Black Contractors: “We’ve Been Left Out of Katrina Rebuilding”

By CAIN BURDEAU
Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ Black contractors on Tuesday said they have been frozen out of the rebuilding of New Orleans because federal agencies continue to dole out millions of dollars to large corporations.

At a news conference, the local chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors called on the U.S. Congress and federal prosecutors to investigate the contracting practices of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The group also said they may resort to protests to get their message out.

“There’s something wrong with this cozy relationship between the Army Corps and major corporations,” said Ernest Stalberte, an association board member.

Stalberte delivered his remarks in a parking lot in a hard-hit part of New Orleans and he was surrounded by large digging and dirt-moving equipment brought in by black construction companies to show off their companies’ prowess.

The government’s reliance on major companies, such as AshBritt Inc., Phillips and Jordan Inc. and ECC Operating Services Inc., to do the cleanup after Katrina has been a source of contention since Katrina hit on Aug. 29, 2005.

A congressional committee has been calling for government agencies to do more business with small companies.

According to House Small Business Committee, the Department of Defense awarded 8 percent of its Gulf Coast recovery contracts to small businesses in Louisiana between August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit, and October 4, 2006. However, that number dropped to 1 percent since then, committee figures show. The committee only had figures for the Department of Defense as a whole, but corps contracts have far outweighed other military branches for Katrina work.

Black Entrepreneur Develops Business Learning Web-Portal and Provides Grant Money to Start-Up Businesses

Eugene Allen

Dallas, TX (BlackNews.com) – Business Institute Of Texas — The modern age of technology is changing the way people can learn about business. Today, the Business Institute Of Texas launched an online self paced business lecture web portal dedicated to educating individuals about starting and operating a successful and profitable business. There are no academic pre-requisites to enroll. Courses cost less than $100 with a 30 day – money back guarantee, if participants are not completely satisfied.

Courses currently being offered to prepare individuals for business are:

Introduction To Business — designed to provide individuals with a basic understanding of basic business principles. Covering a wide variety of subject matter including; business structure, management, operations, record keeping, location selection, goal setting, forecasting, break-even analysis, financing, incorporation, ten step process in creating a successful business.

Business Plan Writing — teaches individuals how to design a business plan. Providing a frame work which simplifies the process of transforming business ideas to documented strategies. Learning to compile a business plan is an essential element to the success of a business. Topics include: generating a business idea, creating a business image, suppliers and vendors, terms of payment, marketing analysis, pricing policy, sales policy, operations, technology, customer care, and financing (including financial statements).

Marketing 101 — this course involves an analysis of the role of marketing within the total organization. Specific attention is given to the variables affecting consumer behavior, the identification of marketing elements, the development and use of marketing strategies, and the discussion of different forms of media advertising.

Upon completion of two courses participants (start-up businesses) are eligible to submit a business plan to be considered for a grant (awarded four times a year) from the Business Institute Of Texas.

ABOUT THE FOUNDER:
Eugene Allen was born one of twelve children and raised on welfare in Gary, Indiana. While neither of his parents graduated high school, Mr. Allen, a third grade failure, used education as his ticket to get out of the hood. He obtained a Bachelors degree in Marketing, and Information Systems and a graduate degree in Business Administration. Mr. Allen has started and operated a variety of different types of businesses throughout his career and understands the challenges that a start-up business must endure to survive. Now a Professor teaching business marketing and management and author of Business Basics / Keys To Business Success, Mr. Allen believes that learning how to apply basic business principles can improve the earning potential of anyone. And, he intends to prove it by issuing grants to individuals that successfully complete at least two of the courses offered by Business Institute Of Texas.

ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Business Institute Of Texas offers a non-accredited text book guided presentation / lecture business training, for serious minded individuals (18 years of age or older) who want to learn about starting and operating a successful and profitable business. The mini 4 hour presentation / lectures (Introduction To Business 101, Business Plan Writing and Marketing 101) are content produced and presented by University Professors and subject matter experts that blend professional work experience with scholarly achievement. Upon completion of the courses participants are awarded certificates after showing evidence of their knowledge attainment through testing.

CONTACT:
Eugene Allen, General Manager
Business Institute Of Texas
972-334-9224
www.businessinstituteoftexas.com

Billionaire Bob Johnson Provides Foreword To Conversations With Black Millionaire Entrepreneurs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2007 CONTACT:
Meredith
info@howtobeablackentrepreneur.com

Bob Johnson

Detroit, MI (BlackNews.com) – The first Black Billionaire, Bob Johnson, Founder of BET and The RLJ Companies, has provided the Foreword for the Book My Conversations with Black Millionaire Entrepreneurs. The book is a compilation of interviews of some of Black America’s most successful Entrepreneurs.

Here is an excerpt of what Mr. Johnson’s Foreword says, “In My Conversations with Black Millionaire Entrepreneurs you’ll get real life changing information from some of the most successful black entrepreneurs in America today. All in one source, all at the same time. Although I didn’t have a book like this when I started, I believe it is a valuable resource for those who are striving to become successful entrepreneurs.”

When asked about the importance of Bob Johnson being involved Bro. Bedford the book’s author and founder of How To Be A Black Entrepreneur.com said, “This is just a wonderful day, a couple of weeks ago Russell Simmons endorsed what we are doing and now to have a giant like Bob Johnson involved just proves that the message of Black empowerment and Black Entrepreneurship is resonating with Black people. There are some others who are coming on board very soon and we’ll be sure to announce them. I feel Truly Blessed.”

Conversations with Black Millionaire Entrepreneurs is literally sprouting entrepreneurs all over the world and is helping to give clarity to entrepreneurs who have stalled in their endeavors.

The book is available for immediate download at: www.conversationswithblackmillionaires.com

About The Author
Bro. Bedford sees Black Entrepreneurship as the answer to curtail unemployment and corporate dependency at a time when both are proving detrimental to the African-American community, as well as provide solutions to the challenges faced by and the limited information available to African-Americans.

Bro. Bedford has been providing information on Entrepreneurship and Investment/Finance in his free e-zine that goes out weekly to over 2,000 subscribers worldwide. To subscribe and have access to this vital information go to www.howtobeablackentrepreneur.com

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