Black In Business

Edward Boyd was born in California in 1914 and died in May of 2007. He lived a long and productive life. He was a sales leader and understood advertising. Mr. Boyd considered advertising a fantasy and in the late 40’s, a fantasy that excluded blacks.
America was becoming a culture of selling, marketing and consumerism. The black in business role in all this was as a consumer. Unfittingly for us today; the more things change, the more they stay the same! Yes we market and sell but our biggest contribution to the economy is as a consumer.
In the early days of the explosion of commercialization in this country, many corporations did not seek or necessarily want black consumers. For example Ebony Magazine used the black consumer’s embrace of GM’s Cadillac and GM’s discomfort with it part of the war for racial equality. The more things change the more they stay the same. Ask Jayz and his feeling regarding a high priced Champagne whose CEO let it be known he was uncomfortable with Hip Hop’s embrace of their product.
This was the backdrop when Mr. Boyd left the Urban League to become Pepsi’s first black salesman He built a team of black salesman and developed an advertising strategy. Mr. Boyd’s strategy was different than other companies many of whom used actors and athletes. The Leaders of Today campaign featured blacks from various fields. The ads showing black professionals were ordered up by schools and universities because of the positive image they showed us in.
Edward Boyd was a trail blazer and although he left Pepsi in 1951, Pepsi is still the preferred cola by many blacks. His remarkable story is one to know. He and Jackie Robinson broke color barriers around the same time in the same city. One could argue Boyd’s accomplishments were no less important to America. Keep Hope Alive!

Black in Business readers, I was wrong about New Hampshire and Barack winning. Let’s be real, 3 weeks ago, if someone said Barack would win Iowa and finish a strong second in New Hampshire, we would have been pumped and proud. We are still proud but a couple of days back we were giddy with euphoria over the prospect of a black President.
We had skipped over the primaries, convention and general election. This is a long and difficult road filled with ups, downs and surprises.
Are there lessons for business people, you bet! You can never take success for granted. You set goals, make a plan and analyze scenarios of what if. We have discussed all aspects of the previous sentence in this blog. Yet there are still times when we are stunned by the unexpected. Barack and his followers, including me were stunned yesterday.
We fell into the same trap Hilary did in Iowa. We underestimated the competition. We did this in the face of a keen sense that you can never underestimate the Clintons. Free advice for Barack, do not allow anyone to refer to your opponent as the Clintons. Make sure, it is well understood you are campaigning versus, the Junior Senator from New York, and not the former President. In business many times, we have to interpret our competitor’s message for our customers and the Obama campaign must do the same.
I spoke to my 2 brothers about the nomination process. My younger brother, married to a white woman with 2 young children is for Barack. I would think biracial families would lean that way. My older brother, married with adult children, says he has a tough decision because, he likes Clinton. He is undecided. I have not spoken to my older sister, who still lives in New York but I am sure she likes both candidates. As do I, but I will repeat what I said in 84 and 88, If I can vote for a Blackman for President, that knows he is black,(sorry Clarence Thomas) I will always support the black canidate. I never thought I would see the day.
This will be an exciting election year and America wins if we learn more about each other and bring more voters to the process. It has to be great for black business people to have a brother on the news each night that is intelligent, influential of good appearance and is not expected the hit the winning basket! Maybe his positive manner will help turn the tide of negative stereotypes that follow us all around as we compete for business. Keep Hope Alive. What are you and your family thinking, Bill or Hillary? Good for black business? How So?

There will be no comeback kid part 2. In the state that propelled the remarkable meteoric ride to the Presidency for Bill Clinton, his wife is finding a difficult opponent. Senator Barrack Obama is putting to life a phase from Curtis Mayfield, “People Get Ready There is a Change a Coming!” Pay attention America, we are witnessing history and have a chance to contribute to a better future. Are we getting closer to the dream of Dr. King, to be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin?
Just think, just 27 years ago, Ronald Reagan stood up in Philadelphia, Mississippi and announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Reagan from California and born in Illinois chose the site of dreadful murders, where 3 voter registration volunteers were killed. He wanted to send a message to southern whites, that he would keep blacks in our place.
Contrast that to Barack Obama’s vision of one America. He announces his intent to run for President in the shadow of the Abraham Lincoln library in Springfield, Il. The race is not over but Obama is running a strong race in the Clintons have their hand full. Obama rhetoric, visuals and symbolic messages have exhibited a true understanding of what America needs. It is not coming just from pollsters but from connection with the people.
In closing, lesson for business people is the use of pronouns from Hillary, I, Me, my vs. Barack’s, we, us our, this is subtle but give Obama the liability factor. Isn’t this fun!

If the mind can conceive and you believe, you will achieve! How often have you heard that? Barack Obama’s amazing ascend from little known state senator to winning the Democratic Party’s Iowa caucus has life lessons for black business people. Think about it, less than 5 years ago, few black Chicagoans would have recognized Barack Obama or known his place in society. I remember 4 years ago meeting Barack at Jesse Jackson JR’s birthday party and a few months later running into him at the state house in Springfield. He is a warm and charming man of energy and someone whom you can be comfortable with. But the fact is, he drew no more attention than I did then, and now is a rock star.
You could tell Barack was ambitious but you could not measure his heart or burning desire. In 4 years he has gone from a face in the crowd, to arguably one of America’s best known and loved public figures.
Few can argue this morning headline in the Chicago Sun-Times; “Defining Moment in HISTORY” A black man wins in a 97% white state. Hillary and Bill have to be pissed! Think about it, if Barack have never given the speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention in Boston, “What a difference a speech makes!” He would have been campaigning in South Carolina, Michigan, Florida and Illinois for Hillary. Instead he kicked her ass.
OK business people, what are the lessons of hope given by Obama? My take is this; A burning desire and self confidence, a simple and concise message, CHANGE, reaching out to the disenfranchised, (many first time caucus supporters) and keeping his message about what he is capable of without putting down his competitors.
This is a proud moment for black America, blue states and red states but most of all for one America. If white voters can get pass race and vote for change in Iowa, it is possible. Remember that as you do business. Great things are possible if you believe in yourself. Here is a link to a post from early December where I predicted a win for Barack in Iowa and New Hampshire.

I predicted Obama to win in Iowa and New Hampshire several months ago. Although Barack has not generated the excitement, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. did with his presidential candidacy in the 80’s; he is exhibiting a wider range of appeal. I witnessed a debate with Rev. Jackson and the other democratic candidates at the time, none worthy of mention, Jackson was clearly the best prepared, offered more ideas, was the smoothest and would have been a change agent, but America was not ready. My basis for predicting a Obama win in New Hampshire and Iowa was how successful Jesse was in those states.
Barack is less threatening to white folks and may be a better politician than Rev. Jackson. He is a common ground builder and can bring people together.
In today’s global world having a leader of color that has different values than white republicans, no offense to Colin Powell and Ms. Rice, would help expedite world peace.
All of the candidates on both sides of the aisle are impressive, and that alone would represent improvement for America image, but we also need change from the past.
It is extremely ironic that as our time as come, it may not be white voters that keep Obama from the prize, but black voters that are on the Hillary and Edwards bandwagon. A shame indeed but I believe enough black voters will realize what is at stake and provide Obama the reward of their votes.
As you sort out your loyalty and decide who deserves your vote, I have come across a web site that will allow you to view and compare the platforms of all candidates in the race for president. You will love this impressive tool and will be able to see where each canidate stands on important issues. How ever you vote be informed!