National Black Chamber of Commerce
1350 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 405, Washington DC 20036

eBLAST January 17, 2006

Nicaragua Trade Mission March 26 – 30, 2006

14th Annual Convention July 19 – 22, 2006 – Marriott Century Center

South Africa Trade Mission August 2006

1. Baton Rouge – A Major US City: Once a sleepy capital city, 3rd largest in Louisiana, Baton Rouge has mushroomed into becoming the largest city in Louisiana and a major factor in the United States. Growth has been rapid for the last 10 years but it went to another level after Katrina struck. The metropolitan area is approaching a million people and the current infrastructure (water, power, highways) is in need of a serious upgrading. Economic growth in Baton Rouge is going to be enormous and that is a great opportunity for the small businesses based there. We are very proud of the Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce headed by Eric Lewis. This young NBCC affiliate has quickly become the leadership base for Black entrepreneurship in this thriving community. It is working with Southern University in reviving our student NBCC chapter on the Jaguar campus. Also, Southern is introducing an MBA program which the BRBCC and the NBCC will be quite involved. Baton Rouge Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden is a dynamic leader. He is the right person at the right time. The procurement process is being re-invented for the sake of better business and inclusion. We look forward to working with the Mayor in meeting the new challenges ahead. The official “kick off” dinner for the BRBCC will be April 21, 2006 with Mayor Holden being the Keynote Speaker. NBCC President/CEO will also be attending. Those wanting more information on the up and coming Baton Rouge Black Chamber please contact info@brblackchamber.org.

2. The New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.: Our chapter in New Orleans is in fine form thanks to the efforts of Wynton Marsalis and Arnold Baker. The NBCC will be hosting a Board Meeting in New Orleans in mid-March. Guests are welcomed and there will be a tour of the 9th ward and other devastated neighborhoods left by Hurricane Katrina. Officials from the Army Corps of Engineers, HUD and other federal agencies will be invited. We are actively participating via the NORBCC’s theme “Together Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow”. Those interested in attending the Board Meeting in New Orleans should contact halford@nationalbcc.org.

3. Two Big Problems – Winning a Contract and Getting Paid: The very first Gulf Rebuilding project by one of our members occurred almost immediately. You all witnessed the huge bags of sand being dropped into the levee breach. That sand was confiscated from Baker Ready Mix owned by NORBCC President Arnold Baker. It amounted to $597,000. Here we are on January 17, 2006 and Arnold has yet to be paid for his sand. From the first project to all the projects following our members have not been paid for their work. 200K, 300k, 600k, etc., the federal government has not organized a system for payment on contracts dealing with the Gulf rebuilding. From our meeting with Shaw Engineering we discovered that the major corporations have yet to be paid also. Caution!!! As we start shaking loose some of these rebuilding contracts be very aware that your payment dates are unknown and it is a problem yet to be solved. FEMA is as unorganized today as it was on the day Katrina came to town.

4. Opportunity in Tanzania: “I need a consultant in the field of solar energy/technology to work together with myself and others on a project in Tanzania. We need someone who can propose a design for a commercial development”. Interested and qualified parties should contact Belinda Sheppard at bjshepp@hotmail.com or 202-421-6645.

5. Nicaragua Trade Mission: Thanks for your strong response concerning the possibility of a trade mission to Nicaragua. The dates are March 26 – 30, 2006. The agenda is being formed as we speak. For more information contact kdebow@nationalbcc.org.

6. Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry: This viable organization has recently and unanimously elected NBCC President/CEO Harry C. Alford to its Board of Directors. This will generate enormous exposure to identify more opportunities for entrepreneurs based in both the US and Ghana and should enhance partnerships and joint ventures. Mr. Alford is determined to participate at all Board meetings and become active in committee work.

7. Capital for our Churches: The NBCC is working with an entity that will offer loans to Black churches that cannot get traditional lending from their local banks. Agents for churches seeking financing for any progressive project should contact halford@nationalbcc.org for more details.

To the 100,000+ business owners who read this eBLAST, we are;

THE NATIONAL BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC.