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Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce E-Newsletter
| July 2010
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Greetings!
A Summer of Celebrations.
During the month of June, we pause to commemorate the strides of African-Americans since the Emancipation Proclamation of 1865. Juneteenth, primary recognized west of Texas, is a a time for African-Americans to connect their futures to the success of their past. June also marks the month where throughout the country, we lift up the contributions of Black musicians and artists. Music sung and lyrics composed by African-Americans have shaped not only American culture but has generated global influence in the arts, business, and even politics. Whether its the soul-stirring sound of gospel and songs like 'Oh Happy Day', The Temptations, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson or today's Alicia Keyes or Kayne West, African-Americans have help definite who we are.
Last year, I learned another opportunity to remember and recognize the contributions of African-Americans while attending the Ron Brown Economic Summit hosted by the California Black Chamber of Commerce. John W. Templeton and Fredrick E. Jordan have established August as the National Black Business Month. Jordan is the CEO of F.E. Jordan Associates, successful engineering firm of 41 years that has completed over 1000 public and private projects in the US, Central America and Africa (he also built Fresno's King of King Apartments). He is founder member of the San Francisco and California Black Chambers of Commerce. Templeton is an author/journalist and the founder of eAccess Corp., a scholarly publishing company.
Jordan believes that supporting Black-owned businesses is one of the best ways to deal with the high rate of unemployment amongst African-Americans. Historically, African-Americans in the Fresno Metro area are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as the general population (US Census, American Community Survey). This could mean that current the unemployment rate is hovering around 38-42%. Those statistics translate to an opportune time to support African-American businesses and and encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship.
S0 what do we do from here?
In the July issue of Black Enterprise, Jordan and Templeton suggested a series of ways to support the creation and growth of Black businesses:
(1) Set aside money for
purchases within the Black community. Use the month of August to
determine which businesses are accessible to you that offer good
service, fair prices and develop a plan for patronizing them. According to the 2007 US Economic Census, there are over 1,500 Black-owned
businesses in the Fresno-Madera area. These business have gross revenue of $214 millions every year that employ near 5,000 people.
(2) Do business with other Black entrepreneurs. Use National Black Business Month to identify other African-American businesses as potential vendors and subcontractors. You can use the Black Chamber as a good starting point to connect with local Black-owned businesses.
(3) Encourage government supplier diversity and minority contracting programs. Find out how much local and regional agencies are spending with Black-owned businesses. If you are a small or minority-controlled business, get certified to do business with the government and state regulated utilities like PG&E and AT&T.
We hope this summer of celebrations will spur a new interest in supporting the African-American business community in our city and within you.
Tate Hill II
President
Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
twitter: tatehill
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Over 2000 people attend
Fresno Juneteenth Celebration |
The BETA Business Plan Class
starts in August
What is the BETA Business
Plan Course?
BETA helps entrepreneurs &
business owners create a comprehensive
marketable business plan that will lead to the launch or growth of a viable
business. Easy step-by-step
instructions are provided to ensure that by the end of the course all participants
have a carefully prepared and well thought-out business plan.
Who is the BETA Business Plan
Course For?
For highly self-motivated individuals who are thinking
about starting a business or already in business that want to develop a
business plan. Individuals need to be comfortable using the Internet, e-mail,
and various Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel. Participants also
need to have an e-mail account.
When does Class Begin?
Every Wednesday from 5:30pm to 7:00 pm
starting Wednesday, August
18, 2010 to October 21, 2010
Location: Rotating locations. First and last session
will be at the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (FMBCC) office, 2331 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721
During the ten-week period the
specific training objectives include: -
Develop understanding of how to write a business
plan
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Create skills for integrating financial strategy
and marketing strategy
- Learn how to write effective business goals and
measure their performance
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Apply techniques for evaluating your competitors
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Learn how to make your business proposal
presentable to lenders, vendors, and upper management of large companies
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Build your professional network from accounting and
web design to HR, finance and marketing
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Recognize legal and ethical considerations in the
operation of your business
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Identify and apply management and operation methods
that improve the performance of your business
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Gain an understanding of how entrepreneurial
techniques can improve your business skill
Course Fee: $50. Course
book separate ($20-30).
How to Get Started?
What is (BETA) Black
Entrepreneurial Training
Academy? BETA is a
comprehensive learning program that enhances and prepares entrepreneurs,
professionals and young people for business success. |
District 3 Candidates talk to the Chamber
The July 15th Power Breakfast featured District 3
City Council candidates-Oliver Baines and Mike Briggs and took place at the
Smokehouse Restaurant in downtown Fresno.
Candidates fielded questions from the Chamber board and the audience on topics
from minority contracting and diversity hiring to unemployment and district
housing development.
The July Power Breakfast at Downtown's Smokehouse Restaurant
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Disclaimer: While the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
does not endorse candidates for office, we provide equal opportunities for
candidates to connect our members and supports. We believe it is important that
members are informed about the candidate's positions on topics relevant to the
business and African-American community.
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Steve Carter joins the Chamber Board
Steven Carter, an Arkansas
native, has had a business mind since the age of 7 when he began to sell toys
to the other kids in the neighborhood. At age 16 he owned his first "official"
business, Alien Inc., which was a transportation business that provided rides
for kids attending summer school.
Steven graduated from Henderson
State University,
a liberal arts college in Arkansas,
with a degree in Business Administration. In college, Steven ran a marketing
company and led the S.I.F.E. (Students in Free Enterprise) team and its sales
project with his T-shirt sales campaign which they continue to do today. After
graduation, Steven moved to Washington DC and worked for a Minority Owned IT consulting company
that worked with several U.S.
government agencies including HUD, IRS, and the SEC. Steven then joined
Citibank in 2006 where he specialized in working with high net worth and
international clients. While working for Citi Steven has received several
awards for customer service and sales. Steven is also a key investment partner
and part owner in a few private business ventures.
Steven moved to Fresno with his fiancé in
2008 and continues to work with Citi as a Banker. Steven is a member of
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. where he served as chapter president for two
years. Steven has worked with several charitable organizations including; the
NAACP, the Boys and Girls Club, March of Dimes, and locally Bringing Broken
Neighborhoods Back to Life. Steve has been involved with the Chamber since 2009.
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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
ˇ 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).
ˇ 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%).
ˇ The federal gift tax remains in effect with a $1 million lifetime exemption, and the top tax rate is 35%.
ˇ 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 to start second season
Fall 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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HAVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES?
LOOKING TO DIVERSIFY YOUR STAFF?
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REACH MINORITY BUSINESSES?
Add your job postings and contracting opportunities to the Chamber website Jobs & Bid board.
3 Great reason to the use the Job Board:
- It's a great way to connect to the Chamber's members and the African-American community
- It's as easy as posting to Facebook or sending an email
- Post and see new jobs for FREE
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New & Renewed Members
AT & T
Fairfield Marriott Inn & Suites-Clovis
Human Resources Consortium
Gary Lamb
Michael Scott
of
Waddell & Reed
Karen Lynch Law
Andrew Williams
Urban Strategic Enterprises
Thank You for
Your Support! |
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Are you a Member? 
WestCare representative receives 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)
California Black Chamber of Commerce
Valley Black Talk Radio
(KFCF-88.1 FM)
Central CA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development
Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce
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| Upcoming Events |
Black Business & Professional
Network Mixer
July 29, 2010
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Fairfield Marriott
155 N. Clovis,
Clovis, CA 93612
(Clovis & 5th)
FREE
Power Breakfast
August 19,2010 7:30 AM World Sports Cafe @ Riverpark
190 El Camino
Fresno, CA 93720 $15 (breakfast included)
For more events, go to the Chamber's Event Calendar
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| Upcoming Community Events |
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Support the California Advocate Newspaper with your subscription |
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 |
Chamber Office: 559.441.7929
General: info@fmbcc.com
Membership Inquires: membership@fmbcc.com
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