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In 1910, Sarah “Madame C. J.” Walker is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first African American female self-made millionaire through the creation of a range of haircare products targeted to the African American community. Once asked about her secret of her success, Walker responded: “There is no royal flower-strewn path to success…If I have accomplished anything in life, it is because I have been willing to work hard.” (Image: Madam C.J. Walker)

PHOTO GALLERY: The Business of Black Haircare

A century of black entrepreneurship in the haircare industry

Even before the beginning of the 20th Century, African Americans were at the forefront of…

By Derek T. Dingle

Posted: July 28, 2010 Tags: AHBAI, black business history, black haircare, ethnic haircare, hair care, haircare, Haircare Industry, Johnson Products, M&M Products, Madam C.J. Walker, Soft Sheen, Soft Sheen-Carson

This is the first installment of the Tech Insider. Each week we will investigate new technology tools that professionals and small business owners can use to increase productivity, security, and stay innovative in this Web 2.0 world. These days business information is conducted, stored, and created online more than ever before. Some people go through great lengths to keep that data secure, doing everything from purchasing expensive anti virus software to avoiding the internet entirely, thereby missing out on innovative ways to stay competitive in a digital world. Keeping your data protected from corruption and your identity guarded from unauthorized use may require more common sense and less cryptic technology. Here are five things you need to do to decrease the likelihood that your proprietary business transactions won’t be violated.

Tech Insider: Five Tech Tools for Protecting Digital Data

Keep your files and online profiles secure from intrusion

Keeping your data protected from corruption and your identity guarded from unauthorized use may require…

By Marcia Wade Talbert

Posted: July 26, 2010 Tags: Carbonite, Comcast, digital security, GotoMyPC, Mozy, password, privacy, Slideshow, Tech Insider, Tech tools, Techwatch

Social Media Connection: Alfred Edmond Jr.

The mission of our new weekly feature is to give you first-person accounts of how top entrepreneurs, executives and experts use social media

Who are you connecting with on social media sites? Who’s connecting with you? More importantly,…

By Alfred Edmond, Jr.

Posted: July 22, 2010 Tags: BlackPlanet, Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, NetworkedBlogs, networking, Ning, Social media, Social Media Connection, social networking, StumbleUpon, Twitter

Middle-class African Americans are more likely than whites to have cut back on saving and investing in order to make it through the recession, according to the 2010 Ariel Black Investor Survey. The data is not unexpected since the unemployment rate for African Americans (15.4%) continues to track higher than the overall jobless rate for all Americans (9.5%). “In times of economic hardship, people have to make difficult decisions,” said Mellody Hobson, Ariel president and columnist for Black Enterprise magazine. “Unfortunately, the resulting trade-offs mean many in our community are slipping even further behind.”

African American Investors are Down, but Not Out

Cutting back on saving and spending, helps blacks make it through recession

Middle-class African Americans are more likely than whites to have cut back on saving and…

By Deborah Creighton Skinner

Posted: July 22, 2010 Tags: 401k, Ariel Black Investor Survey, Ariel Investments, black investors, black wealth, Foreclosure, Investing, John W. Rogers Jr., Mellody Hobson, mutual funds, personal financing, Retirement, saving, stocks, wealth disparities, wealth gap, wealth-building

The CASHFLOW Not only can you apply for $10,000 in financing for your upstart but young entrepreneurs can find legal information, info on how to develop a sustainable business, and guides for ensuring great customer service. And there’s a step-by-step guide on how to launch your business.

Top Sites for Young Entrepreneurs

Sites that focus on the young CEO

While most young entrepreneurs are long on passion and short on wisdom, there are a…

By Renita Burns

Posted: July 21, 2010 Tags: 2010 Entrepreneurs Conference, 40 Next Gen Entrepreneurs, BE Next, black female entrepreneurs, minority entrepreneurs, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, youth entrepreneurship

Life is often a bit easier when you receive a word of wisdom to guide you along the way. Here, you'll read some wise words from financial planners on retirement, saving, investing, budgeting, and managing your finances.

5 Money Quotes to Live By

Heed these words and enrich your financial life

Life is often a bit easier when you receive a word of wisdom to guide…

By Sheiresa Ngo

Posted: July 16, 2010 Tags: Aaron Smith, Cheryl Broussard, Deborah Owens, financial advice, financial success, Jacquette Timmons, managing money, Money, Money Management, personal finances, Yolie Marie

This protester takes issue with Obama's family on his father's side. (Source: Pargon’s Flickr feed)

Signs of the Times: Tea Party Protests

Racist or not? A gallery of signs seen at Tea Party rallies nationwide

Decide for yourself: Is the NAACP right in calling on the Tea Party movement to…

By Deborah Creighton Skinner

Posted: July 15, 2010 Tags: Barack Obama, naacp, racism, Tea Party

The hardest part about being young and trying to navigate the sometimes confusing maze of personal finance is finding the right resources. While there are plenty of helpful books and Websites available, the hardest part is finding them. Check out these money sites that are sure to help Gen Y-ers get a handle on their finances.

Best Money Sites for Young People

Use these Web tools to help you save and budget

While there are plenty of helpful books and Websites available, the hardest part is finding…

By Renita Burns

Posted: July 14, 2010 Tags: budgeting, financial education, financial literacy, Generation Y, graduates, higher education, living on a budget, Money Management, money Websites

When it comes to innovation and downright efficiency, Google seems to be leading the pack among the competitive market of Internet-based services. In addition to the search engine and the seemingly limitless Gmail service, Google also offers a slew of plug-ins, widgets, and apps. But how can you integrate these services to make your life a little less chaotic? Take a look at some of Google’s more innovative functions.

PHOTO GALLERY: Sorting Out Google

Which software is right for you?

When it comes to innovation and downright efficiency, Google seems to be leading the pack…

By Renita Burns

Posted: July 8, 2010 Tags: apps, Google, Internet, Social Websites, software application

Numbers can impact your life for better or for worse. This is especially true when it comes to your personal finances. Many finance articles quote numbers that answer questions related to your money and how you should handle it. For example, how many months of savings should I have? How long does a bankruptcy stay on my credit report? Well, ask no more. Here’s a list of some of some of the most important numbers you need to know.

Numbers That Can Make or Break Your Personal Finances

Let these numbers help you navigate your financial life

Numbers can impact your life for better or for worse. This is especially true when…

By Sheiresa Ngo

Posted: July 8, 2010 Tags: important financial numbers, personal financing, personal wealth, wealth management, wealth-building habits