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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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.
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