Interesting Articles That Came Across Our Desk

From time to time we share articles and news that come across our desk that we think may be of interest to you in the hair industry. Here is one from FayObserver.com a North Carolina publication.

“We have to blame ourselves for creating a culture that accepts the negative portrayal of African-Americans and women.” Curtis said it’s a short distance ...

Another article we'd like to share is one by Paul Street...his take on Barack Obama's speech at the University of Iowa. Click here to read.

Has any or our readers seen or heard this speech? Please share your thoughts by clicking on the "comment" button below.

Hair Extravaganza 2007

Sunday, May 20, 2007
6:05pm - 10:00pm

Marriott Oakland City Center
1001 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607

Info: 707-642-0551 | 951-686-4376

Click on the image for further details:

Special Event by BOBSA Ohio Chapter

BOBSA
Black Owned Beauty Supply Association
Ohio Chapter
Presents:
“Connecting The Dots”
Cosmetologists, Barbers, Nail Techs, Massage Therapist,
Estheticians, Distributors, Manufacturers, and Black owned
Beauty Supply Store Owners.
Come Join Us!
Enjoy food, music, and networking


When: Sunday, May 20, 2007 @ 8pm – 2am
Where: Rhinos Live 11473 Chester Rd., Sharonville
Why: To support, promote, and enhance the growth of the African American Hair Care Industry in the open economic market!

Tickets: $10.00/Additional $10.00 towards
BOBSA Membership
Contact: BOBSA Ohio Chapter
1-888-813-0267

Grooving with “The Second Wind”
Cincinnati’s Jazz and R&B Band,
& after party with DJ Chris Paul

News That Came Across our Desk Today

Here are a few links to news relating to African Americans that caught our eye today and that we thought may be of interest to you.

The New York Press talks about "More Changes to the Dictionary" referring to the term used to describe tightly curled hair.

From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Black and beautiful: African-American women haven't had an easy time in the fashion world...

and more...

A black forefather died 100 years ago
Bangor Daily News - Bangor,ME,USA
For a time Fred had worked with his brother Frank and Frank’s son Fred W., according to Maureen Elgersman Lee in her book "Black Bangor: African Americans ...


Hip-hop's Simmons: Remove offensive words
SI.com - USA
Their discussions are about the corporate social responsibility of the industry to voluntarily show respect to African Americans and other people of color, ...

Phillips: Rappers' only talent is pimping musical trash
Austin American-Statesman (subscription) - Austin,TX,USA
Even before the social movement of the 1960s, African Americans were keenly aware of the cultural damage caused by images of blacks with bad grammar, ...

Feel free to post your comment on any of these articles.

Open Friday: Planning for Next Week

Today, we leave this blog open for any hair and beauty industry-related issue you wish to post a comment on. As you end the week and plan for the new one, think about the things you wish to achieve professionally and personally over the upcoming week. Then think about a month from now, next year, the next five years. But start with the small steps to reach the big goal.

Please share your thoughts on what's helping you reach your goals, or what's stopping you from achieving them. Think on them when you plan for next week.

Click on the comment button to post. Thank you.

Happy Friday!

Own A BOBSA Online Business

BOBSA Online Stores, LLC exists to fulfill part of the BOBSA mission: to assist entrepreneurs in owning and operating Black Owned Beauty Supply Stores nationally and internationally.

The online stores differentiate themselves with the BOBSA approach:
• BOBSA focuses on a broad range of products – a whole product line that meets all hair care needs
• BOBSA supplies hard-to-get items and items by local and regional manufacturers
• BOBSA recognizes the effectiveness of technology in getting products to customers via cost-effective, convenient, and fast channels – online stores.

To locate a BOBSA online store, visit http://www.bobsaonlinestores.com. This provides a directory to stores where you can shop for hundreds of products, specialty items, and BOBSA exclusive items.

The BOBSA Organization

The BOBSA organization offers many benefits that reflect the reason BOBSA exists. Foremost, BOBSA “Connects the Black Dots” nationally and internationally, by connecting manufacturers to black beauty supply stores, to salons, to the black Cosmetologist and ultimately to the entire Black community.

Networking and participation opportunities exist at BOBSA with ongoing roundtables, conferences, trade shows, seminars, and workshops. Co-op buying allows hair salons and beauty supply stores to cost-effectively acquire merchandise for their businesses. As the organization grows, new benefits, such as group medical insurance, are being offered to members.

How is Your Cultural Health?

Have you been thinking about your personal health, the health of the economy, the health of your business...? How about your cultural health? See how well you fare at The Cultural & Political Health 101 Club

The BOBSA Gift Shop

Support the BOBSA Gift Shop. Connect the dot gifts T-Shirts and more. The Black Owned Beauty Supply Association is on the move. Black Dot gifts remind us of our mission and help spread the word.

Click here to start shopping!

Our Condolences to Virginia Tech

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the students, faculty, staff, families, and friends of Virginia Tech. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

What is Your Small Business or Career Issue?

Many issues impact the black hair industry and small businesses in general: access to capital, access to adequate health insurance, easy access to professional hair and beauty products. The list goes on. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce states that, "acquiring capital is a driving concern for small business owners," (2005). Read the survey results of Access to Capital: What Funding Sources Work For You? here.

This is an opportunity for your to post comments on your top issue from last week. Your issue can be taken from the media, your personal experience, or the experience of others. Your post should focus on legal, financial, ethical, social, or other factors that impact your career in the hair and beauty industry.

What Kind of Hair?

The media is still ablaze from last week's events surrounding the term, "nappy-headed hos" that Don Imus used to describe the Rutgers University's women's basketball team. This is an issue for many African Americans, sparking debates everywhere with many television and radio stations re-arranging their programs to accommodate these debates.

What is your take on this issue?

Click "Comments" to share your thoughts.

BOBSA Online Stores

Have you checked out our BOBSA online stores?

Visit us here: http://www.bobsaonlinestores.com and choose a store near you.

Support Black Manufacturers and Black Beauty Supply Store Owners.

Shop BOBSA.

Welcome to the BOBSA Blog

Dear Members and Friends of BOBSA:

In our continued effort to provide you with up-to-date information and a forum for peer support, we have created the BOBSA Blog. Please view our blog often to read current posts and to post your comments as well.

Guidelines for posting:

• Please be mindful of your comments as this is a public blog.
• Please refrain from derogatory remarks and obscene language.
• Do post helpful tips for BOBSA members and others in the hair and beauty industry.
• Do feel free to discuss current events that impact our careers in the hair and beauty industry.

We hope you will find this mode of communication helpful and that you will use it to your benefit and the benefit of others.

Happy posting!