Black In Business

The esteemed Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr, referring to the current mortgage debacle of sub prime loans and ballooning adjustable rate interest payment strategies, as a crisis, warned of economic chaos not experienced since the great depression.
Rev. Jackson Sr. demanded city council meetings to investigate and apply political pressure. Articulating in a way, only he can, Rev. said, “Rats run in holes when the lights come on. The city council can expose the lenders.” He further said, “People who are trapped are suffering in the dark alone.”
There are 30,000 homes in foreclosure and 85000 more threaten by late payments. A study by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition shows blacks of all income levels are twice as likely to receive high risk loans that can lead to loss of one’s home.
Thank God for the leadership of Rev. Jackson, he is bringing attention to another program that is contributing to more suffering for blacks. Please read this link, Unscrupulous lenders, to discover more and let me know your thoughts. Keep Hope Alive!

In November of 1987, Mayor Harold Washington died. Harold becoming Mayor of Chicago was something more black people are proud of than Senator Obama running for President. Mayor Washington was beloved by black people all over the country. I was not a resident of Chicago during the Washington years, having lived in Dallas and Buffalo, but was well aware of his story.
Mayor Washington was Chicago’s first black Mayor. When I was a child raised in upstate New York, my mother would always say, thanks God you do not live in the south. As I grew up I discovered that the north had it share of race haters. I had often visited Chicago; several times a year but still had no true idea of the racial divide.
Mayor Washington overcame so much hate and a city council divided by 29 whites versus 22 blacks.
Mike Ryko a legendary Chicago columnist open a article the day after Washington stunning but close victory, by claiming, he told his Uncle, Mayor Washington will not marry your sister or daughter. The fact that this democratic city had a close election speaks to the color factor being the only platform for many whites. Anybody but the black guy was the rallying cry of white voters..
Mayor Washington was a gregarious consensus builder and builds a rainbow spectrum of support. He builds support with black nationalists, black business people, Hispanics and eventually the city council. He was reelected Mayor and died 9 months later.
It has been said, if Washington had lived there would have never been another white mayor. He was a special leader and is still missed.

Food, “No Pun intended!” For Thought. This is from a small black female owned business in my hometown, Oak Park, IL!

Consider
Shopping Black
on ‘Black Friday’…and beyond!

TOP TEN REASONS to BOYCOTT BIG BUSINESS THIS holiday season 2007
Black folks left for dead after Hurricane Katrina by the government
Rampant Mistreatment, Brutality and Harassment by the police.
Jena 6.
Businesses make 75-85% of their profit between Nov.-Dec. so the effects would be quickly noticed.
There’s been no formal apology/reparations for the atrocities/horrors of slavery.
The mass media continues to excessively depict Black people as criminals and bafoons, and ignores our notable accomplishments.
The government’s lack of urgency in responding to the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, misrepresentation of the protest in Zimbabwe against non-Black plantation land “owners”, and to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters’ fight for true independence from neo-colonialism in Africa.
Epidemic of the display of Nooses are not “classified” as a hate crime.
A sustained boycott was effective for our ancestors (Rosa Parks in 1955, and economic sanctions against South Africa’s apartheid regime, for example).
Want another way of protesting beside marching.
There are no leaders on this…YOU ARE THE LEADER. Just decide for yourself. The results of this will not be televised. In fact, historically speaking, if this is effective the results will be downplayed, attacked or completely ignored by the media. Although our votes may not be counted, our dollars are. Just do your part, then pass it on if you like…every dollar counts.

TOP TEN REASONS to SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESS*
When we spend our money with Black businesses that support/respect us and our interests:

We invest in ourselves, our communities and our future.
We participate in a Black self-love fest by putting our financial resources where our mouth/interest is.
There is a higher likelihood of finding culturally specific products for our unique needs.
Our dollars will stay within our community for a longer period of time when the Black business also employs Black folks, buys products from Black distributors and Black wholesalers.
We will have a greater chance of influencing the decisions makers where we shop.
We will receive respectful customer service and high quality products.
We contribute to the building of business institutions that can be handed to the next generation.
We contribute to becoming an independent group/nation able to sustain ourselves.
We become a force to be reckoned with and able to affect change.
The next generation sees a community who respects and supports itself and self esteem is increased.
*certainly the Black Businesses you select are respectful, supportive and considerate of the community.
@ AfriWare
We are so thankful for your support thru the years. When you support us, you are employing our friendly staff, supporting Black distributors, wholesalers, authors and countless suppliers including some whose products originate directly in Africa. In this case your dollars are recycled 4 times! We in turn have provided numerous events that support our unique needs as African people. We don’t just sell the products, we use them, and in some cases even make them…

We invite you to come out and support us and other Black businesses listed on our website under “Black Biz”. Thank you so much for your consideration,

Afri-Ware Inc., is located at: 266 W. Lake S t., Oak Park, IL 708-524-8398. Our hours are: Mon.-Sat. 10-7pm, Sun. 10-4pm.

WWW.AFRIWARE.NET

If you love sports and good professional insights to tennis check out, Black Tennis Pro
Venus Williams is one of my favorite athletes. She is classy and talented and appears to care about black people. Black Tennis Pro has done a great story on Venus new clothing line to be sold at Steve& Barry’s. Hooray lets give her a hand, nice clothes that will be affordable for many people.
Having raised a family of 3 children, it can be very difficult to say no to your kids when they want the latest Air Jordan’s basketball shoes. I have enjoyed a high income for my adult life but it was hard to believe sneakers would cost 100 dollars and then 200 and more. Saying no was easy for me because I am a Knicks fan so I despise Jordan and his sneakers.
I remember sitting in a marketing class and the theme charge more and they will buy. Venus could have taken the route as Jordan, sell over priced products that many poor families will have to scrape up the money for and some may even die for.
Venus’s product is of high quality and style. I am very proud of her and the example she is setting.
On another note the talk of the town is Serena has hooked up with hip hop super star and Chicago native Common. I hope Venus will find love with a black man as well.
Let’s support the efforts of Steve& Barry”s and Venus Williams by purchasing their products and looking for more bargains in the future.

There is a saying in the streets, “player player, play on!” Usually this saying refers to a brother and his fondness for many women friends. I am using this in reference to La-Van Hawkins and his incredible affinity for franchise success. I love his story because it is an example of a ordinary person doing extraordinary things. This brother has done it all.
Hawkins grew up in the notorious Cabrini Green public housing complex. A big and well dressed brother, his height and weight often accompany his biographies. He is listed anywhere from 6ft2in, 270lbs to 285lbs. I am 6ft2in, 260lbs. I can relate to a big brother, but judging by photos I wonder if Mr. Hawkins has tipped 300.
Nerveless he has a great image for his fast food career. He found success by becoming a top player in the checkers hamburger franchise system and agreed to a deal with fast food giant, Burger King. The vision was to drive Burger King more into poor minority areas. Mr. Hawkins reported his corporations’ sales as 290 million in 2003. That is a lot of cheeseburgers
The former gang banger and coke head,. is showing up on billboards around his hometown of Chicago. He is expanding the Nancy Pizza and Al’s beef casual dining into the predominantly minority Chicago area neighborhoods. Local business leaders in the franchise world are amazed at the underused of these markets. The big man has the potential to bring a lot of good to the hood. There could be jobs and collateral opportunity if the plans of 60 to 75 stores open.

There is a potential pitfall for this plan. The player is about to become a federal prisoner. Mr. Hawkins was convicted in a federal court in Philadelphia for municipal corruption. He is to serve 33 months. Talk about overcoming long odds, how about making elaborate business plans while on your way to prison. Player player, play on!
I hope Mr. Hawkins plans succeed. He is a role model and can do a lot of good for the hood. Along the way he forgot one of the first lessons, black mothers teach their sons, you cannot get away with the things white boys do. How about your city, municipal corruption a crime, not in Chicago!