Business

Feb 5 2009

In financial crisis

 While heads of governmental agencies have indicated public concern about the financial crisis, there have been few examples of substantive programs to assist citizens in financial trouble. The bailout helped to continue the lifestyles and bonuses of managers and executives of the recipient corporations, but did little or nothing to assist financially impacted individuals or communities.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Feb 5 2009

Day-long conference fosters potential connections

 Businesses that are looking to market their products or services to some of the region’s major corporations can meet face-to-face with prospective procurement personnel during the Southern California Minority Business Development Council’s (SCMBDC) 40th annual Minority Business Opportunity Day (MBOD), Feb. 17 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pacific Palms Conference Resort in Industry Hills.

The cost of the event is $35 per person in advance and $50 at the door. The resort is located at One Industry Hills Parkway.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Feb 5 2009

State funds put on hold 30 days

 As he promised State Controller John Chiang is delaying a number of state payments in February including personal, bank and corporate tax refunds, student grants and social services.

These payments, which are being held for 30 days, are typically not made directly to recipients but are sent to the various state and federal government agencies that administer the programs.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Jan 31 2009

Tax rebate could present personal dilemma

Unlikely as it might have seemed last year, many Americans may now face an unexpected monetary gift.

Jan 31 2009

Foreclosure fund planned

FAME Renaissance Assistance Corporation has launched a drive to raise $50 million to help home owners who are in foreclosure (and can be extricated) as well as those in pre-foreclosure or delinquent save their homes.

According to Denise Hunter, president and chief operating officer of the corporation, the fund will enable the organization to purchase the troubled loans from banks and refinance them at a five percent fixed interest rate, and FAME will service the loans.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.