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Wednesday, May 11, 2005
FINANCIAL INDUSTRY TARGETS MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
Industry experts convene to assault barriers preventing Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises from accessing capital and credit.Virginia Beach, VA (BlackNews.com) - Dozens of business financial experts are preparing an all-out assault on the age-old problem facing most minority and women business owners - accessing capital and credit. Facilitated by Virginia Housing and Community Development Corporation (VHCDC), an armada of financial professionals will convene during the 2005 MBE Capital Call Conference, Exhibition, and Venture Forum June 5-7, 2005 to instruct minority and female business owners how to access and use the industry's wide assortment of financial tools to start, grow, and expand their small business enterprise, invest, and build wealth.
Leading the assault are: Munson Steed, Publisher and Editor in Chief - Rolling Out Urban/Style Weekly; Robert L. Greene, President - National Association of Investment Companies; Anita Cooke-Wells, Chief - Office of Small Business Development, U.S. Minority Business Development Agency; Stephanie A Watkins, Regional Administrator - U.S. Small Business Administration; and Tammy Camper, CEO - TammySays.com.
Arming entrepreneurs, and non-profit technical service providers, with a battery of business financial tools, knowledge, resources, recommendations, and solutions are Envest Ventures, Internal Revenue Service, Investors' Circle, Kaufman & Canoles, Lenard Myers & Associates, Merrill Lynch, National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, Paradigm Financial Group, PayChex, SJF Ventures, Williams-Mullen, and Zoe Enterprises.
Discussing their business financing strategies, experiences, and successes are Keith Basil, President/CEO - Harthom Business Internet Group, LyTania D Reese, President/CEO - Nails by Lytania, and Mark Wilson, President/CEO - Ryla Teleservices.
The 2005 MBE Capital Call gives entrepreneurs, non-profit administrators, and technical assistance providers from across the nation the opportunity to learn from and connect with investors, lenders, factors, private equity firms, grant resources, financial experts, and others in the financial industry through face-to-face networking, vendor exhibits, comprehensive work-sessions, an MBE Venture Forum, and interactive panel discussions focusing on recommendations and solutions for accessing business financing, capital, and credit. The MBE Capital Call is open to African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and other minorities in virtually every industry, irregardless of business revenues. Non-profit administrators and technical assistance providers (accountants, financial advisors, consultants, and counselors) are encouraged to attend.
For registration, accommodations, or to learn more about the 2005 MBE Capital Call, please visit www.mbecapitalcall.com
About VHCDC
Virginia Housing and Community Development Corporation is a non-profit, tax-exempt community development and housing organization focused on revitalizing low-income, distressed communities into vibrant places to live, do business, and work. VHCDC extends technical assistance, equity-grants, and training to disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned small business enterprises and assists residents of its target communities with accessing affordable housing and improving landlord-tenant relations.
For more about VHCDC, visit www.vhcdc.org or call 757-671-8333.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
SMALL BUSINESS HAS VOICE BEFORE PRESIDENT'S TAX REFORM PANEL
Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) - When the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform meets next week they will hear testimony from small business owner James Baker, Chairman of Baker & Company, LLC, a management consulting firm. Small businesses play an important part in the United States economy. More than 22 million small businesses produce three quarters of all the net new jobs each year.Baker will be a witness advocating for the 'Transform America Transaction Fee Act of 2005.' The legislation introduced by Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), calls for the elimination of all federal taxes on individuals and corporations and replaces it with a fee on transactions. Eradicating federal taxes would fuel the economy and stimulate the job market by permitting companies to increase their ventures and engage more employees.
"This is a bold new plan that will create a wealth of new jobs and economic opportunity," said Baker.
The Transform America Transaction Fee Act has garnered the interest of the Republican Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee who referred the legislation to the Joint Committee on Taxation for additional study. The bill has also received the endorsement of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and Maine Governor John Baldacci. In addition, The National Black Chamber of Commerce which represents some 100,000 Black owned businesses has endorsed the transaction fee calling it a progressive economic idea.
Baker will testify before the tax advisory panel on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 in Washington, DC. Details on the transaction fee proposal can be reviewed through the panel's official website: http://comments.taxreformpanel.gov
