Kamau and Associates. Since 2003 - The World's 1st Blog for Black & Minority Business
Friday, June 04, 2004
Successful Women Entrepreneur Features Top Minority Venture Firms on her New Broadcast Program!
Washington, DC - Tammy Camper, CEO & Host of Tammy Says will host a series of shows on obtaining venture capital. The first show in this series will broadcast on June 7th and will focus on a new fund, the Minority Business Roundtable Venture Capital Fund. Created by Roger Campos, CEO of the Minority Business Round Table and Rebel Holiday, President of the Minority Business Round Table Venture Capital Fund, this new fund is on a mission to aid minority owned firms in reaching their corporate objectives, which for most is obtaining capital. With capital comes economic growth and employment. "Access to capital is a significant concern to small- and minority-owned businesses across the country," said Roger A. Campos, chairman, MBRT Venture Capital Fund, and president and chief executive officer, MBRT. "The MBRT Venture Capital Fund fills a need for early- to mid-stage companies with innovative and high-potential business concepts in diverse areas and industries!"
The MBRT Venture Capital Fund is seeking small, women-owned and minority owned companies for equity positions. "Bringing this type of informative information to our listening audience has been exactly what the doctor ordered," says Tammy. "Too often we can only get as far as the next clerk or the next email but not directly to the people who are responsible for approving what entrepreneurs want to bring to fruition."
Tammy Says will be bringing a series of shows like this where the listener can ask questions directly by phone or email. The next show on obtaining money will be in July. The title is Raising Angel Capital . The Tammy Says show is all about bringing the facts of business & politics together in a forum where the listeners obtain answers to their questions that can have an impact on business, small or large.
To listen to the Tammy Says Radio Show, go to www.tammysays.com
The show airs noon - 1:00pm each Monday.
Go to Tammy Says
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Blacks and Network Marketing
Long Beach, CA - Network marketing companies sell anything from health and beauty products, home decorations and accessories, cleaning products and kitchen cookware. And when representatives aren't pushing products, they're pulling friends and family members in to becoming sales associates, themselves. You may be familiar with the popular ones - Herbalife, Quixtar, Prepaid Legal, and Mary Kay. However, there are well over 160 companies/groups with similar business opportunities.Network marketing holds the promise of more than just extra income, trips to Cancun, or a pink Cadillac. Some people, among them many African-Americans, use network marketing as a segue to lucrative earnings, flexible hours and being their own bosses.
For a few, what starts as a part-time effort to earn extra cash to pay bills, take vacations, or even help with their children's education has a way of becoming a full-time business.
African-American Kendall Reeves of Temple Hills, Maryland, began selling services offered by Pre-Paid Legal about four years ago. He started out wanting $500 to $1,000 extra a month. But in a little over a year, he matched his full-time income at about $60,000 annually. Now the 33-year-old is an executive director for Pre-Paid Legal and is working full-time with the business. He says when he worked a regular full-time job, he had a "silent opinion," he couldn't share with his boss. "I didn't have any control when I was working a job."
Direct Selling Association (DSA), a DC-based trade group representing the network marketing industry, says only about 10 percent of those in direct sales do so as a full-time endeavor. "Most people spend less than 10 hours a week involved in direct selling," says Amy Robinson, spokeswoman for DSA, "earning an average of $2,400 annually. For most people, that $200 a month either meets or exceeds their goals."
African-Americans make up about 6 percent of direct sellers, according to the DSA's 2002 survey, while whites make up 87 percent. While figures may not show that African-Americans are flocking to direct selling, some types of network marketing opportunities may be attracting blacks.
John Long, vice president of corporate development for Pre-Paid Legal Services says his company has no demographic data on how many African-Americans make up its sales ranks. But he has noticed more people, from sales associates up to the ranks of executive directors -- some earning six-figure incomes -- are African-Americans. "I think there is a growing number of African-Americans that are taking advantage of this business opportunity," he comments.
"Another appeal of network marketing is that there is no glass ceiling," Robinson says. "No matter the education level, race, age, or gender, anyone can jump into the direct sales. And sales representatives are their own bosses, setting their own sales goals and attracting and training other sales representatives."
An additional benefit is that most network marketing companies require as little as $100 to get started. "The great thing about it is you don't have to come up with all the capital," Robinson says. "You don't have a lot of the risks, and you don't have a lot of the costs."
Because of this, many people find that network marketing fits comfortably around their lives, even if it remains a secondary way to bring in money.
African-American Sandra Beckham of Bowie, Maryland, sells Pre-Paid Legal Services as well as teaches a course at a local university. She also volunteers over 70 hours monthly in a Bible ministry. "My time belongs to me," says 49-year-old Beckham regarding the flexibility that selling Pre-Paid Legal Services offers.
She has been so successful that she earned a free trip for two to Cancun this June. She has also been able to afford to buy both of her sons cars, as well. "The sky's the limit with regard to income," she says.
Network marketing appeals "to your dreams and it appeals to financial freedom," says Randy Hughes, who sells Herbalife health products.
Hughes, 26, of Little Rock, Arkansas, is also African-American and he says that after he moved to Arkansas that he and his wife began selling Herbalife without each of them having a full-time job. For one month, their sales had been very good, but later they trailed off.
"Some direct sellers fall into the trap of jumping into network marketing full-time based on a few months of great sales," Hughes comments. Then some people find that sales die down and they cannot survive solely on income from network marketing, and so they return back to the 9-to-5 grind.
"They get starry-eyed in the beginning when they're not ready," says Hughes, who has been selling Herbalife since June 2002. He said when sales began to dry up for him, he found he had to go out and got a job.
Still Hughes says that network marketing can be lucrative if salespeople dedicate time to build their clientele. "I would say patience is the key. It can work. But you just have to be patient."
Reeves says those who succeed in network marketing should be goal-oriented, willing to work, and willing to be trained. But that success is not overnight.
Beckham says the experience also involves showing enough humility and a willingness to be taught. "And it takes time to be successful at it."
"It's not get rich quick," she adds.
SKIN CONDITIONS UNIQUE TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS
Moles, Keloids, Razor Bumps, Blotches & DiscolorationsOver the years, African-Americans have suffered from certain and distinctive skin conditions which have been unique to their ethnic and racial make-up, much like those listed above, moles, keloids, razor bumps and blotches & discolorations.
Unfortunately, many African-Americans have just accepted these skin conditions as routine and have lived with oftentimes unsightly and painful situations; while all along there have been options for their care and treatment.
Dr. Milton D. Moore, nationally renowned Dermatologist & Pharmacist speaks to the whys, the do's and the don'ts relative to skin conditions unique to African-Americans. Dr. Moore talks about how to correct and/or treat certain kinds of skin conditions in order to enhance one's appearance and for the sake of good skin health.
In fact, Dr. Moore's Dermatology patient's and his own bout with certain skin conditions led him to focus more extensively on treating the unique African-American skin problems, and his eventual creation and development of a complete line of skin care products designed to address this situation.
Dr. Moore's proactive perspective and philosophy to the contemporary treatment of African-American skin conditions have made him one of this country's foremost experts in this field, and his approach to the development of a healthier skin attracts young and old alike.
Dr. Moore is available to share his points of view and skin care solutions. Go to www.mooreunique.com
BLACK-OWNED ELECTROSCOPE COMMUNICATIONS UNVEILS NEWLY DESIGNED WEB SITE
Sterling, VA - Electroscope Communications, a strategic marketing communications firm that handles both political and corporate clients, has completely renovated its web site. Visitors to the new URL: www.electroscopecommunications.com can witness an array of services the firm provides to clients. The site includes biographies for each staff member, whose backgrounds come from the diverse disciplines of political advocacy, public relations, technology and management consulting, advertising, broadcast news and government service. The client page showcases the unique approach Electroscope Communications takes to individual communications challenges.Passion, Power and Precision in Communication Measures that Matter, has been our motto since the inception of this firm, stated Teri Helenese DeAbreu, President of Electroscope Communications. This website will assist in highlighting the firm's expertise in driving our development of on-target strategic marketing communications, creative solutions, and advertising that deeply connects with people. Helenese DeAbreu also believes the redesigned site is an essential resource for today's business environment.
"Electroscope Communications understands that the communications business is constantly evolving through innovative technologies," said Helenese DeAbreu. "Our redesigned site demonstrates how the Internet has evolved since Paul Kunz created the first web page at Stanford twelve years ago."
Established in 2002 by Teri Helenese DeAbreu, Electroscope Communications has rapidly gained the reputation as being one of the leading firms targeting African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-American markets.
Helenese DeAbreu stated, "With the changing face of America, it's more important than ever to accurately pinpoint your audience. From entertainment to politics, food to fashion, health to hospitality, every sector of our economy is being transformed by the growth and diversity of the African American, Hispanic and Asian American populations. At Electroscope Communications, we don't just wrap your needs in a pre-made blanket. We understand how the many national, cultural, and generational threads are woven differently for each audience. So that your particular audience hears more than just words and translations, they hear the voice of a partner who truly understands them."
The firm is based in Sterling, Virginia. Clients include Washington Association of Therapeutic Services, Matrix Massage, Scotiabank, Bergin Ophthalmology, Caribbean Cool, Le Baron Men's Clothiers, Tup Tim Thai Restaurant, Brancorp, Gabrielle's Perfume Garden, Terry's Children's Wear, Allium Laboratorios, Good Orient, Banco Popular, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Senator David S. Jones among others.
Visit www.electroscopecommunications.com or call 703.862.1226 for more information.
BET BOOKS VISITS HISTORIC BLACK BEACHES WITH SIZZLING SANDS TOUR IN HONOR OF 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Arabesque Authors Featured in Summer Series of Book Signings, Literary Cafés
Washington, DC - BET's ARABESQUE Books launches a special summer tour in celebration of 10 years of award-winning African American-themed romance novels. The tour will feature popular Arabesque authors in a series of book signings and literary cafés basking in the sun and sand of historically African-American beach resorts in the Northeast and Midwest.
"What better way to mark this historic achievement for Arabesque Books than with the authors and loyal readers who have contributed to that success," said Linda Gill, Vice President and Publisher for BET Books. "The beaches we have selected hold a special place in the cultural landscape of African Americans. They are all icons of pleasure and relaxation, and are the perfect backdrop for summertime fun."
The Sizzling Sands tour will run from July through September with stops at the beaches and metropolitan areas that African Americans enjoy and frequent. From Martha's Vineyard and Oak Bluffs off the Massachusetts coast to Sag Harbor on Long Island, the events are sure to draw crowds to meet the authors and mingle in an atmosphere infused with music, art and more. Book signing events will be held at major retail outlets such as Barnes & Noble and Waldenbooks stores along with a number of independently owned African-American retail outlets. Additional events will be held at select cultural venues such as art galleries, museums and book fairs.
MARTHA'S VINEYARD / BOSTON - CAMBRIDGE
The tour launches June 30 in the Boston and Martha's Vineyard areas with a special event held in the Oak Bluffs community of Martha's Vineyard on July 3 at the Cousen Rose Art Gallery. Hosted by owner Zita Cousens, the gathering will feature author Deirdre Savoy and the release of her latest novel Lady In Red which is set against the backdrop of Oak Bluffs, one of the largest African-American resorts, in the United States.
HIGHLAND BEACH / DC METRO AREA
In July, the tour shifts to the Maryland and Washington, DC market with a stop at Highland Beach, a historically Black resort built by the son of Fredrick Douglass in 1893, as an incorporated community. The Highland Beach stop features Sandra Kitt, author of the forthcoming novel Southern Comfort. The Douglass Museum opens their doors for a special event hosted by Jean Langston with a literary café showcasing a sculpture bust of Fredrick Douglass seated in a chair by artist Ms. Vinnie Bagwell.
IDLEWILD / DETROIT AREA
In August, the tour travels to Detroit and Idlewild, Michigan to a resort area inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and frequented by such African-American luminaries as Madame C.J. Walker, Langston Hughes, Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Zora Neale Hurston. BET Books will use this setting to spotlight the works of best-selling author Gwynne Forster and her new novel Last Chance At Love.
Forster will be featured in a book singing at Morton's Motel as part of the annual Idlewild Week celebration on August 7. The event is also in conjunction with the Idlewild African-American Chamber of Commerce celebration of the community's Black culture founded after the Civil War. Idlewild has served for more than a century as one of the most popular beach resorts and gathering places for African Americans.
SAG HARBOR / NEW YORK METRO AREA
In August and September, the tour concludes with events in the Sag Harbor and New York areas featuring the works of award-winning author Donna Hill and her latest offering Dare To Dream. A signature literary café event will be held at the B. Smith's Sag Harbor Restaurant on August 21.
Lady In Red will be published in June 2004 in trade paperback format (ISBN #1-58314-533-8. $6.99 U.S. / $9.99 Canada).
Southern Comfort will be published in July 2004 in trade paperback format (ISBN #1-58314-548-6. $6.99 U.S. / $9.99 Canada).
Last Chance At Love will be published in July 2004 in trade paperback format (ISBN #1-58314-534-6. $6.99 U.S. / $9.99 Canada).
Dare To Dream will be published in July 2004 in trade paperback format (ISBN #1-58314-530-3. $6.99 U.S. / $9.99 Canada).
The retail floor display ships with the September release of Dare To Dream and features all of the books in the series.
ABOUT BET BOOKS
BET Books was formed in 1998, with the purchase of the Arabesque romance line. Arabesque remains the first line of original African-American romance novels from a major publishing house. BET Books has published over 250 titles, including novels from such veteran romance authors as Francis Ray, Donna Hill, Rochelle Alers, and Gwynne Forster. Thirteen of these captivating romance novels have been brought to the screen, as made-for-television movies airing on BET. Sepia and New Spirit, are new imprints featuring exceptional authors targeting the growing African American fiction marketplace. All imprints from BET Books are represented to the Trade by Kensington Publishing Corp.
ABOUT BET
BET, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the nation's leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. The BET Network reaches more than 79 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is a dominant consumer brand in the urban marketplace with a diverse group of branded businesses: BET.com, the Number 1. Internet portal for African-Americans; BET Digital Networks - BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, specializing in a full range of event production services, including event management, venue selection, talent recruitment, sound, lighting and stage production; and BET Books, the nation's leading publisher of African-American themed romance novels under the Arabesque Books label, and publisher of new imprints Sepia and New Spirit.
U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE HEADS A DELEGATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS ATTENDING AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE FORUM IN JAMAICA
An International Trade Forum to be held in Jamaica, September 23 26, 2004, will be host to approximately 150 African American Business Owners with an eight member delegation headed by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Representative Senfronia Thompson, Houston City Council Members, Carol Galloway, Ada Edwards, Ronald Green, Port of Houston Authority representatives, Argentina James, Grace Moolchan and Jamaica's Honorary Consulate General, Ms Beverly Ford.African American Business Owners around the country are invited to attend this historical international endeavor that will establish a Trade Foundation with Jamaica for African Americans interested in exploring global opportunities.
The International Trade Forum is organized by International Trade Network of Houston (ITN), an international trade forum/mission planning company that assists minority business owners in the international trade arena. Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce along with the U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Services and Jamaica Promotions Corporation will introduce, educate and foster the participation in developing trade relations with the country of Jamaica.
The Forum attendees will be addressed by Jamaica's Prime Minister, The Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Ms Sue Cobb, Jamaican Government Officials and the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica. Participating U.S. business owners will attend pre-arranged meetings with Jamaican businesses to discuss exporting/importing business in Jamaica while networking with Jamaica's manufacturers, businesses and suppliers.
ITN invites all African American Business Owners to attend this 4day 3night forum that is sure to bridge the gap in the international trade arena for African Americans. For information contact Gersham Fulcott, Chairman of Jamaica Trade Committee, at gfulcott@houstoncitizenschamber.com or call (713) 785-0096.
INTERNET TELEVISION BROADCASTING NETWORK NIAVISION.COM LAUNCHES WITH SEVERAL ONLINE PROGRAMS
Baltimore, MD - Vision WebCasting, LLC, a Internet video broadcaster, will make Internet history by launching NiaVision.com, the first website celebrating the Black Experience through broadcasting original programs in subscription video, all available exclusively online. All current and future programming is available online for the low monthly subscription of $10. Inspired by the fifth principle of Kwanzaa, Nia (purpose), NiaVision.com seeks to develop programming with a vision for empowering Black people through the presentation of positive images not available anywhere else online.Curent programming includes:
Nia Nites I and II: Over three hours of spoken word poetry from some of America's finest artists including Brown F.I.S.H., Droopy the Broke Baller, The 5thL, K'Shavon, the Poem-Cees, Komplex and Empress.
60 Seconds of Wisdom: If you had the world's attention for sixty seconds, what would you say? Watch this program to learn wisdom from people you may never get the chance to meet.
The Underground: The Internet talkshow that introduces you to the newest up and coming talent. With skills and talent, these new performers are preparing for their chance to shine! Hosted by dynamic spoken word artist Komplex.
The Lecture Series: NiaVision.com featuring the five part series, "Courageous Confidence: Living, Loving, Learning and Leading" presented by leadership coach and motivational speaker Alison Lane-Velez, Esq., CTM.
NiaVision.com Programs Under Development
Other programming in development currently includes "The Black Week in Review", a weekly recap of news from the Black community; "This Way In", the first Black soap opera performed and distributed exclusively online; and "From the Diaspora", a weekly program discussing various aspects of African culture, politics and life. More programs are forthcoming.
Community Purpose and Vision
Furthermore, NiaVision.com will allocate a portion of the subscription revenues to member selected non-profit organizations. Interested persons and Non-Profits are invited to log onto NiaVision.com for more information.
"We are pleased to celebrate the Black experience online by offering these original programs. Our subscribers will have the opportunity to watch a range of programming that is relevant to the issues that concern us, and not just a repeat of headlines and topics covered in the general media. NiaVision.com is a site with NIA, and we invite you to join us as we celebrate and explore our culture. We all know it's long overdue!"
NiaVision.com offers numerous sample clips. We invite you to log on and take a look. NiaVision.com - there's nothing like it online! To check out Niavision Click Here
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
LULAC and La Raza join call for increased funding for Alzheimer Research
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are projected to increase more than six-fold among Hispanics in the U.S. during the first half of the 21st century, according to a new report released by the Alzheimer's Association. This increase means that 1.3 million Hispanics will have Alzheimer's disease by 2050, compared to fewer than 200,000 currently living with the disease. "This report should serve as a wake-up call to Congress and the nation," said Stephen McConnell, Ph.D., senior vice president and public policy for the Alzheimer's Association. "As the fastest growing population in the country and the group that will have the greatest life expectancy of all ethnic groups, Hispanics will experience a dramatic rise in their risk of Alzheimer's disease. This will overwhelm their families and communities unless we take action now." The life expectancy of Hispanics will increase to age 87 by 2050, surpassing all other ethnic groups in the United States . Age is the single greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. By the middle of the century, Hispanics will increase as a proportion of the total elderly population from five percent today to 16 percent.Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
On June 22, 23, and 30, 2004 (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) at the Georgetown University Law Center (Moot Court Room, 600 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.), the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in cooperation with the American Bar Association/Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, the District of Columbia Bar/Labor & Employment Law Section, the Georgetown University Law Center, and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, is pleased to host a series of panel discussions that will examine the enactment and enforcement of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, religion, and sex. These discussions will bring together many of the leading judges, lawyers, and activists involved in the passage of Title VII and its amendments and the litigation of the landmark cases interpreting Title VII and establishing the guidelines for proving workplace discrimination. No reservation or pre-registration is required.New England Conference on Black Philanthropy, June 1-3
The New England Conference on Black Philanthropy, in partnership with the National Center for Black Philanthropy, Inc., will be held Tuesday, June 1 through Thursday, June 3, 2004 at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (155 Temple Street, New Haven, Connecticut). The theme of the 2nd annual conference is "The Power of Individuals to Build Communities." The conference will host approximately 300 professionals in the field of philanthropy including members of nonprofit organizations nationally and in the Northeast region. Ron Ancrum, President of Associated Grant Makers in Boston, Massachusetts says “In order for philanthropy to be effective, it is critical that citizens are empowered to make a difference in their own communities.
African American donors want to feel invested in the outcomes of their philanthropy in the communities in which they live and have a personal alliance. The African American community is increasingly being targeted for philanthropic outreach. This conference will be a key provider of professional education for grant makers on how they can increase their value through partnering, collaborating, brokering and other strategies. If you teach individuals to focus on assets instead of deficits, they will unite around a common vision of future success." The goal of the conference is to encourage and cultivate giving by promoting philanthropy within Black communities in the Northeast, to increase the capacity of Black development professionals, highlight the critical roles individuals play in charitable giving, and cultivate greater institutional investment in Black communities. For more information contact Lisa McGill, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven at lmcgill@cfgnh.org or (203) 777-2386.
Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, August 12-14, 2004
In its second year, the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) will be held August 12-14, 2004. Amidst the enchanting island of Martha's Vineyard, this three day event will highlight "The Future of African American Filmmakers and the Issues we Continue to Face." This exciting, one-of-a-kind film festival will highlight key achievements of African Americans in the film industry. Attendees can expect engaging conversations that will explore some of the most successful approaches on how to build effective strategic partnerships. Additionally, aspiring filmmakers should walk away with the much needed tools to propel them ahead.Unlike some other film festivals, the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival caters to an upscale, mature audience that truly appreciates fine art. The Directors Chat, Q&A sessions and other discussions are guaranteed to be thought provoking and informational. In addition, the location and rich history of the island, located just seven miles off the Massachusetts coastline, provides attendees wonderful sightseeing opportunities from the Gay Head Cliffs, to Cottage City, known for its gingerbread houses. . MVAAFF showcased more than 30 films last year and will showcase even more this year.
In addition to screening newly discovered films, attendees can enjoy the continued success of the Island's African Diaspora experience. The film festival will open with a pre-festival reception in New York City. The island activities will include a Director's Luncheon, Director's Chat and opening/closing parties at the Mansion House, host hotel. Sponsors Kodak and Final Draft will award prizes to the best short film and screenplay. Other festival sponsors include Dukes County Bank, UnityFirst.com, Edgartown National Bank, Martha's Vineyard Film Society, Mansion House, Island Real Estate, Martha's Vineyard Co-operative Bank and presented by Run and Shoot Filmworks, Inc. For more information or to attend the events, send an email to mvfilmfestival@yahoo.com.
