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Two-time NBA Star and Entrepreneur Baron Davis Launches New Start-up:  The Santa Company 

A brand focused on promoting positive role models – all year round

December 2nd, 2016 [Los Angeles, CA] – Just in time for this holiday season, Baron Davis announces the launch of Santa, a new brand offering innovative products, branded apparel, and other consumer items, which will remain culturally relevant year-round. The two-time NBA All-Star and black entrepreneur created Santa to promote positive role models, which aim to inspire and entertain the world.

Originated with the mission to elevate the Christmas spirit beyond commercialism, Santa will offer contemporary and diverse holiday products and characters that inspire a new view of a traditional holiday. These holiday products and characters will be incorporated into non-Christmas holidays. Through the unique concept of presenting Santa year round, the brand hopes to kindle its followers by promoting good spirit and giving regardless of the time of the year. Santa is more than a brand; it is a movement that touches on personal cultural elements such as tradition, religion, and race – utilizing cultural relevance. It centers on diversity, inclusivity, giving back, and bringing people together on issues that they care about. 

“We live in a world that needs a constant reminder of hope and positivity, particularly in neighborhoods like where I grew up. I want to give people the ability to dream and imagine something different. I want to make people feel good about themselves.”-Davis

Beyond the holiday season, people will be able to engage with the brand through social media and video content, highlighting positivity and good in their communities. Even more than a brand, The Santa Company is a movement making a statement that seeks to inspire the young and young-at-heart to celebrate diversity, giving, and doing good for others. It will offer relevant content, characters and product year-round, starting with the campaign #GivingHasNoSeason.

“With all that’s going on in this country, and particularly in the African-American community, I want to offer heroes and role models through storytelling. Santa is the first character. His mission is to celebrate diversity, the joy of giving and the magic of good. He’s here to bring people together and have fun.” – Baron Davis

The line, ranging from $5.00 – $79.99, features t-shirts, long tees, hoodies, baby onesies, beanies, wrapping paper, ornaments and more. 

Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios Networks Adds 35 New Independent Distribution Partners

Carriage Reaches Nearly 80 Million Aggregate Subscribers Across the U.S. and the Caribbean

Entertainment Studios, Inc., (www.es.tv) one of the largest independent producers and distributors of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations, and owner of seven 24-hour HD cable television networks, proudly announces carriage expansion of its portfolio of cable networks to more independent distributors nationwide and throughout the Caribbean, now reaching nearly 80 million aggregate subscribers.

The Entertainment Studios Networks roster of independent distribution partners continues to grow. The recent rollout of the Entertainment Studios 24/7 HD cable networks includes the following MVPDs:

CABLE BAHAMAS
MCTV
CABLE TV OF STANTON
MEDIACOM
COLORADO TELEPHONE
MILES COOPERATIVE
COMMUNITY FIBER
MINERVA VALLEY
CSI DIGITAL
NITTANY MEDIA
DIGICEL
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
FARMERS & MERCHANTS
PAUL BUNYAN
FOOTHILLS COMMUNICATIONS
PIEDMONT COMMUNICATIONS
GARDEN VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY
PRESTON TELEPHONE
GOLDFIELD
SANDHILL
GOTHAM
SATVIEW
GRAND RIVER MUTUAL
SHENTEL
GTA TELEGUAM
SWEETWATER CABLE TV
GREEN DOT
U.S.A. COMMUNICATIONS
HUXLEY COMMUNICATIONS
VOSS
LAYER 3
WAVERLY COMMUNICATIONS UTILITY
MASSEY COMMUNICATIONS
WILKES COMMUNICATIONS
MATANUSKA COMMUNICATIONS

“We are thrilled to have additional independent operators on board,” said Janice Arouh, President of Network Distribution & Marketing at Entertainment Studios Networks. “The independent distributors are hyper-focused on offering cost-effective engaging content as a way to offset high-cost networks and retransmission deals.”

The seven Entertainment Studios 24/7 HD cable networks include:

Cars.TV – This Emmy Award-winning and adrenaline-pumping network showcases the collectors, designers, innovators, and the ultimate car enthusiasts! (www.Cars.tv)
Comedy.TV – A television network dedicated to today’s funniest comedians, featuring a mix of live concert performances, talk and variety shows, sitcoms and movies. (www.Comedy.tv)
ES.TV – A television network dedicated to entertainment news, variety shows, celebrity profiles and today’s hottest superstars. (www.es.tv)
MyDestination.TV – A television network dedicated to the best in travel featuring fun, exciting, exotic must-see destinations around the world. (www.MyDestination.tv)
Pets.TV – A television network dedicated to pet lovers everywhere. PETS.TV celebrates the pets we love and the people who love them. Pet News, Pet Care, Pet Health and Pet Lifestyles. (www.Pets.tv)
Recipe.TV – A television network dedicated to famous chefs, amazing recipes, and delicious cuisine from around the world. (www.Recipe.tv)
Justice Central.TV – A television network dedicated to Emmy Award-nominated court shows, legal news, and the world’s biggest trials. (www.JusticeCentral.tv)

Michael Baisden’s Return To Radio A Case Study In Branding Success

Dynamic multi-media personality Michael Baisden returns to urban radio in January 2017 after a three-year hiatus from the commercial airwaves. As previously reported, the new Michael Baisden Show will air from 3 to 7 p.m. on WRHD-HD2 The All New Fresh 97.9 Greenville, N.C., a newly launched R&B outlet that debuted in September. His return is welcome news for Baisden’s millions of fans who were caught by surprise when the show was abruptly canceled in March 2013 after a successful ten-year run. But to some, Baisden’s return to radio was the inevitable result of a consistent branding strategy.

Though the popular radio host Baisden found himself literally locked out of the Cumulus Broadcasting studio due to communication issues during his contract negotiation, he didn’t let that setback discourage or stop him. Where this professional fiasco would have sent others out of the spotlight for a while to reconsider their options, the media-savvy personality appeared not to miss a single step, continuing to meet his ongoing business and non-profit goals, maintain his public profile, and keep the national conversation around important social and cultural issues going strong.

STAYING TRUE TO HIS CORE
So how did the outspoken author and motivational speaker burnish his brand in the wake of his show’s demise? Baisden simply continued doing him by carrying on the many activities that helped land him on the radio in the first place. By writing and promoting thought-provoking books, drawing attention to key social issues in the African American community, and leveraging the exposure of a variety of broadcast and social media platforms to share his various messages, Baisden stayed in the public eye and maintained relevancy.

A New York Times bestselling author, Baisden released his latest book in 2014, a year after leaving radio. Titled Raise Your Hand If You Have Issues: If You Didn’t Raise Your Hand You’re Lying and That’s an Issue., the book follows 2012’s bestselling Maintenance Man II; and further cemented Baisden’s image as a credible motivational leader and life coach. Baisden utilized book publishing from the beginning of his career to establish himself as a public figure and subject matter expert; in an age of self-publishing and branding, book authorship is now a major pathway to brand identification for a wide audience. Baisden harnessed this idea back in 1997 with Never Satisfied How & Why Men Cheat, a provocative title that he first sold out of the back of his car and grew into a nationwide phenomenon.

Baisden shares the inspiration and goal oriented business plan he first developed in the marketing notes for Raise Your Hand. “As a college dropout, former Air Force Sergeant, single parent and transit worker from the south side of Chicago, I wanted my life to mean something. That opportunity came when I stepped out on faith to live my dream,” Baisden states. “That courageous step resulted in 5 bestselling books, a national radio show airing in 100 cities, 2 national TV shows, mentoring partnerships and social activism. Those things never would have happened if I didn’t learn to become an expert at managing my own life, my own business and my own journey!”

Mastering Multiple Media Platforms
No radio? No problem. Building on the national profile he’d gained while broadcasting a daily show, Baisden increased his presence through other media platforms, including social media, television, video and podcasting. Baisden has become a master of multi-platform social media marketing to keep his followers abreast of his activities and often controversial opinions. This has allowed him to keep pace with current events, as well as continuously interact with his followers. Baisden’s non-stop media activities paid off, with the busy personality posting a YouTube clip in September 2016 that celebrated his milestone of reaching 4.1 million FaceBook likes.

For example, Baisden continues to throw new fuel on core topics for followers to debate. For example, on Nov. 30 Baisden posted to his FaceBook page criticizing those looking for love in all the wrong places; titled “Stop Blaming The Opposite Sex: Maybe the problem is YOU!,” the commentary is sure to stir strong opinions on the battle of the sexes – which is Baisden’s chief role as agent provocateur. “I’ve dealt with liars, deceivers, and materialists. And even when you’re upfront about what you want, we all know people will lie to themselves in order to be with you,” Baisden writes in his trademark incendiary style. He concludes, “Make 2017 the year of growth and maturity, and that starts by not blaming others for your situation.”

His YouTube channel is regularly updated with video versions of his popular podcasts, not to mention past episodes of “Baisden After Dark,” the popular variety and talk show on TV One where he served as co-host and producer. With co-host Craig Willborn and musical director Morris Day of The Time, the show further cemented Baisden’s reputation as a freewheeling master of ceremonies who could ask provocative questions about relationships, share his opinions on various topics, celebrate African American cultural achievements, and make folks laugh as well as think.

Keeping His Heart In His Work
Baisden’s commitment to charitable endeavors also moved forward without reinforcement from daily radio promotion. Part of his mission and brand was a dedication to social justice, education, literacy and mentoring within the African American Community. Just months after the shutdown of his radio show, Baisden launched the One Dream One Team Mentoring Initiative; working with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, Baisden committed to finding African American mentors for each of the more than 12,000 boys on the organization’s mentorship waiting list and convened a One Dream One Team Think Tank conference in Orlando, Florida, challenging participants to find or become mentors for young men and boys. Baisden had adopted an entire class of 28 boys at an Orlando high school in 2012, pledging to find one-on-one mentorship for each to help them with their educational and professional goals. That class graduated this year, giving him another milestone to share with his followers on his social media platforms.

Continuing the work he’d done to combat police brutality and create new opportunities for young man is another way that Baisden has maintained his identity and credibility in the market. Listeners remember his role in mobilizing a national response to the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012, and previous to that, in 2007, his organization of a protest march on Jena, Louisiana, in response to the police shootings of six unarmed young men. With reports of unjustified police shootings increasing in the wake of the Ferguson incident of 2015, Baisden has intensified his persona as a leader and organizer.

Back On The Airwaves
It remains to be seen whether Baisden’s new radio venture will rival the popularity of his previous show, which was heard in more than 78 radio markets during afternoon drive. The urban radio syndication marketplace has seen a number of shifts in the three years since his show was last heard; further, Baisden’s style of broadcasting created a seismic shift within the competitive urban radio industry that had become used to more formulaic fare from seasoned jocks. Baisden challenged standards by creating an afternoon drive-time hybrid between talk radio and music radio, a formula that longtime broadcasting pros had long believed would only work in mornings.

But as they say, timing is everything. The national climate has changed drastically now that the presidency of our first African American Commander in Chief, Barack Obama, is coming to a close, and the country is still coming to grips with the full import of 2016’s election results. Baisden’s ability to navigate a number of thorny subjects, allow for a variety of listener viewpoints, and mobilize community activism is an established brand and bodes well for the success of his new show.

This is a great video about being a trendsetter and black entrepreneur. It’s not easy and mistakes are often made but at the end of the day the reward is great.

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WASHINGTON (November 9, 2016) – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority business Development Agency is participating in the first-ever Essence Festival in Durban, South Africa, November 8-13. Designed to be a sister event to the annual Essence Festival held in New Orleans, Essence Durban sets its sights on global black entrepreneurship for all women.

MBDA has supported the annual Essence Festival in New Orleans for the past two years through business development workshops and this year’s highly successful Money + Power Entrepreneurship Village.  As part of MBDA’s mission to strengthen ties in global markets, the Essence Festival in Durban will provide access to a flourishing business community and allow the agency to promote global partnerships with its network of U.S. minority-owned businesses.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to share our resources and expertise with our partners at Essence while building our international network in South Africa,” said MBDA National Director Alejandra Y. Castillo.

Essence Durban builds on the annual Durban business Fair, a business exposition hosted by the eThekwini Municipality for the past 18 years that attracts more than 850 small and medium businesses.  MBDA hopes to leverage its local and international network of Minority business Enterprises (MBEs) to assemble a delegation of MBEs to return to the 2017 Essence Durban Festival.

In addition, the MBDA staff will meet with African businesses, Durban economic development staff, and procurement officials. The agenda also includes a Money + Power Pavilion-business Meet and Greet and a round table discussion on policy and governance, economic development through small business, and trade with U.S. MBEs.

ESSENCE Durban will be held at the International Convention Center and the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. For more information on this event, visit http://www.essence.com/festival/essence-festival-durban

Every black entrepreneur I’ve ever come across has complained about this at one time or another.”Finding good help” it’s one of the greatest challenges of most black entrepreneurs. So what is the problem? First and foremost, many times in our search it’s a last ditch effort. We will never make the best decisions at the last minute. I too have suffered through trying to find the right people for a much-needed job, taking the time to train them or worse yet, training them and they fall through then allow myself to get frustrated and ending up doing the job myself. As we all know, this turns us against hiring other people, our lesson becomes, it’s better just to do the job ourselves. But is it? I did a survey and asked several black entrepreneurs how they find the right people I’ve also included my own experience on how I try to make the process easier. Do you have anything to add? Feel free to comment.

Looking in the Wrong Places

Quite often, black entrepreneurs are friends with other black entrepreneurs or we rely heavily on them as well as contacts on social networks in the search to find someone to do a job. This is a HUGE mistake. We have to keep in mind, that quite often, our friends and people in social networks know a lot of “unemployed” people. To make matters worse, in a lot of situations, they’re either related to those people or friends with them. They are doing those people a favor because they “need a job” rarely because YOU “need a job DONE.” Their loyalty extends to their family and friends or whatever the situation may be. It does not extend to you. They’re not often thinking that this is wasting your time as much as they are thinking the relative or friend just needs money. In addition, this could be destructive to your relationship with the person.

One of my greatest pet peeves, is wasting time. So in essence, the last person you should ask for help to hire someone is a friend or business associate. Sometimes it does but moreover, it rarely works out. You need to be able to maintain your composure and remove all emotion or obligation when hiring someone and express your dismay when the job has not been done to your standards. You lose control of the situation when you depend on friends and business associates to help. There’s a good chance you may need to fire the person and this probably won’t sit well the original contact. (Click NEXT above or below for next segment)

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Wrong People

This may or may not apply to your industry all I can do is give you an example of what I’ve done wrong. In the process of looking for writers, for example, or someone to cover an event for my industry business, I’ve often looked for people with a heavy social network presence in an effort to kill two birds with one stone. This is a mistake because they’re not focused on what I need their focused on what THEY need. While it’s okay to create win-win situations, that balance shifts when you’re paying for services … to YOUR advantage.

Why should you pay someone to build their brand or pay them to pimp YOUR business? If you send them to an event that they would otherwise not get into, the job is to completely cover YOUR BRAND. If they can start a relationship by getting a number that’s fine, but a majority of their time should not be spent mingling and taking pictures not following one person around and trying to get to know them while they are on your clock.  They can’t forget their main job but if you are not there … oh well. Nevertheless, the beauty of it is you get to see the results on your social networks, hopefully, DURING the event. I would strongly suggest hiring someone who has mediocre or small numbers on social networks and no ulterior motives to cover events for you but they should KNOW the key players, that’s the MOST important part.

At the end of the day, the great thing about most industries is relationships, they are paramount and it is rare if not impossible to develop them in one meeting or by using your brand as a gateway for themselves. Another great thing about relationships, if someone is not a good fit, your clients will usually let you know. Also, be very wary of people who use the word “we” in describing your business. This is a great indicator that they feel they are an equal instead of a freelancer or contractor.
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You’re Too Available

In the 21 years that I’ve been doing business, I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve allowed myself to listen and get sucked into the vortex of other people’s problems and extend myself in ways that I should not have. The bottom line is, when people have access to you, they will ask you for things. This is not your job, you are hiring someone. You’re not a welfare agency, psychiatrist, bank, or a until-payday service (unless you want to charge them heavy interest like they do) until something better comes along. This is why as I’ve said in “looking in the wrong places” it’s best to higher people where you can remove all emotion and attachment. Unfortunately, people take advantage of your kindness and we all know what they say about kindness.

At the end of the day, a job needs to be done. No ifs, ands or buts. I would strongly suggest people connect to you by email as a primary source of contact and use discretion in your response times. If it’s not an emergency don’t respond as quickly. This gives you time to think about your responses and your strategies for responding. Can you reach Walmart’s board by phone if you’re an employee? How often do employees even know who owns Best Buy, for example? You have to create some distance between you and the person you’re hiring they are NOT your equal and you have to establish that.

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You’re Too Soft

When interviewing a potential candidate be very careful about being too friendly. I know this sounds harsh but truth be told (again) they’re not your equal there someone you are hiring to do a job that’s it. When you’re too soft it’s an easy way for people to take advantage perhaps not intentionally, but it’s just human nature. They learn your soft spots and your buttons and how to push them. This is why it’s important not to hire friends. friends of friends or associates. They already know where your soft spots are.

TD Jakes said something really interesting one day, he stated that if you didn’t know him and you work for him you’ll probably think he’s abusive. While that may sound harsh, as black entrepreneurs we should know exactly what that means. There is a job to be done, You’re getting paid for that job… there is no excuse, just do it!
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Job Not Defined

It would be a perfect world if potential candidates could think like us. But the truth is, they can’t and they don’t. Therefore, it is necessary that we define what we expect of them and it is best that it is in writing. I know, more work, but at the end of the day less stress! Write out exactly what you expect, put it in PDF format, And email it to them and have them sign it and send it back. At the end of that statement, include that you will pay for when job assignment has been completed ON THE DAYS THAT YOU PAY EVERYONE.
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Playing Money Tree

As black entrepreneurs, many of us completely understand what it’s like to be broke.We know what it’s like to chase money, and we know what it’s like to worry about bills. The difference is, IT’S US, and OUR experienced in building OUR business! Being sympathetic will cost us dearly. If not, put us back in the same position that we were originally in. Your business money on reserve is YOUR business money on reserve! What if YOU have an emergency? The only thing that you can do as give them a day that they will be paid and leave it at that this goes back to what I’ve already mentioned, people having easy access to you and hiring the wrong people. Just about every situation where someone asked me to pay them early, the work has ALWAYS been compromised and subpar because they’re focused on the money instead of getting the job done right. Define the days that payment will be made and stick by it no matter what. The first or the 15th, for example, and tell them this in advance and let them know there are no exceptions. If they ask you to make an exception blame it on your accountant or bookkeeper or tell them you can only pay early if you can REDUCE THE PRICE that you were going to pay them by 30 to 50%. See how they respond then. Pay on time get better results, Pay early, get crappy results.

Just about every situation where someone asked me to pay them early, the work has ALWAYS been compromised and subpar because they’re focused on the money instead of getting the job done right. Define the days that payment will be made and stick by it no matter what. The first or the 15th, for example, and tell them this in advance and let them know there are no exceptions. If they ask you to make an exception blame it on your accountant or bookkeeper or tell them you can only pay early if you can REDUCE THE PRICE that you were going to pay them by 30 to 50%. See how they respond then. Pay on time get better results, Pay early, get crappy results.

Search not Planned

We are all guilty of this, whenever we need someone we wait until the 11th hour. Mostly because we are avoiding the stress and frustration that we have been through many times before. Unfortunately, when we wait until the 11th hour, we don’t find the best person. To that end, it’s because we have not properly planned out the search. This is quite often when we end up relying on friends, business associates, and social networks. This is a HUGE mistake. In order to get the best results, we have to INVEST at least an hour of our time in writing down exactly what we wand and expect.
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Too Loyal

Another mistake that I have made over the years is being too loyal to people who deliver half the service that I need. Sometimes we get an emotional bind when we know that someone is out of work they need money and we are loyal to them but not loyal to our business. What do you think is more important? As stated before, black entrepreneurs are very sympathetic to struggle. Because we have all been through it but if you want to help people find a charity or some sort of volunteer service. But don’t allow yourself to be used for or business to be mistreated or pimped by others. Your business is all you have your blood sweat and tears are in it. It is what you represent it is who you are, Hire the best people who go above and beyond not backward and below. If you’ve got to be loyal, be loyal to your business FIRST!
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Not Checking References

We all know the resume game and how people play it. Of course, I’m going to put down references that speak highly of me. But the great advantage of today’s online world is that it’s easy to Google the names look at their social networks and find out much more information about them then the resume will tell you. Once again, it’s about investing the time. You are investing the time for your business, It’s better to spend an hour researching someone then 10 hours, training them and correcting their work, just to start the process all over again. The mistake could’ve been avoided. Remember the important word is “invest.”
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Looking for a One Stop Shop

Another mistake that we make is it thinking that everyone is like us. We think that we can hire someone who can take direction then run with the ball in their court without having to consult with us. We think that they will think like us and do like us. We are consistently looking for ways to save time. Unfortunately, the best way to save time is to invest time. Like any other investment, you put in the small amount and hope for a much greater return. But in order to do that, you have to research the marketplace. Every now and then, you will find gold. Ironically, it could be through a reference, Unfortunately, it is still every now and then. Keep an eye on the people that you hire and see who does best and test them out for other areas to work in, you might be pleasantly surprised at how much more they can do.
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Not Understanding the Job Market

Today’s millennials are all about instant gratification. In addition, they’re about branding. They’re looking for ways to build their own brand even if it means piggybacking off your years of hard work. Can you really afford that?
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Wasting Your Time

We were looking for someone to design a site not long ago, I decided to go to a third party site to high freelancers. This site takes your money as a buffer then lets you look over freelancer resumes and decide who you want to hire. Then they pay the person when the job is completed. What I find really annoying is there are times you’ll come across people who act like they are doing YOU a favor. Making requests that I just don’t have time for, like trying to schedule a Skype meeting to interview me? This is unacceptable. The money is already there. I am not the one looking for job.  My suggestion, see the situation for what it is upfront and move on it is you who are in control, not them.
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Not Testing

Why are you trying to hire somebody permanently? The great thing about technology and being an black entrepreneur today is that for many jobs, they don’t require the person is actually there on the premises … you can hire them as a test, a freelance person or an independent contractor (provided you meet all tax requirements). If they work out, you can hire them for more assignments. Allow them to work themselves into part-time than full-time.
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Find people who are “Hungry” or experience

You may find the BEST person for the job is someone who is not in your industry. For the most part, as black entrepreneurs, the jobs that we don’t “want” to do can often be done by other people who have no affiliation with our industry. This can be younger or older workers. If you find someone who is great at what they do ask them if they have friends who need work. Birds of a feather flock together and you may continue to strike it rich with the friends or associates of people who are hard working and focused on building your business.

Wegman’s is an AMAZING Grocery Store, Pricey but Great Selection

While visiting upstate New York recently for an extended amount of time, I had my first “experience” grocery shopping. This is not something I had ever heard of but it was certainly something I had now done.

I’ve been in MANY stores around the country like Ralph’s, Kroger, Vons, Tops, Whole Foods and Trader Joes … but I have NEVER seen a store like Wegmans. Wegmans is a family-owned regional store on the east coast and the first thing I noticed when walking in was great jazz music and  I’m not much of a Jazz fan. The music was on a great system as well and didn’t have the usual cheap sound you usually hear or don’t pay much attention to when you walk into a grocery store.

While I am not a big fan of buffet’s it was the first one that I saw that was clean and monitored. I’ve seen some of the most disgusting people at grocery store buffets but there was enough traffic that it was constantly rotating. The food looked and smelled good. The sushi bar had a huge variety of staff making fresh sushi on the spot and their deli sandwiches were amazing with fresh bread (not packaged like many major chains use). What I really like about the store is you felt like taking your time and staying longer. Usually, I’m in and out of the store as fast as possible but this store was different. Unfortunately, we don’t have great

The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive and what I really like about the store is you felt like taking your time and staying longer. Usually, I’m in and out of the store as fast as possible but this store was different. Unfortunately, we don’t have great stores like this on the west coast but I wanted to commend the brand for creating a grocery shopping “experience” instead of just another store. THIS is a great business. You owe it to yourself to check it out.

Los Angeles businessman and philanthropist E.J. Jackson died of a heart attack just weeks before his massive annual Turkey Give-a-way. He owned Jackson Limousine Service and was an avid supporter of other black-owned businesses like KJLH radio in Los Angeles