1.  Streaming Live – Conservative Black Forum: You are all encouraged to watch the streaming of the Conservative Black Forum, June 18 during 1:00PM – 3:00PM, which is hosted by Congressman Allen West.  Participants will include Fox Business Network’s Charles Payne, BET’s Robert L. Johnson, NBCC’s Harry C. Alford and Kay DeBow among other Black business advocates.   To view the streaming go to http://onlinemediaevent.com/conservativeblackforum.  You may also want to physically attend the event which will be held at Room HVC 200, United States Capitol.  The theme of the event is “Economic Empowerment in the Black Community”.

2.  National Construction Committee: The formation of this important segment of the NBCC infrastructure is taking form.  We need state participation from the following states:  South Carolina, Michigan, Kentucky, Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma.  NBCC members within these states and who are in the construction, A/E business or understand it should contact Charles DeBow for details at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

3. Beware of the High Speed Rail: The Federal Railroad Administration which will fund much of the new high speed rails is void of the USDOT DBE program.  Therefore, there will be no minority goaling on these projects.  Many of you find the construction of such projects to be an opportunity.  You are wrong!  No goals; no contracts for certified Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and women.  Where is the Congressional Black Caucus in all of this?  Sitting there watching it happen – so sad.  Our position is clear: No funding of high speed rails until the DBE program is incorporated.

4.  For-Profit Institutions are Tops for Awarding Bachelor’s Degrees to Minorities: The preliminary rankings of the top 100 schools that produce degrees for minorities are part of an annual special report released by Diverse:  Issues in Higher Education, using graduation data from the Education Department.  The University of Phoenix led the way in awarding degrees to Black students while Florida International led the way for Hispanics.  Overall, a larger portion of degrees obtained by the three underrepresented minority groups (Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans) are received through proprietary institutions, representing a decline in the overall market share for public and private institutions.

5.  The Second Africa Day on Capitol Hill: This event will occur on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 during 6:30PM – 8:30PM in the Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building, Capitol Hill, DC.  Join with the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa and the Congressional African Staff Association who will host this event.  Many members of the Congressional Black Caucus and African Ambassadors will be at this event.  For more information call and RSVP no later than the COB Tuesday, June 19 via #202-232-3862.

6.  Save the Date – International Business Symposium: On July 31, 2012 at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago, the Emancipation Support Committee will be hosting this event which concerns itself with the economic development of the African Diaspora. Participants from Africa, Caribbean, North and South America will convene and discuss serious issues and formulate business development.  The Keynote Speaker at the event with be Harry C. Alford, co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®.

7. Atlanta Awaits Us – Prepare for the mother of networking events, put your Statement of Qualifications on your mobile device for instant sharing. SR Smoot Construction and HJ Russell Construction conduct a presentation on the $500 plus million Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. After the presentation meet the appropriate contacts for a one-on-one meeting. Meet our counterparts and entrepreneurs from Botswana who are coming to meet you and possibly cut some deals. It’s all happening here www.nbccconvention.org See you in Atlanta.