Black In Business

When I was a boy growing up in upstate New York, the summer weekends our house was filled with Guess. My father loved to play cards and Pinochle was the game of choice. The adults taught me how to play at an early age and on occasion I would watch the games. It was a simpler time and one in which a 10 year old boy could be fascinated by a card game. Chester Miller was a chauffer for S. Wilson the Author of, “The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit.” Chester used to drink Miller High Life and Dewar’s scotch along with talk plenty of mess. My parents did not drink and my mom would frown on it but Chester was like family so his drinking was tolerated. When Chester had a good card, he could not just lay the card down, he would slap it on the table so hard, sometimes the cards would fly and Chester would shout out, “Now that’s what I’m talking about!!!”
I tell that story because that is how I met Theo, now that’s what I’m talking about is the name of Theo’s Blog. Theo and his wife were in Chicago for a business trip and Theo and I had lunch together. I had just loss out on a 40,000 dollar profit and was fired upped about it. I may have even cussed a bit but it was exciting to meet Theo in person and my misery was forgotten.
Theo is a young man, 31 years old, husband and father. He is another young black success story Theo owns his own business and has surpassed his income he had while working for the electric company. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University. Theo’s company is Trinihost Solutions. He does web housing, computer repair and IT Consulting.
The only other time I met bloggers I read in person was at SOBCon 07. I hope to participate again in 08 and want to make some of my friends, Liz Strauss , Mike Sandsone, Chris Brown and others aware of the talent of Theo. I hope to have more diversity next year and Theo is one to have on the radar screen Visit his site and I know you will return.

I came across an excellent article by Dawn Turner Trice in the Chicago Tribune. Yesterday I touched on Mike Vick and Barry Bonds. Today I will share the story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Ms Trice‘s article is an update from 2002, when she met 6 African American high school students that were very active in politics. They were all campaigning for several gubernatorial candidates during that year’s primary.
Ms Trice came across one of the young men and decided to update with the others. As the media make a point to highlight, many young black men are involved in the criminal system. In fact we have more young men in prison than in college. She caught up with 4 of the 6. the 4 are now college graduates. We should applaud their success. I have copied the article for your enjoyment. Keep Hope alive!

In March 2002, I told you about six Hales Franciscan High School students who were campaigning for several gubernatorial candidates during that year’s primary. The young men, all African-American, were juniors involved in the Mikva Challenge, a non-profit group that matches youth with community and political work. It also exposes them to people they might not ordinarily meet.

The teens were a diverse bunch. Jeffery Stephens lived full time with his grandmother in the Brainerd neighborhood because his parents had personal problems. Haamid Johnson, who lived in Roseland with his mother, was a staunch Republican-in-the-molding with photos of himself and Republican politicians, including Jesse Helms and Colin Powell, on his bedroom wall.

Robert Ford-Reynolds was known around his South Chicago community as the brainy kid who excelled in basketball, but dragged his golf clubs on CTA buses to play at faraway courses. Erice Smith was growing up on an Englewood block where drug dealers and caring older residents carved out their own turfs.
While at lunch a couple of weeks ago, I ran into Stephens and decided to get in touch with the others. (I wound up reaching four of the six.) Stephens told me he had recently graduated from Notre Dame; Johnson from Georgetown University; Ford-Reynolds from Stanford; and Smith from the University of Minnesota.

On the surface, what these recent graduates have in common is that they’re young and African-American and male in an America where many people look at them and immediately believe they know who they are; or worse, who they will become.

Beyond the surface, what they have in common is that they are smart, hard-working and have incredible safety nets. Because of this, they feel compelled to provide something similar to others.

Stephens said that when his parents could no longer rear him, his grandparents stepped in. “People think just because I went to Notre Dame I came from this intact nuclear family,” he said. “My grandmother took us in; she’s my jewel.”

Since Mikva, Stephens said he has continued to volunteer, often mentoring younger students with rap music. “My thing is this: Let’s show these kids a different archetype of the African-American male.” At Notre Dame, Stephens majored in sociology and computer applications. He will begin law school later this month.

Ford-Reynolds said that his family and close-knit community formed his safety net. He said that whenever he returns to Chicago his neighbors proudly refer to him as the “one who goes to college.”

Ford-Reynolds, who majored in political science, said he’s facing major surgery that will sideline him for about a year, but afterward he’ll go to graduate school, then return to Chicago to work in his community.

“I compare the wealth at Stanford to [that of] my neighborhood and I say to myself: ‘This is what you can make better.’ It provides me with a purpose.”

Johnson said he found his purpose, at least for now, while volunteering two years ago in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

He’s leaving Georgetown with a degree in government relations and moving to New Orleans, where he’ll be employed by a church, tutoring, mentoring and working to rebuild homes. He also has started a hurricane relief organization, called Blanket New Orleans, and is preparing to bike the path of Katrina later this month to raise money for the relief effort.

Smith said that when you go away to school and come back to a community such as Englewood, it’s easy to see the need that exists there as well.

“You almost expect things to change because you changed, but they don’t,” he said. “You may be depressed about it, but you have to change it. It’s grounding and humbling.” Smith will begin law school in Kentucky.

One last thing: When I interviewed Johnson five years ago, he was quite enamored with the GOP. I asked him if he still felt that way.

“I think more than anything I’m an independent now,” he said laughing. “When you’re helping people, they don’t care about party affiliations, they’re just grateful you showed up.”

Having people “show up,” well, that’s a sentiment these young men say they understand and appreciate deeply.
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Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

Every body has had their say on Barry Bonds, and Michael Vick. I want to toss in my 2 cent on these 2 heroes and other sport related items. As you know sports is big business and what young boy does not want to be a pro ball player? Not many, that in itself is a problem, we need more of us wanting to be college graduates and teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, businessmen etc. The odds are making it are much higher. Our pro athletes are special and are treated with gentle hands from a very early age. Remember the “Be Like Mike,” Promotion for Michael Jordan. Every body wants to be a pro! These guys know it and part of our problem is we put them on a pedestal and become disappointed when they let us down.
Let’s talk about Barry Bonds, he will and should be a first round Hall of Fame selection by the baseball writers. Barry was a 3 time MVP prior to steroids coming into question. I admire Hank Aaron and remember when he hit number 715. I was with my 3 college roommates. We all were very excited and Hank Aaron was my favorite baseball superstar of that era. Keep in mind, Mickey Mantle; Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente were peer stars at that time. Henry has over 3700 hits, 756 homeruns, the most RBI’s ever and batted 320 or higher until he started swinging for the fence. Babe Ruth is a legend who transcends sports. He is an admired figure in American sports history. Saying all that to say this; we are holding Barry Bonds to a higher standard that we hold Aaron and Ruth. We assume those 2 never would have used steroids to get an edge. Aaron and Ruth more than likely did not lift weights, is lifting weights cheating? What Bonds has done is remarkable and as time goes on we will learn to celebrate it.
As OJ said about Mike Vick, he didn’t kill anybody. As a boy in upstate New York, dog fights were a normal thing. Why are we so concern about some dogs? I went to a boxing match the other night, ultimate fighting is becoming in vogue. Dog fighting is a southern sport, usually done by good old boys. Did anybody say Brett Farve? The public acts like they want to hang Vick, whom for all of his talent and our love of sports, has never been accepted by most of the public. We are more concerned about some dogs than we were slaves in Virginia in the 1800’s. I say, let’s slap his wrist and get him in camp and hope he grows up.
A great new York Yankee, Phil Rizzuto died today at 89. I use to listen every night to Phil and Bill White on WPIX in New York, Holy Cow, the years go fast. It is sad but Yankees fans can smile because the Yankees are the hottest team in baseball today. Phil, thanks for the memories.
The Chicago Bears have weapons on offense, they open in San Diego, which pits the best of the AFC vs. the best of the NFC. Engrave the Lombardi trophy, the Bears win it all. Give me some feed back

I was in my office yesterday, when the comptroller for a U.K. owner business asked me to set up interviews for 3 people. “Great, was my response, I specialize in the medical field but I my be able to put together a slate of candidates for your inside sales position. When do you want to interview?” He responded, “Tomorrow.” I said, “Man it is 3 o’clock, but I will try. 1 of the people I brought in for an interview was a 25 year old recent graduate of a good university. She has a good chance to get hired despite having zero sales experience.
It got me thinking about being a new graduate and looking for a professional job. My first big gig was for Xerox as a sales representative. I was so proud to have a business card with my name on it. You would have thought I was the CEO. Xerox prided themselves on hiring the best and brightest. Most of the sales reps were in the 20’s and the old ones were in their 30’s. It was a great transition from college to the real world. My early days at Abbott was similar, even our national sales manager was young.
I have admired Enterprise car rental’s business model. They hire young college graduates with no or little experience. They teach them business skills by having them be rental agents. The career path can be rental agent, store mgr, zone mgr and up the ladder I had to rent a truck this week. The store I went to has a large black clientele, their staff was young, college educated, wanting to please. They all had white shirts and tie on. They seemed to have camaraderie and pride in their company. They were well trained and perhaps a bit arrogant but that may be a competitive thing. They were also all white and male. This is what this post is about, this can be a good place to start your career. Check it out and see if it makes sense for you.
Readers, If you know of other good companies to look for work and careers give us a shout out.

I am the President, Founder, Managing Partner and owner of an executive search firm. I am also the only employee but I love saying the rest. An important step in concluding a successful job search is receiving and checking references. As you may know, companies only want the super black. Assume when it comes to us, no stone is left unturned. That is why it is important to manage your references. This process can also apply to a small businessman for whom a reference check may bring in more business. A student will need references to gain acceptance into the college of their choice.
In the past when I needed a reference my process was to find someone I knew who liked me and ask them to serve as a reference for me. I suspect many of you follow the same reference strategy. This is not the best way.
I have been involved with 2 high powered executives that are both male and black. One is at a VP level and the other is a director. These brothers are polished, educated, with 20 plus years of building a business track record of excellent performance. In both situations we have been blind sided by negative references. Do you know what your references will say about you? How have you coached them on what to say? Here are some tips that will help you manage your reference base.
A) Ask for their permission to serve as a positive for you.
B) Send them your resume
C) Ask them what they would say.
D) Tell them what you want them to say and provide them guidance in terms of what you need them to say and how you need it said.
E) Provide them with examples of direct impact where your efforts matched the goals of they hope the hire will bring
F) be sure to thank them .
These steps are taken as a part of your putting together a slate of references.
When it is time for the reference check, touch base again and confirm what they were instructed to say.
Make sure you provide your references with the name and tittles of the person calling, how long this may take

If your situation changes, make to sure to provide the details for your references.

For some references you may want to script the dialog as a service for the reference
I hope this post will help you land your golden opportunity.