Black Enterprise articles from October 2003

Black Enterprise archives from October 2003

B.E. teams up with CNNfn.(Web Features)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... blackenterprise.com and CNNfn recently partnered to bring you a special report, March Toward Progress: 40 Years After the March on Washington. Read our stories about the strides of the black middle class, options for minorities who say they've...

New lifestyle section.(Web Features)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Lose yourself in luxury. After reading the expanded Lifestyle section in this issue, visit blackenterprise.com for more ways to enhance your busy lifestyle. You'll find everything you need from the hottest fashions, accessories, and travel to...

Resource line.(Web Columns)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Whatever your professional or entrepreneurial needs, you can find them on black enterprise.com. Interactive Media Editor Lewis' column provides useful resources for business owners, corporate executives, and budding investors....

Get organized.(Web Columns)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Whether you are trying to get your career on track or pay down your debt, Consumer/ Careers Editor Alleyne can help. See her column for tips on getting organized at work, moving up the corporate ladder, and spending your money wisely....

Franchise Finder.(Web Tools)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Want to become an entrepreneur but don't know where to start? Use our FREE Franchise Finder[TM], your ultimate business startup resource, to locate franchise and business opportunities. select franchises that interest you based on the category...

Free Microsoft Money 2003.(Web Tools)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... ShareBuilder and blackenterprise.com are offering investors an innovative way to invest online through automatic, recurring, dollar-based investments. With this limited offer, we'll send you a free copy of Microsoft Money 2003, once you...

Taking our affluence for granted.(Publisher's Page)(marketing to African Americans)
October 1, 2003... African American has long been established as a dominant influence on consumer tastes and styles in America. And with the emergence of hip hop culture, the nation's most dominant cultural export, that influence now extends across the globe. Our...

About this issue.
October 1, 2003... Anyone on the verge of launching a career should know that summer internship programs are Americas best-kept secret. They offer eager, inexperienced young people the best opportunities to gain exposure in any particular industry. Don't sneeze...

Sign of progress.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... THE SUCCESSION OF ANN FUDGE TO THE top of the Young & Rubicam advertising agency ("A Commercial Success," News-points, July 2003) marks a welcome development in an industry where a commitment to diversity has long been reflected in its...

The new leaders.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... BE WAS REMISS TO NOT INCLUDE RUSSELL Simmons, CEO of Rush Communications (No. 14 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list) and chairman of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network as part of the new regime of African American leaders ("Black Leadership:...

Corrections.(Letters)(Correction Notice)
October 1, 2003... In our July 2003 Newspoints item, "Black Leadership: The Next Generation," we inadvertently omitted identifying Bill Fletcher Jr. Fletcher, 49, was named CEO of the TransAfrica Forum last year, succeeding organization founder Randall Robinson....

Heritage Networks wins showdown: Frank Mercado-Valdes plans to build a bigger brand after landing the rights to 'Showtime at the Apollo'.(B.E. 100s)
October 1, 2003... With financial backing industry-leading clout from one of the top producers of syndicated TV, The Heritage Networks has won the battle for Showtime at the Apollo. The Heritage Networks (No. 61 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/ SERVICE 100 list with...

Food for thought: a partnership with Goldman Sachs may be Chuck James' ticket to increasing diversity in food industry.(B.E. 100s)
October 1, 2003... Here's some food for thought, "If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em." That's exactly the strategy Charles "Chuck" James III is employing as he retakes the reins of his 120-year-old family business, C.H. James & Co. In July, James announced a...

Getting back the black vote: House Democratic leader discusses plan to lure African Americans.(Newsmaker Q&A)(Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi)(Interview)
October 1, 2003... Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is the first woman to lead either party in Congress, but she has an even loftier goal--to become House speaker. To do that, she will have to rebuild and unify her party after a disastrous 2002...

Gearing up for the golden years: Minority Retirement Confidence Survey paints a mixed picture.(Facts & Figures)
October 1, 2003... Although the retirement outlook for African Americans is not quite golden, more are saving and planning for retirement, a study shows. Released in May 2003, the Minority Retirement Confidence Survey (MRCS) concludes that on the whole...

From real estate to retirement plan: using property as a foundation, Bradley Simmons has crafted a blueprint for his financial goals.(Investment Strategies)
October 1, 2003... Growing up on Staten Island, New York, Bradley Simmons, 40, nurtured an interest, in becoming an English teacher. But when his brother, a successful real estate entrepreneur in Scarsdale, New York told him about the financial rewards of a...

Pick of the pack: Standard & Poor's McMillan has a way of pulling the best from a mixed bag of financial services companies.(Private Screening)
October 1, 2003... Standard & Poor's analyst Robert McMillan preaches that a slow economic stretch for an industry does not ruin every company within it. Although the two industries on his watch--brokerage companies and consumer credit firms--are taking divergent...

Turning market pain into prosperity: Louis A. Holland of Holland Capital Management picks a slate of winners.(Stock Update)
October 1, 2003... Last year, when we spoke to Louis A. Holland, managing partner and CIO of Holland Capital Management L.P., like most money managers, he was hunkering down as the bear market raged on. "Markets tend to go through three phases--love, hate, and...

Debit or credit? Knowing the benefits of each card can help you manage money better.(B.E. Basics)
October 1, 2003... When Morgan Robinson began working for SmithKline as a teenager in 1999, she opened a checking account with her employer's bank. She was issued a Visa debit card that could be used as a check card and for withdrawals at ATMs. But a little more...

Capital gains pains.(Ask B.E.)(taxation of capital gains on home sale)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Q My husband and I are moving from New York to Pennsylvania and I must sell my home. Because of the jump in real estate prices, I've realized a nice return on my investment and I'm worried about paying huge capital gains taxes. Is there...

Lessons from the past: entrepreneur takes the old world approach to business.(Making It)(George Banks of Sentry Security International Inc.)
October 1, 2003... George Banks acquired an appetite for entrepreneurship as a young boy in Africa. After his mother died, Banks spent much of his youth with his uncle--a storeowner in a small community in Liberia--who instilled in him a strong work ethic and...

To join or not to join? Trade groups can boost business--if you pick the right one.(Management Advice)
October 1, 2003... Though entrepreneurs tend not to be joiners, trade groups can offer excellent networking opportunities to help entrepreneurs grow their business--provided they choose the right one. Often, organizations promise more than they can deliver,...

Four friends on the fast track: this quartet is looking to create a music powerhouse.(Making It)
October 1, 2003... Ignoring an old adage about friends and business not mixing well, the executives of Noontime Music are defying the odds with their successful Atlanta-based publishing house. "We are like brothers," says Ryan Glover, of his three partners. "Yes,...

Show me the money.(Savvy Solutions)(small business loans)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Q I just started a small business, and I hear that the SBA has loan programs for entrepreneurs, but I think there might be lots of red tape. Can you provide information on some of them and how to apply?--J. Miller Via the Internet A One of...

Music to her ears: Lamonica Thomas taps into the digital greeting card market.(Black Digerati)
October 1, 2003... Sometime in February 2000, Lamonica Thomas, 48, woke her husband to tell him about her unusual dream. "It might sound corny, but this idea came to me in the middle of the night and it would not leave me alone," says Thomas. The very next day,...

Desktop roundup: here's how to find the perfect PC for your small business buck.(B.E. Reviews)(Product/Service Evaluation)
October 1, 2003... For small business owners, a desktop PC is an essential tool for running a successful company. But how do you get the best for your office without breaking the bank? BLACK ENTERPRISE tested PCs from eMachines, Sony, Dell, and HP for ease of...

Not in my inbox: moving large files is as easy as FTP.(Tech 1-2-3)
October 1, 2003... E-mail was built for text. Most people are willing to accept small attachments, such as a Word file or screen-size photo, if you get their OK. Large files are a different story. Even if the recipient isn't paying per-minute online charges, has...

Windows 98 lives.(Cyberwise)(software support)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Q: My computer runs on Windows 98 OS. I know Microsoft has an online help service, but are there CDs or DVDs that can teach me how to troubleshoot Windows 98? --V. Randolph, Sr. Baltimore, MD A: Good question. Microsoft provides online...

Watch out for career scams: how to discern what counselors, coaches, and consultants actually do.(Making Connections)
October 1, 2003... Counselors. Coaches. Consultants. As the search for work intensifies, more of these services are cropping up, leaving many desperate job seekers confused. So, buyer, beware. In many cases, titles don't explain much, particularly since these...

Talk to me, baby: a doctor discovers how well children communicate.(Career At A Glance)
October 1, 2003... Dr. Debra Jervay-Pendergrass considered a career in pediatrics until she spoke with a friend who majored in speech language pathology and audiology. Jervay-Pendergrass recalls, "It piqued my interest because it involved allied health,...

Hold your tongue.(Since You Asked)(job interviewing tips)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Q: Since being laid off in June 2002, I've had a handful of interviews. Hiring managers usually ask me what I've been doing since my last job I give them a look like, "What do you think I've been doing? I've been looking for a job." I don't...

Smith, Graham & Company Investment Advisors L.P.(On The Move)(appoint Von C. Celestine)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Von C. Celestine has been appointed senior vice president, director of finance and administration, at Smith, Graham & Company Investment Advisors L.P. He is responsible for the finance, accounting, compliance, and administrative areas of the...

New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA).(On The Move)(Karol Corbin Walker elected president)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Karol Corbin Walker has been elected the 105th president of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA). The first African American in this position, she is responsible for heading the association's board of trustees, serving as its official...

Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC).(On The Move)(appoints Robert Willis)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Robert Willis was recently appointed president and CEO of the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC). Willis is responsible for expanding the Board of Advisors, increasing operational capital, improving member services, and re-establishing...

Belmont University's New Century.(On The Move)(Sybril M. Bennett appointed director of journalism program)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Sybril M. Bennett has been appointed executive director of Belmont University's New Century Journalism program. She will also serve as an assistant professor of journalism. Bennett is a former general assignment reporter for the CBS affiliate...

NEC Solutions (America) Inc.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Larry Sheffield has been appointed the new senior vice president of Server and OEM Products business units at NEC Solutions (America) Inc. He will be responsible for driving sales growth and marketing initiatives for both business units. He...

Conventional calendar.(powerplay)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... * National Black Public Relations Society October 2-5 New York City 323-466-8221 www.nbprs.org * National Bankers Association October 7-10 Houston 202-588-5432 www.nationalbankers.org * National...

Wealth on the go: by capitalizing on his technological expertise, Chris Galloway is enhancing his financial fortune: Galloway keeps up to date by using the latest in radiation treatment technology.(Black Wealth Initiative)
October 1, 2003... FOR CHRIS GALLOWAY, STAYING ON THE MOVE HAS meant staying in the money. Galloway, 41, is a radiation therapist and real estate investor. When he travels to hospitals, he uses highly technical equipment to deliver doses of ionizing radiation to...

When one, plus one, makes one: Michael and Regina Haney are working together on their finances for the first time.(Family Finances)
October 1, 2003... THIRTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL HANEY KNOWS WHAT he wants--to be a millionaire by age 60. He has looked at various ratios in meeting his goal to become debt free at age 40 and to amass half a million dollars by age 50. However, Haney's goals may be...

Rebound or release? Are financial markets ready to take off, or are we being set up for another fall?(Investment Roundtable)(Panel Discussion)
October 1, 2003... DOES ANYONE REMENBER WHAT A MARKET RALLY FEELS LIKE? The first half of 2003 certainly felt like one: stocks on the Dow Jones industrial average up some 13% and Nasdaq issues climbing a hearty 30% as of mid-August. We haven't seen such a steady...

Lower fees, higher returns: increase your portfolio performance by choosing among these 80 top-performing funds with the lowest expense ratios.(Mutual Fund Overview)
October 1, 2003... FINALLY, IT'S SAFE TO OPEN YOUR MAIL AGAIN. EVER SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2000, INVESTORS' MUTUAL FUND statements have gone from bad to worse. From the second quarter of 2000 through the first quarter of 2003, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, the...

Make the points add up: if used strategically, rewards points programs from your favorite credit cards can lead to substantial savings on airline tickets, hotels, and fine dining.(Consumer Life)
October 1, 2003... DAVID KNIGHT FLIES FOR FREE. FROM 1997 TO 2002, THE 39-YEAR-OLD FORMER TELECOMMUNIcations consultant charged an average of $6,000 worth of airline tickets, hotel stays, and other incidentals each month on his corporate American Express card,...

A man is not a plan: our special report shows why it pays for black women to master their finances.(Women & Their Finances)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... IF YOU GO TO WIFE.ORG, THE WEBSITE FOR THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE FOR Financial Education, you'll find a bevy of financial advice and an opportunity to get a free bumper sticker with the slogan: "A man is not a plan." Some may think it's feminist...

Single & free: lay the foundation for your financial future while you are relatively free of obligations.(Single No Children)
October 1, 2003... LIKE MANY YOUNG WOMEN, CHIRI HOLT ENJOYED LIVING THE SINGLE LIFE. WITH A LAW DEGREE in hand and no children to care for, she spent her income on dining and shopping, leaving little else for savings. But the 28 year old quickly learned that...

When everyone is counting on you: single mothers must face the challenges of providing for the present while planning for the future.(Single With Children)
October 1, 2003... SANDRA THOMPSON, 50, IS PART OF A GROWING TREND: SHE IS A SINGLE MOTHER BY CHOICE--not by circumstance. In 1995, Thompson decided she was financially secure enough to care for a child on her own. She adopted then 3-year-did Tames through the...

Working together: financial planning is key to protecting your family's assets.(Married With Children)
October 1, 2003... LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE THE SAME PLACE TWICE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE LESSANU FAMILY KNOWS this firsthand. In August 2002, Dawit, an IT professional at Booz-Allen Hamilton, was out of work. This August, his wife, Angel, a senior financial analyst for...

When you're better off apart: don't allow your financial security to become a casualty of divorce.(Divorced)
October 1, 2003... KAREN SAUNDERS-KILDARE WANTED TO TAKE CARE OF SOMEONE, WHILE HER HUSBAND attended college, she took on the role of primary household earner and handled all of the couple's finances. When her spouse completed his studies and landed a job, he...

Facing life without him: the emotional tragedy of widowhood can be compounded by poor financial decisions.(Widowed)
October 1, 2003... "I'M MANAGING, BUT I MISS JOSEPH," SAYS EDWINA LITTLEPAGE, WHOSE HUSBAND OF NEARLY 30 years died almost a year ago. As if the emotional toll of losing a spouse isn't, difficult enough, there are also financial pressures. "Not only did I have to...

What, me worry? Congratulations on your retirement. Make sure you don't outlive your savings.(Retired)
October 1, 2003... KAREN WILLIAMS FEARED SHE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO RETIRE. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE $21,000 buyout she received from Michigan's Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency earlier this year, Karen, who is 60, would still be working. She has...

Keys to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce.(Special Advertising Section)
October 1, 2003... The quote "You like me, you really like me," make famous by Sally Field at the 1985 Oscars holds new meaning for today's major companies. As the demographic landscape of the U.S. continues to shift, more corporations are changing their...

Diversity is our edge.(CIA)
October 1, 2003... At the Central Intelligence Agency, we recognize that the strength of America is in its diversity. Whether you represent a specific ethnicity, possess a wide range of career expertise or can offer an alternative perspective, your individuality...

Medtronic: Medtronic's new diversity initiative tells employees: "you make the difference".(Special Advertising Section)
October 1, 2003... At Medtronic, diversity refers not only to our product lines but also to complex demographic shifts that make personal differences vitally important in the workplace. "We recognize that in order to achieve the kind of growth we have...

Edward Jones.(Special Advertising Section)
October 1, 2003... At Edward Jones, we invest in creating wealth and career opportunities in the African-American and Latino communities. We offer individuals the opportunity to build careers and a presence in their communities, while maintaining a personal life....

American Express.(Special Advertising Section)
October 1, 2003... The WORLD is our ARENA American Express has operations in over 160 countries. What does that have to do with your degree of professional success? It means we are able to offer a world of opportunities in areas such as marketing...

IRS.(Special Advertising Section)
October 1, 2003... Employment opportunity and diversity at today's IRS The IRS today is an energetic organization whose services and operations contribute to the American landscape in ways yon may not even imagine. When you join the IRS yon will excel among...

Guidant.(Special Advertising Section)
October 1, 2003... Guidant is a world leader in the design and development of cardiovascular medical products. Our devices help patients with heart disease return to active and productive lives. We provide physicians with leading-edge technologies for improved...

Avon. (Special Advertising Section>.
October 1, 2003... Dream Big... At Avon, we believe that dreams can come true. Never has our dream of being the company for women shone as brightly as it does today as we set out on a bold new mission to build the next generation of Avon for our Customers....

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.(Special Advertising Section)
October 1, 2003... At Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, the U.S. pharmaceuticals business of the Novartis Group and a leader in health care, we put diversity to work in new, unique ways each and every day. We are profoundly committed to ensuring that each...

Pitney Bowes.(Special Advertising Section)
October 1, 2003... Diversity works at Pitney Bowes because it is inherent in the way the company does Business and is core value. Pitney Bowes has a long-term commitment to address the needs of an increasingly diverse global marketplace, and the personal...

Blind ambition: Robert Jones lost his eyesight, but his vision is crystal clear.(Guts & Glory)
October 1, 2003... It has been said that life is not just what you make it, it's what you make of it in your mind. Few people, of any age, have mastered the mind over matter approach as 23-year-old Robert Jones has. Blinded by a stray bullet at age 10, Jones sees...

The clenched fist: giving and receiving can be as simple as opening your hand.(Common Ground)
October 1, 2003... It was 1973 and Colleen was the new girl in school. She was long-legged, smart-mouthed, and had a slight scar on her face. That was all I knew about her until the day she snatched me in the staircase and threatened to tear me up if I didn't...

Success model wanted.(Help Yourself)
October 1, 2003... Q I am 26, and single, with no kids. I work as a cosmetologist and go to school full time, studying physical therapy. My dream is to become an actress and model. I really want a lot out of life. I know I'll get there, but what must I do? I...

Funny money: counterfeit money seams persist.(Buyer Beware)
October 1, 2003... This past July, an innocent brush with a counterfeit $20 bill at a Chick-fil-A restaurant almost cost Larry Ulmer his job, got him jail time, and caused him to fail a background cheek for a new position when he was just days away from signing...

Lower your thermostat! Tips to reduce your home heating bill.(Secret Savings)
October 1, 2003... For many of us in the U.S., winter is approaching. After running a cooling system all summer, you're eager to see the energy bill lower. Begin by understanding your current heating system, the mechanism, and its efficiency. Jeff Clayton,...

Free art! Gallery loans visual art to the public.(Priceless Resources)
October 1, 2003... The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., offers free art collections to the public! Institutions, community groups, and individuals can borrow videocassettes, CD-ROMs, and slides. Choose from collections of African, Spanish, and...

Debt collection.(Ask Your Advocate)
October 1, 2003... Q My husband and I have several bills that have been turned over to collection [agencies]. We don't have the extra funds to pay off these bills. Several of the collection agencies have called with settlement amounts. If we settle, would that...

En Garde! Herby Raynaud's fencing fancy.(Personal Passions)
October 1, 2003... For some, the idea of destiny is an abstract concept, one that is often left to contemplation and critical debate. However, for Herby Raynaud, destiny has been reality. At 32, the software developer technologist for the Union Bank of...

Copy this: an authenticity check of high-end handbags.(In Fashion)
October 1, 2003... You might think that a counterfeit handbag could only be found on the street--sold by hustlers or con men looking to make a fast dollar, Unfortunately, you could be just as easily taken when you shop in a boutique. Such occurrences, however,...

A San Francisco chronicle: George Dewey's view of the Bay.(City Profiles)
October 1, 2003... Known for temperate weather, an eclectic population, and (depending on whose list you read) being one of the "best" cities for a variety of reasons, the San Francisco Bay area is also a thriving business center. Oakland is recognized as a top...

Buenas vistas and other good things: it's the splendor of Las Casitas.(Travelogue)
October 1, 2003... As I lay in a dimly lit room surrounded by the warm scent of pineapple, the sounds of an Oriental composition resonate in my head. My soul and my spirit are calmed. The firm hands that massage a hot mix of salt and oil over all my nerve centers...

Swinger's club: William Dixon shows it takes more than drive to win.(The Enthusiast)
October 1, 2003... You may never be destined for green jacket distinction, but it is possible to bring star quality results to your golf game--regardless of your expertise. "There's room for improvement at every level," insists William E. Dixon III, PGA...

Registration underway: early bird registration will save you hundreds of dollars.(B.E./AXA Advisors Ski Challenge)
October 1, 2003... Your opportunity to save money for this upcoming Black Enterprise/AXA Advisors Ski Challenge, held next Feb. 11-16, 2004, at the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa in Vail, Colorado, is underway. Register today and you can get the entire ski or spa...

Recognizing gifted entrepreneurs.(Extra Options)
October 1, 2003... We are currently accepting nominations for next year's BLACK ENTERPRISE Small Business Awards. The public is encourage to nominate African-Americans from their communities. The deadline for 2004 award nominations is Jan. 16, 2004. Nominees must...

Creating an effective business network.(Next Month)
October 1, 2003... In today's ultracompetitive business environment, entrepreneurs must use every resource available to develop and maintain strategic relationships. It could mean the difference between profit and loss. How can you cultivate such valuable...