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WHEN FRANKLIN RAINES WAS APPOINTED chief executive officer of Fannie Mae in 1999, he became the first African American CEO of a major corporation. Called the Jackie Robinson of corporate [...]

'THERE IS A REAL CRISIS AS IT RELATES TO African American advertising agencies, and while most are loath to talk about it, I believe there are serious battles when pitches [...]

AFTER THE BIRTH OF HER TWIN DAUGHTERS, ELIZABETH and Victoria 12 years ago, Elena 'Elle' Borneman promised them home that they could call their own--though she didn't know how or [...]

'BLACK AGENCIES NEED TO EXPLORE new and different business models to better compete,' says Donald Coleman, chairman and CEO of GlobalHue (No. 1 on the BE ADVERTISING AGENCIES list with […]

FOR YEARS, FRIENDS HAD RAVED ABOUT CALVITA Frederick-Sowell's homemade iced tea and urged her to start a business. After spending a rigorous 20 years as a general civil practice attorney, […]

WHILE WORKING AT WARNER-Lambert Co. (now Pfizer Inc.) from 1995 to 2002, Mary Winston attracted the attention of then-CFO Ernie Larini. As assistant treasurer in charge of setting strategy and [...]

FOR SOME ENTREPRENEURS, HANGING out a shingle marks an opportunity to build wealth or live out a lifelong dream. But for Osyris Uqoezwa, starting The Racy Choice, an innovative lifestyle [...]

CAMERA FLASHES POP DURING A PHOTO SHOOT IN an intimate studio located in downtown New York City. Shane and Shawn Ward, the twin brothers who own Detny by SHANE&SHAWN, a [...]

AS AN OVERWEIGHT CHILD, JEFFREY Banks endured years of ridicule and rejection. By the time he reached his senior year of high school, he weighed 400 pounds and was diagnosed [...]

WHEN C. MICHAEL BRAE ENTERED THE doors of Oakland's Alien Temple Baptist Church in 1991, he didn't expect to find an opportunity to own his own record label. But as [...]

AS A BOY, MIKE CHUBB WAS INTRIGUED BY COMPUTER--generated special effects. Whether watching Star Wars, Terminator 2, or playing video games such as Virtua Fighter, Chubb marveled at how computers [...]

On a typical Saturday night, Gregory Bowyer can be found moving swiftly and inconspicuously through the crowd at Excalibur, his year-old nightclub. While he's checking on operations and making sure [...]

When it comes to operating an African American-owned ad agency, change is good. Perhaps no one knows better than Tom Burrell, chairman emeritus of the highly successful Burrell Agency. The [...]

SOME GREAT BUSINESS IDEAS ARE BORN ON THE front of cocktail napkins. Others are created in 30-page business plans. For the partners of RyanKenny, an Atlanta-based high-end clothing line for [...]

WHEN HE SIGNED UP TO BE AN INDEpendent associate for Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc., Cameron Brickey thought network marketing was an easy way to make a buck. Several weeks and [...]

TO BE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER you have to take some risks. Perhaps no one knows this better than Jannetta Wells Allen, owner of two Williams Chicken franchises in Dallas […]

IT'S NEARLY 5:30 P.M. ON A BALMY TUESDAY night in Los Angeles, California, but Valencia Roner, president and CEO of VXR Enterprise, isn't headed for home just yet. Fighting traffic [...]

BOEING 737s AREN'T THE ONLY THINGS FLYING HIGH AT THE LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL Airport these days. So are the sales at Cinnabon. That's good news for Clarence Daniels, president and […]

IT WAS A FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN 1992. Raven Patrick De'Sean Dennis III was moving about his New York apartment, preparing to host a Sunday dinner for a choir from Benedict [...]

Marilyn's Fashions stores up profits by offering convenience Need a new wardrobe, but too busy or tired to shop for it? Let Marilyn N. Wright comb the racks for you. [...]

Zanzibar thrives in serving up international cuisine and music Michel Daley, co-owner and director of marketing and promotions of Zanzibar on the Waterfront, is the first to admit that starting [...]

Three entrepreneurs overcome the hurdles of ownership SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE CHALLENGED EVERY DAY. They're challenged to compete with the big boys of their industries; to secure the capital that [...]

When the CEO of Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG offered to promote mote Michelle Gadsden-Williams from head of diversity in the U.S. to vice president and global head of diversity and inclusion, […]

When Melissa Theodore was looking for her first job out of college, she considered several accounting firms. When choosing which one to join, the New York University graduate was extremely […]

THE CHALLENGE OF identifying diverse talent in corporate America is often focused on the company doing the hiring. But to fill a managerial or senior level position, companies--particularly those without [...]

In a rainy Wednesday morning, Lisa Ellis, executive vice president at Sony Music Label Group, sits in the back of a New York City taxicab with cell phone in hand. […]

During his 15-year career, Malcolm Briggs held several high-visibility spots in broadcast media. He has been a television sportscaster, an anchor for an NBC affiliate in St. Louis, and a [...]

With an M.B.A. from Columbia University and a reputation as a top performer, Penny Knoll had ambitions of reaching the pinnacle of corporate success. But talent notwithstanding, Knoll found that [...]

The article deals with the role of solid leadership in enabling African American advertising agencies deal with various challenges. To keep driving their enterprises, African American agency leaders must be forward thinking in meeting the expectations of an ever-changing marketplace, and they must devise innovative ways to keep pace. With the advertising industry more competitive than ever, African American chief executive officers must also rely on solid leadership to win.

The article presents advice on starting a business in the beverage market. Before starting a business it is important to track down a manufacturer and study the industry. It will also contribute if an entrepreneur will determine his/her target consumers. The author adds that creating distributor and retailer packages is significant to the marketing of a product.

The article features Mary Wilson, executive vice-president and chief finance officer (CFO) for Scholastic Inc. She worked at Warner-Lambert Co., which is now Pfizer Inc., from 1995 to 2002. She started as an assistant treasurer in charge of setting strategy and overseeing execution of all financing and financial risk globally. In less than a year, Winston was promoted to vice president and assistant treasurer international.

The article features several business partners who became successful and offers tips on how to obtain a successful partnership. Shane Ward and Shawn Ward are brothers who own the shoe company Detny by SHANE&SHAWN. Gregory Wynn, Komichel Johnson and Robert A. Jones III established a quality housing in some of the most undesirable urban areas in Atlanta, Georgia. Partners should maintain communication to prevent disagreements from turning into conflict and must agree on the goals of the company. INSET: 10 KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP.

The article focuses on actions taken by African American advertising agencies in the U.S. to remain competitive. Some of the minority agencies are experiencing a decline in cash flow and profitability despite a 10% collective growth in billings, according to the "Black Enterprise." Strategic planning and development were added by Images USA in its portfolio of services to reach out with its clients.

The article focuses on the status of African American businesses in the U.S. New Orleans, Louisiana-based Liberty Bank & Trust Co. sustained the most damage from Hurricane Katrina among the minority companies listed in the BE 100 of the "Black Enterprise." According to Cross Road Chrysler Jeep Inc. CEO Jesse Greathouse, approximately 10% to 15% of its African American dealers are at risk of withdrawing from DaimlerChrysler Minority Dealers Association.

The article provides information on several African American businesses in the U.S. that are included in the BE 100 of the Black Enterprise." The assets and number of minority banking institutions has increased but they incurred a decline in profitability according to data from the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Matlock Advertising & Public Relations purchased small advertising agency Ventana Marketing to get an authentic platform with its Hispanic American consumers.

The article discusses the steps for starting a record company and the challenges associated with starting a business in the sound recording industry. A background information on the establishment of Hitman Records, the record company founded by C. Michael Brae, is provided. Startup costs for a record label include license fees, recording fees, manufacturing costs, artist advances and administration fees. INSETS: 10 Steps To Putting Your Record Label on the Right Track;Resources for Breaking into the Biz.

Features several African Americans who are in the video game industry in the U.S. Career background of Mike Chubb, a three-dimensional artist for Sony Online Entertainment; Tasks of Sony Computer Entertainment America producer Felice Standifer; List of video games that were programmed by Rob Gatson, senior artificial intelligence software engineer at Visual Concepts Inc.

Provides the advantages and disadvantages of launching an apparel company like the RyanKenny, a men's clothing company founded by African American entrepreneurs Kenny Burns, Ryan Glover and Derek Dudley. Startup costs for an apparel company cited by Leonard Bess, chair of the Fashion Design Department at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York; Factors to consider on starting an apparel company according to fashion experts; Challenges faced by RyanKenny in the clothing trade. INSETS: 10 STEPS TO GET YOUR FASHION HOUSE IN ORDER;KNOW YOUR TRADE.

Looks at the business networking strategy of Valencia Roner, president and CEO of VXR Enterprises based in Los Angeles, California. Importance of networking for her business survival; Clients she attracted through networking; Challenges facing small businesses in the United States; Steps to successful networking. INSET: 10 Steps to Successful Networking.

Discusses franchise opportunities for Afro-American entrepreneurs. Background on Clarence Daniels, president and CEO of Concession Management Services Inc.; Elements of a franchise venture; Examples of Afro-American franchises; Collaboration with industry experts.

The article features Raven Patrick De'Sean Dennis III, a pastry chef and owner of the Cake Man Raven bakery in New York City. He once baked a strawberry shortcake for celebrity Bill Cosby. As many as 25 customers cram into the 400-square-foot bakery, waiting sometimes as long as an hour for confectionery treats that include everything from a red velvet cake to a 7Up pound cake. The revenues of the bakery has grown from $250,000 in 2004 to $500,000 in 2005.

The article discusses the lack of minorities among the job candidates being provided by executive search firms. Unless diversity is the focus of the search firm or a client requirement, executive recruiters are not obligated to include minorities in their searches. A handful of boutique executive search firms specialize in minority placements, including the Hollins Group.

The article considers the result of the study of minority executives in the U.S., conducted by the Center for Work-Life Policy. The study shows that black female professionals have been derailed by discrimination tied to characteristics such as hairstyles, tenor of speech, gestures, accents, and wardrobe. Katherine Giscombe of Catalyst agrees that bidden bias results in the exclusion of women of color, particularly black women, from influential networks and career-advancing assignments.