BBN Jan 2011

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YOUR LINK TO AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS A MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION

A Multiple Award Winning Publication

America' s Mission Accomplished:

JANUARY 2011

When Racial Discrimination Is Abolished

In This Issue...

Publisher’s Message…page 3 Moving America Forward…page 8 DOE Partners with HBCUs…page 13

AEG Invites Current and Interested Supplier Partners to our

Supplier Portal, an online communication tool designed to enhance the relationship between AEG and our partners. The portal is an online and paperless tool that will provide you with: Increased visibility for AEG business opportunities Extended Company Profile in online directory Direct email updates from AEG clients and buyers Easy accounts payable information sharing Increased exposure for MBEs, WBEs, and DBEs It is important that you register your business so that we have the ability to contact you for participation in future opportunities. Suppliers seeking to initiate business with AEG are encouraged to register as well.

Registration is simple and we invite you to visit our Supplier Portal at your earliest convenience:

https://supplier.aegworldwide.com

Publisher’s Message Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

America’s Mission Completed: When Racial Discrimination is Abolished

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oughly, 42 million African Americans call the United States of America home, which comes to approximately 13.6% of the total population. In full support of blacks in the USA, many organizations, including the Black Business Association (BBA) which has operated for more than 40 years, have never before been forced to operate in such a strident manner to challenge the public and private sectors, in advocating equal access to contracting opportunities for members and the broader business community.

Although many achievements of the early civil rights movement have endured, some local, state and national policies continue to block the elimination of discriminatory practices and laws, thereby sadly preventing African Americans entrepreneurs to equitably work and build businesses within the USA and genuinely be “at home”.

It is the U.S. Constitution that throughout the years of our nation’s existence that has set forth the rights that citizens are supposed to be able to enjoy in fulfillment of the mission that is the foundation of America. Through diligent efforts by persistent individuals, visionary political leaders and ardent socioeconomic activists, a good number of the actual historically discriminatory practices against African Americans in America can now be declared a “mission accomplished”. The fruits of these achievements can be seen in many areas, from our ‘hood-grown elected officials, captains of industry, to bankable celebrities and the like. The civil rights mission’s outcome, though not yet fully perfect, has been so well done that it allows us to turn more attention to promoting innovative com-

mercial achievements in social media devices and services, medical breakthroughs and advances, plus a host of retail entertainment extravaganzas, including Broadway plays, blockbuster movies, impressive casinos and world class sporting events. We should enjoy a time of celebration, as the recent recession did not acutely damage those business sectors, nor have any of those received significant negative press for racially discriminatory practices. In my opinion, this point serves as a reasonably good indicator that racial discrimination against blacks is definitely moving on its way out.

Black-owned and operated enterprises are making considerable strides since the 1970’s, the era when minority business advocacy organizations came into being. Nationally, blackowned businesses reported more than $140 billion in gross receipts for 2008, up 56% from five years earlier.

Conversely, there is a socioeconomic setback that remains unresolved that relates to the high unemployment and expansive poverty among blacks in America. Overall, the number of unemployed persons decreased by 556,000 to 14.5 million in December 2010, which brought the country’s unemployment rate down to 9.4%. Even so, parity among our country’s races is far reaching within this statistic, as the unemployment for whites fell to 8.5% and adult women 8.1%. Where, compared to blacks, the unemployment stayed quite high at 15.8% and even higher for black teens at 30%. For black men, the unemployment rate is doubly higher to that of white men. Moderately, the jobless rates for Hispanics and Asians are 10% and 7.2%, respectively.

In 2009, the poverty rate for blacks

Black enterprise is w a s 25.8%, up commonly the lowest from 24.7% in 2008, utilized supplier in corwhich has porate America, next to be found to be an to Native American outrage to enterprise, when coma country that prides pared to all of the miitself in nority groups includbeing the wealthiest ing Latinos, Asians nation on and White Women. the planet.

Consequently, higher competent socioeconomic development makes it critically important to apply more attention to correcting this disparity. We can hardly expect existing levels of enterprise, in a capitalistic society, to make a positive difference to train and hire all of the people unemployed and those living poverty. Accordingly, the capacity of emerging black-owned business enterprises remains considerably disproportionate and below that found in other comparable businesses. Black enterprise is commonly the lowest utilized supplier in corporate America, next to Native American enterprise, when compared to all of the minority groups including Latinos, Asians and White Women.

For sure, with the election of President Barack Obama, some people will assert that discrimination against African Americans has been eradicated in America, thereby making way for the need for corporate and government supplier diversity programs a moot point. However, realistically much work still exists in the area of job creation see Publisher’s Message on page 64

3  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

About the Black Business News…

Black Business News

The mission of The Black Business News is to inspire and inform public and private sector industry representatives on the importance of smart small business growth. As a versatile source of socioeconomic development activity, the Black Business News imparts current local, national and international industry trends related to small businesses across the United States of America (USA), detailing greater access to financial capital, management efficiencies, business education, mentors and networks. The goals of the Black Business News include: •

P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 323-291-9334 Fax: 323-291-9234

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

PRODUCTION MANAGER Narishima Osei

MARKETING DIRECTOR Tony Hayward

increasing the use of business enterprises owned by USA-based blacks, by advocating for greater access to leading finance lenders and successful business managers.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS L. Stratton • D. Jones • S. Turner

STORY EDITORS

•

working to merge resources, values, profits, technology throughout the public and private sectors.

Wanda Flagg ▪ Jennifer Hamilton

•

balancing major public and private sector contracting methods with positive outcomes of black-owned and operated enterprises.

Ian Foxx ▪ Sabir • N. Osei

•

providing an affirmative influence for or emerging entrepreneurs sharing inno-vative design and creative cultural con-tent that exposes them to the history off black enterprises and excite them to o participate in the USA’s future.

•

advocating and promoting on behalf of black-owned businesses by promoting the need for expanding an economic foundation that supports an unfettered and selfsustained urban society with USA job creation and economic opportuniwhere blacks work, live and operate able business enterprises.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTENT ADMINISTRATOR LaSandra Stratton

LAYOUT/TYPESETTING Lion Communications Copyright © 2011 by Black Business News All Rights Reserved.

The posting of stories, commentaries, reports, documents and links (embedded or otherwise) on this site does not in any way, shape or form, implied or otherwise, necessarily express or suggest endorsement or support of any of such posted material or parts therein.

t y, vi-

AWARDS U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

2007 - Journalist of the Year Award LA/Minority Business Opportunity Center (LA/MBOC)

2010 - Media Firm of the Year

4  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

3

Publisher’s Message America’s Mission Completed

8 9

Move America Forward New Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

13

DOE Partners with HBCUs

14

US-China Partner on Clean Energy

CONTENTS…

17

MBDA National Advisory Council Members

January 2011

22

SBA Loans $13 Billion to Small Businesses

23

SBA Offers Disaster Preparedness Webinars

35

Black Buying Power Headed for the Trillions

40

Prepare for 2011 Trade Shows & Expos

43

2010 Tax Deductions to Know About

53

Let’s Move!

59

Africa Focus New Economic Powerhouses are in Africa

Sections 8 Government 28 - Contracting/Trade/Grants 33 - Business Success Tools 47 - Public Interest/Community 58- International Columns 38 - Take A Look!

69 - Books to Consider...

76 - Calendar Action Alerts 02 - AEG Supplier Portal 51 - Help for Haiti Sponsors 7 - Black Business Association Cover image - Sarah Harris

5  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Over 40 years of service Founded 1970

About the BBA…

Since 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Los Angeles, has been instrumental in the incubation and development of more than 15,000 African-American businesses. Nationally, we have access and influence with more than 85,000 African-American-owned and women/ minority-owned firms via strategic alliances with more than 100 women/minority trade associations in more than 42 states nationwide.

___ Our Mission ___

The Black Business Association’s mission is to advocate and promote the development of African-American owned businesses with the goal of creating a firm economic base that support the self-determination and survival of the African-American and urban community by: •

Identifying and creating financial opportunities for the growth and stability of African-American owned businesses;

•

Being a community voice that advocates for the success of small businesses;

•

Being a conduit for the merging of resources, values, profits, technology and people;

•

Promoting development and support of minority business enterprises within the domestic and international economies by encouraging and generating greater access to market opportunities and capital;

•

Providing training for entrepreneurial professional development;

•

Supporting and contributing to the economic base and progress of the African-American community; and

•

Developing coalitions that support our political endeavors to effectively achieve public recognition and political influence for African-American business owners.

___ Advocacy ___

The Black Business Association maintains very effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials for the support of African-American business development. Locally, statewide and in Washington, DC, we are constantly aware of pending legislation that might affect our member’s businesses, their growth and even their ability to conduct business. When legislation is being considered that affects our mission, the BBA quickly mobilizes to work with key policy makers to support, defeat or modify the bill and pursue the BBA position.

As an organization, we are constantly at the helm, securing innovative means and policies that protect our constituency and their business interests. 

2011 Events March

Salute to Black Women

honor outstanding African American women while commemorating NationalWomen’s History Month

May

37th Annual Black Business Association Awards Dinner Thursday, 26th 6:00pm - 10:00 pm

Well-deserved recognition to corporations, government agencies and individuals that have been most supportive of the growth and development of the Black Business Association and the African American business community as a whole

November

Utilities Procurement Exchange Summit & Awards Luncheon

Black Business Association P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA Tel: 323-291-9334 Fax: 323-291-9234 mail@bbala.org www.bbala.org www.facebook.com

honoring African American entrepreneurs and offering one-on-one opportunity exploration

• Call 323-291-9334 for information on sponsorship and participation •

7  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbala.org

Government

Democrats and Republicans Have Shared Responsibility to Move America Forward Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address The White House January 1, 2011

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ello, everybody. As we close the books on one year and begin another, I wanted to take a moment today to wish you a very Happy New Year and talk a little bit about the year that lies ahead.

At the start of 2011, we’re still just emerging from a once-in-a-lifetime recession that’s taken a terrible toll on millions of families. We all have friends

and neighbors trying to get their lives back on track.

We are, however, riding a few months of economic news that suggests our recovery is gaining traction. And our most important task now is to keep that recovery going. As President, that’s my commitment to you: to do everything I can to make sure our economy is growing, creating jobs, and strengthening our middle class. That’s my resolution for the coming year.

Still, even as we work to boost our economy in the short-term, it’s time to make some serious decisions about how to keep our economy strong, growing, and competitive in the long

run. We have to look ahead – not just to this year, but to the next 10 years, and the next 20 years. Where will new innovations come from? How will we attract the companies of tomorrow to set up shop and create jobs in our communities? What will it take to get those jobs? What will it take to out-compete other countries around the world?

What will it take to see the American Dream come true for our children and grandchildren?

Our parents and grandparents asked themselves those questions. And because they had the courage to answer them, we’ve had the good fortune to see India Transactions on page 9

8  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

New Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB)

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to promote fairness and transparency for mortgages, credit cards, and other consumer financial products and services.

• • •

• Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for standing up the CFPB until a Director of the Bureau is confirmed by the Senate. President Obama has appointed Elizabeth Warren to serve as an Assistant to the President, and the Secretary of the Treasury has appointed her as a Special Advisor, responsible

Implementing and enforcing Federal consumer financial laws; Reviewing business practices to ensure that financial services providers are following the law; Monitoring the marketplace and taking appropriate action to make sure markets work as transparently as they can for consumers; and Establishing a toll-free consumer hotline and website for complaints and questions about consumer financial products and services.

The CFPB Implementation Team The CFPB implementation team is working to put in place as quickly as possible resources that will help the Bureau fulfill its mandate. The implementation team is: •

from page 8

grow up in the greatest nation on Earth.

Now it’s our turn to think about the future. In a few days, a new Congress will form, with one house controlled by Democrats, and one house controlled by Republicans – who now have a shared responsibility to move this country forward. And here’s what I want you to know: I’m willing to work with anyone of either party who’s got a good idea and the commitment to see it through. And we should all expect you to hold us accountable for our progress or our failure to deliver.

As I’ve said since I first ran for this office, solving our challenges won’t be quick or easy. We have come through a difficult decade; one of new threats and new trials we didn’t expect when it began. But a new year and a new decade stretch out before us. And if we just remember what America is capable of, and live up to that legacy, then I’m confident that we are poised for a period of progress – one in which our economy is growing, our standing in the world is rising, and we do what it takes to make sure America remains in the 21st century what it was in the 20th: the greatest country in the world.  www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/01/01/ weekly-address-new-year

•

•

• •

holders to better understand the needs and concerns of consumers and financial services companies as they navigate the marketplace; Laying the groundwork to enforce Federal consumer financial laws and to write new rules that are required by the Dodd-Frank Act; Collecting information about consumer financial products and services and potential risks and benefits to consumers; Developing the toll-free consumer hotline and website; and Preparing for the opening of CFPB

Meeting with a wide array of stake-

9  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see CFBP on page 14

Government

he Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) will be an independent bureau within the Federal Reserve System that will help empower consumers with the information they need to make financial decisions that are best for them and their families. Created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), the CFPB will work to Treasury Secretary Geithner and Elizabeth Warren promote fairness and transparency for mortgages, credit for overseeing the development of cards, and other consumer financial the CFPB. The CFPB implementation products and services. The CFPB will team, currently housed within the Treaset and enforce clear, consistent rules sury Department, is hard at work putthat allow banks and other consumer ting in place the building blocks for the financial services providers to compete Bureau. on a level playing field and that let consumers see clearly the costs and fea- The CFPB’s Functions tures of products and services.

The CFPB will look out for people as they borrow money or use other financial services by: …the CFPB will work

Move America Forward

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., FEDERAL HOLIDAY, 2011 ------BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Half a century ago, America was moved by a young preacher who called a generation to action and forever changed the course of history. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted his life to the struggle for justice and equality, sowing seeds of hope for a day when all people might claim “the riches of freedom and the security of justice.” On Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the holiday recognizing one of America’s greatest visionary leaders, and we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King.

Dr. King guided us toward a mountaintop on which all Americans -- regardless of skin color -- could live together in mutual respect and brotherhood. His bold leadership and prophetic eloquence united people of all backgrounds in a noble quest for freedom and basic civil rights. Inspired by Dr. King’s legacy, brave souls have marched fearlessly, organized relentlessly, and devoted their lives to the unending task of perfecting our Union. Their courage and dedication have carried us even closer to the promised land Dr. King envisioned, but we must recognize their achievements as milestones on the long path to true equal opportunity and equal rights.

We must face the challenges of today with the same strength, persistence, and determination exhibited

by Dr. King, guided by the enduring values of hope and justice embodied by other civil rights leaders. As a country, we must expand access to opportunity and end structural inequalities for all people in employment and economic mobility. It is our collective responsibility as a great Nation to ensure a strong foundation that supports economic security for all and extends the founding promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to every American.

Dr. King devoted his life to serving others, reminding us that “human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle -- the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” Commemorating Dr. King’s life is not only a tribute to his contributions to our Nation and the world, but also a reminder that every day, each of us can play a part in continuing this critical work.

For this reason, we honor Dr. King’s legacy with a national day of service. I encourage all Americans to visit www.MLKDay.gov to learn more about service opportunities across our country. By dedicating this day to service, we move our Nation closer to Dr. King’s vision of all Americans living and working together as one beloved community.

NOW, THEREFORE, I BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 17, 2011, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service programs in honor of Dr. King’s life and lasting legacy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. .

BARACK OBAMA

Strengthening DOE’s Partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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ast February, President Obama renewed the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities to encourage collaboration between government agencies, educational associations, philanthropic organizations, the private sector and others to increase the capacity of HBCUs to provide high-quality education to a greater number of students.

The Department of Energy is committed to supporting education at HBCUs and has partnered with HBCUs on a variety of projects. As

Universities and President of Hampton University, as well as Langston University President JoAnn Haysbert and Morgan State University President David Wilson. The presidents and I discussed how the Department can better engage HBCUs in our science and laboratory projects, and what lessons we can learn from the many ongoing and successful partnerships we have in place.

President Harvey highlighted Hampton University’s outstanding working relationship with the Department’s Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory. At Jefferson Lab,

Brookhaven National Laboratory.

President Wilson spoke about his school’s promising collaboration with the Department. Morgan State, which leads Maryland in the number of African American engineering graduates, is a member of the Department’s Energy Innovation Hub team that is developing ways to make buildings more efficient.

Specifically, the school is working on ways to adopt technology developed by the Hub so it can be used in urban centers like Baltimore.

Finally, President Haysbert discussed Langston University’s partnership with the Department,

part of that commitment, I recently met with Dr. William Harvey, Chairman of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and

Hampton students have supported work conducted in the nuclear physics program. Now, Hampton is building on that partnership by working with

the Oklahoma Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, and others to explore the market for and the

13  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see DOE/HBCU Partnership on page 14

Government

Department of Energy Secretary Chu meets with Annie Whatley, Acting Chief of Staff in the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, and Dr. William Harvey

Presidents Hu and Obama Advance the Clean Energy Partnership between the United States and China

Government

P

resident Hu Jintao concluded his visit to the United States, after meeting with President Obama and other top government and business leaders in Washington, DC., and Chicago, IL. Among the many issues on the agenda for these two leaders, strengthening cooperation on climate change and clean energy is an area where real progress is being made. As National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Brookings and the Asia Society argued in 2009, both the United States and China are indispensible in the effort to address climate change given their positions as the two largest greenhouse gas emitting countries, their common interests in improving their energy security, the environmental and health costs of their dependence on coal and oil, and the substantial scientific, engineering and manufacturing capabilities that both countries can contribute to developing

DOE/HBCU Partnership from page 13

benefits of developing and purchasing wind generated power. Particularly, Langston is focused on developing wind energy as an alternative energy source that can promote rural economic development -- supporting farmers and other HBCUs. These examples show that HBCUs can play an important role in promoting American leadership in clean energy by training a new generation of scientists and engineers to discover and deliver energy solutions. To continue to support these efforts, the Department has awarded more than $31 million to HBCUs since 2009, including $22 million for research and development

made in clean energy and energy security since the launch of the U.S.China Clean Energy Research Center, Renewable Energy Partnership, U.S.-China Joint Statement on Energy Security Cooperation, and Energy Cooperation Program.” And they agreed to work together to support the implementation of the Cancun Agreements and support efforts to

clean energy.

Significant steps have been taken in establishing meaningful, concrete clean energy cooperation projects since President Obama’s visit to Beijing in November 2009, when a number of important US-China clean energy President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao of agreements China on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official were signed.

White House Photo by Pete Souza) In their joint statement, achieve a positive outcome at the both countries “applauded the progress December 2011 Climate Change programs. These research dollars Conference in South Africa. support initiatives at institutions including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College to build the capacity to develop clean energy technologies on campus and to conduct studies on energy usage. Additionally, we have provided internships, grants and scholarships to students at a number of Historically Black institutions.

By continuing to expand and support our partnerships with HBCUs, we can encourage more students from minority communities to explore careers in science, engineering and mathematics.

A diversity of students, from diverse backgrounds, will create a diversity of ideas, spurring innovation in the clean energy sector.

To learn more about the Department’s work with HBCUs, visit http://diversity. doe.gov. 

New US-China Clean Energy Agreements and Initiatives Several announcements on USChina clean energy cooperation during the state visit demonstrated progress on new and continuing programs, see Clean Energy Partnership on page 19

CFPB from page 9

offices that will focus on specific groups of consumers, including offices for Service Member Affairs and Financial Protection for Older Americans.  www.treasury.gov/initiatives/Pages/ cfpb.aspx

14  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Los Angeles Achieves Historic Renewable Energy Goal

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ith the recent passage of the tax cut compromise, Congress has extended popular renewable energy grant programs for another year. Industry groups expressed optimism that the program will help drive continued growth in the energy sector.

The 1603 Treasury grant program was originally part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants help cover the cost of new projects by up to 30 percent, and helped attract $18 billion in new investment over the past two years, according to the New York Times.

The program is estimated to have added more than 11 gigawatts of renewable power into the U.S. energy grid, which is equivalent to all renewable energy development over the past few decades combined. Development has increased so much so that GE Energy Applications & Systems Engineering has concluded that a quarter of New England’s power will be generated by wind within a decade.

The renewable energy industry lobbied hard for a continuation of 1603, and expects it to have a stimulative efachieved through a combination of major projects and power agreements made during the Mayor’s administration. In June 2009, LADWP began full operation of the Pine Tree Wind Power Plant — the nation’s largest wind

fect on the marketplace.

“Orders will be on the rise for new wind power, and investors will put more capital into the U.S. economy because of what happened in Congress last night,” said Denise Bode, chief executive of the American Wind Energy Association said in a prepared statement.

Solar Energy Industries Association president and CEO Rhone Resch credited Congress for passing the extensions, saying that it would create tens of thousands of jobs for Americans. www.smarterplanet.com farm owned by a municipal utility, in the Tehachapi Mountains. Wind power comprised nearly 50% of all LADWP’s renewable energy in 2010 with small hydro-electric contributing 30%, geothermal/biofuels, 22%, and solar, 1%.

“This is a historic and substantial accomplishment for the Department of Water and Power and the City of Los Angeles,” said Austin Beutner, LADWP General Manager. “We need to continue to reduce the impact of DWP operations on the environment and do it in an economically sustainable manner.”

Reaching this milesee Energy Goal on page 19

15  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Government

os Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, joined by environmental leaders and representatives from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), has announced the achievement of a major milestone — providing 20% of the City’s power from renewable energy sources in 2010.

“When I became Mayor, I set a goal to generate 20% of the City’s power from renewable energy sources by 2010 and I am proud to say that we have achieved that goal,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “We went from worst to first and quadrupled our renewable energy portfolio in a few short years while also keeping our rates lower than other major utilities. This announcement illustrates that the DWP is a national leader in cost-effective, environmentally responsible and reliable energy.”

In 2005, Mayor Villaraigosa and the LADWP made a commitment to increase the utility’s use of clean, green renewable energy from 5% to 20% by the year 2010. This amount of renewable power provided to customers — 4,500 gigawatt-hours (GWh) — is equivalent to annually removing 750,000 homes from the power grid, preventing 2.5 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, or removing nearly to 490,000 cars from the road.

The 20% by 2010 goal has been

Congress Extends Renewable Energy Grant Program

Minority Business Development Agency Members of New National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprises Introduced

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new and innovative ways the public and private sector can help spur growth among minority-owned firms so they can expand their operations and hire more people.”

“The nation’s 5.8 million minorityowned firms have significant untapped potential that can benefit the United States,” said David A. Hinson, MBDA’s National Director. “The advisory council has an opportunity to shape future policies and programs that will set the foundation for the growth of $100 million companies across all industries that are owned and operated by U.S. minorities.”

Advisory council appointees represent a broad range of industries including technology, energy, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, construction and consulting, and vary from small businesses to multinational corporations. The council’s first meeting will take place in early 2011.

In addition to appointing council members, Locke has asked Mark Hoplamazian to serve as chair and Janice Savin-Williams to serve as vice chair of the council.

The full list of appointed members to the National Advisory Council on Mi-

nority Business Enterprises includes: Jean Baderschneider, Vice President, Procurement, Exxon Mobil Gregory Case, President and CEO, Aon Corporation Lamae Allen-DeJongh, Partner, Accenture John Harris II, President, Raytheon Technical Services Company Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO, Global Hyatt Corporation Paul Hsu, Chairman of the Board, HSU Enterprise Group, LLC Anthony Jimenez, President and CEO, MicroTech Ash Luthra, President and CEO, LSL Industries, Inc. Jose Mas, CEO, MasTec, Inc. Chris Melvin, Chairman and Founder, Melvin & Company Marc Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League Javier Palomarez, President and CEO, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Elizabeth Plaza, President and CEO, Pharma-Bio Serv., Inc. Richard Rizzo, Vice Chairman, Perini Building Company Roy Roberts, President and CEO, Alliance of Professionals & Consultants, Inc. Ed Sanchez, Chairman and

Lamae AllenDeJongh

John Harris II

Chris Melvin

Marc Morial

Janice SavinWilliams

Donald Thompson

17  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see MBDA on page 27

Government

.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has announced the appointment of 25 individuals to serve on the newly established National Advisory Council for Minority Business Enterprises. The advisory council, led by the Commerce Department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), is the first council focused on promoting the minority business community since the early 1970s.

The new council will provide advice and recommendations to Locke and the administration on a broad range of policy issues affecting the minority business community as part of the Obama administration’s focus on creating new jobs and strengthening the U.S. economy. Recent Census data show that the number of minority-owned firms is growing at a significant rate, yet the gap in revenue between minority-owned and non-minority-owned firms is substantial. Disparities in access to capital have also been recently documented in a report commissioned by MBDA. “A strong and vibrant minority business community is absolutely essential to the growth of the U.S. economy,” Locke said. “I look forward to working with the advisory council to identify

Clean Energy Partnership

smart meters). . . . Case Western Reserve University will cooperate with the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation to research new energy efficiency techniques and new methods of lowering greenhouse gas emissions.”

from page 14

including: •

The three US-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC) consortia finalized their work plans on building efficiency, advanced coal and carbon capture and storage (CCS), and clean vehicles.

•

The announcement of two new Ecopartnerships: “The City of Charlotte, the State of North

An agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Development and Reform Commission, and other Chinese agencies to cooperate on next generation aviation biofuels, congestion and multimodal transportation planning, and livable communities.

Carolina, and Duke Energy will form a three-tiered EcoPartnership with the City of Langfang, Hebei Province, and ENN/ Xin’ao Group to exchange policy best practices (e.g., renewable portfolio standards), carry out joint demonstration projects (e.g., residential building efficiency demonstrations), and conduct trials for innovative clean energy technologies (e.g., exploring more effective ways to deploy

•

A Statement of Intent between US DOE and China’s Ministry of Science and Technology on data sharing for electric vehicle demonstrations projects between the cities of Los Angeles and Shanghai that will accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles.

•

Announcement of a joint U.S.China Eco-city Initiative between the US DOE and China’s Ministry see Clean Energy Partnership on page 21

from page 15

stone is the latest in a series of significant achievements by LADWP to meet the goals of Mayor Villaraigosa’s GREEN LA Action Plan to lead the national fight against global warming. In addition to achieving 20% renewable energy in 2010, LADWP has reduced its carbon emissions to 22% below 1990 levels through a combination of expanding renewable energy; replacing old generators with efficient and ultra-clean power plants; and promoting energy efficiency among its customers.

Since 2006, LADWP customers have saved enough energy to remove 343,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions from our air each year. This equates to removing 66,000 cars from the road annually. Currently 3% of the City’s total power use is offset by energy efficiency, and LADWP expects to save an additional 7% through energy efficiency by 2020.

In conjunction with increasing renewables and energy efficiency, a key factor in reducing greenhouse gases and promoting a cleaner environment is ending reliance on coal-generated power. LADWP is currently making this transition away from coal and in 2010, only 39% of its power portfolio came from coal. LADWP is in the process of divesting of the Navajo Generating Station in Arizona by 2014, which will reduce carbon emissions by an additional 26%.

Moving forward, LADWP will continue to develop new wind and solar projects close to existing transmission lines and other infrastructure. This includes local in-basin solar and a feed-in tariff program which would allow private parties to sell power to LADWP for distribution on the grid.

The data chronicling this milestone achievement of delivering 19.7% of power from renewable energy sources in 2010 will be submitted to the California Energy Commission (CEC). The CEC’s standard process is to round up to the closest percentage. In their findings, they will therefore report that the City of Los Angeles generated 20% of its power from renewable energy sources in 2010. 

19  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Government

President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao of China hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Energy Goal

Clean Energy Partnership from page 19

of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, under which both sides will develop guidelines and policies to support the integration

Research Center (CERC) consortia on building efficiency, advanced coal and carbon capture and storage (CCS), and clean vehicles met in Washington during Hu’s visit to finalize the joint five-year work plans (see them for the building efficiency, advanced coal and CCS, and clean vehicles consortia).

Organized on the U.S. side by the

years by $25 million in government and consortia member funding on the US side (totaling $75 million), with a similar amount of funding on the Chinese side for a total of $150 million.

As one can see from the joint work plans, the CERC is aimed at furthering development of key technologies that have the potential to reduce energy

President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao of China shake hands at the conclusion of their joint press conference in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

In addition, both sides are continuing to make progress on other clean energy cooperative initiatives announced during President Obama’s November 2009 visit including exchanges, workshops and a wide array of research collaborations on electric vehicles, energy efficiency, and renewable energy topics.

US-China Clean Energy Center Consortia Release their Joint Work Plans As I noted in a previous post, the American and Chinese participants in the three US-China Clean Energy

Department of Energy, the consortia are public-private partnerships of government laboratories and agencies, universities, industry and non-profit organizations (NRDC is part of the building consortium). The consortia are being led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (building efficiency), West Virginia University (advanced coal and CCS) and the University of Michigan (clean vehicles) on the US side, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (building efficiency), Huazhong University of Science and Technology and China Huaneng Group Clean Energy Research Institute (advanced coal and CCS), and Tsinghua University (clean vehicles) on the Chinese side.

Each consortium is funded over five

consumption and greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions in each sector.

And, just as importantly, researching ways that these technologies can be deployed in the marketplace, because even the most efficient and advanced technology will not be effective unless we can develop the policy tools and understanding to increase their market deployment at scale. For example, the building consortium will be researching technology such as building energy monitoring and simulation, building envelope technologies, advanced heating and cooling, and lighting, and also focusing on policies such as building energy efficiency codes and labels to promote building efficiency.

The advanced coal and CCS consortia see Clean Energy Partnership on page 25

21  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Government

of energy efficiency and renewable energy into city design and operation.

Jobs Act Supported More Than $12 Billion in SBA Lending to Small Businesses in Just Three Months

Government

S

BA Administrator Karen Mills has announced that as of Dec. 31 the agency had approved more than $10.3 billion in loan guarantees which supported more than $12 billion in lending to small businesses since President Obama signed the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 on Sept. 27. The Jobs Act included an extension of reduced fees and higher guarantee loan enhancements in the agency’s two largest loan programs.

In a statement, Mills noted that SBA moved quickly to get these critical loan dollars in the hands of small businesses and just three months later all of the $505 million in subsidy provided in the Jobs Act to support the loan enhancements has been utilized by the agency’s national network of lending partners. In light of that, the SBA has activated the SBA loan queue to ensure that any remaining funds that result from loan cancellations in the coming weeks are redirected to new Jobs Act loans.

Following is the full statement from Mills: “In just three months since the Small Business Jobs Act was signed into law, SBA supported more than $12 billion in lending to small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country. SBA is on the front lines with small business owners and our lending partners every

into the hands of our nation’s largest job creation engine.

“The loan enhancements of higher guarantees and reduced fees first implemented as part of the Recovery Act have been a vital resource for tens of thousands of small businesses at a critical time when lending markets had dried up. Beginning in February 2009, these loan enhancements engineered a significant turnaround in SBA lending, including driving record-high levels of SBA lending in recent weeks. The end result is that the agency helped put more than $42 billion in the hands of small businesses through the Recovery Act and Jobs Act combined.

“These enhancements have been a key piece of the Obama Administration’s efforts to help small businesses drive our nation’s economic recovery.

As we transition back to our standard guarantees and fee rates, SBA loan programs will continue to play an important role, as they have for decades, in helping entrepreneurs and small business owners start or grow their businesses and create jobs.

“The Small Business Jobs Act is the most consequential piece of legislation affecting small businesses enacted in more than a decade. While we are proud of how quickly SBA could provide $12 billion in capital to small businesses, we remain focused on imple-

single day. I’m very proud that as a result of those close relationships and partnerships we were able to quickly put this significant amount of capital

menting other key provisions of this law that will continue to expand access to capital, help small businesses compete for federal contracting dollars, strength-

Karen G. Mills, Administrator Small Business Administration

en small business exports and provide other critical support.”

During the quarter, SBA approved nearly 22,000 small business loans for $10.47 billion, supporting a total of $12.16 billion in lending. The amounts are greater than the volume for Jobs Act loans over the same period because they exclude some loans that were not eligible for one or more Jobs Act enhancements.

Background on SBA Loan Enhancements: SBA expands access to capital for small businesses by providing government-guarantees on loans made by commercial lenders. The Small Business Jobs Act extended higher guarantees and reduced fees on its two most popular loan programs, enhancements first enacted in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

From Feb. 17, 2009, when the Recovery Act was signed, through Sept.

30, 2010, the SBA approved more than $22.5 billion in loan guarantees, which supported more than $30 billion in lending small businesses, due to the loan enhancements put in place by the Act. The enhancements were funded

22  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see SBA Lending Support on page 23

SBA and Agility Recovery Solutions Offer Monthly Small Business Disaster Preparedness Webinars

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May 17 – “Crisis Communications Planning” June 21 – “Hurricane Season preparation” July 19 – “Disaster recovery best practices” Aug. 16 – “Social media and disaster recovery” September – Weekly webinars during National Preparedness Month include testing recovery plans, Pandemic planning, and securing management

support for recovery planning.

Oct. 18 – “Preparing your business for the Winter Weather season” Nov. 15 – “The Impact of Preparedness on the bottom Line” Dec. 20 – “Management obligations during Disaster Recovery” More preparedness tips for businesses, homeowners and renters are available on the SBA’s website at http://www.sba.gov/content/disasterpreparedness. 

SBA Lending Support

loan cancellations in the coming weeks to new loans with the enhancements.

It is typical that some previously approved loans are later cancelled by the borrower or lender and never disbursed for a variety of reasons. The queue takes this into account and will allow eligible small businesses, in consultation with their lenders, to choose to be placed in the queue for possible approval for a Jobs Act loan if funding becomes available. Small business owners and lenders will have transparent access to the queue via www.sba. gov and will be able to remove themselves from the queue at any time to be considered for a non-Jobs Act SBAbacked loan with all applicable fees and, for 7(a) loans, standard guarantee levels.

from page 22

with approximately $680 million in subsidy funds provided during the period.

Following the extension of the enhancements in the Jobs Act, the agency approved an additional $10.3 billion in loan guarantees, supporting more than $12 billion in lending to small businesses from Sept. 27 through Dec. 31, funded by just $505 million in subsidy funds. The three-month extension of the loan enhancements under the Jobs Act financed the highest volume in a fiscal year’s first quarter than at any time in the agency’s history. During the week of Dec. 18-24, SBA supported a record-high $1.95 billion in small business loans, the highest dollar volume since the agency began tracking its weekly loan volumes.

SBA Loan Queue: Authority to continue the loan enhancements was extended through March 4 by Congress last month. While there is no additional appropriation of subsidy funds to support the loan enhancements, the extended authority does allow the agency to redirect, through the SBA Loan Queue, any dollars that come available from

Small Business Jobs Act of 2010: The Small Business Jobs Act included an array of provisions aimed at helping small businesses gain access to capital, compete for federal contracting opportunities, expand exporting opportunities and obtain other assistance to help them grow and create jobs.

More information on the Jobs Act can be found at www.sba.gov/jobsact. 

23  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

www.sba.gov

Government

mall business owners have an opportunity to get tips on business continuity planning in 2011 through a series of free webinars hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery Solutions.

Information on gauging your business’s potential vulnerabilities to natural and man-made disasters will be presented during the “Starting Fresh—Assessing Risk & Threats to your Business in 2011” webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

During the hour-long webinar, Agility CEO Bob Boyd and business continuity planner Mark Norton will discuss the basics of risk assessment, the importance of identifying critical small business functions, and employee preparedness.

“A vital part of growing a small business is guarding the company’s infrastructure,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “These free disaster preparedness webinars are an opportunity for business owners to learn how to become proactive and practical about analyzing risks and making a plan to recover. This is about not only protecting the business before disaster strikes, but having a plan in place so the business rebuilds quickly and thrives.”

The SBA has partnered with Agility Recovery Solutions to offer small business continuity strategies via their “PrepareMyBusiness” website at www.preparemybusiness.org.

To register for the Jan. 18th webinar, go to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/785086473.

Dates and topics for upcoming free webinars are as follows: Feb. 15 – “Disaster Recovery Year in Review” March 15 – “SBA Disaster Assistance” April 19 – “Leading with resiliency during a disaster”

Clean Energy Partnership from page 21

US-China Business Cooperation on Clean Energy In addition to the projects covered above, US companies announced several deals with Chinese partners related to clean energy that will create American jobs and exports. General Electric signed five clean energy, railway and aviation deals worth over $2 billion that will reportedly support 4,500 American jobs. These include a joint venture with Shenhua Group to develop coal gasification technologies in China, an agreement with China Huadian Corporation to develop distributed energy combined heat and power projects, and a letter of intent with China’s Ministry of Railways to reaffirm both parties’ intent to collaborate on

Building a Firm Foundation for US-China Clean Energy Cooperation The announcements this week during President Hu’s visit remind us that China and the United States have much to benefit by cooperating on clean energy and climate, and that both bring enormous talents and resources to these endeavors. While there are bound to be some differences between the countries on climate and energy issues in the future, the

US-China Clean Energy Research Center, Ecopartnerships, and the many other public and private clean energy initiatives between our two countries make clear how much we each have to offer the other in the fight to address climate change and to secure a cleaner, more secure and healthier future for our people.

These agreements will lead to tangible deployment of low-carbon technologies in both countries which will benefit not only the US and China, but also the world. After all, widespread deployment of clean energy solutions in the world’s two largest economies will make these solutions more common and more affordable for all, making a crucial contribution to the world’s efforts to address climate change. 

by Barbara Finamore & Alvin Lin, NRDC www.nrdc.org Background Information Sources www.duke-energy.com/news/ releases/2011011803.asp http://blog.case.edu/think/2011/01/20/ case_western_reserve_university_ and_chinaas_national_offshore_oil_ corporation_agree_to_collaborate www.ecopartnerships.gov/current www.whitehouse.gov/the-pressoffice/2011/01/19/fact-sheet-us-chinacooperation-climate-change-clean-energyand-environm www.pi.energy.gov/images/USChinaCleanEnergy.PDF www.nytimes.com/ cwire/2011/01/19/19climatewire-us-andchinese-companies-deepen-ties-onthe-87015.html#h[] www.aep.com/investors/ newsreleases/?id=1660 www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/19/fact-sheet-us-china-commercial-relations

OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN OERP

Do Business with BBA Member Businesses & Advertisers

25  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Government

will research several technologies for reducing emissions from coal, including integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants and CCS, post-combustion CCS technology, geological sequestration, and using algae to bio-fix CO2 emissions from power plants, and it will be evaluating the cost of bringing these technologies to the market.

Finally, the clean vehicles consortia will research electric vehicles (including advanced batteries, advanced EV technologies, and interaction with the grid), advanced biofuels, and advanced lightweight materials, as well as focusing on energy systems analysis and technology roadmaps.

Although we are just at the beginning of this five-year endeavor, I am heartened to see this level of engagement between our two countries, because this is the kind of sustained and focused cooperation that we need to make real progress on developing the key low-carbon technologies of the future. Both countries will benefit from the US-China CERCs, in terms of economic and scientific development, reducing greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions, and fostering the enterprises and skilled workforce that will push these technologies forward.

High-Speed Rail (HSR) and electric rail opportunities in North America.

American Electric Power also signed two cooperative agreements. The first one with China Huaneng, the US DOE, and China’s National Energy Administration would evaluate a postcombustion, advanced amine carbon capture technology developed by China Huaneng and share data about power plant operation efficiencies. The other agreement with State Grid Corporation of China would “jointly evaluate and potentially advance six transmission and distribution technologies, including ultra-high-voltage transmission equipment, advanced energy storage technologies, smartmeter technologies, and distributed generation technologies.”

UPC Management, a wind power developer based in Miami, announced an agreement with China Guodian Corporation to jointly develop seven wind power projects in China with a combined capacity of over 1,075 MW and valued up to $1.5 billion.

AES Corporation, based in Arlington, Virginia, also announced an agreement with Chongqing Energy Investment Group to jointly develop, construct and operate a series of renewable energy projects in China, including hydroelectric, wind, ventilation air methane, clean coal and low carbon technology projects.

Smaller U.S. firms are also innovating in this space, with the New York-based startup Ener1 entering into a joint venture with a unit of China’s largest auto-parts maker Wanxiang Group to build up to 40,000 battery packs for electric vehicles and power grid energy storage by 2014.

President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness

P

President Obama said “Over the past two years, my Economic Recovery Advisory Board has provided this administration with support and expertise as we worked to bring our economy back from the brink and start recovering from an economic crisis that cost millions of American jobs.

We still have a long way to go, and my number one priority is to ensure we are doing everything we can to get the American people back to work. As we enter a new phase in our recovery, I have asked the new Council to focus its work on finding new ways to encourage the private sector to hire and invest in American competitiveness.”

“Jeff Immelt’s experience at GE and his understanding of the vital role the private sector plays in creating jobs and making America competitive makes him up to the challenge of leading this new Council. I also want to thank my

MBDA

President, Alcoa from page 17

David Segura, CEO, Vision IT, Inc.

CEO, Lopez Foods, Inc.

Jim Sinegal, CEO, Costco

Janice Savin-Williams, Co-founder and Senior Principal, Williams Capital Group, LP

Donald Thompson, President and COO, McDonald’s

Michael Schell, Executive Vice

Chiling Tong, CEO, International Leadership Foundation

Jeff Immelt friend Paul Volcker, whose service not just during this difficult period but for decades has been invaluable to me and the American people. I will continue to call on him for his counsel and he will always be a member of my team.”  William Von Hoene, Executive Vice President, Exelon Purnima Voria, Founder and CEO, National U.S. India Chamber of Commerce Frank White, President and CEO, Advanced Concepts 

27  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

www.mbda.gov

Government

resident Obama has announced the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness – a board to get Americans back to work and strengthen our economy that will be chaired by Jeff Immelt, the CEO and Chairman of General Electric.

For the past two years under the leadership of Paul Volcker, the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERAB), has provided outside advice and counsel as the administration has taken bold steps to recover from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. On February 6, 2011, the PERAB two-year mandate will expire, as scheduled.

As we enter a new phase in our economic recovery, the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness will have a new composition and new mission. The Council will focus on finding new ways to promote growth by investing in American business to encourage hiring, to educate and train our workers to compete globally, and to attract the best jobs and businesses to the United States.

Ashoka’s Changemakers

Contracting/Trade/Grants

A

shoka’s Changemakers is looking for innovative solutions that engage communities, entrepreneurs, and key institutions in collaborating to integrate and develop affordable, inclusive, and sustainable urban housing that respects the environment, local cultures, and practices.

This competition is being launched in anticipation of the 2012 Summit of the Americas, and in support of U.S. President Barack Obama’s Energy and Climate Partnership for the Americas (ECPA).

It is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, and is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of State, and the American Planning Association.

Submit your solutions, or nominate a project, in this competition to collaborate on sustainable urban housing for liveable and inclusive cities.

From November 5 through February 2, 2011, you can nominate or submit a solution for sustainable urban housing. The entry form is also available for download.

Early Entry Prize: The two best entries submitted by 5PM EST, December 12, 2010 will each be eligible to win a prize of US $500.

Online Winners Prizes: The top three entries submitted by 5pm EST, February 2, 2011 will win US $10,000 each.

The most competitive entrants will be showcased and reviewed at an event that closes the competition in June 2011 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. where they will be viewed by public and private partners, including prospective funders.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to receive regular updates and to give us your feedback. 

Trade Opps

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hallenge.gov works when you tell people you care about an issue, or participate in a challenge. The government posts challenges in many areas of public concern - health, employment, environment and more. Citizens share the challenge information with friends and neighbors.

Then, talented and caring people find and offer suggestions for resolving problems and support the resolutions

they think best meet the challenge.

When you read about a challenge at www.challenge.gov that you or someone you know has the concern, knowl

Challenges/ Contests WWW.CHALLENGE.GOV

C

hallenge.gov works when you tell people you care about an issue, or participate in a challenge. The government posts challenges in many areas of public concern health, employment, environment and more.

Citizens share the challenge information with friends

28  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

and neighbors. Then, talented and caring people find and offer suggestions for resolving problems and support the resolutions they think best meet the challenge.

When you read about a challenge at www.challenge.gov that you or someone you know has the concern, knowledge and experience to formulate and submit a suggested resolution, Sign Up and participate. New challenges are posted periodically and many challenges are in progress right now, so visit the challenge.gov website regularly to stay abreast and to participate.

Contracts

T

he Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006 requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) establish a single searchable website, accessible to the public at no cost, which includes for each Federal award:

• •

•

HUD MAKES $35 MILLION AVAILABLE TO HOUSING AUTHORITIES TO CREATE NEW EDUCATIONAL, JOB TRAINING FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS

the name of the entity receiving the award; the amount of the award; information on the award including transaction type, funding agency, etc; the location of the entity receiving the award; and a unique identifier of the entity receiving the award.

USAspending.gov was first launched in December 2007 to fulfill these requirements. Prime award information shown on the website is provided by Federal Agencies through four main source systems (see Sources of Data).

USAspending.gov receives and displays data pertaining to obligations (amounts awarded for federally sponsored projects during a given budget period), not outlays or expenditures (actual cash disbursements made against each project). Read the latest OMB-issued memoranda M-09-19, “Guidance on Data Submission under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act” as it provides guidance to agencies on how to report information to USAspending.gov.

USAspending.gov has been recently updated in October 2010 to display of

T

he U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced that it is offering $35 million to public housing authorities to develop facilities that will provide early childhood and adult education, and/or job training programs for public housing residents. The new Capital Fund Education and Training Community Facilities Program (CFCF) further illustrates the Obama Administration’s commitment to link affordable housing with education reform and early childhood education. The Notice of Funding for CFCF was posted on Grants.gov in October.

“Education offers a path to a better life,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “This new program will provide public housing authorities the necessary resources to give their residents educational and enrichment opportunities that will open doors to boundless opportunities.”

Housing authorities have until January 14, 2011, to apply for CFCF funding to construct new facilities, rehabilitate existing structures or purchase facilities that will provide early childhood and adult education, and/or job training programs for public housing residents based on an identified need. The funding can also be used to revitalize an existing community center that will offer comprehensive integrated services to help public housing residents achieve better educational and economic outcomes resulting in long-term economic self-sufficiency. While use of the facility is primarily for public housing residents, families in the community may

utilize and benefit from the new centers and their resources.

The maximum grant award is $5 million. Applicants must “leverage” or have financial commitments of at least five percent of the grant amount and identify at least one education or training supportive service provider, such as a community college, that will partner with the housing authority to provide the services required. Agencies that are awarded funding are given four years to have an operating facility.

CFCF, which is being funded though a special set-aside from HUD’s Capital Fund Program, adds to the Obama Administration’s commitment to including educational components to its housing programs. Both the Choice Neighborhoods (CN) and HOPE VI Revitalization Programs, that are currently taking applications, require providing early childhood educational opportunities a priority.

The Choice Neighborhoods initiative aligns quality educational opportunities with community development resources for long-term, economically viable neighborhood transformation. Now in its pilot year, the competitive program will award up to $65 million to public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and for profit developers that apply jointly with a public entity to extend neighborhood transformation efforts beyond public and/or assisted housing, to link housing revitalization with education reform and early childhood education. CN builds on the success of the HOPE VI Revitalization Program that has for nearly 20 years transformed neighborhoods with distressed public housing into revitalized mixed-income communities.

THE FOLLOWING GRANT OPPORTUNITY POSTINGS DETAILS MAY BE FOUND ON WWW.GRANTS.GOV USDA: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE/ FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE •2011 SUMMER HOME DELIVERY & FOOD BACKPACKS DEMO PROJECTS, MODIFICATION 1 •WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58525 USDA: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE/ NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICUL-

29  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Contracting/Trade/Grants

•

Grants

Due Date: January 14, 2011

WWW.USASPENDING.GOV

•

first-tier sub-award data (subcontracts and subgrants). Sub-award information shown on the website is provided by FSRS (see Sources of Data). The latest guidance documents pertaining to sub-award reporting can be found under News.

Contracting/Grants from page 29 TURE

•BIOTECHNOLOGY RISK ASSESSMENT GRANTS PROGRAM, MODIFICATION 1 •WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58827 USDOJ: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS/ BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE •BJA FY 11 RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT (RSAT) FOR STATE PRISONERS PROGRAM, MODIFICATION 1 •WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58917 NEH: NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES PROGRAMMING GRANTS TO ACCOMPANY NEH ON THE ROAD EXHIBITIONS, GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58945 DOT: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/ FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL (PTC) FOR COMMUTER AND REGIONAL RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEMS, GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58958

HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH MECHANISMS OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN CHILDREN (R01), GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58962 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH MECHANISMS OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN CHILDREN (R03), GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58963 DOT: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/ FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION RAIL TRANSIT SIGNAL AND CONTROL SYSTEMS (RTSCS) RESEARCH - TECHNOLOGY TO ENFORCE TEMPORAL SEPARATION FOR

DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58964

IMLS: INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANTS, GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58965 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH SUMMER RESEARCH EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS (R25), GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58966 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/HEALTH RESOURCES & SERVICES ADMINISTRATION HIV EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES (EIS) PROGRAM EXISTING GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREAS (EISEGA), MODIFICATION 5 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58967 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF A POPULATIONBASED COHORT OF PEOPLE WITH LUPUS (U01), GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58968 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC RESERVE GROUP TOUR PROGRAM, GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58969 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH STUDIES IN NEONATAL HYPOGLYCEMIA (R03), GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58970 AND (R01) 58971 DHS: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY/OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS - GRANTS DIVISION EXPLORATORY RESEARCH, GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58972 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH STUDIES IN NEONATAL HYPOGLYCEMIA (R21), GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58973

HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM, GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58974 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION JOHNSTON COUNTY OSTEOARTHRITIS PROJECT (U01), GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58975 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (PACIFIC JURISDICTIONS), GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58976 NSF: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM MODIFICATION 2 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=50629 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING REGULATION OF SURFACE COAL MINING AND SURFACE EFFECTS OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINING MODIFICATION 2 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=55550 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PILOT LONGITUDINAL DATA COLLECTION TO INFORM PUBLIC HEALTH - FRAGILE X SYNDROME MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58813 USAID: AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEPAL USAID-KATHMANDU HARIYO BAN MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58822 HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION STUDIES AT THE ANIMAL-HUMAN INTERFACE OF INFLUENZA

31  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see SBA Lending Support on page 44

Government

DOT: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/ FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION RAIL TRANSIT SIGNAL AND CONTROL SYSTEMS (RTSCS) RESEARCH - COMMUNICATION-BASED TRAIN CONTROL (CBTC) FOR A HEAVY AND LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM, GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=58960

SHARED-TRACK OPERATIONS, GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH.

Tips for Building Your Business For Success The Importance of Ownership

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ne of the keys to economic independence for African American business owners is the acquisition and ownership of commercial real estate. By controlling the buildings and land that house the means of generating revenue, an entrepreneur can better attain the goal that underpins what being in business is all about: maximum selfdetermination.

With interest rates now at historically low levels and the economy growing at a slow pace, now is a prime time for many business owners to consider the purchase of commercial real estate. The benefits and drawbacks to commercial real estate ownership vary from business owner to business owner, but potential buyers should educate themselves about the obvious and sometimes hidden benefits to the ownership of a commercial property. Below are some of the major benefits to real estate ownership, versus leasing a commercial space.

cide to retire. In such cases, the equity appreciation on commercial property can be significant. An owner can decide either to sell the property upon retirement to cash in on equity appreciation, or lease the property to another business for a continuous retirement income stream. In fact, in some situations, a business owner may be able to lease out an unused portion of the property, such as a spare office, before retirement for additional income.

ADDED VALUE TO BUSINESS Unlike some residential loans, many commercial loans are assumable. This makes the business and its real estate much easier for a buyer to acquire, and enhances the value of the business tremendously.

NO TAXES TO PAY ON YOUR RENT TAX DEDUCTIONS For many Black business owners, a primary benefit of commercial real estate ownership is the tax deductibility of property that can be taken on the interest portion of the monthly commercial loan payment. These deductions can be substantial and each business owner should consult a qualified tax specialist about his or her unique situation.

On average, commercial real estate properties will appreciate about two to three percent above inflation over the long term. Paying rent provides no appreciation or equity. Quite candidly, many Black business owners have been paying rent for a decade or more, with no equity accrued and never having positioned themselves to benefit from any hope of equity appreciation. Using some of the most conservative estimates, potential equity appreciation can result in significant financial gains over a period of decades.

A RETIREMENT FUND Through various circumstances, many minority and small business owners will not receive a pension when they de-

EASY ACCESS TO FINANCING Historically-low, thirty-year fixed interest mortgage rates are now available for owner-occupied commercial properties. Furthermore, there are flexible interest-only options from which entrepreneurs can benefit. In fact, in some instances, with strong financials a business owner may qualify for loan financing up to 100% of the purchase price for commercial real estate. A business owner should consult an experienced commercial mortgage adviser before making an offer on a commercial property, so that in addition to the tangible benefits outlined above, the business owner will have the satisfaction that only comes with property ownership. Truer words have never been spoken: “God bless the child that’s got his own”.

The Black Business Association (BBA) will soon launch a nationwide program to assist African American business owners in acquiring commercial and industrial real estate.

Contact our office for more information: www.bbala.org and 323-291-9334. 

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EQUITY APPRECIATION

When a business leases its real estate, sales tax is paid on the rent paid to the landlord. When you own the real estate there is no tax to pay on the rent. The savings can be significant.

By 2011 Black Buying Power to Hit Trillion-Dollar Mark Report cites population growth, entrepreneurship for economic gains Editor’s Note: According to an annual report by the Selig Center for Economic Growth (www.selig.uga.edu) buying power is defined as the total personal income an individual has available after taxes.

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innesota is one of 10 states in the U.S. that have shown the greatest growth of Black buying power since 1990, a University of Georgia economic report says.

According to an annual report by the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, although Minnesota did not make the top-10 list for states

with the largest African American market, it did make the top-10 list for the largest buying power rate of growth during 1990-2006: Nevada (449 percent), Idaho (434 percent), Utah (386 percent), Montana (368 percent), Minnesota (354 percent), South Dakota (313 percent), Arizona (294 percent), Maine (294 percent), Vermont (289 percent) and Wyoming (251 percent).

The Selig Center 2007 report includes state-by-state projections of buying power for the country as well as for Blacks, Asians, Native Americans and Hispanics.

Buying power is not used as a measurement of wealth. It is defined as the

on groceries, housing and women’s and girls’ clothing than others.

Also, according to the report, Black consumers account for almost nine cents out of every U.S. dollar spent.

Humphreys also examined demographic data: The nation’s Black population will grow almost 34 percent by 2011, compared to 18.5 percent for Whites and 25.4 percent for the total U.S. population.

The gains in Black buying power reflect more than just population growth and consumer inflation, Humphreys said. He also pointed to the increasing number of Blacks starting their own businesses. Using U.S. Census data, Humphreys reported that the number of Black-owned businesses increased 45 percent from 1997 to 2002, exceeding the 10 percent increase in U.S. businesses overall.

The Selig Center report concluded that as the U.S. consumer market continues to grow more diverse, advertising, products and media must be tailored to meet each ethnic consumer market. The organization, which was established in 1990, makes their report available to businesses and the public.

To read the entire report, go to the Selig Center’s Web site at www.selig. uga.edu.  Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, News Report, Charles Hallman challman@spokesman-recorder.com

35  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

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Black buying power will total $845 billion in 2007 and is projected to top $1.1 trillion by 2012.

total personal income an individual has available after taxes for spending on virtually everything that they buy.

The economic think tank determines its estimates and projections by applying economic modeling and forecasting techniques to data from various U.S. government sources. Despite the large population disparity between Whites and persons of color in Minnesota, the state ranks fifth in percentage increase of Black (354.2 percent) and Asian (486.5 percent) buying power, and eighth in Hispanic buying power.

Jeff Humphreys, director of the Selig Center and the report’s author, reported in August that U.S. Black buying power will total $845 billion in 2007 and is projected to top $1.1 trillion by 2012. Furthermore, the share of buying power controlled by Black consumers will rise in 47 states, including Minnesota. Mississippi (24.3 percent), Maryland (22.2 percent) and Georgia (20.8 percent) will show the largest market share increases, along with the Distinct of Columbia (30.6 percent).

By 2011, the combined buying power of Blacks, Asians and Native Americans nationwide will be $1.8 trillion – nearly quadruple its 1990 level of $454 billion, a gain of $1.3 trillion or 289 percent, the Selig report continued. The combined buying power of these three ethnic groups will account for 14.3 percent of the U.S. total buying power in four years.

The center reported that the U.S. Black buying power has risen from $318 billion in 1990, to $590 billion in 2000, to $799 billion last year, and will rise to $1.1 trillion in 2011 – a 237 percent increase in 22 years.

The report points out that Blacks spent a larger percentage of their income on natural gas, electricity, telephone services, and footwear, and a higher proportion of their money

5 Predictions for Small Business in 2011

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Business Success Tools

ver the course of 2010, Mashable (http://mashable.com) has offered quite a few small business resources, ranging from tips on social media and marketing to resources for web design and development.

As 2010 wraps up, we’d like to look back at the technological advancements that small businesses have benefited from and predict how those

positions as useful resources for customers.

Those making valuable upgrades to their online presences will increase functionalities revolving around e-commerce, reservation systems, corporate blogs and social media integration.

Furthermore, we may see increased attention on better web design.

2. Smartphone Revolution A whopping 49% of small business owners use smartphones, outpacing the rest of America in smartphone adoption, according to a recent Forrester study.

As more small business owners are exposed to smartphones on a daily basis, it’s inevitable that they will begin to innovate with mobile technologies. In 2010, business owners were tweeting on the go, using location-based services and investing in mobile advertising.

In 2011, the smartphone revolution see 5 Predictions on page 42

technologies will affect entrepreneurs in 2011.

Here are my five predictions about how small businesses will continue to adapt to changing technologies as we move into the new year.

1. Increased Spending on Websites Small businesses are predicted to increase online marketing spending, with websites taking the front seat, according to a recent survey. The survey found that 54% of respondents indicated that their businesses currently have websites. Unfortunately, most of those websites contain nothing more than general information, and less than half of them incorporate customer service features.

The importance of being easily findable on the Internet() has still not been fully recognized by small businesses, but increasingly, smart entrepreneurs are taking notice. Next year will be marked with increased spending on website development, lifting small business sites from their current iterations as online brochures to more prominent

FUTURALLIA 2011 Comes to Kansas City Global Business Event to be Held in United States for First Time After editions in Belgium, Poland, Canada, Qatar, and most recently France, the sixteenth edition of FUTURALLIA 2011 will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, next May. Whether you call it business matchmaking, business speed dating, or B2B meetings, FUTURALLIA is a fast-paced and intense business event where, all in all, more than 9,000 meetings will take place.

The concept is simple: to gather more than 800 entrepreneurs from countries across the globe for two days of pre-selected and pre-arranged one-on-one networking meetings. Futurallia’s proprietary match-making software system has been perfected with twenty years of experience. The Kauffman Foundation is proud to be a sponsor of Futurallia KC 2011. For more information, and to register for this event, visit www.FuturalliaKC2011.com

36  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Tax Credits IRS Extends Tax Filing Encourage Deadline to April 18th Angel Investment T he Internal Revenue Service kicked off the U.S. tax filing season, announcing that taxpayers will have until April 18, 2011 to file

holiday observed in the District of Columbia. Taxpayers who file extensions will have until October 17, 2011 to file their 2010 tax returns.

their 2010 returns and pay their tax bills because of a holiday on April 15th.

The agency also said that it would not be ready to process returns carrying itemized deductions until mid- to late February, because it has to reprogram its processing systems following the passage of a big tax bill at the end of 2010.

April 15th is Emancipation Day, a

Taxpayers who won’t be able to file until mid-February include those claiming itemized deductions on Schedule A, higher education deductions on Form 8917, and teachers claiming their $250 deduction for classroom expenses.

The tax agency has started posting filing information for the new season on its website, www.irs.gov.

Foundation

cational workshops and seminars, research projects and reports, and information about angel investing for the general public.

ACEF was founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and leaders of angel groups in the United States and Canada. ACEF works in concert with the Angel Capital Association (www.angelcapitalassociation.org). 

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investors within the state, Minnesota recently approved a 25 percent individual income tax credit that is available to “accredited investors who invest at least $10,000 in a qualifying Minnesota company”—regardless of the investor’s location (even if it is outside of the United States). 

Angel Capital Education

The Angel Capital Education Foundation (ACEF) (www.angelcapitaleducation.org) is a charitable organization devoted to education and research in the field of angel investing, a growing driver of our entrepreneurial economy. Information, education, data, and research analysis is available to investors, entrepreneurs, policy makers, state and local entrepreneurial support professionals, university faculty and students, and others interested in learning more about angel investing.

The programs of ACEF include edu-

by Linda Stern, Reuters

37  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Business Success Tools

recent story from the Angel Capital Education Foundation (www.angelcapitaleducation.org) shows that more than twenty states currently have tax credits for early stage investment—ranging from 10 to more than 50 percent. As venture capital dollars continue to be elusive, groups of angel investors have stepped forward to begin pooling resources and working to make their states more attractive to startups and to other angels.

In at least three of those states— Georgia, Minnesota, and Connecticut—angel investors played significant roles in getting tax credit legislation passed and signed into law. Thanks largely to the Atlanta Technology Angels and the Technology Association of Georgia, the state of Georgia will now provide a 35 percent income tax credit up to $50,000 per individual per year.

The credit just went into effect on January 1, 2011 and is in place for three years—capped at $10 million per year.

Connecticut also launched a new tax credit program, allowing angel investors to take a 25 percent credit against Connecticut state income tax for investments from $100,000 to $1,000,000 in qualifying companies. And while most of these types of programs focus on

Technology:

Take a Look!

by LaSandra Stratton Check out what these firms and organizations have to offer for your personal interests, personal wealth building, and business expansion opportunities.

www.sba.gov/training, The Business Technology Simplified online course allows quick ac-

business technology ƐŝŵƉůŝĮĞd

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ways that technology can make your small business more successful

Foreword by Earvin “Magic” Johnson, author of 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business

cess by small business owners to learn more about basic technology tools that can help their companies run more efficiently. The course features an audio guided lesson indexed by modules that includes information on how to use technology to save time in day-to-day tasks, how to better manage a business, mobile solutions that work, and tips on expanding customer base.

To access the course, go to www. sba.gov/training, then click Business Technology Simplified in the Highlighted Courses section.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and Microsoft teamed up to develop this free, comprehensive guide on how technology can improve the small business owner’s chances for success. Business Technology Simplified is available in a printed format

in SBA district offices and local SBA resource partners, or may be accessed online as an electronic publication in the Microsoft Download Center (www.microsoft.com/downloads/ en/details.aspx?FamilyID=cb22851d8195-4a46-b30c-9a57bcff0440).

www.blurb.com With Blurb, you’ll find all the tools you need to make your own photo book, whether y o u ’ r e making a persona l i z e d wedding album, c o o k book, baby book, travel photo book, or fundraising book. Blurb provides bookstore-quality printing and binding, and a range of choices from Hardcover photobooks to Softcover paperbacks in an array of trim sizes.

Use any of our free online bookmaking tools. Learn how to publish a book and much more with our free how-to tips and tutorials or watch our twominute BookSmart video and see how easy it is to make a coffee table photo book.

Blurb Bookify™, our online bookmaking tool. It’s a streamlined way to make beautiful books with all the Blurb goodness – professional printing, great quality. Bookify is great for simple, stylish photo books of 160 pages or fewer.

Blurb BookSmart®, our free bookmaking software, offers loads of predesigned and customizable layouts,

The Fifties: A Tale In Black & White - A Photographic Work

a huge selection of fonts, and all the tools you need to make sophisticated books of up to 440 pages.

www.kickstarter.com Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world.

Every month, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.

A new form of commerce and patronage. This is not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project.

All or nothing funding. On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk.

Each and every project is the independent creation of someone like you. Projects are big and small, serious and whimsical, traditional and experimental. They’re inspiring, entertaining and unbelievably diverse.

www.sbtv.com SBTV.com is the first and only video news and information destination site for America’s small businesses. It is also one of only a few women-led media resources in the country. Video,

news, blogs, articles, how-to videos.

Make the site your home page in order to not miss any game-changing ideas or opportunities.  Submitted by LaSandra Stratton, Chief Content Administrator of the Black Business News.

38  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

How Does Facebook Make Money?

How does a free service pull in half a billion dollars a year in revenue? Hint: it’s not all ads.

Facebook Gifts

Getting Rich Off a Free Website Facebook may be free to use, but its revenue has more or less doubled every year since 2007, and the founder is now a billionaire. How does Facebook make money? As with Google, Facebook makes most, but not all, of their money from one source: advertising.

Advertising Revenue Unsurprisingly, Facebook makes most of their money off of advertising.

Facebook ads brought in $300 million in revenue in 2008, $500 million in 2009, and ad revenue is expected to reach $800 million in 2010.

Facebook offers two types of advertisements: self-service ads and engagement ads. The first type are fairly simple: they consist of a title, picture, and a bit of text, and the user can click

lions of ads every day.

Facebook’s self-serve targeting (advertisers set up everything themselves using a simple web form; Facebook employees merely approve the ad text) means new advertisements can start running almost immediately with minimal effort, keeping costs down for both Facebook and their advertisers.

Applications Want to level up faster in your favorite Facebook game? Buy a premium item not available to other players? Many Facebook games now let you buy extra goodies using credits, which are sold

by Facebook for ten cents each. As of this writing, there are over two hundred applications that accept Facebook credits, with more being added all the time.

Summary So how does Facebook make money? They provide a great platform that makes it easy to connect with your friends, then sell you entertainment: fun graphics, enhanced gameplay, relevant advertising. Their greatest advantage is the detailed personal information they have on hundreds of millions of users, which allows them to specifically target a significant percentage of the world’s population.  Article by wmspringer (www.brighthub.com/members/wmspringer.aspx) Edited & published by Amy Carson www.brighthub.com

39  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Business Success Tools

the link or “like” the advertisement. Engagement ads are more complex; they allow for things like surveys that let the user interact with the advertisement.

In 2009, Facebook brought in between $250 and $300 million from selfservice ads and $100 million from endorsement ads.

Facebook also displays a large number of Microsoft ads (due to a 2007 ad deal); as of 2009, that spending had reached $50 million.

Because Facebook knows a lot about its users, it’s able to allow users to precisely target those who are most likely to click on the ads, which allows them to offer a fairly low cost per click. Aside from making the advertisers happy, this also improves the user experience because users are more likely to see advertisements that actually interest them. For example, a user may list a particular band as being one of his interests. When that band has a new CD out, they may opt to have the advertisement to that CD shown only to people who have identified them as an interest.

Because Facebook has so many users (more than five hundred million active users, at last count, with half of them logging in on any given day), they can show bil-

Ever notice how you can send virtual gifts to your friends, particularly on their birthdays, for the low, low price of just $1 per gift, which entitles them to put a small picture of the gift on their Facebook page? In 2009, Facebook earned between $30 and $50 million for these virtual goods.

Prepare for 2011 Trade Show & Expos - 10 Mistakes Exhibitors Should Not Make

February 14-16 Africa-USA Business Executives Conference & Expo Las Vegas, NV

www.africanbizconvention.com

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istakes of course are common but learning from them is the key.

Business Success Tools

1) Underselling your company with bad graphics: All too often I’ve seen companies represent themselves at trade shows with a patchwork of a “display.” I’ve seen vinyl banners wrapped around foam board, dented or dinged up displays, and a variety of hodgepodge displays. Represent your company in the best light possible. A lessthan-professional appearance does not give your prospect confidence in you or your products and services. This type of display will send prospects running to the competition.

2) Putting way too much text on your display: You’ve got literally seconds to get someone’s attention as they stroll around the show floor. No one will stop to read a lot of text. Please understand that you cannot tell your entire company story on your tradeshow display.

3) Not promoting your presence at trade shows: So you’ve got a great looking booth and you all ready to go.

So where is everyone? Why don’t you have any traffic coming into your booth? What have you done to promote your presence at the show? Let your clients and prospects know about your trade show appearances by using an e-newsletter and social media.

Plan the launch of a new product/service around a show to create a buzz.

Send invites directly to those prospects that you may not have connected with in the past.

4) Not training your booth staff and discussing proper expectations: So your booth staffers are sitting down instead of engaging with prospects.

Are they more concerned with playing games, texting, or chatting away while prospects stroll right by your booth?

Make sure you set the proper expectations before the show. Don’t make

the assumption that because you have professional sales people they will understand the nuances of how to work in a trade show environment. Staff your booth with people who are as good or better than you!

5) Not listening to your prospects needs: Don’t be so excited to get your message across and sell your product that you miss out on important info about your clients needs. Also, be sure to be aware of body language and pick up any visual cues that may help you understand your clients’ needs even better. Take advantage of everything that a face-to-face interaction has to offer.

6) Depending on a fishbowl to bring in qualified leads: Lose the fishbowl!

Is this type of giveaway really giving you the qualified leads you are seeking? Be an expert provider of solutions and you don’t necessarily need a generic giveaway contest to drive traffic to your booth.

7) Hauling too much literature to your booth: Most of the literature handed out at trade shows doesn’t make it past the garbage can in your prospects’ hotel room. Instead, write “Show Sample” on a copy of your literature to display at the show, and then get your prospect’s contact info to email or mail the info to them after the show. It will also save you the expense of shipping your heavy literature around. This gives you a great call to action to follow up with your prospect after the show. Explore technology to get information in your prospects hands. QR codes and mobile marketing platforms are great ways to do this.

8) Not planning for trade show success: We don’t plan to fail, we fail to plan! In talking to clients who haven’t seen the results they were expecting, this is something that is very prevalent.

If you don’t have a good plan in place

February 24-28 Art Walk in the Crenshaw Plaza Los Angeles, CA

dothard@sbcglobal.net

May 6-7 Black Business Expo 2011 Los Angeles, CA

blackbusinessexpo@gmail.com

August 5-7 West Coast Expo 2011 Los Angeles, CA

www.westcoastexpo.biz you won’t be able to show an ROI to justify future shows and all you’ve really done is waste a lot of time and money. Discuss timelines with your trade show marketing consultant, get feedback from industry peers, do your homework.

9) Not informing your exhibit service partner: Make sure that the service/ I&D crews handling the logistics of your booth understand what’s going on with your booth. Get them a lists of shows for the year so that your booth gets from one show to the next, deciding which shows you have time to ship to the advanced warehouse and which events you may have to ship direct to the show. Discuss any unique items such as products in the booth, monitors, height limitations, etc.

10) Not following up on leads: Though is seems like a no-brainer, you need to make sure that your leads are called on in a timely fashion. Discuss next steps, quoting, future meetings, and provide any additional information they need. It’s time to deliver on the promises and the expectations that you have set at the show.  www.skylinetradeshowtips.com/10mistakes-exhibitors-make/

40  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

The “Church Chamber of Commerce Program Kit”

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he National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) is offering the official Church Chamber of Commerce Program. All churches are eligible to participate.

Bethel Church has produced an excellent program kit and those wishing to organize a chamber within their church are encouraged to order the kit and begin the process immediately.

Contact Charles DeBow at cdebow@ nationalbcc.org or 202-466-4788.

An economically viable congregation is a more effective congregation. Start now increasing the amount of business done by your congregation. 

New Officers for California Council of Chambers of Commerce empowerment for its m e m bers in the San F e r nando Va l l e y.

“Turning contacts into contracts” is the motto of the RBCC. The mission of the RBCC is to capitalize on its location in the second largest metropolitan area in the nation by bringing its nearly 300 members recognition and access to the opportunities that are abound.

As Chairman, Ms. Townsend’s efforts to connect this powerful organization, the California Council of Chambers, to the vast industries of business, education, export commerce, entertainment/ social empowerment will be a prodigious task, but Townsend is committed

41  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

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n January 18, 2011, M C Townsend, President/CEO of the Regional Black Chamber of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley (“RBCC”), a strong association of successful Business Owners, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs, was elected “Chairman of the California Council of Chambers, Sacramento, California (CBCC/COC).

By her side serving will be Aziza Goines, as Vice Chair, President of the Sacramento Black Chamber, all under the direction of the California Black Chamber of Commerce. Townsend’s appointment was confirmed for two years, by the COC Board of Directors, and she will continue her duties into 2013.

Currently and will remain serving, as President of the local chamber/RBCC, she will bring a diverse advantage to the COC. In just nine short years, the RBCC has become one of the most active and visible vehicles for economic

to accomplishing with ease under her watch.

The RBCC’s areas are home to a plethora of celebrities such as, Smoky Robinson, Cuba Gooding, The Whispers, Estate of Dorothy Dandridge, Obba Babatunde’, Will Smith, Jada Pickett, the Jacksons, Eddie Murphy, Kristoff St. John, Willard Pugh (Color Purple), Christopher B. Duncan (Jamie Foxx Show). As well as prolific authors/ poets, Pearl Jr., Professor Sade Turnip seed, Denise China Eyes Cook, Walter Mosley, Lionel “Big Bird” Douglas, and Brigadier General Re’td, Ezelle Ware, many are closely affiliated members/ supporters.

M C Townsend, as new Chairman, of the COC (Council of Chambers), will aspire to bring a diverse audience of cultures from across a broad spectrum.

She believes the key is education/power of knowledge, put into action, and without it, often one will not find a clear path in the life of business.

She looks forward to the task, and is quite committed to meeting or exceeding the Council of Chamber’s expectation. Watch for the California Council of Chambers, under the esteemed directions of the California Black Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento, CA. 

5 Predictions from page 36

will continue to ensue, with ever increasing smartphone adoption. Mobile devices will continue to change the way that companies of all sizes do business. With most business needs at the tips of their fingers, small business owners will experience more flexibility than ever before.

Business Success Tools

3. Social Shopping and E-Commerce Advancements While a number of small businesses benefited from social shopping in 2010, others were left wondering if group buying was really worth the risk.

Regardless, it’s evident that e-commerce is a huge advantage for small businesses taking part in it. Offering their products online, businesses have widened their customer bases beyond their local markets.

While only 30% of small business websites currently incorporate e-commerce abilities, the increased buzz around online and social shopping will probably push more small business owners to experiment with the medium in 2011.

4. More Focused Social Media Efforts 2010 was a time of social media experimentation for many small business owners. Testing many social media services in the past year, small businesses are becoming more knowledgeable

about which platforms their customers use most and how their companies can benefit from staying connected on each platform.

It isn’t uncommon to visit a small business’s website to find a mass of social icons pointing to less-than-utilized profiles all across the web. It seems that anxious entrepreneurs have spread themselves thin in the social media realm this year, trying out every platform that got buzzed up.

The simple truth is that not every platform is right for every business — it’s all about where your customers are.

Having answered quite a few social media questions from small business owners this year, I have a feeling that next year is really going to be about paring down to the essentials based on proven successes and strong metrics.

5. Increased Adoption of Cloud Computing Earlier this year, a group of Internet and tech experts and social analysts predicted that Internet users will “live mostly in the cloud” by 2020. While I don’t have the expertise to analyze that prediction, I can point to the fact that I and many of my friends and co-workers already do live and work mostly from web-based and mobile apps, relying less on software installed on our desktops.

Cloud services have already simplified many

processes for businesses. Google Apps and Google Docs(), for example, make hosting and collaborating on spreadsheets, presentations, forms and word processors much simpler.

Box.net() and Dropbox() have also made online file sharing and collaboration much easier. Meanwhile, 37signals supports a full line of business tools for project management, CRM, internal communications and group chat.

In 2011, businesses will be increasingly exposed to cloud services as tech companies introduce more and more products geared toward moving our digital lives into the cloud. 

by Erica Swallow http://mashable.com/2010/12/21/smallbusiness-predictions Suggested by: Marty Keller Deputy Director, Small Business Advocate California Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GoED) Marty.Keller@gov.ca.gov www.business.ca.gov

Quote of Note... “…So, our fundamental mission must be to accelerate hiring and growth, while we do the things we know are necessary to insure America’s leadership in an increasingly competitive world and build an economy that will provide opportunity to any American willing to work for it.”

President Barack H.Obama

42  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

duced tax rate treatment for some dividends also increases in a like manner.

So, if you have investments that you are looking at changing up, do it before the end of the year to save some on the tax front.”

Eric M. Anderson, CPA, www.ema-cpa. com

Last-Minute Business Tax Deductions for 2010 If any of these ideas seem like a potential fit for you, you’ll want to discuss them with your CPA as soon as possible.

Buy now, deduct now, and pay later.

“Deduct charged expenses. Both cash and accrual basis taxpayers can charge expenses on a credit card and deduct them in the year charged, regardless of when paid.”

Macy Story, Tax Manager, BKHM CPA If you’re planning any big-ticket purchases…

“It would be advantageous from a tax standpoint to buy any large fixed asset

And if one of them is a car...

“Maximize auto depreciation for 2010 purchases. If you buy a new car and place it in service before the end of 2010, your first year depreciation deduction will be $11,060. If you wait until 2011 (assuming Congress doesn’t extend the bonus depreciation deduction and the 2011 first year depreciation cap is the same as for 2010), your first year depreciation deduction would be only $3,060.”

David Kostmayer, CPA, Barrett & Kostmayer, PLLC Do you have business property that you’ve held for more than a year and are considering liquidating?

“Due to the presumed expiration of the Bush Tax Cuts, you should review your investments and clean house as the Capital Gains rate increases to 25 percent from 15 percent as of January 1, 2011. Along with this change, the re-

Was this your first year in business, or are you considering starting a new venture soon?

“The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 temporarily increases the amount of start-up expenditures entrepreneurs can deduct from their taxes for this year from $5,000 to $10,000 (with a phaseout threshold of $60,000 in expenditures), offering an immediate incentive for someone with a new business idea to invest in starting up a new small business today. ” Michael Kaplanidis, CPA, Managing Director and Founder, Water Street Associates And finally some food for thought, especially if you’re expecting 2011 to be significantly better than 2010...

“Normally tax professionals recommend that, to defer paying taxes, you claim whatever business deductions you can before the end of the current year and defer whatever income you can to the following year. However, 2011 is likely to see a tax increase, particularly for high-income taxpayers.

Therefore, it’s possible that a deduction claimed in 2011 will be more beneficial (save more tax) than the same deduction claimed in 2010.”

Jan Zobel EA, www.JanZtax.com

43  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Business Success Tools

I

t’s the end of the year, and you’re already thinking about 2011. If you’re looking at your first-quarter cash flow, one thing you can do to improve it is to minimize your 2010 tax bill (or maximize your refund). There are still several things you can do before the end of the year to claim deductions or take advantage of tax rules that are ending this year. Review the ideas offered by some financial experts. Some options may require spending a little money, while others are more a matter of timing.

purchases by December 31, 2010 as opposed to January 1, 2011 because there are currently special bonus depreciation rules enacted for 2010 that allow an expense for 50 percent of the purchase.”

Brian Schlang, CPA, Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLP

Do you develop software? You‘re entitled to a little extra credit.

“Assuming Congress extends the R&D Tax Credit, 2010 is not limited by AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax). In your industry, identify what you’ve spent on any software development projects, whether for in-house use, or for providing value-add to your client base.

These costs could include the salaries for your in-house coders, or the invoice dollars spent on outside developers.

The R&D Credit reduces your tax liability approximately 7 cents for every dollar spent on these innovative efforts.”

Brian Lefever, VP of Operations, Titan Armor

Contracting/Grants from page 31 AND

OTHER ZOONOTIC DISEASES IN VIETNAM

GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=60953

HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=60954 USDA: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE DISTANCE EDUCATION GRANTS FOR INSULAR AREAS (DEG) GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=60973

City of Los Angeles Business Inclusion Program In January 2011 Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed an Executive Directive which enacted the Business Inclusion Program. Under this new Directive, the City of Los Angeles is striving to increase the participation of small, emerging, veteran, women and minority-owned businesses in City contracts.

The Directive requires all City department to utilize the City’s electronic marketplace, Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (www.labavn.org), to post all opportunities subject to advertising. We hope you encourage your constituents to register on www.labavn.org to receive notifications of contracting opportunities as well as updates on implementing this new Directive.

Additionally, please visit www.losangelesworks.org, for additional information regarding doing business in and with the City of Los Angeles.

Mayor’s Office of Economic & Business Policy

Business Success Tools

ED: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES (OSERS)--NATIONAL INSITUTE ON DISABILTY AND REHABILITATION RESEARCH (NIDRR_--RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS PROGRAM CFDA NUMBER 84.133F1 GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=60993 NASA: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION NASA HEADQUARTERS ROSES 2010: ASTROPHYSICS RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=61013 NASA: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION NASA HEADQUARTERS ROSES 2010: MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY PARTICIPATING SCIENTIST PROGRAM GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=61014 NASA: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION NASA HEADQUARTERS ROSES 2010: MEMBERS OF THE KEPLER PARTICIPATING SCIENTISTS PROGRAM GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=61015

44  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

7 Strategies for B2B Marketing during a Recession: The Definitive Guide

By Jon Miller for Marketo www.marketo.com

F

Tax Deductions from page 43

As you can see, some of these options could potentially save you thousands of dollars by acting before the end of the year — not just accelerating a year of cash flow, but in actual savings. These are provided here for educational purposes — a starting point for a conversation with your CFO, CPA, and tax attorney. Keep in mind that tax planning and tax preparation are two different things. If you’ve only hired your CPA to do your tax preparation, don’t expect them to get overly creative. Have a separate conversation with them about some of these options you may want to explore — the sooner, the better.  Scott Allen www.openforum.com

•

measure marketing ROI are cut especially hard as companies shift spending to more measurable channels. Investment bank Cowen and Company looked at the last six recessions since 1950 and found that spending on direct marketing actually grew during six recessions.

This time is different for online marketing. In the 2001 recession, online marketing was still unproven and got caught in the downward collapse of the Internet in general.

Today, the trend to shift advertising dollars to measurable online channels is proven and won’t disappear anytime soon. So online marketing won’t crater like last time, but it also isn’t immune from a slowdown. In fact, eMarketer recently reduced its 2008 estimate for US online advertising to $25.8 billion. That is a 7% reduction from their prior estimate — showing the impact of the downturn — but it’s important to note that it is still 23% higher than 2007′s total. In other words, the recession may slow down the growth of online marketing, but it’s still growing at a significant pace.

What this means is that a recession will accelerate the decline of interruption-based mass advertising that simply shouts your message to customer. In its place we will see increased growth in measurable and relationship-based strategies such as search marketing, email marketing, lead nurturing, and online communities.

A downturn can also create opportunity for the companies that are more efficient at turning marketing investments into revenue, since there will be less competition overall. In a study of U.S.

1. Use lead management to maximize the value of each lead. In a recession, risk-adverse buyers take even longer than normal to research potential purchases. When you first identify a new prospect (regardless of whether they downloaded a whitepaper, stopped by your booth at a tradeshow, or signed up for a free trial) they are more likely than not still in the awareness or research stage and are not yet ready to engage with one of your sales reps. What this means is you need lead scoring to identify which leads are highly engaged, and lead nurturing to develop relationships with qualified prospects who are not yet ready to engage with sales. Without these capabilities, as many as 95% of qualified prospects who are not yet sales-ready never end up turning into a sales opportunity. These prospects are valuable corporate assets that you worked hard to acquire — so in a down economy you need to do everything possible to maximize value from them.

Implementing even a simple automated lead nurturing program can yield a 4-fold improvement in the conversion of qualified prospects into sales opportunities over time.

That’s a dramatic improvement marketing return on investment! Net-net: Companies that can do a better job of managing leads and developing earlystage prospects into sales ready leads will be in the best position to thrive in a downturn.

2. Focus on your house list. In a recession, you may have less money to spend on acquiring new customers.

45  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see 7 Strategies on page 63

Business Success Tools

ewer consumers means less demand; less demand means that efforts to stimulate demand (i.e. marketing) are less effective overall.

Put simply, when people buy less, advertisers spend less. According to research firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson, US advertising dropped 9% in the 2001 recession while Internet advertising fell a whopping 27%. I should point out that this slowdown applies to businessto-business marketers as well because of second- and higher-order effects, i.e. as consumer spending drops, the businesses that sell to those consumers reduce their spending as well.

However, these overall numbers hide two important facts: • Branding and other forms of push marketing drop in a slowdown, while direct marketing tends to rise. When budgets are cut, the channels with the least ability to

recessions, McGraw-Hill Research found that business-to-business firms that maintained or increased advertising expenditures during the 1981-1982 recession averaged significantly higher sales growth than those that eliminated or decreased advertising. In fact, by 1985 companies that were aggressive recession advertisers grew their revenue over 2.5X faster than those that reduced their advertising.

Given these macro economic trends, how should you allocate your marketing budget — and time? Here is my definitive guide to B2B marketing during a downturn:

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Since we are not limited to any one company, we can shop the marketplace to give you the best protection at the most competitive price.

Bill Cosby, Earl G. Graves, Sr., General Motors, Headline 62nd Advertising Hall of Fame®

T

he Advertising Hall of Fame enters its 62nd year with several firsts: For the first time the Induction Ceremonies & Gala will be held not as a lunch, but as a dinner event, the evening of Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at New York’s historic Waldorf Astoria

Post Office to Issue FirstClass ‘Forever’ Stamps

This year’s corporate inductee is the storied automotive company General Motors. In this year’s class of inductees is the first Hispanic inductee, Eduardo Caballero, and the first inductee from Britain, David Abbott.

“The 62 year old mission of the Hall of Fame remains the same: Recognizing and celebrating legendary achievements in advertising,” said Mike Kelly, president & CEO, The Weather Channel Companies, and chairman of the Advertising Hall of Fame.

AAF president & CEO James Edmund Datri added, “Expanding the audience beyond those in the Ballroom in New York City to the advertising community nationwide, through the live telecast, will on that night bring our industry together across America, to inspire all with the legends we will honor.”

The Advertising Hall of Fame is administered by the American Advertising Federation on behalf of the entire advertising community.

For more information on the Advertising Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies & Gala, please visit the AAF website (www.aaf.org) or contact Tiffany Foxworth at tfoxworth@aaf.org or at (202) 898-0089. 

increases.

The commemorative stamps for 2011 have been introduced and include a nod to Jazz and a remembrance of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. 

B

eginning in January, all new stamps good for 1 ounce of domestic first-class mail will forgo a printed denomination and be acceptable for the typical letter regardless of the current postal rate.

The new policy, to be announced on January 14, 2011 by Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe, is designed to help customers cope with postage 47  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Community/Public Inerest

hotel; for the first time the event will be made available as a live telecast exclusively to the American Advertising Federation’s nearly 200 local ad federations, with a potential audience outside the Waldorf’s Grand Ballroom of tens of thousands of advertising

leaders nationwide; and the AAF will present for the first time ever the President’s Award for Special Lifetime Contributions to Advertising, an honor to be given to those whose primary career was not in advertising, but whose work has made enormous contributions to our industry. The inaugural recipient of the President’s Award is Bill Cosby.

Chosen by the Hall of Fame’s distinguished Council of Judges, the seven advertising legends who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame are: • David Abbott, Retired Chairman, Abbott Mead Vickers Group • Eduardo Caballero, Founder, Caballero Radio & Television • Jack Connors, Jr., Chairman Emeritus, Hill Holliday Connors Cosmopulos • Laurel Cutler, Advertising/Marketing Trailblazer • Earl G. Graves, Sr., Chairman, Founder & Publisher, Black Enterprise • Herb Kelleher, Founder & Chairman Emeritus, Southwest Airlines Co. • Jack Smith, Former Group President, Deputy Chief Creative Officer Worldwide, Leo Burnett Company

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310.568.5000 48  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Top 13 Consumer Protection Advances that Become Effective in 2011

T

he Consumer Federation of America (CFA), the country’s largest consumer advocacy organization, notes that a number of good things happened to benefit consumers in 2010..much due to President Obama.

es by cable and telephone companies providing broadband Internet connections to the public.

4) Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act providing consumers with a number of new protections.

in.”

6) Mortgages -- The Dodd-Frank Act establishes clear rules protecting consumers from predatory practices that lock consumers into unaffordable loans, etc.

7) Investor Protections -- The DoddFrank Act authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require that brokers who offer investment advice have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of their clients.

8) The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prohibits for-profit debt relief companies from charging consumers up-front for payment until they have actually delivered the debt relief that has been promised.

9) Bank regulators cracked down this year on lenders that provide Refund Anticipation Loans -- very high-cost loans based on the borrower’s expected tax refund.

10) The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved the strongest crib safety standards in the world.

11) The CPSC’s new database will allow people to share and access safety information about the products they own or are considering buying.

5) The Federal Reserve issued a rule prohibiting banks from charging hefty fees for overdrawing with a debit card unless consumers agree to “opt-

1) Creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to guard against unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices when consumers take out a loan, use a credit cared, or get a mortgage.

(Part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act).

2) Food Safety Standards -- A new law empowering the FDA to proactively help prevent food from becoming contaminated.

3) Consumer Protection on the Broadband Internet -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules to restore Commission authority to protect consumers from discriminatory and misleading practic49  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see Consumer Protection on page 49

Community/Public Inerest

The CFA has listed thirteen top consumer advances for 2011 as new federal protections will increase the safety of food, products and financial services. These advances include:

12) The Dodd-Frank Act includes a strong package of reforms to close gaping holes in the financial regula-

Donate to the Cholera Relief Effort. Send a check made out to “RememberTheChildren� to The Bedford Group Haiti Relief Drive, c/o Starlett Quarles, 6100 Center Drive, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

For information visit www.HaitiRememberTheChildren.org.

Haiti: One Year Later

J

In advance of the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti, Vice President Joe Biden, Director of Political Affairs Patrick Gaspard, Director of Public Engagement Tina Tchen and other senior U.S. government officials meet with HaitianAmerican leaders to discuss the United States’ lasting commitment to Haiti, in the Secretary of War Suite in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann) and resilience.

I also want to stop to remember the toughness and resourcefulness of our Haitian-American community. In this, as the proud son of Haitians, I may be biased. But I can personally recall the anguish of those early days, watching the images of my parents’ devastated country and waiting for any word from friends and family in the country, and so I am doubly impressed by the energy and quickness with which the Haitian-American community responded to the crisis.

In the days after the earthquake, I joined Vice President Biden in Miami for a meeting with Haitian-American leaders, and we witnessed how they had channeled the uncertainty and sadness of that moment into organizing their local communities in support of Haiti. On that trip, I visited warehouses full of bottled water and essential supplies, met community leaders who had been canvassing for donations to Haiti

and saw coalitions being built to support long-term reconstruction. The Vice President returned to visit with that group in April, and found them still finding ways to send aid, provide comfort and plan for the long haul.

Last week, I joined him as he spoke with a broad group of key Haitian American leaders from across the country here at the White House for a briefing that also featured senior U.S. government officials from USAID, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Those Diaspora leaders shared the work they have done and brought their concerns, their suggestions and their hopes. The Vice President, in turn, honored the labor of the Haitian-American community and

51  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see Let’s Move on page 55

Community/Public Inerest

anuary 12, 2011 marks the one year anniversary of the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti. Nearly a quarter of a million lives were lost, more than three hundred thousand people were injured and more than a million people were left homeless. The President called it a “cruel and incomprehensible” blow to a nation that has known its share of hardship and suffering. None of us will soon forget the images of despair in the days after the earthquake, or the moments of hope as Americans joined together with people from around the world in a massive humanitarian effort.

This is an important time for us to reflect on the important progress that’s been made, and the many players who have made it possible, while reaffirming the American commitment to Haiti and looking ahead to the work that remains to be done in cooperation with the Haitian people and international partners.

Today, we remember the Americans who were on the ground within 24 hours of the earthquake, starting the work of immediate lifesaving and rescues that would continue for weeks— a U.S. Coast Guard team, a disaster assistance response team and portions of two U.S. urban search and rescue teams.

We remember the millions of Americans—one in every two American households— who showed their tremendous generosity and compassion by sending contributions to Haiti.

We remember the non-governmental organizations who swept in to provide immediate relief, and continue there today, helping to rebuild the country.

And we recognize, especially, the Haitian people, who, through the unprecedented devastation of the earthquake itself, decades of widespread poverty, Hurricane Tomas, and cholera, have demonstrated dignity, strength

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52  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

The President & First Lady on Child Nutrition Bill: “The Basic Nutrition They Need to Learn and Grow and to Pursue Their Dreams”

A

s one of her chief responsibilities and greatest passions, the First lady has dedicated herself to helping our children grow up healthy and reversing the alarming childhood obesity trend — so the President’s signing of the the Healthy, HungerFree Kids Act at a local DC school was particularly meaningful for her: “We can all agree that in the wealthiest nation on Earth, all children should have the basic nutrition they need to learn and grow and to pursue their dreams, because in the end, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children. Nothing.

And our hopes for their future should drive every single decision that we make.”

The President applauded the bipar-

tisan support for this significant legislation, and explained the broader implications for how nutrition affects our kids as they grow up: “we need to make sure our kids have the energy and the capacity to go toe to toe with any of their peers, anywhere in the world. And we need to make sure that they’re all reaching their potential.” A fact sheet (www.whitehouse.gov/sites/ default/files/Child_Nutrition_Fact_ Sheet_12_10_10.pdf) describes exactly how the bill acheives these goals, and a sample menu (www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/cnr_chart. pdf) shows what it will mean in real life: Improves Nutrition and Focuses on Reducing Childhood Obesity • Gives USDA the authority to set nutritional standards for all foods

•

•

•

regularly sold in schools during the school day, including vending machines, the “a la carte” lunch lines, and school stores.

Provides additional funding to schools that meet updated nutritional standards for federallysubsidized lunches. This is an historic investment, the first real reimbursement rate increase in over 30 years.

Helps communities establish local farm to school networks, create school gardens, and ensures that more local foods are used in the school setting.

Builds on USDA work to improve nutritional quality of commodity foods that schools receive from USDA and use in their breakfast

53  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see Let’s Move on page 57

Community/Public Inerest

The First Lady joins President Obama to sign the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 -- a major step forward in our nation’s effort to provide all children with healthy food in schools.

Haiti: One Year Later from page 51

stressed the President’s unwavering commitment to stand by the Haitian people, in concert with international partners, as they continue to rebuild not only the physical structures that were destroyed in the earthquake but also the spirit of the nation. The Vice President recalled the Haitian proverb that many hands lighten the load and committed that this Administration would continue to embrace that wisdom in solidarity with Haitian Americans.

A year ago, the President ordered an immediate response to the catastrophe that was swift, coordinated and aggressive. Since then, the United States has taken a whole-of-government approach to facilitate and enhance the work of our partners in Haiti and across the international community. Innovative

approaches have allowed Haitians to have access to more clean water than before the quake, and created a better medical system and a more robust food supply to assist the Haitian people on a path to self-sufficiency. In the last year, the United States has provided a billion dollars in assistance, and we will do more – you can get more information on the United States’ commitment over the last year from the State Department (pdf), or read the President’s statement yesterday reaffirming that commitment.

In the words of Ambassador Kenneth Merten, U.S. ambassador to Haiti: “We face a long and difficult journey, and now we pause to mourn the dead.

But we renew our commitment to the living by helping build a more prosperous and stable Haiti, and a future that its people want.”

A great deal of work remains ahead, work that will take years to complete.

Going forward, the United States will continue to be focused on a compre-

hensive strategy drafted in partnership with the Government of Haiti and our international partners to achieve economic growth and stability. This strategy will focus investment on the four areas of infrastructure and energy, food and economic security, health and services and governance and rule of law.

Long-term success depends on Haiti rising to the challenges before it. The United States remains committed to supporting the efforts of the Haitian people as they forge their future and we urge our international partners to do the same.

Today, we remember all that was lost and all that was given, and we steel ourselves for the days ahead.  Patrick Gaspard is the Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs and is the highest ranking Haitian-American official in the Obama Administration. www.whitehouse.gov

A Positive Economic Turn Around in the USA is in Our Hands

Buy Products Made or Assembled in the USA Hire One New Employee Eat an Extra Meal Out Each Week Start a Business to Generate Wealth & Jobs 

Buy Black - Save Black - Invest Black 55  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Community/Public Inerest



Details and Registration ar: http://events.lachamber.com/sbaweb/events/ events.asp?&id=76086&wpid=-101&cale_id=2527&details=true&newsessio n=TRUE&sid=923867107

Rainbow PUSH LA Trade Bureau The Rainbow PUSH LA Trade Bureau (RPC/Bureau) is focused on the implementation of economic, social, and education initiatives, as well as growing the office to become a strong voice for our constituents and Trade Bureau Members.

Rainbow Push LA is connecting our Trade Bureau members with our Trading Partners for the purpose of doing business.

Rainbow Push LA is committed to connecting our members to new opportunities that will not only bring us through the recession, but beyond it. Our innovative ideas are expressed through powerful programmatic pieces that are designed with everyone in mind.

Please use the information below to contact the Los Angeles office to request a contact information form that may be completed then faxed or e-mailed to us. The information will reconnect us with you and will aid Mr. Israel in his upcoming meetings with corporate trading partners.

Regina Black, Office Manager Rainbow PUSH/CEF Los Angeles, 1313 W. 8th Street, Suite 232, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Office Number: 213.483.3500 Fax Number: 213.483.3577 Email: rblack@rainbowpush.org Website: www.rainbowpushla.org 56  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Let’s Move from page 53

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and lunch programs.

Expands access to drinking water in schools, particularly during meal times.

Sets basic standards for school wellness policies including goals for nutrition promotion and education and physical activity, while still permitting local flexibility to tailor the policies to their particular needs.

Promotes nutrition and wellness in child care settings through the federally-subsidized Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Expands support for breastfeeding through the WIC program.

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Increases Access •

Increases the number of eligible children enrolled in school meal programs by approximately 115,000 students by using Medic-

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aid data to directly certify children who meet income requirements.

Helps certify an average additional 4,500 students per year to receive school meals by setting benchmarks for states to improve the certification process.

Allows more universal meal access for eligible students in high poverty communities by eliminating paper applications and using census data to determine school-wide income eligibility.

Expands USDA authority to support meals served to at-risk children in afterschool programs.

Increases Program Monitoring and Integrity Requires school districts to be audited every three years to improve compliance with nutritional standards.

Requires schools to make information more readily available to parents about the nutritional quality of meals.

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Includes provisions to ensure the safety of school foods like improving recall procedures and extending hazard analysis and food safety requirements for school meals throughout the campus.

Provides training and technical assistance for school food service providers.

The First Lady spoke on the massive coalition that came behind this bill to make it possible: “These are the basic values that we all share, regardless of race, party, religion. This is what we share. These are the values that this bill embodies. And that’s why we’ve seen such a groundswell of support for these efforts –- not just from members of Congress here in Washington, but from folks in every corner of the country. It’s been beautiful to see.

From educators working to provide healthier school meals, because they see Let’s Move on page 71

Community/Public Inerest

57  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Business Development Mission to Egypt & Morocco The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, and U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a Business Development Mission to explore ports and infrastructure development opportunities in Egypt (Cairo and Alexandria) and Morocco (Casablanca and Tangier).

This mission, will focus on the opportunities in port logistics, infrastructure projects, safety and security, and energy infrastructure. The mission will include one-on-one business appointments with prescreened potential buyers, agents, distributors and joint venture partners; site visits to ports and free trade zones, meetings with government officials, and networking receptions for companies interested in expansion into the North African, Middle Eastern and Southern European markets.

Egypt The mission will include briefings in Cairo by representatives of the major firms involved in port activities in Egypt, and a visit to the port of Alexandria. Egypt has 3,500 kilometers of navigable waterways and the Government considers the maintenance and expansion of its ports a top priority. The port of Alexandria, the largest of the country’s nine ports, was recently revamped, resulting in an increased cargo handling capacity of 44 million tons per year, which represents about 60 percent of Egypt’s trade. Port projects will include a new container terminal and container-handling piers, new storage facilities and handling equipment and improvements to wharfs and marinas.

International

Morocco

(the only African nation with a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S)

Construction of Tanger-Med II, an additional set of cargo terminals and storage, is currently underway and the port will begin issuing tenders for equipment and services in the next 12 - 18 months. As part of a national logistics program, the Moroccan government recently announced a 20-year, $13 billion project to build port, rail, highway, and airport logistics centers, with port management, vessel tracking and management, cold storage, warehousing, railways, bridges, and distribution centers. Government tenders are now being issued for these projects, and the plans are to spend $7 billion on the project by 2015 including: A $69 million project to convert the old port, located near the City of Tangier, into a tourist center and passenger terminal and Nador West Med, a new industrial port for the coastal city of Nador

Registration Deadline to Participate: January 21, 2011 For more information send an email to U.S. Commercial Service Domestic Contacts at EgyptMoroccoTM@Trade.gov Trade Promotion Programs Africa, Near East and South Asia Anne Novak Sal Tauhidi Tel: 202-482-8178 Fax: 202-482-9000 Tel: 202-482-1322 Fax: 202-482-5179 Bobby Hines bobby.hines@trade.gov 444 S. Flower St, 34th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071 TEL: 213-894-4231 FAX: 213-894-8789 TELL US ABOUT YOU: http://www.buyusa.gov/downtownlosangeles FEATURED U.S. EXPORTER: http://www.buyusa.gov/home/fuse.html AFRICA PORTAL: http://www.export.gov/africa

Entrepreneurship Talk and Action in the Maghreb Reported by: Jonathan Ortmans, President, Public Forum Institute

I

have just returned from a brief last minute visit to Algiers where I spoke at a conference focused on the Maghreb countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania. The objectives of the Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference, a follow-on to President Obama’s Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship held in April 2010 in Washington, DC was to discuss strategies to promote job creation through entrepreneurship.

Hosted by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S.-Algeria Business Council, the conference brought together business talent and public officials from participating countries, including entrepreneurs of the North African Diaspora. The U.S. delegation to the conference was led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs, Jose W. Fernandez, who was eager to continue the work to encourage entrepreneurship and create partnerships with the Muslim world.

Among the announcements of concrete initiatives was the U.S. Department of State’s new public-private sector partnership, the North African Partnership for Economic Opportunity (NAPEO), which will build links between entrepreneurs and business leaders in the United States, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. The NAPEO also plans to sponsor a regional initiative for start-ups in new technologies, and support science, math and technology training.

The conference paid special attention to youth entrepreneurship in North Africa. With over 50% of the population under 25, the Maghreb countries face see Entrepreneurship - Maghreb on page 62

58  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

New Economic Powerhouses are in Africa

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amasource (www.samasource. org ) founder and CEO Leila Janah, has indicated how information technology is bringing new opportunities to impoverished corners of the world. She cites the example of an entrepreneur who is building a digital conversion business in Nairobi, Kenya.

This entrepreneurial spirit, combined with the immense opportunities created by information technology, along with a wealth of human resources and natural resources, may be helping to lift an entire continent out of generations of dire poverty.

The Economist (www.economist. com), in fact, just published information, culled from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), that shows that six out of 10 of the world’s fastest-growing economies in 2001-2010 were in Africa, and seven out of 10 will be in Africa

in the in 2011-2015 timeframe.

As categorized by The Economist,the fastest growing economies over the next four years will be • China (9.5%) • India (8.2%) • Ethiopia (8.1%) • Mozambique (7.7%) • Tanzania (7.2%) • Vietnam (7.2%) • Congo (7%) • Ghana (7%) • Zambia (6.9%) • Nigeria (6.8%).

Africa’s impressive growth Africa is now one of the world’s fastest-growing regions Much has been written about the rise of the BRICs and Asia’s impressive economic performance. But an

analysis by The Economist finds that over the ten years to 2010, six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies were in sub-Saharan Africa. In IMF forecasts Africa will grab seven of the top ten places over the next five years (our ranking excludes countries with a population of less than 10m as well as Iraq and Afghanistan, which could both rebound strongly in the years ahead).

Over the past decade the simple unweighted average of countries’ growth rates was virtually identical in Africa see Economic Powerhouses on page 62

International

59  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

“A FEW NOTES ON AFRICA”

International

Kapambwe New ECOSOC President The newly-elected President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Lazarous Kapambwe of Zambia, outlined the body’s agenda for the coming year and pledged to work to strengthen its effectiveness in carrying out the United Nations’ global development agenda.

“I represent the region that is lagging behind the most in terms of development in all socio-economic sectors and I pledge to do my best to ensure that Africa’s challenges as well as all other regions are tackled in the best way possible by the Council,” Mr. Kapambwe, the Permanent Representative of Zambia to the UN, told ECOSOC in his acceptance speech.

In his remarks, Mr. Kapambwe said that ECOSOC needed to accelerate its review and coordination of the implementation of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015.

He also noted that ECOSOC (www.un.org/en/ecosoc/ index.shtml) could benefit from contributions to its work by international academia and institutions, such as parliaments, local governments and national and regional economic and social councils.

Mr. Kapambwe was elected ECOSOC’s sixty-seventh president at a recent organizational meeting of the Council.

ECOSOC is the United Nations’ principal organ to coordinate economic, social, and related work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions. It serves as the central forum discussing international economic and social issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the UN system.

Mr. Kapambwe stressed the importance of promoting closer collaboration between the Council and its functional commissions, and better linking of its work with that of the executive boards of UN funds and programmes, as well as other UN regional entities, in order to enhance the UN’s system-wide coherence.

On the issue of peacebuilding, Mr. Kapambwe indicated that ECOSOC has a clear role to play in strengthening the link between post-conflict situations and development.

“I intend, during my tenure, to pursue as a priority the deepening of the dialogue between the Council and the Peacebuilding Commission, through more regular joint bureau meetings,” he said. The Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory that supports peace efforts in

countries emerging from conflict.

Mr. Kapambwe pointed out that climate change has exacerbated the threat of natural disasters to development, peace and security – making it imperative that ECOSOC pay close attention to the connections with its policy making and coordinating roles.

On efforts to aid Haiti, which is dealing with the effects of the January 2010 earthquake, a cholera epidemic which erupted in October and political turmoil following elections late last year, the ECOSOC president said he was committed to ensuring that Haiti remained on top of the Council’s agenda.

“We look forward to future recommendations of the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group on how the UN system, in collaboration with the international community, can strengthen its support of a Haitian-led recovery process,” Mr. Kapambwe said.

SEE YOU ON THE CONTINENT. 

http://mea.economistconferences. com/event/southafrica

http://mea.economistconferences. com/event/kenya

60  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Best of Africa Trade Show Information & Registration is at

www.businessglobal.com

The USA Exports Show

T

1st December 2010 - 28 February 2011

What are Virtual Trade Shows?

The BusinessGlobal.com virtual trade show platform provides end-users with a 3-D, multi-user trade expo environment that recreates the experience and functionality of a conventional or ‘physical’ trade show online, enabling live interaction between visitors and exhibitors.

Virtual trade exhibitions give your organisation the opportunity to reach market segments heretofore unavailable at conventional trade shows, which are often prohibitive to potential attendees and potential exhibitors because of fees, time constraints, travel expenses and these shows are available to a much larger audience for a much longer period.

est of Africa is a country specific online trade show bringing competitive products and resources from Africa’s rapidly growing economies to an international marketplace. As the demands of the global marketplace evolve and the world economy recovers from the fiscal crisis of 2008 - 2009, the Best of Africa international trade fair provides a unique and timely opportunity for African exhibitors to increase brand awareness, establish new markets, develop franchising partnerships, reach new customers and recruit new suppliers globally. Visitors can find African suppliers, manufacturers and distributors in one place.

Rich in natural resources, Africa offers vast reserves of oil, metals and precious stones. With thousands of pristine travel destinations, the tourism industry, including health & wellness tourism, continues to grow steadily. Best of Africa is a golden opportunity for African enterprises to connect with thousands of motivated buyers, and for international businesses seeking investment and B2B trade opportunities in Africa.

BusinessGlobal.com has partnered with the Pan-African Development Corporation (PADC) to create this virtual trade fair. The PADC is devoted to the development of commerce and enterprise in Africa – the organisation’s mission is to bring Africa to the world, and the world to Africa. BusinessGlobal.com, in partnership with the PADC, is particularly proud to showcase many of Africa’s finest businesses to the rest of the world.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Africa has made remarkable gains in promoting growth and achieving economic stability, averaging more than 6% over the past five years. The IMF has increased financial support to African countries affected by the economic crisis, revised its lending instruments to make them more flexible, and is working to double concessional lending. The Fund continues to provide advice and technical assistance for strengthening economic policymaking in Africa, and to design more sophisticated frameworks for improved integration into the world economy. With global efforts such as these to encourage growth in this region, it is an opportune time for African businesses to access international markets.

In recent years, Africa has built increasingly stronger ties with China – in 2007 Chinese companies invested a total of US$1 billion in Africa, overtaking Britain as Africa’s thirdlargest business partner and catching up with France. Trade between China and Africa reached USD $100 billion in 2008 and is expected to top USD $100 billion in 2010.

Africa now supplies a third of the oil fuelling China’s economic boom, with Angola surpassing Saudi Arabia as the largest exporter of oil to China. With more oil reserves than North America, and an estimated 40% of the world’s potential hydroelectric power, Africa is on the verge of becoming a major global energy provider. With major world players now paying attention, African businesses have the opportunity to expand into new markets worldwide. 

61  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

International

his virtual trade show is designed to increase the volume of trade and investment between American exporters and importers (particularly SME’s) and businesses outside the USA. The USA Exports Show will attract international B2B buyers, distributors, governmental agencies, and entrepreneurs from the USA’s most significant trade partners.

This one-of-a kind online trade fair is a golden opportunity for exhibitors to build brand awareness, establish new markets, create franchising partnerships, reach new customers and recruit new suppliers. With thousands of daily B2B trade visitors, USA Exports Show is the perfect vehicle for businesses and organisations worldwide seeking B2B trade opportunities and investments within North America.

The USA’s top ten trade partners are Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Brazil and Belgium – in 2008, the country exported approximately $1.287 trillion worth of goods. For decades, the USA has been the global leader in imports and one of world’s top three exporters, producing roughly $15 trillion worth of goods and services in 2008 (China, the world’s second-largest economy, produced approximately $12 trillion for the same period).

The USA is the leading industrial power in the world and boasts a highly diversified and technologically advanced economy. According to the IMF, US GDP of $14.4 trillion was 23% of gross world product for 2008 – per person, the American economy has the fourth largest output on average, more than $45,000 for every man, woman and child.

The UCLA Anderson School of Management has predicted average US quarterly economic growth of 2.7% in 2010 and 4.1% in 2011. 

B

1st February 2011 - 30th April 2011

Entrepreneurship Maghreb from page 58

International

the challenge of a large number of educated but unemployed young people.

To highlight role that a startup culture can play in deploying such talent as an asset rather than worrying about it

as a threat, regional American embassies selected 10 rising entrepreneurs to attend. Their stories were impressive, with business innovation outside the domains of oil and gas, the region’s main exports. For example, Omar Abdelaziz Abdelati al-Obeidi, who has been blind since he was 2 years old, started Libya’s first Internet café for the blind and the Arab world’s first online library for the blind.

The young entrepreneurs also expressed their views on how to overcome the challenges facing the region, such as the cumbersome procedures to register a business. For example, Algeria ranks 150th among 183 economies in this regard, according to the World Bank. Here, average start-up costs are high at 12% of GNI per capita. In Mauritania, entrepreneurs must spend an average of 696 hours per year to prepare, file and pay taxes (compared to 199 hours in OECD countries). In Morocco, poor ICT infrastructure is not supportive of entrepreneurial activity.

Libya’s weak economic institutions prevent dynamic entrepreneurial activity.

The challenges are many, but the willingness to overcome them is stronger among the entrepreneurs. People in the Maghreb region have the right attitude for the goals of the conference.

For example, 95% of Moroccans believe that hard work allows people to get ahead, placing the country seventh highest on this variable. In Tunisia, 80% of respondents to a 2009 survey

felt that their city or local area was a good place to start a new business.

These signs of hope encourage initiatives to support entrepreneurs, in parallel with new policies to strengthen the environment for entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. Let’s hope those countries with a lesser understanding of the value of their young potential entrepreneurs to their national welfare listen to their Maghreb neighbors in Morocco and Tunisia who are already well on their way to becoming startup nations. 

Economic Powerhouses from page 59

and Asia. Over the next five years Africa is likely to take the lead. In other words, the average African economy will outpace its Asian counterpart. 

62  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/01/daily_chart

7 Strategies from page 45

The solution is simple: spend more time marketing to (and building relationships with) the people you already know. Some activities that can help you get the most out of your existing relationships include lead nurturing campaigns, creating new content to offer to existing prospects, and cleaning and augmenting your marketing lead database with progressive profiling.

4. Content for later in the buying cycle. When buying slows down, you need to focus more than ever on making sure you are finding the prospects who are actually ready to buy — or even better, make sure they are finding you. One great way to do this is to focus your offers on content that will appeal to someone who’s actually looking for a solution (as opposed to thought leadership and best practices content, which can appeal to prospects who may one day have a need but are not currently see 7 Strategies on page 65

Access 14 Asia/Pacific Markets in 2 days!

March 28-29, 2011 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA If you are a business leader or executive looking for export and investment opportunities in the Asia/Pacific region, this is the one conference you can’t afford to miss. The Asia/Pacific Business Outlook, hosted by the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, with the full support of the U.S. Commercial Service, is the longest running, most successful regional conference of its kind focusing specifically on Asian markets.

Asia/Pacific Business Outlook is the premier business networking conference focused on the following countries/regions: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam. Find answers to your questions on these 14 economies by choosing from 60 focused sessions and private one-on-one consultations (www.apboconference.com/oneonone.html) with Commercial Service Senior Commercial Officers (SCO) currently serving in the U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Institutes in the Asia/Pacific region: •

Get the latest information. Presentations will include country commercial overviews and country workshops on topics such as financing, green business, responses to the financial crisis, and negotiating with the Chinese. These presentations will be made by experts from within the Commercial Service, the private sector, and academia.

•

Senior Commercial Officers will prepare customized one-on-one briefings in response to the information U.S. companies submit in advance of the APBO Conference and counsel these firms on the opportunities for them in their markets.

Space is limited so sign up today. Please note that early registrants have the best chances of reserving one-on-one meetings with the SCOs from the markets of greatest interest to them.

Use special Commerce Code USCS2011 and register (www.apboconference. com) by March 1 for a discounted U.S. Commercial Service rate of $675.

Register Now - Last Year’s Conference Sold Out!

OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN OERP

Do Business with BBA Member Businesses & Advertisers

63  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

International

3. Build and optimize landing pages. When times are tough, it’s more important than ever to maximize the return on your advertising. Whether you are using Google AdWords, banners, sponsorships, or email campaigns, a dedicated landing page is the single most effective way to turn a click into a prospect. MarketingSherpa’s Landing Page Handbook (http://www. sherpastore.com/RevisedLandingPageHB.html) shows that relevant landing page can easily double conversions versus sending clicks to the home page, and testing your pages can increase conversions by another 48% or more. Together, these tactics alone can result in 2.5X more leads for every dollar you spend, something that’s sure to look good in tough times. However, MarketingSherpa also reports that most companies are under-using this important technique: just 44% of clicks for B2B companies are directed to the home page, not a special landing page, and of B2B companies that use landing pages, 62% have six or fewer total pages. A recession is perhaps the best time to focus on some of these basics.

Hosted by the University of Southern California in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service

Publisher’s Message from page 3

and quality of living standards for underserved communities. Too often, I find myself having to reiterate the real need for corporate supplier diversity programs. The top supply chain initiatives continue to exclude African American business capacity building, unless the discussion is pushed by a politically perceptive outside entity. This comes despite the fact that by extending greater contracting to black-owned businesses, located in black communities that operate within service territories of any given major corporation, the outcome can do nothing but favorably increase revenues for said major corporation. I have a hard time understanding why this understanding feels like rocket science.

It is so ironic that, from our federal executive branch to local districts around the country, there is growing discussion on fixing the USA’s crumbling Infrastructure systems. Mostly, infrastructure refers to the large physi-

cal networks necessary for the functioning of a modern industrial nation, such as roads, water supply, sewers, power grids, telecommunications, and so forth. Major corporations get the opportunity to serve as prime contractors on building infrastructures and reap the benefits of those same things that enable supply chains to function smoothly. For example, goods and services of corporations can more rapidly move across roads that are well maintained.

Nevertheless, this discussion of infrastructure development stops at possibility of fixing our nations’ most valuable resource: people.

I look forward to advocating a shift in the dialogue to include the “soft” infrastructure needs to be found in disarray and in great need of fixing. As the previously mentioned statistics show, for a large portion of the local and national populations, our socioeconomic health is a hideous mess. It bears repeating that thankfully racial tolerance and acceptance has made great strides and the work that went into that achievement can never be commended enough. The

movement of civil rights for blacks and collective rights for others is etched in America’s cultural stones as a result of this historic crusade, though obviously, not unlike the legal abolishment of slavery, there are yet far too many people excluded from equal access to “silver rights”. One remedy to this disparity is to identify and enhance the small business contracting in underserved communities. The competent management of such concerns is available, what is missing is the interest on the part of those in corporate America who influence the sourcing decisions for allotment of contracts to extend into such targeted areas.

A significant progression that went out with the prematurely-declared victory of the end of racial discrimination was the ever-controversial practice of affirmative action. Anyone who lived through or benefited from the affirmative action era should be able to take away the knowledge that the focused attention that was employed to an issue in fact yields positive long-term see Publisher’s Message on page 77

International

Export:

ACCESS 2011 International Trade Conference Learn about Opportunities in Africa, Middle East and South Asia Markets The Westin Galleria Houston Houston, Texas April 26 & 27, 2011

E

xport markets are not only vital to economic development but also to your company’s growth.

Find out how the U.S. Commercial Service can help your company to: • Identify new export markets and opportunities • Obtain the resources necessary to succeed in foreign markets • Develop market entry strategies Join 19 Senior Commercial Officers

in Houston, Texas on April 26 and 27, 2011 for the annual meeting of the U.S. Department of Commerce Senior Commercial Officers from the Africa, Middle East, and South Asia regions including: Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, India, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S. Commercial Service will

sponsor the two-day business conference that will consist of: • Sessions on market entry strategies, financing, and mitigating risk • Concurrent sessions covering country and industry specific information and opportunities • Pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with Foreign Commercial Service Officers • High-profile keynote speakers • Numerous networking opportunities Contact Bobby Hines bobby.hines@ trade.gov for participation information or visit www.buyusa.gov/austin/access2011conference.html information and registraton. 

7 Strategies from page 63

looking). Examples of this kind of content can include “Top 5 Questions to Ask a Potential Vendor” whitepapers; buyers guides and checklists; analyst evaluations; and so on.

5. Appeal to the nervous buyer. A recession can mean more risk-adverse buyers, which may lead to a tendency to go with “safe” solutions. This is fine for large established companies, but it means younger companies need to do more than ever to reassure and build trust. Tactically, this means including customer references, reviews, expert opinions, awards, and other validation as part of your marketing. Strategically, a recession means fewer risk takers

and visionaries, so take a lesson from Geoffrey Moore’s Crossing the Chasm and use methods that appeal to mainstream pragmatists: industry-specific marketing tactics and solutions; vertical customer references; relevant partnerships and alliances; and whole product marketing.

6. Align sales and marketing. Today’s prospects start their buying process by interacting with marketing and online channels long before they ever speak with a sales representative. This means companies must integrate marketing and sales efforts to create a single revenue pipeline. The old days of functional silos and poor communication between the two departments must end. A tougher selling environment, driven by a recession, means this is more true than ever.

7. Don’t be a cost center. Most executives today think that Sales delivers revenue and Marketing is a cost center.

Marketers are partly to blame for part of this mindset, since when we use metrics such as “cost per lead” we frame the discussion in terms of costs, not in terms of impact on revenue. More subtly, using language like “marketing spending” and “marketing budget” instead of “marketing investment” perpetuates these beliefs. In a recession, marketing needs more than ever to change these perceptions. This means that marketing investments must be justified with a rigorous business case and should be amortized over the entire “useful life” of the investment. And it means marketing must increase marketing accountability by demonstrating the impact of each marketing activity on pipeline and revenue.

Of course, this is easier said than done, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

Even small steps, like reports that show the total opportunity value for each lead source or campaign, can make a big impact.

www.marketo.com

65  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

International

Conclusion Even if we aren’t in a recession, we are in for some tough economic times — and an economic slowdown means a tendency to scale back marketing spending. However, research shows that a downturn creates opportunity to accelerate growth faster than your competitors. This means it may be the best time to step up your marketing — at least in quality if not quantity. The marketers that focus on getting the most out of every dollar spent and on demonstrating marketing’s impact on revenue and pipeline will be well positioned to come out of the slump looking like a star. 

JWFA

Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, LLC M a n a g i n g We a l t h I n t e l l i g e n t l y

WHY OWN GOLD IN YOUR IRA/401k Changing jobs creates a great opportunity for you to switch, or rollover, your former employer’s retirement plan into an IRA. Plus, it usually provides you with more investment options than if you left the money in your former employer’s plan or rolled the money into your new employer's retirement plan.

The early 1980s presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy stocks. Today, economic and political conditions appear to offer a similar opportunity in tangible assets such as physical gold. With the global economic environment growing more uncertain, physical gold has become the #1 alternative for IRA, 401k, 403b, and Pension Plans, as well as for non-retirement funds.

Gold is produced primarily for accumulation while other commodities are produced primarily for consumption. Gold’s value does not arise from its usefulness in industrial or consumable applications. It arises from its use and historical worldwide acceptance as a store of value. Gold is money. A healthy measure of gold clearly belongs in every portfolio for the “Four Ps” – Personal Purchasing Power Protection.

There are six primary reasons why investors own gold: As a hedge against inflation.

As a hedge against a declining dollar.

As a safe haven in times of geopolitical and financial market instability.

As a commodity based on gold’s supply and demand fundamentals.

As a store of value.

As a portfolio diversifier.

According to Bloomberg.com, on October 15, 2009, Paul Tudor Jones of Tudor Investment Corp, who manages about $11.6 billion out of Greenwich, Connecticut, told its investors, “I have never been a gold bug… but Gold is just an asset that, like everything else in life, has its time and place. And now is that time…Gold appears to be cheap. In our view, gold’s value should increase as its scarcity relative to printed currencies increases.”

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Richard Russell: The Most Profitable Gold Rally Is Yet To Come

…

It would seem that Russell has basically given up on trying to time the market’s gyrations, writing recently that “the stock market is too unsettled, too questionable, for me or my subscribers to assume an all-out bullish or bearish position.”

But he continues to be an unabashed gold bull. This is the one market he has been pounding the table about for quite a long time and he has been absolutely correct. To my chagrin, it took me far too long to realize that gold is indeed in a secular gold bull market. And of course, the next thought after that is the dread that it will be soon over.

Russell puts those thoughts to rest writing recently: “I’m going on the thesis that the highly speculative phase of the gold bull market lies ahead. Now I’m depending on my experience with other bull markets:

phase of a bull market than is made in the first and second phases combined. This can mean that the late-comers to bull markets often make a fortune, more than those who had the courage to buy early in the game, but they have to have fortitude to sit in the highly volatile second/third phases.

6. Obviously, I could be wrong, but I believe that gold and silver are both still a buy.

7. I’ve said this before, but I’ll repeat it. You do not trade in-and-out in a confirmed primary bull market. You take an early position and add to your position as the bull market progresses.

8. Great bull markets don’t usually provide marvelous entry points. Those who are waiting for the ideal or “safe” place to enter the bull market in precious metals may have a long and frustrating wait.

1. Most great bull markets go higher and further than almost anybody thinks possible.

2. Most bull markets progress in three psychological phases.

3. I believe the first phase of the gold bull market has passed. It’s over. This is the phase where students of great values take their initial positions.

4. I believe we are deep into the second phase of the gold bull market. This is the phase where the institutions and funds join in the bull market show.

5. Often, more money is made in the third or speculative

9. In a great primary bull market, you just “shut your eyes and buy.”

10. Are you buying right or are you buying wrong? Great bull markets tend to bail you out of your mistakes. Perfect timing is nearly impossible in a great bull market. You’re either in or you’re out.

11. Great or fabulous primary bull markets may come along once or maybe twice in a generation. I believe the bull market in precious metals is just such a one — a once-in-ageneration bull market. We may never see another one to see Gold Rally Coming on page 68

Gold Rally Coming from page 67

match this one in our lifetimes.

12. I started writing Dow Theory Letters 52 years ago in 1958. Three times I’ve staked my reputation and my business on a bullish market call. The first instance was in 1958, when I told my subscribers that the third phase of the bull market lay ahead, and it was time to load up on stocks. I said so in my first Barron’s article. That call and that article put me in business. I thank Barron’s late, great editor Bob Bleiberg (who had faith in me and went out on a limb for me).

In late-1974 at the end of that horrendous bear market, I told my subscribers that I thought the bear market was over, and it was time to buy stocks.

In the year 2000 I told subscribers that I thought the bear market in gold was over, and that it was time to buy what was left of the gold stocks and “put ‘em away.” I told my subscribers that we should treat the gold shares (many under five dollars) as perpetual warrants. “Buy ‘em and forget them.”

13. Lucky thirteen. I’m confirming what I said in 2000. Buy gold and silver, put ‘em away and sit tight. The great speculative phase of the precious metals bull market lies ahead. My advice is concentrated in four words — Buy, and be patient.”

Looking at the very long term chart of gold, the base at the millennium is apparent, as is the unrelenting march of the secular bull market. While it does deviate from time to time away from the long term trend, it quickly returns to it.

Right now we are above the trend but not at an extreme point that has historically lead to regression to the mean: Currently the price of gold is trading

G

old, an uncorrelated asset class, provides “wealth insurance” in your investments and qualified retirement plan. When you buy gold for the right reasons, or for “wealth insurance”, there is no such thing as the wrong price or the wrong time. Gold is a liquid store

at 16.3% premium relative to its 200 day moving average. Historically tops have corresponded with a premium of 20%+ so we still have some room the upside in this most recent cycle. And as Russell so eloquently puts it, quite a ways still from the “highly speculative phase”. 

Precious Metals Dearer Than Ever

F

inancial advisors have long recommended that investors have some precious metals (www. cnbc.com/id/33057388) in their portfolios, but years of solid gains, as well as heightened interest in inflation hedges and safe havens, have made metals more alluring than ever.

What was once a 5 percent allocation is now as much as 10 percent, with some advisors even adding rarer metals like platinum to the usual gold-and-silver mix.

UBS, for instance, is recommending top clients hold 7-10 percent of their assets in precious metals.

“Paper has counter-party risks,” says Paul Mladjenovic, author of Precious Metals Investing for Dummies. “Gold and silver are the few investments that retain value.”

Every time the gold rally appears to have peaked, another leg appears.

No wonder that gold (www.cnbc.com/ id/32988158) is up 379 percent over the past ten years. Private ownership stashes now exceed what’s in public of real purchasing power. Please go to: www.bullionvalues.org for information on physical gold bullion and precious metals.

For privacy and asset protection request our free report on pre-1933 US gold coins.

gold vaults, as wealthy investors stock stock up on bars of gold during uncertain times.

In Abu Dhabi, it is as easy as using a gold ATM (www.cnbc.com/ id/37124207).

Meanwhile, silver prices (www.cnbc. com/id/32990158) have doubled in the past two years, while platinum is up 63 percent, as both metals also benefit from their growing commercial use.

“Resource scarcity is now entering our lives,” says Jim Puplava, chief executive officer of money management firm PFS Group in San Diego. “More countries are competing for precious metals, driving up prices.”

As alternative investments go, precious metals offer more than the usual ways to get in the game. There’s bullion, mining companies, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, futures, coins and more.

Three Metals, Multiple Options Many experts recommend owning

the actual bullion. It’s less volatile and it’s a pure play. Puplava recommends buying American Eagle gold-bullion coins. Any bullion or coin dealer sells them.

The coins are sold at a premium of 5 percent to 10 percent above the spot gold price. They’re affordable and see Gold Rally Coming on page 71

Jamaal Wilkes, President/CEO JAMAAL WILKES FINANCIAL ADVISORS, LLC 6601 Center Drive West, Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90045 www.jamaalwilkes.com Tel: 310-209-8298 Fax: 310-209-8299

M

Malik’s Books Online

alik’s Books has closed operations in the Baldwin Hills Mall.

Malik’s is now operating as an online bookstore. Malik’s is now available to serve our customer’s needs 24/7 via the world wide web with bigger deals and a larger selection. We will remain as active in the South Los Angeles community as we have always been.

Please visit us at www.Malikbooks.com and/or www.autographbooks. com. For other information give us a call at 818-564-5694.

If you want to coorespond with us, send letters to Malik’s Books, 3939 Crenshaw Boulevard, #324, Los Angeles, CA 90008.

Thank You again for all your support and patronage over the years and visit us on the Web. 

Books to Consider...

Malik’s Books

www.Malikbooks.com • www.autogrpahbooks.com malikbooks@att.net • 818-564-5694

Give the Gifts of Knowledge, Inspiration, Entertainment.

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Black Book Stores!

Eso Won Books

African American Books 4331 Degnan Ave., Leimert Park, Los Angeles

“Give Books as Gifts to Friends & Family” Check out our unsurpassed collection of books, music, video, children’s books, and games!

Special Days Gift Giving Time King Day, Black History Month, Valentine Day 323-294-0324 www.esowonbooks.com //esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events

The Presumption of Guilt: The Arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Race, Class and Crime in America

by Dr. Charles Ogletree Shortly after noon on Tuesday, July 16, 2009, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., MacArthur Fellow and Harvard professor, was mistakenly arrested by Cambridge police sergeant James Crowley for attempting to break into his own home. The ensuing media firestorm ignited debate across the country. The Crowley-Gates incident was a clash of absolutes, underscoring the tension between black and white, police and civilians, and the privileged and less privileged in modern America. Charles Ogletree, one of the country’s foremost experts on civil rights, uses this incident as a lens through which to explore issues of race, class, and crime, with the goal of creating a more just legal system for all.

Working from years of research and based on his own classes and experiences with law enforcement, the author illuminates the steps needed to embark on the long journey toward racial and legal equality for all Americans. 

69  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Please complete then submit this form with your payment. Please type or print.

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Gold Rally Coming

Let’s Move

from page 68

come in half-ounce and quarter-ounce sizes. Another option is to buy 50- to 100-ounce gold bars and store them in a vault.

“People haven’t bought so much gold since it was discovered over 5,000 years ago,” says Jeffrey Christian, managing director of CPM Group in New York City, putting the rally in perspective.

There are now more than two dozen gold ETFs (http://etf.stock-encyclopedia.com/category/gold-etfs.html) traded on exchanges in various countries.

Silver’s current allure has been aided by its growing industrial use. It’s the best metal for conducting heat and electricity, making it useful in electronic devices, such as cell phones.

Silver investors can opt for Silver Eagle coins or bars. “They buy the actual metal and put it in storage,” says Mladjenovic. “That’s a safer play.” Safer, he adds, than buying some silver or gold ETFs, which may hold futures contracts in their portfolio.

Finally, platinum (www.cnbc.com/ id/32990189) is usually a play on a strengthening economy, as it is used in the catalytic converters in automobiles.

It’s sold as American Platinum Eagle coins and in bars.

Puplava recommends a precious metals portfolio that is 50 percent gold, 40 percent silver and 10 percent into platinum, advocating dollar-cost averaging to compensate for some of the volatility.

“Platinum is the trickier investment of the three and silver is more volatile than gold,” says Mladjenovenic. “Don’t rely on a single precious metals investment. There are so many risk factors that are political.” 

from page 57

know the connection between proper nutrition and academic performance.

From doctors and nurses who know that unhealthy kids grow into unhealthy adults –- at risk for obesity-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer.

From business and labor leaders who know that we spend nearly $150 billion a year to treat these diseases and who worry about the impact on our economy.

From advocates and faith leaders who know that school meals are vital

for combating hunger, feeding more than 31 million children a day.

And from military leaders who tell us that when more than one in four young people are unqualified for military service because of their weight, they tell us that childhood obesity isn’t just a public health issue; they tell us that it is not just an economic threat — it is a national security threat as well.

Now, these folks come at this issue from all different angles. But they’ve come together to support this bill because they know it’s the right thing to do for our kids. And they know that in the long run, it won’t just save money, but it’s going to save lives. 

and

Comedy Night Join the Fun! Share the Laughs!

71  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

www.letsmove.gov

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72  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Artwear Artwear may be found at: Sika’s / 4330 Degnan Ave., Leimert Park Baldwin Hills Plaza Farmer’s Market each Saturday 10am-3pm

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73  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Choose to care.

Choose to celebrate.

Choose to dream.

At Comerica Bank, we choose to care about the dreams and visions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We choose to celebrate equality and diversity among all people, and we’re dedicated to ringing the bells of freedom. Choose to celebrate the dream with us.

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BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM LAUNCHES DIGITAL MAGAZINE

T

he digital version of Black Meetings & Tourism magazine is now available on-line.

The current issues, as well as archived issues, can be viewed by visiting www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com and click on the image link located on the home page.

The digital version is just a small part of BM&T’s expanded on-line presence, which includes a host of new departments, the twice-monthly e-newsletter, an increased focus on leisure travel, and many new marketing opportunities. Our newly designed website offers a guest blog page, a video page and a variety of interactive and custom advertising products that will allow vendors direct access to the more than 45 billion dollar African-American travel market. 

Consumer Protection Tuesday, Feb 8th “For everyone interested in doing business with Metro”

from page 49

tory structure and make our system safer.

13) The federal government adopted California’s greenhouse gas emission standards, increasing national fuel economy standards, substantially, to 35 miles per gallon for passenger car model years 2012 through 2016, resulting in billions of dollars in consumer savings.  Consumer Federation of America (CFA) www.consumerfed.org www.DrLindaASmith.com.

Watch & Support the Africa Channel!

Time Warner • Comcast

Don’t have the Africa Channel in your area? Call Time Warner at: 1-888-892-2253 and ask that the Africa Channel be broadcast to ALL regions of your state.

For information on the Africa Channel visit www.theafricachannel. com or send an e-mail inquiry to info@theafricachannel.com.

75  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Calendar January 2011…

Announcing the Launch of

“SuiteEvents.com”

8th Start the New Year as an Entrepreneur!

Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation invites you to enroll in the Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP).

Whether you are an emerging entrepreneur contemplating the next innovative business idea or an established business owner on your way to the Fortune 500, this free program is for you! New sessions of the 3-week level I and 8-week level II business plan class start January 8, 2011 covering marketing, legal considerations, operations and management, and financial planning among many other topics. To enroll, visit http://tinyurl.com/etpwinter for class descriptions/schedule and to download an application or call 323.789.4515! Sponsored

by Vermont Slauson EDC and the City of Los Angeles Business Assistance Program. Get the training you need to ‘Own Your Own’ in 2011!

11th-14th 14TH ANNUAL WALL STREET PROJECT ECONOMIC SUMMIT Using the theme “A More Perfect Union: Time to Rebuild America”, RPC will explore and discuss the dialogue on the nation’s financial recovery.

Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, 811 7th Ave at 53rd Street, New York City. Get information and register at www.rainbowpush.org.

15th CaTwalk Queenz Annual Fashion Show Wish Ultra Lounge, 3001 Knox St., #210, Dallas Texas, 7pm to 10pm. For information on attending, advertising, modeling or participating as a fashion designer contact Charles Brown at 770256-9732.

February…

14th-16th Africa-USA Business Executives Conference & Expo African Business Executives from across the continent will be joined by their counterparts

from the US at t h e Event Center at the Ballys Hotel in Las Ve gas.

To p i c s under discussion and on display include: Investing in Agriculture, Banking and Finance, Construction & Development, Information Technology, Transport & Tourism, Petroleum & Energy, and Health & Education. Enjoy the Chairman’s Dinner Reception “America Honors Africa” to celebrate partnerships for business relations and mutual prosperity. Please register before January 15th to receive the discounted rate - http://www.africanbizconvention.com/confregister.html or visit www.africanbizconvention.com for detailed information.

24th-28th

26th BBA Salute to Black Women Annual Salute to Black women and their achievements in business and the civic/social worlds. For detailed information contact the Black Business Association at mail@bbala.org or by phone at 323-291-9334.

April…

4th-9th 4th Annual Lagos Black Heritage Festival Held in Lagos Nigeria, West Africa to celebrate the culture, art and history of Africa. For detailed information visit www. facebook.com/pages/ Lagos-Black-Heritage-Festival/301943951426.

30th 5k Walk All Over Cancer Walk-athon The One Child Our Village Foundation invites the community to join them in their efforts to raise funds to fight all cancer types. For detailed

Art Walk in the Crenshaw Plaza Annual art show is accepting participant applications. Contact Julien Dothard at 818-4198639 or send e-mail to dothard@sbcglobal.net for detailed information.

March…

76  January 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

information, please call 323-239-4844 between the hours of 10am until 2pm, or email onechildourvillage1997@yahoo.com.

July…

May…

Chamber Management Training The US Black Chamber School of Chamber Managemnt will conduct a training program at the University of Phoenix Washington, DC Campus entitled “Promoting Chamber Growth, Efficiency and Influence”. Learn more by emailing kathleen@usbci.org or visiting www.usbci. org.

6th-7th Black Business Expo 2011 Marlton Square (Old Santa Barbara Plaza, Crenshaw area). Emphasis will be on the Tom Bradley Business Institute and the future of Black Folk’s in America.

26th Black Business Association 37th Annual Awards Dinner Annual Salute to Black business owners and executives and the private and public sector entities that support the advancement of black business. For detailed information contact the Black Business Association at mail@bbala.org or by phone at 323-291-9334.

18th-22nd

August…

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Deducation Ceremony For details on the event and to make contributions contact the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., 401 F Street, NW, Suite 334, Washington, DC 20001, 1.888.484.3373. 

Publisher’s Message from page 64

results. For instance, colleges and universities across America benefited exponentially from affirmative action, as now more affluent blacks who gained access to colleges during this era pay out right for their offspring to attend college, at coincidentally considerably much higher costs than those required in the 1960’s and 70’s.

In closing, we must be mindful that a very real portion of the USA remains in ruins, where solely centering every contract bid opportunity on controlling and containing costs will never deliver positive change for complete socioeconomic development. That is nothing more that short-term management, and long-term returns require a more concerted investment of time and material to fix the soft infrastructure that is in crisis caused by decades of inattention and neglect. The neglect is simply from the old adage of help going to those with squeaky wheel. However, the target populations in crisis do not even have wheels to give a squeak.

Which is why, the Black Business News hereby firmly commits to serve as that squeaky wheel by advocating for major corporate contract expansion of African American-owned and operated business enterprises. 

Reach Thousands of African American Entrepreneurs

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The Black Business News, an award winning publication, is pleased to invite you to be an integral part of our information community Your Link to African American Business Owners. The Black Business News is the ofÀcial voice through which public and private entities advertise contract and business opportunities available to African American entrepreneurs. Gain access to a highly afÁuent target market via outreach and advertising opportunities.

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Feature Articles: Constructisve “Strategies For the Engagement with African Diaspora” gement: “Diaspora Enga Beyond” Remittances &

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