Beyond the Rhetoric : The Night I Met Fred Hampton
It was a typical Monday afternoon during my senior year at the University of Wisconsin when my fellow linebacker, John Borders, prompt down next to my seat. John informed me that he had made another deal with Professor Rosenstein.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Veterans Deserve Better Educational Opportunities
As a veteran who served my country, I feel strongly that others who serve are entitled to leave the military with an education and get further educated so they can advance in civilian society. It’s one of the most important things we can do to support the men and women who would die to protect us.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Congressional Black Caucus – Time for a Game Plan
The new 116th Congress has more Black participation than ever before. There are 55 members of the Congressional Black Caucus. There are two Black elected officials who chose not to belong – Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and Congressman William Hurd of Texas. They see the Caucus as a Democratic association and they are Republicans. We wish they would reconsider. It is important that the Caucus is bi-partisan.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Black Federal Procurement Levels Have Yet to Bounce Back
As the George W. Bush Administration ended Black procurement was coming in at 8.0%. During the Obama Administration levels fell consistently. As President Trump entered the White House levels were at 1.8% and falling. Today, the levels have yet to turn around. For first half of Fiscal Year 2019 (October 1 – March 31, 2019) the average is 1.3%. Hopefully, we have now hit bottom and the subsequent reports will show an upward trending consistent with an improved economy.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Homestead Act of 1862 – Closest Thing to Reparations, Part III (FINAL)
As we stated in the previous two parts, American descendants of the vicious American Holocaust known better as Slavery gathered immense portions of land. The great Booker T. Washington would encourage freed slaves to work the land that they owned and invest profits from it and build an economic infrastructure to help empower ourselves after slavery. It appears that too few listened to his advice or admonition. Most freed slaves and their descendants who received these precious acres of land by way of the Homestead Act of 1862 and through means of inheritance were destined to lose the land.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Meet National Black Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta
The NBCC is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and the Black Diaspora. NBCC provides resources to support the development of startups and established minority & women owned businesses.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Bernie Sanders – Mysterious and maybe Dangerous
Bernie Sanders just won’t go away. He stays in the political limelight no matter who wins the presidency or which party, Democrat or Republican controls Congress. He is a declared Independent, yet he caucuses with the Democrats.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Providing Match Makers Throughout the Black Diaspora – Way Cool!
During the mid-1990’s we began sponsoring exploratory or fact-finding trips to nations in the Caribbean and West Africa. Then we expanded to East Africa and South America, i.e. Brazil. After getting comfortable and understanding the “Export/Import” challenges, we dared to start doing formal Trade Missions. During Thanksgiving week in the year 2000, we took 84 Black owned businesses to Rio de Janeiro for an aggressive Match Making event.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Kamala Harris Announces Her 2020 Campaign
Kamala Harris is wasting no time with her political career. She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 and has already set her immediate target – the presidency of the United States. On January 26, she formally announced her campaign. The setting was in Oakland, California where she was born in 1964.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Blacks Need to Challenge the Shutdown
When America gets a “cold” Blacks will come down with “pneumonia”. That is why we are going to suffer from the current federal shutdown more than any other segment of the United States population. Yet, Blacks in general look at this calamity like it isn’t any of our business. Our people, we better wake-up i.e. SNAP OUT OF IT! While our elected officials on Capitol Hill are playing games like it is fun, millions of families – particularly Black families are heading to financial disaster. A disproportionate number of federal employees are Black. A major portion of Blacks doing government business is the sector doing federal contracting and subcontracting. They are in the way of this “Economic Freight Train”.
Beyond the Rhetoric: We did not Die, We Multiplied
It is without question. Blacks, as a race of people, are the most resilient human beings walking on God’s earth. Starting in the 1500’s, Europeans began the greatest holocaust known to history. The enslavement of Africans would last for over 350 years. A good portion of the captives died within weeks during the passage across the Atlantic Ocean.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Trump’s Africa Power Initiative – Part 3 (final)
China has strong ambitions regarding the continent of Africa. It wants it as a type of “Bread Basket” to provide food for its 1 billion+ citizens. They are stealing the precious minerals that God has blessed our Motherland with. The aggression seems to be growing exponentially. Recently, China established a naval base and an army outpost in the eastern nation of Djibouti. These are strategically located at the mouth of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Trump’s Africa Power Initiative – Part 2
The Trump Administration is wisely addressing the dismal situation in Africa. To let China come in and economically exploit this continent would directly be a national security problem for the rest of the world – especially the United States. Chinese exploitation is alive and real in every one of the 54 nations within the continent. Allow us to give you a few examples that we experienced from our journeys to the Motherland.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Trump’s Power Africa Initiative – Part I
Finally, we have a White House that has decided to call out China for the sleezy things it does while doing business in Africa. To the Chinese government the African Continent is a big, whore to be abused and pimped at every opportunity. You can travel to any nation within Africa and there will be one thing that is constant. China trading interests and influence is there at every airport, many construction projects, railways, dams and various other infrastructure projects. There practices are plain and simple: “Rape, hustle, steal, swindle, corrupt at every opportunity that is presented.” Theirs is to take from Africa – not improve or advance it. If challenged – sling cash, be arrogant and keep on trucking. No one is going to stop them.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Trump’s Power Africa Initiative – Part I
Finally, we have a White House that has decided to call out China for the sleezy things it does while doing business in Africa. To the Chinese government the African Continent is a big, whore to be abused and pimped at every opportunity.
Beyond the Rhetoric: From a Digital Desert to an Entrepreneurial Hub
The National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has launched a prototype project that, if successful, will transform minority, low-income and rural communities from forgotten places into entrepreneurial hubs of economic innovation. Our goal is to create communities with access to 5G technology, integrated into low-income housing, job training and access to telemedicine and social services. It will all be done with private sector resources.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Minority Business Programs – How Much is Fake?
Since I was in high school my conscience was about bettering the lives of fellow African Americans. As a teenager I would work at housing construction sites. Spotting drywall and clean up were my niche. At the same time, I would recruit my friends and relatives. Most of the guys would lay around during the summer but I convinced them to make that extra change. Construction bosses loved it because they would pay us less than normal wages even though we could do the work equally as well as grown men. In retrospect, I would wonder how many husbands and fathers we were keeping from making income. That part I regret. We were cheating or as they say now “fronting”.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Finally, Kenya and U.S. have a Business Plan!
For a while it seemed like a hopeless dream. The National Black Chamber of Commerce has been making trips to Kenya since 2003. There have been ups and downs, achievements and accomplishments. But the main thing we and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry wanted was big, business interaction between our nations. The effort has been consistent on our part, but the Kenya chamber would change complete management every time there was a national election. Three of the 33 tribes would compete for control – Kikuyu, Luo and Kalenjin. It was back and forth and sometimes in circles.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Aretha Franklin – Perhaps the Greatest Singer Ever
The first time I learned that there was a singer by the name of Aretha Franklin it was uneventful. My high school sweetheart, Brenda, showed me the Columbia album cover with this 16-year-old girl they claimed to be “The Next Nancy Wilson”. Big deal! Did we really need another Nancy Wilson when the one we have was just beginning her long career?
Beyond the Rhetoric: Why do Large Black Organizations Love Construction Unions?
Yes, why would groups like the NAACP and National Urban League have this long- standing love affair with construction unions. These unions have racial animist. They are the antipathy of civil rights and democracy. Yet, when you attend annual meetings of these organizations you find a big presence of various construction trades sponsoring their events. It is like mixing oil with water. It just doesn’t make sense.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Our Plan for Improvement
We did not start the National Black Chamber of Commerce to be a social organization full of entertainment conferences and political correctness. Ours was to disrupt the contentment/status quo and demand equal opportunity and commitment as it relates to business participation. There was great opposition from the start.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Illegal Immigration: Are the Democrats wading into Quicksand?
The controversies regarding illegal immigration are at a “boiling point”. For decades it was a mild issue. Racial terms such as WOPS (without papers) referred to illegal Italians sneaking in. Wetbacks referred to Mexicans swimming across the Rio Grande River to enter the US illegally. Also, illegal immigration from China was popular on the West Coast. These opportunities were caused by the bustling new United States living out its dream of “Manifest Destiny” by snatching territory or buying it at a bargain whenever possible. The Philippines, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, US Mexican War and the massive Louisiana Purchase are prime examples of our expansion. We got it through blood, sweat and tears. Time has not healed everything.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Pittsburgh Falls for the PLA Hustle
The city of Pittsburgh is one of the most progressive cities in the United States. The development of the city over the last few decades is most impressive. It has gone from a dirty, steel plant invested town where the smog would overtake the sunshine by 3:00PM every day to a bustling city with fresh air and one of the most impressive skylines in the nation. Most people who go to Pittsburgh for the first time come back with positive remarks about the city built where the three rivers meet (Allegany and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River).
Beyond the Rhetoric: The Days of Booming Black Business, Political Clout and Braggadocio – Part II
It can be quite comical at times when you see public relations splashes about perceived successful entrepreneurs. 90% of these so-called tycoons are fakes. The fact is most successful Black businesses are rather “stealth”. The modesty comes from many examples of attacks, conspiracies and mountains of adversity put before them and others simply because they are Black. Most successful Black entrepreneurs that I know would never publish themselves in the so called Black Enterprise Top 100 Black Businesses. To many it is perceived as a “target list” for the IRS, large competitors, and others with bad intentions. Allow me to discuss a few of the horror stories that successful Black entrepreneurs have experienced.
Beyond the Rhetoric: 25 Years and Going Strong, Part 2
Let me make an exception to the closing of my last article which was Part 1. I stated that “We have no time to fight”. Well, sometimes you must stop and fight the “Bastards”. We reached that conclusion back in 1996. At the encouragement of our Denver, Colorado chapter, we chose Denver as the venue of our next convention.
Beyond the Rhetoric: 25 Years and Going Strong, Part I
Starting and running a Black business association during the early 1990’s was more than a dream or a challenge. It was almost impossible. The concept was hardly credible back then.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Just How Corrupt Were the Obama Regimes
“There is not a scintilla of corruption in my administration” said Barack Obama. “I am not a crook” said Richard Nixon. Such were the claims of two American presidents who history will score in very low and despicable terms. There are plenty of books and movies about “Tricky Dick” but the stories of the troubled times during the Obama years probably have yet to be written and portrayed in the movies.
Beyond the Rhetoric: The Trump Administration’s SBA starts to take Form
One of the most important Transition Teams in a new Presidential administration is that of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Since we started the National Black Chamber of Commerce in 1993, we have been observant when the SBA goes through the transition of new management.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Republican Tax Reform – An Instant Success!
Finally, our Congress was able to move a significant form of law. It took a great while with immense controversy and debate. Congress, or should I say the Republican portion of Congress passed the long overdue tax reform. It is incredible that not one Democrat voted for the legislation. Apparently, the Dems have become out of touch with mainstream America. Who doesn’t want a tax decrease? Unbelievably the Democratic members of Capitol Hill refused to support such an attractive peace of legislation. What happened after it was passed and signed by President Trump? It was like the economical gates of “Heaven” opening to the joy of all Americans.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Get Ready for Serious Black Economic Empowerment
Something was taken for granted with the Trump Transition Team. It was assumed that Omarosa Manigault was the point person for African Americans. Just about everyone thought that. As time went on it became apparent that she didn’t know it.
Beyond the Rhetoric: What Is the Importance of the Congressional Black Caucus?
“The Congressional Black Caucus is a racial political organization made up of the African-American members of the United States Congress. Although they claim race and party affiliation are not official requirements for membership, no white person has been allowed to join and most of them are Democrats. Its chair is Representative Cedric Richmond of Louisiana,” according to Wikipedia.
Beyond the Rhetoric: It is Time to get Real about Black Business
It dawned upon me back in 1992, that there was no sincere movement or interest in developing Black owned businesses. Even though Booker T. Washington wrote books about it there was no sincere movement to push forward the thought and reality of “BLACK BUSINESS”.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Good Telecom Legislation for Business Growth
With reports showing that roughly 80% of consumers consider mobile services indispensable, (http://bit.ly/2AUs2E2) minority-owned small businesses will require access to resources that will allow them to compete in our fast-paced modern economy. The next generation of wireless, known as fifth-generation or “5G,” will mark another leap forward to redefine the U.S. economy as we know it.
Beyond the Rhetoric: The Obama Years – Scandal and Corruption, Final
The Obama Administration was taking form. Our new Attorney General Eric Holder was instantly mired in scandal with the Fast and Furious debacle. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State seemed rather tame but that was just the quiet before the storm. One afternoon Minyon Moore from the Dewey Square Group (one of the Podesta companies) brought me two complimentary tickets to the kickoff of the new Clinton Global Initiative.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Vietnam – The Worst Years of our Lives – Part II
During the presidential election of 1964, Candidate Lyndon B. Johnson told a group of military supporters, “Get me elected and you can have your damn war”. He delivered on the promise. By 1965 our nation was in “full swing”. Soon there would be up to 500,000 U.S. military involved and body bags would start shipping home to the tune of 500 per week. The mid-1960’s became chaotic with anti-war demonstrations growing stronger and stronger. Our government was disingenuous with the public. In other words, they were lying to us. As the case for that became stronger and stronger, life in America became depressing and tense.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Suicide by Surgery – It Happens
This is a very sensitive subject that has been on my mind for nearly thirty years. I don’t believe there can be a stronger love than that of a son for his mother. My mother died in 1988 and hardly a day goes by without me having thought or remembrance of that beautiful lady who unconditionally showed love for me every day. It is a rough and dirty world out here but mothers find ways to protect their children (nurture and protect). It was clear to anybody who knew my father that his love for her was just as strong as mine and my brother’s.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Obama Presidential Center – How Black Will It Be? – Part 2
This monumental piece of construction and architecture is well into the planning phase. The architects have been named and the interviewing phase for the Construction Management should be announced within the next couple of months. So far, I see nothing that would lead me to believe that diversity is going to be a focus point for this $1.3 billion project.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Obama Presidential Center – How Black Will It Be? – Part I
So far, the Obama Legacy is surprisingly lacking in Black participation. During his two presidential administrations, Black business participation was on a continuous downward slide. At the end of the George W. Bush’s two administrations, SBA lending to Blacks was approaching 8 percent and Black business participation was similar. When the Obama presidency succeeded George W. Bush the numbers in both categories started to fall from the beginning. Both categories were cruising at the 2 percent level.
Beyond the Rhetoric: The Sexual Revolution: It became a Curse
As I look back I surmise it was a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah. At the time, we were all happy seeking pleasure and dismissing maturity and wisdom. We had lost our religion but were still going to church. It was the late 1960’s. The Vietnam War was going strong and taking a serious toll on our nation. I remember losing some very good friends during that stupid war. Oh, how I wish they were still here. Perhaps the agony of the times brought on this Sexual Revolution.
Beyond the Rhetoric: When the Obama White House Attacked the NBCC – Part 3 (final)
In reflection of the Obama Administrations there appears to be a constant flow of deception, immorality, and plain out corruption. Oh, I guess you can add heartless too. We, the strongest and most economically viable nation in the history of mankind would tacitly sit on the “side lines” and tried to lead from behind. Russia, North Korea, and a plethora of terror groups had a field day during the Obama years. They saw the weakness in his reasoning and played it like a finely tuned piano.
Beyond the Rhetoric: When the Obama White House attacked the NBCC -Part 2
Yes, it was quite a victory for business organizations. We stopped the Cap and Trade Bill dead in it tracks. This would be the start of a pro-business movement knocking down the majority of President Obama’s Environmental and Regulatory Platforms. His view of an economic agenda for the Black middle class was expanding welfare and Medicaid – even free phones. Ours was to solidify our economic infrastructure and, therefore, create growth in business development and attractive jobs.
Beyond the Rhetoric 613: Stop the Whining and please go to WorkUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – Once Again, we say No!
I guess you can call the scheme the “Make America Weak Act”. That is exactly what the evil doers and the ignorant of the world do when they come together to sell our great nation down the “drain”. Listen! Ain’t nobody going to cause us to fall into an abyss and never come back again. It is like the “crabs in the barrel syndrome”. How foolish they are to think we will become foolish.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Corruption is a Small Business Killer
I was so proud and inspired to speak before the United Nations last week. It was kind of a peak in my public speaking career. Included within my content was my concern of international corruption. T
Beyond the Rhetoric: Keynote Address to ICSB Knowledge Summit at United Nations
Allow me to first welcome all the delegates and participants of the International Council on Small Business Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Knowledge Summit. This is a very important event concerning the economic status of the entire world via entrepreneurial interaction with each other.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Cuba is making Big Progress
We just completed our fifth trip to Havana, Cuba. Each time we go we learn increasingly about this unique culture. The best thing I see in Cuba is the void of race consciousness. We, America, are obsessed with it. Cubans come in all shades – just like the United States but it is clear one’s race means nothing. They value the content of one’s character. Yes, just like Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Ghana and South Korea – A Tale of Two Nations
In 1957, Ghana was the richest nation in sub-Saharan Africa with a per capita income of $490. That was nearly the same as South Korea which had a per capita income of $491. By the early 1980’s Ghana’s per capita income had been reduced to $400 while South Korea’s per capita income had grown to a whopping $2,000. By 1990 South Korea’s per capita income was ten times larger than Ghana - $4,832 versus $481.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Border Adjustment Tax – The Great Equalizer
Right now, if a company makes a product in the United States and sells the product overseas, it is required to pay income taxes to the U.S. on the income from the sale. But under a border adjustment, companies would no longer be required to pay income taxes to the U.S. on their income from exports – because the products are not sold in the United States.
Beyond the Rhetoric: Is the Democratic National Committee Evaporating?
There was a time when it seemed that the Democratic National Committee seemed to be invincible. It was the early 1990’s and this new comer from Arkansas, William Jefferson Clinton, was the right guy at the right time. He named a guy who came out of nowhere named Ron Brown to head the DNC. That was unheard of at the time. A Black man running an entire political party. It wasn’t long before everyone knew he had a calling. He led the DNC admirably. He got Bill Clinton elected and then the spell was cast. We had a new breed of national politics.
Beyond the Rhetoric 353: Stop the Whining and please go to Work
“There are not red states or blue states. There is the United States of America!”, Barack Hussein Obama (2004). Oh, did he have us at that point. We were all going to work together and build a greater America. Something happened along the way. Here we are in 2017, and we are as divided as we were in 1968.
Beyond the Rhetoric: 2017 Is Going To Be Fantastic!
Look forward to the new year, 2017, as light years better than 2016. The former year’s economy was challenging. Here in Chevy Chase, Maryland, one of the wealthiest communities in the nation, high end department stores closed their doors in mass
