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Lazone Grays's Blog
Where is the Town Square in the Virtual Black Community?
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|  The town square is an open area commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community gatherings. These gatherings were typically for political purposes, community celebrations and festivals. The town square was bounded by the court house, retail establishments, and other places of business. It was desirable to be near the town square to gain the greatest exposure to business opportunities.
One of the characteristics of the physical town square is that it connects other avenues of activity in the town. So what evolved in many communities was a financial district, a garment district, a farmers market, a manufacturing district, an entertainment district -- all emanating from the Town Square.
In defining the role of iZania among destinations for descendants of Africa, we are striving to become the Town Square of the Virtual Black Community -- the online gathering place that connects visitors to other key avenues of success. So, what does this mean in practical terms? From the iZania Town Square you can find: iZania.com is emerging as the Town Square of the Virtual Black Community. Our goal is not to be yourfinal destination, but to facilitate access to information, multiple places of interest, and contacts that can make it easier for you to get value from the entire virtual community. Visit often. Add value. Invite your friends.
Roger Madison
CEO, iZania | |
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America's Youngest Black CEO Visits Topeka
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| America's Youngest African American CEO Visits Topeka to Speak with Area Youth & Community and Business Leaders About Growth & Development Strategies April 25, 2008  
Ephren Taylor, II and a Crowd of Over 1,500 Topeka High School Student 
Ephren Listens to Questions Posed by Business & Community Leaders  
Ephren Answers Questions Posed by Topeka Business & Community Leaders Sponsored By: Community First, Inc., in partnership with Capitol Federal Savings, Topeka USD 501, Topeka Chamber of
Commerce, Washburn Rural High School and the NAACP Youth Department 
Lazone Grays; IBSA, Inc. (Left) Ephren Taylor, II; Capital City Corp (Right) =================================================== Ephren W. Taylor II is the youngest African-American CEO of any publicly traded company ever�City Capital Corporation (NASDAQ OTC:CCCN). Described as �walking black history� by popular radio show host Tom Joyner, Taylor started his first business venture at age 12, when he began making videogames. By age 17, he built a multi-million dollar technology company; GoFerretGo.com. Recently, Taylor launched a 25-city �Urban Wealth Tour� promoting economic empowerment, affordable housing and entrepreneurship in urban communities. The tour brings together private investors, educators, non profit organizations, religious institutes, and government forces to create positive change in urban communities. Beyond his unprecedented accomplishments in the technology and financial industry, Taylor is an author, inspirational speaker and real estate mastermind. He has already authored five e-books and was recently signed by business publishing powerhouse Wileyto release his first book in winter 2007. Taylor has been asked to create a specialized curriculum for high school and college-aged aspiring entrepreneurs at America�s oldest Historically Black College and University, Cheyney University, in celebration of their 170th anniversary. The Ephren Taylor Entrepreneur Academy is scheduled to open in July 2007. A true �wealth engineer,� Taylor is rapidly emerging for generation X and Y what Warren Buffet is for baby boomers; the premier financial expert for a generation. In 2002, Ephren was awarded the "Kansas Young Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Kansas Department of Commerce. He was nominated by Lazone Grays, President of IBSA, Inc. 
Creating Success from the Inside Out: Develop the Focus and Strategy to Uncover the Life You Want (Hardcover)
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| April 25, 2008 | 11:04 AM |
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Self-employment in Rural America
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Week of April 21 - 27, 2008
| | Self-Employment in Rural America Self-employment as a major economic force is a new reality throughout rural America. According to a new article in Rural Realities, a publication of the Rural Sociology Society, self-employment in rural America has grown by more than 240 percent since 1969. Meanwhile, growth in rural wage paying jobs grew by only 61% over the same time frame. At present, approximately 5.3 million rural residents are self-employed. If present trends continue, the self-employed will account for 1/3 of the rural workforce in 2015. The report�s author, Stephen J. Goetz, expresses many concerns about these trends as earnings for the self-employed have hit historic lows. In 2005, the average self-employed rural worker earned about half ($16,851) of his or her employed counterparts ($31,596). Goetz recommends a number of potential remedies for these challenges. First, policy makers must get a better understanding of the challenges and issues facing the rural self-employed. They should also provide strengthened technical assistance and easier access to support programs at local colleges, universities, and elsewhere. In addition, rural leaders should invest to help develop a stronger base of local services for this workforce. These services might include child care providers, legal and accounting services, and temporary help agencies.
Access the article, �Self-Employment in Rural America: The New Reality,� by Stephen J. Goetz, appears in Rural Realities, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2008). | |
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| April 21, 2008 | 11:04 AM |
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[BBS Value Tour]
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BBS is the acronym (initials) for Black Business Space, a program of the National Black Business Trade Association. WHAT IS THE BBS VALUE TOUR? The BBS Value Tour is an entertainment and business development product that showcases, core values and business etiquette, fine art, independent performance artists, business supporters as well as businesses of the members of Black Business Space, a program of the National Black Business Trade Association, via a concert performance tour uniquely enhanced by fine art exhibits and a business resource publication. The BBS Value Tour was designed to "Bring the Value of CommUNITY to a city near You; through musical artists, dance, visual arts, spoken word and businesses providing the best in quality products and services nationwide. "Whether city by city or the collective tour, sponsors, advertisers, and businesses benefit by expanding their outreach and relationships to local, regional, national, and international audiences through print ads, on-site video ads, live commercials, product placement and distribution,"BBSTourSponsorPackage.pdf states BBS member and marketing analyst Jacqueline Taylor-Adams. http://bbsvaluetour.ning.com/ |
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Business Development Links
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Below are links to obtain information or signup to register for procurement opportunities. For a full listing, including corporations with supplier diversity opportunities, information on certification/HUBZones/, doing business with the Federal Govt, and financing options visit: http://kansassmallbizpromotions.com/bidopps.htm
State State of Kansas
Kansas University (Vendor form)
Dept. of Health & Environment
Lead Abatement
Kansas Division of Purchases
Dept. of Transportation
Dept. of Administration
Kansas State University
Kansas Turnpike Authority
State of Missouri
Ft. Hays State (Vendor form) Local City of Topeka Kansas
Shawnee County Purchasing Dept.
Wichita Kansas
Sedgwick County
Topeka Public Schools, USD 501
KCK Housing Authority
Unified Gov't of Wyandotte County (Bids)
(UG Vendor Registration)
Kansas City Missouri
Jackson County
St. Louis County
Johnson County
St. Louis Lambert Airport
Wichita Public Schools
KCK Public Schools, USD 500
Federal Fedbizopps.gov
(Vendor Notification Service)
U.S. Minority Business Development Agency
Dept. of HUD
SBA SUB-Net
NASA Acquisition Service
Sell to the Air Force
Environment Protection Agency
National Park Service
Admin. for Children & Families
Grants.gov
Homeland Security
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Dept. of Labor
Army/Air Force Exchange Service
(AAFES Supplier Diversity) Construction Construction Weblinks by State
Miller-Stauch Construction Co.
Army and Air Force Exchange Service
Developments Schlitterbahn (KCK)
IBSA, Inc. - Main Office
629 SE Quincy, Suite 102
Topeka, Kansas 66603-3921
(913) 240-6247 ph
(785) 232-4272 msg/fax
Serving Kansas, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, New York
Kansas City Metro Office
2052 N. 3rd Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
(913) 371-4709 fax
Serving Shawnee, Wyandotte, Leavenworth, Johnson County
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