National Black MBA Associations 30th Annual Conference

CAREER CATALYSTS: National Black MBA Association President & CEO Barbara L. Thomas and Board President Bill Wells (center) opened the career fair of the organization’s 30th Annual Conference & Exposition flanked by other NBMBAA board members and numerous corporate sponsors and attendees. The NBMBAA Conference Career Fair is one of the largest in the nation — more than 450 companies exhibited and close to 10,000 job-seekers attended.

To kick off its 30th Annual Conference & Exposition in Washington D.C., National Black MBA Association President and CEO Barbara L. Thomas (middle) invited a distinguished panel to discuss the state and stability of the black middle class. CNN contributor and TVOne commentator Roland S. Martin (far left) served as moderator for the panel that included (from left to right): NBMBAA Immediate Past Chairman Alvin Brown; Washington Post economics correspondent Michael Fletcher; Charles Schwab vice president Lisa Toppin; author Lawrence Otis Graham; and Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson.

Audience members actively participated in the discussion by answering survey questions in real-time — their answers established a baseline definition of “middle class” and helped guide the discussion by highlighting the group’s behaviors, thought processes and tendencies. The majority feedback determined that someone would be middle-class if he or she held a bachelor’s degree; did managerial work; made approximately $75,000; owned multiple investments (e.g. stocks, bonds, real estate and some form of a retirement account); and lived in the suburbs. When surveyed, 64 percent of the audience believed that the black middle class is disappearing. You can weigh in and share your thoughts on the characteristics and behaviors of the black middle class by visiting and taking the Author Lawrence Otis Graham (far right) detailed how and why the pressures of being a minority, coupled with expectations from within the race, create a conflicted and strained experience for the black middle class, making it particularly fragile. “There is an intellectual dishonesty about class within the black community, and this helps make the middle class lifestyle much more stressful than a white middle-class lifestyle,” he said during the National Black MBA Association’s “The Disappearing Middle Class and Its Effect on Black America” panel, which launched the organization’s 30 Annual Conference & Exposition - Catalyst For Change...Then. Today. Tomorrow in Washington D.C.

Michael Eric Dyson (left) said that any fruitful conversations about the black middle class must begin with an honest assessment of class stratum and end with an examination and adjustment in the actions that challenge the black middle class. He suggested an acronym of “B.L.A.C.K” that called for “buying black, learning black, acting black (in terms of upholding excellence and tradition), communicating black and keeping black (i.e. being willing to challenge those who threaten the black middle class’ existence). Washington Post writer Michael Fletcher (right) encouraged members of the black middle class to push for public policies that help thwart the effects and close the gaps caused by residential segregation and inferior schools.

Dyson and Fletcher were panelists during the National Black MBA Association’s “The Disappearing Middle Class and Its Effect on Black America” discussion, a kickoff to the organization’s 30 Annual Conference & Exposition - Catalyst For Change...Then. Today. Tomorrow - which took place in Washington D.C.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson spoke to attendees of the National Black MBA Association’s 30th Annual Conference and Exposition about the gratification and responsibilities of being a business owner, showing through his example that blacks should seek to dominate not simply in sports but also in business and financial endeavors. “It’s all about the customers: You have to over-deliver in this market, over-deliver to them and to yourself,” Johnson advised. “If you want to get into business, look to urban America. I wanted to invest in my own people, even though everyone said it wouldn’t work.”

 

Many Companies Turning To Wellness

With healthcare costs continuing to rise, some employers are showing a return on investment in wellness programming (particularly those that offer an annual health risk assessment and counseling). Fiona Gathright, founder of Wellness Corporate Solutions, a wellness company specializing in wellness programs for corporations says “While wellness programs for corporations are definitely on the rise, it’s surprising that wellness programming hasn’t increased at a more significant pace. We expect this will change dramatically in the coming year as a result of the economy. The more that companies realize the incredible benefits to production and savings in their workforce by seeing the results elsewhere in their industries, the faster they will begin to incorporate wellness as a standard.”

So just how dramatic are the results for companies? Take obesity as an example: Employees who are 30 to 60 pounds overweight average $917 more a year in medical and absenteeism costs than their healthy-weight counterparts. That number rises to $2,256 for employees who are 60 to 100 pounds overweight.

“There is no ‘I’ in TEAM” explains Gathright. When you foster a culture within your workforce of healthier habits, the resulting benefits are seen much more quickly than when employees try to do these things on their own. Everyone in the mix of a company can get involved to some degree and the resulting momentum is what has the real impact over time and can be seen in as little as one year on the books.”

Consider some of these statistics regarding the impact that a company-wide wellness program can have:

One study showed that 55 percent of those getting coaching reduced their intake of saturated fat, compared to just 40 percent of those who didn’t get additional advice.

72 percent of those in coaching starting eating more fruits and veggies and 17 percent upped their intake of cardio-friendly fish, compared to 35 percent and 8 percent.

“The results of corporate-wide wellness programs speak for themselves when it comes to increasing profitability” explains Gathright. “If your workforce is at the doctor more than they could be or are constantly tired, their work performance is going to suffer, and the fact is, it will hit the company where it hurts the most.”

 

Harlem Commonwealth Unveils New Technology Center

On Thursday, Harlem Commonwealth Council’s president and CEO, Dr. Joseph L. Tait unveiled HCC’s new, state-of-the-art Arlene & Robert C. Fauser Technology Center at its 125th Street headquarters.

Named for long-time HCC benefactors Arlene and Robert C. Fauser, HCC’s Fauser Technology Center is home to a host of programs designed to help Harlem residents better their educational and business opportunities. Adult basic education, ESL and entrepreneurial development are but a few of the HCC programs currently benefiting hundreds of Harlemites. That these programs are cost free to qualified participants is due in large part to donors like Arlene and “Bob” Fauser.

Mr. Fauser is Vice President, Eastern Division for outdoor advertising giant, Van Wagner. It is difficult to make your way through Harlem, or New York City in its entirety, without seeing Van Wagner billboards showcasing a variety of products and services. Many will remember Van Wagner’s early partnership with HCC through 2004’s “Get-Out-The-Vote” campaign, with highway billboards and street corner kiosks underwritten by Mr. Fauser and Van Wagner.

Mr. Fauser’s positive attitude has been instrumental to Van Wagner’s success. It provides the foundation for Van Wagner’s young people to move the company forward. It also helps organizations like HCC accomplish its mission through such initiatives as HCC’s Summer Internship Program, which brings Harlem high school juniors and seniors into the corporate work environment for some serious, hands-on exposure to life in the corporate world.

Mr. and Mrs. Fauser have lived in New York for decades and have long been active supporters of several charities and worthwhile organizations.

In addressing Technology Center Dedication guests, Dr. Tait spoke of Mr. Fauser’s extraordinary generosity in his support of HCC. In turn, Mr. Fauser singled out Dr. Tait as one of Harlem’s most unique and effective leaders.

The dedication of the Fauser Technology Center was followed by a brief tour of the facilities.