How to Get More Blacks to Invest and Out of Consumer Debt

Kamau Austin, Publisher Kamau's Qu!ps

Recently I fielded a question that comes up often on social media debates on how to get Blacks to Invest More and Out of Consumer Debt. Another way to ask this question is how to get more Blacks to think like owners and producers and less like workers and consumers.

Usually in these conversations people start to go off on what I call social and emotional tangents. They start complaining about the lack of Black unity, community support of Black businesses, the high percentage of Black males in prison or single parent households, high crime, Obama isn't doing anything for Black people, lack of investment savvy and discipline, etc.

While this social commentary is useful and has it's merits in my opinion it is really a sidebar to the business issues at hand.  With over 35 years experience in business working for Fortune 1000 companies, Black businesses, and small nonblack businesses I have a bit different perspective.

In my experience all communities have their issues with under and unemployment, crime, distrust, and other social challenges. I could give you some outrageous stories from behind the scenes with Italian, Jewish, and other ethnic groups I've worked with as well. We all have our "ish."  However, I think the investment issues in our community hinges on visionary business solutions.

In regards to investing, I think Blacks who are functional and viable should lead by example. I feel more Blacks would move from the consumer mentality to the owner mentality if they had something they wanted to invest in.

Right now financial planners and advisers are asking Blacks to invest in Blue chip stocks and bonds etc. However many Blacks don't feel compelled to invest in a corporate America where they are presently last hired and the first fired. However, I'm a bit of a contrarian in this regard.

I think we could get more people to stop being consumers and getting into debt if we could develop independent investment platforms like our own stock exchanges, crowd funding sites, film and entertainment finance companies, and national microfinance organizations to help develop and fund Black businesses.

But we have to realize everybody won't be on board at first and it will be a hard sell. But if we can start on a smaller scale and show the larger Black community that discipline, hard work, business savvy, and investing in our own businesses is viable and achievable then we can get larger numbers of Blacks to do it. Even if conservative Blacks invested in "blue chip" stocks they could also consider investing apart of their porfolios in promising black business endeavors.

I will be writing and speaking more on this issue in the near future. So stay tuned.

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan

Kamau's Qu!ps reaches over 30,000 web users a month through it's Blog and Social Media Promotions. For Advertising Opportunities visit Search Engine Plan.com     

How to Overcome the Storms of Life

I am proud to feature the insights of one of the most uplifting women I've had the pleasure of meeting online in social media Bernice Dickey. Bernice is usually on Facebook sharing profound Spiritual perspectives and is obviously a women of tremendous faith in God.

Bernice has survived very painful tragedies in life.  Therefore I wanted to ask her how she suggests overcoming the tempestuous storms of life.

Bernice Dickey is the author of “My #1 is Still My #1.” This book of journal entries, letters to God, and memories chronicles the difficult journey she traveled to overcome the deaths of her parents and her husband and eldest daughter in two separate car accidents.  She is an  Author, Inspiring Keynote Speaker, and Believer in Triumph Over Tragedy.

Step-by-painful-step, Bernice has created a new and much different life of service and community contribution for herself and her daughter Miriam, who miraculously survived the burning crash that claimed the lives of her father and sister when she was just one-year-old.

Bernice’s mission is to share her own story as a means to coach others through their own painful process of grief recovery.  Based on the journey Bernice has traveled, she wants everyone to believe that a bright future is possible.

As a result of hearing Bernice’s story, audience members learn how to:

~ Get unstuck in the grieving process

~ Rise up and be resilient, knowing that what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger

~ Look forward to the rest of their lives with gratitude and belief that the best is still yet to come

She has invested 27 years as an Educator serving as a bilingual teacher, instructional specialist, an elementary school administrator and Adjunct Professor at Houston Community College. She is the Principal Consultant at BRIGHT Educational Resources, LLC. She also speaks, reads and writes fluently in Spanish.

Bernice Dickey holds both a B. A. in Spanish and a B.S. in Psychology from Tulane University in New Orleans. She also has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Houston Baptist University.

Her TOPICS of Discussion are:

1. How to Bounce Back From A Setback,

2. Raising Resilient Children

3. How Personal Crisis Affect Workers’ Productivity and... 

4. Why You Need to Make Sure Your House is in Financial Order.

I asked Bernice for a couple of her pointers on Overcoming Tragedies and other challenging storms in life.


Kamau: Bernice you've overcome considerable personal tradegy in life.  How do you deal with personal pain and tradegy?


Bernice: Here is my take on Overcoming Tragedy or the Storms of Life - Prepare for them!

1) Don't wait until you're in the storm to get ready for it! You have got to have a relationship with God WAY BEFORE THE STORM COMES! You can't wait until you're in the midst of it to develop the disciplines needed to be able to come through this type (double tragedy) of a storm! Remember Noah built the Ark long before the flood came, he worked on it for years to prepare for safe passage in and through the flood for him and his family. Preparation made the difference in their coming out of the flood ALIVE, not just going through it like the others who drowned in it!

2) If you as a friend or family member want to relate to what the bereaved are going through and want to know what you can say to them, you have to have empathy for them! Let me help you out with this, try to imagine for a moment the loss of your closest relationship to a person in your life. That's how they are feeling about their loss and loved one (if they really truly loved them) now think about what you would like to hear and say THAT to them!

Checkout the Book Trailer Below for
Bernice Dickey's Book "My #1 is Still My #1"

How to Contact Bernice Dickey

BOOKINGs: call 713-894-0233 for bookings

WEBSITE: www.BerniceBrightDickey.com

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan

Kamau's Qu!ps reaches over 30,000 web users a month through it's Blog and Social Media Promotions. For Advertising Opportunities visit Search Engine Plan.com

Make it Your Mission to Get an Education for Your Children

My Daughter Ameni doing her homework

Recently some people in social media have been complaining about the failure of the Atlanta school system. There also are a lot of parents upset  about a controversial article in the New York Times, that claimed active and involved Black parents did not have a positive affect on their children's academic endeavors. In fact the article I hear suggested they could actually hurt their children.

Some are looking to castigate and remove the head of the Atlanta school system.  Here's my thinking on the matter. I feel schools systems, administrators, and especially teachers want our children to learn but many may be overwhelmed.  Some may be overworked with large classrooms and some are underpaid. 

I don't know much about Atlanta's School System but I do feel it is a essentially a parent's responsibility to make sure their child gets an education and can compete academically.  If you see your child is failing or falling behind it's time to get the books out and go to work.

Our children have to compete with very driven children from Eastern Europe, Japan, China, India, Vietnam, and soon Africa. I realize we all pay a lot of money in taxes in part for public education. Therefore, we want educators held responsible.

Nevertheless, in my opinion we can't totally leave the success of our children up to the school system - any school system!  We have to supplement their education and make sure they can read on grade level and get training in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEMs) areas of study.

I can't stress this enough.  I've had to do this before and it was very challenging but it can be done.

They told me my child had all these learning deficiencies but with hard work and drills in math, spelling, and reading she made high honor roll placements.  I have a good friend who worked with his son to supplement his education and then got him placed in a top Northeast Private School on a full scholarship.

To be candid when I was in College I had a very high GPA, worked full time, and did a graduate school seminar program on the weekends for 2 years and was  given the Outstanding Student award by professors on graduation - all during the same time period. So I realize I value knowledge and can be very academically driven .So when educators said very bleak things about my daughter, who is on the autism spectrum,  and her ability to learn, speak, compute math and her questionable IQ I got busy.

I didn't listen to that crap and worked with her every day with math drills, reading, spelling, home work, and did reading challenges. I used some of the techniques I developed when I went to school and other disciplines.

Even when I was diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatments I still studied with her. There were days I thought I'd faint I was so weak. But we'd still do our studies together.

Then the miraculous happened.  My daughter started getting over 100 on every spelling test, then she started doing so well in math and science they started referring to her like she was a math and science machine, she at one point could converse in 4 languages including Mandarin Chinese, and started making the Principal's High Honors list.
She began to tell her teachers she no longer wanted an aide to help her with her school work "she'd do it by herself."

I noticed the education these children receive in these schools today is much more advanced than when I went to school. My daughter was getting pre-Algerbra and programming skills in Kindergarten and 1st grade. We didn't get these types of subjects until 7th or 8th grade.

I didn't feel like going back to school all over again to learn this stuff to help her.  But I made the sacrifice to help help her academically. If you can't read and your child can't read I believe it is time to break the circle. Go learn to read to help your child.

If you can't read well enough to help them - see if social services has people who can step in to help you. Perhaps moving to a better school district is another option you can consider. I would never expect a school system to do the whole job of educating a child by itself.

As a parent I feel that the reality of the situation is we have to take responsibility to educate our children. I mean we have the police and military to protect us too but you better believe you have to be your own line of defense, just in case you are attacked right?

I feel a similar way about education. Yes educators are paid to teach our children but we can't leave it all up to them.

If people are going to rely on educators to do the job by themselves we're in for a rude awakening. Educators can only do so much. What the Educators do in class has to be reinforced at home.

By the way I read that home schooled children in Black communities are out performing the children going to public schools.

The reason may be because in classrooms there could be 12 to 30 other children. So your child may fall through the cracks. Ultimately It is the parents job to make sure your child gets an adequate education to be able to be independent.  This is survival!

A parent should be able to supplement the child's education, and keep on top of the school system in reference to your child's progress. If your child is grades behind in reading and math it is time to get on the school's admins butt and also help put in the work yourself (or get a tutor) to help turn things around.

You don't wanna see your child fall grades behind and then blame the school system in my opinion. You would be the one to blame for not getting help or seeing what the problem is especially by going to parents teacher's night and stay on top of things!

You have to believe and work for the best academic performance for your children. My ex told me "I was too hard on her" but she did achieve outstanding results in school especially given her challenges.  It wasn't easy but it was doable. I'm not trying to brag but to encourage others.

In short I believe: when we expect more from our children they will achieve more. If our children are failing it is time to get to work!

The schools can only do so much.  And plus you know your child better than anyone else.

We have to be proactive agents, inspirational sojourners, and ultimately advocates for a quality education for our children. Maybe I'm naive but I believe: nothing is as powerful on our children's desire to learn than a parent who shows by their actions they value education.

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan

Kamau's Qu!ps reaches over 30,000 web users a month through it's Blog and Social Media Promotions. For Advertising Opportunities visit Search Engine Plan.com

The New Kamau's Qu!ps Blog Reaches Over 2,000 Page Views!

Thank You Peeps! My New Kamau's Qu!ps Blog has reached Over 2,000 Page Views! And it continues to grow in viewership every week.

On social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest Kamau Qu!ps is seen by over 30,000 viewers a month! Recently, I launched a Women's Heritage Month Series, which was well received and were more popular than articles I did on top celebrities.

This Shows me you want more profound article posts and not just celebrity hype. Way to GO peeps! I will be doing more programming to show case awesome women in the near future!

Also look out for my interviews in the future with some of the top movers and shakers in the business and entertainment world. You'd be surprised at some of the luminaries that I have lined up.

I want to thank the 1st four outstanding women who contributed to the Women's Heritage Month Series Cheryl Cofield, Cassandra James, Cassandra Mack and Earlene Williams Hancock. You ladies gave outstanding and inspiring insights! To see the outstanding pearls of wisdom these visionary and brilliant women had to share on building your personal and business career visit the Blog at: http://ow.ly/vbxh9

Thanks for ALL the Love. I wouldn't be making these viable changes and moves without you! Love Y'all Peeps!

Kamau's Qu!Ps "See Where Society & Business Clicks for Insightful Tips!" Go to: http://ow.ly/vbxh9

About Publisher Kamau Austin

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan

Kamau's Qu!ps reaches over 30,000 web users a month through it's Blog and Social Media Promotions. For Advertising Opportunities visit Search Engine Plan.com

Why Knowing Your Target Market is a BIG Plus+

One of my favorite Inspirational "Sisters of Social Media" is the dynamic and unrelenting Diane Williams, the owner of Curvy Goddess. Diane is a true entrepreneur who has had great success as a personal trainer and webpreneur helping to bring the health and fitness tips to the plus size women's market.

Diane is also a former top full figured model for a major modeling agency. These days she's marketing a line of fitness focused lifestyle products for the curvy or full figured woman. I asked Diane about how she became so successful in the full figured market.

Diane Williams: From building my business I have turned to mostly men entrepreneurs as role models and looked to them for advice in business. I am such a feeling-based entrepreneur that having a male objective perspective helped me but I quickly understood how women entrepreneurs have such a valuable asset just from being a woman.

I know it may sound stereotypical and a vast sweeping generalization that I am implying that women are emotional-based, but most are. Some aren't because I believe that they have perceived it as a liability in their careers and in their lives.

Early on in my career as a personal trainer I have been so moved with what I do and even other experiences in the work place that I would cry sometimes. I have been told from fellow colleagues that it is a sign of weakness. But I never really believed it. It's a sign of weakness maybe if your ideal customer is a CIA operative.

My market is plus size women and now showing transparency is a sign of strength in your business. I have wondered why that is. Could it be that more women are owning their own business and that many women are clients and customers, readily open, searching for solutions, and asking for help?

Knowing who you are and translating it to your business is one of the smartest things you can do. Your essence is your unique signature that none can duplicate. Checkout Diane's videos below or to visit the Curvy Goddess Site Click Here

Click Here to Get the Curvy Goddess Workout Videos

Finding the Beauty Within Video by Diane Williams Below...

Exercise for Weight Training

 About the Publisher of Kamau's Quip

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan

 

Kamau's Qu!ps reaches over 30,000 web users a month through it's Blog and Social Media Promotions. For Advertising Opportunities visit Search Engine Plan.com

How to Shift Gears in Your Career and Reach Success through Your New Mission in Life

Earlene Hancock is one of the most supportive persons I have had the honor of networking with in the world of social media. This "Inspiring Sister of Social Media" just oozes integrity and proactive advocacy.

She is a brilliant woman who knows just about everything you want to know about progressive politics. Whenever, I have a question on the political or social scene she is my go to read on the issues.

Ms. Hancock doesn't mince words or tolerate reactionary behavior. Whether she is weighing in on the positions of the President or Congress she brings sharp savvy political analysis to others on the social media networks.

Kamau: Hey Earlene How can women and people in general reach success through their divine purpose and professional goals?

Earlene Hancock: In April, I celebrate my 20th year in real estate. In 1994, I owned a Christian bookstore and gift shop, for which we were unable to obtain SBA funding. The reason given was that the SBA had to "maintain the separation between church and state".

I inquired if we had left out the word "Christian" and merely called it "Chapter & Verse Books & Gift Shoppe" would we have been approved? The response: "Oh, absolutely!"

After a 2 year struggle in trying to keep the business afloat, it became apparent that it was time for me to return to the workforce. I was looking for a management position (business development) and a friend was an executive assistant to the CEO of Ohio's largest real estate brokerage, at that time, encouraged me to come in and have lunch. Long story short, he made me an offer I could not refuse and I reluctantly entered the alien world of selling.

Reluctantly, because as many of you hold a certain perception about real estate agents, I had those same prejudices. Some fast-talking, wheeler-dealer was not who I was and 20 years later, I still am not. When I accepted the generous offer to join that brokerage, I made a vow that this would not just be a career, it would be a mission.

My mission was to make sure that all buyers and sellers, particularly African Americans, who had been systematically 'abused' in one way or another by the industry, would be treated with the highest regard and would be educated about the home buying and selling process, to the very best of my ability.  I was determined to be their advocate and I'm very pleased to say that those same goals are at the core of how I conduct my business today.

It is also very personally rewarding that I've garnered the respect of my fellow real estate agents, and have maintained an impeccable reputation for which I'm extremely proud. There have been numerous times where I've been involved in transactions with newer agents who, at the close of the sale, have expressed their sincere gratitude for my willingness to help them when they'd stumble.

Several have encouraged me to open my own shop and have said they would not hesitate to put their license with me ~ which is high praise and very humbling.  With the onset of the Housing Crisis of 2008, the past few years have been 'challenging' ~ nevertheless, my focus has remained constant: Put the client first, always. 
Conduct business in the highest ethical manner with unquestioned integrity. When that happens, success follows.

Thank you, Earlene Williams Hancock, Realtor Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Mayfield Village, Ohio
https://www.facebook.com/pages/EARLENE-HANCOCK-REALTOR/190058604340?ref=hl

Back to Kamau - This is a lesson ALL business people should take to heart.  "Put the client 1st - always and conduct business in the highest ethical manner with unquestioned integrity. When that happens, success follows." Great insights Earlene!

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan

Write a New Chapter in the 4th Quarter of Your Life

Cassandra Mack on Writing a New Chapter in Your Life

Today to celebrate Women's Heritage Month I wanted to Share the Insights of one of my favorite women to follow online - Cassandra Mack. I call her C'Mack and she is an "Inspirational Sister of Social Media" par excellence.

To those of us who follow her in social media we are both enlightened and entertained with her humor and insightful wit. I enjoy reading her savvy and sassy writings every day on Facebook and LinkedIn.  I've always felt she is a rare talent. Cassandra has a number of books available and is a prolific author.

Below is a very inspirational video for people who feel like life has just not worked out the way we planned. How many of us honestly feel this way?

Do you feel that you would have liked to be further along in life? Cassandra "goes in" on this subject in her unique and dynamic way.  You may feel you are in your 4th and last quarter in life but C'Mack reminds us "where there is life there is possibility."

According to Cassandra If you have your health you can make those 4th quarter changes. This video is about making those timely and urgent 4th Quarter Changes. Check it out...

My Interview with Cassandra Mack below...

Kamau: Cassandra How can women and people in general reach success through their divine purpose and personal goals?

Cassandra Mack: Here's how I see it: I believe that women can become successful through their divine purpose and personal goals by first having a vision for their lives and doing something each day, no matter how small that moves them in the direction of their purpose and vision.

I think it's also important to connect with positive people who are supportive of your dreams and vision.

Kamau: Cassandra can you tell us how you deal with social challenges and adversity like sexism, racism, lack of capital or getting good mentors?

Cassandra Mack: Speaking for myself, I can't say that I have overcome sexism or racism because these issues are still very present, but I look at these things in terms of reflecting on what women who have come before me have done to keep rising and reaching their goals no matter the obstacles.

So even when I am faced with obstacles, for me it's about moving around or above the obstacles by looking for other avenues. So if one door closes then another one will open, I just have to persist until another door opens.

Cassandra also writes
Powerful Books for Men 

As far as capital, I think that in this day and age you often have to raise your own, whether it's through a product or another service that you add to your business. C'Mack's advice to women is "don't let the fact that you are a woman stop you from fully pursuing your dreams."

And last but not least, believe in yourself, don't give up and network. To learn more about Cassandra's Strategies visit Cassandra Mack's website or to order her books Click Here for Strategies for Empowered Living

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan