Black Perspective 2013

Turning Adversity Into Industry:

Robin Wilson Also Inside:

History’s First African-American Entrepreneurs Where To Find Overlooked African-American scholarship dollars Was The Civil Rights Movement An Economic Success ?

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Inside This Issue: Creating Opportunity From Adversity Robin Wilson’s respiratory allergies inspired her to create a line of hypoallergenic housewares. In the process, they also made her one of the biggest names in eco-friendly design. Here’s how it happened.

Page 20

Click on a page number to go to that story

Page 8 We Show You The Money It’s been said a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Money set aside to improve that mind is too. There are literally millions of free dollars out there specifically for African-American students. Here’s where to look.

Page 14 Civil Rights Movement: Economic Success?

An economist at Stanford University makes the argument it was. He says while integration did kill some African-American businesses, the mainstream opportunities created outweigh the losses.

Departments:

Page 18 America’s First Black Entrepreneurs

African-Americans prior to the 20th Century did more than just plant, chop and pick cotton. In fact, some of the earliest self-made millionaires in the United States were Black. It’s time you met a few of them.

Page 12: News Brief Page 16: Financial Incentives Page 28: Book Shelf

managing director Jeff Palmatier DIRECTOR - MARKETING Mark Cohen EDITOR Lyndon Conrad Bell ART DIRECTOR Fran Sherman Webmaster Vince Ginsburg office manager Robin Cohen black perspective is a publication of EqualityMagazines.com This publication is dedicated to informing the African-American community of job and career opportunities. Views and opinions expressed within the publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to reject or edit any copy, advertising, or editorial, The publisher is not responsible for any unsolicited materials.

Copyright 2013.

All rights reserved.

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Editor’s Letter

I read an editorial recently questioning whether or not having a Black History Month was in fact a racist notion.

After all, went the argument, if there were a White History Month everybody would scream it was abject racism.

An interesting point…

One that would be quite compelling…

If it didn’t overlook one key factor...

Turning Adversity All of recorded history — as taught in American Into Industry: schools — is White History.

How many of you heard about Paul Cuffee or William Leidesdorff in your 10th grade history class? Wait, that was a while ago, before society became more enlightened you say? OK, well, pick up any modern 10th grade American history book and find the stories of those individuals.

Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Tell you what; send me an email when you find them Lyndon@EqualityMagazines.com.

The same people positing Black History Month is racist will also say organizations like the NAACP and the Southern Poverty Law Center aren’t needed anymore either. After all, they’ll ask, what organization is looking out for the rights of the God fearing white man in this country?

Well, the answer to that question is quite simple.

That would be the U.S. Congress.

But I digress.

Yes, Black History Month remains highly relevant.

There are literally thousands of untold stories out there of Black people who strongly influenced as well as contributed to the development of this nation. And, if weren’t for Black History Month, like Leidesdorff and Cuffee, you’ll probably never hear about them.

So, who were Leidesdorff and Cuffee anyway? Well, that’s one really good reason to dig farther into this issue of The Black Perspective. You’ll also find Maggie Lena Walker and Sarah Breedlove Walker — four of America’s earliest highly successful African-American entrepreneurs.

There is also a contemporary entrepreneur who took what many would consider a weakness, used it as a tool to make a lateral move, and is today both creating jobs and contributing quite generously to the American economy. Speaking of the economy, you’ll meet a Stanford economist discussing the contributions of the civil rights movement to the American economy.

There’s also a list of often overlooked scholarships created specifically for African Americans, and the story of a very famous mainstream philanthropist engaged in an effort to benefit Black males. In other words, just as we do in every issue of The Black Perspective, we’re doing our part to help you make your name one day show up in a discussion of African Americans who contributed to Black History.

Here’s hoping by then though, it’ll just be history in general.

Robin Wilson

Also Inside:

History’s First African-American Entrepreneurs Where To Find Overlooked African-American scholarship dollars Was The Civil Rights Movement An Economic Success ?

Lyndon Conrad Bell The Black Perspective

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The Black Perspective

Is Black History Month Racist?

DIVERSITY I S

I N

O U R

C U LT U R E

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We believe that diversity is not about legal requirements, affirmative actions, quotas, or minority representation. Rather, its focus is on awareness, inclusion, respect, understanding and developing a supportive work environment for all employees regardless of age, gender, ethnic background, or sexual orientation.

Bring your unique talents to Covance. Visit www.covancecareers.com to learn more about a career with Covance and search open job opportunities.

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African-American scholarship opportunities

A mind, as the saying goes, is a terrible thing to waste. If that is accepted as truth, then it follows money available to develop a mind is an equally terrible thing to waste. Every day literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship money — much of it earmarked specifically for African-American students — goes unapplied for.

According to our friends at Alabama A&M University in Normal, Alabama, a number of companies and organizations have donated money for scholarships for African-American scholars, but the money is being returned for either a lack of awareness or a lack of interest.

Here is a short listing of such opportunities, for a more complete listing, visit Alabama A&M’s website. You’ll find even more at the BlackExcel.org website.

American Political Science Association http://Www.Apsanet.Org/content_3063. cfm?navID=13

Brand Essay Competition http://www.instituteforbrandleadership. org/IBLEssayContest-2002Rules.htm

National Association of Black Journalists Scholarships http://www.nabj. org/?page=SEEDScholarships

Student Inventors Scholarships http://www.invent.org/collegiate http:// www.invent.org/collegiate/

Gates Millennlum Scholarships http://www.gmsp.org/publicweb/scholarships.aspx

U.S. Department Of Agriculture http://www.aphis.usda.gov/audience/ students.shtml

Coca-Cola Two Year College Scholarships https://www.coca-colascholars.org/

Xerox Scholarships for Students http://www.xerox.com/jobs/minorityscholarships/enus.html Sports Scholarships and Internships http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/ public/NCAA/Academics/Resources/ NCAA+Scholarships

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.net/

Holocaust Remembrance Scholarships http://holocaust.hklaw.com/ Ayn Rand Essay Scholarships http://www.aynrand.org/contests/

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The Black Perspective

FinAid: The Smart Students Guide to Financial Aid Scholarships http://www.finaid.org/ Microsoft Scholarship Program http:// www.microsoft.com/college/scholarships/minority.asp

Hope Scholarships & Lifetime Credits http://www.collegescholarships.org/ scholarships/hope-taxes.htm William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students http://www.aspeninstitute.org/ policy-work/nonprofit-philanthropy/ leadership-initiatives/hearst Boeing Scholarships http://www.boeing.com/ educationrelations/ Easley National Scholarship Program http://www.naas.org/senior.htm Maryland Artists Scholarships http://www.maef.org/ International Students Scholarships & Aid Help http://www.iefa.org/ Minorities & Disabilities Scholarships http://www.proyectovision.net/english/ opportunities/scholarships.html Disabled War Veterans Scholarships http://www.afcea.org/education/scholarships/undergraduate/DisabledVeteranScholarship.asp Sachs Foundation Scholarships http://www.sachsfoundation.org/ A Better Chance Scholarships http://www.abetterchance.org/abetterchance.aspx?pgID=1078 African American Scholarships http://oedb.org/scholarship/africanamerican

National Federation of The Blind Scholarships https://nfb.org/scholarships

Minorities & Disabilities Scholarships http://www.proyectovision.net/english/ opportunities/scholarships.html

Federation of Musicians Scholarships http://www.afm.org/young-musicians/ scholarships

Disabled War Veterans Scholarships http://www.afcea.org/education/ scholarships/undergraduate/ DisabledVeteranScholarship.asp

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities http://www.disabled-world.com/ disability/education/scholarships/ Nursing Scholarships http://www.blackexcel.org/nursingscholarships.html AFROTC High School Scholarships http://afrotc.com/scholarships/highschool/scholarships/

A Better Chance Scholarships http://www.abetterchance.org/ abetterchance.aspx?pgID=1078 African American Scholarships http://oedb.org/scholarship/ african-american

Minority Scholarships http://www.free-4u.com/minority.htm org/?page=SEEDScholarships

Private Scholarships For Seniors http://www.phs.d211.org/stsvc/college/ scholarships.asp

U.S. Department Of Agriculture http://www.aphis.usda.gov/audience/ students.shtml

ScienceNet Scholarship Listing http://www.sciencenet.emory.edu/ undergrad/scholarships.html

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.net/

Scholarship, Loan, Tuition Help http://www.findtuition.com/

FinAid: The Smart Students Guide to Financial Aid Scholarships http://www.finaid.org/

Princeton Review Scholarships & Aid http://www.princetonreview.com/ college/finance

Microsoft Scholarship Program http://www.microsoft.com/college/ scholarships/minority.asp

Alphabetical List of Scholarships by Field of Study http://www.collegescholarships.org/ scholarships/subject-specific.htm

Hope Scholarships & Lifetime Credits http://www.collegescholarships.org/ scholarships/hope-taxes.htm

Private Scholarships For Seniors http://www.phs.d211.org/stsvc/college/ scholarships.asp

William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students http://www.aspeninstitute.org/ policy-work/nonprofit-philanthropy/ leadership-initiatives/hearst

ScienceNet Scholarship Listing http://www.sciencenet.emory.edu/undergrad/scholarships.html

Boeing Scholarships http://www.boeing.com/education relations/

Scholarship, Loan, Tuition Help http://www.findtuition.com/

Easley National Scholarship Program http://www.naas.org/senior.htm

Princeton Review Scholarships & Aid http://www.princetonreview.com/ college/finance

Maryland Artists Scholarships http://www.maef.org/

Alphabetical List of Scholarships by Field of Study http://www.collegescholarships.org/ scholarships/subject-specific.htm

Sachs Foundation Scholarships http://www.sachsfoundation.org/

International Students Scholarships & Aid Help http://www.iefa.org/

National Federation of The Blind Scholarships https://nfb.org/scholarships Federation of Musicians Scholarships http://www.afm.org/young-musicians/ scholarships Scholarships for Students with Disabilities http://www.disabled-world.com/ disability/education/scholarships/ Nursing Scholarships http://www.blackexcel.org/ nursing-scholarships.html AFROTC High School Scholarships http://afrotc.com/scholarships/highschool/scholarships/ Minority Scholarships http://www.free-4u.com/minority.htm BP

The Black Perspective

9

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14

THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE

Where Do We Go From Here?

Philanthropic Support for Black Men and Boys

wHeRe dO we gO fROm HeRe? PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT F O R B L AC K M E N A N D B OY S OCtOBER 2012

Nearly every major In addition to proindicator of ecoviding crucial basenomic, social, and line numbers against physical well-being which future giving shows black men and can be compared, the boys in the U.S. do report also describes not have access to the several foundation structural supports initiatives across the and opportunities U.S. that address needed to thrive. structural barriers Within this context and improve the lives the Foundation of black men and AFtERwORD BY GEORGE SOROS Center and the Open boys. For example, in Society Foundations 2011 George Soros jointly released a new and Michael Bloomreport of groundberg each contributed breaking research $30 million to a New entitled Where Do York City program We Go From Here? designed to improve Philanthropic Support for Black Men and Boys. the life outcomes of black and Latino males. The effort is a “It is my hope that this report will motivate other phileading example of public-private partnerships taking shape lanthropists and foundations to invest in efforts to improve across the country. And in Los Angeles, the California Comachievement by African-American boys and men,” said munity Foundation recently launched the only major philGeorge Soros, founder of the Open Society Foundations. anthropic initiative focused on black male youth involved in “This is a generational problem that demands a long-term the delinquency system. commitment.”

“This report vividly portrays a stark reality that has This report is the first of its kind to document the wide haunted this country for far too long,” said Bradford Smith, variety of philanthropic activity in support of black men president of the Foundation Center. “But it also provides and boys, raising the visibility of critical issues facing comsolid data and compelling stories that illustrate what munities across the nation. The research reveals that annual America’s foundations are doing to turn the tide.” funding designated for black men and boys has been rising Where Do We Go From Here? Philanthropic Support for steadily, from $10 million in 2003 to $29 million in 2010.

Black Men and Boys can be downloaded for free at the Gain Education is a top funding priority for this group: between Knowledge area of the Foundation Center’s web site and at 2008 and 2010, education garnered 40 percent of these grant the Open Society Foundations web site. BP dollars.

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The Black Perspective

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Civil Rights Movement: Economic Success?

Stanford Economist Says It Was Written By Kathleen O’Toole

Gavin Wright is the William Robertson Coe Professor of American Economic History at Stanford University. Wright argues strongly the civil rights movement worked — economically as well as politically. Wright contends the civil rights movement was an economic success and a historical surprise — like the downfall of the Soviet Union after it or the triumph of British slavery abolitionists before it, he wrote recently in the Journal of Economic History.

In considering the economic success of the movement, Wright poses two questions: Are African Americans in the South better off? Is the whole South, ­ both blacks and whites,­better off as a result?

The latter question is important, he said, because “while distributional equity

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The Black Perspective

is a defensible objective in itself, the larger and loftier arguments” made in that era were that “shaking off the albatross of segregation would liberate the entire region economically.” Segregation, its detractors claimed, was not just immoral but economically inefficient.

Still, Southern blacks as a group clearly benefited from the movement Wright concludes. Some black businesses were harmed by integration, and black schoolteachers also lost jobs because of school integration, but “the evidence of a decisive step forward in the labor market and in relative black income is persuasive,” he said. Segregated industries like textiles were integrated; state and municipal employment of blacks increased, as well as public benefits to black areas such as street

paving, garbage collection and recreational facilities.

“Perhaps the best indicator of this historic shift is the reversal of regional migration flows for blacks, who have been moving into the region in large numbers since 1970.”

He said. “Many of these migrants may be returning to their family roots, but most of them are well educated and are finding employment in the bustling, racially integrated metropolitan areas of the South.”

“Jesse Jackson once said Atlanta would never have had CNN, the Braves or the Olympics if it had not been for civil rights marches.

Another observer might choose different examples of the South’s new, worldclass prosperity, but fundamentally, I believe Jackson’s statement is right,” Wright says. BP

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Program Encourages Financial Empowerment Survey data surrounding African Americans and financial featuring Glinda Bridgforth, financial coach and bestselling planning indicates strong financial optimism and a desire author of Girl, Get Your Money Straight! and Girl, Get Your for information surrounding financial planning. However, Credit Straight!. Bridgforth answered money questions and according to an infographic released by the personal finance provided tips to help customers prepare for financial sucwebsite, Online Loan 24 blog, titled “African-American cess.

Personal Finance: Down, Not Out,” African Americans conEvent attendees received special in-store discounts, had tinue to rank lower than their white counterparts in several a chance to win prizes and received signed copies of Ms. areas of personal finance, including saving, investing and Bridgforth’s books. Those who were not in the D.C. area managing expenses. could log on to Twitter to join the conversation using To reverse these statistics, resources and education must #ShareTheWord. be accessible. According to a recent Prudential study, “The For more information about the Share the Word program African-American Financial Experience,” when it comes to visit kmart.com/sharetheword. BP finances, African Americans have become independent learners. Many are turning to books, financial websites, financial seminars, conferences, and their employers for information.

Understanding how to manage a budget, eliminate debt and save for the future are key factors to achieving personal finance goals. Being finanKmart Share the Word cially educated is important across the Black History Month board; and this year, in celebration of Celebration featuring Black History Month, Kmart’s Share financial coach and author, the Word campaign focused on financial empowerment with a campaign Glinda Bridgforth! providing resources and tools to help pave the road to financial success.

• Date: Saturday, February 23, 2013 Now in its sixth year, Kmart’s • Time: 1-3 p.m.

• Place: Kmart - 6411 Riggs Road, Hyattsville, Share the Word Black History Month MD 20783 program has partnered with financial influencers to bring the campaign to Come out for a chance to meet Glinda, get financial tips, mingle with radio personalities life in a way both accessible and relatfrom WHUR-FM and enter for a chance to play able. This year’s campaign served as a the Kmart cash grab machine where you could rally cry to motivate and mobilize the win more than $1,000 in prizes*! community to work toward financial • Giveaways every hour fitness.

• FREE gift bags* for the first 150 guests Kmart.com/sharetheword serves • Refreshments • Special in-store discounts as the program’s landing page and resource bank where customers can find helpful financial information. There is budgeting and savings advice, a free downloadable family finance e-guide, and downloadable budgeting and savings templates. www.kmart.com/sharetheword On February 23, Kmart hosted an in-store event in the Washington D.C. area, at the Hyattsville’s Kmart store,

CELEBRATE black history month!

*No purchase necessary. See store for details.

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The Black Perspective

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www.vhb.com | Offices located throughout the east coast The Black Perspective

17

Black History M

African American Entrepre Compiled by Lyndon Conrad Bell

C

ontrary to popular belief, African Americans were among the earliest highly successful entrepreneurs in the United States. Oprah Winfrey was far from the first self-made wealthy black woman. Similarly, African-American males, going back into American history to before the Revolutionary war wielded roles of significance, from sea captains to captains of industry.

Long story short, Americans of African descent, even back in the 18th and 19th century, contributed to the economy of the Americas in many more ways than just as slaves. In addition to amassing great wealth, many of them also took steps to make it easier for other Black people to live comfortably too.

One of these people has had her story told often and quite well.

The others, well, you may be about to learn about them for the first time.

Paul Cuffe (1759 – 1817) the first known African-American shipping magnate in the United States, owned a fleet of merchant ships servicing ports along the coast of Massachusetts as well as in Europe and Africa. The wealthiest African-American of his time, Cuffee was also the largest employer of free Blacks in the United States. Born a free man on Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts, Cuffee mounted a largely selffunded enterprise to resettle African Americans in the newly founded country of Sierra Leone in West Africa. His first trip to the country was in January of 1811 — aboard one of his ships with an all-Black crew. In 1815, Cuffee largely financed the emigration and settlement of some 38 people to Sierra Leone. While the American Colonization Society’s founding of the nation of Liberia eventually eclipsed his work, the fact remains Cuffe was the first African-American to fund such a venture from his own fortune.

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The Black Perspective

Month Special

eneurs of the 19th Century William Alexander Leidesdorff (1810 – 1848), recognized as the “African Founding Father of California” by the California State Legislature was also America’s first Black millionaire.

Leidesdorff is thought to have been a West Indian immigrant to the United States. A number of documents show he was a ship’s captain in New Orleans before moving to San Francisco. Then a Mexican colony known as Yerba Buena, San Francisco was little more than a village when Leidesdorff arrived. Recognizing opportunity when he saw it, Leidesdorff started a steamboat-based cargo business on San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento River. He also had extensive commercial relations throughout Hawaii, Alaska and the rest of Mexican California. Leidesdorff obtained a land grant of some 35,000 acres along the south bank of the American River in the Sierra Nevada foothills from the Mexican government, in what eventually turned out to be California’s gold country. The first city treasurer of San Francisco, he also built the first hotel and the first commercial shipping warehouse in the city by the bay.

Maggie Lena Walker (+/-1864 – 1934) was the first woman (of any race) to charter and serve as president of a bank in the United States. The Richmond, Virginia native’s mother had been a slave. After teaching grade school for three years, she stopped to become a full-time mom. She had been a member of the Independent Order of St. Luke (IOSL), a fraternal society charged with administering to the sick and aged, promoting humanitarian causes and encouraging individual self-help and integrity since the age of 14.

She became leader of the organization in 1899 and established a newspaper for the Order in 1902 — The St Luke Herald. Around that same time, she started a bank for the IOSL, called the St Luke Penny Savings Bank. From 1929 to 1930 the Penny Savings Bank absorbed all the other banks in Richmond owned by African Americans to become The Consolidated Bank and Trust Company, an African-American owned financial institution. Walker served as Consolidated’s chairman until her death in 1934. Consolidated merged with several other banks to become part of Premier Bank in 2010.

Sarah Breedlove Walker (1867 – 1919) also known as Madam C.J. Walker, was America’s first female African-American self-made millionaire and one of the first females of any race to attain that financial status. The daughter of slaves, Sarah Breedlove married at age 14 to Moses McWilliams. Moses died six years later and in 1906 she married Charles Joseph Walker — a newspaper advertising salesman — thus becoming Madame C.J. Walker. The nature of hair care back then left many women — including Sarah — with extensive scalp disease. Experimenting with existing products and home remedies, she created a shampoo which promoted healing of the scalp and the consequent growth of healthy hair. The product worked. Women bought it in droves. Traveling throughout the southeast and the northern east coast states, she sold even more product. This prompted her to offer it by mail order and to open a college to train hair care professionals. She also trained other AfricanAmerican women in the ways of business. Additionally, she was a sought after lecturer on political, social and economic issues, as well as a rather generous philanthropist to AfricanAmerican causes. The Guinness Book of Records cites Walker as the first woman to become a millionaire by her own achievements. BP

The Black Perspective

19

Blessing in Disguise

A

By Bruce Serbin

s a young girl growing up in Texas, Robin Wilson had no idea that her daily battle with allergies and asthma would lead her to her dream job as an eco-friendly and healthy space designer.

Fighting the “wheezes and sneezes” and always being sick wasn’t any fun, but the hot, humid and pollenfilled Texas weather seemed to get the best of her.

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The Black Perspective

“It was awful,” recalls Wilson, who can smile about it now.

“To this day I still get hit by allergies and asthma on occasion, but thanks to some simple and inexpensive lifestyle changes, I don’t suffer like I used to.”

Those changes were centered on her family’s home, and her parents made changes including: keeping pets off her bed because of the dander in the hair, replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with tile and hardwood floors, asking smokers to light up outside, replacing her feathered pillow with a synthetic one, using a hypoallergenic pillow case, and replacing it frequently even after washing her pillow at least twice a year.

Wilson moved to the Northeast – from Austin to Boston and experienced a change in her allergies due to less year-round pollination. After five years, she relocated to New York City and worked for a consulting firm. After the company she was working for went public in 1999, she received a windfall, which allowed her to make a lateral move and become an entrepreneur. Wilson started her firm in 2000 and renamed it to the eponymous Robin Wilson Home in 2006. The firm grew 40% year over year until 2008 when the Great Recession changed the buying patterns of her clientele. Even since 2008, the company has continued to grow at 10% annually.

As the economy shifted and people cut back on spending, Wilson was forced to make some changes in her own company to survive with the times. Instead of employing fulltime staffers, she turned to outside contractors who are experts in their fields to help with social media, publicity, accounting, graphic design and more.

“Even when times got tough, I stayed focused doing what I love to do,” says Wilson. “I knew the money would come if I had a good strategy and business plan in place.”

Her strategy: have multiple lines of business such as design, project management and licensing. It worked because 13 years later Robin Wilson Home is stronger than ever.

She has worked diligently to pay off most of the corporate debt, and only has a few long-term liabilities.

Last year, her hypoallergenic line of bedding and bath products was picked up by Bed, Bath & Beyond and is available on the company’s website, with the expectation that it will launch in stores later this year.

She will soon be selling on BonTon.

com and is creating a sub-brand for mass merchants. More recently, she was contacted by a firm to launch a bath & spa product line at retail. She is the first woman to license her brand to a line of eco-friendly kitchen cabinetry, sold at over 500 independent Holiday Kitchens dealers nationwide.

“We are only the second African-American-womanowned company to be sold at Bed Bath & Beyond and its first hypoallergenic line,” says Wilson. “For me, the most important thing is to provide a quality product at a reasonable price. The greatest compliment is when people come up to me and tell me how much they love our line of bedding and bath products – and how much it has helped their family from being affected by allergens.”

In addition to her accomplishments in retail, Robin Wilson has also made a big name for herself in the world of eco-friendly design – having worked with many prestigious names and organizations. She worked on projects at

The Black Perspective

21

the Harlem office of President Bill Clinton, worked with the White House Fellows organization and the Good Housekeeping Show House, among others.

The New York Post named Wilson as one of its top 50 most powerful women in New York (2007), and recently, she was named an ambassador to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

One of her secrets to success: technology.

“My days have me running around the city to meet with clients, and I couldn’t do my job without technology. Smartphones, SKYPE, a tablet computer or programs that let you file/ share on the run should be part of every business owner’s toolkits,” she says.

“Delegating and multitasking are also key to survival,” Wilson continues. “Assign a task and don’t micromanage.

Allow your team to rise to their highest potential and if

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The Black Perspective

they can’t do it, then take time to understand why or make a transition.”

While her business savvy attitude, desire to be a successful entrepreneur and hope of helping others who suffer with allergies and asthma keeps her ahead of her industry, something even simpler inspires her on a day-to-day basis.

“For my 30th birthday, I received a paperweight with the words what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail,” she says. “I still have that paperweight sitting on my desk because it motivates me to keep building a company that helps people, teaches people how to live in an ecohealthy home environment and it reminds me to find a way to be creative every day.”

Wilson’s advice to budding entrepreneurs: • Do what you love. If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing you will never be successful.

• Don’t just assume your client’s wants and needs; truly understand them.

• Quality is king. If your product does what it promises, people will be satisfied and tell their friends and family. If it doesn’t, people will tell even more friends and family members.

• Keep balance in your life. There’s a lot of responsibility with running a business, but if you’re working 16 hour days, what fun is that? Take time for yourself and stay healthy.

“That work-life balance is very important, especially as an entrepreneur.

It’s taken some adjusting. In 2011, my husband and I got married. In 2012, our daughter was born. And in 2013, with a renewed focus on business, we have three goals: to launch at Bed Bath & Beyond stores, to license our brand in other categories, and to shop a TV pilot for either webisodes or a cable network,” she says.

Raising her new baby daughter in an eco-healthy environment is also important to Wilson.

“One of the best things has been starting her on a healthy lifestyle path with products in the nursery from Argington, FLOR, Anais+Aden and Naula which ensure a safe, clean and healthy environment,” she says.

Wilson likes to reference a quote by basketball legend Michael Jordan, which she says all entrepreneurs need to live by, especially when the going gets tough. He said, “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” BP

anything you can imagine

Imagine the possibilities Visit www.Employers.Universe.jobs or call (866) 268-6206 toll-free to learn more Š 2011 DirectEmployers Association, Inc., a nonprofit consortium of leading global employers

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29

THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE

BUSINESS NEWS

ltl.upsfreight.com/aboutus/careers.aspx UPS Freight is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

left many workers disgruntled, frustrated and ready to move on as soon as the market improves. Year-end bonuses may notisensure loyalty of allless unhappy UPS Freight one ofthe the largest than truckload carriers in the U.S. andtooffers workers, but they could help entice some stay both LTL and truckload job opportunities. aboard,” said Challenger.

For Current Opportunities Visit: ltl.upsfreight.com/aboutus/careers.aspx UPS Freight is anresource Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V While the human executives surveyed did not provide details on the amount of bonus checks, John Challenger said some companies may choose to be creative when it comes to year-end rewards.

JACOBS is creating the world of tomorrow as one of the largest providers of architecture, engineering, construction, and other professional technical services. Jacobs Technology, a whollyowned subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering, is a worldwide leader in providing advanced engineering and technical services for government and industry.

“In some respects, it truly is the thought that counts. Employees want to be recognized for their

e

contribution to the company. It doesn’t have to be a Wall Street sized bonus check. Many workers would be happy with a $100 gift certificate to a local restaurant or store. Many would probably be happy with a couple of extra days of paid vacation at the

www.jacobstechnology.com

3

end of the year. Many are simply happy to have a job

y

in this economy,” said Challenger.

JACOBS is creating the world of tomorrow as one of the largest providers of architecture, engineering, construction, and other “Of course, those who are just happy to have a job professional technical services. Jacobs Technology, a whollyare usually the first ones seekingisgreener pastures owned subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering, a worldwide leader at in providing advanced engineering and technical services for the first sign of improvement. Companies understand government and industry.

this and it is why nearly two-thirds of them are finding

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

a way toTransportation give bonuses this www.jacobstechnology.com year,” |he concluded.

HT | Land Developement Environmental Services 26

Consistently named among the “Best Civil Engineering Firms to THE Work For” by CE News magazine, VHB is committed to providing a BLACK PERSPECTIVE challenging, dynamic and rewarding work environment. Our staff enjoys opportunities to grow professionally and work on interesting projects. Our dynamic, people-centric organization focuses on our culture of collaboration, personal development, and developing lasting relationships both inside and outside of our firm.

VHB is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

VHB ensures non discrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

VHB participates in the E-verify employment authorization program.

10

FOR INFORMATION ON COMMISSIONED AND CIVILIAN CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, VISIT: www.slmpd.org/hr/index.htm www.vhb.com | Offices located throughout the east coast

THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE K PERSPECTIVE 4 Should you have additional questions concerning employment opportunities you may call 314-444-5615.

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY We are the world’s largest ASME Authorized Inspection Agency. Although we are best known for our services as an AIA, we’ve leveraged experience gained over more than 136 years of operation to become an industry leader in a variety of engineering services fields.

Job opportunities are currently available at HSB Global Standards. Please visit our website for more information on current openings.

www.hsbglobalstandards.com An Equal Opportunity Employer

The Black Perspective

27

Book Shelf T

o know where you’re going, it’s often useful to know where you’ve been. This library of tomes on the subject of African-American entrepreneurship through the ages provides valuable insights to the history of African-American entrepreneurship in the United States.

The History of Black Business in America: Capitalism, Race, Entrepreneurship University of North Carolina Press, ISBN 978-08078-3241-7 Juliet E. K. Walker Despite almost four centuries of black independent self-help enterprises, the agency of African Americans in attempting to forge their own economic liberation through business activities and entrepreneurship has remained noticeably absent from the historical record. Juliet Walker’s award-winning History of Black Business in America is the only source that provides a detailed study of the continuity, diversity, and multiplicity of independent self-help economic activities among African Americans.

28

The Black Perspective

Making Money the OldFashioned Way: A Story of Black Entrepreneurship EDTEC, ISBN-13: 978-09661712047 Aaron A. Bocage and George E. Waters Jr. This book transcends race, inspiring all entrepreneurs, young and old to face adversity and achieve their dreams. The history of Blacks in America is an inspiring story of ingenuity and invention in the face of adversity. Long before slavery ended, black Americans were engaged in businesses of their own.

Let this book introduce you and your family to the men and women who dared to dream...who made opportunity where none existed and who can inspire all American to take the same course today.

$1.15 billion requested for major construction for 2011

continues the department’s

includes funding for medical facilities in New Orleans; Denver; Palo Alto, Calif.; Alameda, Calif.; and Omaha,

Encyclopedia of African American Business History Neb. Also budgeted for 2011 are major expansions Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-29549-2 Juliet E. Walker and improvements to the national cemeteries in

keen focus on improving the quality, access and

Indiantown Gap, Pa.; Los Angeles; and Tahoma,

Black business activity hasWash., been sustained in America for almost four centuries. and new burial access policies that will provide From the marketing and trading activities of African slaves in Colonial America burial optionAmerica, to an additional 500,000particiVeterans and to the rise of 20th-centuryablack corporate African-American pation in self-employed economic activities hasinbeen a persistent enhance service urban areas. theme in the black experience. Yet, unlike other topics in African-American history, the study of black business has been limited. This invaluable encyclopedia is the only reference source providing information on the broad of range of topics that A requested budget $468 million forilluminate minor black business history.

value of mental health

care provided to Veterans,” Shinseki said.

construction in 2011 would fund a wide variety of improvements at VA facilities. VE

VA is requesting $54.3 billion in advance appropriations for 2012 for health care, an increase of $2.8 billion over the 2011 enacted amount.

Planned initiatives in 2012 include better leveraging acquisitions and contracting, enhancing the use of referral agreements, strengthening VA’s relationship with the Defense Department, and expanding the use of medical technology.

Preserving National Shrines

3

“VA remains steadfastly committed to providing access to a dignified and respectful burial for Veterans choosing to be buried in a VA national cemetery,” Shinseki said. “This promise requires that we maintain

A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY

national Why cemeteries as White shrinesGuys dedicated thethe Should HavetoAll

How Reginald Lewis Created a memoryFun?: of those who served this nation in uniform.”

Billion-Dollar Business Empire Black Classic Press; ISBN-13: 978-1574780505 Reginald$251 F. Lewis and Blair S. Walker. operations The requested million for cemetery

We are the world’s largest ASME Authorized Inspection Agency. Although we are best known for our services as an AIA, we’ve leveraged experience gained over more than 136 years of operation to become an industry leader in a variety of engineering services fields.

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

Transportation | Land Developement | Environmental Services

and maintenance will support more than 114,000

Thisinrenewed edition of Reginald F. Lewis’s inspirConsistently named among “Best Civil Engineering Firms to 2010. interments 2011, a 3.8thepercent increase over ingFor” and autobiography, Should Work byenduring CE News magazine, VHB is committedWhy to providing a

In 2011,challenging, the department maintain 8,441 acres with White Guys Allwill the Fun? is a living, breathing dynamicHave and rewarding work environment.

Our staff enjoys opportunities to grow work on interesting projects.

Our testament to professionally Reginald F.budget Lewis’s passion for “the 3.1 million gravesites.

Theand request includes dynamic, organization on our culturefeature of collaboration, deal”people-centric and for life itself. focuses An exclusive of this

Job opportunities are currently available at HSB Global Standards. Please visit our website for more information on current openings.

$37 million to clean and realign an estimated 668,000 personal development, and lasting relationships both inside and limited edition isdeveloping a DVD presenting specially seoutside of our firm.

lectedand material from the Reginald F. Lewis Museum headstones repair 100,000 sunken graves. of Maryland African American History & Culture

17

VHB is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. and from the American Legacy television episode, VHB ensures non discrimination in all programs and activities in accordance hosted byTitle Tim focused on Lewis’s lifeVETERANS and with Title VI and VII ofReid, the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

VHB participates in the E-verify employment authorization program. times.

ENTERPRISE

www.hsbglobalstandards.com An Equal Opportunity Employer

www.vhb.com | Offices located throughout the east coast

The Black Perspective

29

Opportunity doesn’t always knock.

Sometimes, it sounds a horn.

To see the wide range of challenging and meaningful career opportunities available right now at North America’s premier railroad, visit www.unionpacific.jobs.

Union Pacific Railroad Careers @UPRailroadJobs

30

The Black Perspective

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer