The Case for Entrepreneurial Parity
The Minority Business Development Agency, a branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is on a mission. Under the leadership of National Director David A. Hinson, the agency’s top goal is to achieve “economic parity,†by matching the percentage of private businesses owned by minorities with their representation in the U.S. population. If that target is reached, MBDA believes minority-owned companies would generate more than $2.5 trillion in annual revenues, create 16 million new jobs, and contribute more than $100 billion in annual taxes. The nation’s 4 million minority-owned businesses currently generate $660 billion in revenues and employ nearly 5 million workers.
President Obama Lifts U.S. Image Worldwide
The image of the United States has improved markedly in most countries under President Barack Obama, according to a 25-nation poll conducted by The Pew Global Attitudes Project. The survey found double-digit boosts in a number of countries viewing the U.S. favorably in 2009 versus previous years’ surveys. Israel was the only country where the U.S. is viewed less favorably now than at any time in the last 10 years, with a 71% favorability rating in 2009 versus 78% in 2003 and 2007.
Flu Fears Don’t Increase Vaccinations
African Americans have higher rates of chronic illness, putting them at higher risk of developing flu-related complications. Despite the recent threat of swine flu and the annual occurrence of seasonal flu, a November BlackEnterprise.com poll shows that a majority of people have opted not to get vaccinated.
This article originally appeared in the February 2010 issue of Black Enterprise magazine.