11-Jul

IN THIS ISSUE...Publisher’s Message…page 3Accelerating Job Growth…page 8Urban Entrepreneurship…page 48Let’s Move.....page 71

The

Art of the Deal

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Publisher’s MessageEarl “Skip” Cooper, IIThe Art of the Deal - The Business of Buying, Selling, Acquiring and Merging Businesses by African Americans

Yes, we also acknowledge Inde-pendence Day on the 4th of July with barbecues, picnics, fi re-

works, and carnivals; however, there is probably be no better way for Black entrepreneurs to celebrate their inde-pendence than to start paying homage to the age-old art of putting together a business deal. African Americans’ independence should be centered on having economic and fi nancial free-dom.

It was also 30 years ago this month, that I had the pleasure of meeting one of America’s most successful and skill-ful dealmakers, Reginald Lewis. He was general counsel for the Ameri-can Association of Minority Enterprise Small Business Investment Companies (MESBIC) (See information on MESBICs at the end of this article). Later, he would leave purchasing law to focus on put-ting business deals together. He or-chestrated a series of business trans-actions during the 1980s that included the purchase of the McCall Pattern Company and Beatrice Internation-al Foods. His talents and expertise made his company, TLC Beatrice In-ternational, the fi rst black-owned com-pany to have more than $1 billion in an-nual sales in the history of the United States. At the time of his untimely death at the age of 50 in 1993, TLC Beatrice had sales of over $2 billion.

While many of us, including myself, might disagree with the political beliefs of Herman Cain, we applaud him as an entrepreneur dealmaker. Before Pills-bury named Herman Cain CEO and President of the Godfather’s Pizza in 1986, he had an exemplary corporate

background of turning around a region of Burger King restaurants from one of the least profi table to one of the most profi table groups of Burger Kings in the country. While not being content of just being the CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, Cain led a group of investors to purchase the Godfather’s brand from Pillsbury. Cain sold his equity stake in Godfather’s Pizza, and pursued other interests, including running for U.S. President on the Republican ticket.

Often a deal can be structured by combining the talents and resourc-es of others. That’s what J. Bruce Llewellyn, one of America’s most suc-cessful Black entrepreneurs had done. Before he died last year, Mr. Llewellyn had a demonstrated and distinguished career in law, banking and broadcast-ing. One of the highlights of his career was in 1985 when he teamed up with Bill Crosby and Julius “Dr. J” Irving to buy a majority share of the Philadel-phia Coca-Cola Bottling Company - fi rst of the Coca-Cola bottling plant to be owned by African Americans.

Kevin Cohee, Chairman and CEO of OneUnited Bank also serves an example of a successful dealmaker. Implementing an acquisition strategy mirroring those used by mainstream banks during the 1990s, Kevin Cohee has acquired a number of black-owned banks in Boston, Miami, and Los Ange-les to create the fi rst black-owned in-terstate bank in the nation. However, much of success before this can be at-tributed to teaming up with American Express executive Teri Williams to purchased a credit card company. The two of them, along with an investment

team, acquired a credit card company that specialized to military troops and their families. They sold the company to First Chicago Corporation and made a small fortune. Kevin and Teri Williams used $1 million of their own funds to purchase controlling interest in the Boston Bank of Commerce. Lat-er, Mr. Cohee purchased the People’s National Bank of Commerce from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Then, in 2000, he used a stock swap, worth reportedly $10.2 million to acquire Founders National Bank in Los Angeles. The star power of inves-tors Magic Johnson, Janet Jackson, and former Motown President Jheryl Busby also helped in the deal. Subse-quently, he acquired Family Savings, thus making OneUnited one of the largest African American-owned fi nan-cial institutions in the nation.

From banks to hair care companies,

3 July 2011 Black Business News www.bbnews.org

see Publisher’s Message on page 19

Black Business NewsP.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043

323-291-9334 Fax: 323-291-9234

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEFEarl “Skip” Cooper, II

PRODUCTION MANAGERNarishima Osei

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSLaSandra Stratton • Dean Jones • Steven Turner

GRAPHIC DESIGNSarah Harris

STORY EDITORSWanda Flagg ▪ Jennifer Marie Hamilton

PHOTOGRAPHYIan Foxx ▪ Sabir • Narishima Osei

CONTENT ADMINISTRATORLaSandra Stratton

LAYOUT/TYPESETTINGLion Communications

Copyright © 2011 by Black Business NewsAll 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.


AWARDSU.S. Small Business

Administration (SBA)2007

Journalistof the Year AwardLA/Minority Business Opportunity Center

(LA/MBOC)

2010Media Firmof the Year

About the Black Business News…The mission of The Black Business News is to inspire and inform public and pri-vate 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), detail-ing greater access to fi nancial capital, management effi ciencies, business edu-cation, 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 fi nance lenders and successful business managers.

• working to merge resources, values, profi ts, technology throughout the public and private sectors.

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

• providing an affi rmative infl uence for emerging entrepreneurs sharing inno-vative design and creative cultural con-tent 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 busi-nesses by promoting the need for expanding an economic foundation that supports an unfettered and self-sustained urban society with USA job creation and economic opportuni- t y , where blacks work, live and operate v i -able business enterprises.

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FEATURES…April 2011

Columns41 - Take A Look!93 - Books to Consider...99 - CalendarAction Alerts02 - AEG Supplier Portal64 - Help for HaitiSponsors07 - Black Business Association

Cover image - Sarah Harris

3 Publisher’s Message: The Art of the Deal 8 GOVERNMENT…

8 Accelerating Job Growth & Competitiveness

10 Meeting the Job Creation Challenge

12 Fiscal Policy Challenges

14 President Obama Visits Puerto Rico

21 MBDA: Helping Corporations Find Minority Business Partners

23 SBA & Partners Disseminate Exporting Information

26 BUSINESS…28 Resources for Going Global

30 Black Farmers Settlement Fund-Are You Eligible?

36 Editorial-AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

46 Review-Procurement Opportunity Day, Los Angeles

48 Urban Entrepreneurship: John Hope Bryant, Russell Simmons, Institute for Entrepreneureal Leadership

52 Review-Black Business Association’s 37th Annual Awards Dinner

60 PUBLIC INTEREST/COMMUNITY…66 Emory University Launches African Origins Project

69 NAACP Fighting for National Education Equity, Join Today

71 Let;s Move - Child Care Guidelines for Parents and Service Providers

70 INTERNATIONAL…80 Resources for Going Global

81 AGOA Forum 2011 - Africa is Open for Business

84 First Lady Michelle Obama Visits Southern Africa

ala

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79 King Memorial to Open In August

23344

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About the BBA…Since 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), a 501(c)(3) non-profi t organization, headquartered in Los Angeles, has been instrumental in the incubation and de-velopment of more than 15,000 African-American busi-nesses. Nationally, we have access and infl uence with more than 85,000 African-American-owned and women/minority-owned fi rms 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 fi rm economic base that support the self-determination and survival of the Afri-can-American and urban community by:

• Identifying and creating fi nancial opportunities for the growth and stability of African-American owned busi-nesses;

• Being a community voice that advocates for the suc-cess of small businesses;

• Being a conduit for the merging of resources, values, profi ts, technology and people;

Over 40 years of serviceFounded 1970

• Promoting development and support of minority busi-ness enterprises within the domestic and internation-al 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 infl uence for African-American business owners.

___ Advocacy ___The Black Business Association maintains very effective working relationships with elected and appointed offi cials for the support of African-American business develop-ment. 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 con-sidered 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, secur-ing innovative means and policies that protect our con-stituency and their business interests.

Black Business AssociationP.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA

Tel: 323-291-9334 E-mail: [email protected] www.facebook.com

2011 EventsJuly 19th

Reception for FCC Commissioner Mignon Clybourn

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November 3rd8th Annual Procurement

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Ideas to Accelerate Job Growth and America’s Competitiveness Presented at

Jobs Council Meeting

President Obama traveled to Durham, NC to meet with the Jobs and Competitiveness

Council at the corporate and U.S. manufacturing headquarters of Cree, a leading manufacturer of energy efficient LED lighting. While at Cree, the President toured the company’s LED lighting product assembly facility, met with the Jobs Council and delivered remarks to Cree employees, Jobs Council members, local business owners and representatives from nearby engineering colleges and universities.

The President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness is led by GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt and is composed

of representatives from various sectors of the economy andleaders in diverse industries -- people running large and small companies that represent millions of Americans helping the economy run every single day. The Jobs Council held their first meeting at the White House on February 24, 2011. At that time the Council committed to holding their second meeting outside of Washington, DC. Cree’s facility, located in the heart of North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park area, was selected to hold the second meeting.

In his remarks today, the President commended Cree for exemplifying the potential of American innovation, manufacturing and advanced

technology:Today the small business that a

group of NC State engineering students founded almost 25 years ago is a global company. It’s got 5,000 employees. Next month, your new production line will begin running 24/7. And soon you’ll add another 400,000 square feet of space on a new site next door. So you’re helping to lead a clean energy revolution. You’re helping lead the comeback of American manufacturing. This is a company where the future will be won.

He also discussed the role of his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness and detailed some of the


see Small Business Agenda on page 9

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President Barack Obama delivers remarks at Cree, Inc., in Durham, N.C..

(Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

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recommendations to address short-term, medium-term and long term economic growth and job creation that they presented to him today:

And today, with the leadership of the Jobs Council, we’re announcing an all-hands-on-deck strategy to train 10,000 new American engineers every year. So -- and by the way, our Jobs Council, led by Jeff Immelt, they’re doing this not counting on a whole bunch of federal funding. Private sector companies are

teaming up to help us promote STEM education, to offer students incentives to finish those degrees, and then to help universities fund those programs. They’re going to double their summer internship hiring.

We’re talking about companies like Intel, whose CEO Paul Otellini is here

Job Growthfrom page 8

today. And Paul is heading up our task force for the Jobs Council in helping to figure this out, because he understands Intel’s survival depends on our ability to get a steady stream of engineers. I’ve been, by the way, to the Intel plant out in Oregon. It is unbelievable. It’s out of -- something out of science fiction. And I pretended like I understood what they were saying the whole time.

But that’s what’s going to drive our competitiveness in the future. We know that if we’re going to maintain our leadership in technology and innovation, our best companies need the world’s brightest workers –-

American workers.Now, that brings me to a second idea

that we discussed backstage. At Cree, you’re putting people back to work in a field that has the potential to create an untold number of new jobs and new businesses right here in America -– and that’s clean energy. And my

administration has invested heavily in clean energy manufacturing, because I want to see the LEDs and solar panels and wind turbines and electric cars of tomorrow made right here in the U.S of A. I want them made right here.

We invested in this company with a tax credit that allowed you to boost capacity and lower costs and hire hundreds of new workers. And with a grant from the Department of Energy, you’ve made incredible breakthroughs in smart grid technology to transmit clean, renewable energy across the country more efficiently at less cost.

Now, breakthroughs like these have

the potential to create new jobs in other sectors of the economy as well. Think about it. Cree makes energy-efficient lighting that can save businesses and consumers a lot of money. And there are a lot of buildings out there that need upgrading. And there are a lot

see Small Business Agenda on page 10

President Barack Obama tours the manufacturing facilities at Cree, Inc., a leading manufacturer of energy efficient LED lighting, in Durham, NC. With the Presient are: Chuck Swoboda, Chairman and CEO of Cree, Inc., left, and Matthew Rose, Chairman and CEO, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, right. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)



Job Growth

of workers ready to do the upgrades. Construction workers were hit harder than anybody by recession. Almost one in six construction workers are out of work. And that makes no sense at a time when we’ve got so much of America that needs to be rebuilt.

So this is what led us to create what we’re calling the Better Buildings Initiative (www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/03/president-obama-s-plan-win-future-making-american-businesses-more-energy) -– putting people back to work doing the work that America needs done. Upgrading buildings for energy efficiency could save America’s businesses up to $40 billion a year on their utility bills. And obviously that $40 billion could be better spent growing and hiring new workers. It will boost manufacturing of energy-efficient products like those made here at Cree. It will put contractors and construction

workers back on the job. It is a win-win-win-win proposition.

So today, the members of my job council updated me on their efforts to push this initiative in the private sector. And they’re working closely with a champion for this kind of energy innovation, President Bill Clinton, who I asked to co-lead the effort with them.

With fifteen straight months of private sector job creation and seven straight quarters of growth we are moving in the right direction, but the President is not satisfied with the pace of job creation and we all agree that there is more that can be done to accelerate job growth.

Additionally, the president acknowledged that these ideas aren’t solutions to every problem we face, but stressed that:

Slowly, steadily, they’re helping us to move forward. We’re going to pursue these ideas and any good ideas that are out there, no matter where they come from. Because even though this is a big country with a great diversity of opinion -- as you discover when you’re

President -- we won’t agree with each other on everything, we can agree on some basic things.

We can agree on educating our children and training our workers to be the best in the world. We should be able to agree on investing in the research and technology that leads to new ideas and new industries. We should be able to agree on developing clean energy and manufacturing jobs that come with it. It makes sense for us to rebuild our infrastructure and all the jobs that it can create. That’s what’s going to be required to grow our economy. That’s what it takes to help our people prosper. That’s how we’re going to get to the future that we dream about for our children and our grandchildren.

You may find a summary of the ideas that were presented to the President and information about the Council at www. jobs-council.com. www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/06/13/president-

obama-presented-ideas-accelerate-job-growth-and-america-s-competitiveness-

from page 9

How We’re Meeting the Job Creation ChallengeBy JEFF IMMELT AND KEN CHENAULT

The President’s Jobs and Competitiveness Council, comprised

of 26 private-sector leaders, is developing ideas that will accelerate job growth and improve America’s

competitiveness

The U.S. economy is resilient, but the inescapable truth is that we have a persistent jobs challenge that demands an aggressive response. That's why earlier this year President Obama asked 26 private-sector leaders to develop ideas that will accelerate job growth and improve America's competitiveness.

The President's Jobs and Competitiveness Council is made up of industry leaders, people running large and small companies, and people standing up for the rights of workers.

We've been at work for the past 90 days to develop recommendations for a series of immediate, actionable steps to accelerate job creation. Today we are presenting an initial "progress report" to the president that includes a series of steps that can help spur hiring in the short term in areas like construction, manufacturing, health care and tourism.

No single idea, however well-conceived, will solve our nation's employment challenge. So we're taking a comprehensive approach with eight teams focused on specifi c areas such as skills and training, regulatory reform, and innovation. We analyzed which actions are critical to accelerating job growth in high-potential sectors, while also addressing areas of concentrated unemployment. We believe that the

following "fast-action" steps can support the creation of more than one million jobs within these industries. • Train workers for today's open

jobs. There are more than two million open jobs in the U.S., in part because employers can't fi nd workers with the advanced manufacturing skills they need. The private sector must quickly form partnerships with community colleges, vocational schools and others to match career training with real-world hiring needs.

• Streamline permitting. Cut red tape so job-creating construction and infrastructure projects can move forward. The administration can take a few simple steps to streamline the process of obtaining permits, without undercutting the protections that our regulatory system provides.

• Boost jobs in travel and tourism. This industry is one of America's largest employers, but the U.S. has lost signifi cant market share. By making it easier to visit the U.S. through improved visa processes, we

see Jobs Creation on page 11

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from page 11

can win back market share in travel and tourism and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

• Facilitate small-business loans. Help small-business owners obtain the information and support they need to access Small Business

Administration funding. At Jobs Council town halls in Dayton and Minneapolis, small-business owners expressed frustration about the challenges in obtaining fi nancing and assistance. We must move quickly to allow easier access to SBA funding. SBA Administrator Karen Mills is already tackling this challenge, and the administration should accelerate and prioritize these efforts.

• Put construction workers back to work. More than two million construction workers don't have work. Every city in America has commercial buildings that can be made more energy effi cient. Both the private and public sectors can

step up to create good jobs and save energy. Our objective for this fi rst set of

recommendations was to identify areas where the private sector and the administration could accelerate job creation immediately without the need for major legislation from Congress or actions that would have a long runway.

But it's not enough.

To truly bend the curve over the longer term, we need a more strategic view. Over the next 90 days, we will turn to addressing the actions needed to make a more signifi cant, longer-term impact. This strategic approach will emphasize a number of areas for job growth. First, we need to focus on fast-growth companies and small business. Second, we need to make America the most attractive place on Earth for high-tech services and manufacturing jobs and to accelerate foreign direct investment in the U.S. Finally, we need to address the competitiveness of America's infrastructure. The Jobs Council will deliver recommendations on these more strategic questions in

September.By year-end we also will have looked

at and made recommendations on building and improving systems for national competitiveness, including R&D investment, tax policy, visa reform and high-skilled immigration, as well as applying business concepts (like the Lean Six Sigma approach) to regulatory processes. Some of

these ideas, by their nature, require bipartisan legislation and therefore may take longer to move forward, but they are all critical.

America needs more growth. The United States needs to reverse trends that developed over a long period of time, and the solutions aren't easy politically, socially or economically. The economic decisions we make now will determine American job creation and competitiveness in the years to come. Government, business and labor need to work together to get this done.

Mr. Immelt is the chairman and CEO of GE and chairman of the President's Jobs

and Competitiveness Council.Mr. Chenault is the chairman and CEO of

American Express Co.

Getty Images/Imagezoo


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Fiscal Policy ChallengesChairman Ben S. Bernanke, Federal Reserve Board

At about 9% of gross domestic product (GDP), The federal budget defi cit is approximately

nine (9) percent of the gross domestic product (GD), and has grown appreciably since the onset of the recent recession in December 2007. However, as the economy continues to expand and stimulus policies are phased out, the budget defi cit should narrow over the next few years.

Unfortunately, even after economic conditions have returned to normal, the nation faces a sizable structural budget gap. Both the Congressional Budget Offi ce and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget project that the budget defi cit will be almost 5 percent of GDP in fi scal year 2015, assuming that current budget policies are extended and the economy is then close to full employment. Of even greater concern is that longer-run projections that extrapolate current policies and make plausible assumptions about the future evolution of the economy show the structural budget gap increasing signifi cantly further over time. For example, under the alternative fi scal scenario developed by the Congressional Budget Offi ce, which assumes most current policies

are extended, the defi cit is projected to be about 6-1/2 percent of GDP in 2020 and almost 13 percent of GDP in 2030. The ratio of outstanding federal debt to GDP, expected to be about 69% at the end of this fi scal year, would under that scenario rise to 87% in 2020 and 146% in 2030. One reason the debt is projected to increase so quickly is that the larger the debt outstanding, the greater the budgetary cost of making the required interest payments. This

dynamic is clearly unsustainable.The nation’s long-term fi scal

imbalances did not emerge overnight. To a signifi cant extent, they are the result of an aging population and fast-rising health-care costs, both of which have been predicted for decades. The Congressional Budget Offi ce projects that net federal outlays for health-care entitlements--which were 5% of GDP in 2010--could rise to more than 8% of GDP by 2030.

Over the longer term, rising federal debt will crowd out private capital formation, and thus reduces productivity growth. To the extent that increasing debt is fi nanced by borrowing from abroad, a growing share of our future income would be devoted to interest payments on foreign-held federal debt. High levels of debt also impair the ability of policymakers to respond effectively to future economic shocks and other adverse events.

Even the prospect of unsustainable defi cits has costs, including an increased possibility of a sudden fi scal crisis. As we have seen in a number of countries recently, interest rates can soar quickly if investors lose confi dence in the ability of a government to manage its fi scal policy.

Although historical experience and economic theory do not show the exact threshold at which the perceived risks associated with the U.S. public debt would increase markedly, we can be sure that, without corrective action, our fi scal trajectory is moving the nation ever closer to that point.

Perhaps the most important thing for people to understand about the federal budget is that maintaining the status quo is not an option. Creditors will not lend to a government whose debt, relative to national income, is rising without limit; so, one way or the other, fi scal adjustments suffi cient to stabilize the federal budget must occur at some point. These adjustments could take place through a careful and deliberative process that weighs priorities and gives individuals and fi rms adequate time to adjust to changes in government programs and tax policies. Or the needed fi scal adjustments could come as a rapid and much more painful response to a looming or actual fi scal crisis in an environment of rising interest rates, collapsing confi dence and asset values, and a slowing economy. The choice is ours to make.

Achieving Fiscal SustainabilityThe primary long-term goal for federal

budget policy must be achieving fi scal sustainability. A straightforward way to defi ne fi scal sustainability is as a situation in which the ratio of federal debt to national income is stable or moving down over the longer term. This goal can be attained by bringing spending, excluding interest payments, roughly in line with revenues, or in other words, by approximately balancing the primary budget.

Given the sharp run-up in debt over the past few years, it would be reasonable to plan for a period of primary budget surpluses, which would serve eventually to bring the ratio of debt to national income back toward pre-recession levels.

Fiscal sustainability is a long-run concept. Achieving fi scal sustainability, therefore, requires a long-run plan, one that reduces defi cits over an extended period and that, to the fullest extent possible, is credible, practical, and enforceable. In current circumstances,

see Jobs Creation on page 13


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an advantage of taking a longer-term perspective in forming concrete plans for fi scal consolidation is that policymakers can avoid a sudden fi scal contraction that might put the still-fragile recovery at risk. At the same time, acting now to put in place a credible plan for reducing future defi cits would not only enhance economic performance in the long run, but could also yield near-term benefi ts by leading to lower long-term interest rates and increased consumer and business confi dence.

While it is crucial to have a federal budget that is sustainable, our fi scal policies should also refl ect the nation’s priorities by providing the conditions to support ongoing gains in living standards and by striving to be fair both to current and future generations. In addressing our long-term fi scal challenges, we should reform the government’s tax policies and spending priorities so that they not only reduce the defi cit, but also enhance the long-term growth potential of our economy--for example, by increasing incentives to work and to save, by encouraging investment in the skills of our workforce, by stimulating private capital formation, by promoting research and development, and by providing necessary public infrastructure. We cannot reasonably expect to grow our way out of our fi scal imbalances, but a more productive economy will ease the tradeoffs that we face.

Making Fiscal PlansIt is easy to call for sustainable fi scal

policies but much harder to deliver them. The issues are not simply technical; they are also closely tied to our values and priorities as a nation. It is little wonder that the debates have been so intense and progress so diffi cult to achieve.

Recently, negotiations over our long-run fi scal policies have become tied to the issue of raising the statutory limit for federal debt. I fully understand the desire to use the debt limit deadline to force some necessary and diffi cult fi scal policy adjustments, but the debt limit is the wrong tool for that important

job. Failing to raise the debt ceiling in a timely way would be self-defeating if the objective is to chart a course toward a better fi scal situation for our nation.

The current level of the debt and near-term borrowing needs refl ect spending and revenue choices that have already been approved by the current and previous Congresses and Administrations of both political parties. Failing to raise the debt limit would require the federal government to delay or renege on payments for obligations already entered into. In particular, even a short suspension of payments on principal or interest on the Treasury’s debt obligations could cause severe disruptions in fi nancial markets and the payments system, induce ratings downgrades of U.S. government debt, create fundamental doubts about the creditworthiness of the United States, and damage the special role of the dollar and Treasury securities in global markets in the longer term. Interest rates would likely rise, slowing the recovery and, perversely, worsening the defi cit problem by increasing required interest payments on the debt for what might well be a protracted period. (www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s p e e c h / b e r n a n k e 2 0 11 0 6 1 4 a .htm#fn3)

Some have suggested that payments by the Treasury could be prioritized to meet principal and interest payments on debt outstanding, thus avoiding a technical default on federal debt. However, even if that were the case, given the current size of the defi cit and the uneven time pattern of government receipts and payments, the Treasury would soon fi nd it necessary to prioritize among and withhold critical disbursements, such as Social Security and Medicare payments and funds for the military. Moreover, while debt-related payments might be met in this scenario, the fact that many other government payments would be delayed could still create serious concerns about the safety of Treasury securities among fi nancial market participants. The Hippocratic oath holds that, fi rst, we should do no harm.

In debating critical fi scal issues, we should avoid unnecessary actions or threats that risk shaking the confi dence of investors in the ability and willingness

of the U.S. government to pay its bills.In raising this concern, I am by

no means recommending delay or inaction in addressing the nation’s long-term fi scal challenges--quite the opposite. I urge the Congress and the Administration to work in good faith to quickly develop and implement a credible plan to achieve long-term sustainability. I hope, though, that such a plan can be achieved in the near term without resorting to brinksmanship or actions that would cast doubt on the creditworthiness of the United States.

What would such a plan look like? Clear metrics are important, together with triggers or other mechanisms to establish the credibility of the plan. For example, policymakers could commit to enacting in the near term a clear and specifi c plan for stabilizing the ratio of debt to GDP within the next few years and then subsequently setting that ratio on a downward path. Indeed, such a trajectory for the ratio of debt to GDP is comparable to the one proposed by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. To make the framework more explicit, the President and congressional leadership could agree on a defi nite timetable for reaching decisions about both shorter-term budget adjustments and longer-term changes. Fiscal policymakers could look now to fi nd substantial savings in the 10-year budget window, enforced by well-designed budget rules, while simultaneously undertaking additional reforms to address the long-term sustainability of entitlement programs. Such a framework could include a commitment to make a down payment on fi scal consolidation by enacting legislation to reduce the structural defi cit over the next several years.

ConclusionThe task of developing and

implementing sustainable fi scal policies is daunting, and it will involve many agonizing decisions and diffi cult tradeoffs. But meeting this challenge in a timely manner is crucial for our nation. History makes clear that failure to put our fi scal house in order will erode the vitality of our economy, reduce the standard of living in the United States, and increase the risk of economic and fi nancial instability.

Policy Challengesfrom page 12


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Historic Presidential Visit to Puerto RicoAddressing status, economic development, job creation, education, health care and making Puerto Rico a model of clean energy

Recently history was made not just because President Obama commemorated President John

F. Kennedy’s visit to Puerto Rico 50 years ago, but because of the historic engagement this Administration has carried out with Puerto Rico. The visit wasn’t just a stop on the President’s

itinerary but rather an opportunity to highlight the federal government’s comprehensive approach to addressing critical issues that matter to the people of Puerto Rico including status, economic development, job creation, education, health care and making Puerto Rico a model of clean energy.

After the President landed at Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport and when he stepped off Air Force One walked from the plane to an hanger where he was greeted by over 1,000

ecstatic Puerto Ricans waving Puerto Rican and American fl ags. There, the President addressed specifi c ways the Administration is working to ensure we address the most pressing challenges for Puerto Rico, saying:

“First of all, we’ve addressed the question of political status. In March, a

report from our presidential task force on Puerto Rican status provided a meaningful way forward on this question so that the residents of the island can determine their own future. And when the people of Puerto Rico make a clear decision, my administration will stand by you. I also know that there are plenty of other issues that the island is facing. When President Kennedy was here, he addressed the relationship between Washington and San Juan, and he also spoke about tackling what he called,

“the diffi cult problems of education and housing and employment.” In that same spirit, we’ve been trying to make sure that every family on the island can fi nd work and make a living and provide for their children. That’s why our economic plan and our health care reform included help for Puerto Rico. That’s why we’re increasing access to broadband and investing in education. That’s why we’re helping to grow local tourism and health care and clean-energy industries. We’re giving Puerto Ricans the tools they need to build their own economic futures.”

In addition, President Obama addressed the contributions of

Boricuas (persons born in Puerto Rico) to American society – noting the contributions of people like Marc Anthony and JJ Barera, but also highlighting the Puerto Rican men and women who serve in our country’s uniform – specifi cally highlighting the stories of Juan Castillo and Chief Master Sergeant Ramon Colon-Lopez recently returned from Afghanistan.

“I also want to take a moment to

see Puerto Rico Tour on page 15

President Barack Obama meets with Governor Luis Fortuno and Rep. Pedro Pierluisi in the Library at La Fortaleza, the offi cial residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Offi cial White House Photo by Pete Souza)



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Puerto Rico Tour

acknowledge all the Puerto Rican men and women who serve in our country’s uniform. One of those veterans is Juan Castillo. Juan fought in World War II, and he fought in the Korean War. Today, he’s two months away from his 101st birthday. Juan’s legacy is carried on by Puerto Ricans in Iraq and Afghanistan; men and women like Chief Master Sergeant Ramon Colon-Lopez, of the United States Air Force. In 2004, Ramon’steam was going after a high-value target in Afghanistan. His helicopter was seriously damaged by hostile fi re. In the thick of battle, he didn’t know how large the force that he was up against. But he pressed on anyway, and his team killed or captured 12 enemy fi ghters. Because of his bravery, he was the fi rst Hispanic American to be awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal. (Applause.) And I tell this story because for decades, Puerto Ricans like Juan and Ramon have put themselves in harm’s way

from page 14

for a simple reason: They want to protect the country that they love. Their willingness to serve, their willingness to sacrifi ce, is as American as apple pie –- or as Arroz con Gandules. The aspirations and the struggles on this island mirror those across America.”

From there President Obama motorcaded thru the streets of San Juan where thousands of spectators lined the streets en route to La Fortaleza for a private tour and meeting with Governor Fortuño, First Lady Luce Vela and Resident Commissioner Pierluisi. La Fortaleza, a UNESCO heritage site, was built in 1533 and it is the oldest executive mansion in the western hemisphere.

Following the tour the motorcade then navigated the narrow cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to the Ocean Park neighborhood of San Juan to La Kasalta Bakery. President Obama asked local Senator Alejandro Garcia Padilla to take him to a local spot where he could meet with the people of Puerto Rico and a get some local fl avor. After shocking local patrons during

President Barack Obama talks with Puerto Rican Senator Alejandro Garcia Padilla during a lunch stop at Kasalta, a local restaurant in the Ocean Park neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Offi cial White House Photo by Pete Souza)

their lunch, S e n a t o r G a r c i a Padilla and the President ordered a Medianoche, a traditional sandwich made of roast ham, pork, mustard, swiss cheese, pickles served on sweet bread.

So in all, while the President’s visit yesterday is one for the history books, it is really a signal of how this Administration sees Puerto Rico as a critical piece of where our country needs to go in order to win the future. Today, members of the President’s Administration stayed behind to lead an economic summit with Puerto Rican leaders to continue the dialogue about how the federal government can bolster the economic recovery of the island. Our work continues.

by Stephanie Valencia is Associate Director of the Offi ce of Public

Engagementwww.whitehouse.gov

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THE WHITE HOUSE

PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDERESTABLISHMENT OF THE SELECTUSA INITIATIVE

- - - - - - -

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to support private-sector job creation and enhance economic growth by encouraging and supporting business investment in the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:Section 1. Policy. Business investment in the United States by both domestic and foreign fi rms, whether in the form of new equipment or facilities or the expansion of existing facilities, is a major engine of economic growth and job creation. In an era of global capital mobility, the United States faces increasing competition for retaining and attract-ing industries of the future and the jobs they create. My Administration is committed to enhancing the efforts of the United States to win the growing global competition for business investment by leveraging our advantages as the premier business location in the world.

As a place to do business, the United States offers a hardworking, diverse, and educated workforce, strong protec-tion of intellectual property rights, a predictable and transparent legal system, relatively low taxes, highly developed infrastructure, and access to the world’s most lucrative consumer market. We welcome both domestic and foreign businesses to invest across the broad spectrum of the U.S. market.

The Federal Government lacks the centralized investment promotion infrastructure and resources to attract business investment that is often found in other industrialized countries. Currently, States and cities are competing against foreign governments to attract business investment. Our Nation needs to retain business investment and pursue and win new investment in the United States by better marketing our strengths, providing clear, complete, and consistent information, and removing unnecessary obstacles to investment.

Section 2. SelectUSA Initiative. (a) Establishment. There is established the SelectUSA Initiative (Initiative), a Government-wide initiative to attract and retain investment in the American economy. The Initiative is to be housed in the Department of Commerce. The mission of this Initiative shall be to facilitate business investment in the United States in order to create jobs, spur economic growth, and promote American competitiveness. The Initiative will provide enhanced coordination of Federal activities in order to increase the impact of Federal resources that support both domestic and foreign investment in the United States. In providing assistance, the Initiative shall work to maximize impact on business investment, job creation, and economic growth. The Initiative shall work on behalf of the entire Nation and shall exercise strict neutrality with regard to specifi c locations within the United States.(b) Functions.

(i) The Initiative shall coordinate outreach and engagement by the Federal Government to promote the United States as the premier location to operate a business.(ii) The Initiative shall serve as an ombudsman that facilitates the resolution of issues involving Federal pro-grams or activities related to pending investments.(iii) The Initiative shall provide information to domestic and foreign fi rms on: the investment climate in the United States; Federal programs and incentives available to investors; and State and local economic develop-ment organizations.(iv) The Initiative shall report quarterly to the President through the National Economic Council, the Domestic Policy Council, and the National Security Staff, describing its outreach activities, requests for information received, and efforts to resolve issues.

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(c) Administration. The Department of Commerce shall provide funding and administrative support for the Initia-tive through resources and staff assigned to work on the Initiative, to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations. The Secretary of Commerce shall designate a senior staff member as the Executive Director to lead the Initiative. The Executive Director shall coordinate activities both within the Department of Commerce and with other executive departments and agencies that have activities relating to business investment decisions.(d) Federal Interagency Investment Working Group.

(i) There is established the Federal Interagency Investment Working Group (Working Group), which will be convened and chaired by the Initiative’s Executive Director, in coordination with the Director of the National Economic Council.(ii) The Working Group shall consist of senior offi cials from the Departments of State, the Treasury, Defense, Justice, the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Veterans Affairs, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, and Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Small Business Administration, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Offi ce of the United States Trade Representative, the Domestic Policy Council, the National Economic Council, the National Security Staff, the Offi ce of Management and Budget, and the Council of Economic Advisers, as well as such additional executive departments, agencies, and offi ces as the Secretary of Commerce may designate. Senior offi cials shall be designated by and report to the Deputy Secretary or offi cial at the equivalent level of their respective offi ces, departments, and agencies.(iii) The Working Group shall coordinate activities to promote business investment and respond to specifi c issues that affect business investment decisions.(iv) The Department of Commerce shall provide funding and administrative support for the Working Group to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations.

(e) Department and Agency Participation. All executive departments and agencies that have activities relating to business investment decisions shall cooperate with the Initiative, as requested by the Initiative’s Executive Director, to support its objectives.

Section 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof, or the status of that department or agency within the Federal Government; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Offi ce of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefi t, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its offi cers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA

www.SelectUSA.gov


Publisher’s Message

the acquisition of existing businesses often is fueled by an array of fi nancial instruments, including but not limited to equity capital, debt fi nancing and stock swap. As illustrated in the May 2011 is-sue of the Black Business News (Eric Brown and Renee Cottrell-Brown’s acquisition of Johnson Products, May 2011 page 250) one of the major keys for success acquisition is access to investment capital. Facebook, Mi-crosoft, Google and others grew as a result of equity infusion, not layers of debt. Knowing how to structure a deal fi nancial is a critical element of the deal. The exist strategy is another.

The acquisition of a business is only one part of the equation. The structur-ing of how and when to sell a business is often where dreams are made and reality takes hold. Take Berry Gordon of Motown Records. From borrowing $800 from a family member to start Motown Records, Berry Gordy sold his interest to MCA and Boston Ven-tures for $61 million dollars in 1988. Later, he sold most of his interests in the Jobete publishing concern to EMI Publishing. Another example is Robert “Bob” Johnson, founder of BET. Bob Johnson walked away with more than $3 billion when sold his interest to Via-com. Bob Johnson became the richest black person in the United States until surrendering the title to Oprah Win-frey (when then-wife Sheila Johnson claimed much of his billion in divorce).

Not only is the acquisition of a exist-ing business operation often less risky than starting a business from scratch, it also allows one to grow business expo-nentially as opposed to linear growth.

The art of the deal is to know what to look for, what resources are available, and how to structure the deal.

-- MESBICs --Critical components to the path of

economic success for not only African Businesses, but all small and minority business enterprises is private equity and venture capital. This was a key ele-ment of the passage of the Small Busi-ness Investment Act of 1958.

The 1958 Act offi cially allowed

from page 3

the Small Business Administra-tion (SBA) to license private “Small Business Investment Companies” (SBICs) to help with fi nancing and managing small entrepreneurial busi-nesses in the United States. Passage of the Act addressed concerns of many Black entrepreneurs of the lack of ac-cess to capital markets for long-term funding for growth-oriented small busi-nesses. The passage of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 by the federal government was an impor-tant incentive for prospective venture capital organizations as well. The act provided venture capital fi rms struc-tured either as SBICs or Minority En-terprise Small Business Investment Companies (MESBICs) access to fed-eral funds which could be leveraged at a ratio of up to 4:1 against privately raised investment funds. Minority En-

terprise Small Business Investment Companies were government-char-tered venture fi rms that can invest only in companies that are at least 51 per-cent owned by members of a minority group or persons recognized by the rules that govern MESBICs to be “eco-nomically disadvantaged.”

However, in 2005, in response to ex-tensive losses incurred in connection with tech boom investments, the SBA decided to wind down its participating securities SBIC program, which had provided equity-like SBA backing for equity-oriented SBIC funds. But ac-tivity of SBIC program that provides both debt and equity has continued to grow. Some of SBIC’s success stories include FedEx, Costco, Amgen, AOL, and Jenny Craig. Please visit SBA website at www.sba.gov/about-offi c-es-content/1/2890.

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Minority Business Development AgencyMBDA Assists Corporate America with Locating Minority Business Enterprises with Scale and Capacity

Ford Motor Company announced recently (http://corporate.ford.com/news-center/news/press-

releases) that it had exceeded its sup-plier diversity sourcing goal, purchas-ing $4.1 billion in goods and services from minority-and women-owned com-panies.

The success of Ford’s supplier diversity efforts illustrates how valuable minority-owned business enterprises are to our country’s top companies and our economy overall. From heavy equipment to financial services, no matter what the demands of your supply chain are, there’s a minority-owned firm that can fulfill them. In fact, the number of high-quality minority-owned businesses spread across every sector of the economy totals 5.8 million.

To better assist corporate America in locating minority business enterprises with scale and capacity, supplier diversity executives should put the Minority Business Development

Agency (MBDA), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, on speed dial. MBDA can help you find these firms and put you in contact with them so you can establish the kinds of profitable partnerships that more and more Fortune 500 companies are seeking out. In 2010, with the help of the MBDA network of business centers, MBDA helped the private sector secure more than $850 million in products and services from minority firms.

So, leverage the growing power of U.S. minority-owned businesses as part of your winning strategy for the 21st century global economy. With the help of our MBDA Business Centers located throughout the country, we can match your company with a minority-owned supplier tailored to suit your needs.

Make Yourself KnownMinority-owned suppliers with

potential to be recommended to major corporate buyers may make themselves

known to and avail themselves of the services of the MBDA through the regional MBDA centers and offices

(www.mbda.gov/main/offices).

MBDA’s Business CentersMBDA and the centers serve minority

entrepreneurs who are pursuing growth in size, scale and capacity. MBDA’s Business Centers can be found in the following regions: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York, and San Francisco.

Atlanta Region: Atlanta National Enterprise Center, 401 W. Peachtree Street, Suite 1715, Atlanta, GA 30308, Telephone: 404-730-3300, E-mail: [email protected] Region: Chicago National Enterprise Center, 55 E. Monroe Street, Suite 2810, Chicago, IL 60603, Telephone: 312-353-0182, E-mail: [email protected] Region: Dallas National Enterprise Center, 1100 Commerce Street, Room 726, Dallas, TX 75242, Telephone: 214-767-8001, E-mail: [email protected] York Region: New York National Enterprise Center, 26 Federal Plaza Room 3720, New York, NY 10278, Telephone: 212-264-3262, E-mail: [email protected] Francisco Region: San Francisco National Enterprise Center, 221 Main Street, Room 1280, San Francisco, CA 94105, Telephone: 415-744-3001, E-mail: [email protected] Angeles Regional Enterprise Center, Pasadena Office Tower, 50 South Los Robles Avenue, Suite 460, Pasadena, California 91101, Telephone: 626-768-1015.

For more details on the resources MBDA has to offer your company and about MBDA go to www.mbda.gov.

David Hinson,National Director, MBDA

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Inc., AT&T and the U.S. Small Busi-ness Administration bring you video success stories from small

business exporters and interviews with expert trade specialists. With 96 per-cent of the world’s customers living outside the U.S., small businesses that export are realizing increased sales and profit. Why not take your business global?

The video titles include:

Getting Started in Exporting• Why export?• Finding Your First Customer

• Knowing the Export Envi-ronment

• Marketing Strategies/Market Re-search

• Creating an Export Business Plan

Connecting with Foreign Buyers • Meet Your Customers – Traveling

There• Identifying Marketing Channels/Ac-

tivities• Understanding Partnerships and

Distributors• Getting Your Product from Here to

There• Providing Good Customer Service• Understanding Legal Consider-

ations• Financing

Case Studies• ATC International• Nanmac• Omega Technologies• CA Wireless• The Produce Connection

To view the series of videos link to the special website from the SBA web-site at www.sba.gov or go directly to the education site at www.inc.com/exporting.

Do you have questions? The SBA Community has answers (http://com-munity.sba.gov). Discuss, share and get insight from your fellow business owners as well as industry and govern-ment experts. Find the information you need to start, grow and run your busi-ness.

Karen G. Mills,Administrator

Small Business Administration

SBA & Corporate Partners Offer Informational Videos - Why Export?

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Locations:Downtown Culver City:

9537 Culver Blvd.310-202-5453

City of Compton:2600 E. Alondra Blvd.

310-638-7871www.honeyskettle.com

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

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has clari-fied expectations for the over-

sight and management of mortgage foreclosure activities by national banks.

While the interagency reviews of 14 large mortgage servicers (www.occ.gov/news-issuances/news-releas-es/2011/nr-occ-2011-47a.pdf) con-ducted in the fourth quarter of 2010 and subsequent enforcement actions (www.occ.gov/news-issuances/news-releases/2011/nr-occ-2011-47.htm) address the majority of the mortgage servicing market, the guidance issued today is intended to ensure that all mortgage servicers under OCC super-vision adhere to appropriate foreclo-sure management standards.

OCC Bulletin 2011-29 stresses that banks engaged in mortgage servicing must ensure compliance with foreclo-sure laws, conduct foreclosures in a safe and sound manner, and establish responsible business practices that provide accountability and appropri-ate treatment of borrowers. The bul-letin provides additional clarification on expectations regarding governance of foreclosure process to include ad-equate staffing and training, dual-track processing, management of affidavit and notary practices, documentation, oversight of third-party service pro-viders, and adherence to all laws and regulations related to mortgage fore-closure.

The bulletin also directs all national banks to conduct a self-assessment of foreclosure management practices no later than September 30, 2011 and correct any weaknesses identified. National bank examiners will review the self-assessments and corrective actions in the next quarterly review or examination of the bank.

Review Bulletin OCC 2011-29 at www.occ.gov/news-issuances/bul-letins/2011/bulletin-2011-29.html and Interagency Review of Foreclosure Policies and Practices at www.occ.gov/news-issuances/news-releas-es/2011/nr-occ-2011-47a.pdf.

OCC Issues Guidance To Banks Regarding Foreclosure

Practices


The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency was created by Congress to charter national banks, to oversee a nationwide system of banking institu-tions, and to assure that national banks are safe and sound, competitive and

profitable, and capable of serving the banking needs of their customers in the best possible manner. OCC informa-tion is available at www.occ.gov. Other links of interest are: www.Helpwithmy-bank.gov and www.BankNet.gov.

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Below are upcoming U.S. Commercial Service initiatives

designed to connect you to business opportunities around the world.

Please read the article to learn more about each opportunity and find

contact information.

1. Webinar: Doing Business in Turkey2. Webinar: Taking American SMEs

Global With Google3. Event: Business Development Mis-

sion to Peru and Chile4. Watch Videos on some of the

National Export Initiative Priority Markets

5. Commercial News USA Offers Free Korean Translation

6. Sell Your Products Worldwide in the USA Product Showcase

7. Promote Your Company on the New Commercial News USA Website

If you have any questions about these initiatives, please contact your local U.S. Commercial Service trade spe-cialist. To find the trade specialist near-est you please visit www.buyusa.gov/home/us.html.

ᏊᏊᏊᏊᏊ1. Webinar: Doing Business in TurkeyVenue: Your ComputerDate: July 14, 2011Time: 11:00 AM estLearn more/register: https://emenu-apps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinar-Registration.jsp?SmartCode=1Q9JThe U.S. Export Assistance Center in Baltimore, MD will host this webinar on short and medium-term export sales opportunities in Turkey, focusing on the renewable energy and energy effi-ciency sectors – an industry poised for sharp growth in the coming years and

with major opportunities for American export sales. Access one of the world’s dynamic markets – with a special pre-sentation by U.S. Ambassador to Tur-key Francis J. Ricciardone (TBC) and a presentation by Commercial Coun-selor, Michael Lally, U.S. Embassy Commercial Service Ankara, Turkey. Turkey’s rapidly expanding economy, the growing purchasing power of in-dustry and consumers, and its effort to join the European Union have attracted the increasing attention of American exporters. The Webinar will feature a brief overview of the Turkish commer-cial environment, a review of hot sec-tors in Turkey, and a focus on specific short and medium-term business op-portunities in the renewable and ener-gy efficiency sectors. The webinar will also cover specific case studies in suc-cessful U.S.-Turkish energy business partnerships. Participants will be able to ask live questions of U.S. Commer-cial Service staff during the webinar. In addition, U.S. Commercial Service staff in Turkey will highlight a U.S. Depart-ment of Commerce Executive-Led Re-newable Energy and Energy Efficiency Trade Mission to Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, Turkey, to occur later this year.

For more information please visit www.buyusa.gov/fresno/105.html, or contact: [email protected], telephone: 410-962-4576, [email protected], telephone: 410-962-4581, [email protected], tele-phone: 661-637-0136.2. Webinar: Taking American SMEs Global With Google Venue: Your ComputerDate: July 19, 2011Time: 10:00 am PST/1:00 pm ESTLearn more/register: https://emenu-apps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinar-

Registration.jsp?SmartCode=1Q9T

Google Directors Alan Moss and Aliza Knox will present this one hour free webinar on the web tools that are available to help American small busi-nesses expand internationally. During this webinar, you will hear just how big the global online opportunity is for your company and discover how Google cli-ents have significantly expanded their businesses by selling to the world. You will learn how to use innovative tools, such as Google Global Market Finder which uses data from Internet searches conducted around the world to show the number of times people search for your keywords in Arabic, Chinese, English, or one of 56 languages; Google Trans-late Web Element which can translate webpages (or parts thereof) to help foreign customers navigate your site; Translator Toolkit , an online tool that allows you to potentially reduce your translation costs and lag times by pro-viding an automatic machine transla-tion of your website as well as allowing you to share your files through a web portal. Finally, you will learn how you can leverage Google AdWords to take your business global with a few clicks of a button. 3. Event: Business Development Mission to Peru and ChileDate: August 21-27, 2011 Learn more/register: http://www.buyusa.gov/neworleans/78.html Registration Deadline: June 24, 2011 Discover the opportunities that exist in these two vibrant marketplaces. This U.S. Department of Commerce Certi-fied Business Development Trade Mis-sion to Peru and Chile organized by

RESOURCES FOR GOING GLOBAL

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ines

s

see page 29


LeCentre International will provide an excellent opportunity for U.S. firms to initiate or expand their business and exports into the Peruvian and Chilean markets by providing business-to-business introductions, meetings and networking with selected foreign par-ticipants as well as extensive market access information. Best prospects for U.S. exports to Peru and Chile in-clude: Mining equipment, oil and gas equipment and services, marine, en-vironmental, construction equipment, transportation, industrial and electrical machinery, pumps, valves and com-pressors, refined petroleum products, plastics, computers and telecommu-nications equipment, Electric power, power generation and transmission, renewable energy equipment, Con-struction equipment, Machinery and Supplies, Mining Equipment, Pollution Control Equipment, Water resources equipment and technologies, water and wastewater treatment equipment and technologies, engineering, and consult-ing services, Desalination equipment/technologies, Healthcare and Medical Equipment; Computer Hardware and Software; Food Processing and Pack-aging; Travel and Tourism, Franchis-ing, Consumer oriented products for retail. All U.S. companies are encour-aged to apply. For more information, please contact: [email protected]; [email protected]; or [email protected]. Event: Watch Videos on some of the National Export Initiative Priority MarketsWatch videos on these markets to dis-cover why they are important and to learn about a few of the many sectors where U.S. companies are competitive. 58 percent of U.S. exporters export to only one market, mainly Canada. Many small and midsized companies that work with the U.S. Commercial Service have found new customers in dozens of markets. Among the best prospect markets for U.S. companies are Viet-nam, India, Indonesia, China, Taiwan and Thailand. From these short videos,

you’ll learn why these markets are im-portant. You’ll also learn about a few of the many sectors where U.S. compa-nies are competitive. Importantly, you’ll also meet the top U.S. commercial diplomats in these markets who, along with their staff of local market and in-dustry experts, will help you evaluate, enter and succeed. Please visit http://export.gov/nei/eg_main_033266.asp 5. Activity: Commercial News USA Offers Free Korean TranslationCommercial News USA, the official export promotion magazine of the U.S. Department of Commerce, of-fers exporters an inexpensive way to promote their products and services in 178 countries worldwide. Now, 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). Moreover, advertisers in the Septem-ber-October issue will receive a free listing ad online in Korean. Commercial News USA reaches more than a quar-ter-million buyers worldwide. Reserve your space in the next issue today. For more information, call 1-800-581-8533, x 822, or visit www.thinkglobal.us, or e-mail [email protected]. Marketing: Sell Your Products Worldwide in the USA Product ShowcaseCommercial News USA, the official ex-port promotion magazine of the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers ex-porters an affordable way to promote their products and services in 178 countries worldwide. Now, you can ad-vertise in the USA Product Showcase section of the magazine for just $499. Commercial News USA reaches more than a quarter million buyers world-wide. Reserve your space in the next issue today. For more information, call

1-800-581-8533, x 822, go online to www.thinkglobal.us/499, or send e-mail to [email protected]. Marketing: Promote Your Com-pany on the New Commercial News USA WebsiteThe newly redesigned Commercial News USA website makes it easier for buyers around the world to find Ameri-can companies with products and ser-vices ready for immediate export. Com-mercial News USA features hundreds of products and services from U.S. exporters. Participants in the current is-sue of the magazine are featured in a rotating carousel at the top of the page. Now, international buyers can search the site by company name or industry category. There also is a search box at the top of the page that enables searching by keyword. The site cur-rently attracts 23,000 international buy-ers per month. Advertisers in the print magazine are included for free on the website. For more information and/or to review the current issue of the maga-zine, please visit www.thinkglobal.us.

ᏊᏊᏊᏊᏊThe U.S. Commercial Service - Your

Global Business Partner. With offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commer-cial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Ad-ministration uses its global Network and international resources to connect U.S companies with international buy-ers 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 www.buyusa.gov/home/us.html or contact Bobby Hines at [email protected].

Business

Going Globalfrom page 28

If You are African American andSuffered Farm Loan Discrimination

by the USDA Between 1981 and 1996,You may be eligible for money from

a $1.25 billion class action Settlement Fund(Heirs/Kin may be included)

There is a proposed class action Settlement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) involving racial discrimination against African American farmers between 1981 and 1996. This Settlement is only for certain people who tried to fi le a late claim in the original Pigford case, or their heirs (kin) and legal representatives. The current Settlement (sometimes called Pigford II) provides benefi ts in some of those late fi lers.

Am I Included?You may be included if you:• Between 1981 and 1996, were discouraged

or prevented from applying for or were denied a USDA farm loan or other benefi t, or you were given a loan with unfair terms because of racial discrimination,

• Were eligible for a payment in the original Pigford case, and

• Submitted a late-fi ling request that was denied or never considered because it was late.

If you are the heir or kin of someone who died who fi ts this description, you may fi le a claim for a payment that would become part of the deceased person’s estate. If you are not sure if you (or someone for whom you are the legal representative) are included, please call 1-877-810-8110. You are not included if you

received a payment in the original Pigford case.

What does the Settlement provide?You may be eligible for a substantial cash payment and USDA loan forgiveness from the Settlement. You will need to fi le a claim to be eligible for these benefi ts. The claims deadline may be as early as February 28, 2012. The Court has appointed lawyers to help you fi le a claim under the Settlement. You do not have to pay them or anyone else to help you with the claims process.These attorneys will ask the Court for fees and expenses of between 4.1% and 7.4% of the Settlement Fund, and the Court will decide how much they are paid. You may hire your own lawyer, if you wish, at your own expense. If you have questions or need more information, call 1-877-810-8110.

What else should I know?The Court will hold a hearing on September 1, 2011 to consider whether to approve the Settlement and a request for attorney’s fees and expenses. If you want to object to or comment on the Settlement or appear at the hearing, you need to fi le a letter with the Court by August 12, 2011. If the Court approves the Settlement, you will not be able to sue the USDA about your farm loan discrimination claims in the future.

For more information or to begin the claims fi ling process:Call: 1-877-810-8110 Visit: www.BlackFarmerCase.com


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Search for 50 Startups with High-Growth Potential Begins with Launch of 2011 Startup

Open CompetitionPromising young companies with a ‘startup moment’ can vie for recognition and

prizes announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week

Startup Open, a competition that recognizes startups with high-growth potential, has launched

its search for the 50 most promising new startups around the world as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2011. The “GEW 50” will be announced on October 15, 2011, with those companies then competing for the top honors and prizes.

“Economic growth and job creation is directly tied to young businesses with the potential to become part of tomorrow ‘s Fortune 500, so recognizing and rewarding those most promising startups on the path to success may inspire others to follow their examples,” said Carl Schramm, president and chief executive offi cer of the Kauffman Foundation.

Startup Open is a featured competition of GEW (www.unleashingideas.org), an initiative founded by the Kauffman Foundation to spur new ideas, ingenuity and fi rm creation through local, national and global activities in more than 100 countries. The competition, now in its

second year, is open to entrepreneurs who have a “startup moment” between GEW 2010 and GEW 2011 (Nov. 22, 2010 to Nov. 20, 2011). A startup moment is defi ned as any action related to launching a new business, such as incorporating a company; offi cially opening the doors for business; completing a fi rst sale; or securing outside funding.

Startup Open applicants will be judged on concept, growth projections and knowledge of their industry. A handful of companies winning the top honors and prizes will be announced on Nov. 14 as GEW 2011 gets underway.

The Startup Open 2010 grand prize winner received a trip to Richard Branson‘s privately owned Necker Island. Winner Olivier Ceberio, founder of Resolute Marine Energy (RME) in Boston, MA, recently returned from his trip, where he took part in multiple networking sessions with Branson and other successful entrepreneurs. Additional activities included a sailboat race with Branson and a trip around the island in the “Necker Belle” catamaran.

Ceberio won the top prize at GEW 2010 for his RME plan to develop wave energy converters that generate clean energy from ocean waves. The goal of RME is to aid the 1.2 billion people worldwide who lack access to safe drinking water.

“During my stay in Necker Island, I had the opportunity to learn from and exchange ideas with some the brightest and most inspiring entrepreneurs in the world,” said Ceberio. “I am very grateful to the Kauffman Foundation for providing me with this invaluable experience that will help expand my network as I improve and grow my business.”

Last year‘s second and third places winners received two days of mentoring at Kauffman Labs for Enterprise Creation, a Kauffman Foundation program. Entrepreneurs Stas Samarin of PulmoCAD, LLC in St. Louis and Kahoru Watanabe of Wing Power Inc in Sarasota, FL, had the opportunity to hear new ideas and feedback on how to improve their business models from every angle.

Startup Open applicants will have until September 15, 2011 to submit their startup moment. For more information on how to enter and the 2010 winners, please visit www.startupopen.com.

For more information, visit www.unleashingideas.org, and follow @unleashingideas on Twitter.

Business


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Healthier You Competition, Celebrity Chefs, Food Demonstrations, LA-Live VIP Mixer, and much more!

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5 Must-Have Tech Tools for the Organized Entrepreneur by Brandie Kajino for startupnation.com

My mind runs faster than my fi ngers can carry me. I have a thousand ideas, a full calendar

(life, business, volunteer work) and a task list that keeps me on my toes. If you’re an entrepreneur, this might sound vaguely familiar. I, like my clients, need technology to step in and help me keep things straight.

Essential tools? Let me tell you a few of my favorites. Why do we need these things? Allow me to elaborate:

SmartphoneA smartphone is my virtual assistant,

right in my pocket. I can be reached when it’s necessary, and screen calls when I’m occupied. My phone fi ts in my bag or pocket, and it’s always handy when I need to take a note, shoot off a quick email or phone call. It’s a convenience that, to me, is indispensable for an on-the-go entrepreneur.

BackupIf you’re not backing up your laptop

or desktop, you’re baiting disaster (and possibly a mental breakdown.) A few days ago, I started up my computer, and got the “blue screen of death” (ok, it was gray, but you know what I mean). Something was amiss with my beloved laptop workhorse.

I went through the motions, and as

it was processing the “fi x it” mode, I started to think. “What if it doesn’t come back up? What if I fried it? What if a small bug got in there and died right on my hard drive, messing it up for all eternity? What if....”

Then, I remembered, I have backup. I subscribed to this service two years ago. It works in the background, saving everything I make or modify in my laptop memory. So, what would happen if my laptop went belly up? I would get it fi xed or replace it, and restore my fi les with a few clicks of my (new) mouse.

Why do you need backup? Why wouldn’t you?

Password ManagerI bet you have more than a handful

of passwords. I’ll be honest, I die a little inside when someone says to me, “Oh, I remember my password: it’s all the same...” Wait. Did you really just say that?

Say it with me: “Having the same password for everything is an invitation to the ‘bad guys’ to take over.” It’s a bad idea, K? If keeping track of a list of passwords seems daunting (and an index card isn’t cutting it), let me put your mind at ease. Get yourself a good password manager (some of them even generate tricky passwords) and rest easy. My favorite has a password protecting my password list.

Idea CatcherSome like a notebook, which is

all well and fi ne. Problem for me is, I don’t always have that notebook on my person when a good idea hits. Keeping a program that works between your smartphone (see above), desktop/laptop and online is a sneaky little way to catch those ideas before they vacate the inner chambers of the mind. Get them out of your head and capture

them in a medium allowing you to get at them at a later date.

Contact ManagerI fought this one for a while. I knew

I needed to keep up with clients, contacts and other important people, but I couldn’t fi nd a solution that was “right sized” for my business. I did some research, and found a great service that fi t my needs. Why do you need a contact manager? I’ve been able to keep tabs on clients, follow up when I said I would, and close more sales. It’s all those good intentions and information I had fl oating around in a few different places. Now, that information is working for me.

Tech Tools Part II

I love to organize things. It’s how I started my business (Professional Organizer), before I decided I’m all

about tech consulting for entrepreneurs. I’m also an entrepreneur, and a woman, which means life is insanely crazy at times. I counteract that by keeping things as organized as I can stand without being obsessive (most of the time). And so I now get to combine two areas that I’m most passionate about: technology and staying uber-organized!

This article is Part II to the article “5 Must-Have Tech Tools for the Organized Entrepreneur (Part I)”, because there have been questions about WHICH specifi c tools and brands to use. This follow-up article presents you with my hands-down favorite choices for these fi ve must-have tech tools for entrepreneurs. Could you live without them? Sure, but I don’t recommend that - to my clients or you. (Note: I’ve given a couple options within each category, so that you can choose the

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see Tech Tools on page 35

Business

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 notifi cations 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 Offi ce of Economic & Business Policy


tool that best matches your particular needs.)

Here’s the list of tech tool all-stars for organized entrepreneurs:

Smartphone My fave: Yes, I took a bite out of the

round fruit, and I have an iPhone. I chose it because it was easy to use, and a friend (also an entrepreneur) raved about hers. I played with it a bit, and well, I decided it was the tool for me. It’s simple to use, there are lots of apps for this curious techie girl, and I feel I can manage just about anything wherever I am. And with my stylin’ case, it doesn’t look too shabby either.

Another option: If I didn’t have this phone, I’d go with a Droid. The physical keyboard, and growing number of apps

make this set of smartphones a solid choice for entrepreneurs.

BackupMy fave: I use and recommend

Carbonite. All you do is subscribe, download a little piece of software, and all your fi les are backed up in real time. The backup is also stored remotely, which means if Bad Guy decides to be uncool and swipe my laptop, I don’t lose all my fi les. Get the new machine,

download all my fi les. I don’t have to think or worry to much to get back up and running. I like that.

Another option: Mozy is also a fantastic, super easy-to-use backup service. Bonus: You can backup two computers for one subscription. Nice.

Password ManagerMy fave: I use SplashID, and have

for a couple years. SplashID has a password that protects all your other passwords, so I only have to remember one. Very nice, but make sure you choose one that is not your dog’s name, or your address, or something else that’s easy to fi gure out. Also, if Bad Guy tries to login, he better be smart, because he has ten tries and then he’s locked out. Take that!

Another option: There are many. RoboForm and 1Password are good choices, and just like SplashID, they do “auto-fi ll”, meaning a couple clicks and you are logged in. (Make SURE you password protect your laptop if you use it though!)

Idea Catcher My fave: Evernote is my hands-

down favorite. I’m a convert, because in the beginning, Evernote’s simplicity was a challenge for me. So, if you decide to use Evernote, it’s a software you can use on your computer or mobile phone, and keep text notes, pictures and audios tagged and grouped in notebooks. Search, email and share to your heart’s content, or keep them all to yourself. Apply your personality and fl air from there. Good-bye (unsearchable) piles of sticky notes!

Another option: One Note, which is quite similar.

Contact ManagerMy fave: BatchBook by BatchBlue.

I looked all over to fi nd a CRM to keep in touch with clients, leads, and referral partners. There’s no shortage of big players in this area. There’s also no shortage of big price tags. I didn’t need to have 40 users, it was just me and maybe an occasional assistant. BatchBook does everything I need it to: keep track of who I talked to, where we met, when I last talked to them, what we talked about and when I needed to call them again. It also does some other things like run reports, print labels and

Tech Tool Recommendations…

iPhoneDroid

CarboniteMozy

SplashIDRoboForm1PasswordEvernoteOne Note

BatchBookSalesforceZOHO CRM

Tech Toolsfrom page 34

integrate with other tools. Sayonara neglected spreadsheet of follow-ups. Bonus: It works with Google Apps.

Another option: Salesforce is a classic, or ZOHO CRM for a lower priced (or free) option.

Source: http://www.startupnation.com/business-articles/9654/1/tech-tools-

entrepreneuer-5.htmSource: http://www.startupnation.com/

business-articles/9663/1/tech-tools-organized-entrepreneur-part2.htm


minority business marketplace for such services and products as marketing, logistics, transportation, staffi ng and recruitment.

Special attention should be paid to the fact that with this acquisition AT&T may become the largest player for small and minority businesses. Based on a number of reports, currently AT&T is the No. 2 player among small businesses with 28% of the market share, while Verizon Wireless is No. 1 with 32% market share, Sprint Nextel is No. 3 with 12% and T-Mobile is No. 4 with eight percent.

In short, this acquisition has enormous upside potential for AT&T in the small and minority market. Wireless broadband is an integral tool in promoting business collaboration and networking, as well as communications and product delivery. Communications, specifi cally wireless high speed is crucial to for small business development.

and technological barriers, as well as this growing digital gap that exist in under-served rural and low-income urban areas.

Not only does this business acquisition represents a real opportunity to accelerate deployment of number of communications sectors, but also create new jobs and business opportunities for African American businesses. T-Mobile would augment AT&T’s product and service offering with small and minority fi rms. This is particular true for smaller fi rms that rely heavily on cell phone carriers for their business operations. This will create new business opportunities in assisting AT&T in reaching the small and

EditorialEarl “Skip” Cooper, IIAT&T’s Acquisition of T-Mobile

On behalf of the Black Business Association (BBA), one of the oldest African American

business organizations in the United States, its 1,000 members, and its board of directors, we support AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile.

The BBA, a 501(c(3)non-profi t organization, headquartered in Los Angeles, is optimistic that the proposed acquisition by AT&T’s will truly be benefi cial not only for Black businesses, but all small and minority business enterprises. We are hopeful that this acquisition will also further advance increased access to affordable and sustainable wireless broadband services and in turn stimulate job and business creation throughout our country.

Since 1970, when the BBA was formed, it has been an advocate for economic development and business creation for not only African American businesses, but all small and minority businesses throughout the country. In this global competitive economy, the acquisition could not only provide small and minority businesses greater access to wider array of communication services, but also provide same level of technology to many of our communities of color that other nations provide their citizens.

The U.S. ranks 15th in the world in broadband adoption. Additionally, it ranks 25th in the world in average Internet connection. The statistics are dramatically appalling for our communities of colors. While we once led the world in the development of Internet technology, we are facing a digital dividend amongst our own citizens.

Based on AT&T’s commitment to expand its high speed wireless technology coverage to roughly 95% of the U.S. population, including rural and smaller communities, this acquisition has the tremendous potential of dramatically reducing the economic

Gil Scott-Heron: 1949-2011

As he turned 60, the American author, poet, and musician was once again thrust into the public

eye as he released his solo recording, I’m New Here, and follow-up remix album.

Remembered for his poetry set to melodic jazz and soulful protest songs in the 1960s and 70s, he was an unmistakable infl uence on an emerging generation of rappers and hip hop artists.

Yet he was quick to reject some of the more grandiose epithets such as the “Godfather of rap” and “the black Bob Dylan”.‘Fierce intelligence’

It was typical of the discerning, lanky artist who shunned the limelight.

“He had a fi erce intelligence and a way with words which was untouchable; an incredible sense of humour and a gentleness and humanity that was unique to him,” said Richard Russell, the head of XL Records who signed him and produced his last album.

The artist’s father, Gil Heron, was known as “the Black Arrow” at Celtic

“Gil shunned all the trappings of fame and success. He could have had all those things. But he was greater than that. He seemed wholly uninterested in money.”

Born in 1949, Scott-Heron was the son of a Jamaican footballer who was the fi rst black man to play for Glasgow Celtic.

He was raised by his mother and grandmother in Jackson, Tennessee, where he discovered the verse of the

black poet Langston Hughes whilst at college - an obvious early infl uence.

In an interview with BBC 6 Music last year, Scott-Heron recalled: “My grandmother bought a piano for about $8, I think it was. I began to listen to the radio and try to pick out what they were playing by ear.

“There were a lot of blues progressions that I was able to give some life to on the piano, there, and I enjoyed it very much.”

In 1968, aged 19, he wrote his most famous work, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, a satirical spoken-word piece released on Small Talk at 125th by a small label two years later.

A kind of oral blog from the projects, it became a phrase which would enter the language and lead on to pop music about the inequities of apartheid.

Other songs addressed poverty and racism as well as contemporary issues such as nuclear power (We Almost Lost Detroit) and celebrity (Show Bizness).

By 23, he had published two novels and a book of poems and recorded three albums.

He also successfully campaigned alongside fellow artists Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley for a US public holiday to be named in honour of civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King.

Public Enemy’s Chuck D said: “Gil Scott-Heron was one of the foundations that rappers could perform themselves off of.

“I think a lot of it happened with the word, the meaning and the defi nition - or the redefi nition - of the words he used, but also the pacing.

“Mr. Heron delivered his words with a feeling and with a rhythm that was a great basis for rap. It was a fundamental start for rap to trigger itself from.”

Scott-Heron’s repertoire included tracks about addiction such as Down Some Dead-end Street There Ain’t No Turning Back and The Bottle, which mirrored his own struggle.

In 2001, he was jailed in New York State for cocaine possession and in 2006 for violating a plea deal on a drug-possession charge by leaving a rehabilitation clinic.

It was while he was doing time that Scott-Heron received a visit from Richard Russell, who guided him into the studio for his comeback album.

Russell said in a tribute on his blog: “To my knowledge he never accepted an award. He always wanted everyone else to receive credit for their work.

“He is the only artist I’ve ever worked with who requested that the studio engineer’s photo be given equal prominence to his own on his website.

“Gil meant a massive amount to me, as he did to so many people. His talent was immense. He was a master lyricist, singer, orator, and keyboard player.

“His spirit was immense. He channeled something that people derived huge benefi t from.”



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Mobile Kills the Websiteby Samuel Greengard

Change at warp speed has become a given. The business cards I printed two years ago

aren’t any good because they don’t include a QR barcode. The CRM

system you put in place three years ago requires an upgrade in order to accommodate social networking and mobile connectivity.

And rapid change ripples out and affects businesses in unanticipated ways. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the mobility arena. Market research fi rm In-Stat reports that the Internet was the number one desired cellphone application in 2010. Users want GPS capabilities, location-based services, video and an array of other goodies. The ripple? Many business and IT executives are trapped in a 2002 time warp and they aren’t responding.

That spectacular website you created? You still need it, but it may not be reaching the audience you need to reach. For example, Millennials, who live almost exclusively on their smartphones, may rarely, if ever, use a computer. If your site isn’t optimized for a smartphone or you don’t have a custom app available you may be out of luck...and out of a customer.

The e-brochure or video clip you offer at your website? It may prove useless

to anyone who can’t download it onto a smartphone or tablet.

It’s amazing how many businesses lack dedicated mobile apps, or operate sites that aren’t optimized for mobile browsers and easy data entry. I

understand the need to get things right. But taking months or years to develop

a mobile app just doesn’t cut it. Several major airlines, retail giants and others still haven’t introduced smartphone apps.

C’mon, this is 2011! News bulletin: both the iPhone and Android operating systems have been around since 2007!

Waddle at your own risk. All while your brand name takes a hit and smarter and swifter competitors eat your lunch. Heck, I’ve gotten to the point where it’s so easy to buy items on Amazon that I constantly add them on my iPhone and

order them later or when I’m back at a computer. This used to be someone else’s sale.

Who would have thought that Websites would be passé in just over 15 years? Welcome to the new reality: if you’re standing still you’re actually moving backwards.

SOURCE: www.baselinemag.com/c/a/IT-Management/Top-IT-Groups-

Leave-Rivals-In-Dust-646801/?kc=BLBLBEMNL05192011STR3Phone

QR Barcode

iPhone

ANDROID LOGO

(1.5 million jobs) and computer systems design and related servic-es (1.4 million). Meetings employ-ment generated $60 billion in labor income in 2009.

• The industry generated $14.3 bil-lion in federal tax revenue and $11.3 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2009.

• A total of 1.8 million meetings held in 2009 were attended by 205 mil-lion people.

• Delegates, exhibitors and others spent $145 billion to participate in meetings in 2009. The majority of that spend (46 percent) was on registration fees.

“We cannot be in the same place we were two years ago, when nobody un-derstood the value this industry brings to cities, states, the country and the world,” noted Deborah Sexton, presi-dent and CEO of PCMA. She added, “We have a long way to go in terms of education on what this industry truly means.”

Next steps call for a widespread awareness campaign targeting regula-tory officials, politicians and the public. For a report summary, go to http://bit.ly/eum1aJ.

by Sarah J.F. Braley and Loren G. Edelstein for Meetings & Conventions

www.meetings-conventions.com


From the Editors: Here are some more figures from the report: The meetings industry’s direct contributions to the U.S. GDP are $106B. This direct contribution to the U.S. GDP is more than the following U.S. industries: auto manufacturing ($78B), performing arts/spectator sports/museums ($71B) and information and data processing services ($76B).

Also, 1.7M U.S. jobs are directly supported by the meetings industry, more than the following U.S. industries, among many others: broadcasting and telecommunications (1.3M), the combined truck and rail transportation industries (1.5M) and computer systems design and related services (1.4M).

Meetings are a $263 Billion Industry

The U.S. meetings industry di-rectly supports 1.7 million jobs, represents $263 billion in spend-

ing and contributes $106 billion to the GDP annually, according to a landmark study released on Feb. 17, conducted by PwC US and spearheaded by an al-liance of 14 meetings industry associa-tions.

“The Eco nomic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Econo my” is a quantitative analysis of face-to-face meetings. Among primary supporters of the effort, under the umbrella of the Convention Industry Council, were the Meeting Professionals International Foundation, the Professional Conven-tion Man agement Association/Educa-tion Foundation, the Association of Destination Management Executives and the U.S. Travel Association.

Findings were based on 3,510 sur-veys, with questions based on 2009 figures. Of respondents, 2,700 were meeting organizers; venue managers, exhibitors and destination marketing representatives make up the rest of the sample.

For the study, meetings were defined as gatherings of 10 or more partici-pants for a minimum of four hours in a contracted venue. Among findings: • Of the $263 billion in overall spend-

ing, $151 billion was related to the cost of planning and producing meetings, while another $113 bil-lion was spent in related travel and tourism.

• The meetings industry’s direct con-tribution to the U.S. GDP in 2009 was $106 billion, more than that of auto manufacturing ($78 billion).

• In supporting 1.7 million jobs, the meetings industry employs more people than the combined truck and rail transportation industries

Business

Landmark survey gives statistics to the value of face time


County of Los Angeles Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, 2nd District

SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING CONNECTIONS July 13, 2011

8:00 am to 12:30 pm University of Southern California

Tutor Campus Center – Grand Ballroom (on USC campus) Parking available at USC - $8.00

Learn to read “Government Contracts in Plain Language” Connect with government agencies, defense primes, and USC buyers Certify as a Local Small Business and reap rewards

No cost to attend Pre-register on-line at www.laosb.org

Click on the Events & Training Courses Link Office of Small Business/PTAC

Toll Free: (855) 230-6430 Sponsored by: Los Angeles County Internal Services Department Office of Small Business & Procurement Technical Assistance Center USC Supplier Diversity Services

Technology:

Take a Look!by LaSandra Stratton

Submitted by LaSandra Stratton, Chief Content Administrator of the Black Business News.

Check out what these fi rms and organi-zations have to offer for your personal interests, personal wealth building, and business expansion opportunities.

www.myskillsmyfuture.orgmySkills myFuture helps laid-off workers and other career chang-ers fi nd new occupations to explore. Users can identify occupations that

require skills and knowledge simi-lar to their current or previous job, learn more about these suggested matches, locate local training pro-grams, and/or apply for jobs. This site is part of the CareerOneStop (www.careeronestop.org) system of service sites sponsored by the U.S. Depart-ment of Labor. The system of sites provide employment information and inspiration, a place to manage your career, pathways to career success and many tools to help job seekers, students, businesses and career pro-fessionals.

www.globaldigitalpay.comGlobal Digital Pay is fully owned by Digital Trade Network Ltd, a British Virgin Islands company, incorpo-rated in 2008. Its owners have been involved in the digital currency ex-change industry since 2002.

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

of privacy, security, borderless inter-national transactions, non returnable payments and low fees.

Digital Trade Network Ltd owns the offshore bank accounts that we use to store fi at currency and acts as the in-terface between our wholesale clients (Exchangers) and the actual payment system. Our system is designed to be simple and extremely safe to use. We do not store credit card, bank account or other digital currency account de-tails, as they are not used in our sys-tem. We only ask for minimal person-al details and only require verifi cation for transactions over certain limits.

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

http://bigthink.comAt Big Think, we believe that success in the future is about knowing the ideas that allow allow you to manage and master the universe of informa-tion. Therefore, we aim to help you move above and beyond random information, toward real knowledge, offering big ideas from fi elds outside your own that you can apply toward the questions and challenges in your own life.

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

Because as we move from the infor-mation age to the knowledge era, the more ideas you command, the more you will be able to guide the course of your own life and positively impact the lives of those around you.

Quote of Note...

“But I think it’s important for us to note the progress that’s been made just in the last two and a half years. I just want everybody to think about this. (Applause.) It was here, in the East Room, at our fi rst Pride reception, on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, a few months after I took offi ce, that I made a pledge, I made a commitment. I said that I would never counsel patience; it wasn’t right for me to tell you to be patient any more than it was right for folks to tell African Americans to be patient in terms of their freedoms. I said it might take time to get everything we wanted done. But I also expected to be judged not by the promises I made, but the promises I kept.”

President Barack H.Obama

Business


Building Your Business for Success:The Importance of Ownership

One 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.

Business Development

Tax Deductions

Equity Appreciation

A Retirement Fund

For many Black business owners, a primary benefit of commercial real estate ownership is the tax deductibility of property that can be taken on the interest portion of the monthly commercial loan payment. These deductions can be substantial and each business owner should consult a qualified tax specialist about his or her unique situation.

On average, commercial real estate properties will appreciate about two to three percent above inflation over the long term. Paying rent provides no appreciation or equity. Quite candidly, 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.

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.

Added Value To Business

No Taxes To Pay On Your Rent

Easy Access To Financing

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.

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.

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.


Business

Don Barden:

African-American

Casino, Cable Mogul

1943-2011

Don Barden will be remembered as a groundbreaking entrepreneur whose rise to the

top of the corporate world showed African-Americans just how high they could soar.

Barden has been lauded by civil and business leaders for his meteoric ascension from great-grandson of a slave to the fi rst African-American to own a Las Vegas casino and a major cable TV franchise.

“He stretched the limits of our imagination,” the Rev. Jesse Jackson told about 1,100 at Greater Grace Temple during a two-hour funeral. “He lifted others as he climbed.”

He constantly referred to Barden as a “dream man” and “odds buster” who never stopped making dreams come true.

Among the mourners, befi tting Barden’s sway in entertainment and Democratic politics, were Anita Baker, Rep. John Conyers Jr., Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, former Rep. Barbara-Rose Collins, TV judge Greg Mathis and Debbie Dingell.

Speakers described Barden as a soft-spoken Horatio Alger with a big cigar jutting from his mouth and a thick roll of hundreds in his pocket.

Bishop Charles Ellis III, senior pastor of Greater Grace, said African-Americans were proud of Barden’s success because it showed what their race could do.

“We were all part of Barden Cable,” he said. “We talked about it like we owned stock.”

Barden, 67, died May 19 after a battle with lung cancer. He was the owner of Barden Companies Inc., the Majestic Star and Fitzgerald’s casinos and Waycor Development Co.

The lavish service featured a 40-page glossy program and several musical interludes, including songs by Baker and gospel singer Karen Clark-Sheard.

Among the 13 speakers were the chief operating offi cer of a Barden casino in Las Vegas and a representative of the African country of Namibia, where he owned an auto plant.

The service, which was fi lmed by fi ve cameras, was shown on two video screens inside the church and live-streamed on the church website.

Speakers hailed Barden for building a $500 million conglomeration whose tentacles ranged from cable to casinos, from making cars to developing real

estate. His name was synonymous with

business in Detroit, speakers said. Until stumbling late in his career, he was one of the most successful black businessmen in the world.

“Don Barden was a trailblazer,” said Rudy Clay, the mayor of Gary, Ind., where Barden owned a casino. “His trail carried him places where no African-American had ever walked.”

Barden’s far-fl ung enterprises ranged from a gambling palace in Mississippi to the auto factory in Namibia, Africa.

But he remained loyal to Detroit even as he believed the city wasn’t loyal to him, rejecting his bid to open a casino here, speakers said. They lauded Barden for continuing to live in the city and run his disparate empire from a downtown offi ce.

“Detroit was Don Barden,” said Florine Marks, chief executive of Weight Watchers of Michigan. “He could have moved his business anywhere in the world, but he loved Detroit.”

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110528/METRO01/105280363/Detroit-

mourns-‘dream-man’-Don-Barden#ixzz1Nnq8uHc7

Bringing Contract Opportunities to You!

Southern California Edison, Sem-pra Energy, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California

Gas Company held a Procurement Op-portunity Day, on June 2, 2011 at the

Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles prior to the 37th Annual Black Business Association (BBA) Awards Dinner.

The mid-year contract procurement session featured presentations by Cali-

fornia Public Utilities Commissioner Tim Simon and BBA Board Chairper-son Gwen Moore.

Supporting organizations includ-ed the Black Business Association, Greater Los Angeles African Ameri-can Chamber of Commerce, California Black Chamber of Commerce, Young Black Contractors Assn., Black Cham-ber of Orange County.

Over 300 business-es participated in the one-on-one sessions with corporate and government represen-tatives during the af-ternoon event.

Photo Legend:1. Gwen Moore, Chair BBA2. (L-R ) Repre-sentative from Southern California Edison; Chris Baker, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas Com-pany; Gwen Moore, GEM Communications and BBA Chairperson; Timothy Alan Simon, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Com-mission; Joe Alderete Southern California Edison and Joe Chow, Southern California Gas Company. 3. Joe Chow, Southern California Gas Company.4. Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon.5. Maurice Ortega, Owner of A.M. Ortega Construction meets with buyer.6. Procurement Day participant7. Vaughn Wil-liam, Contracting Agent, Southern California Gas Company.8. (L-R) Tim Si-mon, Gwen Moore; guest and Drexel Johnson9. Participant10. One-on- one procurement interview11. BBA members Chef Marilyn Cole and Patricia Clark.

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Editorial: John Hope Bryant

Silver Rights and Generation Entrepreneurship: What a President With Vision Can Do

With the launch of the first ever White House Urban En-trepreneurship Summit in

Newark, New Jersey, President Barack Obamais showing us a powerful, yet practical and achievable, new vision for all of America, and not just urban America. After all, we are all in this together.

What’s cooking in Newark today is not just the ingredients for success for, say, a future entrepreneur and future employer, but a fundamental, 21st century empowerment-based business plan for America, too.

And it plays to our strength, as this stuff is really what America, and Americans of every race, color and creed, are absolutely best-in-class at: re-inventing ourselves, in the midst of challenge and crisis, giving birth to literally transformational ideas, and then doing something about them.

When things get tougher, we tend to become stronger. The Great De-pression not only didn’t break our nation, it ultimately made us much stronger.

An entrepreneur’s creed: “Rain-bows only follow storms. You cannot have a rainbow, without a storm first.”

Whether you are an entrepreneur with an idea, or an intrapreneur work-ing inside of a small or large company looking to grow, or maybe just a mother of two children, desperately trying to figure out how to balance a family bud-get with too much month left, at the end of your money, then this vision is for you.

An entrepreneur’s creed: “I have been doing so much, with so little,for so long, I can almost do anything with nothing.”

It’s called re-imagining our future, re-framing our success, seeing opportu-

nity even in the midst of adversity, and never, ever giving up. Ever.

An entrepreneur’s creed: “Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”

To quote my friends and partners

at the Gallup Organization, America needs now to “focus on our strengths.”

But our strengths are easy to forget, when fear and bad news seem to want to overtake your sense of hope, in the midst of this continuing global econom-ic crisis.

The good news is, even in tough times, our strengths are easy to see.

The U.S. has produced more than two-thirds of the more than 4.5 million patents in the world today. It is then no coincidence that America remains to-day the largest economy in the world, and we can remain so still, if we can

return now to our entrepreneurial roots.The next largest patent-originating

countries are also the countries with the largest GDP. Ideas seem to not only track, but map, a nation’s future economic prosperity, and stability too.

Now, what about idea and innova-tion-starved countries such as, say, North Korea and Iran, you ask? They have one patent each -- for the entire country?

And that’s the power of an idea, my friend. It can feed a nation and set peo-ple free, or literally lay the seeds of a country’s future stagnation, and failure.

An entrepreneur’s creed: “An entre-preneur works 18 hours a day to keep from getting a job.”

Getting down to the level of people and jobs, of the approximately 27 mil-lion companies in America, only 6

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John Hope Bryant


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million of them employ people, and of that 6 million, 5.9 million have be-tween 1-100 employees; approximate-ly 100,000 businesses have between 100-500 employees; 10,000 business-es have between 500-10,000 employ-ees; and less than 1,000 businesses employ more than 10,000 people.

America, the largest economy in the world, with 300 million people, only has 900 some odd businesses that employ 10,000 employees or more.

That means that the majority of jobs in America come from small business owners and entrepreneurs, and the majority of those jobs come from start-up and growing enterprises, in the first seven years of business growth.

The reality is that every big business was once a small one, and before that, a simple idea in someone’s head.

What were Facebook, Twitter, CNN, AT&T or Ford Motor Company at their origins? Someone’s idea. Now employ-ing tens of thousands of people.

Or take UPS, which started out sim-ply as a one-man messenger company, and today is one of the world’s largest and most prosperous multi-national companies.

Operation HOPE was my idea in 1992, immediately following the Rod-ney King Riots, the worst urban riot in U.S. history. HOPE got its start from a modest $61,000, SBA 7J grant. To-day, we have served more than1.5 mil-lion people and 70 urban communities across America.

This is a particularly useful vision for those that see traditional jobs drying up all around them, and want to help America create some more jobs, and quick.

An entrepreneur’s creed: “Whether you are white, black, red, brown or yel-low, we simply want to see more green (as in U.S. currency).”

But responsible capitalism and fair enterprise are not just aboutmaking money. A drug dealer can make money. A financial predator, whether from Wall Street or your street, can make money. The new agenda is also about building something of value for society, and thi-sis also what an entrepreneur does.

This is why Operation HOPE or-ganized its first HOPE Bankers Bus Tours through inner city and under-

served communities. We were not pointing the way to so-called poor neighborhoods, nor asking for char-ity or handouts for the poor. We were pointing the way forward, toward op-portunity for all; as urban and inner-city communities in America are fundamen-tally under-served, and represent the last bastion of lost capitalism in Amer-ica, and a future (responsible) market opportunity.

In the riots of 1992, of 3,000 struc-tures burned, and more than $1billion in economic damage, not one structure was a home. Message: you don’t burn that which is your own.

What would happen if the people of a community had a business stake in that community? Their community. This is not rocket science. It is called en-lightened self-interest, and it is the ex-act same business plan pursued by the original architects for America’s best and most prosperous cities.

We selected financial literacy as the first silver rights issue, because in an economic era everyone needs to un-derstand the universal language of money, or financial literacy empower-ment. Soon, other silver rights would follow, from opening a bank account, to starting a business, becoming an entre-preneur or owning a home. Empower-ment, we believed, would lead to more empowerment. And more empower-ment would lead to individual economic freedom, which in turn leads to jobs for the community, a tax base for cities, resources for schools, safe streets and funded health care, too.

We selected financial literacy be-cause we thought that this is what Dr. King would be doing now.

When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down in Memphis in April 1968, he and my mentor, now HOPE Global Spokesman Ambassador An-drew Young, were focused on the Poor People’s Campaign, or what they viewed as the third and final chapter of the civil rights movement: ending pov-erty in America.

Dr. King understood that poverty was more about class than race, and that there were more poor whites in Amer-ica than poor anyone else, and so this new phase of the civil rights movement

was focused on lifting all boats, and not just black ones.

He also understood something par-ticular about capitalism. Dr. King said in 1968, “You cannot legislate goodness, nor pass a law to force someone to like or respect you... (that) the only way to social justice in a capitalist country is economic parity.”

Oddly enough, Dr. King’s own father understood both civil rights and silver rights too, as he helped to found Citi-zen’s Trust Bank in Atlanta, Georgia, and served on its board of directors for 40 years. When members came to church, he encouraged them to get an education, of course to vote, but also, to become homeowners and stake-holders in their community too.

Today, Operation HOPE is trying to grow a silver rights movement from-civil rights soil, for a new generation of young people who may notknow the pains of racial segregation, but know all too well theeconomic depravity that comes from not understanding the language ofmoney, not having a good education, not attending the so-called “right schools,” or belonging to the so-called “right” social or business clubs, not knowing what to do when the social network of high level business relation-ships, access and opportunity, some-how doesn’t include you.

That is why we are now building a HOPE Financial Literacy Empower-ment Center at Ebenezer Church, in the King Center complex in Atlanta, in honor of Daddy King. And that is why we stand shoulder to shoulderwith President Barack Obama and his ad-ministration, as he strives to inspire Generation Entrepreneurship in urban America today.

The White House Urban Entrepre-neurship Summit, the brainchild of the Obama Administration, with the Rutgers University Business School, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Rus-sell Simmons as lead partners, and-Operation HOPE, also as a supporting co-host, is a bold, public/private part-nership attempt to frame out a new and progressive community.

A community called Generation En-trepreneurship.

Huffington Post



Editorial: Russell Simmons

Confessions of a Life-Long Entrepreneur

On Monday, June 6th I delivered the opening keynote address at the Urban Entrepreneurship

Summit at Rutgers Business School in Newark, which was co-hosted by the White House. It is a pleasure to work closely with this great president and his administration to support private/public relationships like this one. At the sum-mit, I was with senior members of the Obama administration, business, com-munity and academic leaders, amazing entrepreneurs, other elected officials and members of the non-profit sector in a day long program focused on creating a stronger public-private partnership that will increase minority and women owned business enterprises. This has been a life-long passion of mine, ever since I put my name on my first record and that is why I am humbled to share my story with the hundreds of people who will be in attendance.

As many of you know, it has been a very long road for me to get to where I am at today. No one believed in hip-hop or Def Jam in the beginning, and I mean no one. When I had the idea of Phat Farm, no one believed in the obvious white space that became the urban design phenomenon. And this was AFTER I had made a lot of people a lot of money. That’s just how it is... No one can see your vision but you, because your vision came from God to you and you alone, so most times you are the sole torch carrier ! No one believed in the idea for a virtual bank which became the RUSH Card, and almost everyone -- with the notable exception of my visionary partner Jim Breyer at Accel (Facebook and Grou-pon, among many) tried to warn me off of the natural integration or post racial direction of GlobalGrind.com. I think by now you get the point. So what is the reason that those dreams came true or are coming to fruition? All that mattered is that I believed in all of these visions and allowed my imagination to run wild.

That was the difference. As my great inspiration, the yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, said “the imagination is God” and the en-lightened can perform miracles with faith alone, but us mere mortals have to work hard, be dedicated and resilient, to realize our dreams.

My whole life I have never stopped dreaming. We all have dreams, but here is what is different about dreams today: now is the time to dream big, because even during tough times like these, you can still make your dreams happen.

I know there’s a lot of pressure out-side, inside -- economic pressure, so-cial pressure. Remember, pressure can crack pipes. But it can also create diamonds. I am inspired that even dur-ing these hard times, the entrepreneur-ial spirit is alive in every city across this great nation. In fact it is alive more to-day than ever before. It is everywhere I look -- from the barbershop to the boardroom, from the corner store to the corner office, from the college dorm to the housing projects...the ideas YOU have will make this country more com-petitive, more productive and more peaceful.

For the past six months I have been hearing about amazing business ideas while touring the country for my latest book, Super Rich, and people ask me on tour and on the website I founded, GlobalGrind.com, what they can do to be successful. I always say: “Do any-thing you want.” Remember you can-not fail until you quit! Because when you follow your dream with persistence and resilience, that dream will always become a reality.

I am not saying it is easy. Right now things may be tough for you, but let’s make a promise to each other. Some-how, someway, let’s go to work on something you care about. That is why we are doing this summit, to figure out new ways to create opportunities for

our communities. So, when you have these dreams, there will be systems in place, in your local community, sup-ported by our government and the pri-vate sector, that you can access to help

you achieve your goals.

Ok, so how do you DO IT? Start at the beginning. What do

you love? One of the beautiful things about this country is that it affords you the freedom to do whatever you imag-ine. When you have an idea that you find yourself feeling very passionately about, then that’s one you need to go after. Pursue a career because you love it, not because you think people will love you for pursuing it.

Once you’ve picked a vision that you feel passionate about, freeze it and be clear about it. I can’t stress this enough. If you have an idea, don’t wait until the next day to work on it...write it down now. Start with the big picture first, and then bring in the details. I remember a guy at a major sneaker company telling me that he always wanted to play in the NBA, because he loves basketball. The NBA only has a certain number of jobs if you want to be a player, 450 to be ex-act. But, there are tens of thousands of jobs working in and around basketball. So, this guy took a job working in bas-ketball and loves it.

Now, that you have frozen your vision and are clear about it, tell the world what you are going to do. Once you share your vision with the world, you are stuck with it. Have the courage to let people expect you to make it hap-pen. This is a good thing. Focus on that one vision and go to work to make it a reality. Then set the right goal for you. In the end, the overriding factor is whether or not you realize your dreams FOR you. Not the world. You.

So, look at your life, at your dreams, your opportunities as a blank canvas that you can paint on it any colors you want. Whether this is your first idea or your fifth company, be creative and paint the most beautiful painting ever painted. Now is the time to dream, and I am so proud to work alongside my friend, President Barack Obama to support every dream that you can imagine!

www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-simmons

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“I am not saying it is easy.”

Supporting the Next Generationof Urban Entrepreneurs

In response the enthusiasm and energy surrounding the White House Urban Entrepreneurship Summit, the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL) will open a 9,000 square foot small business offi ce center in Newark, NJ. The goal of the center, which will open in mid-July in the heart of Newark’s cultural district, is to facilitate the launch or expansion of small businesses in the city. The facility will provide a myriad of services to its members, including furnished offi ce spaces, conference rooms, training space, shared administrative support, and mentoring and consultation services. Learn more about the small business offi ce center by visiting IFEL’s website (www.ifelnj.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewpage&pageid=682).

Institute For Entrepreneurial Leadership to Open Small Business Offi ce Center in

Newark Cultural DistrictFacility to offer low-cost offi ce

space, shared business services, mentoring, and FREE technical

assistance to members The Institute For Entrepreneurial

Leadership is excited to announce that starting mid-July, launching or expanding a small business in Newark will be more affordable than ever. Encouraged by the energy of the White House Urban Entrepreneurship Summit hosted by Rutgers Business School’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (CUEED), the respective management teams of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and 550 Broad Street negotiated a deal this past Friday to open a 9,000 square foot small business offi ce center at 550 Broad Street, Newark, NJ.

The facility will offer low cost virtual, cubicle and fully furnished offi ce spaces in addition to conference rooms, training space, lounge space and shared administrative support. Facility members will be nurtured in a supportive, entrepreneurial environment designed to accelerate business startup and next level growth. The IFEL team and other experts will provide mentoring and consulting to member businesses. In addition, member businesses will be eligible for FREE technical assistance through the

Newark Urban Enterprise Zone Small, Minority and Women Owned Business Technical Assistance Program.

“I am extremely excited that IFEL is launching this new center,” exclaimed Dr. Henry Johnson, Chairman of the IFEL Board of Directors. “This center will enable those small businesses that want to be a part of the Newark Renaissance locate at an affordable price in Newark’s cultural district.”

The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL) is a Newark-based nonprofi t that provides affordable consulting expertise to growing businesses with a special outreach to women, minority and urban-based entrepreneurs. A Class A offi ce building, 550 Broad Street is located near the Newark Bears’ stadium, across from the Newark Public Library and near the Broad Street train station in the heart of Newark’s cultural district.

“Opening this facility will allow us to support economic development on multiple levels: providing affordable offi ce space to small businesses; supporting small businesses with expert advice and mentoring; offering low-cost shared offi ce services, all of which will help entrepreneurs and small business owners take their businesses to the next level,” said Jill Johnson, Chief Executive Offi cer of IFEL. “In addition, it will allow us to create jobs, a key element toward strengthening

urban centers like Newark.”This new facility will further expand

the small business support system available to entrepreneurs that choose to locate in Newark; existing support resources include the Newark Offi ce of the Urban Enterprise Zone, the NJIT Enterprise Development Center incubator for technology businesses, Brick City Development Corporation, GNEC, the Rutgers-Newark SBDC, IFEL and CUEED, our host for today. The facility is expected to open in mid-July, following fi nal approval by the IFEL board of directors. The small business -- especially those that are woman or minority owned -- looking for space to startup or expand in Newark are encouraged to contact the IFEL team for more information.

“This initiative fi lls a critical need for small businesses constantly seeking affordable space in order to get their businesses off the ground,” said Dr. dt ogilvie, Founding Director of CUEED. “There is a dearth of affordable space and that impedes the economic development of the City of Newark.”

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Black Business Association 37th Award Dinner

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On Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the Los Angeles Omni Hotel the Black Business Association

(BBA) celebrated its 37th Annual Awards Dinner which recognized Small Business Week.

The dinner featured keynote speaker and Chairman’s Award recipient the Honorable Timothy A. Simon, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission; President’s Award recipient Timothy J. Leiweke, President/CEO of AEG, developers of Staples Center and L.A. Live; Majority Award winner Ted Craver, President/Chairman/CEO of Edison International and Southern California Edison; Majority Financial Corporation winner John G. Stumpf, Chairman/CEO, Wells Fargo; Business of the Year Award winners Eric V. Brown, CEO and Renee Cottrell-Brown, Executive Vice President representing Johnson Products Company; and recipient of the Community Advocate of the Year Award Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.

The audience of owners of both large and small busineses, business executives, government representatives and friends and family of award winners enjoyed an evening of social exchange and business information.

Gloria Zuurveen, PublisherPACE NEWS


Black Business Association Recognizes Small Businesses

Business

Photo Legend: 1. Dean Jones, Executive Director,

Southland Business Development Partnership.

2. Timothy Alan Simon, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission

3. Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, President/CEO, Black Business Association

4. Business of the Year honorees, Eric V. Brown and Renee Cottrell-Brown, Johnsons Products

5. AEG President/CEO Tim Leiweke and Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

6. Don Fracchia, Executive Vice President/Head of California Business Banking at Wells Fargo Bank

7. Anthony Samad, Urban Issues Breakfast Forum

8. Gwen Moore, Chairman, BBA Board of Directors

9. Joann Quarles provides invocation10. Renee Cottrell Brown11. Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, Anthony

Samad and Gwen Moore.12. Cecil House, Southern California

Edison13. Bonita Perkins, UPS; Anthony

Samad; Judge Mablean Ephriam14. Cecil House, Tim Simon, Gwen

Moore, William Hawkins15. Chris Floyd and Byron Reed16. Bill Freeman and Ann Distefano17. VIP Reception Signage18. Joe Chow, Ann Smith, Southern

California Gas; Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

19. Ted Davis and Joe Alderete20. Steven D. Turner21. Natalie Cole, publisher, Our

Weekly and Tim Leiweke22. Isidra Person Lynn, Eric Brown,

and Renee Cottrell-Brown, Johnson Products Company

23. Norma Hollis, Aubrey Stone, Chairman, California Black Chamber of Commerce, and guest

24. Natalie Cole, publisher, Our Weekly

25. Foressee Hogan Rowles, Community Financial Resource Center

26. Gwen Moore27. Monique Fortenberry, Interin

Director, Los Angeles District, Small Business Administration

28. Eugene Eng, Verizon Foundation and Earl “Skip” Cooper, II

29. Aubrey Stone30. Angela Gibson, ATT and Melrita

Fortson31. Don Fracchia32. Heather Hutt and Tim Simon33. Pat Watt, BBA Member34. Earl “Skip” Cooper, II; Ezekiel

Patten. President, Patten Energy Enterprises; Bill Freeman; Cecil House; Carl Dickerson; Clarence Scott; Gwen Moore.

35. Tim Leiweke, Gwen Moore36. Candida Mobley; Debbie

Lumpkins; Brett Byers37. Barbara Stanton and students

from Watts Star Theater38. Jacque Bee, Recycling Black

Dollars, Earl “Skip” Cooper, II; Starletta Quarles

39. Earl “Skip” Cooper, II; Rhonda Thompson

40. Tierre Condiff and Phullu Morgan41. Dessert Reception Delights42. More wonderful desserts43. Tim Simon and Dave Ford44. T.C. Richard, Top of the Line

Productions45. Earl “Skip” Cooper, II and Barbara

Perkins, and guestGloria Zuurveen Publish


Bill Freeman and Guest Ann Smith SCG

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ABCs of the Stock Market

Have you considered adding stocks to your investment portfolio? Many fi nancial experts

consider owning stock one of the most profi table ways to grow wealth over the long term. An important factor in growing long-term wealth is the rate of return on your investment, and stocks have historically had an average return of around 10-12 percent.

While stocks can help generate wealth, they also come with risks. A key to protecting yourself in the stock market is to educate yourself. Below are some basic terms that may help you when learning more about the stock market or when speaking with a fi nancial advisor or stock broker:Stock: At some point every company needs to raise money. To do this, companies can either borrow it or raise it by selling part of the company, which is known as issuing stock. Share: The stock of a business is divided into shares. Each share represents a fraction of ownership of a company, a claim on the company’s assets and earnings. Shareholder: A shareholder is one of the many owners of shares in a company or corporation. Shareholders own the stock, but not the corporation itself. As an owner, shareholders are entitled to a share of the company’s earnings as well as any voting rights attached to the stock. Earnings: When a company makes a profi t, it is called earnings. Public companies are required to report their

earnings four times a year (once each quarter).Dividends: This is the portion of a company’s profi t that is given back to the shareholder. Payments are made on either an annual or quarterly basis. The dividend is most often quoted in terms of the dollar amount each share receives (dividends per share).Stock Market: Stock markets are places where buyers and sellers of company stock meet to trade and determine prices of stock. For example, the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) and the NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations) are two common exchanges in the United States. Stock Broker: A stock broker is a person who buys or sells stocks in exchange for a fee, which is called a commission.Bull Market: A bull market is when

the economy is doing well and stocks are rising. If a person is optimistic and believes that stocks will go up, he or she is called a “bull” and is said to have

a “bullish outlook.” Bears: A bear market is when the economy isn’t doing so well and

stock prices are falling. If a person is pessimistic, believing that stocks are going to drop, he or she is called a “bear” and said to have a “bearish outlook.” Yield: The percentage of a dividend paid against the stock price. For example, if you receive a fi ve dollar dividend on a $50 per share stock, your yield is 10 percent.

Knowledge is key, so it is wise to educate yourself about the risks and opportunities that the stock market can provide. It may be helpful to seek the advice of a trusted fi nancial advisor who will take into consideration your goals and risk tolerance.

Tina Robinson, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager, Union Bank, N.A. Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG, NYSE:MTU), one of

the world’s largest fi nancial organizations www.unionbank.com

The foregoing article is intended to provide general information about the stock market and is not considered fi nancial advice from Union Bank. Please consult your fi nancial or

tax advisor.

Black Lawyers Admitted to the Supreme Court

The National Law Group (NLG) is a nationwide coalition of law fi rms committed to providing

quality legal representation and compassionate advocacy on behalf of plaintiffs. Our mission is to assist individuals who have been harmed and hold those who are at fault accountable. NLG attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience and have won over $50 Million in verdicts or settlements on behalf of our clients.

Who Are We?The National Law Group (NLG) - the

fi rst-ever nationwide legal services company made up entirely of talented Black lawyers located all over the United States. Collectively, we have won over $50 million in verdicts and settlements, and have over 100 years of combined experience.

Located in multiple cities across the United States, our attorneys offer representation to more than 70% of

all African Americans that live in this country. We are the only Black-owned company that can make this claim!

Our Commitment We serve clients of all ethnic

backgrounds, but because African Americans are greatly under served when it comes to legal assistance and resources, we make great efforts to service and reach this demographic. Our goal is to provide affordable, accessible, and quality legal services to as many African American individuals, families, and businesses as possible.

Why You Need UsYou need our services because we

truly care about you and your case. We look like you, we grew up in your communities, and therefore we truly understand your issues. Therefore, we take personal and keen interest in each and every case.

Our experienced attorneys are experts in many areas including Racial

The National Law Group (NLG) co-founders Carlos E. Moore, John A. Moore, Trent A. McCain, Rodney F. Barganier, Carl L. Collins III, and Bethew Jennings III; and newest members Andre T. Young and Earnest A. DeLoach were admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Discrimination, Gender Discrimination, Police Brutality, Family Law, Bankruptcy, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Wrongful Termination, Criminal Defense, Small Business Litigation, Medical Malpractice, and more. We are a full-service, one stop shop!

NLG stands ready to assist you with any questions that you may have. Visit www.NLGAttorneys.com or www.BlackLawyers.NET.


Black Lawyer Statistics

There are thousands of lawyers in this country, but only approximately 3% of us are African American. Of that small number, most are women and very few are owners of their own law fi rms. However, a good number of us are African-American men who are providing quality legal representation for African-Americans, Hispanics, Caucasions and

others across the country.

Our fi rm has defi ed the odds three times by being a group of lawyers that are 1) African American, 2) men, and 3) owners of a successful legal services company, the National Law Group. We stand ready to work for you. Remember, we are the company with a nationwide

reach and a local touch.

Business

The board of directors of Sempra Energy today announced that Debra L. Reed has been elected

chief executive offi cer of the company and a new member of the company’s board.

Reed, 55, succeeds Donald E. Felsinger, who will continue in the role of Sempra Energy’s executive chairman until his planned retirement at age 65 in late 2012. Neal E. Schmale, president and chief operating offi cer of Sempra Energy, will remain in his current role until his planned retirement later this year.

“Our board of directors has worked diligently over the past year to ensure a smooth leadership transition in the wake of Neal Schmale’s and my planned retirements,” Felsinger said. “Early on in the process, we identifi ed Debbie Reed as a top candidate. In her 33-year career with the Sempra Energy companies, Debbie has demonstrated outstanding leadership at every level of responsibility, a keen

ability to drive superior performance and a broad understanding of the energy industry.

“Our board and I believe strongly that Debbie is the best person to take this company forward and continue our excellent track record of creating value for our shareholders while maintaining superior service for our millions of customers worldwide.

“With all of our businesses operating effectively and the company performing well fi nancially,

we felt the timing was ideal to begin our transition to a new generation of leadership at the company.”

Reed has been executive vice president of Sempra Energy since April 2010. Previously, she was president and chief executive offi cer of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), Sempra Energy’s regulated California utilities. She also served as chief operating offi cer of the two utilities, after being initially appointed president of SDG&E in 2000.

Reed fi rst joined SoCalGas in 1978 as an energy systems engineer. In 1988, she became the fi rst female offi cer appointed at the company.

Reed serves on the board of directors of Halliburton Co. and Avery Dennison Corp. Previously, she was a board member of the American Gas Association, Genentech and Dominguez Services Corp.

She also serves on the board of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (as chair),

Debra L. Reed Named Chief Executive Offi cer

of Sempra Energy

as well as on the advisory councils of UCSD’s Jacobs School of Engineering and the Precourt Energy Effi ciency Center at Stanford University. Additionally, Reed is a member of The Trusteeship, an affi liate of the International Women’s Forum.

Reed graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

Sempra Energy’s fi ve principal subsidiaries are SDG&E, SoCalGas, Sempra Generation, Sempra Pipelines & Storage and Sempra LNG.

Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2010 revenues of $9 billion. The Sempra Energy companies’ nearly 16,000 employees serve about 26 million consumers worldwide.

http://sempra.com


JULY 18, 2011

Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999. We are build-

ing a more sustainable future through the power of professional design.

The Haiti Rebuilding Center run by Architecture for Humanity coordi-nates and collaborates with local pro-fessionals, educational institutions and other organizations on long-term Haiti reconstruction programs. The Re-building Center is a one-stop shop for professional design and construction services, workforce training, consumer education, professional referrals, and reconstruction bid and tender oppor-tunities. Architecture for Humanity will transfer ongoing operations to Haitian hands within five years, following our long-term plan for reconstruction.

The Rebuilding Center hosts a


monthly Meet & Greet in Pétionville to foster dialogue within the building pro-fessions and coordinate partnerships with universities including UPENN, Co-lumbia, Parsons, the University of Min-nesota, Université d’État d’Haiti and Université Quisqueya, among others. Read more about the Center’s work below on the individual project pages, and via our collected updates.

Haiti School InitiativeThe Haiti School Initiative focuses on

the design and construction of at least 10 primary and secondary schools across Haiti. Designs will emphasize hurricane- and earthquake-proof con-struction, climate sensitive/passive cooling techniques, community-cen-tered design and development, local materials and the stimulation of local economies. The Initiative is supported

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Haiti: Architecture for Humanity works through Haiti Rebuilding Center

in good part by Students Rebuild (http://studentsrebuild.org), a program coordinating youth philanthropic efforts from across the world.

Reconstruction of PMEThe Rebuilding Center supports eco-

nomic recovery in the short and long term by aiding the redevelopment of economic corridors through the follow-ing means:• the mapping and documentation of

economic corridors in collaboration with SMEs and creditors to under-stand the economic demand;

• financial support of SME reconstruc-tion work and anchor businesses in the corridors;

• sustainable design and construction services;

• professional training.

see Help For Haiti on page 65

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The program will influence profes-

sional and private lives of 30,000 peo-ple and will contribute to Haiti’s eco-nomic development by aiding, over the span of three years, more than 5,000 Haitians find work.

Bati Byen: Building Back BetterThe Rebuilding Center is additionally

a one-stop shop for technical assis-tance, education and training for Hai-tian building owners and construction and design professionals.

By tapping a network of more than 50,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, we bring design, con-struction and development services where they are most critically needed.

Design is important to every aspect of our lives. It informs the places in which we live, work, learn, heal and gather. We engage all stakeholders in the design process. We believe our cli-ents are designers in their own right.

Thoughtful, inclusive design creates lasting change in communities by:• Alleviating poverty and providing ac-

from page 64

cess to water, sanitation, power and essential services

• Bringing safe shelter to communi-ties prone to disaster and displaced populations

• Rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas

• Mitigating the effects of rapid urban-ization in unplanned settlements

• Creating spaces to meet the needs of those with disabilities and other at-risk populations

• Reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change Architecture for Humanity is a cata-

lyst for innovation. We learn by doing. We know the value of sharing success stories and lessons learned—our own as well as those of others. To foster knowledge sharing and promote best practices, we developed the Open Architecture Network (www.openar-chitecturenetwork.org). This ground-breaking on-line network empowers architects, designers, builders and


their clients to share architectural plans and drawings—including CAD files. All plans are shared through an open-source model and can be freely down-loaded by all.

Design is the ultimate renewable re-source. Join us in building safer, more sustainable and more innovative struc-tures—structures that are assets to their communities and an ongoing tes-tament to the ability of people to come together to envision a better future.

DonateBy making a donation (http://archi-

tectureforhumanity.org/support) you are supporting a grassroots network of architects, designers and building professionals lending their talents and expertise in communities where there services are most needed and can least be afforded. You know design matters. Help us use the power of de-sign to build a more sustainable future in communities in Haiti and around the world.

http://architectureforhumanity.org

Just who are the Af-ricans who helped shape the Ameri-

cas, and where did they come from?

It’s a question profes-sor David Eltis and his team at Emory University (www.emory.edu/home/index.html) in Atlanta are trying to answer with a new online project called “African Origins www.african-origins.org .”

Launched in April, the online database could help trace the roots of more than 100,000 Afri-cans who were shipped to the Ameri-cas during the transatlantic slave trade.

“In the 19th century, when the slave trade was in the process of being sup-pressed, there were a set of interna-tional courts established around the Atlantic world and captured slave ves-sels were brought into these ports and adjudicated by the courts,” Eltis said.

“The people on board those vessels had their information taken down in bound registers which have survived. And the most interesting thing about these bound registers is it provides in-formation on the African name, which is actually quite rare in the history of the

black Atlantic,” he added.The key to the project’s success will

be the general public. Anyone who knows about African naming tradi-tions can help identify where individ-ual slaves came from, based on their names.

“The range of languages and prac-tices in Africa are very great,” Eltis said. “There are over 300 languages in Nigeria alone and there is no way that anyone can possibly be in command of all the names associated with those languages.”

Kwesi Degraft-Hanson, an Emory graduate student from Ghana, recog-

nized several names on the database and realized he could be a part of history.

“Exciting may sound like a strange word, but

it was exciting to me,” Degraft-Hanson said.

“Exciting because I realized these are people who were embedded in these documents, and who have been lying dormant for so long, and who re-ally, as I put it, are reaching out their hands to people like myself, Dr. Eltis, to all those who will interact with this, to say ‘here we are,’” he added.

Many African names are rooted in specific regions, countries or even vil-lages. For the most part, the naming traditions have persisted through the years, allowing those alive today to trace back the names with great accu-racy.

Degraft-Hanson explains that his first name, Kwesi, means “male born on Sunday” and is specific to the Akan -- a people and linguistic group from Ghana and Ivory Coast.


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“I was very surprised when I saw that if you go back to the 1600s you find lists with Akan on it -- it has currency all through the ages,” he said.

Using the database is simple. Type in a name and a country and a list of names is returned that phonetically could be close to the spelling.

Because the African names were originally written down by English and Spanish speakers at a time when many African languages had no written counterpart, the spelling is a phonetic representation of how the name might be spelled by an English or Spanish speaker.

For example, typing in Kwesi and Ghana brings up 189 names, ranging in spelling from Cuesi to Quesi.

Each individual name on the data-base also comes with additional de-tails, such as a person’s gender, age and where he or she boarded the ship that took them to the Americas.

One “Kwesi” on the database was a 22-year-old male, liberated by an in-ternational court in Havana, Cuba, in

Slavesfrom page 66


George E.Beaubian:

It is with great sadness that we inform the public that George E. Beaubian, a former Executive Board Member

and Past President of the New Frontier Democratic Club (NFD), passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2011.

He was the fi rst member to be elected to three consecutive terms as President and he served from January 1971 to December 1973.

As a longtime NFD member, George had been a member of the Political Action Committee, Newsletter Staff, delegate to conventions of the California Democratic Council, Democrats of

Southern California, and he designed the graphics and logo for the club’s original letterhead.

He relished being a part of NFD’s history and as a Past President, he was honored at its 50th Anniversary Celebration in October 2010.

In addition to his active participation in New Frontier Democrats, he has a long record of commitment to and Board Member of The Brotherhood Crusade; he was the Director of Mayor Bradley’s Offi ce of Small Business Assistance; former President and Vice President of the Los Angeles City Fire Commission; a Member of Assemblyman Julian C. Dixon’s Steering Committee for the 63rd A.D., as well as an outstanding

political and community advocate. George also provided strong support for the Black Business Association.

George was fully engaged in making signifi cant contributions to the corporate, civic and cultural affairs of the City and the State.

Also, he was proud to be one of the “Eastsiders” and had a great sense of humor.

He leaves to mourn his lovely wife Lois Beaubian; daughter and son-in-law Jackie & Derick Majors; two granddaughters, a grandson, and a host of friends and relatives.

1829. He had been onboard the slav-ing vessel “Voladora,” which departed from the port of Po-po before being in-tercepted and taken to Havana.

If a user is confident of the geograph-ic origin of the name they can send the information to the African Origins team, who then vet the submission.

If consensus is reached, that slave -- who once was just a number in a ship log -- will be given a name and an iden-tity.

Eltis says the ultimate goal of the

project is to create a geographic profile of the origins of the people pulled into the slave trade.

“I think it will fill in a lot of gaps on how the slave trade operated and where it originated -- not necessarily where the enslavement process began, but the regions in Africa which were drawn on most heavily for people who were tak-en to the Americas,” he said.

“It’s just as important, I think, for peo-ple who live in the Americas, the Afri-can Diaspora population.”

Thursday Blues at

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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 CenterHosted by El Camino College

13430 Hawthorne Blvd.Hawthorne, CA 90250

310.973.3177southbaysbdc.org

Order Via the InternetWines of the Black-Ownedwineries of South Africa.

Register at TheArtfulGrape.com.The Artful Grape will do the rest.

The wines will be delivered to your door.


New York City has become the latest battleground in the na-tional fight for education equal-

ity.In some schools, hallways serve as

a stark dividing line. Classrooms with peeling paint and insufficient resources sit on one side, while new computers, smartboards and up-to-date textbooks live on the other. One group of students will be taught in hallways and base-ments while others under the same roof make use of fully functional class-rooms.

New York schools have increasingly co-located charter schools inside ex-isting public schools as a cost cutting measure. Handled improperly, co-lo-cations can lead to disparities, division and tension among students, which can impede learning.

In many instances, traditional stu-

dents are forced into shorter play-ground periods than their charter school counterparts, or served lunch at 10 am so that charter students can eat at noon. The inequity could not be more glaring. And similar proposals are being considered in other states and counties nationwide.

Throughout our history, the NAACP has fought for equal educational op-portunities for all Americans. When we have seen inequality in school districts from Los Angeles, California to Topeka,

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Kansas, we have never hesitated to fight for what is right. Today the fight continues in the nation’s largest school district.

You can help shed light on this in-equality by signing the NAACP petition today and supporting New York City students.

Last month, after a year of attempts to negotiate with the New York City De-partment of Education to correct these inequalities after they lost to us in court, the NAACP was forced to go to court

again to compel them to comply with state law.

Our return to court has triggered a smear campaign against the NAACP.

In recent days we have faced a coor-dinated media attack backed by funds from right wing opponents of public schools. Unable to dispute the facts of the case, they’ve chosen to cast asper-sions on the NAACP, to question our motivations, and to sling mud at our legacy.

This is a tactic meant to silence the

NAACP, but with your help, we will not be silenced.

Will you join us in speaking out? Stand alongside the NAACP, New York City parents and students to let the Department of Education know that all students deserve a quality education.

Sign the Petition now and let New York know that those who believe in justice will not back down.

The NAACP will always work for the day when all students can access high-quality public education. We will not tolerate the neglect of the hundreds of thousands of families depending on traditional public schools, nor will we stand by as public schools are illegally closed, communities are ignored in de-fiance of the law and student success is left to chance.

And we will never be silenced by right wing attacks on our reputation.

The NAACP has always believed that educating children in a separate and unequal system that provides a quality education to the lucky few at the expense of the many is the wrong kind of education, and we will continue to fight, as we always have, for equal opportunity for all.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Todd JealousPresident and CEONAACPwww.naacp.org


Sign the Petition at…http://action.naacp.org/page/s/

nycschools?utm_medium=email&utm_source=NAACP&utm_campaign=20110606NY

Cschools&source=20110606NYCschools

We are pleased and excited to announce Let’s Move! Child Care (www.healthykid-

shealthyfuture.org/welcome.htm), a new effort to work with child and day care providers to help our youngest children get off to a healthy start.

Everyone has a role to play in end-ing childhood obesity, and child and day care centers are certainly no ex-ception. By providing a solid checklist on healthy nutrition, physical activity and screen time, we all can help take more responsibility for the healthy habits of our kids. We are starting off strong with commitments from the pub-lic sector: the Department of Defense and the General Services Adminis-tration; and also the private sector, Bright Horizons, the nation’s second largest childcare provider. All three are committing to implement the checklist which will reach over 280,000 children.

The checklist, which can be used by both providers and parents, is com-prised of these fi ve elements:• Physical Activity: Provide 1-2 hours

of physical activity throughout the day, including outside play when pos-sible.

• Screen Time: No screen time for children under two years. For chil-dren age two and older, strive to limit screen time to no more than 30 min-utes per week during child care, and work with parents and caregivers to ensure children have no more than 1-2 hours of quality screen time per day, the amount recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Food: Serve fruits or vegetables at every meal, eat meals family-style when possible, and no fried foods.

• Beverages: Provide access to wa-ter during meals and throughout the

day, and do not serve sugary drinks. For children age two and older, serve low-fat (1%) or non-fat milk, and no more than one 4-6 ounce serving of 100% juice per day.

• Infant feeding: For mothers who want to continue breastfeeding, pro-vide their milk to their infants and welcome them to breastfeed during the child care day; and support all new parents in their decisions about infant feeding.First Lady Mrs. Obama unveiled Let’s

Move! Child Care while visiting children at CentroNia, a bilingual child care center in Washington, DC. “Everyone is going to see that these small chang-es can make a big difference. If our kids get into the habit of getting up and playing, if their palates warm up to veg-gies at an early age, and if they’re not glued to a TV screen all day, they’re on their way to healthy habits for life,” First Lady Mrs. Obama said. “That’s why I’m so excited about Let’s Move Child Care

– because I know that childcare facili-ties and home-based providers can be a real building block for an entire gen-eration of healthy kids.”

To best support child care providers who choose to meet these practices, Nemours (www.nemours.org) is lead-ing an effort to provide free, compre-hensive resources and tools in a newly developed website, and the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (www.naccrra.org) is committed to providing tech-nical assistance to providers. Child care providers and parents can go to HealthyKidsHealthyFuture.org for these free tools and resources and to share success stories. Let’s Move! Child Care comes as a combined effort from the government, private, and non-profi t communities. Ending childhood obesity is a responsibility we all share, and working together, we will make a difference.

www.letsmove.gov

Let’s Move!New Guidelines for Child Care Providers and Parents


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Walmart and the Walmart Foun-dation have announced $2.6 million in grants aimed at fi ll-

ing the gaps created in Los Angeles when schools close for the summer. The funding is part of a nationwide,

$23.5 million initiative to expand nu-trition, learning and employment ser-vices for elementary, middle and high school students throughout the sum-mer months. Grants will be provided to the Los Angeles Chamber of Com-merce’s Los Angeles Youth at Work initiative, THINK Together, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the Special Needs Network, Summer Night Lights and the Weingart-East LA YMCA.

“This summer, we’re stepping up our efforts to invest in our youth and local communities,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “This partner-ship with Walmart will help thousands of young Angelenos overcome barri-ers to employment during the summer months by providing skills training, ac-cess to nutritious meals, and educa-tional opportunities.”

According to the National Sum-mer Learning Association (NSLA), the primary reason for the achieve-ment gap between higher- and lower-

Walmart Launches $2.6 Million Effort to Expand Summer Services for

Children in Los AngelesDonation will provide thousands of nutritious meals and help almost 1000 youth in

the Los Angeles area access summer learning and employment programs

income youth is unequal access to summer learning opportunities and critical needs like healthy meals. At a time when many summer programs are being cut due to shrinking budgets, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation’s

summer giving grants will assist in three key areas:• Providing healthy meals to approxi-

mately 1,000 school-age children in our area, and a total of 8 million healthy meals to more than 85,000 youth.

• Helping 720 local kids enroll in sum-mer learning programs, and helping 20,000 youth nationwide participate in programs that will better prepare them to return to school.

• Providing jobs and skills training to more than 235 local teens and more than 5,000 youth nationwide.Additionally, Walmart is providing a

$730,000 grant and supplies to support the annual Summer Night Lights pro-gram, an anti-gang initiative that keeps parks open after dark with free food and activities. With funding from Walmart, the program will expand to eight addi-tional Los Angeles-area parks.

“The summer months are an impor-tant time, especially for families with young children who depend on school

food programs as a source of nutri-tious meals or seek access to enrich-ment opportunities while school is out,” said Kimberly Sentovich, Senior Vice President for the Pacifi c Division for Walmart. “Through our commitment

and partnership with organizations that provide vital services to youth and their families, we will continue to work together to help end hunger and foster healthy and safe communities in Los Angeles.”

To fi nd additional information on the summer programs that Walmart is supporting and learn more about how Walmart is bringing its commitment to hunger relief to life this summer, visit www.walmart.com/fi ghtinghunger.

About Philanthropy at Walmart

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fi ght hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce de-velopment, environmental sustainabil-ity, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit http://www.walmart-foundation.org.


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Through the summer, the White House will be rolling out events based on feedback during the

“Your Future, Your Solutions” 100 Roundtables Initiative in a series called “How to Make Change”. The Offi ce of Public Engagement will update the schedule with emails and on our website with specifi cs on timing of the events shown here and for added events here at the White House, and around the country.Kickoff Conference Call with President Obama and Administration Offi cialsObama Administration Offi cials conference call de-briefi ng the President’s commitment to youth issues and initiatives. President Obama will also hop-on the call at 12 noon on Friday, July 1, 2011. Please note that capacity has been reached by those who RSVP’d, but we will provide a read-out after this call.Civic Engagement: Youth Incarceration, Environment, and LGBT IssuesNot something we see in the mainstream media, but check out President Obama hearing real-life examples from young Americans on how specifi c policies he supported such as second chance programs, social work, health and human services, the environment, energy independence, national security, Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell, and LGBT issues have made an impact in the lives of young Americans.

Join us for the opening session: “How to Make Change: Civic Engagement” at 4:30 p.m. EDT, July 5, 2011 on Whitehouse.gov/Live.Tackling PovertyPoverty is a global challenge that the President is committed to tackling both

here and abroad. Lots of movement has been made in this arena, but much more is left to be done. What have young Americans done substantively to stop the cycle of poverty in our communities? Xavier Jennings shares some insight here:

Join us for “How to Make Change: Poverty and International Aid”, an interactive chat with U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Raj Shah at 1:30 p.m. EDT on July 7, 2011, on Whitehouse.gov/Live. submit your questions in advance by clicking here.

E-Book Launch As we promised during the “Your Future, Your Solutions: 100 Youth Strategies for Winning the Future” Roundtables Initiative, we will be launching an E-book with results and outcomes from the roundtables you held and ways to connect with each other around the country. Join us for “How to Make Change: E-Book Launch” in July - date and time is forthcoming.

College Affordability, Student Financial Aid, and Pell GrantsPresident Obama and Young Americans have achieved incredible successes on issues related to college affordability. From raising the Pell Grant to $5500 and increasing the American Opportunity Tax Credit to $2500 (and fi ghting hard to keep both), investments in education for our generation are a priority. Listen to what young advocates, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, and President Obama himself had to say about college affordability, fi nancial aid, and Pell:

Join us for “How to Make Change: Pell Grants and Financial Aid” webchat on August 2, 2011.

Educational Awards, Low Income Housing, and GrantsWhat have young folks been doing to alleviate a shortage in affordable housing? How about building 13 homes in 5 years. Not too shabby. Youth Advocate Layla Wright joins us to discuss her Youth Build project in Tennessee, helping communities in Appalachia.

We will have at least three more events in August, including “How to Make Change: Affordable Housing and Impact on Young Americans,” “How to Make Change: Energy and Environment,” and “Closing Session: How We Did It: Success Stories and Scalable Models of Success” More events and opportunities to connect will be added throughout the summer! www.whitehouse.gov/ blog/2011/06/30/

how-make-change-series

#AskObama at the First Ever Twitter @Townhall at the White HouseThe White House is all a-Twitter about an exciting event that’s happening next week. On Wednesday, July 6th at 2pm ET, President Obama will answer your questions in the fi rst ever Twitter Town Hall at the White House, and you’re invited. Starting today, you can tweet your questions about jobs and the economy using the hashtag #AskObama and follow @townhall for the latest updates. Then, come back to watch the President respond to your questions in a live event moderated by Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder and Executive Chairman.

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“How To Make Change” Series


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OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN

OERPandComedy NightJoin the Fun!Share the Laughs!


Banks Need More Diverse Boards, Management

Major bank boards of directors remain overwhelmingly white and male, reports The

Greenlining Institute in its recently released latest study of bank board diversity. Focused on nine major institutions with a major California presence, Greenlining found that Citi’s board was most diverse, while eight of nine boards were at least 80 percent white and 80 percent male. Five banks had zero Latino representation, four had no Asian Americans, and two had no African Americans.

People of color also tended to be seriously underrepresented in high-level management positions.

“We’re strongly urging banks to diversify their boards and upper management, not just for diversity’s sake, but because they’re missing opportunities,” said report author Preeti Vissa, Greenlining’s Community Reinvestment Director. “Communities of color are already the majority in California and will be nationally in the foreseeable future, and their buying power is growing. Projections for 2014 point to over $3 trillion in buying power for the combined African American, Asian American and Latino communities.

“Diverse leadership can help fi nancial institutions tap into this enormous market,” Vissa added. “And given the disproportionate impact of predatory lending in communities of color, having board members with connections to these communities might help discourage such practices.”

The report urges banks to proactively interview diverse candidates for leadership positions and aim for at least 40 percent overall board diversity, with at least one African American, Asian American and Latino member.

The full report is available online at www.greenlining.org/resources/pdfs/GISDRCinteriorcoverforGIwebsite.pdf.

Contact Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator at 510-926-4022.

Com

munity/P

ublic Inerest

The Dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in

Washington, DC will take place at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 28, 2011, and this site, Dedicate The Dream (www.dedicatethedream.org) is the offi cial information resource.

The Dedication promises to be a historic event for the U.S. and nations around the world, as Dr. King’s vision and timeless beliefs continue to resonate with people of all lands. World leaders, civil rights pioneers, citizens who remember the hard days of segregation and those leading the next generation closer to Dr. King’s dream, will assemble together for the long-awaited celebration and remembrance.

This ceremony will be the culmination of a week of events, inspired by the establishment of a permanent honor to one of our nation’s greatest citizen leaders. Dr. King was a profound teacher, whose lessons were anchored in the primacy of human dignity. He enacted irreversible social change and led our country forward, relying exclusively on non-violent means. The

Memorial will be a lasting tribute to Dr. King’s legacy and will forever serve as a monument to the freedom, opportunity and justice for which he stood.

Whether you live in the Washington, DC area, or are planning to visit for this momentous occasion, the Dedicate The Dream website will offer the latest available information to help you plan. Please visit often, for it will be updated frequently as Dedication planning progresses.

We look forward to sharing with you a joyous and historic day for our nation.

Final Financial ChallengeBut I also can’t take my eye off our

fi nancial situation. We have one more challenge to overcome before we can unveil our magnifi cent statue to the world: to raise the fi nal $8 million to complete this Memorial.

That’s why I am reaching out to the community again and asking for a special “Three Month Countdown” Gift of $90 to the Memorial today.

I know we all have a lot on our plates and have many fi nancial responsibilities. But I hope many

of you will be able to donate to the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation this year.

While a symbolic donation of $90 would be a tremendous help, any amount that you can send will be deeply appreciated. Donations may be made online at www.mlkmemorial.org.

From the bottom of my heart and on the behalf of everyone here at the Memorial, I want to thank you for your continued generosity that will enable current and future generations of Americans to remember and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Sincerely,

Harry E. Johnson, Sr.President & CEO Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc.


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Resources For Going GlobalThe U.S. Commercial Service - Your Global Business Partner. With offi ces 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 fi nd the trade specialist nearest you please visit http://www.buyusa.gov/home/us.html.

Event: Export Controls: Application and AwarenessVenue: Microsoft Conference Center, Redmond, WADate: July 12-13, 2011Cost: $195Learn more/register: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=1Q69

Do you need a fi rmer grasp of export controls and regulations to ensure your company is doing everything it can to comply with them? Join us for a July conference on export controls, hosted by Homeland Security Investigations, Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Seattle U.S. Export Assistance Center. Raise your awareness of export controls and regulations and learn techniques to apply in your processes to help ensure you can avoid violations.

Event: Export Compliance Workshop – Bureau of Industry & SecurityVenue: LAX Gateway SheratonDate: August 10-11, 2011 More information or to register: http://www.buyusa.gov/pacifi csouth/bis.html

The U.S. Commercial Service - Your Global Business Partner. With offi ces 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 fi nd the trade specialist nearest you please visit http://www.buyusa.gov/home/us.html.

Event: Discover Opportunities in South AfricaVenue: Johannesburg and Cape Town Date: September 19-23, 2011Learn more/register: http://www.export.gov/trademissions/southafrica2011/ Registration Deadline: July 18, 2011

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing this trade mission. Led by a senior Department of Commerce offi cial, this trade mission will introduce U.S. businesses and service providers to key business contacts and allow them to explore new business

opportunities. South Africa represents the largest economy and most sophisticated and diversifi ed industrial and services sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. The country also stands to benefi t from rapid growth anticipated in many of its Sub-Saharan African trading partners. The mission will visit both Johannesburg and Cape Town, allowing participants to access two of the largest markets and business centers in the country. The itinerary consists of customized one-on-one business appointments with potential agents, distributors and partners, market briefi ngs, and meetings with key government offi cials. For more information, please contact [email protected] or telephone: 202-482-5496.

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

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

AGOA 2011 Forum: Sub-Saharan Africa Ripe for Business

International


Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has said the Sub-Saharan Africa is now more ripe for massive

investments and trade but challenged the countries to heighten moves to-wards regional integration to maximise the economic benefi ts.

And Mrs. Clinton, who offi cially closed the African Growth and Oppor-tunity Act (AGOA) forum, said the US government wanted the relationship with developing countries to be based on mutual partnership and not patron-age.

Mrs. Clinton told the delegates to the just-ended AGOA forum at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre that Africa had come a long way but was now ready for increased investments and trade with the US and the entire international community.

”Although it still faces many challeng-es in many areas, the region is unde-niably more stable, more democratic, and more prosperous than adecade ago.”Thanks to the hard work of the African people, productivity has been-rising.

Consumer spending in the region is projected to grow by almost US$600 million and the GDP by US$1 trillion, in less than a decade,”she said.

She said that in 2000, when her husband signed the AGOA into law, the chances of the Act bearing fruit in the Sub-Sahara Africa region were dismal and productivity was declin-ing and there were 10 major confl icts while there were only four leaders who had peacefully handed over power to elected ones.

Both sides, however, worked hard resulting in the quadrupling of exports to the US to US $4 million in the past decade without considering the fi gures from oil.

Mrs. Clinton, who is the fi rst US Sec-retary of State to visit Zambia since 1976 when her predecessor, Henry Kissinger did so, reiterated that the Obama administration would work with Congress on a seamless renewal of the AGOA beyond 2015.

She said that between now and then, the eligible countries had a duty to help in coming up with scenarios to convince the Congress on the need to extend the Act beyond 2015 when it is scheduled to expire.

Mrs. Clinton said AGOA was all about the people of the eligiblecountries who should be helped to attain better stan-dards of living through empowerment.

Mrs. Clinton said it was for that rea-son that all stakeholders including women and the youths should be ac-tively involved in AGOA issues noting that by 2015, a quarter of the world’s young people would be residing in Af-rica.

She said women were still grappling with various barriers which made them fail to make it in their various ventures and that should be addressed.

”At the State Department, we have made it a priority to help women break down these barriers.

Among our many efforts, we are helping women entrepreneurs con-nect with potential partners around the world,”she said.

She said that last year, the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Pro-

gramme (AWEP) was introduced un-der AGOA and in just a few months the grouping had already made remark-able strides.

Mrs. Clinton announced that her gov-ernment would contribute US$2million this year and next year to the grouping

to enable them to continue their work.

On the need for regional de-velopment, Mrs. Clinton said Sub Saharan Africa had the lowest intraregional trade and challenged the countries to en-gage in business between and among themselves before ven-turing out into the US market.

She said that African re-sources should benefi t Africans and emphasized that the US government will elevate cor-ruption as a major focus of its

diplomatic efforts.Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton

has said that Sub-Saharan Africa is now more ripe for massive investments and trade but challenged the countries to heighten moves towards regional integration to maximise the economic benefi ts.

And Mrs Clinton, who yesterday of-fi cially closed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum, said the US government wanted the rela-tionship with developing countries to be based on mutual partnership and not patronage.

Mrs. Clinton told the delegates to the just-ended AGOA forum at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference centre that Africa had come a long way but was now ready for increased in-vestments and trade with the US and the entire international community.

Mrs Clinton, who is the fi rst US Sec-retary of State to visit Zambiasince 1976 when her predecessor, Henry Kissinger did so, reiterated that the Obama administration would work with Congress on a seamless renewal of the AGOA beyond 2015.

Although this is Mrs Clinton’s fi rst visit to Zambia as Secretary of State, she has visited Zambia before as First lady of the United States of America.

By James Muyanwawww.times.co.zm/news/viewnews.

cgi?category=4&id=1307786712

Hon. Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of

State


His Excellency, Mr. Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia, recently announced

the construction phase of Japanese company, Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia Limited in Lusaka, with an initial US$15 million investment.

Hitachi is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction, mining and earthmoving equipment. This is the fi rst ever investment into the manufacturing sector by a Japanese company and it is expected to add impetus to President Banda’s desire to create more jobs for the Zambian people.

The President has expressed joy that Hitachi has picked on Zambia for its investment and that, as a regional hub of southern Africa, Zambia will provide valuable services to surrounding

countries.The fi rst phase of the project

is expected to be completed by December this year and, if successful, the company shall undertake an expansion programme that will extend the services to other major industrial entities in the region.

Japan is one of Zambia’s largest cooperating partners and Hitachi’s ground-breaking investment is set to strengthen the two countries’ relations even further.

Zambia was recently ranked among the top 10 countries worldwide that have improved the ease of doing business for local fi rms in the past year while The East African magazine ranked President Banda as the 12th best performing African president among the 52 on the continent.

Zambia Welcomes Major Investment from Japan

Understand the US/Korea

Free Trade Agreement

You are invited to participate in one of two upcoming events to better understand the pending US/Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Panel Speakers: • Bryant Trick, USTR Deputy

Assistant for Korea • Joshua Pierce, Korea Desk Offi cer

– Market Access & Compliance, US Department of Commerce

• Bryan Erwin, Director, Trade Advocacy Center, US Department of Commerce

• Wonsok Yun, Director General, Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA)

Thursday, June 16, 2011 – Presented by Women in International Trade – Los AngelesModerator: Jim MacLellan, Port of Los Angeles Time: 11:00am-2:00pm Location: Torrance Holiday Inn, 19800 South Vermont, Torrance, CA 90502 Registration: www.wit-la.org/event_detail_jun.asp

Friday, June 17, 2011 – Presented by Bryan Cave LLPModerator: David Stepp, Partner - Bryan Cave LLPTime: 8:00am-10:00amLocation: The Wilshire Hotel, 3515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010 Registration: www.SignUp4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=DOIN10E

Panelist will be available for one-on-one meetings with companies on June 16 & 17. For more information, please contact Terri Batch at [email protected] or 310-882-1750. These events are organized in conjunction with the U.S. Commercial Service, Women in International Trade - Los Angeles, Bryan Cave LLP. Sponsorship is provided by FedEx with promotional support from the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Mayor’s Offi ce, and KOTRA.

Zambia’s Former President Frederick Chiluba DiesApril 30, 1943 - June 19, 2011

The late President Chiluba’s spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba confi rmed the death

of the former president who died at his resident in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area shortly after midnight on Saturday morning, June 19, 2011.

Frederick Chiluba came to power as Zambia’s second president by defeating the nation’s fi rst President Kenneth Kaunda in the fi rst contested elections in the country for more than 20 years. Chiluba was the son of a copper miner, and was born in Kitwe, in what was then the British Protectorate of Northern Rhodesia.

Under Frederick Chiluba, freedom

of speech in Zambia fl ourished and its media became as lively as anywhere in Africa.

Internationally, he helped broker a peace agreement in neighbouring civil war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo.

Perhaps Frederick Chiluba’s greatest legacy is that he established a lasting principle of democracy in Zambian politics.

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Contacts for this mis-sion:Larry Farris, Johannes-burgSenior Commercial Offi cerPhone: 27 11 290 [email protected] Teresa Yung, Trade Event ProgramsInternational Trade Spe-cialistPhone: [email protected].

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign

Commercial Service (CS) is organiz-ing a Trade Mission to South Africa, September 19-23, 2011 (www.export.gov/eac/show_detail_trade_events.asp?EventID=31747&InputType=EVENT). Led by a senior Department of Commerce offi cial, the mission is in-tended to include representatives from a variety of U.S. industry suppliers and service providers with targeted indus-tries being energy equipment and tech-nologies, agricultural equipment, and educational services and skills devel-opment.

South Africa is a country of 50 mil-lion people, rich in culture, people and natural heritage. With remarkable macroeconomic stability and a pro-business environment, South Africa is a logical and attractive choice for U.S. companies to enter Sub-Saharan Afri-ca. Growth of South Africa’s consumer base also provides ample opportunity for U.S. exporters. With stops in Jo-hannesburg and Cape Town, this trade mission will introduce U.S. companies to potential buyers and allow them to explore new business opportunities in the dynamic South African market. The mission will include one-on-one busi-ness appointments, briefi ngs and eve-ning receptions.

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

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

International


Export.govTrade

Mission to South Africa

Sept. 19-23, 2011

seum in Johannesburg. The First Lady, along with daughters Sasha and Malia, read “The Cat In The Hat” to children at the Zandspruit Township Daycare Cen-ter during an event at the Emthonjeni Community Center in Johannesburg.

Before the museum tour, the First Lady met the 75 young women Youth

Leaders she will be adressing later. These women came from across Africa and are the reason we are here. These women have personal and professional stories that will blow you away - there

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First Lady’s Trip to Southern Africa

The United States First Lady Michelle Obama today visited the Nelson Mandela Centre

of Memory in Johannesburg on the fi rst leg of her trip to South Africa and Botswana.

Accompanied by her mother Marian Robinson, her daughters Malia and Sasha and her niece Leslie and her nephew Avery, Mrs Obama met members of Nelson Mandela’s family and his wife Graca Machel.

Sello Hatang and Sahm Venter, the co-editors of the soon to be released book Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Quotations Book presented Mrs Obama with an advanced copy.

Mr Hatang and the head of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory Verne Harris showed the First Lady a display of archival items housed in the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory including prison desk calendars, notebooks and draft letters. She was introduced to Senior Archivist Razia Saleh.

Mrs. Obama expressed appreciation for the display, and said “You are doing very important work”.

US First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters met with 9 2 - y e a r - o l d Nobel Peace Prize winner

Nelson Mandela after a visit to the M a n d e l a Foundation.

M r s . Obama, her daughters, mother, a niece and n e p h e w were all wel-comed into Mande la ’s home in the H o u g h t o n neighbour-hood of Jo-hannesburg. Visits are increasingly rare since M a n d e l a was hospi-talised with an acute respiratory infec-tion in January.

First Lady Michelle Obama, along with daughters Sasha and Malia, toured the exhibits at the Apartheid Mu-

ABOVE: Ms. Michelle Obama with former President Nelson Mandela at his home.BELOW: South African First Lady Ms Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma welcomed First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama at Mahlamba Ndlopfu in Pretoria on a visit to South Africa

First Family arrives in South Africa

become a role mod-el for the rest of the world. Obama said through hard work the youth of today could achieve their dreams. “There is no magic dust that helps students achieve at a place like this, now-a-days it is more how hard you can work and more impor-tantly it’s about be-lieving in yourself every step of the way.”

She said even af-ter getting accepted

at a top school, despite her disadvan-taged background, she still had doubts she could succeed, until she began seeing that she was performing just as well as others.

Ms. Obama and her family started the second leg of the Africa visit in Gaborone, Botswana. They were wel-comed with a performance of tradition-al African dances performed a group of children ages 6 to 18. The children wore traditional costumes of hide and sang to the family in greeting. They were also greeted by a group of chil-dren waving the American fl ag and the

First Family at the Apartheid Museum

was a lot of mutual-admira-tion in the room, and the First Lady made sure to tell them how inspiring these women were to her!

Speaking at Fuller Hall at the University of Cape Town (UCT) to over 50 pupils from fi ve schools across the city, Michelle Obama said people of the world were looking to South Africa to become a world leader and that many Americans were behind the country.

US First Lady Michelle Obama on Thursday praised South Africans who had grown up under apartheid, overcome the oppressive system and built a country based on equality that had


International

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu showed off their football skills while visiting Cape Town Stadium

First Family arrives in Botswana

blue and black fl ag of Botswana.While in Gaborone, the First Family

joined in to help paint a mural on the wall of a new clinic under construction that treats children living with HIV/Aids.

The disease is a major public health challenge in Botswana, a country of 2-million people, including about 300 ,000 people living with HIV/Aids.

The fi rst lady is promoting health and wellness on her visit, with a special em-phasis on HIV-prevention.

The fi rst lady then headed to lunch with women leaders from different gen-erations. She will meet with President Ian Khama before taking the family to dinner at a nature park.

allAfrica.comAP Photos

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“A FEW NOTES ON AFRICA”

Ethiopia to Host 2012 World Economic Forum on Africa

Ethiopia will host the next World Economic Forum’s Africa meeting a year from now (May 2012). At a press conference in Cape Town, Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said he is delighted that the WEF - host of a high-level global conference in Davos, Switzerland, each January - has chosen his country for its annual Africa conference. He said all attendees, including journalists, will be welcome.

Ethiopia is predicted to have one of the world’s fastest growing economies over the next decade. Among the reasons for holding its Africa forum in Addis Ababa, said a WEF spokesperson, are that it is a diplomatic hub - including hosting the African Union, it is extending development to the rural poor, with lessons for the rest of Africa, and it has never been colonized.

Genetic Discovery Could Benefi t Farmers

Scientists have discovered two genes in cattle that may help African farmers improve their livelihoods by preventing premature deaths in their herds from the trypanosome parasite that causes “sleeping sickness”. The illness causes an estimated U.S.$5 billion in livestock losses annually for African farmers across an area roughly the size of the United States. The zone stretches from Senegal on the west coast to Tanzania on the east and from Chad in the north to Zimbabwe in southern Africa. It is known as the “tsetse fl y belt” after the insect that transmits the trypanosome parasite. The parasite is best known for causing

illness in humans, but the more devastating effect on Africans has been on their cattle and livelihoods.

Treat Small Farms as Businesses

The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), focuses on agriculture and rural development, so we work only in rural communities in the developing world. Our experience has been that poor rural people are not waiting for a government handout. They want to be able to have opportunities to enter into economic activity.

60% of the African population is below the age of 24. So we focus on youth on the premise that if you invest in agriculture and rural development, you are able to transform the rural space into an economically viable space. Not only do you transform the community, the rural space, but you also stem the migration into urban areas.

In Africa, the majority of farm activities are conducted by women, so we focus on women’s empowerment. We invest in capacity building of the individual and the communities - particularly farmer organizations, women’s organizations - to build their own institutional framework and governance structures, so that they themselves can be able to enter into advocacy with their community leaders. That’s empowerment.

Because of the success of rural fi nancing projects in Benin, the government in 2006 established a ministry of rural fi nance within the ministry of fi nance, headed by a woman. In many communities in the developing world - not only in Africa - women are not entitled to land. In Ethiopia, we worked with the government to support communities where women have the right to land, just as their husbands.

The overarching issue for us here is the role of smallholder agriculture in food security. Eighty percent of farmers in the developing world, Africa included, are smallholder farms owning less than two hectares. You cannot bring about a transformation of agriculture and food security without smallholder population being part of the solution. We must stop looking at smallholder agriculture as a way of life where people have been condemned to poverty.

Smallholders, whether they are farmers, or fi shermen and women, or foresters, are engaged in an economic activity at a subsistence level. If we see this activity as a business that needs to make a profi t, our role therefore is to say, ‘How can we transform this business into a profi table entrepreneurship?

What is gratifying for me is that a few years ago you would not hear people talking smallholder agriculture as a business. At the World Economic Forum on Africa, I heard over and over again where top government offi cials and the private sector have come to recognize that global food security cannot be achieved without the engagement of smallholder agriculture. I think that is the message: governments should invest in agriculture as a business and create the environment for smallholders to enter into economic activities that are profi table.

Liberia Exports Iron OreThe fi rst ore mined in Liberia in more than 20 years is part of a ‘test’ run to market before regular shipments begin in July 2011.

Some 5,000 people have been employed during the construction phase of the mining project, he said. The workforce required for mining and export operations is about 500. Once full-scale operations begin, output is projected to total four million tons per yearhttp://allafrica.com/photoessay/Ore/#photo

SEE YOU ON THE CONTINENT.

Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, President of IFAD


International

WHY OWN GOLD IN YOUR IRA/401kChanging 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 man-ages 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 [email protected] for a web seminar presentation.

Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors is an independent Registered Investment Advisor

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www.jamaalwilkes.comPhone: (310)209-83306601 Center Drive West, Suite 500Los Angeles, CA 90045

Advertorial-Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, LLC:

Are We Running Out of Silver?Excerpt from the Casey Research 2011 Silver Investing Guide

Silver has been on fire over the last three years — sub-stantially outperforming its spotlight-grabbing cousin, gold.

Because we believe this bull run is far from over, we ad-vise investors to always maintain exposure to the precious metals markets. Even if you haven’t yet participated in the run-up of both gold and silver, I’m glad you’re ready to take a look at the investment potential of silver.

The question every investor faces in a bull market is: Do I buy now, anticipating prices will continue higher — and chance getting clobbered if a correction arrives? Or do I wait for a pullback and possibly miss out on big gains? There’s risk either way.

Our goal in this report is to suggest various ways you can invest in silver, while underscoring the importance of pa-tience and discipline. Investors must remain patient to avoid chasing silver, overpaying, and draining their cash. Instead, we recommend that you use temporary price declines to steadily accumulate the best silver stocks and your pre-ferred form of bullion.

Looking back after this bull market has finally run its course, we think gold and silver will have amply rewarded those who bought smart, had meaningful exposure, and stayed the course.

Silver: The Lay of the LandThere is ample data on the silver market to consider, but

there are two specific issues regarding supply and demand that are critical to understand.

The first is industrial use. Demand from a number of in-dustries that use silver has been flat or falling. Household demand for silver like cutlery, flatware, and candlesticks hasn’t risen in ten years. Jewelry fabrication is up but a blip. With the shift to digital photography and image storing, use in photographic film processing continues to fall. And yet, total demand from industrial users keeps climbing.

So what’s driving industrial demand?

Uses for Silver Are GrowingSince 1999, consumption in electronics has increased

120%. Silver use in solar panels began in 2000, and usage is up 640% since. Silver was first used in biocides (antibac-terial agents) in 2002 and, while a small percentage of total silver use, it has grown six-fold.

The point is that not only are the number of uses for silver growing, the demand within each of those applications is ris-ing as well. This is important to keep in mind because, tradi-tionally, the industrial component of silver tends to keep the

price soft in a poor economy – and Doug Casey is convinced we’re on the cusp of the Greater Depression.

However, these increasing sources of demand are now more likely to keep a floor under the price in the future. In fact, the Silver Institute forecasts that total industrial use of silver will rise by 36% over the next five years, to 666 million troy ounces/year. That’s a lot of silver, meaning this portion of demand, which is roughly 60% of all fabrication, isn’t let-ting up anytime soon.

The second issue is mine supply. Silver mine production has been increasing over the past decade, largely due to rising prices, allowing companies to ramp up production and bring more metal to the market. In fact, global mine produc-tion is up 33% since 1999. Meanwhile, total demand, as you’ll see in the chart below, is also rising.

Mine Production Can’t Keep Up with DemandSo what’s the concern? In spite of miners digging up more

and more silver, production alone can’t meet global demand, and the gap has to be filled by scrap silver coming to market.

And there’s a catch with scrap. While scrap metal com-


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Silver

prises about 20% of silver’s total sup-ply, many of these new applications are difficult to reclaim. Some applica-tions contain such small amounts that they’re uneconomic to recapture, such as many biocidal and nanotechnol-ogy applications. With others it’ll be a long wait. Solar panels, for example, have a 20- to 30-year life. Still others are waiting on more effective recovery programs; more than half of all silver in cell phones, TVs, computers and other electronics, for instance, still ends up in landfills.

In other words, a growing portion of the silver that’s consumed won’t be re-turning to the market anytime soon.

JAMAAL WILKESFINANCIAL ADVISORS

Process to BUY Gold & Silver with Qualified Funds:

1. We use Sterling Trust, a division of Equity Trust Company, a national leader among IRA custodians that hold precious metals in IRA accounts. As an industry leader, Sterling Trust and its affiliates, provide services to over 140,000 individuals and businesses nationwide whose assets exceed $10+

billion;2. A Sterling Trust Self-Directed Pre-cious Metals IRA is established for your Client, or accountholder, the IRA annual fee of $75, a 1-time set up fee of $50, and first year gold storage fees of $125 totaling $250 are paid, and Ster-ling Trust receives the transfer, rollover, or contribution of funds into the IRA. A Precious Metals IRA kit and forms are available on-line at: www.Sterling-TrustCompany.com;

3. We will consult and advise Ac-countholder on how to structure their investment in gold (precious metal bul-lion products). Preliminary Buy Order Quotes will be in writing by email and/or fax to Accountholder, or the Account-holder’s designated representative;

4. JWFA will provide Accountholder

from page 89

with an itemized invoice that shows the type and quantity of gold (precious metal bullion products) purchased and the respective purchase price which must be signed by Accountholder, or Accountholder’s designated represen-tative, and payment instructions must be provided to Sterling Trust. Accoun-tholder faxes invoice to Sterling Trust IRA Services group;

5. Sterling Trust will issue payment to JWFA following the instructions pro-vided by the Accountholder which will include shipping/delivery instructions to its depository within the Delaware Depository Service Company (web: www.DelawareDepository.com).

Please contact me at (310) 209-8298 or [email protected] with any questions. Thank you.

Introducing...

SoLaTea Housepresented by Cultural Interiors West & Lucy Florence Cafe

Now Open for Business!5669 W. Pico Blvd., Los [email protected] 562-253-6347

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

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

Give the Gifts of Knowledge, Inspiration, Entertainment.

Shop theBlack Book Stores!

Eso Won Books African American Books

4331 Degnan Ave., Leimert Park,Los Angeles

“Give Books as Gifts to Friends & Family”

Check out our unsurpassed collection ofbooks, music, video, children’s books,

and games!

323-294-0324www.esowonbooks.com

//esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events

Malik’s BooksOnline

Malik’s Books has closed opera-

tions in the Baldwin Hills Mall. Ma-lik’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 al-ways been.

Please visit us at www.Ma-likbooks.com and/or www.au-tographbooks.com. For other information give us a call at 818-564-5694.

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

Thank You again for all your sup-port and patronage over the years and visit us on the Web.

Malik’s Bookswww.Malikbooks.com

[email protected]

818-564-5694


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

•Buy Products Made or Assembled in the USA•Hire One New Employee

•Eat an Extra Meal Out Each Week•Start/Grow a Business to Generate Wealth & Jobs

Buy Black Save Black Invest Black

Books to Consider...t

Walter & Albertina Sisulu

In Our Lifetimeby Elinor Sisulu

Born only miles apart in the Eastern Cape hinterland, Walter Sisulu and Al-bertina Thethiwe went on from these humble beginnings to become two of South Africa’s most respected and be-loved fi gures. For over fi ve decades they were at the forefront of the strug-gle against apartheid and the injustices it wrought on black South Africans.

Celebrated writer Elinor Sisulu, daughter-in-law of the Sisulus, has had unrivalled access to her subjects and to personal and family letters, as well as previosuly classifi ed documents from the security police and prison fi les. Eli-nor details not only the history of their political battles against apartheid but also the marriage that lasted until Wal-ter’s death at the age of 90. This is the defi nitive biography and moving story of an inspirational couple.

“There can be no greater and more inspiring example in the history of our organisation, and hence of our coun-try, than Walter and Albertina Sisulu: a couple whose every deed speaks of leadership that made the kind of differ-

ence that brought us to where we are today as a country and as a people... It is time that this story of our nation be told.” (Nelson Mandela, from the Fore-word)

“Sometimes it’s the small things - when you look at a great political lead-er or a great person and ask how they managed to achieve what they did, it’s sometimes very mundane things which made them able to go, and it was sup-port from ordinary people.”

However, there was little mundane about the relationship between the two.Activists

Walter fi rst met Albertina in the 1940s, when he moved to Johannes-burg, where Albertina was working as a nurse. They came from the same area so they had a lot in common - Albertina was also from a peasant family, and also from a family where sharing was emphasised, where the emphasis was on making everybody feel welcome.

“They shared that ideal - and then later they shared a political ideal.

“He always admired strong wom-en, so he admired Albertina’s strength very much, and always celebrated it.”I think that was im-portant for their relationship.”Housework

Elinor also stressed that Wal-ter’s view of women - extremely radical at the time - had also been important in sustaining the couple’s relationship. “He had quite an unconventional attitude towards women and relation-ships - he believed strongly that women should be able to participate in the public arena, that they should participate in politics, and that in the home they shouldn’t be constrained or pressed in any way,” she said. “So even in the ‘50s he was the person who thought nothing of doing housework.

Indeed, Albertina was very much an activist in her own right, and kept the family together while Walter was im-prisoned for 26 years. From August 1964, she was banned from meeting more than two people at a time due to her activism. There were also legal re-


strictions placed on her movements.In total, these restrictions were in

place for 18 years - but Ms Sisulu add-ed her mother-in-law had still been able to remain active. “She somehow man-aged to operate in a very discreet way,” she stated.

“She was the type of person who would keep a confi dence until death, so people felt really safe dealing with her.” There was great joy when the couple were reunited in 1989 following Sisulu’s release from prison.

“That was one of the most special experiences in all our lives,” Ms Sisulu said.

“Yet when it happened we really could scarcely believe it.”

A year later Sisulu’s best friend Nel-son Mandela was released from prison, and South Africa was well on the way to full democracy and the end of apart-heid.

Walter fi nally died in October 2003, two weeks before his 91st birthday - in the arms of the wife he had been with for 60 years.

For information and to order visit News From Nowhere, www.newsfrom-nowhere.org.uk/books/DisplayBookIn-fo.php?ISBN=034911711x.

If You Have or Had Medi-Cal or Medicareand Filled a Prescription in 2008 at a Pharmacy Other Than Target

Your rights could be affected by a class action settlement

For more information, contact the Settlement Administrator:

Visit: www.RXprivacyClass.com Call: 1-888-270-9628

Write: Prescription Privacy Settlement, Rust Consulting, Inc. P.O. Box 2438, Faribault, MN 55021-9138

Legal Notice

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

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

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

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

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

Do I Have A Lawyer?Yes. The court has appointed lawyers to represent Class Members (“Class Counsel”). You will not be charged for these lawyers. The lawyers appointed as Class Counsel are: Marcarian Law Firm, 15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 2250, Sherman Oaks, California 91403, (818) 995-8787.

What Should I Do?You should get more information from the Settlement Administrator and make a decision about your legal rights. As a Class Member, you have three options.(1) You can do nothing. You will remain a Class Member. You will be bound by the court’s

decisions in the lawsuit. You will not have the right to sue separately about the issues in the lawsuit.

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

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

Can I Get Money From The Settlement?No, there is no money available to individual Class Members.

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


Shop, Eat, Relax in Little Ethiopia Experience Africa in America

Culture, Retail,Entertainment

Fairfax Boulevardbetween Pico & Olympic

Los Angeles

Leimert ParkVillage

An African American Cultural, Retail,

Foods & Entertainment Center.

Degnan Boulevardbetween

Crenshaw & Leimert Blvds.43rd Street-43rd Place, Los Angeles

Artwear may be found at:Artwear may be found at:Sika’s / 4330 Degnan Ave., Leimert Sika’s / 4330 Degnan Ave., Leimert

ParkParkBaldwin Hills Plaza Farmer’s Market Baldwin Hills Plaza Farmer’s Market

each Saturday 10am-3pmeach Saturday 10am-3pm

www.gbabyartwear.comwww.gbabyartwear.com

AArtrtwwearear

RooibosTea House

African Red Tea Imports

323-658-7832533 N. Fairfax Avenue

Los Angeleswww.africanredtea.com

Nira Levy Maslin, CEO

Bernahu Asfaw or Getahun Asfaw1041 S. Fairfax AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90019

323-938-8827 or 323-938-8806Fax: 323-932-6047

[email protected] • www.messob.com

Open 7 days a week11am - 11pm


A Royal Blend of all naturalWest African herbs

and fi ery spices

www.kingspepper.com323.291.4267

Before you grill,Before you bake,

Buy King’s Pepper& Shake, Shake, Shake!

At Comerica Bank, we choose to care about the dreams and visions

of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We choose to celebrate equality and

diversity among all people, and we’re dedicated to ringing the bells

of freedom. Choose to celebrate the dream with us.

Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

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Choose to care.Choose to celebrate.

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Tuesday, July 12th“For everyone interested in doing business with Metro”

Watch & Support the Africa Channel!Time Warner • Comcast

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

For information on the Africa Channel visit www.theafricachannel.com or send an e-mail inquiry to [email protected].

BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM LAUNCHES DIGITAL MAGAZINE

The digital version of Black Meetings & Tourism maga-zine is now available on-line.

The current issues, as well as ar-chived issues, can be viewed by visiting www.blackmeetingsand-tourism.com and click on the im-age 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 mar-keting opportunities. Our newly de-signed website offers a guest blog page, a video page and a variety of interactive and custom advertising products that will allow vendors di-rect access to the more than 45 bil-lion dollar African-American travel market.


Black Business

News

International Edition

View theInternational Edition

atwww.bbala.org

andwww.blackbusiness-

news.net

Reach Thousands of African American EntrepreneursYOUR LINK TO AFRICAN AMERICANBUSINESS OWNERS

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

• Outreach to Black Businesses • Advertorial/Feature Story Advertising • Profi les and Business Listings • Classifi ed Ads and Bid Opportunities

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

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

Reserve Your Ad Space Today! Call Tony Hayward 949-798-9844

Deadline: Every third Friday of the Month!Special Offer: 50% Discount for Regular Financial BBA Members

For detail advertising rate information contact: Advertising Services at 949-798-9844 E-mail: [email protected]

Black BusinessNews

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

The Honorable Barack H. Obama,

President-Elect of the United States of America

November 2008In This Issue…5 Cover Story: Where do

we go from here? Barack Obama, 44th President of the

USA.6 Black Business Success Profi le Dickerson Employee Benefi ts

9 Foreclosure Relief $8.68 Billion Settlement.31 Small Business Administration

Online Training for Exporters

Advertising Opportunities (1x, 3x, 6x, 12x)Full Page Color w/Feature StoryFull Page ColorHalf Page Color w/Feature StoryHalf Page ColorQuarter Page ColorEighth Page Color

Website Advertising Opportunity (1x, 3x, 6x, 12x)Webpage, Link & Marketing MessageE-Blast Advertising OpportunityIssue Dedicated Marketing Message

U.S. Small Business Administration &LA/Minority Business Opportunity Committee AWARD WINNER! 2007 “Journalist of the Year”2009 “Media Firm of the Year”

July…13thSmal Business Contracting ConnectionsSupervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas announces the Small Business Contracting Connections on July 13th from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm at the University of Southern California Tutor Campus Center – Grand Ballroom (on USC campus). Parking available at USC - $8.00. No cost to at-tend but pre-register on-line at www.laosb.org. Click on the Events & Training Courses Link Offi ce of Small Business/PTAC or call toll free: (855) 230-6430.

18th-22ndChamber Management TrainingThe US Black Chamber School of Chamber Managemnt will conduct a training program at the University of Phoenix Washington, DC Campus entitled “Promoting Chamber Growth, Effi ciency and Infl uence”. Learn more by email-ing [email protected] or visiting www.usbci.org.

19thNavigating Global Economic ChallengesLos Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Chase Bank and the Global Initiatives Coun-cil will conduct a special briefi ng on Foreign Exchange Risk Management from 9am to 10:30am in the Board Room of the chamber headquarters at 350 S. Bixel Street, Los Ange-les 90017. For more information and to RSVP visit www.lachamber.com and view the Events Calendar or Events Registration sections.

28th2nd Annual Small Business Development Technology SummitPresentations from HP, Cisco and Symantec will provide insight on technology solutions to help you improve productivity and grow your business! This year we have added a special presentation on Social Media for your busi-ness. You don’t want to miss it! Entrance is complimentary but RSVP is required. The event times are 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m at Long Beach City College, 4901 East Carson, T1200, Long Beach, CA 90808. RSVP at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=hzelqy

bab&oeidk=a07e40qsfgx6460ebd4.

August…12th-14thWest Coast Expo

West Coast Expo (WCE) is an exposition and trade show for small, medium, and large busi-nesses with goods, products and services to market on the West Coast. Our featured pa-vilions: Business, Technology, Green Life, and Health & Beauty will offer attendees unique, in-formative and exciting opportunities to interact with experts, specialists and vendors enabling them to learn about, evaluate, test and pur-chase products and services. Visit www.west-coastexpo.biz for detailed information.

28thDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Deducation Ceremony

For details on the event and to make contributions con-tact the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., 401 F Street, NW, Suite 334, Wash-ington, DC 20001,

1.888.484.3373, www.dedicatethedream.org, www.mlkmemorial.org.

September…19th-23rdTrade Mission to South AfricaThe US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Com-mercial Service (CS) is organizing a Trade Mis-sion to South Africa, Sept. 19-23, 2011 (www.export.gov/eac/show_detail_trade_events.asp?EventID=31747&InputType=EVENT). The targeted industries are energy equipment and technologies, agricul-tural equipment, and educational ser-vices and skills development. For informa-tion or to register to participate contact Teresa Yung, Trade Event Programs Interna-tional Trade Specialist, 202-482-5496 or [email protected].

Calendar


Black Business NewsBlack Business News International

• Get the News You Need• Find the Information that will Make a Difference• Promote Your Business to The BBN Community

• Send Your Contact Information to [email protected] and we will send BBN and BBN-I to You

NameCompamyIndustryWebsiteE-mail

Fall 2008USD$5.00

International Edition

Contents

Corporate Giving: EOY charitable

opportunities in health, education, hous-

ing, and more.

Tourism: Investment in Africa’s tour-

ism industry is active, vital and is evident

all across the continent.

Feature Articles:

“Strategies For Constructisve

Engagement with the

African Diaspora”

“Diaspora Engagement:

Remittances & Beyond”

Investment Pro le: Moyo District

of the Republic of Uganda

Professional Directory

Charitable Investments

Black Business NewsServing the Global African Economic Community

Rev. Leon R. Perry, III in Ghana with recently orpaned twins

see Corporate Giving page 21

Documents

11-Jul