BUSINESS - 2
SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
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September 1, 2005
Black Business Helps Ex-Cons
A CLEAN SLATE FOR EX-CONS
By Jonathan Tilove
Newhouse News Service
If Sunni A. Salahuddin is not around when you call (973) 676-1404 in New Jersey, his voice mailbox instructs you to leave not just your name and number, but your "date of arrest or conviction." That's the kind of information Salahuddin needs, so he can make it go away.
Clear Your Record! That's the name of Salahuddin's business.
Salahuddin calls himself an "expungement technician." For a few hundred dollars, a fraction of what a lawyer would charge, the paralegal helps people scrub their records clean of arrests or convictions - blots that can mark them for life, foreclosing opportunities to rise above their misdeeds.
Salahuddin, an African American, represents the vanguard of a nationwide movement to contend with a crisis: With unprecedented numbers of African-Americans carrying some kind of criminal record, and employers ever more vigilant about checking backgrounds in the post-9/11 era, black communities are filled with people living in a kind of legal limbo, even after paying their debt to society. Depending on the crime and circumstances, they may be denied jobs, public housing, welfare benefits, student loans or the right to vote.
Black elected officials are increasingly exploring expungement opportunities in Ohio, Illinois and California, as well as on the federal level. Thousands of people have brought copies of their criminal records to "expungement summits" staffed by volunteer lawyers at schools and churches in Mississippi, Chicago and Oakland, Calif. The San Francisco public defender's office has a full-time lawyer doing nothing but expungements.
U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis of Chicago, whose district includes areas where 70 percent of black men aged 18 to 45 have a criminal record, began the summits a few years ago. When he arrived at the first, he recalls, "I'm thinking to myself, `Somebody must be giving out food baskets here.' There were 700 to 800 people." Subsequent events have drawn more than 3,000 each.
Earlier this year, the Rev. Mark C. Olds, who once served time for bank robbery and manslaughter, launched the National Restoration Movement USA in Cleveland, holding expungement forums there and in other Ohio cities. Olds hopes to take the movement to 150 cities nationwide, beginning with Birmingham, Ala., Lafayette, La., and Wichita, Kan.
The idea of expungement, though, has yet to catch on with the broader public; many people, it seems, would rather be safe than sorry.
"It's just a fraud to suggest that America is the land of second chances, because clearly it is not," says Margaret Colgate Love. Love, a former pardon attorney for the United States, just completed the first study to look state by state at the legal options available to ex-offenders seeking relief from the collateral consequences of criminal convictions.
What Love discovered was a motley, ungainly collection of provisions that defy clear understanding. While many states have some sort of expungement provision, quite a few have been scaled back since the 1970s and most apply only to first offenses or misdemeanors.
Love finds expungement problematic - first because it is based on "rewriting history" and second because it assumes that in this day and age information can truly be erased.
"On the other hand, we don't seem to be able to persuade people that they should not freak out when they see that someone has an old conviction," she says. "We need a national dialogue on how we're going to neutralize a criminal record so it is not toxic."
In the meantime, there is expungement.
"Everybody deserves a second chance," says Salahuddin. He works from his home, a vestige of East Orange's now faded glory 18 rooms, four fireplaces. His sister, Frances Patterson, bought it 30 years ago and lives there as well. It is alive with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Salahuddin advertises with fliers he leaves at neighborhood check-cashing stores, beauty parlors, nail salons, the Crown Fried Chicken around the corner and local mosques. The flier features a drawing of a plaintive man in prison stripes, a ball and chain around his ankle.
Wornie Reed, former director of the Urban Child Research Center at Cleveland State University, grew up during segregation near Mobile, Ala. He says the situation is actually worse now across the nation than it was then in the South.
"An African-American male in Ohio today stands several times more likely to go to prison than a black male in the South in 1920, and the crime rate is not that much higher," says Reed, now at the University of Tennessee.
At current rates, according to the Sentencing Project, which studies alternatives to incarceration, "one of every three black males born today can expect to be imprisoned at some point in his lifetime." Many more will have an arrest record, which itself can cause indelible damage.
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a bad situation got much worse. Now, Love notes, federal law mandates background checks and disqualifies anyone with a criminal record from many jobs in education, health care, child and elder care, financial services and transportation.
"To get a barbering license, a license to be a cosmetologist, a license to be a plumber or electrician in this state, you can't have a criminal record," says U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who plans to hold expungement summits in each of his district's 23 counties.
In New Jersey, you have to wait five years after completing a prison sentence to expunge a misdemeanor and 10 years to expunge a first felony. Once the record is expunged, you can legally answer "no" when asked if you have been convicted of a crime. But Love says that is not the case in every state with an expungement law. "And in most cases," she adds, "law enforcement still can access the real record."
Salahuddin, 57, says he came of age at a time when you couldn't get close to a good-looking black woman without first answering the question: "What are you doing for the (black) Nation, brother?"
In 1994, he started taking the law classes that have enabled him to provide an answer.
"The Black Nation is not healing right now," he says. Expungement, he believes, heals.
He charges a flat fee of $350, unless the record is complicated by multiple jurisdictions, to guide clients through petitioning the court in the county where the crime was committed for an expungement.
Salahuddin was 13, growing up in Newark, when he and his friends came upon an abandoned Breyer's ice cream factory with "windows that just looked delicious to break." Next thing it was "jiggers, the cops."
Salahuddin was the one who didn't get away. "It was like I was public enemy number one. They gave me a record," he says.
When he was arrested in his early 20s for being drunk and disorderly on a Newark bus, his juvenile record popped up. "It's like a shadow that's always on you," he says.
Jonathan Tilove writes about race and immigration for Newhouse News Service.
September 27, 2005
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA ENTREPRENEURS DEBUT LINE OF EXQUISITE DRESS WATCHES AT WORLD MUSIC AWARDS
-- YoungBlood Timepieces, Inc. --
Carmen Electra, Patti LaBelle, Carlos Santana, Paula Abdul, Nick Lachey, Antonio Sabato, Jr., Alanis Morisette, and Amerie were among the many recipients of Youngblood timepieces.
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 Morgan Robinson, YB marketing director (right) presents YB Timepiece to Patti Labelle |
Oakland, CA (BlackNews.com) - Stylish, elegant and superbly unique are how Paul Youngblood and Patrick Martin describe Youngblood Timepieces, the line of exquisite dress watches they recently introduced at the 2005 World Music Awards (WMA).
World Music Awards:
The glitzy WMA aired on ABC stations on September 13th. Held at the prestigious Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, the World Music Awards was a prime setting for Youngblood Timepieces to make its public debut ¯ among the stars ¯ the music industry's superstars! Youngblood Timepieces, Inc. was among the few esteemed companies to have been invited to have their respective products included among gift giveaways for celebrity attendees.
Carmen Electra, Patti LaBelle, Carlos Santana, Paula Abdul, Nick Lachey, Antonio Sabato, Jr., Alanis Morisette, and Amerie were among the many recipients of Youngblood timepieces. Legendary pop and R&B songstress Patti Labelle was quite impressed with the look and apparent quality of the handsome timepieces.
Baron Davis Foundation:
Golden State Warriors All-Star guard Baron Davis is assisting relief efforts by contributing $50,000 from the Baron Davis Foundation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
On Tuesday, September 27, 2005, the Foundation will host its official launch party at a popular San Francisco hotspot. Proceeds derived from the private affair will benefit the Red Cross Disaster Relief effort. Youngblood Timepieces is contributing to the effort by donating 40 watches for the event's VIP gift bags.
Davis established the Foundation to maintain and/or aid educational, social and charitable activities serving the common welfare and help improve quality of life for underprivileged and at-risk youth in the New Orleans, San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles metropolitan communities.
Elevate Hope Foundation:
Youngblood Timepieces, Inc. will sponsor Sheila E's Elevate Hope Foundation's February 24, 2006 black-tie fundraising gala that will benefit the MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund. Youngblood Timepieces will contribute 51 watches ¯ 50 to be included in VIP gift bags and one autographed by the evening's emcee, the stunning award-winning actress Angela Basset, for inclusion among the exceptional auction items. Titled "Circle of Passion, An Evening with Lloyd Klein Couture," the event will incorporate dinner, a concert, a silent auction, and a fashion show featuring elegant fashions from New York designer Lloyd Klein's Spring 2005 collection.
Exquisite Youngblood Timepieces may be purchased now at Park Jewelers, 1401½ Park Street, Alameda, California and online at www.ybtimepieces.com. The company will formally launch its full line of timepieces for men and women in February 2006.
ABOUT YOUNGBLOOD TIMEPIECES, INC:
For several years, Paul Youngblood dreamed of creating watches that combined style, elegance and uniqueness. Having shared his dream with a friend, he was inspired to team with fellow founder Patrick Martin to produce a brand of unforgettable timepieces. The two young men coalesced to bring about a revolution in business and style.
ABOUT THE WORLD MUSIC AWARDS:
The World Music Awards are presented to the world's top selling recording artists in the various music categories and to the best-selling recording artists of the year from each of the major record-buying countries. The awards are unique in that the winners are selected purely on record sales; hence it is the music fans who determine the winners. www.worldmusicawards.com
October 2, 2005
Black Firm - Toyota Hip-Hop Radio Ads
BURRELL CREATES TOYOTA MUSIC RADIO SPOTS
Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com) - In the first of a series of new radio spots created for Toyota and featuring conscientious/alternative hip-hop and neo soul artists, Grammy nominee Cee-Lo Green "represents" on behalf of the Corolla S. The self-proclaimed soul machine Cee-Lo believes music should "enlighten, entertain, educate and elevate."
The spot, "Shotgun," tells a first person story of the artist cruising "in my Toyota Corolla; so fresh." The lyrics, authored by the artist, are a soulful Cee-Lo tune describing how he "hit the mall, saw a movie" and watched his "girl walk down the runway" all in one day. It is one of two Corolla S spots written and performed by Cee-Lo and produced by Burrell, one of the nation's leading African-American-owned full-service communications agencies.
Cee-Lo, who describes his music as raw black soul, not "throw-back" soul, is one of several artists in the soul and conscientious hip-hop genre working with Burrell to produce radio spots for a number of Toyota models, including the Corolla S, Matrix and Solara.
"Our strategy is based on research that shows that with our youth target, music is a soundtrack for life. To reach consumers, we have to identify lifestyle connections with them and create 360-degree advertising that lives in their hearts," said Teri Hill, Toyota's car advertising manager. "These celebrity/music driven spots use artists who are respected by the target audience, setting the foundation for establishing Toyota's knowledge and admiration of music. Because the spots are similar to the music you hear on the radio, the advertising has more impact, helping to increase awareness of the Toyota model they promote," Hill added.
The campaign, which began this month with the Cee-Lo spots, will run nationwide on Hip-Hop and R&B-format radio stations through the end of the year. Toyota is working to complement the spots through sponsorships and other alliances.
"Linking brands with music artists has almost become cliché, said Burrell Account Director Bryan Mattox. "It only works when the ad campaign is quantitatively and qualitatively research-based and, as a result, done correctly from a cultural perspective. In this case, we have lyrics written and performed by artists who represent authenticity in their music space. That kind of credibility gives the spots substance that will connect a youthful, conscientious target to Toyota's Moving Forward message."
Cee-Lo said the partnership between Toyota and music makes sense. "Toyota is almost like a friend of the family. We had a Camry when I was growing up. It's attainable; it's affordable and stylish. You can't beat it for the price."
In "Mesmerized," the second Burrell-produced Corolla S spot, Cee-Lo continues his hip hop tale, with the artist "cruisin' 'round the city, " impressing a young woman who tells him she likes his car and ultimately gives him her phone number.
Bryan Mattox headed the Burrell account team that produced the spots. The agency's creative and production team included Kevin Johnson, creative director; Aubrey Walker, writer; Colin Costello, group creative director; and Mike Willis, art director. Additional credits go to Teri Hill of Toyota; Ella Britton, Burrell's Toyota account vice president /director and Steve Conner, the agency's chief creative officer.
Burrell is a full-service marketing communications company with offices in Chicago and Atlanta. In business for more than 30 years, Burrell is a leader in understanding and motivating consumer behavior in the African- American and Yurban® markets. In addition to Toyota, the agency's client roster includes P&G, McDonald's, BACARDI, General Mills, Verizon, Sears, Marriott, and others. For more information, visit www.burrell.com
October 3, 2005
Black Firms Seek Contracts After Katrina; 'The Apprentice' is Back
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BLACK ENTERPRISE Financial Empowerment SeriesOctober 3, 2005
Black Internet Bank Raises Capital
FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN INTERNET BANK CONTINUES GRASS-ROOTS CAPITAL RAISING CAMPAIGN
BankBlackwell extends stock offering to raise up to $17.5 million.
Boston, MA (BlackNews.com) - BankBlackwell (in organization), the first- ever African-American Internet Bank, has extended the completion date for its public stock offering to February 23, 2006. BankBlackwell is offering up to 1,664,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $10.00 per share. The Bank is offering its common shares directly to individuals and institutional investors.
BankBlackwell is pursuing a national grass-roots capital raising campaign that seeks to place Bank ownership in the hands of the community it serves. The campaign began in late August upon approval of the Banks application for federal deposit insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. BankBlackwell's strategy, like its mission, differs from traditional capital raising strategies employed by majority banks. BankBlackwell is dedicated to creating wealth in the African-American community and is seeking investors who live in and support our community. This approach may take longer than the approach of some recently capitalized brick-and-mortar banks, but is designed to yield a capital structure that is in the long-term best interest of the Bank and the African- American community.
BankBlackwell's national, grass-roots, capital raising campaign seeks to reach a much larger and more dispersed investor base (US Census estimates African-American population to be 37 million). In recent weeks, BankBlackwell has completed investment seminars in Atlanta, Boston and Cleveland. Other seminars are scheduled in Augusta, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles and other major metropolitan areas, nationwide. The Bank is also focusing on community-minded institutional investors. For information on the Banks investor seminars or to arrange to host an investor seminar, please contact BankBlackwell at 877-226-5229 or visit www.bankblackwell.com
BankBlackwell intends to operate as a savings bank focused on offering selected financial services over the Internet to African-American individuals and churches and to all customers who seek value and convenience. BankBlackwell has received approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision to organize a federal savings bank and from the FDIC for federal deposit insurance.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale, of the common stock in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The offering of common stock is made only by means of an Offering Circular.
For copies of the Offering Circular, subscription documents or other information on the Offering, please contact:
James R. Mundy
President and Chief Executive Officer
BankBlackwell (In Organization)
580 Harrison Avenue, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02118
Telephone: (877) 226-5229
Facsimile: (617) 275-7201
www.bankblackwell.com
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