Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 16 May 1996 — Page 14

The Muncie Times, May 16,1996, Page 14 Muncie Black Expo holds annual luncheon

by Judy Mays About 300people who attended Muncie Blade Expo’s third annual corporate luncheon, held recently at the Horizon Convention Center, heard keynote speaker Jesse L. Moore, Jr. executive director of the Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce, declare that networking and building relationships were the keys to business success. “You remember how it was when you were going after that man or womaa You’d asked a friend all the questions you needed to know about that persoa When you were finally introduced, you had all the information and you made a good impression “Address relationships with corporations with the same enthusiasm you have in going after a man or a woman,” he said. “In business, the bottom line is profitability.” According to Moore, there are three areas that ensure a successful future: “The first is data collection - gathering informalioa” said Moore. The other areas are educating of the consumer and black youth, and helping black businesses to

understand the importance of Administration’s SAProgram have relationships. a tow survival rate within 5 years “Beaboutbusiness,doyourjob,” after being out of the program.” said Moore, “because black The program essentially has a businesses have to work harder to business under contract for 8 years, compete. In that period, the SBA goes after “In some cases, affirmative contracts and tads for the company, action gave us an advantage in areas Moore said that less than 4 percent like education and in job creation, of the businesses survive afterwards, but the area of developing jobs, Moore said that the year-old developing businesses, I’ve got Black Chamber of Commerce lodes sane concerns. out for its members’ interests. “Statistics show that businesses ‘ ‘When legislation is debated, we engaged with the Small Business need a strong voice to know the

impact it will have on black white brothers and sisters” Moore businesses.” had this to say, “Be open minded, it The Black Chamber of may just be good for you and your Commerce is an outgrowth of what company. If you see that a minority was previously known as the business can strengthen its Hoosier Minority Chamber of presentation, pass it oa Commerce. “When talking to your “Ourproblems arenotsocial.but compadres, try to be as positive as ecmomical,” said Moore. “We have you can towards African Americans the solution and are giving it away, and other minorities.” “In Indianapolis, there are Moore ended with a quote from approximately4,000businesses but former President Theodore the best listing I’ve seen is around Roosevelt: “It’s not the critic who 1,200. Information is power. As counts... the credit belongs to the consumers we spend or create a man who is actually in the arena...

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revenue of $450 billion annually, making blacks 12th in the world in trade, yet only 3 percent of that is spend with blade businesses,” said Moore. “I realize that while being the cornerstone of the community, the black church is the biggest business in the black community. There is a tremendous cash flow. “I’ve got some problems with some of our preachers. They don’t realize that they are helping businesses to go out of business by not turning that cash flow over into the community.” Moore added that he has developed a program for churches to help keep black businesses in the spotlight. T’m asking churches to sign on and assume two responsibilities: receive information from the Chamber, arid pass the information on to different auxiliaries. “I’m putting together a directory. First we want to do business with those within the church and within the church program, then the larger black community and then we can do business with others,” said Moore. “We must become creative and stronger. Then we can hire our kids. “When we make that sector stronger, we make our community stronger.” In addressing what he called “our

never be with those timid souls who know neither victory or defeat’ ’ During a special presentation, Carl Kizer, Jr., was named Businessmanof the Year. Kizeris the owner of Kizer’s Carpet Care, and is president of the Muncie Community School Board. Judge Barbara Gasper-Hines received the Community Service Award. She has served on over 40 organizations. Two years ago she used her own money to launch a Muncie Black Expo scholarship fund. This year’s $500scholarship was awarded by Hines to Central High School senior Estelle Lumpkin, who plans to attend Central State University to study elementary education and child psychology. In her closing remarks, Muncie Black Expo president Muriel Weeden said, “There are enough people in this roan today to change the course of history. It simply takes each one of us to detemaine this world is worth saving, our youth are worth saving. “We can come together regardless of color, creed or class.” Indiana Black Expo officials Artricia Brown, regional vice chair and secretary oftheboardofdirectors and Helen Haynes, director of membership and chapter development also attended the luncheon.