Author: kevin

Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) will be disbursing $2.5 million in 2020 to assist manufacturers in affording the service of consultants, to improve productivity.

IMEC plans to give a grant of about $25,000 to Illinois manufacturers who seek professional advice on how to use the latest technology or increase their revenue. They are hoping to finance up to 50 projects next year.

The President of IMEC, David Boulay, stated that due to a lack of employees who can operate new technology and because small businesses desire a quicker return on investment (ROI) than more prominent firms, small manufacturers don’t quickly embrace modern technology. This attitude, he said, doesn’t aid productivity.

A survey of the workers employed by manufacturers in Illinois during the first quarter was conducted. Out of the 587,000 workers, about 20 percent worked in companies with less than 49 employees, 50% worked in companies with 50-499 employees, and 3o percent worked in companies with more than 500 employees.

IMEC is a member of a nationwide network of organizations that support small and medium-scale manufacturers in a public-private partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The organization had a $12.4 million budget for fiscal 2019.

Louisiana Economic Development was awarded a grant of $200,000 by the U.S. Small Business Administration to help small businesses who need to market their goods and services to foreign clients. The Grant is from the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), a program initiated to assist small businesses in accessing the necessary information and resources needed for them to excel in export trade.

Louisiana Economic Development (LED) will disburse the grants to increase the number of small business exporters and the sales of successful exporters in Louisiana. LED is one of the forty-one state and U.S. territory agencies partaking in the federal program for the year 2019-2021 program cycle.

The program will repay allowable travel, registration and exhibit cost on the following: domestic or foreign trade shows; inbound or outbound trade missions; participation in export training workshops; U.S. Commercial Service user fees; and other activities. New-to-export companies will get up to 75% repayment, and companies expanding their market will get up to 50% reimbursement. Each company will get up to $6,333 in assistance from the program.

Earlier this year, through the help of STEP grants American Pollution Control Corp., an environmental remediation company based in New Iberia, Louisiana, participated in International Trade Shows in Cairo, Egypt, and Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico.

Black Investor, Kobie Fuller, during his business sojourn made mistakes while finding solutions to problems in areas where he wasn’t a specialist. At that time, he realized that there was no online tool or community that brings Black Professionals together. This realization inspired him to create Valence, a social networking app that serves as an online community for black professionals. The app was launched on Tuesday, 5th November 2019.

According to Fuller, Valence aims to “unlock the global combined power of Black professionals to create massive economic wealth and social progress that impacts current and future generations.”
Venture Capitalist Kobie Fuller co-founded the platform with La Mer Walker and Emily Slade. He is also a partner at Upfront Ventures. The other aim of Valence aside from gathering black professionals is to help companies that are finding it challenging to launch their ideas, become a partner, and have access to a community of excellent black talent.

It took two years for the complete development of the app. The app was created by black professionals and for black professionals. The name given to the app connotes the main objective of the app because Valence in science means the combining power of an element. That is what the app does, combining the power of black professionals. Also, the app will serve as a hub showcasing job opportunities from top firms, as well as provide users with capital and startup tips. Finally, Valence will tell the extraordinary story of Black Professionals.

The network is based in Los Angeles and open to any Black person who passes the vetting process by existing members of the platform.
The network was able to raise $2.5 million capital from Upfront Ventures, Sinai Ventures, High Alpha and angels Paul Judge, and Willie and Peggy Alford.

The Association of Black Women Physicians, (ABWP) celebrates their 38th Annual Charity & Scholarship Benefit on Sunday, November 10, 2019 @ 11 AM at the Four Seasons Hotel, 300 S. Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90048.

This year’s theme is Strong Women, Healthy Mothers, Vibrant Communities: Celebrating 38 Years of Advocating for Health Justice.

Founded in 1982, the nonprofit organization has successfully empowered generations of Black women, families and communities. This year, Bernard J. Tyson, Chairman & CEO, Kaiser Permanente, receives a Special Lifetime Achievement Award highlighting his stellar career in health care. Dr. Kimberly D. Manning, of Emory University, will receive the ABWP Lifetime Achievement Award. Her incredible journey began in Los Angeles, CA and led her to create a national platform that gives voice to the unique and invaluable contributions of African-American women physicians in medicine. Both honorees truly uphold the power of advocacy for health justice.

Receiving the Humanitarian of the Year Award is the Black Women for Wellness organization for their work in Maternal Morbidity and Mortality. Organized by 6 women in 1997, Black Women for Wellness is a woman centered grassroots community based organization, on a mission to enhance the health and well-being of Black women and girls, by increasing communication sharing among health care professionals, developing and implementing cultural and gender appropriate programs, and supporting and empowering women to take leadership roles that advocate toward health disparities.

Tabitha Brown, Whole Foods spokesperson, actress and social media influencer, will welcome guests and honorees as the Mistress of Ceremony.

The success of the Annual Charity and Scholarship Benefit supports scholarships for extraordinary medical students. To date, the organization has raised over $700,000 in scholarships for deserving medical students. Scholarship recipients will receive direct financial support, that will help assure their future ability to provide culturally sensitive medical care of positive impact to underserved patients and communities.

While Blacks make up about 4% of practicing physicians, and Black females less than half that number, their special roadblocks include inadequate primary education, lack of mentors, and cost. ABWP members fill those needs by being counselors, serving as encouraging role models and assisting with the extraordinary costs of pursuing a medical career. While addressing the severe shortage of Black female physicians since 1982, ABWP has continued their commitment to provide free health education through comprehensive workshops and forums, partnering and networking to improve the health and welfare of the community. The Benefit also funds the numerous signature community health programs sponsored by ABWP.

Charity Benefit Sponsors include: Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, MPH Program, Anthem Blue Cross, USC Keck School of Medicine, Jesse L. Sherrod, MD, MPH, City National Bank, California Medical Association, & Western University.

This year’s gala promises many other unforgettable moments and surprise guests. An inspiring program, silent auction, and inviting brunch await guests at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles of Beverly Hills. For more information, visit www.blackwomenphysicians.org, email [email protected], or call Event Coordinator: Sabra Waddy, of Splendid Affairs Event Mgmt. @ 818.605.7405.

The invention of a new technology, the Healthguv app, is geared towards making medical social networking easier. Before the advent of the app, Healthguv, since its inauguration, has been a social media platform for getting medical information and interacting with medical practitioners.

The healthguv social media website has gathered hundreds of followers from different parts of the world, who are eager to connect with persons with like medical issues and also medical experts. The new healthguv app seeks to make the interaction smoother and faster while ensuring that it is user-friendly and easy to navigate. The app was launched during the summer, and it is already flourishing within the healthcare network.

The Healthguv app was diligently designed just like the social networking website by a group of medical experts. The aim of the app includes; to more effectively bring the global society together, easy exchange of information between members, and easy access to professional advice and discussion of treatment options on the go.

The founders of healthguv believe the platform has been very useful in creating awareness about various medical challenges and hopes that the healthguv app will make the objectives of the healthguv more accessible and feasible. Information about various topics ranging from musculoskeletal conditions, skincare, chronic ailments, children’s health, and many more can be accessed at the fingertip of members.

Laser Scientist Hildreth (Hal) Walker, Jr. who played a key role in the Apollo 11 Mission in 1969 will be the Keynote Speaker at the Annual Africa and International Use of Energy Conference. The conference will be held at the River Club, in Cape Town, South Africa on November 25-26, 2019.

Prof. Walker will address energy solutions for the cities of the 4th industrial revolution at the conference. The ICUE Conference will focus on sound energy management workshops, which will include case studies emphasizing best practice, international and local energy standards, involvement of original manufacturers, plant designers while encouraging universities and research councils to be more involved in energy research and marketing of Eskom’s Education Support Programs. It will discuss relevant topics during workshops with practical industrial themes to attract members of the Contractors’ Association; facility managers; energy managers of hospitals, hotels; in order to make decision makers and managers more energy conscious. Target groups include; Energy Intensive Users Group, mining sector; developers, insurance companies; manufacturers, commerce SASOL; and PetroSA.

50 years ago, Walker was the first person to successfully fire the laser to the moon during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing Mission and led the manufacturing, testing and operation of the KORAD K-1500 ruby laser system for the Korad Laser Company. In 1969 during the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment was the only interactive planetary experiment that took place for the first Moon Landing Mission.

In 1997, President Nelson Mandela invited Hildreth and Bettye to establish and implement science and technology programs in townships and schools across South Africa.

Prof. Walker and Dr. Bettye have made history again. On February 27, South Africa welcomed the opening of the first chapter of the National Space Society (NSS) on the African Continent: The Cape Town Space Society (CTSS). Prof. Hal and Dr. Bettye Walker founded this first-ever Chapter.

The National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) has received a $1.4 million grant from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) for a project that will put together around $1 billion for new investment into black-owned businesses.

This news comes at a time when many of the 11 million minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) of the nation is finding it challenging to secure start-up capital.

The NAIC plans to launch the Minority Growth Equity Funds Initiative with the grant received. The primary purpose of the program is to increase the amount of capital available for MWBEs braced for growth. The NAIC is planning to start disbursing the money by 2020.

The MBDA, which is a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce claims that they are the only federal parastatal that is promoting the development and universal competitiveness of U.S. minority business enterprises.

The NAIC says the capital will come with institutional investors and be released by private equity funds of funds (FOF). The FOFs will disburse the funds to the growth firms, and the firms will then invest in MWBEs. The FOFs will also be mandated to write a set of rules to ensure the management of the funds. The NAIC, on the other hand, will grant each of its member firm and non-NAIC member firms the opportunity to participate in the process.

January of this year marked the start of Entrepreneur Devin Robinson’s Urban Business Lending Group, a certified national business loan brokers. Since then, the company has given about $2million in seed financing for fresh black entrepreneurs, especially Black-Americans.

Devin Robinson explained that the motivation behind the start of the business is because, from his experience in training and mentoring many young black entrepreneurs since 2009, he discovered they all had challenges securing start-up capital. He believes the launch of the company will cub the problem of black entrepreneurs getting loans and serve as a one-stop financial resource for black entrepreneurs.

According to their website, the company will serve as an alternative to small business loan irrespective of the bad history an black entrepreneur have in settling debts or other concerns that makes conventional banks deprive black entrepreneurs loan.
Urban Business Lending Group is located in Atlanta. They provide loans without collateral to black entrepreneurs who complete their intense black entrepreneurial training programs.

John Legend is reportedly making plans to see that people with criminal records are more employable.

The Program which started in 2017, tagged “Unlocked Futures,” is a collaboration between John Legend’s “FreeAmerica” Program and “New Profit.” The Program, which will run for 14-months, aims to unlock the talents and skills of black entrepreneurs who have been formally incarcerated by the law and desire to make something out of their life.

During the training, participants will be coached on leadership skills such as communications, talent strategy, fundraising, and board governance. There will also be an assessment of participant’s skills to identify areas they need to improve on, after which they will be attached to mentors.

All prospective applicants must have a business they are currently running for them to be eligible for the Program.
According to FreeAmerica’s website, the Program was founded by John Legend in 2014, to eradicate total confinement in the United States by giving a voice to persons who faced the wrath of the judicial system.

Part of the lined up events to formally celebrate Durham’s 150th anniversary includes recognition of vital achievements by members of the African American community.

Today, the city reflects an environment of big businesses but the foundation of this accomplishment can be traced few miles away to an antique brick building on Fayetteville Street and to the headquarters of one of the oldest bank which is located on West Parrish Street.

According to Webb and historian Eddie Davies, John Merrick was one of the persons who distinguished effort for the betterment of Durham’s future. He founded the North Carolina Mutual life Insurance Company and also supported the creation of Mechanics and Farmers Bank.

The establishment of this business occurred at a time when racism was at its peak. Racist chase many families out of town and even burnt a black-owned business in Wilmington.
The Mechanics and Farmers Bank still operates in Durham, though it is not the only surviving memory of a place known as Black Wall Street.

Richard fitzgerald provided most of the redbrick around downtown, including the building of St. Joseph Catholic which is now used by Hayti Heritage Center.
These are just a few of the many people who contributed to the development of Durham.