Jamie Foxx breaks silence on hospitalization
(BBR) Jamie Foxx breaks silence on hospitalization, game show replaces him as host
(BBR) Jamie Foxx breaks silence on hospitalization, game show replaces him as host
(BBR) Los Angeles - Karen Bass is a leader who has dedicated her life to public service. As the former Speaker of the California State Assembly and the current Mayor of Los Angeles, she has been a tireless advocate for social justice, equality, and community empowerment. Her leadership has transformed Los Angeles into a more inclusive and equitable city, and she has become a role model and inspiration to many.
Bass was born and raised in Los Angeles, and she has spent her entire career fighting for the people of her community. As a community organizer in South Los Angeles, she worked to empower local residents and fight against poverty and inequality. She went on to serve in the California State Assembly, where she became the first African American woman to serve as Speaker, and she has continued to champion progressive causes throughout her career.
As Mayor of Los Angeles, Bass has focused on improving public safety, expanding affordable housing, and promoting economic development. She has been a strong supporter of police reform and has worked to build bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve. She has also been a vocal advocate for immigrant rights and has taken steps to protect the rights of undocumented residents.
Bass's leadership style is characterized by her deep commitment to social justice and her unwavering dedication to her community. She is known for her compassion, her empathy, and her ability to bring people together to achieve common goals. She has a deep understanding of the challenges facing Los Angeles and has worked tirelessly to address them.
Throughout her career, Bass has been a champion for women's rights, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. She has fought to ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare, education, and job opportunities, and she has worked to make Los Angeles a more welcoming and inclusive city for all. Her leadership has inspired countless young people, especially young women and girls, to pursue careers in public service and to work towards a better future for all.
As Los Angeles looks towards the future, Bass's leadership will be more important than ever. She has the experience, the vision, and the dedication to lead the city through the challenges ahead, and to build a more just, equitable, and prosperous future for all of its residents. She is a true leader, a role model, and a game changer, and Los Angeles is lucky to have her as its Mayor.
(BBR) Building a successful business requires immense dedication, strategic planning, and a thorough understanding of potential pitfalls. Unfortunately, not every entrepreneurial venture achieves the desired level of success. Business crashes can occur due to various factors, and it is crucial for entrepreneurs to identify and address these issues to prevent a catastrophic outcome. In this article, we will explore the top ten reasons behind a business crash and provide insights on how to avoid them.
One of the primary reasons businesses fail is inadequate financial management. Entrepreneurs must maintain accurate financial records, understand cash flow, and allocate resources efficiently. Failing to keep a close eye on finances can lead to excessive debt, insufficient working capital, and an inability to meet financial obligations.
A lack of understanding about the target market can be disastrous. Entrepreneurs must conduct comprehensive market research to identify their customers, analyze competitors, and anticipate market trends. Neglecting this crucial step can result in developing products or services that do not meet customer needs, leading to poor sales and eventual failure.
Even with a remarkable product or service, a business can crash if it fails to reach the right audience. Ineffective marketing strategies, including a lack of brand visibility, poor messaging, or an inadequate online presence, can hinder business growth. It is essential to invest in targeted marketing campaigns and utilize various channels to engage with potential customers.
Customers are the lifeblood of any business. Ignoring their feedback and failing to adapt to their needs can lead to a significant downfall. Regularly soliciting customer opinions, addressing complaints, and continuously improving products or services based on feedback is crucial for long-term success.
Strong leadership is imperative for guiding a business to success. Poor decision-making, lack of vision, or an inability to adapt to changing circumstances can lead to a business crash. Entrepreneurs should foster a culture of open communication, encourage collaboration, and surround themselves with competent team members who can provide valuable insights and expertise.
In today's dynamic business landscape, failing to innovate can quickly render a company obsolete. Industries evolve rapidly, and businesses must adapt to stay competitive. Neglecting to invest in research and development, failing to introduce new products or services, or being resistant to change can result in losing market share to more innovative competitors.
A business crash can occur if a company fails to scale its operations effectively. Rapid growth without proper planning and infrastructure can lead to inefficiencies, customer dissatisfaction, and operational failures. Entrepreneurs should anticipate growth and have robust systems in place to support expansion.
No business can succeed without a competent and motivated team. A lack of skilled employees, poor team dynamics, or high turnover rates can hinder productivity and impact overall business performance. Building a strong team, investing in employee training and development, and fostering a positive work environment are essential for sustained success.
Entrepreneurs must identify and mitigate risks to ensure long-term business sustainability. Failure to assess potential risks, including economic downturns, technological advancements, or changes in regulations, can have severe consequences. Developing contingency plans and regularly reassessing risks can help mitigate their impact.
In today's digital age, businesses that fail to embrace technology may find themselves at a significant disadvantage. Adopting outdated systems, neglecting to leverage digital marketing tools, or lacking an online presence can limit growth potential. Embracing technology and staying abreast of industry trends is essential for remaining competitive.
Conclusion:
While building a successful business is challenging, understanding and addressing the reasons behind business crashes can help entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls. By maintaining sound financial management, conducting market research, developing effective marketing strategies, prioritizing customer feedback, fostering strong leadership, encouraging innovation, scaling operations efficiently, building a competent team, managing risks, and embracing technology, entrepreneurs can enhance their chances of long-term success. Remember, learning from mistakes and continuously adapting are key elements of a resilient and thriving business.
(BBR) John Lewis has been appointed as the new CEO of the Harbor Bank of Maryland, taking over from Joseph Haskins Jr., who stepped down after 40 years of dedicated service. As the only Black-owned and -managed commercial bank in the state, the Harbor Bank has a long history of serving the black business community and promoting economic empowerment.
Lewis brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. He served as President and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corporation, where he was instrumental in driving economic development and community empowerment initiatives. Prior to that, he held various leadership positions in the public and private sectors, including serving as Chief of Staff to the former Baltimore City Council President.
In addition to his extensive professional background, Lewis has also been an active member of the Harbor Bank's board of directors for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the bank's operations and mission, and is committed to continuing its legacy of supporting black-owned businesses and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Under Lewis's leadership, the Harbor Bank plans to focus on expanding its reach and impact, developing new products and services to better serve the needs of its customers, and leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences. He also recognizes the bank's important role in advocating for racial equity and social justice, and plans to continue supporting community initiatives and advocating for policies that promote inclusive economic growth and address systemic inequalities.
The appointment of John Lewis as CEO of the Harbor Bank of Maryland is a significant development for the black business community in the state. With his extensive experience and commitment to promoting economic empowerment, Lewis is well-positioned to lead the bank into a new era of growth and success. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on the bank and the broader community.
(BBR LA) Earvin "Magic" Johnson is a name synonymous with basketball, having played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 13 seasons and winning five NBA championships. But what many may not know is that he has also built an impressive business empire outside of the court. Magic Johnson is a successful entrepreneur with business ventures spanning across various industries. Here's a closer look at some of his notable business ventures.
Magic Johnson Enterprises: In 1987, Magic Johnson founded Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), a company focused on investment in urban communities. The company has invested in various industries such as real estate, media, and sports. MJE has also formed partnerships with major brands such as Starbucks, AMC Theatres, and T.G.I. Friday's.
Starbucks: In 1998, Johnson became the first franchisee for Starbucks in urban areas, opening his first location in South Central Los Angeles. He went on to own and operate 125 Starbucks locations across the US, generating over $1 billion in revenue.
Los Angeles Dodgers: In 2012, Johnson and his partners bought the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team for $2.15 billion, making it the largest purchase of a North American sports franchise at the time.
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company: In 2015, Johnson acquired a majority stake in EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, a company that focuses on providing insurance and retirement solutions to middle-class Americans.
SodexoMAGIC: In partnership with Sodexo, Johnson created SodexoMAGIC, a food and facilities management company that provides services to school districts, healthcare facilities, and government agencies. The company has won contracts with major organizations such as the Los Angeles Unified School District and the US Marine Corps.
Aspire TV: In 2012, Johnson launched Aspire TV, a cable network that focuses on programming for African Americans. Aspire has partnered with various production companies to create original content such as "Exhale" and "Butter + Brown."
JLC Investments: Johnson has also formed JLC Investments, which focuses on investing in minority-owned businesses. The company has invested in various companies such as the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, a line of health products from Simply Proven, and the video sharing platform, Unseen Heroes.
Magic Johnson has become an iconic figure both in basketball and business, and his success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit. With ventures spanning various industries, he has made significant contributions to urban communities and has become an inspiration to many
(BBR) Have you ever heard the phrase "living rent-free in your head"? It's often used to describe people who we can't seem to stop thinking about, even if they are no longer a part of our lives. These people can be ex-partners, former friends, or even people we never actually had a relationship with. They take up space in our minds, and we can't seem to evict them.
So, who is still living in your head rent-free? Is it an ex-partner who you can't seem to forget? Or perhaps it's a friend who hurt you in the past. Whatever the case may be, it's important to understand why these people are still occupying your thoughts.
One possibility is that you haven't fully processed the emotions associated with the person. Maybe you were hurt by them and never had the chance to fully express how you felt. Or perhaps you have unresolved feelings for them and haven't been able to let go.
Another possibility is that you are holding onto the past. You might be romanticizing a past relationship or friendship, and not seeing it for what it truly was. You may also be afraid of moving on and creating new relationships.
It's important to recognize when someone is living rent-free in your head, and take steps to evict them. This might mean confronting your emotions and talking to someone about how you feel. It might also mean making a conscious effort to focus on the present and future, rather than dwelling on the past.
Ultimately, the people who are living in your head rent-free are taking up valuable mental real estate that could be better used for positive thoughts and experiences. By acknowledging their presence and taking steps to evict them, you can create more space for positivity and growth in your life
(BBR) It’s been a relatively good few years for African-American small business owners.
According to a subset of data in the 2020 State of Small Business report from Guidant Financial and the Lending Club, African-American small business owners are happy these days.
In fact, 70% of them say they are either “somewhat happy” or “very happy” with their businesses. And 72% of African-American small business owners say their businesses are “currently profitable.”
However, the study also shows African-American business owners are “are less confident than the average small business owner about the state of small business in this political climate, with 53% of African-Americans saying they are either “somewhat confident” or “very confident” compared to 60% of average small business owners saying the same.
Being “ready to be my own boss” was the primary reason African-American survey respondents started their businesses (34%). This was followed by a “desire to pursue my own passion” (29%), “dissatisfaction with corporate America” (13%), and “the opportunity presented itself” (10%). These stats are a bit of a change since a previous Guidant survey showed 62% started a business to “pursue their passion.”
Diversity of African-American business owners
Overall, African-American small business owners are younger and include more women than the general small business population. The study reports 22% of African-American small business owners are millennials, nearly twice as many as the 12% of millennial small business owners in the general population.
The Guidant report shows, “There are more female African-American small business owners than the general population of business owners. In the American small business universe, 27% of small businesses are women, among African-American owned businesses, 35% are women.
The concerning stat is about earned average revenue. African-American businesses owned by women in this report earned an average of $24,000 per firm vs. $142,900 among all women-owned businesses. This gap, says the report, is “the greatest of any minority [group].
According to digitalundivided’s Project Diane 2018 report, The State of Black Women Founders ( the report is issued every two years) the number of startups founded by Black women more than doubled from 2016 to 2018—to less than 4%. But that’s small compared to the percentage of Black women in the U.S. (14% of women in the U.S. are Black). Nearly half of all African-American women-led startups were in California and New York.
In fact, according to BlackBusiness.com, New York state has the most (regardless of the gender of the owner) Black-owned businesses—-204,093—which is 10.6% of the businesses in the state, followed by Georgia, Florida, and Texas. However, Washington DC has the highest percentage of Black-owned businesses in the country with 28%.
Lack of capital and cash flow is the biggest challenge for African-American small business owners, according to Guidant. That’s not really a surprise since those are the same problems most small business owners face.
But fewer African-American small businesses are approved for financing, often at lower amounts of money with higher interest rates, according to a report in The Washington Post. Guidant reports that the “wealth gap also contributes to financing challenges…making it harder to [get] financing. Without the funds to invest in as many resources as other businesses, such as hiring talent or marketing and advertising, competing for contracts or attracting clients becomes exponentially more difficult.”
A report, 8 Insights on the State of Black Entrepreneurship, from American Express reports 47% of African-American small business owners run their businesses by themselves, compared to the 33% of average small business owners. And African-American businesses have fewer employees: 38% have 2-5 employees and only 7% have 6-10 employees. This compares with the average small business owner, with 41% employing 2-5 workers and 12% employing six to 10 workers.
More African-American small business owners (44%) use cash to fund their businesses than the average small business owner (37%), according to the Guidant report. Only 15% get help from friends and family, which was the second most popular source of capital for African-American business owners.
Other funding sources for African-American business owners include:
And according to Project Diane, the picture for African-American women is equally challenging—since “2009, Black women led startups have raised $289MM in venture/angel funding, with a significant portion of that raised in 2017. This represents .0006% of the $424.7 billion in total tech venture funding raised since 2009.”