Black Enterprise, Walmart Host Economic Forum with Obama Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes, Trade Rep. Ronald “Ron” Kirk, Commerce Chief of Staff Rick Wade and Others
BLACK ENTERPRISE (www.BlackEnterprise.com), the premier business, investing, and wealth building resource for African Americans along with Walmart (www.walmartstores.com), the nation’s leading retailer and one of the nation’s largest private employers of African Americans, present 20/20 Vision: A Look Ahead at Black America in the Next Economic Boom.
Confirmed forum participants include Obama Administration Domestic Policy Council Director Melody C. Barnes, U.S. Trade Representative Ronald “Ron” Kirk, Commerce Department Chief of Staff Rick C. Wade, Esther Silver-Parker, SVP, Corporate Affairs, Walmart, members of the Executive Leadership Council and other business leaders.
OVERVIEW:
Unemployment for African Americans is projected to reach a 25-year high this year with the national rate soaring to 17.2 percent, according to a recent article in The Washington Post. On the heels of President Obama’s State of the Union Address, BLACK ENTERPRISE and Walmart will gather some of the America’s most influential politicians, economists, policy makers and entrepreneurs to develop a series of policy recommendations intended for use by the Obama Administration, business groups, civic organizations and non-profits in combating the national economic crisis. The forum will specifically address three key issues: Education and Workforce Readiness; Small Business and Innovation; and Wealth-building and Financial Reform.
WHEN:
Press is invited to cover the event on Thursday, Jan. 28. The day’s schedule includes:
8:45 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., President & CEO, Black Enterprise
Bernard Anderson, Member, Black Enterprise Board of Economists
Janice Bryant Howroyd, President & CEO, ACT-1 Group
Michael Lomax, President & CEO, United Negro College Fund
11:30 a.m.
Small Business & Innovation
Moderator: Alan Hughes, Editorial Director, BLACK ENTERPRISE
Interviewee: Michael Nutter, Mayor, Philadelphia
Noon
Small Business & Innovation Roundtable
David Hinson, National Director, Minority Business Development Agency
Bill Mays, Chairman & CEO, Mays Chemical Company
Margaret Garner, President, Broadway Consolidated Cos. Inc
Dr. Thomas Boston, CEO, EuQuant
1:15 p.m.
Lunch
2:00 p.m.
A Meeting of the Minds discussion on partnerships between small business and major corporations
Earl "Butch" Graves, Jr., BLACK ENTERPRISE President & CEO, & Rosalind Brewer, President, Southeast Operations, Walmart
2:30 p.m.
Wealth-Building & Financial Reform Roundtable
Moderator: John Simons, Senior Personal Finance Editor, BLACK ENTERPRISE
Christopher Williams, CEO, Williams Capital Management
Eugene Profit, President & CEO, Profit Investment Management
Evelyn F. Smalls, President & CEO, United Bank of Philadelphia
3:45 p.m.
Policy Recommendations & Wrap-Up
WHERE:
The Liaison Capitol Hill
415 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
RSVP Required
Invitation-only
EDITOR’S NOTE: This invitation-only event not open to the public. Interested press should contact Andrew Wadium at 212-886-9598 or via e-mail at wadiuma@blackenterprise.com. Press should arrive by 8:30 a.m. for check-in and placement.
BLACK ENTERPRISE, yourultimate source for wealth creation, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine provides 4.3 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. A multimedia company, BE also produces radio and television programming, business and lifestyle events, Web content, and digital media. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, and the authority on black business news and trends.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or "Walmart," serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,000 retail units under 53 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2009 sales of $401 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.1 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.
