Black Enterprise articles from September 2008

Black Enterprise archives from September 2008

The election connection.(BLACK ENTERPRISES.com)
September 1, 2008... Barack Obama can certainly fire up a crowd, but will his pick for vice president spark that same enthusiasm? What do black Republicans see in John McCain? Which platform will most benefit your small business and healthcare plans? Let...

Black Enterprise's top 50 colleges for African Americans.(BLACK ENTERPRISES.com)
September 1, 2008... Tour BE'S top colleges list, then enroll in these breakout sessions to help put your student at the head of the class. * Admissions checklist * Cost-cutting for college * Deciphering financial aid * White schools, black...

Franchise fitness.(BLACK ENTERPRISES.com)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Purchasing a franchise is not an investment for the faint of heart. But for those with a determined spirit and a clear course of action, it can be a successful venture. * Learn how to choose a franchise that is...

Your trusted resource in a tough economy.(publisher's page)
September 1, 2008... When history delivers its ultimate verdict on the year 2008, there is no doubt that it will be a distinctly memorable time for most Americans. On the one hand, it will be remembered as an exciting time of hope and change, symbolized most...

We are B.E.(About This Issue)
September 1, 2008... We hail from some of the top colleges found in this issue. We are brilliant, driven, and enthusiastic. Selected for these traits and others that made us ideal candidates to join the ranks of a company dedicated to our success, we are the BLACK...

Lessons from the top.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I really enjoy the knowledge, stories, and information provided in your great publication; however. I do have one request. I would love for BLACK ENTERPRISE to do a feature called Tales from the Bottom Up, pieces in...

Benevolent benefits.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... THANK YOU FOR "DO GOOD, GET RICH" IN YOUR MAY 2008 ISSUE. THE article affirmed my belief that in order to truly be successful and fulfilled, you must help others. My name is Jumoke Dada, and I am CEO of Signature RED (launching in 2009) and...

Something in common.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I thoroughly enjoyed the June 2008 article "Oprah Means Business." I am a huge ban of Oprah's, and this is, by far, the best article that I have read about her. Many only dream o6 the success she has attained. I love...

Reaching the bar.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... I HAVE SUBSCRIBED TO BLACK ENTERPRISE FOR YEARS now, and it was there that I was first introduced to Keith Wyche as a top executive. If we become what we read (and we do), Good Is Not Enough by Keith Wyche with Sonia Alleyne (excerpted in...

Black business network.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... I HAVE INTERMITTENTLY READ BLACK ENTERPRISE MAGAZINE over the years and have always liked your product. Your TV show is great and your Website is great, but I feel that there is a serious void when it comes to the "esprit de corps" (group...

Fiscal face-off: Obama and McCain battle over economic plans and tax policies.(WASHINGTON REPORT)(Barack Obama and John McCain on economic policies and tax policies)
September 1, 2008... ANYONE WHO DOUBTS THAT THE American dollar just isn't what it used to be need look no further than the nation's record job losses, exorbitant food and gas prices, and unprecedented home foreclosure rates. These and other bread-and-butter issues...

Renetta McCann leaving CEO post: influential executive announces sabbatical from Starcom MediaVest.(NEWSBYTES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... RENETTA MCCANN, ONE OF THE most powerful and influential black women in business and advertising, is stepping down as global CEO of Chicago-based Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), one of the world's top five media agencies. McCann, 52, will take a...

November trifecta? Congressional seats up for grabs.(WASHINGTON REPORT)
September 1, 2008... IN WHAT COULD BE A POLITICAL TRIPLE PLAY, THE Democratic Party, which has held the majority of seats in both chambers of Congress since 2006, is looking to control the Senate, the House, and the Oval Office. With a record number of retiring...

A whopper of a deal: C.H. James & Co. expands Burger King franchise.(B.E. 100S)
September 1, 2008... Charles H. "Chuck" James III continues to reposition his family-owned company into the quick service restaurant business. Exclusively a Burger King franchisee, James has opened a new store in Chicago and acquired four more in Kenosha,...

SENTEL lands $487 million deal: company to provide U.S. Army with sensor technology.(B.E. 100S)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA-BASED SENTEL CORP. (NO. 90 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $45 million in revenues) has snared a five-year service contract with the U.S. Army worth up to $487 million. SENTEL will support the Arrays Night...

Casualties of war: middle-income families greatest victims of Iraq combat.(FACTS & FIGURES)
September 1, 2008... THE GROWING TOLL OF MILITARY CAUSALITIES IN IRAQ and Afghanistan has raised the question of who is bearing the burden of military service. A common belief has been that minorities and low-income families are disproportionately impacted by...

Money management for college grads: self-discipline is key to avoiding debt pitfalls.(PERSONAL FINANCE)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AS 22-YEAR-OLD BROOKE BRACKENS KICKED OFF HER final year of studies at Texas Southern University this past September, the marketing major also started something else: her job search. Getting an eight-month head...

Trend spotter: Kevin Moore follows trading activity and stock price directions to track shares.(STOCK PICKS)(Interview)
September 1, 2008... We all know how basic supply and demand relationships govern economics. Together, they guide markets and set prices for all sorts of things as varied as real estate, showroom Hummers, and food at the local grocery store. They also move company...

How sweet it is: Nestle keeps this portfolio from going sour.(STOCK UPDATE)
September 1, 2008... SHARES OF THE SWISS FOOD AND BEVERAGE GIANT Nestle SA rose a sweet 13.4% over the year, lifting into positive territory the overall return for three stocks picked by MFS Investment Management portfolio manager Marcus L. Smith. His choices...

Help is out there: the Gardners learned from their mistakes and found a suitable adviser.(PERSONAL FINANCE)(Rohan and Angel Gardner )
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IF YOU'VE BEEN DISAPPOINTED BY THE RETURNS ON your investments during this prolonged economic downturn, you might be thinking of seeking an overhaul from a professional adviser. A skilled financial planner can be...

Three things you should know about dividend funds: find out why this vehicle offers security in uncertain times.(INVESTOR INSIGHT)
September 1, 2008... DIVIDEND-PAYING STOCKS PROVIDE INVESTORS PEACE OF MIND AND WORK AS a great shelter in a volatile market. The reason: They put a solid return into investors' pockets at regular intervals. Mutual funds that focus on dividend stocks provide even...

Which 401(k) works best.(MONEY MATTERS)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... QA My job offers a Roth 401(k) and a regular 401(k). Which of the two retirement funds will offer better savings and tax advantages? --Anonymous, New York City The Roth 401(k) is confusing to most employees since it .just took effect...

Aim high: airport entrepreneurs soar without leaving the ground.(BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AS A SHUTTLE BUS DRIVER AT WESTCHESTER COUNTY Airport in White Plains, New York, Cedric Nelson took note of the entrepreneurs doing business there every day. So, he asked how he too could get in on the action. "[The...

Fueling fears? Rising gas prices affect small businesses in more ways than you think.(BUSINESS NEWS)
September 1, 2008... It's no longer business as usual for Alisha Gray-Johnson. The owner of Messless, a personal organizing company in Richmond, Virginia, pays more than $150 more per month on gas than she did just six months ago to travel to the homes of her...

Driven to succeed.(SAVVY SOLUTIONS)(starting a car service business)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... QA I'm starting a car service business. I have obtained state and federal IDs and L.L.C. status for my company, but I still need commercial insurance for the first vehicle. What affiliations are there for car services? C. White ...

Putting the science in fiction: Jonathan Farley takes math to Hollywood.(BLACK DIGERATI)(Hollywood Math and Science Film Consulting)(Company overview)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] GOOD WILL HUNTING. A BEAUTIFUL MIND. PROOF. ALL are prime examples of Hollywood's fascination with quirky mathematicians. Television has also had its share of math-centric shows such as the CBS series Numb3rs....

What a rush! Johnny C. Taylor Jr. and RushmoreDrive.com deliver targeted search for African Americans.(TECH NEWS)
September 1, 2008... JOHNNY C. TAYLOR JR., CEO OF BLACK WEB ENTERPRISES Inc. (BWE), is charting a different course for Web users interested in searching for items specific to black people around the globe. RushmoreDrive.com, BWE's first product, is a search engine...

Say goodbye to wires: wearable tech puts it all on you.(PRODUCT NEWS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Buying a T-shirt with a pocket for an iPod is old news. Wearable tech has come a long way. Readily available and affordable, they're no longer just bulky jackets and backpacks. And they come in many more forms than you might think. Here's a...

Wi-Fire.(Get unplugged: Go wireless with these useful devices)(hField Technologies)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wi-Fire, from hField Technologies, is a cool USB antenna that boosts weak Wi-Fi signals, extending the wireless range up to 1,000 feet. The device identifies all available public connections and notifies you. Just...

Spracht's Aura Mobile BT Bluetooth speakerphone.(Get unplugged: Go wireless with these useful devices)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spracht's Aura Mobile BT Bluetooth speakerphone lets you turn your Mac, PC, cordless phone, or cell phone into a conference phone. There is no software or driver installation--strictly plug-and-play. The full-duplex...

Good help is hard to find.(CYBERWISE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... QA I have a small company that sells women's clothing and accessories in a storefront and online. I would like to hire someone to do my bookkeeping, but in a small town it's hard to find good help. I also have a problem with getting affordable...

The business of giving back: a socially passionate professional links corporate responsibility with the bottom line.(EXECUTIVE SUITE)(ING Foundation)(Interview)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How has the definition of corporate citizenship and responsibility evolved? More and more companies have become convinced that the best way to demonstrate their social responsibility--and effect real, valuable...

How to go global: what professionals can do to prepare for an international assignment.(MAKING CONNECTIONS)
September 1, 2008... IMAGINE BEING ON A BUSINESS TRIP IN CHINA AND HEARING a response from a cab driver that sounds like the N-word. Janet Reid, managing partner of Global Lead Management Consulting, actually experienced it and chose to hold her tongue despite her...

Working across platforms.(ACTION PLAN)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... SOON AFTER LANDING HIS NEW ROLE AS PART OF THE DELL EXECUTIVE team, B.B. Craig recognized a need for a broader set of management skills. "While business specialization is valuable, cross-functional and cross-organizational responsibilities...

Weighing the benefits.(ACTION PLAN)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... AS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS FACE AN UNCERTAIN JOB MARKET, MANY will contemplate whether to strike out for better opportunities. While salary may be among the greatest considerations, Keith Brown, a Hewitt Associates L.L.C. senior design...

Tough love.(SINCE YOU ASKED)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... QA The employees I've had to manage are often close to me in age, and I feel that they disrespect me or disregard my direction in ways they don't with more seasoned or higher-level managers in my organization. How can a young professional...

Shakir Stewart.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shakir Stewart New Position: Executive Vice President Organization: Def Jam Recordings Location: Atlanta and New York Responsibilities: Overseeing acquisition and development of new talent, brand...

Daryl A. "Sandy" Chamblee.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Daryl A. "Sandy" Chamblee New Position: Chief Diversity Partner Organization: Steptoe & Johnson L.L.P. Location: Washington, D.C. Responsibilities: Overseeing Steptoe's Diversity Action Plan...

Ahmeenah Young.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Ahmeenah Young New Position: President and Chief Executive Officer Organization: Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Location: Philadelphia Responsibilities: Overseeing daily operational activities, facility management,...

A. Scott Bolden.(On The MOVE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A. Scott Bolden New Position: Managing Partner Organization: Reed Smith L.L.P Location: Washington, D.C. Responsibilities: Overseeing civil and criminal defense litigation Former Position:...

John A. Wallace.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] John A. Wallace New Position: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Organization: MGM Grand Detroit Location: Detroit Responsibilities: Managing daily financial operations for the casino ...

Convention calendar.(POWERPLAY)(Conference news)(Calendar)
September 1, 2008... Urbanworld Film Festival Sept. 10-14; New York; 212-941-3845; www.urbanworld.org National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) 22nd Annual Conference Sept. 14-16; New York; 212-594-5985; www.namic.com ...

Not just a supplier: Raytheon subcontractor builds a partnership based on improvement.(CORPORATE INITIATIVES)
September 1, 2008... CHERYL W. SNEAD ATTRIBUTES HER BUSINESS SUCCESS as a supplier with Raytheon, a technology leader specializing in defense and homeland security, to the simple proverb: Give me a fish and I will eat for a day; teach me how to fish and I will eat...

A training program just for women of color.(DIVERSITY Q:)(ASCENT: Leading Multicultural Women to the Top)(Interview)
September 1, 2008... BETWEEN 2006 AND 2016, WOMEN ARE PROJECTED TO ACCOUNT FOR 49% OF THE INCREASE IN TOTAL LABOR FORCE growth. There are a total of 8.5 million black working women, approximately 5.8% of the labor force, and by 2010 this number is expected to grow...

NAMWOLF meeting and law firm expo.(WORTH CHECKING OUT ...)(NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY & Women Owned Law Firms )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... DESIGNED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY & Women Owned Law Firms with the goal of promoting diversity in the legal profession, this meeting facilitates partnerships between corporate entities and minority- and women-owned law firms. The...

Running for cover: Kyiesha & Malik Kelly take steps to protect their online business.(Black Wealth Initiative)(www.hiphopcloset.com)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WEALTH CAN DISAPPEAR JUST AS quickly as it's created. Perhaps no one knows this better than Kyiesha Kelly, cofounder of www.hiphopcloset.com, an online retailer that specializes in urban apparel and accessories....

Bouncing back: Jeff Worford contemplates entrepreneurship after company buyout.(Financial Fitness Contest Winner No. 94)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CORPORATE BUYOUTS, THE SLOWING economy, higher food prices--all have workers concerned about job security, and with good reason. In May, the unemployment rate hit 5.5%, up from 5% a month earlier, the largest...

Cracking the college admissions code: increase the odds of getting your children into their first-choice schools.(TOP 50 COLLEGES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEN SCHOOLS DENY STUDENTS' APPLICATIONS FOR admission, the letters they send will often mention the highly competitive pool of qualified applicants that made it hard to decide who got accepted. However, for the...

Accept no substitutes: the launch of a new sweetner ignites a sleeping industry. Splenda's marketing success makes Debra Sandler the real deal.(CORPORATE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR)(Biography)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EVEN AS A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL, Debra Sandler always challenged the status quo. In fact, one of her first missions was to dismantle what one executive dubbed "the African American old boys' network." When PepsiCo...

Artistic expression: perspectives on collecting African American art.(LIFESTYLES)
September 1, 2008... AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES, WE'VE all been collectors. Whether you started as a kid with comic books or dolls, you didn't rely on anyone to tell you which items you liked, in the art world that same idea applies--to a degree, if you're thinking...

B.E.'s 25 most affordable franchises: recession-resistant industries and low startup costs make these opportunities our top picks.(FRANCHISING)(Cover story)
September 1, 2008... "IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE KIDS," says Dawna Kelly, owner of an Abrakadoodle art education franchise in Canton, Michigan. "The light that's in their eyes when they know they've created something on their own--it's a sight to see." Using...

Where have all the black caddies gone? For decades, black caddies were a staple at country clubs and on the pro circuit. Today, the sport's changing dynamics have caused them to vanish from the links.(Celebrating 15 Years of Memories)
September 1, 2008... Kim Albert started caddying at Mount. Kisco Country Club at the tender age of nine. As he carried clubs for players and found their golf balls, he was mentored by older black caddies at the Westchester County New York, institution. It was 1970....

A knockout on the tennis court.(Celebrating 15 Years of Memories)(Jo-Wilfried Tsonga)
September 1, 2008... He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. At 6'2" and weighing 200 pounds, he moves at lightning speed and has the powerful arms of a heavyweight boxing champion. No, he's not Muhammad Ali but he sure resembles him. He is up-and-coming...

The Bill Dickey Scholarship Association: now in its 26th year, the association continues to grow and wonders about the future.(Celebrating 15 Years of Memories)(Organization overview)
September 1, 2008... It was half a century age that Dr. William "Bill" Dickey picked up a golf ball and club for the first time. He was 30 years old. Since then, he has dedicated his life, post-retirement, to exposing African American children to the game, and in...

Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program: building character and teaching life lessons.(Celebrating 15 Years of Memories)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you were to mention sports and Harlem, New York, the first thing that would probably come to mind is the famous Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. But the renowned New York community also plays host to a very...

A soldier's story: Purple Heart recipient aspires for Olympic gold.(TRIALS & TRIUMPHS)(Jerrod Fields)
September 1, 2008... HIS WAY A FAMILIAR STORY: WITH no way to pay tuition for his junior year of college, Jerrod Fields enlisted in the Army. "My goal was to serve for three years, get out, get the money, and then go back to school and try to make it to the NBA."...

Forgive and forget? Letting go is painful but promotes personal growth.(ATTITUDE ENHANCEMENT)
September 1, 2008... Immaculate Ilibagiza recounts the horrific details of the war that ravaged her native country, Rwanda. It was during the summer of 1994 that Ilibagiza's parents, two of her three brothers, and more than 1 million of her fellow countrymen were...

Lost in frustration.(PEP TALK)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... QA I am a female in my mid-40s who moved across the country 13 months ago. In 2005, I was laid off from a clerical post I held for 19 years and don't believe I can get another without computer training. Also, I may not be getting hired because...

Green your school! These items will be kind to the environment--and your wallet.(BUYING POWER)(Buyers guide)
September 1, 2008... IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN--BACK TO SCHOOL. SHOPPING for school supplies isn't the most exciting task but it doesn't have to be a drag. Anna Pierce, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, makes her annual trip more meaningful by purchasing...

Is peer-to-peer lending right for you? A new alternative to traditional borrowing is springing forth.(CONSUMER LIFE)
September 1, 2008... PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES to find friends, dates, and now money. The latest Internet trend is peer-to-peer lending, where participating members can borrow or lend money among themselves. While it may not be anything new to...

Get rewarded for driving less: lower your insurance costs by spending less time on the road.(DID YOU KNOW?)
September 1, 2008... RISING GAS PRICES MIGHT BE CAUSING YOU TO DRIVE A LOT LESS THAN YOU used to. If that's the case, you could be in for some serious savings on your car insurance. A growing number of insurance companies are helping consumers lower their rates...

Free credit monitoring.(ASK YOUR ADVOCATE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... QA I heard that free credit monitoring is available because of a legal settlement. How can I qualify? --T. Brown Atlanta As a result of a class-action lawsuit settlement with TransUnion, if you had an open credit card, loan, or...

Shirt savvy: the Tardieu brothers offer a shirt for every occasion.(EXECUTIVE STYLE)(Patrick and Fabrice Tardieu of Bogosse)
September 1, 2008... IF A SUIT MAKES THE MAN, THEN THE SHIRT IS THE FOUNDATION. "The shirt has to be the item that's going to make the a whole look of an outfit," says Fabrice Tardieu, creative director for Bogosse, a fashionable start line he launched in 2004 with...

Building a convention capital: Russell George delivers a new Trinidad.(ISLAND INSIDER)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SETTLED BY AMERINDIANS AND CULTIVATED by African slaves and East Indian indentured servants, Trinidad was fought over and ruled by Spanish pirates and British invaders during the 1700s. Migrants from French islands,...

Homeownership contest.(All Access)
September 1, 2008... Calling all first-time home buyers! BLACK ENTERPRISE would like to help you find your way to solid ground with our fourth annual Homeownership Contest. We're giving away $10,000 toward the purchase of your first home, and this year we're also...

Our World.(All Access)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our World with Black Enterprise is your weekly window to the world from our perspective. Catch captivating roundtable discussions, lifestyle segments showcasing great people doing great things, and interviews with...

BEBR.(All Access)
September 1, 2008... Stay abreast of the latest news and events in the business world with Black Enterprise Business Report. BEBR takes an introspective took at current events in business and how they affect our community. It also features segments on financial...

Golf & Tennis Challenge.(All Access)
September 1, 2008... If you miss the 2008 Black Enterprise/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge this Labor Day Weekend, Aug, 28-Sept. 1, you're going to miss a 15th anniversary blowout celebration! The legendary Gap Band and the incomparable Ashford and Simpson are...

College Marketing Rep.(All Access)
September 1, 2008... BLACK ENTERPRISE is looking for energetic, creative and motivated undergraduates with a passion for creating buzz. The BLACK ENTERPRISE College Marketing Representative Internship Program is a yearlong program where undergrads serve as their...

Backtalk: Donna Brazile on politics.(Interview)
September 1, 2008... IT ISN'T SURPRISING THAT DONNA BRAZILE IS ADDICTED TO Sudoku. With a direct hand in designing the nation's political landscape as the chair of the Democratic National Committee Voting Rights Institute and one of the most well-known...