NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURS

Albuquerque, NM(BlackNews.com) - Most families have concerns about finances at one time or another. Rising medical, educational, and living expenses put more and more strain on people every day.

Such conditions lead many to search for businesses that offer a greater chance at financial security. Unfortunately, most of these "opportunities" require high investments and expansive inventories and come with an alarming risk of failure. After getting burned a few times on such endeavors as these, many enterprising individuals return to the "rat race," convinced that there's no way out.

"It was never my goal to work in Corporate America for the next 30 years of our lives for someone else's dream," says Tasha Harper, who holds an AAS in Business Administration.

Tasha joined Executive Marketing Group (EMG) in April 2006. Today the group has collectively over 5000 customers and is comprised of individuals who share a common goal: enhancing the lives of others, having family balance and achieving a secure financial future.

EMG has partnered with a financially sound, privately held International wellness firm. According to data analysts "the Health and Wellness industry will be the next trillion dollar industry". The team consults their clients on how to take a pro-active approach and make changes that can ultimately influence their health through education.

As a team they have earned over $3,500,000 over the last three and a half years. Ninety-nine percent of this gross income has been generated part-time. Tasha shares "We are now seeking to expand EMG in every metropolitan city throughout the US." Our campaign will span over the next 18 months. The goal is to identify highly motivated and assertive entrepreneurial-minded individuals who must possess people skills, professionalism, and a strong work ethic.

For more information, please visit www.tharper.executivemarketinggrp.com

INSTITUTE SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE PLIGHT OF

AFRICANA PEOPLES WORLDWIDE

Akron, OH (BlackNews.com) - An innovative community of scholar-activists and public intellectuals seek to bring academics, government and policy experts, journalists, theologians and black religious leaders, artists, grassroots leaders, community members and public intellectuals together to critically engage important issues of our collective past, present and future world. The Africana Cultures and Policy Studies Institute (ACPSI) was formally founded in 2003 to connect the academic study and analysis of culture and policy to the present and future direction of black people worldwide. The group operates with a multi-dimensional structure that spans many disciplines including history, philosophy, literature, education, area studies and law.

"ACPSI serves to create a new paradigm among think tanks and research institutes; one that effectively communicates the vast cultural relevance of Africana peoples while simultaneously developing pertinent mechanisms of global outreach, policy advocacy and development," Dr. Zachery Williams, Executive Director, says.

In terms of organizational emphasis for the Institute, Dr. Robert Smith and Dr. Babacar M'Baye spearhead the effort in developing an edited book, which will articulate the new research/policy paradigm of Africana Cultures and Policy Studies. Dr. Carlos McCray directs the Institute's efforts at linking cultural research with policy advocacy so as to connect theory with praxis. Relatedly, Dr. Seneca Vaught administers the group's website and information technology initiatives.

The Institute's early beginnings are marked by intellectual discussions sparked by the group's founders while they were completing doctoral degrees at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. The earliest discussions revolved around an integration of cultural theory, policy studies, international relations and history. Upon joining the professoriate, the group's founding Senior Fellows sharpened their desire to connect the academy and community in order to deal with the relevant social problems of Africana peoples.

The staff of the Institute include an Executive Director, an Associate Director and Directors of various departments, evidencing its multi-dimensional structure and mission. ACPSI also has a Board of Advisors which advise the Executive Director and Executive Board. Founding Senior Fellows comprise the Executive Board. Currently, Senior Fellows serve, in the capacity, as Department Directors who assist the Executive Director in leading the Institute from locations spanning the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast. Research and Policy Fellows, of varying levels of expertise, carry out the research and advocacy agenda of the Institute.

Founding Senior Fellows and Department Directors:

* Dr. Zachery Williams, Executive Director/Director of Initiatives and Special Projects and Assistant Professor of African American History/Pan African Studies at The University of Akron.

* Dr. Floyd Beachum, Associate Director and Assistant Professor of Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

* Dr. Babacar M'Baye, Assistant Director of Academic Research and Publications and Assistant Professor of Black Atlantic Studies at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.

* Dr. Robert Smith, Director of Academic Research and Publications and Assistant Professor of African and African American Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

* Dr. Seneca Vaught, Director of Information Technology and Instructor of History at Bowling Green State University.

* Dr. Carlos McCray, Director of Policy Advocacy and Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut.

* Dr. Tim Lake, Director of Development and Assistant Professor /Director of Malcolm X Institute at Wabash College in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

"ACPSI believes that the connection between culture and policy studies provides a unique opportunity to examine the lives of Africana peoples. The lives of Africana peoples will be affected, one way or the other, by the legal, economic, and civic policies approved and promoted by governments," Dr. Tim Lake, Director of Development, says. "The Institute's mission affirms the right to link matters of policy with issues of culture because culture is the foundation from which policies emerge and through which they have import on our lives," Lake says.

Among the numerous programs of the Institute include an Africana News Network, Capacity Building Initiative, Policy Advocacy Network, and numerous other demonstration projects. Further, the ACPSI working papers and roundtable series and speaker's bureau offer opportunities for individuals to connect with the organization's current work. The working paper series and roundtables strive to address the racism, socioeconomic inequalities, and vast array of classism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia and other prejudices that continue to limit the conditions of black people worldwide. The speaker's bureau provides colleges and universities, churches, community groups, nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals the opportunity to bring ACSPI Senior Fellows to their city or campus to lecture, conduct workshops or offer consultant services.

Furthermore, ACPSI has developed the following seven (7) satellite centers that conduct cultures/policy research in specific areas of interest to current Senior Fellow research foci:

* Center for Black Public Intellectual Thought and Policy

* Center for African American Religion and Policy

* Center for Civil Rights Policy

* Center for Africana Justice and Liberation Studies

* Center for African American Urban Education and Policy Studies

* Center for Black Atlantic Studies and Policy

* Center for Educational Leadership, Critical Race Studies, and Policy

ACPSI is currently soliciting applications for fellowship from scholars, activists, artists, authors, poets, and people of all professions and from all walks of life who are concerned with improving the quality of life for Africans all over the world.

Learn more about ACPSI by visiting the Institute website. For more information, contact Dr. Zachery Williams at 330-972-2402.