By Donnell Robinson, South Street Journal Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 09:13:38
Last month (May 2008) Ron Carter, Chair of the Black Wall Street Economic Summit V opened the Friday night reception holding a copy of the book, "A Pimp and a Hustler" by Al Wynn, who was in attendance. The book title"s significance lay in the fact that the Summit was established on May 19th of last year, in honor of Malcolm X"s birthday, who Carter noted, "once were also a pimp and a hustler."
Paraphrasing the militant leader, Carter went on to say, "if the Black community does not realize that it has to go into business, it may be too late, because they will turn around one day and realize that all the businesses in their community is owned by someone that does not look like them."
Held quarterly, the summits address challenges facing Black businesses in an effort to create resolutions essential to effectively competing in today's global marketplace.
The summit special presenter was Rev. Michael Carter, Sr. (no relations), National Chairman of Black Wall Street USA and the Black Wall Street District in Oakland.
Mr. Carter, Sr. provided participants with timely insiders' perspectives on growth opportunities through the national agenda of Black Wall Street campaigns while highlighting its Tulsa, Oklahoma roots.
Ron Carter, chair of BWSES and publisher of South Street Journal noted, "These summits connect large and small business owners in matchmaking resources, informative resolutions, and networking under one roof on a quarterly basis."
The BSWES had an aggressive agenda, maintaining the mission to sustain and increase Black Business
Black business districts were identified in Chicago with the - 75th street, 79th street and West Chicago Ave campaigns
The 2002 Survey of Business Owners show that there are over 39,424 African American-owned companies in Chicago, Ill, with over $2.8 billion in business revenues, employing more than 200,000 people. "There is much to celebrate but still much more work to do," continued Mr. Carter.
BWSES was founded on May 19, 2007 by The South Street Journal Newspaper, with support from The Chicago Urban League, The Monroe Foundation, The Black Leadership Development Institute (BLDI), Real Men Cook, The United American Progress Association, and The Chicago Communicator Newspaper to help increase the Black community"s economic empowerment advocacy efforts.
Through its year-round initiatives, BWSES has provided opportunity for sustainable and robust growth to a strategic network of suppliers, entrepreneurs and their business partners in Chicago."
It reflected on John Clark, president and Founder of Reggio"s Pizza, and past honorary Chairman and sponsor for the BWS Summit IV, "If we solve our economic issues, many of our social issues will go away," said Clark. A firm believer in Black businesses supporting African-American publications through advertisement, Clark went on to say, "we should shut Target down for not advertising with black publications." Reggio employs over 200 people.
Resolutions at the Summit The Summit first agenda item call to order the State of Black Contractors, convened by Roderick Moorhead. As he address that getting contracts with local companies is difficult, a remark from a summit attendee Mr. Ernest Armstrong mention that many supply companies have day labors waiting out front of their stores waiting for hire. RESOLUTION: Mr. Shaka. Barack motion for a labor pool of black contractors and labors to be established to hire Black labors and contractors for construction work in the neighborhoods. ADMENDMENT # I called for Mr. Bill Morels to work on immediate action seven (7) day response to BWS to establish the campaign. Mr. Morels agreed to head this committee also Mr. Barack will work on this committee. Resolution was amended rend Second by Ms. T. Johnson and Mr. Webb Evans.
The summit agenda went on to address Black Youth and future of Black Economics, facilitated by convened by Barry Riley, of "Open Book" youth organization.
Mr. Riley gave report of the youth he works with that make re product "soap" from start to finish. These youth make the soap, do all preparation for market and sell the soap to clients, records keeping of inventory and accounting of their business. Mr. Riley stated that these young are very talented rend eager to learn rend work their businesses, an example of how the community can engage the youth into business.
Mr. Will Segre"s, of Detroit, Michigan who attended the summit was asked to tell about his youth group that developed a "board game" that they have developed rend is currently on the market. They have been working on this game for several years but it is not currently on the market. The game teaches young people ages 3-5 years.
Youth RESOLUTION: Ask community business to mentor re youth in your business until next summit in August 2008. (2) Keep youth involved interested. (3) Bring the youth to next summit in August 2008.
Two AMENDMENTS to the youth session: # I Define BWS relationship with the youth, motioned by Mr. Shaka Barack.
#2 If the youth can't attend 8/2008 summit bring a written paper from that student to present to BSW. Mr. E. Armstrong. Resolution was amended rend seconded by Ms. T. Johnson.
Engaging in the Black Experience, Sustaining Black businesses facilitated by Bernard Washington, The panel consisted of Webb Evans, UAPA: Jerome Williams, Common Wealth Community; Robert J. Dale, ABLE; Deborah Crable, National Marketing Developers Association.
There was much discussion form the audience regarding loss of business in the African American community. I.e. Chatham Grocery Center, Country Kitchen, and several others. Mr. E. Armstrong (audience) Certified Business Planner and Estate succession planner offer his company services to assist business owner with succession.
Mr. R. J. Dale, Able stated is organization is in a position to keep some of these businesses from leaving our neighborhood, but they had no knowledge of these fore mention businesses.
RESOLUTION motioned by Mr. S. Barack---- resolve that BWS create a fund, for opportunity of preserving business in African-American Community.
AMENDMENTS: #1 set a standard guaranteeing quality of goods, services and a normal discount, and a membership cards for the discounts, motioned by Mr. Jerome Williams # 2 create a medallion for conflict resolution. Second by Ms. Thelma Johnson.
Turner Brandon. Asst PUSH Trade Bureau; R. J. DALE, Alliance of Black Leaders Entrepreneurs; Larry Ivory. Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce.
Each panelist gave brief information as what their organization mission and objectives were. No RESOLUTION was motioned.
The legislative Campaign chaired by Phyllis Logan, Vice Chair of BWS convened discussion with Mr. Ken Bennett, state director of U.S. Senator Barack Obama's office as he was accompany by the outreach representative Mr. Curtis.
Mr. Bennett gave a synopsis of the government responsibility of the Senator. After much dialog with the audience, RESOLUTION motion by Mr. Otis Monroe resolve for BWS and Mr. K. Bennett to arrange a meeting/facilitate/negotiate with African-American community bank ceo/presidents for the purpose of providing Community Express loans for small business and any other initiative.
Resolution agreed and seconded by Ms. Thelma Johnson
Summary of summit discussion and action by Interco Sect. Virginia Newman Summit was close by Chair Ron Carter 2:45 P.M.
The next BWS economic summit is scheduled for August 2008. For location and more information on the BWSES-Chicago implementation plan and meeting call 773 373-7000.
