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Thursday, August 05, 2004
SBA Announces Funding For Women's Business Centers
Contact: Raul E. Cisneros (202) 205-7654Release Number: 04-57
Internet Address: www.sba.gov/news
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the funding of 34 existing Women's business Centers (WBCs). The WBC program provides training, counseling, and mentoring services to women entrepreneurs and was established by Congress in 1988.
"One of the most exciting things about the Women's Business Center Program is that it continues to reach out to new customers," Barreto said. "Women business owners are one of the fastest growing segments of the small business community. These centers offer those entrepreneurs comprehensive, professional advice and counseling about how best to start and grow their businesses."
The WBC Program, administered by the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO), provides female entrepreneurs with the resources they need to start and grow a business. The 34 existing WBC sites will share $5.1 million in SBA funding. Each site is required to match a portion of the federal funds with private contributions, and services are tailored to the community in which the WBC is located. The WBC program provides funding for an initial five-year term. The 34 centers are included in this part of the program.
The locations of the WBCs receiving the SBA matching grants are Birmingham, Ala; Pago Pago, AS; Tucson, Ariz.; Los Angeles, Calif.; San Bernardino, Calif.; San Diego, Calif.; Santa Barbara, Calif.; Lenexa, Kan.; New Orleans, La.; Worcester, Mass.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; St. Paul, Minn.; Kansas City, Mo.; Ashville, N.C.; Durham, N.C.; Lyons, Neb.; Reno, Nev.; Bronx, N.Y.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Queens, N.Y.; Utica, N.Y.; White Plains, N.Y.; Cleveland, Ohio; Durant, Okla.; Norman, Okla.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Lancaster, Pa.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; El Paso, Texas; Springfield, Va.; Richmond, Va.; and Everett, Wash.
Last year, the WBC program served more than 106,612 clients nationwide. The centers are located in rural, urban and suburban areas and direct much of their training and counseling assistance toward economically disadvantaged women. They offer many innovative programs, including financial management, marketing and technical assistance, procurement training, mentoring in several different languages and Internet training.
The centers also provide specialized programs that address issues facing displaced workers or rural home-based entrepreneurs.
The program also offers an online Women's Business Center that can be accessed 24 hours a day at http://www.onlinewbc.gov/. For more information on the SBA's Women's Business Center Program or to find the location of the nearest center, contact your local SBA office or visit the Office of Women's Business Ownership's home page at www.sba.gov/financing/special/women.html
A complete list of all centers can be found online at the OWBO site at http://www.onlinewbc.gov/.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
3 BALL LAUNCHES FIRST WOMEN'S STREETBALL APPAREL LINE
Dallas, TX - Mike Webb, Founder/CEO and Chief Brand Officer of 3 BALL, announced today that the women's streetball apparel company would make its industry debut on August 29 at the MAGIC apparel convention in Las Vegas, Nevada (Booth #ST33933 www.magiconline.com). The company is expected to have the highly anticipated and heavily sought after apparel line available in specialty athletic retailers nationwide by mid November."To our knowledge, there isn't a women's streetball apparel line," explains Webb. "Certainly, there is no one doing what we are doing on the level that we are doing it." With basketball overtaking soccer as the number one team sport among teenaged girls, 3 BALL is positioned to be the industry leader of this untapped market.
"3 BALL is the only maker of women's trash-talking t-shirts," said Byron Pendleton, 3 BALL's V.P. of Operations. "Our quality and fit is second to none. During summer months, we stay active in the community by sponsoring organizations and events - such as Camps Unlimited Inc. [A WNBA summer camp] and girl teams in NCAA Sanctioned tournaments. We also use those opportunities to gather firsthand feedback from the target consumer.
Our "Holdin' Court" and "To Do List" tees were gigantic hits - selling successfully at every venue. Now, to meet the requests of our customers, we've added women's basketball shorts, caps, visors and warm-ups."
Founded in 1998, 3 BALL makes basketball apparel for female ballplayers that are serious about the game of basketball. The company's target consumers are girls ages 11 - 19. 3 BALL manufactures a complete product line for female basketball players, including on-and off-court shorts, tees, sleeveless tees, pants and accessories. The company is also planning to increase its accessory line and begin manufacturing women's basketball shoes in the near future. Brand revenues are expected to reach $500,000 by the year's end and more than double by the end of 2005.
For more details, contact:
3 BALL
P.O. Box 703094
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone: 214.796.7835
Website: www.3BALLHOOPS.com
NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE LAUNCHES URBAN INFLUENCE MAGAZINE AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
New York, NY - The National Urban League has partnered with T. Brown Publishing, Inc. to create a new nationally distributed publication, Urban Influence Magazine. Targeting today's influencer, the young African American professional, this magazine will merge the need for social change and economic empowerment with an urban twist and stylish appeal.The launch of this exciting new and hip publication took place at a special launch reception during the 2004 National Urban League Conference in Detroit, MI, July 21-25, 2004. Upon its launch, Urban Influence Magazine will be distributed six times yearly with an initial readership of 60,000. Its initial target audience will include National Urban League members, affiliates, partners and associates.
Marc Morial, president and chief executive officer, who has been at the helm of the organization for less than a year says, "We must begin to reach out to a new generation of community and socially conscious young men and women in order to move this organization and our community forward. Urban Influence Magazine will serve as the key communication vehicle to reach this critical audience of influencers."
What's an Influencer?
Urban Influence Magazine views an influencer as a person who affects positive social and economic change within their respective profession, family and community.
Who's an Influencer?
They are our business leaders, entrepreneurs, trendsetters, community activists, and corporate climbers. The influencer is the young African American professional, age 21-40. Through its editorial agenda, Urban Influence Magazine will speak directly to this audience found within the National Urban League's rapidly growing auxiliary, National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP).
Within the magazine readers will receive tips and success stories on how to identify, grow and maintain wealth in the Urban Living section. Readers will learn helpful hints on how to stay fit from fitness expert, Jenette Jenkins in the Fitness Center section. Urban Influence Magazine will also take readers into the Urban League's movement with informative updates and stories about the on-going work of the national organization and its affiliates in Inside the League.
Tamara Brown, president of T. Brown Publishing and publisher of Urban Influence Magazine states, "We have found that there is a significant market of young Influencers who want a publication that speaks directly to them about lifestyle and entertainment, but in a substantive way. The National Urban League is focused on reaching this audience and we are excited to be a partner in their efforts."
The National Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community-based organization, founded in 1910. Headquartered on Wall Street in New York City, the organization has professionally staffed affiliate offices in more than 100 cities in 34 states throughout the U.S., serving more than 2 million people across all ethnicities and economic levels. The Urban League's thrusts are Education, Healthcare, Economic Self-Sufficiency, Civil Rights and Civic Engagement.
Tamara Brown, of Chicago-based T. Brown Publishing, Inc., is publisher & editor-in-chief for Urban Influence Magazine. Among recent assignments, Tamara has served as an editor for Black MBA Magazine, publisher for the National Technical Association and publisher for the 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
Visit www.urbaninfluencemagazine.com or www.nul.org to learn more about Urban Influence Magazine.
