Personal Finance . . .

Buying Black
Can We Really Do Business With African-Americans?
CJ Winthorp

"Buying Black" is a recurring theme amongst the African-American community. If we are going to spend our hard-earned dollars on a product or service, why not make the purchase from a "brotha" or a "sista?" After all, we can choose who receives our money, so why not reinvest in our own communities?

I was tasked with finding an African-American-owned print shop. The last time I utilized this type of print shop, I had quite an experience. Several times I called the establishment in search of information. You know, the basics: quantity, price, turnaround time, methods of payments accepted, etc. Each time I called I was greeted by a "clueless, ghetto fabulous" employee. You know the kind. It doesn't matter what you ask because the response is the same, "Ow-don-evun-no." At that very moment I wanted to ask the young lady, "If you don't know anything then why are you answering the phone pretending to be able to help me?" In other words, why was she there?

In all honesty, my frustration was not just with her, but the owner as well. I wanted to ask the owner why this young lady was employed without receiving any training.  [Read More]

Increased Minority Homeownership
Cendant Mortgage Responds to National Call

In a fitting close to National Homeownership Month, representatives of Cendant Mortgage Corporation and Habitat for Humanity of Camden (NJ) will gather today to break ground on construction of a new home for a needy family.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the Metropolitan Camden Habitat for Humanity's "Sixth Street Project." The project includes construction of five new homes on South Sixth Street between Clinton and Royden streets. Funding for the project will be provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and several corporate sponsors including Cendant Mortgage.

Expected to attend the ceremony are U.S. Senator Jon Corzine; Camden City Council President Angel Fuentes; and Gwendolyn Faison, who will represent the Office of the Mayor of Camden.

Earlier this month, President Bush and HUD Secretary Mel Martinez designated June as "National Homeownership Month." The President also issued "America's Homeownership Challenge" to the real estate and mortgage finance industries and asked that they join him in the effort to increase minority homeownership by helping to take steps to overcome the obstacles faced by minority families. The 'Challenge' seeks to increase the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million by 2010.  [Read More]