12-Jun

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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.

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Publisher’s Message Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

D

uring this very special month, African American Music Appreciation June 2012, we take a few moments to reflect and celebrate the contributions of some

the memory of those whom we have lost this year. Their recorded songs that graced Billboard and radio stations

Etta James

Don Cornelius Donna Summers outstanding legends in the world of Music and Entertainment. This month we salute the Icons of Music, the living legends whose original contributions through memorable music can best be described as timeless. From rhythm and blues, to R&B/Pop, to Jazz, to Neo

around the world will forever hold a place in our hearts and minds. This month we take time to recognize the gifts of music these major stars whose inner lights will continue to shine in perpetuity in the history of American

Music. We celebrate the memory and legacy of Don Cornelius, Donna Summers, Herb Reed of The Platters, Hal Jackson, Etta James and Whitney Houston.

Because we are the Black Business News and because of these incredible artists, we express our gratitude through this special issue. We express our thanks to have been privileged to experience their voices and gifts in talent. We celebrate their legacies and that of other creative pioneers with

Nat “King” Cole

Whitney Houston Soul, to Southern Blues, we particularly salute the kings and queens of African American music.

We particularly celebrate and honor

Herb Reed and the Platters

this June 2012 issue with the hope that their timeless music will live on within us all and ultimately inspire us individually and collectively to aspire to great heights with our lives.

We take their spirits and essence as our hope for the future and we carry on in our creative discovery with the faith of the spark of the new music to come forever holding dear the classic songs of our memories as well as our African American roots as originators and innovators of musical genres.

3  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

About the 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.

Black Business News P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 323-291-9334 Fax: 323-298-5064

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

ASSOCIATE EDITOR La Sandra Stratton

PRODUCTION MANAGER Narishima Osei

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS LaSandra Stratton • Dean Jones • Linda Ware

GRAPHIC DESIGN

•

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

Sarah Harris • Phallu Morgan

•

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

Kim Anthony

•

providing an affirmative influence for emerg-ing entrepreneurs sharing innovative design n and creative cultural content that exposes them to the history of black enterprises and excite them to 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 self-sustained urban society with USA job creation and economic opportunity, where blacks work, live and operate viable business enterprises.

www.blackbusinessnews.net

ENTREPRENEUR EDITOR ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Belinda Foster

STORY EDITORS Wanda Flagg ▪ Jennifer Marie Hamilton

PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Foxx ▪ Sabir • Narishima Osei

CONTENT ADMINISTRATOR La Sandra Stratton

LAYOUT/TYPESETTING Lion Communications Copyright © 2012 by Black Business News All Rights Reserved.

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

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 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

FEATURES… June 2012

3

Publisher’s Message

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC MONTH… 8

History, Profiles, and Photos

24 30 33 37 39 42

G-8 Summit Held at Camp David

GOVERNMENT… NATO sessions Held in Chicago, IL USA to Join the Fight Against Global Hunger Export-Import Bank Reauthorized Medals of Freedom Awarded SBA Unveils BusinessUSA.gov

BUSINESS… 8

51 53 57

New Leader for SoCalGas ‘Creative Class” Re-making Manufacturing Industry IBM Heads Project to Improve Government Building Energy Efficiency

63 65

Brett Byers, Leader on the Rise Comcast Offers Wi-Fi Services

PUBLIC INTEREST/COMMUNITY… 80

NASCAR Driver Needs Community Funding Support

81

White House “State Dinner for Kids” Challenge

INTERNATIONAL… COLUMNS 69 - Take A Look!

106 - Books to Consider...

110 - Calendar ACTION ALERTS 2 - AEG Supplier Portal SPONSORS 06 - Black Business Association

86

AU African Diaspora Summit

98

Ethanol for Cooking in Mozambique

100 Safeguard Mali 101 One Africa: Petition Campaign

Cover image - Phallu Morgan

5  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

82

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.

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,

___ 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. 

Upcoming 2012 Events June “Prep for Primes” Forum October Procurement Exchange Summit and Luncheon Black Business Association P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA Tel: 323-291-9334 Fax: 323-857-4610

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

mail@bbala.org www.bbala.org www.facebook.com 7  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

THE WHITE HOUSE

AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC APPRECIATION MONTH, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

Special Section-Black Music

As a long-cherished piece of American culture, music offers a vibrant soundtrack to the story of our people and our Union. At times when words alone could not bring us together, we have found in melodies and choruses the universal truths of our shared humanity. African-American musicians have left an indelible mark on this tradition, and during African-American Music Appreciation Month, we pay special tribute to their extraordinary contributions.

Generations of African Americans have used music to share joy and pain, triumph and sorrow. Spiritual hymns gave hope to those laboring under the unrelenting cruelty of slavery, while gospel-inspired freedom songs sustained a movement for justice and equality for all. The smooth sounds of jazz and the soulful strain of the blues fed a renaissance in art and prose. The rhythm and blues that began in a basement in Detroit brought people together when laws would have kept them apart, while the urban beats and young wordsmiths from cities coast-to-coast gave voice to a new generation. And on stages and in concert halls around the world, African-American singers and composers have enhanced opera, symphony, and classical music by bringing energy and creativity to traditional genres.

At its core, African-American music mirrors the narrative of its original creators -- born of humble beginnings and raised to refuse the limitations and circumstances of its birth. This month, we honor the African-American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters who have forever shaped our musical heritage, and celebrate those who carry this rich legacy forward.

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 June 2012 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 that is composed, arranged, or performed by African Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Special Section-Black Music

Music Icons

Row 1: Josephine Baker, Tina Turner, Ella Fitzgerald Row 2: Sarah Vaungh, Aretha Franklin, Leontyne Price Row 3: Marion Anderson, Mavis Staples, Dinah Washington 9  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

African American Music Appreciation Month 2012 Music is an integral part of black history, from the time slaves sang spiritual songs to the emergence of rhythm and blues, and rap. Music tells stories and provides a window into the lives and struggles of black men and women. Music and its various styles originated by black musicians transcend the community and have influenced other musicians and the music industry.

by Cicely A. Richard, Arnold Anderson, eHow Contributors

Special Section-Black Music

African Influence Slaves transported to North America in the 1600s and 1700s brought their musical traditions with them. African tribes often used what was referred to as a “talking drum” for their form of communication. They used music and dance to tell stories, relay news, and get messages from one tribe to another.

In this way African society developed a deep dependence on music as a primary form of communication.

This dependence on music as a way of communicating was brought to America, and is considered a driving force behind the creation of all Black American music down through American history.

The banjo, used in bluegrass music, came to the continent with African slaves. The banjo was a combination of many instruments from the slaves’ homeland. This instrument served as the basis of their songs. Call-andresponse, a musical conversation between two parties, influenced gospel, the blues and hip-hop.

While slavery was not as prevalent in the north as it was the south, it still existed in all the colonies. Slaves were mostly house servants in the north, and that allowed them more freedom to express their culture in public than in the south.

By the early 1700s, black gospel music started to become popular among all parts of northern society. In 1723, an African-American man named Nero Benson went on record as the first black musician in American military history when he enlisted as a trumpeter in the United States army.

In 1729, the northern United States interest in African-American music was realized with the first public performance of African-American music.

Following the acceptance of AfricanAmerican culture in the north, many more public displays of African-based music began to appear.

One of the earliest known public expressions of Black American music were festivals known as Pinksters.

Accounts of Pinkster festivals began appearing in New York newspapers in early 1737. They were described as festivals filled with African music, played on replicas of African instruments, and displays of cultural dances.

Oral Traditions African slaves brought oral traditions with them as well. “America’s Musical Life: A History” by Richard Crawford states that despite differences among African nations, “spoken art, verbal improvising, and an emphasis on broad participation were common to many.” Spoken word music helped slaves maintain a level of community under harsh work and living conditions.

Christianized slaves and free blacks included these traditions in spirituals used in worship as a way to conjure spirits, a practice still maintained in many churches.

Work Songs Work songs, like spirituals, contained biblical references sung as slaves cultivated fields and picked cotton.

Work songs strengthened them. These songs also served a secondary role.

“The Trouble I’ve Seen: The Big Book of Negro Spirituals” by Bruno Chenu

states that many songs used Bible accounts of Noah’s Ark in Genesis, Moses and the Israelite escape from Egypt found in Exodus, and Jesus’ sermons found in the Gospels. These references were secret messages and verbal road maps to freedom in the North.

Jazz and Blues In the early 20th century, blacks still faced oppression because of racism and segregation. Jazz and blues music addressed unfair treatment many black men and women faced. Jazz and blues musicians utilized oral traditions such as improvisation. New Orleans became the epicenter of jazz, and black musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton gained white audiences. Blues music featured songs of injustice and were often darker than jazz. Blues song “Strange Fruit,” performed by Billie Holiday, narrates the story of a lynching in the South.

Motown Berry Gordy, Jr. founded Motown in 1959 in Detroit, Michigan, as a place to showcase black talent and increase appeal to white audiences. Before this time, many black musicians achieved modest success but did not get money for their work. Many songs originated by black artists were rerecorded by white musicians. A famous example is “Hound Dog,” originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton. Elvis Presley’s recording of this blues song became a hit. “America’s Musical Life” states Gordy wanted to combine blues, jazz and gospel with pop music elements for mainstream appeal.

Hip-Hop In the 1970s, rap and hip-hop music started among U.S. urban youths. They relied on call-and-response to create songs. This form of self-expression gained momentum in the early 1980s, when rappers such as Kool Moe Dee and Run DMC gained white audiences.

The music made many people uncomfortable because songs tackled topics such as police brutality and gang violence. In 1988, Will Smith, a less controversial rapper, won the first Grammy for rap. 

10  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Music Icons Special Section-Black Music

Top: Michael Jackson, Harry Belefonte, Louis Jordan, Luther Vandross Middle: Miles Davis, James Cleveland, Barry White, Roland Hayes Lower: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Andre Watts, Wynton Marsalis 11  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Spotlight Focus:

Power Publicist Belinda Foster a trailblazer in the music industry

by Linda Ware

B

her bright smile and high energy include CNN’s LARRY KING SHOW, ANDERSON COOPER, CNN’s AMERICAN MORNING, TODAY SHOW, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, MSNBC NEWS, and countless other programs. A team player at heart, she has masterfully implemented strategic campaigns for multiple clients involving NBC’s EMMY WINNING SERIES/THE WEST WING, ABC’s MEN IN TREES (produced by Jenny Bicks), produced a country album with Tim Mc Graw’s band to name a few.

A specialist in TV, FILM and MUSIC Public Relations, Belinda has done it all. From working to chart a number one hit on billboard sales featuring NCIS’ Star Pauley Perrette and B. Taylor to handling MJ’s Nutritionist, Cherilyn Lee on a whirlwind of media interviews, Belinda’s expertise in public relations can best be described as not just urban public relations but moreso global in terms of her ability to reach the world.

She shared in our interview about what it was like clearing the Secret Service of the White House at the State Farm Carrier Classic aboard the USS Carl Vinson recently in November.

“After boarding the vessel, I have to tell you we all celebrated because the process was intricate but necessary.

It was truly an honor to escort Navy Veteran, B. Taylor, on that trip as not only did he perform the national anthem, but also he took photos with the President of the United States, Barack Obama and the First Lady. That moment was absolutely exciting and yet truly humbling. It’s incredible how we can one day envision an idea for something and the next minute, we are living it”, says Belinda.

In interviewing Belinda for this article, it was one of the most interesting interviews to date with a Hollywood Publicist. Her personality is one that is humble, gracious, and full of warmth on one hand and when it comes to talking about pitches she is bold like a lioness

13  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

see Belinda Foster on page 14

Special Section-Black Music

elinda Foster entered the stage of Hollywood wearing her other hat, that of a nationally celebrated television actress.

Belinda made her national debut as a single mother entering a hospital to get assistance for her baby on NBC’s EMMY WINNING Television series, ER, starring George Clooney.

Subsequent to that series, she was then cast as a regular television Actress starring with Ricki Smiley on BET’s hit sketch comedy series, THE WAY WE DO IT. Her role as a female country music guitarist, picker and yodeler in the SANGIN COUSINS duo became synonymous to one of BET hit comedic characters on the national television series.

After having a successful television run on the BET series, Belinda discovered that she had another calling just as strong as her gifts in television acting, that being stepping behind the screen into the world of star making.

“Ever since I was a kid, I always enjoyed helping my friends reach for their Vision. I get just as much joy out of helping them as I do going for my vision. I think there is an intersection of those two lines when it comes to my personal motivations and goals. It’s who I am. I love people. Period”, says Belinda.

At heights in her television acting career, Belinda put on a new pair of shoes and an executive suit to go with it in her announcement of the opening of her premiere public relations firm, AWJ Platinum PR, based in Beverly Hills, California. “I was in a conversation with my brother at a family dinner

one day and he told me that he had a dream that I was going to become a PR person, working in public relations, communications, doing fundraisers.

I didn’t understand it at the time until the day came where I had a spiritual awakening as to what God wanted me to do at that point. I jumped in head first with both my hands clasped in prayer the whole way to this date”, says Belinda.

From the inception of opening her new public relations boutique firm, she garnered a client whom she admired beyond words, legendary television actor, John Amos, after running into him at a Hollywood restaurant. “We ran into each other at Chin Chins and from there, we started working together in relation to his non-profit for children as well as promoting his acting ventures. I told him that I was a fan as well.”says Belinda.

A modest woman of etiquette and grace, Belinda has proven herself to be a successful talented actress on one hand as well as a Power Mogul in the area of Public Relations on the other hand.

Her achievements in public relations are award winning including pitching and booking Evander Holyfield on the Oprah Show for the Mike Tyson/ Holyfield reunion, one of Ms. Winfrey’s top rated aired programs to date on ABC network.

“I do recall the day I saw Mike on the show and he expressed that he wished he could apologize to Evander. So, I called one of Oprah’s producers and said to her, ‘Do you realize what we can do if you bring Evander in to make that happen? The rating will be huge.’

The next thing you know I see a 312 area code and the next day we were on the airplane heading to Chicago to tape the reunion. That by far was my favorite memory to date in doing this PR thing. It’s so spontaneous but it can be poignant as well,” says Belinda.

Other shows she has booked with

Hal Jackson, Network Radio Pioneer

H

Special Section-Black Music

arold “Hal” Jackson, 96, the first African American voice on network radio, died Wednesday at a New York City hospital, said Deon Levingston, an executive at WBLS, a station owned by Inner City Broadcasting Corp., which Jackson cofounded. The cause was not given.

Jackson began his career in Washington, D.C,. as the first African American play-by-play sports

Belinda Foster from page 13

with a charm that is signature to her spirit. Foster’s secret weapon I believe is her bright smile which one can’t help but smile when in her presence. She won’t let you be down. This I believe is her secret weapon in addition to her extraordinary communication skills in speaking multiple languages including Spanish, French, and Korean.

When asked if she will continue to work in public relations or return to the acting world, she shared that she may be returning to acting some time later in 2012 with an announcement to be made at that point. She nevertheless expressed that she is at a cross roads in that she is being directed to do both at this point.

“When you see someone like Will Smith or Oprah and you look at their gifts, they each are multifaceted.

In today’s entertainment world, it is

announcer. After he moved to New York in the 1950s, he hosted three different radio shows, broadcasting a mix of music and conversation that included jazz and celebrities.

Jackson later co-founded Inner City, one of the first broadcasting companies wholly owned by African Americans.

The company acquired WBLS, which pioneered the urban contemporary radio format. Jackson continued to host a program on WBLS until a few weeks before his death.

In 1995, Jackson became one of the first African Americans to be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Paul Heine, senior editor at the trade publication Inside Radio, called

Jackson “the godfather of black radio.”

“His longevity and his breaking down the doors, breaking the color barrier, he really made it possible for African Americans who followed him to work in the medium,” Heine said.

Jackson was born in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 3, 1915, according to family records. After his father, a tailor, and his mother died when he was a child, he was raised by relatives in South Carolina, New York and Washington. 

plausible for anyone to live not just one of their dreams but to use all of their gifts. That is my goal this year which will in essence be to return to acting but also continue in my work with the wonderful clients who I believe in wholeheartedly. ”, says Belinda.

As a Music Publicist she has coordinated PR on the red carpet in association with the CMT AWARDS, CMA AWARDS, and done interviews with top country music radio personalities as well as worked closely with the Cash Music Group, headed

by Gene Cash of the legendary Cash Family of Nashville, Tennessee.

In addition to her successful global public relations firm, she recently secured the title of Executive Vice President of Marketing for Pearl Records distributed by LRT/InGrooves/ Fontana/Universal, whose offices are based prominently on one of the top floors of NBC/UNIVERSAL Plaza in Universal City.

A mother of two, both of her daughters are following in mom’s footsteps in some ways, with her oldest daughter, Giavanna Foster, a gifted jazz guitarist and her youngest daughter, Sarah Foster, a gifted graphic artist and novelist.

“I have to thank my mom, Fannie Ware, for everything that I am today.

She and I are best friends and sisters really. Her love for me infused within me the will and dynamics to go for your vision. She did it in raising me as a child.

It’s amazing when you look at yourself and you can see how your parents can shape your mindset. I’m grateful to God for her,my dad, and my two daughters who I love very much...”, says Belinda Modest words from a truly remarkable and talented sister on the top of the Hollywood A list who finds an intrinsic joy in helping unknowns get there as well as helping top celebrities stay there. Bravo, Belinda! 

www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/ la-me-passings-20120526,0,3891970. story

14  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Spotlight Focus:

The Maestro, Mr. Bobby Martin

T

and Huff to take the sound of the void and create the hits of multiple stars to date.

A n o t h e r recent moment that proved to be profound occurred in Los Angeles not too long ago. It was live at the Grammy Museum before Cornelius passed away. The Grammy Foundation held a special honorary event celebrating the legacy of Soul Train. Cornelius jumped to his feet when he saw that Bobby Martin had made a surprise appearance this time walking down from the audience to share the poignant moment with his Soul Train colleague.

Today, Martin continues to be in demand notably with the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) producing a full on feature segment honoring his great contributions to music. He continues to work in studio and with the music industry’s current return to live musicians on stage in concerts throughout America, I’m sure that we will be hearing more from him in the near future possibly charting the course of America’s next direction in new music, and most certainly bringing on more hits as he always does.

Mr. Bobby Martin, we salute you as a living legend. 

15  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Bobby Martin with Percy Pinkney, Special Assistant to Sen. Feinstein

Special Section-Black Music

his month we take time to honor and recognize the outstanding contributions of one of Music’s most prolific Arrangers, Producers, and Composers who has proven without a doubt that he stands in legendary status through the multiple grammys, gold and platinum hits that line the walls of his home. All of these accomplishments and more have been achieved from his outstanding creativity in the music studio.

The Ojays. Labelle. Patti Labelle.

Billy Paul. Lou Rawls. Nancy Wilson.

Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes.

These are just a few of the legendary celebrity artists who have had the fortunate opportunity to be shaped and molded in the recording studio by none other than the Maestro himself, Bobby Martin.

Martin, a Grammy Award winning Producer, Arranger and Composer is best known as the HITMAKER of Soul Music as well as Jazz during the 70’s era and beyond. During her performance on stage at a notable concert at the Wilshire Theater in Los Angeles, Patti Labelle saw Bobby Martin in the audience, called him to the stage, and acknowledged to the world that he gave her the stage name of Patti Labelle and that if it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t be where she is today.

So many artists can express and share this profound gratitude and respect in regards to Martin and his genius as a creative music composer, arranger and producer.

He is the architect of the Philadelphia Sound and best known for arranging and conducting the Theme Song to the hit musical television series, Soul Train. He worked closely with Gamble

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16  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Spotlight Focus: The inimitable

Cabell “Cab” Calloway

by Linda Ware

T

he Black Business

Assocciation ( B B A ) presented Cab Calloway with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1980 for his contributions to the music and entertainment industries.

The Big Apple. New York City. The year is 1935. Harlem’s Cotton Club is the top jazz club in America. It’s Saturday night.

The club is filled with patrons dressed in formal attire and style as they swing to the masterful scatting of Cab Calloway as he rhythmically improvises vocal sounds at lightning speed to his hit song, “Minnie the Moocher” combined

with the musical accompaniment of his all star African American big band, the Cab Calloway Orchestra.

C a b ’ s incredible energetic scatting was honed to perfection from lessons from his mentor, the father of jazz, Louis Armstrong. Cab’s talented artistry as a vocalist and band leader combined with the incredible talent of his orchestra made him a household name as one of the most popular African American jazz ensembles in America. Some of the star talent who were featured in Cab’s star studded orchestra include Dizzie

by Linda Ware

T

h e music

industry is buzzing with the release of the nominees of the 2012 BET AWARDS set to take place on July 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California and air on Black Entertainment Television (BET Network). With international media outlets expected in attendance, stars from the music, TV, and film industry are set to appear on the telecast that is sure to be compared to the Grammys and Oscars all wrapped up into one night of Celeb Glitz and top notched entertainment.

This year’s celebrity show host is an actor whose powerful acting abilities and film roles have coined him as one of the most sought after actors in the world of motion pictures. Since 1990, he has starred in more movies than any actor in the film industry. “Pulp Fiction”, “Jackie Brown”, “Die Hard With A Vengeance”, and most recently “The Avengers” are just a few of the blockbuster films of this year’s celebrity show host, Mr. Samuel L. Jackson.

At the top of his game as a seasoned popular film actor, Jackson will grace the stage at the Shrine auditorium to kick off the 2012 BET AWARDS and carry us all through the star studded awards gala. This year’s show has a

power packed list of nominations with multiple favorites nominated under each category. Under Best Female R&B category, fans await to witness who will receive the queen’s crown between Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Melanie Fiona, and Marsha Ambrosius. An all-star line up is set to take the stage on the telecast including live performances by Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj.

This year’s awards show will feature a life time achievement award to be presented to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly presented during the celebrity telecast.

The BET Awards represents one of the most popular shows on Black Entertainment Television featuring and acknowledging the successes of top African Americans stars in the world of entertainment. 

17  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Special Section-Black Music

BET Awards

Gillespie, Danny Barker, Milt Hinton and Ben Webster, to name a few.

As “Minnie the Moocher” became a national hit song, Cab became known for the catchy chorus to the song, “Hi De Hi De Ho”.

After Cab arrived to national musical stardom, he graced the silver screen in his motion picture debut in Paramount Pictures, “The Singing Kid”, playing opposite Al Jolson. In singing duets with Jolson in the film, Cab helped to create the visual breakthrough of the beauty of multicultural casting in film which proved to be a hit throughout African American households as well as general audiences in the USA pioneering the era through innovating the perspectives and points of views of American Culture that music and film are universal going beyond race or creed.

An American Jazz Master, Cabell “Cab” Calloway, is one of America’s most prolific, masters of Scat and one of the first Jazz Artists to gain international appeal in motion pictures.

In this month June 2012 as we celebrate African American Music Appreciation Month, the BBA proudly salutes and recognizes the achievements of Cabell “Cab” Calloway as an American Jazz Master. 

We Salute Berry Gordy & Smokey Robinson, Music Pioneers

by Linda Ware

Special Section-Black Music

R Records, along with many of its subsidiaries. o The Black Business Association A (BBA) rrecognized Berry Gordy in 1993 with a Lifetime Achievement A Award presented at the 7th p Annual Black Business A Day Luncheon in August D of 1993 during a special o gala luncheon built around g essential theme, tthe ““Entertainment Is Business”.

This month of June of 2012, T tthe BBA takes a moment to once again salute Berry Gordy for his pioneering G sspirit as a true visionaryy in creating the “Motown Sound”.  S

Berry Gordy

F

rom its inception in the late 1950’s, Motown Records established itself as the groundbreaking label of the most prolific artists to grace the airwaves of radio stations nationwide.

Motown is given the prestige of being recognized as the source of creating the birth of American Pop Music fused with rhythm and blues. Founded by music mogul, Berry Gordy, the label produced some of the most legendary artists of all time from the Supremes, the Temptations, the Four Tops, the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder all of whom toured the world producing timeless hits that continue to live on in today’s market.

“Stop In The Name Of Love” (Supremes), “ABC” (The Jackson 5), “What’s Going On” (Marvin Gaye), these are just a few of the hits of one of the most progressive labels in the history of the music industry, Motown

William “Smokey” Robinson

T

he legendary Bob Dylan once stated that one man in particular is by far the greatest living poet on the planet. Dylan was referring to Grammy Award Winning Singer/ Songwriter, William “Smokey” Robinson. “Tears of A Clown”, “I Second That Emotion”, “Going to a Go Go”, “My Guy” (Mary Wells, Motown’s first million seller) all represent some of his timeless top charting hits of Smokey’s genius as a songwriter.

Smokey broke through his first hit record after uniting with the legendary, Berry Gordy, at the inception of the start up of Motown Records. Both men didn’t realize at the time that they both were about to make music history bringing more hit songs to the radio airwaves than the world could imagine.

Smokey recorded an original tune with the Miracles entitled, “Shop

Around”, a song that broke through the U.S. charts as his first top charting pop single and subsequently became an international hit record. After a series of multiple back to back original top charting tunes that he himself penned, Smokey became one of the most sought after songwriters at Motown

Records.

In June of 2009, the Black Business Association (BBA) celebrated African American Music Appreciation Month with a special recognition and celebration of the outstanding achievements of Smokey Robinson as an Iconic Songwriter and Entertainer whose songs have spanned decades and generations.

The BBA honored William “Smokey” Robinson as a living legend and musical icon at the 35th Annual BBA Awards Gala in Los Angeles. The Black Business News now takes a moment during the month of June 2012 to recognize Smokey as a truly gifted singer, songwriter, and entertainer whose gifts have proven to be not only timeless but universal in terms of his global fan base and worldwide recognition spanning all generations and cultures.

Smokey, we salute you for all that you do. Your voice and your gifts in musical songwriting are treasures for the world to behold and to cherish. Thank you for the hit songs about life and love and we look forward to your next hit. 

18  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Music Pioneers we Love

actor, Jamie Foxx, brought to life the essence of Ray in one of Foxx’ most poignant performances America has seen to date.

by Linda Ware

Michael Jackson Whitney Houston

T

he daughter of Gospel Great, Cissy Houston, and niece of Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston was born into stardom.

Singing in her church choir throughout her youth, it became apparent that Whitney was born with a Voice that would be embraced by the world. Her career blossomed in her late teens with her emergence on the American pop scene with her first charting hit, “You Give Good Love”, charting at number 3 on Billboard Top 100 Charts. From the same CD, “Whitney Houston”, she triumphed with her first number one hit that crossed over from the USA to the UK, “Saving All My Love”, a song that delivered Whitney her first Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance/Female. To her surprise, she won her first Emmy Award for her

Grammy performance of the same song. She would continue to record multiple top charting hits throughout her career and soon cross over into the film industry starring with popular film actor, Kevin Costner, in the hit film, “The Bodyguard”, directed by Costner.

America will always remember one of the most pinnacle moments of her career when she performed the national anthem during the time America was involved in the Persian Gulf War. At that time, she sang the anthem in one of the most extraordinary performances of the song ever recorded at the NFL’s championship game, Superbowl XXV. America’s response demanded the song be heard yet again which caused the single to be released and subsequently charting on the top of Billboard charts.

Ray Charles

R

Ray Charles

ay Charles is the epitome of an American Musical Icon. Despite his handicap as a result of his blindness, his gifts as a soulful singer and an unparalleled piano man mesmerized fans during his high energy rhythm and blues concerts as he swayed, smiled with his foot stomping to the tunes of “Georgia”, “What I Say”, and other unforgettable hits. Ray Charles is the first rhythm and blues artist who crossed over to the Country Market with multiple hits and full recognition as a true musical pioneer. His legacy is celebrated in the success of the blockbuster Oscar Winning motion picture, RAY, where film

A

child protégé destined to greatness, Michael Jackson was born to entertain. A consummate singer, songwriter, and dancer, Jackson’s natural talent shined during his thrilling live concerts where he moon walked and performed meticulous choreographed numbers to fans around the world. His back to back string of hits like “ABC”, “Maybe Tomorrow”, and “Never Can Say Goodbye” continued to top Billboard charts from his childhood years throughout his adulthood. Under the tutelage of label pioneer, Berry Gordy, Michael grew from a protégé lead singer of the Jackson 5 to a global giant as a commanding solo Artist, under Quincy Jones, delivering pioneering hits like “Billy Jean”, ”Bad”, and “Thriller”, a multimedia blockbuster single and music video that transformed the production of music videos and became a mini motion picture in its own right catapulting MJ from a global superstar to receiving the crown as the “King Of Pop”.

Gladys Knight

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natural born soul sister, Gladys Knight emerged on the music scene performing in one of Motown Records’ most soulful groups to date, Gladys Knight & The Pips. Her power vocals harmonizing with the smooth soulful sounds of the harmonic Pips brought to life a new Motown Sound that fused American Pop with the new sound of Soul. Gladys Knight & The Pips led the way in hit soul singles during the 1970’s with Gladys’ hot soul tracks like “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, “Daddy Could Swear”, and “Neither One Of Us” heating up the radio airwaves with the new Motown Sound of Soul. Gladys Knight & The Pips garnered three Grammy Awards with hit charting songs including ,”Midnight Train To Georgia”, and “

19  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

see Musicians We Love on page 20

Musicians We Love from page 19

”Love Overboard”, the success of which took them to the height of recognition through induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Quincy Jones, Jr.

Q

uincy Jones, Jr. was born in the windy city of Chicago and unique unto himself, he was born with the gift of creating music intrinsic to the core of his DNA and entire being. To describe his multiple gifts, he is a consummate jazz and classical trumpet player, one who influenced American Jazz with his all star collaborations with top performers in the industry. He toured with Dizzy Gillespie’s Band as musical director and trumpeter extraordinaire. As a music arranger, producer, and conductor his accomplishments are numerous in jazz and in the world of R&B. Jones is the mastermind behind the success of Michael Jackson’s solo career as Quincy stood at the helm of the production of MJ’s top solo albums “Off The Wall, “Bad”, and “Thriller”, the project that took MJ to being recognized as the King of Pop. To date, Jones has acquired 79 Grammy nominations, 27 Grammy Awards , and is notably one of the first African Americans to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song(“The Eyes Of Love”/ Universal Pictures Film’ Banning). In the jazz world, QJ has arranged the music of top legends including Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, and other greats. In today’s market, Quincy continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the studio.

Aretha Franklin

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retha Franklin gained “Respect” as the Queen of Soul early on in her stellar career. Raised up singing in the youth choir during her teen years, her spiritually profound vocals have been compared to her role model and inspiration, Mahalia Jackson. Aretha emerged as a powerful singer, songwriter and gospel pianist

early on with numerous talents that soon would cross her over to rhythm and blues creating the new genre of American Soul Music.

Aretha took on her own voice as the Voice of the spirit of independence a m o n g s t A f r i c a n Americans in the USA with unforgettable songs like “Respect”, “I Never Loved A Man” and “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man”, top songs recorded in her classic recordings done during the magical soulful sessions in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. It was there in her recording sessions that the pure essence of American Soul Music was born.

From there she recorded a string of hits like “Rock Steady” and “Young Gifted and Black” representing the spirit of African American confidence, independence and celebration post Martin Luther King’s era.

Stevie Wonder

H

e made his grand entrance on the music scene with his commanding soulful vocals taking on the radio airwaves as Motown’s own, Little Stevie Wonder.

Stevie signed with Motown’s Tamla label at the age of 11 and from there has continued to crank out hit after hit in the R&B genre throughout his career. A child protégé, Stevie soon established himself as a virtuous top charting singer, songwriter with timeless hits like “Superstition”, “Higher Ground”, “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and other timeless hits.

Like Ray Charles, Stevie was blind.

Yet like Ray, America didn’t notice it as a result of his profound musical talents that overshadowed it all.

Stevie’s musical successes have brought him

Gladys Knight to the honor of being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Billboard’s prestigious award of one of Billboard’s Top Artists of All Time.

Tina Turner

T

hese are some of the memorable signature songs of the Queen of Rock & Roll and R&B, Miss Tina Turner - “Nutbush City Limits”, “Proud Mary”, “What’s Love Got to Do with It”?. She started her career in the entertainment business dancing and singing with her husband in the quintessential musical group, Ike and Tina Turner Review. A Bold Soul Sister, she represented the essence of beauty, confidence, success and pure talent in the initial era of desegregation in America. Her fast dance moves and her powerful soulful singing voice have branded her to be described by some journalists as a female Otis Redding in style and sound. Performing with the Rolling Stones on tour around the world, her choreographed funky dance moves and her power rock sound evolved her status to be crowned the Queen of Rock and Roll crossing over both r&b and rock markets around the world.

Tina’s journey in the entertainment industry took her to new heights in her solo career with hit billboard singles like, What’s Love Got to Do with It and other great hits. 

Billy Eckstein

Jessye Norman

Muddy Waters

Music Icons Paul Roberson

Dizzy Gillespie

Prince

Albertina Walker

Quincy Jones

Carmen McCrae

Pattie LaBelle

Special Section-Black Music

Nina Simone

Stevie Wonder

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

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

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ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

23  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Government

President Barack Obama participates in a G8 Summit working session focused on global and economic issues, in the dining room of Laurel Cabin at Camp David, MD. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama Hosts G-8 Summit at Camp David

P

resident Barack Obama and leaders of other major industrial powers grappled with options to solidify world resolve against development of an Iranian nuclear bomb and encourage a more forceful response to worsening violence in Syria.

President Obama had the ear of key players on both issues during back-to-back G-8 and NATO summits that were dominated with discussions of European economic woes and Afghanistan. Talks about Syria and Iran were aimed directly and indirectly at Russia, a sometime protector of both Iran and Syria and the chief blockade to such U.S. goals as an arms embargo on Syria.

The gatherings were held in the shadow of the eurozone debt crisis and plummeting public support for the war in Afghanistan. Political and economic chaos in Greece and Spain underscored just how fragile Europe’s economy remains after an eviscerating austerity regime. Germany’s finance minister predicted that the crisis could last up to another two years.

Most of the leaders are part of overlapping international coalitions formed to address the Iranian nuclear problem and the newer crisis in Syria, where an estimated 9,000 people have died in more than a year of violence that arose from the pro-democracy Arab uprisings.

Faced with implacable Russian

opposition to significant new United Nations punishments on the Syrian regime of President Bashar Assad, U.S. officials are trying to get consensus among other allies about ways to promote Assad’s ouster.

A senior U.S. official said one goal of the closed-door summit discussion at the secluded presidential retreat in Camp David, MD, was to impress on Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev that other nations that share Russia’s usual role at the forefront of international diplomacy are seeking ways to address the Syria debacle without Russian help.

President Obama greeted each leader by name before the group went inside for dinner.

The United States wants to avoid escalating a confrontation with Moscow over Syria, the official said, but wants Medvedev to hear the depth of international outrage. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal diplomacy.

A senior Obama administration

24  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

see G-8 Summit on page 25

President Barack Obama speaks with other G8 leaders during a Friday dinner at Laurel Lodge in Camp David, Md., during the 2012 G8 Summit.

G-8 Summit from page 24

“The message will be that the Iranians should seize this opportunity” for talks, Donilon said. “And while this goes on, in parallel, the sanctions and pressure effort will continue, led by the United States and the others who will be at the table.”

Syria is a much harder case, in part because Russia and China oppose U.N. action that could set a precedent for outside interference in internal ethnic or human rights matters, and partly because there is no international appetite for a military confrontation with Assad.

Syrian forces recently fired on protesters holding the largest opposition marches yet in Aleppo, a sign of rising anti-regime sentiment in the country’s biggest city, which has largely remained supportive of President Bashar Assad throughout the 15-month uprising.

The head of the U.N. observer mission in Syria warned that neither his team nor armed action could solve the country’s crisis, and called on all sides to discuss a solution. But the regime kept up its assaults on opposition

25  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

see G-8 Summit on page 27

Government

official said that the Group of Eight leaders unified behind a dual track effort of sanctions and diplomacy toward Iran and agreed to focus on political transition in Syria.

The eight leaders gathered for a dinner of more than two hours in the secluded woods of Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details of the private session.

Russia is a partner with the United States and European nations in containing Iran’s nuclear program, although with China it has blocked the most severe penalties the United Nations Security Council might impose.

A U.N.-affiliated negotiating group including Russia will meet with Iranian officials next week in Baghdad, Iraq.

On Iran, the U.S. official said each of the leaders, including Medvedev, indicated that Iran has the burden of

proving that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

As for Syria, the official said the leaders continued to back the peace plan brokered by special envoy Kofi Annan brokered in April, including its call for political transition. But they did not go beyond that.

U.S. officials say the economic pressure of sanctions is key to drawing Iran back to the bargaining table this spring after a long hiatus.

“Each member of the G-8 is a core member of this sanctions effort,” White House national security adviser Thomas Donilon. “Each member has been absolutely essential to really putting in place what has been an extraordinarily effective and, I think most people would say, surprisingly effective sanctions effort.”

Iran says it is enriching only to create nuclear fuel. Its refusal to halt enrichment has provoked U.N. and other sanctions, including U.S. and European Union penalties meant to cripple its oil exports — its main revenue source — that are to fully take effect in a few weeks.

SAVETHE THEDATE DATE– -JUNE JUNE11, 11,2011 2012 SAVE

The Leadership of the California Legislature and

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By the Authority of Assembly Resolution in 2000 small business owners and government officials will meet June 11th to celebrate the contribution small business provides through creation of jobs and growth for the California economy.

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Sacramento Convention Center 1400 J Street, Sacramento, CA 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

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President Barack Obama talks with, from left, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Mario Monti of Italy, President François Hollande of France, and Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, on the Laurel Cabin patio during the G8 Summit at Camp David, MD. Mike Froman, Deputy NSA for International and Economic Affairs, listens in the background, third from left.

(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

from page 25

areas and protests, while the head of Syria’s largest exile opposition group dismissed the U.N.’s plan as unrealistic.

The White House abruptly moved the G-8 session to Camp David earlier this spring, after months of planning for a Chicago venue. A desire for seclusion and intimacy was one reason and a gesture to Russia was another.

Russia is opposed to a NATO plan for a missile defense shield in Europe that will be detailed at the NATO summit Sunday in Chicago, causing Russian President Vladimir Putin to let NATO know he did not want to be invited to the alliance meeting.

Separating the two sessions was supposed to make it easier for Putin to attend one and not the other. But Putin made his own abrupt change, telling President Obama that he would skip the gathering and send Medvedev in

his place.

President Obama, an infrequent visitor to Camp David, put the presidential hideaway on full display for the G-8, the largest gathering of foreign leaders ever to assemble there. The leaders will stroll leafy paths to rustic meetings halls and bed down in the 11 residential cabins. Four African leaders joined them for lunch Saturday.

The G-8 is made up of the leaders of the United States, Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Russia. The meetings began in 1975 at a forum instigated by France, where leaders of the six largest economic powers agreed to annual meetings. Canada joined a year later, making it the G-7. Russia was brought into the organization in 1997, six years after the

collapse of the Soviet Union. The European Union is represented but is not granted the power to act as host of the annual sessions or to serve as the rotating leader.

President Obama holds the chairmanship this year.  www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47484816/ns/ politics-white_house

27  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Government

G-8 Summit

President Barack Obama talks with President François Hollande of France, Prime Minister Mario Monti of Italy, and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany in the living room of Aspen Cabin during the G8 Summit at Camp David, MD. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

G-8 Summit Photos

President Barack Obama meets with Eurozone leaders on the Laurel Cabin patio during the G8 Summit at Camp David, MD. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 28  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

President Barack Obama participates in a working lunch focused on food security, in the conference room of Laurel Cabin during the G8 Summit at Camp David, MD. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/05/19/president-obama-speaks-food-security-g8-meeting

President Barack Obama walks with staff to Laurel Cabin before the start of a G8 Summit working session at Camp David, MD. President Barack Obama talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany as they walk to Aspen Cabin during the G8 Summit at Camp David, MD. 29  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Government

President Barack Obama speaks with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, center, and President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan at the McCormick Place Convention Center during the NATO Summit in Chicago, Illinois.

(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Fact Sheet: Chicago Summit - Strengthening NATO’s Partnerships

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t the Chicago Summit, President Obama and the 27 leaders of the other Allied nations acted to further strengthen and deepen NATO’s ties with partner nations. Enhancing NATO’s global network of partnerships is a top priority for the United States and NATO, and leaders made important progress on this front. In addition, NATO’s meeting with four partner nations aspiring to NATO membership sent the important signal that NATO’s door remains open to new members. With the presence of a large number of NATO’s valued partners, the Chicago Summit was the biggest in NATO’s 63-year history. The United States strongly supports NATO’s cooperation with partners as a means

to more effectively share burdens and act worldwide to accomplish our common security goals. Following three important Chicago Summit meetings with Partners, the Alliance is poised to strengthen its cooperation with other members of the international community on common security challenges, and to further define its role as a hub for security around the world.

Chicago Partnership Meeting: President Obama and his Allied counterparts met with leaders of 13 of our non-Allied partners making significant financial, operational, and political contributions to NATO operations.

These nations were Australia, Austria, Finland, Georgia, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, New

Zealand, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. At this meeting, the United States and NATO recognized the impressive contributions and sacrifices these partners have made – and are making – in NATO-led operations worldwide. From Kosovo to Afghanistan to our recent success in Libya, the Alliance’s work alongside partners in pursuit of mutual goals has strengthened our common security.

These 13 nations have exemplified this cooperative spirit. Leaders at this meeting also drew on lessons from previous joint efforts to explore how NATO can further advance interoperability and cooperation with partners. Deepened partnerships allow NATO to extend its reach and better share burdens, in a manner beneficial to Allies and partners alike.

Meeting with Partners Aspiring to NATO Membership: Secretary of

30  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

see NATOSummit on page 31

President Barack Obama and North Atlantic Council leaders pose for a “family” photo at Soldier Field during the NATO Summit in Chicago, Illinois. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

NATO Summit from page 30

State Hillary Clinton met with NATO counterparts and Alliance membership aspirants – Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Georgia – to underscore NATO’s commitment to keeping an open door to future members. The four aspirant nations – each of which serves alongside NATO in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan – continue to work closely with Allies to meet NATO’s criteria for entering the Alliance. NATO recognizes these nations’ reform efforts and will continue to stand beside them as they move along this path. The United States is proud of NATO’s track record of encouraging and incentivizing democratization and stability through its open door to membership, and we look forward to working with aspirants as they progress toward joining the Alliance.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Meeting: In NATO’s

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan 22 partners stand strong alongside all 28 Allies. These critical partners are providing troops, trainers, and resources in our mission to ensure that al Qaeda can never return and again use Afghanistan as a haven for terrorism. In a strong demonstration of the truly global nature of this effort, representatives from Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan -- important regional stakeholders -- joined the meeting in Chicago with Afghanistan and the 50 nations contributing to ISAF. Finally, in recognition of the critical role that they play in terms of financial and civilian contributions to the Afghanistan effort, Japan, the United Nations and the European Union also took part in this meeting. This broad range of nations and organizations all play a critical role in pursuing our common goals with respect to Afghanistan, and we charted important progress in Chicago toward the transition to full Afghan security

responsibility by the end of 2014 and an enduring partnership with Afghanistan to last beyond.

NATO’s Commitment to the Middle East and North Africa: In the course of Summit meetings President Obama and his Allied counterparts affirmed NATO’s willingness to strengthen existing partnerships with countries in the Middle East and North Africa through political dialogue and practical cooperation. NATO supports the aspirations of the people of the region for political and economic reform. The Alliance has longstanding partnerships with nations across the Middle East and North Africa and in Chicago, NATO underscored its willingness and ability to fulfill requests to deepen and strengthen these ties, particularly in the area of democratic security sector reform and capacity-building, as this region continues to evolve.  www.whitehouse.gov/the-pressoffice/2012/05/21/fact-sheet-chicagosummit-strengthening-nato-spartnerships

31  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

There is no reason for that.

So that’s why we’re here. In Africa and around the world, progress isn’t coming fast enough.

And economic growth can’t just be for the lucky few at the top, it’s got to be broad-based, for everybody, and a good place to start is in the agricultural sector.

So even as the world responds with food aid in a crisis -- as we’ve done in the Horn of President Barack Obama delivers remarks Africa -- communities at the Symposium on Global Agriculture can’t go back just to and Food Security at the Ronald Reagan the way things were, Building and International Trade Center in vulnerable as before, Washington, DC. waiting for the next crisis to happen.”

The new alliance brings key players around the shared commitment to reduce hunger by investing in agricultural development. President Obama explained: “Governments, like those in Africa, that are committed to agricultural development and food security, they agree to take the lead -- building on their promoting economic growth that helps own plans by making tough reforms nations develop. “The whole purpose of and attracting investment. Donor development is to create the conditions countries -- including G8 members and where assistance is no longer needed, international organizations -- agree to where people have the dignity and the more closely align our assistance with these country plans. And the private pride of being self-sufficient,” he said.

A good place to start this growth, sector -- from large multinationals to the President explained, is to support small African cooperatives, your NGOs growing an agriculture industry. and civil society groups -- agree to make “History teaches us that one of the concrete and continuing commitments most effective ways to pull people and as well, so that there is an alignment entire nations out of poverty is to invest between all these sectors.”

Most importantly, President Obama in their agriculture,” he said.

“I’ve spoken before about relatives said, these efforts will help maintain I have in Kenya, who live in villages focus on clear goals: helping 50 where hunger is sometimes a reality -- million men, women and children lift despite the fact that African farmers can themselves out of poverty over the next be some of the hardest-working people decade.

See the Fact Sheet on G8 Action on Earth. Most of the world’s unused arable land is in Africa. Fifty years ago, on Food Security and Nutrition www.whitehouse.gov/the-pressAfrica was an exporter of food. There at is no reason why Africa should not be office/2012/05/18/fact-sheet-g-8feeding itself and exporting food again. action-food-security-and-nutrition. 

President Obama Announces New Partnership to Fight Global Hunger

By Megan Slack

A

t the Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security, President Obama announced that leaders at the 2012 G8 meeting would devote a special session to the urgent challenge facing nearly 1 billion men, women and children around the world: the injustice of chronic hunger and the need for long-term food security.

G8 and African leaders launched a major new alliance with private sector partners to reduce hunger and lift 50 million people out of poverty by investing in Africa’s agricultural economy. The partnership builds on the commitment leaders made during the 2009 G8 meeting to put the fight against hunger at the forefront of global development.

And that fight is about more than delivering aid, President Obama said.

True, sustainable development is about

33  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

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34  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

2010 Census: On-Time, UnderBudget, and Extremely Accurate

By Rebecca M. Blank, Deputy Secretary, US Dept. of Commerce

T

and communities based in part on Census population data and American Community Survey (ACS) results. State and local governments use this data to plan new roads, new schools and new emergency services, and businesses use the data to develop new economic opportunities – all crucial for a safe, educated, equitable, and thriving democracy.

The Census Coverage Measurement results underscore the accuracy of our federal statistics and provide useful information that will pave the way for the

Department of Commerce and U.S. Census Bureau to achieve an even better and more inclusive Census for 2020.  www.census.gov www.whitehouse.gov/ blog/2012/05/23/2010-censustime-under-budget-and-extremelyaccurate-0

Quote of Note... “...I see an American Century because of the character of our country that we have it in our power to make the world anew, to make the future what we will. It is that fundamental faith -that American optimism -- which says no challenge is too great, no mission is too hard.”

President Barack H. Obama

africanamericans. barackobama.com

35  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Government

he May 22, 2012 U.S. Census Bureau report shows that not only was the 2010 Census delivered on time and significantly under budget – but even more important, it was extremely accurate. I am proud of the extraordinary accomplishment by the Census Bureau and the Commerce Department in its success with the massive 2010 Decennial Census effort that gathered data vital to understanding our nation’s population and to allocating equal representation in our democratic system. The accuracy of the 2010 Decennial Census is particularly impressive considering outside predictions of failure. The Census was able to reverse a decadeslong decline in survey response rates with its 2010 count.

The 2010 Census count shows how the U.S. population has grown and shifted over the last decade. People use this data to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, locate pools of skilled workers and more. Not only does the Decennial Census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, but more than $400 billion in federal funds are distributed every year to states

STIMULATING OUR ECONOMY...

WELCOMING TOURISTS & CONVENTIONS...

CREATING JOBS FOR OUR WORKERS...

FARMERSFIELD.COM

President Obama Signs Renewal of the Export-Import Bank

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hrough the course of the past twelve months, U.S. companies exported $2.15 trillion worth of goods.

That figure breaks a record

-- it’s a level of it’s the in one,

36 percent increase from the exports in 2009, and in fact, most we’ve ever exported 12-month period. Some 9.7 million mill people went to work wo because of these exports ex -- which is itself its an increase of 1.2 million m export-related jobs jo since 2009.

And part of the reason for fo that success has been b the Export-Import Bank.

B The Bank, which w is 78 years old, offers o assistance to companies c around the world that buy American products --

NT OBAMA E ID S E R P : T E E H S FACT T BANK R O P M -I T R O P X E E TO SIGN TH CT OF 2012 A N IO T A IZ R O H T U REA e-pressth / v o .g e s u o h e it h www.w 0/fact-sheet3 / 5 0 / 12 0 2 / e c ffi o port-importx -e n ig -s a m a b o tn preside on-act-2 bank-reauthorizati

in order to help boost the sale of those goods.

The Bank’s charter was set to expire at the end of the month, but with a bipartisan agreement from Congress, the President was able to extend the Bank’s mandate through September of 2014.

“By reauthorizing support for the Export-Import Bank, we’re helping thousands of businesses sell more of their products and services overseas,” the President said. “And in the process, we’re helping them create jobs here at home.”  www.whitehouse.gov/ blog/2012/05/30/president-obamasigns-renewal-export-import-bank

37 37  Ju June ne 22012 0122  Bl 01 Blac Black ack k Business Busi Bu sine ness News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Government

President Barack Obama signs the Export-Import Bill during a ceremony in South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Author Toni Morrison receives 2012 Medal of Freedom from President Obama

P

resident Obama recently honored 13 Americans with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

This year’s recipients include cultural icons like Bob Dylan and Toni Morrison, as well as groundbreaking pioneers like former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Pat Summit, the winningest basketball coach in NCAA history. Also honored were Dolores Huerta, who cofounded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, and Jan Karski, whose work in the Polish resistance allowed him to share a first-hand account of the Holocaust with Western Allies.

The President said: “Together, the honorees on this stage, and the ones who couldn’t be here, have moved us with their words; they have inspired us with their actions. They’ve enriched our lives and they’ve changed our lives for

the better. Some of them are household names; others have labored quietly out of the public eye. Most of them may never fully appreciate the difference they’ve made or the influence that they’ve had, but that’s where our job comes in. It’s our job to help let them know how extraordinary their impact has been on our lives. And so today we present this amazing group with one more accolade for a life well led, and that’s the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

The Medal of Freedom is highest honor awarded to civilians in the United States. It was established in 1963 by President Kennedy and is presented to those who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

The honorees included: • Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State • John Doar, Assistant Attorney General • Bob Dylan, Musician • William Foege, MD • John Glenn, Astronaut, US Senator • Gordon Hirabayashi, Ph.D., Resistor • Dolores Huerta, civil rights activist • Jan Karski, World War II Underground, author • Juliette Gordon Low, Founder, Girl Scouts • Toni Morrison, Novelist • Shimon Peres, President, Israel • John Paul Stevens, Supreme Court Justice • Pat Summitt, Basketball Coach  www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/29/ president-obama-awards-medalfreedom

39  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Government

President Obama Awards the Medal of Freedom 2012

USDOC Export Regulations Seminar Los Angeles August 8-9, 2012 The Bureau of Industry and Security, in cooperation with the Southern California Regional District Export Council, and the U.S. Commercial Service in Southern California, invites you to attend a workshop on the Export Administration Regulations and Export Management Compliance Program. This program is well suited for those who need a comprehensive understanding of their obligations under the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”).

The workshop will explain: • The scope of the Export Administration Regulations.

• How to determine the export licensing requirements for your product.

• When you may export without applying for a license.

• What an Export Management Compliance Program (“EMCP”) is, and how it can help meet your regulatory responsibilities.

• What the Enhanced Proliferation Control Initiative is, and how it affects you.

Dates/Time: Aug. 8 – 9, 2012 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Registration/Continental Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30 am Cost: $450 for both days includes continental breakfast, lunch and training materials.

Location: Sheraton Gateway Hotel Los Angeles 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90045 **Registered attendees will be able receive a preferred rate of $119 per night. Preferred rate ends July 24, 2012.

REGISTRATION: www.regonline.com/bis2012la Questions?

For more information on the topics covered, please call BIS Western Regional Office at (949) 660-0144 and for arrangement or registration, please call the Irvine U.S. Export Assistance Center at (949) 660-1688.

NOTE:The Western Regional Office of the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider. This course is worth 12 hours of MCLE credit.

However 0 hours will apply to legal ethics/law practice management; prevention, detection and treatment of substance abuse and emotional distress; and elimination of bias.

Americans with Disabilities Act: If special arrangements are required for a disabled individual to attend any of these programs, please notify the contact person at least one week prior to the program.

41  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

SBA Unveils BusinessUSA.gov Website - Visit and Give Your Feedback

Government

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oo often, interactions with the government are burdensome and frustrating. From seeking out financing opportunities to learning about the latest regulations affecting them, hard-working businesses are spending too much time navigating the federal bureaucracy.

On October 28, 2011, the President issued a challenge to government agencies to think beyond their organizational boundaries in the best interest of serving America’s business community, and start thinking and acting more like the businesses they serve. He directed the creation of BusinessUSA, a centralized, one-stop platform to make it easier than ever for businesses to access services to help them grow and hire.

BusinessUSA implements a “no wrong door” approach for small businesses and exporters by using technology to quickly connect businesses to the services and information relevant to them, regardless of where the information is located or which agency’s website, call center, or office they go to for help. Looking forward, the more federal agencies continue to add resources to BusinessUSA to encompass the full range of business programs and services, the more we will be able to reduce the confusing array of websites that exist today. To ensure that it is oriented towards the needs of the customer, BusinessUSA

USA.gov web site is just the first step. In coming weeks and months, guided by your feedback, we will be adding new features and content, and opening new channels of communication to the BusinessUSA network such as call centers, email and social media.

We will also seek to integrate state and local governments, as well as related private sector partners.

This will help us better deliver the information you need on your own terms.

To strengthen America’s competitiveness in the global economy, businesses will need to be equipped with the best tools and information available to support innovation and job growth in the 21st century. BusinessUSA is your front door to all the government has to offer. Help us make sure it continues to evolve and grow to meet your needs. Sign up for email alerts so

BusinessUSA

will be designed, tested, and built with the active feedback of U.S. businesses.

This is where you come in.

The beta version of the Business.

you can be the first to find out about changes to BusinessUSA, and use feedback features on the website to let us know what you think. BusinessUSA

is designed by businesses, for businesses. Take ownership today.

BusinessUSA is: A product of collective thoughts and inputs from the following agencies who have pledged their commitment to making this site a one-stop shop for everything related to business in the USA. Contact Government if you have a question and would like to speak with someone who can help, please try: Program Contacts: Contact information for specific programs can be found in the FAQs http://answers.usa.gov/ system/selfservice.controller?CON FIGURATION=1000&PARTITION_ ID=1&CMD=VIEW_ARTICLE&USERT YPE=1&LANGUAGE=en&COUNTRY =US&ARTICLE_ID=13221.

Agency Contact Centers: see BusinessUSA.gov on page 43

42  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

BusinessUSA.gov from page 42

U.S. Small Business Administration at 1-800-827-5722 or submit your question answerdesk@ sba.gov.

Exporting - Visit www.export.gov.

To access an audio library of most frequently asked questions about exporting, contact ITA at 1-800-8728723. .

Intellectual Property, Patents, or Trademarks - Contact U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at 1-800-PTO9199 (1-800-786-9199) or submit your question to www.uspto.gov.

Data and Information related to Small Business - Contact U.S. Census

Bureau at 1-800-923-8282.

Federal-wide Contact Center: Federal Government Call 1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636).

Discover Events:

your region - http://business.usa.gov/ events.

Visit the companion websites to access all the support you need to grow and succeed in business.  http://business.usa.gov www.usa.gov www.sba.gov

Remember to visit this section regulary to find out about business enhancement activities taking place in

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hose three w o r d s are the mantra of This is My Vote. They represent the most effective way to fight back against voter suppression and to make your voice heard in November.

Over and over again we see the impact lawmakers can have on our lives.

By registering to cast your ballot and educating yourself on the requirements for voting, you can have the effect on our country that proponents of these these laws are seeking to prevent.

Registering to vote takes only 5 minutes. Head to the This is My Vote

site, fill out your application, and mail it in today:

http://action.naacp.org/ voter-registration I know you’ve heard it before but I will keep on saying it: There is strength in numbers. We proved this in Sanford, Florida, and I’ve seen it proven all over the United States in the 100+ campaigns I’ve worked on.

I know what can be achieved if our nationwide effort to register voters is successful: Elections will be swung, civil rights and social justice will take their rightful place on the policy agenda, and voter suppression laws

will be rendered useless.

Don’t overestimate the time it takes to register to vote. It only takes 5 minutes, the same amount of time it takes to send our registration link to your family and friends if you’re already registered.

Together, we can have a monumental impact.

Register to vote, or send our link to your family and friends: http://action.naacp.org/voterregistration Thank you, Marvin Randolph Senior Vice President for Campaigns NAACP - www.naacp.org 

43  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Government

Registration and Education

46  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

www.elceshow.com

Special: Meet Bina48 - The Gynoid A personal humanoid tutor/teacher

GRANTS.GOV LISTINGS The following grant opportunity postings may be found on the Grants.gov Find Opportunities service: DOT Department of Transportation DOT/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FY 2012 Commercial Driver’s License Program Improvement (CDLPI) Funding, Modification 5 www07.grants.ov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=118873

Business

USAID Agency for International Development Peru USAID-Lima Local Partners Program, Modification 1 www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=132133 SBA Small Business Administration State Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program, Modification 4 www07.grants.gov/search/search.

do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=159073 USAID Agency for International Development Zambia USAID-Lusaka Zambia Orphans and Vulnerable Children Systems Strengthening (ZOVSS) Modification 1 www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=163893 USAID Agency for International Development Zambia USAID-Lusaka District Orphans and Vulnerable Children Systems Strengthening (DOSS) program, Modification 1 www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=163894 USAID Agency for International Development Zambia USAID-Lusaka Zambia Orphans and Vulnerable Children Management Information System (ZOMIS), Modification 1 www07.grants.gov/search/search.

do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=163895 DOS Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration FY 2012 Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO programs benefiting internally displaced persons, stateless persons and refugees in the Caucasus, Modification 1 www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=167333 USAID Agency for International Development Thailand USAID-Bangkok Vietnam Forest and Deltas (VFD) Program Modification 1, www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=167813 DOI Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NHEC Minority Youth Training Institute - 2012 Modification 1 www07.grants.gov/search/search.

48  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

see Grants.gov on page 49

GRANTS.GOV LISTINGS from page 48

do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=170193 USDOJ Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics FY 2012 National Crime Statistics Exchange (NCS-X) Project: Phase 1 Grant www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172833 USDOJ Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics BJS Analytic Resource Center Grant www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172834

HHS Department of Health and

DOI Department of the Interior National Park Service Social Science Research for Wilderness Planning in Yosemite NP, Phase 2, Grant www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172873 DOI Department of the Interior National Park Service Exhibit Design Acadia National Park?s Sieur de Monts Nature Center, Grant www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172893 USAID Agency for International Development Guatemala USAID-Guatemala City Climate, Nature and Communities in Guatemala (CNCG) program, Grant

www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172913 DOI Department of the Interior National Park Service Parkwide Trails Rehabilitation Grant www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172933 DOI Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Luckenbach Oil Spill Restoration Project, Grant www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172953 DOI Department of the Interior National Park Service Preventing the Extirpation of Mountain Yellow-legged Frog Populations in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Following Disease-caused Mass-mortality Events, Grant www07.grants.gov/search/search. ode=VIEW&oppId=172973 

49  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Business

EPA Environmental Protection Agency FY 2012 Support of the Five Star Restoration Training Grant www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172835

Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.

Addiction Technology Transfer Centers Grant www07.grants.gov/search/search. do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=172853

www.breathofthespirit.org

(l-r) Anne Smith; Michael Peevy, Chairman, California Public Utilities Commission; Gwen Moore, Chairman, Black Business Association Board of Directors

Smith became chief operating officer in 2010. She served as senior vice president of customer services for SoCalGas and SDG&E from 2004 to 2010.

Smith serves on the boards of directors for the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center and California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund. She is also on the executive advisory board of the Asian Pacific

American Legal Center. She holds a master’s degree in operations research from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Michigan.

SoCalGas is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 20.9 million consumers connected through nearly 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities in Southern California. 

51  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Business

A

nne Shen Smith has been elected president and chief executive of Southern California Gas Co., which is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, the company announced recently.

Smith, who had been serving as SoCalGas’ chief operating officer, is succeeding Michael W. Allman, who has resigned and will be leaving the company.

“We are pleased to have a deep management team with an outstanding leader like Anne Smith who can step into the CEO role at SoCalGas,” said Debra L. Reed, Sempra Energy’s chief executive. “Anne’s broad experience in operations, customer service, and environmental and safety management has prepared her well to lead SoCalGas at this time.”

Smith joined SoCalGas in 1977 as an operations research analyst. She has served in many management roles during her 35 years at the company.

Anne Shen Smith Named President and Chief Executive of SoCalGas

Tech Tools:

How the ‘Creative Class’ is Re-making the World

by Mary Catherine O’Connor

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of the creative class. “We’ve launched hundreds of companies in the past five years,” he said. Some of the examples he offered: • Patrick Buckley used Tech Shop to cheaply prototype his Dodocase for the iPad — a product that netted $1 million in sales within five months.

be had for around $5,000. And the knowledge base needed to use the computer aided design tools needed to move from the idea to prototype stage is also spreading, thanks largely to open source software and hardware/ software platforms such as Arduino.

But, the larger the movement grows,

Or at least, that’s what Tech Shop CEO Mark Hatch explained to a packed house of computer hobbyists, DIY fans and makers of all stripes at the 7th Annual Maker Faire in San Mateo, CA recently.

Tech Shop (http://techshop.ws) is often called a health club for makers, geeks and tinkerers. The shops* are membership-based workshops filled with otherwise inaccessible and often hugely expensive machinery, such as CNC mills, 3D printers and laser cutters.

Tech Shop memberships start at $100/month and make manufacturing “cheap, easy, powerful and accessible for the first time in 200 years,” he said.

Through its ideas, experiments and inventions, the creative class is stoking what The Economist calls the third industrial revolution. It is populated by people whose skills in computed-aided design and access to new materials is changing the world of manufacturing.

Hatch rattled off a long list of startups that used Tech Shop to build their earliest prototypes and form connections with like-minded members

• Phil Hughes used Tech Shop as he developed a low-energy system for keeping server farms cool — a system that went on to beat out IBM in a Department of Energy competition that earned Hughes a $2.8 million grant to grow his company.

the more accessible — and mainstream — these tools are becoming. Already, 3D printers are becoming affordable.

So if interest in making things continues to grow while the tools needed to do small scale, rapid manufacturing become ever more affordable, what will this movement look like in five, 10 and 15 years? Will Tech Shop suffer or benefit? Will the creative class continue to spark new ideas and companies?

Perhaps the greatest opportunity for small scale manufacturing is in the developing world. But can Tech Shop be replicated in regions that aren’t flush with people who have sizable disposable incomes?  www.smartplanet.com/blog/ design-architecture/how-the8216creative-class-is-re-making-theworld/6393?tag=nl.e660

The Maker Movement and Tech Shop Tech Shop was the brain child of Jim Newton who helped foster this creative class by giving them a space to prototype their ideas. But Tech Shop, Maker Faire and Make magazine, its creator, are all part of a growing industry that services this creative class (and, one could argue, also created it).

Two factors have led to the rise of the creative class: money and increasingly accessible manufacturing equipment.

“The creative class has hundreds of millions of dollars of disposable income,” Hatch said.

Increasingly, that money is landing in Tech Shop’s accounts - memberships, Tech Shop locations, and the cost of the manufacturing equipment they offer is falling. Machines that used to cost more than $100,000 can now

53  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

* Tech Shop Locations: Menlo Park, CA Raleigh, NC San Francisco, CA San Jose, CA Detroit, MI Brooklyn, NY

Business

ur largest untapped resource for innovation and a growing economy is not solar or wind power. It’s not social networking or electric vehicles. It is the many millions of people who have the free time, disposable income, knowledge and passion required to make things.

Big banks are redesigning branches as cafes, boats, ‘concept stores’

by Reena Jana

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New ING Direct Cafe in San Francisco Image: Gary Soup/Flickr boat.” It floats on the Amazon and its tributaries to offer banking services to poor customers who don’t live near a city. On the other end of the spectrum is the Parisian “flagship concept store” opened by France’s BNP Paribas.

Inside, there are fancy chandeliers and a “lounge” with elegant couches and flat-screen TVs. Video-conferencing with a banker there is possible, too.

What these designs have in common are the goal of experimenting with new ways of getting potential customers to interact with financial advisers, and to open and maintain accounts, of course.

These attention-getting bank branches also obviously help with marketing the banks’ brands as forward-thinking.

The efforts seems to be working, at least for Citigroup. The company has been adding new, slick bank branches in Singapore–there are 26 there now, and they have “won an outsized share of business,” the Economist reports.

Statistics show that in the last decade or so, the number of bank branches has actually increased, even after the threat of online banking in the early 2000s.

In the United States, the number of branches and offices has shot up 22% since 2000, to 90,000 nationwide, the Economist reports. But other data show that people are increasingly turning away from visiting branches, though.

In the U.S., for instance, transactions in bank branches are falling at the rate

of 5% a year, according to Novantas, a consultancy. Likely, customers are turning to online banking, finally– influenced, it seems, by the ease of getting online at any time via smart phones and tablets.

Can an appealing design help preserve the idea of the physical bank branch, though? Perhaps not design alone. But welcoming stores can certainly help to remake the experience of person-to-person contact with a bank employee and humanize a financial institution’s offerings–which now, it seems, can include coffee.

Such a human touch or a familiarenough experience might help to lure in potential–and even skeptical– customers who otherwise wouldn’t step into a bank.

And watch out: retailers are taking note and are essentially re-designing the banking experience as well. In Brazil, for instance, Magazine Luiza, a home electronics store, is now one of the fastest-growing providers of small loans in that nation. And although the Economist article doesn’t mention it, in the United States, Walmart’s Money Centers are blurring the boundaries between bank branches and retail spaces, too.  www.smartplanet.com/blog/ design-architecture/big-banks-areredesigning-branches-as-cafes-boats8216concept-stores/6487?tag=nl.e660

55  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Business

n an age of smart-phone and tablet personal banking apps, you’d guess that the large, physical bank branch would fast become extinct, much like a dinosaur. A special report on international banking in The Economist’s latest print edition (May 19th-25th) acknowledges that bank branches will likely decrease in number, as well as how they are evolving in terms of their design to survive in some form.

Not surprisingly, big banks are looking to retail models to remake their physical outposts. And whom do they take inspiration from? Apple and Starbucks. While The Economist article doesn’t reveal too many new examples, the report does provide an overview of trends. Citigroup, for instance, has opened a sleek outpost in Singapore with ”gleaming white benches with tidy rows of Apple computers” where “neatly dressed assistants brandish iPads with smart black leather covers,” as the Economist describes it.”

And in San Francisco this past January, ING Direct opened a new, gleaming cafe near Union Square. At the counter, employees sell and serve lattes and snacks, and offer customers information about opening savings accounts. However, no transactions take place there. After all, it is a cafe… not a traditional bank branch.

Banks are also working on new branch designs that seem to fit the specific markets where they’re located.

On one end of the spectrum, Brazil’s Bradesco–one of the biggest banks in that nation–has launched a “bank on a

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GSA Taps IBM for Building Energy-efficiency Project

by Heather Clancy this contract benefits taxpayers, as it will reduce maintenance and operating costs of the federal building portfolio -- saving taxpayers an estimated $15 million annually.”

across the federal building portfolio.

“We are at a tipping point in terms of advancing the greening of our buildings and making them smarter,” said IBM Vice President of Industry

When the system is fully integrated, tenants will be able to view the performance of their buildings on dashboards with real time metrics on energy savings and recommendations on how to further increase efficiencies.

In the first year, 50 buildings will be integrated on this building management system. As additional federal buildings are constructed and other facilities are upgraded, those buildings will also be managed with this platform. The new technology will give property managers real time information and diagnostic tools to keep buildings performing at peak efficiency, increasing cost savings

Solutions Dave Bartlett. “When you look at buildings holistically, with endto-end visibility across all systems, you can more clearly see the connections, the interactions, and opportunities for efficiency among the various systems.

Using analytics, we can make better decisions about how to best visualize and optimize these systems. The data exists – it’s a matter of understanding and responding to what the data is telling us, and that’s what we’re helping GSA to do.” 

Business

he U.S. General Services Administration has awarded a contract to IBM (NYSE: IBM) to develop and install advanced smart building technology in 50 of the federal government’s highest energy-consuming buildings. Part of GSA’s larger smart building strategy, this initiative will connect building management systems to a central cloud based platform, improving efficiency and saving up to $15 million in taxpayer dollars annually.

Commercial buildings account for nearly 40% of the United State’s primary energy use and GSA owns nearly 182 million square feet of office space nationwide. GSA’s plan to meet the requirements of President Obama’s Executive Order 13514 includes a goal of reducing energy consumption in federal buildings by 30% by 2015.

Under the terms of the contract, IBM will develop a system to monitor building performance nationwide and stream data to a central facility, allowing faster analysis and more informed decision-making.

This project uses innovative building management technology, linking major building controls in realtime to make federal buildings more energy efficient. When fully implemented, GSA will use newly available data and analytics to save energy and reduce building operating costs in GSA’s entire owned inventory.

“The development of this industryleading smart building system begins a new era in how GSA manages our nation’s public buildings and will prove the feasibility of this technology for the larger industry,” said GSA Acting Public Buildings Commissioner Linda Chero.

“This program connects existing building technologies in new ways to improve building efficiency in over 32 million square feet of real estate. Awarding

57  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/ pressrelease/37788.wss

Business

Starbucks Invites You to Help Create American Jobs

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hen you donate $5 or more to the Create Jobs for USA Fund you’ll receive an American-made “Indivisible” wristband so you can show your ongoing support.

Make your donation online at www.createjobsforusa.org or visit your nearby Starbucks company-operated store.  58  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Coming Soon Drugs

by Charlie Osborne

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he common fear of needles coupled with the possibility of getting pricked or failure to find a vein can make a trip to the hospital a harrowing experience. However, it may be possible in the future to inject drugs directly into a bloodstream — without the use of steel-ended implements.

MIT’s engineering team, led by Ian Hunter, the George N. Hatsopoulos Professor of Mechanical Engineering, have developed a ‘jet-injection system’ that delivers doses of medicine in different quantities without piercing the skin in the same manner as a traditional needle.

The injection system comprises of a tiny, high-pressure jet that can deliver medicine in various doses — an improvement over similar systems that

are currently available.

The device’s design is based on the Lorentz-force actuator mechanism, a small, powerful magnet that is surrounded by wire coils which carry currant. The magnet is then attached to a piston which forces the drug forwards at high speeds — approximately 343 meters per second.

When current flows through the wire coils, the piston is then driven forward at various pressure and velocity levels depending on the magnetic force of the current and magnet. Once the piston launches, it pierces the skin in the same manner as a mosquito bite.

Catherine Hogan, a research scientist in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering said: “If I’m breaching a baby’s skin to

deliver vaccine, I won’t need as much pressure as I would need to breach my skin. We can tailor the pressure profile to be able to do that, and that’s the beauty of this device.”

Submitted to the journal Medical Engineering & Physics, the researchers say that apart from the benefit of removing patient anxiety over needles, it may also prove a safe means to reduce needle-inflicted injuries and discomfort.

Hogan noted: “If you are afraid of needles and have to frequently self-inject, compliance can be an issue. We think this kind of technology [..] gets around some of the phobias that people may have about needles.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that healthcare professionals accidentally prick themselves with needles 385,000 per year — something which could be lowered if devices like the jet-injection system are integrated into health systems. It may also be a means to help patients who have to inject themselves daily; including diabetes sufferers.  www.smartplanet.com/blog/smarttakes/drugs-into-bloodstreamswithout-needles/26740?tag=nl.e660

59  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Business

into bloodstreams, without needles

Maker Faire: Kansas City www.makerfairekc.com

What is Maker Faire?

When and Where is Maker Faire: Kansas City?

Saturday, June 23, 2012, 10 am – 7 pm Sunday, June 24, 2012, 10 am – 5 pm Union Station 30 W. Pershing Rd. Kansas City, MO 64108

Maker Faire: Kansas City this summer.

More questions?

Contact us (www.makerfairekc.com/ contact). 

Business

Maker Faire events across the United States are celebrating a DIY/ homegrown invention movement.

Whether it’s a home-built robot, video game, handbag, miniature race car, musical instrument, or sustainable micro garden, Maker Faire showcases all that is creative and innovative in our community.

• Miniature Racing and Boating • Student Projects/Experiments • Clothing/Textile Design and Innovation • Food and Beverage Makers • Crafts, including Wood, Glass, • Found objects • Visual Arts • Performing Arts • Fire/Water Displays • Unusual Tools • Kites • Bicycles • HAM Radio • Art Cars

How many Makers will Exhibit?

Union Station is equipped to

What Kinds of Exhibitions will handle upward of 400 booths be There? inside and on the surrounding Interactive projects that showcase the value and process of “making,” including: • Vintage Tech and Gaming • Design/Architecture/Engineering • Robotics • Hacker and Maker Space • Biotech/Biochem • 3D Printers • Tesla Coils

grounds.

How many People will Attend Maker Faire: Kansas City?

With excitement of last year’s event spreading throughout the community and the region, Union Station expects more than 10,000 visitors to experience

africanamericans. barackobama.com

61  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Bret Byers, A New Generation of Leadership

By Cynthia Gibson Brett Byers is part of the next wave of female executives positioning themselves for community service

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in the program are ready for the next level of leadership. Some of them are already spearheading initiatives in their organization or community. LAAAWPPI gives them the additional tools to achieve their goals.”

Through LAAAWPPI, women are moved to act on their new found awareness. LAAAWPPI alumni have received appointments to commissions, worked for the Mayor’s office, city council members, and members of the state legislature.

A graduate of UC Berkley’s Haas School of Business, Byers has always been interested in community advocacy and public policy. “When I was going through the [LAAAWPPI] application process, what I really wanted to get out of it was learning more about the public policy making process and how to participate from a community advocate standpoint as well as a business owner’s standpoint - how you can influence policy,” said Byers.

She intends to parlay her LAAAWPPI education to position herself to serve as a director on a non-profit board or commission.

As the Black Business Association’s Program Director, Byers’ has used a combination of creativity and influence to create programs that would attract a younger generation who will continue the legacies of Black-owned businesses in Los Angeles as well as build new ones. Byers came to the BBA as a high school intern. She applied for and received a BBA scholarship for college.

After graduation, she became a BBA volunteer and later, a paid consultant.

Byers created and produced the BBA’s Procurement Summit, the Business Entrepreneur Training Institute which is held in conjunction with West LA College; offers various certification, micro-finance,

and capital workshops.

“I expect Brett to have the largest female-owned African American search firm in the nation in the next 5 - 10 years,” remarked BBA President & CEO Earl “Skip” Cooper, II. The ability to Influence has been a major asset in Byers’ career thus far.

Being a successful executive recruiter with the Hawkins Company, a Los Angeles-based executive search firm, has been a result of her ability to match a client’s job requirements with the skill set of the potential candidates. One of Byers’ more high profile placements was that of Chief of Branches for the San Francisco Public Library. This position directs all 29 branches in the San Francisco’s library’s system. “I placed a young African American gentleman from Houston, very dynamic, up and coming in the library community, smart, and very cutting edge when it comes to Library services.”

In addition to honing her skills as an influencer Byers, says her tenure with the BBA and becoming a part of LAAAWPPI have resulted in a greater understanding of the role that authenticity plays in effective leadership. “I learned how to organize and mobilize individuals to affect public policy and change within the communities to get the attention of the elected officials as well as how I can use my own talents and virtues and values to be an effective leader and be authentic.”  Cynthia Gibson is a public relations consultant and freelance writer based in Culver City., California

63  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Business

hen Black Business Association (BBA) Program Director Brett Byers who is also a consultant with the Hawkins Company (a long time member of the BBA) accepted her certificate for completing the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute’s (LAAAWPPI) 10-week course, she became part of an elite group of women poised to be the next generation of leaders tackling the major issues facing the Los Angeles region. “Through LAAAWPPI, I’ve been able to expand my network and influence in areas that affect change.

It also has shown me how to continue to build on the legacies of powerful African American women here in Los Angeles.” Brett received a scholarship from Southern California Edison to participate in the LAAAWPPI program.

LAAAWPPI has become the region’s most prominent educational institution for African American women seeking to become public leaders in their community, politics and business.

Conceived and incorporated in 2002, LAAAWPPI had its first official graduating class of 11 women in 2004.

A decade later, 138 women have successfully completed the intensive curriculum. The course was designed especially to educate and inform African American women about the political process and prepare them to be more engaged in government and public policy. “I’m proud of the fact that LAAAWPPI is recognized as a pipeline for the next generation of community organizers and political leaders,” said LAAAWPPI founding member and BBA Board Chairman Gwen Moore, “The women that participate

Comcast Sidesteps Mobile Data Plans with Wi-Fi Phone Service ByMari Silbey

the partner side, in December of last year, several cable companies made a deal with Verizon to sell off mobile broadband spectrum in exchange for co-marketing of cable video services.

And at the Cable Show in Boston last week, Verizon introduced a new mobile video service that highlights Comcast Xfinity video, while Verizon’s own FiOS video content will take longer to show up in the app’s menu.

On the other hand, cable companies and wireless carriers are also competing for customers, both with video services and in terms of network allegiance.

Complementing Comcast’s Voice 2go launch, five large cable operators also announced a new Wi-Fi roaming initiative last week that will let cable subscribers access roughly 50,000 WiFi hotspots across the country for free.

Michael Roudi senior vice president of mobile services at Time Warner Cable described the effort specifically as a way to keep customers on cable networks outside the home. “We hear

www.smartplanet.com/blog/ thinking-tech/comcast-sidestepsmobile-data-plans-with-wi-fi-phoneservice/11779?tag=nl.e660

65  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Business

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ant to avoid going over your mobile minutes allowance or your text message limit?

Comcast has a solution for people willing to buy its Xfinity Voice service.

With the new Voice 2go feature introduced last week, subscribers will be able to make calls and text friends over Wi-Fi. Users will access Voice 2go through a new Xfinity Connect Mobile app, which also includes call forwarding, up to four personal phone numbers, and a dashboard that presents text messages, voicemails and email all in one place.

Depending on how you look at it, Comcast’s new service is either a shot across the bow at American wireless carriers – who make a lot of money off text messaging in particular – or a welcome new broadband channel for carriers who need to offload traffic from congested mobile networks.

Indeed, American cable operators are both competing and partnering with carriers on several fronts. On

a lot about [Wi-Fi] offloading,” said Roudi. “I like to talk about onloading.”

In other words, cable companies would rather keep mobile customers on their broadband networks than hand them off to wireless carriers.

Cable’s focus on Wi-Fi has interesting implications for broadband usage. Consumers will gravitate toward services that don’t penalize them for excessive usage, and by sidestepping mobile data caps, the Voice 2go service certainly fits into that category. However, just because Voice 2go doesn’t have caps now doesn’t mean it never will. In response to a question about caps as part of a recent industry panel, Roudi acknowledged that because users have to be authenticated to sign on with cable Wi-Fi, operators can certainly aggregate and manage usage at an individual level.

They aren’t instituting caps now, but they have the ability to do so in the future.

Meanwhile, Voice 2go has some cool features beyond the ability to bypass a mobile data plan. (You can still use 3G and 4G connections if you want.) For example, users can monitor incoming voice messages and intercept phone calls on an iPad. Phone calls to one number can be forwarded to up to four different devices. And text messages are supported not only domestically, but also internationally to more than 40 countries. Here’s a demo video showing more.

Comcast says Voice 2go will be “coming soon” to new customers, and will roll out to existing customers on a market-by-market basis. 

We are very excited to announce the collaboration between

Caltrans Construction

Money for You Can

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!

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.

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

Artwear Handpainted Handbags • Skirts Tees • Accessories • Calendars Wall Hangings and More! http://gbabysworld.blogspot.com Gbabyartwear@hotmail.com or Gbabyart345@gmail.com Find Gbaby Products at the “Collective” http://www.atthecollective.com 280 Elizabeth Street, Atlanta, GA

Cultural Interiors West &

Cordially Invited

in the Pico Fairfax Area.

Cultural Interiors West 5573 West Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90019 Check out our diggs inside a 1934 Bungalow.

Stop by and experience our exciting array of products from Cards to Cupcakes, African Masks to Asian Teacups.

Come taste and educate yourself about the benefits our new Healthy Herbal Teas.

See the new Gourd Purses by 3G Relative Art. Sample our new candle scents by Votivo and Voluspa.

Watch for the arrival of CI’s new furniture line.

Hope to see you soon!!!

In the meantime visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ pages/Cultural-InteriorsWest/140688362658236

66  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

OFFICE FURNITURE LA Saturday, June 16, 2012 2-5 pm The Office Furniture team you’ve always trusted is still in your neighborhood!

Greetings!

Ergonomics of Sitting One common complaint from office workers everywhere is back fatigue and sometimes, back pain from bad seating posture. Office Furniture LA provides ergonomically designed seating solutions for maximum back support.

When you need it in a hurry!

If you’ve known and trusted the Office Frank and the Office Furniture LA Team Furniture LA brand, then you’ve known can get your office up and ready in grand and trusted Frank Denkins. You have style, practically overnight! kept Frank in business over the years 323-750-6206 because you’ve experienced his integrity in providing quality products and delivering www.laofficefurniture.com it with excellence and grace. Frank would 67  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Business

Grand Re-Opening

like to acknowledge your support at the Grand Re-Opening of his newly renovated facilities at 7625 Crenshaw Blvd on Saturday, June 16th, 2012 from 2 - 5 p.m.

Watch for more details soon!

Honor our Fathers with Flowers! YES!!

Technology:

Take a Look!

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

www.freeconferencecall.com Free conference calls are simple and easy to use, requiring only a name and an e-mail address to receive an instant account.

Once you enter your name

Task When you put one channel’s trigger together with another channel’s action, that’s a task!

On/Off Tasks can be turned on and off. When turned back on, they pick up as if you had just created them.

more of the people that are important to them at your next event.

Qrious, a free app compatible with most smartphones and event registration sites like EventBrite, helps attendees network smarter and easier.

Here’s how it works: Attendees create profiles using their Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter accounts, adding notes about their interests and goals for attending the event. Qrious uses these profiles to match up and recommend ideal connections. When attendees check in to the app at the event, Qrious shows exactly who and where their ideal matches are.

http://animoto.com Animoto is a video creation service (online and mobile) that makes it easy and fun for anyone to create and share extraordinary videos using their own pictures, video clips, words and music.

Polling period Tasks poll for new trigger data every 15 minutes.

http://qriousapp.com

http://ifttt.com Put the Internet to work for you by creating tasks that fit this simple structure: if this then that Think of all the things you could do if

The number one reason that people attend professional events is to meet others. Help your attendees meet

Simply upload your pictures and video clips, choose your style, add words and music, and click the “produce video” button. Then, Animoto’s cinematic technology does its magic and in minutes brings it all to life with a beautifully orchestrated production you can share with family and friends.

Millions of people actively use Animoto for everything from special occasions like birthdays, weddings and trips, to sending a quick special greeting, or just to share everyday moments.

Based in New York City with an office in San Francisco, The entire Animoto team is a passionate and innovative group devoted to helping more people experience the power of video for sharing their lives.  Submitted by LaSandra Stratton, Chief Content Administrator of the Black Business News.

69  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Business

and e-mail address, you will be instantaneously provided with a dial-in number and access code for immediate phone conferencing.

Your teleconferencing line is available to you 24/7 and there is no need to schedule or make reservations. Each conference call account accommodates 96 callers on an unlimited number of 6 hour free conference calls.

A variety of services are available.

Some costs are levied. Read carefully.

you were able to define any task as: when something happens (this) then do something else (that).

Triggers: if this then that The ‘this’ part of a task is the Trigger. Some example Triggers are “I’m tagged in a photo on Facebook” or “I tweet on Twitter.”

Actions: if this then that The ‘that’ part of a task is the Action.

Some example Actions are “send me a text message” or “create a status message on Facebook.”

Channels Triggers and Actions come from Channels. Channels are the unique services and devices you use every day. Some example channels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Evernote, E-mail, Weather

Business Development

Building Your Business for Success: The Importance of Ownership

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

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he Rev. Hamel Hartford Brookins, an influential bishop and former pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles who became a political power broker, civil rights leader and mentor to former Mayor Tom Bradley, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and many others, died on May 22, 2012. He was 86.

The son of Mississippi sharecroppers, Brookins rose to prominence in the 1960s and ‘70s as an articulate, selfassured champion of black political

empowerment.

“He really was not only a fantastic religious and spiritual leader, he was a fabulous politician,” U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) said Wednesday, noting that hers was one of many political careers Brookins

AME Church Bishop H. Hartford Brookins, Dies at 86 Payne Theological Seminary in Ohio.

His rise to prominence inside his church and ultimately outside it too, began in Wichita, Kansas. It was 1954, the year the U.S. Supreme Court declared segregated schools unconstitutional in the groundbreaking Brown vs. Board of Education case.

As a clergyman and the first black president of the area’s interracial ministerial council, Brookins helped implement a desegregation plan ordered by the court. He spoke out often and became known as a leader.

In 1965, he was transferred to First AME in Los Angeles, the denomination’s largest and most prestigious church west of St. Louis.

He quickly became the leader of the civil rights movement in Los Angeles and became the first president of the United Civil Rights Council, an umbrella group of civil rights and religious organizations. After the Watts riots in 1965, Brookins was a key spokesman for the black community, testifying before the various committees examining the unrest and its causes.

But Brookins was also becoming a political kingmaker, with Bradley his most prominent protege.

A few years after his arrival in Southern California, Brookins first helped Bradley win election to a seat on L.A.’s City Council. Then in 1973, with Brookins pushing him all the way, the shy, sometimes politically awkward Bradley was elected Los Angeles’ first black mayor. Church and political figures throughout Los Angeles have credited Brookins with shaping Bradley’s political career.  http://articles.latimes.com/2012/ may/24/local/la-me-h-hbrookins-20120524

75  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Community/Public Interest

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and Bishop H. H. Brookins

encouraged and fostered.

“His role in the black community and his understanding of how to seek power and influence at a time when we had very little is something that really should be understood and appreciated,” Waters said.

In a career spanning more than four decades, Brookins had a knack for witnessing history — or as he once told a Times interviewer: “I’ve seen it all.

And I’ve been a part of 80% of it.”

He marched arm-in-arm with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights protests of the 1960s and along the way got to know Jackson, then a young lieutenant to King. While assigned to Africa in the mid-1970s, Brookins was banned from what was then whiteruled Rhodesia because of his activism on behalf of the Zimbabwe liberation movement. In 1981, the Zimbabwe government invited him to return for its first presidential inauguration.

Assigned to his denomination’s Oklahoma-Arkansas district in the 1980s, Brookins developed a close friendship with Bill Clinton, then governor of Arkansas.

In 2002, the former president joined elected officials, celebrities and religious leaders at a Beverly Hills hotel to pay tribute to Brookins, praising him for his civil rights legacy and reminiscing about their time in Arkansas.

“I learned a lot by your side, had a lot of good times. But my heart will always be with you, because in sunshine and rain, you were always with me,” Clinton said at the Beverly Hilton event. “You helped me make the country a more free, better and united place.”

Born in Yazoo City, Miss., on June 8, 1925, Brookins was the seventh of 10 children. He attended tiny Campbell College in Jackson, Miss., and later graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Ohio’s Wilberforce University and a bachelor of divinity degree from

76  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Barbara Graves,

wife of Earl Graves, Publisher, Black Enterprise Magazine

B

arbara Kydd Graves, the wife of the publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine who

aided in the growth of the publication and media company, died recently.

Black Enterprise said in a statement that Graves had been fighting gall-bladder cancer for more than three years when she died at Howard University Hospital in Washington. She was 74.

Graves, the wife of Black Enterprise founder and publisher Earl G. Graves Sr., was involved in the magazine from its start in 1970. She held a number of positions with the company including chief financial officer and circulation director.

In 2010, in a magazine column commemorating the publication’s 40th anniversary, Earl Graves wrote that in the early days his

wife “did just about everything there is to do” to put out a magazine. She wrote and edited, designed layouts, served as the sales director and office manager and “was vice president in charge of shutting down the publisher’s bad ideas,” Graves said.

The monthly magazine now has a circulation of 500,000 in the United States and a readership of 4 million according to Black Enterprise.

Barbara Graves, an elementary school teacher and graduate of Brooklyn College, met her husband on a blind date while he was in the Army.

“She was very attractive, very bright, and not impressed at all by my, you know, Army outfit on,” Earl Graves said in a 2006 interview with civil rights leader Julian Bond that was done for The HistoryMakers, a video archive of African American oral histories.

Barbara Graves is survived by her husband and their three children. The eldest son, Earl Graves Jr., is now the president and CEO of Black Enterprise.

The other two sons, Johnny Graves and Michael Graves, have also worked as executives at Black Enterprise. 

Community/Public Interest

Natasha Trethewey, Appointed 19th Poet Laureate U.S. Library of Congress

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he writing of Natasha Trethewey explores a past that often is unsettling – growing up biracial in 1960s Mississippi, the lives of forgotten African-American soldiers during the Civil War, the murder of her mother, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“When you begin to think about the past, you realize how much of it is lost to us,” says Trethewey, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Native Guard.”

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington announced the selection of Trethewey as the Library’s 19th poet

laureate consultant in poetry.

Trethewey will open her one-year term and the Library’s annual literary season on September 13, 2012 with a reading in the Coolidge Auditorium.

Trethewey succeeds Philip Levine in a position previously held by some of the most prominent American poets of the past 75 years: Robert Penn Warren, Robert Frost, Allen Tate, Robert Lowell, William Carlos Williams, Rita Dove and Gwendolyn Brooks, among others who have served as consultant in poetry or poet laureate at the Library. 

77  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Photo by Nancy Crampton. 2012

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

Frank Holoman 1934 to 2012

F

rank Holoman, long time member of the Black Business Association (BBA), died of natural causes in his home in Los Angeles, California on May 22, 20012. He was 78.

Frank, who was the owner of two of South Los Angeles’ most popular eateries, The Boulevard Cafe and then Frank’s Place where the BBA hosted some of their business networking breakfast meetings throughout the late 90s and early 2000s.

Frank was born on January 10, 1934 in the small town of McCaskill, Arkansas to Cashie and Maejordie Holoman, the second eldest of five siblings. Although he was born and lived in a small town less than 1 square mile, he had big dreams, and even bigger determination.

He attended Lincoln University, I.B.M School, and graduated from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. He later served in the Army and eventually moved to Los Angeles, California.

He believed strongly in the philosophy of “pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps”; that if your life was going to improve it would be by your efforts. His hard work paid off and in 1960 he was made Manager of a Thrifty Drug Store in Los Angeles and later became Territory Manager with Warner Lambert Pharmaceutical where he managed a multi-million dollar territory.

In 1966 he became Assistant to Speaker of the California Legislature, Jess M. Unruh and was soon “bitten” by the political bug. He determined he wanted to use his talent and

abilities to improve the conditions in his community; plights of injustices and inequities that deeply disturb his conscious. In 1972, he was elected as a Member of the California State Legislature representing the 65th Assembly District and also held the title of Chairman of the Freshman Caucus and was a leader in the Black Caucus as well.

One of his greatest accomplishments

during this time was introducing legislation to declare the January 15th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King be a state holiday. Frank said of him, “Martin Luther King was dedicated to the betterment of mankind…because of his deep dedication to these goals, it seems only fitting that we pay special honor to him on this day.”

In 1976, he founded Holoman and Associates and later in 1984 became the CEO & Owner of Boulevard Café in the heart of the Crenshaw District

of Los Angeles. He always considered Boulevard Café one of his greatest accomplishments, not only because it gained international recognition, but more so because it served as the hub of the community he loved and had its finger directly on the pulse of the African-American community.

So much more than delicious southern food was served at the Boulevard Café. At any given time, you could see Jesse Jackson at one table and Wesley Snipes at another; Don King or Luther Vandross dining on the delicious fare. It was the place O. J. Simpson visited upon his release, and where President Clinton came to share a meal. You would see religious leaders like Bishop Charles Blake, Dr. Barbara King or Bishop H.H. Brookins along with entertainers like Tupac, Ice T, Queen Latifah or Magic Johnson.

Community and political leaders such as U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters and U.S. Rep. Diane Watson also visited. Yes, a long list of who’s who crossed the threshold of Boulevard Café, but Frank also made the everyday people who came, feel like stars and VIP’s.

He was also Publisher and Owner of Holoman’s Black Achievers, an informative newspaper that was dedicated to educating the community on the achievements of Blacks in the development of this nation.

His stalwart mind and venerable spirit will be greatly missed. The family asks that donations be made in memory of Frank Holoman to Tom Bradley Global Awareness Magnet School - www. tombradleyglobal.org. 

79  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

NASCAR Driver Tia Norfleet Seeks Community Support

P

rofessional racecar driver Tia Norfleet has visions of giving to a community that supports her. As the first, youngest and only African-American female driver on the

NASCAR circuit, she has set the stage to opening the doors of diversity in a highly controversial and predominately male oriented sport.

Norfleet comes from a family with a history in racing. Her father Bobby Norfleet made his NASCAR debut at the Portland International Raceway road course on March 26, 2000, where he competed against NASCAR driver Bill Lester making that race historical.

It was the only time in NASCAR history that two African-American drivers have competed at the same time. Through this experience, she has given Black women everywhere new hope in following their dreams.

Currently, Norfleet is in the process

of raising dollars for competition.

“Our goal is to raise funds needed for everyone to find out,” says Edward Williams, founder of the medium sized marketing company Team Tia. Taking a page out of the country’s 44th President Barack Obama’s playbook, going grassroots to make history. Williams said “If President Obama can raise $700 million, surely we can raise $5 million to get Tia on the track. We have a good team and I think with the public’s help we can get Tia on the track, testing and racing.

For more information please contact Issac Hayes at (877) 239-4924 or send an e-mail to contact@tiapower. com or visit www.tiapower.com. 

Take The Challenge and Win: A “State Dinner” Just For Kids

C

SUBMIT YOUR RECIPES BY JUNE 17TH TO: HTTP://RECIPECHALLENGE.EPICURIOUS.COM

AMERICAN GROWN by First Lady Michelle Obama

Available in your local bookstores now

www.letsmove.gov 81  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Community/Public Interest

alling all kid chefs: The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge invites parents of kids ages 8-12 to submit an original recipe for a lunch that is nutritious and delicious. All entrants have the chance to win a trip to Washington, DC and the opportunity to be invited to attend a Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House in August, where a selection of the winning healthy recipes will be served.

Let’s Move! is teaming up with Epicurious, the Department of Education and USDA to find great lunch ideas that are healthy, affordable, and -- of course -- tasty.

“We all want to ensure that our kids are eating nutritious, delicious food at every meal, and as a mom I know that parents are always looking for new ideas to make that happen,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “With parents and kids all across the country getting creative in the kitchen, I know we’ll find healthy meals that every family will enjoy. And I can’t wait to try the kids’ creations myself.”

The rules are simple: All entrants are encouraged to reference the MyPlate nutritional guidelines (www. letsmove.gov/blog/2011/06/02/usdaunveils-new-simple-tips-stay-healthyactive-and-fit) to ensure recipes meet the primary criterion of being healthier.

Entries should represent each of the food groups, either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including fruit, veggies, whole grains, protein and lowfat dairy foods.

Recipes can be submitted May 21 through June 17, either online at http:// recipechallenge.epicurious.com or via mail. Winners will be notified on July 16. The White House Kids “State Dinner” is currently scheduled to take place in August 2012. 

Count Me In’s Urban Rebound Program is Coming to a City Near You! Count Me In, with support from the Sam’s Club Giving Program, is pleased to present the Count Me In Urban Rebound Program, coming to Los Angeles, CA (Spring), Detroit, MI (Summer) and Charlotte, NC (Fall) 2012.

Urban Rebound is an exciting initiative for ready to grow their businesses to $250,000 or more in annual revenues. In the coming weeks, we’ll be announcing pitch parties, webinars and, of course, a fabulous pitch competition for women with businesses based in these areas.

We’ll be looking for 100 women from each city to participate in our Business Accelerator Program so don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of this exciting opportunity!

Sign up for Count Me In’s Urban Rebound Program event alerts and updates at: http://makemineamillion.org/webform/Upcoming-Events

Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, Inc. is a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women grow their micro business into million dollar enterprises.

Business

women entrepreneurs

The AMAC Airport Business Diversity Matchmaker Held on 6/10/2012 at America’s Center Convention Complex The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) invites all conference registrants to participate in 2012 AMAC Business Diversity Matchmaker being held June 10th at America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Missouri. The AMAC Business Diversity Matchmaker will afford major organizations (corporate, airport, concessionaires, franchisors) and small businesses (A/E/C, consulting, professional services, concessions, and franchisees) the opportunity to meet and establish meaningful relationships. Organizational representatives will be scheduled to meet with small businesses that have been pre-screened to meet specific requirements.

During this Matchmaker, participants will have the opportunity to meet with organizational representatives and procurement decision makers from many airport, aviation-related and franchise organizations in private one on one meetings.

The Business Diversity Matchmaker will feature the following categories: Architecture, Aviation Services, Concessions: Food and Beverage Franchisor / Franchisee opportunity Products Services Retail Brand Opportunities Products Services Construction-General Contractors, Construction Services: Equipment Carpenters Excavating/Grading Painter Electricians Engineering, Environmental Services IT, Logistics/ Distribution, Medical: Services Supplies

Office: Services Supplies Professional Services: Carpet Cleaning Maintenance Heating/Ventilation Landscaping Security Consulting Exterminating Janitorial Waste Management Legal Services Insurance Finance Real Estate Marketing Telecommunications, Transportation, Other:

All diverse companies are welcome to participate whether or not you currently have certification. However, you must be a conference registrant to participate. Dress for all business and social functions is business casual. If you are a supplier of services in any of the categories listed above and would like to participate in this event, please click on the link below to get started. We look forward to meeting you in St. Louis.

How Do I Sign Up? Click on the link below to register for the AMAC Airport Business Diversity Matchmaker. www.AMAC.MarketGate.com Have Questions?

Please contact Johanne Castagan by phone at (440) 528-0422.

Dress for all business and social functions is business casual.

For more information on the 2012 AMAC/FAA Airport Business Diversity Conference visit: www.cvent.com/events/attendee-registration/event-summary-e2436a22d89543efbb52caec8c41414c.aspx

84  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Rooibos Tea House

African Red Tea Imports

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

www.africanredtea.com Nira Levy Maslin, CEO

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

and

Comedy Night Join the Fun! Share the Laughs!

6th Annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair Celebrates the Spoken Word Saturday, June 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Vision Theatre Backlot, 43rd Place and Degnan in historic Leimert Park, Los Angeles The festival will pay tribute to Gwendolyn Brooks (1917 – 2000) a true literary trailblazer and Pulitzer Prize winner

Featured Presenters include: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Isabel Wilkerson, Rodney King, and Zeola Gaye Sheryl Lee Ralph

For more information visit www.leimertpartbookfair.com.

AU African Diaspora Summit Pan-African News Wire

International

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he African Union (AU) marked its 10th anniversary on Friday, May 25, 2012 by holding the first Global African Diaspora Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

African leaders at the Summit called for greater collaboration between Africans across the globe in the social and economic development on the continent.

The AU defines the African diaspora as “peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union”.

In recent years the diaspora has emerged as critical to African development. According to the World Bank, migrant remittances to developing countries amount to about $325-billion annually – almost three times the official aid received.

In Lesotho, migrant remittances equal roughly 25% of GDP. More than 60 heads of state, including Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe and Swaziland’s King Mswati III, attended the event which coincided with Africa Day. Speaking at the opening of the summit, President Jacob Zuma said that in order to achieve the goals of an African renewal and to advance the African agenda worldwide, Africa and its diaspora must work together in more organised ways than before.

“We have to end the existence which makes our people to suffer endlessly from malaria, TB, Aids and many preventable and curable diseases,” he said.

Zuma said African leaders must “write a new story and a new paradigm”.

“It must be a story that says Africa, working with its diaspora, will

Global African Diaspora Summit - May 25, 2012

move faster to meet the Millennium Development Goals,” he said.

African and Carribbean officials meeting at the summit hope to promote cooperation between the two regions, with a focus on improving trade, science and technology, education and tourism links.

Governments meeting at the summit will adopt a set of legacy projects through which to achieve their goals.

These include establishing financial instruments, setting up askills database of diaspora professionals and developing an AU diaspora volunteer programme to link the diaspora with local development projects on the continent.  http://panafricannews.blogspot.com/2012/05/ south-africa-still-seeking-chair-at.html

Communiqué of the Global African Diaspora Summit, 25 May 2012, Sandton, South Africa

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he first ever Global African Diaspora Summit was held in Sandton, South Africa, on Africa Day, 25 May 2012. The meeting was attended by Heads of States or representative of the 54 Member States of the Union, the Government of the Caribbean Community, South and Latin America.

The Summit began with welcome remarks by the Host, President Jacob Zuma which was followed by the remarks of Dr. Jean Ping, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Honorable David Dikins, former Mayor of New York, as Eminent person from the Diaspora, Honorable Arnold Joseph Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Samuel Hins, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guyana, on behalf of CARICOM, Mr. Esteban Lasto, the Vice President of the Republic of Cuba and President Nguema of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. The opening session was concluded with the opening remarks of

86  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

see Diaspora Summit on page 87

Diaspora Summit from page 86

President Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin and Chairperson of the Union.

In his opening Statement, President Zuma expressed the gratitude of his Government and the people of South Africa to Heads of States and Governments that have taken the time from their busy schedule to attend the event and acknowledged the sterling work of the AU Commission in preparing for the Summit. He linked the historic event to the impetus that led African leaders to create the Organization of African Unity and the centenary celebrations of the ANC as the first African liberation movement.

He further acknowledged the vision and commitment of the first generation of African leaders and their vision to see Africa taking its rightful place, with respect and

dignity in global affairs.

In turn, the Chairperson of the AU Commission thanked the Host President, Mr. Jacob Zuma for his hospitality. In similarity with President Zuma, he traced the historical Global Diaspora Summit to the vision and agenda of the first generation of African leaders. He then provided a detailed overview of the events and processes that culminated in the Draft Declaration presented to the Summit. He observed that the Declaration offers a basic law and a working document that will support the objectives of rebuilding the

Global African family. He concluded on the note that Member States and all other stakeholders must recommit them themselves to the implementation age agenda by providing necessary reso resources for the program and sus sustaining focus and interest in its con consolidation and advancement. He ple pledged the dedication of the African Un Union Commission to this process an and appealed to African leaders to en ensure that the Declaration will be a living document that generations af after us will come to applaud, re respect and continue to implement.

Subsequently, the addresses of tthe Minister of Jamaica, Eminent R Representative of the Diaspora, tthe Prime Minister of Guyana and the Vice President of Cuba, expressed their support for the AU’s Diaspora Initiative. Each reca recalled the involvement of their people in the struggle for African liberation and pledged to work with the AU to ensure realization of its objective.

Finally, President Boni, Yayi, the Chairperson of the Union, noted that processes of Regional Consultative conferences developed and consolidated the views, desires and objectives of Africans over all the world into the Draft Declaration that is now before the Assembly. He expressed gratitude for the work of the AU Commission and the South African government in preparing for

this Summit and urged all leaders and Ministers to rededicate themselves to implementation of Summit outcomes and to provide necessary resources for this process.

Subsequently, a closed session of the Assembly considered and approved the Draft Declaration that was formally presented by Ms Maite NkoanaMashabane Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa. The integrated Draft (http://au.int/en/summit/ Declaration sites/default/files/FINAL%20Diaspora%20 Declaration-E-25%20May%20(1).pdf) that

was adopted had four basic elements: • a political declaration embodying vision, purpose and objectives, • a Program of Action that highlighted areas and programs required to support the implementation agenda, • an implementation and followup mechanism embodying the instruments that would be employed to facilitate implementations of the outcomes, and • five legacy projects that would give immediate, urgent and practical meaning to the Declaration.

The meeting ended with closing remarks by the Host, President Jacob Zuma and President Boni Yayi, the Chairperson of the African Union.  http://au.int/en/summit/sites/default/ files/FINAL%20Diaspora%20 Declaration-E-25%20May%20(1).pdf

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s the The AU define ora as African Diasp n ica “peoples of Afr tside the origin living ou tive ec continent, irresp and ship of their citizen o are nationality wh ibute to willing to contr f the nt o the developme the building d n a t n e n ti n o c Union”. of the African

Global African Diaspora Summit May 2012

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A

frica emerged from the 2008 financial crisis relatively unscathed and the IMF forecasts continent-wide GDP growth of 5.4% this year – the eighth year of 5%-plus growth (www.reuters.com/ article/2012/05/14/africa-economyidUSL5E8GAI6820120514).

Some countries will enjoy 35% growth rates thanks to resource investment – iron ore in the case of Sierra Leone for

example.

A 2010 McKinsey study forecast that Africa’s combined economy would grow by $1 trillion by 2020 not only thanks to mining projects and booming tourism, but a growing middle class, political stability and strengthened institutions.

Africa’s economic numbers all point upwards.

Africa contains 54 countries and a total population of 1 billion and its

biggest problem remains “to overcome deeply entrenched perceptions” a recent study of investment on the continent argued.

One such misconception is a fairly banal one: Africa is in reality much bigger than it appears on maps – the land mass can accommodate the US, China, India, Japan and Europe. 

89  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

www.ft.com/home/us

RESOURCES FOR GOING GLOBAL Dear International Executive,

International

A

1. Expo de Belleza Internacional Occidente (EBIO), June 3-4, 2012, California Lifestyle Products, Guadalajara, Mexico

re you are aware of the SBA grant program (STEP – State Trade and Export Program) to assist companies with exporting? We hope you can join us for some of the exciting events below. These upcoming U.S. Commercial Service initiatives are designed to connect you to business opportunities around the world.

2. Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition, June 9-12, 2012, Building and Infrastructure, Guangzhou, China

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. Happy Exporting!

4. California Agricultural Mission to China and Korea, June 9-16, 2012, Food and Agriculture, China and South Korea

3. Farnborough International Airshow, July 9-15, 2012, Industrial Machinery and Supplies, Farnborough, United Kingdom

27-29, 2012, Bio-medical, Santiago, Chile 6. Intersolar-North America, July 10-12, 2012, Environmental Technologies, San Francisco, California USA 7. Taste of California Matchmaking Exhibition, August, 2012, Food and Agriculture, California, USA 8. Hong Kong Food Expo, August 16-20, 2012, Food and Agriculture, Hong Kong, SAR 9. California Grown Promotions, September, 2012, Food and Agriculture, China, South Korea & Southeast Asia

5. Expo Hospital Trade Show, June

see Going Global on page 93

Leja Bulela Annual Reunion

San Francisco, California • June 29-July 1, 2012 Theme: “Tabalayi – Wake-up Call” Join a community of people who “show that we care!” The annual conference brings Congolese from all over the U.S. for 3 days of solidarity, cultural affirmation, and project planning to contribute to development in our homeland, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Events include panel presentations from a variety of organizations doing impressive work throughout Africa! Families welcome!

Be inspired! Share ideas! Meet new people! See beautiful San Francisco! $50 conference registration • $30 banquet

Registration/Information: www.lejabulela.org

Going Global from page 92

10. Access China 2012: China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT), September 8-11 2012, Xiamen, China 11. Greenbuilding Brasil 2012, September 11-13, 2012, Building and Infrastructure, Sao Paulo, Brazil **************************** Commercial News USA Offers Buy 2, Get 1 Free Promotion

********************************** Read the New Online Edition of Commercial News USA Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has launched a new interactive PDF edition. The new edition is available for free at http:// cnusa.thinkglobal.us Commercial News USA offers exporters an affordable way to promote their products and services in 178 countries worldwide. Commercial News USA reaches more than a quartermillion buyers worldwide. Reserve your space in the next issue today. For more information, call 1-800-581-8533 x 822, visit http://www.thinkglobal.us, or e-mail advertise@thinkglobal.us

********************************** 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://export.gov/ california/ca/socal/index.asp. 

www.zambiausachamber.org

Returning to Africa?

African Repatriation is an invaluable online resource for any African national who is thinking about returning to Africa.

Our industry articles and specialist editorials provide the latest sector information. Why not find out for yourself and become a part of our growing community today? www.africanrepatriation. com

Career Opportunities in Africa Search and apply online for the latest vacancies in Africa with African Talent. We provide candidates and employers with the tools and resources needed in today’s competitive job market. For employers, we offer numerous options to feature your jobs in Africa and for candidates, reviewing the most recent job vacancies in Africa is a fast, easy process.

Uploading your CV is simple and takes just a few moments. www.africantalent.com

93  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

International

Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers exporters an affordable way to promote their products and services in 178 countries worldwide. Commercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers exporters an inexpensive way to promote their products and services in 178 countries worldwide. In addition to free Portuguese translation, you can take advantage of a special offer: Buy two ads and get the third ad for free (Based on one-time rates. This does not include the Showcase section). Commercial News USA reaches more than a quarter million buyers worldwide. Reserve your space in the next issue today. For more information, contact your U.S. Commercial

Service trade specialist, or call 1-800581-8533 x 822, or visit http://www. thinkglobal.us/499, or send e-mail to advertise@thinkglobal.us

Thursday Blues at

Uncle Darrow‛s High Noon-2pm Every Thursday

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

2560 S. Lincoln Blvd.

Marina del Rey

International

North East corner of Washington & Lincoln

“LA Times Magazine favorite cajun food”

310-306-4862

www.uncledarrows.com

FAME ASSISTANCE CORPORATION FREE CREDIT MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS HELD EACH MONTH AT

Order Via the Internet Wines of the Black-Owned wineries of South Africa.

Register at TheArtfulGrape.com.

The Artful Grape will do the rest.

The wines will be delivered to your door.

1968 W. ADAMS BLVD., LOS ANGELES CALL FOR INFORMATION OR RSVP 323-730-7720

SPONSORED BY

94  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

BRICS Africa Export Import Forum

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agencies, Councils and Authorities, BRICS and Africa country Chambers of Commerce, BRICS country and African communications companies and media, banking and trade finance services, credit guarantee services, customs, clearing, verification and audit services, technology providers, training companies, packaging, security, and materials handling companies, relocation services, and companies facilitating the transit of freight and intermodal logistics including forwarders, terminals, shipping lines, rail networks, air cargo and road transport agents and operators and courier companies.

The Forum, in addition, comprises a Programme of educational workshops, a Programme of BRICS country Opportunity Presentations and a VIP Cocktail networking function.

South African Trade Promotions (SATP), together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry –

Johannesburg (JCCI) have been extended generous encouragement and support from the Brazilian, Chinese and Russian Embassies as well as the Indian High Commission. In addition the event is also endorsed and supported by the Tripartite of regional economic communities (26 African Countries) and numerous BRIC countries, regional and local Associations.

I am happy to discuss how to best leverage your corporate participation and look forward to this opportunity.  Yours sincerely Saki Magoxo

BRICS Africa Portfolio South African Trade Promotions (Pty) Ltd

Tel: +27 (0) 11 783 7250 Cell: +27 (0) 83 735 7213 Fax: +27 (0) 11 783 7269

www.bricsafricab2b.com

95  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

International

he BRICS Africa Export Import Forum has recently been globally announced. The Forum will be co-located with Africa’s most visited trade events, the Southern African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX) and Africa’s Big Seven (AB7) at the Gallagher Convention Centre July 15-17 this year.

The Forum, in support of intra BRIC Africa trade and investment promotion and engagement, is an event that shares the same Visitor profile as SAITEX and AB7. These are exporters, importers, retail buyers, traders, distributers and service buyers and decision-makers from South Africa, BRIC and African countries.

The co-location of the BRICS Africa Export Import Forum with SAITEX and AB7 will benefit all participants. With 785 exhibitors and 14,659 visitors from over 50 countries to the combined events in 2011, these well-proven international trade shows provide a solid basis for growth of the services sector.

The Forum now offers a dedicated exhibition platform and opportunity for facility owners and service suppliers to engage this market to be significantly expanded given R1.2 million in Media Support for the Forum.

Exhibitors invited span the services supply chain and include export / import consulting services, export promotion agencies, investment

International

96  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbusinessnews.net

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

Degnan Boulevard between Crenshaw & Leimert Blvds.

43rd Street-43rd Place, Los Angeles

Shop, Eat, Relax in

Little Ethiopia Experience Africa in America

Fairfax Boulevard

between Pico & Olympic, Los Angeles

Gathers Strategies, Inc. has expanded to new offices.

Our new location is in the heart of Downtown LA at

City National Plaza.

Our address is:

Gathers Strategies, Inc. 515 South Flower Street, 36th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 USA Phone: 213-236-3554 Fax: 213-236-3501 Please stay in touch!

www.gathersstrategies.com Follow us on Twitter @gathersstrat We appreciate your friendship and support and look forward to our continued association with you.

PANAMA GASTRONOMICA

2012 August 30 - September 2 International Gastronomy Fair

www.panamagastronomica.com

97  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbusinessnews.net

International

Culture, Retail, Entertainment

We are pleased to inform you that

CleanStar Plans to use Ethanol to Clean Up Cooking

International

by: Mark Marich

C

leanStar Mozambique has opened a biofuel plant to produce cassava-based ethanol fuel in an effort to replace charcoal, a cookstove fuel used by 80% of urban African families. CleanStar will produce a modern cookstove designed to use the fuel.

The company is tackling an economic, environmental and public health problem in Africa. The widespread use of charcoal to cook food has created a $10 billion market. Its production also has devastated million of acres of forests.

As the population and demand for charcoal increases — and forests dwindle — the price has shot up. In Maputo, Mozambique, charcoal prices have doubled over the past three years.

The cost of fuel is a huge issue in the country, where more than 50% of the population live on less than a $1 a day.

Charcoal exactes more than an economic toll on the folks who use it for cook food.

The World Health Organization says inhaling charcoal smoke has the health impact of smoking packs of cigarettes a day. The organization estimates that indoor air pollution from solid fuel use, including charcoal, causes almost 2 million deaths a year.

The facility will produce two million liters a year of ethanol-based cooking fuel from surplus cassava supplied to the company by local farmers.

CleanStar has worked with farmers over the past year to help them shift from slash-and-burn farming to conservation techniques that will increase their production. The

Photo Source: Novozymes

company provides basic technical assistance to farmers and buys their surpluses at rural agriculture centers in surrounding communities. The surplus cassava is to be converted to ethanol.

Beans, sorghum, pulses and soya are processed into packaged food products for sale in cities.  www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligentenergy/cleanstars-plan-to-use-ethanol-toclean-up-cooking/16106?tag=nl.e660

98  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

SAVE THE DATE!!

3rd Annual Pan African Global Trade & Investment Conference (PAGTC) September 6 - 7, 2012 California State University Dominguez Hills

The Decade of the African Diaspora (January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2020)

For PAGTC 2012 Information Packet contact:

Al Washington, Conference Organizer 626.321.7041 or alwash9727@aol.com www.panafricanglobaltradeconference.com

International

99  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Appeal to Safeguard Mali’s Cultural Heritage from the

African Studies Association

A

International

Tomb of Askia

ll specialized agencies and heritage professionals join the School for African Heritage (EPA – Ecole du Patrimoine Africain) in sending out this appeal: a heartfelt plea in view of the urgency to protect the cultural heritage of Mali, which is the heritage of Africa and of all humanity.

The call comes following the severe crisis which, since 24 March 2012, has affected the north of the Republic of Mali with the presence of the MNLA forces, Ansar ad-Din, AQIM and other armed fundamentalists, bringing about a tragic situation that makes us fear the worst Sacred House of for the future of the Kangaba cultural heritage of Mali, a country known for its ancient civilization.

The recent desecrations (two mausoleums of Saints at Timbuktu, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Friday 4 May, perpetrated by the fundamentalist group, Ansar ad-Din), as well as serious threats to all cultural assets in the north, confirm the fear by specialized h e r i t a g e agencies and professionals.

With great concern for the tragic situation of Mali’s heritage, we come together Secret Society of the to denounce and Kôrêdugaw condemn these acts with utmost

resolution.

It should be remembered that Mali has an extremely rich and varied cultural heritage, which is eloquent proof of the African contribution to world civilization. Evidence of this includes the many ancient manuscripts of Timbuktu (intellectual and spiritual capital and centre of the spread of Islam throughout Africa in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries), the famous earthen buildings and structures of ancient cities, terracotta of the Inner Niger Delta: all examples of secular traditions that have shaped the history of the great empires from the Sahel to the savannah. Today, Mali has four sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List: the ancient city of Djenné (1988); Timbuktu (1988); the Bandiagara cliffs, Dogon Country (1989); and the Tomb of Askia, Gao (2004).

There are also six examples of intangible heritage inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, namely: the Cultural space of the Yaaral and Degal (2008); Septennial re-roofing ceremony of the Kamablon, sacred house of Kangaba (2009); Manden Charter, proclaimed in Kurukan Fuga (2009); the “Sanké mon” rite of collective fishing in Sanké (2009); Cultural practices and expressions related to the balafon (xylophone) of the Sénoufo communities of Mali and Burkina Faso (2011) and the Secret society of the Kôrêdugaw, the rite of wisdom in Mali (2011).

Many more recent markers and heritage sites such museums, monuments, memorials, conservatories, cultural centres and spaces are all indicators that testify to the cultural and intellectual dynamism of Mali today, sadly facing the double menace of intolerance, and looting and illicit traffic of cultural property.

There is also a serious humanitarian crisis, which manifests itself in the massive displacement of populations, especially from the North towards the

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see Safeguard Mali on page 101

One Africa:

Tell the US Government that North Africa is Africa Too!

J

oin with and support the United Africa Organization’s campaign to petition the U.S. Department of State to include the whole African continent under its Bureau of African Affairs.

Why? The State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, led by Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson, currently excludes Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Western Sahara from its agenda.

Instead, the aforementioned countries are grouped with the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, together with Iran, Iraq, Israel and others.

This artificial distinction between North Africa and the rest of Africa

from page 100

interior as well as to border countries, in extremely difficult conditions racked with insecurity and humiliation. As of 05 April, 2012, the number of people displaced – the majority of whom are women and children – was estimated at more than 235,000 according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Along with a country’s cultural heritage, its most precious assets are its people, especially the youth.

The threats to security, economy and identity generated by this tragic situation, and the collateral effects, are also part of more global geopolitical context that could permanently destabilize the entire Sahel region and beyond.

Faced with this disastrous state of affairs, this appeal is intended as a unique opportunity to establish a

network for advocacy and pressure, to inform and raise awareness nationally and internationally.

To this end, the implementation of international conventions for the protection of cultural, natural and intangible heritage, depends on the international community, including UNESCO and other international and regional institutions in charge of heritage, to act quickly; threats and damage to property should be assessed, and professional meetings should be organised to address this issue.

These think tanks would find substantial support in the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict adopted at The Hague in 1954; the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage; the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property – 1970 and the

land should be excluded from African affairs.

Sign The Petition!!!

Go to www.change.org/petitions/ one-africa-tell-us-state-departmentthat-north-africa-is-part-of-africa and sign the online petition to support this important proposition. Next tell everyone you know to sign.  www.uniteafricans.org

Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage – 2003.

Our appeal is also directed to all political and administrative authorities as well as the National Army of the Republic of Mali, so that the best interest of the Malian nation takes precedence in ensuring a sustained process for a return to constitutional order and normalization in the north.

This appeal also invites all players in the field to strictly ensure the preservation, integrity and security of cultural goods and people in all their dimensions and components, especially in occupied areas in Timbuktu, Gao, Kidal and elsewhere in Mali.

Finally, we ask Mali’s neighbouring countries, whose hospitality and African solidarity we count on, to prevent the illicit transfer of objects and works of art from Mali through efficient customs and police controls at their borders. www.asanewsonline.com/2012/05/28/anappeal-to-safeguard-malis-cultural-heritage

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Safeguard Mali

negatively impacts US foreign policy relations throughout the entire continent of Africa.

We unequivocally reject the argument that North African countries are outside the scope of African affairs.

North Africa is geographically and historically part of the African continent, and all fifty-three (53) independent African states, including North African countries, are represented in the African Union (AU).

It would be far more productive for the State Department to engage with the entire continent of Africa, including North Africa, under its Bureau of African Affairs.

We are one Africa, from the Cape to Cairo, indivisible and bound together!

Therefore, no square inch of African

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

102  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbusinessnews.net

From-Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, LLC:

The People Have Spoken, Precious Metals Will Soar

By Mark Motive

T

he elections in Greece and France have shown that in democratic societies the people are the ultimate deciders of how well the best-laid economic plans will work out in the long run. In this exclusive interview with The Gold Report, Leonard Melman, veteran precious metals analyst and publisher of The Melman Report, talks about the implications of the recent European elections on the prospects for the gold and silver markets. He also discusses the huge rebound he anticipates for the metals markets later this year.

TGR: It seems that economists can plan and recommend, and politicians can negotiate and maneuver, and pundits can analyze and predict all they want, yet when the people don’t want to play along, it can all mean nothing. Of course, we’re talking about the elections in France and Greece. What’s going on?

Leonard Melman: What’s going on is that the monetary authorities in Europe have decided that austerity is the only way out of the financial dilemma, which I find kind of amusing, because it is their Keynesian activities that created those policies in the first place. Their decision now is that austerity, which is cutting back government programs, is the only thing that will work. The problem is that the public doesn’t want their government benefits cut back. So, the message from the French people was that Nicolas Sarkozy, with his austerity, was no longer their friend and François Hollande, with his promise to end austerity, is now the new President.

In Greece it’s even more dramatic. Greece has been a funny culture for about 40 years living in a dreamland, thinking that nobody has to work and nobody has to pay taxes, which is sort of their national sport.

TGR: Not paying taxes is a national sport?

LM: It’s a high art with the people in Greece. Yet they still expect their government to give them early retirement, generous unemployment benefits, etc. That has been supported for the last 40 years by massive government borrowing. And, that’s the reality after this election. The people voted out those politicians who, at least on paper, wanted to cut back the size of government. Now there could be a real crisis directly ahead of us.

TGR: Does that mean the Eurozone is going to blow up?

LM: It’s under the strongest threat since its creation 13 years ago. Greece cannot pay its debts. Because of the recent election, the monetary authorities who had been providing Greece with funds can no longer be sure that their program is going to be approved by the Greek government.

If that’s the case, they may suspend further payments to Greece and Greece will officially begin to default on its debt,

which will be a likely cause for expulsion from the Eurozone.

If that happens, all Greek monetary matters will be restored to the previous currency unit, the drachma. Nobody has the foggiest notion of what the drachma will be worth because it’s a totally artificial currency to begin with. We are seeing one consequence that has showed up in the market the last couple of days. Many people in Greece are getting scared and are converting their funds primarily into euros and U.S. dollars.

That’s one of the reasons why the dollar has become stronger and precious metals have become weaker. It also raises the specter of a true run on banks as people withdraw their euro assets. Lying in the wings are Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, etc. In fact, there are nine Eurozone countries that are in recession. So, if the question is could the Eurozone blow up, I think it is a genuine possibility that several nations could be forced out, which would leave the Eurozone in a shambles.

TGR: With all of this bad news, the precious metals markets don’t seem to be responding positively. When will they be impacted by this?

LM: For most Europeans, the U.S. remains the financial bastion of the world. So, when Europeans look to convert assets from weakness into strength, they usually look for U.S. government debt paper. Buying that debt paper makes the U.S. dollar stronger and gold and silver weaker in reflection.

That will end when the U.S. dollar weakness begins to show itself; then we should have much more positive action in the metals.

TGR: In light of what’s happened here recently, what are your expectations now for gold and silver?

LM: The number of people who are losing, or have lost, faith in conventional politicians and economists to guide the world’s affairs is growing. As that continues, I believe more and more of their assets will be turned into the precious metals as the haven of last resort. The question is when. In my annual forecast I said, and still believe, that this trend would accelerate throughout the second half of the year, creating pressure for the precious metals to rise dramatically. October, November, December, I believe, will be great months for the precious metals.

TGR: So how high could gold and silver go?

LM: The downside over the next two months could be about $1,400/ounce (oz). During the latter part of the year, I have forecast a top in gold of about $2,400/oz and a top in

103  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

see Precious Metals on page 105

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Precious Metals to Soar from page 103

silver about $55/oz.

TGR: It seems like $55/oz is a little low on silver compared to $2,400/oz gold. You’re not a major silver bull?

LM: I am. Let’s say gold bottoms at $1,400/oz and then goes up to $2,400/ oz. That’s a gain of about 65% or 70%. If gold gets down to $1,400/oz, silver could hit $24–25/oz. If it goes to $55/oz from $25/oz, that’s a gain of about 120%. So, as the acceleration develops, I expect silver to go faster than gold. It’s been weaker than gold, so it will take a little longer to advance.

But, I have always believed that in powerful metals bull markets, silver outperforms gold on the upside, just as during declines it falls faster than gold.

TGR: So, you aren’t looking for $75/ oz silver as some people are?

LM: Not quite this year. But if this massive disillusion and even distrust of public monetary authorities occurs, who knows what numbers we could be looking at in 2013? But, $55/oz seemed about right when I made the forecast in writing and I’ll stick with it.

TGR: Where do you think things are headed from here and what should our readers be focusing on to avoid the pitfalls and make some profits when this market turns around?

LM: I like the juniors with production financing that are actively building facilities to go into production or that have already achieved production.

That enables them to grow so much faster without serious dilution.

I still love gold and silver. Silver has the added bonus of being an industrial as well as an investment metal. My big picture tells me that the great force behind gold and silver in the coming months and years is the growing fear factor. Once the public perceives that international financial matters are really getting out of control, they will start moving assets from conventional investments into the precious metals.

There was an article in Barron’s in December 2010 where the author stated that, according to his research, when

inflation begins to accelerate toward hyperinflation, the precious metals tend to rise 2,000% to 50,000% faster than the rate of deterioration of currency. That’s an enormous factor down the road and I think, historically, it makes some sense.

So, my big picture is that disillusionment with international financial monetary authorities is growing and fear will be rising. Once the image of the U.S. dollar as a pillar

of strength begins to diminish, which I expect in the second half of this year, I think we will see real fireworks in the precious metals. 

105  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Books to Consider...

It Worked For Me: In Life and Leadership

by Colin Powell with Tony Koltz

I

t Worked for Me is filled with vivid experiences and lessons learned that have shaped the legendary public service career of the four-star general g and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. At its heart are Powell’s “Thirteen “ Rules”—notes he gathered

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over the years and that now form the basis of his leadership presentations given throughout the world. Powell’s short but sweet rules—among them, “Get mad, then get over it” and “Share credit”—are illustrated by revealing personal stories that introduce and expand upon his principles for effective leadership: conviction, hard work, and, above all, respect for others. In work and in life, Powell writes, “it’s about how we touch and are touched by the people we meet. It’s all about the people.”

A natural storyteller, Powell offers warm and engaging parables with wise see Books to Consider on page 107

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

106  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

Books to Consider from page 106

advice on succeeding in the workplace and beyond. “Trust your people,” he counsels as he delegates presidential briefing responsibilities to two junior State Department desk officers. “Do your best—someone is watching,” he advises those just starting out, recalling his own teenage summer job mopping floors in a soda-bottling factory.

Powell combines the insights he has gained serving in the top ranks of the military and in four presidential administrations with the lessons he’s learned from his immigrant-family upbringing in the Bronx, his training in the ROTC, and his growth as an Army officer. The result is a powerful portrait of a leader who is reflective, self-effacing, and grateful for the contributions of everyone he works with.

Colin Powell’s It Worked for Me is bound to inspire, move, and surprise readers. Thoughtful and revealing, it is a brilliant and original blueprint for leadership.  www.harpercollins.com

The 10Ks of Personal Branding:

(K)reate a Better You

by Kaplan Mobray

A

re you an employee stuck in a career rut? Are you a student looking to get the right start? Or do you just want to create a better you?

In The 10Ks of Personal Branding, author Kaplan Mobray offers ten mustknow insights to building your personal brand.

In this inspiring guide, learn how to focus your life’s goals with your life’s actions to create a powerful package c a l l e d “you.” Filled with easyto-follow instructions and valuable tips on developing your personal PKaplan Mobray brand, this guide explains the10Ks of personal branding: • Know thyself • Know what you want to be known for • Know how to be consistent • Know how to accept failure as part of building your personal brand • Know how to communicate your

personal brand attributes • Know how to create your own opportunities • Know and master the art of connection • Know that silence is not an option • Know your expectations, not your limitations • Know why you are doing what you are doing today and how it will shape where you are headed tomorrow These principles can change your life, give you focus, propel your career, and take you to a greater place. 

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107  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbusinessnews.net

www.amazon.com

BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM DIGITAL MAGAZINE

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he digital version of Black Meetings & Tourism magazine is 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. The 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 AfricanAmerican travel market. 

Tuesday, July 10th

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108  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

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10th 2012 AMAC Business Diversity Matchmaker Held as a component of the AMAC conference in St. Louis, MO, Matchmaker offers the perfect setting giving major organizations (corporate, airport, concessionaires, franchisors) and small businesses (A/E/C, consulting, professional services, concessions, and franchisees) the opportunity to meet and establish meaningful relationships. For information go to www.AMAC.MarketGate.com.

30th 6th Annual Leimert Park Book Fair Held from 10am to 6pm in the Vision Theater Backlot in Leimert Park, Los Angeles. Meet authors, enjoy the Spoken Word performances. For information go to www.leimertpartbookfair. com.

lagher Convention Centre benefits all participants. More than 785 exhibitors and 14,000 visitors from over 50 countries are expected to attend the combined events. For information contact: www.exhibitionsafrica.com or www. bricsafricab2b.com.

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11th Zambia, an Emerging Market Meet the trade delegation headed by the Honorable Robert Sichinga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Republic of Zambia at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 S Bixel Street, Los Angeles, 9am to 1pm. “Shovel Ready” projects. Free admission. Pre-register at www.zambiausachamber.org. For information call 1-424-777-6474.

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11th 9th Annual Procurement Exchange Summit Omni Hotel, Los Angeles. Go to www. bbala.org for details. 

16th-17th 3rd Annual Juneteenth Heritage Festival Black Arts Los Angeles keeps the tradition alive with the two-day festival of music, arts, dance, vendors and foods.

Held on the Vision Theatre Back Lot, Leimert Park Village, Los Angeles from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free.

23rd-24th Kaufmann Maker’s Faire Union Station, Kansas City, Kansas.

For detailed information on this entrepreneur creativity event go to www. makerfairekc.com/information.

110  June 2012  Black Business News  www.blackbbusinessnews.net

News Black Business ion

International Edit

l African Economic

Serving the Globa

Community

Fall 2008 USD$5.00

Contents g: EOY charitable housCorporate Givin health, education, opportunities in ing, and more.

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tory Professional Direc Charitable Inves

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

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