Kamau and Associates. Since 2003 - The World's 1st Blog for Black & Minority Business
Friday, June 11, 2004
FAMILY DIGEST'S SECOND ANNUAL BEST COMPANIES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS AWARDS
Danville, CA - It is our pleasure to announce that after extensive analysis of more than 775 U.S. corporations, seven (7) companies have been selected as recipients of awards as FAMILY DIGEST'S Best Companies for African Americans - 2004. On behalf of FAMILY DIGEST'S more than 2.6 million African American readers, we congratulate these outstanding organizations for the opportunities for advancement that they provide to African Americans, and indeed, to all Americans.FAMILY DIGEST'S extensive Best Companies survey explores each company's work-family programs, flexible-work policies, hiring procedures, and mentoring programs. The enduring characteristic of FAMILY DIGEST'S survey is its focus on the results of company efforts as demonstrated by the proportion of African Americans who hold decision-making positions.
The seven (7) Best Companies for African Americans for 2004 being honored are:
CIGNA
CINGULAR WIRELESS
DENNY'S RESTAURANTS
MORGAN STANLEY
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE
PROCTER & GAMBLE
WASHINGTON MUTUAL
The companies will be honored at an Awards Breakfast held at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV on July 3rd, and will be published in the June 2004 issue of FAMILY DIGEST magazine.
The survey results will be distributed to the White House, members of the Cabinet, members of Congress - to include the Congressional Black Caucus, more than 300 Black civic & professional organizations and media outlets, general media outlets, and more than 200 universities - to include more than 100 historically Black colleges & universities. We want America to know which companies are meeting the challenge of a diverse workforce. In this second year of the award, we're continuing to make this project compelling and valuable to African Americans and the companies that enjoy the pleasure of their talent.
FAMILY DIGEST is Black America's Number 1 Relationship & Family Magazine.
FAMILY DIGEST provides readers positive information on love & marriage, powerful insights for strengthening our families, secrets for raising happy children, strategies for bettering important relationships, expert advice for improving the health of every member of the family, delicious recipes that take soul food to new heights, interviews with African American Celebrities who are dedicated to strengthening their families, plus so much more!
In addition to the magazine, other brands include Family Digest's African American Family Health Initiative, the Kings & Queens of Motivation Tour, the Family Digest & Partners Family Health Kit, Mobley Events, and Family Digest's Bid Whist World Championship & Family Fun Weekend.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Detroit Branch NAACP and Detroit Alliance for Fair Banking
The Detroit Branch NAACP, in conjunction with the Detroit Alliance for Fair Banking, will be meeting with executives from the banking industry in the wake of a $6.2 million Fifth Third Bank settlement brokered by the U.S. Department of Justice recently. "This settlement is a very good first step in the right direction," said Reverend Wendell Anthony, Detroit Branch NAACP President. "But we cannot afford to wait for legal remedies to force banks to do the right thing when it comes to providing equitable access to capital and service in urban areas." The move comes on the heels of a recently announced settlement between Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank and the U.S. Justice Department. The federal lawsuit charged that executives at Old Kent Financial Corp. unlawfully avoided making business and residential loans in African-American neighborhoods. Old Kent Financial Corp. was bought by Fifth Third Bank in 2001. Redlining practices such as these are what prompted the Detroit Branch NAACP to co-found the Detroit Alliance for Fair Banking in 1989. The group is charged with monitoring the local banking industry to guard against unfair banking and lending practices such as redlining, predatory lending and monitoring of compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act.NETWORK CHANGES NAME TO THE BLACK FAMILY CHANNEL
Atlanta, GA - MBC Network, the only African-American, owned and operated cable television network will change its name to the Black Family Channel effective October 1 of this year. The transition plans for the network's new name are already underway. The announcement came today from MBC Network Chairman and CEO, Willie Gary. The name change to the Black Family Channel comes as part of the new direction of the Network, to redefine television by producing innovative and engaging family programs for black America. The Black Family Channel will continue the mission to solidify its position as the cable destination for the African-American viewer."The name change to the Black Family Channel reflects our growth and expansion to the next level. As the Black Family Channel, we will assist the cable industry to increase acquisition and digital upgrades in African-American homes," continued Gary.
"This year MBC is celebrating its fifth anniversary. In just five short years, the network is available in 30 million homes, 3,700 cities and 47 states. We have made significant strides and continue to succeed against insurmountable odds. We intend to capitalize on these accomplishments in our new capacity as the Black Family Channel," said Gary.
"My partners, four-time heavy-weight champion, Evander Holyfield, baseball great, Cecil Fielder, legendary Jackson 5 member, Marlon Jackson and broadcast veteran, Alvin James, and I, were told that we would not thrive in this industry by bringing positive images and messaging on cable television. We have ignored the naysayers and will continue to change the viewing culture of cable television. MBC Network has been a true example of endurance and hard work. The Black Family Channel will serve as an inspiration to young men and women to dream big dreams and refuse to be denied," said Gary.
Among other things, the Black Family Channel will work to build upon its grassroots efforts, establish partnerships with major corporations and increase alliances with black churches across America. The Black Family Channel will continue to offer viewers access to black college sports, entertainment, news, movies, information, children's programming and dynamic ministries.
In addition, the Black Family Channel will keep its multi-year agreement to be the exclusive cable partner for the major black college sports conferences; a deal that made black collegiate history.
As part of the new direction for the Black Family Channel, actor, producer, director, Robert Townsend was recently named President and CEO of Productions for the Network. Townsend is spearheading a nationwide talent search to discover and cast new stars for an assortment of original programming he has developed exclusively for the Black Family Channel. The talent search tour is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Miami, Atlanta, St. Louis and Dallas through July 31, 2004. Townsend, with over 30 years of experience is credited with discovering comedian Damon Wayans, casting Beyonce and directing Halle Berry, to name a few.
"My mission is to put new faces on television and produce innovative and engaging programs on the Network for black America," said Townsend. "Unfortunately, Hollywood tends to script roles for a select pool of actors and actresses, leaving a narrow opportunity for rising stars to showcase their craft or be considered for leading roles."
"My vision for the Black Family Channel will substantially increase the visibility of new talent, new faces and new imaging on cable television," stated Townsend.
THE 1ST AFRICAN AMERICAN PAVILION AT THE 2004 BOOK EXPO AMERICA
THE 2004 BOOK EXPO AMERICA, FROM A BERRY BLACK PERSPECTIVE IN NEW ISSUE OF BLACKBERRYSPEAK.COM URBAN MAGAZINEChicago, IL - The African American Pavilion at the recent 2004 Book Expo America held in Chicago proved mainstream America has it wrong! African Americans do read, do write, and do the math - Generate Big Bucks!!!
Last Thursday, African American writers and publishers gathered for their annual African American conference held the day before the official opening of Book Expo America. Covering "How to Increase Your Bottom Line" and "From Classic to Street Life Publishers", speakers such as Greg Perkins, President/CEO, African American Expressions (Sacramento CA) and publishers/authors Zane and Vickie Stringer proved the African American market is diverse, strong, yet still full of challenges.
"More African American books are being published, especially self-published, while African American bookstores struggle to stay open," says Mariann Aalda, Actress-Author-Humorist-Motivator. "Addressing this challenge, the first African American Pavilion brought together seventeen publishers who represent over a hundred African American authors in one area of the Expo."
"It was amazing, uplifting, informative, and efficient," says A. Renee West, Publisher/Editor of BlackBerrySpeak.com Urban Magazine. "This was my third Expo. The Pavilion not only spared attendees from running over entire convention floors searching for our authors, but just the sight of this long aisle of us on both sides of the table visually renewed hopes and passions about the publishing industry. That's why this issue covers the Expo not just in print, but also in pictures. More people need to see it, to believe it. And the Pavilion Co-Founders, Genesis Press, Amber Communications Group, and Black Issues Book Review, deserve praise and thank you's."
In addition to the Expo, the latest issue of BlackBerrySpeak.com Urban Magazine introduces a new layout design that responds to reader requests for more content and graphics, and advertiser demand for more space.
"We've also added a Lifestyle Express section, which includes travel, quotes, and people in the news, as well as slammin poetry. We'll also have a few surprises from time to time. For instance this issue features an interview by Atlanta Lady X with the gentleman poet himself, Michael Webster," adds Ms. West. "And the site now includes a blog on the home page where we will give breaking news updates, post our thoughts, and let readers give their comments."
To read the magazine, see the special Book Expo photo section, purchase promotional merchandise, or become a part of the grass root marketing force (hit your clubs, organizations, churches, bookstores, etc), go to www.blackberryspeak.com
