black perspective 2008
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An online magazine for African-Americans looking for new opportunities in today's job market. Follow in the footsteps of our success profiles, learn about the state of the job market, and browse through employers specifically looking for African-American applicants.TRANSCRIPT
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RISING STARUrsula BurnsPresident, Xerox
SPREADING THEIR WINGS Wing Heaven Founders Strive to Build Brand and Communities MAKING BLACK HISTORY Barbara Hillary - First Black Woman to Reach North Pole Now Sets Sights on Reaching the South Pole
DIVERSITY NEWS BRIEFS PLUS.....CAREER OPPORTUNITY ADS
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Work Here. Fly Anywhere.www.skywest.com/careers
the journey begins here
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE3
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WWW.B-F.COM/CAREERS
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE4
PublisherEM Publishing Enterprises
PresidentJeff Palmatier
Director - Marketing Strategies
Mark Cohen
Publication Design RC DIGITAL DESIGN
Editor/Art DirectorRichard Chudy
THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE™, is a publication of Equality
Magazine Publishing Enterprises, Inc.
This publication is dedicated to informing the African American community of job and career opportunities.The publishers
reserve the right to reject or edit any copy, advertising, or editorial, The publisher is not responsible
for any unsolicited materials.
Views and opinions expressed within the publication are not
necessarily those of the publisher.
Published in the USA.All rights reserved.ISSN 1524-279x
For advertising email:[email protected]
For editorial email:[email protected]
EM Publishing Enterprises, Inc.13351 Riverside Dr.#514
Sherman Oaks ,CA 91423Tel: 818-654-0870
ON THE COVER
RISING STARWhen Chairman and CEO Anne Mulcahy appointed Ursula Burns President of Xerox Corporation, the two of them, and the company itself, made history.No other Fortune 500 company had women in the top two positions. And, no other Fortune 500 company had an African American woman as president.
MEETING DAVID WILSONCoinciding with the 40th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., MSNBC will premiere “Meeting David Wilson,” the remarkable and inspiring story of a young man’s reconciliation with his ancestors’ history as slaves. ON A WING AND A PRAYERChildhood friends Tom Walker and Mike Stapert strive to change the business & employment landscape of underserved urban communities in their home state of Michigan and beyond with their unique new spin on an American favorite.... WINGS!! DIVERSITY NEWS BRIEFS • Study cites failures in Diversity & Inclusion Programs. • Alicia Boler-Davis appointed plant manager GM Assembly plant. • BET Founder Robert Johnson to help families secure loans for school. • Increasing access to business education and business careers. • Barbara Ellis brings IT executive experience to foundation. MAKING BLACK HISTORYMost people look forward to a quiet retirement when their working days are done, but not 76 year-old Barbara Hillary. In 2007, the retired nurse, community activist and lung cancer survivor became the first black woman on record and one of the oldest people to reach the northernmost point of the North Pole—the literal top of the world. Not one to slow down, the New York native is training and raising funds for a trip to the South Pole in November 2008.
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE5
Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the
assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., MSNBC will premiere “Meeting David
Wilson,” the remarkable and inspiring story of a
young man’s reconciliation with his ancestors’ history
as slaves. The world premiere of “Meeting David
Wilson,” on April 11 at 9 p.m. ET will be hosted by
“Today” Correspondent Tiki Barber and followed by a
90-minute live discussion of racial issues in America.
The live event will be moderated by “NBC Nightly
News” Anchor and Managing Editor Brian Williams
and held at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
“Meeting David Wilson” is produced by Official
Pictures, LLC. The entire broadcast event is
sponsored by the Ford Motor Company.
“Just days after the 40th anniversary of the death
of Dr. Martin Luther King, it is fitting that we air
this special presentation,” said Steve Capus,
President, NBC News. “With this documentary, and
NOTABLE MEDIA EVENT
MSNBC TO AIR WORLD PREMIERE OF “MEETING DAVID WILSON”
FRIDAY, APRIL 11 AT 9 P.M. ET
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE6
the conversation that will take place immediately
following, our hope is to open the dialogue,
encourage better understanding of the issues, and,
hopefully, shine new light on the current state of race
relations in our country today.”
“MEETING DAVID WILSON”Meet David Wilson: David Wilson is a 28-year-old
African-American man from Newark, New Jersey.
He grew up in a tough, urban neighborhood, but
managed to navigate his way out of poverty and into
the world of news production in New York City. Now,
meet David Wilson: David Wilson is a 62-year-old
white man from rural North Carolina. He grew up in
Caswell County, where his ancestors once farmed
tobacco. He now operates a small chain of BBQ
restaurants in nearby Reidsville, where he lives with
his wife and son.
Although they have never met, the two men share
more than just a name -- one David’s ancestors
were once enslaved by the other’s forebears in the
antebellum South. In “Meeting David Wilson,” the two
men come face-to-face to confront their storied past.
Although they have never met, the two men share more than
just a name -- one David’s ancestors were once enslaved by
the other’s forebears in the antebellum South. In “Meeting
David Wilson,” the two men come face-to-face to confront
their storied past.
Meet David Wilson…
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE7
The 90-minute documentary records the unusual
“family reunion” as the New Jersey Wilson family
travels back to the North Carolina plantations to
meet the white Wilsons; meeting on the very same
plantation where lives were sacrificed and where
racial equality was once unthinkable.
Will their worlds collide? How will they deal with
the gravity of their family’s histories and issues like
reparations? Scenes of North Carolina and New
Jersey -- with past and present-day realities of black
Americans -- pepper the film and raise questions
about how the black community has fared since
its migration to the north. “Meeting David Wilson”
provides compelling perspective on the legacy of
slavery in America by chronicling the personal stories
of these two men and their momentous encounter.
“What you have in the two of us is the story of two
races and two generations honestly talking about the
dark cloud of slavery and its continuing impact on
our families and our lives even today,” said director
David Wilson. “We intend to ignite a candid and
unprecedented conversation about race.”
“What you have in the two of us is the story of two races and two
generations honestly talking about the dark cloud of slavery and
its continuing impact on our families and our lives even today,”
said director David Wilson. “We intend to ignite a candid and
unprecedented conversation about race.”
....and David Wilson
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE8
MSNBC LIVE EVENTNBC News will air a live discussion immediately
following “Meeting David Wilson,” at 10:30 p.m.
ET on MSNBC. The live discussion, which will be
broadcast from Howard University’s Washington,
D.C. campus and stream live on msnbc.com, will
focus on racial themes in America. “NBC Nightly
News” Anchor and Managing Editor Brian Williams
will moderate the event. Williams will be joined by
“Today” Correspondent Tiki Barber.
MSNBC.COMBoth the premiere of “Meeting David Wilson” and
the NBC News live discussion event will stream
live on msnbc.com. Msnbc.com will also create a
special online section for the “Meeting David Wilson”
documentary and feature content that addresses
issues discussed in the film, such as race and
identity, as well as include other stories and video
from pivotal moments in Black History.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY“Partnering with NBC on “Meeting David Wilson”
is not only exciting but also has a great deal of
historical value,” said Crystal Greene, Sponsorships
& Diverse Markets Manager for Ford. “We have a
chance to play a role in a discussion that may be
remembered for years to come, while at the same
time giving us a chance to display Ford’s historic
legacy as one of the nation’s first equal opportunity
employers to the forefront of today’s society where
that legacy continues. David Wilson’s story is also a
Ford story, as members of his own family came north
to work for Ford in the hopes of a better life. David’s
goals for the documentary are similar to our own
goals as a company when you think about imparting
the important message of inclusiveness and seeing
people as valued individuals.”
In addition, NBC will produce a fact-based,
educational video for inclusion in the NBC News
Archive On-Demand African American Curriculum.
This documentary-style piece on the Great Migration
will include footage about Ford’s historic legacy as
one of the nation’s first equal opportunity employers.
It will be distributed to thousands of teachers
and students nationwide via NBC’s educational
distribution partner, Hotchalk (www.hotchalk.com),
and will have a permanent place in the NBC News
Archive. BP
David Wilson is a 28-year-old African-American man from Newark,
New Jersey. He grew up in a tough, urban neighborhood, but
managed to navigate his way out of poverty and into the world
of news production in New York City. Now, meet David Wilson:
David Wilson is a 62-year-old white man from rural North Carolina.
He grew up in Caswell County, where his ancestors once farmed
tobacco. He now operates a small chain of BBQ restaurants.
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE9
The mission of the School of Social Work is to
advance knowledge and to apply that knowledge
for the fulfillment of human potential through the
prevention and amelioration of social problems.
The school is committed to promoting the values
of social and economic justice. Recognizing the
complexities of contemporary society, the school
dedicates itself through its educational, research,
and public service activities to advocating for a
society that respects the dignity and achievement
of all individuals, families, and communities.
FOR CURRENT CAREER OPENINGS:
http://www.socialwork.pitt.edu
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE10
DIVERSITY NEWS BRIEFSSTUDY CITES COMMON FLAWS IN DIVERSITY TRAININGDespite the steady growth of diversity and inclusion
training the benefit is often diminished by faulty
delivery, according to a study by Novations Group, a
global consulting firm based in Boston.
When asked about D&I programs provided to their
organization, nearly one-third of 2,500 senior human
resources executives cited shortcomings such no
reinforcement tools or metrics. Other typical flaws
were trite content and little thought leadership.
Organizations are sometimes disappointed with
diversity and inclusion training they are provided. In
your experience, which of the following flaws has
your organization encountered?
“The findings should serve as a warning to both
organizations and D&I program providers,” said
Novations Vice President Fred Smith. “It’s the
mistakes and shortcomings identified in the study
that create ‘diversity fatigue.’ The best diversity
training has moved far beyond the one-dimensional,
feel-good event and today needs to be held to the
same rigorous standards as other corporate training.
Anything less cheats participants, wastes resources
and undermines diversity efforts.”
According to Smith, some of the deficiencies
highlighted in the study apply to training programs
in general. “Metrics, reinforcement and objectives
are always essential and often lacking,” said Smith.
“But some issues are particular to diversity training:
line manager concerns, focus and the organization’s
development practices.”
STUDY FINDINGS
No tools were provided to reinforce the training 29%
No metrics were offered to evaluate effectiveness
24%Diversity addressed, but not development
and advancement issues22%
Clear objectives were not established15%
Material was too U.S.-focused15%
Concerns of line managers were not dealt with15%
Content was trite, humdrum14%
Little thought leadership was found 9%
Facilitation skills were poor 8%
Employer’s policies and practices were not addressed
7%
“The findings should
serve as a warning to both
organizations and D&I
program providers,” said
Novations Vice President
Fred Smith. “It’s the mistakes
and shortcomings identified
in the study that create
‘diversity fatigue.’
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE12
DIVERSITY NEWS BRIEFSMiddle managers have to become part of D&I
planning, even if they do not participate in the actual
training, emphasized Smith. “To minimize flaws the
Chief Diversity Officer should build relationships with
their middle management teams to gain buy-in and
long term involvement. Managers need to see a
connection with strategic initiatives.”
Overemphasis on American-style diversity is also
a frequent complaint, observed Smith. “What used
to be the convention...addressing past grievances
and so on...isn’t as relevant to the needs of today’s
workforce mix. Instead, D&I has been redirected
to expanding opportunity and leveraging talent as a
basic objective.”
A more fundamental problem, in Smith’s view, is
diversity programs that simply presume it is just
employees who must change. “Nothing significant
will be achieved if the organization itself doesn’t
look at its systems, biases and ways of doing
things. There’s no return in changing the attitudes
or awareness of participants if management also
doesn’t make some of the right changes.”
Equation Research conducted the Internet survey of
2,556 senior HR and T&D executives in December
2007.
GM ANNOUNCES NEW PLANT MANAGER FOR ARLINGTON ASSEMBLYGeneral Motors announced that Alicia Boler-Davis,
formerly an assistant plant manager at GM’s Pontiac
Assembly plant in Michigan, has been appointed
the plant manager of its Arlington Assembly plant.
Boler-Davis is the first African-American woman
Alicia Boler-Davis - Plant Manager of GM’s Arlington plant
to be appointed to plant manager at a GM vehicle
manufacturing plant.
Boler-Davis began her GM career in 1994 as a
manufacturing engineer at GM’s Midsize/Luxury Car
Division in Warren, Mich. In 1997, she was promoted
to senior manufacturing engineer in the division.
In 1998, Boler-Davis transferred to GM’s Detroit-
Hamtramck plant where she held several positions of
increasing responsibility. In 2002, she was promoted
to General Assembly area manager at the facility.
Boler-Davis moved on to become area manager
of the Paint Shop at GM’s Fort Wayne assembly
plant in Indiana in 2004, then area manager of the
plant’s Body Shop in 2005. She was promoted to her
current position of assistant plant manager at GM’s
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE13
DIVERSITY NEWS BRIEFSPontiac assembly plant in 2006. Boler-Davis holds
a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from
Northwestern University and a master’s degree in
Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
URBAN ED EXPRESS, FOUNDED BYBET FOUNDER ROBERT JOHNSON TO HELP FAMILIES SECURE LOANS FOR SCHOOL
As more and more diverse students consider
private elementary, middle and high schools, and as
increasing numbers of college-age students enter
four year institutions or graduate programs, many
families, and especially families of color, continue
to have conversations about how to pay for their
child’s education. According to parents and families
from across the U.S., there is never enough financial
support available to cover all of the expenses, from
tuition and books to housing and transportation,
linked to getting a great education. And, now, Urban
Ed Express, a nationwide minority-owned student
loan company affiliated with Urban Trust Bank and
founded by Bob Johnson in partnership with a group
of investors, including Goldman Sachs, will be able
to work with students and parents to make their
education dreams a reality.
The cost of college today is higher than ever,
averaging more than $13,000 annually at public
four-year institutions and nearly $30,000 at private
four-year schools. Each year, the skyrocketing
costs prevent an estimated 400,000 high school
seniors from going to college because they lack the
resources to pay. The mission of Urban Ed Express,
is to provide financing to help students fulfill their
educational goals and work with schools and
families to provide quality customer service and
competitive student loan products. Student loans
may be used for college, but also can be used to
“We are dedicated to helping students
and families succeed in paying for
college,” says Robert Johnson. “Our
mission goes beyond providing loans
to providing information about college
financing options. More than anything
else, we want students and families to
borrow wisely.”
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE14
DIVERSITY NEWS BRIEFSsecure loans for private, independent elementary,
middle and high schools. Launched in October 2006,
the company offers a wide range of student loan
products that feature competitive interest rates and
generous borrower benefits.
“We are dedicated to helping students and families
succeed in paying for college,” says Robert Johnson.
“Our mission goes beyond providing loans to
providing information about college financing options.
More than anything else, we want students and
families to borrow wisely.”
Dwight L. Bush, chairman of Urban Ed Express, said,
“Urban Ed Express has stepped in and stepped up
to help bridge the affordability gap. Our company
seeks to help students attend schools that match
their academic potential, regardless of the costs. We
see ourselves as not only a financial resource but
a source of motivation, too. One student we knew
wanted to go to Temple University and couldn’t pay
for it. We want to let people know that there are
products out there to help make their dreams of
getting a great education a reality. And, we know
that there are a lot of students and families who need
what we provide.”
In 2005, the gap in college enrollment between White
and Black students was 17.5 percent, according
to the National Center for Educational Statistics
(NCES). Some 73.2 percent of white recent high
school graduates enrolled in college that year
compared to 55.7 percent of Black recent high
school graduates. Likewise, the average gap in
graduation rates between White and Black students
is 18 percentage points, according to a longitudinal
study released by NCES in October 2006.
For information on how Urban Ed Express can help
students and families finance their future with a
comprehensive set of education loan options, please
call 866-262-0072 or visit Urban Ed Express online
at http://www.urbanedexpress.com.
INCREASING ACCESS TO BUSINESS EDUCATION AND BUSINESS CAREERS
Millennial students of color are increasingly focused
on business careers with 62% African Americans
indicating they are interested in careers in business
according to a new report, Serving those Poised for
Success: Increasing Access to Business Education
and Business Careers. The report surveyed
students of color born between 1978 and 2000, by
the Diversity Pipeline Alliance® (“Pipeline”), (www.
diversitypipeline.org) a network of strategic partners
working to increase the pool of talented students of
color prepared for leadership and management.
The Pipeline, created by the Graduate Management
Admission Council® (GMAC) to more effectively
reach out to students of color to nurture their talents
and inform and guide students toward business
education and careers in business, found 80% of
all respondents expect to be better off educationally
and financially than their parents. Of those students
indicating an interest in business careers, the
majority of students were most interested in stable
and challenging careers.
The new information shows that 75% of African
American’s polled are planning on earning advanced
degrees and 62% indicated an interest in pursuing
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE16
DIVERSITY NEWS BRIEFScareers in business with technology careers at
42% and social service careers at 40%. For those
students interested in business careers, 51% said
they would consider management education.
The primary source for this report was an online poll
conducted by Widmeyer Research & Polling among
Hispanic, Black, and Native American students.
The poll was fielded between August 14 and August
31, 2007. A total of 982 surveys were completed
by students in their junior and senior years of high
school, through college. The sample was provided
by National Research Center for College University
Admissions and SurveyUSM, which also hosted
the online surveys. The survey was sponsored by
Deloitte & Touche USA, LLP. Downloads of the
complete report in PDF format are available by
clicking here.
BARBARA ELLIS BRINGS IT EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE TO FOUNDATIONBDPA Education & Technology Foundation (BETF),
a tax-exempt non- profit organization that provides
financial support for education and technology
programs of Black Data Processing Associates
(BDPA),has announced the appointment of Barbara
Ellis as a member of the BETF Board of Directors.
Ms. Ellis is a seasoned IT executive with more than
30 years experience in strategic planning initiatives.
During her career with the IBM Corporation, she
held management and executive positions in IBM
Global Services, Sales and Distribution, Information
Systems, Finance, Manufacturing, Business
Transformation and e-Business initiatives. Barbara
led global strategic transformation initiatives for IBM
in the areas of Customer Relationship Management,
Supply Chain Management, ibm.com, IBM Technical
Support, and Sales.
“I accepted the BETF Board
appointment in order to provide
scholarships and other funding for
the education of disadvantaged
children in our community,” said Ms.
Ellis. “I look forward to seeing the
practical application of our funding
mission over the coming months.”
Barbara Ellis, member of BETF’s Board of Directors
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE17
The Librarian of CongressJames H. Billington
andThe Honorable Congressman
John Conyers, Jr.cordially invite you to a receptioncelebrating the 8th edition of the
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“THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS TO THE RICHNESS OF OUR NATION”
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Northeast PavilionThomas Jefferson Building
The Library of Congress 10 First Street, S.E. Washington, D.C.
R.s.v.p. by March 30, 2008 Valet Parking (703) 734-1632 Business Attire [email protected]
Please present this invitation at the door. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities available upon request.
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE18
DIVERSITY NEWS BRIEFS
In addition to her functional responsibilities, Barbara
was also a leader in IBM’s highly acclaimed diversity
imperative for the advancement of women serving as
Co-Chair of the IBM U. S. Women’s Task Force, with
a particular emphasis on initiatives for Multicultural
“I am excited to work with Barbara in her new role as a Board member to
continue delivering value to BETF stakeholders, students and sponsors,” said
Wayne Hicks, BETF executive director. “She comes to us highly recommended
by her peers in the industry. Barbara’s executive experiences with IBM over the
past 30 years as well as her current entrepreneurial efforts make her uniquely
qualified to assist BETF. BETF is fortunate to have her in this leadership role.”
Women. In 2004, Barbara established her consulting
business, Barbara J. Ellis Consulting, LLC. She now
consults with clients to achieve bottom line results
through the implementation of strategic priorities and
objectives. BP
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE20
RISINGSTAR
When Chairman and CEO Anne Mulcahy appointed Ursula Burns President
of Xerox Corporation, the two of them, and the company
itself, made history.No other Fortune 500
company had women in the top two positions.
And, no other Fortune 500 company had an
African American woman as president.
URSULA BURNS
PRESIDENT
XEROX CORPORATION
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE21
Xerox has long had
a reputation as a
company of “firsts”.
Most often, that reputation
was based on technological
innovations in the field of
document management and
printing. However, Xerox has
also earned the reputation
as a result of progressive
thinking, especially when
considering executive
leadership.
When Xerox was suffering
from financial burdens that
threatened the company’s
leadership in the industry, the
company appointed long-time
employee, Anne Mulcahy
to the position of CEO and
eventually, Chairman of the
Board. The appointment came
at a time when few women
were tapped to leap Fortune
100 companies and the result
was an immediate shift in
the future of the document
management giant. Soon,
talk of Xerox’s imminent demise changed to talk
of a “turnaround” of both financial prowess and
technological leadership. Since Mulcahy took
the reins, Xerox has returned to it’s previous
position as market leader with stock prices
climbing from lows of $6 per share to a current
trading price of over $14 per share. According
to Fortune, the $16 billion company’s credit was
upgraded to investment-grade from junk status.
Mulcahy began her Xerox career as a field sales
representative in 1976 and assumed increasingly
responsible sales and senior management
positions. From 1992-1995, Mulcahy was vice
president for human resources, responsible for
compensation, benefits, human resource strategy,
labor relations, management development and
employee training.
Anne Mulcahy, Chairman and CEO, of Xerox Corporation
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE22
chief executives of Fortune 500 companies.
Xerox, is the only Fortune 500 company with
women in the top two posts – and the only one
with an African-American woman as President.
Burns “is to business what Condi Rice is to
government, in terms of someone who never
grew up expecting to be a president of a
major corporation,” said John Engler, a former
Republican governor of Michigan and president
of the National Association of Manufacturers,
where Burns is a director. “It’s hard, regardless
of color and gender, to reach the high level of
responsibility she’s reached.” (Bloomberg News)
Burns is responsible for the company’s global
research, development, engineering, marketing
and manufacturing of Xerox technology, supplies
and related services.
Mulcahy became chief staff officer in 1997 and
corporate senior vice president in 1998. Prior
to that, she served as vice president and staff
officer for Customer Operations, covering South
America and Central America, Europe, Asia and
Africa.
Mulcahy earned a bachelor of arts degree in
English/journalism from Marymount College in
Tarrytown, N.Y. In addition to the Xerox board,
she is a board director of Catalyst, Citigroup Inc.,
Fuji Xerox Company, Ltd., Target Corporation,
The Washington Post Company, and is the
chairman of the corporate governance task force
of the Business Roundtable.
Mulcahy’s vision for the company included the
appointment of Ursula Burns to the position of
President. Many analysts, including Bill Shope
at JPMorgan Securities, predict that Burns
will ultimately succeed Mulcahy as CEO and
Chairman when Mulcahy steps down.
Burns, an African-American woman who rose
through the ranks of the company, is one of few
women who hold such a high-ranking position
with Fortune 500 companies.
Among the top 500
U.S. companies
ranked by revenue
in the Fortune 500,
only 12 have women
as chief executives,
among them Indra
Nooyi of PepsiCo
and Andrea Jung of
Avon Products. None
of them is black.
There are seven
black men who are
Xerox’s line of small office color
printers are a major contributor to the
companies bottom line.
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE23
She also oversees for the corporation Global
Accounts, Information Management, Corporate
Strategy, Human Resources and Ethics, and
Marketing Operations.
Burns joined Xerox in 1980 as a mechanical
engineering summer intern. She since held
several positions in engineering including
product development and planning. In June
1991, she became the executive assistant to
Paul A. Allaire, then Xerox chairman and chief
executive officer.
From 1992 through 2000, Burns led several
business teams including the office color and
fax business, office network copying business,
and the departmental business unit. In May
2000, she was named senior vice president,
Corporate Strategic Services, and two years
later assumed the role of president, Business
Group Operations.
Burns earned a bachelor of science degree from
Polytechnic Institute of New York and a master
of science degree in mechanical engineering
from Columbia University. She serves on
professional and community boards, including
American Express Corp., Boston Scientific
Corp., CASA - The National Center on Addiction
and Substance Abuse at Columbia University,
FIRST - (For Inspiration and Recognition
of Science and Technology), National
Academy Foundation, National Association of
Manufacturers, and the University of Rochester.
Burns began working in various engineering
positions in the departments of product
development and planning. In 1987 she
completed a transition to engineering
management, rising through the ranks as the
head of several different teams, at one point
working as executive assistant to the CEO. For a
period of time Burns worked for Xerox’s London
offices. She held several high-level positions
before becoming corporate vice president in
1999 and then senior vice president of Strategic
Services in 2000. Her climb up the corporate
ladder continued when she added president
of the Document Systems Solutions Group
to her already-lengthy history of job titles in
2001. Many felt her quick rise was a result of
affirmative action. Burns addressed the issue
when speaking with Cassaundra Hayes of
Black Enterprise: “The fact that I did it faster
than others has nothing to do with my race and
gender. It was my performance” (August 1997).
Due to her ascent and undeniable influence
at Xerox, Burns was ranked 28th on Fortune
magazine’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Black
Executives in America.
Many felt her quick rise was
a result of affirmative action.
Burns addressed the issue
when speaking with Cassaundra
Hayes of Black Enterprise:
“The fact that I did it faster
than others has nothing to do
with my race and gender.
It was my performance”
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE24
In the early 2000s Xerox faced financial
difficulties. During this time Anne Mulcahy took
over as CEO, and Burns was promoted to first
president of Xerox’s Business Group Operations,
becoming the first woman to hold that position.
Burns was responsible for the engineering
center and five separate divisions; together her
group brought in 80 percent of Xerox’s profits.
While Mulcahy crisscrossed the country
reassuring employees and shareholders and
refining a plan to save the company, Burns
began implementing the plan and streamlining
the company, hiring an outside contractor,
Flextronics International, to make many of its
products. She successfully negotiated a contract
with union workers. Many at the company
placed Burns on the list of Mulcahy’s potential
successors.
With Burns’s streamlining and Mulcahy’s
finesse, Xerox went from a company in trouble
to one poised to become the leader in sales
in its industry. Though many believed Burns
could become the next CEO, others had their
doubts. Many believed she needed to learn to
strike a balance between micro-managing and
under-managing; she also needed to hone her
listening skills, become more visible to investors
and others in the industry, and wait until the
appropriate time to make decisions rather than
relying on initial reports and moving too quickly.
Mulcahy told the New York Times, “Every
weakness is one she can easily fix” (June 1, 2003).
Burns accomplished what she did by being
smart and fearless in setting goals and moving
up the corporate ladder. According to a
consultant quoted in the New York Times, “Even
in her 30s Burns was a smart, unconventional
thinker who’d embrace new ideas even while
older executives at the table were rejecting
them” (June 1, 2003).
This new logo design was part of the re-branding of Xerox
Technological innovations have made Xerox the leader in document management and printing systems. The new
ideas driving development of products seems to be a reflection of “new” thinking by executive management.
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE25
Burns has been credited with increasing Xerox’s
sales of color-capable printers and copiers, as
the company brought to market 24 machines
amid competition from Hewlett-Packard and
Canon. Xerox, which gets about three-fourths of
its revenue from service and supplies like paper,
makes about five times more profit from a color
sheet than from one printed in black-and-white.
Burns has also been selected as a featured
speaker at the first ever Fortune® Brainstorm:
GREEN Conference. The invitation-only event will
be an unprecedented gathering of business and
environmental leaders, as executives, academics,
politicians and NGOs join to discuss the impact of
the green movement and explore the opportunities
and challenges facing FORTUNE 500 companies,
entrepreneurs, government, and the financial
world.
FORTUNE Brainstorm: GREEN will be comprised
of a mix of plenary sessions, including on-
stage interviews with FORTUNE editors,
panel discussions and concurrent roundtable
discussions. It will also include sessions featuring
NGOs on the same stage with CEOs of FORTUNE
500 companies, “great green ideas” from leading
entrepreneurs, and a reception to meet the rabble-
rousers.
Ursula Burns represents a sea change in
corporate leadership and the willingness of
Corporate America to turn a blind-eye to gender
and ethnicity when selecting executives to lead
their companies. By focusing on ability only, Xerox
is leading the way in matters of diversity and
inclusion while demonstrating exemplary financial
performance that brought a company on the verge
of bankruptcy to a newly re-branded powerhouse.
BP
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE26
JACOBS is creating the world of tomorrow as one of the largest providers of architecture, engineering, construction, and other professional technical services. Jacobs Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering, is a worldwide leader in providing advanced engineering and technical services for government and industry.
www.jacobstechnology.com
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE27
on a
WINGPRAYER
and a
Childhood Friends Tom Walker and Mike Stapert Strive to Change the Business & Employment Landscape of Underserved Urban
Communities in their Home State of Michigan and Beyond
By Richard Chudy
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE28
Picture Michigan in the new millennium.
A place where jobs are hard to
come by, where industry has pulled
up anchor and closed factories at
a staggering pace, where the ranks of the
unemployed have swelled to record numbers
and where the economic health of a community
is failing, and failing fast. Now, picture two young
men who, in 2004, chose to pursue the dream of
owning their own business, and while doing so,
hope to turn the tide of a depressed collection of
urban communities.
Tom Walker and Mike Stapert, childhood
friends from Grand Rapids, Michigan, set out to
revitalize urban areas of Michigan by opening
Wing Heaven Restaurants. In just four short
years the duo have created well over one
hundred new jobs in areas that desperately
need them and have no intention of stopping
now. At last count, Wing Heaven has opened ten
restaurants including three corporate and seven
franchised locations with several other deals in
the works. Included in those pending deals are
multi-unit expansions with ten restaurants in
Richmond, Virginia and twenty in Detroit. Walker
and Stapert are also working on developing their
own brands of barbecue sauce and Kool Aid. Young, dynamic and hard working, Walker
and Stapert are in touch with the popular
and often trend-setting Hip-Hop culture. The
ability of this culture to drive new concepts in
business is shared by many moguls of serial
entrepreneurship. Perhaps the most well known
is Russell Simmons. ”We know that the hip hop culture starts first
in the urban areas and steam rolls into the
suburban areas, therefore we believe that it is
vital to establish ourselves in urban areas where
other national chains aren’t focusing attention.
This gives us an edge because we don’t focus
on one segment, but embrace diversity as our
foundation”, says Stapert, “being adopted by a
White family and growing up in a urban area,
gives me a different perspective than most, I
know that at the end of the day we are all the
same – searching for peace, family values, an
honest wage, and hopefully, a relationship with
our creator”.
IN THE BEGINNING
Stapert and Walker initiated their dream with
a Colbert Ball Tax franchise in 2003. Shortly
after their first successful season, the young
entrepreneurs had squandered all of their
earnings by summers’ end. “We were fortunate
that our families supported the idea of owning
our own business, however we were not prudent
in saving our money,” says Walker, CEO. They
soon realized that they needed to augment
their tax income during the summer months.
The following year they started a little chicken
shack and called it Wing Heaven. “We invested
all of our money from the tax business and
fried chicken everyday for months, sometimes
10 – 12 hours a day while only able to pay our
employees and keep the lights on… debt was
accumulating quickly”, says Stapert, COO.
Football, it appears, had the horsepower
required to power the duo’s dream over the
steep and treacherous grade of the start-up
highway. Nearly giving up on all the hard work
in the kitchen frying wings day after day, they
encountered a peak in sales during football
season. “We knew that football and wings go
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE30
Butler made the
league minimum
two years ago
as a Detroit
Lion and knows
how important
it is to make
wise decisions with his money. “Wing Heaven
Restaurant has proven to be thoroughbred with
lots of promise”, says Butler. “I first saw their
website as I searched for a wing restaurant while
in Detroit. After ordering several of the different
flavors, I knew they were going to make it big
with the right team in place”, Butler continued.
“Most of my friends in the league are not thinking
about investing in franchises just yet, however I
together no matter
where you live or
what ethnicity you
are, so by begging
local editors to try or
wings, we received
great reviews in
the local press
just in time”, says
Walker. “Before we
knew it, we were
stacked with long
lines, catering and
delivery orders
that forced us to ask our family
members to help us keep up with
the demand – it was a blessing
but painful at the same time, I
never worked so hard in my life”,
says Stapert. The bump in business that
Football brought to Wing Heaven
also brought interest from NFL players. When
NFL player Kelly Brown contacted Stapert and
Walker, they were both impressed to hear that
their product had made its way into the hearts –
and stomachs – of the NFL. “When Kelly called
us, I was shocked to hear that Lions ordered our
wings from our Detroit locations. Kelly wanted
to be a part of our team and, for us, it was one
of the easiest decisions we had ever made”,
claims Walker. Stapert adds, “we have had many
people approach us wanting to buy us out or
become a partner, but when we met with Kelly,
and heard his passion for his community and
youth, we knew that he was a quality person,
partnering with Kelly was a perfect fit”. Butler
joined the team and is now a full partner.
“Wing Heaven Restaurant has proven to be thoroughbred with
lots of promise” says Butler.
Photos courtesy of the Cleveland Browns & the NFL
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE31
see through franchising how to create residual
income immediately while building a nest egg for
retirement.”
Butler added, “After visiting several Wing
Heaven locations throughout Michigan, I was
convinced that I did not have to spend a million
dollars on a better known franchise to make
money, Wing Heaven is proven and tested – not
to mention I love wings, football and wings just
go together.”
“While a lot of negativity surrounds the league
with allegations toward other NFL players, there
are those of us who are doing the right thing
and not getting caught up with making poor
decisions” explains Butler. This past summer
Butler gave back to his hometown, Grand
Rapids, MI where he held a football camp for
rocket football players. He continues to visit the
Boys and Girls Club to teach young people how
their choices will affect their lives and how hard
work always pays off. While football is number one in is life, he
recognizes the importance of generating multiple
streams of income. “I plan to have a lustrous
career in football, but my mom has always
taught me to have a back up plan no matter
what, and I know that partnering with Mike and
Tom will pay off”, Butler says
Walker and Stapert continued on with the
business of marketing the company placing an
advertisement in Black Enterprise magazine.
A legendary member of the Kings of Comedy,
Steve Harvey, contacted the pair. Harvey, who
hosts a nationally syndicated radio program
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE33
and was the star of his own television sitcom
(1996-2002), invited the life-long friends to New
York for an on-air interview. Shortly after the
interview, Wing Heaven received a nomination
for Harvey’s Hoodie Award in the category of
Best Fried Chicken Place. Known for its ability to
bring national attention to small businesses that
cater to urban areas and cultures, the Hoodie
Award’s have driven little known businesses to
great success, such as now famous Roscoe’s
House of Chicken and Waffles. In fact, well-
known athlete and businessman, Magic Johnson,
has invested in businesses that have received
the award in the past making the award a highly
prized recognition. “After national media attention,
the phones began to ring and our website nearly
crashed due to the amount of traffic”, says David
Rhodes, VP Business Development.
FRANCHISE OR START-UP?
Ask David Rhodes why those thinking about
starting their own business should explore
investing in a Wing Heaven franchise and
you’ll hear lots of reasons. But many potential
franchise owners may wonder about the
wisdom of investing in a small, relatively new
business concept. “Franchisors are either
growing or dying, look for a company that
is experiencing growth and able to supply
training and support”, states Rhodes. “A small
chain experiencing high growth will focus on
the franchisee, like a parent rearing a child.
The franchisors number one interest should be
focused on the franchisee’s success.”
Rhodes continues, ”I know folks that live
life like a cow in the pasture, watching life
Steve Harvey, second from the left, invited the dynamic-duo from Wing Heaven to New York for an interview.
The meeting led to a nomination for Harvey’s Hoodie Award for Best Fried Chicken Place.
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE34
go by. Others are like the Rhino and charge
forward! I have heard countless folks say, “If
I only would have…”. Remember when Fred
Delucca of Subway was selling franchises for
Five Thousand Dollars? How many people wish
they had signed up back then? I know at least
one; my Dad… he repeats this story with such
passion it’s as if he doesn’t remember telling
me before. In fact, I am now able to recite the
same story verbatim. It starts out like this...”Son,
I almost opened a Subway” and it ends up with
the same reply as I lower my chin, grit my lips
and shake my head….”Yep, almost Dad”.
FRANCHISING AND OUTREACH In an effort to help encourage economic
development within the black community Gerry
McCants, President of Thomas McCants Media,
Inc – host of the Virginia Black Expo – forged
a relationship with Wing Heaven Restaurant.
Black owned Franchisors, agreed to waive
the $25,000 franchise fee toward a potential
franchisee for expo participants.
George & Lisa Coles, first contacted Wing
Heaven after hearing the interview with Wing
Heaven on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, so
when the opportunity to have his own business
presented itself at the Virginia Black Expo,
they counted it a blessing. George says, “The
wings taste great, and they have proven to be
a successful business, my wife and I are proud
to be the franchisees in Richmond.” The Coles
are one of two recipients of the $25,000 waiver
and have also agreed to open other locations in
Richmond, Virginia.
“Eric Orr had shown such dedication in assisting
Wing Heaven prepare its Wings during the
200 + Men/Virginia Black Expo Golf Outing”,
says McCants, “I know he will make a great
franchisee, our mission is to create economic
opportunities for folks like Eric.” Eric Orr is
also a winner of the $25,000 franchise fee
waiver. Eric plans to open his first location in
Portsmouth, VA.
“When my vice President of Business
Development, David Rhodes contacted
McCants and told me about the opportunity to
work with Black Expo, it was a simple decision
- lets do it” says Thomas Walker, CEO. “We
are in phase one of our expansion plans, if
we can help someone realize their dreams of
owning their own business and fulfill our goals
simultaneously, it was a good day”
“We are so impressed with the movement of the
black folks in Virginia,” adds Mike Stapert, COO.
“We were privileged to meet so many folks in
Gerry McCants, President of Thomas McCants Media
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE35
government and business with such influence
such as Bruce Watts and Jack Ezzell, Jr.”
POSING A FEW QUESTIONS
I recently had the distinct pleasure of posing a
few questions to the founders. I came away from
the process with a rather clear sense of who
these young men are – dedicated friends and
entrepreneurs who have strong family ties, a
deep commitment and caring for their
community and unshakable faith in God. Here’s
what they had to say.
BP: How did the two of you come to decide
on entering the restaurant business and why
choose wings as the product of choice?
We owned a few tax offices for some years but
found ourselves every year strapped for cash
from June to January being that tax preparation
is a seasonal business. In 2004 we decided
after that tax season we needed a year round
moneymaker that could sustain us until tax
season. Tom had lived in Texas for a while I was
in Arizona and wings were big in those places. It
was unique and a good gift for Grand Rapids so
they decided to give it a chance and it worked.
BP: What, if any, special training or
education did either or both of the founders
complete prior to starting the business?
Where did those studies take place?
Mike had worked in a few restaurants but other
than that it was all trial and error on the job
training.
BP: Once the business was started, did you
seek additional training or education that
helped you succeed?
We would always think about going back to
school for additional education but time wouldn’t
permit it so we just continued to learn as we
went… as well as pose a lot of questions to our
vendors, sales reps, and other restaurateurs’.
BP: Did either founder have a mentor at
some point in their lives? Are there
particular people other than mentors – family,
friends or others that served as inspiration or
role models?
(Reply by David Rhodes)
Tom’s mentor was his father always trying his
hand at business never giving up. Tom knew at
an early age he wanted to be his own boss.
Mike’s (adopted) father (now deceased a High
School Principal) and mother (a retired school
teacher) – both were his mentors. They taught
him to never give up on his goals and dreams.
BP: How long after the first restaurant
opened did the franchising begin? What
obstacles did you incur in offering
franchises, how difficult was it to create the
”I know folks that live life like a cow in the pasture, watching life go by. Others are like the Rhino and charge forward! I have heard countless
folks say, “If I only would have…”David Rhodes, VP Business Development
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE36
A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITYWe are the world’s largest ASME Authorized Inspection Agency. Although we are best known for our services as an AIA, we’ve leveraged experience gained over more than 136 years of operation to become an industry leader in a variety of engineering services fields.
Job opportunities are currently available at HSB Global Standards. Please visit our website for more information on current openings.
www.hsbglobalstandards.com
An Equal Opportunity Employer
franchise offering?
We started franchising two years after our first
restaurant opened. It was and is still very
difficult offering franchises. It’s hard to have
someone believe in your dream. To set up a
franchise takes a lot of money. We had to pay
the bills of our current stores, families, and
commit to $200 an hour to get everything set up.
We could not find anyone that would take a
chance on distributing our products to potential
franchises. We did not have credit, money in the
bank, or co-signers. It took the grace of God to
open a door for us.
BP: What are the franchise fees and what
does a franchisee receive in terms of
support, training and personnel acquisition
assistance?
Franchise fees are $15,000.00 with a monthly
fee of $1,000.00 and $500.00 monthly for
advertisement fees. We do training at our facility
as well as at the franchised stores.
BP: Why should a potential business owner
consider a Wing Heaven franchisee?
Wing Heaven offers a low investment with a
unique concept in a market that’s growing
everyday. We cook our chicken like black folks
like it. We found out that all people like good
chicken. Wing Heaven is a proven concept
boasting gross average sales per unit over
$600,000 with an average 20 – 30% profit
margin. We have a turnkey operation, which
includes training, marketing, public relations and
on-going support. We know how to set up
stores and come in and help with site locations,
mopping floors, painting walls, to setting up our
hi-tech POS system.
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE37
A Great Place to WorkWith more than 30,000 employees around the world, we
are the world leader in serving science, and the largest provider of
analytical instruments, equipment, reagents and consumables, software
and services for research, analysis discovery and diagnostics.
Our ability to grow is driven by world-class people who thrive in a team
environment and share a mission to enable our customers to make the world
healthier, cleaner and safer.We’re searching for the very best and brightest
– from experienced managers to early-career professionals and
outstanding students. If you’re a top performer, we’re looking for you.
Visit us online to learn more about current career opportunities.
http://www.thermofisher.com/global/en/about/careers/careers.asp
An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Diversity & Inclusion
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE38
BP: What makes Wing Heaven different than
other restaurants, especially those that also
offer wings?
Our concept is different because of the variety of
our menu as well as the taste. We preseason
and marinate the chicken before we fry it. All
other Wing establishments rely on the sauces for
taste. We offer Kool-Aid with every meal. The
Kool-Aid reminds folks of fond childhood
memories. It continues to be a big hit in all of
our locations from urban to suburban areas –
everyone loves Kool-Aid. In addition, our pricing
is very competitive. The interior of all our stores
represents a heavenly theme… clouds and sun
rays on the walls, uniformed workers decked out
in logo hats.
BP: In today’s world, most would like to
believe that business is colorblind. However,
many blacks’ entrepreneurs report that color
still plays a big role in securing necessary
start up funds and business expansion
financing. Did you as the founders of Wing
Heaven run into any such situations? If so,
what were some of the issues that seemed to
be more difficult to handle as a result of
racism or exclusionary tactics?
Racism still exists and we encounter it everyday
to the date; we’ve still not received a bank loan.
Every store was done with personal finances or
private loans from family. As we continue to grow
and have proven that our concept is successful,
the franchise loan community still neglects to
take us seriously, while other franchisors are able
Stapert and Rhodes pictured with legendary civil rights leader, Dr. Willie Burrows at the Rainbow Push Coalition
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE39
to secure proper funding for more rapid growth.
BP: We’ve seen photos and some coverage
about your involvement with Rev. Jackson’s
Rainbow Push Coalition. How has your
involvement helped the business grow?
We are very proud to be members of both
Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Push
Coalition and his International Trade Bureau
headed by Ms. Marshette Turner. In fact, we are
humbled because of the opportunities and
blessings we received through the organization.
To date, Ms. Turner has coordinated interviews for
us with a major grocery store chain – Safeway. In
addition, Reverend Jackson allowed us to host a
tasting in Chicago at Rainbow Push Headquarters.
We thank God for our relationship with Rev.
Jackson and his organization. The staff has been
awesome in aligning us with potential franchisees
and other notables.
BP: What are your plans for the future? Are
other business ventures on the horizon or
under consideration?
We are working on initiatives with the City of
Detroit which we hope to duplicate across the
country. It involves community revitalization in
urban areas where other national chains will not
go. The program will bring 1,000’s of jobs to
Detroit where they are needed most. In addition,
we are outlining a program in which budding
entrepreneurs from urban areas will be able to
own their own franchise after completing a
comprehensive and intense training program. Now
that we are past the test pilot phase, we are
positioned for national growth. We hope to link up
with Magic Johnson, Russell Simmons, and other
business people or sports figures to partner with
us to achieve the growth goals.
In the immediate future, we are launching a drive-
thru concept called Mississippi Fried Chicken – It
Taste so Good. After getting on our feet, we
evaluated all the hard work it took to get to where
we are, so we decided to launch yet another
concept called, Selfmade Magazine for those who
have a strong desire to own their own business,
but with no funds.
BP: What advice would you give to other
young Blacks that are looking to start their
own business?
The main thing is to have a strong faith in God,
without Him opening doors that were shut in our
face, and paving and lighting the way, we would
have never made it. People would tell us all the
time that our concept will never work – Kool Aid is
ghetto! But we followed Russell Simmons’s Hip
Hop Model. We do what we do with passion with
belief in our core audience that we know well and
let it trickle out to the masses with marketing and
strategic media relations planning. It is crucial to
find something you love and eat, sleep, and drink
it. We fried chicken for 10-12 hours a day for the
first year and a half, often sleeping on the freezer
and counters – who does that? We believed in
ourselves and we continue to trust God.
Black Perspective wishes them the best of luck. I
believe in these young entrepreneurs vision. I also
believe that their success will be based on much
more than just a Wing and a Prayer… I believe
that their dedication in pursuing a dream, coupled
with hard work and integrity, will lift them up to soar
on wings that never give up.
Learn more at www.wingheavenrestaurant.com
and I think you’ll be a believer too! BP
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE40
Publication:
Run Date(s)Ad req./IO#:Client Generic:
Ad size:
Acct. Rep:
BLACK PERSPECTIVE MAGAZINE 12/31/2006152296-BO23834LIBMUT3.625” x 9.75”Holly Mitton v.1
AT LIBERTY MUTUAL, we help people livesafer, more secure lives. You can see it in ourresponsible and motivated team - whereemployees treat our clients and each other withdignity and respect. You can feel it in thechallenging work that’s part of our growing anddynamic company. Expect to be challenged.Expect superior efforts to be recognized.Expect your hard work and determination tocreate real opportunities. Still find it hard tobelieve? Just ask any one of us.
You deserve to be recognized – so introduceyourself to us. For more information visitwww.libertymutual.com/careers.
Inclusion is the answer. Liberty Mutual is anequal opportunity employer.
Believe it.
libertymutual.com/careers
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE41
FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO REACH THE NORTH
POLE SETS SIGHTS ON SOUTH POLE AT AGE 77
Most people look forward to a quiet retirement
when their working days are done, but not 76 year-
old Barbara Hillary. In 2007, the retired nurse,
community activist and lung cancer survivor became
the first black woman on record and one of the oldest
people to reach the northernmost point of the North
Pole—the literal top of the world. Not one to slow
down, the New York native is training and raising
funds for a trip to the South Pole in November 2008.
It is believed that she will be the first black woman
and the oldest person to make that trip.
“When I returned from the North Pole, I received
all kinds of letters from older people who thought
their lives were over. That helped me to understand
what my personal achievement means in a broader
sense,” says Hillary. “I am an ordinary person. I was
raised in Harlem. I didn’t grow up in a privileged race
MAKING BLACK HISTORY
Barabara Hillary
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE42
or a privileged sex. I wasn’t given any extra.
If I can do this, then anybody can reach
their individual goals. My trips to the poles
are symbols for everyone’s personal goals.”
Hillary fell in love with the arctic environment
in 2005, after taking a trip to Manitoba,
Canada, to photograph polar bears. The
trip led to dog sledding and snow mobiling
lessons and voracious reading about arctic
exploring. As Hillary read about all the
men and women who braved challenges
to reach the North Pole, she noted that no
black woman was mentioned. And she set
out to change the history books. Without
a heavy bankroll, no training on skis and
average physical fitness, Hillary faced a
daunting challenge.
“The process of preparing to go to the
North Pole was a heaven and a hell,”
Hillary says. “I didn’t have any money—
not two nickels to rub together—and the
base cost of the trip was $23,000. I was
trying to raise money, trying to train and
learning to absorb rejections. People
told me I was too old, that I was going
to die there, get eaten by polar bears. But, you know, I
don’t allow negative people in my life.”
On April 23, 2007, barely six months after hatching
her plan, Hillary stood at the North Pole, having
raised most of the funding for the trip, learned to ski,
completed rigorous physical training and traveled
more than 3,000 miles around the globe. She
dedicated the moment to her mother.
Now, Hillary has another goal—to make it to the South
Pole.
Hillary is also working with a grassroots team to raise awareness and funds (more
than $60,000) to make her dream a reality. According to the 2000 National Geographic article “Women Begin Trek
Across Antarctica” by Donald Smith, “One handicap that women [who want to explore the polar regions] continue to suffer is their
difficulty in attracting funding for such ventures.” And, of course, there are still
those who say a 76-year-old woman has no business planning a trek to the South Pole.
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE43
Amundsen, Scott, Shackleton, Hillary...and Hillary
Since Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott
reached the South Pole in 1911, exploration of that
frozen tundra has been the stuff of legend. Ernest
Shackleton...Edmund Hillary...the names of the men
who battled the unforgiving Antarctic landscape
to reach the South Pole are imprinted on Western
consciousness.
Female explorers are less well known. The first
woman known to have set foot on Antarctica was the
wife of a Norwegian seaman in 1935. Two American
women lived there for a year in 1947. An American
Women’s Antarctic Expedition arrived at the South
Pole on skis in January 1993, covering 700 miles
(1,100 kilometers) in 67 days.
As she did for the North Pole trip, Barbara Hillary
is preparing her body for the rigorous physical
effort, working with a trainer, increasing vegetable
consumption, vitamin intake, and treadmill-and-
weight-lifting sessions, even lugging a tire up
and down the block of her Queens, New York,
neighborhood to build strength. She will need to be
in top shape to brave average lows of -39 to -20 on a
windswept icy plateau of ice 9,000-ft thick.
Hillary is also working with a grassroots team to
raise awareness and funds (more than $60,000)
to make her dream a reality. According to the 2000
National Geographic article “Women Begin Trek
Across Antarctica” by Donald Smith, “One handicap
that women [who want to explore the polar regions]
continue to suffer is their difficulty in attracting
funding for such ventures.” And, of course, there
are still those who say a 76-year-old woman has no
business planning a trek to the South Pole.
Despite the challenges, Hillary is determined to
reach the South Pole and is on the verge of selecting
a company that specializes in Antarctic travel to
guide her there.
“Why do I want to go to the South Pole? I want to do
it to challenge myself on a higher level. It’s the thrill
of personal accomplishment,” Hillary says. “But you
know what? I also want to reach the South Pole for
all those people who said I couldn’t make it to the
North Pole. Not only did I make it to the top of the
world, but I’m going to make it to the South Pole, too.
I can’t wait to stand there and know that I can say, ‘I
made it!’” For more information, visit Barbara’s web
site at www.barbarahillary.com. BP
“Why do I want to go to the South Pole? I want to do it to challenge
myself on a higher level. It’s the thrill of personal accomplishment,”
Hillary says. “But you know what? I also want to reach the South
Pole for all those people who said I couldn’t make it to the North
Pole. Not only did I make it to the top of the world, but I’m going to
make it to the South Pole, too.”
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THE BLACK PERSPECTIVE44
84 LUMBER Page 18
AMERICAN BUILDINGS COMPANY Page 40
AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION Page 9
ARBITRON Page 40
AUBURN UNIVERSITY Page 9
BANK ATLANTIC Page 19
BENJAMIN MOORE Page 15
BROWN FORMAN Page 3
CAREERBUILDER Page 25
CITY OF HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA Page 9
COVANCE Page 29
CR BARD Page 32
E&J GALLO Page 26
GILES & RANSOME, INC (Ransome Cat) Page 37
GOLDEN CORRAL Page 36
HSB GLOBAL STANDARDS Page 36
JACOBS TECHNOLOGY Page 26
JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY Page 26
LAKE CUMBERLAND HOSPITAL Page 36
LIBERTY MUTUAL Page 40
PACIFIC STEEL Page 40
QUALIS HEALTH Page 40
RAPID CITY REGIONAL HOSPITAL Page 45
REHRIG PACIFIC Page 11
RIO TINTO Page 26
SKYWEST Page 2
THE HON COMPANY Page 26
THERMOFISHER Page 37
TITLEiST/ACUSHNET Page 31
TOWER PROPERTIES Page 26
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURG – Page 9
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
VANASSE HANGEN BRUSTLIN, INC Page 9
VIRGINIA ABC Page 18
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