Economics
McClymonds Students Take Millionaire Entrepreneurs To Lunch
Dr. Dennis Kimbro addresses McClymonds High School students in the inaugural Pathway to Entrepreneurship course for high school and Merritt College credits. Photo By Carla Thomas
On Monday October 16th, over two dozen McClymonds high school students had the rare opportunity to take a millionaire to lunch. Hosted in the school’s library, the event apart marked the inaugural Entrepreneurship Pathway program at McClymonds High School.
“We are proud to start this school year at McClymonds by implementing year-one of an “Entrepreneurship Pathway,”” said McClymonds High School Principal, Jarod M. Scott.
In partnership with Merritt College, McClymonds is the first high school in Oakland to offer a three-year sequenced dual-enrollment pathway program.
“Students will now have the opportunity to earn high school credits and earn up to 17 college credits and a certificate in entrepreneurship from Merritt College,” said Merritt College President Marie Elaine Burns.
“Alliances make great communities,” she said. “I’m elated to involve dynamic speakers to this program.”
The “Take a Millionaire to Lunch” inaugural day featured special guest Clark Atlanta University Professor, Dr. Dennis Kimbro, who is also an author and entrepreneur, encouraged students to reach their highest potential as leaders and business owners. His latest book is “The Wealth Choice; Success Secrets of Black Millionaires.”
“Your attitude determines your altitude and with hard work and focus the possibilities for these students and any student is limitless,” said Kimbro. “Your ideas and your passion will take you far, if you follow basic steps to success.”
This program will be priceless in terms of the possibilities it will open up to students,” said coordinator Dr. Allie Whitehurst. Instructor Charles Hill will teach students the “Introduction to Business” class.
Students were also surrounded by supportive community leaders throughout the afternoon, including Brian McGhee of OUSD’s African American Male Achievement program and advocate Cheryl Perry League. The new superintendent of Oakland Unified School District, Kyla Johnson-Trammell, addressed the audience.
“This is what learning should be. We want students to be able to think and dream big so they can transform this nation and this world. These students are the next Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) and the creator of the newest app,” she said. Oakland is a city of entrepreneurship and we want more businesses that reflect the community, said. Johnson-Trammell.
Tech innovator and holder of 21 patents, Dr. Harry Bims, spoke of building his business up to a net worth of $8 million and selling it for an undisclosed amount. He is currently president of Protocomm Systems. Businessman Derrick Deadwiler of Deb, USA, Inc. also shared his journey.
Chris Howard of Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) said, “Students will be engaged in a great curriculum developed by NFTE.”
McClymonds’ senior, Destiny Renee Shabazz, who provided Dr. Kimbro’s intro, proudly stated she plans to become the mayor of Oakland. Next generation leaders in class included sophomores: future cosmetologist, Camryn Ware, future sports shop owner, Gary Alexander II and future real estate mogul, Derrick Bui.
“I want to open up a salon that provides hair, skin and nail care,” said Ware. “I hope to own a shop that sells sports paraphernalia like Marshawn Lynch,” said Alexander. With an older sister currently in the real estate business, Bui said he’s learning a lot by attending open houses.
Kimbro made his rounds at several Bay Area events, including the 51st Anniversary of the Black Panther Party at Merritt College on Friday. Kimbro shared his research on the staggering disparities of Black men incarcerated at an accelerated rate compared to whites. He also spoke on how the community can break the pipeline to prison cycle with education and collaboration.
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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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Business
Black Business Summit Focuses on Equity, Access and Data
The California African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual “State of the California African American Economy Summit,” with the aim of bolstering Black economic influence through education and fellowship. Held Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the convention brought together some of the most influential Black business leaders, policy makers and economic thinkers in the state. The discussions focused on a wide range of economic topics pertinent to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity, and more.
By Solomon O. Smith, California Black Media
The California African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual “State of the California African American Economy Summit,” with the aim of bolstering Black economic influence through education and fellowship.
Held Jan. 24 to Jan. 25 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the convention brought together some of the most influential Black business leaders, policy makers and economic thinkers in the state. The discussions focused on a wide range of economic topics pertinent to California’s African American business community, including policy, government contracts, and equity, and more.
Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CALSTA) was a guest at the event. He told attendees about his department’s efforts to increase access for Black business owners.
“One thing I’m taking away from this for sure is we’re going to have to do a better job of connecting through your chambers of all these opportunities of billions of dollars that are coming down the pike. I’m honestly disappointed that people don’t know, so we’ll do better,” said Omishakin.
Lueathel Seawood, the president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of San Joaquin County, expressed frustration with obtaining federal contracts for small businesses, and completing the process. She observed that once a small business was certified as DBE, a Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, there was little help getting to the next step.
Omishakin admitted there is more work to be done to help them complete the process and include them in upcoming projects. However, the high-speed rail system expansion by the California High-Speed Rail Authority has set a goal of 30% participation from small businesses — only 10 percent is set aside for DBE.
The importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in economics was reinforced during the “State of the California Economy” talk led by author and economist Julianne Malveaux, and Anthony Asadullah Samad, Executive Director of the Mervyn Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Assaults on DEI disproportionately affect women of color and Black women, according to Malveaux. When asked what role the loss of DEI might serve in economics, she suggested a more sinister purpose.
“The genesis of all this is anti-blackness. So, your question about how this fits into the economy is economic exclusion, that essentially has been promoted as public policy,” said Malveaux.
The most anticipated speaker at the event was Janice Bryant Howroyd known affectionately to her peers as “JBH.” She is one of the first Black women to run and own a multi-billion-dollar company. Her company ActOne Group, is one of the largest, and most recognized, hiring, staffing and human resources firms in the world. She is the author of “Acting Up” and has a profile on Forbes.
Chairman of the board of directors of the California African American Chamber of Commerce, Timothy Alan Simon, a lawyer and the first Black Appointments Secretary in the Office of the Governor of California, moderated. They discussed the state of Black entrepreneurship in the country and Howroyd gave advice to other business owners.
“We look to inspire and educate,” said Howroyd. “Inspiration is great but when I’ve got people’s attention, I want to teach them something.”
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