eBLAST 050110

 1.  Hello Latin America:  We are embarking on a serious business initiative involving Afro Latinos in South America (140 million!).  Our first two targeted areas are the nations of Colombia and Brazil (two most populated Black nations in South America).  We are planning a fact finding mission to Colombia in June followed by a Strategic Plan involving entrepreneurial training and college coalitions.  Tonight, at the 14^th Annual Convention for The Latino Coalition (Mandarin Hotel in DC) we will sign a cooperative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will assist both of us in our missions.  Stay tuned for official Trade Missions to Colombia and Brazil in the following months. (See MOU)

2.  Intellectual Property Guidelines:  We are now ready to publish our primer involving Intellectual Property.  How do you go about having a Copyright, Patent, Trademark, related Global Treaties; how do you protect it, enforce it, etc.  The first edition will be circulated at our upcoming Legacy Project Meeting in Chattanooga, TN on May 26 and at our 18^th Annual Convention in Houston, TX during July 22 – 24, 2010.  All others will be sold online.

3.  Legal Opinions:  We are formally contacting the Attorney Generals of California and Illinois and seeking their legal opinions on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  All federal minority procurement programs are enforcements or compliance under this precious law.  We want these two Attorney Generals to discuss their due diligence via this federal law and then check with municipalities and other government agencies in their jurisdictions to ensure full compliance.  As you know, California has ignored Title VI since the mid-1990’s.  Somebody has got to fight this.

4. Region IV Legacy Project Meeting:  How do you manage an effective and productive chamber of commerce?  Come and learn the key ingredients at our next Legacy Project Meeting in Chattanooga, TN on May 26, 2010.  Hotel rate is only $129 and registration is free.  We want everyone living in the Southeastern United States to attend.  For hotel and registration please contact our Chair and Host, Sherrie Gilchrist, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Hurry! Space is limited.

5.  Field Hearings:  We are continuing to collect testimony from contractors located throughout the United States.  The next scheduled venues are:  Houston, Richmond, VA and Portland, OR.  If you want contractors in your city to participate contact: Chuck at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  An interim report of our findings will be released at our upcoming Convention.

6.  Houston in July: ‘Energy and Technology - The Drivers of the American Economy”, our 18^th Annual Conference is coming to Houston July 22-24. The NBCC Four Seasons Hotel rate will sell out at $129 per night. Call today 713-652-6266.