National Black Chamber of Commerce eBlast

Business for Democracy and ASBC Lead Effort to Overturn Citizens United v. FEC

The Business for Democracy Campaign, which the American Sustainable Business Council is spearheading in partnership with Free Speech for People is tackling the compelling issue of corporate contributions to political campaigns.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision on January 21, 2010 allows corporations to spend unlimited funds to support or oppose candidates for political office, overturning campaign finance laws in place for decades. The Business for Democracy campaign is an initiative of business leaders and their companies who believe this ruling is in direct conflict with American democratic principles and a serious threat to good government. The campaign supports the four members of the Supreme Court and the 80 percent of Americans who disagree with the decision (Washington Post poll, Feb. 17, 2010).

If you'd like your business to join this effort, you can sign the statement of support here or here.

National Black Chamber of Commerce eBlast

National Black Chamber of Commerce®
1350 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 405, Washington DC 20036
202-466-6888 202-466-4918fax www.nationalbcc.org info@nationalbcc.org
18th Annual Conference July 22-24, 2010
Four Seasons Hotel, Houston – NBCC rate: $129 per night
Energy & Technology: The Drivers of the American Economy
rosalinda.lidh@ethicalmarkets.com
eBLAST 060310

1. Deadline for White House Internships: The deadline for the White House Fall Internship Program is June 20, 2010. A completed application includes: Two essays; three letters of recommendation and a resume. For more information or to apply please go to: www.whitehouse.gov/internships. Good luck!

2. Californians Wise up to costly PLA’s: The communities of Chula Vista and Oceanside , California have decided through a voter referendum to end costly and discriminatory Project Labor Agreements (union only projects). According to the Wall Street Journal “Voters knew first hand how costly and destructive this favoritism could be. In 2006, the developer Gaylord Entertainment announced plans to build a hotel and convention center in Chula Vista , only to cancel the project after two years in part because of union intransigence. With unemployment somewhere in the double-digits and cities statewide worried about bankruptcy project labor agreements were an indulgence Chula Vista could no longer afford”. President Obama, are you listening?

3. Clayton County Georgia Wants You: The Honorable Eldrin Bell, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Clayton County, GA (southern suburbs of Atlanta ) is looking for bona fide and qualified minority firms to compete for the more than $267 million in annual contracts awarded by this county. He claims it depresses him to see little competition amongst the minority business community. If you can compete and win please contact Chairman Bell for information on upcoming projects. He is very serious – eldrin.bell@co.clayton.ga.us.

4. It is Time for Brazil : The majority population of Brazil , 100 million Blacks representing 51% of the population, is starting to organize on a business agenda. It has become politically expedient to open the doors to everyone. Right now, the majority only participates in 8% of the economy and that must change immediately. Brazil needs to diversify in its contracting and employment arenas as it prepares for the 2016 Olympics. Thus, the NBCC will craft a strategic plan for Brazilian Black business leaders to consider. We will introduce the plan by the end of September 2010. (more)

5. The Latest Opportunity to Fix Haiti : Hurricanes, flooding, revolutions, etc. have come and gone on the island nation of Haiti . The latest opportunity is the recent earthquake (February). This time let’s do something different. Let’s empower the people of Haiti through business development, job training and the end of child slavery (Restavek). It is our responsibility to lend a true helping hand to our neighbor. Therefore, we want to develop a database of all businesses interested in learning how to compete in the rebuilding of Haiti . We want to verify the list and press the list upon the State Department, USAID, UN and others who could do the right thing if we hold them accountable. If you are ready, willing and able let us know via contacting Charles DeBow at cdebow@nationalbcc.org. (more)

6. Houston is buzzing about us: This city is excited to welcome us. With over 80,000 Black businesses in the state of Texas and the hub being Houston –the networking and the connecting will be powerful—and that’s only 1 reason to attend. Don’t miss out! Call and make your hotel reservation today.
Four Seasons: 713- 652-6266