their run for the...

Doug Banks.(All Access)
November 1, 2008... Be sure to catch our very own BlackEnterprise.com Editor-in-Chief Alfred Edmond Jr, every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. on the Doug Banks & DeDe McGuire Show. Tune in for the "Your Honey" segment to hear weekly tips that will help you along your...

A piece of history.(All Access)
November 1, 2008... Are you a Barack Obama supporter? So are we! Endorse your favorite presidential candidate with the official 2008 Black Enterprise Obama cover t-shirt. Visit blackenterprise.com/obamashirt to order yours today. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Russel Hornsby on black images in Hollywood.(Backtalk)(Interview)
November 1, 2008... AS THE STAR OF TELEVISION'S ONLY BLACK FAMILY drama, ABC Family's critically acclaimed Lincoln Heights, Russell Hornsby plays the part of Eddie Sutton, the hardworking police officer and head of the Sutton household. Now in its third season,...