11-Jun

IN THIS ISSUE...

Publisher’s Message…page 3 Featured Story-Small Business Agenda…page 8 Let’s Move-Resources.....page 57 International News…page 58

THE WHITE HOUSE PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH, 2011 ------The music of our Nation has always spoken to the condition of our people and reflected the diversity of our Union. African-American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters have made enormous contributions to our culture by capturing the hardships and aspirations of a community and reminding us of our shared values. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we honor the rich musical traditions of African-American musicians and their gifts to our country and our world.

Government

From the cadenced hums of spirituals to the melodies of rhythm and blues, African-American music has been used to communicate, to challenge, to praise, and to uplift in times of both despair and triumph.

The rhythmic chords embedded in spirituals have long expressed a deep faith in the power of prayer, and brought hope to slaves toiling in fields. The soulfulness of jazz and storytelling in the blues inspired a cultural renaissance, while the potent words of gospel gave strength to a generation that rose above the din of hatred to move our country toward justice and equality for all.

Today, African-American musicians continue to create new musical genres and transform the scope of traditional musical formats. The artistic depth of soul, rock and roll, and hip-hop not only bring together people across our Nation, but also energize and shape the creativity of artists around the world. The contributions of African-American composers and musicians to symphony, opera, choral music, and musical theater continue to reach new audiences and encourage listeners to celebrate fresh interpretations of these and other genres.

In cherished songs passed down through generations and innovative musical fusions crafted today, African-American music continues to transcend time, place, and circumstance to provide a source of pride and inspiration for all who hear its harmonies. This month, we celebrate the legacy of African-American music and its enduring power to bring life to the narrative of our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2011 as African-American Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public officials, educators, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and foster appreciation of music which is composed, arranged, or performed by African Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of May, 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 2  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Publisher’s Message Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

ᏊᏊᏊ

B

y proclamation, President Barak Obama proclaimed June as African American Music Appreciation Month. As the publisher of the Black Business News, I call on Americans to acknowledge not only the social, but also the economic impact generated by Black music in this country. This month, let us not only observe and participate in Black Music Month activities and programs, but also acknowledge the economic contribution of music which is composed, arranged, performed or produced by African Americans.

Since 1979, the nation has acknowledged the contributions and accolades of countless African American musicians, composers, singers and songwriters engaged in music of our Nation. While acknowledging those of the recent past such as Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross, and also not so recent such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Lena Horne, we continue to witness the creation of new musical genres and transformation of the scope of traditional musical formats. Today’s artists such as Prince, Beyonce, and Rihanna are continuing the legacy of Black music that transcends time, place, and race to provide a source of pride and inspiration for all who hear its harmonies. Black music moguls of the like of Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy, Sean Combs, Clarence Avant and Jay Z have demonstrated that Blacks are not only performers on stage, but astute business executives in the board rooms.

ᏊᏊᏊ From August 12th through the 14th, Los Angeles will be the home of the

West Cost Expo. Produced by OurWeekly, this is a multicultural exposition and trade show for small, medium and large businesses with goods, products and services to market on the West Coast. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with experts, specialist and vendors from numerous fields, including green technology, health, and education.

ᏊᏊᏊ The Black Business News would like to commend the Black Business Association (BBA) on its 37th Annual Awards Dinner, June 2nd at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles. Unlike many

YOUR LINK TO AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS CELEBRATING OVER 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

37TH ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

major non-profit fundraiser dinners, the BBA presented a limited, yet welldeserving six awards based on merits and achievements. Proceeding this gala awards dinner a procurement conference, hosted by Southern California Edison and Sempra Energy.

The Black Business News applauds President Obama on his nomination of John Bryson for our next United States Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Bryson has a strong and solid economic and business background that has drawn praise from both Democrats and Republicans on the Capital. John Bryson was chairman and chief executive of a Southern California Edison for nearly two decades until 2008. He was also a founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the nation’s leading environmental organizations. A Californian, Mr. Bryson is on the boards of corporations like Boeing, Disney, as well as clean-technology start-up Coda Automotive, a maker of electric cars in Santa Monica, Calif., and BrightSource Energy, a solar power company in Oakland, California. Further, he is a member of a United Nation advisory group. The Black Business News will be watching closely his confirmation hearings.

ᏊᏊᏊ With the shift of balance in the U.S. House of Representatives to a Republican majority, many of the programs and legislative acts providing some form of economic accessibility and parity for not only for Black businesses, but many of the communities of color, are threatened. While we applaud the actions of those in both the Senate and the House as it relates to minority and small businesses, it is up to us, all minorities, to speak up to defend and guard the social changes and financial advancements we have worked so diligently to implement. Now is the time for a more creative way of thinking to address of the financial needs of those with the least financial resources. As African American entrepreneurs, we have the least financial resources. 

3  June 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: •

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

•

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

•

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

•

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.

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

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

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Steven Turner

PRODUCTION MANAGER Narishima Osei

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS LaSandra Stratton • Dean Jones • Steven Turner

GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Harris

STORY EDITORS Wanda Flagg ▪ Jennifer Marie Hamilton

PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Foxx ▪ Sabir • Narishima Osei

CONTENT ADMINISTRATOR LaSandra Stratton

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

t y, vi-

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.

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  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

FEATURES…

3

June 2011

8 14 16 19 24

Publisher’s Message…

8 GOVERNMENT… White House Small Business Agenda MBDA. Environmental Sustainability Makes Jobs Sellng Off Govenment Properties to Earn Income Building Online Skills SBA/CUC Appointments

28 BUSINESS… 28 31 35 37 45 4 47 4

Trade, Contracting, Challenges, Grants Microsoft to Acquire Skype Number of Women-Owned Business Steadily Going Up Financial Literacy Programs for Young People Edison Wheeler’s Dream Business - La Louisianne Editorial: Access to Capital Still a Challenge

50 PUBLIC INTEREST/COMMUNITY’…

52 57

Energy Upgrade California Report Let;s Move - Resources

58 INTERNATIONAL…

45

Columns 40 - Take A Look!

73 - Books to Consider...

79 - Calendar Action Alerts 10 - AEG Supplier Portal 50 - Help for Haiti and Japan Sponsors 07 - Black Business Association

58 59 61 62

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) AGOA Forum 2011 to be held in Zambia Trade Mission to South Africa Resources for Going Global

Cover image - Sarah Harris

5  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org w bb bbne news ws org

SERVING THE INDUSTRY and the TRADE PIPE - VALVES - FITTINGS - METALS - TOOLS PROCESS CONTROLS - INSTRUMENTATION - WATER WORKS

Brandon Supply Corporation is a world class distributor of industrial supplies.

Brandon has been proven to be a dependable source of supply to the petrochemical, power generation and waterworks industries providing fast and reliable service.

Brandon, in maintaining the policy of selling only superior products, represents only the nation's top manufacturers.

SBA CERTIFIED We offer a full range of valves for all piping applications, pressure tubing in all sizes and schedules, a complete line of fittings, flanges and couplings in all metallurgies.

We also offer a full range in PVC, HDPE and other materials.

Clarence D. Scott, CEO CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 14120 Gannet Street Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 5354 Buena Park, CA 90623

Phone: 562-921-0407 | FAX: 562-921-5945 800.238.5906 (Outside California) www.brandonsupply.com | cdavis@brandonsupplycorp.com

ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

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 May 12th

“Microfinancing Workshop” May 19th

“Financial Management Workshop”

June 2nd

37th Annual Black Business Associaion Awards Dinner Thursday, 2nd 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  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbala.org

Government

President Barack Obama waves to workers during a tour of the microprocessor manufacturing facility at Intel Corporation in Hillsboro, Ore. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

White House Releases The Small Business Agenda: Growing America’s Small Businesses to Win the Future Highlighting Critical Support for Small Businesses Across the Country

T

he President’s National Economic Council has released The Small Business Agenda: Growing America’s Small Businesses to Win the Future, a report highlighting the importance of expanding and supporting the growth of entrepreneurs and small businesses across the nation. The report, which kicks off National Small Business Week, outlines the critical investments

this Administration has made to support small businesses, create jobs and strengthen our economy.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our communities. They create two of every three new jobs in America, spur economic growth, and spark new industries across the country,” said President Obama. “We will continue to create new incentives to help small

business owners hire new workers, promote growth and do what America does best – invest in the creativity and imagination of our people.”

To view the full report, which includes small business success stories from around the country, visit www.sba. gov/content/small-business-agendagrowing-americas-small-businesseswin-future or www.sba.gov/sites/ see Small Business Agenda on page 11

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

THE WHITE HOUSE PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, 2011 -------

BARACK OBAMA

Government

Our country started as an idea, and it took hard-working, dedicated, and visionary patriots to make it a reality. Successful businesses start much the same way -- as ideas realized by entrepreneurs who dream of a better world and work until they see it through. From the family businesses that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of America’s promise.

Throughout our economic recovery, persevering small businesses have helped put our country back on track. Countless new and saved jobs have come from small businesses who took advantage of tax relief, access to capital, and other tools in the Recovery Act, the Small Business Jobs Act, and other initiatives launched by my Administration to put Americans back to work. To ensure the stability of our recovery, we must continue to provide new opportunities for small business owners and the next generation of entrepreneurs, who will help us out-innovate our global competitors to win the future.

To support high-growth businesses, my Administration has launched Startup America, an initiative that will strengthen access to capital and mentoring while reducing barriers to growth for small businesses.

Entrepreneurship is essential to the strength and resilience of our economy and our way of life. Startup America will give entrepreneurs the tools they need to build their business into the next great American company. To encourage innovation, we released the Strategy for American Innovation, a report outlining my Administration’s plan to harness ingenuity. This means investing in the building blocks of innovation, like education and infrastructure, while promoting market-based growth through tax credits and effective intellectual property laws.

The National Export Initiative is working to open markets to American businesses and support small exporters, who increase American competitiveness abroad and create good jobs here at home. We continue to create opportunities for businesses in underserved communities through new lending initiatives, expanded access to counseling, and technical assistance. We are also working to provide small businesses more opportunities to compete for Federal contracts. This gives Federal agencies access to some of our country’s best products and services while helping these businesses grow and employ community members. Through these and other initiatives, we are supporting the entrepreneurs and small businesses that provide work for half of American workers and create two out of every three new private sector jobs.

Small businesses embody the promise of America: that if you have a good idea and are willing to work hard enough, you can succeed in our country. This week, we honor and celebrate the individuals whose inspiration and efforts keep America strong.

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 May 15 through May 21, 2011, as Small Business Week. I call upon all Americans to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the competitiveness of the American economy with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtyfifth.

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

Small Business Agenda from page 8

default/files/Small%20Business%20 Agenda%20NEC.pdf.

FACT SHEET: THE SMALL BUSINESS AGENDA: GROWING AMERICA’S SMALL BUSINESSES TO WIN THE FUTURE

o hire people who’ve been unemployed to work at their business o buy new equipment or machinery for their business o provide health insurance for their employees II. More access to capital. After lending froze in 2008, the new Administration implemented critical tools to increase the flow of capital to

small-dollar lending to spur business growth among women, minorities, veterans and others in underserved communities III. More federal contracting opportunities. Starting in FY2009, an increasing percentage of federal contracting dollars have gone to small business, totaling about $221 billion

by April 2011. Efforts to augment contracting opportunities for small

Over the past two years, the Obama Administration has taken decisive action in seven critical areas aimed at empowering America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners to create jobs and strengthen the economy. The Administration will continue to build on these accomplishments.

I. More tax relief. The President enacted 17 tax cuts for small businesses, including billions of dollars in tax credits, write-offs, and deductions for Americans who: o start a new business o invest or buy stock in startups and small businesses

small businesses. This included: o SBA lending support totaling $53 billion for 113,000 small businesses o a Small Business Lending Fund to help community banks increase small business lending o a State Small Business Credit Initiative to support up to $15 billion in small business lending through innovative state small business programs o billions of dollars in loans and other support to small businesses hit by disasters such as the BP Oil Spill, floods, and tornadoes o new SBA programs to increase

businesses included: o delivering nearly one-third of Recovery Act contracts to small businesses while also exceeding all goals for underserved small business groups with these contracts o actions from the President’s Interagency Taskforce on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Business to strengthen rules, to create a better-trained acquisition workforce, and to strengthen outreach to more small businesses o implementing the woman-ownedsmall-business contracting

11  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

see Small Business Agenda on page 12

Government

President Barack Obama listens as Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton speaks during a meeting with elected officials and families affected by the floods in Memphis, TN. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Small Business Agenda from page 11

Government

program to help women compete in 83 industries where they are underrepresented in the federal contracting arena, building on the $16 billion women-owned firms won in FY 2009 o reducing the time it takes to pay small businesses who do work for the Department of Defense from 30 to 20 days, potentially impacting more than $60 billion of goods and services IV. More exporting support and opportunities. The President’s National Export Initiative places a strong focus on helping small businesses as they begin or expand exporting. In its first year, the U.S. exported $1.83 trillion in goods and services supporting 10.3 million jobs.

Efforts to identify, prepare and support small exporters have included:

o 35 trade missions totaling $2 billion in anticipated success, with small businesses representing nearly 80% of participants o increasing training and expertlevel counseling to create growth plans for manufacturers through the Department of Commerce’s ExportTech program o increasing authorizations from $3.2 billion in 2008 to $5 billion in 2010 from Export-Import Bank V. More counseling and training.

Over the past two years, agencies that provide or coordinate free counseling have helped serve more than 2 million entrepreneurs and small business owners. Key efforts have included: o launching four new Women’s Business Centers, bringing the total to 110 centers nationwide, building on the momentum in women’s business ownership o launching the President’s Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development which expanded

President Barack Obama talks with National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling, right, and Press Secretary Jay Carney in the Oval Office, March 10, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)) o the President’s advocacy with world leaders in India, Korea, Colombia, Panama, and others, including advancing trade agreements that will lower tariffs on U.S. exports

opportunities for veterans, reservists, and their families o strengthening SBA’s efforts to inspire and empower the next generation of young entrepreneurs

To view the full report, which includes small business success stories from around the country, visit www.sba.gov/content/ small-businessagenda-growingamericas-smallbusinesses-win-future or www.sba.gov/sites/ default/files/Small%20 Business%20 Agenda%20NEC.pdf.

o coordinating multiagency efforts to foster “clustering,” an economic development strategy that maximizes innovation and job creation by building on a region’s existing strengths and assets o creating the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Commerce o streamlining patent services and providing patent fee reductions for small businesses o strengthening education in order to promote small business ownership through the America COMPETES Act, Race to the Top, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, and more VI. More support for “high-growth” small businesses. The vast majority of net new jobs created in the U.S. come from startups and small business poised for high-growth and innovation.

The Administration has focused intently on this subset of small businesses, with efforts including: o creating the President’s Jobs and Competitiveness Council, led by top U.S. executive business leaders see Small Business Agenda on page 13

12  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Small Business Agenda from page 12

Act. o protecting small businesses from unfair and deceptive credit card practices through the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act o saving small businesses $15 billion in foregone regulatory costs in 2010 through the SBA Office of Advocacy’s efforts to ensure flexibility with regulations that disproportionately affect small businesses. 

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

The White House Office of the Press Secretary www.whitehouse.gov

Government

o creating Startup America, a set of initiatives that include: $2 billion in growth capital, a mentoring corps, efforts to reduce regulatory barriers and commercialize federal research, and a new Partnership of top U.S. investors, corporations, universities, and foundations committed to fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems which secured $400 million in commitments in April 2011 o awarding more than $4.5 billion in research funding through the Small Business Innovation Research program during FY 2009 and FY 2010 o developing two Recovery Act programs through NIH to help earlystage companies catalyze research in new areas and to help more advanced companies bridge the commercialization gap o new “challenge” grants from the Commerce that spur commercialization of new technologies o increasing the percentage of small companies involved in the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Centers from 23% to 44% between 2006 and 2010 o strengthening USDA commercialization, licensing, and patenting efforts for small businesses involved in agricultural technology transfer and innovation through research partnerships o expanding broadband to small businesses in rural and remote areas through nearly $7 billion in grants through the Recovery Act o providing women veterans, veterans with disabilities, and reservists with entrepreneurship “boot camps,” in-person training sessions, and online resources through partnerships with universities o organizing the White House

Women Entrepreneurs Conference and continuing with regional women’s entrepreneurship summits around the country led

by SBA and the National Women’s Business Council VII. More small business protection. Providing stability and protections for small businesses in the wake of the recession is critical for future economic growth.

Administration efforts in this area have included: o strengthening financial markets and community banking in order to ensure access to conventional credit through the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Report and Consumer Protection

Minority Business Development Agency Environmental Sustainability Creates News Jobs, New Markets, and New Industries

I

Government

n recognition of Earth Day on April 22nd, I wanted to talk to you about conservation and our efforts to create environmental jobs and promote green technology.

Conservation means making sure the limited resources we use to power our

David Hinson, National Director, MBDA homes and car and produce materials are used more responsibly. It means maximizing efficiencies and doing more with less—areas in which minorityowned businesses excel. Thankfully, while we may have a finite amount of coal or oil, our entrepreneurial capacity is infinite. Our transition toward a more sustainable system provides countless opportunities for innovation in green industries.

Green is also the color of money, and what’s good for the environment is good for the economy. Working towards environmental sustainability creates news jobs, new markets, and new industries. Minority-owned businesses can find excellent opportunities

retrofitting houses and offices to be more energy efficient, constructing wind turbines, providing green recycling and disposal services, and more.

Additionally, as environmental consciousness continues to grow, the market for green products grows with it.

The market for products made of more recycled materials with less waste are booming. Rather than adding cost, producing sustainable goods adds value and protects the environment.

I’m proud to report that the Department of Commerce working to foster the creation of green markets and technologies through the $12 million i6 Green Challenge grant competition. Through this program, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award up to $1 million to the six teams around the country with the most innovative ideas to drive technology commercialization and entrepreneurship in support of a green innovation economy. EDA expects the challenge to lead to Proof of Concept Centers that will accelerate the launch of new firms, spurring job creation and economic growth here in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Energy

is also doing its part to encourage green markets and technologies, and providing opportunities for small businesses in the process. The Department of Energy will be holding their 12th Annual Small Business Conference and Expo in Kansas City, Missouri, May 10th – 12th. Registration is still open and I encourage you to attend to learn more about government contracting, Department of Energy opportunities, and partnering with other small business owners to tackle environmental issues and more.

Protecting the environment is our shared responsibility and it is one that the business community—particularly the minority business community— can contribute considerably to.

Entrepreneurs are always developing new materials, finding new ways to use old materials, and engineering more efficient technologies. The Department of Commerce and agencies like MBDA and EDA can help by fostering innovation and creating a space for green products and services to grow and flourish. By working together today we can help win tomorrow, for ourselves and our children.  www.mbda.gov

http://commerceconnect.gov CommerceConnect is a one-stopshop to help U.S. businesses around the country transform themselves into globally competitive enterprises, by connecting them with government information, counseling and services.

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

The White House Blog: President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness: Helping Local Businesses Reach Global Customers

R

ecently, I had the privilege of traveling with members of the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (www. whitehouse.gov/administration/ advisory-boards/jobs-council) to visit Permac Industries (www. premacindustries.com), a small

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

Government

manufacturer just outside Minneapolis, MN. Why Permac? Because the firm represents the best America has to offer – a company that has grown from a simple machine shop into a stateof-the-art facility that manufactures precision parts for customers worldwide in virtually all industries.

I was glad to have a chance to talk about the Obama administration’s commitment to giving businesses like Permac the tools they need to win in

help companies grow by breaking into new foreign markets. That’s why early last year President Obama announced his National Export Initiative (www. whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/ executive-order-national-exportinitiative), which mobilizes departments throughout the federal government to help double U.S. exports by 2015 and support millions of jobs. The reason for this is simple. The more American companies export, they more they produce. And the more they produce, the global economy. That effort is a the more workers they need. And that two-pronged approach. On the one means jobs. hand, we’re aggressively incentivizing Exports have become a key driver investment here in America, as of America’s economic recovery (www. highlighted by key provisions that whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/11/10/ President Obama insisted be included white-house-white-board-presidentin the December tax package, such asia-national-export-initiative), as a new expensing benefit that will accounting for nearly half of U.S. economic growth since mid-2009.

(Consider that exports directly support more than 9 million U.S. jobs!) If we want to continue that success, we’ll need more participation from small to medium-sized businesses, which often aren’t exporting nearly as much as they could.

That’s where the federal government can help, armed with the NEI and the support it provides to companies that want President Obama tours to sell more of what they General Electric Pllant make overseas. in New York.

We know government can’t solve all the problems facing let companies write off 100 percent our country. What it can do is create of their machinery and equipment smart incentives so that businesses purchases made in 2011. This, the like Permac can build something largest temporary investment incentive special. That’s how we ensure that for businesses in American history, will U.S. companies compete and win in help create demand for new equipment the global economy and create new and will mean new factory orders – American jobs. And I’m confident that which in turn means companies will together we will get there.  need to hire more workers to keep up with the demand.

Posted by the Honorable Gary Locke, At the same time, the administration 36th U.S. Secretary of Commerce is making unprecedented efforts to

Saving Money by Selling Excess Government Property

Government

By Jeffrey Zients Federal Chief Performance Officer and the Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget

A

s we look at our fiscal situation, the President understands that the Federal Government must do what American families are doing all across the country: find ways to live within our means and invest in the future. That means cracking down on waste and getting the most from taxpayer dollars.

Since President Obama took office, we’ve made unprecedented prog-

ress in reforming the way Washington works - saving billions of taxpayer dollars through IT reform, cut contracting spending, and eliminated duplicative and ineffective programs.

In his State of the Union address, the President discussed another area that is ripe for savings and reform -- the real estate footprint of the Federal government. For too long, the American people’s hard-earned tax dollars have

gone to waste, funding empty buildings and holding on to valuable properties the government no longer needs. That is something that shouldn’t be tolerated at any time, but especially with this challenging fiscal environment, it’s unacceptable.

Today, we’re sending legislation to the Hill that will cut through red tape and politics to rid the government of the burden of excess property and save taxpayers at least $15 billion. We look forward to working with members of Congress to pass this legislation, the

16  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Civilian Property Realignment Act. One of the most exciting aspects of the legislation is that it leverages the best practices of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program by empowering an independent board of experts to identify significant consolidation opportunities and bundle them for a swift up or down vote by Congress.

This cuts through red tape and politics that too often slows down the process of getting rid of excess property and finding other savings in our real estate portfolio (click here to learn more about

the legislation).

We also are releasing data on thousands of excess properties across the country and an interactive map that allows you to see which excess properties are on the government’s books in your state so that you can hold Congress and the Administration accountable for our progress. You also can use this site to help us identify other properties in your communities that are not on the excess list but should be sold or otherwise disposed of. These excess properties are just the tip of the

iceberg. There are many more opportunities to cut waste and save taxpayer dollars by downsizing the federal government’s footprint – and the Civilian Property Realignment Act will allow that to occur. We look forward to working with Congress to get this legislation passed.  Relevant Links: www.whitehouse.gov/issues/fiscal/ excess-property-map www.whitehouse.gov/files/images/fulldata-map-charts.jpg

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

Digital Literacy Initiative Aims to Help Americans Build Online Skills

By Aneesh Chopra and Lawrence Strickling

C

ommerce Secretary Gary Locke has launched DigitalLiteracy.gov, a new online portal to help Americans find jobs and obtain the 21st century skills being sought by today’s employers.

The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) developed DigitalLiteracy.gov in part-

are being developed by Recovery Act projects.

Resources and tools on the site can be used to teach and help develop digital literacy skills including lesson plans, online training tools, and train-the-trainer materials. In addition, any user can go to the site’s workforce page to connect to a wide variety of career-building applications that teach a range of skills

www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp nership with nine Federal agencies, with the goal of creating an online hub for librarians, educators, and other digital literacy practitioners to share content and best practices. Through DigitalLiteracy.gov, NTIA is making available to all Americans the methods for improving broadband adoption that

including word processing fundamentals, resume -building tips, and job search techniques.

The premise is simple: We live in an Internet economy where high-speed Internet access and online skills are necessary for seeking, applying for, and getting today’s jobs. DigitalLiteracy.

can leverage these resources to better prepare Americans for success in today’s digital economy.  Aneesh Chopra, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Lawrence Strickling, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the Department of Commerce

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

Government

gov will help Americans build the online skills needed to fully share in the benefits of broadband, including developing workforce skills (www.digitalliteracy.gov/content/workforce), finding reliable healthcare information (www.digitalliteracy.gov/resource/hhsfinding-quality-information), or designing a website (www.digitalliteracy.gov/ resource/best-practices-web-designor-redesign).

Most important, as the resources on this Web portal expand we expect additional content from broadband grantees (www2.ntia.doc.gov) who are developing and implementing digital literacy training programs in their communities. This will allow us to leverage the investments from local Recovery Act projects to provide digital literacy resources to all Americans and help achieve the Administration’s goal of winning the future and ensuring that America remains the leader in an increasingly competitive world.

Additionally, users can rate the content, provide feedback, and communicate with each other about how they are using the tools. This is a case of technology helping to facilitate new and effective ways for practitioners to share experiences and expand their collective knowledge base. Over time, the site will help to improve our understanding of what practices work for different communities and increase the impact, sustainability, and scale of digital literacy efforts.

We welcome your feedback (www. digitalliteracy.gov/collaborate) and encourage you to share resources being put into practice in your community.

Collaboration is key, and together we

E H T E V A S

August 12 - 14, 2011

E T A D

Los Angeles Convention Center

Join us for 3 Days of

Job Fair Gospel Show Celebrity Chef Jr. Business Camp Business Workshops Food Demonstration Celebrity Fashion Show LA-Live VIP Mixer and much more! $5 in advance | $7 at the door

westcoastexpo.biz

‒ 2011 SPONSORS ‒

This is an OurWeekly/Urban Media Foundation event

Knowledge Fall 2011 Workshops: 100 - Multimedia Storytelling: Writing News for Fun! 101 - Multimedia Storytelling: Blogging, Tweeting & More!

102 - Multimedia Storytelling: Creating Video Messages 103 - The Art of Reporting 104 - Introduction to Radio Broadcasting 105 - Introduction to Television Broadcasting 106 - Working Behind the Lens 107 - Careers in Media Today

The Urban Media Foundation (UMF) conducts a free innovative after-school program for students ages 14 to 17 years that uses Journalism to positively impact at-risk youth. Students learn about the art of Journalism (print, broadcast, online and photography); increase news literacy, enhance communication skills, computer literacy and reading appreciation.

Registration is free and on-going, students interested in participating please call to sign up until classes are full.

(323) 905-1330

Join us at this years WCE

The Junior Business Camp (JBC) is an annual part of the Urban Media Foundation’s Youth Entrepreneurship Project (YEP). In 2011, it will be located at the West Coast Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center August 12th & 13th.

Interested youth must pre-register by June 30 www.urbanmediafoundation.org

501 c3

BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

A

50Year

Legacy Returns to it’s

Roots

The renewal of a family of products that revolutionized the ethnic hair care industry starting in the 1950s.

M

arch 31, 2009 – Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) has sold its Johnson Products Company unit, one of the world’s most recognized market leaders in African-American hair care products, to RCJP Acquisition, Inc., a newly formed independent entity comprised of Los Angeles-based private equity firms Rustic Canyon/Fontis Partners, LP and St. Cloud Capital LLC, along with an AfricanAmerican management team of industry veterans. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The company will operate as Johnson Products Company, Inc. The new management team will be led by two industry veterans with strong ties to the business, husband and wife team, Eric Brown and Renee Cottrell-Brown. They have extensive experience in the ethnic hair care arena, having both held senior executive positions with the Pro-Line International, Inc. subsidiary of Alberto-Culver Company (NYSE:ACV). Brown will serve as chief executive officer, with Cottrell-Brown as executive vice president.

Founded in 1954 by George Ellis Johnson, Sr., Johnson Products, formerly headquartered in Chicago, has been a mainstay brand for more than a half-century in the African-American

www.johnsonproducts.com

community. In 1971, the company became the first minority-run enterprise to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Today, Johnson Products offers more than 30 hair care products, including the Gentle Treatment and Ultra Sheen brands. The company’s operating office is in Dallas. “The acquisition of Johnson Products represents the renewal of a family of products that revolutionized the ethnic hair care industry starting in the 1950s, and a next stage of growth for a legendary company that has been an iconic figure and

The new Johnson Products Co. will provide us with a platform to bring product innovations and promotions to a unique multi-cultural consumer group. model of success for African-Americans,” Brown said. “The new Johnson Products Company will provide us with a platform to bring product innovations and promotions to a unique multi-cultural consumer group and reintroduce the brands to a new generation. We have an outstanding, motivated team, and we are extremely excited and optimistic about the future of this new venture.” Johnson Products has annualized sales of more than $23 million. Its products are sold throughout

the United States and participate in a global market that the company estimates to be approximately $1.8 billion. The management team brings more than 55 years of experience to the newly formed company. It has helped launch some of the industry’s most successful ethnic hair care brands, including the Soft & Beautiful, Comb-Thru and Just-For-Me product lines, all part of Pro-Line International.

Founder George Johnson, 82, whose company became part Procter & Gamble in 2003 with its acquisition of Wella AG said, “It makes me extremely happy to know that the brands of Johnson Products will be owned by people who understand the African-American consumer market and care about the brands. Eric Brown and Renee Cottrell-Brown will be successful in re-energizing the company.”

©2010 Johnson Products Company, Inc.

SBA Announces Appointments to Advisory Council on Underserved Communities Council will advise SBA on ways to strengthen support for small businesses in underserved communities

Government

F

ifteen individuals from across the country have been appointed to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Council on Underserved Communities (CUC).

Building on SBA’s core programs and Recovery initiatives, the CUC will provide input, advice and recommendations on strategies to help strengthen competitiveness and sustainability for small businesses in underserved communities. These strategies will be focused on increasing entrepreneurship and technical assistance, creating new and strengthening existing outreach and training, and raising awareness in underserved communities of SBA programs and services.

The CUC is chaired by Catherine Hughes, founder and chairperson of Radio One and TV One, and will have 20 members who represent a diverse range of backgrounds and geographic areas.

“One o f S B A’ s c o r e m i s sions is to supp o r t small businesses in traditionally

underserved communities, including minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities and in rural areas,” SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns said.

“The Council on Underserved Communities will provide valuable insight and advice into how we can ensure that small businesses in these communities throughout the country have access to the tools they need to grow, create jobs and win the future.”

The CUC’s first meeting will be held in July, in Washington, DC. Before the first meeting, members of the CUC will hold listening sessions in their regions to hear from small business owners and members of the community about what they need from the SBA. “Thirty years ago, I grew my business with the help of an SBA loan,” said Hughes. “Now I’m so pleased to be chairing the Council on Underserved Communities and help entrepreneurs in communities across the country take advantage of those same opportunities for success.”

The CUC is part of the SBA’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach into underserved communities. While the nation’s economic recovery is moving forward, that recovery has been uneven, particularly for socially, economically and geographically disadvantaged small business owners. To help SBA better address the challenges facing small business owners, the CUC will meet regularly and advise SBA on ways to increase access to capital and promote sustainability, growth, and job creation.

The 15 newly appointed members of

Karen G. Mills, Administrator Small Business Administration

the Council on Underserved Communities are: Hassell McClellan, associate professor - Operations & Strategic Management Department, Carroll School of Management. Dr. Hassell McClellan is an associate professor and former associate dean of Boston College’s Carroll School of Management. He has previously worked in corporate banking with Harris Trust in Chicago and as a faculty member at the Harvard Business School. McClellan’s specialties include strategic management and global competitiveness.

He is the author of several case studies, as well as a book on the banking industry, Managing One-bank Holding Companies.

Dasil “Das” Elius Velez, Senior Executive with the New York State Empire State Development Corporation. Das Velez is currently serving in New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration with the Empire State Development Corporation as the executive director of Minority and Women Business Development. Prior to Velez’s see SBA/CUC on page 25

24  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

SBA/CUC from page 24

appointment, he served as senior advisor to Gov. David A. Paterson.

He has also held a number of executive positions in public service sector and was a founding partner of Carro, Velez, Carro and Mitchell LLP, which became New York City’s largest Latino law firm.

B. Doyle Mitchell Jr, President and CEO, Industrial Bank.

B. Doyle

leader of the United States Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Prior to coming to Washington, D.C., he was the president of the Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce, and served as the president of the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area (Oakland, Calif.). Recognized as one of the country’s best CEOs, Busby grew his first business, USA Super Clean, from $150,000 annual revenue to over $15 million per year. He has served as co-chair of the XL II Super Bowl Host Committee and on the board of directors of the Arizona Governor’s African American Leadership Council.

Randy Blass, director, Florida State Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities Program. Dr.

Randy Blass is a faculty member of The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, and the program director for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) Program all within the College of Business at Florida State University. Before joining the faculty at Florida State, he served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

Blass specializes in power and influence in organizations, organizational socialization, and human resource management, and has more than 25 years of practical experience in designing and implementing training and development programs.

Ned Fawaz, founder and CEO of Energy International Corporation. As the founder and CEO of Energy International Corporation, Ned Fawaz, is responsible for the expansion in worldwide business including tactical and strategic sales. Beginning his career over 32 years ago, Dr. Fawaz has an extensive background in international business and in the mechanical and electrical engineering and equipment industry. He studied mechanical engineering at York Institute in York, Pennsylvania and worked for 10 years for York International. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree (LLD) from Davenport University of Michigan, served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for 2 years.

Eddie Reyes, historically underutilized business coordinator, University of North Texas. Eddie Reyes serves as the historically underutilized business coordinator for the University of North Texas. Reyes was selected by the SBA as the 2010 National Minority Small Business Champion the Year. Reyes also serves as the chairman of the board of directors, Greater Grand Prairie Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

LeeAnn Marker, business advisor, Hutchinson Credit Union. LeeAnn Marker is a business advisor for Hutchinson Credit Union and a small

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

see SBA/CUC on page 27

Government

Mitchell Jr. serves as president and CEO of Industrial Bank in Washington, DC. Mitchell is chairman of the National Bankers Association and the D.C. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. He serves as a board member for the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable, the Council for Court Excellence, the Minbanc Foundation and the Sewell Music Conservatory.

Eric Collins, COO, Mobile Posse.

Eric Collins, COO of Mobile Posse in McLean, Va, is a veteran of the mobile software industry. Prior to his work at Mobile Posse, Collins led the Tegic business unit for Nuance Communications. Eric also headed marketing for Nuance’s Mobile Division.

Following law school, Eric worked as a strategy consultant for technology and entertainment companies before launching a career in mobile technology at AOL. Derek Hyra, associate professor of Urban Affairs and Planning, Virginia Tech. Derek S. Hyra is an associate professor of Urban Affairs and Planning at Virginia Tech. His research

focuses on inner city economic development, with an emphasis on national housing policy, urban politics, affordable housing and small business finance, poverty, and race. Hyra previously worked at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, assessing affordable housing and small business lending programs, and at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, examining the community-level impact of national urban legislation.

He currently serves as the vice chairman of the board of commissioners for the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Ron Busby Sr, president, U.S. Black Chamber, Inc. Ron Busby Sr. is the

Government

A matchmaking opportunity to meet with procurement specialists from Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, and San Diego Gas & Electric® within the construction trades.

Thursday, June 2, 2011 1:00pm - 3:30pm

|

Omni Hotel 251 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Young Black Contractors Association

For more information contact Michelle Butler at msb@msb123.biz or call 619-684-1037.

26  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

SBA/CUC from page 25

ment positions with the American Cancer Society, Starbucks Coffee Company and JayRay Communications where she worked with Tacoma Public Utilities to help launch Click!Network. She now serves as chair of the Government Performance and Finance Committee, and the Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee. She is a member of the Tacoma Pierce County Health Board, a commissioner for Pierce Transit, and an executive committee member for the Economic Development Board. Strickland has been appointed to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Public Education Task Force. Active in the local community, she is a member of the Black Collective and previously served on the boards of KBTC Public TV Association, the Grand Cinema and Safe Streets.. 

Locations: Downtown Culver City: 9537 Culver Blvd.

310-202-5453 City of Compton: 2600 E. Alondra Blvd.

310-638-7871 www.honeyskettle.com Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm

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

Government

business owner. As a commercial lender in a Kansas community with a population of approximately 45,000, Hutchinson has experienced firsthand the challenges facing America’s small businesses in today’s uncertain economic environment.

Roni Wisdom, CFO, San Luis Valley Development Group. Roni K. Wisdom is CFO for the San Luis Valley Development Resources Group, a non-profit regional economic development organization that provides funding and counseling to small businesses, non-profits and local governments. Wisdom previously worked as a manager and owner of small businesses, a business banker, and a small business counselor. She spent much of her past 30 years in the banking field with most of those years in “nontraditional” financing in the rural counties of Colorado.

Hilda Kennedy, founder/executive director, AmPac Tri State CDC. Hilda Kennedy is founder and president of AmPac Tri State Certified Development Company in Grand Terrace, California, a certified lender for the SBA’s 504 loan program and the first faith-based CDC in the country.

Kennedy previously worked in local government in the City of Inglewood for more than 12 years as chief of staff to the mayor and city administrator, public information officer, and economic development director.

Rod Hsiao, Director of Strategic Operations, BUILD. Rod Hsiao is the director of Strategic Operations for BUILD, a nationally recognized nonprofit that uses entrepreneurship to excite and propel disengaged, lowincome students through high school to college success. He worked in economic development research at Harvard and Yale, then served as a senior legislative advisor in the U.S. Congress on international development and domestic policies. He led two state-wide studies for Maine and

Massachusetts to assess the needs of their manufacturers and recommended ways to spur innovation and economic competitiveness. Subsequently he worked in management consulting for SRI Consulting and A.T. Kearney before returning to the non-profit sector as a COO to help lead non-profits involved in teaching business and management skills Hugh Short, president and CEO, Alaska Growth Capital. Hugh Short serves as president and CEO of Alaska Growth Capital. He is also the current chairman of the Alaska Industrial Development Authority (AIDEA), a one-billion-dollar, stateowned economic development agency based in Anchorage, Alaska. Additionally Hugh serves as the current treasurer of the Alaska Humanities Forum and Pacific Northern Academy. Past leadership positions include roles as mayor and member of the City Council for the City of Bethel; vice president of Support Services for Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation; and managing partner of the Subway of Bethel. Active in many community service roles, Short is a founding member of the Alaskan Native Leadership Network and has served as director of Yuut Elinaurviat (People’s Learning Center), Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kuskokwim Campus.

Marilyn Strickland, mayor, Tacoma, Washington. Marilyn Strickland was sworn-in as mayor of Tacoma on January 5, 2010, and previously served as a city council member for two years. Born in Seoul, Korea, Strickland grew up in South Tacoma and has been a downtown resident for over a decade. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Clark-Atlanta University. Strickland has professional experience in both the private and public sectors. She served as development officer for the Tacoma Public Library and has held manage-

Trade Opportunities, Challenges/Contests, Contracts, & Grants Trade Opps

Carol.Rudman@trade.gov

T

he U.S. Commercial Service www.trade.gov/cs is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in nearly 80 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets.

•International Pow Wow 2011 - Travel/Tourism Industries, San Francisco, CA, May 21-25, 2011, Shelby.Peterson@trade.gov •AWEA WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition 2011 (American Wind Energy Association), Anaheim, CA, May 22-25, 2011, Mark.Wells@trade. gov •2011 American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE11), Washington, DC, June 12-16, 2011, Vidya.Desai@trade.gov

Business

•National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference & Expo, Boston, MA June 12-14, 2011, James.

Yi@trade.gov The International Buyer Program (IBP) of the U.S. Commercial Service has announced the list of U.S. trade events selected to participate in the 2011 program. To exhibit your business to buyers around the world select the shows you are interested in and contact the IBP at a Commercial Service office near you by calling 1-800-USATRADE (872-8723).

For market research, more trade events, trade leads, and information on how to export, please visit www.Export.gov.

•Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX, May 2-5, 2011, Vidya.Desai@trade.gov •Waste Expo 2011, Dallas, TX, May 9-12, 2011, Amanda.Ayvaz@trade.gov •2011 National Hardware Show with Lawn and Garden World, Las Vegas, NV, May 10-12, 2011 Graylin.Presbury@trade.gov •Electric Power 2011, Rosemont, IL, May 10-12, 2011, Mark.Wells@trade. gov •National Restaurant & Hotel-Motel Show, Chicago, IL, May 21-24, 2011,

•InfoComm International, Orlando, FL, June 15-17, 2011, Graylin.Presbury@trade.gov •HBA (Health and Beauty Association) Global Expo, New York, NY, June 2830, 2011, Amanda.Ayvaz@trade.gov •American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Atlanta, GA, July 24-28, 2011, Shelby.Peterson@trade.gov •AUVSI’s Unmanned Vehicle Systems International 2011, August 1619, 2011, Carol.Rudman@trade.gov

•High Point Market – Fall 2011, High Point, NC, October 22-27, 2011, Philippa.Olsen@trade.gov •National Funeral Directors Association International Convention and Expo, Chicago, IL, October 23-26, 2011, James.Yi@trade.gov •IFAI Expo Americas 2011 (Industrial Fabrics Association International), Baltimore, MD, October 25-27, 2011, Amanda.Ayvaz@trade.gov •Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Expo (LAGCOE) 2011, Lafayette, LA, October 2527, 2011, Mark.Wells@trade.gov •The SEMA Show & AAPEX: Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week 2011 (AAIW 2011), Las Vegas, NV, November 1-4, 2011, Shelby.Peterson@trade. gov •American Film Market 2011, Washington, DC, November 2-9, 2011, Sean.

Timmins@trade.gov •Greater New York Dental Meeting, November, New York, NY, November 25-30, 2011, Carol.Rudman@trade. gov •POWER-GEN International 2011, Las Vegas, NV, December 6-8, 2011, Blanche.Ziv@trade.gov

WWW.TRADE.GOV/CS

•Graph Expo 2011, September 11-14, 2011, Chicago, IL, James.Yi@trade. gov •RETECH (Renewable Energy Technology Conference & Exhibition) 2011, Washington, DC, 3rd Exhibition & Conference for the All-Renewable Energy Industry, Sept 20-22, 2011, Mark.Wells@trade.gov •Natural Products Expo East/Organic Products Expo – BioFach America, September 21-24, 2011, Baltimore, MD, Shelby.Peterson@trade.gov •PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011, September 26-28, 2011, Vidya.Desai@ trade.gov

Challenges/ Contests hallenge.gov works when you

C

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.

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

see page 29

Trade, Challenges, Contests, Grants from page 28

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.

updated with 2011 data to display of 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.

WWW.STARTUPAMERICAPARTNERSHIP.ORG Track and learn about entrepreneureal opportunities through the Startup America Partnership. Information

WWW.CHALLENGE.GOV

T

Contracts

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: • • •

•

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

WWW.USASPENDING.GOV

Grants

HHS: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH INTEGRATED PRECLINICAL/CLINICAL AIDS VACCINE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (IPCAVD) (U19) MODIFICATION 2 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=53329 DOL: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND CAREER TRAINING GRANTS PROGRAM MODIFICATION 3 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=65773 MCC: MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP SOLICITATION (APS): PARTNERSHIPS IN MCA COUNTRIES MODIFICATION 2 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=72814 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY COOPERATIVE ECOSYSTEM STUDIES UNIT MODIFICATION 7 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=76393 DOT: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DOT/FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION RAILCAR MAINTENANCE PRACTICES MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=80573 USAID: AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DE-

AFRICA USAID-PRETOSTRENGTHENING ANGOLAN SYSTEMS FOR HEALTH (SASH) MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=84413 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE REGION 3 GREAT LAKES WIND POWER-MAKING IT WILDLIFEFRIENDLY MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=85913 GDIT: GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 04182011-KV-1 GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88233 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH U.S.F.W.S. NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES IN MOUNTAIN-PRAIRIE REGION (MT/WY/ CO/UT/NE/KS/ND/SD) MODIFICATION 1 WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88313 ED: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (OESE): ENHANCED ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS GRANTS PROGRAM CFDA NUMBER 84.368A GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88353 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PACIFIC LAMPREY IN THE LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88393 DOD: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF THE ARMY -- USAMRAA DOD BREAST CANCER POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP AWARD GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88394 DOI: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE VEGETATION MAPPING AND MONITORING GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88413 DOD: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF THE ARMY -- USAMRAA DOD BREAST CANCER INNOVATOR AWARD GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88414 DOD: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF THE ARMY -- USAMRAA DOD BREAST CANCER ERA OF HOPE SCHOLAR AWARD GRANT WWW07.GRANTS.GOV/SEARCH/SEARCH. DO?&MODE=VIEW&OPPID=88415 RIA

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

Business

•

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.

is also available at: www.kauffman. org, twitter.com/startupamerica and www.facebook.com/startupamerica.

VELOPMENTSOUTH

MicroSoft to Acquire Skype Cross-platform Communications Across Mobile Divices & PCs will Lead to Universal Next-generation Communications

M

installed b a s e of 170 million users and the fact that, on average, 30 million people are online at any given t i m e .

He said 600,000 Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Skype CEO Tony Bates at the new users San Francisco announcement of Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype. sign up Source: Microsoft every day. will continue along Skype’s path of W h i l e the discussion was short on specifics supporting multiple platforms, including regarding integration with existing Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. “I Microsoft technologies, he indicated said it and I mean it, we will continue to the potential to extend Skype across support other non-Microsoft platforms,” Outlook, Xbox, Kinect, Messenger, he said.  http://campustechnology.com/ Hotmail, and Lync. articles/2011/05/12/ballmer-details-skypeBallmer emphasized that Microsoft

Introducing...

SoLaTea House presented by

Cultural Interiors West & Lucy Florence Cafe

Now Open for Business!

5669 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles vabeard@gmail.com 562-253-6347 Featuring High Tea, Princess Parties, Sunday Brunch and much more! A nice, quiet place to study or just want to grab a cup of tea? We offer free wi-fi to all customers and a variety of teas to suit your mood. You may also enjoy a warm slice of gingerbread cake, a delicious scone, or one of our scrumptious cupcakes.

Our tea house features adequate space for groups up to 20 persons, with catering services for your next event. (Please call for more information.)

acquisition.aspx

Business

icrosoft CEO Steve Ballmer recently described the company’s pending $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype as a major milestone in its efforts to extend crossplatform communications across mobile devices and PCs. Executives of both Microsoft and Skype appeared at a press conference to discuss the deal.

“This is a big day for Skype; it’s a big day for Microsoft,” Ballmer said.

“We’re adding a new division and a new promise to our customers, the promise of universal next-generation communications.”

That new division will be headed by Tony Bates, now Skype’s CEO, who will be president of the new Skype division.

Bates said he anticipates Skype’s user base growing from millions to billions of subscribers. “We believe that this is a platform and a set of services that can reach everyone on the planet,” Bates said.

Ballmer talked up Skype’s huge

Business Development

Building Your Business for Success: The Importance of Ownership

O

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 self-determination.

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.

Tax Deductions

Added Value To Business

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.

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.

Equity Appreciation 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, the BBA has members who 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 decide 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.

No Taxes To Pay On Your Rent 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.

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 will soon launch a program to assist African American business owners in acquiring commercial and industrial real estate.

Explore your universe with an Android OS and access to over 100,000 of the latest apps and widgets.

Update your status, fill a shopping cart, upload videos and download files in a flash with your favorite Google services and Wi-Fi. Plus get unlimited nationwide talk, text, and MetroWEB access for only $60 a month including taxes and regulatory fees. And no annual contract. It’s the best deal in the galaxy. Only from MetroPCS.

No annual contract.

metropcs.com

4GLTE coverage and services not available everywhere. Handset not available on all rate plans. Handset not shown actual size. Screen images simulated. Visit metropcs.com or a MetroPCS store for information on specific Terms and Conditions of Service, coverage areas, handset capabilities and any applicable restrictions. Rates, services and features subject to change. Nationwide long distance available only to continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. Nationwide coverage and services not available everywhere. MetroPCS-related trademarks, service marks, and other intellectual property are the exclusive properties 17347_Ad of MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. All other marks are the properties of their respective owners. ©2011, MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.

Women-owned Businesses Growing as Part of ‘Evolution’

by Natalie Morera for Diversity Executive

A

fter moving to Harlem from the Bronx, Princess Jenkins noticed she had no place to shop.

“I was looking for a place to shop that could accommodate my need as a customer and it didn’t exist,” Jenkins said. “Everyone in Harlem was always dressed beautifully and I thought that there was an opportunity.”

This inspired Jenkins to open Brownstone Lifestyle Boutique in Harlem.

Thirteen years later, Jenkins is getting ready to open a second store about a mile away from her current store and launch a new website.

American Express OPEN, the credit card company’s small-business division, released its “State of WomenOwned Business” report earlier this year. According to

careers women tended to pursue most, Weeks said.

“Health services and education services have long been areas where there are more women-owned firms than average,” Weeks said, adding that the percentage growth in education services may speak to the economic need for better education and training.

Construction’s appearance in the top three may be considered less traditional. Weeks noted that 8 percent of construction firms are womenowned. She said she has seen womenowned construction businesses aiming at being environmentally friendly by doing remodeling rather than new building.

As the next generation of women moves into business ownership, Weeks said she would love to see more women-owned firms grow into larger businesses. “More and more women who are starting businesses have a broader vision and higher goals for their business now than perhaps they did with the firms that were starting 10 or 20 years ago,” Weeks said. But evolution, Weeks said, takes time. 

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

Natalie Morera, associate editor, Diversity Executive magazine, nmorera@diversityexecutive.com.

Business

the report, report Jenkins is one of millions of women who have started more than 8.1 million enterprises and employ 7.7 million people, generating about $1.3 trillion in revenue a year.

Between 1997 and 2011, the number of

businesses nationwide increased by 34 percent, and the number of women-owned firms increased by 50 percent. Enterprises that are majority-owned by women account for 29 percent of all companies in the U.S., according to the report.

“Women have been starting businesses at a much faster rate than average for the last 15 to 20 years, ever since the Census Bureau started esses counting women-owned businesses separately and looking at the gender of the ownership,” said Julie Weeks, American Express OPEN’s research adviser on women’s entrepreneurship.

Contributing to that growth, Weeks said, is the rising levels of experience for fo women in managerial and executive occupations. o Another factor is how many m more women have been going to college and getting an education in fie elds that are conducive to business ownership, ow such as obtaining an MBA or o law degree, Weeks said.

“We’re seeing that entrepreneurship a and business ownership is the next p professional frontier for women,” W Weeks said. “There’s been a steady a and long-term increase of women in th labor force ever since the Rosie the (t (the) Riveter days in World War II.” According to Weeks, health care, so social assistance and educational s services have the highest c concentration of women-owned b businesses.

Meanwhile, education se services, administrative and waste se services and construction have seen the fastest growth in women-owned firms. Education and health services have long been traditional industries for women, because 30 years ago, teaching and nursing were the two

WHY ARE MORE BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES USING SLATON INSURANCE GROUP? BECAUSE THEY DELIVER! Insurance Management Services As a client of Slaton Insurance Group you’ve already made the decision to work with proven resources to help your business manage its risk exposure and to stay within compliance. The independent insurance agents of the Slaton Group will help you manage risk and reduce loss while maintaining adherence to your insurance budget.

We are an integrated, single source provider for your insurance needs.

STEVEN D. TURNER Slaton Group License #0G12789 Financial Advisory / Insurance Services 16161 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 382 Encino, California 91436 Telephone: 818-585-1374 E-mail: sturner@slatongroup.com Website: www.slatongroup.com

Insurance Coverage for Clients •

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) - Property & General Liability Coverage in one Policy form, generally for small and midsized practices. The package includes coverage for business interruption, valuable papers, accounts receivables, employee dishonesty and numerous other pertinent coverages.

•

Commercial Package Policy (CPP) - Generally for larger practices/facilities; incorporates several policy forms including but not limited to general liability, property, automobile and crime policies.

•

Professional Liability - Provides protection for rendering professional services; may apply to both individual professionals and/or businesses.

•

Commercial Umbrella - An additional layer of liability protection that applies across policies to give you increased coverage limits.

•

Inland Marine - Coverage for specialized, valuable equipment or equipment that is mobile.

•

Commercial Auto Insurance - Protection for your owned, borrowed, or rental autos.

•

Worker’s Compensation - Social insurance program designed to resolve disputes between injured employees and their employers.

•

Directors & Officers

•

Employment Practices Liability

Health Care Industry: Steven Turner and his team provide solutions across the continuum of care in medical facilities coverage, ranging from small clinics to specialized facilities and hospitals. As the environment evolves in the medical services industry, Slaton Insurance Group is ready to assist you in managing risk.

Private Client Services: You’ve worked hard to provide a comfortable living for yourself and your family - we work hard to protect it. We work with you to help find personal insurance solutions that provide you the protection you need. Some of the coverage, we offer through our Private Client Services are Home insurance, Auto coverage, Board insurance, Umbrella policies, and many more converges to meet your needs.

Slaton Group is an independent insurance agency dedicated to providing quality commercial and personal insurance programs.

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.

OneUnited Bank’s Financial Literacy for Youth Reaches Milestones, Partners with Operation Hope, Jump$tart Coalition and ALERTA

O

Teri Williams

Boston and Los Angeles respectively.

In Los Angeles, OneUnited Bank and Operation Hope are combining I Got Bank! with the “Banking on Our Future” curriculum.

“We enjoy teaching financial literacy to area school groups,” Ms. Williams stated. “The reactions – from principals, teachers and students – have been enthusiastic and reinforcing. We are on the right track.”

In conjunction with the release of the book, OneUnited Bank is sponsoring the I Got Bank! Essay Contest. To enter, children must write an essay about financial literacy (no purchase necessary). The bank will award three winners a $1,000 savings account in August 2011. I Got Bank! is published

by The Beckham Publications Group, Inc. (www.beckhamhouse.com). The official rules for the essay contest, as well as information on how libraries and schools can receive a free book

(supplies are limited) are available at www.oneunited.com/book.

OneUnited Bank OneUnited Bank (www.oneunited. com), a Minority Depository Institution (MDI) and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is a five time recipient of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s highest Bank Enterprise Award due to its community development lending. Its mission is to be the premier bank serving urban communities by promoting financial literacy and offering affordable financial services. OneUnited has grown through a combination of organic growth and by acquiring community banks that share its mission, including Boston Bank of Commerce in Boston, Massachusetts, Founders National Bank and Family Savings Bank in Los Angeles, California, and Peoples National Bank of Commerce in Miami, Florida.. 

www.healthcare.gov

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

Business

neUnited Bank’s promotion of “Financial Literacy for Youth” has reached several important milestones in 2011. In February, OneUnited Bank President and Chief Operating Officer Teri Williams released her new children’s book entitled I Got Bank! The book is the centerpiece of OneUnited Bank’s new initiative to promote financial literacy for urban youth. The bank has already donated books to over 250 schools and libraries in thirty-four states, and continues to offer free books to libraries and schools through its web site www.oneunited. com/book.

In addition, OneUnited Bank has launched a partnership with the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy® a coalition of organizations that work to advance financial literacy among students from pre-school through college (www. jumpstart.org). Recently Ms. Williams conducted financial literacy workshops at the Hurley and Hernandez schools in Boston with Jump$tart for Project ALERTA, an award winning youth program to improve the educational opportunities and achievement of Latino students in the Boston Public Schools (www.umb.edu/alerta).

The bank has also joined nationally recognized Operation HOPE (www. operationhope.org) in Boston and Los Angeles to present “Banking on Our Future” – a five-hour curriculum for schools and youth groups (www. bankingonourfuture.org).

Bank managers delivered presentations at Madison Park High School and the Thurgood Marshall Middle School in

Companies Making Best Use of IT Leave Rivals in the Dust

Business

H

igh-performing IT organizations are pulling away from their competitors.

That’s the takeaway from Mind the Gap: Insights from Accenture’s Third Global IT Performance research study, in which CIOs and other senior IT executives at more than 225 of the world’s largest private and public organizations were interviewed. Since 2008, when the previous high-performance IT study was done, the gap between highperformers and the rest grew from 31 to 42 percent in terms of innovation, and from 30 to 37 percent in the area of execution.

Why the widening chasm? Chalk much of it up to the troubled economy.

While most organizations focused on cutting budgets and maintenance, the high-performers saw it as an opportunity to grow their IT capabilities.

Research also showed that high-performers: • have Web-enabled 42 percent more of their customer interactions and 93 percent more of those involving suppliers; • are 44 percent more likely to recognize the strategic role IT plays in customer satisfaction; • are eight times more likely to consistently measure the benefits realized from strategic IT initiatives; • spend 29 percent more annually on developing and implementing new applications instead of maintaining existing ones; and • are twice as likely to prioritize workforce performance.

The differences are striking in the following key areas: 1. Strategic IT Alignment: CIOs at high-performing organizations are three times as likely to deliver on core business objectives in terms of new products and services, and they’re twice as likely to cite IT’s strategic role in improving employee productivity.

2. IT Governance: High-performing

groups are twice as likely to develop a business case for new IT initiatives and eight times as likely to measure the benefits realized from these projects.

3. Application Architecture: IT leaders score far higher when emphasizing the importance of a target application architecture focused on such key objectives as scheduling and implementing regular refreshes of the application architecture; proactively applying architecture principles in initiatives; and understanding the importance of avoiding duplication in their application portfolios.

4. Information Management: Highperformers are twice as likely to develop target data architectures and effective business intelligence and analytics capabilities, as well as data governance. This allows employees

to do their jobs better by giving them access to the most detailed and realtime information available.

5.

Service Management and Operations: Being much further along in their journey toward a centralized, fully virtualized environment, highperformers find themselves in a far better position to migrate enterprise infrastructure and applications to private or public clouds.

6. Solution Delivery: High-performing organizations are six times more likely to provide real-time visibility into processes and four times more likely to provide real-time dashboards and alert systems.

7.

Workforce and Resource Management: High-performers are more than seven times more likely to be invested in new technology skills development; six times more likely to have a plan in place to address

an aging workforce and the loss of institutional knowledge as people retire; and three times more likely to develop new career tracks to train future IT workers.

8. Information and Technology Security: High-performing organizations are more likely to have a chief security officer in place; three times as likely to coordinate security governance with lines of business; and twice as likely to have an overall security strategy.

9. Outsourcing: High-performers strategically use outsourcing to gain access to critical IT skills, enhance their agility and flexibility, make their business processes more effective, and lower their applications and infrastructure TCO. They approach outsourcing as a partnership with their service providers, which allows them to extract more value from the relationship.

The study shows that improving an organization’s IT value and gaining a competitive advantage while improving IT’s economy are not mutually exclusive.

In fact, they work hand in hand. This is particularly important during a time when the emphasis continues to be on reducing costs.

IT leaders have a choice: They can accept a role as keepers of the status quo for the business, or they can take steps to establish a partnership with the business by improving their IT organization’s agility, innovation and execution. Research shows that their approach will go a long way toward determining whether they will end up in the camp of the haves or the havenots.  SOURCE: By Gavin Michael www.baselinemag.com/c/a/ITManagement/Top-IT-Groups-LeaveRivals-In-Dust-646801/?kc=BLBLBEM NL05192011STR3

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

SuperBus “Carefree and comfortable travel, customized according to your needs. You can get in the vehicle wherever and whenever you need.

It will take you to your destination without any changeovers. During the journey, you can get on with your work, or sit back and enjoy the speed and the luxury. This service will be yours for a fare which is comparable to the prices of present day’s public transport.”

This is not a dream, but a concept that formed the starting point for the development of Superbus as an innovative alternative for today’s personal mobility.

Superbus is a new concept for sustainable mobility, which consists of a new vehicle, new type of dedicated infrastructure and new logistics. For this new concept, all of the intelligence and innovation is put into the vehicle, whereas the dedicated infrastructure,

where the Superbus runs at 250 km/h, is made of relatively cheap concrete roads.

Superbus is 15 meters long and provides seating for 23 passengers. In order to improve comfort and to allow individuality, it has 8 doors per side.

Superbus does not have a fixed schedule and the logistics allow for flexibility in high volume transport on demand, via a central routing optimization system. Thus the vehicle transports passengers from target to destination without the need for changeovers.

The design of Superbus has been developed around some key themes.

Superbus is safe due to obstacle detection systems (through radar equipment and a fast responding electronic guidance system), high maneuverability and formidable breaking power.

Superbus is designed to be flexible regarding different travel needs. The two different interior cabins are designed for people travelling alone or in groups. Superbus is also flexible due to the routing, since there is no fixed route

for Superbus and the routes are customized based on the preferred starts and destinations of the passengers.

Since it also runs on standard roads, it can fit seamlessly into the existing infrastructure.

Superbus is sustainable. It is an electrically powered vehicle which uses rechargeable batteries. Because it is lightweight and because of its highly streamlined construction, Superbus has low energy consumption.

Beside all this, Superbus is designed to provide a sensational travel experience. The level of comfort should be comparable to travelling with a luxurious sedan. This sensational experience will be realized through high speed, ergonomic interior design and personal multimedia equipment for each individual passenger.

Superbus is developed in the Netherlands, but it can be regarded as a global investment since the Netherlands will subsequently be able to market it worldwide.”  www.superbusproject.com

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

Business

Concept

Technology:

Quote of Note...

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.myskillsmyfuture.org mySkills myFuture helps laid-off workers and other career changers find new occupations to explore.

Users can identify occupations that

President Barack Obama is applauded as he greets U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk upon his arrival for a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House. The President was congratulated on the successful mission against Osama bin Laden. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

“…We discussed the enormous opportunities as well as challenges that are presented by the Arab Spring, and shortly we’ll be discussing in depth how we can fully support countries like Egypt and Tunisia, not only as they transition to democracy but also ensuring that that democratic transition is accompanied by economic growth, which can provide more opportunities for all the people, particularly the young people in the region..”

Business

President Barack H.Obama require skills and knowledge similar to their current or previous job, learn more about these suggested matches, locate local training programs, and/or apply for jobs. This site is part of the CareerOneStop (www. careeronestop.org) system of service sites sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. The system of sites provide employment information and inspiration, a place to manage your career, pathways to career success and many tools to help job seekers, students, businesses and career professionals.

www.globaldigitalpay.com Global Digital Pay is fully owned by Digital Trade Network Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company, incorporated in 2008. Its owners have been involved in the digital currency exchange industry since 2002.

Our objective is to provide a unique experience encompassing the business model of the ‘classic’ digital currency, which in our eyes consists

of privacy, security, borderless international transactions, non returnable payments and low fees.

Digital Trade Network Ltd owns the offshore bank accounts that we use to store fiat currency and acts as the interface between our wholesale clients (Exchangers) and the actual payment system. Our system is designed to be simple and extremely safe to use. We do not store credit card, bank account or other digital currency account details, as they are not used in our system. We only ask for minimal personal details and only require verification for transactions over certain limits.

We are free trade advocates and with our low fee structure, we have opened up a new trading universe for existing and emerging economies.

http://bigthink.com At Big Think, we believe that success in the future is about knowing the ideas that allow allow you to manage

and master the universe of information. Therefore, we aim to help you move above and beyond random information, toward real knowledge, offering big ideas from fields outside your own that you can apply toward the questions and challenges in your own life.

Big Think’s editorial team packages and presents these ideas to you, our users, using the range of multimedia tools the Internet makes possible, with the aim of distilling each idea to its essence. We think of it as optimizing the “speed of knowledge,” conveying ideas’ value as efficiently and effectively as possible, so you have the time to explore, and absorb, more of them.

Because as we move from the information age to the knowledge era, the more ideas you command, the more you will be able to guide the course of your own life and positively impact the lives of those around you.  Submitted by LaSandra Stratton, Chief Content Administrator of the Black Business News.

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

Business | Technology | Green | Health Expo

SAVE THE DATE August 12, 13 & 14, 2011 Los Angeles Convention Center This is an OurWeekly/Urban Media Foundation event

Join us for Business Workshops, Job Fair, Jr. Business Camp, Celebrity Fashion Show, Gospel Show, Healthier You Competition, Celebrity Chefs, Food Demonstrations, LA-Live VIP Mixer, and much more!

Search for West Coast Expo on Facebook

$5 in advance, $7 at the door Exhibit space available. Reserve you booth before March 31 and mention this ad to receive 10% off. Call today (323) 905-1306

www.westcoastexpo.biz

PRESENTING SPONSORS

Custom Culturally Inspired Wedding Rings & Fine Jewelry For The Entire Family.

Unique One of a Kind Pieces Create your own designs. Transform old into new.

JendayiCollection.com 323.898.7468 877.898.7468 Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, First Floor

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

“Entrepreneur of the Month”

Edison Wheeler

B

Hughes Aircraft as a consultant to the Navy,traveling throughout the United States in this capacity also rendering his services aboard the Navy Missle Cruiser to fire test equipment ahead of schedule.

Many years had passed since Edison Wheeler’s first experience as a business man in New Orleans, but the spirit of entrepreneurship was still stirring in his heart. The desire to own a restaurant and night club burned with fervor within him as he sat in the Wichstand Diner on Slauson and Overhill. He made an assessment of the operation and decided to make an offer to buy the business, his offer was accepted and many leans years followed due to being an absentee owner who

vanced in the Aerospace Program. He was an integral part of the first manned space shuttle, “Project Apollo”, which earned him unprecedented recognition in the New Orleans Times Picayune. It was an historic first for a black man’s picture to appear on the front page of the newspaper. At the end of his tenure at Rockwell, Ed moved on the

was dealing with high interests rates, a changing society and legal problems.

By the year 1988, he had not reached his goals and many problems caused great concern to the future of his business career.

In 1989, Mr. Wheeler seized the opportunity to purchase the “20 Grand”, an establishment which was located

Edison Wheeler across from the Wichstand on Overhill; he moved into a new venture, La Louisiane Restaurant, Inc. Success did not come overnight, but through hardwork and perseverance, La Louisiane Restaurant is now known locally and throughout the state for it’s excellent Creole Cuisine, entertainment and ambience. The restaurant has enumerable community awards and has hosted many high ranking Louisiana officials including the New Orleans Mayor, the Honorable Marc Morial, who has commended Mr. Wheeler’s success in bringing New Orleans to Los Angeles via his “Creole Gumbo”. The accolades continue to echo from LosAngeles to Louisiana. While recognizing the need to support Black Business and acknowledging the obligation of Black entrepreneurs to give their best to the community, Mr. Wheeler offers competitive prices at La Louisianne.

Mr. Wheeler has given life to the phrase that he himself coined, ”La Louisianne, a fresh Taste of Louisiana.”  5812 Overhill Dr. (Slauson Avenue) Los Angeles, California Call 323-293-5073 for reservations, private parties and information or visit http://lalouisannela.com

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

Business

orn in New Orleans, Louisiana where he embarked upon his first business venture at the young age of seventeen. He owned and operated a restaurant and night club for a brief time before being drafted in to the Army. He served at Fort Lewis, Washington and was honorably discharged in 1962. En route home to New Orleans, Ed stayed over with relatives in Los Angeles. It was during this visit, he concluded that the economic and educational opportunities in California were far greater than those in the slow changing south; thus the decision was made to migrate to Los Angeles.

In 1973 Ed graduated with honors and a degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University in Long Beach. He was employed by Rockwell International and rapidly ad-

Editorial: Steven Turner

Access to Capital Still a Major Challenge

W

In overall Hispanic denial rates were 50% with 35% denial rates for applicants with homes and 87% denial rate for applicants without homes. The lack of home ownership has a direct impact on personal wealth which influences applicant denial rates.

While it should not be a surprise to anyone that lack of net personal wealth has a negative impact of credit profiles. Once denied traditional forms of credit from lending institutions, Black business owners and entrepreneurs often use credit cards, accounts receivable financing and equipment leasing.

These alternative financial instruments are often more expensive forms of credit, and don’t necessarily improve a business owners’ credit profile.

African American credit profiles and scores are key enablers of wealth, but credit scores today are used in a way that denies African Americans access to the financial services and products they need. Subsequently, Blacks and other minorities are disproportionately affected by these credit profiles. Further, for too many Black business owners, there are no ways to readily improve credit scores to establish a prime credit score.

One cannot eliminate the impact that discrimination plays in the decision making process on small business loans with respect to minority owned business. African American business owners’ net worth and credit profiles are just indicators of character and capacity. They should never be the sole determining factor in granting access to capital. We advocate the evaluation of business owner’s character, participation in their local community, relationship with his customers and other tangible factors in determining creditworthiness. 

47  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Business

hy is that after nearly 50 years since the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, there still exist a disparity for African Americans’ access to capital as compared to other demographic groups? This is further compounded for Black businesses.

The reason for this disparity can be summarized by two factors: (a) lack of personal wealth and (b) credit history .

Credit history is measured most prominently by the Fair Isaacs FICO score. While it is a common belief that the average score is 678, in fact the median score, that point at which half of the pool’s members fall below and half are above, is 723.

Research from the nonprofit Woodstock Institute has found that six of the most recent and lowest credit score averages by ZIP codes in the metroeast were all in the East St. Louis area.

Of the six ZIP codes, black residents comprised between 46 percent and 98 percent of the population. The average credit scores, which were recorded in these areas on June 30, 2009, ranged between 579 and 635. Note that the average, not even the median FICO score is 678.

In comparison, the five highest average credit scores were found in St. Ja-

cob, Millstadt, Glen Carbon, Maryville and Highland, where average scores were between 716 to 728, and the black population was between 0 percent and 7 percent. The overall average credit score of all 38 metro-east ZIP codes was 682.

Personal wealth is a major determining factor used by banks. Often, the personal wealth of African American business owners is tied up in their home. However, African Americans have a lower home ownership rate than Whites. Overall home ownership in the U.S. is around 72.4 percent; however, those identifying themselves as Black is close to 46.3 percent, according to U.S. Census .

For those African Americans that do own their own home, far too often there is insufficient equity for a bank to consider as form of collateral for a loan. In those cases where minority business owners don’t have sufficient equity in their home, let alone business assets, lending institutions will use that as a reason for denial of credit. The reason for denial is rooted in lack of ownership of not only a personal dwelling, but also ownership of any form of real estate.

While home ownership is an important factor for non-whites to prevent loan denial, inconsistencies exist when applied to Blacks.

For African American business owners who owned their homes, the denial rates are twice as high compared to white owners. For Hispanic and Asian home owners, the denial rates typically is two times higher than their white counterparts. According to the research in the National Black MBA, denial rates for Whites was 24% overall, 21% for applicants with homes and 52% for applicants without homes. For Hispanic applicants the denial rates double.

Powell McDaniel: Pioneer and Architect of Early Minority Business Development Programs

May 27, 1933 - May 25, 2011 create the means by which minorities could effectively enter the economic mainstream.

Mr. McDaniel managed the funding of minority businesses throughout the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. He also coordinated with ethnic trade associations, chambers of commerce, and other entrepreneurial organizations to promote and enhance minority-owned and small business development. He was an active member of the Minority Business Opportunity Committee and helped to establish the Entrepreneur program at the University of Southern California (USC).

He was often quoted as saying his

mission was to make it possible for individual minority men and women to be successful entrepreneurs by bringing together the resources of the Federal government with those of the minority community and the private business sector. He also served as Minority Enterprise Representative for the Small Business Administration in Los Angeles.

He was a good friend and mentor to all people who aspired to own their own business. He leaves his wife, Lillian McDaniel and two daughters Piper McDaniel and Kelly (McDaniel) Thorisson, as well as a host of relatives, close friends, as well as an imprint on the Black Business Association. 

49  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Business

T

he Black Business Association (BBA) acknowledges the passing of Powell McDaniel, a very important supporter of the BBA in the early 70s during our formative years.

Before retiring as the Deputy Regional Director for the United States Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Mr. McDaniel was one of the early supporters of the BBA. Moreover, Powell McDaniel was central to the formation of the numerous minority business development programs under the President Richard Nixon administration.

Eventually, MBDA was created as the first Federal office charged by Presidential decree to

Haiti: Mothers For

Community/Public Inerest

Africa Extend a Hand Of Help to Haiti

Mothers for Africa, The Nana Sekyiaabea Foundation presented “Operations USA” with a check to purchase generators for Haiti relief support.

A

s you know on January 12, 2010 Haiti was devastated by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake.

We at Mothers for Africa, The Nana Sekyiaabea Foundation have joined the efforts of the global community to assist the people of Haiti. We have already sent a shipment of supplies to Haiti and are traveling to Haiti April 4, 2010.

Mothers for Africa, The Nana Sekyiaabea Foundation has joined forces with other non-profits who are flying from Boston, New York, Tennessee and California to meet in Haiti. Some of the members of the groups are Haitian Americans. We are traveling with Doctors, Nurses and relief workers.

This will be a fact finding mission for Mothers for Africa, The Nana Sekyiaabea Foundation to better analyze how to assist Haitian people, however we have made arrangements to feed at least fifteen thousand Haitians on this trip and provide medical assistance.

After the trip we will upload photos to our website of Haisee Help For Haiti on page 51

50  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Help for Haiti from page 50

tian families, so that you may have the chance to financially support the families devastated by the earthquake by donating as little as twenty to forty dollars a month. This money will go directly to the families.

We will keep you posted regarding our next packing of donations.

Thank you Mothers for Africa, The Nana Sekyiaabea Foundation. . www.mothersforafrica.org

Community/Public Inerest

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

Los Angeles County Homeowners Win Free Home Energy Makeovers

Community/Public Inerest

S

ix homeowners from across Los Angeles County will receive free home energy makeovers in a contest organized as part of Energy Upgrade California in LA County, a program designed to help homeowners save money through energy efficient improvements to their homes. Five homeowners will receive energy-efficient home upgrade packages worth an estimated $10,000 each and certification as a green home and the grand-prize winner will receive a free “toward zero” energy-efficiency upgrade package worth an estimated $50,000 and certification as a green home (for a list of contest winners, please visit lacountymakeovercontest.org).

Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky hopes the contest winners will inspire local homeowners to participate in the program. “Implementing Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County will help homeowners enhance their property values while cutting energy bills and energy consumption,” said Supervisor Yaroslavsky. “We hope today’s event helps draw attention to this program and that eligible County residents will take advantage of the rebates and incentives to make their homes more energy efficient.”

The Energy Upgrade California in LA County program rolled out to residents in early 2011 to provide LA County homeowners who make energy-saving home improvements with rebates and incentives of up to $4,500—in addition to savings on monthly utility bills.

Energy Upgrade home improvements that qualify for rebates and incentives include insulation, sealing, HVAC upgrades, energy-efficient windows, tankless water heaters and other “fixed” improvements. The program emphasizes a “whole house” approach, rather than installing individual improvements, as the most efficient and effective way to save money on energy bills and qualify for the maximum rebate available.

“This contest encourages homeowners in California to improve the energy performance of their homes, so that they can save money by saving energy,” said U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “Across the country, home energy efficiency programs are supporting new clean energy jobs, expanding the market for energy-saving products and services, and showing families and businesses how easy it is to reduce energy waste and save money.”

To be eligible for the rebates and incentives, the work must be performed by an Energy Upgrade California participating contractor. Through the Energy Upgrade California website, homeowners will be directed to the list of participating contractors specially trained in energy efficiency upgrades.

“A healthy environment starts at home,” said Howard Choy, General Manager of the Los Angeles County Office of Sustainability. “Energy Upgrade California certified contractors will help homeowners determine which upgrades can be performed to have the best health and comfort benefits and most significant financial impact.”

Energy Upgrade California incentives and rebates will vary in the cities of Los Angeles, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Long Beach, Vernon and

Azusa; however, the utilities serving those cities are developing their Energy Upgrade programs for 2011 and some utility energy efficiency retrofit rebates/incentives are available.

Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County expects to retrofit up to 18,000 homes with an average 20 percent reduction in energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create about 2,500 new green jobs in Los Angeles County. The program will ultimately eliminate about 20,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions—the air quality improvement equivalent of planting well over half a million trees.

With summer approaching and energy use at a peak, conserving energy and keeping utility costs down is top of mind. Some easy ways homeowners can improve the energy efficiency of their homes to protect the environment and save money include: • Reduce heating and cooling payments by sealing air and duct leaks, cleaning air filters and insulating your home. Reducing air leaks could be a potentially massive energy saver. o Seal and insulate your ducts to make sure the air goes where it’s supposed to. As much of half of your heated or cooled air could be escaping before it

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

Home Energy from page 52

and Conservation Block Grant; U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Program funding; and a California Energy Commission discretionary grant. Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County is administered and overseen by an alliance among LA County, Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company.

Los Angeles County is one of the first counties in California to roll out this program. Locally, county officials are coordinating with the utilities to provide homeowners with information on home upgrade benefits, financing, incentives and home energy ratings, and help with finding participating contractors. For more information, consumers can visit www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org or call (877)785-2237. 

Supervisor Yaroslavsky encourages County homeowners to act before the onset of hot summer weather. “Please visit our Energy Upgrade website, 53  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Community/Public Inerest

reaches rooms. o Insulate your house to slow the rate that heat flows out of the house in winter and the effect of the sun in summer, so less energy is required to heat or cool the house. o Clean or replace air filters every month or two, especially during peak summer and winter months. Dirt build up can lead to slow down air-flow, causing your system to work harder and increasing your utility bills. o Plant shade trees and shrubs on the west side of the house so that in summer, the foliage blocks infrared radiation that warms the house while in winter the bare branches let this radiation come through to warm the house.

• Improve the efficiency of your hot water system. The average household spends $400-$600 on water heating per year, making it the second largest residential energy use behind heating and cooling. o Insulate pipes and the heater to decrease excess heat loss as water travels to your tap. o Turn down the temperature of your water heater to warm setting (120 degrees Fahrenheit). If your water heater is set too high, at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or above, you can waste almost $400 annually. o When you go on vacation this summer, turn your water heater off.

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Most people don’t think about the fact that the electricity to run a light bulb costs much more than the bulb itself. Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) use 66% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. o Replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt CFL to save $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

learn more about the program, and get in touch with an approved Energy Upgrade California contractor. They can help homeowners find ways to make their homes more comfortable, take full advantage of rebates and incentives, and cut their utility bills down to size.”

About Energy Upgrade California in Los Angeles County Energy Upgrade California is a statewide energy efficiency program for homeowners and collaboration among the California Energy Commission, the California Public Utilities Commission, utilities, local governments and the private sector. Funding for the Energy Upgrade California program comes from multiple American Reinvestment and Recovery Act sources, including: Los Angeles County’s Energy Efficiency

Caltrans Construction

Money for You Can

Thursday Blues at

Uncle Darrow‛s High Noon-2pm Every Thursday

MEAN

El Camino College offers the training and advising you need to enhance your ability to bid for and WIN state highway construction contracts.

Now is the time to get bid ready with assistance in the areas of procurement, personnel, cash flow, marketing and more!

Come by for lunch and relax to blues and jazz from our house band!

Appointments with a business advisor are available at the SBDC at no charge to you. For more information, call the SBDC at 310.973.3177.

2560 S. Lincoln Blvd.

Marina del Rey North East corner of Washington & Lincoln

“LA Times Magazine favorite cajun food”

310-306-4862

Be sure to attend the free Economic Stimulus event on Thursday, November 19, 2009, in the City of Compton to learn more about stimulus opportunities available from Caltrans and other state and federal agencies. Visit californiasbdc.org for details.

Small Business Development Center Hosted by El Camino College 13430 Hawthorne Blvd.

Hawthorne, CA 90250 310.973.3177 southbaysbdc.org

www.uncledarrows.com

FAME ASSISTANCE CORPORATION FREE CREDIT MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS HELD EACH MONTH AT

1968 W. ADAMS BLVD., LOS ANGELES

Locations: Downtown Culver City: 9537 Culver Blvd.

310-202-5453 City of Compton: 2600 E. Alondra Blvd.

310-638-7871 www.honeyskettle.com

CALL FOR INFORMATION OR RSVP 323-730-7720

Open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm

SPONSORED BY

54  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Higher Education Visionaries Receive Champions of Health Professions Diversity Award

D

people and foreign-trained health professionals to obtain careers in health care,” said Gary L. Yates, TCWF president and CEO. “These leaders have advanced model programs and policies based in higher education settings that support students on a path toward health professions.”

Charles J. Alexander, Ph.D. A pioneer of pipeline programs designed to increase diversity in the health professions, Charles Alexander is currently the director of the Academic Advancement Program (AAP) at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). AAP supports students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, including first-generation college students and students from lowincome families and underrepresented populations. Alexander also serves as the associate vice provost for student diversity in UCLA’s Division of Undergraduate Education and as an associate adjunct professor in the Division of Public Health, School of Dentistry.

“While 80 percent of our freshmen declare a major in a science area, in four or five years that number drops to almost 20 percent,” Alexander said.

“We’re losing students somewhere along that pathway.”

José Ramón Fernández-Peña, M.D., M.P.A. After José Ramón Fernández-Peña immigrated to the United States, he discovered how complicated it is to relicense as a physician here. About 10 years later, Fernández-Peña founded the Welcome Back Initiative (WBI) to

John T. Matsui, Ph.D. For nearly two decades, John Matsui has advocated for increasing access to higher education among all individuals, particularly those from underserved, underrepresented groups who historically have not participated. He co-founded and serves as director of the Biology Scholars Program (BSP) at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley). BSP is a national model for supporting low-income and first-generation students in science and health careers. Matsui is also the assistant dean for biological sciences at UC Berkeley.

“My students are destined to go back to their communities,” Matsui said. “For them, professional is personal. As health care providers, they will provide the type of care that comes from the heart.”

The California Wellness Foundation is a private independent foundation created in 1992 with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention.

Since its founding in 1992, TCWF has awarded 6,213 grants totaling more than $780 million. Please visit TCWF’s website at www.calwellness. org for more information, including a newsroom section devoted to the Champions of Health Professions Diversity Award and the honorees. 

55  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Community/Public Inerest

eveloping programs to address challenges found through their own personal experiences, three extraordinary higher education leaders will be honored as the 2011 Champions of Health Professions Diversity by The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF). Charles Alexander of the University of California, Los Angeles, directed programs that keep low-income, first-generation students on track in health and science. José Ramón Fernández-Peña, at City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University, recognized the potential of having immigrant health professionals work in underserved communities. John Matsui of the University of California, Berkeley, confronted the obstacles facing disadvantaged health and science students who are often overlooked and lost in the system.

On June 1, 2011, TCWF will honor these three leaders at its ninth annual “Champions of Health Professions Diversity Award” ceremony in Los Angeles. In recognition of their efforts to reach out, mentor and support disadvantaged students preparing for health careers, the honorees will each receive a cash award of $25,000.

Increasing California’s health workforce and its diversity is crucial to improving the health of Californians. The state’s population continues to grow and, by 2020, it will be older and far more ethnically and racially diverse.

Already there are shortages of workers in nearly all sectors of the health workforce. A workforce that reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of California will provide the cultural competence and language proficiency necessary to provide high-quality health care for all Californians.

“The changing demographics of our state and the current shortage of health workers underscore the need to prioritize efforts that enable young

assist foreign-trained health professionals overcome barriers to licensure and employment in the U.S. health sector. He is currently the executive director of WBI, an associate professor of health education at San Francisco State University (SFSU), and co-director of Community Health Works of San Francisco, a partnership program of City College of San Francisco and SFSU. Fernández-Peña is also a senior fellow at the Center for the Health Professions at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

“Our program guides, assists and supports foreign-trained health professionals to reach the gold standards for licensure in the United States,” Fernández-Peña said. “We strive to connect them with communities where they’re sorely needed.”

Let’s Move!

Resources to Help Us Move Forward to End Childhood Obesity

L

Print Materials for Distribution These Let’s Move! materials can be easily distributed as part of a newsletter, web site post, or to attendees of an event or rally.

• First Lady Column on Early Childhood: www.letsmove.gov/first-ladycolumn-early-childhood • First Lady Column on Empowering Parents and Caregivers: www.letsmove.gov/first-lady-column-empowering-parents-and-caregivers • First Lady Column on Healthier Schools: www.letsmove.gov/first-lady-column-healthier-schools • First Lady Column on Healthy Communities: www.letsmove.gov/firstlady-column-healthy-communities • First Lady Column on Physical Activity: www.letsmove.gov/first-ladycolumn-physical-activity

• First Lady Column on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act: www.letsmove.gov/first-lady-column-healthyhunger-free-kids-act • Let’s Move! Factsheet: www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/ Let%27s_Move_Fact_Sheet.pdf • Let’s Move! African American Factsheet: www.letsmove.gov/sites/ letsmove.gov/files/Let%27s_Move_ Fact_Sheet_for_African%20Americans.pdf • Let’s Move! Hispanic Factsheet | Español: www.letsmove.gov/sites/ letsmove.gov/files/Let%27s_Move_ Fact_Sheet_for_Hispanics.pdf • Let’s Move! American Indian/Alaska Native Factsheet: www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove.gov/files/ Let%27s_Move_Fact_Sheet_for_ American%20Indian_Alaska%20Native.pdf • Let’s Move! Get Involved Factsheet: www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove. gov/files/Let%27s_Move_Get_Involved_Fact_Sheet.pdf • Let’s Move! Programs Factsheet: www.letsmove.gov/sites/letsmove. gov/files/HHS_Obesity_Factsheet_

Programs_Updated.pdf gratitude

Programs Let’s Move! also offers various programs across the country to mobilize every sector to become involved in solving the problem of childhood obesity nationwide. Visit the Let’s Move!

Programs & Resources page for more details: www.letsmove.gov/programs.

Multimedia Materials for Distribution Videos and audio files can easily be distributed on a website, social media page, or shared with audiences in an email. Check out all of the Let’s Move! videos on our YouTube page: www. youtube.com/letsmove. 

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

www.letsmove.gov

Community/Public Inerest

et’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Sure, this is an ambitious goal.

But with the help of individuals and organizations like you, we can do it.

We know you’re already making great strides to encourage families and communities to make healthy choices and get moving. To support you in reaching your goals and further spreading word about the importance of good nutrition and physical activity, Let’s Move! developed several resources and tools for you to share with members of your organizations and communities. We hope you find these beneficial and encourage you to continue your instrumental work in the fight against obesity.

International

T

he 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Trade Ministerial is taking place in Big Sky, Montana. More than 20 trade ministers from around the world are joining Ambassador Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative, to work on building a seamless regional economy in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific region presents major opportunities for American businesses to grow more jobs here at home by building on our Asia-Pacific trade, and the Obama Administration is working to enhance those opportunities through APEC. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, APEC comprises 40 percent of the global population. Many of these dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and together generate 56 percent of global GDP in 2010.

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports, and receives more than 60 percent of U.S. goods and agricultural exports.

USTR.gov has launched a dedicated APEC 2011 page - a one-stop shop for APEC 2011 updates. Throughout the ministerial, USTR.gov will highlight top exporting states, spotlight small business exporters and their experiences in the Asia-Pacific region, and conducting on-the-ground video interviews with local business leaders. We’ll also provide real-time updates and news on the progress made in Montana.

This report on California trade with Asia-Pacific region is typical of the type of reports that highlight trade activities

across the USA. Trade with the Asia-Pacific Region Benefits California’s Businesses and Workers California’s goods exports in 2010 totaled $143 billion. Of California’s total exports, $100 billion, or 70 percent, went to markets in the AsiaPacific region. The top three product categories to APEC member economies exported in 2010 were computers and electronic products, machinery, and transportation equipment.

Jobs supported by California’s goods exports are estimated to be 821,000 in 2008. Nearly one-quarter (23.7 percent) of all manufactur-

ing workers in California depend on manufacturing exports for their jobs.

Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by California’s exports of services (2008 data are the latest available).

A total of 59,998 companies exported goods from California locations in 2008. Of those, 57,461 (96 percent) were small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Small and medium-sized firms generated more than two-fifths (44 percent) of California’s total exports

of merchandise in 2008. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

USTR and FDA Welcome Collaboration by APEC and the World Bank to Enhance Food Safety and Facilitate Food Trade At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum meetings in Big Sky, Montana, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum and the World Bank to collaborate on food safety training programs designed to enhance food safety and to facilitate trade throughout the Asia Pacific region. These programs will enable more growers, more producers, and more food safety officials to understand and utilize preventive controls – resulting in safer food for consumers, and fewer safety incidents in food trade..

Check out the APEC 2011 page at www.ustr.gov/apec2011 soon and often. Your trade opportunity may be revealed. Don’t miss it.  www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/05/18/ expanding-trade-asia-pacific-region-supporting-american-jobs

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

AGOA 2011 Forum:

U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation

O

countries that are making progress in economic and political reforms.

MINISTERIAL FORUM EVENTS The Ministerial Forum will take place on Thursday on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th June 2011 at the Mulungushi lungushi International Conference Centre.

C t In addition to the Ministers of Trade and Industry, Ministers of Agriculture, Transport and Finance are encouraged to participate. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has already sent out official invitations to the Governments of AGOA eligible countries in Sub Saharan Africa. Fourteen regional and international organizations have also been invited.

The organizers of the Forum have attempted to strike a delicate balancing act between plenary and break out sessions. There will be four (4) Plenary topics and eight (8) breakout sessions.

We believe that this will create some time for Business to Business (B2B) meetings, bilateral meetings as well as an opportunity to for delegates to visit the exhibition or Trade Expo.

PRIVATE SECTOR SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION The AGOA Ministerial Forum will be preceded by the Joint private Sector and Civil Society seminar on Wednesday 8th June 2011. Details on the registration and procedures are available at the the following links. http://zambiachambers.org http://www.africacncl.org

CIVIL SOCIETY EVENTS The Civil Society segments will discuss the varied role that civil society organisations have played in facilitating

trade and addressing the political and legal obstacles that impede optimal utilization of AGOA preferences. The sessions will also attempt to link AGOA process to all the players in the value and supply chain;from poor farmers to large Multi-National Corporations (MNCs). Civil Society will use the forum to lobby Government and other decision- makers to steer policy direction according to the aspirations of the private sector. http://www.ctpd.org.zm/ http://www.africacncl.org

AFRICAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME (AWEP) EVENTS The 10th AGOA Forum will carry forward the initiative undertaken to recognize the special contribution of women entrepreneurs through the African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP), a unique leadership programme launched by the United States Government in conjunction with the 9th AGOA Forum in 2010. One of the four (4) plenary sessions have been dedicated to women issues. It is entitled: Integrating African Women into the Global Trade’ will highlights strides that have been made as well as the challenges that need to be overcome to ensure that women become active players in the global economy. 

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

International

n June 9-10, 2011, Zambia will host the 2011 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, the centerpiece of the United States government’s trade policy with sub-Saharan Africa. The 2011 Forum marks the 10th year that government officials, business leaders, and civil society from African countries and the United States will convene to promote trade, business, and investment opportunities that sustain economic development in Africa. The 2011 Forum’s theme is “Enhanced Trade Through Increased Competitiveness, Value Addition and Deeper Regional Integration.”

During the conference, there will be sessions for the private sector and civil society as well as involvement of participants of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP).

AWEP is an outreach, education and engagement initiative that aims to empower African women entrepreneurs to become voices of change in their communities. Young business leaders will also take part in activities around AGOA. The civil society and private sector participants will hold separate pre-conference meetings on June 6th and then present their findings to the ministerial meetings starting the subsequent day.

The AGOA Forum brings together over 600 participants, including senior U.S. and African officials, as well as U.S. and African members of the private sector and civil society. AGOA represents a progressive U.S. trade and investment policy toward the continent working to reduce barriers to trade, increase diversified exports, create jobs and expand opportunities for Africans. AGOA provides trade preferences to 37 Sub-Saharan African

PRESENTED BY

8th Annual Conference

GlobalCalifornia.com Convenes in Los Angeles SPEAKERS ATTENTION CALIFORNIA BUSINESS!

Attend the 8th annual Global California conference at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce on June 23rd and receive a free listing in the new GlobalCalifornia.com business portal.

GlobalCalifornia.com is designed as a unifying contact point for public and private sector organizations located throughout California that support both domestic and global users wishing to conduct bilateral trade and investment with California businesses.

GlobalCalifornia.com will employ a ‘click and chat’ methodology where online content will be supported by ‘onͲtheͲground’ services.

The 8th annual Global California conference will feature expert panels on each of GlobalCalifornia.com’s industry directories as they are listed online (legal, Logistics, marketing, trade finance, advocacy, government agencies, industry associations and education).

GlobalCalifornia.com will provide the ‘missing link’ to increasing bilateral trade and investment between the California business community and the rest of the world so sign up now to attend the 8th annual Global California conference and to also become a part of GlobalCalifornia.com.

Thursday, June 23, 2011 Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Bank of America Room 350 S. Bixel Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Time

8:00am registration 9:00am - 3:15pm – presentations

Online registration: $55 – MBITA & VITA Members $70 – Non Members At Door: $10 surcharge Cash or checks only

Andrew Sweibel, Vice President International, Bobrick Washroom Equipment Wayne Jepson, Head of Sales, Panalpina Jeffery Daar, Principal, Daar & Newman, a Professional Law Corporation Michael Newman, Principal, Daar & Newman a Professional Law Corporation Matthew Neco, General Counsel, Docstoc, Inc. Leslie Levy August, Secretary General,Trade Bridge International, Inc. Stacy Sun, CEO, Asia Pacific-USA Chamber of Commerce Tami Zhu, Head of Marketing and Business Development, Alibaba.com Rob Guthrie, Business Development Officer, Renewable Energy & Environmental Exports, Export-Import Bank of the U.S. Rene LaRue, Acting Assistant Port Director,Trade Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport Bobby Hines, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Los Angeles Randal Long, Chairman, Outreach & Publicity, Southern California Regional District Export Council (SCRDEC) Maurice Kogon, Director, Center for International Trade Development (CITD), El Camino College Peter Laanen, International Trade Director, Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) Alison Germak Gatchev, Director, Corporate Development, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Boon Ho Toh, Center Director, International Enterprise Singapore Ing Phansavath, Program Manager, Department of Business, Management and Legal Programs, UCLA Extension Norman Arikawa, International Trade Development Manager, Port of Los Angeles

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

Parking is available on a first-come first-serve basis in the Chamber’s parking structure, accessible via 4th Street for a rate of $6.

Overflow will be directed to adjacent lots.

LIMITED SEATING – RESERVATIONS REQUIRED Online registration and exhibit / sponsorship opportunities at www.mbita.org/events/home.php Contact the MBITA office at 831-335-4780 or email cristina@mbita.org

Export.gov

Contacts for this mission: Larry Farris, Johannesburg Senior Commercial Officer Phone: 27 11 290 3316 Larry.Farris@trade.gov Teresa Yung, Trade Event Programs International Trade Specialist Phone: 202-482-5496 Teresa.Yung@trade.gov.

Trade Mission to South Africa 9/19-23/2011



T

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

International

he United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing a Trade Mission to South Africa, September 19-23, 2011 (www.export. gov/eac/show_detail_trade_events. asp?EventID=31747&InputType=EV ENT). Led by a senior Department of Commerce official, the mission is intended to include representatives from a variety of U.S. industry suppliers and service providers with targeted industries being energy equipment and technologies, agricultural equipment, and educational services and skills development.

South Africa is a country of 50 million people, rich in culture, people and natural heritage. With remarkable macroeconomic stability and a probusiness environment, South Africa is a logical and attractive choice for U.S. companies to enter Sub-Saharan Africa. Growth of South Africa’s consumer base also provides ample opportunity for U.S. exporters. With stops in Johannesburg and Cape Town, this trade mission will introduce U.S. companies to potential buyers and allow them to explore new business opportunities in the dynamic South African market. The mission will include one-on-one business appointments, briefings and evening receptions.

The cost for a SME (fewer than 500 employees) is $2,125.00. The cost for a large company is $2,565.00. Each additional representative is $450.00.

Pre-Register for this mission at: https:// emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=1R1G

Resources For Going Global

The U.S. Commercial Service - Your Global Business Partner. With offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration uses its global Network and international resources to connect U.S companies with international buyers worldwide. If you have any questions about these initiatives, please contact your local U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist. To find the trade specialist nearest you please visit http://www.buyusa.gov/home/us.html.

International

Event: International Trade Compliance Seminar Venue: The Four Season Hotel, Westlake Village Date/Time: May 24, 2011; 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 am More information or to register: https://www.signup4.net/ Public/ap.aspx?EID=INTE2099E Topics include: New form I-129 Export Compliance Certification, Reconciling Data Privacy/Human Rights Laws with ITAR/EAR, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and AntiBribery Laws Overview Webinar: Export Tariff/Tax Finder Overview, presented

by CustomsInfo Venue: Your computer Date/Time: May 24, 2011; 2:00 p.m. EST Cost: Free Learn more/register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=1Q7Q Want to know what taxes and tariffs are imposed on your importer before you ship? Join us for a free webinar on locating accurate tax and tariff information for more than 70 countries.

Event: International Trade Compliance Seminar Venue: The Jonathan Club, Downtown Los Angeles Date/Time: May 25, 2011; 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 am More information or to register: https://www.signup4.net/ Public/ap.aspx?EID=INTE2118E Topics include: New form I-129 Export Compliance Certification, Reconciling Data Privacy/Human Rights Laws with ITAR/EAR, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and AntiBribery Laws Overview Webinar: Financing Your Exports and Getting Paid: Free Export Basics Webinar Venue: Your computer Date/Time: May 25, 2011, 2:00-3:00 PM ET Learn more/register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=1Q45 No export deal can be considered successful until you are paid. Learn from trade finance experts about the range of payment methods used in export transaction and how to evaluate which is best for your business. In this free webinar offered as part of the Basics of Exporting webinar series, you will learn the different options for payment in international transactions and how letters of credit can ensure payment

for exports, and other direct financing, guarantees and credit insurance options. This webinar is hosted by the Commerce Department’s Trade Information Center in support of the National Export Initiative.

Event: The 4th U.S.-Azerbaijan ICT Business Forum Venue: MONTAGE BEVERLY HILLS Date/Time: May 26, 2011; 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (Breakfast will be served.)

Registration: events@azconsulatela.org Azerbaijan, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and the 2009 World Bank’s “top reformer”, has won praise for investing its energy wealth into promoting new technologies and developing non-oil sectors of the economy. As a result, today, Azerbaijan’s telecom and IT sectors register rapid growth and offer major opportunities for US companies. One of the key leaders in charge of transforming Azerbaijan’s economy is Minister of Communications and Information Technologies, Dr. Ali Abbasov. At the forum, Dr. Abbasov will join a panel of prominent American and Azerbaijani business and public leaders, who will offer insights in the nation’s plans to promote innovation and discuss opportunities for U.S. companies in the Caspian region. The event participants will have the opportunity to meet the panelists, officials and the visiting business executives.

Event: The 85th Annual World Trade Week & International Trade Delegates Luncheon and Trade Fair Venue: Wilshire Grand Hotel, Los Angeles Date/Time: May 26, 2011: 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. Workshop on Free Trade Agreements; 11:00 a.m. Trade Fair and Luncheon Register: http://www.foreigntradeassociation.com or call 818-352-6753 The Honorable Junichi Ihara Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles will discuss “Japan Disasters and the Impact of Trade.” How do the disasters in Japan and the ensuing clean-up efforts affect global trade and what does it mean for the rest of the world? Japan is the third largest economy in the world and a top exporter. Have Japan’s major trading partners seen a shortage of goods? The Japanese disaster could affect the U.S. economy in a number of ways, some positive and some negative. Moody’s reports there are six major channels through which the Japanese disaster could affect the U.S. economy: trade, interest rates, commodity

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

Resources For Going Global from page 62

prices, equity prices, currency movements and monetary policy. The presentation of the Marjorie M. Shostak Distinguished Service Award will be presented following the luncheon presentation.

SAVE THE DATE

Event: Doing Business with Korea – Understanding the US/Korea Free Trade Agreement Venue: Holiday Inn, Torrance, CA, Date/Time: June 16; 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

More information or to register: http://www.wit-la.org/event_ detail_jun.asp

Event: Export Controls: Application and Awareness Venue: Microsoft Conference Center, Redmond, WA Date: July 12-13, 2011 Cost: $195 Learn more/register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=1Q69 Do you need a firmer grasp of export controls and regulations to ensure your company is doing everything it can to comply with them? Join us for a July conference on export controls, hosted by Homeland Security Investigations, Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Seattle U.S. Export Assistance Center. Raise your awareness of export controls and regulations and learn techniques to apply in your processes to help ensure you can avoid violations.

Event: Doing Business with Korea – Understanding the US/Korea Free Trade Agreement Venue: Radisson Hotel, Los Angeles, CA (Koreatown) Date/Time: June 17, 2011; 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

More information or to register: https://www.signup4.net/ Public/ap.aspx?EID=DOIN10EU

Event: Automated Export System Compliance Seminar and Workshop 2011 Venue: Philadelphia, PA

Event: Discover Opportunities in South Africa Venue: Johannesburg and Cape Town

Event: The 4th Annual India Trade Conference – Trade and Humanity Venue: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Date/Time: June 23, 2011; 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (includes evening networking reception) More information or to register: http://www. indiatradeconference.org

see Resources for Going Global on page 65 63  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

International

Event: AGOA 2011 Private Sector and Civil Society Session Venue: Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia Date: June 7-10, 2011 Learn more/register: http://www.africacncl.org/ This year’s 2011 AGOA Annual Forum will take place in Lusaka, Zambia, with the theme “Enhanced Trade through Increased Competitiveness, Value Addition and Deeper Regional Integration.” The U.S. and Zambian governments designated the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) as the U.S. coordinator for the AGOA 2011 private sector and civil society session to be held. The event promises to attract trade ministers and delegations from the 37 AGOA-eligible African countries, as well as a large U.S. government delegation expected to be led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Trade Representative Ronald Kirk. The different sessions are likely to see the participation of nearly 2,000 government, private sector and civil society representatives. The private sector and civil society session of the forum will for the first time be combined in order to give participants a wider range of topics to explore with business and civil society leaders from the U.S. and across Africa. The program held on June 7-8 will consist of opening and closing plenary sessions, a luncheon, no fewer than 12 breakouts, and an opening presidential reception on the evening of June 7. Ministerial meetings will be held on June 9-10 and an international trade exhibition will take place on June 7-10.

Date: June 15-16, 2011 Learn more/register: http://www.buyusa.gov/philadelphia/ aesseminar.html The AES Compliance Seminar and Workshop is a two part series designed to effectively teach exporters how to avoid penalties and accurately report shipments through the Automated Export System (AES). The seminar features a full day of learning, covering the different restrictions and classifications of foreign trade regulations, as well as a full overview of the Automated Export System. In the workshop, attendees put their knowledge to use, with certified training on completing AES filings on the web. If you are new to exporting or are unfamiliar with AES, this event will provide all the training you need to get started. For more information, please contact Leandro.Solorzano@trade.gov, telephone: 215-597-6127.

Event: How to Develop an Export Management Compliance Program, Presenters from the Bureau of Industry and Security(BIS) Date/Time: June 16, 2011, Grandview University, Des Moines, IA., 8:30 to 5p.m.

Cost: $300 Learn more/register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=1Q4T Develop an operational program that will manage your company’s export decisions and export transactions in compliance with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Learn the nine key elements of the EMCP, starting with management commitment and continuous risk assessment.

Learn about the screening of employees, contractors, customers, products, and transactions to assure compliance throughout the product lifecycle.

Apps World – June 1-2, 2011 www.apps-world.net/africa

Cape Town Convention Center

Models, Strategies, Technologies, Development and Marketing of Mobile Money “From mobile banking, SMS chatting to stock market updates and sharing photos through mobile phones, the catalogue of mobile applications in Africa seems to be growing by the day. Thanks to the mobile phone penetration which has heavily outstripped PC penetration, availability of affordable bandwidth and the demand to do more than voice and text on the mobile phone.”

African e-Development Resource Centre

International

In Africa, the potential for Apps go far beyond games, entertainment and publishing. With a total population of just over one billion, infrastructure is lacking throughout the continent especially in the areas of health, agriculture, banking, education and more.  Apps are being touted as one of the solutions.

The potential of apps to change the landscape of Africa is boundless. Increased literacy, widespread access to healthcare, farming and agricultural aids and more is being facilitated by mobile apps.

Hurdles do exist in development of the nascent industry – particularly challenges within billing infrastructure needed to monetise this market.  However, the implementation of mobile money is providing a solution that is becoming an integral to the business of mobile apps in Africa.

Apps World Africa 2011 will explore the potential of applications to assist in the development of the globe’s second largest continent. Bringing together the telcos, handset manufacturers, government ministries and organisations, marketing houses and more, this event will thoroughly explore whether APPs are the answer for Africa, and allow all the stakeholders to build pertinent partnerships in the industry.

Topics covered at the show include: • • • • • • • •

Operator case studies – models and business models of app related own labels, and app store partnerships and liaisons Handsets – which has the most compelling offering in this market Developers in the region – challenges and success stories Mobile money - rise of mobile money apps and how these interact with the banking sector Apps for public services and health – is this really the answer for Africa? m-Commerce for agriculture – mobilising the farming community through apps m-Education – increasing literacy through appsApps for marketing & brand building - experiences of leading African brands with app related campaigns

64  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Resources For Going Global from page 63

Date: September 19-23, 2011 Learn more/register: http://www.export.gov/trademissions/ southafrica2011/ Registration Deadline: July 18, 2011 The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing this trade mission. Led by a senior Department of Commerce official, this trade mission will introduce U.S. businesses and service providers to key business contacts and allow them to explore new business opportunities. South Africa represents the largest economy and most sophisticated and diversified industrial and services sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. The country also stands to benefit from rapid growth anticipated in many of its Sub-Saharan African trading partners. The mission will visit both Johannesburg and Cape Town, allowing participants to access two of the largest markets and business centers in the country. The itinerary consists of customized one-on-one business appointments with potential agents, distributors and partners, market briefings, and meetings with key government officials. For more information, please contact Teresa.Yung@trade.gov or telephone: 202-482-5496.

AccessAmerica – Reach Chinese Investors and Clients “AccessAmerica” is our online Chinese-language directory

“A FEW NOTES ON AFRICA” The new refineries are to be built by the government to complement the ailing ones constructed in the mid 70’s by the military administrations.

This is part of the move to end fuel importation and boost job creation. Vice President Namadi Sambo made the disclosure at the May Day celebration in Abuja. He said bold steps have been taken to grow the economy through the construction of three new refineries, 10 thermal stations in strategic locations, and two hydro power plants to improve electricity supply.

“Contracts for the construction of East West roads and rehabilitation of the LagosAbuja railway lines have been awarded by the government to boost the transportation system in the country,” he added.

H.R.656 - African Investment

Export Promotion Magazine Rolls Out Redesigned Website Exporters can take advantage of the newly redesigned Commercial News USA website to help them connect with buyers worldwide. The new website features a rotating carousel that highlights advertisers in Commercial News USA. International buyers can now search the site by keyword or by industry category. The site currently attracts more than 23,000 visitors per month. For more details and/ or to review the current issue of the magazine, visit http:// www.thinkglobal.us. 

and Diaspora Act Congressman Bobby Rush (D. IL) has introduced the African Investment and Diaspora Act - which directs the President to appoint a Special Representative for United States-Africa Trade, Development, and Diaspora Affairs within the Department of State.

States that the Special Representative should be a person of distinction, culturally sensitive to the underserved African Diaspora in the United States, with substantial experience in matters of trade or economic development and in matters relating to African Diaspora relations with Africa.Directs the Secretary of State to establish, within the Department of State, the Office of United States-Africa Trade, Development, and Diaspora Affairs, with the Special Representative as its head. Directs the Special Representative to establish five regional United States-Africa Trade, Development, and Diaspora Affairs public outreach, education, and liaison centers.

Requires the Special Representative and the Office to: 1) promote U.S.-African trade and investment relations and foster socioeconomic development and economic growth;

2) design and implement public outreach, education, and liaison programs and activities intended to foster U.S.-African economic, technical, social, and cultural ties; 3) facilitate and increase the number of international learning exchange, professional, training, and educational programs between Africa and the United States; 4) establish a publicly accessible database through which U.S. and African businesses, academics, and organizations can communicate and establish ties; and 5) consult with African governments, the African Union, African intergovernmental subregional organizations, public-private partnership entities, private businesses and foundations, nongovernmental organizations, and U.N. agencies with respect to matters of Africa-related trade, economic development, and African-African Diaspora relations.

For information on supporting the bill contact Congressmand Rush at http:// house.gov/rush.

SEE YOU ON THE CONTINENT. 

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

International

Nigeria to Build Three New Oil Refineries

of U.S. firms that provide customized services to Chinese investors and firms that want to do business in the U.S. The “AccessAmerica” Service Provider directory gives U.S.based companies and economic development agencies access and exposure to Chinese clients who seek U.S. expertise in global logistics, trade finance, HR, site selection, tax, insurance, legal and regulatory issues, marketing, and other support related to investing in the U.S. AccessAmerica is promoted extensively throughout China, featured on the U.S. Embassy Chinese webpage and featured at all Invest in America programs here and in China. Your listing will include company information, company logo, and contact details, all translated into Chinese, for a one-year subscription fee of $400. Increase your visibility in China and boost your service exports. Learn more: http://www.buyusa.gov/china/en/ access_america.html. For more information, please contact julie.carducci@trade.gov.

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

66  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

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.”

JAMAAL WILKES FINANCIAL ADVISORS makes 401(k) rollovers easy with just a few simple steps. Please call us at (310)209-8298 or email gold@jamaalwilkes.com for a web seminar presentation.

Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors is an independent Registered Investment Advisor www.jamaalwilkes.com Phone: (310)209-8330 6601 Center Drive West, Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90045

Advertorial-Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, LLC:

U.S. Global Investors: Don’t Fear a Pullback in Prices

R

ecently, one of my fellow presenters at the Denver Gold Group’s European Gold Forum was Dr. Martin Murenbeeld from Dundee Wealth who put the notion of a “gold bubble” in context with the following chart.

If you compare the current bull cycle for gold against gold’s run from the 1970s and 1980s, you can see that today’s run has been slow and steady. It’s also missing the sharp spikes typical of a bubble.

Also, a key difference in this gradual move higher is the growing affluence of the developing world. There people have traditionally turned to gold as a store of wealth and we are seeing that in unprecedented numbers in countries such as China and India.

JAMAAL WILKES FINANCIAL ADVISORS Tel (310) 209-8298 jkw@jamaalwilkes.com Process to BUY Gold & Silver with Qualified Funds: 1. We use Sterling Trust, a division of Equity Trust Company, a national leader among IRA custodians that hold precious metals in IRA accounts. As an industry leader, Sterling Trust and its affiliates, provide services to over 140,000 individuals and businesses nationwide whose assets exceed $10+ billion; 2. A Sterling Trust Self-Directed Precious Metals IRA is established for your Client, or accountholder, the IRA annual fee of $75, a 1-time set up fee of $50, and first year gold storage fees of $125 totaling $250 are paid, and Sterling Trust receives the transfer, rollover, or contribution of funds into the IRA. A Precious Metals IRA kit and forms are available on-line at: www.SterlingTrustCompany.com; 3. We will consult and advise Accountholder on how to structure their investment in gold (precious metal bullion products).

Preliminary Buy Order Quotes will be in writing by email and/or fax to Accountholder, or the Accountholder’s designated representative; 4. JWFA will provide Accountholder with an itemized invoice that shows the type and quantity of gold (precious metal bullion products) purchased and the respective purchase price which must be signed by Accountholder, or Accountholder’s designated representative, and payment instructions must be provided to Sterling Trust. Accountholder faxes invoice to Sterling Trust IRA Services group; 5. Sterling Trust will issue payment to JWFA following the instructions provided by the Accountholder which will include shipping/delivery instructions to its depository within the Delaware Depository Service Company (web: www.DelawareDepository.com).

Please contact me at (310) 209-8298 or jkw@jamaalwilkes.com with any questions. Thank you. 

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

Give the Gifts of Knowledge, Inspiration, Entertainment.

Shop the

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!

323-294-0324 www.esowonbooks.com //esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events

Malik’s Books Online

M

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 818-5645694.

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. 

Malik’s Books www.Malikbooks.com www.autogrpahbooks.com malikbooks@att.net 818-564-5694

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/Grow a Business to Generate Wealth & Jobs 

Buy Black  Save Black  Invest Black 70  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Books to Consider...

Hole In The Head A Life Revealed

by Smith Leonard Productions This award-winning feature length documentary tells the story of Vertis Hardiman and nine other young children, attending the same elementary school at Lyles Station, Indiana. The children were severely irradiated during a medical examination conducted by the local county hospital in 1927.

The experiment was misrepresented as a newly developed cure for the scalp fungus known as ringworm. In reality the ringworm fungus was merely the lure used to gain access to innocent children whose unsuspecting parents blindly signed permission slips for the treatment.

Vertis Hardiman was five years old and the youngest. After 20 years of friendship with writer/producer Wilbert Smith, through their church choir, Vertis unburdens himself to Wilbert with an incredible story, finally exposing the severe physical complication caused by this shocking medical crime. This medical crime has severe physical consequences for Vertis - namely a harshly irradiated and malformed head and actual hole in his skull.

Remarkably, not one person in his community had ever been aware of Vertis’ suffering because he always wore a wig and woolen beanie to cover his shame. During this filming Vertis reveals his secret stating that only four individuals outside of a few medical specialists have ever seen his condition. “I hid it because I look like a monster.”

Wilbert Smith’s in-depth research led to his discovering four additional survivors of this horrific event. Their collective accounts add breadth and lend credence to this incredible story. Other surviving victims had similar stories but

none as painful and shocking as Vertis’.

This documentary reveals that the Lyles Station experiments were not an isolated event. One such example involves radiation experiments performed in Israel in 1951 against 100,000 darker-skinned immigrant children, a tradegy financed by the United States Army. Amazingly, many of these victims arrived on U.S. soil in cages for further study, in an attempt to determine human reaction to over-exposure to radiation.

This film is not simply an indictment of inhumane government-sanctioned medical experimentation. Rather, it reflects the incredible strength of one man who survived the harshest imaginable circumstances through the power of the human spirit. His simplicity and life philosophy always lifted the spirits of those he touched.

For information and to order the documentary contact Wilbert Smith, Ph.D., Managing Partner, Smith Leonard Productions, 2235 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 111, Altadena, CA 91001 or 626-3751367.  www.amazon.com

City of Los Angeles Business Inclusion Program The City of Los Angeles is striving to increase the participation of small, emerging, veteran, women and minority-owned businesses in City contracts.

All City departments utilize the City’s electronic marketplace, Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (www.labavn.org), to post all opportunities subject to advertising.

We encourage business owners to register on www.labavn.org to receive notifications of contracting opportunities as well as updates on implementing the program.

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

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

Introducing the...

AFRICAN AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT COLLABORATION

Sponsored by the National Black Business Council (NBBC) Black Business Association (BBA) & California Black Chambers (CBC)

Hosts of the new business resource websites:

Join us for

TheArtofBidding.com BlackSuppliers.com

EVERY 2nd Thursday of Each Month Presented by the National Black Business Council (NBBC)

The New Townhouse 6835 La Tijera Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045

For more information call:

310.568.5000 73  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Legal Notice

If You Have or Had Medi-Cal or Medicare and Filled a Prescription in 2008 at a Pharmacy Other Than Target Your rights could be affected by a class action settlement

Shop, Eat, Relax in

Little Ethiopia

Experience Africa in America

Culture, Retail, Entertainment

A settlement has been proposed in a class action lawsuit called Rodriguez v. NDCHealth Corporation (Case No. 2:10-CV-3522), which is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Fairfax Boulevard

Who Is Included?

You are included in the Settlement as a “Class Member” if you live in California and (1) you obtained prescription drugs or related services from pharmacies other than Target Pharmacy between February 1 and December 31, 2008 (a “Non-Target Prescription”), (2) you were a Medi-Cal or Medicare cardholder at the time, and (3) you were included in a group of people whose Non-Target Prescription claim information was transferred to Target Pharmacy by a company called RelayHealth in October and November 2009. You can find out if you were included in this group by contacting the Settlement Administrator.

What Is The Case About?

The lawsuit claims that NDCHealth Corporation, more commonly known as RelayHealth, and McKesson Corporation (both called the “Defendants”) violated California law by transferring the Non-Target Prescription claim information to Target Pharmacy. Defendants deny that they broke the law and strongly deny they did anything wrong.

Summary Of The Settlement Under the Settlement, which must be approved by the court, RelayHealth will put additional protections in place to help prevent future transfers of confidential medical information to unauthorized persons or companies. A list of the protections RelayHealth will put in place can be found at www.RXprivacyClass.com or by calling 1-888-270-9628.

The Defendants have also agreed to pay $4,000,000 into a fund for patient and medical privacy purposes. After paying certain administrative fees and expenses, including court-approved payments to the class representatives and court-approved attorneys’ fees and expenses (which will not be more than 25% of the total of the $4,000,000 plus the administrative expenses), the money will be distributed to one or more organizations that focus on patient or medical privacy issues. THE SETTLEMENT DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR ANY MONEY TO BE PAID TO INDIVIDUAL CLASS MEMBERS (EXCEPT FOR THE CLASS REPRESENTATIVES WHO BROUGHT THE LAWSUIT).

between Pico & Olympic Los Angeles

Leimert Park Village An African American Cultural, Retail, Foods & Entertainment Center.

Degnan Boulevard between

Do I Have A Lawyer?

Yes. The court has appointed lawyers to represent Class Members (“Class Counsel”).

You will not be charged for these lawyers. The lawyers appointed as Class Counsel are: Marcarian Law Firm, 15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 2250, Sherman Oaks, California 91403, (818) 995-8787.

Crenshaw & Leimert Blvds.

43rd Street-43rd Place, Los Angeles

What Should I Do? You should get more information from the Settlement Administrator and make a decision about your legal rights. As a Class Member, you have three options.

(1)You can do nothing. You will remain a Class Member. You will be bound by the court’s decisions in the lawsuit. You will not have the right to sue separately about the issues in the lawsuit.

(2)You can remain a Class Member but object to the Settlement. You will be bound by the court’s decisions in the lawsuit. To object you must send, via first-class mail or overnight delivery, a written letter identifying yourself as a Class Member and explaining why you object. Your objection must be sent to the Settlement Administrator (not the court) and be postmarked no later than April 23, 2011. You may also choose to pay for and be represented by a lawyer who may send the objection for you.

(3)You can exclude yourself from the Settlement completely and preserve your right to file a separate lawsuit by mailing a request form to the Settlement Administrator (not the Court). The form is available from the Settlement Administrator and must be postmarked no later than April 23, 2011.

Can I Get Money From The Settlement?

No, there is no money available to individual Class Members.

Fairness Hearing The court will have a hearing on June 13, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. to decide whether to approve the Settlement. Class Counsel will represent the Class Members at the hearing or, if you object to the Settlement, you can have your own lawyer represent you at the Fairness Hearing at your expense.

For more information, contact the Settlement Administrator:

Visit: www.RXprivacyClass.com Call: 1-888-270-9628 Write: Prescription Privacy Settlement, Rust Consulting, Inc. P.O. Box 2438, Faribault, MN 55021-9138

74  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Bernahu Asfaw or Getahun Asfaw

1041 S. Fairfax Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90019

323-938-8827 or 323-938-8806 Fax: 323-932-6047 messob@gmail.com • www.messob.com

Open 7 days a week 11am - 11pm

Rooibos Tea House

African Red Tea Imports

323-658-7832 533 N. Fairfax Avenue Los Angeles

www.africanredtea.com Nira Levy Maslin, CEO

A Royal Blend of all natural West African herbs and fiery spices www.kingspepper.com 323.291.4267

Before you grill, Before you bake,

Buy King’s Pepper

& Shake, Shake, Shake!

75  June 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

www.gbabyartwear.com

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.

Crenshaw 3825 Crenshaw Boulevard Los Angeles

El Segundo 2321 Rosecrans Avenue El Segundo

Wilshire-Crescent Heights 6301 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles

800-888-3595

Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

www.comerica.com

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

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. 

Tuesday, June 14th

International Edition

Black Business News

“For everyone interested in doing business with Metro”

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.

View the International Edition at www.bbala.org and on www.blackbusinessnews.net

77  June 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Calendar June…

YOUR LINK TO AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS CELEBRATING OVER 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

2nd

37TH ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

37th Annual Awards Dinner The Black Business Association (BBA) celebrates the achievements of African American business leaders and corporate supporters during this annual event. Reserve your table or seat for the night at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel by calling 323-291-9334 or visiting the BBA website at www.bbala.org. Learn more about the forum and how to participate by visiting www.agoa.info.

IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

7th-8th AGOA Forum The 10th AGOA Forum will be held in Lusaka, Zambia. The forum is an excellent opportunity for interested business people to learn first hand how to start or increase trade with Africa-based businesses. Learn more about the forum and how to participate by visiting www.agoa.info.

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.

23rd

August…

8th Annual Global California Conference The conference will be held at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in downtown Los Angeles, CA and will feature expert panels on trade issues in the legal, Logistics, marketing, trade finance, advocacy, government agencies, industry associations and education sectors.

Registered attendees will receive a free listing on the GlobalCalifornia.com website. Learn more about the conference, the new website and how to participate by visiting www.mbita. org.

28th 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.

12th-14nd West Coast Expo West Coast Expo (WCE) is an exposition and trade show for small, medium, and large businesses with goods, products and services to market on the West Coast. Our featured pavilions: Business, Technology, Green Life, and Health & Beauty will offer attendees unique, informative and exciting opportunities to interact with experts, specialists and vendors enabling

July…

18th-22nd

them to learn about, evaluate, test and purchase products and services. Visit www.westcoastexpo.biz for detailed information.

September…

19th-23rd Trade Mission to South Africa The US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing a Trade Mission to South Africa, Sept. 19-23, 2011 (www. export.gov/eac/show_detail_trade_events. asp?EventID=31747&InputType=EVENT).

The mission is for representatives from a variety of U.S. industry suppliers and service providers. The targeted industries are energy equipment and technologies, agricultural equipment, and educational services and skills development. . Contact Teresa Yung, Trade Event Programs International Trade Specialist at 202-482-5496 or Teresa.

Yung@trade.gov. 

Chamber Management Training The US Black Chamber School of Chamber 79  April/May 2011  Black Business News  www.bbnews.org

Reach Thousands of African American Entrepreneurs

U.S. Small B usiness Adm LA/Minority inistration & Business Op portunity Co mmittee

YOUR LINK TO AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS

AWARD WI NNER! 2007 “Journ alist of the Ye ar” 2009 “Media Firm of the Y ear”

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.

• Outreach to Black Businesses • Advertorial/Feature Story Advertising • Profiles and Business Listings • Classified Ads and Bid Opportunities

Black Business News

Our readers are members of business associations, Black business owners, corporate buyers, prime contractors, community organizations and elected ofÀcials, who all turn to the Black Business News for business development news and information to take their business and project efforts to the next level of proÀtability and success!

No

In Th vember 2008 is Iss ue…

5 Co ver S tory: we g Wher o e do Barack from h ere?

Obam USA.

Don’t be left out. Advertise in this door-opening publication.

a, 44th

Preside 6 Bla nt of the ck Bu sines Profi s Succ le Dicker ess son Em 9 Fo reclo ployee Benefi ts sure $8.68 R 31 Sm Billion Settleme elief nt. all Bu sin Adm inistr ess Online Train ation

Reserve Your Ad Space Today!

Call Tony Hayward 949-798-9844

ing for

Exporte rs

Deadline: Every third Friday of the Month!

Special Offer: 50% Discount for Regular Financial BBA Members Advertising Opportunities (1x, 3x, 6x, 12x) Full Page Color w/Feature Story Full Page Color Half Page Color w/Feature Story Half Page Color Quarter Page Color Eighth Page Color Website Advertising Opportunity (1x, 3x, 6x, 12x) Webpage, Link & Marketing Message E-Blast Advertising Opportunity Issue Dedicated Marketing Message

Presid

The H o ent-E norable B ar lect o f the U ack H. O bama, nited States of Am er

ica

Ad Type Measurements Full Page 10.25”x12.75” Half Page 10.25”x 6.75” Half Page 5.00”x12.75” Quarter Page 5.00”x 6.75” Eighth Page 5.00”x 3.00”

For detail advertising rate information contact: Advertising Services at 949-798-9844 E-mail: mail@bbala.org

Black Business News Black Business News International • Get the News You Need • Find the Information that will Make a Difference • Promote Your Business to The BBN Community • Send Your Contact Information to info@blackbusinessnews.net and we will send BBN and BBN-I to You Name News Black Business Compamy Industry Website E-mail ion

International Edit

l African Economic

Serving the Globa

Community

Fall 2008 USD$5.00

Contents

g: EOY charitable Corporate Givin houshealth, education, opportunities in ing, and more.

in Africa’s tour-

t Tourism: Investment vital and is eviden ism industr y is active, nt. all across the contine

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

le: Moyo District InvestmentofProƤ Uganda of the Republic

tory Professional Direc tments

Charitable Inves

twins recently orpaned , III in Ghana with Rev. Leon R. Perrysee Corporate Giving page 21