Black Enterprise articles from September 2004

Black Enterprise archives from September 2004

M? Franchising FAQs.(Web Features)
September 1, 2004... After reading "10 Hottest Deals in Franchising" (this issue) and deciding which company fits your interests and budget, you may still have some questions, especially if you're new to franchising. We hope to provide the answers you need....

Conference hopping.(Web Features)
September 1, 2004... Every year, thousands of organizations hold conferences to facilitate an environment conducive to networking; disseminate information to members, staff, and customers; and unveil their latest products. Learn how to determine which conferences....

Franchise finder.(Web Tools)
September 1, 2004... www.blackenterprise.com/franchise finder Select from franchises that suit your interests and open your dream business today!

Get $25 when you invest.(Web Tools)
September 1, 2004... www.blackenterprise.com/bemoney ShareBuilder and blackenterprise.com allow you to invest online through automatic, recurring dollar-based investments.

Resource line.(Web Columns)
September 1, 2004... Whatever your professional or entrepreneurial needs, you can find advice at blackenterprise.com. interactive Media Editor Latif Lewis' column provides useful resources for business owners, corporate executives, and budding investors....

Web highlights.(Web Columns)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... JOB SEARCH Give yourself a free career makeover using our online job search. B.E. NOW ON TV AND RADIO Look for streaming video and audio clips from our latest business news ventures. HOMEOWNERSHIP Find out the steps you need to take to...

We are the difference.(Publisher's Page)(presidential elections of United States of America)
September 1, 2004... What a difference a presidential Election Day makes. In 2000, George W. Bush ascended to the White House. despite failing to win the popular vote, after a cliffhanger election decided not by voters, but by the Supreme Court. We now know that...

The power behind B.E. research.(About This Issue)
September 1, 2004... Ever wonder how the BE 100s are put together, or how we develop our various lists throughout the year? The B.E. research division of our marketing department is where we turn. Whenever a person or department needs crucial information presented...

The home run king.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I just finished reading the cover story "Power Hitter" [June 2004] about baseball great Hank Aaron and thoroughly enjoyed it. As a child in the 1970s, I enjoyed watching Hank Aaron chase [Babe Ruth's home run record! and was happy when he...

Simply superb.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... ON OCCASION, I WILL PICK UP A MAGAZINE AND OPEN it to find tremendous content. The June 2004 issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE is simply superb. I must say that, as a black man, I am motivated to employ every tool available to make my struggle a...

For the record.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER STELLAR ISSUE ON the BE 100s [June 2004]. Your coverage of ad agency UniWorld Group ["Now That Black Is In, Are Black Agencies Out?"] included some top level changes and creative successes, but did not mention...

An inspired illustrator.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... READING YOUR ARTICLE ON KYLE BAKER IN YOUR JUNE 2004 issue ["They Pay You To Do What?"] really inspired me as a cartoonist and as an illustrator. I am in my mid-to late 30s and I have been drawing since i was six years old. Right now, my comic...

A true reformer.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I READ YOUR STORY ON BANKER MAGGIE LENA WALKER ["Remembering Maggie Lena Walker: The Making of A Black Bank," June 2004]. Another story, just as great, is about Rev. W.W. Brown, who was the only black member of the Fraternal Order of True...

Closing the homeownership gap.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I was elated to see the recent change in the first principle [to use homeownership to build wealth] of the Declaration of Financial Empowerment (DOFE). As a licensed realtor, I [know that] the disparity in homeownership between African...

Building bridges.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... AFRO-LATINOS--CAN THEY BRIDGE THE GAP? ["THE AFRO-LATINO Connection," February 2004]. When I was in the U.S. Navy in the mid-80s, in the crew was a guy who was very dark-skinned, with "kinky" hair. He told us black men that he was not...

La-Van Hawkins linked to Philadelphia corruption probe: B.E. 100s CEO faces fraud, perjury charges.(B.E. 100s)
September 1, 2004... La-Van Hawkins, CEO of La-Van Hawkins Food & Entertainment Group L.L.C. (No. 13 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $293 million in sales), went from an impoverished youth in Chicago's Cabrini Green housing development to the creator and...

Lonely at the top: blacks are a fraction of top editors at mainstream magazines.(Diversity News)
September 1, 2004... When BLACK ENTERPRISE did its insider review of the magazine industry ("Changing the Face of the Magazine Industry," August 1995), the number of African American chief editors at the largest titles could be counted on one hand. Almost a decade...

Former B.E. 100s clerk faces prison time.(Black Enterprise Industrial/Service 100:TeleCommunication Systems Inc.)
September 1, 2004... A former employee of wireless data company TeleCommunication Systems Inc. (No. 37 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/ SERVICE 100 list with $92.1 million in sales) pleaded guilty re one count of bank fraud June 4 in a federal court in Baltimore after...

Jackmont Hospitality acquires four T.G.I. Friday's restaurants.(Business News)
September 1, 2004... Jackmont Hospitality Inc. is breaking new ground with the recent acquisition of four T.G.I. Friday's urban-based restaurants. Jackmont has owned and operated the T.G.I. Friday's restaurant at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport...

MBC Network changes name to Black Family Channel.(Newsbytes)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... The Major Broadcasting Cable Network, the only African American owned and operated cable television network, is repositioning itself in the marketplace by changing its name to the Black Family Channel. It aims to produce family programming, as...

Illinois Lottery selects RJ Dale as its new general market advertising agency.(Newsbytes)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Illinois Lottery selects RJ Dale as its new general market advertising agency. RJ Dale Advertising & Public Relations (No. 14 on the BE ADVERTISING AGENCIES list with $26.4 million in billings) beat out 13 other agencies that responded to the...

NFL Hall of Famer and former head coach Art Shell named senior vice president for football operations and development.(Newsbytes)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... NFL Hall of Famer and former head coach Art Shell named senior vice president for football operations and development. Shell, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989 after a stellar career as a tackle for the Oakland-Los Angeles Raiders...

Same markets, new marketplaces: in a tough economy, black women find business opportunities in new regions.(Facts & Figures)
September 1, 2004... African American women are driving business to new frontiers. In a study titled African American Women-Owned Businesses in the, United States, 2002, the Center for Women's Business Research found that opportunities for African American women...

A step toward independence: a downsized IT professional looks to real estate for economic freedom.(Investment Strategies)
September 1, 2004... Rufus Samuels and his wife, Angela, have been married for three years and had their first child in July. Like most Americans, the Orange, New Jersey, couple, both 32, was impacted by the recent recession. Rufus was a senior quality assurance...

Look at the big economic picture: Ron Johnson says in a changing economy, company performance drives portfolio growth.(Private Screening)
September 1, 2004... Ronald A. Johnson, chief strategist at Smith, Graham & Co. Investment Advisor L.P., says there's more to selecting stocks than analyzing a company's balance sheet. Johnson, who is responsible for establishing investment strategies for both...

Diversification pays: Dawn Alston Paige of Piedmont Investment Advisors used large and small companies to stay ahead of the market.(Stock Update)
September 1, 2004... Last year, when it appeared that the bear market had ended but a bull market had not yet begun, Dawn Alston Paige, portfolio manager at Durham, North Carolina-based Piedmont Investment Advisors, decided to use a diversified approach when she...

Real estate reality check: authors of Ariel/Schwab survey say investing in property requires caution.(Investment Insight)
September 1, 2004... Traditionally African Americans have valued real estate as the best investment around, but according to the authors of the Ariel/Schwab Black Investor Survey, it may not be the best investment vehicle for retirement. This year's survey...

Ticker symbol search.(Ask B.E.)(http://finance.yahoo.com)(www.morningstar.com)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... QA What Websites do you recommend when looking for a company's stock ticker symbol when you only have the company name? --T. Johnson Via the Internet A ticker symbol is the unique identification that stock exchanges worldwide give...

Making dough: Warren Brown is baking his way to success.(Making It)
September 1, 2004... For the buzz it generates. Cake Love is tinier than one might imagine. Situated along a hip corridor of upscale bars and restaurants, a yoga studio, and a locksmith, the shop has two ovens, a stove, a walk in refrigerator, counters for...

Business and pleasure: mixing work and fun makes for a motivated, productive workforce.(Management Advice)
September 1, 2004... Except for the fact that employees must wear company-made shoes, there is no dress codes at DETNY Footwear Inc. That comes in handy every other Friday, when the New York-based footwear designer's 11 employees gather around an in-house putting...

Sisters in fitness: three siblings got their health club off the ground.(Making It)(SB Fitness Complex)
September 1, 2004... Then three sisters from Milwaukee decided to open a fitness center several years ago, more than just a few people snickered at their lofty ambition. To some, the notion of opening a successful health club that catered to African American women...

Quid pro quo: bartering is a cashless alternative to conducting business.(Management Advice)
September 1, 2004... Bartering--trading what you have for what you want without using money--is the world's oldest form of commerce and dates back to when hunters first traded animal skins for flint spears. But today, bartering has become the modern way to business...

Franchise financing.(Savvy Solutions)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... QA How can a regular guy like myself receive financing for a franchise or even find an investor who is willing to front the money while I run the business? --A. Little Via the Internet Keep in mind that one of the benefits of...

Loud and clear: CEO hopes to find international audience for multimedia services.(Black Digerati)(DAVE Networks)
September 1, 2004... You might want to start looking for that soft spot on your couch, because the way Ken Lipscomb sees it, there isn't a better time than this fall to unveil the lineup of programs on his virtual broadcasting network. Lipscomb's company, DAVE...

Come fly with me: a few sites offer discounted airfare, but comparison shopping is the best strategy.(Quick Trips)(BetterBidding.com )
September 1, 2004... The convenience of online travel booking has sent many agents the way of the dinosaur. For international travel, multiple destinations, other special trips, an agent might be your best bet, but for the do-it-yourselfer searching for a great...

A little business, a little fun: New Jersey family experiences a wireless tech boom.(Networked Living)
September 1, 2004... Derris Boomer says his family lives by their home network. And they certainly get a lot from their modest investment of time and money to hitch their computers to the hub. Derris, 34, is a senior applications analyst at a high-end retail...

Big Mac attack? A wake-up call for OS X users.(B.E. Reviews)(operating system)
September 1, 2004... Macintosh users have had some bragging rights over their Windows counterparts for various reasons, not the least of which is "malware"--viruses, worms, and Trojan horses--that is a frequent pain to Windows users. But on March 20, 2004, a "proof...

Storage on the go.(Cyberwise)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... QA I have a few of those key drives and they're really good for storing data and other media on the fly. How secure are these devices? What if lost a drive? Is there any was to protect my information? --R. Douglas Via the Internet ...

Relax, relate, release: yes, there's pressure on the job--but there's also a way to handle it.(In Box)
September 1, 2004... "This is our third [junior high school] administrator in the past four years. And because there is a lack of leadership, it puts more of a burden on the teachers," says Veronica Lynn Cox, a 45-year-old junior high school teacher and adjunct...

Resume face lift: tailor your experience when pursuing a major career change.(Making Connections)
September 1, 2004... As an attorney looking for work, Mary Lee Davis was actually changing gears. Her professional background was in social work. Davis used the skills she acquired in that area, such as her expertise in counseling, to fine-tune her resume for a...

While I'm gone: transitioning into--and back from--family and medical leave.(In Box)
September 1, 2004... With the birth of his son, Quincy, last spring, Phillip Williams took a six-month paternity leave from his job. "I wanted to experience the birth and the early days. I wanted to exhaust all of the resources I had to spend time with [him],"...

Focus on fundraising.(Since You Asked)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... QA I am a 32-year-old black woman with a business management degree, and I would like to start a career in fundraising. I have promoted several fundraisers for organizations that were quite successful. Should I go back to college to pursue a...

Jazz at Lincoln Center.(On The Move)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... 1 Derek Gordon has been appointed executive director for Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) in New York City as the organization settles into its new home, Frederick P. Rose Hall. Gordon will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the...

Marriott International Inc.(On The Move)(Debra L. Lee elected)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... 2 Debra L. Lee has been elected to the board of directors for Marriott International Inc. The board, along with its independent committees is charged with evaluating and challenging Marriott's strategic plans. approving the appointment of...

Debevoise & Plimpton L.L.P.(On The Move)(James E. Johnson partner)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... 3 James E. Johnson has been named partner in Debevoise & Plimpton L.L.P.'s litigation department. He will focus on criminal defense and internal investigations in the firm's white-collar practice group, a major part of the firm's 220-lawyer...

National Black MBA Association.(On The Move)(Barbara L. Thomas appointed)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... 4 Barbara L. Thomas has been appointed president and CEO of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA). She plans to raise the organization's visibility, increase its membership, and strengthen the organization's relationships with its members...

Smith Whiley & Co.(On The Move)(Sharon Morrow appointed)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... 5 Sharon Morrow has been appointed senior vice president of marketing and client services at Smith Whiley & Co. She is responsible for Smith Whiley's marketing and client servicing initiatives, Morrow has more than 20 years of marketing, client...

Convention calendar.(Powerplay)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
September 1, 2004... 11th Annual Black Enterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge Sept. 2-6, 2004; Miami; 800-209-7229; www.blackenterprise.com/begt.asp Jackie Robinson Foundation 5th Annual JPMorgan Chase Golf Classic Sept. 13, 2004; Montclair, NJ; 212-290-8600,...

Community crusader: Drunia Duvivier is purchasing property to help revitalize her neighborhood and her lifestyle.(Black Wealth Initiative)
September 1, 2004... Drunia M. Duvivier not only owns--but leases out and lives in--her three-level property located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York. The former Morgan Stanley executive, who now describes herself as an active red estate...

Plotting a new direction: Arthur Vaughn is rebuilding his finances after divorce.(Financial Black Fitness Enterprise Contest Winner No. 51)
September 1, 2004... THE PROCESS OF DIVORCE CAN BE emotionally painful, especially if it's a bad breakup. But even with amicable splits, divorce can be financially taxing on both parties. Issues such as child support, spousal maintenance, and division of assets can...

10 hottest deals in franchising: from food services to hospitality, we identify the best opportunities for African Americans.(Franchises)(Williams Chicken)
September 1, 2004... TO BE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER you have to take some risks. Perhaps no one knows this better than Jannetta Wells Allen, owner of two Williams Chicken franchises in Dallas and Tyler, Texas. In 1988, Hiawatha Williams, owner of Williams...

What to do as interest rates rise: following these investment tips can help you keep pace with inflationary pressure.(Money Management)
September 1, 2004... WHEN KARIM WEBB GOES TO CLOSE his next real estate deal, he'll try to lock in a mortgage rate as early as possible. That's because in the current market, if he allows 30 days to go by on a deal he could end up paying more. The 30-year-old...

A time to sell? Your investments can provide signs that tell you the best time to unload them.(Investing)
September 1, 2004... WHENEVER CYNTHIA BASDEN IS CONCERNED over negative news reports about a company that she owns stock in, she calls her financial adviser and tells him to sell. Fortunately, her adviser, Charles Jenkins of Wachovia Securities, usually talks her...

Extreme make over: how good do you look on paper? Here's how to produce an effective resume.(Career Strategies)
September 1, 2004... CATHERINE MACKEL, AN INFORMATION technology expert, is employed, but her current resume hasn't landed her any interviews. "My resume isn't working well for me at all," says Mackel, 35. "[It's] posted on at least five different resume sites....

The best CEO in Silicon Valley: John Thompson has transformed Symantec into a multibillion-dollar security software juggernaut.(Corporate Executive Of The Year)
September 1, 2004... On the occasional summer day when John W. Thompson manages to get away from it all, he can be spotted along the riverbanks of Alaska's waterways. Fishing rod in hand and fly securely tied to hook, he'll carefully scout the wooded shoreline for...

The fashion elite: they are tastemakers and style purveyors--the power brokers behind the seams who put fashionable trends in motion.(Executive Style)
September 1, 2004... African Americans have long been associated with influencing fashion and its trends. It's also no secret that we are big consumers of style. According to Target Market News, African Americans spent $22.9 billion on clothing in 2002. What we...

Remembering the African American godmother of tennis: Althea Gibson 1927-2003.(Book Excerpt)(Excerpt)
September 1, 2004... Venus and Serena Williams have dominated Wimbledon for four of the last five years. Venus won the Wimbledon title in 2000 and 2001 when she defeated Lindsay Davenport and Justine Henin; and Serena won the Wimbledon title in 2001 and 2003 when...

A conversation with authors Frances Clayton Gray & Yanick Rice Lamb.(Interview)
September 1, 2004... When Frances Clayton Gray, executive director of the Althea Gibson Foundation and executor of the Althea Gibson Estate, was looking for a writer to help her write the authorized biography of the legendary black tennis player, Yanick Rice Lamb...

Not just tiger and serena: African Americans are excelling in other "white" sports.(Changing Times)
September 1, 2004... Athens, Greece, the historical playground for courageous athletes, sets the stage for the 2004 Olympic Games. World spectators eagerly await these contestants who promise to perform at the highest levels in a setting that combines athleticism,...

A lady on an Olympic mission: Zina Garrison to coach U.S. Olympic tennis team.(Tennis News)
September 1, 2004... Long before the Williams sisters hit the pros, Zina Garrison was paving the way for African American women on the tennis courts. An impressive 15-year career, her record, which boasts 37 titles (14 singles, 20 doubles, and three mixed doubles),...

Legal eagle flies above the golf course: Eve Wright is one of the first black women to work for the LPGA.(Professional Profile)(Ladies Professional Golf Association)
September 1, 2004... Eve Wright is the first to admit that she doesn't give up a fight easily. Growing up in Indianapolis, Wright remembers negotiating every point with her parents and being unremittingly candid. Perhaps it is these characteristics that pointed her...

Finding peace in faraway places: the prevention and cure of common stress-related illnesses is only an airline ticket away.(Travel Talk)
September 1, 2004... The workday blues are beginning to fray your nerve beyond repair, and stress is threatening your well-being. If the cure for whatever ails you doesn't come in a bottle, box, or a medicine cabinet, it may be time to take a wellness vacation far...

Developing tomorrow's golfers today: an exciting year for the National Minority Junior Golf Scholarship Association.(Golf Charity)
September 1, 2004... Mastering the art of golf is not easy. It requires both a sense of discipline and the ability to focus--characteristics that are also integral to competing in the game of life. The National Minority Junior Golf Scholarship Association (NMJGSA)...

Always giving: the Harlem Junior Tennis Program offers a helping hand to young, aspiring tennis players.(Tennis Charity)
September 1, 2004... With the huge success of tennis players Serena and Venus Williams, it isn't any surprise that the larger-than-life role models have had an enormous impact on today's youth. More and more African American children are heading to nearby courts to...

Financing your franchise business: means of securing capital.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... How much money do you need to start a business? Start-up costs for franchises can range from $5,000 to several million. In an IFA survey conducted in 1998 on franchising, 88% of franchisors charge an initial franchise fee of $40,000 or...

Seeing is believing: creating a vision to guide your team to success.(Peak Performance)(Book Review)
September 1, 2004... King Solomon rendered sound business advice when he wrote Proverbs 29:18: "Where there is no vision, the people perish...." That same mantra holds true in your business setting whether you're the boss of two or 200 employees. According to Dick...

Listen up! Your life is trying to tell you something.(Pep Talk)
September 1, 2004... Have you ever heard that little voice trying to tell you, "Uh oh, don't do that!" or "Good job. Keep up the great work!" No, it's not your imagination. According to Valorie Burton, in her book Listen to Your Life (Waterbrook Press; $13.99),...

Music ministry.(Help Yourself)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... QA I've always been a writer. At first I wrote just poetry, but recently I've started to write gospel songs. My problem is I don't write music; I only know how to write the lyrics and how I want the melody to go. I have over 50 songs on paper,...

Raw deal: avoid these consumer scams at all costs.(Did You Know?)(Identity Theft Resource Center )
September 1, 2004... We all know to beware of would-be thieves who rummage through garbage cans, in hopes of finding any bit of info--like a Social Security number--for illegal gain. But it doesn't stop there. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center...

False alarm: too many calls to your local police can cost you money.(Consumer Alert)
September 1, 2004... Many a homeowner resting safe and secure has been awakened by the deafening sound of his or her home's security system. "It scared me half to death," says Ann Marie Sutherland of Martinsburg, West Virginia, recalling the ear-piercing sound that...

Duped by designer doubles: are knockoffs worth the price?(Buyer Beware)
September 1, 2004... With two kids, Dorill Connell-Lake can't afford a real Louis Vuitton bag. She bought an imitation LV for $60 while on a trip to New York City last year. Connell-Lake is not, alone in her desire to acquire the appearance of haute couture....

Giving freely: volunteer your time at organizations around the country.(Priceless Resources)(Affiliates of Pro Literacy Worldwide)(Little Brothers)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Time doesn't have to mean money when volunteering. For instance, you can cultivate more of your cultural side through Business Volunteers for the Arts (www.artsand business.org). The organization needs volunteers to consult with dance, music,...

Secured credit cards.(Ask Your Advocate)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... QA Recently, I obtained a secured credit card through my bank in an effort to maintain my credit standing. However, I have heard about banks that offer secured cards that match your account deposit dollar for dollar. Could you please send me a...

Soul on ice: William Douglas guards the crease.(Personal Passions)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Most people are happy knowing they'll never have a slice of vulcanized rubber slapped toward them at velocities above highway speed limits. William Douglas isn't one of them. He's a hockey aficionado. Not just a fan--a player. And not just any...

Getting started.(Lifestyle: your entree to new and exciting possibilities)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Know the costs. Goalie equipment can be expensive, A good pair of skates can cost $150 to $400; padding, a mask, and stick can bring the total cost to $3,000 for a child and $4,000 for an adult. Do some reading. Cecil Harris' Breaking the...

Ah! Spa: an Eastern European approach to wellness.(Travelogue)
September 1, 2004... According to the International Spa Association, American spas clocked more than 156 million visits in 2001. To keep pace, spa treatments--particularly those associated with luxury hotels--have become increasingly exotic, with ingredients such...

Fit to be tied: New York designer directs neckwear fashions.(In Fashion)
September 1, 2004... Anthony T. Kirby, the stylish haberdasher who caters to style needs of the fashion-challenged, is a rarity in these days of mass production. That suits the 38-year old designer just fine. A fashion history buff, Kirby designs menswear inspired...

Vail cascade resort & spa.(Ski Challenge)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Ensconced ill the midst of the magnificent Colorado mountains, the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa is a luxurious, four-diamond ski resort providing unlimited options in cold weather sports, epicurean dining, and sumptuous accommodations. The...

By popular demand.(Black Enterprise Financial Empowerment Series)(wealth-building principles)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... You asked, and we delivered. The BLACK ENTERPRISE Financial Empowerment Series is back by popular request, with the next seminar taking place Sept. 15 in Detroit. When we launched our Financial Empowerment Series earlier this year. We were...

Today's top colleges.(Next Month)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Next month is the release of BLACK ENTERPRISE'S highly anticipated biennial list of Top 50 Colleges for African Americans, the authoritative resource on colleges and universities that are best for the next generation of leaders--our children....