1. Red Lining an Entire Black Community:  The Prince Georges County Black Chamber of Commerce noticed that no federal leasing activity was developing to the benefit of this Maryland County that is 70% Black.  The number one employer of the Washington, DC metropolitan area is the federal government.  No federal leasing means no job opportunity for the residents of PG County.  The NBCC investigated on their behalf and, believe it or not, the General Services Administration, GSA, has been carrying an official policy for the past decade or so to exclude Prince Georges County from the “marketing area” to be considered for government leasing.  In essence, PG County has been redlined for future government relocations or development such as Home Land Security.  This is having a devastating negative impact on the tax revenue and employment opportunities for the local government and people of this American community.  Redlining is illegal – even if it is the federal government doing it.  We have begun the fight!  Our formal resolution (here) begins our effort to remove this redlining and open the doors for economic development for our constituents.  This is just one of the one thousand reasons to have a local Black chamber of commerce in your community.  This ill would continue if it were not for the PGCBCC.

2. ANC’s Must Get Out of the 8a Program:  We have studied a new negative trend to federal contracting.  The Alaskan Native Corporations have been given “play” into the 8a program.  They can be large corporations who get small business preference and also can be used to sole source federal contracts.  What has happened during the last few years is that these large companies have been preying on contracts that normally were going to legitimate 8a firms.  They are moving through procurement centers throughout the nation and the effect has been devastating.  8a firms have lost hundreds of $million in contracts while some federal agencies claim the ANC’s into their small and 8a and SDB numbers.  Hispanic and Black 8a’s have been singled out as the prey for this formidable predator.  The ANC’s have even started subcontracting to Fortune 100 corporations (there’s a conspiracy somewhere).  We are losing business and the reports don’t detect it due to the big “fudge factor” of claiming ANC’s as small 8a firms.  Congressmen Tom Davis (R-VA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) have started an investigation into this and the NBCC will work with their staffs to expose this abuse and get the ANC’s out of the 8a program’s nest entirely.  It is evil!!

 3. NBCC Board Meeting:  New NBCC Chairman Mike Little will hold his first NBCC Board Meeting on April 12 in Washington, DC.  Anyone wishing to add content to the agenda should send it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before April 8, 2005.

 4. Try Our Medical Insurance Program:  We have negotiated an exclusive comprehensive insurance program offered in all 50 states for all NBCC constituent businesses – no matter the size of your company.  The program offers the following coverage:  Health, Vision, Dental, and Supplemental insurance at no cost to the business owners, Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts.  There is free enrollment and free benefits communication.  For a free, no obligation quote or more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 5. Building Wealth Tours:  Our Building Wealth Tours are starting to roam the countryside.  The next two will be in Atlanta, GA on April 16 and in Chattanooga, TN on April 19.  To book a seminar in your community (totally sponsored by us) please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  To register for our Atlanta and/or Chattanooga seminars please go to our website at www.buildingwealthtour.com.

We thank Moreno Valley, CA, Detroit, MI and Englewood, IL for their recent successful seminars.

6. What Has Been Your IBM Experience:  The NBCC is interested in knowing about any relationship or experience a business has had with the IBM Corporation.  We are doing a survey which may lead to an investigation.  If you have a true story to tell please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

7. Living History Maker Entrepreneur Award:  Wells Fargo Bank and Turning Point Magazine invite you to nominate yourself or another deserving entrepreneur for the Living History Maker Entrepreneur Award and become eligible for a $5,000 cash award.  This tribute will be given to one African American business owner who best exemplifies the spirit of a Living History Maker.  All applications must be received by April 4, 2005.  To enter or for more information please contact www.turningpointmagazine.com/lhmapplication.pdf.

8. Black Data Processors Association:  BDPA, a sister organization of the NBCC, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary.  They currently have 2959 members and 55 chapters and have set a goal to have over 15,000 members by August 2007.  This is a progressive organization and if it applies to your expertise we encourage you to contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 1-800-727-BDPA (2372).

9. Johnny Cochran, a Legend:  This writer grew up in the greater Los Angeles area.  The Black community was being ravaged by a clique of dirty and violent individuals who wore the uniform of the Los Angeles Police Department.  One day a short but courageous man from Louisiana stepped forward and took this clique on.  He freed many who were wrongly imprisoned and saved many from trumped up charges and malicious prosecution.  When the advisers of OJ Simpson realized that shady police investigation was apparent in his case, they summoned the great Johnny Cochran and he “slammed dunked” it.  Johnny was a positive force for justice and we are going to miss him.  Rest in peace great man and enjoy Heaven.

To the 100,000 business owners who read this eBLAST, we are;

THE NATIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC.

“We need organizations that are permeated with mutual trust, incorruptibility and militancy.  Without this spirit we may have numbers but they will add up to zero.  We need organizations that are responsible, efficient and alert.  We lack experience because ours is a history of disorganization.  But we will prevail because our need for progress is stronger than the ignorance forced upon us.  If we realize how indispensable is responsible militant organization in our struggle, we will create it as we managed to create underground railroads, protest groups, self-help societies and the churches that have always been our refuge, our source of hope and our source of action.”

                                    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.