tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11888496629170802612024-03-13T17:12:18.815-04:00WINGCOM WATCHDOG (WW)©2011-2023 Tomi Johnson. Updated when needed. All intellectual property, content, video and photo rights reserved. News and opinion posts included on this website. For permissions, contact us at tomimot@gmail.com. Ads supplied by Google.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-17963686446689872452023-06-26T15:02:00.005-04:002023-06-30T14:59:12.463-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: Business diversity <p></p><p><img align="left" height="229" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1032" width="402" /></p><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.333333px;">GMSDC memberships were checked by Ly Eldridge at luncheon</span><p></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 688px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.45in;" valign="top" width="427"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 430.2pt;" valign="top" width="574"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Exploding ethnic population signals great opportunity for Georgia’s minority suppliers <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Written by Tomi Morris Johnson. Photos by Kurk Johnson </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">©2002 </span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in -235.8pt 0.0001pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com" style="color: purple;">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Atlanta, GA…The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) is a small business-networking friend. Despite the economic devastation the country experienced in 2001, there is new energy, a committed people, renewed confidence, ambitious and heightened goals, and cause for celebration for organization members. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Georgia group, which is an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), has this statement posted on its website: “…</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">we recognize the role and plight of minority businesses in Georgia and nationwide. We are committed to leveling the playing field by creating links to progressive business opportunities through relationships, exposure, resources, and education.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 688px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.45in;" valign="top" width="427"></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 195.55pt;" valign="top" width="261"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">At its three hour </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Business Opportunity Luncheon held</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">February 26, 2002 at </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Maggiano's Little Italy in affluent Buckhead, the Invocation included The</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> Prayer of Jabez, asking for new territory and marketing niches. Business people in Georgia are continuing to identify opportunities in an atmosphere of fellowship, vowing to make things happen.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 214pt;" valign="top" width="285"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img align="left" height="246" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026" width="271" /></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 293.6pt;" valign="top" width="391"><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">“GMSDC is an organization that certifies minority businesses and provides them a networking opportunity with corporate America,” said Executive Director George Lottier. In a response to a question about the recession affecting business, he said, “Minority businesses are use to having down times, so it’s not something unusual for them. We have 160 registered luncheon guests here today, which is up from 100 participants at our last luncheon which tells us that the economy must be pretty good. A down economy makes small business people more aggressive. They can turn a lot quicker on decisions than corporate America can. They can change their pricing structure and the way they approach people.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 214pt;" valign="top" width="285"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">James “JW” Waudby, GMSDC membership committee member, (l) takes photo op with George Lottier, executive director of GMSDC.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 293.6pt;" valign="top" width="391"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 201.55pt;"><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; height: 201.55pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 311.4pt;" valign="top" width="415"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">“These kinds of networking events are important because you meet new clients and have opportunities to become a sub-vendor for someone,” said Kim Gaskins, E-Staffing Solutions Group, Inc. (ESSGI) “With the economy the way it is, this is extremely critical.” Moreover, with people moving away from Atlanta because of quality of life issues, how will business in Georgia be impacted? “I think it will affect us long-term if we lose a lot of people. I also think that what goes up sky high must come down, and with the bottom falling out of the Dot.com industry, some people leaving Atlanta will be natural attrition. We’ll probably level out. As long as there’s opportunity, we will be able to bring people into Atlanta. It’s one of the biggest transient cities in the world.” </p></td><td style="border: medium; height: 201.55pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 196.2pt;" valign="top" width="262"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><img align="left" height="257" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1028" width="242" /></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 311.4pt;" valign="top" width="415"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 196.2pt;" valign="top" width="262"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(L to R) Kim Gaskins, E-Staffing Solutions Group, Inc. (ESSGI) and Daryl Fox, Regional VP, ACT 1, Technical & Professional Services exchange business cards during luncheon.</span></p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td style="border: medium;" width="309"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="130"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="281"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Although IT contracts seem to have fallen through the basement, there still is a client base and need for services. “We’re seeing less requirements, and there definitely is a challenge as far as competition, but actually we’re doing very well,” said Daryl Fox, Regional VP, ACT 1, Technical & Professional Services. “We have to stay positive.” </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 289.85pt;" valign="top" width="386"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img align="left" height="289" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1029" width="348" /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 253.8pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oscar A. Vazquez-Ortiz, Senior VP, Superior Design International, Inc. (SDI) finds Georgia a great place to do business. SDI is a full service staffing and business solutions organization.<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>“I’ve been here five years, and the growth has been incredible. There’s a lot of opportunity, both for business people and employees who want to find jobs.” </p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">In order for a company to find its niche, either in Atlanta or internationally, networking is critical. “You have got to do what we’re doing here today,” Vazquez-Ortiz said. “You have to join organizations like GMSDC, The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, etc. That’s where you are going to meet the people who will open the doors for you. It’s very hard to do it any other way.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Table 14: (L to R) Oscar A. Vazquez-Ortiz, Senior VP, Superior Design International, Inc.; Elisa Wells, CIC, ARM, Riskmasters; Tomi Johnson, WingcomLtd; Ralph R. Robinson, Robinson Enterprises International, Nea A. Simone, VP Marketing, SL King & Associates, Inc.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 296.55pt;" valign="top" width="395"><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image011.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="381" /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 253.8pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">S. T. Peden, Minority Supplier Diversity Leader with GE Power Systems, attended the luncheon to identify vendors who could provide over $20B in equipment and services to his electric utility company. <span class="italic1" style="font-style: italic;">Fortune Magazine</span> announced in February 2002 that GE Power Systems is "America's most admired company," according to a survey of the country's leading business men and women. The company has won the honor five years in a row.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sandeep Gauba, President & CEO, Metasys Technologies, Inc.; Aravind Goli, VP Marketing,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">International Technology Solutions, Inc.; Bob Cipriano, GE Power Systems; Brian Robbins,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">GE Power Systems discuss possible business opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> “We’re looking for manufacturing firms and will be spending 85% of our funds on direct materials. Other areas are metal machining, fabrication and logistics. Our number one need is IT services. Even though there are millions of IT firms, we need to screen firms to make sure they can do business with a global company.” </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Attendees were updated on Georgia’s economic demographics in a speech by Debra Duchon, Applied Culture Research Project, Georgia State University. She announced there are profound populations changes occurring: Hispanic population up from 24,000 in 1980 to 268,000 in 2000. The Asian population has increased from 13,909 to 150,000 during the same period. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><img align="left" height="271" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image013.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1030" width="271" />“Ethnicity is exploding in Georgia…the whole state is changing,” Duchon added. Areas affected include Dalton, Rome and Gainesville; the whole I75 corridor; the Vidalia onion belt; and Cobb, Cherokee, and Whitfield counties. Kurdish refugees who came to Georgia after the Gulf War have been accompanied by people from Somalia, Russia, and Bosnia. There is a need for service organizations to sponsor these newcomers in the way of health care, lodging, and education. “Bosnians are starting businesses rapidly, and Nigerians are very commerce minded,” Duchon said.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Ethnicity is exploding in Georgia,” said luncheon speaker Debra Duchon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Cecil Moore, Director of Contractor Compliance for Atlanta Public Schools, was another speaker who instructed attendees on the demographics of students and Atlanta’s need for vendors. “Although schools in Atlanta are down from 200 to 97, we have a $516m budget, one of the largest in the country,” Moore said. “Our 57,000 students speak 50 different languages. Eighty percent are on free or reduced lunch. Our buses carry 33,000 children daily. Our goal is to have the best urban school system within five years.” </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><img align="left" height="319" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image015.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1031" width="249" />Moore said material needs will increase along with staffing services, opening the doors for minority vendors. $120m or 26% of spending went to minority firms last year, and it was projected that this year’s spending with minority vendors could reach 32%. He said the intense bidding bureaucracy of the public sector which issues boilerplate documents deemed “standard stuff” should not frighten off small businesspeople. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Cecil S. Moore, Director, Office of Contract Compliance, Atlanta Public Schools, was a featured speaker.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Vendors who spend a lot of time and money on the process and negotiation needed to win bids are sometimes discouraged when projects lose funding. Moore urged business professionals to meet with purchasing agents and request conferences to answer questions. Moore also requested that business people help the schools and themselves by joining mentoring programs such as Junior Achievement, becoming positive role models, and sponsoring scholarships.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 187.75pt;" valign="top" width="250"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image017.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="236" /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 319.85pt;" valign="top" width="426"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image019.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="398" /></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 187.75pt;" valign="top" width="250"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Dino Sims, Engenius Consulting Group, poses with Sandra Y. Adams, CEO, Computer Mainstream Corporation.</span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 319.85pt;" valign="top" width="426"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Jenell McCrory, Karen Mills, Mike Toye, and Regina Teasley discuss transportation services.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">To learn more about GMSDC, go to the organization’s website at: <a href="http://www.gmsdc.org/" style="color: purple;">http://www.gmsdc.org</a>.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This information is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="53" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/GMSDC_files/image021.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="108" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-57437596298528552472023-06-26T15:00:00.001-04:002023-06-26T15:00:07.892-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: It's all about the Benjamins!<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/springboard_files/image004.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="261" /></p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: #336699;">It’s all about the Benjamin$:</span></b><p></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: #009999; font-size: 18pt;">Springboard forum raises ownership vs. equity questions <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><h3 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; margin: 12pt 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">by Tomi Morris Johnson</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #009999;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #009999;">tomij@wingcomltd.com</span></a></span><span style="color: #009999; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">©2002 </span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">March 15, 2002…To grow a successful business, owners often take on investors. How much ownership should be forfeited in order to secure financing, however, is a delicate issue requiring well-informed, decision-making skills and networking alliances. Another sensitive, hot button is the definition of “minority or women owned” business if the investors are white males. So said Amy Millman of Springboard, a non-profit educational group aimed at increasing women’s participation in the equity capital market. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Millman was the featured speaker at a forum held at La Madeline Restaurant in Buckhead. A dozen women, including SecureWorks Founder and Chairman Joan Wilbanks, were joined by one man at the meeting.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Springboard started in 1999 with the intent to “make a significant difference in propelling women into the new frontier of venture capital,” Millwood said. “This was a challenge because there were so few women investors. This is an uncomfortable playground for women.” Millwood said Springboard began educating participants on procurement, bank financing, training, technical assistance, and infrastructure but soon realized “we weren’t dealing with the next frontier which is venture capital - ownership with an equity-based, enlargement assistance.” </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Headquartered in Washington, D. C., Millman said her organization’s goals are to increase women-led firm’s access to investment opportunities and to assist women entrepreneurs in navigating equity markets. She focused on the importance of women thinking “it’s o.k. to only own 5% of a $1 billion venture. Just don’t be in business for the recognition of building something,” she said of some women’s egos. Women also need to position themselves on boards of profitable organizations, but ultimately “it is all about what YOU want.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">“Eighty percent of the women we worked with during our first year got funded,” Millwood said. “They were screened, coached, polished, and taught the language that the investors were speaking. It’s also about the community that is being built around enterprising women. Now we must get to the next level by making strategic contacts, building relationships, making a pipeline to the right investors, and closing the right deals.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Joan Wilbanks is Chairman and Founder of SecureWorks, an Atlanta-based, network security service started in 1999. The company is privately held but has funding from Mellon Ventures, GE Equity, SBK Capital, Alliance Technology Ventures, ITC Holdings and Noro-Moseley Partners. SecureWorks presently employs 50 people.</p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><img align="left" height="145" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/springboard_files/image006.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_s1027" width="106" /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">“I always felt that either you work for somebody, or you work alone,” said Wilbanks who has recently become engaged to be married. “After working 20 years in a man’s world, I attended Springboard functions and found that woman gladly share information. You get a chance to connect and realize that you’re not going crazy! We have two things that go against our nature all the time: 1) we keep insisting that if we want it done right, we’ll do it ourselves, and 2) if something’s done wrong, it’s our fault.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">“Springboard allowed me to get connected to other business leaders in the country and gain courage… Nobody was talking about the economics of the business; they were talking about their business as they see it,” Wilbanks said. “You’re taught in the world to strip down, cut your hair, wear a business suit, don’t laugh in meetings, but Springboard empowers you to say ‘who you are is good enough.’ Just use your voice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Wilbanks said it is good to discuss strategic plans with other women in business before you make an ownership/investment move you may later regret. “After I talked to another woman on the phone for 30 minutes, she finally decided, ‘I’m not stepping away from my own company by hiring a CEO. If I have a problem, it’s my management team’s problem.’ She was tired of running the entire company - from sales, to business and technology development, to chairing the board.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Wilbanks said you have to have a winning attitude to succeed in business. “You and your family have got to get to the point where there is nothing to lose. You have to have the attitude that you’re going to do it with or without help.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Moreover, how can you define a business run by a woman but financed by white male investors as a “woman-owned” business? “When you do venture financing, it is no longer your business,” said Wilbanks. “When you take venture capitalist’s money, you report to their board. If you don’t like the way that feels, don’t do it. You can pass on that decision.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Some of the questions worth pondering before trying to sell your business to venture capitalists are:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">How large is your market (in numbers)?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">What are you giving away?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">What are you building?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">How is the culture of your business (woman-owned) an advantage?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Will an investment decision change the ownership of your company and its ability to get business as a preferred minority/woman contractor?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="copytext" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-right: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">What is the best way for you to raise money for your business: borrow it, give up equity to venture capitalists, provide a product or service at a profit, or a combination of all three methods? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Millman referred women entrepreneurs to the research of <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter. In an interview for <i>CIO</i> Magazine, Porter suggests that business success is based on </span></strong>marketing, service, designs, and customer support. “All those things are consistent, interconnected and mutually reinforcing. As a result, competitors don't have to match just one thing, they have to match the whole system.”<span style="color: #009999;"> (<a href="http://www.cio.com/CIO/porter_100195.html" style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #009999;">http://www.cio.com/CIO/porter_100195.html</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">For more information about Springboard, contact GWU at Mt. Vernon College/Somers, 2100 Foxhall Road, Washington, DC 20007, or 202-242-6282, or go to <span style="color: #009999;"><a href="http://www.springboard2000.org/" style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #009999;">http://www.springboard2000.org</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #009999;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This information is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">X X X X </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-72904813971183811322023-06-26T14:58:00.003-04:002023-06-26T14:58:39.741-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: AmericasMart<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr style="height: 107.05pt;"><td style="height: 107.05pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6in;" valign="top" width="576"><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 22pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="613" /></h1><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 22pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: blue; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Andre Benjamin (Dre 3000) from Outkast and WingcomLtd Model Ilea Johnson</span></h1><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: blue; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 22pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Celebrity and international peddlers still selling their wares (wears) in down economy</h1><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-weight: normal;">By Tomi Morris Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-weight: normal;">Digital images by Tomi Morris Johnson and Kurk D. Johnson <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="color: black;">tomij@wingcomltd.com</span></a>.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: 8pt;">©2002 </span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: 8pt;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="color: #3366ff;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">July - October 2002, Atlanta, GA…If you are a retailer looking for unique inventory ranging from the most drop dead gorgeous items to hip-hop urban wear, your one stop shop is AmericasMart. From Atlanta’s hip-hop community to Zimbabwean villagers, people of color and female entrepreneurs come to the international marketplace to sell their wares (wears). The Mart features over 35,000 vendors from around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">WingcomLtd traveled to the Mart to peep two-time Grammy winner Outkast’s new collection, fashions from Montreal, Canada, and to seek sales advice from vendors. Keys to sales success ranged from flexible thinking, faith, excellent employee relations at the factory, and products with cultural stories.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="5" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 180.3pt;" valign="top" width="240"><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="220" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 247.05pt;" valign="top" width="329"><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.3pt;" valign="top" width="200"><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="181" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 180.3pt;" valign="top" width="240"><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">Outkast Clothing Company Collection<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 247.05pt;" valign="top" width="329"><p align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 150.3pt;" valign="top" width="200"><p align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">Professional model for Outkast Clothing Company<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Big Boi, Dre, and professional models were in the Penthouse Fashion Theatre, Floor 15 of the AmericasMart for the October 20<sup>th</sup> fashion show and Buyer Party. According to <i>Rolling Stone Magazine,</i> Outkast is a “</span><span class="article1"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Southern-fried rap duo… who burst onto the scene in 1994 with their first single, <i>Player's Ball </i>(which) helped draw attention to the raw talent going unnoticed in the heart of the nation.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span class="article1"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">The show was a treat with runway attitude and rock hard models wearing affordable, comfortable garb. The male models, pleasingly pleasant eyefuls, really had something going on and showed out with flavor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 709px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 145.2pt;" valign="top" width="194"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="179" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">▲Fashion show guests<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 257.95pt;" valign="top" width="344"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image012.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="329" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">▲Antwan Patton</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;"> (</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">Big Boi) holds fashion show award presented to Outkast for clothing line at AmericasMart in Atlanta.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 128.75pt;" valign="top" width="172"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image014.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="157" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">▲Celebrity model<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Buyers and their friends were dressed for the occasion and sported new century fashions. Celebrity models carrying cell phones also graced the runway. Much of the collection featured jeans. According to Marshal Cohen, co-president of NPD Fashionworld, 18-34 years olds are driving the $1.1 billion jean market that has increased 12.8% from 2001 to 2002.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 165.3pt;" valign="top" width="220"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image016.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="206" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 196.8pt;" valign="top" width="262"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image018.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="248" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 327.3pt;" valign="top" width="436"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image020.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="191" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">Outkast’s guests were treated to live and scratched music and were served complimentary hors d’oeuvres on several food kiosks amidst ice sculptures. OutKast’s Nicky Rose was caught with a piece of his birthday cake.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.65in;" valign="top" width="350"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image021.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1035" width="336" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.4in;" valign="top" width="326"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.furs.com/FUR/FurAge125.html" style="color: purple;"></a></span><a href="file://///Big%20sista/c/My%20Documents/MPN/Americasmart/FurAge125.html" style="color: purple;"><img align="right" alt="Top Story" border="0" height="200" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image022.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1027" width="160" /></a><a href="file://///Big%20sista/c/My%20Documents/MPN/Americasmart/FurAge125.html" style="color: purple;"></a><a href="file://///Big%20sista/c/My%20Documents/MPN/Americasmart/FurAge125.html" style="color: purple;"></a><a href="file://///Big%20sista/c/My%20Documents/MPN/Americasmart/FurAge125.html" style="color: purple;"></a><a href="http://www.furs.com/FUR/FurAge125.html" style="color: purple;"></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Montréal Collections ►<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">◄Pictured with Model Ilea Johnson ( c ) are Gisèle Clark, assistant marketing manager, Quebec Trade Office, Atlanta, and Jean-Pierre Leclerc</span><span lang="FR-CA" style="color: purple; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">, conseiller</span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"> en affaires internationals, États-Unis.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">The Montréal Collections Fashion Show, co-sponsored by Designer Frank Lyman and Atlanta’s Quebéc Trade Office, was also held earlier in the week and featured Canadian clothing designers that included D’Orax, Jex, Florentine, Soft Works Cartise International, Ell Jay Collections, Body Guard, Jolibel, C’est La Vie Collection, Mondor, Petit Lem, Grenier, Donna Fashions, Tribal, Romeo & Juliette, G. G. Sport, La Mere Michele, Lucien Daunois, Leslie Belle, Dino Gasperi, Irma Paytler, Featherweight Furs, and Designs by Q.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">At the International Show in July, WingcomLtd’s Tomi Johnson visited and interviewed vendors showcasing products from around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 434.5pt;" valign="top" width="579"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image024.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1036" width="349" /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 73.1pt;" valign="top" width="97"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">▲Becky and Terry Holcomb, Holcomb Trading Company, Nashville, TN, recipients of the </span><span style="color: red; font-weight: normal;">Best of Category Award, International Gift and Home Show<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“I’ve loved the show this year and have had a great time enjoying everything. We’ve been in business two years. We won this award because we’ve worked really hard and designed everything together as a team. The people who have manufactured these items have taken great care in quality and made them in limited quantity. To be successful selling in an international marketplace, you must have a lot of faith in your products before you start selling them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 688px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 206.2pt;" valign="top" width="275"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image026.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1037" width="260" /></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 309.85pt;" valign="top" width="413"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">◄Maureen Edwards, Cobridge Stoneware, Cobridge, Stoke On Trent, England<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“Our factory is located in an impoverished area and we employee a lot of people, mostly women. We have, which is very unusual, a daycare for our women employees where they can leave their children from 8-5 when the factory closes. The children are fed all day and looked after. The mothers can go in to look at them whenever they want. We make high quality, handmade stoneware. The pictures on our pottery are most unusual, and we use an oxidized firing process for an identifiable image. In order to be successful in making and marketing high quality pottery, you must be very focused, have a desire to produce a good pot, and you must also have a good, happy workforce.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image028.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1038" width="253" /></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">Cobridge Stoneware</span><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="4" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 271.7pt;" valign="top" width="362"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image030.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1039" width="348" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="right" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Ebony Art</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image032.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1040" width="74" /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="4" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 235.9pt;" valign="top" width="315"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">◄Shenaz Dedhar, African Mystiques based in </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with a warehouse in Phoenix, AZ</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“I was born in Africa and have lived my whole life there. I specialize in craftworks in a black wood called Ebony. I have about 200 carvers who specialize in this work. About 50 polishers do the high quality polishing. My material is on the culture side based on a group called the Maasai, the most popular people in Tanzania. I would like to highlight this one piece, which is 28” and is made from a half log. It took about 3 weeks for the carver to do his work, and another 2 weeks to polish and finish the piece. It depicts a Maasai family with wives and babies who wander from one place to another. My advice to African American men and women living in the United States wanting to be successful in business is to know or learn more about their culture, where they came from, believe in that culture, which is a very unique, African culture.”<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.75in;" valign="top" width="264"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Zak Tadlaoui, spokesperson for Ameerah Imports, Atlanta, GA ►<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“The market has been decent this year. We always hope that there will be more traffic and that people will like our products. Hopefully, the economy will be better so we will do better. Moroccan arts and crafts, which we sell, are uniquely made by Berber tribe people from the Atlas Mountains. Moroccan art is very colorful and can adapt to any kind of room because of its fiery, multi-colors, which are wonderful. Being successful minority businesspeople, it’s always nice to stay together as a stronger group, accomplish more and deliver better goods.”<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="7" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.3in;" valign="top" width="413"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image034.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1041" width="398" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.95in;" valign="top" width="667"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image036.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1042" width="395" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">▲Aaron Lemaster (l) and Sam Kidd, Cherokee Heritage Pottery and Arts, Tahlequah, OK <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“Our business is actually two entities run out of Cherokee Museum and Heritage Center. The pottery is more of a cottage industry in which artists took the mound-style designs from throughout the South East. The Cherokees originated in the SE and mass-produced the pottery images. The arts portion of the business is more of a rural, economic development co-op program comprised of mostly elderly Cherokees who make traditional arts and crafts. Our job is to assist them in marketing and sales. You are not going to find any of these products anywhere else at the Atlanta Market or any other market unless you come to where we are. They are only marketed national through trade shows. They are all one of a kind and very distinctive. Native American art is important because it not only helps native people economically, but it is also very educational, tells you about what Indian people are doing and about their cultural past. In order to be successful in business, look where you come from, wherever your geographical heritage is from, whether it be African American, Native American…You’re not only selling works, you’re selling a place and a story.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sam Kidd ( r ): </span><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“I work at the Cherokee Heritage Center with exhibits, archives, and collections. The continuation of the arts is important because it is our culture, our traditions, and keeps the youth and the elders together. It also helps the tribe maintain itself as one nation and helps it continue to thrive. I do not really have a favorite type of Native American art, whether it is the basketry, pottery, clay work, textiles, graphics, color, - all aspects of Cherokee history are unique. All of them are useful – the baskets, the blowguns, even our ball sticks and marbles were part of our sports. The games continue. We were designated the end of the Trail of Tears in conjunction with the National Park Service. We have a bead wall there. Each bead represents a person. The white represents those who survived the Trail of Tears; the black is for those who died, and the red are those who were missing and we do not know what happened to them. This is according to the government’s statistics. Some of the jewelry we are selling here today is made from commemorative pieces for the bead wall.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in;" width="10"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Divyesh Mehta, President, India’s Heritage, 5th Avenue, New York, NY► <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“I’m originally from Bombay, India. Business in Atlanta is pretty good because we have a lot of repeat customers coming by and ordering. We have a new line, which has done very well. We specialize mainly in handmade, antique and embroidered fabrics. People love our line here. We have our own manufacturing unit back in India, our prices are very good, we have competitive fabric colors that no one else is offering, and we have unique designs that make us popular. Our best sellers are our decorative pillows, bed coverings and window panels, and my business is split equally between these items. This market has been a little slower than the last two seasons, but the good thing is our repeat business, which is very good for us. The keys to our business success are innovation, new ideas and products, and consistency in quality.”<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="4" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 281.1pt;" valign="top" width="375"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image038.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1043" width="360" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image040.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1044" width="155" /></span><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-weight: normal;">Pillows made from antique Indian fabrics.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in;" width="7"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 491.4pt;" valign="top" width="655"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image042.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1045" width="421" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">▲Mr. & Mrs. Geoff Bushby, Dejavu Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“This market has been good for us because it was our first show. Any business we did is good because we started from a zero base. Not a great deal of sales, but I’ve made a great deal of contacts. This has given us an insight into what direction we need to take to succeed in this market. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">We sell three particular products that are unique to Zimbabwe. Our soapstone sculptures are recognizably from the Shona people in Zimbabwe. Our Benga baskets recognized worldwide and made only by the women in a cooperative. All of them are unique and handmade. Our batiks, or African prints, are Bushman tie and dye with the guinea foul which are very popular. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">With the current economic situation in Zimbabwe, our tourism has been struck by 60 percent. The artists who are producing these products used to have an inflow of tourists which was their lifeline. Now, with the reduction in tourism, those artists have no way of generating an income. There is an abundance of products, they just can’t sell it. Our business offers rural artists a linkage and a lifeline. I’ve tied up an arrangement with 42 artists, and they know what we’re doing. I’ve shown them my disc with products on CD-Rom. I’m purchasing their product, putting it out there, and keeping them going. Otherwise, they would have nothing to do. It’s a very sad situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">In the American marketplace, you have to be very flexible in your thinking. You cannot adopt the same way of thinking that we do in the African marketplace. If you’re an African, don’t come here with high expectations and expect to make millions overnight. You’ve got to meet a lot of people and develop relationships. The biggest side for me was the learning curve. The direction I was headed when I came here has changed 90 degrees to how we intend to do it now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="3" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 16.2pt;" valign="top" width="22"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 207.6pt;" valign="top" width="277"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Liz Coursen, Publisher, American PostCardArt, Sarasota, FL.► <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“I have been selling a lot of my art to African American professionals and see it becoming a trend because it is part of their heritage. It’s important to remember how things were, how things are now, and how things have changed. What I sell is part of American history. People enjoy seeing the images. In order to make it in business, you have to be prepared to sacrifice a lot of your time. Most of my energy goes to my business. You also have to strike a balance between your professional and personal life, particularly with your family. It’s a very fine line and is sometimes very difficult to do. One often suffers. Then you have to get back to that middle ground as fast as you can.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="6" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 300pt;" valign="top" width="400"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image044.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1046" width="386" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td style="border: medium;" width="293"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="13"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="18"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="67"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="293"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="12"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="3"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="7"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 307.7pt;" valign="top" width="410"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image046.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1047" width="396" /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 199.9pt;" valign="top" width="267"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">◄Vera Vardeman, VR International, Memphis, TN<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“This show is pretty good for me and my merchandise. I always do pretty well. I sell wholesale antiques and reproduction wall decorations, panels, and carvings from China. I don’t have many competitors because most of the other vendors sell materials made by machine. To be successful in business you should research the market, find unique products, and get the right price from the right source.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Laurence Vilain, PR representative, Beaum</span><span style="font-family: accents; font-weight: normal;">é</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Collection, Paris, France►<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">“One of our featured artists is La Roche Laffitte who specializes in watercolor painting on paper, silk, and polychromed lacquer panels. Inspiration for his paintings comes from different ethnic tribes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="349" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/americasmart2_files/image048.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1048" width="243" /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in;" width="86"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td style="border: medium;" width="324"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="108"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="153"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="36"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red; font-weight: normal;">SIDEBAR: Most of the items featured by these vendors can be bought through WingcomLtd’s executive gift service, a certified M/FBE and a member of AmericasMart Atlanta. Please email <a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com" style="color: purple;">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a> for more details.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">This information is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">©2002 </span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-33333488812127437422023-06-26T14:55:00.006-04:002023-06-26T14:55:56.281-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: Affirmative action<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="576"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="504" /></span><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">Economic affirmative action…<i>you’re on your own!</i></span></p><h4>By Tomi Morris Johnson</h4><span style="color: blue;">Digital images by Kurk D. Johnson</span> <br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: 8pt;">©2002 </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 8pt;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">August 8, 2002, Atlanta, GA…In the American Land-Of-Business, acting affirmatively is all about two things – whether you can make money or save somebody some money. Anything past that is all smoke and mirrors. It does not matter what your idea, dream, ethnicity, wardrobe, sex, group affiliation, education level or good intentions are. The bottom line is – can you consistently deliver at a competitive, value-added price? If so, you still need a savvy cadre of relatives, associates, and netweavers to help you navigate the complex terrain of wealth building in the United States.</p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hope remains where company is true.”</span></span></p><p align="right" class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: right;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The Lady of the Woods, Lord of the Rings, Fellowship of the Rings</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal; height: 244px;"><tbody><tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF"><td class="Normal" height="243" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="443"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"></p></td><td class="Normal" height="243" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="411"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;"> </p><blockquote><p><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt;">◄</span><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt;">(L to R) Forum Moderator Dr. Julianne Malveaux asked panelists Terrell Slayton, Leonard Clark, Thomas Dortch, Janice Mathis, Bill Campbell, and Sallie Daniel whether affirmative action was “hope or hype.”</span></p></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Those were the messages acknowledged at the 2002 Economic Issues Summit “Affirmative Action: Hope or Hype” presented by the National Black MBA Association, Inc., Atlanta Chapter and the 100 Black Men of America. Sponsors of the event held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel included Procter & Gamble, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Bridgestone, National Minority Franchising Initiative, Marta, BellSouth, and Minority Professional Network.com. The turnout was light, with many corporate tables left unattended or half full.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Yes, I agree companies do seek minority contractors and are bound by federal law to offer an equal opportunity playing field when doing business. There are mandates, executive orders, and best practices policies urging equal opportunity. It still appears, though, that minorities are not getting their piece of the pie from a lopsided economic table, which makes appeals for affirmative action grow louder.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal;">The number of minority-owned businesses grew more than four times as fast as U.S. firms overall between 1992 and 1997, increasing from 2.1 million to about 2.8 million firms, according to the Commerce Department's Census Bureau. In Georgia during 1997, minority owned businesses were 6.41% of the total businesses operating in the state (</span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.census.gov/epcd/mwb97/ga/GA.html"><span style="color: green;">http://www.census.gov/epcd/mwb97/ga/GA.html</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal;">).</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Minority firms, however, won less than 2% of total state contracts in 2001. That, my friends, is a pitiful example of fairness and a call to step aggressively for change.</span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 690px;"><tbody><tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF"><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="357"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="420" /></span></p></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="333"><blockquote><p><span lang="EN">Minorities are expected to represent 50% of the US population by 2050. “This will create opportunities for consumer and business sales in those communities where minority business, if correctly positioned, could have a competitive advantage,” according to <i>The New Realities for Minority Business</i> report released by the US Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency.</span></p><p><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt;">◄While the number of minority businesses are growing, those picked by big business is declining. The way some minority vendor programs are designed, a M/FBE almost has to be a successful, established business to meet corporate supplier guidelines or must collaborate with another firm with a track record of success.</span></p></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal;">The report further states the number of corporate suppliers are decreasing because “procurement is moving from a cost center to an activity of strategic importance…Large, merged companies usually streamline their operations by seeking larger, first-tier suppliers who can deliver high volumes at consistently high quality, provide rapid execution, and have substantial capitol resources.” </span><span lang="EN" style="color: teal; font-weight: normal;">(</span><span lang="EN" style="color: green; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.mbda.gov/documents/strategies.pdf"><span style="color: green;">http://www.mbda.gov/documents/strategies.pdf</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: teal; font-weight: normal;">).</span><span lang="EN" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">The reports suggests that corporate business strategies have changed over the last 20 years. That means a change in minority/majority joint ventures, competition with technologically advanced e-commerce companies, enhanced customer service, anti-set aside rhetoric and increasing lawsuits, increased credit regulations and scoring, and a dwindling of small contracts for 8a firms. If you are not big and highly capitilized, unable to acquire mezzanine financing, or have a fuzzy market niche, your abilitiy to do business on a large scale is nullified.</p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">On top of all that, minorities and women still have this race and sex thing to contend with which is exacerbated by a legacy of poverty. While fraudulent Enron was loaned $250m as soon as bankruptcy papers were filed, disadvantaged business people are given rudimentary credit advice from financial advisers: a $15 delinquent account on a Rich’s charge card could jeopardize securing a line of credit. Loan officers look at what may seem trivial in today’s debtor economy, make decisions about your credit worthiness, and make judgments on your ethical and moral character based on a credit report.</span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF"><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="403"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image007.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="365" /></span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></p></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="274"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image009.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="254" /></span></p></td></tr><tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF"><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="403"><blockquote><p><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt;">▲Michael McGill Harris, president of Harris and Associates Consulting, says he is tired of all the talk surrounding Black business success and is ready to see some action. “We need to have a collaboration project with the major people in responsible roles – Oprah, Farrakhan, T. D. Jakes, Creflo Dollar, etc.- all minorities should sit down at the table. We need to get beyond meeting and talking and think about inclusion and netweaving,” Harris said</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">.</span></p></blockquote></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="274"><blockquote><p><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt;">▲Dr. Julianne Malveaux said she was surprised to learn that less than 2% of Georgia’s state contracts were awarded to minority-owned businesses. “Fixes to our plight are political participation, leveraging, youth involvement, and sometimes boycotting. We have to be committed to closing the wealth gap,” Malveaux said.</span><span style="color: green;"></span></p></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Before trudging to a lending institution or a corporate client, you had better check your asset to debt ratio and balance sheet. Your “angel” network of friends and family better be in place. Your research on how the Jewish, Asian and Hispanic communities do business better be up to par as well as how the top rated companies in your field are doing. Your ability to market your product(s) or service(s) as the best out there better be documented and packaged. Your savings must be in a LARGE piggy bank, and it helps to have a personal banker. Your self-esteem has to be ready for rejection and poised for the next test. You have to be able to bring something to the business table of value and not afraid to ask for the moon. You have to find a niche.</span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF"><td class="Normal" height="349" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="392"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image011.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="396" /></span></p></td><td class="Normal" height="349" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="284"><blockquote><p>Your system of doing business must be validated in case stress overcomes you, claiming your body and company. Your philosophy of building a business must override your ability to be self-employed. Your team of accountants, tax experts, lawyers, insurance providers as well as management team/employees better be well trained. Your technology tools must be executable. You must read, work, and prepare to be flexible.</p><p><span style="color: #009900; font-size: x-small;">◄Minority Business Development Center’s Clem Wilmot (l) said you must bring something to the table of entrepreneurship, including research.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt;">Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s George Lottier says you must impress on clients that you have the best product.</span></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF"><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="392"><blockquote><p>Daniel McCoy, Jr., CEO of Star Relocation Systems, Inc., said knowing the right people is key. “One dilemma in becoming successful is wadding through paperwork and trying to find out who you need to talk to. Performance is a gimmee; what we need is exposure through networking and self-empowerment,” McCoy said.►</p></blockquote></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="284"><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image013.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="132" /><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">You also need to rationalize whether you want to “own” your own business, or have the lender/venture capitalist actually own everything you possess. You have to think past the ‘90’s when Dot.com economics paid off big but failed fast. Think twice about antiquated wife’s tales of paying in cash and owing no one, and heavily weigh advice from the brothers who say, “Use the white man’s money first.” All this must be done within a 25-hour day with you coming up with the extra 60 minutes.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Minority Business Development Agency has these suggestions for increasing the success rate of minority firms:</span><span style="color: green; font-weight: normal;"></span></p><ol style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px;"><li><span style="color: green;"><span style="color: #009900;">Stress the compelling importance of minority firms to the world’s economic infrastructure</span></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: green;">Encourage joint ventures, strategic alliances, mentor programs, consortiums and partnerships</span></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: green;">Explore new markets</span></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: green;">Develop new sources for capital</span></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: green;">Support new technology initiatives</span></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: green;">Leverage government resources</span></span></li></ol><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 680px;"><tbody><tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF"><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="248"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image015.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="233" /></span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></p></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="433"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image017.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="418" /></span></p></td></tr><tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF"><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="248"><blockquote><p><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt;">▲“We need to get away from a vision of doing things to a plan of action and implementation,” said Apostle Dr. Jamie Pleasant, pictured with wife, Kimberly, who are with Kingdom Builders Christian Center.</span><i><span style="color: green;"></span></i></p></blockquote></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="433"><blockquote><p><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt;">▲After the forum, attendees were invited to a reception sponsored by “Mac” McDonald, owner of Vision Cellars wines. “I sell fine pinot noir and have my own, personal banker,” McDonald said.</span><span style="color: green;"></span></p></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To be a successful entrepreneur, you have to do what you love AND do your financial homework. Most importantly, you must be willing to play the game. Relate to this story a friend, </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Maggye,</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> emailed me:</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;">A young boy, Bernie, moved to the country and bought a donkey from an old farmer for $100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day the farmer drove up and said, “Sorry son, but I have some bad news. The donkey died.” Bernie replied, “Well then, just give me my money back.” The farmer said, “Can't do that. I went and spent it already.” Bernie said, “OK, then just unload the donkey.” The farmer asked, “What ya gonna do with him?” Bernie told him, “I'm going to raffle him off.” Said the Farmer, “You can't raffle off a dead donkey!” Bernie answered, "Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he is dead.” A month later, the farmer met up with Bernie and asked, "What happened with that dead donkey?” Bernie said, "I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $898.00.” The Farmer said, "Didn't anyone complain?” Bernie said "Only the guy who won. So I gave him his two dollars back." Bernie grew up and eventually became the Chairman of WorldCom.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #339966; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">INTERVIEW with LONNIE SABOOR, Atlanta Development Authority and <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">REUBEN MCDANIEL, III</span>, Jackson Securities</span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image019.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="444" /></span><span style="color: #339966; font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">▲Workshop speakers Lonnie Saboor (holding the money) and Reuben McDaniel, III from Atlanta say do not expect financial institutions to change their rules, because they won’t. You have to find ways to claim capital from a myriad of sources to succeed in business. When borrowing money, “</span><span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: normal;">benefits have to outweigh the debt,” Saboor said. “You have to be careful not to over leverage,” McDaniel added.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt;">Q:</span> <span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Some older Black Americans have the business philosophy of paying for everything in cash. In today’s million dollar, competitive market, that may not work and you may need capital to run a business. What is your advice on building a business on credit?</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt;">Saboor</span><span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">:</span> <span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The whole thing is leveraging – you want to position yourself to be able to leverage your operation by going to another level. You want to use a very systematic approach in which you can get access to a line of credit for $250,000 to $500,000. You have to ask yourself, “What are the benefits to me of borrowing money?” The benefits have to outweigh the debt. Can you use this money, for instance, to hire a new marketing person who can bring in X number of dollars? Yes, you want to continue to pay your bills and be as liquid as you can, but at the same time, you want to be able to take advantage of opportunities to access capital for growth.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt;">McDaniel:</span> <span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Paying for everything in cash is an antiquated mentality. If you have 100% credit, it means you have an infinite return on your equity. You want to try to leverage your business as much as possible so that the actual capital you put in gets the highest return. On the flipside of that, credit is dangerous. From covenant and credit perspectives, you have to be careful not to over leverage. If you plan to pay cash for everything and never borrow, the ability to grow your business will be hamstrung. In today’s environment, credit is just another tool that can be used to do business.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt;">Q:</span> <span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I get very shaky when I hear people talking about empowerment zones and the use of government money to start minority businesses. There are examples of Black people signing away everything to get some business locations on Main Street, who wind up going out of business in two to three years. Sometimes Blacks get guaranteed government loans but don’t have the business background or enough capital to be successful. How can minorities keep from falling into this type of trap?</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>“The history books are filled with example after example of statues – local, state, and federal – designed to keep Blacks from participating in the economy. If you can’t participate in the economy, you are not part of the culture.”</i></span><i><span style="color: #339966; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">Arthur A. Fletcher, Nixon’s Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment Standards, 1969</span></i></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt;">Saboor:</span><span style="color: teal; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The key is treating government money like any other kind of money. The key still is accessibility. Just because you are able to get in a business with 10% equity does not mean that is a good thing because with that comes 90% debt. There may be some low interest money, but you have to treat that debt as any other debt. It is not a grant that does not have to be paid back. With loans come responsibility, restrictions, and requirements which may include signing away your home, personal guarantees, and liens on all your assets. This is very serious. You must be prepared to take advantage of opportunities, but don’t do anything financially unless you know you’ll be able to get out of it.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt;">McDaniel:</span> <span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The empowerment zone is just a tool. No one should go into business because of the empowerment zone. They should go into business because it’s something they’re good at, enjoy, and something they can make a profit. Unless you have a fundamental business opportunity, you should not be in an empowerment zone or anywhere else. The empowerment zone has such good economic features that people who had not thought of starting a business try to get into something they never should have tried in the first place. We can’t get overly exuberant about the empowerment zone, but must really try to find businesses and business owners who can fit into that zone and can make it work.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">People will go to good quality businesses. The empowerment zone in Atlanta has an excellent location. One thing about real estate is location, location, location, but if it is not filled with good, quality proprietors, it’s not going to work. My advice is find something that you love to do. Once you figure that out, find out the best vehicle to use – whether that is working for a small business or major corporation. Too many times in the past, you see someone or groups who understand the economic advantages of the empowerment zone and sort of force some businesses into it. That’s how you come up with failures.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #339966; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">SIDEBAR:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> FROM A CORPORATE PERSPECTIVE: How do minority-owned companies do business with the big guys?</span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr bordercolor="#FFFFFF"><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="202"><blockquote><p><span style="color: #339966; font-size: 16pt;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image021.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1035" width="188" /></span></p><p> ▲<span style="color: green; font-size: 9pt;">Ron Frieson, VP, Chief Diversity Officer, BellSouth Corporation</span></p></blockquote></td><td class="Normal" colspan="2" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="474"><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“You must understand and be aware of existing opportunities. A number of corporations have policies in place that allow a tremendous amount of minority participation in getting contracts. Diversity, or inclusion, is a big part of our business.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Most companies who come to us are experts in their business, but they must have a strong infrastructure, the ability to manage their cash flows, access to capital so they can carry inventories, and the ability to be around long-term. Obviously, if you are a supplier to a company as large as BellSouth, we are very concerned about how long you are going to be in business.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“You must do business throughout our operating region. Many small businesses do not like the idea of growing as fast as we would like them to grow. There is a fear that they will depend on us too much as being their largest customer. We do not want to be your only or largest business customer and encourage multiple customers. We want to be a partner in the network of businesses that do business with you.”</b></span></p></blockquote></td></tr><tr><td bordercolor="#FFFFFF" class="Normal" colspan="2" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 20pt;">Credit Card Users Beware!</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">(Things aren’t always what they appear.)</span><span style="color: green; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"></span></p></td><td bordercolor="#FFFFFF" class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Affirmative%20Action2_files/image023.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1036" width="322" /></span></p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" width="202"></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" width="136"></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" width="338"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ever wonder why some people can get introductory, credit card rates as low as 0%, fixed rates, and then find themselves facing 19.9% rates within a few months? According to many credit card companies, “fixed rate” does not mean permanent or unchanging, for they can raise your interest rate depending on their evaluation of you as an unsecured customer, even if you pay all your bills on time! Credit card companies have instituted policies to make the poor stay they way if they use credit too much. Do not fall into this trap! If you do not need it, do not buy it – you’re only making the credit card company rich! If you always pay on time, creditors probably know you will continue to pay on time, even if the interest rate goes up! </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">If you have a credit card, make sure you read your entire statement and any bill inserts because it may contain information regarding rate changes.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">IMPORTANT: Predatory Lending and You! - Georgia’s new Predatory Lending Law involves home mortgages and does not necessarily pertain to credit card rates. To report issues regarding your credit card rates, you should contact the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance at <a href="http://www.state.ga.us/dbf/dbf.html">http://www.state.ga.us/dbf/dbf.html</a>.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Send comments or remarks on this subject to: <a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com"><b>tomij@wingcomltd.com</b></a>.</span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-11257621519337284832023-06-26T14:54:00.003-04:002023-06-26T14:54:21.150-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: Trade with Africa<p> </p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px;"></p><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;" valign="top"><p><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 22pt;">Africa and Atlanta – get off the fence:<br /></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Get ready to expand bilateral trading!<br /></span></span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #0033ff;">By Tomi Morris Johnson </span></b><span style="color: #0033ff;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com?subject=Africa%20&%20Atlanta%20article">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Digital images & web design by Kurk D. Johnson</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: 8pt;">©2003 </span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="403"><p style="text-align: justify;">Atlanta, GA., August 20, 2003… “Why would Atlanta businesses want to trade on the African continent?” seems a question only misinformed, pre-21<sup>st</sup> century, student economists would ask. WHY? Because post-colonial Africa is in need of transportation equipment, food, medicine, clean water, security systems, infrastructure construction, oil refineries, housing, adoptions, and investments. Despite bad press, the continent is a gold mine on the economic front for those desiring to pan trade possibilities yet not hoping to strike it rich quickly.</p></td><td class="Normal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="264"><p><img align="left" height="229" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/WTC_Images/africa.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026" width="209" /></p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td class="Normal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;" width="127"></td><td class="Normal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;" width="276"></td><td class="Normal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;" width="264"></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #003300; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #009900; font-size: x-large;">A</span></b></span>ccording to the U.S. - African Trade Profile released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, two-way trading between the U.S. and Sub-Saharan Africa was down 15% in 2002, possibly due to the U.S. recession, terrorism and the AIDS pandemic. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to do a better job with exporting goods into the U.S. than vice versa, to the tune of $11.9 billion. The U.S. imports mostly petroleum or energy related products, minerals and metals from Africa. <a href="http://www.agoa.gov/resources/TRDPROFL03.pdf">http://www.agoa.gov/resources/TRDPROFL03.pdf</a> The top five Sub-Saharan countries conducting business with the U. S. include Nigeria, South Africa, Angola, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. In contrast, Benin, Eritrea, Somalia, São Tomé e Principe, and Gambia did the least international trading. <a href="http://reportweb.usitc.gov/africa/total_gsp_agoa_import_suppliers.jsp">http://reportweb.usitc.gov/africa/total_gsp_agoa_import_suppliers.jsp</a></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">The report states, “Despite the 2002 decline, U.S. exports to Sub-Saharan Africa were 46% greater than those to the former Soviet republics, and nearly twice those to Eastern Europe. U.S. exports to South African alone were larger than our sales to Russia, whose population is more that 3.5 times as large.” The U.S. loves to sell to Africa, but expanding business relationships appears hamstrung. </p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Globalization, the increased mobility of goods, services, labour, technology and capital throughout the world, can be dangerous for poor countries, however, if corporations make all the rules without the consent and concern of local community agriculture, tariff structures, food and employment situations. "There's no reason to not have global trade…if international democracies are in tact and local democracies are vibrant," said Dr. Vandana Chiva in a recent interview with Bill Moyers. </p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">If you are willing to expand your business to Africa, “do your homework through research and follow-up with the right people” were the major messages gleaned from attending a quarterly, international business-networking event held at the World Trade Center Atlanta on Peachtree Street. Sponsored by the World Trade Center Atlanta (WTCA) and the Georgia Africa Society – National Summit on Africa, members from organizations ranging from the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce to the Croatian American Chamber of Commerce were in attendance. </p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">The event was organized in cooperation with Atlanta International Museum of Art and Design, Association of Kenyan Professionals in Atlanta, Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, British American Business Group, Canadian American Society, the East Africa-American Business Council, French-American Chamber of Commerce, Georgia AGOA Commission, Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Georgia State University's Center for Global Business Leadership, GlobalFax, Indian Professionals Network, International Business Association, Korean American Chamber of Commerce, Polish American Chamber of the Southeast U.S., and Southern Center for International Studies.</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><b>How are businesses in Georgia fairing as far as doing business in Africa? Where is the next economic frontier? Can media enterprises break into the African market? How is the AIDS pandemic affecting business, trade, and entrepreneurship in Africa? </b></p><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal; height: 355px;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="301"><p style="text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/WTC_Images/serge.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="306" /></p></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="376"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;">Africa needs more trade than conditional foreign aid, and less AIDS.</span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Serge Mukendi, Summit National Bank (originally from the Congo)</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Doing business is about the same everywhere. Before investing any amount of money, you want to first, learn about the markets and investigate the country. You should contact the particular country’s embassy in Washington, DC. AIDS is a problem everywhere, but in my personal opinion, in Africa you’re dealing with denial. There are things that we don’t talk about, and that needs to be changed.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: purple; font-size: 18pt;">“Africa remains one of the biggest, untapped markets for American businesses. If you are looking for long-term business relationships, African markets are hungry for products, and guess what? If you take your time, do your research and identify the right people, there’s business to be done.”</span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;"><i> </i><b>Patrick Tonui, International Service Director, WTCA</b></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-80428506821946262272023-06-26T14:52:00.005-04:002023-06-26T14:52:57.258-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: Contract diversity<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial;">Contract Diversity:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="406" /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Negotiating solutions to improve economic participation<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><i><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Arial;">By Tomi Johnson</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> (</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com" style="color: purple;">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a>)</span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><b><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Digital images by Daniel G. Johnson</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><b><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">©2004 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.8pt;" valign="top" width="162"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image002.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="147" /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.2pt;" valign="top" width="414"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="406" /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 115.25pt;" valign="top" width="154"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="139" /></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 121.8pt;" valign="top" width="162"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="148" /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 310.2pt;" valign="top" width="414"></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 115.25pt;" valign="top" width="154"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image012.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="130" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">February 24, 2004, Atlanta, GA…Why should corporate America and state governments trade with minority business owners when these same businesses won’t even support each other? It’s a fact that less than 2% of Georgia’s state contracts have been awarded to minority firms every year since 1991, but in rural Georgia, why would blacks buy gas at a white-owned filling station when the black-owned one across the street sells petroleum for the same price?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perhaps it will take years for sociologists to explain this predicament, but one knows racism and low self-esteem among African Americans exist. Now the question is, “What are we going to do about it?” To diversify economic empowerment within a capitalist society that constantly checks profits and the bottom line, one must want to do the right thing; but more important is understanding the statistics surrounding how money is spent in the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">“My father and mother, who were entrepreneurs during the 1950’s and 1960’s along with their circle of business friends, taught me that if you offer a good service, anyone will buy from you, regardless of whether you’re black or white. Today, however, it’s harder to manage a successful business because of competition, racism, and lack of support in the community.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Tomi Morris Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Members of minority groups are consumers. They are also providers of goods and services. In order for the United States to live up to its creed of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all, citizens must be given an equal chance to compete for business, i.e. financial gain. That is the philosophy behind the mission of many corporate and governmental contracting programs, but they are not working as prescribed, partly due to continuing discrimination, greed, lack of knowledge and blind vision.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“If there was a nation called Africanamerica, the gross national product or money earned would be about $600 billion a year,” said investment banker Lonnie Saboor at an economic seminar in downtown Atlanta in 2003. “That is more money than comes into countries like Kuwait, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Spain combined. There are over 2 million African Americans with college educations. So, money doesn’t seem to be the problem. Education and knowledge is not a problem. The problem seems to me that we are not really doing things collectively,” Saboor stated. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And a lot of us are still doing the same old thing – networking or partying. A recent event titled “Salute to Minority Business Owners - Nomination Process” was sponsored by the <i>Atlanta Tribune</i> in conjunction with Home Depot at its corporate headquarters where approximately 250 people mingled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Monét Cooper,</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <i><span style="color: yellow;">The Atlanta Tribune</span></i><span style="color: yellow;"> Magazine:</span> Our publication, which targets African American entrepreneurs and professionals, teamed up with Home Depot to…do something more formal this year. This is the first of three receptions when MBEs and diversity officers will have the opportunity to nominate themselves or other business to be in the magazine. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Mark Liu, Coca Cola Enterprises, Inc., Procurement Analyst - Supplier Diversity:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> We go to these types of networking events a lot to meet with new buyers and company owners and to develop a business relationship from there. It is important to make a good exposure to the major companies and increase their capacity, which many minority companies don’t have yet. There are many small companies that are doing jobs for us right now, and we’re working with second tier suppliers in subcontracting capacities, so doing business with us can go both ways. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img align="left" height="245" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image014.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026" width="179" /><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Michael Fong: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">“It’s important to try to find other people that you can work with in order to build your business…if you meet the needs that a company requires, I believe that you can get business.”</span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Elgintine Dudley, Director of Marketing and PR, Eagle Environmental Group:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> When you go to networking events, you meet people, and when you meet people, you build friendships. People do business with people they know and like. This is the beginning of a long, lasting relationship that helps expand your business. After this, maybe the day after tomorrow, I will follow up with the business card and call people to see how we can work together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 371.6pt;" valign="top" width="495"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Alan Zeppenfeld, VP, GlobalTech Portfolio Services:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> We’re here to network and make contacts. We provide financing programs for manufacturers, distributors and financial institutions. We’re a small business with 22 people and are minority/female owned. I’ve seen a lot of activity in the governmental area. In the corporate sector, it will take meetings like this and various organizations to make sure that people get to meet people and find out who has the resources to meet their needs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 136pt;" valign="top" width="181"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image015.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="187" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Kimberly Knight, Georgia Governor’s Small Business Center: </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">We work in the office that helps to facilitate relationships between small and minority firms in the state of Georgia. What we’ve done over the past three years is to work more closely with the agencies and tried to encourage them to look at different ways they can implement small minority businesses into their contracting opportunities. We’ve hosted state agency meet-n-greets, various trade shows like the “Moving your business forward” conference… and of course there is the Governor’s Mentor/Protégé Program where we bring in small businesses for an 18 month period which opens them up … and makes them more visible candidates for possible state opportunities. It’s all about commitment on the part of the agencies – it comes from the top down, and Gov. Perdue is committed to fairly and equitably disbursing opportunities. We’re all working together. Everybody is struggling; the state is struggling, and we all feel each other’s pain. So, we’re all trying to figure out what the solutions are. It’s not easy; but we’re committed to doing the right thing, and that’s a beginning. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><img align="left" height="256" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image017.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1029" width="191" /><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Charles “Chuck” Barlow, Regional Services Manager, En Pointe Technologies: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After a study was done in 1991 that found that less than 2% of state contracts were awarded to minority firms, then Gov. Zell Miller issued an Executive Order encouraging and directing all of his department heads to do more business with minorities. One important thing is getting the word out to let people know there are opportunities available. Another thing is making that Executive Order become law. Georgia does not have a minority set-aside program, so it is very difficult unless the governor pushes it. It actually won’t happen; it still has to be pushed and managed so those department heads will start doing it. We also have to bring together the minority business owners and equip them so they can deliver the quality services after they get contracts. For this, we’ve developed the quality institute to assist with infrastructure, quality training, and customer service. Oftentimes, we get the one time business and then cycle out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The major challenge that everybody is faced with now, whether you’re a corporation or individual, is that the whole world has changed. We’re in a world economy where we are competing with people for the business that’s there. We’re outsourcing jobs. Now the justification is that they say the only way to be competitive is to get somebody to do it for less. Who’s going to buy the products? If we don’t have jobs for our own people inside the country…I think that’s a major concern for everybody. From a quality perspective in terms of assessing companies and organizations, that’s a house of cards; you can see it start to crumble. The reality is, you can have the best executive at the top, but if you don’t have quality employees, eventually you’re going to fall. It’s not something that can be legislated by a government. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The other problem is that you don’t have the loyalty of employees. In order to be real competitive, you must have people who do their jobs at their very best, and allow them to make decisions. Let them know what the expectations are and reward the whole team, not individuals. People will do what you reward them to do. I don’t see companies automatically increasing wages because of competition because for every person who is employed, there are five people looking for a job. I think today, you’re going to have to work more than one job.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Interview with Bill Cannon, V, Owner, WS Cannon Company<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><img align="left" height="253" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image019.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1030" width="355" /><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">WingcomLtd:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Are networking events like this one beneficial for minorities to acquire business contracts?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Cannon:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Being a marketing consultant, the success of networking events depends on how well people market. A lot of times I hear people say, “It was just another party,” but not everyone realizes the advantages of having access to a large amount of people. You can’t be shy and non-aggressive about meeting people you don’t know and asking certain questions. Networking works for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As far as the low amount of state contracts awarded to minority firms, you have to remember that the state is a political entity, so everything that moves there is based on politics. Each minority has a different agenda, and there are some things that they have in common. There are some areas they need to work on together, and some they need to work on individually. Each has to work on getting the body politic to move in their direction. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There was a study conducted in 1991 dealing with minority participation that compelled then Gov. Zell Miller to write the Executive Order that directed all state agencies to make an immediate and concerted effort to increase the participation of minorities in the procurement process. That was two administrations ago. What it did do was require the agencies to keep track of minority participation which it had not done before, so at least you had the evidence that it (minority contracting) was not happening. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">WingcomLtd:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Marketing moves business right now, so if you don’t have a good marketing strategy or mindset, you will not be competitive. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Cannon:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> That’s in any market. Marketing is a science of affecting the desired result, no matter whether you’re selling Coca Cola or home supplies for Home Depot, or trying to get votes for a candidate for presidential office, or contributions for Morris Brown College, or trying to get people to join your church. One of the things that I love about it is that it’s universal. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">WingcomLtd:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Some major corporations don’t want to deal with small businesses that are not established, so it’s sort of hard for minority businesses to become successful unless they can partner with a major firm. Do you think that’s true?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Cannon: </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">No, I don’t think that is true. I think the larger problem is that most companies don’t know how to market themselves, how to package themselves; how to market and whom to market to. There are a lot of companies in the zone that need to update websites. We were guilty of the same thing. One of the things that we emphasize is having our clients be very mindful of where technology is taking people with marketing and e-commerce. That is critical and is not something that is going away, just like hip-hop, computers, and cell phones. When they do go away, they will be replaced by something even more technologically advanced. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We realize that the world is adapting media andmanufacturing. Computers in restaurants are replacing cash registers. At every juncture of our lives now, we are finding that technology…20 years ago we said you must have a brochure or business card in order to have affective marketing. Today, you must have an email address and a website in order to let folks know what you do…and the ability to do business electronically. The world is moving…your message has to be concise, professional, and specify your capability with references. That’s how you get contracts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><img align="left" height="281" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image021.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1031" width="188" /><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">“It’s important that you understand how business is done today. You must sell yourself the way the buyer wants to purchase their goods and services. You must understand how the game is played.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">WingcomLtd: </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">What advice can you give to youth on how they will be able to succeed in this competitive environment in the 21<sup>st</sup> century?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Cannon: </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">As a parent, to be very honest, today’s parents do a poor job parenting. Their parenting skills are woefully short. Too many parents of this generation are operating like today’s developing entrepreneurs; they do it the way they want to do it instead of the way experience dictates using better techniques. A lot of it requires spending a great deal of time. You must develop standards from birth. That doesn’t mean that they’re not going to slack from time to time like we all do; but the most important thing is that they develop a sense of worth and a sense of aspiration; that there is something that they want, that there is something that makes them happy, that there is something that they’re willing to go after. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I used to say to my son that he has two jobs, and I said this from the time he was in 1<sup>st</sup> grade: his morning job was school and he had to do well in school and behave himself. That was his job from the neck up. He also had to develop himself from the neck down, and that was physical. He had to be physically fit. He needed to be fit from the head to the toe. I also told him that as long as he had the education to be capable in a career, that’s fine, but get the education that will allow you to be successful at whatever you want is important. Helping our young people to identify something that they want, willing to work for and sacrifice for…that they’ll feel good about getting up in the morning…just because they will get money…the money will not last in terms of happiness. They must be able to pursue their own dreams and goals. It must be something that makes you feel good about yourself and you see where you are providing a service. That makes you feel good.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">WingcomLtd:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> And on the other end, you have to be realistic. You’ve got to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Cannon: </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">You can generate income from almost doing anything… as long as you don’t get fixed on luxury but are fixed on being able to sustain yourself. If you’re able to do that, you’re way ahead of most people. There are a lot of us that are having trouble paying rent today, or mortgage notes, or are at risk of having our lights turned out. Whatever you want to do, make a commitment and be honest with yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">WingcomLtd:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> You sound pretty optimistic on both fronts, on black business entrepreneurship and on the black youth of today.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Cannon: </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Yes, from being as close as I am to my son and being close to his friends…and the undergraduate members of my fraternity, Omega Psi Phi…I like to see what our young people are doing. An important issue is not winning the game, but finding out what game is in play and understanding the rules of the game. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I would like to mention two quick things concerning state contracts. Yes, the percentage is very dismal, 2 % or less. We are on our third governor, and things have not gotten better. Our black media has done a very poor job of letting the rest of us know those numbers. We’ve had about eight to ten years of numbers that have identified campus by campus, agency by agency, the levels of minority participation which frequently totaled zero. Our black media has done a very poor job of letting the rest of us know those numbers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">WingcomLtd:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> I think you do what you want to do, though…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Cannon: </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">That’s exactly correct. It’s just like being on the highway…if you know there are no police out there, the chance that you’re going to speed is pretty high. So if nobody is watching and monitoring minority participation, then the people in those departments are not going to pay any attention to doing it at all, Executive Order or not. They are just going to do what they’ve always been doing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">WingcomLtd:</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> That brings me back to my question, “We know all these problems exist, what are we going to do about it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;">Cannon: </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Well, a lot of us don’t know the statistics, and a lot of us don’t know what to do about it. Why aren’t there more advocates for black business? Why don’t black business organizations have a lobbying team working in the General Assembly every year? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Georgia Procurement Registry website identifies procurement opportunities that are $10,000+ regardless of the agency, campus, or institution. That website is <a href="http://www.procurement.state.ga.us/procurement" style="color: purple;"> http://www.procurement.state.ga.us/procurement_index.jsp</a>. *<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">*Note: The opportunities are very limited on this contracting website.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Contract%20Diversity_files/image022.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="101" /></span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> ©2004 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; 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font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-41158300311221385562023-06-26T14:47:00.005-04:002023-06-26T14:47:51.169-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: KSU students design contest<p><br /></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="480"><p style="text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image003.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="176" /></p><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">KSU students win designer challenge award </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">from major home builder</span></b><p><b><span style="color: #0033ff;">By Tomi Morris Johnson </span></b><span style="color: #0033ff;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com?subject=Big%20Brothers%20article">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Digital photos by Tomi & Kurk D. Johnson</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">©2004 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">August 7, 2004…Thinking outside the box helped students and alumni of Kennesaw State University win the first place award in a two-way competition to decorate model homes. Using global design themes, pieces of silk and pebbles for inspiration, the challenge was made by subdivision developer Larry Thompson and Shawn McLeod, builder of Ebenezer Farms in Marietta, Ga.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 646px;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" height="245" valign="top" width="199"></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="264"><p align="left"><img border="0" height="230" hspace="5" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image005.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="242" /> </p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="183"><p align="left"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image007.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="176" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Feng shui’s sense of tranquility was used in master bath, family room featuring Japanese sand garden, and guest bedroom.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">KSU’s Matthew Craven said the challenge was creating something special using a basic house and a slate of wild colors. “We had a $20,000 budget, and since one of our crew members is a landscape designer, we allotted some of our money to do the backyard water feature which made our house a little more challenging because we had less money to work with inside,” said Craven who chose the ceiling map in the study as his favorite project.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="339"><p><img border="0" height="250" hspace="7" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image009.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="324" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="293"><p><img border="0" height="256" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image011.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="197" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The theme “World Travelers” was depicted on the ceiling in House #1. KSU students and faculty first hear about winning award.</span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="190"><p><img border="0" height="263" hspace="7" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image013.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="176" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="213"><p><img border="0" height="265" hspace="7" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image015.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="199" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="228"><p><img border="0" height="265" hspace="7" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image017.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="203" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Ceilings and walls were special design features in foyers, dining rooms, and art/craft spaces in both houses.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">“In the initial discussions on what the theme was going to be, we decided it was based on a well-educated family with two children who liked nature, traveled extensively, and collected art,” said alumni Shane McDonald whose favorite room was the home theatre. “I just want to go and take a nap right now,” McDonald said after spending several sleepless nights working on the model. He received a $50 gift card from Home Depot along with a lot of exposure.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 655px;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top" width="259"><p><img border="0" height="465" hspace="7" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image019.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="231" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="396"><p align="left"> <img border="0" height="167" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image021.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1035" width="214" /> <img border="0" height="168" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image023.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1036" width="154" /></p><p><img border="0" height="283" hspace="9" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image025.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1037" width="377" /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top" width="259"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="396"><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">KSU alumni Shane McDonald won award and deserved rest for his work.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top" width="259"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="396"> </td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="223"><p style="text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="240" hspace="7" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image027.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1038" width="198" /></p></td><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top" width="432"><p><img border="0" height="240" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image029.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1039" width="186" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image031.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1040" width="204" /></p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td class="Normal" height="2" width="223"></td><td class="Normal" width="36"></td><td class="Normal" width="396"></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 85%;"><tbody><tr><td height="59"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Son of the builder, Ian McLeod, was caught peeping through the wrought iron office doors in Model Home #2. “I like anything,” he said when asked about his favorite room. Each house featured a boys and girls room.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Dr. Linda A. Hightower, Chair of the Visual Arts Department, College of the Arts, Kennesaw State University, was teaching a two-dimensional, entry-level class in Foundations when she coordinated the designer challenge idea with Home Traditions designer Amy Rowe. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">“It has meant a tremendous amount of time for full-time students who also work part-time. The last two weeks, they spent 24 hours a day on this house. I think they did extremely well. The pacing of 12 students who had never worked together was important, and they became a team very supportive of each other’s needs. Everyone would scatter to find little objects for one another. </p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: #3366ff; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">“We wanted to show people the impact of what an artist can do to a home that is actually different from an interior designer because artists are not inundated with trends; they actually set trends,” Hightower said. “We used a lot of computers to develop the sketches, play with colors, and scan images. The computer, which doesn’t make art, was another pencil in their toolbox.” </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Hightower worked along with Professor Charlotte Collins to mentor students. “We turned the students loose with their vision, and with them being undergraduates, we guided them with shaping their own ideas. These are their ideas,” Hightower said. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">“This has truly been an experience for me,” said Shawn McLeod who was teary-eyed during award announcement. The houses were judged on creative design, use of surprise elements, and powder rooms.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 667px;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><p><img border="0" height="178" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image033.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1041" width="312" /></p></td><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><p><img border="0" height="174" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image035.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1042" width="226" /></p></td><td class="Normal" width="60"> </td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">House #1</span></p></td><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">House #2</span></p></td><td class="Normal" width="60"> </td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"> </td><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"> </td><td class="Normal" width="60"> </td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="199"><p><img border="0" height="300" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image037.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1043" width="152" /></p></td><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><p align="center"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image039.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1044" vspace="5" width="217" /></p></td><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><p><img border="0" height="300" hspace="7" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image041.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1045" width="171" /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="199"><div align="left"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Best Team Player Harold Penland</span></div></td><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><p align="center"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">“After all this work, when I design my own home, it will probably just be filled with books!” said design student Tiffany Spann (standing) who posed in model office with sister Danielle. </span></p></td><td align="left" class="Normal" colspan="2" height="6" valign="top"><p align="center"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Creativity Award Winner Cindy Eassey</span></p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td class="Normal" width="199"></td><td class="Normal" width="156"></td><td class="Normal" width="109"></td><td class="Normal" width="143"></td><td class="Normal" width="60"></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="305"><p><img border="0" height="309" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image043.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1046" vspace="15" width="290" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="middle" width="362"><p style="text-align: justify;">Larry Thompson, owner of Thompson Real Estate which has developed over 10,000 lots and houses since 1969, said designer challenges help sell homes. He labeled the winning creations ingenious. “This struck me as being the missing ingredient in housing right now. What they’ve done on such limited budgets is so creative. It turned out to be just dynamite! What people see is what they buy, and if the interior design is interesting and homey, they will buy the house,” Thompson concluded.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Home prices in this subdivision start in the high $400’s, which does not include $135,000 lot cost or interior designs. The two models are open Monday thru Saturday from 10:00am – 6:00 pm.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Designer Challenge judges included Karen Kennedy, KSU; Andrea Yeaman, <i>Marietta Daily Journal</i>; Jessica Radar, <i>Communities Magazine</i>; Helen Cauley, AJC Homefinder; Tim Prevatt, Mary Barton Productions; Shannon Bentley, West Georgia Board of Realtor; Kristen Holloway, Design Environments, Inc.; Edith Brown and Dee Speckhals. </span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/designhouse_files/image044.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1047" width="101" /></span></b></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">©2004 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-24805657850503863552023-06-26T14:45:00.007-04:002023-06-26T14:49:08.351-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: Competing for black customers<p> <img height="136" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/AmericasMartPub_files/image002.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1031" width="108" /></p><span style="height: 204px; left: 10px; position: absolute; top: 948px; width: 176px; z-index: -5;"><img height="204" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/AmericasMartPub_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1035" width="176" /></span><span style="height: 127px; left: 10px; position: absolute; top: 1422px; width: 176px; z-index: -4;"><img height="127" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/AmericasMartPub_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1036" width="176" /></span><span style="height: 170px; left: 10px; position: absolute; top: 1788px; width: 176px; z-index: -3;"><img height="170" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/AmericasMartPub_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1037" width="176" /></span><span style="height: 108px; left: 204px; position: absolute; top: 180px; width: 336px; z-index: 1;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="108" style="vertical-align: top;" width="336"><div class="shape" style="padding: 2.85pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1025"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Note:</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> It is estimated that African-American spending will reach $981 billion by 2010 (Radio Advertising Bureau), and there will be a shortage of <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">workers to service sales.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoTagline" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.333332px;">(</span> <a href="http://www.rab.com/public/rst/rst_results.cfm?action=bykeyword"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.333332px;">http://www.rab.com/public/rst/rst_results.cfm?action=bykeyword</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.333332px;">)</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="height: 3168px; left: 204px; position: absolute; top: 300px; width: 336px; z-index: 2;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="3168" style="vertical-align: top;" width="336"><div class="shape" style="padding: 2.85pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1026"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Atlanta, GA, July 21, 2006…Thousands of perspective African American shoppers converged on Atlanta this week, but only a few attended AmericasMart’s International Gift and Home Furnishings Show, a wholesale market limited to pre-approved business traders and their guests. Other major events in town included the National Black Arts Festival, the Summer Olympics 10</span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> reunion festivities, and T.D. Jakes’ MegaFest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">While Jakes was encouraging 80,000 followers at the Georgia Dome to believe in God, purchase spirituality-based products and save money, AmericasMart’s motivational speakers were urging attendees to believe in themselves and sell goods that fulfill material wishes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Between Peachtree and Harris Street where AmericasMart’s three buildings and 52 floors jammed with merchandise reside, blacks were working as greeters, admissions clerks, baggage handlers, chefs, bartenders, and security guards. Absent were African American marketing executives, showroom operators, exhibitors, or award winners. There were a few exceptions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Joe Burford, formerly showroom manager of Rags West in the Apparel Mart, greeted and collected fees from buyer’s guests in Building One. Guests who were not registered were charged $50 to attend the show from July 11-19 when accompanied by a trade member.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Former AmericasMart Pressroom Hostess Ruby Oakley (seated) was honored by international media in a luncheon sponsored by Keri Arroll, marketing director of media services and public relations. Ms. Oakley’s impact and professionalism left a lasting impression on the Mart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Other drawbacks to black participation at AmericasMart were dwindling numbers of African American retailers at trade shows and lackluster diversity of buyers from major stores.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">African American Expressions has a showroom in the Mart 6-17B, Bldg 2. Mellonie Preston is organizational development manager who works in the office and on the sales team. Preston travels to the company’s permanent showrooms in Atlanta and Chicago and is on the tradeshow circuit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">“We offer all of the things that are not offered by other companies,” Preston said. “We fill a niche to express African American people and artists. We present spiritual and Christian-based products.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">When asked about the lack of African American shoppers at the Mart, Ms. Preston said, “I wish I had an explanation for that. On busier days, there are more privately-owned, diverse companies shopping, especially in areas like Atlanta, DC, Baltimore and other predominately Black areas. Across the board, buyers for larger companies are not diverse enough, and that’s why we don’t see more African Americans at the Mart.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ms. Preston has advice for retailers wanting to market the African Expression product line: “Displaying our product beautifully is the key. It’s really important to show people you have it and present it well. There are some things that we know work, so we pass the information on to our customers. We advise retailers to always ask for advice; that’s a very good thing. Try out products, create a mix, and figure out what works for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">(Pictured with Tomi Johnson from r to l)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">David Garcia, Carlos Jimenez and Norale Sebastian represented Banilivi & Nabavian Inc. at the 2006 Rug Retailer of the Year (ROY) Awards Ceremony, an AmericasMart sponsored event held at the Georgia Aquarium. Importers of fine oriental rugs on Madison Avenue in NY, their company won the Spanish Design Category Award in 2004.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">According to </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Black Enterprises’</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> publisher Earl Graves, Sr., the future of black business ownership depends on ability to achieve the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">1.</span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">secure large corporations as customers, investors, and strategic partners</span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">2.</span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">tap professionally trained, visionary management driven by energy and vision</span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">3.</span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">reward people who build performance-driven network</span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">4.</span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">parlay successful ventures into new ventures with larger growth and profit potentials</span><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">adapt business model across variety of industries</span><span style="color: blue;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 12px;">(http://www.camac.com/newsroom/240787_final.pdf)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 12px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">WingcomLtd</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> traveled away from the Mart to visit an African American storefront in Atlanta to ask the owner whether he had attended AmericasMart or taken advantage of its business courses, like “How to move from surviving to thriving in today’s gift and retail industry.” Twin Brothers Gallery, located in the Perimeter area at 155 Hammond Avenue, opened in 2003. Owned by twin brothers from Senegal who also previous operated stores in New Orleans and DC, it features African art.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Abdoulaye Bipeye: “I didn’t get a chance to attend this year’s show. I buy my merchandise directly from overseas and California suppliers, so it is not necessary for me to go to the Mart. The majority of my products are from Africa. Right now, I’m not that busy. I need to get more traffic, but I don’t see that much competition in products I sell. My products range from watch batteries which may cost around $5.00; to custom made jewelry and jewelry repair on gold, platinum and silver; and antique art pieces ranging from $5,000 to $8,000.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">When asked how he could increase business to his store, Ms. Bipeye stated, “I don’t have any idea how to increase business. I would love to. If people come here and spend more money, that would be a good thing. More newspaper stories about my business and advertising would help.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">As far as taking marketing and sales courses at the Mart, Bipeye stated, “I don’t have time to take classes. My experience is not enough, but I can continue with my business for a little while. Sooner or later, if I have time, I wouldn’t mind taking a class or attending a convention to improve my business.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Although Blacks tend to be big on buying in retail stores, their numbers are miniscule when compared to shopping the week-long wholesale Mart. “Maybe it’s because they can’t afford to leave their businesses for eight straight days,” said an anonymous retailer. “Many black business owners who work with tight margins and high operating expenses can’t leave their businesses to shop and party like rich whites.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Black buying power continues to increase nationwide and is the focus of marketing studies aimed at securing profits. According to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;">Target Market News</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">), blacks outspend other ethnic minorities. Its “Buying Report” confirms black households had $631 billion in earned income in 2002, an increase of 4.8% over the $602 billion earned in 2001. (</span><a href="http://www.targetmarketnews.com/Buying%20Power%20report%2003.htm"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://www.targetmarketnews.com/Buying%20Power%20report%2003.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">) Yet the amount of black retailers is small, leaving African Americans to buy from majority owned stores. Black owned stores are dwindling, and the few that remain have a hard time offering competitive prices.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Nearly 85% of African Americans prefer to buy from companies that have historically supported the black community, according to a 1998 study by Ketchum Public Relations African American Markets Group. The study found that two-thirds of survey participants investigate a company's minority hiring practices or any negative press it may have received relating to racial issues. (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_5_30/ai_57943394<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">After integration, many neighborhood black-owned drug stores and retail establishments closed up. Many black retailers have been relegated to street vendors or small business/family-owned shop keepers who have diversified to make profits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Some black retailers have found it necessary to establish their own market in the form of the International Black Buyers and Manufacturing Expo and Conference sponsored by International Black Buyers and Manufacturing Enterprise Consortium (IBBMEC). Other technology-savvy black retailers have opted into selling their wares online instead of the traditional retail storefront.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">WingcomLtd posed the following questions to AmericasMart’s VP Chas Sidney and Marketing Director Kerry Arroll:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Do you have any statistics on African American participation in the Mart?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In your opinion, why aren't more African American retailers using AmericasMart to promote their products?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">How can African American retailers become more aware of AmericasMart's marketing and educational services?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When this article was posted, WingcomLtd had not received answers to these questions, however, we will keep you posted when the information is obtained.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 18pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 10.666668px;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="height: 3280px; left: 190px; position: absolute; top: 172px; width: 4px; z-index: 3;"><img height="3280" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/AmericasMartPub_files/image009.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_s1027" width="4" /></span><br /><span style="height: 54px; left: 144px; position: absolute; top: 96px; width: 444px; z-index: 5;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="54" style="vertical-align: top;" width="444"><div class="shape" style="padding: 2.85pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1029"><h2 style="color: #336666; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18.666666px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h2><h2 style="color: #336666; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18.666666px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px;">Written by Tomi Morris Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></h2><h2 style="color: #336666; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18.666666px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px;">Photos by Kurk D. Johnson</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="height: 84px; left: 144px; position: absolute; top: 24px; width: 383px; z-index: 6;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="84" style="vertical-align: top;" valign="bottom" width="383"><div class="shape" style="padding: 27.15pt 2.85pt 2.85pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1030"></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-2115845557912854882023-06-26T14:44:00.002-04:002023-06-26T14:44:24.184-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: AMERICA'S MART AWARDS<p> <img height="156" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/peacocks_files/image002.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1053" width="124" /></p><span style="height: 113px; left: 78px; position: absolute; top: 660px; width: 140px; z-index: -7;"><img height="113" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/peacocks_files/image004.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_s1062" width="140" /></span><span style="height: 224px; left: 78px; position: absolute; top: 426px; width: 140px; z-index: -6;"><img height="224" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/peacocks_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1063" width="140" /></span><span style="height: 1056px; left: -48px; position: absolute; top: 336px; width: 816px; z-index: 1;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="1056" style="vertical-align: top;" width="816"><div class="shape" style="padding: 2.88pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1025"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt 0pt 14pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><br /><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="height: 1056px; left: -48px; position: absolute; top: 336px; width: 816px; z-index: 2;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="1056" style="vertical-align: top;" width="816"><div class="shape" style="padding: 2.88pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1025"></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="height: 1320px; left: 228px; position: absolute; top: 246px; width: 432px; z-index: 4;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="1320" style="vertical-align: top;" width="432"><div class="shape" style="padding: 2.85pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1033"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">“To market, to market, to buy</span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;"> a fat pig,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;">Home again, home again, jiggety jig.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">To market, to market, to buy</span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;"> a fat hog, Home again, home again, jiggety jog.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;"> Child’s nursery rhyme<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Atlanta, GA, July 19, 2006…AmericasMart already has 2,000 showrooms and 4,000 booths. When asked why it needs to construct an additional Building 4, Chas Sydney, senior vice president of new business development said, “We need more room to display more products.” Sydney was recently master of ceremonies at the 2006 Rug Retailer of the Year (ROY) Awards held at the Georgia Aquarium.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After the ceremony, WingcomLtd decided to honor exhibitors from this summer’s International Gift and Home Furnishings Show. The accolades were based on the look and feel of individual items and the enthusiasm of exhibitors towards marketing their products when selected to be interviewed by WingcomLtd.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Most Unique<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nancy Morgan, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Dreamsacks</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">: “We are making </span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;">clothing from bamboo fiber.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Bamboo is completely renewable, incredibly soft, feels wonderful against your skin, and is breathable. It grows naturally without pesticides, and you can always get more of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“When wearing clothes made from bamboo, you don’t get too hot or too cold. It’s perfect for ladies in the middle of menopause! It feels wonderful against your skin. It’s practical, can be washed and dried, and is reasonably priced. We are real excited about our products,” Morgan said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Most Beautiful<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Anupma Sethi</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pres</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">., Sethi and Sethi Inc</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">.: “Our embroideries are very unique. There are a lot of venders who are doing the peacock bird as well as the peacock feather, but everyone who has seen our version says it is absolutely different from others. </span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;">We have used colored metallic yards to create the peacock feather, and it has a three-dimensional effect. It has a certain delicacy about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Best Feel</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jodie Sandman, VP of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Ankasa</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">: “Our pillows are fashion-minded and have fashion sensibility. They are hand embellished and hand embroidered. Our best feeling pillows are </span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;">made from sheared rabbit</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and encrusted with Sarworski crystals.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Most Researched</span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.666666px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">(Pictured Cami Nobles and Terrell Swan from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Cat Studio: The Geography Collection. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mr. Swan: </span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;">“Each of our pillows has been researched for months, designed, and sent to people from different geographic areas to examine for accuracy.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Then the design is reworked and sent to India where they are hand embroidered. It’s a lot of work, a labor of love, and an intense project. All our pillows are geographically inspired.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Since we’re selling to people who know their regions, cities, states, and countries, our pillow designs have to be accurate and beautiful. They are a remembrance of things past: places people have loved, where they were born, honeymooned, went to college or taken a vacation. They hit sweet spots of memories and joys,” Swan added.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Most Humanitarian<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cindi Morrison, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Lucinda Lee</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">: “All of our products come from Vietnam and are completely hand crafted and embroidered. We have the silk woven to our specifications, and </span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;">we employ very worthy people who are poor</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and very, very grateful for the work we give them. If we had one woman working on one of our bed sets, it would take her one year to complete. We have taken over one workroom completely and employ 100 people there</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">. </span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;">Our hope is that we can elevate their lifestyle.”</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Perfect Balance and Harmony<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Edmund Chaney, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Eileen Hall Import and Design: </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Our line is Vietnam Stone, and what makes this product unique is something truly amazing – it’s an archetype, new yet ancient, and speaks to the senses – the eyesight as well as to the touch - is tactile as well as visual. It is entirely handmade. </span><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;">There is a tension between the design and the box which creates an artistic balance. Every piece is harmonious.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 10.666668px;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="height: 1324px; left: 226px; position: absolute; top: 238px; width: 4px; z-index: 5;"><img height="1324" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/peacocks_files/image007.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_s1042" width="4" /></span><span style="height: 60px; left: 234px; position: absolute; top: 174px; width: 396px; z-index: 6;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="60" style="vertical-align: top;" width="396"><div class="shape" style="padding: 2.85pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1051"><p class="MsoOrganizationName" style="color: #336666; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;">Written by Tomi Morris Johnson <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoOrganizationName" style="color: #336666; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;">Photos by Kurk D. Johnson<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoOrganizationName" style="color: #336666; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 6.05pt; line-height: 8.066667px;">©2006 WingcomLtd.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoOrganizationName" style="color: #336666; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 6.05pt; line-height: 8.066667px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="height: 102px; left: 228px; position: absolute; top: 60px; width: 444px; z-index: 7;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="102" style="vertical-align: top;" valign="bottom" width="444"><div class="shape" style="padding: 7.65pt 2.85pt 2.85pt;" v:shape="_x0000_s1052"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">From peacocks to pillows,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">Georgia Aquarium and back…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.333332px; margin: 0pt; text-indent: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "@Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 13pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17.333334px;">WingcomL</span></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-11203044295240327832023-06-25T09:36:00.020-04:002023-06-25T11:53:19.645-04:00TSP Live 2023 of Black Entrepreneurs concludes in North Metro Atlanta<span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9efw_OyuJ9m6Mboxwol429x9JZjd1pYmbSJ7FzixC4s0TS-_2_JBpEDei4MIt4TIzpL3140G6HNo5UCq9e2DSXyeQiUgMir9eXr1T3Ej9I-3DTQWcnbZoC80aU-JOXMO80tEtgr0W2ZuMD4QEm2Xm0dl-Flu7eSnxQskDI5Qf76K3WhNUaDUvq5kXMgc/s4032/IMG_6590.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9efw_OyuJ9m6Mboxwol429x9JZjd1pYmbSJ7FzixC4s0TS-_2_JBpEDei4MIt4TIzpL3140G6HNo5UCq9e2DSXyeQiUgMir9eXr1T3Ej9I-3DTQWcnbZoC80aU-JOXMO80tEtgr0W2ZuMD4QEm2Xm0dl-Flu7eSnxQskDI5Qf76K3WhNUaDUvq5kXMgc/w640-h480/IMG_6590.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father and son Kurk and Ayron Johnson of Atlanta WingChun (<a href="http://Atlantawingchun.com">Atlantawingchun.com</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Billed as 'The Ultimate Sales and Marketing Event for Black Entrepreneurs", an economic conference with seminars was held June 22-24 at The Hotel at Avalon in Alpharetta, Ga. It concluded with a major indoor ballroom music fest.</span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRgPK8JLNEdLuwIdLenWlTQNlF-kod715OoZqmpTxan0zka1cmwLGLNAnFKUiwSx7exJAZn_07ygHMYGGaX9zi0lmzNsKVTYGF5C0SwVGGtj0cNdlnqHBcMulRx8_pmpewCKDjR7u1XJcHUM6bP8JLU9RrdYysn26QE55-R7H_vZnIghjkGOJRtai7h8/s4032/IMG_6589.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRgPK8JLNEdLuwIdLenWlTQNlF-kod715OoZqmpTxan0zka1cmwLGLNAnFKUiwSx7exJAZn_07ygHMYGGaX9zi0lmzNsKVTYGF5C0SwVGGtj0cNdlnqHBcMulRx8_pmpewCKDjR7u1XJcHUM6bP8JLU9RrdYysn26QE55-R7H_vZnIghjkGOJRtai7h8/w640-h480/IMG_6589.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">VIP Access 3-day event tickets at $1,750 and General Admission tickets at $850 were sold out.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawgjDoEYmtSs3bKcMe2UgXbjqmm6TZbzKh2BYJP5bbXpUyUAMsOOf4VwdTRREbuAO01JbJZ3c4O676AWUERqWTGcqck7YzjhdgCWUOocU1ache1QJVwJkUrBIUDX9Orjma_lujm-PLKlhpTpwR0TphKoUScjcItoA7dJypEYZuWDbXBlIJ_jpcElXeGg/s4032/IMG_6586.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawgjDoEYmtSs3bKcMe2UgXbjqmm6TZbzKh2BYJP5bbXpUyUAMsOOf4VwdTRREbuAO01JbJZ3c4O676AWUERqWTGcqck7YzjhdgCWUOocU1ache1QJVwJkUrBIUDX9Orjma_lujm-PLKlhpTpwR0TphKoUScjcItoA7dJypEYZuWDbXBlIJ_jpcElXeGg/w480-h640/IMG_6586.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Elite Eight of Black Businesses at event</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Even if you were unable to get tickets to the seminars which featured the organization's co-founders Ronnie and Lamar Taylor, you could be dazzled by the expensive cars parked out front. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9W24ZFIut4yz-eXUk0XE7adccjTIVBgLmajQleSyFsQ9G_7MrxUwnvEf1gSVeJDCY7syBG13z__DYPHmRcFYGRM0f_P9uWn2crJ0QyK9NjeacI75lBmG-b3ik48sCs3RylNhVuA1OjDmsoEEWf7hXTSx6Tc6V5TAQznL48tnuOTLAc1073L3AxRzuiQ/s2468/F487584C-06AC-4577-98D3-A02CC1293D70.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1623" data-original-width="2468" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9W24ZFIut4yz-eXUk0XE7adccjTIVBgLmajQleSyFsQ9G_7MrxUwnvEf1gSVeJDCY7syBG13z__DYPHmRcFYGRM0f_P9uWn2crJ0QyK9NjeacI75lBmG-b3ik48sCs3RylNhVuA1OjDmsoEEWf7hXTSx6Tc6V5TAQznL48tnuOTLAc1073L3AxRzuiQ/w640-h420/F487584C-06AC-4577-98D3-A02CC1293D70.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wingcom Watchdog's Tomi Johnson</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It made you feel that black businesses are alive and well, even after COVID-19 shuttered many. According to the Pew Research Center, 58% of Black adults support "buying Black". </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In 2020, "there were an estimated 140,918 U.S. firms" considered black owned with an estimated $141.1 billion which accounted for only 3% of all U.S. firms. The U.S. black population in 2020 was 14.2%. (Elon Musk is estimated by <i>Forbes</i> to be worth $234b.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Featured event guests and contributors were all tied to the entertainment industry: Cathy Hughes (est. net worth - $460m), founder and Chair of Urban One Inc. and considered the second richest black woman in the U.S.; Jermaine Dupree (est. net worth $2.5m), music recording executive; and Issa Rae (est. net worth $4m), actress and producer.</span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The next major event will happen in the same place in January 2024. The Hotel at Avalon is developed and operated by Crescent Real Estate LLC (est. net worth $10b) of Fort Worth, Texas and Cresent GP Invitation Fund II. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlPsDkXrSn-FifiVbYbtbqVZibfI7R36XEdJGpA3m1la0RBKVacJ_oDhfwTUXbyPktedxcvknWYeQc1XXIMlZsxhfhCveYOqU0MFgRsTacqgLyHRJ17o4V-NgotqPAY3saMhCYZuawcXgicAXMEnuIlQ5ehPB3A6BtxvN_9p70B4x7RzpsSjSGboROvs/s4032/IMG_6585.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlPsDkXrSn-FifiVbYbtbqVZibfI7R36XEdJGpA3m1la0RBKVacJ_oDhfwTUXbyPktedxcvknWYeQc1XXIMlZsxhfhCveYOqU0MFgRsTacqgLyHRJ17o4V-NgotqPAY3saMhCYZuawcXgicAXMEnuIlQ5ehPB3A6BtxvN_9p70B4x7RzpsSjSGboROvs/w480-h640/IMG_6585.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-18594608280081489442023-06-24T12:02:00.003-04:002023-06-25T08:02:04.470-04:00Why is it so hard to buy a home in 2023?<p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8ZxOF-awINMP7merM0MMv3GEkkHstJwYZaX5BOioBFG8eHXzGUleawAeOSQPzEOTXTNdOF0btLP2yadseH9w4D_ZJm4vzQE0d7yX1tEZDYvstuMrv0BLsKQ4p_e8PEI8Dy7ZXkTI_crfFqFgKKCMpx05nt2ZHflIwBsxPeOf9fNe65Duy2j2yN7kIM8/s2119/5C8B4F04-8128-4431-8599-19E0FB124909.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2119" data-original-width="1890" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8ZxOF-awINMP7merM0MMv3GEkkHstJwYZaX5BOioBFG8eHXzGUleawAeOSQPzEOTXTNdOF0btLP2yadseH9w4D_ZJm4vzQE0d7yX1tEZDYvstuMrv0BLsKQ4p_e8PEI8Dy7ZXkTI_crfFqFgKKCMpx05nt2ZHflIwBsxPeOf9fNe65Duy2j2yN7kIM8/s320/5C8B4F04-8128-4431-8599-19E0FB124909.jpeg" width="285" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />I just found out today that June was declared National Homeownership Month by President Biden (<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/05/31/a-proclamation-on-national-homeownership-month-2023/#:~:text=BIDEN%20JR.%2C%20President%20of%20the,2023%20as%20National%20Homeownership%20Month.">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/05/31/a-proclamation-on-national-homeownership-month-2023/#:~:text=BIDEN%20JR.%2C%20President%20of%20the,2023%20as%20National%20Homeownership%20Month</a>)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">"We recognize that a place to call home, regardless of owning or renting, is essential to a life of security, dignity and hope...That is why my administration is committed to removing barriers to homeownership." One of the things Biden did was extended foreclosure moratoriums, but that was 2 years ago!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ironically, it's probably harder than ever for a poor or middle class person in the U.S. to own a home if they don't already have one.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Why is that?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Low inventory: during the Trump Administration, developers, speculators, and investors bought up existing inventory and turned it into rental property. Other folks who could afford low interest rates and who had jobs were able to out bid folks who tried to get homes at or below asking price.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqC_byFCJlqZxqlkM65LGH1I2UtN4deEBh2hViVH9iGZsQCv5gwuwTGrait1ynS5OnVgFoDdwsX0jEKYvv_9W4eppgifJIDK8t_xeUnsXWCNmPAGQ2_NVvF1LAXcTfhbKwNs2ZCzdBfFtEqiLjIzWSztWKIhJdRnKMmkwdR7rxC54xOw5uV8mMp5iHgs/s4032/IMG_6574.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqC_byFCJlqZxqlkM65LGH1I2UtN4deEBh2hViVH9iGZsQCv5gwuwTGrait1ynS5OnVgFoDdwsX0jEKYvv_9W4eppgifJIDK8t_xeUnsXWCNmPAGQ2_NVvF1LAXcTfhbKwNs2ZCzdBfFtEqiLjIzWSztWKIhJdRnKMmkwdR7rxC54xOw5uV8mMp5iHgs/w480-h640/IMG_6574.HEIC" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Increasing prices based on appraised values, interest and insurance rates, taxes and HOA fees: even folks with good jobs are priced out of the affordable home market.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Inflation myths: not being able to find an affordable home is not based on inflation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Global warming: many homes have been destroyed or deemed uninhabitable making the costs of lumber, windows, roofing, bricks, vinyl siding and appliances surge!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Politicians and banks not solving the problem: only the rich can afford to buy an affordable home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What solutions do you think will solve this crisis, or will the next generation be renters with no equity at the whim of landlords?</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-18018312463689337222023-06-20T14:43:00.003-04:002023-06-20T14:48:29.033-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT<p><img align="left" height="231" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1031" width="256" /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.333333px; text-align: justify;">Some schools were less segregated in the late ‘60’s than they are today. </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.333333px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span class="GramE" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.333333px; text-align: justify;">(Photo of writer with classmates in 1967 graduating class.)</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold;">Commentary:</span></p><p align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="font-family: Algerian; font-size: 22pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;">Stand up for justice:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="font-family: Algerian; font-size: 22pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;">f</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial;">ulfill King’s dream w<span class="GramE">ith</span> results</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span class="GramE"><b><span style="color: #0033ff;">By Tomi Morris Johnson </span></b><span style="font-size: 8pt;">©2004 WingcomLtd.</span></span><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> All Rights Reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></p><p align="left" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><st1:date day="19" month="1" year="2004"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">January 19, 2004</span></st1:date><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Atlanta</span></st1:city><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, </span><st1:state><span style="font-size: 12pt;">GA</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt;">…For those of us who care, we face a serious reality check <span class="GramE">on MLK’s</span> Dream-o-Meter. We find that in education and economics, Johnny and Sally are not playing Ring-around-the Rosie with José, Tashica, and Ali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></p><p align="left" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to a report released by </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Harvard</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 12pt;">University</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt;">United States</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> faces a bitter truth – the civil rights clock has turned back to pre-1970. The report, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://researchmatters.harvard.edu/story.php?article_id=603">A multiracial society with segregated schools</a>,” documents what we already know – schools, the primary institutions of our country, serve populations divided by race. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As go the schools, so go the neighborhoods, churches, prisons, coffee shops, unemployment lines, parks and <span class="GramE">corporate</span> boardrooms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 13.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If King were to walk down his old neighborhood streets today, he would see a national landmark in his beloved community, upstaged by a warlord President, surrounded by protestors and homeland security police. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He could run down the avenue and pass by his alma mater, Booker T. Washington High, just as un-air-conditioned and predominately black as he left it, accept for the teaching staff. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He could visit city hall and hear statements made by the African American power elite, a new leadership that only allows a chosen few to participate in politics/wealth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><table border="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 75%;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" width="14%"><div align="center"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img alt="Lindsey Tippens" height="108" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="82" /></span></div></td><td class="Normal" width="14%"><div align="center"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img height="105" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="80" /></span></div></td><td class="Normal" width="14%"><div align="center"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img height="105" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="80" /></span></div></td><td class="Normal" width="14%"><div align="center"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img height="105" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image012.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="80" /></span></div></td><td class="Normal" width="14%"><div align="center"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img height="105" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image014.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="80" /></span></div></td><td class="Normal" width="14%"><div align="center"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img height="105" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image016.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="80" /></span></div></td><td class="Normal" width="16%"><div align="center"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img height="105" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image018.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="80" /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Some school boards are more segregated than their schools, as in </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Cobb County</span></st1:city><span style="font-size: 10pt;">, </span><st1:state><span style="font-size: 10pt;">GA</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt;">, near<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span class="GramE"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">metro</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Atlanta</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 10pt;">. The school district’s racial make-up is 72.4% white, 18.8 % black, and 8.9% other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He could catch disgusted and annoyed looks from gatekeepers when he begs for a job, only to be told that his application will be put on file for months while corporate executives earn millions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He might land a low wage, temporary position with no benefits and be micro-managed (overseen) by a supervisor half his age and experience level.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He might peek through department store windows and catch politicians on flat-screen TVs, urging the unemployed to use free time volunteering for campaigns that will change </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt;">America</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img align="left" height="234" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image020.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1033" width="154" /><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He would also rub his eyes at images of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kobe</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, Michael, and Colin posing as media representations of black manhood. CNN Stressful News would encroach in airport lounges, department stores and eateries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">“All people should be one,” said Marietta Councilman and Rev. Anthony Coleman at the MLK celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He could meander into his birthday celebration, an entertainment-showcase posing as a direct action workshop where politicians sit in the honor section and the masses sit outside the velvet rope. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He could sift through the sidewalk belongings of unemployed workers tossed out of foreclosed homes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He could visit the prisons, overwhelmingly populated by people of color, where children under age four live with their mothers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 13.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He could travel to the suburbs where homes with the latest gadgets and security systems are for sale but cannot be purchased because of low credit scores and out of balance income to debt ratios. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img align="left" height="180" hspace="4" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image021.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1032" vspace="5" width="124" /><span style="font-size: 10pt;">David Connell, Georgia Power, spoke at an MLK celebration in </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Cobb</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 10pt;">County</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt;">: “Never stop trying to achieve a perfect world.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And he would smell the haggard homeless, unable to legally beg for food on city streets, crouching in church doorways while the wind chill hovers near freezing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.2pt;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">King’s 60’s dream has not resulted in an abundance of fairness, opportunity or peace for the majority of people he fought to protect - the poor. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If Dr. King were alive to negotiate with power brokers after his walk, he would probably encourage the following direct actions be taken:</span></span></p><p></p><table border="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 85%;"><tbody><tr><td><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">reduction of high interest rates and adverse banking practices leveled on the poor<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">global, universal health care<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">employment contracts that lead to reduced debts<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">end to US military occupation of other countries<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">use of alternative fuels<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">legal system that affords justice to all, regardless of fortune<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">balanced national and state budgets<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">reduction in the imprisonment of non-violent criminals<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">spiritual reawakening in churches and schools <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family: Algerian;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family: Algerian;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color: red; font-family: Algerian; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Poverty and Unemployment</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">– </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Banks profit disproportionately when the unemployed, who have stimulated the economy by buying and borrowing during good times, find themselves in crisis situations after job losses and wage cuts. We are in a depression, yet financial institutions are profiting by borrowing money at prime rate (2%) and charging 24.99%</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">interest to those</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">who cannot pay their bills due to unemployment. Go to bank presidents and demand that they change their rules regarding repayment of debts by the poor. Demand that employers negotiate worker contracts that will take them out of debt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color: red; font-family: Algerian; font-size: 12pt;">War and Peace</span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> – </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dr. King was a man of peace who objected to war. How can one celebrate or commemorate King’s life, smiling while offering flowered wreaths and platitudes, while justifying war and troop engagements all over the world? Protest against war. Raise your voices for peace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Algerian;"><span style="font-size: small;">Health Care</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Even a physician will tell you that medicine is a “non-exact” science. Why, then, does it cost so much to obtain medical treatment, and why are medical charges based on what the doctors, drug companies and hospitals decide you must pay? Why are so many people sick in our land? Why is it difficult to get compassionate care or affordable health insurance? Why is there a shortage of health care professionals? Encourage school systems to implement curriculums which foster good nutrition and health education beginning in kindergarten. Make sure that “No child is left behind” when it comes to health care education.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p></span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: Algerian;"><span style="font-size: small;">School discipline</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Many of our classrooms have been turned into holding pens where instruction is not formulated to meet the special needs and aspirations of each student. <span class="GramE">This results</span> in classrooms where students face failure, have low self-esteem, and create discipline problems resulting in prescribed drug use and in-school incarcerations (detentions). Talk to your school administrators and school district superintendents about plans to help students using tough love. How long will we sit by while our public schools turn into educational systems led by drug referrals?<o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><img height="48" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/MLK2_files/image022.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="101" /></b></span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">©2004 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-91423181178789289482023-06-20T14:41:00.002-04:002023-06-20T14:41:19.952-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="511"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><img height="258" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/CDW_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="344" /><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt;">Cobb County’s Democratic Women </span></b><span class="GramE"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt;">hold </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 20pt;">annual holiday open house</span></b></span><p align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Tomi Morris Johnson</span> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Digital images by Kurk D. Johnson</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span class="GramE"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 8pt;">©2003 WingcomLtd.</span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 8pt;"> All Rights Reserved.</span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="127"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="511"> </td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;">December 14, 2003, Marietta, GA…Champagne flowed, colored lights lit up heavily decorated rooms, and politicians talked over future election plans during the annual holiday open house held by Cobb Democratic Women (CDW). Hosted at the home of State Representative Pat Dooley and husband John Dooley, the festive occasion was a season highlight on a historic day marking the capture of Saddam Hussein in <st1:country-region>Iraq</st1:country-region>. </span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"></p><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Hostess Pat Dooley receives set of porcelain tree ornaments</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> as house-warming gift from WingcomLtd’s Tomi Johnson.</span></span></div><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In a written statement to the press, Chairman of the Cobb County Democratic Committee Guy Drexinger said approximately 200 Democrats attended the event, including unseated politicians, those presently in office, and candidate hopefuls: former U.S. Congressman Buddy Darden; State Representatives Doug Stoner and Rob Teilhet; State Senate Candidates Clem Doyle and Preston Fletcher; State House Candidates Joel Cope and Patrick Stafford; and County Commission Candidates Annette Kesting and David Wilkerson. Also attending were former U.S. Senator Max Cleland and Fulton County Sheriff Candidate Charles Rambo.</span></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;">“I was delighted to have former Senator Max Cleland as our surprise guest at this year's Annual Holiday Open House,” exclaimed CDW President Beverly Tarpley McMurray. “He brightened everyone’s spirits, which were already high due to the news that Saddam Hussein had been captured.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;">“We must come together to rally around the person who becomes the Democratic candidate for President,” said Cleland who just last week was appointed by the Senate to a seat on the Export-Import Bank's board of directors after being nominated to the position by President Bush. At the gathering, Cleland praised female Democrats, saying, “They are always on top of things.” </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;">The successful event featured a light buffet catered by volunteers. “We were very pleased with the turnout, especially among the African-American community whose numbers were much greater than in previous years,” McMurray said.</span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="351"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><img height="268" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/CDW_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="344" /></span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="334"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><img height="271" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/CDW_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="304" /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="351"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="334"> </td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="351"><p align="left" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><img height="265" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/CDW_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="344" /></span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="334"><p align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><img height="260" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/CDW_files/image012.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="289" /></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><div align="center"></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><img height="254" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/CDW_files/image014.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="193" /> <img height="186" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/CDW_files/image016.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="239" /> <img height="263" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/CDW_files/image018.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="186" /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><b><span style="color: green; font-size: 10pt;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Send comments or remarks on this subject to: <a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a>.</span></span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><img border="0" height="42" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/CDW_files/image019.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="89" /></span></b></span></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-36048915563250273182023-06-20T14:39:00.005-04:002023-06-20T14:45:50.913-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT<p><br /></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 419.25pt;" valign="top" width="559"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img alt="David Scott" src="https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_ga_13_scott_david_200.jpg" style="border-style: none; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 175px;" /></p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 10pt;">An unedited interview with a U.S. Congressman<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">David Scott faces goliathic issues in US Congress<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1><h3 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; margin: 12pt 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt;">By Tomi Morris Johnson</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">©2003 </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #3366ff;">tomij@wingcomltd.com</span></a></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.95in;" valign="top" width="187"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.1in;" valign="top" width="490"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">David is to Goliath as David Scott is to the US Congress.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">This political analogy has prompted WingcomLtd to coin the term “goliathic” which interpreted means Georgia’s new Congressman, named after the biblical hero King David, faces “monolithic” challenges in Washington D.C. – the biggest being the economy, followed by war and voter apathy.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Born the son of a minister who owned a garbage business, Scott talks like a preacher, saying he is always chasing after God’s mission for himself. When greeting him, one is overtaken by politeness, a crushingly strong handshake, and penetrating eyes that do not wander. When you address David Scott, you are talking to a humble, soft spoken yet savvy individual who has years of experience in state politics; a man who happens to be a public servant at the pinnacle of political power, one who believes in saving face, a man finding himself steps away from the presidency. He has reached what he deems his destiny. One wonders how far he will go from there.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">WingcomLtd’s Tomi Johnson had the opportunity to interview Scott at his headquarters in Jonesboro.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Johnson:</span> Cornel West, an African American philosopher, in his <i>Reader</i> wrote: “The future of US progressive politics lies in the capacity of collective leadership to energize, mobilize, and organize working and poor people.” How can you impress on people of color that the political process in America still works to their benefit?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Scott:</span> You can impress that by pointing out to African Americans two important things: It has been a relatively short time, only 37 years, since we’ve had the guaranteed right to vote and the Voting Rights Act. All we have to do is look at that in relationship to how long this country has been in existence - well over 226 years. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">When we look at the recent comments of Trent Lott, the Lord has a way of bringing things to the forefront to illuminate our situation…that here we are…and Trent Lott made a profound statement, when he said, “Mississippi voted for Strom Thurman for President,” and he said, “We’re proud that we did.” And then he said, “This country would be better off if they had done the same thing.” Then he said, “We wouldn’t have these problems either.” You have to look at things to see them in the proper perspective. African Americans have to look at this whole situation: whether they’re better off, why they need to vote, how important is voting… by looking at these last 50 years…and looking at how long slavery was in existence as a manifestation of this country, this continent, of Western civilization, on these shores for over 400 years. This is a very important question, because there is so much that we have to do.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">The number one issue facing the African American community is this: we don’t have a choice in this matter. We need to vote with more regularity than anybody. We need to be waiting in line at the polls to vote. No group’s destiny is intertwined more with the voting process than African Americans.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Johnson:</span> You mentioned Trent Lott, exactly who has replaced him as majority leader, and has someone replaced him with different views and philosophies?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Scott:</span> I felt very strongly that…you know some people said we should have left Trent Lott there, because as long as he’s there, he’s a wounded person, we keep everything on the forefront, maybe we can get more out of the Republicans with Trent Lott. Even on BET he said, “I’m for affirmative action. Is there something I can do?” But this man has been against it all his life as well as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. If someone had asked him at this time was he for reparations, he probably would have said, “YES.” But I come down on the side of saying what is right here. Fundamentally, it boils down to the fact that if we had accepted Trent Lott staying there, it would have been too great a price to pay. He had to leave; we had to say he had to leave. There is no way any African American could stand and say this man should stay where he is as majority leader of the Senate. He had to pay a price for that – to say those words. Over and over he said them, many times. As a matter of respect for us as a people, he had to go. The dye is cast. We can always use that. The Republican Party is on the defensive now. They have got to do more because it’s a constant reminder, what Trent Lott said. By the same token, he’s still in the Senate. Let him stay in the Senate. Let the people of Mississippi deal with him there. But he could not be in the position of leadership and in lineage to become President of the United States. What he said was such a great, dramatic hit at what democracy stands for…we had to say, “You’ve got to go.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Johnson:</span> You mentioned the Republicans, and both of us were at the inaugural ball held for Gov. Sonny Perdue. The Republicans are in the highest position of Georgia government. Do Republicans still need Black people in Georgia?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Scott: </span>Yeah, they definitely do. They realize that more than anybody. The issue is whether they will allow them to proceed to get them involved, or whether the mainstay within the Republican Party will allow them to expand to be more attractive to African Americans. That rests in their hands to do. What is important for the African American voter is to understand, “How did this happen?” because it is a fact that 90% of the African American vote goes to Democratic candidates. A part of the reason why we have this Republican takeover in this state is because Black people stayed home. That is something that we must address. In every one of my speeches, wherever I go, whatever I say, a portion of what I speak about, whether it’s in a church sermon or wherever it is, I have to put it on the minds of people – the importance of voting. What good does it do to get registered to vote and then you don’t exercise that vote? It’s the squeaking wheel that gets the oil. The reason why we are where we are today and the political climate of the country today is in large measure because the African American voter as a whole has not taken full advantage of his franchise of voting. We had in some precincts, right here in my own district, we had 3,000 to 4,000 voters register, but only 800 came out to vote. Well, now, I not only look at that, but other people look at that and they begin to say, “What’s going on here? Black people are not voting.” So, what happens is, the political debate gets shifted away from those concerns that should be made, for our quality of living. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">We need politics and government to work as a lever to help us more than other groups. All you have to do is look at how far we have come. We’ve broken down the walls of segregation because of political action, and we have increased our quality of life because we have voted and put people in office. So our issues are on the table. The presence of it, me being an African American congressman, whether I open my mouth or not while I’m there… I am some benefit to our people because I am there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Johnson:</span> In preparation for this interview, I asked my twelve-year-old daughter what types of questions I should ask you, and she said, “Ask him what is he going to do for me.” Of course, she doesn’t live in your district, but I’ve talked to people in your district, and they want to know, “What are you going to do to fix the potholes on their street?” Do you think voters are looking for you to solve problems like that? What would you say to them as far what your real role is in Washington?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Scott:</span> I will help everywhere that I can, although dealing with a pothole is not my function; it’s the city’s function to do that, however, a call from a Congressman about a pothole to the city would be very helpful. We deal with the federal budget. Every dime that comes down to the state, we have to have a voice in. I have a voice in almost every policy that goes on. I have a pulpit from which I can speak, and I have influence I can use to help a constituent with a problem. My concerns are with national security, defense, foreign affairs, issues that differentiate me from the state and local level. My relationship with the local scene is to work through the state government, local governments and municipalities and assist those elected leaders in doing those jobs at the local level. Additionally, I make sure that I get as much of that tax dollar back to my home state of Georgia and have an impact on getting those dollars back to my district. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">We deal with constituent services, problems that my constituents may have with the federal government. I am that direct extension. If there’s a problem with immigration, you come to me. If there’s a problem with Medicaid or other federal programs, you come to me. If you have a problem with social security, veteran’s affairs, the military, you come to me. Other issues dealing with zoning, potholes, or things like that, I will work as sort of a traffic cop to assist. I will not ever say to my constituents, “Well, I can’t help you, go see somebody else.” I will say, “Look, this is the proper person to handle that issue. Let me have somebody on my staff to just make a call and direct you to the right person.” It’s a way for me to use my influence with the city council or county government to say, “Would you deal with this person? This is their Congressman calling, and I would appreciate it very much.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="276" src="file://///Gunga%20z/e/Tomi_web_staging/David%20Scott%20interview_files/image005.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="336" /><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Congressman David Scott and his GA headquarters office staff.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Johnson:</span> I think many voters are naïve as to what politicians can do and where they fit in to help them. I think our education has falter on that. I have a chance to talk to students daily. One thing that I’ve seen is that some of the ones who are failing are losing hope. How do you think we can improve education in the United States?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Scott:</span> The basic ingredients in educational preparation are the teacher and the parent. We have to work to improve education with those two basic structures. We have to make sure we have quality, motivated, dedicated teachers in the classroom who want to be there and are not there because they can do nothing else, or are just there to use the classroom as a weigh station before they get somewhere else. We have to have solid, good teachers with competitive salaries, to give them that economic security and to make it attractive. I’m a strong believer in top salaries for teachers. During my 28 years in the Georgia legislature, on the committees on which I served, education is where I served most of those years. I put the moment of silence in public schools, sex education and AIDS instruction, and have been one of the front signers on the bill to give teachers pay increases. I fought for that. Our teachers are still inadequately paid. I want to make sure that we give them the pay that they need, the basic structure they need, cut down class sizes, and put more dollars into the construction of school buildings. As a Congressman, I will be working to make sure we get as much money out of the state budget into education. I will be working to increase the amount of dollars under the national treasury that will go directly to education. I will be a loud voice for improving the salary structure of teachers and reducing the size of the classroom. Once we can get good teachers in there who are dedicated, motivated, and inspired, then they’re going to stimulate those students. I know the teachers that made me. I can remember my third grade teacher, my 6<sup>th</sup> grade teacher; you can too. You can remember those teachers that made your experience in school so great. It was the good teachers who stood out. They seemed to take an interest in you. The teaching experience is very important to our children.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">The other ingredient is that parent. We have to do more to involve the parent or guardian in the education process – some kind of reward system or effort to get parents more involved in the education of their students. There’s a lot that we can learn from some of the private, religious schools that emphasize parental involvement. Discipline is a problem in school because there is a problem at home. If you make the parent a part of the disciplinary correction program in school, you can do it. I advocate making parental involvement a criterion for getting the student back into the school system and classes after suspension. If you do that, you’ll get to the core of the problem. Let’s say if a kid is suspended, the one thing that is not there is a requirement that the parent be a part of the correctional program, even if it means attending there. Even if it means passing a law that requires the parent’s employer to allow the parent to attend the school or go to the classroom and not dock pay. Those are the kinds of creative things that I think we can do to simulate more parental involvement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Johnson:</span> Creative is a word you used. From what I’ve learned in my research on the Internet, what people are looking for these days are employees who are creative and can analyze data. With the high level of unemployment that we have, it’s a global issue. There are just not going to be the kinds of jobs created in this post-industrial/technology based society as there have been in the past. How do you as a Congressman face the issues of unemployment?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Scott:</span> Right now we face immediacy. Government has a responsibility to extend unemployment benefits for those who are unemployed and are looking for work, who had a job and lost it. That’s why I have pushed for a 26-week extension of unemployment benefits. About 800,000 people were able to qualify, but there are a million more who have lost their jobs and are looking for work and can’t find it. An extension would mean that money would go immediately to help. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">The answer to unemployment is to create jobs. There are two fundamental ways to create jobs and stimulate the economy. The most direct way which I am advocating which is creating ways that government can get money into the hands of people most likely to spend it. Jobs are created when people go out and spend money. It’s the force of supply and demand. When you spend money, it creates more demand, and that creates more jobs. Even if we put that unemployment benefit package together for 26 weeks, for 1.8 million people who could qualify, that would be $18 billion that would immediately go into the economy, stimulate it and create jobs. I would give across the board tax rebates, say $300 to the individual, $600 to the family, to give an immediate stimulant. I support a portion of President Bush’s tax cut, particularly the child credits. That’s another $1,000 that would go into the family’s hands right now. Tax cuts to small businesses and families, extension of unemployment benefits, tax rebates for child credits, all of these are direct pieces of money that can go from the treasury into the hands of the people who are most likely to spend it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Johnson:</span> Who is your role model?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">I have several biblical role models that include Jesus Christ and David, my namesake in the Bible. There are a lot of parallels in our lives. People often refer to King David as a man after God’s own heart. God just so loved him. David was a man who was constantly striving and reaching after God’s heart. Reading about King David’s life is like reading a soap opera, but with all the human frailties, his hallmark was that he was always trying to please God and was chasing after Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">And Jesus Christ…when I’m asked, “What makes a great person,” I refer back to when the question was asked of Aristotle, and he replied, “You’ve got to know thyself.” Then they put the question to Marcus Aurelius, a great Roman warrior, and he said, “Discipline thyself.” Then they put that same question to Jesus Christ, and he said, “Sacrifice thyself.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Johnson:</span> One of my role models is Dr. Haki Madhubuti who is a writer, political activist, and educator. He taught me that there are four levels of powerful people in the United States: 1) the politicians and the diplomats, 2) the businessmen and the industrialists, 3) the military, and 4) the scientists and technologists. Of course, you’re on the top tier, but I think the economy is the major problem we face. Do you foresee a bright picture ahead for the US economy?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="211" src="file://///Gunga%20z/e/Tomi_web_staging/David%20Scott%20interview_files/image007.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="228" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">Scott:</span> Yeah, I do. I am very much optimistic, providing that we put in force those kinds of economic policies that I talked about, where you can get more money quickly into the hands of most of the people. If we understand the reason we are in the doldrums of a slow economy…it’s because most people do not have expendable income to stimulate the economy. The strategy has to be getting money into the hands of most of the people. If you look at the way the polls are going now, the American people understand this, and the president is not getting the high marks on his particular economic stimulus package. People are able to see this. They’re talking about dividends: what is that? Most people don’t have dividends, so why make your economic policy based upon giving more money to people who have most of the money? If we continue to do that, it’s going to take much longer…and at the same time we’re going to be fighting a war, which is going to eat up a lot of the economy, and it’s not going to be the kind of war that will stimulate the economy as previous wars have. Now, we don’t need as many people to fight the war because it’s going to be fought with high technology, surgical strikes, and there’s going to be a loss of revenue because we have built our military basis and military infrastructure on the past, and we’re basing our fight and battle plans on future technology. Fort Stewart near Savannah is a ghost town because they have taken the bulk of those military personnel out, so that one economy is going to be impacted. We are not going to be building the kinds of materials that we built in World War II when heavy industrial stuff was moving. It’s going to be a different ballgame now.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">The beauty of this political system is that the voter will make the fundamental decision. This is still a country of the people. If we don’t have an economic policy that reflects the people, then we’re in for trouble. The President’s policy reflects some of the people, the people at the top of the economic ladder, the people who are not going to pump the money back into the economy. That poor person without a job, he’s going to be using money he gets to feed, clothe, house himself and keep himself going. That’s how you put money back into the economy.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">This is an excerpt from an interview with Congressman Scott. Return to this page later for updates and additions. Comments? Email Tomi Johnson at <a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomtld.com" style="color: purple;">tomij@wingcomtld.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><img border="0" height="56" src="file://///Gunga%20z/e/Tomi_web_staging/David%20Scott%20interview_files/image009.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="119" /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-26945492424303403792023-06-20T14:37:00.001-04:002023-06-20T14:37:05.744-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.2in;" valign="top" width="499"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="227" /></p><h3 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; margin: 12pt 0in 3pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal;">Perdue becomes new governor</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal;">of Georgia:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: red;">A “Sonny” day for Georgia’s Republican Party<o:p></o:p></span></h1><h3 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; margin: 12pt 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: normal;">By Tomi Morris Johnson</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Digital images by Tomi Johnson and Daniel Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com" style="color: purple;"><span style="color: #3366ff;">tomij@wingcomltd.com</span></a> </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">©2003 </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">January 12-13, 2003, Atlanta, GA…You can tell a politician has slipped past the bounds of being a mere candidate into the realm of incumbent celebrity when handshakes and back pats are replaced with polite waves from spiral staircases behind the protection of velvet ropes and security guards. That was the reality confronting thousands of citizens visiting the Open House at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion where Sonny and Mary Perdue now reside. Security was also tight at the inaugural gala, where the new governor and first lady were untouchable to a mass of constituents. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 172.7pt;" valign="top" width="230"></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 120.7pt;" valign="top" width="161"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="144" /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 214.2pt;" valign="top" width="286"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="244" /></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 172.7pt;" valign="top" width="230"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Governor-elect Perdue and wife Mary welcomed Georgians to the mansion on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 120.7pt;" valign="top" width="161"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Perdue waved from mansion staircase.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 214.2pt;" valign="top" width="286"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Visitors toured the Mansion’s first floor and passed by the Perdues who greeted them from the steps.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">Throngs of supporters and curiosity seekers waited for hours to catch a bus ride from the Church of the Apostles to the Mansion to see the new governor. Some even brought their dogs to see Dr. Perdue who is a veterinarian. After the tour, each citizen was given a Live Oak sapling, the official state tree since 1937.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 686px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 172.45pt;" valign="top" width="230"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="215" /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 171.1pt;" valign="top" width="228"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image012.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="214" /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 171.1pt;" valign="top" width="228"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image014.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="214" /></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 172.45pt;" valign="top" width="230"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Waiting for a bus ride to the mansion, another “Sonny” brought his dog to see the new governor. Dr. Perdue has a degree in veterinary medicine.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 171.1pt;" valign="top" width="228"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">WingcomLtd’s Tomi Johnson posed with Jack Logan from Eatonton, GA and Howard Eckerd from Monroe, GA, members of Centerstage, a bluegrass band, who played in front of the Mansion.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 171.1pt;" valign="top" width="228"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">It was a long, cold wait to see the new governor. A warm tent set up on the Mansion lawn held guests who were warmed with free coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Republicans are in the house (Georgia Governor’s Mansion) again after over 130 years, and boy are they glad about it! Many of the people I interviewed appeared elated that an underdog had won and that the Republicans finally had a victory to boast.</p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Not since Conley spent a short stint as governor has Georgia Republicans had the power reins in state government. Republican Benjamin Conley became a provisional governor in Oct. 30, 1871 and served less than three months until he resigned because of term disputes with the Democratically controlled legislature. (<a href="http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/rs/governors.htm#lr" style="color: purple;">http://www.sos.state.ga.us/archives/rs/governors.htm#lr</a>) Talking about role models looking like those following in their footsteps, the resemblance between Perdue and Conley is eerie, for they look very similar, except for the beard. One wonders how this new Republican governor will fare in what was once known as a Democratic state. Perdue’s transition team’s motto is “The New Georgia.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.65in;" valign="top" width="158"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image016.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="144" /></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.55in;" valign="top" width="149"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="height: 192px; margin-left: 2px; margin-top: 0px; position: absolute; width: 124px; z-index: 0;"><img height="192" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image018.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026" width="124" /></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.85in;" valign="top" width="370"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image020.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="257" /></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.65in;" valign="top" width="158"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Benjamin Conley (R). Portrait by George Mandus.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.55in;" valign="top" width="149"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sonny Perdue (R), 2003<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(From Perdue campaign website)</span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.85in;" valign="top" width="370"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A souvenir Georgia Oak sapling was given to guests at the mansion.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: #2f5349; font-size: 9pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.7in;" valign="top" width="163"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.35in;" valign="top" width="514"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.7in;" valign="top" width="355"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image022.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="312" /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Ayron Johnson (l), a computer-engineering student at Southern Polytechnic University in Marietta, enjoyed meeting new people who espoused new ideas while he waited for the Mansion tour bus. </p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.35in;" valign="top" width="322"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Elaine Adler Pollack (c) from Midtown, Atlanta said she became disillusioned with the Democrats and vowed to work with the Republican Party. Formerly from Philadelphia, PA, Ms. Pollack says she’s going to wait and see how Perdue handles issues important to women. “Sonny was a big surprise to all of us,” Pollack said.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Dr. Art Holbrook (r), Chairman of West Point Lake Advisory Council in LaGrange, GA, met the governor-elect because of his interest in solving some of the state’s water problems. Holbrook, who is a retired pediatric dentist and architectural engineer, says Perdue will make a good governor who will listen and not be a “dictator” like the previous governor.</p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td style="border: medium;" width="163"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="192"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="322"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;">Georgia Chamber of Commerce Meeting</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> - Before the inaugural ball, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting reception in the Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center. The speaker was the incoming 2003 Georgia Chamber of Commerce Chair Robert L. Brown, Jr., president and CEO of R L Brown & Associates, Inc., an architectural firm. Mr. Brown is a graduate of Tuskegee University and introduced his table of friend and family to the meeting’s participants, saying “We can’t go anywhere without them.” During Brown’s speech he said, “At the bottom of education, politics, religion, and health care, there must be for all people an economic foundation…I’m proud to be an Georgian and an American,” Brown said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 691px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 221.4pt;" valign="top" width="295"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image024.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1035" width="288" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 297.2pt;" valign="top" width="396"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image026.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1036" width="269" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Robert Brown, Jr. family and friends. George M. Israel, III, GA Chamber of Commerce Pres./CEO<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Brown’s recommendations to better economic development in the state included reinforcing the economic foundation of regional councils and making sure there are strong franchises of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce; increase the membership by 700; and involve more small businesses so as to make a blend of small, medium, and large businesses, thereby making a more balance Chamber; create initiatives to help children succeed before they enter kindergarten so the educational base is aided. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On the buffet table was cocktail quiche, crab cakes, meatballs in mushroom sauce, chicken Dijon in pastry crust, cashew chicken, spring rolls, firecracker plum sauce, stuffed new potatoes, and an assortment cheeses and fruits. Drinks at the bar were free.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.95in;" valign="top" width="379"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image028.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1037" width="300" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A local country music DJ recorded Well Nelly and Cedar Grove as they played, “Happy Days are Here Again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image030.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1038" width="273" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ray Charles performed on stage.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 3.1in;" valign="top" width="298"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The bands Well Nelly and Cedar Hill combined forces at the inaugural gala outside the main hall and played “Happy Days are Here Again.” A New Georgia 2003 was the theme. Attendance estimates ranged from 8,000 before the event to 15,000 during the Atlanta Symphony’s concert. From my vantage point on the press platform, the crowd was a sea of white Republicans from all over the state, perhaps the most recognizable white majority I have seen in my eight years of being in Atlanta which is 67.1% black. I estimate that there were no more than 50-100 African Americans at the event, including singer Ray Charles! Mayor Shirley Franklin was noticeably absent from the festivities held in her hometown as were other key Democrats in state government. US Congressman David Scott (D – 13<sup>th</sup> District)) and his wife, however, were spotted in the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Atlanta Symphony played patriotic songs following Ray Charles’ performance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The mood was festive; the crowd seemed like typical underdogs who had sacked the biggest political victory in Georgia’s history.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">WingcomLtd’s Tomi Johnson asked GOP guests the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Question: What does the election of Sonny Perdue mean to you? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 253.8pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image032.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1075" width="264" /> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Terry Jagars, Atlanta, GA: “Perdue’s election means nothing to me. I’m just here enjoying the event.”<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 253.8pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image034.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1039" width="179" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Linda Parker, inaugural volunteer coordinator, Woodstock, GA: “It’s a ‘Sonny Day’ in Georgia.”<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.7in;" valign="top" width="163"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image036.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1040" width="143" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.35in;" valign="top" width="514"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Miguel Candelaria, Atlanta, GA: “I was breast feed a Democrat and when I was weaned off I became a Republican, and ever since my ideology as a company owner has really made me a stronger Republican. We look forward to the new history in the state of Georgia by having the Republicans here. It’s been 130 years that we’ve been waiting on this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image038.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1041" width="300" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 268.2pt;" valign="top" width="358"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Laurette Need (in wheelchair) from Green County, GA: “I think the election of Sonny Perdue means that teachers will have more input into how the schools are governed, and I think the people are going to have more say so. It’s some fresh air in government.”<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 253.8pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Winston Strickland, Marietta, GA: “It’s a new, historical day for Georgia. We need to look at our basics. We’ve come a long way with people in power, and it’s a new day for power. We are ready to go, and we’re putting on our running shoes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 151.5pt;" valign="top" width="202"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image040.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1076" width="139" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.7in;" valign="top" width="163"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image042.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1077" width="146" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 5.35in;" valign="top" width="514"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Councilman Anthony Coleman, Marietta, GA: “We look forward to working with the new governor. I know he has a lot of ideas on his agenda, and certainly we’re looking forward to seeing how he will address issues.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Steve Nelson, Columbus, GA: “This means the change of something that’s been in place for a very long time. There were a lot of people strongly aligned with the Democratic Party that will now have to rethink their priorities. From a business standpoint, this being a Chamber meeting, it concerns how we will conduct business in this state. It’s going to be an interesting time, and we all need to be prepared to change from the way things have been.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.7in;" valign="top" width="259"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image044.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1078" width="252" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 4.35in;" valign="top" width="418"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tracey Johnson, Byron, GA: “Being from Central Georgia, it was good to see a hometown guy win. More than that, it’s good to know that even though the media said that it would be a win for the Democrats, the Republicans actually won it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rhonda Johnson, Byron, GA: Not only do we consider it a victory to have a Republican in office, but also he’s a Christian Republican. That’s very important to our family.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 149.4pt;" valign="top" width="199"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image046.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1079" width="179" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 358.2pt;" valign="top" width="478"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;">“A New Georgia – 2003”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Young Republicans were prominent volunteer/helpers who gave directions, checked coats, and presented every guest with a souvenir bag that included an inaugural drink and a form to buy extra inaugural memorabilia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 253.8pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image048.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1080" width="312" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 253.8pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Mason and son Gary “We certainly needed a little change here. We all have to love and work together. That’s what God intended us to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.95in;" valign="top" width="283"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image050.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1081" width="264" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.25in;" valign="top" width="216"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image052.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1082" width="208" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.85in;" valign="top" width="178"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image054.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1083" width="163" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.95in;" valign="top" width="283"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image056.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1084" width="276" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <img border="0" height="216" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image058.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1085" width="115" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.6in;" valign="top" width="250"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image060.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1086" width="245" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.95in;" valign="top" width="283"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image062.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1087" width="276" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image064.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1088" width="126" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.6in;" valign="top" width="250"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image066.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1089" width="241" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.95in;" valign="top" width="283"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <img border="0" height="227" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image068.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1090" width="240" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image070.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1091" width="133" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.6in;" valign="top" width="250"><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image072.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1092" width="191" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td style="border: medium;" width="283"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="144"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="72"></td><td style="border: medium;" width="178"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Please email comments to Tomi Johnson at <a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomtld.com" style="color: purple;">tomij@wingcomtld.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/S_Perdue_files/image074.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1093" width="119" /></span></b> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-65525168859054125142023-06-20T14:35:00.000-04:002023-06-20T14:35:18.391-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p><img height="284" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image002.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1324" width="159" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><h1><span style="font-size: 22pt;">Using Mayor Franklin’s example,<b> </b></span><b><span style="font-size: 22pt;">Any Girl Can Win!</span></b></h1><p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">By Tomi Johnson </span></p><p><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">©2002 </span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved. </span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Photos by Tomi and Kurk Johnson</span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p><img border="0" height="285" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1327" width="167" /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Mayor Elect Shirley Franklin looked into the crowd at inaugural party.</span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><h1> </h1></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Unidentified youth seen at inaugural party was accompanied by her mother.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Monday, January 7, 2002, Atlanta, GA…Could this young, unidentified woman attending the Shirley Franklin pre-inaugural celebration at the Georgia World Congress Center on Saturday become mayor of Atlanta in 2022? Using Mayor Franklin’s model plan of motherly support, campaign fundraising, volunteer staffing, hard work, reliance on experience, inclusion, and ethical philosophy, she just might. That’s the hope that Franklin brings to office - that dreams can be played out in real life. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Shirley Clarke Franklin became Atlanta’s first woman mayor after 57 men have held the post. With her mother, Ruth White, holding the bible on which to place her hand, Franklin was sworn in a few minutes past noon today by a female judge.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="454"><p><img border="0" height="297" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1052" width="439" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="249"><p align="left"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1036" width="203" /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="454"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Franklin stumbles over “subdivision” vow, but continues to be sworn in as Atlanta’s 58<sup>th</sup> mayor while her mother looks on.</span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="249"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Franklin gives first speech as mayor.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Speaking to a standing room only audience at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, Franklin said she is product of Eleanor Roosevelt’s beauty of dreams. “I love Atlanta, ” said Franklin who appears to be a staunch optimist. “I am humbled by the confidence you have bestowed on me…and am energized by the opportunity you have given me.” </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Everyone who is anyone in the state was there: former Mayor Bill Campbell and wife Sharon; former Mayor Andrew Young who came on crutches; former mayor Maynard Jackson, Sen. Max Cleland, Congressman John Lewis, and Governor Roy Barnes. There were more “average” citizens in attendance than celebrities, however, all coming out to show their support of Mayor Franklin. The place was packed, proving that Shirley is the voter’s strongest link to City Hall. Franklin was actually introduced as mayor by one of the ceremony’s emcees before she was sworn in, somehow heralding in the fact that many considered her more than mayor-elect before Campbell left office.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In her Inauguration Program remarks, she pledged “to treat all people fairly and to use the power of the Office of the Mayor for the well being of the people of the city.” Franklin said she was ushering in “a whole new era of leadership.” </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="338"><p><img border="0" height="271" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1054" width="319" /></p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young talks to local political consultant. Young and former Mayor Maynard Jackson supported Franklin.</span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="295"><p style="text-align: justify;">Franklin further thanked former mayors for laying a good foundation. She credited William Barry Hartsfield for building a regional airport; Ivan Allen and Sam Massell for making Atlanta a national city for sports and Marta travel; Maynard Jackson for the world’s busiest airport; Andrew Young for the Olympics and international status; and outgoing mayor Bill Campbell for the investment and digital technology boom. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">She said that many women have also helped make Atlanta great, but sometimes the contributions of women have been overlooked. “All these men AND women paved the way for my election,” Franklin said.</p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="338"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="295"> </td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">Shirley was compared to the biblical Joseph by Bishop Eddie Long, one of four ministers offering prayers before the swearing in of the city’s new judges, council members, president of the city council Cathy Woolard, and Franklin. “My administration will embrace diversity,” said Franklin, a divorcee with three grown kids. Quoting the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Franklin said people who feel they have a stake in government will help to protect it and not destroy it. “Help me make this a better place,” she urged those in the audience. The swearing in ceremony culminated with a public reception at SciTrek.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p><img border="0" height="201" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image012.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1065" width="195" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="205"><p align="center"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image014.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1059" width="205" /></p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Media Team Member Imara Canady talking with members of the media.</span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="220"><p align="right"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image016.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1292" width="213" /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Deputy Chief W.F. Derrick, Major John D. Woodard, and Lt. L. R. Gilbert were at the swearing in ceremony. Franklin is rumored to be performing a nation-wide search for a new police chief.</span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="205"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="220"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Franklin greeted well wishers at the SciTrek reception.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Thus ended four days of free, public celebrations that featured African dancing; live music, food and drinks; and laughs sparked by some of the nation’s best talent living in metro Atlanta. “I’m glad this day has come,” said Imara Canady of Franklin’s media team.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="319"><p><img border="0" height="247" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image018.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1082" width="319" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="331"><p align="center"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image020.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1085" width="321" /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="319"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus performed at the reception.</span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="331"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Food was served at SciTrek reception.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tickets to the pre-inaugural Saturday night celebration at the Georgia World Congress Center were given out in pairs. Co-Chairpersons Ingrid Saunders Jones, Paul Rosser, and Calvin Smyre invited everyone in the community to the regional celebration. It was kicked off by a welcoming ceremony featuring the Soweta Street Beat Dance Troupe.</span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="288"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image022.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1103" width="271" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="120"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image024.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1289" width="111" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="417"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image026.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1290" width="271" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The celebration had something for everyone on three sound stages featuring Michael Phillips, Jennifer Holiday, Peabo Bryson, Wings of Faith Choir, Ametria, Ken Ford, Ben Hill Choir, Sonz of Zion, Dottie Peoples, Cherish, 3<sup>rd</sup> Faze, Jermaine Dupree, Ludacris, 920, OutKast, and DJ Kemit. Emcees included Chris Tucker, Larry Tinsley, Al Jamal and Vickie Newton.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p><img border="0" height="227" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image028.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1114" width="259" /></p><p><img border="0" height="180" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image030.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1133" width="271" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p align="center"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image032.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1123" width="184" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p><img border="0" height="204" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image034.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1122" width="189" /></p><p><img border="0" height="170" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image036.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1140" width="183" /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Entertainers appearing on the Young Democrats stage included Chris Tucker, Outkast, Ludacris, and Sister Act.</span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"> </td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">With the reception at 6:00 pm and the celebration starting at 7:30 pm, one of the best ways to get there was to park away from downtown and travel via Marta. The wait in line lasted approximately 25 minutes, bags and purses being checked by security. Franklin’s team failed the food test for “goose liver” (pate) and cold sausages, but made an A+ for providing a $1.50 coat check and a lounge area for seniors.</p><p> <img border="0" height="286" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image037.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1227" width="576" /></p><p>Co-chairs Smyre, Rosser, and Jones have fun on stage with Franklin during rap concert. “I’m here to make sure seniors are fully represented tonight,” said Rosser: “The next mayor could be right here in the crowd,” said Smyre. </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="295"><p><img border="0" height="250" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image039.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1150" width="283" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="295"><p><img border="0" height="249" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image041.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1152" width="297" /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="295"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;">Model/Actress Ilea Johnson poses with Tomi Johnson of WingcomLtd and members of the media crew, Jamie Brown and Ngaio Killingsworth. “I didn’t really want to go to a political event because I thought it would be boring, but my mom made me,” said Ilea Johnson. “My mom redeemed herself this time. I really had fun, and I saw other people that I knew there. I would have been mad if I had missed OutKast.” </p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="295"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Whole families attended Saturday’s celebration. Pictured are Rick and Kym Treadwell and children Kendrick (13), Ebony (12), Nenah (11), Michael (10), and Victoria (2) of Stone Mountain, GA.</span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">“I’m trying to groom future voters, and I’m using this event as a civics lesson,” said Rick Treadwell of National Viatical, Inc. “I want my kids to feel what it’s like to be part of the process and to understand why it’s so important to be involved. I can point out Dexter King, Tom Brown, and other civic personalities, and I tell them their participation is important in making all this happen in real life, just not on TV.”</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="3" valign="top" width="237"><p align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image043.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1158" width="223" /></p><p align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;">Director of Security John W. Smith III of Ben Johnson & Associates LLC looks on from behind loud speakers at Saturday’s event. Smith estimated that the crowd was between 25,000 and 30,000 in halls housing three stages. “I was born and bred in Atlanta, and I’ve never seen this many people show up for this type event,” Smith said.</p></td><td class="Normal" colspan="3" valign="top" width="227"><p align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image045.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1345" width="213" /></p><p align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;">CPA Robert Kilby and accountant Marilyn Kilby, formerly from Liberia, survey the reception area far above the crowd at the Franklin celebration.</p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"><p align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image047.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1346" width="182" /></p><p align="left" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;">Franklin’s family members were in the house Saturday, including Kai Franklin Graham, Tremayne Graham, Kali Franklin, and Cabral Franklin.</p></td><td class="Normal" width="30"> </td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="3" valign="top" width="237"> </td><td class="Normal" colspan="3" valign="top" width="227"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="197"> </td><td class="Normal" width="30"> </td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="180"><p><img border="0" height="156" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image049.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1213" width="163" /></p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Linda Curry, Deepak Shah, and Haywood Curry enjoyed the concert</span></p></td><td class="Normal" colspan="3" valign="top" width="276"><p><img border="0" height="185" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image051.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1214" width="252" /></p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Aaron Johnson of the Franklin Inaugural Committee poses with wife Alanna (l), Dana Smith and WingcomLtd’s Tomi Johnson. Aaron was one of approximately 500 people serving on the Franklin inaugural committee.</span></p></td><td class="Normal" colspan="4" valign="top" width="236"><p><img border="0" height="164" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image053.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1215" width="214" /></p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Young Atlantan’s Stage III where the music was really loud.</span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">The crowd was excited but orderly.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top" width="197"> </td><td class="Normal" colspan="3" valign="top" width="266"> </td><td class="Normal" colspan="3" valign="top" width="228"> </td></tr><tr height="0"><td class="Normal" width="180"></td><td class="Normal" width="17"></td><td class="Normal" width="41"></td><td class="Normal" width="219"></td><td class="Normal" width="7"></td><td class="Normal" width="2"></td><td class="Normal" width="197"></td><td class="Normal" width="30"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> “I don’t usually listen to this type of music,” said Haywood Curry, “but my daughter is somewhere in the crowd. She told me to stand back while she had a good time. I’m having a good time, too!” Deepak Shah, PE, an international investment and trade developer, said, “It’s time for a change. Ms. Franklin is very candid, open and inclusive. Being and Indian or Asian American, you sometimes have a feeling of being left out, but Shirley makes you feel included. She will build a great, international city.”</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and should not be construed as libelous.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">©2002Wingcomltd. All rights reserved. No copying of content or photos is permitted without consent.</span></p><p><img border="0" height="24" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/franklinwebpagefinal_files/image055.jpg" style="text-align: center;" v:shapes="_x0000_i1035" width="80" /> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-54399552907493115092023-06-20T14:33:00.002-04:002023-06-20T14:33:24.723-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT<p><br /></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="511"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><img height="369" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/t_young_tourn_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="672" /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt;">Tony Young’s 2003 Year End Nationals </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 20pt;">Karate Tournament held in Atlanta</span></b></span><p align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;">By Tomi Morris Johnson</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></b></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">©2003 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved. Neither article nor photos may be used without permission.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;">December 5-6, 2003, Atlanta, GA…Blood, sweat, and determination marked the fierce fighting prowess displayed by martial artists from around the <st1:country-region>U.S.</st1:country-region> They came to Atlanta to showcase their martial arts techniques to audiences at the Adamsville Recreation Center on MLK Drive. A yearly event, the tournament featured beginners through advanced NASKA, ASKL, RRKC, and IKC-rated men, women, and children from over 100 divisions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fighters mixed it up during tournament held at </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Adamsville</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Recreation Center.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;">Tony Young is the owner and head instructor of Tony Young’s All-Star Karate School headquartered in Union City, GA where kickboxing, Tae-bo, and ASKL are taught <a href="http://www.tonyyoungkarate.com/">http://www.tonyyoungkarate.com/</a>. Young began learning karate at age 12 and <span class="GramE">is</span> presently a 5<sup>th</sup> degree Blackbelt. His overall goal is to develop the bodies and minds of the youth he teaches and to encourage all students, no matter what their ages, to excel with confidence.</span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="268"><p align="center"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/t_young_tourn_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="174" /></span></span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="297"><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/t_young_tourn_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="279" /></span></span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="254"><p align="center"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/t_young_tourn_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="167" /></span></span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="268"><p align="center"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span>Tony Young</span></span></span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="297"><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Young poses with instructors and guests attending the tournament.</span> </span></span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="254"><p align="center"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Competitor is ready for fight. </span></span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="226"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="226"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="226"> </td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="333"><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/t_young_tourn_files/image012.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="318" /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Judge Anthony Price (2<sup>nd</sup> from left) listens to argument surrounding his final decision call.</span></span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="133"><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/t_young_tourn_files/image014.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="119" /></span></span></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="211"><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/t_young_tourn_files/image016.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="207" /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Richard Plowden from </span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Dearborn</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">, MI (l) poses with Tang <span class="SpellE">Soo</span> Do Master Anthony Price from Cincinnati, OH (3<sup>rd</sup> from left) and cousin Kurk Johnson who is a 1<sup>st</sup> level technician in Wing Chun Kung Fu. <a href="http://www.iaw-atlanta.com/">www.iaw-atlanta.com</a></span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> Daughter of winner shows off belt.</span></span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="239"> </td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="438"> </td></tr></tbody></table><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span></b></span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/t_young_tourn_files/image018.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="119" /></span></b></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-65043262965876064392023-06-20T14:31:00.002-04:002023-06-20T14:31:15.435-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT<p></p><p><img border="0" height="255" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="287" /></p> <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 204); color: #0000cc; font-size: 26.666666px;">UK</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 204); color: #0000cc; font-size: 26.666666px;"> f</span><span style="color: #0000cc; font-size: 20pt;">ans spur team to win SEC Tournament in Atlanta</span><p></p><h2><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">By Tomi Morris Johnson</span></h2><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a> ©2004 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></p><p>March 14, 2004, Atlanta, GA…Blowing out a win over the Florida Gators, the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team continues down a path it has trod 25 times before on its way to becoming NCAA champions. They could not have made it, though, without their diehard, dedicated fans.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="303"></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="374"><p><img border="0" height="257" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="343" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Lionhearted UK fans caught stuffed gators in a fishing net before cheering the Wildcats during the SEC tournament.</span></p><p>Trained and led by former University of Georgia Coach Tubby Smith, the Wildcats appeared in the Georgia Dome and won 89-73. First to score, the team never trailed Florida and was cheered on by an estimated 18,000 Bluegrass supporters.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="207"><p><img border="0" height="200" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="180" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="256"><p><img border="0" height="205" hspace="16" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="177" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="214"><p><img border="0" height="206" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image012.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="248" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Tubby Smith led team to victory. UK President and wife were elated at the halftime score. Signed basketballs were souvenir favorites.</span></p><p>Kentucky fans appear to be one of the most loyal groups in the nation as was evident in the number of blue and white-clad bodies inside and outside the stadium. It seemed like one big happy family– in the lobby of the Hyatt hotel where the players and staff were staying, outside the Dome, and cheering in the stands.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="226"><p><img border="0" height="224" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image014.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="280" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="226"><p><img border="0" height="224" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image016.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="204" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="226"><p><img border="0" height="224" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image018.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1035" width="177" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Twins sport “GO CATS GO” bibs. Donna Smith and Monica Smith pose for photo op. A loyal young fan shows off autographed hat.</span></p><p>“This is so exciting,” said Ilea Johnson of Marietta whose parents once lived and worked in Lexington, Kentucky. “I have never seen so many people behind one team!”</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="210"><p><img border="0" height="199" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image020.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1036" width="187" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="242"><p><img border="0" height="201" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image022.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1037" width="215" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="232"><p><img border="0" height="200" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image024.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1038" width="232" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Player’s dad spotted in stands along with model Ilea Johnson. Former UK basketball player Sam Bowie eyes score while wife watches. </span></p><p>Fans started filing out of the stadium during the last three minutes of play, self-assured that a Wildcat victory in “Cat-Lanta” was a sure thing. Kentucky advances to the next stage with hopes of playing in the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas later this year.</p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/UK2004SEC_files/image026.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1039" width="119" /></span></b></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-41669684149863611632023-06-20T14:29:00.000-04:002023-06-20T14:29:02.417-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT<table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; margin-left: 6.75pt; margin-right: 6.75pt; width: 679px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 143.4pt;" valign="top" width="191"><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img height="372" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image003.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="222" /><o:p></o:p></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">WingcomLtd’s Tomi Johnson interviewed Kaskade at Atlanta’s The Mark Ultralounge.</span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 366pt;" valign="top" width="488"><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 19pt;">Kaskade creates futuristic music at <o:p></o:p></span></b></h1><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 19pt;">The Mark’s Ultralounge</span></b><span style="font-size: 19pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></h1><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">By Tomi Johnson. Digital images by Kurk D. Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">©2004 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><st1:date day="21" month="2" year="2004"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">February 21, 2004</span></st1:date><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">, </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Atlanta</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">, </span><st1:state><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">GA</span></st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">…One doesn’t need a live band to create a musical happening after </span><st1:time hour="0" minute="45"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">12:45 am</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> in downtown </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Atlanta</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">. There’s a vinyl-inspired, melodious, soul dichotomy streaming from The Mark’s hip scene of martinis, message beats, and freaky dancing, but it’s all good! Out front, there’s a silver Ferrari in valet parking behind a clean, white Oldsmobile, an indication of the mixed cultures with diverse tastes found inside. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Downstairs near three well-stocked bars is calm, laid back Kaskade who waits his turn in the DJ box to spin three turntables of 12” vinyls into a soulful, sensual frenzy for party-goers. Possibly the #1 up and coming DJ in the U.S., OM Records’ Kaskade made his Atlanta debut at The Mark courtesy of URB Magazine and Toyota’s Scion. Kaskade’s </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">international nightclubbing circuit has stopped to sample the ATL crowd.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="all" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />“My music is more than House music. It's futuristic. I concentrate heavily on melody and lyrics,” said a blue sweat suit-clad Kaskade with jacket zipped up to his chin. A producer who has spent the last four years in San Francisco, Kaskade replied, “Well, you know, we’re a little crazy out there,” when asked about the hub-bub surrounding the recent lifting of the gay marriage ban. He grew up in the suburbs of mid-western Windy City/Chi-town. Kaskade has just returned from a gig in </span><st1:place><st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Majorca</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">, </span><st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Spain</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Next, he will be off to Canada, then on to Miami, then back to his roots in Chicago on his city-to-city tour. Kaskade is heavenly extended.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"> “Step on into my grove where we are all the same.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">From “ What I Say” cut on “It’s you, it’s me” CD produced by Kaskade<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 125.4pt;" valign="top" width="167"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="253" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image005.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="169" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 174pt;" valign="top" width="232"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="255" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image007.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="243" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 208.2pt;" valign="top" width="278"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="251" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image009.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="212" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">DJ and record producer Kaskade made his debut Atlanta performance at The Mark ultralounge.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Kaskade is a college grad, ex-music storeowner, and definitely an optimistic symbol of today’s streaming music innovators. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">OM Records’ press release describes his music as “diverse, complete with uplifting sounds, organic instrumentals, and catchy vocals embodying life, love and happiness.” Billboard describes him as “humble and low-key.” “It’s you, it’s me” was his first CD, and “</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Soundtrack to the Soul” is his latest. Just this month he has put the finishing touches on a new release due out in May. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><img align="left" height="178" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image011.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1027" width="283" /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">His real name is Ryan Radden, and he has been around the world promoting his art of mixing beats to inspirational messages. He’s married, clean-shaven, shows neither visible tattoos nor piercings; no profanity comes out of his mouth when you talk to him which gives the impression that he’s strictly civilized and non-gangsterized. His demeanor and style may have been influenced by the Mormon tenets of Salt Lake City, Utah where he lived over 10 years ago. Serious about successfully melting cuts together, he sheds his jacket after spinning the first few 12-inch vinyls. “It’s a good Saturday night,” said Andrew in the coat check station who estimated 400 insiders were in their places around 2:00 am with people still walking through the entrance. There was no room on the dance floor. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Mark is a classy underground hangout were people are cordial, non-intimidating and unpretentious. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Described as “Atlanta's newest and best spot for cocktails” by <i>The Downtown ATL Newsletter</i>, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Mark is ultra-chic, billing itself as having the biggest DJs, the best vide, and the place “where the most beautiful people make their mark.” Situated in the historic Farley-Poplar district on Poplar Street near Forsyth and Luckie, The Mark’s 5,000 square foot flowing interior was created by designers who based the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">décor</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> on relaxed and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">stylish </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">environments</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> reminiscent of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">New York City’s Soho Grand Hotel. Grooved, multi-colored, wooden wall panels; custom furniture, exotic live and fake flowers, waterfalls, a collection of inlaid media monitors with jumping visuals, private seating alcoves, and rad decorations appeal to eyes looking for an innovative setting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">There are no bikini girls in cages, but the clientele’s outfits are plunging front and back, showing lots of breathable skin on the dance floor. The guy’s shirts are flowery and stripped, and pants - mostly tight jeans - illustrating a posh/relaxed dress code. Depending on what night you go there, The Mark’s variety of music can shift from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Soul & Funk, to New Wave, Techno, Rave, Downtempo, House or Electronica. Some of the regular DJs who have lived in Europe, New York, and on the West Coast include Brandon Sutton, DJ, Inc.; Jason Gerry, Jonathan Edwards, Joshua Craig, Kevin O., DJ Keiran, La Tonya D, Lisa Fox, and MacKensie Leigh.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Kaskade was a special treat following Grand Master Flash the night before.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 168.3pt;" valign="top" width="224"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="211" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image013.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="227" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 137.55pt;" valign="top" width="183"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="199" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image015.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="169" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 252.45pt;" valign="top" width="337"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="203" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image017.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="253" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.55pt;" valign="top" width="271"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="203" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image019.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1032" width="257" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 128.55pt;" valign="top" width="171"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="232" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image021.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="157" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 225.3pt;" valign="top" width="300"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="222" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image023.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="246" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="border: medium; padding: 0in;" width="58"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 577.25pt;" valign="top" width="770"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 11.8pt;" valign="top" width="16"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 11.8pt;" valign="top" width="16"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Pablo Herderson is the owner of The Mark. Jonathan Edwards is the club’s manager. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">WingcomLtd:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> What makes The Mark unique when compared to other clubs in Atlanta?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Edwards:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">This is a very interesting question...and one that I ask myself a lot. I think one good way to put it is we are an upscale club with an underground attitude that caters to people who have an appreciation for style and substance as well as cutting edge music. They do not have to be mutually exclusive. Far too often, I go to clubs that are very stylish but are playing the lowest common denominator music. That’s lazy...and it doesn’t have to be that way. On the flip side of that, why do all the “underground” clubs have to be holes in the wall? We want to integrate those concepts.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 253.8pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><img height="242" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image025.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1035" width="371" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 253.8pt;" valign="top" width="338"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"> The Mark’s private party room is across from the main dance floor. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">WingcomLtd:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> What was the audience’s reaction to Kaskade?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Edwards:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">It was incredible...we had a packed dance floor all night. We were very pleased and intend on bringing him back sometime within the next year.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">WingcomLtd:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> How would you describe his music?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Edwards:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Deep and funky House music for your soul...uplifting and enlightening.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">WingcomLtd:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> How were you able to get Toyota to buy into sponsoring the event?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Edwards: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">A promoter we were working with on this event brought Scion and <i>Urb Magazine</i> on board...so you would have to talk to her...but my guess is they know a good thing when they hear it. As for his marketability, all you have to do is listen to his CD. It truly speaks for itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td height="208" style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 133.05pt;" valign="top" width="177"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img height="128" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image027.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1036" width="132" /><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 580.55pt;" valign="top" width="774"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">For more information on The Mark, go to: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.themarkatlanta.com/" target="_blank">http://www.themarkatlanta.com</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Kaskade’s official website is: <a href="http://www.kaskademusic.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kaskademusic.com</a><o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: white; font-size: 8pt;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Kaskade2_files/image028.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1037" width="101" /></span></b><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 9pt;">©2004 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;"> </span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-38936562293045653452023-06-20T14:26:00.005-04:002023-06-29T09:18:55.345-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT: Fighting Temptations<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="127"><p><img height="143" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/fighting_files/image002.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="113" /></p></td><td class="Normal" colspan="2" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="549"><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;"><i><span style="font-size: 24pt;">The Fighting Temptations</span></i><span style="font-size: 24pt;"> movie:</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black;">A gospel-rap explosion on the silver screen</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">By Tomi Morris Johnson <a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com?subject=Movie%20Preview">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 8pt;">©2003 </span><span style="font-size: 8pt;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="177"><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 7.5pt;"><img height="114" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/fighting_files/image003.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="163" /></span></b></p></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" valign="top" width="499"><p style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="Movie Poster Image for The Fighting Temptations" height="287" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/fighting_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="193" /> <img alt="A scene from 'The Fighting Temptations'" height="193" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/fighting_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="250" /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">Paramount Pictures courtesy photos and poster</span></p></td></tr><tr height="0"><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" width="127"></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" width="50"></td><td class="Normal" style="font-size: 12pt;" width="499"></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">September 8, 2003, Atlanta, GA… “Never be ashamed to be who you are,” is the positive punch line from the new movie <i>The Fighting Temptations</i>, previewed at two Phipps Plaza movie theatres in Buckhead by approximately 300 guests and movie extras.</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Strong choreography, exceptional music and realism are the stalwarts of each performance. “It’s like going to church on Sunday, but it’s not as boring,” said Ilea Johnson, a frequent movie-going student turned film critic from Daniell Middle School in Marietta.</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">Set for world release on September 19, the PG-13 rated Paramount film is emotionally riveting. It was shot last year in metro Atlanta and features Oscar-winning actor<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span>Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Darrin Hill and singer/film star Beyoncé Knowles as Lilly. The choirs featured in the movie are populated by several gospel rappers, gospel great Shirley Caesar, and other superstar singers: from the stage play <i>Purlie,</i> Melba Moore; top-selling recording artist Montell Jordan; and 70’s soul crooners, The O'Jays.</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">The whole movie makes you laugh, but in a positive, non-stereotypic sort of way. Two outrageously funny men in the movie are Mike Epps who plays Lucius, Hill’s hilariously witty running partner; and Steve Harvey as Miles Smoke, a nutty radio dj character.</p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">There are lots of cigarettes, alcohol and sexual innuendo in most scenes which add to the reality quotient that saints are sometime sinners. “Even Mary Magdalene was a ho once,” was a line thrown out by Gooding which got a huge laugh from the audience. The movie is the debut attempt of screenwriter Elizabeth Hunter. It is directed by Jonathan Lynn.</p><p class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">The preview event was sponsored by Rich’s-Macy’s and 104.7, The Fish Christian Radio station. Melanie Few, an Atlanta native and president of Results, Inc., owns the entertainment agency hired by Paramount to promote the film.</p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.<b><span style="color: red;"></span></b></span></p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/fighting_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="101" /></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 8pt; text-align: center;">©2003 </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 8pt; text-align: center;">WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-31554891466101600452023-06-20T14:19:00.003-04:002023-06-20T14:24:36.472-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM VAULT: Tomi Johnson plays Harriet Tubman<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 20pt;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 20pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEnE9ANHw78lDyU3Do81W1rSPldLiu1vNig7zHCOg49hJQD8ZHplFyIY5t6V06rnkr7bSXte0eQKspDEuXrHi6NIgDsNCwUaTzZ-PD4fvqfh6w81jt2w1oCp4DLq4dWlm-o9aiIW0ba6LrwRUKa5NhyfxkqlyouHtWUop0d5KGRZP_rogvtOqxoJ2AH0/s2821/F9FE6D0B-F74A-4E50-B87F-27C787B3D11E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2821" data-original-width="1030" height="861" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEnE9ANHw78lDyU3Do81W1rSPldLiu1vNig7zHCOg49hJQD8ZHplFyIY5t6V06rnkr7bSXte0eQKspDEuXrHi6NIgDsNCwUaTzZ-PD4fvqfh6w81jt2w1oCp4DLq4dWlm-o9aiIW0ba6LrwRUKa5NhyfxkqlyouHtWUop0d5KGRZP_rogvtOqxoJ2AH0/w315-h861/F9FE6D0B-F74A-4E50-B87F-27C787B3D11E.jpeg" width="315" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 20pt;"><br />WingcomLtd’s Tomi Johnson plays <o:p></o:p></span></b><p></p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; color: maroon; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 20pt;">Harriet Tubman at middle school</span><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Photo by Andrea Whitfield</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></o:p><b>March 11, 2004, Marietta, GA</b>…As part of an 8<sup>th</sup> grade Social Studies project on the Underground Railroad, Tomi Johnson transformed into Harriet Tubman at McCleskey Middle School in suburban Atlanta.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Donning a costume she designed and made herself based on colors from a blouse picked out by her husband Kurk and carrying her grandmother’s quilt, Johnson sang Negro spirituals, strung green beans, and gave directions to students embarking on the freedom journey reenactment. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Students were conducted by their teachers through fields and near streams in the school’s wooded area. Some crossed over the Ohio River (a school roadway) into freedom. Those caught by other students posing as “slave catchers” were directed to the school’s media center to perform further research on the era.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">The journey is a yearly lesson for 8<sup>th</sup> graders at McCleskey started years ago by a Target classroom teacher. “I really had second thoughts about acting out this role because slavery was such a horrible thing, but when I contemplated the strength and tenacity Harriet Tubman represents, I went one step further and wrote a four-page monologue,” Johnson added.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Johnson, who operates a news service and public relations firm, is also a substitute teacher for Cobb County Schools. A Music major turned to Telecommunications graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington, Johnson starred in several university theater productions and was instructed by Dr. Winona L. Fletcher. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Johnson began singing on stage at the age of two at Alabama A & M College where her parents were on the faculty. Her early vocal training is attributed to the Rev. Dr. Henry Bradford, the late Madame Lee from Oakwood College, Lady Tucker, Delbert Bailey and Paul Goggins, all of Huntsville, AL.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">“I will forever be indebted to my teachers who guided me along my artistic excursion. Fortunately, I am still using what they taught me,” Johnson concluded.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">To contact Ms. Johnson about her availability for school dramatic projects, contact her at <a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com" style="color: purple;">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> <span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/h_tubman_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="119" /></span></b> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-17399707009128861412023-06-19T17:50:00.005-04:002023-06-21T20:11:38.372-04:00On Juneteenth: a not to be uttered poem<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYhM3-z1S2lwTdRzQs4y0Xg_zkmkNf_2O-8NqIphqp_VgY8L8HcYhdFyUjefpzL5mhIxcbYkYkC8s0GgylkibXx1VpDRJx2Qq_2Bdd1sTT8R-6rCA8f4TFbDh0q6YcL1bI6jixynXW8-c6vd7tu3Q5Nxfc2sgFP83T0djVV82G3RFhMh_JQjsGszpEM8/s4032/7CF95E12-4049-44CB-862C-80106D994EA3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="717" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYhM3-z1S2lwTdRzQs4y0Xg_zkmkNf_2O-8NqIphqp_VgY8L8HcYhdFyUjefpzL5mhIxcbYkYkC8s0GgylkibXx1VpDRJx2Qq_2Bdd1sTT8R-6rCA8f4TFbDh0q6YcL1bI6jixynXW8-c6vd7tu3Q5Nxfc2sgFP83T0djVV82G3RFhMh_JQjsGszpEM8/w538-h717/7CF95E12-4049-44CB-862C-80106D994EA3.jpeg" width="538" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I said I wasn't gonna celebrate Juneteenth,</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">the day slaves were eventually freed by U.S. government officials in 1865.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I said I wasn't even going to acknowledge this day because so many fights and shooting have erupted today,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">and some people say we have nothing to celebrate anyway because we're still not free but indebted to banks, the tax man and the boss man who happens to be supreme,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And racists say black folks didn't contribute anything to civilization and shouldn't be studied, especially not in America,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">and the lies go on and on...and the rhetoric turns into arguments, and nobody wins or is free from prejudice or war,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But I've got to say something, do something, not just let it pass.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Today I remember being told as a journalist to rewrite a script as if I were white, to perform the impossible that would be broadcast all over a Commonwealth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When trying to get more blacks hired at my job, finding "An application for Niggers" in my company mailbox,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Of having to pile camera cases in front of my motel door for fear the Chamber of Commerce head would break it down and drag me to my death,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Of having my son's middle school principal tell me she could not tell his Social Studies teacher to take down a gigantic Confederate flag from the classroom wall, even though it was creating psychological harm, because it was the teacher's classroom;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Having my husband's HOA presidency overturned last year by the former board who repealed, in my opinion, democracy at the sub political level...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Of the police chief telling me not to let my recording of the police/community discussion group meeting be leaked to the public,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And a myriad of other injustices too numerous to mention...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">These things didn't happen to slaves; it happened to me in the 20th and 21st centuries. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, should I still celebrate freedom in 2023? Am I free?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Only in my mind.</span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Comments:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">"</span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Very, Very interesting ! ! !"</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">"</span></span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">I can not understand racism. The person, their values, actions beliefs, is who they are, not the color of their skin."</span></span></p><br style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-15229755756619827802023-04-29T17:41:00.003-04:002023-04-29T17:41:26.685-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT - Bill Cosby<p> </p><h1><span style="font-size: 24pt;">Bill Cosby’s parenting initiative falls short of scapegoating</span></h1><h2>By Tomi Morris Johnson </h2><h2><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomltd.com">tomij@wingcomltd.com</a> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> ©2004 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: purple; font-size: 13pt;">Commentary: Parenting advice based on ethical principals has existed from the earliest of times. Racism, injustice and poverty, however, are powerful influences that can obliterate best intentions and limit opportunities for all but the privileged. </span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.wingcomltd.com/WINDOWS/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.IE5/T9I2CWAT/cosby.jpg"><img align="left" border="0" height="290" hspace="12" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/b_cosbyfinal_files/image004.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_s1028" width="240" /></a>November 18, 2004, Atlanta, GA…You probably have heard it all before - that black children are going to hell in a hand basket, that 58% of youth admitted to state adult prison are African American, and that the stupor black students find themselves in while using drugs and listening to rap music is eradicating the future of Black America. Yet, according to Dr. Bill Cosby, there still is hope for black youth if parents take more responsibility for their human legacies.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Cosby, a 67-year old doctoral funny man known for his television series’ <i>Fat Albert</i> and <i>The Cosby Show </i>and the film <i>Lost, Stolen or Strayed</i>, mixed humor with straight talk in Frederick Douglass High School’s gymnasium before a standing room only crowd of parents and mentoring groups. Security was tight, with a helicopter circling outside and dozens of uniformed and plain-clothes police all over the place. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">(Photo courtesy Bill Cosby)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">A product of Philadelphia projects, William Henry Cosby, Jr. began his educational career as a failing dropout. He admits to being a poor student because he focused his energy on sports. Repeating the 10<sup>th</sup> grade, he exited high school and after joining the Navy earned his high school diploma. Discharged in 1961, he attended Temple University but dropped out his sophomore year to pursue a comedy career. Later, he earned his BA in Radio/Television/Film from Temple, a Masters degree, and PhD in Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amhurst. Today, Cosby’s net worth is estimated at $500 million. He and wife Camille have four daughters. Only son Ennis was murdered in 1997.</p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16pt;">Bill Cosby is a survivor who has made it and sees no room for excuses.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Cosby’s tour, an initiative to help black youth, rolled into Atlanta after several black leaders criticized the “Cos” for previous statements he made which slammed black parent’s buying habits. The educational entourage appearing onstage with Cosby included students, principals, and detention supervisors. Platform guests made statements ranging from how we treat each other to the definition of “acting black”. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">One speaker said students should not connote “acting black” with dropped pants, provocative language, and poor school performance. “Some of our most talented students won’t carry books because they are afraid they’ll be teased for ‘acting white’. Academic excellent is consistent with being black and is something we should want to celebrate. It’s not a true statement that black parents don’t care about education, but we must voice and demonstrate it.”</p><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; width: 451px;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="281"><p style="text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/b_cosbyfinal_files/image006.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="278" /></p></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="170"><p style="text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="260" hspace="10" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/b_cosbyfinal_files/image008.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="146" /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wearing a hoody and a scowl, Dr. Bill Cosby offered free parenting advice to 3,500 people at</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">Frederick Douglass High School in Atlanta</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">.</span></span><p style="text-align: justify;">Cosby is adamantly helping black youth by purporting to educate parents. “The public school system is not in the business of parenting. The teacher cannot touch your child or impose his or her will. Teachers are underpaid, and they cry in the daytime because they see children who haven’t eaten, used soap, or been hugged.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Asked about his bluntness, Cosby responded, “You’re damn right…how can some of you call yourself Christians when you’ve done what you’ve done in raising your child? You’re giving God a hernia asking him to help you out,” he remarked.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Dr. Cosby’s verbose image of playful and robust elementary school children turning into medicated, lackluster, teary-eyed victims by the end of high school presented a chilling warning. “Our children are trying to tell us something, and we are not listening,” Cosby said. “And it’s not all the white man’s fault.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Cosby said an alarming number of children are not being tucked into bed at night because their fathers are behind bars. A great storyteller, he recounted asking a young boy, “When was the last time you saw your father?” “In court,” the child said. “And what did he say to you?” “Nothing.” Cosby said that children have pain, but few tears. Tears have been replaced by profanity, the type that embarrasses old people.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">At home, Cosby said kids are seeing and hearing sex, crack heads, fighting, arguing and cursing and cannot do anything about it. “They are being bribed by their mama’s boyfriends who give them change from $20 to go buy a carton of cigarettes…I’m troubled by people who want you to stay a sad victim because they’re making money off you being a victim. You’re a worse victim if you don’t get up and move,” Cosby continued.</p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16pt;">“Victims are people who can’t help themselves.”</span></i></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: blue;">Bill Cosby</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Amidst criticism from critics who say he is blaming the victim, Cosby said his mission is to help not harass, and in the long run to resuscitate the African American community. Some consider “blaming victims” scapegoating, a system of manipulation by the powerful which increases trepidation, avoids serious analysis of problems, and directs loathing toward powerless minority groups. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Cosby’s self-help message seems uncomplicated</span>, however, it’s easier for parents to be first-rate child stewards when they have jobs and are not living in poverty. According to a report issued by the government and reported by Reuters in August 2004, “some 1.3 million Americans slid into poverty in 2003 as the ranks of the poor swelled to 35.9 million, with children and blacks worse off than most…<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span>The poverty line is set at an annual income of $9,573 or less for an individual, or $18,660 for a family of four with two children. Under that measure, a family would spend about a third of its income on food.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16pt;">“…we have been, by our oppressors, despoiled of our purity, and corrupted in our native characteristics, so that we have inherited their vices, and but few of their virtues, leaving us in character, really a broken people.”</span></i></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"> Martin Robinson Delaney, 1812-1885</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Those leaves little cash for the poor to purchase $500 designer sneakers, which Cosby suggested was despicable in a previous speech, or save for college. <i>CNN Money </i>reported that the average tuition for undergrads attending four-year public universities jumped 10.5 percent this year. The average price of attendance, including room, board and fees, is $11,354. The average tuition at a four-year private college is $27,516. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">And not too many grandparents can help black kids out when it comes to financing college. According to <i>Medical News Today</i>, the median net worth of older white households ($205,000) was five times larger than for older black households ($41,000).<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.5pt;"></span></p><p align="left" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16pt;">“If we have any courage, we'll fight for a just society instead of bash our powerless neighbour.”</span></i></p><p align="right" style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.bctf.bc.ca/LessonAids/online/la2030/blaming.html">http://www.bctf.bc.ca/LessonAids/online/la2030/blaming.html</a></span></i></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="357"><span style="color: windowtext;"><img border="0" height="228" hspace="8" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/b_cosbyfinal_files/image010.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1027" width="328" /></span></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="320"><span style="color: windowtext;"><img border="0" height="228" hspace="9" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/b_cosbyfinal_files/image012.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="290" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><p align="left" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cosby told parents to participate more in the PTA, insist children do four hours of homework each night, and use the </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">X Box as an example of what can be invented with an aptitude in algebra.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: windowtext;">According to a study conducted by the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, “the most important reason for educational inequality between Blacks and Whites is socioeconomic. Differences in family background consistently account for about one third of the test score gap and for almost all of the inequality in rates of college entry and graduation among Black and White high school graduates.”</span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16pt;">“Unfortunately, the cumulative disadvantage of minority youth will continue to spiral as states continue to pass more punitive laws allowing youth to be charged as adults and, therefore, subject to adult sanctions such as prison and the death penalty.”</span></i></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Eileen Poe-Yamagata </span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal;"><tbody><tr><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="432"><div align="left"><img border="0" height="252" hspace="11" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/b_cosbyfinal_files/image014.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="336" /></div></td><td class="Normal" valign="top" width="303"><div align="left"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/b_cosbyfinal_files/image016.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="169" /></div></td></tr><tr><td class="Normal" colspan="2" valign="top"><span style="color: blue;">Cosby’s “what not to do” list of parenting skills included not letting just anybody</span><span style="color: blue;"> come into your house.</span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoBodyText" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Parenting advice based on ethical principals has been with us from the earliest of times. Proverbs 22:6 teaches “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Parents set examples, and children tend to become like their parents. A child skilled in wisdom and discipline will become a decent adult if not prevented by outside influences. Racism, injustice and poverty, however, are powerful pressures that can obliterate opportunities for all but the privileged few.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Racial discrimination still exists, yet Cosby suggested parents and students look back at history for lessons in black achievement. “Beat back bigots with good grades. Frederick Douglass bartered for his education. You won your quest against Lester Maddox. How did you beat him back? It’s not too late.”</p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16pt;">“Circumstances can surely limit what even the most responsible family can achieve, but no family is really every excused from the responsibility of imaginatively fighting difficult circumstances.” </span></i></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"> Shelby Steele, Educating Black Students</span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://www-hoover.stanford.edu/publications/books/fulltext/ed21st/93.pdf">http://www-hoover.stanford.edu/publications/books/fulltext/ed21st/93.pdf</a></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">When asked why Cosby was using the same ‘ole rhetoric while the plight of black youth seems to be worsening, Cosby’s publicist Joel Brokaw from the Los Angeles-based Brokaw Company said, “We’re trying hard to change all that.” When asked could Cosby help a poor person obtain a teaching certificate, Brokaw responded, “That’s what the Bill Cosby Foundation is for.” The Brokaw Company has been representing Cosby for 20 years.</p><p><b><span style="color: blue;">SIDEBAR:</span></b> Here are some parenting tips from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s <i>Guide to African American Parents</i>:</p><table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; height: 50px;"><tbody><tr valign="bottom"><td class="Normal" height="19" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Inspire hope</li></ul></div></td><td class="Normal" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Make plans for emergencies</li></ul></div></td></tr><tr valign="bottom"><td class="Normal" height="19" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Be still and listen</li></ul></div></td><td class="Normal" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Develop self-esteem</li></ul></div></td></tr><tr valign="bottom"><td class="Normal" height="19" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Comfort</li></ul></div></td><td class="Normal" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Monitor television watching</li></ul></div></td></tr><tr valign="bottom"><td class="Normal" height="19" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Give information that is age appropriate</li></ul></div></td><td class="Normal" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Share your faith</li></ul></div></td></tr><tr valign="bottom"><td class="Normal" height="19" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Help your child feel safe</li></ul></div></td><td class="Normal" width="338"><div align="left"><ul type="disc"><li>Identify and avoid stress</li></ul></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;">The information in this article is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous.</span></p><p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/b_cosbyfinal_files/image018.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="119" /></span></b></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-85063083037004186202023-04-29T17:37:00.002-04:002023-04-29T17:37:36.313-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT<div id="leftcolumn" style="background-color: #e7eaeb; caret-color: rgb(51, 71, 85); color: #334755; float: left; font-family: "palatino linotype", "trebuchet ms", "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; width: 700px;"><h1 style="font-size: 34px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">Part II – Racial Reconciliation Series</h1><h3 style="font-size: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">Ahmadiyya Muslims host special event -<br />"Divine Leadership in the Latter Days” </h3><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="Ahmadiyya Leaders" class="left" height="353" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Khalifat_files/image001.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: left; height: 353px; margin: 5px 5px 0px 0px; width: 420px;" width="420" /><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">April 6, 2008, Norcross, GA…With “Love for all, hatred for none” as the centerpiece of its message, the Muslim Community hosted a special event in three ballrooms at Hilton Atlanta. Men congregated in one room, women in another, children in another. The overriding theme, peace and love, permeated the quarters, and guests who were not part of the organization were treated with respect, smiles, and gifts. All questions were answered sincerely and directly. </p><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“You should choose a religion which makes you feel most comfortable,” said Arrifah Khan who formerly attended a Presbyterian school and sang in a church choir. Now a Trinidadian housewife with two grown children, she came to the US recently to care for a sick niece and will return home next week. Khan seemed not to mind that she was listening to men’s speeches via a video feed to the women’s ballroom. “I am very comfortable with Islam,” she said. </p><div class="divider2" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(152, 165, 174); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px 0px 25px;"></div><h4 style="font-size: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">Leaders Interview</h4><p class="justify" style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Following the informative affair, Tomi Johnson sat down with four of the organization’s leaders: Nafis Rehman, President of South East Region of Ansarullah, Atlanta, GA; Spokesman Zaki Kauser, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, Silver Spring, MD; Imam Daud Hanif, VP and Missionary In-Charge – USA, Bait-ur-Rahman Mosque, Silver Spring, MD; and Jamat President Hazeem Pudhiapura, Norcross, GA. <br /></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;"></p><p align="left" class="featured" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: url("file:////Articles/Khalifat_files/images/gradient.jpg"); background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0%; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-size: auto; border: 1px solid rgb(152, 165, 174); margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 5px 5px 20px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Johnson:<strong> </strong></span>This whole gathering was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of your religious leader. Is that correct? <br /><span style="color: blue;">Kauser: </span>It was actually to celebrate his successors over that last 100 years. <br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">Johnson:</span> Leadership is very pivotal to what happened here today. There’s a saying in the black community that when a man can’t find a job or gets out of prison, the best job he can get is to become a preacher. How are Islamic leaders called to preach? <br /><br /><img src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Khalifat_files/image003.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 25px;" /><br /><span style="color: blue;">Hanif:</span> Becoming a preacher means you learn the religion and what you are going to tell the people. First, you have to understand it, learn it, and then convey it simply to the people. This is how you become a leader. But now, there are leaders who become life devotees, those who devote their lives to the service of God, and they undergo training for some years. We have seven years training, and when we complete that training, we are at the disposal of the Ahmadiyya Movement, who is the supreme head of the Ahmadiyya community, and we call him the Calipha of the Messiah. He can post us anywhere in the world. So wherever he posts us, we are tasked with giving education to the younger people and relaying the message of our group. <br /><img src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Khalifat_files/image004.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 25px;" /> <br /><span style="font-size: small;">Listen to the entire interview here</span> <a href="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Khalifat_files/khalifat.mp3" style="color: #5b7e97;"><img border="0" height="35" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Khalifat_files/listen_icon.jpg" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 25px;" width="43" /></a></p></div><div class="divider" style="background: url("file:////Articles/Khalifat_files/images/divider.jpg") repeat-x rgb(231, 234, 235); caret-color: rgb(51, 71, 85); clear: both; color: #334755; font-family: "palatino linotype", "trebuchet ms", "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; height: 11px; margin: 2px 5px 0px; width: 740px;"></div><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1188849662917080261.post-1296443601224796892023-04-29T17:35:00.001-04:002023-04-29T17:35:20.771-04:00FROM THE WINGCOM LTD VAULT - Haki Madhubuti<p> </p><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: green; font-size: 18pt;">Black History Month Salute<o:p></o:p></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: normal;">Haki R. Madhubuti - a paradoxical, unpredictable oasis</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">By Tomi Morris Johnson </h2><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><img height="272" src="https://www.wingcomltd.com/Articles/Hakihistory_files/image002.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="358" /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Madhubuti teaching Johnson during interview in 1978. Photo by Phil Groshong<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">I have never met a person exuding uncompromising love and hate, showering love on his community-building protégés while shouting revolutionary hatred against racism and complacency, like Haki R. Madhubuti. Through a love/hate dichotomy, he chastises and creates. Maneuvering hurtful and destructive actions of white perpetrators into passionate, life-giving/life-saving service, Haki has found his purpose – confronting negativity with the establishment of workable black institutions. His distain for white exploiters propels him to awaken the consciousness of his people, aspiring them to take control of their own environments though self-love, self-knowledge, and liberation. What a fantastically unpredictable brother!</p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">My first evaluation of Haki in the ‘70’s was, “He has a furious hatred of white injustice, but smiles lovingly. Surely he can’t survive dueling emotions without exploding. Certainly he can’t deem American History a lie, constantly questioning established academia, and survive without becoming paranoid.” I was naive, yet awed with this intense, loud yet soft spoken, 27-year old, ex-military, conservatively dressed, guest speaker at Indiana University where I was a student. His discourse weighed white bigotry against black consciousness and was held at the IU School of Business auditorium, of all places, in Bloomington where 50 years earlier 150 KKK horsemen reportedly rode down Kirkwood Avenue, around the courthouse, and into cross-burning backwoods.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 26.666664px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I watched him move quickly to a folding table at the rear of the auditorium where he sold copies of his OWN books. He was charismatic and industrious. He was self-published and self-promoting. How could this be, especially after he talked so bad about white folks in public? He was a professional. I was forever floored.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 26.666664px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I gladly handed over two dollars and two quarters for <i>Book of Life.</i> “Beware of quick smiles and fast words. One who smiles overmuch mis-uses his face...” was Haki’s proverb on p. 58. His voice and eyes thanked me for the cash. The book’s cover was bathed in red, black, green and gold. Inside, some poems were too deep for me to comprehend. I copied others and slipped them into personal correspondence, always giving him credit. Over the years, his power and message never diminished.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 26.666664px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seven years later, Haki accepted my invitation to preach/teach at my wedding. I really didn’t think he would show up, him being the poet/writer/god that he was, but he did. I sent him a round trip plane ticket, and he gave me the return fare back as a wedding gift. What other celebrity would do that?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 26.666664px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He wore an African robe and hat to the ceremony held in a black Methodist church. The officiating Presbyterian minister seemed puzzled over Haki’s inclusion. I was nervous and crying but stopped being emotional when Haki told us, the wedding couple, “Stay together, no matter what the white man does to you.” Haki had insight because on our honeymoon, my husband’s boss threatened termination because of improperly completed leave paperwork. Haki’s advice has followed us through 22 years of marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The last time I saw Haki was the last time I worked for a major corporation. I sort of snuck him into the manufacturing plant on a visitor’s pass. I got into trouble because the place was being robotized (de-humanized), and I didn’t get “proper approval.” Could they have known Haki or his views on technology? The last time I communicated with him (last month), he answered the telephone saying, “I’m not talking to any Negroes today.” He must have known it was me calling! He never forgets to ask about the children.</p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 26.666664px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Even though he’s now “Dr.” Madhubuti he’s still Haki, a paradoxical oasis overflowing from the grassroots community he loves, a leader who cannot be properly summed up in 500 words or less. Some may say he only showers black people with love, but he does not discriminate in his hatred of joiners, non-readers, mass media addicts, elitists, artificial environmentalists, neo-racists, pacifists, euro-centric imitators, neutralizers, de-educators, and false image-makers. His life mirrors that of other strong, black, freedom fighters in our history - oases of love springing from a world of revulsion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">All rights reserved. All information is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be deemed libelous.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 26.666664px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b>Please email comments to Tomi Johnson <a href="mailto:tomij@wingcomtld.com" style="color: purple;">tomij@wingcomtld.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for supporting Wingcom Watchdog with your donations.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0