“There are killer travel deals lurking on the Internet’s virtual back alleys,” says travel expert Elaine Lee, editor of online travel resource guide Ugogurl.com and author of Go Girl: The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and Adventure.

The Internet is exactly where Ruth Robinson, associate curator of the California African American Museum, turned when arranging a vacation to Las Vegas for her family. “I booked everything on the Internet. There were all kinds of Web-only deals,” she says.

According to Lee, if you know where to look, you can find affordable online deals. “Discount airfares, cruises and vacation packages are available at sites like Lastminutetravel.com, Travelzoo.com,” she says. Also, check out online travel newsletters to stay abreast of travel trends and upcoming promotions. “Free online independent weekly newsletters like Smartertravel.com and Budgettravel.com also feature cheap travel specials,” Lee says. “Sign up with Farecompare.com and get email notices of reduced fares to desired destinations.”

In addition to the online travel sites offering deals, many hotels and airlines have slashed prices. “It seems that everywhere is on sale,” says Margie Jordan, president of Jacksonville, FL-based Jordan Executive Travel. And due to a slowdown in business travel and conventions, hotels have cut room rates–even in usually expensive cities such as New York and San Francisco.

Cities are also offering special promotions in hopes of luring tourists. In fact, certain destinations are cheaper this summer, especially warm-weather locales such as Miami, Arizona, and the Caribbean.

“While not normally considered a family destination, Las Vegas is currently very inexpensive and the strip hotels are offering some fabulous weekday rates,” says Jordan. That’s one reason Robinson selected Vegas. “Just walking around Las Vegas is fascinating. There is much entertainment for free, from the real circus at the hotel Circus, Circus to the pirate battles at Treasure Island to Siegfried & Roy’s White Tiger Habitat, and the Fremont Street Experience.  Also, there are many great buffets where I can feed three people for around $20,” says Robinson.

As far as the Caribbean, “destinations there are offering excellent deals; particularly luxury resorts,” says Trica Jean-Baptiste, founder of NY-based Trica Jean-Baptiste Communications, a public relations firm specializing in travel and tourism. “Dominican Republic has the best hotel and air deals [for summer travel].”

European Vacation Deals

Bargains can be found in Europe as well.  ”A lot of people are surprised when I tell them Europe has great deals now,” notes Lazette Jones-Carswell, Georgia-based owner of King Davids Travel. “There are discounts for airfares and hotels all over Europe.” Lee agrees, “The dollar is actually stronger against the euro and Pound than it has been in years.” Meaning you’ll get more bang for your buck, especially in countries where the dollar is strong. Among such destinations consider: Argentina, Bali, Costa Rica, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Vietnam, Japan, China, Thailand, South Africa.

If you travel with a group you can really land a great deal. And don’t be afraid to bargain for any number of rooms you book. “Call the hotels directly and ask for ‘Best Available Rate’ or BAR,” says  Jean-Baptiste. If you want to book online, “Go directly to property sites as opposed to Expedia, Hotels.com, etc. for package deals.  Another great option is DealBase.com, where hotels directly post their best available offers and the site calculates a cost-savings percentage.”

There are other ways to cut costs with your hotel selection. “When traveling with family stay at hotels where kids stay free and/or include breakfast,” Jordan says. “Consider staying in a hotel that offers a kitchenette giving you the option of cooking instead of eating out every night. If your hotel room doesn’t have a kitchenette, ask for a small refrigerator in your room.”

There’s even a way get free accommodations. Do a home swap instead of staying in a hotel. With home swaps, you literally swap homes with another traveler based in your desired destination. You can find homes within the U.S. and internationally. In most cases you will have to join a home exchange organization (for a fee averaging about $100 annually) to receive a listing of available homes and to have your own home listed.

Before swapping, do some research.  “Work with a reputable firm. Understand what risks are involved and who is responsible for missing or broken items. Ask for references from families who have used the company,” Jordan says.  Among the most popular home swapping organizations are: CHECtravel, INTERVac, HomeLink, and Homeaway.com. Also consider a hospitality exchange in which someone hosts you in their home, and in return, you host them in yours later.

“These exchanges are usually free. For small fees ($25-$100) you can join networks to locate prospective swappers. Other networks like Couchsurfing.com are free of charge,” says Lee. According to her, you can even trade your talent for a free vacation. “There are agencies, such as Toseawithz.com, that book lecturers and presenters for cruise lines,” she explains. “You can also contact the cruise line directly and offer your services in exchange for a free trip.”

Summer on the Sea

Speaking of cruises, this summer many lines charging up to 40 percent less this year than last. Visit websites such as Cruisecritic.com, Cruisemaven.com or Cruise.com for deals.  “For an unconventional boating vacation, consider working as a crew member on a yacht in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Mexico and other exotic locales. Or take a cargo/freight ship to your destination,” says Lee. Check out  Crewseekers.net and Freighterworld.com.

When arranging your trip, consider traveling during the slow seasons–spring and fall. Or during the summer, August offers the most deals. When booking online, says Lee, “the best times to shop online for travel bargains are midweek days after midnight.”

Even with a tight budget, you can still have a great vacation. “Many don’t believe they can afford to take a vacation this year,” says Jones-Carswell. “But with planning and putting yourself on a budget, you can get away.”

But most didn’t realize the behind-the-scenes struggles the two have endured in the 15 years since founding Noelle-Elaine Media.  The pair have put together a book that uncovers the truth about starting, running, and expanding a business in You Buy the Peanut Butter, I’ll Get the Bread: The Absolutely True Adventures of Best Friends in Business. (Excerpt here)

You Buy the Peanut Butter doesn’t just tell the success story of Hill and Warren. It also serves as a personalized business guide that reveals the professional and personal hardships the two have gone through — from IRS troubles to balancing marriage and career to surviving on peanut butter sandwiches when the company hit lean times.

Because You Buy the Peanut Butter tells the back story, the book connects with almost anyone in business, particularly women. Typically business books either focus on the success of a company or are pure entrepreneurial how-tos. But You Buy the Peanut Butter takes it a step further by offering real-life stories as examples of what to do and what not to do in business.

BlackEnterprise.com: Why did you decide to personalize the book?

Kristen Poe Hill: We wanted to tell the real story. There were times we would be hosting red carpet events while struggling to find clients. Or we’d be on the road rushing to find a bank to deposit money into our corporate account so we could make payroll. We didn’t just want to show ourselves [in the book] as two strong, successful business women. We wanted to get the point across that if we could go through all the ups and downs and still be able to survive and thrive, then you can too.

Renee E. Warren: Readers will be able to relate to our story as well as learn lessons from our mistakes.

What was the toughest lesson?

Hill: I think it was when we learned we owed a substantial amount of money to the IRS because our accountant had not been paying payroll taxes for a number of years. We found this out when Renee went to buy a house and had a financial check done.

Warren: We had been using the same accountant for years and had become too comfortable with having someone else that care of those matters, even though we had some suspicions. He wouldn’t answer basic questions such as how much money we were bringing in, but we trusted this person. And this came in our 11th year, when we figured we had most of the bugs worked out.

Kirsten Poe Hill (left) and Renee E. Warren (Source: Regina Fleming Photography)

How did you get back on track?

Hill: First, we worked out a plan with the IRS. Then Renee and I sat down to figure out how we get new clients. We met with our employees to tell them they needed to be more self-sufficient, as Renee and I would be focused on bringing in more clients. And we got two new accountants, one for myself and one for Renee. This has worked out great because we have a system of checks now in place.

What was the business lesson learned?

Warren: That you should always double check a job someone’s doing for you — even if you trust that person. Make sure any questions you have are fully answered.

There was another story in the book about how the company became too dependent on one client.

Warren: This was a lesson we learned early on. We had gotten caught up in the project, the money was rolling in, and we didn’t reach out like we should have to expand our client base. So when we lost this client, it really affected our bottom line.

What was the lesson there?

Hill: Not to become dependent on one stream of revenue for our business. If you lose that client or that client goes out of business, you’re stuck. Use your Rolodex to find leads on potential clients.

In today’s economic climate, many more friends may decide to merge their businesses if they are in the same field. What would be your advice?

Warren: Make sure you both are in it for the long haul. Kristin and I both enjoy what we do and have a strong belief in our business model.

Hill: To make sure you are compatible as business partners, and have the same goals. Not all friends can work together. Also, figure out what each person is bringing to the deal — who’s good at what. Renee and I, though we were raised differently, have similar lifestyles and agree on our goals.

View an excerpt of You Buy the Peanut Butter, I’ll Get the Bread: The Absolutely True Adventures of Best Friends in Business here.

But moonlighting can be taxing — both mentally and physically. And juggling the extra work load could put your career at risk. So before looking in the want-ads, be sure to be prepared.

First, read your employee handbook and check with your employer. Some companies frown upon moonlighting, especially if the part-time position is for a competitor or in the same industry.

To secure for part-time work, “network with colleagues through professional and trade associations,” says certified career and workforce development consultant Anita Davis-DeFoe, president of the Afia Planning and Development Corp.

Tawana CB Wood, owner of resume-writing firm TCB Solutions, a resume-writing firm, agrees.

“Most employers prefer to hire someone through a referral, especially now, when employers are seeing ten times more resumes and applications than they did in the past,” adds Wood, who also suggests using online job searches. “Harness the power of the Internet, and definitely let your (social) networks know you are looking for a part-time opportunity.”

Experts say you should never to job hunt while you are at work. “You do not want to jeopardize your primary source of income for extra cash,” says Wood.  Look for a second job near your current place of employment to among increased commuting time.

If your industry is tightening its belt or your employer forbids part-time work in your present field, use a part-time job opportunity to learn about a new industry. This will also make you more valuable in today’s competitive marketplace.

Do some research on various industries to see which are growing. Also, check out companies who have slashed their workforce. They may be hiring part timers or outside consultants.

“Full-time professionals should conduct ongoing environment scanning, mentally evaluating the state of the organization development the field to expertise. Look to deficiencies gaps in problematic, tactual, or operational capacities. These  gaps can offer potential moonlighting or entrepreneurial opportunities,” says Davis-DeFoe.

“Many companies are looking to outsource functions such as accounting, administrative assistance, research, website design, medical billing, etc.,” Wood says.  A great source to find consulting jobs is Elance.com.

Once you’ve found the perfect second job, organize, organize, organize. Leave a two-hour span between jobs, if possible, just in case you have to work late at your full-time job. ” Time management will be critical as you seek to manage multiple deadlines in addition to family, church or other commitments,” says Davis-DeFoe.  Don’t overcommit or overschedule.

Schedule personal time for yourself, even if it’s just one night a week, and be sure to continue your fitness regime, experts say. The added stress combined with less sleep could lead to an unhealthy body. Make room for family and friends so not to neglect important relationships. Make sure you’re off at least one night and one full day each week.

Always keep your full-time job a priority. “Do not miss deadlines at work and definitely do not conduct tasks associated with your second job on your day job,” warns Davis-DeFoe.

Figure out what will your tax liability will become. Having a second job that pushes you into a higher tax bracket may not be worth your time. Make sure too that your second employer is withholding enough in federal taxes each week.

Consider holding your part-time gig for a limited period. “Moonlighting is an excellent way to learn new skills, obtain experience in a new industry, or achieve a financial goal and the second job is worked for a short time,” says Davis. Set earnings goal to use your extra cash for something such as paying off a credit card debt or establishing a savings. Extended moonlighting tends to cause personal, physical and career stress as managing these multiple demands is challenging,” says Davis-DeFoe says. Know when it’s time to cash that last second paycheck and quit.

WEB RESOURCES

On-ramps.com

Flexibleresources.com

Flexworkconnection.com

Elance.com.

But going into business with a friend can be a risky endeavor. “There is a risk of meshing the business with friends, as now a dispute or difference of opinion not only affects the business relationship, it affects the friendship,” says business consultant Michael D. Brown, author of Fresh Customer Service (Acanthus Publishing; 2008) and CEO of the Michael D. Brown Co. “If not handled properly you can diminish and/or loose both the friendship and the business.”

But there are steps to take to help friends become friendpreneurs.

Agree on a vision for the partnership. Having a shared vision was the key to the successful partnership between high school friends Candace Sandy and Dawn Marie Daniels. Both entered the publishing field and at one point worked together at Simon & Schuster. Daniels and Sandy had a vision of creating self-help books for African American women. So, they authored one together, Souls of My Sisters: Black Women Break Their Silence, Tell Their Stories and Heal Their Spirits (Kensington Publishing; 2000). Realizing they found a unique niche, they formed Souls of My Sisters Inc. and have produced self-help workshops, published several follow-up books, created an online resource, and inked a publishing imprint deal with Kensington under which they publish self-help and inspirational books by other authors. “What is wonderful about this partnership is that two women can pool together their resources and have an opportunity to provide a service or a product to fill a niche and with the right strategy, hard work, and determination can become the American dream,” notes Sandy, who is also the communications director for Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY).

Define business roles. “Discuss each person’s strengths and weakness and map out who will do what within the company,” says New York-based business consultant Byron W. Perry, founder of entrepreneurial workshops Kids Inc. When Kristen Poe Hill and Renee E. Warren formed Noelle-Elaine Media, Hill says it was important that their work styles were similar. In business since 1993, the event management, media relations, and production firm counts such powerhouse companies as Black Enterprise, Ariel Mutual Funds, BET, and L’Oreal as its clients. To stay on the same page, the partners have an annual retreat in addition to their weekly staff meetings.

“Even if we just camp out at one of our homes, we have a strategizing session outside of the office,” says Hill, who recently co-authored You Buy the Peanut Butter, I’ll Get the Bread: The Absolutely True Adventures of Best Friends In Business (Penguin Group; Feb. 2009) with Warren. “This way we can map out our goals and plans for the future and bounce ideas off another without the distractions of the office.”

Talk money. “Figure out what each person is bringing to the table.” Perry says. “Will each invest money, or does one have the contacts and skills?”  For dentist Smith, discussing finances with his partner was easier, he says, because of their friendship.  “Having a business-first attitude allows us to prioritize the money conversations around that in a team effort,” he adds. “Put it all on the table, from how much money you have in the bank, credit history, family plans, expected income, etc. Don’t let friendship cloud your mind when making business decisions.”

Make it legal. “Devise a solid business plan and agree to a contract,” Brown says. “If there is no initial shareholder agreement and decisions are made on the fly and are inconsistent, this leads to chaos and instability.”

Merge. “Sometimes the best business partnerships with friends develop from businesses that merge,” Perry says. That’s what restaurateurs Joseph Dowell and William Parks discovered. Parks opened Mamma Nems.com in Stone Mountain, Georgia in 2006. Dowell meanwhile operated his own restaurant in New Orleans until it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. When Parks, who had no prior no restaurant experience, found himself overwhelmed with running the business, his longtime friend Dowell came onboard as an equal partner.  “I knew my financial investment would go much further in a restaurant that was already up and running verses opening a new one,” says Dowell on his decision to join Mamma Nems. “William and I share similar core values that keep the business strong and on a vision and the basic principles on how to get there.”

Friend time. In the office, Dowell says it’s important to put business first. “The friendship is separate from how you provide for your family,” he says. Hill and Warren also find while it’s a good idea to give each other space, they make time to socialize as friends outside of work. “At the end of the day, we are still friends. There’s Kirsten my business partner and Kirsten my friend.”

Conflicts and resolution. Emotions can run high when you are in business with a friend. To mount these hurdles, have a plan, Brown says. “Identify the dispute resolution methodology (i.e. Will a third identified person come in and help you solve personal and business disputes?) Decide how you will maintain the friendship if the business doesn’t go well or the business if the friendship doesn’t. Document a “prenuptial scenario agreement. If x happens, this is what will we do,” Brown advises. Compromising is also important, says Noelle-Elaine Media’s Hill. “Renee and I have always been open and honest with each other and that honesty has allowed us to clear any hurdles that may come up.  We do not always agree, but we do always agree to compromise when worse comes to worse.”

It’s that time of the year again: The annual holiday office party. Instead of dreading spending more time with your boss and co-workers, use the opportunity to have some fun and advance your career. Office parties can be prime networking opportunities and a chance for you to stand out from the crowd with perfect party etiquette.

Passing up the invite could hurt your reputation, so if you decide to attend, there are a few basic rules to follow, says Ruben Britt, Jr., assistant director of  the Career and Academic Planning Center at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.

“Arrive on time. it’s easier to network in a smaller crowd,” he says. When you get there, scope the room and find key people in the company to chat with, he adds. “Before the party, research that person’s role within the organization. Let them know about your position and certain aspects about your job that you enjoy. Be prepared to answer questions.”

Nervous about approaching people you don’t know? “Align yourself with someone who knows that person or the movers and shakers, and have them introduce you to them,” says Britt.

If you meet guests from outside the company, always exchange business cards. Still, says Britt, you don’t only have to talk shop. Keep the conversations positive and upbeat. Avoid controversial subjects (such as office gossip, religion, politics, etc.) and off-color jokes, but show an interest in others and their opinions. “You want to enjoy yourself and the company of others,” he says.

During the evening, try to keep one hand free during the night so that you can offer handshakes to people as they come by. And it’s a good idea to keep your drink in your left hand; your hand won’t be cold and/or wet when you do shake hands.

Remember the party is still a business function, so dress and act accordingly. Nightclub attire is a no-no. “Perception is everything and you don’t want to wear anything that is too short, tight or revealing,” says Britt.

When it comes to food and drink, moderation is best.  Flirting with the fellow guests and inappropriate behavior could be a career ender.

But if you do embarrass yourself, all is not lost, says Britt. “Make it the first order of business to apologize to the appropriate person(s). Hopefully your co-workers will understand the situation and have a good laugh about it further down the road.”

At the end of the gathering, make sure to thank the host or person who organized the function. You can also send a thank-you note to top management for hosting the party.

After the party, follow up with anyone you networked with during the event. “Wait until after the New Year to write a note or email suggesting a meeting,” Britt advises. “Make sure that you remind the person how much you enjoyed their conversation at the office party and that you’d like to discuss a particular idea in greater detail. Use what you learned at the party to create a connection.”

Going green doesn’t have to be expensive and drab either. “There is a misconception that sustainable design is all about the modern, industrial look, but glam can meet green,” says Sloane, whose client list includes the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Disney, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, and Queen Latifah.

The goal of sustainable design is a lesser impact on the environment. Many projects can be do-it-yourself, but for an entire green makeover of your home, consider an interior designer. “My role as an eco-friendly home designer is to work with a client to determine simple and sometimes complex things that can be done in their home to ensure the following principles: recycle, reclaim/reuse, non-toxic, and sustainability,” says Robin Wilson, owner of The Nest Store, an online marketplace offering eco-friendly furniture and home decor.

Wilson has worked on the renovation of President Bill Clinton’s Harlem office, and was awarded Black Enterprise’s Business Innovator of the Year award.

“Designing your home in an eco-friendly manner can be a bit more expensive, but the supply and demand is causing prices to lower,” she says. “For example, countertops of bamboo, recycled glass, and paper used to be much more expensive, but they are now in a similar price range as granite.”

There are various materials now available that can help homeowners become more environmentally responsible. Sustainable materials include flooring from bamboo, cork, and bark, leather, reclaimed hardwood, VOC-free paints (paints which that do not release significant pollutants) and furniture constructed from hardwoods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

“If you use a dual flush toilet, you can save over 60% on your water bill, and the price of the toilet is compatible with a less efficient toilet,” Wilson says.

Replacing appliances with Energy Star-rated models also increases energy efficiency and lowers your energy bill. Appliances that have such a rating meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Before hiring an interior designer, research sustainable design. “It’s best to educate yourself about the materials available beforehand,” Sloane says. “Go online, check out [interior design] magazines, and even visit a green building conference, many of which are open to the public.”

Ask key questions when interviewing designers.

“An eco-friendly home designer should know about practices that include use of FSC-certified hardwoods, non-toxic paints, and have worked on projects that involve multiple levels of high-value options that will save money for clients,” Wilson says.

As with any designer/consultant, you should ask for professional affiliations and references,” says Renee Norris-Jones, an interior design adjunct faculty member at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. “Ask, what is the benefit for the client, the project and the planet? How much will this cost? How is the care different? Where is the green or eco-friendly documentation? This is most important as you would want to ensure that you are not purchasing an item or process that is not really green or eco-friendly. Make sure that you are really contributing to saving the planet and not just lining the pockets of an unscrupulous manufacture or sales person.”

WEB RESOURCES

Green Remodeling Tips

Green Design Tips

According to the EJCC study, “A Climate of Change: African Americans, Global Warming, and a Just Climate Policy in the U.S.,” while blacks are just 13% of the U.S. population and on average emit 20% less greenhouse gases than non-Hispanic whites, they are more vulnerable to its effects. Also, African Americans are 79% more likely than whites to live in neighborhoods where industrial pollution poses the greatest health danger, says Robert D. Bullard, director of Clark Atlanta University’s Environmental Justice Resource Center.

The EJCC trains HBCU students to promote the greening of university grounds, increase support for climate justice, and encourage college presidents to sign on to a Presidents Climate Commitment. “We are also looking to have Al Gore host a virtual town hall on college and university campuses across the country, many of which will be HBCUs,” says Giselle Berry, Alliance spokesperson.

Among the six HBCUs participating are Spelman College, Clark Atlanta, and Morris Brown College. “It is important for Spelman to be part of the initiative, to participate, to exchange opinions, and even to divulgate the findings of our own research and teaching initiatives,” explains T. Galvao, interim chair of the environmental science and studies program at Spelman.

“Black colleges, along with the church, have always been at the forefront for social justice and change within the black community,” notes Irv Sheffey, environmental justice organizer for the Sierra Club, America’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization. “Communities of color, as evidenced by [Hurricane] Katrina’s aftermath, are disproportionately impacted by climate change, and our colleges are the natural grounds for developing the leaders we need.”

HBCUs are often located in areas where environmental issues are at the forefront, says Felicia Davis of the Just Environment/EJCC Advisory Board. “Black colleges are located within the black community and can become hubs for helping black America to lead the way to a green energy future,” she says.  The HBCU participation is also key, as HBCUs traditionally offer programs in engineering and architecture, which Nia Robinson, EJCC director, says are fields that go hand-in-hand with the green movement. “As we are switching over to a green energy economy, HBCUs should be at the forefront of greening programs, departments, and curriculum so that students have an opportunity for careers in this market and become investors, not just consumers, in green technology,” she explains.

The EJCC aims to spark student interest through entertainers promoting the initiative. Rapper Coolio and jazz saxophonist Jarez have signed on to help attract the college crowd. “Solving the climate crisis impacts all of us, and every one of us should do what we can to make sure elected officials act quickly to change to clean energy,” Coolio says. “On a personal level, I have six kids, and their future depends on what we do now. I try to break down this complex issue into real life events like the [rising] cost of gasoline, [prevalence] of asthma or the disastrous hurricanes. Once you connect the problems of everyday life to the climate crisis, people want to get involved.”

HBCUs can lay the groundwork for an African American green movement. Robinson says. “People of color, including African Americans, indigenous people, and low-income people, are the hardest hit by the causes and effects of climate change, and climate change activism and involvement must come from our communities.”

This bank failure was on the heels of the demise of Integrity Bank of Alpharetta, Ga., leaving many to wonder about the security of their own banks and bank accounts.
Regions Bank of Birmingham, Ala. assumed $34.4 million of Integrity Bank’s $1.1 billion assets. The bank, which has $974 million in insured and uninsured deposits in 23,000 accounts, fell due to real-estate lending woes.

In July, California-based mortgage lender IndyMac Bancorp Inc., with $32 billion in assets, became the largest thrift to fail in U.S. history. Columbian Bank was the first bank to fail in Kansas since 1993. The list goes on and on. And, according to the FDIC, the number of troubled U.S. banks jumped from 90 to 117, the highest level in nearly five years.

It seems like every month a bank closure is being announced, most stemming from the housing and mortgage crisis. So how do you protect your accounts?

Be proactive by checking out your financial institution, says FDIC spokesperson LaJuan Williams-Dickerson. The FDIC’s Website has financial reports from every FDIC-insured institution. The agency insures deposits less than $100,000. FDIC insurance doesn’t, however, cover annuities, bonds, life insurance policies, mutual funds or stocks. Some retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401(k)s, are insured to $250,000 per person.

You can also research the financial stability of your bank through various independent companies, most for a small fee. Among them are: Veribank, Bauerfinancial.com, AM Best, and Creativeinvest.com. Bankrate.com has a rating system that consumers can access for free. The data used to compile the ratings come from the quarterly call report filings of institutions, and each rating is based on an institution’s capitalization, asset quality, earnings, and liquidity,” says Bankrate’s senior financial analyst Greg McBride.

To check into the financial stability of your credit union, visit the National Credit Union Administration’s Website. “The NCUA Website provides information for Credit Union members and share insurance, explains how your accounts are federally insured, and the coverage,” says Washington-based financial consultant Christine Holmes-Mason.

What indicators trigger signs of an impending closure? One sign that a bank is on the verge of going under is poor ratings from a rating agency or analyst. But according to small business banking consultant Curtis Gregory, president of CJG Management Concepts L.L.C., “That’s a tough question and I’m sure there are many analysts that can fill up pages with information on this subject matter. In my opinion it is better to divert that energy around understanding your rights as a consumer, how you are protected, and what to do, as opposed to trying to project the next bank failure.”

If your bank does fail, and you have less than $100,000 in a deposit account, “there is nothing to do,” Williams-Dickerson says. “The deposit will be assumed by another institution. As long as you are within the FDIC insurance limits…your money is fully protected.  In the overwhelming majority of failures, the FDIC is able to find another bank to step in and take over the operations. In those cases, consumers have full access to their insured money the next business day. If the FDIC is unable to find a buyer, within 48 hours checks will be mailed out to customers for the insured amount of their deposits.”

If there is more than $100,000 in an account, a customer should contact the FDIC at the unique toll-free number provided for each failure, or they can log onto the FDIC Website the Monday following the failure. The FDIC’s Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE) can help customers determine whether or not their funds are fully covered.

The FDIC is also responsible for settling uninsured deposit accounts with the failed bank. If the failed bank is acquired by another bank, then I would direct you to the takeover bank, Gregory advises.

“Deposits in excess of the FDIC limit are unlikely to be fully recouped. Investors become creditors of the corporation and they may receive payouts as assets are liquidated,” says Bankrate’s McBride.

You can also protect yourself by structuring your accounts, says Williams-Dickerson. “Structure accounts to maximize coverage,” she says. If you have more than $100,000 at any one depository institution, the FDIC recommends using EDIE to help determine whether or not their funds are fully covered.” Another option is to have accounts at multiple banks. Deposit-placement services, known as Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Services, can help consumers and businesses put money in multiple institutions through one bank, all the while just getting one monthly bank statement.

National Small Business Association board chair, Marilyn Landis, advises “Be sure you have online service for all your accounts with your bank.  If you get notice that your bank has suddenly closed, you can go online to determine the current status of all your accounts on that day — balances at that moment, checks still outstanding, etc.  In most cases another bank will pick up your accounts — in the interim you will want to know which vendors to contact to avoid payment questions and you will want a record to use to be sure the new bank correctly records your accounts.”

According to Edwards, who is representing Maryland’s 4th Congressional District, there are many issues on her agenda already. “My major concerns revolve around issues of energy costs and its impacts on the environment [and] the economy, healthcare access and costs, foreclosure and affordable housing, and bringing an immediate and responsible end to the war in Iraq,” she says. “Voters want someone who has a deep understanding of issues that are important to them—healthcare, energy, the war in Iraq, and the foreclosure crisis.”

Edwards, a 49-year-old lawyer and nonprofit executive, won a special election beating Republican Peter James in the race to serve the remainder of former Rep. Albert Wynn’s term. Wynn exited Congress on May 31 to take a lobbying position after a primary election defeat to Edwards in February. Wynn served from 1992 to 2008.
Edwards will retain the Congressional seat for the remainder of the year, facing James again in November’s general election. Edwards most recently led the nonprofit, grant-making, charitable group Arca Foundation.

For Gerald G. Stansbury, president of the Maryland State Conference of NAACP Branches, Edwards’ win is more than symbolic. “Donna Edwards swearing in as the [state’s] first African American female to Congress is truly significant and important to the history of the state of Maryland,” he says. “Similar to the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, we expect Congresswoman Edwards to be a strong feminist and civil rights advocate, and we applaud her for this achievement.”

In fact, Edwards says it was women such as Chisholm who inspired her entry into politics and community service. “Growing up, I was inspired tremendously by women leaders such as Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisholm. I’m honored to be in their company,” she says. “I am excited and honored in the confidence that the voters of Maryland’s 4th Congressional District have placed in me to provide the quality representation they deserve.”

Edwards says her involvement with nonprofit work will aid her in Congress. “I have enjoyed a career as a public interest advocate working on local, state, regional, and federal issues. Some of these experiences include playing an integral part in passing landmark domestic violence legislation, helping community organizations better their neighborhoods, lowering prescription drug prices for seniors, and ensuring that large federal transportation projects include mass transit,” she says. “I have been able to accomplish these things from outside the Congress, and I am confident in my ability to use those experiences to get things done now as a member of Congress.”

There is no argument that the Democrats have given press credentials to nearly three times more bloggers this convention than in 2004. To date, more than 124 bloggers have received press credentials for the event. What those in the Afrosphere Action Coalition, a group of Internet users who advocate for social justice issues nationally and internationally, object to is the percentage of black bloggers.

“Of the blogs covering the convention, black blogs will be 7.2% of the blogs present,” says Francis L. Holland of the Afrosphere Action Coalition. According to Holland, many states with a strong black Democratic presence and population are either underrepresented or not represented at all, even though black bloggers from these states did apply. “The state of Tennessee, which often has over 25% blacks among its Democratic primary voters, will not have a single black blogger at the Democratic National Convention, for example. The District of Columbia, which is 60% black, will be left out. Louisiana, which is 32.4% black, will be left out. Illinois, the presidential nominee’s home state, which is 15% black, will be left out.”

The selection process was as diverse as possible, says Damon D. Jones, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) spokesperson. “We are credentialing a record number of blogs and giving them unprecedented access. They will all have the same access as the press. All bloggers will have access to the convention floor, press briefing areas, caucus meetings, filing centers, and other auxiliary events open to members of the media,” he explains. “We’ve credentialed…more [blogs] than any other political convention that we know of. Blogs were credentialed on individual merits, and many African American-focused blogs have been credentialed.”

According to Jones, bloggers were selected via criteria that included a number of factors. “For example, we looked at Web traffic, the number of other blogs linked to them, the focus of the blog,” Jones says.

However, Earl Ofari Hutchinson, political analyst and author of The Ethnic Presidency: How Race Decides the Race to the White House, contends that the credentialed blogs are not representative of the black voice in the blogosphere. “The DNC is totally out of touch with how black opinion is being shaped to restrict and even deny access to Democratic convention proceedings to some black bloggers,” he says. “They are a potent and influential force for change. They have been the ones who have been in the forefront of the proactive use of cyberspace to fire up black opinion on race and justice issues and to mobilize blacks to take action on issues from the Jena 6 case to the temporary ouster of Don Imus.”

Hutchinson sees the selection of blogs by the DNCC as being shortsighted. “Given the crucial importance of the black vote to Obama’s drive for the White House, black bloggers could be a major asset to the Democrats in helping get out the vote, spotlight key campaign issues, and to spotlight key policy initiatives on race and economic justice issues,” he says.

The Afrosphere Action Coalition says they will continue to pursue the issue with the DNCC until more black blogs are credentialed. “The Afrosphere Action Coalition is pursuing the issues of equal representation and equal access for black bloggers on the floor of the convention, a privilege for which a pool of almost all-white-operated blogs are receiving;” says D. Yobachi Boswell of BlackPerspective.net and lead coordinator for the Afrosphere Action Coalition. “This in a [Democratic] party whose electorate is 20% black,” he says. “Black communities have voted Democrat at a clip of 85% to 91% consistently for decades. [Yet] I submit that only 9 out of 124 total blogs who will at the convention are black-operated… [This] is discriminatory, disproportionate, and lacking in equality.”