1.  The Birth of a Promising Chapter: We give out a very strong welcome to our newest chapter – The Coastal Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce located in beautiful Brunswick, GA.  The co-founders Burnette Fulton Sr., CEO/President and Isaac Davis, Sr., Vice President were excellent conveners.  The National Office learned much about this region and is making plans to center our upcoming Agra-Business Initiative on this geography.

2.  Attention all Black Farmers and Landowners: On May 1, we are launching our Agra-Business Initiative.  The mission is to network Black farmers throughout the Diaspora via internet, webinars and social networking.  We want to maximize the yields coming out of our farming enterprises and to also locate new and available land that can be leased for the use of farming abundant crops.  Also, we want to network landowners whose properties sit idle and show them how they can make the property “cash cows” via lumber selling, farm leasing and alternative energy leasing such as solar.  If we start to make our land work, it will economically empower us, feed us, energize us and create new and precious jobs and business enterprises.  Don’t let your land become “lazy”.  Stay tuned for the formal kick off.

3. Debit Card Fees are on the Rise: Since Congress adopted the Durbin amendment, merchants have had to pay a flat fee of around 23 cents on each debit card transaction. This is a huge increase in costs for retailers who sell small ticket items and they are seeing their already slim profit margins cut even further. What Can You Do? Make your voice heard and join the Community Merchants Coalition by signing the petition to repeal this unfair financial burden for small business. Sign Here!

4.  We are watching HR 4221: The US Congress is calling on President Obama to engage African Markets.  Asia and Europe and now South America are busily investing more and more in the African Continent.  The United States will miss out unless we wake up and move at a much faster pace to compete with our global competitors.  “The Increasing American Jobs through Greater Exports to Africa Act” (HR4221) does just that.  Support Senator Durbin (D-IL) and Congressmen Rush (D-IL) and Smith (R-NJ).  It is being marked up today and please let your congressman and senator know how important it is to get this on President Obama’s desk.

5.  Big Meeting in Nairobi: The Trade Office of the US Department of Commerce is hosting a very thorough event entitled – “Increasing U.S. Trade and Investment Ties with the East African Community:  Outlining U.S. Private Sector Strategic Priorities in the Region on May 17 and 18^th in Nairobi, Kenya.”  For more detailed information.

6.  We are watching you Walsh Construction: We have been receiving numerous complaints about the contracting practices of Walsh Construction and its subsidiaries from around the nation.  Today, we learn that not only is there ugliness in the contracting activities, they treat their Black employees in a very un-American way. CraneChicago.com – “A dozen black workers employed by Walsh Group Ltd. have scored a big victory in a racial-discrimination suit against the Chicago-based construction company, with a federal judge allowing them to pursue their case as a class-action claim.  In a 33-page ruling issued in late March, U.S. District Court Judge Joan Lefkow certified two classes of black Walsh employees who could be included in the lawsuit, potentially covering thousand of workers. A jury award in the case could be as high as $500 million if the workers prevail in the case, their lawyer estimates.”  Anyone having a complaint against Walsh Construction should contact our national office immediately. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

7.  Network with Us in Atlanta: Reserve your rooms at the five star Four Seasons Hotel now, don’t hesitate. Check out the spa! We’ve negotiated sleeping room rates starting at $145 per night plus tax. And the early registration is still available at $150. These prices are a bargain! We’ve kept our 20^th Annual Conference affordable, go ahead reserve your room today, you’ll be glad you did! www.nbccconvention.org