1. NBCC on Capitol Hill: We will participate in two congressional hearings during the month of February.  The first will be with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee discussing jobs and adverse regulations.  The second will be before the House Energy and Commerce Committee discussing safety in the oil industry.  We have had a good track record with both of these committees and look forward to testifying before them once again.

2. Florida Looking for Strong Black Owned Businesses: Our friend and “sister”, Jennifer Carroll, is the recently elected Lieutenant Governor for the state of Florida.  One of her initiatives is to recruit strong and solid Black owned businesses.  She has asked the NBCC to assist. Florida has no state income tax, a great quality of life, no snow plowing, diverse population and a business friendly government.  If you want to consider moving your corporation to Florida contact Charles DeBow at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  We will be making a trip to Florida to learn more about this initiative.

3. Philadelphia School System Moves Toward Equal Opportunity: The Philadelphia School System has made a great decision.  They have decided to increase the number of minority companies doing construction with them and to improve the number of minority workers.  How?  It was quite simple – they cancelled their Project Labor Agreement with the unions.  This alone will exponentially enhance their diversity numbers at all levels.  Here’s an article about it.

4.  Changing of the Chairs: On January 26, we had our formal changing of the NBCC Chairmanship.  Outgoing Chair Sherrie Gilchrist passed the gavel to Arnold Baker.  We certainly appreciated Sherrie’s leadership during the last year and look forward to Arnold applying his skill sets to the role.  One of the first steps for Arnold will be to open the first Regional Office of the NBCC.  It will be in New Orleans and will serve the Southeastern Region.

5.  Presidential Realignment: We are pleased with the latest moves coming out of the White House.  Out goes extreme leftists Rahm Emmanuel and Carol Browner and enter businessmen William Dailey and Gene Sperling.  At the State of the Union President Obama said “Free Trade” and he also stated he will lower taxes for oil companies and for many others.  This move towards the center is quite welcomed. Remember, the word and the deed must go hand in hand.

6.  EPA wants NBCC Participants: There will be a meeting sometime during this April with the EPA’s Deputy Administrator, EPA senior managers, small businesses and national trade association.  The EPA is offering the NBCC federation 10 seats at the event.  If you would like to participate and are a member of the NBCC please contact Ryan Downey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a reservation.  This will be first come, first serve.

7.  Kenya Coffee Houses: During the next 5 years the nation of Kenya will start up 500 Kenya Coffee Houses (like Starbucks) throughout the globe including airports, shopping malls and retail parks.  They will have these branded and will use them to promote tourism to Kenya.  Right now they are actively seeking business partners (franchisees) in this project.  If you have an interest go (here).