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Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce E-Newsletter
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February 2010
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Greetings!
Happy Black History Month!
During the month of February, we pause as a country to
celebrate the contributions of African-Americans in our community. It is a time
to reflect on the seeds of sacrifice and the harvest of hard work that many
today reap from as business owners, professionals, students and more.
While we many times think of the heralded heroes such as
Martin L. King, Fredrick Douglas and Madame CJ Walker, there are many individuals
right here in the Central Valley that have
overcome numerous challenges to become the success stories they are today.
Earlier this month, the African-American
Museum of the San
Joaquin Valley
honored a dozen or more pioneers and trailblazers who were some of the first Black
doctors, pharmacists, business owners, and civic leaders in the greater Fresno area. Individuals
like Dr. Ulysses Curry, Judge Hugh Goodwin and LaVera Williams exemplify the
ability of African-Americans to thrive despite adversities. Their courageous
steps have stamped out a path of success for all those who will follow.
Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce, as we move forward
to support the economic vitality of the Black community, salutes all the
pioneers, trailer blazers and leaders that have etched their place in Fresno history.
Tate Hill II
President
Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
twitter: tatehill
Read up on some the Valley's African-American History:
Fresno Historical Society's Oral History Collection
OR
Visit the African-American
Museum of the San
Joaquin Valley
1857 Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93721
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City Council unanimously approves contract for Downtown & Neighborhood Specific PlansLast month, the Fresno City Council unanimously approved the contract to create the Fulton Corridor Specific Plan and the Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plans.
The Council Chambers were full of business owners, residents, planners, the faith community along with the Fresno Metro Black Chamber all in support of the City making a real step towards revitilization of the city's urban core.
After speaking with city staff and the mayor, the Chamber board of directors believed it was important to support the Plans. On January 18th, the Fresno Metro Black Chamber was a co-sponsor of 'Standing Together to End Concentrated Poverty' Townhall at the First Presbyterian Church in Downtown Fresno. Speakers included the Mayor Ashley Swearengin, Pastor H. Spees, Craig Scharton, Phil Skei and Greg Scott. In conjunction with Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development, Saint Rest Baptist Church,and West Fresno Healthcare Coalition, the Chamber signed a joint letter supporting the Plan stating the need for investment in south Fresno.
Elizabeth Moule & Stefanos Polyzoides, Architects and Urbanists, was awarded the $2.5 million contract to create the new Downtown Plans through a rigorous
process that involved a daylong site visit, a formal proposal, and
lengthy interviews with staff and community panels. The process calls for a 21-member community committee made up of business owners, residents, and other stakeholders in council districts 3,5, & 7.
For more information, contact:
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FMBCC teams up with the Fresno Housing Authorities to connect contractors
Fresno, CA- On February 9, 2010 the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce and the Fresno Housing Authorities (Fresno HA) teamed up to connect Black contractors to the number of contracting and procurement opportunities within the city/county agency.
Tim Linton, Fresno HA Program Manager talks with contractors
The event was the result of a purposeful new effort by the Fresno HA to increase the number of minority contractors they do business as mandated by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Authorities' Economic Opportunity Plan, scheduled to be released later this month, will incorporate their goals for doing business with small, minority and women-owned businesses along with employment for residents and neighbors of public housing. The Chamber has been actively advocating for the development and implementation of the Plan since Spring 2009. The Chamber is committed facilitating the connections and resources that will enable our community's African-American contractors to grow their businesses.
For more information about this and other building projects that may be available for contractors, contact us at 559-441-7929.
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Congratulations to Joe Williams
This week, Joe Williams became the first African-American to receive the Leon S. Peters Award.
President of Richard Heathe & Associates, an energy efficiency firm based in Fresno, Mr. Williams has a life long record of community development.
Joe Williams is a graduate of Edison High and earned his bachelors at then Fresno State College now CSU Fresno. By 1969, he was the director of Fresno County Head Start and one year later tapped as the executive director of Fresno County Economic Opportunity Commission where he launched programs such as the Meals on Wheels and secured funding for the EOC Sanctuary, the Valley's only youth homeless shelter. In 1972, Williams defied conventional wisdom and ran for Fresno City Council becoming the first elected African-American to city office.
Since taking the helm of Richard Heathe & Associates in 1993, the project design & management consulting firm's services touch 13 million Californians and employees more than 250 people in six cities.
More recently, Williams in partnership with his high school friends Jim Aldredge and Jim Hendricks formed HAW56, a development team that is putting together the Edison Plaza project in southwest Fresno. The first phase that includes the West Fresno Regional Center is scheduled to open February 24.
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Is Estate Tax Dead?
The federal estate tax is dead--at least for now.
It's 2010, and the temporary, one-year repeal of the federal estate tax is in effect. The failure of
Congress to either extend the 2009 estate tax rules into 2010 or enact a permanent estate tax law
has created several unfortunate consequences. Here are some things you need to know to
protect your family and your assets.
Facts
· Both the federal estate tax and the federal generation-skipping transfer tax (a separate tax on property given to
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.) are repealed for 2010 (unless Congress enacts legislation to reinstate them,
retroactive to January 1, 2010 or otherwise).
· Both taxes are scheduled to return in 2011 at levels that applied prior to 2001; that means a $1 million exemption and a
top tax rate of 55% (in 2009, the exemption was $3.5 million and the top rate was 45%).
· The federal gift tax remains in effect with a $1 million lifetime exemption, and the top tax rate is 35%.
· The step-up in basis rule that allowed heirs to inherit property with a fair market value as of the date of death of the
decedent has been modified. For 2010, the basis for inherited property is the lesser of the decedent's basis (carryover
basis) or its fair market value on the date of death. But, $1.3 million of estate property is afforded a step-up in basis, and
up to $3 million of property passing to a surviving spouse receives a step-up as well.
What's next?
It's anyone's guess what Congress will do next. Some believe quick action will reinstate the taxes at 2009 levels (see above).
Others believe Congress will proceed cautiously in an attempt to enact serious reform. In either case, any reinstated tax may
or may not be made retroactive to January 1, 2010. Needless to say, planning under these circumstances is challenging, at
best.
Submitted by FMBCC members:
Gary Lamb and Michael Scott, Waddell & Reed
6051 N Fresno St, Suite 103
Fresno, CA 93710
559-440-9388 ext. 118
www.lambandscott.wrfa.com
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Valley Black Talk goes to television
Launch in March 2010
C43, Comcast Channel 10
Advertise your
business, logo and message on Valley Black Talk's new San Joaquin Valley weekly
black-owned and produced TV show "VBTalk." Don't miss out on a mutually
beneficial ground-breaking opportunity!
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New & Renewed Members
Fresno Housing Authorities
Chuckansi Gold Casino & Resort
Unlimited Energy
Thank You for Your Support! |
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Are you a Member? 
WestCare representative receieves membership plaque
Join the leading voice for Fresno's African-American business & economic development community.
From networking, workshops, business technical assistance and access to service region wide, FMBCC is there for you.
If you would like to meet with the President/CEO about how the Chamber can help you as a member, contact us @ 559.441-7929 or by email
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Strategic Partners
Fresno Economic Development Corp.
(Fresno EDC)
SCORE
Valley Black Talk Radio
(KFCF-88.1 FM)
Central CA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development
BlackXChange
Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce
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| Upcoming Events |
Black Business & Professional
Network Mixer
February 24, 2010
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Unlimited Energy
1717 Gateway Blvd.,
Fresno 93727
(McKinley & Chestnut)
FREE
Fresno Core Real Estate Forecast
February 23,2010 7:30 AM African-American Museum  1857 Fulton St. Fresno, CA 93721 $15 (breakfast included)
Confirmed Panelist:
Terance Frazier, TSF Investment Siggie Moore, A-One Broker Gary Carter, G&G Realty
For more events, go to the Chamber's Event Calendar
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Support the California Advocate Newspaper with your subscription |
In order to survive in these tough economic times, the California Advocate Newspaper needs the entire community's help in order to continue printing and being the only newspaper in the Valley's Black community.
As of JULY 1st 2009, the California Advocate must change from free distribution to paid subscriptions only and is asking everyone to pitch in and pay $40.00 for an annual subscription (that's less than a dollar an issue!).
For 41 years, the California Advocate has advised us on how to vote, stood up for our leaders, printed news about our families, and brought us national celebrities through the Drum Major for Justice Banquet. The Advocate has informed and educated our people and we need to support this institution.
Join the Chamber and get order your subscription online at www.caladvocate.com
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| Contact Information |
559.441.7929
NEW info@fmbcc.com
Join the Chamber on Facebook
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