bba news oct 10

In This Issue...President’s Message…page 3Small Business Jobs Act…page 6Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure…page 13

Dear AEG Partner:

AEG is pleased to announce the launch of our new

Supplier Portal,an online communication tool designed to enhance the

relationship between AEG and our partners. The portal is an online and paperless tool that will provide you with:

Increased visibility for AEG business opportunities Extended Company Profi le in online directory

Direct email updates from AEG clients and buyers Easy accounts payable information sharing

Increased exposure for MBEs, WBEs, and DBEs

It is important that you register your business so that we have the ability to contact you for participation in future opportunities. Sup-

pliers seeking to initiate business with AEG are encouraged to register as well.

Registration is simple and we invite you to visit ourSupplier Portal at your earliest convenience:

https://supplier.aegworldwide.com

President’s MessageEarl “Skip” Cooper, IIPresident/Chief Executive Offi cer

Stamp Out Supplier Diversity Divergence

For the seventh consecutive year, on November 4, 2010, the Black Business Association (BBA) will

present its vital PROCUREMENT EX-CHANGE SUMMIT that vigorously generates and resourcefully assembles major telecommunication, gas, elec-tric, and transportation corporations to meet distinctively with small business owners. The major public and private sector participating organizations this year represents a combined annual spend of over $50 billion. In view of that, there is a signifi cant opportunity for improving open access and supplier engagement, where the BBA encour-ages all small businesses to attend this powerful forum to seek selling oppor-tunities.

The BBA is grateful to the California Public Utilities Commission, African American Supplier Engagement Col-laboration, National Black Business Council, and California Black Cham-ber of Commerce for their long-stand-ing support to the PROCUREMENT EXCHANGE SUMMIT. Every par-ticipant should make plans to join the ‘One-On-One Match Making’ portion of the summit that facilitates meeting sessions between procurement man-agement personnel and sellers at set times during the day. The location for the PROCUREMENT EXCHANGE SUMMIT is the Sheraton Gateway Hotel (LAX), 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045. To register, visit our web site www.bbala.org. Proud sponsors include SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON, NORTHROP GRUMAN, SEMPRA ENERGY, LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS, CO-

MERICA BANK, AT&T, SOUTHWEST GAS, HONDA, WELLS FARGO BANK, TURNER, VERIZON, AEG, METRO, KAISER PERMANENTE, DEPART-MENT OF GENERAL SERVICES, US BANK, TIME WARNER CABLE, AND THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES DE-PARTMENT OF WATER AND POWER.

The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) this month launched a sig-nifi cant Reform Proposal for the City of Los Angeles focused on minority business contracting and procurement processes. Current practices to in-crease the recruitment and use of local minority businesses within the City of Los Angeles have not been in line with extending business parity in public con-tract awards. Gene Hale, GLAAACC Chairman and former BBA Chairman developed a coalition of diverse sup-porters for minority business contract-ing reform in the City of Los Angeles that addresses the decline in contracts awarded to black and other minority-owned fi rms.

GLAAACC’s work effort to remove supplier disparity within the City of Los Angeles exemplifi es the diverging practices in supply chain management, which is negatively swelling in both the public and private contracting pro-grams. There is a mounting trend of socioeconomic ostracism of black busi-ness utilization, particularly in outsourc-ing practices to include black enterpris-es in the operational responsibilities. Not exclusive to procurement supplies, but also outsourcing in human re-sources, call center applications, legal management, engineering and the like

have worsened steadily since 2000. It dropped a bit in the later part of the 1990’s, and then started climbing again post September 11, 2001.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s busi-

ness leaders took great pride with pur-suing and ensuring that each disenfran-chised group obtained the maximum practicable and viable opportunities in accessing all contracting opportuni-ties. However, this past decade has disclosed serious divergence practices on the part of outreach community spe-cialists, many of whom have become desensitize to small business needs, as well as demonstrating unfamiliarity with how their respective corporations process make or buy decisions and how to work with an outside service provider.

Consequently, by employing out-of-

see President’s Message on page 60

3 October 2010 Black Business News www.bbala.org

...this past decade has disclosed

serious divergence practices on the part of outreach

community specialists, many

of whom have become desensitize

to small business needs...

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

323-291-9334 Fax: 323-291-9234www.facebook.com Search: Black Business

[email protected] www.bbala.org

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

PRODUCTION MANAGERNarishima Osei

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSW. Gladney ▪ C. Collins

PHOTOGRAPHYIan Foxx ▪ Sabir • N. Osei

LAYOUT/TYPESETTINGLion Communications

Copyright © 2010 by Black Business Association.All Rights Reserved.

BBA BOARD OF DIRECTORSTed Davis, Chairman

IsComp Systems, Inc.Nathan Freeman, Vice Chairman

Figueroa Media Group, Inc.Eugene Jones, Secretary NVA Financial Group, Inc.

Kevin M. Caliup, Treasurer AIA/E-World Strategy

Narishimah Osei, Parliamentarian Osei & Associates

Gwen Moore, Director GEM Communications

Candida Mobely-Wright, Director Voices, Inc.

Angela Walton, Director Melador Technologies, Inc.

Angela Reddock, Esq., Legal Counsel

CORPORATE PARTNERSAEG

American Honda Motor CompanyAT&T

Bank of AmericaThe Boeing Company

California LotteryCitibank

Coca-Cola EnterprisesComerica Bank

Department of Water & PowerDonald Sterling Corporation

Fannie Mae IBMKaiser Permanente LAEDCLos Angeles World Airports

Over 40 years of serviceFounded 1970


Northrop Grumman CorporationRaytheon Company

S.C.R.P.C.Sempra Energy

Southern California EdisonSwinerton Builders

Toyota Motor Sales, Inc.Turner Construction Company

Union Bank of CaliforniaUSBank Verizon

Walt Disney CompanyWellPoint Wells Fargo Bank

Lyceum Management Services, Ex Offi cioHollis Smith, Ex Offi cio

Paulette Williams, Ex Offi cio AFFILIATES

African American Unity CaucusAssociation of Black Women Entrepreneurs

Black Women’s NetworkCalifornia Black Chamber of CommerceCalifornia Council of Black Chambers

The Greenlining InstituteMinority Business Enterprise Legal Defense &

Education FundNational Black Business Council

The National Association of African American Chambers of Commerce

The National Black Chamber of CommercePan African Film & Arts Festival

Recycling Black Dollars

2010 EventsFebruary

Black Business Awards Dinner - 36th Anniversary

of the BBAMarch

Salute to Black WomenNovember

Utilities Procurement Exchange Summit & Awards

LuncheonDecember

BBA 40th Year Celebration• Call for information •

323-291-9334

In This Issue…3 President’s Message Stamp Out Supplier Diversity Divergance6 Small Business Jobs Act 201011 Skills for America’s Future13 MBDA News-Global Construction Program15 Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure17 California Recovery18 Southland Partnership Honors Community Champs38 Let’s Move!48 Africa Focus

Tanzania’s New Ambassador African Development Bank Funded Projects Other Topic

57 Tax Relief: Charitable Giving Time69 SBA News 2,000 New SBA Loans, Job Act 2010 Success73 Calendar

Columns 41 - Take A Look! 45 - Business Tools / The Vallue of Face Time 65 - Books to Consider...

BBA Action Alert 2 - AEG Supplier Portal 23 - Help for Haiti 54 - 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative Launch

Cover image - Sarah Harris

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 development 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 businesses;

• 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;

• 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.

U.S. Small Business Administration2007 - Journalist of the Year Award

Minority Business Development Agency2010 - Media Firm of the Year


The Recovery Act Creates Jobs and Changes Lives for the Betterby Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture

Recently, I released, “Rural De-velopment and the Recov-ery Act: Working For Rural

Communities”, a report outlining how funds allocated to seven programs ad-ministered by USDA Rural Develop-ment have sparked economic growth, created or saved over 300,000 jobs, and funded projects in almost 3,000 counties. USDA staff approved 95,000 loans, made 2,500 grants and assisted 2,000 rural businesses with loan guar-antees. We also assisted 93,000 Amer-ican families close home loans, either by guaranteeing a loan from a lending institution or making a loan through our

direct program. We approved Internet projects that will provide an estimated 7 million people, many of them in remote areas including Tribal lands, access to improved state-of-the-art broadband service.

Those are signifi cant numbers, but as I travel the country, I am most im-pressed by the individuals who tell me how their lives are being changed, directly or indirectly, because of the Act. In Port Angeles, Washington, 147 workers have jobs because a Busi-ness Loan guarantee allowed a ply-wood plant to reopen after a three year shutdown. Older job seekers in Ten-

nessee are receiving computer training and developing new work skills thanks to a computer lab funded with a Rural Business Enterprise Grant. A fi rm in Gering, Nebraska, saw demand for its homes rebound after USDA partnered with lending institutions, the city and a development fi rm to provide local resi-dents with quality homes.

Through the Recovery Act, USDA has funded over 850 water projects to improve public health and environmen-tal quality; over 560 public safety facili-ties; 312 cultural and educational facili-ties including 196 library projects; and

President Barack Obama participates in the CNBC Town Hall Discussion on Jobs with John Harwood at the Newseum in Washington, DC. (Offi cial White House Photo by Pete Souza)

see Creating Jobs on page 59


Small Business Jobs Act of 2010

The Small Business Jobs Act, signed by President Obama will provide critical resources to help

small businesses continue to drive eco-nomic recovery and create jobs. The new law extends the successful SBA Recovery loans while offering billions more in lending support and tax breaks for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

New Law Puts More Capital in the Hands of Entrepreneurs and Small

Business Owners• Recovery Act Loans Extension – $14 billion more in lending supporto The law will extend SBA Recovery loans (with the 90% guarantee and reduced fees) through December 31, 2010. The $505 million for Recov-ery loans in this new law will support about $14 billion in overall small busi-ness lending. More than 1,400 small businesses that have been in a queue waiting for this bill to become law will be funded in a matter of days. o Since passage of the Recovery Act, SBA has supported nearly 70,000 Re-covery loans, turning $680 million in taxpayer dollars into more than $30 billion in lending support.

• Higher Loan Limits – signifi cantly in-creases maximum loan sizes in top loan programso The law will permanently increase 7(a) and 504 limits from $2 million to $5 million (for manufacturers in 504 loan program, up to $5.5 million).o The law will permanently increase microloan limits from $35,000 to $50,000, helping larger entrepreneurs with start-up costs and small business owners in underserved communities.

• Alternative Size Standards – more small businesses eligible to get SBA loanso The law expands the number of businesses eligible for SBA loans by increasing the alternate size standard to those small businesses with less than $15 million in net worth and $5 million in average net income.

• Temporary Enhancements to Help

with Working Capital, Commercial Real Estate Refi nancingo The law will increase maximum amount of SBA Express loans from $350,000 to $1 million (expires 9/27/2011).o The law will allow some small busi-nesses to refi nance their owner-occu-pied commercial real estate mortgag-es into the 504 loan program (expires 9/27/2012).

• Dealer Floor Plan Pilot Extension, Ex-pansion o The pilot program (begun 2009) will be extended to 2013.o After the $5-million loan limit is im-plemented, this will help even more small businesses owners who sell cars, RVs, boats, other titleable inven-tory.

• Small Business Intermediary Lending Piloto The law provides funding for up to $20 million per year in small business loans over the next three years for an intermediary-facilitated loan program targeting small businesses that need loans up to $200,000.

New Law Strengthens Small Busi-nesses’ Ability to Compete for Con-tracts, Including Recommendations from the President’s Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities

for Small Business• Equal Treatment across Federal Con-tracting Programso The law reaffi rms “parity” among federal small business contracting programs. Contracting offi cers will be free to choose among business-es owned by women and service-disabled veterans, as well as those participating in HUBZone and 8(a) programs, and soon the women’s contracting program when conducting contracts that are set-aside for small business.

• Better Playing Field for Small Busi-nesses – more accountability, integrity, transparencyo The law gives agency procurement offi cers more ability to provide both

large prime contracts and mircocon-tracts to small businesses. The law makes it harder for agencies to “bun-dle” contracts, a practice that often takes opportunities away from small business. The law also has stronger enforcement so agencies will be held more accountable for reaching small business goals. o The law enforces stronger subcon-tracting plan requirements for large prime contractors to ensure small businesses are utilized in subcontract-ing. It also discourages late payments to small subcontractors.o The law enforces SBA’s continuing efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse. Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, will have more ability to vigorously pursue com-panies that win contracts by misrep-resenting their small business status.

• Small Business Teaming Opportuni-tieso The law provides $25 million for a new pilot that provides grants that will help small businesses team up with each other to compete for larger and more complex federal government contracts.

New Law Promotes Small Business Exporting, Building on the Presi-dent’s National Export Initiative

• Export Express Pilot Becomes Per-manento The law turns the Export Express pi-lot loan program into a permanent pro-gram with 90% guarantees for loans up to $350,000 and 75% for loans be-tween $350,000 and $500,000.

• State Trade and Export Promotion Grants Piloto The law provides $90 million in com-petitive grants over next three years for states to help small business own-ers with exporting.

• Increased Staff and Strengthened Ex-port Counseling Resources. Law Expands Training and Counseling: • Major Investment in Counseling and Training

see Jobs Act 2010 on page 71


National Recovery:

New Law Has Big Effects for Small Bizby Jim Guiliano

The recently passed Small Busi-ness Jobs Act of 2010 has some little-known provisions that

directly affect small business benefi ts and bottom line.

Specifi cally, regarding benefi ts, the law:Ends the requirement that cell

phones meet certain heightened sub-stantiation and depreciation rules. This change clears the way for the IRS to issue new rules about taxation of the personal use of employer-provided cell phones — rules that supposedly will ease the documentation standards companies had to meet to offer tax-free cell-phone use to employees. The change doesn’t affect the authority of the IRS to determine the appropriate-ness of cell phones as a tax-free work-ing condition fringe benefi t or that the personal use of such devices, provided primarily for business purposes, may constitute a tax-free de minimis fringe benefi t.

Provides that if a 401(k), 403(b) plan, or 457(b) deferred-compensation plan has a qualifi ed designated Roth contribution program, when there is a distributable event, a distribution to an employee (or a surviving spouse) from an account under the plan that is not a designated Roth account is permit-ted to be rolled over into a designated Roth account under the plan for the in-dividual. Provides that a plan that includes

a designated Roth program is permit-ted but not required to allow employees (and surviving spouses) to make the rollover contribution described above to a designated Roth account. If a plan allows these rollover contributions to

a designated Roth account, the plan must be amended to refl ect this plan feature. The IRS will provide employers with a remedial amendment period to allow the employers to offer this option

to employees (and surviving spouses) for distributions during 2010 and then have suffi cient time to amend the plan to refl ect this feature.

On taxes, the law:Temporarily puts in place for the

rest of 2010 a provision that eliminates capital gains taxes on investments held for at least fi ve years. Increases for 2010 and 2011 the

amount of investments that businesses would be eligible to immediately write off to $500,000, while raising the level of investments at which the write-off phases out to $2 million. Extends a provision for a 50% “bo-

nus depreciation” through 2010, mean-ing in 2010, small businesses can ac-

celerate the rate at which they deduct capital expenditures. Allows some self-employed to get

a deduction for the cost of health insur-ance for themselves and their family

members in calculating their self-em-ployment taxes. Temporarily increases the amount

of start-up expenditures entrepreneurs can deduct from their taxes for this year from $5,000 to $10,000 (with a phase-out threshold of $60,000 in expendi-tures). Allows certain small businesses

to “carry back” their general business credits to offset fi ve years of taxes — while also allowing these credits to off-set the Alternative Minimum Tax. Changes, beginning this year, the

penalty for failing to report certain tax transactions from a fi xed dollar amount to a percentage of the tax benefi ts from the transaction.

The White House President Barack H. ObamaMemorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject: Establishing a Task Force on Skills for America’s Future

In order to compete in the global economy, the United States needs the most educated workforce in the world. The high-wage jobs of the 21st century will require more

knowledge and skills than the jobs of the past. We therefore must develop innovative strategies to train more Americans with the skills that businesses and the economy will need to ensure American competitiveness.

Community colleges are a key part of our education sys-tem, providing a fl exible and affordable place to sharpen relevant workforce skills and align them with the needs of employers in their communities. Traditional four-year col-leges, on-line institutions, and nontraditional educational outlets also can play an essential role in providing training opportunities.

To prepare students for 21st-century jobs, these institu-tions need to develop fl exible, affordable, and responsive training programs that meet regional and national economic needs. An important way to ensure that training programs meet such needs is through partnerships between these in-stitutions and labor unions, small businesses, and other re-gional employers. As educational institutions develop these innovative programs, we should assess what works and what does not, so that we reward excellent outcomes and true innovation that meets the needs of entrepreneurs and other employers in every part of the country, from rural com-munities to urban centers.

Therefore, I am establishing a task force to develop skills for America’s future by identifying, developing, and increas-ing the scale of promising approaches to improving the skills of our Nation’s workers. By coordinating the work of relevant agencies with that of nonprofi ts, labor unions, and private sector organizations, and by leveraging the assets of these entities, this effort will build better partnerships between busi-nesses, community colleges, and other training providers to get Americans trained for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Section 1. Establishment. There is established an in-teragency Task Force on Skills for America’s Future (Task Force) to ensure that Federal policies promote innovative training programs and curricula, including successful public-private partnerships, at community colleges as well as in other settings, that will prepare the American workforce for 21st-century jobs. The Chair of the Council of Economic Ad-visers, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall serve as Co-Chairs of the Task Force.

Section 2. Membership. In addition to the Co-Chairs, the Task Force shall consist of the following members, or any senior offi cial designated by one of the following members who is a part of the member’s department, agency, or offi ce, and who is a full time employee of the Federal Government:

(a) the Secretary of Defense; (b) the Secretary of Agricul-ture; (c) the Secretary of Commerce; (d) the Secretary of Labor; (e) the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (f) the Secretary of Transportation; (g) the Secretary of Energy; (h) the Secretary of Education; (i) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (j) the Director of the Offi ce of Management and Bud-get; (k) the Administrator of the Small Business Administra-tion; (l) the Director of the Offi ce of Science and Technology Policy; and (m) the heads of other executive departments,

agencies, or offi ces as the Co-Chairs may designate.Section 3. Administration. The Council of Economic Ad-

visers shall provide administrative support for the Task Force to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropria-tions.

Section 4. Mission and Functions. The Task Force shall work across executive departments and agencies to ensure that Federal policies facilitate, and offer incentives for, in-novative career-training and education opportunities at com-munity colleges as well as in other settings, and that these opportunities are directly related to skills and job require-ments across a range of industries. Using the best evidence available regarding effective practice, the Task Force shall develop recommendations and options for meeting the fol-lowing objectives:

(a) improved public-private collaboration to develop ca-reer pathway and training programs with effective curricula, certifi able skills, and industry-recognized credentials and degrees;

(b) identifi cation of opportunities to amplify, accelerate, or increase the scale of, successful public-private partnerships that match trained workers with prospective employers;

(c) identifi cation and development of stackable credentials that provide entry to and advancement along a career path-way in an in-demand occupation;

(d) outreach to relevant stakeholders -- including industry, the adult workforce, younger students, educational institu-tions, labor unions, policymakers, and community leaders -- with expertise in skill development;

(e) alignment of workforce training programs funded by the Departments of Education and Labor, as well as other Federal agencies, with innovative practices and regional market demands, to build on effective skills-based training for adult workers and younger students, including individuals with disabilities;

(f) partnership with appropriate non-profi t entities to en-gage the private sector in developing effective training pro-grams that provide students with recognizable and portable skills that are needed in the marketplace; and

(g) greater use of technology to improve training, skills as-sessment, and labor market information.

Section 5. General Provisions.(a) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent

with applicable law and subject to the availability of any nec-essary appropriations.

(b) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefi t, substantive or procedural, en-forceable 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.

(c) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall assist and provide information to the Task Force, con-sistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Task Force. Each executive department, agency, and offi ce shall bear its own expenses of participat-ing in the Task Force.

(d) The Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers is here-by authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.


National Recovery:

Building Skills for America’s Future

President Obama has announced the launch of a new initiative Skills for America’s Future

(www.SkillsForAmerica.org) - an ef-fort to improve industry partnerships with community colleges to ensure that America’s community college students are gaining the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the work-force.

President Obama laid out his vision for the Skills for America’s Future pro-gram before the start of the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERAB) meeting.

“The idea here is simple: we want to make it easier to connect students looking for jobs with busi-

nesses looking to hire. We want to help community colleges and employers create programs that match curricula in the classroom with the needs of the boardroom.

We’ve already seen cases where this can work. Cisco, for example, has been working directly with community colleges to prepare stu-dents and workers for jobs ranging from work in broadband to health IT. And all over the country, we know that the most successful commu-nity colleges are those that partner with the private sector. So Skills for America’s Future would help build on these success stories by con-necting more employers, schools, and other job training providers,

and helping them share knowledge about what practices work best. The goal is to ensure that every state in the country has at least one strong partnership between a growing industry and a community college. Already, companies from UTC to Accenture to the GAP have announced their support for this ini-tiative, as well as business leaders like my friend Penny Pritzker and the Aspen Institute’s Walter Isaac-son. I hope other business leaders will follow suit, and I’m also setting up a taskforce to work directly with the business community on this ef-fort.”

Community college professor and advocate Dr. Jill Biden and and Dr. Martha Kanter, U.S. Department of Education undersecre-tary of vocational and adult education, second and third from left, joined Dr. Martha A. Smith, president of Anne Arundel Community College, right, in getting hands-on experience in “Intermediate Bakery Production” from Chef Virginia Olson, left. Biden was vis-iting AACC in preparation for the fi rst-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges she will host today. PRNewsFoto/Anne Arundel Community College

President Barack Obama announces launch of Skills for America’s Future at a meeting of the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERAB) in the State Dining Room of the White House. Offi cial White House Photo by Samantha Appleton

see Skills for America on page 21

THE WHITE HOUSEOffi ce of the Press SecretaryPresidential Proclamation

Minority Enterprise Development Week

Since our Nation’s founding, the United States has been a beacon of economic opportunity and limitless possibility. America’s strength and resiliency have relied on the vision of our entrepreneurs and small business owners, whose tireless work ethic has defi ned the character of our country. During Minority Enterprise Development Week, we cel-ebrate the millions of minority business owners whose fi rms generate jobs, strengthen our economy, and embody the entrepreneurial spirit of America.

Even in the toughest of times, America has been characterized by the belief that anyone with a good idea and enough hard work can succeed and share those achievements with their employees and communities. Today, as we emerge from a historic recession, many families and businesses face diffi cult economic challenges, and we must continue to prioritize job creation as part of a sustained recovery that works for all Americans. Minority-owned and operated enterprises are essential to stabilizing our economy now, and laying a foundation for future economic growth and prosperity.

Looking forward, we must continue to remove barriers so these businesses can create new employment opportuni-ties, increase their capacity, and advance our long-term prosperity. To achieve this goal, my Administration is com-mitted to taking concrete steps to increase Government procurement opportunities for small and minority businesses. By unleashing the energy and ingenuity of American entrepreneurs in the domestic and international marketplaces, we can generate millions of jobs here at home, open and expand new markets, reduce barriers to trade, and ensure strong and balanced economic growth.

As America competes in the global economy, it is vital we capitalize on the dedication, creativity, and acumen shown by our minority business owners and their employees. Through the National Export Initiative, my Adminis-tration is teaming with American businesses to double our exports over the next 5 years. The skills and leadership of minority business owners and employees will be critical as our public servants and business leaders develop the linguistic capabilities, cultural competencies, and international partnerships needed in a 21st century economy.

Minority Enterprise Development Week is anchored by the American legacy of entrepreneurial ambition and in-novation. As we honor minority enterprises, their industrious owners, and their hard-working employees, let us also recognize the diversity, determination, insight, and innovation of American businesses, and the immeasurable support they lend to our leadership in the global marketplace.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 22 through August 28, 2010, as Minority Enterprise Development Week. I call upon all Americans to celebrate this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to recognize the many contributions of our Nation’s minority enterprises.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fi fth.

BARACK OBAMA


Minority Business Development AgencyGlobal Construction Program - Help for Minority-owned Construction Firms

Over the next decade, coun-tries around the world, includ-ing Brazil, Russia, India and

China, will undergo signifi cant invest-ment in infrastructure including thou-sands of miles of high-speed railways and roads, hundreds of airports, and many sustainable water, energy and rural projects. With these global invest-ments in infrastructure in mind, and to support the President’s National Export Initiative (NEI) to increase exports over the next fi ve years, MBDA developed the Global Construction Program to help minority-owned construction fi rms learn the nuts and bolts of international projects and performance.

Public-Private PartnershipPulling together partners such as

Tutor-Perini Corporation, the Interna-tional Trade Administration, the Univer-sity of Southern California, Next Level


Diversity LLC and Ralph Moore & As-sociates, MBDA spearheaded the un-precedented public-private partnership to globalize the minority construction industry. This program is underscored by the opportunity to compete for $1 billion in Tutor-Perini contracts.

Over the next six months, three classes of 50 participants each will re-ceive training which is tailored specifi -cally to contracting on international fed-eral projects. The knowledge gained in the construction and technical aspects will prepare minority-owned fi rms to perform on projects of any trans-glob-al construction fi rm. The International Trade Administration will train fi rms to identify opportunities, compete and perform on projects worldwide. The in-struction consists of one week in Las Vegas at the Perini Building Company training facility. The curriculum will in-clude, but is not limited to, areas such

as: engineering elements, design build fast track schedules, cost reporting, and fi nancial implications of doing busi-ness in Guam. In addition, the program consists of 64 hours of online training courses and 10 hours of webinars.

Program RequirementsTo participate, minority-owned fi rms

must have performed at least $10 mil-lion on a single project if a general con-tractor, or at least $5 million on a single project if a subcontractor or vendor. The cost of the program is $10,000 for general contractors and $7,500 for subcontractors and vendors.

To participate in the Global Construc-tion Program, applicant fi rms must also be:• Minority-owned (more than 50 per-

cent) and operated, and certifi ed as a minority enterprise or similar des-ignation by NMSDC or have other recognized certifi cations, such as an SBA 8(a), program signed letter of enrollment, or a similar state-lev-el minority enterprise certifi cation;

• Willing to complete a business needs assessment; and

• Operating an active construction or construction supply business and have been in this business for fi ve years or more immediately preced-ing the submission of the applica-tion.

To apply, minority-owned fi rms should send an e-mail to [email protected] with Global Construction Program in the subject line.

When e-mailing, fi rms should in-clude: Company name, Contact name, Scope of Work (please include CSI code), Telephone Number, Fax Num-ber, Physical address, E-mail address, Website address.

“Th e Global Construction Program is designed to provide minority-owned fi rms with access to relationships, technical training, and

skills to compete in the construction industry worldwide,” MBDA National Director David A. Hinson said. “Th is is the fi rst time

in history that minority businesses will have access to global construction opportunities. Under the Obama administration we

intend to support job growth by expanding export capability and by leveraging economic benefi ts of the minority business community - a community that adds $1 trillion in economic output to the nation.

Th is program is the fi rst of a series of programs designed to increase employment and capacity in the minority business sector.”


Remarks by President Obama on Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure

THE PRESIDENT:Good morning, everybody. I just had

a meeting with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, and governors like Ed Rendell, mayors like Antonio Villarai-gosa, and economists and engineers from across the country to discuss one of America’s greatest challenges: our crumbling infrastructure and the urgent need to put Americans back to work up-grading it for the 21st century.

We’re also joined today by two for-mer Transportation Secretaries of both political parties: Sam Skinner, who served under President George H.W. Bush; and Norm Mineta, who served in the Cabinets of both President Clin-ton and President George W. Bush. They’re here today because they are passionate about this task.

Their cooperation –- and indeed, this country’s very history –- proves that this is something for which there

has traditionally been broad bipartisan support. So Sam and Norm have been leading a bipartisan group of more than 80 experts who, just last week, released a call to action demanding a “fundamental overhaul” of how America approaches funding and building our infrastructure. And today, my Treasury Department and my Council of Eco-nomic Advisors have released our own study.

And these reports confi rm what any American can already tell you: our in-frastructure is woefully ineffi cient and it is outdated. For years, we have de-ferred tough decisions, and today, our aging system of highways and byways, air routes and rail lines hinder our eco-nomic growth. Today, the average American household is forced to spend more on transportation each year than food. Our roads, clogged with traffi c, cost us $80 billion a year in lost pro-ductivity and wasted fuel. Our airports,

choked with passengers, cost nearly $10 billion a year in productivity losses from fl ight delays. And in some cas-es, our crumbling infrastructure costs American lives. It should not take an-other collapsing bridge or failing levee to shock us into action.

So we’re already paying for our fail-ure to act. And what’s more, the longer our infrastructure erodes, the deeper our competitive edge erodes. Other nations understand this. They are go-ing all-in. Today, as a percentage of GDP, we invest less than half of what Russia does in their infrastructure, less than one-third of what Western Eu-rope does. Right now, China’s build-ing hundreds of thousands of miles of new roads. Over the next 10 years, it plans to build dozens of new airports. Over the next 20, it could build as many as 170 new mass transit systems. Ev-erywhere else, they’re thinking big.

see Infrastructure on page 30

President Barack Obama holds a meeting with Cabinet secretaries, former secretaries of Transportation and mayors and governors on infrastructure investment in the State Dining Room of the White House. (Offi cial White House Photo by Pete Souza)


California Recovery:

Govenor Signs AB 1918 into Law: Increases State Contract Opportunities for California Business Owners

Governor Arnold Schwarzeneg-ger signed AB 1918, written by Assemblymember Davis,

which would require wireless telecom-munications service providers to an-nually report on their progress related to increasing contracting with women and minority-owned businesses and disabled veteran business enterprises (WMDVBEs).

Existing law provides that the PUC require each electrical, gas, water, and telephone companies with revenues over $25 million and their commission-regulated subsidiaries and affi liates to submit annually a detailed and verifi -able plan for increasing women and minority-owned business and DVBE procurement in all categories.

“Currently, wireless telecommunica-tions service providers are not specifi ed among the utility companies required to annually submit a detailed and verifi -able plan for increasing women and mi-nority-owned business or disabled vet-eran business,” said Assemblymember Davis.

In 1986, the PUC adopted General Order 156 (GO 156), which created the Women-owned and Minority-owned Business Enterprise program to in-crease diversity in various utility op-erations and procurement processes.

GO 156 requires the PUC-regulated electrical, gas, and telephone corpo-

rations with gross annual revenues exceeding $25 million to submit an-nual reports on their progress in meet-ing the short and long-term goals and timelines set in their diversity plan for increasing the participation of women- and minority-owned businesses in all procurement categories.

“I am very pleased to extend the op-portunities available for state contracts

to these business owners. Given the state of the California economy, it is ab-solutely necessary that we foster com-petition for state contracts. Competition leads to better pricing for the state, and contract diversity spreads state dollars among business owners throughout the state,” said Davis.

AB 1918 passed out of both the State Assembly and Senate with bipartisan support. The bill has been assigned the Chapter number 456, statutes 2010, by the California Secretary of State.

Recovery Act Investments Expand Broadband Internet

Access and Spur Economic Growth

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced 14 American Recovery and Re-

investment Act investments to help bridge the technological divide, create jobs, and improve education and public safety in communities across the coun-try. The investments, totaling $206.8 million in grants, are the final awards in a program to increase broadband Internet access and adoption, enhanc-ing the quality of life for Americans and laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.

The Commerce Department’s Na-tional Telecommunications and In-formation Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service are administering a nearly $7 billion Recovery Act initiative to expand access to and adoption of broadband services. NTIA is utilizing approximately $4 billion of that funding for the Broadband Technology Oppor-tunities Program (BTOP), which pro-vides grants to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure, enhance and expand public computer centers, and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service.

Some of the California grants oppor-tunities are shown in this article. Fact sheets with further information about all BTOP grants are available on the NTIA program web site here: http://www.ntia.

see NTIA Grants on page 26

California Recovery:

Southland Partnership Honors Community Champions Advancing Extreme Resources to Help Break Job and Training Barriers

The P.O.W.E.R. Collaborative Network (PCN), a human social service and economic develop-

ment service provider nonprofi t orga-nization today announced a formal recognition to seven people making a difference in the lives of Los Angeles residents. The PCN, founded in Janu-ary 2001, operates under the Work-force Investment Act, to deliver more effi ciently and effectively essential life needs throughout the community; thus, the acronym P.O.W.E.R. means Pro-moting Opportunities With Essential Resources.

Dean Jones, PCN co-founder and Di-rector, stated that Southern Los Ange-les County has a huge requirement to

raise awareness more effi ciently about the available support education, job de-velopment and socioeconomic growth initiatives available to local residents and employers. The PCN supports that requirement as an interactive busi-ness tool helping to expedite job, train-ing and other essential resources infor-mation rapidly throughout the County of Los Angeles.

Billy Williams, PCN advisory board member, said; “shinning a spotlight on individuals of organizations that dem-onstrate cooperation in the workplace consistently for local residents and those with challenging backgrounds is a strong business model showing the importance of delivering sound sup-


portive human resource services. Their respective commitment is necessary to help people who otherwise would not gain access to positive jobs.

Mr. Jones notes that the PCN mem-bers carry a deep admiration for all front line personnel that consistently work to improve the local health and service de-livery outreach through engaging work opportunities that help strengthen the quality of living standards for people.

Such individuals demonstrate an outstanding ability to shape and orchestrate marginalized citizens into productive careers, which has an overall outcome of enhancing and transforming communities. Southern Cali-fornia represents a geographi-cal area that has considerably more people than available jobs, making it a challenging opportunity to place potential and qualifi ed job applicants into positive work positions. Accord-ingly, it takes dedicated man-agement skills to help people follow through on employment positions in this job market. A notable reason for taking time to publicly honor community development specialists, who are in essence, CHOREOGRA-PHERS OF CAREERS©.

The Southland Partnership Corporation, nonprofi t business and labor service group, spon-sors the awards and the PCN

members nominate their peers or col-leagues for recognition. The actual award changes from year-to-year to symbolize the unique consciousness of the front line workers, who unselfi shly help others to shape their lives.

The 2010 CHOREOGRAPHERS OF CAREERS© are, list alphabetically by fi rst name:• Offi cer Adam Moore, Los Angeles

Police Department• Anita Wallace, Los Angeles Urban

League Business & Career Work-source Center

• Anthony Johnson, United States Veterans Initiative

• Charles Pascal, ABCO Technology• Ernest Melendrez, Friends Outside

Seated L to R: Anita Wallace, Los Angeles Urban League Business & Career Worksource Center, Jean Franklin, United Job Creation Council, Janaya Thomas, Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County.Standing L to R: Offi cer Adam Moore, Los Angeles Police Department, Ernest Melendrez, Friends Outside, Dean Jones, PCN co-founder and Director, Charles Pascal, ABCO Technology, Anthony Johnson, United States Veterans Initiative.

see Partnerships on page 19

• Janaya Thomas, Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Ange-les County

• Jean Franklin, United Job Creation Council.

The networking and award program was hosted by the City of Los Angeles World Airports. Each honoree received special recognition certifi cates from the 35th U.S. House of Representatives Congressional District of California, by Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Sponsors and supporters see reli-ance in the PCN’s commitment toward promoting useful human resources service data and innovative socioeco-nomic development strategies via the Internet and business meetings. The PCN members Agenda topics cover discussions on job recruitment, fund-ing, training, and other related human

Partnershipsfrom page 18

Do Business with BBA MemberBusinesses & Advertisers

OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN

OERP

need interests. For opportunities with obtaining job, training and essential re-sources visit www.IStartOnMonday.com.


� Give cash outright to the Black Business Association.

� Give appreciated property to the Black Business Association.

� Set up a lifetime Charitable Remainder Trust with the Black Business Association as the remainder beneficiary.

� Give a remainder interest in your home or business.

This is the easiest and most common method. However, for larger donations, this typically is not the best method for the donor.

If done properly, you get a deduction for the full fair market value of the property. If you were to sell the asset, normally you would pay 20% of the gain to the IRS. So, if you had an asset for which you paid $10 and you sold for $100, you would have a gain of $90 and pay $18 in tax. After sale and taxes, you would have $82. However, if you contribute the property to the Black Business Association, you get a charitable deduction for the full $100, even though you would have received only $82 after the sale and taxes. Essentially, you get a deduction for the gain on which you never paid taxes.

With a lifetime Charitable Remainder Trust you contribute property to a trust and you receive a fixed dollar amount or a fixed percentage of the value of the trust each year. At the end of your life, or at the end of a term up to 20 years, the property remaining goes to the Black Business Association. You get a current income tax deduction for the value of the interest that eventually goes to the Black Business Association. You can control how the assets of the trust are invested. This can be particularly important when the asset is stock in a family business.

You can give the Black Business Association the right to have your home or business after your death. You have full rights to live in the home or use the farm. The Black Business Association has no right to use the property until your death. You get a current income tax deduction for the value of the interest going to the Black Business Association. The value of the interest going to the Black Business Association is calculated by using your life expectancy at the time of the gift of the remainder interest.

� Set up a Charitable Remainder Trust at your death with the Black Business Association as the remainder beneficiary.

� Set up a Charitable Lead Trust during your lifetime with The Black Business Association as the beneficiary.

� Set up a Charitable Lead Trust at your death with the Black Business Association as the beneficiary.

� Give of your time and expertise.

This is similar to a lifetime Charitable Remainder Trust. However, your children or other beneficiaries would receive the income stream and then the assets would go to charity after their deaths or the specified period of time. Your estate would receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of the interest that ultimately would pass to charity.

This is the reverse of the Charitable Remainder Trust. The Black Business Association gets the income stream during your life or the fixed period of time, and then at your death the remaining assets go to your children or other beneficiaries.

Again, this is the reverse of the Charitable Remainder Trust. You would set up a trust that would be funded at your death. The Black Business Association would receive the income stream for a fixed period of time typically and then the remaining assets would go to your children or other designated beneficiaries. This is a way to reduce the estate tax on assets passing to your heirs.

This can be a great way to help in a very personal way. While it helps the Black Business Association, it also can provide you with a sense of accomplishment. However, you will not receive a tax deduction for this type of giving.

As you can see, there are a wide range of options. A qualified estate planning attorney can help you select the method which maximizes the income tax, estate tax, and personal advantages of the contribution to the Black Business Association.

Byline: Ms. Caprice L. Collins is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and has been engaged in the practice of law for the last 24 years. For more information or to attend an upcoming seminar, call (310) 677-9787 ext 5.

How to Help the Black Business Association YOUR L INK TO AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS

~ CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SERVICE ~

There are many ways each of us can help the Black Business Association. However, some ways are better suited to certain donors while other methods make more sense for other donors. Following just a few of the many ways that you can use to help the Black Business Association thrive.

BY CAPRICE L. COLLINS

FUTURALLIA 2011 Comes to Kansas CityGlobal Business Event to be Held in United States for First Time

After editions in Belgium, Poland, Canada, Qatar, and most recently France, the sixteenth edition of FUTURALLIA 2011 will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, next May. Whether you call it business matchmaking, business speed dating, or B2B meetings, FUTURALLIA is a fast-paced and intense business event where, all in all, more than 9,000 meetings will take place. The concept is simple: to gather more than 800 entrepreneurs from countries across the globe for two days of pre-selected and pre-arranged one-on-one networking meetings. Futurallia’s proprietary match-making software system has been perfected with twenty years of experience. The Kauffman Founda-tion is proud to be a sponsor of Futurallia KC 2011. For more information, and to register for this event, visit www.FuturalliaKC2011.com

The President also emphasized the importance investing in education as a means of investing in our long-term economic growth.

“But what I won’t do is cut back on investments like education that are directly related to our long term economic performance. Now is not the time to sacrifi ce our competitive edge in the global economy. And that’s why I disagree so strongly with the proposal from some on the other side of the aisle to cut edu-cation by 20% in next year’s bud-get. It’s a cut that would eliminate 200,000 children from Head Start programs; a cut that would re-duce fi nancial aid for eight million college students; a cut that would leave community colleges without the resources they need to meet the goals we’ve talked about today. That just doesn’t make sense to me.”

Skills For Americafrom page 11

President Obama understands that the education and skills of the Ameri-can workforce is crucial to our ability to compete in the global economy. That’s why the President has set a goal of having an additional 5 million commu-nity college degrees and certifi cates by 2020, and called on PERAB to develop new steps to ensure that those degrees and certifi cates will provide graduates with the skills they need to get ahead in their careers.

To respond to the President’s call, PERAB reached out to private sector employers, labor leaders, philanthropy organizations, and policy leaders within the Administration solicit their views on the workplace development challenges of the 21st century. Many employers

identifi ed public-private partnerships as one of the most effective ways to en-sure that college graduates and certifi -cate earners have the skills they need to be successful in the workforce.

The Skills for America’s Future ini-tiative will match up the employers like PG&E, United Technologies, Mc-Donald’s, Accenture and Gap Inc. with community colleges in every state to develop curricula and programs that will prepare graduates to excel in the workforce.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Vote!It’s Your Right. It’s Your Responsibility.

It’s Your Duty. It’s Your Privilege.

The

Black Business AssociationWishes You

Happy Thanksgiving

Merry Christmas

Happy Kwanzaaand a

Happy, Healthy,&

Prosperous2011


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The Interim Haiti Recovery Com-mission (IHRC), co-chaired by Prime Minister Jean-Max Bel-

lerive and President Bill Clinton, today reaffirmed its goals and priorities for Haitian reconstruction and announced a new set of projects at its third Board meeting, held via conference call from Port-au-Prince. The IHRC Board ap-proved 18 new projects, with a total val-ue of $777 million, though some may be modified based on feedback from the board. This brings to 49 the total number of projects approved to date.

Specific new projects approved by the IHRC at today’s Board meeting in-clude: • A $474 million Inter-American De-

velopment Bank (IDB) project for reconstruction of the country’s

education sector. The project will enable 250,000 children to benefit from financial subsidies to attend school every year for the next four years.

• A $100 million IDB project which will support the development of small and medium-sized enterpris-es (SMEs) by providing business development services and invest-ment credits.

• A $10 million project from UNICEF to support the Haitian government and civil society in the fight against gender-based violence.

• A $25 million project from UNI-CEF to support a plan to assess the status of primary school facili-ties; improve available education infrastructure databases; clear

debris from yellow and red-zoned schools; construct 200 semi-per-manent learning facilities; assist in developing standards for perma-nent primary school construction; and build ten pilot primary schools.

The IHRC Board also reported on the significant progress achieved on sever-al of the 29 projects approved at its last meeting on August 17, including:

• Groundbreaking of the Partners in Health National Health Referral Facility in Mirebalais, with a corner-stone-laying ceremony in Septem-ber. The project has secured $11.8 million in pledges, an increase of some $1.8 million since it was ap-proved in August.

• Signing of a Memorandum of Un-derstanding (MOU) by France, the United States and Haiti for co-financing of the entire project cost for reconstruction of the State Uni-versity Hospital of Haiti (HUEH). The MOU closes the funding gap of $35 million disclosed when the project was approved in August.

• Approval and full funding of the UN debris removal project in Port-au-Prince by the Haiti Recovery Fund (HRF) on September 24. The proj-ect is now ready for implementa-tion.

see Help For Haiti on page 29


Development Projects in Haiti Move ForwardBy JEAN-MAX BELLERIVE and BILL CLINTONNew Projects Valued at US $777 Million, Demonstrate Continued Progress in Addressing Haiti’s Recovery and Development Needs.

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 un-derpins 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 com-mercial real estate. The benefi ts and drawbacks to com-mercial real estate ownership vary from business owner to business owner, but potential buyers should educate them-selves about the obvious and sometimes hidden benefi ts to the ownership of a commercial property. Below are some of the major benefi ts to real estate ownership, versus leasing a commercial space.

TAX DEDUCTIONSFor many Black business owners, a primary benefi t 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 qualifi ed tax specialist about his or her unique situation.

EQUITY APPRECIATIONOn average, commercial real estate properties will appre-

ciate about two to three percent above infl ation 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 hav-ing positioned themselves to benefi t from any hope of equity appreciation. Using some of the most conservative esti-mates, potential equity appreciation can result in signifi cant fi nancial gains over a period of decades.

A RETIREMENT FUNDThrough various circumstances, many minority and small

business owners will not receive a pension when they de-cide to retire. In such cases, the equity appreciation on com-mercial property can be signifi cant. An owner can decide ei-


ther 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 situa-tions, a business owner may be able to lease out an unused portion of the property, such as a spare offi ce, before retire-ment for additional income.

ADDED VALUE TO BUSINESSUnlike 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.

NO TAXES TO PAY ON YOUR RENTWhen a business leases its real estate, sales tax is paid

on the rent paid to the landlord. When you own the real es-tate there is no tax to pay on the rent. The savings can be signifi cant.

EASY ACCESS TO FINANCINGHistorically-low, thirty-year fi xed interest mortgage rates

are now available for owner-occupied commercial proper-ties. Furthermore, there are fl exible interest-only options from which entrepreneurs can benefi t. In fact, in some in-stances, with strong fi nancials a business owner may qual-ify for loan fi nancing up to 100% of the purchase price for commercial real estate. A business owner should consult an experienced commercial mortgage adviser before mak-ing an offer on a commercial property, so that in addition to the tangible benefi ts outlined above, the business owner will have the satisfaction that only comes with property owner-ship. Truer words have never been spoken: “God bless the child that’s got his own”.

The Black Business Association (BBA) will soon launch a nationwide program to assist African American business owners in acquiring commercial and industrial real estate. Contact our offi ce for more information: 323-291-9334.

Business Development:

Building Your Business For SuccessThe Importance of Ownership


PRE-CONFERENCE BREAKOUT SESSIONS: October 26, 2010 - 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.SESSION 1: Responding to an Invitationfor Bid (IFB)SESSION 2: Tour the Defense Microelectronics Activity(DMEA) laboratory

GOVERNMENT PURCHASING PANEL:Hear from government agency representatives who will discuss upcoming opportunities and how to do business with their agencies

PRIMES AND SUBCONTRACTORS PANEL:Learn what government prime contractors are look-ing for in subcontractors and how to be considered for subcontracting opportunities

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION:Pre-registration is required. Register now! • Attendee Early registration is $125 per person. $150 after September 10, 2010. (Includes kick-off reception hors d’oeuvres, continental breakfast, lunch, and conference materials.) Visit here to register as an attendee: www.theftc.org/news&events/upcomingevents/govlinkconfer-ence_2010/govlinkconference_registration_attendee.html.• Limited Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities available. Last year exhibit spaces sold out. Visit here to register and reserve your space now www.theftc.org/news&events/upcomingevents/govlinkconfer-ence_2010/govlinkconference_sponsorships.html.

www.theftc.org/news&events/upcomingevents/govlinkconfer-ence_2010/govlinkconference_home.htm.

ABOUT GOVLINK CONFERENCE: • GOVLINK CONFERENCE provides networking opportunities between government agencies, prime contractors, and small businesses. • The speakers from government agencies will dis-cuss business opportunities, vendor selection criteria, and provide valuable insights on what it takes to be successful and how to avoid common mistakes. • Federal, state, and local government agencies and major prime contractors will be exhibiting at the event to facilitate networking.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND: • Learn about federal, state, and local government and prime contractor business opportunties • Grow your business through networking with key government and prime contractor decision makers • Attend the “Responding to an Invitation for Bid (IFB)” or tour Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA), a high-tech applied engineering federal laboratory WHO SHOULD ATTEND: • Small and large business owners / managers that are interested in contracting and subcontracting op-portunities representing all industries • Representatives from 8a, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), HUBZone, Service Disabled Vet-eran Businesses (SDVOSB and DVBE), and Woman Owned Businesses (WOB) • Federal, State, and Local Government and Prime Contractor representatives interested in expanding their Small Business, 8(a), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Business (SD-VOSB and DVBE), and Woman Owned Business (WOB) participation


NTIA Grants

www.healthcare.gov

doc.gov/broadbandUSA).Comprehensive Community

Infrastructure awards:California: Los Angeles Regional In-teroperable Communications Systems Authority. This $154.6 million grant will fund deployment of an interoper-able wireless public safety broadband network across Los Angeles County to serve more than 80 public safety agen-cies and up to 34,000 fi rst responders. The network will enable computer-aided dispatch, rapid law enforcement queries, real-time video streaming, medical telemetry and patient tracking, and other uses.

Public Computer Center awards:California: Monterey County Offi ce of Education. This $3.6 million grant will fund approximately three new and 26 upgraded public computer centers, and 500 new or upgraded workstations, to

serve up to an additional 5,000 users each week and provide training for as many as 10,000 residents.

Sustainable BroadbandAdoption awards:

California: California Emerging Tech-nology Fund. This $7.1 million grant will fund a project designed to place unem-ployed residents in IT-industry jobs by training approximately 37,000 people and providing computers to qualifi ed low-income residents who graduate from a broadband training curriculum. California: City and County of San

Francisco. This $7.9 million grant will fund a project to provide broadband-related training to approximately 8,400 seniors, low-income individuals, and others in economically and socially vul-nerable groups. California: Portland State University. This $3.3 million grant will fund digi-tal literacy and other training tailored to adult learners. The project intends to train approximately 23,000 people, focusing on economically vulnerable populations, to prepare them for ca-reers in the digital economy.

from page 17

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• Approval of the Partial Credit Guar-antee Fund for enterprise develop-ment approved by the HRF, with the transfer agreement ready for signature. The project will contrib-ute to the rehabilitation of the Hai-tian productive sector.

“I am quite confident regarding the steadfast support and commitment of

the international community to the re-construction of Haiti,” stated Jean-Max Bellerive, Prime Minister of Haiti and co-chair of the IHRC. “Today’s Board meeting has confirmed the invaluable collaboration among all actors involved in the process, and I am proud of the contributions of our Haitian counter-parts to our work.”

“Today, our Commission has ap-proved 18 projects valued at 777 mil-lion dollars that, among other out-comes, will provide school subsidies

Help For Haitifrom page 23

Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Vote!It’s Your Right. It’s Your Responsibility.


for 250,000 children, cash grants for the construction of 5,000 homes, and medical, psychological and legal ser-vices for up to 50,000 women and girls. Once fully-funded and implemented, the projects approved today are ex-pected to improve the lives of more than one million people in Haiti as they recover from the devastating earth-quake,” said President Bill Clinton, co-chair of the IHRC.

The Commission also addressed a number of key legal and administrative matters that will be critical to its opera-tions over the coming months. During the meeting, guidelines for implement-ing the Performance and Risk Manage-ment Framework were presented and adopted.

About the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission

The Interim Haiti Recovery Com-mission (IHRC) was created by presi-dential decree on April 21, 2010, in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. The mission of the IHRC is to under-take the expeditious planning, coordi-nation, and implementation of develop-ment projects and priorities, including reviewing and approving projects and programs funded by bilateral and mul-tilateral donors, NGOs and the private sector. The IHRC is co-chaired by Hai-tian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive and President Bill Clinton and is guided by a Board, which includes Haitian and non-Haitian stakeholders in reconstruc-tion efforts.

SOURCE:Interim Haiti Recovery Commission

www.cirh.ht


Infrastructure

They’re creating jobs today, but they’re also playing to win tomorrow. So the bottom line is our shortsightedness has come due. We can no longer afford to sit still.

What we need is a smart system of infrastructure equal to the needs of the 21st century. A system that encourag-es sustainable communities with easier access to our jobs, to our schools, to our homes. A system that decreases travel time and increases mobility. A system that cuts congestion and ups productivity. A system that reduces harmful emissions over time and cre-ates jobs right now.

So we’ve already begun on this task. The Recovery Act included the most serious investment in our infrastruc-ture since President Eisenhower built the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s. And we’re not just talking new and restored roads and bridges and dams and levees, but we’re also talk-ing a smart electric grid and the high-speed internet and rail lines required for America to compete in the 21st century economy. We’re talking about investments with impacts both immedi-ate and lasting.

Tens of thousands of projects em-ploying hundreds of thousands of workers are already underway across America. We’re improving 40,000 miles of road, and rebuilding water and sewer systems. We’re implementing a smarter, more stable, more secure electric grid across 46 states that will increase access to renewable sources of energy and cut costs for custom-ers. We’re moving forward with proj-ects that connect communities across the country to broadband internet, and connect 31 states via a true high-speed rail network. And what’s more, a great many of these projects are coming in under budget.

By investing in these projects, we’ve already created hundreds of thousands of jobs. But the fact remains that nearly one in fi ve construction workers is still unemployed and needs a job. And that makes absolutely no sense at a time

when there is so much of America that needs rebuilding.

So that’s why, last month, I an-nounced a new plan for upgrading America’s roads, rails and runways for the long-term. Over the next six years, we will rebuild 150,000 miles of our roads -- enough to circle the world six times. We will lay and maintain 4,000 miles of our railways -- enough to stretch from coast to coast. And we will restore 150 miles of runways and advance a next generation air-traffi c control system that reduces delays for the American people.

This plan will be fully paid for. It will not add to our defi cit over time. And we are going to work with Congress to see to that. It will establish an infrastruc-ture bank to leverage federal dollars and focus on the smartest investments. We want to cut waste and bureaucracy by consolidating and collapsing more than 100 different, often duplicative programs. And it will change the way Washington works by reforming the federal government’s patchwork ap-proach of funding and maintaining our infrastructure. We’ve got to focus less on wasteful earmarks, outdated formu-las. We’ve got to focus more on com-petition and innovation; less on short-sighted political priorities, and more on our national economic priorities.

So investing in our infrastructure is something that members of both politi-cal parties have always supported. It’s something that groups ranging from the Chamber of Commerce to the AFL-CIO support today. And by making these in-

vestments across the country, we won’t just make our economy run better over the long haul -- we will create good, middle-class jobs right now.

So there is no reason why we can’t do this. There is no reason why the world’s best infrastructure should lie beyond our borders. This is Ameri-ca. We’ve always had the best infra-structure. This is work that needs to be done. There are workers who are ready to do it. All we need is the politi-cal will. This is a season for choices, and this is the choice: between choice -- between decline and prosperity, and between the past and the future.

Our future has never been predes-tined. It has been built on the hard work and sacrifi ces of previous generations. They invested yesterday for what we have today. That’s how we built canals, and railroads, and highways, and ports that allowed our economy to grow by leaps and bounds. That’s how we led the world in the pursuit of new technol-ogies and innovations. That’s what al-lowed us to build the middle class and lead the global economy in the 20th century. And if we’re going to lead it in the 21st, that’s the vision we can’t af-ford to lose sight of right now. That’s the challenge that’s fallen to this gen-eration. That’s the challenge that this country is going to meet. And with the help of these gentlemen behind me, and I hope strong bipartisan support, I have no doubt that we will meet these challenges.

Thank you very much, everybody. www.whitehouse.gov

from page 15

TOWN HALL Los Angelesis pleased to present

The Honorable Condoleeza RiceMonday, October 25, 2010 • The Millennium Biltmore Hotel • Los Angeles, California

in discussion of her new book, “Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family”.

Dr. Rice is the fi rst African American woman to serve as United States Secretary of State and fi rst woman to serve as National Security Advisor.

Dr. Rice will be joined in conversation with Constance L. Rice, Co-Director of the Advancement Project. Constance Rice is a noted civil rights lawyer, policy advocate, and expert in police reform.

Both accomplished women are cousins and it will be a unique opportunity for interviewer and interviewee to discuss the topic of the book. This will be the only such pairing on the book tour.

Program Details

10:45 AM Book Sales Begin 11:00 AM Book Signing and Reception 12:00 PM Luncheon 12:30 PM Conversation with Audience Q&A 1:30 PM Book Signing Resumes

For more information or to register for this event, please visit http://www.townhall-la.org and click on “Register Now”

or call TOWN HALL Los Angeles at (213) 312-9308.

We look forward to seeing you!

DeeDee Hopkins, Administrative CoordinatorTOWN HALL Los [email protected]

Direct: 213.312.9308 Phone: 213.628.8141




OERP

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Th e Obama Administration’s Making Home Aff ordable Program includes opportunities to modify or refi nance your mortgage to make

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interested in a short sale or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.Call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673).

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As a client of Slaton Insurance Group you’ve already made the decision to work with proven

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• Commercial Package Policy (CPP) - Generally for larger practices/facilities; incorporates several policy forms including but not limited to general liability, property, automobile and crime policies.

• Professional Liability - Provides protection for rendering professional services; may apply to both individual professionals and/or businesses.

• Commercial Umbrella - An additional layer of liability protection that applies across policies to give you increased coverage limits.

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October 17-23, 2010 is the third annual Protect Your Identity Week (PYIW), an initiative of

the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB).

The week-long initiative brings fo-cus to the PYIW national campaign’s website and community events aimed at identity theft protection and educa-tion. “Over 10 million Americans were affected by identity theft last year. Con-sumers must protect themselves and become educated about identity theft to prevent and resolve problems,” said John Walsh, Acting Comptroller of the Currency.

You may fi nd PYIW educational events in your area, hosted by local NFCC and BBB members, or other co-alition partners, by visiting www.Pro-tectYourIDNow.org.

Take advantage of identity theft work-shops, onsite shredding and credit re-port reviews. The website also includes identity theft protection tips, videos, an interactive quiz to assess an individu-

Consumer Services:

Protect Your Identity Week

Consumer Services:

Positive Changes for Credit Card Holders

al’s risk of identity theft, and resources for victims. The website is also avail-able in Spanish at www.CuideSuIden-tidad.org. Additional resources on iden-tity theft may be accessed on the Offi ce of the Comptroller of the Currency”s (OCC) section of the PYIW website.

www.ProtectYourIDNow.orgwww.CuideSuIdentidad.org

Thanks to President Obama’s Ad-ministration and to Congress for pass-ing the credit card reform bill, and the changes in consumer credit that benefi t consumers. FDIC Consumer News of-fers simple strategies for consumers to prevent any problems with credit card companies making further changes in interest rates, fees and other areas hat are non-benefi cial to consumers. 1) Understand your right to cancel a credit card before certain signifi cant account changes take effect. Under the new law, card issuers now must generally tell customers about certain changes in account terms - in areas such as interest rate and fee increases - 45 days in advance, up from 15 days in the past. In that same notice, they

must inform consumers of their right to cancel the card before certain account changes take effect. These notices may come with your credit card bill or through a separate communication -- so read everything.

Consumers who notify their card company to cancel their card before fees are increased or certain other sig-nifi cant changes take effect will still be required to repay the outstanding bal-ance, but they cannot be required to repay it immediately. The card compa-ny can increase the minimum monthly payment, subject to certain limitations.

There are exceptions to the 45-day notice requirement. For example, you will generally not receive advance no-tice of a rate increase on a card with a variable interest rate that will fl uctuate based on an advertised index, such as the prime rate. 2) Keep an eye on your credit limit. Some people, even those with good credit histories, have recently seen their credit limits cut back. Reductions in credit lines can be harmful because your borrowing power will be dimin-ished. Also remember that your credit

score is based, in part, on what per-centage of your credit limit you are us-ing and how much you owe. Borrowers who carry large balances in proportion to their credit limit may see their credit scores fall. And a lower credit score can make it diffi cult or more expensive to get new credit in the future.

What should you do if you’ve already had your credit limit cut? Put a renewed focus on lowering the amount of mon-ey you owe on your credit cards. If you have diffi culty making the minimum payments on time, you may benefi t from speaking with a reputable credit counselor to get help or guidance at little or no cost. For a referral to a local, non-profi t credit counseling agency, one option is to call the National Foun-dation for Credit Counseling at 1-800-388-2227 or visit them at www.nfcc.org. 3) Decide how you want to handle transactions that would put you over your credit limit. Under the new law, no fees may be imposed for mak-ing a purchase or other transaction that would put your account over the credit

see Credit Cards on page 38

THE WHITE HOUSEOffi ce of the Press Secretary

Executive Order -- Establishing the Gulf Coast Eco-System Restoration Task Force

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Purpose. The Gulf Coast is a national treasure. Its natural resources are an important economic engine for the entire United States; its waters sustain a diverse and vibrant ecosystem; and the Gulf’s culture, natural beauty, and historic signifi cance are unique. Each year, millions of tourists visit the Gulf to vacation, swim, boat, fi sh, hunt, and bird-watch; and, together, the Gulf’s tourism and commercial and recreational fi shing industries make a signifi cant contribution to the United States economy. More than 90 percent of the Nation’s offshore oil and gas is produced in the Gulf, and it is where nearly one-third of seafood production in the continental United States is harvested.

The United States needs a vibrant Gulf Coast, and the Federal Government is committed to helping Gulf Coast residents con-serve and restore resilient and healthy ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding regions that support the diverse econo-mies, communities, and cultures of the region. To effectively address the damage caused by the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, address the longstanding ecological decline, and begin moving toward a more resilient Gulf Coast ecosystem, ecosystem resto-ration is needed. Ecosystem restoration will support economic vitality, enhance human health and safety, protect infrastructure, enable communities to better withstand impact from storms and climate change, sustain safe seafood and clean water, provide recreational and cultural opportunities, protect and preserve sites that are of historical and cultural signifi cance, and contribute to the overall resilience of our coastal communities and Nation.

In order to achieve these objectives, it is necessary that Federal efforts be effi ciently integrated with those of local stakeholders and that particular focus be given to innovative solutions and complex, large-scale restoration projects. Efforts must be science-based and well-coordinated to minimize duplication and ensure effective delivery of services. This order establishes a Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to coordinate intergovernmental responsibilities, planning, and exchange of information so as to better implement Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration and to facilitate appropriate accountability and support throughout the restoration process.

Section 2. Establishment of the Gulf Coast Eco-System Restoration Task Force. There is established the Gulf Coast Eco-system Restoration Task Force (Task Force).

(a) The Task Force shall consist of:(1) A senior offi cial from each of the executive departments, agencies, and offi ces, selected by the head of the respective

department, agency, or offi ce:(2) Five State representatives, appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Governors of each Gulf State, who

shall be elected offi cers of State governments (or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf) acting in their offi cial capacities.(b) The Task Force may include representatives from affected tribes, who shall be elected offi cers of those tribes (or their des-

ignated employees with authority to act on their behalf) acting in their offi cial capacities. The Task Force shall, in collaboration with affected tribes, determine an appropriate structure for tribal participation in matters within the scope of the Task Force’s responsibilities.

(c) The President shall designate a Chair of the Task Force from among senior offi cials of executive departments, agencies, and offi ces represented on the Task Force. The Chair shall lead the coordination of intergovernmental Gulf Coast ecosystem restora-tion efforts and oversee the work of the Task Force. The Chair shall regularly convene and preside at meetings of the Task Force, determine its agenda, and direct its work. The Chair’s duties shall also include:

(1) facilitating a smooth transition from the response phase of addressing the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to the restora-tion phase;

(2) communicating and engaging with States, tribes, local governments, other stakeholders in the Gulf Coast region, and the public on ecosystem restoration, as well as other aspects of Gulf recovery, including economic recovery and public health ef-forts; and

(3) coordinating the efforts of executive departments, agencies, and offi ces related to the functions of the Task Force.(d) Representatives of the Gulf States under subsection (a)(2) of this section shall select from among themselves a Vice-Chair

of the Task Force.Section 3. Functions of the Task Force. The Task Force shall be an advisory body to:(a) coordinate intergovernmental efforts to improve effi ciency and effectiveness in the implementation of Gulf Coast ecosystem

restoration actions;(b) support the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process by referring potential ecosystem restoration actions to the Natu-

ral Resource Damage Assessment Trustee Council for consideration and facilitating coordination among the relevant departments,

agencies, and offi ces, as appropriate, subject to the independent statutory responsibilities of the trustees;(c) present to the President a Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (Strategy) as provided in section 4 of

this order;(d) engage local stakeholders, communities, the public, and other offi cials throughout the Gulf Coast region to ensure that they

have an opportunity to share their needs and viewpoints to inform the work of the Task Force, including the development of the Strategy;

(e) provide leadership and coordination of research needs in support of ecosystem restoration planning and decisionmaking in the Gulf Coast region, and work with existing Federal and State advisory committees, as appropriate, to facilitate consideration of relevant scientifi c and technical knowledge;

(f) prepare a biennial update for the President on progress toward the goals of Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration, as outlined in the Strategy;

(g) communicate with affected tribes in a manner consistent with Executive Order 13175 of November 6, 2000, on consultation and coordination with Indian tribal governments; and

(h) coordinate with relevant executive departments, agencies, and offi ces on ways to encourage health and economic benefi ts associated with proposed ecosystem restoration actions.

Section 4. Strategy. (a) Within 1 year of the date of this order, the Task Force shall prepare a Strategy that proposes a Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration agenda, including goals for ecosystem restoration, development of a set of performance indicators to track progress, and means of coordinating intergovernmental restoration efforts guided by shared priorities. In developing the Strategy, the Task Force shall:

(1) defi ne ecosystem restoration goals and describe milestones for making progress toward attainment of those goals;(2) consider existing research and ecosystem restoration planning efforts in the region, including initiatives undertaken by the

National Ocean Council and the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force (Gulf Hypoxia Task Force), in order to identify planning and restoration needs and ways under existing authorities to address those needs;

(3) identify major policy areas where coordinated intergovernmental action is necessary;(4) propose new programs or actions to implement elements of the Strategy where existing authorities are not suffi cient;(5) identify monitoring, research, and scientifi c assessments needed to support decisionmaking for ecosystem restoration efforts

and evaluate existing monitoring programs and gaps in current data collection; and(6) describe the circumstances under which termination of the Task Force would be appropriate.(b) The executive departments, agencies, and offi ces enumerated in section 2(a)(1) of this order shall, to the extent permitted by

law, consider ways to align their relevant programs and authorities with the Strategy.Section 5. Administration. (a) The Task Force shall have a staff, headed by an Executive Director, which shall provide support

for the functions of the Task Force.(b) The Executive Director shall be selected by the Chair and shall supervise, direct, and be accountable for the administration

and operation of the Task Force.(c) The Departments of Commerce (through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the Interior (through the

Fish and Wildlife Service), and Justice shall identify linkages and opportunities for the Task Force to complement the restoration progress of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustee Council.

(d) At the request of the Chair, executive departments and agencies, including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Energy, and Homeland Security, the Small Business Administration, and the National Science Foundation, shall serve in an advisory role to the Task Force on issues within their expertise.

(e) The Task Force may establish such technical working groups as necessary to support its function. These working groups may include additional representatives from State and tribal governments, as appropriate, to provide for greater collaboration.

(f) The fi rst meeting of the Task Force shall be held within 90 days of the date of this order.Section 6. Defi nitions. (a) “Affected tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Sec-

retary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe as defi ned in the Federally Recognized Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a(2)), physically located in a Gulf State.

(b) “Ecosystem restoration” means all activities, projects, methods, and procedures appropriate to enhance the health and resil-ience of the Gulf Coast ecosystem, as measured in terms of the physical, biological, or chemical properties of the ecosystem, or the services it provides, and to strengthen its ability to support the diverse economies, communities, and cultures of the region. It includes activity that initiates or accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity, and sustainability. It also includes protecting and conserving ecosystems so they can continue to reduce impacts from tropical storms and other disas-ters, support robust economies, and assist in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

(c) “Gulf State” means any of the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.(d) “Natural Resource Damage Assessment” means the process of collecting and analyzing information to evaluate the nature

and extent of natural resource injuries resulting from the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and to determine the restoration actions needed to bring injured natural resources and services back to baseline conditions and make the environment and public whole for interim losses as defi ned in 15 CFR 990.30.

(e) “Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustee Council” means the designated Federal, State, local, and tribal trustees as


provided in 33 U.S.C. 2706, with trusteeship over natural resources injured, lost, or destroyed as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

(a) Members of the Commission shall serve without any additional compensation, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in Government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707), consistent with the availability of funds.

(b) The Commission shall have a staff headed by an Executive Director.Section 7. General Provisions. (a) To the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations, the depart-

ment, agency, or offi ce represented by the Chair shall provide the Task Force with such administrative services, funds, facilities, staff, and other support services as may be necessary for the Task Force to carry out its function.

(b) In addition to staff provided by the department, agency, or offi ce represented by the Chair, other executive departments, agen-cies, and offi ces represented on the Task Force are requested to make services, staff, and facilities available to the Task Force for the performance of its function to the maximum extent practicable, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) Members of the Task Force shall serve without any additional compensation for their work on the Task Force.(d) 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 Direc-tor of the Offi ce of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(e) Nothing in this order shall interfere with the statutory responsibilities and authority of the Natural Resource Damage Assess-ment Trustee Council or the individual trustees to carry out their statutory responsibilities to assess natural resource damages and implement restoration actions under 33 U.S.C. 2706 and other applicable law.

(f) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.(g) 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


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Credit Card

andComedy NightJoin the Fun!Share the Laughs!

limit unless you explicitly agree, in ad-vance, that the credit card company can process these transactions for you and charge a fee.4) Be cautious with “no-interest” of-fers. Many retailers, such as electron-ics or furniture stores, promote credit cards with “zero-percent interest” on purchases for a certain amount of time. These cards allow you to buy big-ticket items, perhaps a sofa or a stereo sys-tem, without paying interest for any-where from six months to more than a year. While the chance to avoid inter-est payments sounds like a terrifi c deal, keep in mind that if you don’t follow the rules for these offers, this “no-interest” special could end up being expensive.

With many of these offers you must pay off the entire purchase by the time the promotional period ends to take advantage of the zero-rate offer. If you don’t, the lender will charge you inter-est from the date you bought the item. You would then have to pay interest , at the lender’s standard rate, from the date of purchase. If the annual percent-age rate or APR on the retailer’s card is higher than what you would pay on another card you have, the extra costs could really add up. The APR is the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate, in-cluding interest and other charges. 5) Keep only the credit cards you re-ally need and periodically use them all. Some consumers have too many credit cards. Among the concerns: Those extra cards can lead some peo-ple to overspend. Also, having many cards with no existing balance or a very low balance can reduce your credit score because prospective lenders can conclude that you have the potential to use them and get into debt.

For the average person, two or three general-purpose cards are probably enough. Consider cancelling and cut-ting up the rest. However, also remem-ber that closing a credit card account can temporarily lower your credit score, especially if the cancelled card was one you owned and used responsibly for many years.

With the credit cards you do keep, remember to avoid large balances on them in relation to the credit limit. And in the new environment, it also may be benefi cial to periodically use all of your cards. Here’s why. Even if you pay your card bill in full each month and never pay interest, using your card earns money for the card company because merchants pay a fee each time you use the card. So, consumers who regularly use their cards and repay their debt may be considered valued customers, even if they pay on time and don’t pay interest. 6) Do your research before paying

high annual fees for a “rewards” card. Rewards sound great in ad-vertisements for credit cards, but the points formula can be complicated, the rules are subject to change, and the benefi ts may not be as generous as you think. You should always read the fi ne print and be realistic about your likely use of the card before you accept an expensive annual fee in return for rewards.7) Take additional precautions against interest rate increases. While card companies cannot increase the interest rate on existing balances

from page 33

see Credit Card on page 43

Six months ago the Apps for Healthy Kids competition called upon Americans to design en-

gaging online or mobile games and tools to educate people of all ages about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. As part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, this chal-lenge brought together solvers from across the Nation.

Recently we celebrated the top teams and developers from ten states that won the 12 competition awards. Chief Technology Offi cer Aneesh Cho-pra emceed the awards event at the Eisenhower Executive Offi ce Building with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Let’s Move! Execu-tive Director Robin Schepper and Fuel Up to Play 60 partner former NFL play-er Brian Mitchell.

We provided the USDA nutrition da-taset and a few guidelines, you add-ed innovation and creativity. In three months, 95 games and apps were sub-mitted from 8 states and the District of Columbia. A panel of esteemed judges determined the winners based on fi ve main criteria, including: potential to im-pact the target audience, potential to engage and motivate target audience, creativity, and originality.

Support beyond the Let’s Move! team, gaming and development com-


munity was o u t s t a n d -ing; nearly 45,000 in-d i v i d u a l s signed on to support the chal lenge. When it was time to vote,

you cast almost 21,000 votes to select Popular Choice winners Food Buster and Tony’s Plate Calculator.

Learning about healthy eating choic-es is fun for eaters of all ages with games like Trainer where you take care of a creature share in physical activity, develop nutritious recipes for a virtual pet in Fitter Critters or simply smash a slice of pizza or muffi n to see how much sugar, salt and oil each contains in Smash Your Food.

T h e o n l i n e t o o l S n a c k N e u -tralizer a l l o w s you to select a food and evaluate the consequences with required physical activity to balance the caloric intake. Next time I see a chocolate dish, I may think about the 293 stairs it would take to burn off the sweet afternoon snack.

Using interactive webcam technol-ogy, University of Southern California students designed the winning game Trainer that challenges players to strengthen an online creature by train-ing alongside it in the real world. This inventive group of students not only swept the Grand Prize in the overall standings, they also took home the GE healthymangination Student Award!

Collaborating with each other, these teams found unique ways to reach new audiences, and inspire others to fi ght obesity and practice healthy liv-ing. Check out the full list of winners on the Apps for Healthy Kids (www.ap-psforhealthykids.com) website and try your hand at some of the games and test the winning tools. They’re easy to play, fun and can teach you to make healthier food choices along the way.

As we conclude the Apps for Healthy Kids competition, we hope others are inspired to keep moving. Keep build-ing tools or games that inspire others to lead healthier, more active lives em-powered with information. In the spirit of continuing collaboration and innova-tion, we recently launched the Recipes for Healthy Kids (www.recipesforkid-schallenge.com) competition, challeng-ing you to team up for healthy – and

kid-tested – tasty meals in our schools. Let’s keep the innovation and creativity fl owing – keep designing, be creative, and cook up the next winning idea!

Apps and Game Designers Level Up on Healthy Eating

For more information visit:www.anicc.net/forum-information.html

For more information visit:www.anicc.net/forum-information.html

Quote of Note...

“But the most important thing we can do right now is to grow our economy. That’s the single most important thing that we can do. And some of the measures that we’ve put forward and I’m going to be fi ghting for are designed to exactly do that.”

President Barack H.Obama


Listen toKDEE 97.7FMTh e California Black

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Technology:

Take a Look!by LaSandra Stratton

Submitted by LaSandra Stratton BBA member, Chair of the BBA International Trade Committee.

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

www.etóncorp.comThe Etón Corporation offers an ar-ray of Solar-Powered and Crank-Powered radios. Suitable for travel, outdoor activities, as an exercise companion, and for Emergency Kits. Features of the radios include: Flash light, Emergen-cy Alert light, Night light, USB Cell Phone Charger, NOAA Weath-erband, AM/FM Bands, Siren, Alarm Clock and more. The line also includes Soulra, a Solar-Powered Sound Sys-tem for the iPod and iPhone.

www.apple.com/macbookairThe new MacBook Air is proof. It’s designed around all-fl ash storage for better responsiveness and reliability. It features a trackpad with full Multi-

Touch support. And though it’s incred-ibly thin and light, its large battery gives you portable power that lasts for hours. Underneath all that thin-ness is a full-size, fully capable Mac that can do practically everything its larger siblings can do. Minus a pound or two.

The new MacBook Air includes a spacious Multi-Touch trackpad with a buttonless design, so you can click anywhere. The Multi-Touch trackpad also lets you pinch, swipe, or rotate to adjust an image, zoom in on text, or ad-vance through a photo album. Try the four-fi nger swipe, swiping up or down to use Exposé and swip-ing left or right to switch among active applications. Or perform the new three-fi nger drag to move your windows from one place to another.

Don’t be fooled by the sliver-thin profi le of MacBook Air. This small wonder features powerful NVIDIA graphics, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, lightning-fast fl ash storage, and long battery life. So while looks may be deceiving, performance doesn’t lie.

MacBook Air comes packed with software for everything you


do — from the day-to-day things to the dare-to-dream things. And it lets you do them in ways that are simple, intuitive, and fun. It’s all part of what makes a Mac a Mac.

www.exercisetv.tvGet ready to offset holiday eating and partying at ExerciseTV. ExerciseTV has the solution for all your fi tness

needs – With hundreds of free online workout videos led by the worlds’ top trainers, weight loss advice via online blogs, an online health and fi t-ness community where you can get answers to questions about health, nutrition, weightloss and exercise. ExerciseTV is your online destina-tion for all things fi tness.

Checkout ExerciseTV.tv to get the an-swers, workouts and plans you need and begin your weight loss journey today. Look for Billy Blanks and Billy Blanks, Jr. offer some of the best fi t-ness videos ever. Their vidoes make great hotiday gifts too


SILICON VALLEY TECHNOLOGY

COMPANIES SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP

BETWEEN THE U.S. AND AFRICA AT The AFRICAN NETWORK’S 5th ANNUAL

CONFERENCE ON OCTOBER 30, 2010 IN SANTA CLARA,

CALIFORNIA

“The Future is Entrepreneurship — The Future is Africa”

is the theme of TANCon 2010 featuring investment experts from Ernst and Young, International and

African entrepreneurs doing business in Africa.

Silicon Valley is bracing itself for the 5th Annual conference hosted by The African Network (TAN) that pro-motes technology and entrepreneur-ship among Africans and American entrepreneurs doing business in Africa. The one day conference will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Santa Clara California.

Leading African investment expert Zemedeneh Negatu from Eastern Af-rica’s Ernest and Young LLP, founder and CEO of software fi rm Appfrica Lab and a serial entrepreneur, Jonathan Gosier, social entrepreneur Julia Wil-son of Wilson Global Communications USA who founded her marketing com-munications fi rm in South Africa dur-ing Nelson Mandela’s presidency and several specialized discussion panels will be on hand to share information, expertise, experiences and interna-tional opportunities with attendees. “Silicon Valley entrepreneurs paved the way for today’s multinational cor-porations such as Cisco Systems, Google, Intel, Apple and many others that changed the world. As a Silicon

Valley non—profi t organization The African Network has been organizing TANCon to promote technology and entrepreneurship in Africa and also in-troduce international entrepreneurs to African markets ensuring that both in-ternational and African entrepreneurs have equal access to global markets.“ said Biniam Woldemariam, Chairman TANCon USA 2010. “Africa is open for business!”

Specialized panel discussions will fo-cus on arming attendees with informa-tion on renewable energy, mobile bank-ing and fi nancial services, fi nancing and funding options for entrepreneurs, “low—tech“ business opportunities and talent development and acquisition in Africa.

Hundreds of attendees are expected to participate in The African Network’s 5th Anniversary conference, includ-ing business professionals, successful and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as exceptional students and academician from nearby academic institutions such as Stanford University, Santa Clara University and the University of Califor-nia at Berkeley.

Panelists/Keynoters Zemedeneh NegatuManaging Partner Ethi-opia & Head Transac-tion Advisory Services (Corporate Finance) Eastern Africa, Ernst & Young LLP

Julia A. WilsonFounder and Chief Ex-ecutive Offi cer, Wilson Global Communica-tions USA

Benjamin LyonExecutive Director, FrontlineSMS:Credit

Gary ZieffChief Operating Offi cer, dissigno LLC and Execu-tive Director of dissigno Tanzania Ltd.

Nam Mokwunye, MBA, MFA, Founder and Chief Executive Offi cer Pub-licVine, Visiting Scholar, Technology Transfer and Triple-Helix Innova-tion Center for African Studies, Stanford University

Gerald ProlmanChief Executive Offi cer, Wildlife Works Retail Inc.

Jonathan GosierChief Executive Offi cer, Appfrica Labs

Joseph NgangaChief Ex-ecutive Offi cer, Renew-able Energy Ventures (K) Ltd., Clean, Smart, Effi cient and Affordable Energy

Menekse GencerFounder, mPay Connect, Consulting Services

Femi AkindeFounder and Chief Execu-tive Offi cer, SlimTrader

About The African Network (TAN)

Founded in 2004, The African Net-work (TAN) is one of the fastest grow-ing nonprofi t organizations in the USA dedicated to exclusively assist Ameri-


can entrepreneurs to link with African business people and the African Dias-pora. TAN’s goals include building suc-cessful business enterprises across a variety of technology driven industry platforms through education, network-ing, and mentoring. TAN also provides business professionals with employ-ment opportunities throughout the Afri-can continent with a primary mission to create a vital ecosystem for American entrepreneurs to excel and succeed in science and technology investment partnerships in one of the world’s fast-est emerging markets — Africa.

Contact Selma Taylor, Executive Director, [email protected]

Credit Card

except in certain circumstances, they may raise rates on extensions of credit for new purchases as long as proper notice is provided.

Rate increases also may come in an-other form. For example, some fi xed-rate cards may be converted to vari-able-rate cards after a notice has been sent to cardholders. This would result in variable rates being applied to new balances.

Also note that a credit card company can increase the rate on an existing balance if the consumer fails to send the minimum payment within 60 days of the due date. If you’re more than 60 days late and that triggers a rate in-crease, get current on your credit card payments as soon as possible and then start consistently paying on time. Card issuers are required to reduce the penalty rate if they receive prompt pay-ments for six months.8) Protects minors from using cred-it, and gives parents the oppotunity to teach young adults about respon-sible credit card management. The new law includes protections for young consumers, including a requirement

that anyone under 21 who wants to ob-tain a credit card must have a qualifi ed co-signer on the account or must prove he or she alone can repay any debt. This is intended to protect young peo-ple from getting overwhelmed by credit card debt. But it also offers an opportu-nity for parents to teach their kids about responsible use of credit cards.

from page 38

American Dental Association Elects First Black President

Dr. Ray-m o n d

Gist, a Uni-versity of M i c h i g a n a l u m n u s , has been e l e c t e d president-elect of the

American Dental Association (ADA) during the organization’s Annual Ses-sion in Honolulu. Gist hopes to use his position as the fi rst black president to make dentistry more accessible and better understood.

Gist, who practices general dentistry in Flint, Michigan, has served as presi-dent of the Genesee District Dental So-

ciety, the Michigan Dental Association president in 2003 and ADA president-elect last year. Now president of the ADA, he leads the 157,000-member association giving him the platform to advocate reforms such as including dental services when creating health programs for the uninsured.

“Minority populations such as blacks, American Indians, Hisptanics and Alas-ka Natives, are targets for oral disease due to the lack of preventative care,” Gist said. “While the challenges are many, I truly believe that, collectively, dental professionals will be a positive force in shaping the future of the pro-fession.”

Gist’s one-year term offi cially began on Wednesday, October 13, 2010.

If you co-sign for a credit card with a young adult, it’s best to have an un-derstanding (if not a written agreement) that you will get early notice of any troubles, including late payments, so you can keep on top of the credit card and work out problems with the lender before your own credit record is dam-aged.


Business Tools:

Why Invest in Face-to-Face Meetings? Look to Neuroscience.Heads Up for Meeting Planners

Recently Maritz Travel and the Maritz Institute collaborated with the Cornell Center for Hos-

pitality Research on issues related to justifying investment in large, face-to-face meetings. The result is a newly released paper called “The Future of Meetings: The Case for Face-to-Face.”

The rationale for the project was that large, face-to-face meetings require the biggest investment in time and money, and therefore set up the great-est expectations for a return on that in-vestment. So the question is, “What is the value that is created through face-to-face meetings that is very diffi cult to

replicate in other ways?” The researchers found some an-

swers from a network of academics and neuroscientists and their research. There are fi ve “intangible” qualities that face-to-face meetings enhance:• Attention • Mirroring: Research has revealed

the existence of “mirror neurons” that react in response to visual cues—for example, in a conversa-tion, the speaker’s body language causes a reaction in the listener’s neurons that would create the same action.

• Emotional contagion: The report cites recent research confi rming that emotions “ripple out from in-dividuals and infl uence not only other individuals’ emotions … and behaviors, but also the dynamics of the entire group.”

• Empathy and trust

• Social networksBased on this research, the Cornell/

Maritz whitepaper defi nes three busi-ness goals that are best met through face-to-face gatherings:• Capturing attention• Inspiring a positive emotional cli-

mate• Building personal networks and re-

lationshipsLooking at the Evidence

Let’s consider the fi rst goal—captur-ing attention. For participants in virtual meetings, the temptation to multitask can be too great to resist. Of course,

multitasking, science shows, is a mis-nomer. What we are really doing is “switch-tasking,” or toggling back and forth between tasks. In this mode, the area of your brain that creates long-term memories is not being used. Therefore, the Cornell/Maritz white pa-per fi nds, whatever an employee learns while “switch-tasking” likely will not be absorbed and applied back at the job.

In addition, the brain remembers better when multiple senses are en-gaged, something that happens natu-rally at a face-to-face meeting. It’s a way to “break through autopilot”—the tendency of the brain to take in new in-formation and make it conform to what it already knows. Engaging multiple senses “wakes up” the brain and in-creases attendees’ ability to see things from a new perspective.

As for the second goal—inspiring a positive emotional climate—anyone

who has been at a football stadium cheering for the winning team knows instinctively what this is about. And for-get about thinking that your business is rational not emotional. All businesses have an emotional climate. What suc-cessful companies will realize, the re-port states, is that this collective emo-tion represents a “powerful hidden resource as real as money or knowl-edge or physical labor.” Face-to-face meetings are the best way to foster a positive emotional climate, which in turn “enhances collaboration, relationship-building, creativity, and performance.” This is especially true in today’s envi-ronment, where “engagement” is seen as the key to employee motivation, per-formance, and retention.

Finally, “building relationships” seems obvious as a goal that can be best met in a face-to-face environment. The science comes in when you con-sider the success that results from a company that operates as a commu-nity. The paper credits Daniel Gole-man, author of the book Social Intelli-

gence with the idea that “while people in strained or nonexistent relationships are more likely to see ways they differ, people in great relationships are more likely to see and share what they have in common.” It follows, then, that they are more likely to work together toward their company’s goals.

In the industrial era, value existed in tangibles. In the knowledge and cre-ative era, value exists in intangibles. While information is increasingly com-moditized, there is great power in ongo-ing relationships and networks. Think about the value of capturing employ-ees’ or customers’ attention and mind-share, and the information-sharing and collaboration that happens long after a meeting. That’s the real value of being together.

By Alison Hall//meetingsnet.com

www.iceem.net


International Trade:

U.S. Ex-Im Bank Offers Exporter’s Forum

95% of the World’s Customers are Outside the U.S.Here’s How to Get Them Now!

Meet the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) Chair-man and President Fred P. Hochberg, actively participate in the forum,

and:• Get fi nancial support to enter new markets with confi dence

• Expand export sales in current countries• Learn from local businesses how they have benefi ted by using Ex-Im

Bank’s assistance• Network with trade specialists, including lenders and brokers who’ve

worked with Ex-Im Bank

Thursday, October 28th, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.(Refreshments provided starting at 8:30 a.m.)

Port of Long Beach, 925 Harbor Plaza, 6th FloorLong Beach, CA

No Cost!!(but registration is required – details below)

This unique event is specially aimed at small and medium-sized businesses.

Ex-Im Bank support can grow your business to compete successfully worldwide by:

• Making sure you get paid• Extending credit to buyers and distributors

• Obtaining working capital to fulfi ll sales orders• Financing for your buyers of capital equipment and services

A world of new ideas for expanding your global trade business is waiting for you!

Space is limited so we encourage you to register now.E-mail your name, company, location, and phone number to:

[email protected] or calling (949) 660-1341, ext. 404.

Export-Import Bank of the United States, 811 Vermont Ave., NM, Room 1273Washington, D.C. 20571

What’s In It For Me?•Local, National &

International News

•Government & Corporate Contracting and Supplier Opportunity Information

•Links to Corporate Partner, Organization Affiliates

& Annual Event Sponsor Websites

•BBA Annual & Special Event Announcements

•Business Operation Education and Information

Where Do I Find It?•BBA website

www.bbala.org

•Black Business News - monthly publication

•Black Business News/International - quarterly

publication

•Black Business News - Internet Edition

How Do I Participate & Benefit?•Join the BBA atwww.bbala.org

•Advertise in the BBA publications

•Attend BBA Events Hosted to Benefit the African

American Community of Businesses

British Airways is happy to announce the launch of our 2010 Face of Opportunity Contest. We’ll be giving a free fl ight to hundreds of companies with up to 250 employees plus host-ing exclusive conferences and networking events in New York and London led by business pioneers and celebrity speakers.

Last year British Airways helped over 600 growing businesses by giving them free fl ights to hundreds of destinations worldwide. Now it’s your chance. Enter by October 21, 2010, and let us know where you’d like to go and why it will help your business grow. Up to 250 com-panies will be invited to fl y free from New York to London and beyond on British Airways.

If you or your business isn’t eligible, please feel free to forward this email to anyone who could benefi t from this unique opportunity for small businesses.

There’s a lot more to our Face-to-Face program, so be sure to visit our Business Hub at ba.com/facetoface. You’ll fi nd success stories from last year’s winners, weekly blogs, articles and other tools to help your business make the most of face-to-face meetings worldwide.

Warm regards,Anne TedescoVice President, Marketing

www.faceofopportunity.com


most high-spending tourists compared to other world travel markets, also in terms of quality. About 60,000 Ameri-can tourists visited Tanzania’s tourist attractions last year.

Apolinari Tairo, eTN

International:

New Tanzanian Ambassador Comes to the United States

Tanzania has named a new am-bassador to the United States, the fi rst woman diplomat to rep-

resent this African nation to the US since the two countries developed bi-lateral relations almost fi fty years ago.

President Jakaya Kikwete trans-ferred Mrs. Mwanaidi Maajar from Tan-zania’s High Commission in London to Washington, DC to take over from Mr. Ombeni Sefue who has been in tour of duty to the United States for about four years.

Mrs. Mwanaidi Maajar becomes the fi rst woman ambassador ever to repre-sent Tanzania in the United States, a rare diplomatic post to be assigned to women diplomats from the African con-tinent, where most ambassadors from

this continent to North America are predomi-nantly men diplomats.

She holds a higher degree in law and has been a prominent, professional lawyer in Tanzania’s law chambers before her fi rst appointment to represent Tanzania in United Kingdom four years ago.

While in London, Mrs. Maajar was ranked a best diplomat who managed to link Tanzania, UK, and other Euro-pean nations through her offi ce.

The United States is Tanzania’s major tourist market, which offers the


Professor Mthuli Ncube, Vice-President and Chief Econ-omist, African Development Bank

“A FEW NOTES ON AFRICA”

Walmart Hones in on Africa Internationally, Walmart sees opportunities

to expand in several markets around the world, said Doug McMillon, CEO of Wal-Mart’s international unit. In September 2010, Wal-Mart said it was in talks to buy South Africa’s Massmart, a $4 billion deal that would give it a big presence in Africa. Massmart Holdings Ltd. is South Africa’s largest food and general-goods wholesaler.

8th African City Destinationfor Delta Airlines

Delta Air Lines will add an eighth destination to its growing Africa route network on January 20, 2011, with the fi rst-ever scheduled direct service between the United States and Luanda, Angola. Flights will operate three times per week with 243-

seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft fl ying between Delta’s hub at Hartsfi eld-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Luanda with an intermediate stop in Dakar, Senegal. Ticketing channels opened Saturday, Oct. 2.

“As the No. 1 U.S. carrier serving Africa, Delta is committed to expanding our presence into fast-growing African markets to better serve our global business travelers,” said Perry Cantarutti, Delta’s senior vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa. “This new service between Atlanta and Luanda will shave hours off of business travelers’ itineraries between the U.S. and Angola thanks to more direct routings via the world’s largest airline hub in Atlanta.”

UN Sanctions LiftedThe UN Security Council has lifted the last

remaining sanctions against Sierra Leone. The sanctions were imposed on Sierra Leone during the civil war days. According to Information and Communication Minister Ibrahim Ben

K a r g b o , t h e c o u n t r y had been u n s a f e a n d uns tab le s i n c e the war hence Sierra Leone was categorized as still being in a war situation. But with the calmer situation today, the sanctions were lifted in recognition of the efforts put in place by the people of Sierra Leone to give peace a chance.Though there are no immediate benefi ts

to accrue from the lifting of sanctions, it is believed that with time, various aspects of Sierra Leone’s national life would be improved as the constraints experienced before would be relieved.

. SEE YOU ON THE CONTINENT.


Import/Export/Investment Webinar:

African Development Bank -- How to Identify, Track and Pursue AfDBFunded ProjectsDate/Time: October 27, 2010 • 12:00 NOON EST • Location: Desktop Computer

This webinar will unlock the mystery on how to access procurement opportunities offered by the African De-velopment Bank (AfDB). AfDB (www.afdb.org/en) is

an international development fi nance institution whose mis-sion is to help its developing member countries reduce pov-erty and improve the quality of life of their people. Specifi -cally, the session will highlight: How to Identify, Track and Pursue AfDB Funded Projects. It’s a must for US compa-nies interested in ADB opportunities.

The webinar presentation will be 1 hour in length. The participation cost is $45. To register for this webinar, go to the following links for: African Development Bank Webinar;

https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarReg-istration.jsp?SmartCode=1Q0U

orwww.buyusa.gov/sacramento/561.html.

Target Sectors: Architectural/Constr./Engineering

SVC; AgriculturalMachinery & Eq.; Airport/Ground Support Eq.; Avia-tion Services;Building Products; Construction Eq; Electrical Power Systems;Environmental Technolo-gies; Railroad Eq.; Security/Safety Eq.

Information contacts: Larry Tabash, Sr. International Trade Specialist, Global Team Leader for Africa, Near East &

South Asia, [email protected], 512-936-0039, www.export.gov/cs or Bobby Hines, Interna-tional Trade Specialist, [email protected].

For broad information on U.S. trade programs and projects with Africa visit the AFRICA PORTAL at www.export.gov/africa.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s accelerating economic growth is expected to be broad based in 2010 and

2011, the IMF says in its latest regional

forecast.Strong domestic de-

mand and surging ex-ports are projected to help boost growth in most of the region back to near pre-crisis levels.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s accelerating economic growth is expected to

be broad based in 2010 and 2011, the IMF said in its latest regional forecast. Strong domestic demand and resur-

gent exports are projected to boost average growth rates in the region to 5–5 ½ percent, near to the high levels recorded before the global economic slowdown.

The key explanation for the resilience of sub-Saharan Africa has been the generally strong economic position of countries going into the global fi nancial crisis. This allowed counter-cyclical fi s-cal and monetary policies to be put in place to soften the impact of the global

see Africa’s Economy to Grow on page 51

Sub-Saharan Africa’s Economies Set for Broad-based Growthallafrica.com


The USA Exports Show1st December 2010 - 28 February 2011

This virtual trade show is designed to increase the vol-ume of trade and investment between American ex-porters and importers (particularly SME’s) and busi-

nesses outside the USA. The USA Exports Show will attract international B2B buyers, distributors, governmental agen-cies, and entrepreneurs from the USA’s most signifi cant trade partners.

This one-of-a kind online trade fair is a golden opportunity for exhibitors to build brand awareness, establish new mar-kets, create franchising partnerships, reach new customers and recruit new suppliers. With thousands of daily B2B trade visitors, USA Exports Show is the perfect vehicle for busi-nesses and organisations worldwide seeking B2B trade op-portunities and investments within North America.

The USA’s top ten trade partners are Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Brazil and Belgium – in 2008, the country exported approximately $1.287 trillion worth of goods. For decades, the USA has been the global leader in imports and one of world’s top three exporters, producing roughly $15 trillion worth of goods and services in 2008 (China, the world’s second-largest economy, produced approximately $12 tril-lion for the same period).

The USA is the leading industrial power in the world and boasts a highly diversifi ed and technologically advanced economy. According to the IMF, US GDP of $14.4 trillion was 23% of gross world product for 2008 – per person, the American economy has the fourth largest output on aver-age, more than $45,000 for every man, woman and child. The UCLA Anderson School of Management has predicted average US quarterly economic growth of 2.7% in 2010 and 4.1% in 2011.

Best of Africa Trade Show1st February 2011 - 30th April 2011

Best of Africa is a country specifi c online trade show bringing competitive products and resources from Af-rica’s rapidly growing economies to an international

marketplace. As the demands of the global marketplace evolve and the world economy recovers from the fi scal cri-sis of 2008 - 2009, the Best of Africa international trade fair provides a unique and timely opportunity for African exhibi-tors to increase brand awareness, establish new markets, develop franchising partnerships, reach new customers and recruit new suppliers globally. Visitors can fi nd African sup-pliers, manufacturers and distributors in one place.

Rich in natural resources, Africa offers vast reserves of oil, metals and precious stones. With thousands of pristine travel destinations, the tourism industry, including health & wellness tourism, continues to grow steadily. Best of Africa is a golden opportunity for African enterprises to connect with thousands of motivated buyers, and for international busi-nesses seeking investment and B2B trade opportunities in Africa.

BusinessGlobal.com has partnered with the Pan-African Development Corporation (PADC) to create this virtual trade fair. The PADC is devoted to the development of commerce and enterprise in Africa – the organisation’s mission is to bring Africa to the world, and the world to Africa. Business-Global.com, in partnership with the PADC, is particularly proud to showcase many of Africa’s fi nest businesses to the rest of the world.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Af-rica has made remarkable gains in promoting growth and achieving economic stability, averaging more than 6% over the past fi ve years. The IMF has increased fi nancial support to African countries affected by the economic crisis, revised its lending instruments to make them more fl exible, and is working to double concessional lending. The Fund contin-ues to provide advice and technical assistance for strength-ening economic policymaking in Africa, and to design more sophisticated frameworks for improved integration into the world economy. With global efforts such as these to encour-age growth in this region, it is an opportune time for African businesses to access international markets.

In recent years, Africa has built increasingly stronger ties with China – in 2007 Chinese companies invested a total of US$1 billion in Africa, overtaking Britain as Africa’s third-largest business partner and catching up with France. Trade between China and Africa reached USD $100 billion in 2008 and is expected to top USD $100 billion in 2010.

Africa now supplies a third of the oil fuelling China’s eco-nomic boom, with Angola surpassing Saudi Arabia as the largest exporter of oil to China. With more oil reserves than North America, and an estimated 40% of the world’s poten-tial hydroelectric power, Africa is on the verge of becoming a major global energy provider. With major world players now paying attention, African businesses have the opportunity to expand into new markets worldwide.

What are Virtual Trade Shows?The BusinessGlobal.com virtual trade show platform provides end-users with a 3-D, multi-user trade expo environment that recreates the experience and functionality of a conventional or ‘physical’ trade show online, enabling live interaction between visitors and exhibitors. Virtual trade exhibitions give your organisation the opportunity to reach market segments heretofore unavailable at conven-tional trade shows, which are often prohibitive to potential at-tendees and potential exhibitors because of fees, time con-straints, travel expenses and these shows are available to a much larger audience for a much longer period.

Information & Registration is atwww.businessglobal.com


Africa’s Economy to Grow

downturn.Nevertheless, the IMF’s Regional

Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa notes that the global crisis has left a legacy of elevated unemployment levels in countries with more developed manufacturing sectors and, more gen-erally, of weakened fi scal balances. Credit growth also remains subdued.Fiscal Policy Shift

In most countries, growth rates have returned close to potential and domes-tic demand is expected to remain strong on the basis of rising real incomes and sustained private and public invest-ment. However, the trajectory of fi s-cal balances in some countries is not consistent with medium-term fi nancial and debt sustainability. The Regional Economic Outlook suggests therefore that now is an opportune time in some cases to adjust medium-term spend-ing and revenue plans and to start withdrawing any recent fi scal stimulus measures.

Continued fi scal support is likely needed only in a handful of countries with below-potential growth and no debt sustainability risk.As long as infl a-tion and credit growth stay low, there is little urgency to reverse interest rate cuts. Over the long term, the report ad-vocates that improving public services and infrastructure, strengthening fi nan-cial systems, and maintaining an open business climate should remain para-mount policy objectives.Risks

The Regional Economic Outlook draws attention to the downside risks that remain for the global economy, with only a shaky recovery so far evi-dent in advanced countries and con-tinued fragility in fi nancial markets. If a signifi cant further global slowdown does occur, it could dampen growth quite markedly in sub-Saharan Africa. This would delay efforts to rebuild the sound policy buffers that helped to shield the region from the worst ef-fects of the global crisis. In addition, a

from page 49

heavy political calendar of elections in as many as 17 countries during 2011 could delay some reforms.

Trade with Developing AsiaSub-Saharan Africa’s trading pat-

terns have shown some dramatic shifts during the last few years toward China and other parts of developing Asia, the report said. These shifts were so marked that, by 2009, China’s share in the sub-Saharan Africa’s total exports and imports exceeded that between China and most other regions in the world.

Exports of goods and services make relatively small contributions to aggre-gate demand in most sub-Saharan Af-rican countries. Europe and other ad-vanced countries remain the region’s dominant trading partners. However, in a minority of countries— including the major natural resource exporters— the impact of developing Asia on global ex-port demand and commodity prices is expected to be signifi cant in both the short and long term.

Overall, trade with Asia is therefore

see Africa’s Economy to Grow on page 59

1st Annual Pan AfricanGlobal TradeConference

Unifying Africa and the African Diaspora through

International Trade & Commerce

California State University Dominguez Hills1000 E. Victoria Street, Carson, CA 90747

October 21, 2010 & October 22, 2010

The 1st Annual Pan African Global Trade ConferenceTM is designed for corporate leaders, policy makers, NGO’s and small business owners who want to create opportunities to strengthen business and cultural relations between the U.S., Africa and the African Diaspora through global business and economic development. Our objective is to develop bilateral Public/Private partnerships that promote and facilitate economic growth and free trade relationships. The conference will provide opportunities for participants to: • Network with private and public sector leaders and potential business

partners from the U.S., Africa and the African Diaspora in VIP receptions, roundtable business panels and private business meetings,

• Learn about current economic development projects in Africa’s emerging business market through real world case studies and business opportunity showcases,

• Learn about current fi nancing and investment opportunities for international trade & commerce with Africa.

Delegates from the USA, Africa and the African Diaspora representing po-litical & social organizations, business and investment, the arts and culture, education, international trade and tourism will join local and international chambers of commerce, international trade agencies & associations, banks and logistics companies to discuss & implement this important program. For more information call Al Washington, Executive Director, Africa-USA Chamber of Commerce at 626.321.7041 or send e-mail inquiry’s to [email protected]. You may register to participate as as a sponsor, an exhibitor, a vendor, an advertiser or a registered general or student particpant by visiting www.su-retomeet.com/exec/gt/event.h,event=8bbb8f7d23d8.


Zambian Independence

Celebration

Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel

5855 W. Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90045

Saturday,October 30, 2010

MarketPlace1:00 om - 5:00 pm

Banquet & Ball6:00 pm - 3:00 am

Fashion Show Produced by: JonSorogo

The celebration day will high-light the success of the nation and her people over these 46 years and provide motivation and incentive for continued

progress.

Admission to theGala Celebration is $60.00.

You may purchase individual tickets or tables of 10.

For information the Market-place and the Banquet send an

e-mail inquiry to:Ms. Susan Phiri

[email protected]

46 years Celebrating

of Freedom



OERP

Goldman Sachs Launches 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative in the Greater Los Angeles

Metropolitan AreaCities of Los Angeles, Long Beach Join Effort to Drive Economic

Growth, Create Jobs$20 Million in Small Business Loans to be Provided Through Local

Community Development Financial InstitutionsBusiness Education Partners to Include Los Angeles Community

College District, Long Beach Community College District

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE: GS) today announced the greater Los Angeles 10,000 Small Businesses ini-tiative. Throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the program will offer a unique combination of three resources to help small business grow and create jobs:• Business and Management Education: Small business owners will have access to a high quality business educa-

tion developed in partnership with leading national business schools. Through the program, they can develop a business growth plan through a practical business and management education offered by Los Angeles City Col-lege, one of the nine campuses in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), and The Long Beach Community College District. The education will be free to accepted business owners selected through a competitive application process administered by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) in partnership with City College and The Long Beach Community College District. 10,000 Small Businesses is also partnering with LACCD’s Los Angeles Southwest College to support the needs of small businesses with a particular focus on minority and low-income business owners in the South Los Angeles region. Southwest College will build its capacity to enhance its small business curriculum and associated business support services.

• Access to Capital: Goldman Sachs will commit $20 million of lending capital, in addition to philanthropic support to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in Los Angeles County. The investment will increase the amount of growth capital available to small businesses in underserved communities and expand the capacity of the CDFIs to deliver enhanced technical assistance to small businesses. The fi rst CDFI that will be receiving fi nanc-ing from Goldman Sachs will be the Valley Economic Development Center. Additional CDFI partners will enter the program in the future.

• Business Support Services: Business advice, technical assistance, and networking will be offered to participating small business owners through partnerships with the community colleges and national and local business organi-zations, as well as the people of Goldman Sachs.

“My number one priority is getting the people of Los Angeles back to work, and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Initiative is the type of program we need in Los Angeles,” Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. “Not only will this investment set in motion job creation at the most grassroots level, but it will have a real impact on the lives of the 70% of Angelenos that are employed by small businesses by granting them the opportunity to expand their entrepreneurial enterprise through education, loans, and networking.”

“Los Angeles is home to many very talented small business owners,” said Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. “Working with local community development fi nancial institutions and community colleges, we aim to give selected local businesses the resources they need to grow and create jobs.”

10,000 Small Businesses began operations in New York in 2010 where LaGuardia Community College is offering education and Seedco Financial Services is providing access to capital. The program will begin in Los Angeles in August, 2010. Interested small businesses should apply for the education portion directly through the local community colleges and CDFIs.• Los Angeles City College: www.lacc10ksb.com• The Long Beach Community College District: http://www.lbcc.edu/10000smallbusinesses/• Valley Economic Development Center: http://www.vedc.org/


RESOURCES FOR GOING GLOBALU.S. Commercial Service • Your Global Business Partner

www.buyusa.gov/home/us.html

Event: American Showcase 2010Venue: Cagayan de Oro City Date: September 16-18, 2010

The U.S. Commercial Service is bringing the “American” brand to Mindanao. This exhibit will help promote and strength-en the American brand in the growing business districts of Cagayan de Oro City and throughout the Mindanao region.

Mindanao is an important market for U.S. companies outside of Manila, and we would like to work with your fi rm to rein-vigorate U.S.-Mindanao business ties and to showcase the best of America in the Philippines. The American Showcase 2010 exhibition and seminar program will tap an extensive network of contacts and partnerships that the U.S. Commercial Service has established with trade associations and Chambers of Commerce in the Mindanao region. For more informa-tion please contact Ms. Thess Sula, Commercial Specialist. She can be reached at telephone (02) 844-3393; 888-6619 or (02) 888-4088 ext. 5830/5827; fax: 888-6606, or by email [email protected] and [email protected].

Event: Complying with U.S. Export Controls SeminarVenue: Salt Lake City, Utah Date: September 22-23, 2010

Learn more/register: http://www.buyusa.gov/utah/exportcontrolseminar.html Join Commercial Service Utah and the Utah District Export Council for a program led by the Bureau of Industry and

Security’s professional counseling and compliance specialists. Complying with U.S. Export Controls provides an in-depth examination of the information exporters need to know to comply with U.S. export control requirements on commercial goods. This program is well suited for any company or research institution that needs a comprehensive understanding of their obligations under the U.S. Export Administration Regulations. For more information contact: [email protected].

Event: 5th Annual International Trade Conference - Hot Market Watch: Selling to Brazil, China & India Venue: Duke Energy Center, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Date: October 19, 2010; 7am-5pmCost: $150/$125 for additional company representatives

Learn more/register: http://www.buyusa.gov/cincinnati/conference.htmlOrganized by Commercial Service (CS) Cincinnati, this year’s conference will focus on the “hot markets” of Brazil,

China and India and will provide market updates, tools, and resources for companies interested in selling to or expanding further into these countries. Presenters will include U.S. Department of Commerce international trade experts, as well as international companies and organizations sharing their expertise and resources for Brazil, China and India. In addition to conference plenary sessions, there will be over 10 break-out sessions to choose from. Selected topics for each country will include: market overviews; economic outlooks; customs & logistics; fi nancial considerations; legal considerations; taxation/accounting; regulations; second-tier cities in China and India; and company experiences. For more information, please contact: [email protected]

Event: Boost Your Service Exports by Connecting with Chinese Investors Venue: U.S. Embassy Beijing Online “AccessAmerica” Directory Date: 2010Learn more/register: http://www.buyusa.gov/china/en For information, please contact [email protected].

AccessAmerica is the U.S. Department of Commerce’s online Chinese-language directory of U.S. fi rms that provide customized services to Chinese companies that want to conduct business in the U.S., including fi nding partners and

setting up offi ces. It is promoted extensively throughout China in cooperation with our State and other partners. All U.S. states are invited to partner with us to facilitate service exports and inward investment. AccessAmerica is featured on the U.S. Embassy Chinese webpage which has 100,000 hits per month; and it is featured at Invest in America programs in the U.S. and 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 PRC client base.


What’s In It For Me?•Local, National &

International News

•Government & Corporate Contracting and Supplier Opportunity Information

•Links to Corporate Partner, Organization Affiliates

& Annual Event Sponsor Websites

•BBA Annual & Special Event Announcements

•Business Operation Education and Information

Where Do I Find It?•BBA website

www.bbala.org•Black Business News -

monthly publication

•Black Business News/International - quarterly

publication

•Black Business News - Internet Edition

How Do I Participate & Benefit?•Join the BBA at

www.bbala.org•Advertise in the BBA

publications

•Attend BBA Events Hosted to Benefit the African

American Community of Businesses

International EditionBlack Business News

To be added to the International Editionmailing list or to advertise in the publication

send an e-mail request to:[email protected].

View the International Edition atwww.bbala.org and

www.yudu.comSearch: Black-Business-News-International

End Of Year Tax Relief: Charitable Giving Time


A reminder: It’s that time of year again. Yes, It’s time to give, it’s time to help.

When it’s time to pay taxes in April you will remember that you passed up the opportunity to reduce that tax bill even a little bit.

This year we are featuring one or-ganization that is a coalition of 18 or-ganizations working in Africa and with Africans to make a difference in health, economy, entrepreneurship, ecology, climate and more.

In addition, we remind you that you may support the work of the Black Business Association by sending in a donation or by becoming a member. Visit our website at www.bbala.org to donate and/or join. You may also use

the membership form near the back of this publication to join the BBA. Mail your membership (or donation) to P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA. Thank you in advance for sharing your wealth even in these challenging fi nancial times.

CSAfricaCoalition for a

Sustainable AfricaCoalition for a Sustainable Africa

(CSAFRICA) is a collaboration of non-profi t organizations supporting sustain-able solutions for grass-roots initiatives to empower the people and communi-ties of Africa.

Collectively, we are currently working in 18 countries with programs focused on children, health, economics, educa-tion, women’s empowerment, orphan

care and the environment. Through CSAFRICA’s local community-driven development approach, our projects address the elimination of poverty, and help to promote peace and security.

CSAFRICA is currently establishing a resource center – both in Los Angeles and virtually on the web - where it is realizing effective models for coopera-tive management and creating synergy by sharing ideas, best practices, skills, resources and networks. Through our collaborative efforts we are building a supportive and effi cient professional infrastructure to help us expand our impact, vision and capacity to do our work. CSAFRICA is bridging the gap between communities in Africa, the greater Los Angeles community and beyond.

CSAFRICA is creating a solid foun-dation for collaboration and increas-ing access to and for the African con-tinent. To meet our goals, CSAFRICA interfaces with local and international organizations, small businesses, large corporations, educational and religious institutions, governmental agencies, in-dividuals, celebrities and the media.

We are unique in our ability to work effectively and directly with the com-munities and people in Africa, offering a solid human connection.

Some of the programs are highlight-ed here but we hope you will visit the CSAfrica website at www.csafrica.org to read about all of the projects and se-lect one or more programs to support and participate in.

DEEP / The African Business Executives Convention NOV 15- 17

DEEP (www.africadeep.com) is partnering with Ted Alemayhu, Found-er and Chairman of US Doctors for Africa, the City of Las Vegas, the Af-rica - USA Trade & Investment Firm, and numerous investment fi rms and corporations across the United States are preparing to host an historic Africa -

USA Business Executives Convention. Several hundred business executives from all over Africa, Europe, through-out the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates will be participat-ing. 30% of all proceeds will be going to CSAFRICA! Get details at: http://africanbizconvention.com.

Trees for a Sustainable Africa!CSAFRICA (www.csafrica.org) and

Earth Rights Institute, in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment and Water and Forestry of the Repub-lic of Côte d’Ivoire, have initiated pro-grams to halt emissions of greenhouse gases, causes to climate change, de-forestation, land degradation and wa-ter, desertifi cation, etc.

The ambitious program includes actions such as: •100 million Afri-cans aware of the dangers of cli-mate change, •Raise awareness of 1,000,000 carriers and owners of ve-hicles on the pollution emitted by car exhausts of cars, •Train 100,000 teach-ers in techniques of community fi ght against Egesa, •Reforest in 3 years, 5 million hectares of degraded land, •Re-store 10 million acres of forests, water-sheds in West Africa and Congo, •Plant 10,000 hectares of mangroves to stop coastal erosion, •Provide 1 million im-proved stoves for rural households, •Provide 1,000,000 biogasoil stoves cookers in suburban and rural house-holds, •Equip 2,300 schools, maternity wards and villages with solar lighting, •Produce 8.000.000.tonnes biogasoil

see Charitable Giving on page 59

www.green-technology.org/ccsummitCommunity colleges are a focal point for state - and national - efforts to create a green economy and workforce in California. This Summit is focused on all aspects of this dynamic market - from green building and energy effi ciency to the products and services that new green facilities will need. It also encompasses green job training - the needs of industry and the challenges of developing curriculum that meets these needs.

If you want to be engaged with the leaders of this movement, or to get up to date on the programs, projects, policies and technologies that are fueling it, there is no better opportunity than the Green Cali-fornia Community Colleges Summit.

Visit the summit webpage for more information on attending or exhibiting.

Your last chance for a registration discount is September 30th, so don’t wait any longer to register. Remember, groups of four or more are eligible for additional discounts. REGISTER NOW!!

Questions? Call 626.577.5700For more information, write to [email protected]

orCindy Dangberg, Summit Director, [email protected]


Salinas, California - Dec. 1, 2010www.mbita.org/greentradenetwork/summit2010.html


Charitable Giving

jatropha oil instead of fossil oil, •Pro-tect and enhance 100 protected areas in West Africa and Congo Basin, •Pro-tect and enhance forests and sacred groves, 1000 primarily in West Africa, •Plant one billion trees economically vi-able for communities to increase their

from page 57

likely to be an increasingly important factor in maintaining growth for the re-gion on its current trajectory. But the key drivers of African growth are likely

to remain: political stability; the busi-ness climate, including the prudent ex-ploitation of natural resources; and the quality of economic management.Promising Prospects

With the expansion in global output

Africa’s Economy to Grow

from page 51

set to continue, IMF country teams are projecting that, barring shocks, most countries will maintain strong growth into 2011. Fiscal balances are also ex-pected to improve somewhat in 2011 relative to 2010. Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth performance will hinge in part on offi cial and private fi nancing fl ows staying at their recent elevated levels (see chart). If extended risk aversion or fi scal retrenchment in Europe was to lead to a sharp dropoff in donor sup-port, this would almost certainly ham-per the envisaged acceleration in GDP growth.

The Regional Economic Outlook: Sub-Saharan Africa report may be found on the IMF website at: www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/reo/2010/AFR/eng/sreo1010.htm.

www.imf.org

Creating Jobsfrom page 59

over 180 healthcare facilities. These efforts will continue to drive

job creation for the next several years, but as importantly, the buildings, broad-band and water systems, taken togeth-er, supply the economic fabric for busi-ness expansion by private companies. The Recovery Act is a continuing suc-cess, and Rural Development report confi rms that.

Review “Rural Development and the Recovery Act: Working For Ru-ral Communities” at www.usda.gov/documents/USDA_ARRA_Annual-Report_10192010.pdf

www.usda.gov

incomes, •create a micro--climate and sequester carbon, •Plant 100,000 trees greening cities, towns, streets, roads, highways, public parks and green spaces, •Provide and install 100 wind energy systems for electrifi cation of 100 villages, •Provide and install 100 biomass energy systems in 100 villag-es, •Provide and install 1,000 units of processing biogasoil in 1,000 villages, •Provide and install an ethanol pro-cessing plant in an area, •Create 1000 village agroforestry plantations for fi re-wood, •Provide and install 100,000 bee hives in 1,000 villages, for pollination, •Create 100 rabbit farms and breeding aulacaudes, •Provide 2,000 pieces of equipment using biogasoil, •Highlight 12,500,000 hectares of upland rice and lowland, •Produce 100 million tons of paddy for food security, •Convert to 1,000,000 farmers in organic farming, •Provide and install 1,000 wells in HVA communities that lack safe drinking water, •Provide 200 mills, 200 grind-ers, 200 shellers, 200 Shea presses, 200 palm oil presses, 200 jatropha oil presses, 200 pumps, 200 power tillers, 1,000 solar dryers, •Provide 200 chan-nels equipped farm, 50 vehicles, 200 motorcycles and 1,000 bicycles, •Es-tablish and organize annually in Côte d’Ivoire, Prime Power International Abi-

djan on carbon credits, •Establish and organize annually in Côte d’Ivoire, the First World Abidjan on climate, energy, forestry, hunger and poverty in Africa, •Establish and organize annually in Côte d’Ivoire, the First International Seminar Abidjan on climate change and food security in Africa, •Create and equip--Abidjan Bingerville Eco-logical Observatory Subregional Egesa and prevention of natural disasters for sustainable development, •Create and equip Abidjan and Radio Eco FM in the awareness and prevention of the fi ght against the Egesa and management of environmental, •Create, install and equip International Regional Institute of Higher Studies sustainable devel-opment and the fi ght against global warming in Abidjan, •Enhance the in-terchange of indene in Abidjan,

Save Africa’s ChildrenSave Africa’s Children (www.savea-

see Charitable Giving on page 60


DOT, EPA Propose Nation’s First-Ever Emissions, Fuel-Effi ciency Standards

for Trucks and Buses

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and DOT Secretary Ray LaHood proposed the fi rst national standards for greenhouse gas emis-sions and fuel effi ciency for medium and heavy-duty trucks,

vans, and buses.This is a historic fi rst step to address categories of vehicles previ-

ously excluded from America’s corporate average fuel economy guide-lines. Currently, the vehicles we propose covering account for 20% of the transportation sector’s carbon emissions. So reducing those emis-sions and improving fuel effi ciency for these vehicles is certainly a win for the environment.

The announcement is only a proposal. The Environmental Protec-tion Agency and the National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration are providing a 60-day comment period. That’s where the public comes in. The proposal and information about submitting comments are avail-able on the EPA website (www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm) and the NHTSA website (www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy).

So visit those websites, read the proposal, and provide your com-ments. Your input will help to improve the proposal and insure that our nation benefi ts on all points.

Charitable Giving

fricaschildren.org) provides direct support and care to orphans and vul-nerable children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty and war throughout Sub-Sa-haran Africa and the Caribbean. SAC partners with individuals, churches, grassroots organizations, government and corporate sectors, endeavoring to build a dynamic, diverse movement to restore hope and a future for Africa’s children.

Your $10 Will Help Save Lives - In honor of World Aids Day - December 1st - you can contribute to the construc-tion of an HIV/AIDS testing lab in our Kenya medical clinic. Your contribution will not only help with the effi ciency of HIV/AIDS testing for children, but will also help to deliver 3 mobile camps in Nairobi and Namanga beginning De-cember 1, 2010.

For contribution of $10 or more you will recieve a free Save Africa’s Chil-dren wristband and your name will be

from page 59

entered into a drawing for a hand-wo-ven blanket from Kenya.

For contributions of $25 or more you will recieve a free SAC keychain and your name will be entered into a draw-ing for a hand-woven throw blanket from Kenya.

For contributions of $100 or more you will receive a free 2011 calendar, have your name written on the Wall of Campassion (on the lab building) with a photo of the results and your name will be entered for a hand-woven throw blanket from Kenya.

For contributions of $1,000 or more you will receive a free 2011 calendar, keychain, wristband, have a treatment room named in your honor with a photo of the results and your name will be en-tered into a drawing for a hand-woven throw blanket from Kenya.

Visit the CSAfrica website to learn about all of the organi-zations and programs that you may support with a charitable do-nation of funds and/or personal time.

touch purchasing management per-sonnel is contributing signifi cantly to local business inequality, which is also giving rise to an unprecedented diver-gence of supplier utilization. The pub-lic and private sector use of small busi-nesses is fi xated on the top revenue percentile of minority fi rms. Somewhat mirroring the wealth divergence of the top 2% accounting for 90% of the coun-try’s wealth. The inner city geographi-cal landscape is deteriorating from supplier diversity divergence. Presti-gious business addresses are the main sources purchasing management per-sonnel pay site visits in seeking out op-erational service providers. This type of management work effort assures that some contracts will go to minority–owned and operated fi rms, but in the process excluding the spirit and intent of minority business development. The work product of the public and private

President’s Messagefrom page 3

see President’s Message on page 69

A Positive Economic Turn Aroundin the USA is in Our Hands

Buy Products Made or Assembled in the USAHire One New Employee

Eat an Extra Meal Out Each WeekStart a Business to Generate Wealth & Jobs

Buy Black - Save Black - Invest Black

The

Black Business AssociationWishes You

Happy Thanksgiving,

Merry Christmas,

Happy Kwanzaa,and a

Happy, Healthy,&

Prosperous2011

The White House Blog:

Introducing: First Question

Most people who have watched a daily press briefi ng from the White House Press Secretary

have probably thought at one time or another “I’d like to ask the White House a question!”

Well, here’s your chance! The Offi ce of the Press Secretary has launched a new type of online engagement called “First Question” that uses Twitter to collect your questions for the White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to answer.

While we’ll constantly look for ways to improve it, here’s how First Question will work for now:

In the morning, Robert will ask for that day’s questions in a post to his @PressSec Twitter account. Although this won’t happen everyday, it will be

pretty frequent so be sure to subscribe to his account and the WhiteHouse’s main Twitter ac-count (@WhiteHouse) to fi nd out when it does.

Once he’s posted, anyone can fi re away with questions using the hashtag #1q.

Over the next hour or two we’ll collect all of the questions, record his answers and post the video on the White House website at www.whitehouse.gov.

Even though every question can’t get answered (over 300 tweets with #1q were posted on the fi rst day) we’ll try to choose questions from a broad variety of perspectives. But even the ques-tions we can’t get to are tremendously valuable to understanding what’s on people’s minds.

And while ev-eryone here is excited about this new type of online engage-ment, it’s worth pointing out that

there are even more opportunities to ask questions and learn about what’s happening at the White House. The best way to stay current is to subscribe to the White House’s Daily Snapshot (www.whitehouse.gov/daily-snapshot).

Whether it’s using Google Modera-tor to vote on YouTube questions for President Obama, Facebook to chat with David Axelrod or Twitter to take a crack at Robert Gibbs, we’re constantly looking for new ways to use technology to connect Americans with their White House. And if you have any ideas or feedback along these lines, we’d love to hear it -- in the spirit of this post, you can reach me, Macon Phillips, at @ma-con44.

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

Jamaal Wilkes Financial Advisors, LLCManaging Weal th Inte l l igent ly

JWFA

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

On the front page of all the media outlets is the ques-tion if gold is in a bubble. I ride bubbles and look for beginning signs of bubbles. Bubbles are irrational,

but there is an old saying that “markets are irrational a lot longer than one can stay solvent.”

I believe gold is nowhere near a bubble top and believe now is the time to profi t on the next major asset class ready to run.

Gold is in a classic cup and handle pattern. The cup and handle pattern has historically led to major market moves.

See charts and explanations that follow...

You can see by the graph above the major breakout from the six month saucer on excellent volume. Notice how the volume dries up on the handle. Now I expect a major break-out and a run to $1,375 an ounce.

Compared to other bubbles gold appears fl at.

Above is a chart of the oil index verses the gold and silver index. Notice the run in oil before the credit collapse. This run lasted almost 5 years before it topped. Meanwhile for the past 15 years the XAU has been relatively fl at and yet it has had a nice run we have not seen the run up like other asset class bubbles.

I believe there are signs that we may be moving into a peak gold area and would not be surprised if there is a global rush to gold as investors lose faith in fi at currencies.

The recent collapse of the euro only preludes what will eventually happen with the dollar and treasuries. Now many people have run from the Euro to dollars, but I believe that is temporary. Now is the time, before the masses rush in, to buy gold. This is not the time to be bottom fi shing other markets. I believe to stick to strength.

The chart above gives me the confi dence to know that we have not entered bubble territory yet.

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Financial Planning:

Beware of Drastic Changes in Estate Tax in 2011

If you and your spouse have a com-

bined net worth of $1 million or more, or if you are single and have a net worth of $ 1 million or more, having an es-tate tax plan in

place before the end of the year is es-sential. And remember, the IRS counts all assets including life insurance poli-cies and retirement accounts; so, you may have a higher net worth than you realize.

How Does the Math Work

Starting January 1, 2011?Henry and Joan are a married cou-

ple with no estate plan and a total of $1,725,000 in net worth, which they own equally. This includes their house, retirement accounts, investments, the face value of their life insurance and all other property they have.

Henry passes away fi rst leaving ev-erything to Joan. Six months later, Joan passes away. At Joan’s death, the fi rst $1 million is exempt from all estate tax, but the remaining $725,000 is subject to estate tax (2011 rates will range from 41% to 55%). So, nine months after Joan’s death, her heirs will need to fi le an estate tax return and remit a total amount of $231,450.

Failure to fi nd out whether or not you need to do estate and tax planning can

end up costing your loved ones dear-ly. If the estate tax repeal is allowed to sunset as scheduled, the highest marginal estate tax rate for 2011 will be 55%! This means that estate taxes could take quite a bite out of the assets you plan to pass on.

An estate plan brings certainty and stability to the lives of your loved ones and preserves your hard earned assets for your family.

For further information please see our website at www.collinslawgroup.com or call 310-677-9787 ext. 5.

Vote!

Books to Consider...

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of

America’s Great Migrationby Isabelle Wilkerson

Ms. Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold sto-ries of Ameri-can history: the decades - l ong migration of black citizens who fl ed the South for north-ern and western cities, in search of a better life.

From 1915 to 1970, this exodus of al-most six million people changed the face of America. Wilkerson compares this epic migration to the migrations of other peoples in history. She inter-viewed more than a thousand people, and gained access to new data and of-fi cial records, to write this defi nitive and vividly dramatic account of how these American journeys unfolded, altering our cities, our country, and ourselves.

Nelson Mandela: Conversations With Myself

by Nelson MandelaFormer South African President Nel-

son Mandela re-veals the private man behind his iconic public fi g-ure in this com-pelling book that features personal letters and ex-cerpts from his diary written dur-ing his more than 27 years in prison for his fi ght against apartheid. He shares notes made af-ter key meetings and those saved for speaches to be made.

Give the Gifts of Knowledge, Inspiration, Entertainment.

Shop theBlack Book Stores!

Malik’s Books OnlineMalik’s Books has closed operations in the Baldwin Hills Mall.

Malik’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 always been.

Please visit us at www.Malikbooks.com and/or www.autographbooks.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 Cren-shaw Boulevard, #324, Los Angeles, CA 90008.

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

Malik’s Bookswww.Malikbooks.com • www.autogrpahbooks.com

[email protected] • 818-564-5694

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 of

books, music, video, children’s books, and games!

Holiday Gift Giving TimeChristmas, Graduation, Kwanzaa

323-294-0324www.esowonbooks.com

//esowon.booksense.com for Calendar of Events



Open Supplier Certi fi cati on

ProcessThe Verizon Communications Corporation is seeking to identify a greater share of African American-owned and operated businesses to match to potential operating contracts. The data base that Verizon procurement management personnel are instructed to review is the California Public Utilities Commission Clearinghouse.

BBA members wanting to expand market opportunities with a telecommunication company should consider completing a supplier certifi cation application. To obtain an application go to the Internet web address www.cpuc.gov and visit the supplier diversity page for an online application.

The BBA encourages all members to participate in this process that works to create greater opportunities for all African-American owned and operated fi rms. Last year the California Verizon Company reported an annual spend with African American owned suppliers in excess of $40 million.

VVERACITY REALTY, INC.

“Dedicated to Truthfulness”

Let us see what we can do for you in both Commercial & Residential fi nance!

Jonathan Thompson, Commercial Broker Phone: 800-455-2142 Cell: 323-309-2885

Rhonda Thompson, Residential Loan Offi cer Phone 800-455-2142 Cell: 323-387-9439

CA Dept. of Real Estate, Real Estate Broker: 01781216*APR: Includes appraisal, title insurance, escrow, points & other loan cost is 6.487%

Four Season’s ProductionMulti-Cultural Multi-Purpose

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&Creating Jobs Across AmericaCity by City State by State

National and International Trade Exchange

“Yes We Can”“Something New and Excitingly Different on the Horizon”

Commercial Residential

“BBA 2010 Special Recognition Award Winner”

Genell Brown, Artist DesignerOur Community Source Contact: Keasha L. Charles

888-988-8551 Phone & Fax

Shop, Eat, Relax in Little Ethiopia Experience Africa in America

Culture, Retail,Entertainment

Fairfax Boulevardbetween Pico & Olympic

Los Angeles

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An African American Cultural, Retail,

Foods & Entertainment Center.

Degnan Boulevardbetween

Crenshaw & Leimert Blvds.43rd Street-43rd Place, Los Angeles

Lucy FlorenceCulture Center

3351 W. 43rd St. Leimert Park Village

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Shop our boutiquesEnjoy our CuisineExquisite Venue for your Special

Event……

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We are open daily! 1-6pmTote & Satchel HANDBAGS,

beautifully restored, one-of-a-kind vintage HANDBAGS,

the hottest DESIGNER SHOES,Cuff links, sterling silver jewelry,

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Caltrans Construction

MoneyCan

MEAN

Youfor

El Camino College offers the training and advising you need to enhance your ability to bid for and WIN state highway construction contracts.

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

Just a week after President Obama signed the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, nearly 2,000 small

business owners who had been wait-ing for SBA-backed loans had been ap-proved and will soon have those loan funds – totaling nearly $1 billion – in hand. That’s a quick turnaround, and it’s an example of this Administration’s deep commitment to giving entrepre-neurs and small business owners the support they need to grow and create jobs.

Here’s how the SBA made it happen.After the Recovery Act passed last

year, SBA increased the guarantee and reduced the fees in our top two loan programs. That two-part formula worked. We saw a signifi cant rebound in SBA lending, helping unlock much-needed capital for small businesses. All told, SBA took just $680 million in taxpayer dollars and turned it into nearly $30 billion in lending support to about 70,000 small businesses. That’s a strong bang for the taxpayer buck.

Even though Congress renewed funding for the increased guarantee and waived fees several times, SBA had to stop making these loans in May when the agency’s authority for the higher guarantees ended. Shortly thereafter, the funds for fee waivers were used up. As a result, we had to

Government:

Nearly 2,000 Small Businesses Approved for SBA Loans Due to Jobs Actby SBA Administrator Karen Mills

start putting applicants on a stand-by waiting list – a “queue” – hoping that these successful loan enhancements would once again be available.

Over the summer, that queue grew to include more than 1,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Ad-ministration continued to push for Con-gress to pass a small business jobs bill, knowing that these small businesses – and many more – were ready to start growing and creating jobs as soon as they got their SBA loan.

Finally, a few weeks ago, with the stroke of the President’s pen, the SBA got $505 million more for these effec-tive and proven enhancements, which will support an estimated $14 billion in new lending.

Just one week later, we had pushed out nearly 2,000 loans – clearing out all the loans in the queue. And, today we’re moving ahead with approving thousands more SBA Jobs Act loans. With each loan, we’re putting capital in the hands of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners so they can continue to drive economic growth and create jobs in communities all across the country. And this is just one of the many benefi ts in the Small Business Jobs Act, which can now deliver $55 billion in tax cuts and additional assis-tance for businesses that need loans.

Karen G. Mills,Administrator

Small Business Administration


Vote! Tuesday, November 2, 2010It’s Your Right. It’s Your Responsibility.


President’s Message

sectors are falling quite short of nomi-nal job creation that could source mi-nority candidates to fi ll open positions from new contracting requirements.

The BBA, like other minority business trade groups are working to reverse the trend of supplier diversity divergence and outreach elitism. Notwithstand-ing that major organizations have to control costs, there are still business models existing that deliver bottom line savings inclusive of converging and moving toward outcomes that include a wide variety of effective minority busi-ness enterprises.

from page 60

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forget to send your family, friends, and associates one of ourAliza’s Cookies Holiday Gift Packs.

Small Business Jobs Act 2010


o The law provides $50 million in grants available to Small Business Development Centers.

• More Opportunities in Export Coun-seling (see above)

New Law Provides $12 Billion in Tax Relief to Help Small Businesses

Invest in their Firms, Create Jobs• Extension, Expansion of Tax Cuts – 8 Tax Cuts1. The highest small business expens-ing limit ever, of $500,0002. Carry-back provisions on net oper-ating losses of up to 5 years 3. Accelerated/bonus depreciation 4. Zero capital gains taxes for those who invest in small businesses5. Increased deductions for start-ups6. Deductions for employer-provided cell phones7. Deductions for health insurance costs for the self-employed 8. Limitations on penalties for errors in tax reporting that disproportionately affect small business

Beyond SBA:• Small Business Lending Fund – $30 billion (administered by Treasury) o The law will provide smaller commu-nity banks with low cost capital (as low as 1%) if they go above and beyond 2009 small business lending levels.

• Establishes State Small Business Credit Initiative (administered by Trea-sury)o The law will provide up to $1.5 billion to States to support state run small business lending programs.

from page 7

Health Care:

President Obama Signs Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Reauthorization Act of 2010The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is proud to announce that the “Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Re-authorization Act of 2010” was signed by President Obama on Friday, Octo-ber 8, 2010.

The “Stem Cell Therapeutic Re-search Reauthorization Act of 2010” will help the NMDP expand and diver-sify the registry, as well as increase the number of adult donors and um-bilical cord blood units with the goal to increase the number of patients who receive transplants. It authorizes $23 million to the National Cord Blood In-ventory (NCBI) and $30 million to the Program, which will fund these chang-es. This bill is a continuation of the “Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Act of 2005,” which helped more patients receive bone marrow transplants.

Since the bill was introduced in Au-gust, the NMDP was dedicated to passing the bill. We worked with bill sponsors, met with legislators and en-couraged our advocates to send let-ters of support. Now that the Program is reauthorized for another fi ve years, the NMDP must be diligent in its efforts to ensure that Congress actually funds the Program and the NCBI each year.

We thank our grassroots members,for all of your support. We received more than 450 letters that went out to mem-bers of Congress. Your letters played a

vital role in the passing of the bill. We encourage you to continue to advocate on behalf of those in need.

About the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)

As a leader in the fi eld of unrelated marrow and umbilical cord blood trans-plantation, the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is dedicated to en-suring all patients who need a trans-plant receive access to this potentially life-saving treatment. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the nonprofi t organization has been entrusted by the federal gov-ernment through the C.W. Bill Young Transplantation Program to operate the national registry, publicly known as the Be The Match Registry, which provides a single point of access for transplant centers and patients to marrow donors and cord blood units.

The organization also facilitates transplants worldwide; supports a glob-al network of hospitals, blood centers, public cord blood banks, laboratories and recruitment centers; conducts re-search; and provides education and support to patients, donors and health care professionals.

The NMDP has facilitated more than 40,000 transplants since operation be-gan in 1987. For more information, visit www.marrow.org or call 1-800-MAR-ROW-2.

Name: Title: Company: Address:

City: State: Zip Code: Telephone: Fax: E-mail: URL: Type of Business: Year Established: W/MBE Certified by:

NAICS Codes: Briefly describe your products and/or services

New membership Renewal Membership

Select Type of Membership Regular Member-$200 annual dues

51% African-American owned, Voting membership Corporate Member-$2,500 annual dues

Major corporation, Non-voting membership Associate Member-$100 annual dues

Non-business owner, Non-voting membership Student Member-$25 annual dues

Full-time registered student, Non-voting membership

Amount enclosed $

Payment type: credit card Visa MasterCard

Card #:

Signature Exp. Date / Fax Payment to: 323-291-9234

Payment type: check/money order—make payable to: Black Business Association Mail to: P.O. Box 43159, Los Angeles, CA 90043 USA

For information Call: 323-291-9334 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.bbala.org

MEMBERSHIPAPPLICATION

Please complete then submit this form with your payment. Please type or print.

October…15th100 Black Men Hold Gala DinnerThis annual gala being held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel will present the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles 2010 honoress. For information on participation and to receive an invitation visit www.100BMLA.or or send an e-mail in-quiry to [email protected].

21stCalifornia-China Trade & Investment ConferenceThe one-day conference will be held at the Downtown Los Angeles Marriott, 333 South

Figueroa Street, Los Angeles from 8:00AM - 6:00PM. This conference is one of the best opportunities for you to sync up your commer-cial strategy with

China by participating with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the So Cal Regional District Export Council to gain a competitive advantage in maximizing your ROI with China. There will

be excit-ing key-n o t e s a n d p a n e l

speakers from all sides trade community. Con-tact Rachid Sayouty at 213.894.4022 or rachid.

[email protected] for information. Go to www.scrdec.org to register.

21stPan African Global Trade ConferenceThe two-day conference at California State Uni-versity Dominguez Hills is designed for corpo-rate leaders, policy makers, NGO’s and small business owners who want to create opportuni-ties to strengthen business and cultural relations between the U.S., Africa and the African Dias-pora through global business and economic de-velopment. The objective is to develop bilateral Public/Private partnerships that promote and facilitate economic growth and free trade rela-tionships. For information contact Al Washing-ton, Executive Director, Africa-USA Chamber of Commerce at 626.321.7041 or [email protected]. Register at www.suretomeet.com/exec/gt/event.h,event=8bbb8f7d23d8.

26th-27thGovLink ConferenceThe GOVLINK CONFERENCE provides net-working opportunities between government agencies, prime contractors, and small busi-nesses through workshops, exhibits and networking sessions. Get information and register at www.theftc.org/news&events/up-comingevents/govlinkconference_2010/gov-linkconference_home.htm.

28th-29thAfrican Petroleum & Energy Forum 2010Join leading multinationals, experts from aca-demia, fi nance fi rms, corporate investors and energy corporations in exploring the opportu-nities for international investors into the enor-mous potentials of the petroleum and energy

sector in the African continent.. For information on participation, speaking opportunitiesand sponsorship; please contact: mo.mag@fi n-magazine.com, info@fi nmagazine.com or call +2347063062721, +2348033839928, or visit www.foreigninvestmentnetworks.com.

30thTANCon USA 2010 The African Network (TAN) conference at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara California will showcase the new entrepreneurial and business oppor tun i t ies that have sparked tremendous interest in Africa from a variety of US investors and entrepreneurs. Visit www.theafricannetwork.org for information and registration.

November…4thBBA 7th Annual Procument Exchange SummitThe annual business development event in-cludes: One-on-One matchmaking sessions with utilities and corporate buyers, business development workshops and the Awards Lun-cheon. The summit will be held at the Sheraton Gateway LAX Hotel. For information call 323-291-9334 or visit www.bbala.org.

Calendar


Salinas, California - Dec. 1, 2010www.mbita.org/greentradenetwork/summit2010.html

Reach Thousands of African American EntrepreneursYOUR LINK TO AFRICAN AMERICANBUSINESS OWNERS

The Black Business Association, SBA 2007 Journalist of the Year and MBDA 2009 Media Firm of the Year, invites you to be an integral part of our publication, Black Business News - 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 information 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 BBA members, 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 1-323-291-9334

Deadline: Every third Friday of the Month!Special Offer: 50% Discount for Regular Financial BBA Members and Government agencies

For detail advertising rate information contact: Advertising Services at 323-291-9334 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”

U.S. Small Business Administration &Minority Business Development Agency AWARD WINNER! 2007 “Journalist of the Year”2009 “Media Firm of the Year”

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 (3x, 6x, 12x call for quantity discounts)Full Page Color w/Feature Story - $6,000Full Page Color - $5,000Half Page Color w/Feature Story - $3,000Half Page Color - $2,500Quarter Page Color - $1,000Eighth Page Color - $500

Website Advertising Opportunity (3x, 6x, 12x call for quantity discounts)Webpage, Link & Marketing MessageE-Blast Advertising OpportunityIssue Dedicated Marketing Message

Tuesday, Nov 9th“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.


2010 EventsFebruary

Black Business Awards Dinner - 36th Anniversary

of the BBAMarch

Salute to Black WomenNovember

Utilities Procurement Exchange Summit & Awards

LuncheonDecember

BBA 40th Year Celebration

• Call for information •

323-291-9334

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.

www.comerica.com

Choose to care.Choose to celebrate.

Choose to dream.

Crenshaw3825 Crenshaw Boulevard

Los Angeles

El Segundo2321 Rosecrans Avenue

El Segundo

800-888-3595

Wilshire-Crescent Heights6301 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles

bba news oct 10

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