1. The Ambassador Speaks:  “Kenya produces one of the best Arabicas (coffee) in Africa and in the World.  The superior quality of Kenyan coffee attracts premium prices thereby earning the country substantial amount of foreign exchange in addition to job creation.  Efforts made by the US National Black Chamber of Commerce to promote Kenyan coffee is highly welcomed since these efforts are in line with Kenya Government’s economic strategy for wealth and employment creation for her people”,  Ambassador Leonard Ngaithe, Kenya Embassy, Washington, DC.

2. Time to Order:  You can now buy via the Internet Christine’s Coffee® at www.christinescoffee.com.  This will make you one of the first in the nation to try this fine, specialty NBCC brand.  It is a marvelous idea for gifts to family and friends.  We congratulate Virginia Lynn of North Carolina for being our newest distributor.  Chambers, churches, entrepreneurs, associations alike are signing up to be the first wave of distributors in their communities.  Order, try it and join the new team!

3. A New Executive Director:  Congratulations to Theresa Walker as the newly elected Executive Director for the Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce.  Theresa will carry on the legacy established by her late husband, Lou Walker, who was the founder of this dynamic affiliate of the NBCC.  Best of luck and we look forward to working with you Theresa.

4. Vote Wisely:  The elections are next Tuesday.  We don’t care who you vote for but all we ask is that you think hard about it.  We need to elect people who will hold themselves accountable to the betterment of our communities and not just tow a party line.  Integrity, faith and courage are the key ingredients.  We just read an article from the Chicago Sun-Times entitled “County’s Minority Contracts Plummet to ‘Pathetic’ Low”.  It’s about the procurement disparity of Cook County, IL where Black contractors are doing less than 1% of the total procurement.  Cook County isn’t the only community and it won’t change until we voters hold elected officials accountable.  Until then, status quo will remain.  Remember, good government starts at the local level:  city council, school board, county commissioners, etc.  From there we can build up.  Analyze all candidates and determine who is honest and understands business development.

5. Save the Dates:  Our next Africa trade mission will be to Kenya, February 6 – 13, 2005 (changed).  The following trip will be to Uganda, May 1 – 8, 2005.  These will be well planned trips designed to bring immediate results for the participants.  Circle the dates and look forward to some exciting itineraries.

Until next week,

Harry C. Alford

President/CEO

Fred Jordan

Chairman