Black Enterprise articles from October 2008

Black Enterprise archives from October 2008

The retirement wizard.(BLACK ENTERPRISE.COM: YOUR ONLINE GUIDE TO WEALTH BUILDING)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Wouldn't it be fabulous if you could wave a wand and poof... all your money is invested in the right place, at the right time, and in the right amounts? Although life isn't quite that simple, the retirement articles you find at...

Best places to retire.(BLACK ENTERPRISE.COM: YOUR ONLINE GUIDE TO WEALTH BUILDING)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Take a closer look at our 20 cities best suited for you to live out your golden years. They're beautiful enough to take your breath away but affordable enough to keep your bank book balanced. ...

The costs of cancer.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Hospital stays, sick days, caretakers, and chemotherapy. With many cancers, black people are more likely to pay the price with their lives. But are we also spending more than other Americans in our efforts to stay alive? ...

Achieving the ideal retirement.(publisher's page)
October 1, 2008... One of the most important wealth-building goals you can set for yourself is to achieve a productive, fulfilling retirement. That's why each year we devote to this subject so many pages of BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine, segments of the Black...

Retiring the Black Enterprise way.(About This Issue)
October 1, 2008... A bountiful retirement has always been an integral part of the American dream. Working hard as a professional or entrepreneur to increase your earning power and socking away enough money to build a nest egg will ensure that your golden years...

Better examples?(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Although I was pleased to see an article that highlighted the correlation between the value of an M.B.A. and the brand of the institution at which it is earned ("Basic Training," July 2008), I was troubled that none...

Changing the focus.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... I RECENTLY DOG-EARED AN ARTICLE ON CREATING YOUR legacy by Marcia A. Reed-Woodard ("Creating Your Legacy," Motivation, July 2008). So often I hear people talking about "affording the opportunity" for others, and I realized that society has...

Educating through travel.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... I AM A FIRST-TIME READER OF BLACK ENTERPRISE AND was very impressed. I was well informed by your article on the top 40 corporations for diversity (July 2008), but I wished that your travel page was more informative and toward the front of the...

Urban (radio) expansion.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thank you, Black Enterprise, for the terrific feature on the state of black radio ("The Future of Black Radio," August 2008). The success of Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, Michael Baisden, Doug Banks, Wendy Williams, and...

Love for Oprah.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THANK YOU, BLACK ENTERPRISE, FOB YOUR JUNE 2008 ISSUE! OPRAH--THAT POWERHOUSE, that paradigm, that icon, that genius of a woman! Anybody who is somebody loves Oprah Winfrey. She is an African American who should be...

Correction.(Correction notice)
October 1, 2008... In "The 40 Best Companies for Diversity" (July 2008), a State Farm Insurance Cos, strength was misidentified. The correct strengths are Supplier Diversity and Senior Management.

United, if not unanimous: menthol cigarette issue smokes out Congressional Black Caucus.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
October 1, 2008... THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECENTLY PASSED the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, but not before the 43 members of the Congressional Black Caucus faced a perplexing detail about the legislation. The act, yet to be...

Swing vote? Young America's clout in choosing the next president.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
October 1, 2008... YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 18 TO 29, KNOWN AS MILLENNIALS or Generation Y, are making their presence felt during this presidential election. Voters under 30 are expected to head to the polls in droves. "Youth participation this election year will be...

Washington's new chief: Mark Whitaker fills Washington Bureau vacancy at NBC.(NEWSMAKERS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... WHEN MARK WHITAKER WAS SELECTED TO HEAD NBC'S Washington Bureau, a position formerly held by the late Tim Russert, the move was the latest in great achievements for the veteran journalist. Whitaker worked his way up the ranks at Newsweek...

Finding families: should race play a role in adoption policies?(FACTS & FIGURES)
October 1, 2008... IN ITS MAY 2008 REPORT, FINDING FAMILIES FOR AFRICAN American Children, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, a nonprofit that works to improve adoption policies, found that transracial adoptees (children whose race or ethnicity differs...

Congress passes housing bill: is it too little, too late?(PERSONAL FINANCE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT OF 2008, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on July 30, is intended to rescue homeowners unable to cope with their mortgage payments. Whether it will be enough...

Quantitative measures: Denean Williams' approach to stock picking helps investors cash in on small caps.(STOCK PICKS)(Denean Williams)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... There's potential in small-cap stocks. They offer the possibility of larger-than-average gains, especially when compared to indices such as the Standard & Poor's 500. But there's a catch. Their risk levels are also considerably higher. ...

Fixed-income highs and lows: Mary Pugh's bond portfolio rode out market woes.(STOCK UPDATE)
October 1, 2008... AS STOCKS SUFFERED OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE fixed-income investments recommended by Mary Pugh rode falling interest rates to healthy gains. Pugh, the president and chief investment officer of Pugh Capital Management in Seattle, correctly...

Retirement planning equals success: what African Americans must do to build their nest eggs.(Total Return)
October 1, 2008... WE ASK CHILDREN ALL THE TIME, WHAT THEY WANT TO do when they grow up. Kids frequently have a vision of how they imagine themselves as adults--what they want to do, who they want to be. Unfortunately, as we get older, many of us lose this...

When to hold a stock: sometimes resisting your urge to sell in a down market is the best strategy.(INVESTOR EDUCATION)
October 1, 2008... It's a normal impulse. You bought what seemed to be a solid, blue-chip company with prospects, but share prices have steadily slipped. And your gut has steadily tightened. Now you're ready to sell. But before you head for the exit, take a deep...

Buying foreclosed homes.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] QA I'm a first-time home buyer, and I want to purchase a foreclosed home. Where should I look? --Anonymous Via E-mail Foreclosure basically begins once a homeowner defaults on mortgage payments and the...

Easy as pie? Steady growth keeps family-owned bakery bustling.(MAKING IT)(Mommie Helen's Bakery )(Company overview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DOROTHY PRYOR ROSE HAD ALWAYS CONSIDERED HER mother's tasty homemade pies and cobblers priceless, but never anticipated the Hollywood buzz that has led to stellar profits. Inspiration for the Colton,...

Keeping things fresh: long-standing copreneurs need to reinvent their business tactics to stay afloat.(SMALL BUSINESS MAKEOVER)(Fresh, Fresh Seafood)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DARLENE AND RICKY PARKER BELIEVE THAT THE FOOD they serve in their restaurant, Fresh, Fresh Seafood, is so fresh you should say it twice. Their eatery in Towson, Maryland, offers customers the best of both worlds as...

From ideas to entrepreneur.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(ideas for protecting patents of inventors)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... QA I have six product ideas and designs patent pending. But whether it's because of a lack of connections, or trust issues with certain companies, my biggest obstacle is finding resources to help get my products out there. How can I find a...

A recipe for success: Malcolm Speller's AmniFPS helps companies reap the benefits of food processing.(BLACK DIGERATI)(AmniFPS International L.L.C)(Company overview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, MALCOLM SPELLER BEGAN PLANTing the seeds for his food processing company, AmniFPS International L.L.C, (www.amnifps.com). But even as he laid the groundwork to position himself in the global...

You can be green: how to tell if you're a good eco-citizen.(TECH NEWS)
October 1, 2008... MOST PEOPLE ABE FAMILIAR WITH THE THREE "RS" OF environmental consciousness: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Despite the current craze, green responsibility has rested largely with consumers who for decades have been urged to recycle paper, boxes,...

HP desktop 5000 series.(A FEW OF THE GREEN PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Product: HP Desktop 5000 series Why it's green: Hewlett Packard's Compaq dc5850 Small Form Factor PC meets the EPEAT Gold criteria. Features include HP Power Manager and Verdiem Surveyor, which allow users to manage and reduce their PC's...

Dell Vostro 410.(A FEW OF THE GREEN PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Product: Dell Vostro 410 Why it's green: Designed for small businesses, it conserves energy and saves customers money, while reducing C[O.sub.2] emissions. The Vostro Energy Smart 410 Desktop earned an EPEAT Gold standard and features the...

Canon's "Green Generation" printers (Pixma, Selphy, and ImageClass).(A FEW OF THE GREEN PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Product(s): Canon's "Green Generation" printers (Pixma, Selphy, and ImageClass) Why they're green: These ENERGY STAR qualified products offer integrated paper saving technology, minimized product packaging, and toner and device recycling....

Small office/home office solutions: six easy ways to green your office ... now!(COOL TOOLS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... With the growing awareness of environmental issues, it might be tempting to see going green as yet another fad made hip by celebrities and Madison Avenue execs. But thanks to a former presidential contender and Nobel laureate, these days we're...

Social networking butterfly.(CYBERWISE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Q A I would like to get involved in social networking for my business, but it seems like every time I look up, there's a new site. I don't want to end up with my profile in 20 different places. How do I choose? --Anonymous Via...

Disney magic: an enterprising professional grows his company's business.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(Jim Lews)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Name Jim Lews Title President, Disney Vacation Club Location Celebration, Florida Age 47 Power Play Increased Disney Vacation Club time-share ownership from 150,000 to 350,000...

New technology offers new opportunities: more corporate companies are using professional Websites to recruit employees.(MAKING CONNECTIONS)
October 1, 2008... SOCIAL NETWORKING HAS BECOME A PRIMARY MODE OF COMMUNICATION for today's younger generation, but social and professional networking sites are quickly becoming business tools for professionals and companies looking for candidates with desired...

Finding your niche.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Q A I'm a 24-year-old with a bachelor's of science in healthcare administration and planning along with a minor in business. I currently work as a financial analyst with one of the nation's top healthcare companies, but feel my talents...

Robert Boone.(On The MOVE)(Robert Boone new Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at BNI)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Robert Boone New Position: Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer Organization: BNI Location: Nashville, TN Responsibilities: Oversees recruitment, performance management, and employee...

Matt Carter.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Matt Carter New Position: Senior VP and General Hanger, Boost Mobile Organization: Sprint Corp. Location: Irvine, CA Responsibilities: Oversees marketing, sales and distribution, product...

Cheryl Spruill.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Cheryl Spruill New Position: Vice President of Corporate Compliance Organization: Prudential Location: Newark, NJ Responsibilities: Implementing and supervising compliance regulatory testing strategy for domestic businesses...

Michele Coleman Hayes.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michele Coleman Hayes New Position: Senior VP and General Counsel Organization: Allstate Corp. Location: Northbrook, IL Responsibilities: Oversees the corporation's legal and public-policy...

Christopher Kunney.(On The MOVE)(Christopher Kunney, new chief information officer and vice president of information services of Piedmont Healthcare)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Christopher Kunney New Position: Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Information Services Organization: Piedmont Healthcare Location: Atlanta Responsibilities: Directing information...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Calendar)
October 1, 2008... National Organization of Minority Architects 36th International Conference & Exposition Oct. 2-4; Washington, DC; 202-686-2780; www.noma.net 5th Annual Art off the Main African, Caribbean, and Latin American Art Fair Oct. 2-5; New...

Executive partners: a company's diversity efforts are only as good as its search firm.(CORPORATE INITIATIVES)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE CHALLENGE OF identifying diverse talent in corporate America is often focused on the company doing the hiring. But to fill a managerial or senior level position, companies--particularly those without a strong...

Cynthia McClain-Hill heads business woman's initiative.(DIVERSITY Q)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... THE CENTER FOR WOMEN'S BUSINESS RESEARCH REPORTS that of all minority-owned businesses, 42% are owned by women. Women of color employ L6 million people and generate nearly $230 billion in annual sales. Cynthia McClain-Hill, president of the...

Organizational behavior at PepsiCo.(CORPORATE INITIATIVES)
October 1, 2008... THE BIGGEST HURDLE FOR MOST MINORITIES IN CORPORATE America is not getting hired, it's retention and advancement--particularly for minorities who are middle managers looking to move into senior level positions. Ron Parker, PepsiCo's senior...

A business veteran gives back: William Granville's dream of educating inner-city youth lives on after 25 years.(Black Wealth Initiative: SECURING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Declaration of Financial Empowerment From this day forward. I declare my vigilant and lifelong commitment to financial empowerment and hereby pledge the following: 1 I will use homeownership as a foundation...

Stretching dollars: Jelani and Jarvis Hagewood must balance their budget after purchasing a home.(BLACK WEALTH INITIATIVE: Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 95)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NOW THAT THEY'VE PURCHASED A home, Jelani and Jarvis Hagewood find their budget getting squeezed. The Clarksville, Tennessee, couple bought a home in May despite some misgivings--the parents of Tyler, 14, and...

Surviving the banking storm: the mortgage crisis continues to wreak havoc in the financial world. Here's how you can protect your assets from this tempest.(SPECIAL REPORT)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANYONE WHO THOUGHT THE SUBPRIME-FUELED housing crisis was going to dissipate in the near future had a rude awakening in July. The meltdown of trillion-dollar companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac prompted legislators...

Beating cancer: how survivors used action and education to win their battles against this deadly disease.(EXECUTIVE HEALTH)(Denise Roberts)
October 1, 2008... DENISE ROBERTS HAS DEFIED THE odds and beaten cancer twice. Close to 20 years ago, Roberts, then 34, was given a clean bill of health from her doctor and was even told that there wasn't any reason for her to get a mammogram. "I was under 40. He...

Developing your energy fund portfolio: even though the stock market has touched bear territory, investors can discover a gusher of profits through these high-octane investments.(THE MONEYWISE 100)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "OIL AND GAS PRICES ARE AT RECORD highs and there's no relief in sight," says Bryan K. Robinson, 38, an account manager for REACH Media, parent company of the nationally syndicated radio program The Tom Joyner...

Solving the retirement income puzzle: how will baby boomers generate income during their golden years?(RETIREMENT PLANNING)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHILE SOME BOOMERS may have lived for the present at the expense of the future, Curtis and Hope Lee of Grand Prairie, Texas, don't fit that description. Retirement struck this couple as an inevitability they wanted...

20 best places to retire: whether you're retiring now or just thinking about it, these cities offer a great lifestyle without straining your nest egg.(RETIREMENT PLANNING)(Cover story)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEN CHUCK AND LORRAINE BRAUD Hill of Irvine, California, mulled over where to set down retirement roots, their decision was dictated by quality of life concerns. California's declining services, crumbling...

An elder prince: a prestigious doctor who never gave up inspires many with his story.(TRIALS & TRIUMPHS)(Valiere Alcena)
October 1, 2008... "I AM KNOW AS THE FATHER OF THE MOVEMENT TO eliminate disparity in healthcare," says Dr. Valiere Alcena. "I wrote the book when nobody would even dare talk about the subject." As an internist at White Plains Hospital Center, clinical...

Say your piece: grab hold of the elephant in the room and have those difficult conversations.(PEAK PERFORMANCE)
October 1, 2008... There are a number of "touchy" subjects centered on the black community--from high school dropout rates and teen pregnancy to absentee fathers. While some would rather see these and other contentious issues swept under the rug, actor and...

Of rhyme and reason.(PEP TALK)(how to start publishing your own works)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Q A I have been working on a book of poems for the past two years. Unfortunately, I don't know how to get my work published. How do I know who I can trust? Do you have any suggestions? --L.L.H. Houston It's natural to feel...

Do-it-yourself home energy audit: evaluating your needs will put dollars in your pocket.(CONSUMER EMPOWERMENT)
October 1, 2008... DURING THESE TRYING ECONOMIC times, you're most likely looking for ways to cut costs wherever you can. One way is by reducing the amount of energy you use. The average household spends about $1,900 on energy costs annually, according to the...

Get your affairs in order: prepare now for the unexpected.(B.E. REVIEWS)(If Something Happens to Me estate planning kit)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2008... Any financial adviser will tell you how critical it is to have your affairs in order should you become incapacitated or die, yet many people dread preparing for the unexpected. Drawing up detailed documents on how you want your assets handled,...

Passport to savings?(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(using passport cards can reduce travel costs)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Q A I'm trying to cut back on travel costs. I've been hearing about passport cards and how they're cheaper than a regular passport book. What's the difference? Should I buy the card instead? --R. Johnson New York City Passport...

In self-defense: sales executive Henry Watkins flexes his skills as a tae kwon do black belt.(PERSONAL PASSIONS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE MORE THAN FIVE YEARS SINCE Henry Watkins reacquainted himself with his childhood love--tae kwon do. As the global travel director for Doubledown Media L.L.C., Watkins says his return to the...

Gourmet getaway: three stellar culinary excursions that serve up much more than treats for the palate.(FIRST-CLASS TICKET)
October 1, 2008... Culinary tourism offers adventurous and enriching encounters beyond cooking classes and demos: You can dine out, visit a farmer's market, go gourmet-food shopping, attend food and wine festivals, tour a wine trail or sample local vintages....

Mario on overcoming adversity.(Backtalk)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... THESE DAYS, A DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD SEEMS LESS AND LESS AN ANOMALY, HOWEVER, OVERCOMING IT IS still a feat few can accomplish, which is why multiplatinum recording artist Mario is lending a hand. As the oldest of several siblings, the 22-year-old...