1. Looking for Key Chamber Chapters:  Our good friends at Walmart and Altria are looking for active NBCC chapters that have key events and want to link up with the regional and local offices of these two corporate giants.  Annual dinners, conferences, seminars, etc. would be appropriate venues to begin interaction.  Financial members of the NBCC should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to begin this process.  This is a long-term project.

2. Shreveport wants Contractors:  The City of Shreveport, Louisiana, is preparing to build a 300 room Hilton Hotel to compliment its $75 million Convention Center.  The facilities are scheduled to be open in 2006.  The City Council demands participation from African American contractors.  Those wishing to learn more about this opportunity should contact Councilman Calvin B. Lester, Jr. at 318-425-4102 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Good luck!

3. NYC Disparity Study:  The City Council of New York has published a briefing on the recent Disparity Study performed by Mason Tillman & Associates (here).  This is fascinating and quite revealing.  If your city, county or state has not done one you should ask “why not?” and begin to correct that situation.

4. Tammy Talks Black Business:  The Tammy Says…Talk With Answers show, a national radio program which brings business experts up close and personal to the small business community will dedicate one show a week to Black Business during February, Black History Month.  Each Monday in February the Tammy Says show will feature topics with the focus on Black entrepreneurship.  For more detail contact www.tammysays.com.

5. Southern De-Lite Gets Christine’s Coffee:  Southern De-Lite Supermarkets, a Black owned ten store chain, located in Mississippi will be receiving its initial order of NBCC’s Christine’s Coffee (100% Arabica specialty coffee from the highlands of Kenya).  We thank Southern De-Lite and look forward to serious success. www.christinescoffee.com.

6. Building Wealth Tour:  The Building Wealth Tour begins its 2005 rollout in the cities of Detroit, February 12, and Chicago, February 26.  People living in these cities should participate with their local NBCC affiliates and take advantage of this great opportunity (here).  Stay tuned America; it will be coming to your city also.

7. Procurement Alert:  An entrepreneur recently asked the NBCC “It would help to raise the issue that the out of control Alaskan Native Corporations unlimited sole source authority is deviating the small business 8(a) program with ¾ of the dollars top 25 8(a) businesses earn is now going to ANCs.  Big business has discovered they can get huge (>$200m to $2B) contracts without competition using an ANC as a front.  It has happened at DHS, DOD and DOT.  Much of the small business work available to Black small businesses is being reallocated to these big business / ANC fronts.  It needs to be fixed before the progress made over the last couple decades is all undone.”  Wow! We see now why Alaska is a leader in 8(a) procurement activity. Anyone having information on this activity should send details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as we begin to build our case and determine action.

8. Doing Business in the Middle East:  A German-based newspaper wants to interview “a minority owned business that is working with partners in the Middle East”.  The reporter will be in DC during mid-February.  Anyone who has and wants to publicize their company to the reporter should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

9. Equity Partners Needed in Ghana:  We have two corporations, a textile manufacturer and a canned tuna producer, who are looking for equity investors as they grow their businesses internationally.  Any serious inquiries should be directed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

10. Kudos for Kay:  We are all extremely proud of Kay DeBow, Executive Vice President & Co-founder, for winning this year’s International Global Award by the Global Developmental Services for Youth, Inc.  The organization is impressed with her activities with the Black Diaspora and being their role model.

11. Hello Kenya!  Next week the NBCC office will be closed as we will be on our Trade Mission to the great nation of Kenya.  Visits with the President, Cabinet and key entrepreneurs should produce significant long-term results in international trade and investment.  Kenya has stated that it wants a more direct contact with the United States (as opposed to middle men from Europe) and we are going to give it to them.  We will share it all with you when we get back.

12. NBCC Health Plan:  We are entertaining a proposal that will allow local chambers and direct members to participate in a business health plan that will be affordable and inclusive of all industries.  We want to gauge your interest in this area to see if it will be worth formulating a comprehensive program.  Those who would evaluate this and participate if it saves your business money and provides necessary coverage should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as soon as you can.  

To the 100,000 businesses that read this, we are;

THE NATIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC.