Start Rowing

“Only the guy who isn't rowing has time to rock the boat.” ~ Jean-Paul Sartre

Enjoy your weekend.

Photo credit: Laurel J. Delaney, President, GlobeTrade.com

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Democracy is...

From Picasa Democracy Photo Challenge
"Democracy is... the freedom to love without fear and limitations. These two women have been together for over twenty years. They raised me to be the confident, compassionate, caring woman that I am today despite the hate that surrounded their love."

A Smarter City Vision: Ho Chi Minh

Follow the progress of all IBM Corporate Service Corps teams.

On this one, Michele Grieshaber shares her team's vision: Ho Chi Minh City

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog (a GlobeTrade.com company)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Democracy is... To feel the pulse Of human bonds, To dream, to dance, Together!

From Picasa Democracy Photo Challenge

IRAN : Democracy is the capacity of listening to others while you have more power and control.

From Picasa Democracy Photo Challenge

This is my favorite description and picture of democracy.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Democracy is...the freedom to agree to disagree.

From Picasa Democracy Photo Challenge

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Democracy is... friendship without fear.

From Picasa Democracy Photo Challenge

INDONESIA Democracy is...everyone can express their voices and be respected each other! Regardless age, sex, race, and religion.

From Picasa Democracy Photo Challenge

BELGIUM Democracy is when women's rights are recognized, when women's rights are respected !

From Picasa Democracy Photo Challenge

JAPAN Democracy is...like a well made burger.

From Picasa Democracy Photo Challenge

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Democracy is Hope.

From Picasa Democracy Challange

INDIA Democracy is...letting each individual decide his/her way to live his/her life.

From Picasa Democracy Challange

Banks on Wheels: Bankmobiles

Instead of Good Humor or Bookmobile trucks, in this case we have what are called Good Mobile Bank trucks ... and they are doing a whole lot more good for so many people who need access to capital in remote parts of the world.

Read more about this here. This bank "gets it."

Illustration credit here.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

ECC Coalition Applauds Release of Reid Energy Legislation

The following statement is from the Energy and Climate Change Coalition regarding legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Reid.

The Energy and Climate Change (ECC) Coalition applauds Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and his colleagues for their hard work and leadership in developing a bipartisan proposal for national energy policy and job creation. ECC is a broad coalition of organizations representing people of color, low/fixed income persons and minority-owned business on matters related to energy and climate policy. The members of this coalition and the communities they represent have coalesced around two key concerns related to energy and climate policy:

1) containment and mitigation of energy costs, particularly for vulnerable communities that spend a disproportionately higher share of their incomes on energy; and

2) job creation in minority communities and expanded economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses.

The ECC Coalition members agree that any energy and climate program must include:

Measures to reduce and mitigate cost impacts to low/fixed-income consumers;

Policies that create jobs and ensure small business opportunities for minorities in the energy and clean technology sectors, including federal and state incentives and requirements to promote diversity in hiring, procurement, contracting and access to capital.

Education and training programs to prepare minorities for careers and business ownership in the array of services and technologies necessary to develop and deliver cleaner, more diverse, domestic energy sources.
Public awareness and outreach initiatives aimed at developing energy efficiency and conservation programs for minority and low- and fixed-income communities, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Resources and incentives for vulnerable communities to help them adapt to climate change impacts and transition to lower-carbon economies, while ensuring environmental justice protections.

The ECC Coalition plans to examine the proposal closely in the coming days and weeks, with a focus on the opportunities and implications for people of color and low/fixed income persons. This perspective is one that is not often directly represented at the decision making table. We look forward to working with Senator Reid, his colleagues in the Senate and other Members of Congress and the White House, to shape this important legislation and to make our voice heard.

August 29th Is The 5 Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina‏

Message from Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr.

On August 28, 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit the shores of the Gulf Coast, and in the morning of the 29th, the levees broke flooding the city of New Orleans. As we know, due in large part to government's failed response, an estimated 2,000 plus people died, and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced.This August 29th, 2010, will be the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. As many Gulf Coast residents continue to cope with an uncertain future, we are mobilizing for the 5th Annual Hurricane Katrina Commemoration March and Rally in honor of those who passed in the storm and the community that was abandoned by a failed government response.

The Commemoration March and Rally will also serve to call for the comprehensive rebuilding and restoration of the Gulf Coast, and the undeniable right to return of those who are still displaced.The organizers of the Commemoration March and Rally are seeking solidarity support from around the country, for a national remembrance and call to action. Here are the 5 things you can do in solidarity:

Join us for the March and Rally on August 29th in New Orleans, find out more about the event and RSVP here.

Make a tax-deductible DONATION to the support the Rally and March.

SIGN OUR PETITION to restore and rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Have your organization ENDORSE the March and Rally.

Spread the word through TWITTER and FACEBOOK.

Yesterday I published this article about why we should all get involved in the 5 Year Hurricane Katrina Anniversary. August 28th, 1963 was the historic March on Washington, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I have a Dream" speech. August 28th, 1955 was the day Emmitt Till was murdered in Mississippi, which catalyzed the Civil Rights movement. Then, on August 28th , 2005 we had Hurricane Katrina hit the shores of the Gulf Coast, and on August 29th the levees in New Orleans broke. This is our moment. It has been 5 years, and the damage of Hurricane Katrina and a failed government response has not been made right. Help make it right. Take actions 1 through 5 above, or whichever you are able to do. Spread the word - For Future Generations.

KFC's Parent Company Conquers the World

What's mightier or bigger than McDonald's? KFC's parent company, Yum! Brands, which also owns Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, has earned the exclamation mark on which it insists as the world's largest restaurant company -- is poised to grow fast in China, Russia and India.

With 37,000 restaurants in 110 countries, Yum! even eclipses that more famous icon of American colonization, McDonald's, to rank as the world's largest restaurant chain in terms of numbers of outlets.

Read more here.

Illustration credit here.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Nat'l Black Chamber of Commerce Opposes Calif AB 32

AAEA Supports AB 32

Our good friends at the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) are opposing California's AB 32 (The Global Warming Solutions Act), which, in our opinion will ensure that state greenhouse gas emission reductions are achieved while maintaining the competitiveness of California businesses and protecting the interests of consumers and workers. We believe the law will unleash that good old American ingenuity that will actually increase the creation of jobs and spur economic activity.

Of course, our good friend Harry Alford, President of the NBCC, disagrees with us, stating that:

"...the implementation of AB 32 would cost tens of billions of dollars in higher electricity bills, gasoline, food and other products. The average California family would end up paying $3,857 more every year for housing, transportation, food and energy. Businesses would be severely affected as well, including the small firms that create the vast majority of new jobs. The cost of AB 32 would average out to almost $50,000 per small businesses in California, a hit many of them couldn't survive."

Harry and the NBCC are concerned about potential job losses, particular for minorities:

"We can't afford to lose more jobs here, particularly for African-Americans, Hispanics and other people of color who have already suffered greatly during the economic downturn. The California economy has shed 1.3 million jobs since 2007, and our unemployment rate is the third highest in the nation, at 12.4 percent. More than 900,000 job seekers have been out of work at least 27 weeks, the largest number of long-term unemployed registered since record keeping began in 1990. But African-Americans and Hispanics are out of work in much larger numbers, hit hard by the housing market collapse and other factors. The unemployment rate for California Hispanics is estimated at 17 percent. Last March the National Urban League estimated that nationwide unemployment among African-Americans was nearly twice that of whites."

We empathize with Harry's concern about the high unemployment numbers among minorities, but, Mr. Alford, we have to respectfully disagree with you about the effects of AB 32. Again, we believe it will stimulate job creation. We believe it will create innovative manufacturing jobs and stimulate the creation of numerous small businesses that are the engines that can drive the California economy back to health. AAEA is registered in EPA's Acid Rain Program and the Northeaster Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). We supported Cap-and-Trade legislation at the national reason for the same reason we support AB 32, we believe it will be a net job creater. We have created our own carbon dioxide (CO2) trading house (Carbon Mercantile Exchange) to directly participate in a carbon marketing economy. We simply need mandatory programs that will give the market-oriented solution some teeth. And we are prepared to implement our innovative solutions just as we believe that other entrepreneurs would in California. (Mercury News, 7/27/2010)

Open to International Investors: Indonesia

Why is Indonesia so ripe to international investment opportunities?

Indonesia has a very positive story to tell -- for openers, its economy is on track to hit $1 trillion in GDP by 2014. The country is the third-largest democracy in the world and it is in a demographic sweet spot -- half its population is under 30.

Read more on why Indonesia might be a good place to invest or export to -- here.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Senator James Webb Wants To End Affirmative Action

But Blacks Do Not Own Any Energy Infrastructure and Resources in the United States

Senator James Webb (D-VA), below left, recently published an article in The Wall Street Journal calling for the end of affirmative action. He tried to be sensitive to African American history by stating that:

"Where should we go from here? Beyond our continuing obligation to assist those African-Americans still in need, government-directed diversity programs should end."

AAEA exists because African Americans are still in need. We challenge Senator Webb to explain his way out of why Blacks do not own any energy infrastructure or resources in the United States. AAEA has been promoting such ownership for years and all we have found are doors closed and locked. We have found resistance to allowing African American ownership where such partnering would help the firm(s) get approval for projects and they still refuse to include Blacks. The only companies that get significant contracts for goods and services are affirmative action-registered minority and women-owned business enterprises [8(a) firms at the federal level]. Without these government 'set-aside' programs, Blacks would be largely shut out in the energy and environment marketplace. The energy sector is a closed shop to Blacks.

So we have to aggressively disagree with Senator Webb's conclusion:

"Nondiscrimination laws should be applied equally among all citizens, including those who happen to be white. The need for inclusiveness in our society is undeniable and irreversible, both in our markets and in our communities. Our government should be in the business of enabling opportunity for all, not in picking winners. It can do so by ensuring that artificial distinctions such as race do not determine outcomes."

Whites COMPLETELY own the infrastructure and resources in the energy sector. They do not have to worry about being discriminated against. Blacks are the ones shut out in what has to be considered a major imperfection in the energy marketplace. Where such imperfections exist, it is the perfect function of government to correct them.

What A Good Energy Policy Means For Blacks

Dept of the Interior Memorandum on Forum Participation at Blacks in Government National Training Conference

Memorandum

From: DOI Announcement
To: All DOI Employees
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:40 AM

Subject: ALL DOI Nationwide – Blacks in Government National Training Conference and the Department of the Interior Agency Conference Forum

The Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of Civil Rights, is sponsoring a Conference Forum for DOI Employees in conjunction with the Blacks in Government (BIG) National Training Conference on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Kansas City Convention Center, H. Roe Bartle Hall, 201 West 13th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. The Forum is being co-hosted by the Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado Region. The theme is “Renew, Respect, Restore.” The agenda includes a diversity training module titled Generations: Renew, Respect, Restore, which will be conducted by diversity consultant Dr. Wanda M. Costen.

Further information about the BIG National Training Conference

There is no cost to attend the DOI Conference Forum. Attendance counts toward meeting the annual requirement of EEO and Diversity training for managers and supervisors. This learning event is also recommended EEO and Diversity training for all employees. Employees attending the 2010 BIG National Training Conference are expected to attend the DOI Conference Forum. (Bob MaCarty Writes, 7/22/2010)

Blacks In Government National Training Conference 2010

Department of the Interior Office of Civil Rights Memorandum on Forum Participation

The Blacks In Government 32nd Annual National Training Conference (NTC) will be held in Kansas City, Missouri from August 16-20, 2010 at the Kansas City Convention Center. This year’s conference theme, “The New Big: Taking Chances, Making Changes, And Preparing Leaders,” will highlight recent changes in public service, as well as prepare employees to successfully manage their careers. The NTC is endorsed by Government agencies at the Federal, State, and Local jurisdictions. The NTC also affords conferees an opportunity to strategically focus on enhancing their required core competencies and thereby, promotes career development and advancement.

The NTC is a nationwide response to train and develop individuals into subject-matter experts, so that they will be able to perform the critical tasks of providing services to the general public. Areas of training include technology, health care, science, equal employment opportunity, acquisition, financial management, project management, retirement planning, homeland security, and many other service-based functions necessary for the general welfare of the citizenry, and inclusive of programs benefits.

BIG is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose members are civil servants throughout all levels of government and private industry. BIG was Incorporated in 1976 as an employee advocacy and professional development association and held its first NTC in 1979. BIG is committed to improving public service through promoting equity, excellence, and opportunity in the workplace.

Flags of the World

The Central Intelligence Agency does a magnificent job featuring flags of the world. You absolutely must check it out. Great history lesson.

In addition, they publish and update The World Factbook, world leaders, CIA maps and publications and so much more.

It's worth a nice long visit. Go here for more education.

Photo credit here.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Stewart Brand Can't See Black Nuclear Power Advocate

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

By Norris McDonald

I was watching C-SPAN2TV tonight and there was Stewart Brand, right, chatting up his latest book, "Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto." As I watched, he started discussing his support for nuclear power. When he pictured about 10 environmentalists who switched to support nuclear power, I noticed that I was nowhere to be seen. Interesting, since I was the first environmentalist in the United States to support nuclear power. Also interesting because the Center for Environment, Commerce & Energy (and outreach arm - African American Environmentalist Association) is the only environmental organization in the United States that consistently, publicly and aggressively supports nuclear power. How did Brand miss us? How did he miss me? I have it. I have toured nuclear power plants all over the world and the radiation has rendered me invisible to certain elitist environmentalists. You know that old school and new school in the environmental movement that avoids interacting with Blacks (unless it is in the designated areas: weatherization, outreach and environmental justice).

Heck, Brand even had Al Gore's picture up there and Al doesn't even support nuclear power. Oh well, I guess he and his other little elite buddies do not want me in their little club. Not unusual, because I also remember when I was the only Black professional working in the Washington, DC-based environmental movement. There still aren't a handful of Blacks working in the traditional environmental movement (unless they are in the designated areas). It leads one to think that old school environmental racism is alive and well among the green converts in the neonuclear movement. I guess what really bothers me is that I was out there alone being told I was crazy by almost everyone I know before Brand or any of his other elite buddies, and yet they pull the same old elitist environmental bull that I have seen for 30 years.

Be Open to Possibilities in Our World

The sky is the daily bread of the eyes ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo credit: Laurel J. Delaney (Chicago skyline extraordinaire -- current weather here)

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Boyd Wants 'Stand Alone' Funding For Black Farmers

John W. Boyd, Jr., left, founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, released the following statement this morning:

"Last night the Senate again failed to pass funding for the Black farmers discrimination settlement, this time it was stripped from the war funding bill. And previously the funding failed to gain passage in the tax extenders bill and the FEMA disaster assistance bill, even though the House has already passed the settlement funding in two separate bills.

It is clear that without pressure from the White House this funding will not make it through Congress. Recent events have demonstrated the swiftness with which government can act on civil rights.

It is clear now that without greater White House pressure, the Senate cannot manage to keep this funding, despite its widespread support, in a larger funding measure because it continues to get grouped with other controversial add-ons. This is an unacceptable situation and must be resolved immediately.

We have been told from Senate and House members, both Democrats and Republicans, that there is bipartisan support for the Black farmers settlement funding. Yet, despite commitments of support and the fact the funding has already passed the House in two bills, the Senate has been unable, or perhaps even unwilling to pass the Black farmers settlement funding. I understand the election year jockeying that occurs on funding measures, but it makes no sense that the Black farmers and Native American farmers are getting caught up in it.

I am concerned that Congress will not act before the settlement expires - by agreement amongst the parties it had been extended 50 days from June 29, 2010. This year I have attended the funerals of many Black farmers who passed before ever seeing this case resolved.

For these reasons, I am asking our supporters in the Senate and House to introduce parallel stand-alone bills that will provide full settlement funding for the cases involving the Black farmers and Native American farmers. And I am calling on the White House to work with us and the leadership in Congress to quickly resolve these cases by passing the funding immediately.

Why a Franchise Company Should Go Global

The article, "Why Go Global? Compelling Reasons to Expand Internationally," outlines key steps for marketing a franchise organization in other countries, and examines a few simple reasons for going global.

Go here to read the entire article.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

No Excuses, Just Export Results

Now there's absolutely no excuses for not learning how to export. There are a number of training opportunities available to both companies who are new to exporting and companies who are experienced exporters.

Check them out here.

Do Not Fear the Globalization of Higher Education

The new global brain race is intensely competitive.

Read all about it here.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

SBA's Podcasts on Small Business Exports

The SBA offers podcast feeds on a range of small business topics. You can listen to these files on your computer or download them to your MP3 player and take them with you.

A few offer tips on exporting. Example:

Exporting to Bahrain
Featuring Nabeel A. Rahman al-Mamood, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce

Bahrain is encouraging U.S. small business to explore exporting. This Middle Eastern country does business in English and is looking to expand imports in a variety of industry sectors.

( Transcript )

Learn more here.

General Mills Seeks Deals to Expand Internationally

As the luck of General Mills (world's six largest food company) would have it, the maker of Lucky Charms cereal and Progresso soup said sales will rise to $18 billion by 2015, driven by international expansion.

General Mills projects the international unit, its fastest growing division over the last five years, will generate more than $3.7 billion in sales in 2015, up from $2.7 billion in 2010. The company is also “actively working” to find deals to expand overseas, particularly in emerging markets such as Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Read more here.

Perched On Top of the World

Hope you are setting your sights high for the weekend. Enjoy!

Photo credit: Laurel Delaney, Chicago lakefront

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Marsha Coleman-Adebayo on President Obama, Carol Browner, Lisa Jackson & the Gulf of Mexico

If you look on the website home page of every federal agency, you will see the No Fear Act somewhere on the page. That was placed there by Dr. Marsha Coleman Adebayo, left. Although it has been eight years since the passage of the No Fear Act, Dr. Adebayo gives a preview of her current views on President Obama, former EPA administrator Carol Browner, current EPA Admininstrator Lisa Jackson and the situation in the Gulf of Mexico in "Black Agenda Report," that will be included in her forthcoming book and movie, "No Fear." Below are excepts from the article.

"...it is possible that the day will come when vast areas of the Gulf and its coastal regions will be declared sacrifice zones. That is, areas that are so contaminated that the cost and feasibility of cleaning and restoring them to there prior state will exceed their total economic worth."

"So I was more than a little surprised when the nation's first African American president, Barack Obama—who is a civil rights attorney himself—selected Ms. Browner for such a high profile position in his administration [Special Advisor to the President for Energy and the Environment]."

"Given Lisa Jackson's statement about a month into the disaster “that EPA reserves the right to halt the usage of sub-surface dispersant if we conclude that at any time, the impact to the environment outweighs the benefit of dispersing oil,” it is likely that when the time comes for heads to roll to provide political cover for a besieged president, Administrator Jackson will find herself in the same sacrifice zone I encountered at EPA for her failure to take decisive action against BP (whether this was under the direction of her supervisors or not)."

Black Agenda Report

Global and Domestic Demand Begins to Return

The Atlantic reports:

Even though the trade gap hit an 18-month high in May, exports rose substantially, by $3.5 billion. Imports just grew faster, by $5.5 billion. But increasing exports is pretty significant news. Last month they declined by $1 billion, so a big bump in the positive direction is welcome news. In fact, exports grew to the largest amount we've seen since September 2008, hitting a 20-month high.

Read more here.

Posted by: The Global Small Business Blog

Halle drivin Mom around Gilroy Gardens

STOP HATING

Department of the Interior Outlines Diversity Plans

Plans Outlined at Emergency Meeting With Department of the Interior Chief of Staff

Increasing Discrimination & Diminishing Diversity Focus of Discussion

With Interior Secretary Salazar’s Chief of Staff, Tom Strickland, right, and Blacks In Government [BIG] Department of the Interior Chapter’s President, Kim Lambert, leading the discussion, Interior representatives and a delegation of BIG chapter officers met on Tuesday afternoon, July 13th. Taking sharp issue with current Interior policies, BIG has found continued under representation of minorities and policies that deny equal opportunity in a fall White Paper entitled “Critical Personnel Issues Affecting Black Employees in the Department of the Interior”. In response to BIG’s findings and recent discrimination findings by others, Interior outlined a series of changes and time frames at the meeting. Key among those changes now pending are:

· Pronouncement of a Diversity Vision Statement by Secretary Salazar this month;
· Memorandums to Assistant Secretaries and Bureau Directors on execution of the Secretary’s Diversity Initiative;
· Linking senior executives performances evaluations and awards to the successful implementation and progress of diversity and inclusion initiatives;
· Removal of barriers to diversity and inclusion, including incumbent individuals who’s self-interest and belief are obstacles;
· Clear definition of what Interior and its Bureaus and offices expect to accomplish;
· Submission of monthly statistical progress reports through deployment of the eVersity Software package;
· Institution of quarterly diversity performance briefings to the Secretary;
· Identify bureau regional diversity change agents and establish a cadre of fully committed Interior stakeholders to lead by example; and,
· Start recruitment from Historically Black Colleges & Universities.

According to Kim Lambert:

“It’s a start. Now we have to see if Interior can dramatically change direction. Our latest numbers show increasing discrimination at Interior over the past year. A court case settled this month allows an Office of the Solicitor’s supervisor to continue his employment at Interior despite calling his black staff “monkeys." I never thought I would even think it, but right now we might have been better off under Bush. Somehow the Department’s Assistant Secretaries and senior staff must embrace diversity not just at the top. Why they have chosen to insulate themselves with this father-son network of good old boys that gave us the Gulf oil spill oversight failure and Blacks are monkey’s mentality stretches my capacity to understand. Secretary Salazar must act decisively, effectively and immediately or Interior will have been ethnically cleansed on his watch.”

BIG Interior’s delegation was informed that a follow up meeting will take place in two weeks with more details on implementation of the action items outlined this week. (CapitalWirePR, 7/15/2010)

Sprint's New Green Restore Cell Phone

Sprint has an expanding portfolio of green devices and accessories. Currently, Sprint offers three green devices available in the U.S.: 1) Samsung Reclaim, 2) LG Remarq, and Sprint’s latest device, 3) Samsung Restore. The Samsung Restore has an eco-friendly design without sacrificing the latest technology. Designed with the avid texter in mind, the stylish phone boasts a QWERTY keyboard and one-step access to social networking sites, while maintaining strict environmental standards.

The phone casing contains 27 percent post-consumer recycled plastics and the device as a whole is 84 percent recyclable.

Like all of Sprint’s green devices, the Restore meets strict RoHS standards and has low levels of PVC, BFRs, Phthalates, Beryllium.

The packaging is 100 percent recyclable, printed with soy ink and features a cardboard box made from 70 percent post consumer materials. The Samsung Restore is available for $49.99 with a new two-year service agreement, after a $50 mail-in rebate. Hi resolution images of the Samsung Restore are available upon request.

The Center is not endorsing the device and has not been compensated for this advertisement.

Exports Are Rebounding Slowly

Why look here:

Entrepreneur.com's Daily Dose indicates:

Exports Are Up -- Here's How to Get Your Share

The news everywhere is that exports are up 17 percent -- from when and which companies? I'm all for it but my hope is that small businesses are truly benefiting from this new wave of exports.

Check this piece out too. Statistics referenced on exports are slightly different than elsewhere.

Illustration source here.

Gilroy Gardens 2010

Chiquita mestiza con helado mulatto

NAACP Study: Blacks Not Getting Gulf Disaster Contracts

According to an NAACP investigation:

"Community members and business owners [of color] have been locked out of access to contracts for cleanup and other opportunities related to addressing this disaster."

In a letter from NAACP President Benjamin Jealous to BP CEO Tony Hayward, the civil rights organization noted that:

"contractors of color are not receiving equal consideration for opportunities to participate in mitigation efforts."

According to the Federal Procurement Data System, oil spill contracts from the federal government dated July 9, $2.2 million of $53 million in federal contracts -- 4.8 percent -- has gone to small, disadvantaged businesses. Women-owned businesses have landed 4.2 percent of contracts. Of 212 vendors with contracts, just two are African American, 18 are minority-owned, none are historically black colleges or universities -- despite the three in New Orleans alone: Xavier University, Dillard University and Southern University at New Orleans. (theRoot, 7/13/2010)

How Much Will Our Global Economy Grow?

Are Americans buying more than they are selling overseas?

"Definitely the weakness in trade through May suggests less momentum in the economy," said Shawn DuBravac (Twitter), chief economist for the Consumer Electronics Assn.

Read more here.

Photo: American brands made in China.