#95 May  2004 - An Online Monthly News Service by www.BlackBusinessExpo.com  

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers of our community.  This is the first Mother's Day since my own mother passed, so this issue of Expo Update is dedicated in her memory. As you celebrate your own Mothers remember our black owned restaurants and gift shops, florists, spas and jewelers. Before you spend another dollar, first check out our exhibitor list and our Sights, Sounds Soul and Heartbeat of L.A. (Directory to Black Businesses.)

Thanks to all who signed up and took advantage of the $100 discount last month.  Please scroll  below for stories about two companies that did: Golden State Mutual and Mixed Furniture.

Don't miss a conversation with ...

BERNARD PARKS, 8Th DISTRICT COUNCILMAN

Want better schools? "Let's Talk.” Want better housing? "Let's Talk.” Want a Job? "Let’s Talk.” Police doing you wrong? "Let's Talk.' 

Come on out Tuesday, May 4, 2004, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Watts Coffee House , 1827 F. 103rd Street, (323)249-4343-Desiree F. Edwards or (323) 473-3607-Quentin Drew. Come express your concerns about the issues important in your community. 

We welcome sponsor Pacificare as the new Health Pavilion Sponsor. According to their website "PacifiCare Health Systems serves more than 3 million health plan members and approximately 9 million specialty plan members nationwide with annual revenues of more than $11 billion. PacifiCare is celebrating its 25th anniversary as one of the nation's largest consumer health organizations.  For more info, visit www.pacificare.com.

Our condolences to the family of Wayne Tyrone Gardner, 53, the friendly face that buzzed you in at OneUnited Bank, Crenshaw and Rodeo branch. Tyrone was a great security guard, and an avid Lakers fan.  He passed away suddenly last Thursday.  He left behind one son that was about to graduate high school.  What a man!  Services will be held Wednesday May 5 at 11 AM at Inglewood Park Cemetery.

Finally, September 12-14, 2004 will be here before you know it! Plan to sign up now.  This year we have special days: Friday:  Youth and Business Day, Saturday is our Family and Fashion Day (with the Wedding and the Fashion Show) and Sunday is our Faith and Gospel Day. All three days are days not to miss, so sign up now!

Download:

Exhibitor Registration Kit (PDF). Fax completed form to (323) 290-1750.

Sincerely,

Harold Hambrick

Executive Director

ARE WE THERE YET?--by Isidra Person-Lynn

I heard a woman say the other day "I'm a business woman out here trying to get blacks to go into business because we just don't go into business" and I had to laugh at myself.  Working at the Los Angeles Black Business Expo, frequenting the Harambee Market, Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corp., Fame Renaissance, Black Business Association, Recycling Black Dollars, Afrikan Marketplace and the various shopping areas that are springing up around town from Leimert Park to Ladera to Pasadena to Western and Slauson to Compton and Inglewood, I'd say that's all I see are African American business owners.  Now, I know we aren't all on the level of say of the Brotherhood Crusade's Danny Bakewell who once purchased the Hawthorne Mall, currently owns the Bakewell Building (which you think of as the Washington Mutual Building on Crenshaw and Vernon), and just purchased the Los Angeles Sentinel, but I would say we have been successful at pointing black folks toward entrepreneurship which was the battle cry of the post Civil Rights era. Hence Magic Johnson and Keyshawn Johnson and others are investing those mega bucks they are earning through celebrity in us.  (Truth be told, OG ballers like Willie Davis have been doing that for decades with his beer distributorship and radio stations across the nation.) 

So, are we there yet?  If "there" means do we own enough businesses, no. But we have made a sizable dent. If "there" means do enough of our people know we exist (and patronize us), the resounding answer should be "no", in spite of the fact that we attract tens of thousands to the Expos and Festivals, we have so many more who don't even think to look for a Black person in business when they are about to drop the big bucks on a wedding, home remodel or even just our fruits and vegetables for the week.

We aren't there yet, but I would say we are definitely on our way, and judging from the picture above, we have come a long way.  Come walk with us.

Golden State Mutual: Over $250 Million strong!

Got a call from Ernestine Dixon, our Account Executive and she was breathless about Golden State Mutual signing on early to Expo 2004.  "This is a black owned business that has withstood the test of time for 79 years. Since 1925 they survived the Depression, recessions, riots, earthquakes and lots of prejudice. "

And it's all true.  A talk with Becky Ganther, their Public Relations and Advertising manager reminded us of the history of why GSM exists.  No one wanted to insure black people!

Today the company's 14 offices across America offers Education planning for your children, securities, rollovers, annuities, mutual funds and is still the oldest Black owned business west of the Mississippi. And they are home to the largest African American art collection next to Bill Cosby. A quick check with their website will tell you more.

Their auditorium has hosted many community meetings and press conferences. The assets are over $100 million locally and $250 nationwide.  They have been at the Black Enterprise number 2 spot for years, second only to North Carolina Mutual.  Next year look for them to rollout their 80th Anniversary plans.

For more information visit www.gsmlife.com.

Above: Bust of founder William Nickerson, and Vice president of Insurance Administration, Fred Wadibia. Click photo to enlarge.

It's A Family Affair Catering...The Update

From the Crenshaw Strip to Sunset Strip

Last month we ran a story about the grand opening of Darryl and Denise Johnson's It's A Family Affair Restaurant on Crenshaw near Florence.  We missed the grand opening, but went to have breakfast there one morning to support.  But already, things have changed:

Darryl and Texas Walker Barbecue both shared the restaurant, which was a tasty combination.  They weren't too busy and had time to tell us how they came upon the place. 

To make a long interesting story short, Darryl had been in the same spot about ten years ago right after the rebellion.  This year, during a break from church to walk the restless 2 year old, Darryl Junior, he walked by and chatted with the then current owner.  That owner told him to come in Monday to work, which Darryl did, and as they sat and talked, the owner had heart failure right there in Darryl's arms.  Thankfully, he did not die, but he pressed Darryl into service to keep the restaurant going. 

He delighted in the mission and thought he had found his restaurant home.  He busied himself with fixing $2 breakfasts for the school children passing him hungry on their way to school.  He continued catering but also opened his establishment for community meetings and open mike poetry. 

We took pictures and made a note to write about his compelling story in this month's Expo Update. But since Darryl Johnson is the award winning chef with Real Men Cook and since he catered the Men's Prostate Health Day for T.H.E. Clinic on May 1, we ran into him again.  He continued his gripping story, saying that he had already left the Crenshaw and Florence establishment, because of the gangs in the area had run him out.  He said he could not put his wife and child in harms way like that.  We thought we should alert the business community to be aware of the areas you invest your businesses in because details like which gangs run the area can make or break you. 

I will skip the details of what the gangs actually did, but Darryl said this" When God closes one door, he always opens another.  I was asked to be one of the chefs at Katherine's on Sunset and that's where I have been." 

Now, Katherine' s on Sunset is owned by Katherine and Joe Jackson, mother of Michael, Janet, Tito and on and on.  The joint is jumping on weekends when they have live music. There are three full bars and a 30 foot waterfall.  It seats about 300 and it is right near Eddie Griffin's restaurant Tangerine.  So Black folks are doing it on the big end of L.A.

By the way, at Katherine's, Darryl Johnson is reunited with John Little and another chef named Gilroy Bruce, both of whom were the chefs at Georgia's so Darryl is in good company.  But don't call for Mother's Day as Katherine's is already booked to the max!    For more on Katherine's, click here.

Darryl will be featured again this year at the Father's Day tradition Real Men Cook Los Angeles.  It's a great way to spend Father’s Day, so mark your calendar for  June 20, 2004.  To  Volunteer please calling 310.714.1449 or via e-mail to RMCLA@aperfectsuccess.com

For It's A Family Affair Catering please call Denise and Darryl Johnson at (323) 295-5312.

Katherine's Restaurant

Gilroy Bruce, Chef

8210 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Cross Street: Crescent Heights Boulevard
Phone: (323) 822-2082

One of the first to sign up for Expo 2004!  Mixed Furniture & Decorative Elements is located at 719 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291.  They carry custom sofas, furniture, accessories, lighting and more.  Closed Mondays!  Phone (310) 452-2745.

Harambee Farmer's Market:  Every Saturday from 10 AM til 4 PM, the Harambee's Farmer's Market brings fresh fruits and vegetables and other items to market.  It's a great way to recycle your black dollars.  CLICK FOR MORE PICTURES

To read more about it, click here.

Harambee Certified Farmers' Market
5730 Crenshaw Blvd. Crenshaw and Slauson
Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
323-292-5550

Malcolm X Festival (See flyer below) Is Open for Vendors: The festival will take place May 21-23, 2004 from 12 noon until 10pm each day in Los Angeles. http://www.malcolmxfestival.org/vender_app.htm

Rwanda: Lest We Forget... A Third Time 

Massacre photo from Gendercide Watch

Story by: Stan Thomas 

April 7, 2004 marked the 10-year anniversary of the slaughter of 800,000 lives in Rwanda. Incredibly, the genocide took only 100 days. Just as incredible was the seeming indifference displayed by the rest of the world while the massacre was going on. That many people randomly asked say they never heard of the bloodbath underscores the point. 

On April 6, 1994, then-president Juvenal Habyarimana and neighboring Burundi's President Cyprien Ntaryamira were killed in a rocket attack on their plane just after it (Click to continue)

Editor's Note:  Many may take offense to our publication of the photo above but we gladly published it to be a reminder that these were human beings, just like us, caught up in a political situation and manipulated to the point of death. We felt the photo was necessary to underscore Stan's story.

Stan Thomas has another feather to add to his cap of writer, photographer, aspiring pilot--that's musician.  Here is a rough peek at his recent concert.  Click Here  (Play Audio)

Fallen Idol

 Story by: Stan Thomas

 American Idol may have just voted itself out of the competition. In the most unbelievable turn of events since Amy Adams was voted off March 31st, Jennifer Hudson fell victim to the voters' whims April 21st. Meanwhile, the cute "nice guy" John Stevens, with his one-dimensional, fifty-years-behind-his-time singing style, remained in

(Click to continue)

 Above: Jennifer Hudson photo from American Idol web site

Bonus Pics:

Diane Watson Speaks at Roundtable

Diane Watson Speaks Congresswoman Diane Watson Speaks at Urban Policy Roundtable Lucy Florence Coffeehouse and Stan was there.  Click for the story:

Photos and story by Stan Thomas 

Every Saturday morning from 10am to 11am, Earl Ofari Hutchinson hosts the Urban Policy Roundtable at the Lucy Florence Coffeehouse in Leimert Park, sponsored by the National Alliance for Positive Action. Last month, Congresswoman Diane Watson was the guest speaker. In a show of concern for the community, she brought many of her staff along. Her purpose was to bring the news from nation’s capitol to the community. Those who attended were also given an opportunity to ask questions. (To Continue the Story:  Click Here.)

Photos:  http://imageevent.com/kanale/dianewatsonspeaks

From The Loop Online  www.thelooponline.com

A Great Mother's Day Treat (Not what you think!)

May 9 - Dark Legends in Blood.  The Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA  5 PM.  WINNER!!! Best Director, Best Musical Director, and nominated Best Ensemble and Best Choreography Karen Mc Donald and Leonard Reed; 2004 NAACP Theater Awards!  The music of the 40's and 50's is celebrated in an all star upbeat Cotton Club style Show Revue. Featured are characterizations of Louis Jordan, Lena Horne, Etta James, Billie Holiday, & Cab Calloway. Situated inside of an upscale cabaret setting, the evening begins with a 45 minute, stylish musical revue complete with pre-show and behind the scenes theatrics and conflict revelation.  Stunning performances are delivered by a cast of extraordinary singers accompanied by "The Duke's" six piece live combo, while the suave comic MC, Billy Gable, charms his way through the night. www.spokenwordcafe.net.  More info, (562) 674-2955 or sherea@spokenwordcafe.net 

Find out"Who Dunnit!" at
Maurice Kitchen's
Dark Legends In Blood
(An interactive Murder Mystery & Musical Comedy Revue)
Special Mother's Day Performance
One Show Only on Sunday, May 9th

From Queen Ahneva Ahneva

West Coast Fashion Summit (WCFS) DESIGNERS WANTED! 

COOLTURE 2004

Cooltue  is a blend of Urban Cool apparel with Couture elements This year's WCFS fashion show will clearly define the direction of fashion highlighting the creative blur between the two powerful creative forces of influence of Urban & Couture coming together for an explosive presentation at the LA Black Business Expo & Tradeshow.

We are still interviewing designers for the show. Please send  designer information packages to : 

LA Black Business Expo & Trade Show

c/o WCFS , Attn Myra Wallace

3683 Crenshaw

Suite 502

Los Angeles, CA 90016

Should include:  Photos of designs, Bio of designer or company, All contact information

Call (562) 984 5945 or email omsmyra@aol.com.

The Daraja by Mosi Pacha:

Don’t Get Hooked By Phishing Scams 

For Internet users, it's one scam after another. Internet users must be very vigilant in watching which sites they visit, where they do their online transactions, and which e-mails they open. Now there is yet another scam that targets unsuspecting users through e-mail. The latest scams involve a technique called 'phishing', employed through 'spoofing' e-mails. Say what? 

OK, let's break it down. 'Spoofing' is when a scammer sends a fraudulent e-mail (Click to continue)

Contact Mosi at: mosi_pacha@yahoo.com

KJLH Hosts Women's Health Forum:

Mother Love was a panelist who addressed health issues	They came in droves for the free women's health forum at Hollywood Park Pavilion	Left: Auleria Eakins, Director, Teen Clinic, T.H.E. Clinic, Inc. with Jacquie Stephens. Auleria conducted the Teen Clinic workshop.

Click above images to enlarge.  Photos by Isidra Person-Lynn

Malcolm X Festival May 21-23

The festival will take place May 21-23, 2004 from 12 noon until 10pm each day in Los Angeles. Attendees can look forward to concerts, a children’s carnival, history and culture video marathon, national poetry extravaganza, seniors pavilion, and a national “youth speak out” symposium. There will also be the Vendors Marketplace with an array of cultural items, a Black Art Exhibit displaying national and local art, an international sampling of foods, including African and Creole Cuisine, and a Rhythm & Soul Fashion Showcase. (Click here for Vendor Application)

http://www.malcolmxfestival.org/

Garifuna Day Street Festival 

photos and story by Ricky Richardson

On April 10th, several thousand Garinagus gathered for the 4th Annual Garifuna Day Street Family Festival. 

This family oriented event was held on Avalon Blvd. between 41st and 43rd Street. I felt as if I was on a Caribbean Island on this day, celebrating with Garinagu people from Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.       

The co-hosts were Edith Martinez and actor Marcello Arzu Thedford who introduced groups ranging from P.C. Crew of Belize, Macako of Honduras, Thug Angelz, (Click to Continue).

Investing

 in Africa 

 Editorial & Photos By: Dr. Linell C. King, MD

“When a child is kidnapped and taken from his home, that child never forgets his parents.  If that child is fortunate enough to be returned home, he appreciates home more than he ever could have if he had not been kidnapped.”  John Amos               

February 21, 2004 to March 1, 2004 marked a monumental and historical period in the relationship between the nation of Uganda and the United States.  Led by Rev. Al Washington, the Africa/USA International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AfUSA) hosted a trade and business development mission to the East African country of Uganda.  At the outset of the journey, Dr. Bill Releford, CEO of Global Integrated Development Group and co-(Click to continue)

Editorial & Photos By:     Dr. Linell C. King, MD

Dr. King is a Board Certified Physician of Internal Medicine as well as the publisher of Healthy Choices Magazine.  He can be reached at DrKing@healthychoicesmag.com.

For more photos of events this past month, click here

CONTACT US: The Expo Office is located at 3683 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite 502, Los Angeles, CA  90016  (323) 290-4743.  Email: info@blackbusinessexpo.com

Next Dates:  Sept. 10-12, 2004 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Click for Expo Info: www.BlackBusinessExpo.com

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