Cathy Nash, CEO of Citizen Bank

The lawsuit against Citizens Republic Bancorp and its subsidiary Citizens Bank of Flint, Michigan, stemmed from allegations that the banks were expanding branches in White areas while closing them down in Black communities, decreasing access to their services.

A lot of politicians do a whole lot of talking, but who should be held
accountable on the Black unemployment crisis?

Donald Trump

Trump styles himself a modern-day beacon of racial sensitivity, often discussing the importance of the civil-rights movement. In his 2000 political manifesto, “The America That We Deserve,” Trump outlined his dream of an America unencumbered by “racism, discrimination against women, or discrimination against people based on sexual orientation.” He once donated office space to Jackson’s civil rights group, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, he likes to pal around with African-American celebrities such as P. Diddy and Lenny Kravitz and he once hosted an NAACP convention party.

“Blacks are influenced by five major myths in their voting patterns. When Black conservatives attempt to introduce fact and research into a political discussion with a Black Democrat or liberal, we soon realize that getting our opponent to acknowledge these myths is like asking someone to give up their favorite sports team and root for the rival team. Simply put, an overwhelming majority of Blacks continue to vote Democrat.”

HOUSTON – What do patents, copyrights and trademarks have to do with ministry?  The short answer is that patents, copyrights and trademarks protect creativity.  A major source of creativity is ministry activities in the local church and other religious organizations.

Kristi L. Jackson, founder of the Women CEO
Project says her organization was created to
provide women entrepreneurs and business
owners, not only motivation, but the essential
strategic support necessary for appreciable
business and professional growth.

Although Oprah’s decision to end her show means a heavy loss in revenue for television, publishing and small businesses as well, women in general, and Black women in particular, might have more of the answer to this country’s economic woes than most people think. The Small Business Administration has reported in recent years that women-owned businesses are far outpacing all other businesses in terms of growth. 

Ken Marsh shares techniques aimed at helping job
seekers network fearlessly.
                                         Photo: Tuala Williams

According to Networking guru, Ken Marsh, the old adage still rings true. It’s not what you know, but who you know. And networking is no longer just for entrepreneurs and business professionals.

It has become “a must” for anyone who hopes to get ahead in today’s economy.
According to the US Bureau of Labor, approximately 80 percent of all jobs are never advertised.

And the majority of these positions are filled through networking. However, for many, just the idea of networking has the power to induce sweaty palms and heart palpitations.

Anxiety is one of the major reasons that people fail to network appropriately. According to Jacquie Hall of the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, the fear of rejection and the unknown are the two main fears holding people back from networking.

Jacquie Hall, Acres Home Center for Business and Economic Development,
and Jorge Quiones, discuss the upcoming career development program.
                                                                                   Photo by Tuala Williams

“The fact is, there are lots of jobs out there and lots of people are getting hired every day. I know that may be hard to believe, but it’s true,” says Jorge Quiones.  
And he’s right. According to a TWC report, despite the increase in the employment rate, Texas has actually added 129,100 jobs over the past year.

The NAACP and Starbucks have partnered to launch the One Nation Spoken Word Showcase Tour.For information visit: http://www.naacp.org/pages/spoken-word-showcase

AUSTIN-  The Texas Department of Transportation  received $500,000 from the Federal Highway Administration to help disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) compete for federal highway contracts. Last month, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood doled out a total of $11.6 million to 30 states including Puerto Rico. “Giving these small businesses the assistance they need to compete for federal highway contracts creates jobs and ultimately helps taxpayers by reducing project costs,” Secretary LaHood said. “Any way you look at them, these grants are a ‘win-win’ for the American people.”

HOUSTON- Many people hide behind their circumstances as an excuse for not succeeding in life. But then there are those who refuse to be held down by anything or anybody. James (J.A.) Singleterry was one of those people. He was born an only child in Conroe, Texas on June 15, 1923. When he was two-years-old, his family relocated to Houston where he completed Bruce Elementary School. He was supposed to start Wheatley High School, but when he went to enroll, the other students laughed at his raggedy clothes, and the bigger boys pushed him around. Even though by all accounts, he was a bright young man, he decided that the abuse was too much, so he quit school with only a six-grade education.

J.A. Singleterry lets the community in on a couple of long-held secrets.

DALLAS-  The Texas Department of Transportation will allocate $500,000 for technical assistance and supportive service programs that include the Technical Assistance Program, the Texas Business Opportunity and Development Program and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Supportive Services (DBE/SS)  Program Outreach and Development Programs.

If you are having difficulty making the payments on your mortgage or your property is upside down (if the current loan amount exceeds the current value of the property) keep in mind that you are not alone.  It is estimated that approximately 25% of all homes in the across the country are upside down. When you add the fact that there will be $2.5 trillion dollars of mortgages including Interest Only Loans and Option ARM Loans that will reset over the next 36 months, the problems are just beginning. 

Due to the economic climate and declining property values (which are estimate to decrease in additional 20% in some parts of the country), it will be very difficult for homeowners to refinance these mortgages into long term fixed rate loans.  As you can see these are not normal times and the options for homeowners have become more complex.  Listed are some of the options as a homeowner in this tough real estate market. 

Laura Thompson, founder of Sistas in Business

SAN ANTONIO- LAURA THOMPSON founded Sistas in Business, because there weren’t any national umbrella organization for African- American business women, that actively advocated for women’s needs. She knew the struggles that small business owners faced.  

AUSTIN- The Capital City African-American Chamber of Commerce will host its Second Annual Austin Black Expo. This 2-Day Event will feature a family-friendly celebration of local African-American culture and flavor with shopping opportunities from local Austin and Texas owned businesses, a family and children’s “Fun Zone,” a Step Show, Welcome Reception, and plenty of high-energy entertainment and music. Organizers will also showcase the Soulful Taste of Austin vendors and cook-off.

On Aug. 24-27, Texas Women Empowerment Foundation will host the 2010 International Financial and Leadership Summit (IFLS) in Houston, Texas. Each day, The International Financial and Leadership Summit honors different groups of individuals and companies who have distinguished themselves in their field, including influential non-profit leaders, innovators in business and finance, leaders in the education field, and influential community advocates.

SAN ANTONIO- The City of San Antonio has appointed Dr. Benjamin F. Kraft, Vice President of College Services at St. Philip’s College, to serve on the city’s Empowerment Zone Governance Board. His appointment term began June 24. His term expires May 31, 2011.
The governance board was established in 2002 when San Antonio was selected in 2001 as one of eight U.S. cities to receive federal designation as a Round III Urban Empowerment Zone.
These 10–year designations fund long–term economic development in distressed areas of the selected cities by targeting federal tax incentives for private investment via businesses that locate within the eight zones.

St. Philip’s College Vice President of College Services Dr. Benjamin F. Kraft
(right) was recognized with a certificate and a pin as a new member of the
City of San Antonio’s Empowerment Zone Governance Board during a June
24 city boards and commissions ceremonial swearing–in session with San
Antonio City Council District 6 representative Raynaldo T. (Ray) Lopez. (Courtesy image.)

For many Blacks, homeownership has always been a dream. After years of redlining, more Blacks finally saw those dreams become a reality. But as Blacks began their fight for survival during the worst recession since the Great Depression, for some, the dream became a nightmare.

Despite major efforts by the federal government to help Americans keep their homes, joblessness and cutbacks have caused homeowners to abandon their mortgages. A recent report states that over 400,000 of the 1.24 million borrowers who participated in the mortgage modification program have defaulted, despite the reduced monthly payments.

Minorities have the greatest incidence of foreclosures. The Demographics of
a Crisis,” a new report by the Center for Responsible Lending indicates that
Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to be foreclosed on than Whites. Even
those with the highest incomes 81 percent (Blacks) and 94 percent (Hispanics)
more likely than Whites to be foreclosed on.

The Harris County Historical Commission dedicated an Official Texas Historical marker for the Houston Negro Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, July 18th. A program was held in Texas Southern University’s new Science Center located at Ennis @Barbee Streets.

Vanessa Reed (current board member), Dannette Davis (current board
member), Eric Lyons (current Chamber President/CEO), Sharon Jenkins
(former board member), LaTayne Bruce (current board member), Debra
Blacklock-Sloan (marker dedication chair), Carroll Robinson (current board
chair), U.S. Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee, Mrs. Earl Loggins (former
board member), Willie Williams (former board member).

Audrey Gilbreath, president and CEO of Gilbreath Communications, Inc.

HOUSTON- Audrey Gilbreath, president and CEO of Gilbreath Communications, Inc., has been selected as one of seven distinguished industry leaders named as the Southwest Advertising Hall of Fame’s 2010 class of inductees. Gilbreath has the rare distinction of being both the first African-American and the first woman inducted for the honor.

The HCC Northeast Center for Entrepreneurship will host an Entrepreneur Boot Camp on July 16 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Learning Hub of the Northeast Campus, 555 Community College Drive. Organized by HCC Northeast Center for Entrepreneurship Director Tiffany Champagne, the day-long event will focus upon business strategies that will help potential entrepreneurs and small business owners to turn their passions and ideas into veritable businesses.

I have owned my domain name since 2000. A domain name is the name that comes after that @ in a person’s email address. For example, my email address is Kai.Dupe@kaidupe.com. The domain name is kaidupe.com. Other examples are Amazon.com, YouTube.com, Honda.com and AframNews.com. Since I own the domain, I can receive emails no matter what the email address as long as you use my domain name.

Dr. Richard Carpenter

On July 1, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dr. Richard Carpenter, of the Lone Star College System, will be the keynote speaker at the monthly business networking luncheon, sponsored by the Acres Home Center for Business and Economic Development and the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston. The event will be held at the Beulah Ann Shepard Building, 6112 Wheatley Street. Tickets prices are $25 pre-sale and $30 at the door. Seniors 65 and older are  $20. To attend,  RSVP by June 29.

On July 1, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dr. Richard Carpenter, chancellor, Lone Star College System, will be the keynote speaker at the monthly business networking luncheon, sponsored by the Acres Home Center for Business and Economic Development and the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston.

Couple discovers physical, financial benefits

Linda and Raymond Robinson have always been passionate about helping people. That’s why they became so excited when they were made aware of CieAura, a company that uses holographic chips to assist people suffering with insomnia and also helps people manage pain and experience more energy, along with mental focus, clarity, concentration and stamina.

HOUSTON- Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. has partnered with Houston Community College to provide job training using a $310,233 Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. The grant will be used to custom-train 542 new and incumbent workers.

NEW YORK– A group of ten civil rights and youth advocacy organizations, including the National Urban League, have called upon the U.S. Senate to fund the Summer Jobs Program to put young people on the path to productive adulthood, and help jump-start local economies. “Funding for summer jobs must be considered an emergency, because these jobs also take our youth off the ‘hot’ summer streets,” the organizations wrote in a letter to Senate leaders.

Last night I attended the inaugural meeting of BiTWISE (The Idea Exchange for Black Software Engineers) at Microsoft’s campus in Las Colinas. Here is a description of the group from their LinkedIn profile:
Calling all black software engineers: BITwise wants you! Join a community of like-minded individuals to help build an online home for African Americans at the leading edge of software development. Come to BITwise to learn about useful events, share information and resources, pose questions, get answers, and mentor the next generation of black software talent.

BITwise is sponsored by Microsoft, a company that understands the needs of developers. We want to work with you to create a resource that will reflect your voice and give you an online place to call home.
Are you BITwise? Join the community. Share your experience. Make a difference.

According to “Capitalism,” an article listed on Portfolio.com by Kent Hoover, a recently released report from the Kauffman Foundation reveals that more businesses were created during the recession than were created in the thriving economy created by the high-tech boom. Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the foundation says this should be good news because entrepreneurs drive the economy.

As someone who is pushing for the need for technology adoption in communities of color, I thought I would share a few of the tools I am currently using to make my life easier. Hopefully, some of these tools can help you as well. Here they are:

HOUSTON- Dr. Samoan C. Johnson was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Julia C. Hester is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. In addition to being on faculty, she manages the psychological services on the child inpatient units at UT-Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC).  

Recently, I was part of a very good conversation on LinkedIn. It is one of those social networking sites where people connect, in this case mostly for business purposes, on the web. This discussion started as a result of a student who posted this query:

The economy is still slow.  Unemployment is high.  Money is tight.  The anxiety of many people is off the charts.  We all know the situation, but how are you going to respond it?  Paraphrasing Warren Buffet, “The best response to a slow economy is to determine how one can generate their own wealth.”  In a time when the economy has slowed considerably, more people are realizing that they are ultimately responsible for their own security. So in the current economy, the question is what are you going to do about your own wealth?

Years ago, television shows such as the cartoon “The Jetsons,” “Get Smart” and “Star Trek” portrayed larger than life technology, depicting wrist phones and portable computers and tiny recording devices and cameras. Those sci-fi programs were exciting, but few people ever thought it would be come a reality in their lifetime. But today’s new technology has become a matter of life imitating art, as opposed to art imitating life and The Acres Homes Center for Business and Economic Development is attempting to bridge the technology gap for Blacks, especially the elderly, the socio-economically disadvantaged and those realizing the need to move forward.

Capital One Bank, in alliance with SCORE and other partners, has created the “Getting Down to Business” program to ensure that small business owners have access to information, resources, mentors and financing that can help them grow and succeed.