Black MBA - Spring 2008 - (Page 87)

LEADERSHIP Chapters at Work Reaching Out NBMBAA® Chapters Give Back to Their Local Communities By Denise Stewart CLEVELAND/NORTHEAST OHIO CHAPTER For members of the Cleveland/ Northeast Ohio Chapter of the National Black MBA Association®, it’s time for “lights, camera, action!” The chapter has created and is already producing a new television show called Bottom Line that’s designed to educate viewers on a range of topics surrounding business and economic matters. “We wanted to do something that would address issues that affect people in their lives every day,” says Chapter President Jeanette Haynes-Gordon. “We also want to make them [community] aware of the National Black MBA Association® and the various ways it serves the community. Our goal is to educate the community and give back to the community.” The first show aired in late February and featured Haynes-Gordon in conversation with NBMBAA® President and CEO Barbara L. Thomas. This show is taped, but in the future, Bottom Line will be seen live for one hour on Saturdays, says James Wade, Chapter Public Relations Chairperson. “We will take call-in questions from the audience [viewers], and I have experts on-hand to provide the answers,” says Haynes-Gordon about the experts fielding the questions, which include chapter members and others throughout the community. “Our membership is more than 300 strong and we have a variety of professionals to address a wide range of topics,” Haynes-Gordon says. “We will have one show that deals with the current mortgage and credit crisis,” she says. “People need to know how this can impact them and how they can possibly avoid certain situations.” And as income tax preparation time approaches, a show is being planned that includes some of the organization’s certified public accountants, HaynesGordon promises. Wade is looking toward a program addressing personal finance and another that will look at local business and economics in Cleveland. Bottom Line will air locally, Wade says. The chapter is marketing the show and spreading the word through its database of local contacts. Its members are using other local media outlets, as well, to make viewers aware of the program. “We want them to know about the National Black MBA [Association] Chapter in Cleveland, and we want to educate them on important issues,” Wade says. The Cleveland/Northeast Ohio Chapter has been recognized over the years for its innovative community programs and its general organization. Most recently, it received Chapter of the Year honors in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. In addition to its new Bottom Line program, the chapter has several other initiatives in place to serve communities in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. One of these is the Real Estate Investment and Empowerment Group, established to lead in the creation of economic and intellectual wealth for the Black community by providing real estate and investment education. It also seeks to provide direction to the Black community by issuing opinions and implementing solutions to improve the economic infrastructure of the Black community. The chapter opens its regular meetings to the general public, HaynesGordon says. “We have informative meetings. Our goal is to educate our members and the community.” NEW ORLEANS CHAPTER Black businesses took a big hit, along with much of the Gulf Coast economy, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in August 2005. Unofficial estimates show that some 20,000 Louisianabased Black-owned companies, generating nearly $866 million in total, were impacted. Some of these business owners were members of the National Black MBA Association®. And while others may not know, they are a part of the community served by the New Orleans Chapter. This is why the chapter decided to host programs to connect business owners with resources that can help them return to New Orleans and reestablish their companies. “We had tons of people coming back,” says Reuben DeTiege II, New Orleans Chapter Vice President of Administration. “They needed to get their businesses going. We had a lot of organizations here coming out with huge dollar amounts to help or give equipment. But what we gave them was information and hope.” The New Orleans Chapter partnered with several nonprofit groups to bring resources to help enhance economic development, DeTiege says. In one session called “Business Afterhours,” the chapter invited the district director of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to meet with business owners and inform them about programs that can provide funding and other support for their enterprises. About 300 business owners showed up at the meeting last summer, DeTiege says. The SBA representative “came and sat down and gave us a ‘State of the City’ business overview,” DeTiege says. BlackMBA • Spring 2008 87

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Black MBA - Spring 2008 Passion, Purpose and Power Contents Web Browsing From the President & CEO Up Front Advertising for Change CEO to CEO: Straight Talk with Barbara L. Thomas and Renetta McCann The New Executive Search Wealth Building: A Head Start on Investing and Saving Young Continuing Education: Lifelong Learning is Easier than You Think Making Good: Catching up with some of NBMBAA’s 2007 Scholarship Winners On Campus: Universities Win Grants to Fight Poverty Public Service: Does Your MBA Fit in the Government Sector? Bridge Building: Make a Career of Giving Back Steady Speed: Kim Harris Jones Shares what Drives a Successful Auto Industry Career Financial Planning: A New Way to Work Your MBA Global Focus: Keeping up with the Competition Clock On the Move: Member News, Promotions and More Industry Focus: Biotechnology, Energy, Food & Beverage, Global Media and Entertainment Employer Profiles: Campbell Soup, FINRA Financial Finesse: Denise Hales Harrod and CompuCredit Advocate for the Financially Underserved Creating Lasting Change: GE Impacts Quality of Life in Africa William W. Wells Jr.: Finding Strength in Diversity Leaders of Tomorrow® Community Service Program: NBMBAA® and Wal-Mart Partner to Reward Students Who Give Back Reaching Out: NBMBAA® Chapters Give Back to Their Local Communities How To… Buy a Franchise: Understanding the Basics of Acquiring a Franchise After the Gridiron: Keith Sims – Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Confidential: Paul Hubbard – Papa John’s pizza Strength Through Adversity: Bob and Hortense Bobbitt – McDonald’s On the Ground Floor: Valerie Daniels-Carter – Pizza Hut, Burger King, Auntie Anne’s Use Your Superstar Status: Black Entrepreneurs Break into Japanese Economy Marketing Maven: Odyssey Media Entrepreneur Linda Spradley Dunn Staying the Course: Black Marathoners Share Lessons from the Race Relationship Forum: Soul-Mate Strategies for the Career-Minded Vacations that Matter: Travel to Make a Difference Advertisers Index

Black MBA - Spring 2008

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