Why Black Business Must Rebuild New Orleans

One of the biggest casualties of Hurricane Katrina has been black business. In the November BLACK ENTERPRISE special report “Blown Away By Katrina,” Features Editor Alan Hughes found that approximately 60,000 black-owned companies along the Gulf Coast had been ravaged by the hurricane. The impact on black businesses in the gulf region will be “dire,” says Eugene Cornelius Jr., district director for Louisiana Office, U.S. Small Business Administration. The immediate effects are obvious: the instant devastation of businesses and the complete loss of markets. In Mississippi alone, more than 2,000 black-owned businesses generating sales and receipts of $126 million were severely affected. In Louisiana some 20,000 black companies that generated nearly $866 million were impacted by the storm. In total, black-owned businesses in the region, formerly generating $3.3 billion a year, could be irretrievably lost.

Although rebuilding New Orleans should give the economy a boost, the question at hand for black entrepreneurs is whether African American businesses will get a shot at the billions in reconstruction contracts. “By late September, minority business owners across the Gulf Coast claimed they were being shut out of the rebuilding process and that contracts were being doled out to white business owners who had longstanding connections with federal officials,” says Hughes. “Also posing a challenge to business owners is that there are few black enterprises of scale that can handle such daunting projects. It’s the proverbial catch 22; black-owned firms need to be large enough to handle these projects but need the business to get to that scale.”

President George W. Bush addressed some of the black business community’s concerns in his Sept. 15 address to the nation. “What wasn’t mentioned were contracting opportunities which would grow black business and in turn, increase the number of black employees and generate higher average incomes in a city that has long been plagued by poverty and crime,” says Hughes. “With rebuilding costs estimated at well over $100 billion, African American business participation could provide the stimulus needed to create jobs and bring some of the displaced African American city residents back home. But that’s only if the black community is included when contract recipients are decided.”

Alden McDonald, president & CEO of New Orleans-based Liberty Bank & Trust Company, who was recently named to the rebuilding commission formed by Mayor C. Ray Nagin (eight blacks and eight whites sit on the 16-member board), is optimistic. “We have our work cut out for us, but black folks have never had it easy. We’ve always had to work as if there was a Depression.” The SBA’s Cornelius is also optimistic about opportunities for black business. “I can assure you that we’re going to rebuild New Orleans … and we’re going to have good and solid representation of African Americans in those rebuilding efforts.”

“Many questions remain regarding the fate of black business in the hurricane affected region,” says Hughes. “But without significant representation in the rebuilding process these businesses and the jobs they create will be swept away.”

The November issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE is available on newsstands now.

Via PRNewswire

Thurgood Marshall Awards Dinner Draws Top Celebrity Participants

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Inc.’s 18th Anniversary Awards Dinner and Gala has attracted a range of film, television and theatre stars who will participate in the gala’s ceremonies on Monday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m.

Award-winning actress Angela Bassett is serving as Mistress of Ceremonies for the black-tie gala, which will be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers and will be attended by more than 1600 national business leaders, civic leaders, educators and celebrities. Actresses Lynn Whitfield and Sheryl Lee Ralph, who served as the gala’s Mistress of Ceremonies in 2000 and 2002 respectively, are also scheduled to attend.

The celebrity participants in the gala’s show include veteran actress Diahann Carroll, who served as the gala’s Mistress of Ceremonies in 2003 and 2004. The celebrities who will be serving as presenters include James Avery (”The Closer” and formerly the star of “Family Matters”); Nick Cannon (Currently appearing in the film “Roll Bounce” and host of MTV’s “Wild Style”); Hill Harper (”CSI: NY”); Keisha Knight Pulliam (Motion pictures “Beauty Shop,” “The Gospel,” “The Last Dragon”); and Jesse L. Martin (”Law & Order,” and the film “Rent”).

Other celebrities scheduled to attend the gala include Nicolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson (Ashford & Simpson); actor Keith Davis; Roberta Flack; comedian/actor Steve Harvey; recording artists Freddie Jackson and Melissa Morgan; the Rev. Al Sharpton and Dionne Warwick.

The TMSF Leadership Awards, the organization’s highest honors, are bestowed to four individuals in recognition of their demonstrated commitment to advancing higher education, supporting public Historically Black Colleges and universities (HBCUs), promoting diversity and for exemplary leadership in their respective professions.

To learn more about the 18th Anniversary Awards Dinner, visit the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund at http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org.

Via PRNewswire

MTV Networks Names Billy Dexter as Chief Diversity Officer

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced that Billy Dexter has been appointed the company’s first Executive Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer (CDO). This new executive position creates a senior leader of the Company’s global initiatives to foster the highest levels of diversity throughout every aspect of its businesses. Dexter will report to Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks, and will represent Diversity issues on her executive Strategy Team.

“The creation of a Chief Diversity Officer at MTV Networks is a crucial next step in building the most diverse culture and creative output in the industry,” said McGrath. “We are completely committed to diversity and inclusion, because it’s the most creative and vibrant thing we can do for our future. The audience for our content is increasingly global, diverse in thought, demographic and lifestyle. Over the years, no other initiative has so enriched MTV Networks, or made us more relevant and successful. I am thrilled that Billy, with his great expertise, will be leading our work in this area.”

As CDO, Dexter will partner with MTV Networks’ senior leadership to develop strategies that further diversity throughout the Company and to identify new ways of enhancing existing initiatives. He will also work with MTV Networks’ current diversity councils and teams to create more formal structures and processes for implementing key recommendations. Dexter will also continue to forge new partnerships with relevant outside organizations and represent the Company’s diversity efforts externally.

Said Dexter, “MTV Networks has a long and proud tradition of fostering diversity throughout its businesses and culture, so I am very excited to help take the company’s great work to the next level and move forward towards a true culture of inclusion where all voices are heard. Working together, we have the opportunity to define what a strong diversity brand truly means, and I look forward to being part of this vital work for the Company.”

For over 15 years, Dexter has been a leader in diversity related efforts. Prior to joining MTV Networks, Dexter was Chief Diversity Officer of Hudson Highland Group (HHG), a leading executive search and human resources consulting firm with more than 4,000 employees in 20 countries. Dexter served concurrently as President of Hudson Inclusion Solutions, a global diversity consulting practice he founded within Hudson Highland to provide diversity consulting, training and recruitment solutions to leading corporations.

Earlier, Dexter was Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion initiatives for Monster Worldwide, former parent company of HHG. In this position, he was responsible for developing offerings to help Monster’s global client base with diversity recruitment solutions. Prior to Monster, Dexter worked for Deloitte & Touche as National Director of International & Diversity Recruitment Solutions, where he provided strategic direction on diversity and international recruitment issues to the Auditing, Risk Management, Tax and Consulting divisions.

Prior to Deloitte & Touche, Dexter worked at Motorola as a Staffing Director, responsible for University Relations and Professional Employment for the company’s largest business unit. He has also worked for United Airlines as a Corporate Manager of University and Community Relations, as well as for Michigan State University as Assistant Director of Career Services.

Dexter holds a B.A. in Education from Saginaw State University and a Master’s Degree in Administration from Michigan State University.

via PRNewswire

Four African American Women Scuba Divers Make History

On July 7, 2005, four African-American women became the first organized group of African-American women to dive on the world famous WWII wreck of the Japanese Navy’s The San Francisco Maru.

The Leading Ladies:
Brenda Berliner: New Jersey – National Association of Black Scuba Divers Officer
Melvina Edwards: Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Underwater Explorers
Tara Gauthier: New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Bon Temps Divers
Adrienne McAdory: Washington, D.C. – Underwater Adventure Seekers

The San Francisco Maru sits in over 200 feet of water. Three Japanese Army tanks are located on the main deck at 165 feet. The deck gins, which many feel are the most spectacular in Truk Lagoon, are mounted on a huge motorized swivel. Cargo hold #1 is filled with rows of mines and detonators, still intact after 60 years at the bottom of the lagoon.

This group was led by PADI Divemaster Dean M. Carroll, with over 20 years of diving experience. In 2002, Dean was named diver of the year by the National Association of Black Scuba Divers and the Atlantic Rangers Scuba Club of Philadelphia. Dean, a graduate of Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio, was born and raised on the streets of Harlem, NY. Dean has used his street smarts and world travel expertise to assemble a unique group of six African American women and 10 African-American men of all diving abilities. Most divers are members of NABS and/or their local African-American diving clubs.

Truk, also know as Chuuk Lagoon, is one of the world’s undersea phenomena. Divers Gary McGee (Michigan African American Scuba Klub) and Darryl Hubbard (Nubian Dive Club of Houston, TX) were the trip photographers who have taken well over 2,000 underwater digital photos, along with 45 minutes of color video, of this South Pacific experience.

Via PRNewswire

Los Angeles to Celebrate Black History Month In A Big Way

When Los Angeles celebrates Black History Month in February, Angelenos will commemorate the history and culture of African Americans with a packed calendar of exhibits, festivals and special events.

“Los Angeles is a city that embraces diversity,” said Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. “Nowhere has its culture been more enriched than through the creative and economic contributions of our African American community.”

The first black Angelenos arrived in Los Angeles in 1781, the year the city was founded, as part of a group of 44 settlers. Many of these founding families were of African descent. LA has been honoring the contributions of African Americans since 1926, when Harvard scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson organized Negro History Week, timed to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

“For our city to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments that the black community has made to the people of LA is a testament to how much they define the fabric of our community,” said Mark Liberman, president and chief executive officer of LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Among the special events planned for 2006:

The California African American Museum in Exposition Park will present “In a Soldier’s Shoes” on Feb. 5. This tribute to African Americans in the armed forces, going back to the Civil War, will include readings about and by the soldiers. www.caamuseum.org.

From Feb. 9 to 20, more than 150 new black films will screen at the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, home to the original Magic Johnson Theatres. The largest African American Film Festival in the world as well as one of the largest Black History Month events in the U.S., PAFF brings together a variety of films from many countries. As part of the film fest, the Artists Market features fine art, sculpture, photography, crafts and more. www.paff.org.

St. Elmo Village, an exuberant arts center in the mid-city area, plans Open House Sundays in February — a chance to view (and purchase) photography, paintings and other arts in the indoor and outdoor galleries. And on Sunday afternoons, don’t miss everyone’s-welcome-to-join-in drum circles. www.stelmovillage.org.

Bones & Blues, at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee in South Los Angeles, is an evening of live jazz and blues music, paying homage to the greats of both genres set for Feb. 24; it’s been held on the last Friday of the month for the past five years. The stage is always the same — a homey old porch — but the performers change every month. February’s guest has not been confirmed, but recent performers have included Linda Hopkins and members of Marvin Gaye’s band, who presented a tribute concert. www.wlcac.org.

The L.A. Zoo celebrates Black History Month Feb. 18 and 19 with a celebration of African American culture, history and — naturally — African animals. The fun includes live entertainment, vendors, crafts, and special animal-related discussions in the African area. www.lazoo.org.

The annual Ragga Muffins Festival — Bob Marley Day to Reggae fans — takes place Feb. 18 and 19 at the Long Beach Arena. This two-day party is always a sellout and draws the world’s top Reggae groups (and often a Marley son or two) and those eager to hear the best of Jamaica’s music. Plenty of food booths and vendors round out the experience. www.raggamuffins.com.

The Children of Uganda perform at Cal Tech’s Beckman Auditorium on Feb. 24. These goodwill ambassadors, representing their country’s 1.7 million orphans, will present a spellbinding evening of stories, history and legends. Performers wear traditional dress and play instruments such as the thumb piano, panpipe and drums. www.caltech.edu.

The Black Doll Show at the William Grant Still Arts Center has been a favorite with doll lovers and doll collectors for more than 20 years and boasts a variety of historic and contemporary dolls. The show has been rescheduled to coincide with Black History Month and runs through Feb. 26. www.fowgs.org.

Leimert Park Village, in LA’s Crenshaw District, has evolved into an important center for artists, poets, musicians and shops with Afro-centric themes. Shops and coffee houses in this quaint village plan a month of exhibits and performances including live poetry readings at Fifth St. Dick’s, a display of Negro Baseball League memorabilia at Gallery Plus and the “Art of Adornment” show at Zambezi Bazaar.

UCLA’s recently renovated, historic Royce Hall will host Peru Negro on Feb. 24. This Grammy Award-winning song-and-dance ensemble is part of the Afro-Peruvian dance craze with its electric performances. www.uclalive.org.

Carnaval! is an exhibit of elaborate costumes and masks, many with strong African influence from Nov. 6 to April 23 at UCLA’s Fowler Museum of Cultural History. www.fowler.ucla.edu.

Other LA organizations expect to offer Black History Month events but do not have firm programs at this time. The Watts Towers & Arts Center will commemorate Black History Month with an art exhibit in its gallery (wattstowersartscenter.blogspot.com). The California African American Museum in Exposition Park has a permanent exhibit of West African arts and culture (www.caamuseum.org). The Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park area of the San Fernando Valley (www.madridtheatre.org) will also commemorate Black History Month.

Black History Month is the perfect time to explore LA’s African American history and culture. The Biddy Mason Memorial on Spring Street in Downtown LA honors a former slave who became one of LA’s major Downtown property owners. Historic Central Avenue, from 14th Street to Vernon Avenue, was “Main Street” for LA’s African Americans from the 1920s to 1950s. The Dunbar Hotel was the epicenter of LA’s jazz world during that time. The African American Firefighter Museum (www.aaffmuseum.org) is located in the restored Fire Station 330, one of LA’s two segregated fire stations from the 1920s to 1950s. Exhibits include photographs and firefighting paraphernalia.

Visitors arriving or departing from LAX will notice the airport’s theme building (now the Encounter restaurant) in the center of the complex. The distinctive structure was designed by one of LA’s most noted architects, African American Paul R. Williams, whose elegant, traditional homes (quite a contrast to his LAX work) are among LA’s most sought after residences.

For more information about Black History Month and other upcoming events, visit LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Web site, www.SeeMyLa.com.

Carl Lewis Hosts International Sports Festival

Drizzles on the morning of the event couldn’t keep car and bus loads of attendees from experiencing a day filled with fun, laughter and fitness at the 5th annual Carl Lewis International Track & Field Camp and Festival held on Saturday, October 22, 2005 in Los Angeles County. The multicultural sporting event brought people together in a positive environment full of festivities, empowering youth and families through education, wellness and fitness.

Lewis, in association with the Carl Lewis Foundation, USC Track & Field, Nike — Presenting Supporter and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Youth Foundation, hosted the all-day event at the Home Depot Center in Carson — Los Angeles County. The days events included a 5K Family Walk/Run “Run With Carl Lewis,” Youth Track & Field Clinic, 50 Plus Fitness and Nutritional Workshop, Youth Track & Field Awards Ceremony, Recognition of the Olympians, and Family Concert and Celebration.

The all day festival concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing youth who have excelled in academics, athletics, and community service work, and/or overcome mental or physical obstacles to excel. The award ceremony also honored Commander Roberta Abner of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for her tireless outreach efforts with children. The “Recognition of the Olympians” segment capped the awards festivities by paying homage to past Olympians Kym Carter, Floyd Heard, Khadevis Robinson, and Olympic Medalists Dwight Stones (high-jump), Steve Lewis (400-meter) and speed skater/cyclist Connie Paraskevin.

Carl Lewis’ vision and mission “To empower youth and families through Track & Field activities, and to enhance their life condition through wellness and education” is being realized through this annual signature event.

Via PRNewswire

“Lost” Star Malcolm David Kelley Participates In PetSmart Charity Event

Young actor Malcolm David Kelley (Walt in ABC’s hit show “Lost”) helps PetSmart Charities launch the Rescue Waggin’ in Southern California today. The Rescue Waggin’ transports dogs from crowded shelters in urban areas to partner shelters in need of adoptable dogs, saving them from the risk of euthanasia. Kelley helped escort the first load of dogs to the Rescue Waggin’, signing their doggy passports at their Bon(e) Voyage party.

Kelley’s motion picture credits include roles in Antwone Fisher, opposite Denzel Washington, and You Got Served. On television he guest starred in the series Judging Amy, Malcolm in the Middle, For Your Love, Girlfriends and Eve. He was also featured in numerous commercials. Recently he was seen in a Snoop Dog video and completed a voice over for the Nickelodeon cartoon Fatherhood.

Via PRNewswire

Jesse Owens’ Daughters Pay Tribute to Their Father’s Legacy

Jesse Owens’ daughters, from left, Marlene Owens Rankin, Beverly Owens Prather and Gloria Owens Hemphill, stand in front of a statue of their father at the Jesse Owens Memorial Park in Oakville, Alabama, Thurs., Oct. 27, 2006, at a gathering to pay tribute to his legacy. Twenty-five volunteers from north Alabama Hampton Hotels landscaped, primed and painted at the park. Hampton Hotels will contribute more than $38,000 toward reviving this historical landmark, which is the 25th roadside attraction refurbished by Hampton’s “Save-A-Landmark” program. Hampton has provided more than $1.5 million for restoration of America’s roadside treasures since its inception in 2000.

Jesse Owens (Sept. 12, 1913 – Mar. 31, 1980) was one of the world’s greatest track and field athletes. Owens is remembered for one stunning week in 1936, when he won four track and field gold medals at a single Olympics. The Summer Games that year were held in Berlin, where Nazi leader Adolf Hitler seemed determined to display the superiority of the German “Aryan” race. Owens, an African-American, put that notion to rest with victories in the 100- and 200-meter dash, the broad jump and the 4×100-meter relay. The performance made him both an Olympic hero and a lasting symbol of black pride.

Via U.S. Newswire

The Sallie Mae Fund Launches African American College Access Campaign

New research commissioned by The Sallie Mae Fund shows that African-American families have high aspirations for college but do not know enough about how to pay for it. On the heels of this research, The Sallie Mae Fund today announced a multi-part campaign designed to improve higher education access among African-American students. The campaign kicks off this weekend with workshops in 19 cities across the country. Two scholarship programs and an interactive, tutorial-based CD on college preparation make up the other elements of the campaign.

College enrollment and graduation rates among African American students continue to lag behind the population at large. The percentage gap between the proportion of Caucasians and African-Americans without a bachelor’s degree has increased by 34 percent since 1980. To help gain insight into this trend, The United Negro College Fund’s Patterson Institute interviewed African- American students and parents in five cities nationwide concerning their preparation for college.

The survey revealed that 99 percent of African-American families believe that a college education is an important part of success in life, but almost half of all parents could not name a single source of financial aid. In addition, 70 percent of students said they wanted to receive financial aid information earlier in their high school years. These findings underscore the importance of bridging the gap between student aspirations and available resources. Of note, 60 percent of students from low socio economic backgrounds reported that they were more likely to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“The Fund’s research allows us to tailor our outreach programs to the needs of different communities,” said Kathleen deLaski, president of The Sallie Mae Fund. “Through this campaign, we want to send prospective students a clear message — college is within their reach and financial aid options are available to make it happen.”

To help students understand these financial aid options, The Fund will host 19 free “Paying for College” workshops nationwide on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005, in partnership with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s National Day of College Preparation. These workshops are designed to guide families through the process of preparing and paying for college. The Fund will award a college scholarship at each workshop.

The Fund also announced a commitment to renew its popular scholarship program with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) — the “American Dream” scholarship. The Fund will provide a $500,000 grant to UNCF for 2006-2007 academic year scholarships, symbolizing a continuing commitment to help financially needy African-American students realize their college dreams. Since 2003, The Fund has made $2 million in scholarships available for the “American Dream” program.

A second scholarship program — the “Writers of Passage” scholarship program — was created by The Fund in partnership with The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. The program will award $5,000 scholarships to winners of an essay contest on overcoming obstacles to attend college. In addition, The Fund will donate $20,000 to help improve student outreach and retention at each winner’s university. Applications for the “American Dream” and the “Writers of Passage” scholarship are at http://www.salliemaefund.org.

“This is a grand-slam home run for The Sallie Mae Fund and for everyone who will benefit from their generosity,” said Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. “The insights uncovered by the research help all of us target our resources and efforts where they’re most needed. The workshops will provide hands-on help to families whose sons and daughters are headed for college. And the scholarships they have funded will make a big dent in the financial barriers that stand between deserving students and the college education they deserve.”

Finally, The Fund is sponsoring the development of an interactive CD which features tutorials on essay writing, college applications, free access to SAT and ACT online preparation, as well as financial aid options and tips. The CD will be available in the early spring of 2006.

Via PRNewswire

Verizon Signs Distribution Deal with TV One

Verizon today announced a programming-distribution agreement with TV One, the new entertainment and lifestyle network for African-American adults. Under the agreement, TV One is now available on Verizon FiOS TV, which was launched in Keller, Texas, on Sept. 22. The agreement was signed prior to the Keller launch, and TV One is currently available in Keller and will be available in future FiOS TV markets.

TV One features a broad mix of original and existing programming, including lifestyle and home improvement series, dramas, sitcoms, game shows, music shows, movies and public affairs programming. It is available to subscribers of FiOS TV’s expanded basic service, which carries a wide range of familiar, diverse and newer programming.

“TV One is a compelling new entertainment network that appeals to African-American viewers, and it advances our commitment to provide relevant programming choices for our culturally diverse customers,” said Terry Denson, vice president of programming and marketing for Verizon FiOS TV.

Brad Samuels, TV One executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing, said, “We thank Verizon for its support of TV One and look forward to a partnership that addresses their business objectives and brings to their customers high-quality programming that is entertaining and portrays the breadth and depth of the African-American culture.”

FiOS TV in Keller includes a broad collection of all digital programming with more than 330 channels and more on the way. FiOS TV digital customers will also have access to a large selection of on-demand content that is easy to order and view.

Via PRNewswire

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