Recent Stories
The Promise of Colombia
Beyond the Rhetoric
Where do I begin to tell the story of our trade mission to the beautiful nation of Colombia? It had been in the planning stage for more than 14 years. It began when Oscar Gamboa, who works for the government, came to our office in Washington, D.C., and met with Charles DeBow. There would be numerous communications with Oscar and others but we never solidified anything because we were preoccupied with African nations.
Beyond the Rhetoric
‘Gainful Employment’ rule throws Black students for a loss
Last week, the Obama Administration declared war on one million underserved students pursuing higher education throughout the United States. While the president and first lady launched their campaign to make it easier for low-income minority students to access college, the Department of Education has launched an unprecedented assault on this same community through a new proposal that will cut thousands of college programs that disproportionately serve poor communities, single working mothers, veterans and other at-risk populations. At a time when American employers desperately need an educated, skilled workforce to sustain economic recovery, a confused and conflicted White House is hurting the underserved communities it claims to support.
Shaking up Denver
There have been times in the 20-year history of the National Black Chamber of Commerce that we had to put on our agenda a major lawsuit.
Hurting our students for economic gain
There are very few things that are as vile and predatory than cheating young Black students out of a decent education.
A valiant fight for right in St. Paul
In my travels I have met many outstanding warriors. The late Arthur A. Fletcher and Parren J. Mitchell have cultivated the nation’s landscape in terms of economic empowerment.
Betrayal in Chicago
Like a typical American city, Indianapolis was a venue of mass discrimination against Black-owned construction business. I had been working since 1989 to change that.
Detroit: nowhere to go but up
Beyond the Rhetoric
It has been a long and rocky ride down the economic slope for the Motor City. The first time I moved to Detroit was 1974.
Slaves without socioeconomic change
In the past there were so many hangings, beatings, shootings and bombings. They went without justice being applied. During the past few decades we have shown national outrage from Emmett Till, Mississippi civil rights workers shootings, Rodney King, etc. and now we have the heartbreaking death of little Trayvon Martin.
How China runs circles around us in Africa
You can also call this piece “The Tale of Two Presidents.” The contrast between the attitudes of China’s President Xi Jinping and our President Barack Obama is absolutely shocking. President Xi is straight up about business.
A real way to save our mortgages
It is now five years since the great financial crisis of 2008, which saw housing markets plummet, the stock market swoon, and millions of Americans lose their jobs in the wake of the recession that ensued.
