The Center for Leadership Development (CLD) announced Indianapolis Recorder President & CEO, Robert Shegog as one of their nominees for this year’s recognition for Black excellence.
The center said Shegogs leads with passion and dedication at Indianapolis Recorder and he embodies the spirit of excellence that enriches our community. His remarkable contributions have not only elevated the success of the company but have also left an indelible mark on Indiana.
The annual Minority Achievers Awards & Scholarship Gala (MAAG) is a noteworthy evening of recognition where CLD, education, business, corporate, and community leaders gather to celebrate the achievements of minority professionals, community leaders, and CLD scholars.
The Gala acknowledges CLD students who have received scholarships from educational institutions for attaining their intellectual and academic potential.
In 2023, over $5.4 million in full and partial scholarship funds were awarded to CLD Alumni, and since 2004, CLD students have been awarded over $39 million in scholarships.
Local corporations, organizations, and educational institutions celebrate the chance to honor exceptional minority individuals who demonstrate excellence in their profession or community.
“I am thrilled and honored to be nominated at the 44th Annual Minority Achievers Awards & Scholarship Gala by the Center for Leadership Development. This recognition underscores my dedication to life, service, and career excellence,” said Shegog.
“Your encouragement means the world to me, and together, we can inspire and empower the community and the youth that CLD serves. Let’s make a positive impact on our community and celebrate the achievements that shape our future. Thank you for your ongoing support.”
The gala will be Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Indiana Convention Center with doors opening at 5:45 p.m. and the dinner and program starting at 6:00 p.m.
Communities struggle when jobs and wealth leave the neighborhood. When the big employer leaves, joblessness, drug use, poor housing stock, food scarcity, and infrastructure woes begin to plague once successful areas of the city.
There is a way up through business ownership and succession.
Many communities are already taking advantage of small business growth as an essential economic development tool. Social programs, grocery stores, and crime prevention are all necessary tools of neighborhood revitalization. However, communities need sustainable long-term fixes that create cash for generations. Even though a large corporation could come (back) to the neighborhood, we cannot count on it. Small business training, ownership, and succession are the fix.
There are challenges associated with using small business development as an economic development tool. Education, access to capital, funding, and more create roadblocks that can be overcome with strategic planning and execution.
Education: We Need More Incubators
Business incubators are starting to show up in economically challenged communities. We need more of them and we need professionals to donate their time and educate new business owners on the tools of success. CPAs need to show up to teach tax mitigation and payment strategies. Attorneys need to be on-hand to discuss business formation, risk management, and contracting. We need wealth managers on deck to teach entrepreneurs how to save, invest, and leverage their business as a wealth creation tool.
Be a Buyer, Not a Founder
Many see the only path to entrepreneurship in starting a business. Starting a business is expensive, time consuming, resource demanding, and has a high rate of failure. Purchasing a business is the best path to ownership. Cash flow/profit is already baked into the deal. Employees, clients, systems, vendors, and suppliers come with the company. Acquiring a company gives entrepreneurs a running start.
Gain Access to Capital
Getting money to start or buy a business, when you have few assets to lend against, can be challenging. Entrepreneurs want to start a business to produce cash and build assets, however it is tough to get a loan without cash flow or assets. Savings, investment partners, grants, and special bank loans can be the answer. Some financial institutions have 0% and 5% down payment loans available for acquisitions by minorities. Consider buying your employer’s company. This can be done slowly through payroll deducted equity contributions, or all at once with a bank loan specifically suited for acquisitions by employees. It would also behoove communities to pool financial resources together, start an investment fund, and pour money into acquisitions in specific neighborhoods.
Select Profitable Industries
Cupcakes and ribs are delicious, but food or retail as the foundation of a business are an unlikely source of long-term wealth for a community. The best companies to start or acquire produce 10-30% annual profit, are able to run without the owner, have a service or product that produces automatic recurring revenue, and are not dependent on a handful of clients. Manufacturing, software, business services, and building trades are excellent industries to do business in.
Know the Business’ Financials
Gross sales are simple to calculate. However, the numbers that make the biggest impact on wealth creation are costs of goods sold (COGS), operating expenses, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), and net income. Get a FreshBooks or QuickBooks account, connect it to your bank account, and begin tracking income and expenses. This practice will help with business management, future valuation and sale, and having the right documentation to get a bank loan.
Hire Within the Community
Now that we have a well-funded business run by an educated owner, the owner should place a priority on hiring within the community. Some residents may need to skill-up. This is where the community college, trade schools, and community development centers come in. Business owners should also financially invest in skills training, language instruction for non-English speakers, family support services for their employees as employment benefits. Then, teach the best employees how to run the business, and allow those employees to run, and have equity in, your next acquisition. As entrepreneurs hire more and more of the neighborhood, the tide of success will raise all boats.
Leverage the Benefits of Business Ownership
Business ownership comes with benefits. Entrepreneurs can reduce their tax burden through write-offs. The business owner can deduct charitable contributions to neighborhood organizations. Investors can put their money into tax-credit subsidized real estate developments within their community to shelter profits from capital gains taxes. Owners need to be trained by professional advisors on how to take advantage of tools the wealthy use to maintain and grow their assets.
Create Generational Wealth
Finally, business ownership over job creation creates generational wealth. If someone has a job, once they retire, the money stops. Hopefully, that individual saved and invested well so their retirement is fully funded and they have assets to pass to the next generation upon death. Unfortunately, many are not in the position to fully retire, and even fewer are financially able to provide generations with perpetual wealth.
On the other hand, business ownership can provide generations with jobs and wealth that does not end. Owners can keep jobs in the neighborhood by gifting or selling their business to family or community members. Entrepreneurs can also sell their business, invest the sale proceeds, and have hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars that produce dividends forever.
Good jobs are a path to the middle class. Well-run businesses are the path to individual wealth, generational wealth, and neighborhood transformation.
Jamar Cobb-Dennard is a M&A attorney and business broker. To learn more about how to buy or sell a business, email Jamar at jamar@jamarcobbdennard.com.
A.G. Maas Supply Company, a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) in Indianapolis, has been named Vendor of the Month for March. The award was presented to Maas’ Cindy Schum by Councilor Keith L. Graves and Director at the Office of Minority and Women Business Development (OMWBD) David Fredricks on Mar. 1, marking the start of Women’s History Month.
Founded in 1915, A.G. Maas is one of the oldest women-owned businesses in Indianapolis. The facility and janitorial supply and Division 10 and 12 subcontractor became women-owned in 1983 and is currently under the leadership of Schum. The company prioritizes community involvement through sponsorships, volunteer programs and partnerships.
A.G. Maas’ commitment to personal attention and individualized solutions sets them apart from other supply companies. A.G. Maas works exclusively with manufacturers that provide reliable customer service and quality products and buys products from companies that share their environmental concerns.
The company is committed to providing world-class service, unique solutions for specific needs, national distribution, supply management and procurement. A.G. Maas serves a variety of industries, including schools, government facilities and large office buildings, with quality cleaning supplies, office supplies, site furnishings and more.
“At A.G. Maas, we are dedicated to providing the best service and products to the wonderful community of Indianapolis. This award serves as a reminder of our commitment to continue serving the residents and businesses in this city with excellence and dedication,” said Schum in a statement.
The company has been 100% women-owned since 1983 and is Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certified with the City of Indianapolis and the State of Indiana, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified with the Indiana Department of Transportation, and certified with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
The company is also a certified Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) with the Small Business Administration and certified by the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE).
“As one of the first women-owned businesses in Indianapolis, A.G. Maas Company has been a trailblazer in our community, inspiring many with their dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence,” said Councilor Graves. “Their success serves as a beacon of empowerment for all aspiring entrepreneurs, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements this month.”
Contact multimedia staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral.
Stephanie Franklin decided to leave her corporate job in tech and turn her passion for wine into a business. Now, she has created Fly Wines, a wholesale and distribution company providing unique wines.
Franklin partners with independent wineries from underrepresented countries, for example Turkey, to give wine lovers in the U.S. a one-of-a-kind experience. Franklin says her wines offer a peek into the culture of these countries while allowing wineries to reach customers in the U.S.
For Franklin, Fly Wines combines passion and work, and her decision to start the company comes from turning tragedy into triumph.
After the passing of her mother and a close friend in a short period, Franklin decided to use the lessons her mother gave her and how she lived her life as examples for her own life.
Franklin was working in marketing and advertising for the tech industry but was not enjoying it. Shortly after her mother’s passing, she reevaluated her life, realized there needed to be a change, and decided to go full force into the wine industry.
“I always enjoyed wines, understanding wines, so it seemed like a perfect marriage between how I really wanted to live my current authentic life. I can keep doing the same ol’ same ol’, and I can make good money, but am I really fulfilled?” Franklin said.
She then started the research and work necessary to make Fly Wines a profitable business. Franklin has always been curious and loved learning, so when it came to wine – something she enjoys – she used that curiosity for wine to help propel her through the logistics of starting a wine business.
She had to learn how to create a distribution company and work with the Alcohol Bureau Control, the FDA and other agencies to obtain licenses to start Fly Wines. Through all this work, Franklin says she focused on one step at a time, always staying present in the moment instead of looking toward the finish line.
“I always tell people, if I had seen from the beginning how much it would take to get here, I probably would have been overwhelmed.”
Now, her work is coming to fruition through Fly Wines. Her business is unique because she sources the wineries herself with her sommelier, Giuliano Manno. Together, they focus on finding independent wineries, which Franklin says adds exclusivity to Fly Wines.
According to Franklin, many wines consumers drink are made in the same regions, so wine will start to take on similar tastes. She explained that cabernets grown in similar regions and climates will begin to give the consumer a “linear” idea of what a cabernet should taste like.
By finding and creating relationships with wineries from lesser-known regions, she can offer wines with deeper flavors, unique smells and characteristics consumers would not usually see.
In countries commonly known for wine, like Italy, focusing on lesser-known regions produces wine with a different drinking experience.
“Yes, Italian wines are well known, but then you’ll understand, once you dig into it, that Italian wines mostly come from one particular region, so the other regions don’t get much visibility. So, that focus on independent wineries helps to create exclusivity and a reach beyond the norm and allows us to enhance the palettes of the American consumers of wine.”
By traveling to these wineries in different countries and working with independent wineries, Franklin can provide products only available through Fly Wines.
“We work with independent wineries from around the world and we bring them to the US exclusively, so all of these wines that you experience through us can only be found through us because we have exclusive partnerships and relationships,” Franklin said.
You can purchase a wine-tasting kit that samples different wines through her website. She also provides a wine subscription program for consumers to try full bottles of wine from the independent wineries she works with. Through the subscription program, members get bottles of wine shipped to them monthly, with shipping and handling already included in the price. Go to Flywines.club to expand your palette and try one-of-a-kind wines today.
“This minority business highlight was composed by Garrett Simms at the Indianapolis Recorder, who can be reached at [317-762-7847] or via email at garretts@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine, click here!”
A buff-brick building sits on a busy one-way street near Downtown Indianapolis. It is swallowed by a host of maple trees, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and Ivy Tech Community College.
Residents might miss the unassuming “Fathers and Families” sign outside, but inside, Larry Smith and his small army are doing the work many don’t want to miss. They are empowering men and families to put an end to the absent fatherhood crisis.
Smith is president and CEO of Fathers and Families, a small nonprofit that has served more than 20,000 men during the past 30 years. The organization’s legacy now sits on his shoulders, and he said it hasn’t been an easy task.
According to a U.S. Census Bureau 2021 report, 64% of Black children live in a single-parent home. But Smith said statistics alone do not tell a full story. The men who walk through his doors have a desire for fatherhood. He said systemic circumstances deserve more of the blame.
The George Floyd protests in 2020 advanced federal efforts, such as the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (CSSBMB), to research these issues more in-depth. Cosponsored by Rep. Frederica Wilson and Sen. Marco Rubio, the bipartisan 19-member taskforce was established to study and identify Black males’ lived experience and disparities.
CSSBMB’s Executive Director Mark Spencer’s role requires him to be a liaison. The commission features prominent political figures such as Rev. Al Sharpton and notes educational inequity to be a point of emphasis for this suffering demographic.
“We are in this moment, particularly after the pandemic, where educational attainment is under serious pressure and we have to intervene to improve, particularly for Black boys,” he said.
But the conversation that surrounds Black men and boys for Spencer requires historical context. He said it starts with slavery and race massacres during Jim Crow, and he embraces the “controversial” conversations.
“It has always been a challenge fighting against a social and legal structure that has always undermined the dignity of Black boys who become fathers,” Spencer said.
The former deputy chief prosecutor acknowledged the 1994 Crime Bill’s contribution to the mass incarceration of Black and brown males. Spencer said it ultimately augmented the current fatherhood crisis that Father and Families seeks to mitigate today.
“We highlight brave and conscientious people and organizations like Fathers and Families who are not waiting for government, but who are shuffled to the ground with their own initiatives and working to improve the lives of all Black people,” Spencer said. “We are saying to the White House, Congress and other decision makers, look at what’s happening in Indianapolis. [Fathers and Families] should be a program that if you invest in it can have great returns.”
A father with no father
The Fathers and Families center’s basement has an array of ties, shirts, pants, and shoes. The organization offers free wardrobe assistance to help men in need of men of professional clothing for the Strong Fathers graduation ceremony, job interviews and other events alike. (Photo/Mesgana Waiss)
For Smith, this line of work is personal. He grew up without his father, after his parents divorced when he was four. His mother and grandparents raised him, and although his grandfather served as a male role model, the absence of his father had a profound impact on his life.
“My goal was to be the opposite of my father,” Smith said. “I look to him as a teacher, he taught me how not to be a father.”
When Smith became a father at 16, he was determined to be present. And now at 53 it rings true for the father of three and grandfather of two. His two youngest children, a son who is a high school junior and class president, and a daughter who attends Howard University, are some of his proudest achievements.
“I’ve learned a great deal on how to become a better father since I’ve been here,” he said. “Shortly before taking my daughter to college, she was my intern. She has a better appreciation for what I do now.”
Smith was able to be involved with his family and graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts with a degree in Afro-American studies and earned an MBA from Stanford University. His other achievements include Indy’s Best and Brightest winner, an Indiana University Tobias fellow and being listed in the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Forty Under 40. Prior to his role at Fathers and Families, he served as director of development for the Hamilton County Community Foundation.
“I take community work as a badge of honor,” he said. “I sit on five community improvement boards and still find time to write my own column for the Indianapolis Recorder.”
As president and CEO of Fathers and Families, Smith has three main goals for the organization:
Expand the organization’s name recognition
Build more partnerships for their clientele
And raise money.
What does it mean to be a father in the 21st Century?
Father and Families offers two main programs. Strong Fathers is a free, three-week program offered year-round. From 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, participants attend sex education, financial literacy, conflict resolution and professional development classes.
“Most of the men like me grew up without a father.” Smith said. “We focus on the four P’s. The person, partner, protector and provider.”
Participants also have an opportunity to earn money weekly based strictly on their attendance and punctuality. Smith said this builds a culture that prepares the men for the workforce.
The other program works directly with men in correctional facilities who plan to be released within 30-90 days. Men at the jail voluntarily attend the Fathers and Families courses that mimic the Strong Fathers’ program sessions.
Smith said these classes prepare them to successfully integrate back into society. Fathers and Families also offers the men free STD testing and formal business attire.
Martin’s testimony
At the end of each Strong Fathers program, the organization holds a graduation ceremony to honor the hard work of the men. In 2001, Jeffery Martin sat in one of those chairs awaiting his name to be called.
The year prior, the Broad Ripple High School alumnus welcomed a daughter into the world. Life was difficult, and he struggled to pay child support. He saw a Fathers and Families commercial and knew someone who benefitted from the program. When he learned there was a financial incentive, he knew he had to give it a try.
Jeff Martin, an independent filmmaker and former Fathers and Families client, proudly holds the Heart of the Father award at the Faces of Fathers Luncheon. He was recognized for his community service and modeling fatherhood with the organization’s support. (Photo provided/Jeff Martin)
“Seeing a lot of the positive male figures who genuinely were trying to help, that always stuck with me,” Martin said. “That absolutely was what I needed at the time. I was fortunate to grow up with male role models but being an adult it’s easy for people to give up on you. They look at you as having missed your chance. But this organization still focused on me.”
Martin said nothing changed substantially in his life immediately after the Strong Fathers program. He was homeless and in a desperate search for a job. He went back to Fathers and Families to speak with former president and CEO Wallace McLaughlin.
He planned to attend an audio engineering school in Chillicothe, Ohio. McLaughlin insisted on helping Martin find a place to live first.
“I was like I can be homeless for a little bit longer if I can go to this school,” Martin said. “I knew that was my way.”
Fathers and Families agreed and provided Martin with more than half of the money to attend the 10-week certification course. He said that opportunity was the movement toward a sustainable life.
“The assistance didn’t stop at graduation,” he said. “I still had resources and tons of people behind me which made it easier for me to get out of homelessness.”
Martin said the organization taught him patience, which still accompanies him during difficult moments. He said being in the Fathers and Families’ setting he realized the importance of other people’s perspectives. This led him to put aside his differences with his oldest child’s mother to adhere to his responsibility as a father.
“I just remember having a talk with her and we put it all on the table,” Martin said. “It was then we built a bridge that we could get across.”
It is more than 22 years later, and Martin is an independent filmmaker. And he still manages to provide for his four children who range in age from 3-23.
“I would recommend Fathers and Families to anyone, fathers and couples,” he said. “It’s just a huge resource to the community.”
Fathers, families and the future
This year Fathers and Families developed a close partnership with Eastern Star Church. The center will begin construction training at the church’s main location on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis.
“This is a very important opportunity for our men to gain new skills,” Smith said.
Smith celebrates his first full year in this role replacing McLaughlin’s rather intimidating 29-year term. And he is not interested in following in his predecessor’s footsteps. He has a different idea for his next 28 years.
“My grand aspiration would be to eliminate the need for Fathers and Families to exist,” he said.
Why might you ask? It is not harmful optimism. He adds there will come a time when Fathers and Families will fulfill its need in the community.
“The ultimate goal of almost any nonprofit organization is to put itself out of business,” Smith said.
He said he hopes this happens soon so organizations like his can embark on challenging other issues related to the human condition. To learn more about Fathers and Families, visit fathersandfamiliescenter.org.
Recognizing its greater focus on the AES Indiana projects to modernize the grid, enhance customer experience, and community leadership, today, the AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) announced the appointment of Brandi Davis-Handy as President of AES Indiana. Davis-Handy most recently served as Chief Customer Officer and has spent eight years of her career with AES in Indiana.
“Brandi is a trusted business and community leader,” said Ken Zagzebski. “Brandi has demonstrated herself to have a strong grasp of our entire business and has a deep passion for our customers. Her capacity to effectively balance the business, customer and people sides of our work, and to operate at both the global and local level, will remain a significant asset for AES Indiana and our community.”
Ken Zagzebski will remain SVP of AES, President Utilities and CEO of AES Indiana. Davis-Handy will be accountable for the utility’s budget, advancing the utility customer experience, growth, regulatory, government affairs and community impact priorities.
“I look forward to working alongside our team to better meet our customers’ and communities’ needs and expectations as we accelerate the energy transition happening here in Central Indiana and across our state,” said Davis-Handy.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Davis-Handy is a graduate of Lawrence Central High School and of Hampton University in Virginia. Davis-Handy returned to Indianapolis in 2005 after working as a journalist in North Carolina. Brandi previously held leadership positions at OneAmerica and Project Lead The Way. Her community involvement is deep and includes serving as chair of the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana and GangGang, as well as serving on the boards of the Indiana Energy Association, Indy Chamber, Indiana Sports Corporation, 500 Festival and the Urban League of Indianapolis.
Along with the AES Indiana announcement, AES Ohio names Tom Raga President of AES Ohio.
CEO OF THE ONE OF THE LARGEST BANKS IN THE WORLD, JAMIE DIMON, SPEAKS TO US ABOUT THE FIRM’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MIDSIZE BUSINESSES AND MORE.
JP Morgan Chase pledged $30 billion towards supporting minority communities. In your view, has this pledge been effective? And what other opportunities exist?
It’s been hugely effective. After the murder of George Floyd, a lot of companies already did things. JP Morgan Chase has always been doing things to try to advance racial equity years before. Some worked and some didn’t work. But I would say that we started Advancing Black Pathways before that, which is both inside and outside of that advancing black leaders, entrepreneurs of color, hiring veterans, minority, Hispanic, white veterans, affordable housing. But after the murder of George Floyd, we had this $30 billion racial equity commitment, which is an enormous amount. But it’s also very specific. $12 billion of affordable housing, $8 billion of mortgages, community branches, financial education, entrepreneurs of color fund, things that we do in purchasing, diverse vendors. We spend, I think, almost $800 million with minority vendors, $2 billion with a total if you include disabled, veterans and women and all that, and it works. And we’ve basically met the commitment.
But what really happens, these are really big numbers, but it’s a mortgage loan officer in that part of town. It’s a community branch in that part of town. Those community branches hire locally. When they get built or rehabbed, we use local contractors. We have events there. We use local food. They’re maintained by local systems companies and others like that. And it will become a permanent program soon as opposed to a five-year commitment. And it will be that number with more growing over time.
But I would tell you, and very important to understand, the government needs to do other things too. You can have every company in the world doing this, it won’t make up for shortcomings of inner city schools, the earned income tax credit, child care, all these other things. Those are really important if you really want to lift up all these communities.
In the report in partnership with Next Street, the numbers speak for themselves, with 300,000 mid-sized businesses across the US that generate $13 trillion in annual revenue and employ more than 40 million people. How can we ensure more diverse companies are represented in this segment?
You have to keep in mind, the world is symbiotic. Those companies, a lot of them exist to serve big companies. So it’s not like they exist on their own. But what we’re doing is very special programs to lend, support women, minority, veteran businesses. We purchase from them, which I think if you ask them, they tell you it might be even the bigger thing. They give them a chance to be a vendor to a J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Because when they become a vendor, it means they’ve been through a process. Very often, when they’ve been through that process other people just take them on. They don’t worry about due diligence or something like that. And then we started something – the Entrepreneur of Color Fund, which I think has been so far hugely successful. It’s one thing to lend money, some money, but what a lot of people need is advice. So we started small business consultants. I learned this from a community development fund – The guy, they [business owners] were telling me, “that guy, he helped us more. He helped us find leases, and negotiate terms, and how to hire people, and how to find the second location for a restaurant,” all these various things. But it’s doable. It’s working. It’s hard. It’s taken a long time.
Your tenure is historic, and your name will go down in the books, as far as the financial industry is concerned. What does legacy look like for you?
So when I took over Bank One, a former CEO came to see me and said, you’ve got to make a name for yourself, and leave the legacy behind, and he was a little guy, and I said to him, what do you mean? And he said, you’ve got to make a name. You’ve got to do something special, maybe you should take Bank One International. I said, Bob, we’re doing a [terrible] job in the United States of America. What gives us the right to try to attack overseas? When we’re doing a good job here, then we’ll think about international. I told him how hard it was. And when he was walking out, I said, by the way, if I ever do international, it’ll be big, and four years later, when we merged with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co, I called him up and said, “That’s what I mean!”
But the only legacy is knowing you’ve built a better place and left a better world. Not whether you did one innovative thing, or eight innovative things, or started a thing? No, you leave behind a healthy, vibrant, strong company of people of character, where you’re trusting your communities. You’ve done a good job for shareholders. You’ve done a great job for your employees. You’ve done a great job for all the companies and people you work with. That’s all I want. And on my gravestone, you can just say we’re going to miss this SOB.
Jamie, the Indianapolis Recorder and Recorder Media Group work with JPMorgan Chase’s Regional Communications team through the Multicultural Media Project. Each month, we publish your sponsored content that focuses on financial health and literacy . I’m curious to hear from you about the why behind this program – why is it important for the firm to invest in local journalists, especially those publications like ours with a diverse audience.
So we’ve been doing this for a long time. But when I went to our community branch in Harlem, Crenshaw, LA, South Side of Chicago, opening one in Brooklyn and Bronx soon and when I went to the one in Harlem, I was interviewed by two newspapers… You don’t really realize that these papers are really embedded in their communities. Believe it or not, they write better than some of these other people. They actually write the story with some facts and detail. It’s a wonderful thing that you get because they’re there. They watch our branch in Harlem. It wasn’t me trying to sell them what’s going on in the branch, they saw what’s going on in the branch. They saw that these community managers are bringing in the local religious institutions and small businesses. …And they were having fun and the art was done by local people. The one I went to in Harlem had someone draw a picture of me and put it up there. So as we work with you guys, we get better at it. And you get better at working with us. We want to reach out to your community and we’re not going to stop doing that. So that’s why. And we’re big supporters of the media in general, even though we complain about it, just like a lot of the people. You’re probably going to get it wrong.
What is the Future of FinTech and Banking partnerships as some of the regulators have seemed to be scrutinizing it a little more because it’s an emerging field. And then part two of that, what do you see as the future of cash?
Banks are big tech companies. We have 55,000 people in technology. We run 6,000 applications. We partner with hundreds of other companies in cyber and FinTech and core systems that you wouldn’t necessarily know about. So it’s both. And then a lot of these FinTech companies won’t make it and a lot of them are quite good. And they’ve done a very good job, like Stripe and PayPal. Apple, I put that in the category as kind of a new emerging thing. One thing I pointed out before about fair and unfair competition, we have social obligations, FDIC obligations, insurance obligations, reporting obligations,capital obligations, stress test obligations. And some of these other people have none. I mean, that’s why some of the banks could be valuable to the FinTechs, is that you’ve got the things that maybe they need. Yes, and vice versa. Some of them are quite good at things they do, but we have absolutely no doubt we can compete with just about anybody. To the second part of that question cash is coming down and your debit cards and credit cards are going way up. They’re both fabulous products. A debit card is, for a consumer, you don’t have to carry around cash, you don’t have to get cash, it’s not risky. You can go anywhere with it, it’s great for retailers. Even though they complain because when they have to process cash, it costs them a lot of money, insurance, defalcation, the register machines, they have to drop the cash off at a bank, they have to sometimes have guards. It causes huge issues… But one day, your finger or your eyeball will be like a debit card or credit card. It’s the same thing. It’ll just be identified, and so more and more payments will become non-cash. But people always use some cash, at least in America. Old habits die hard.
President & CEO of the Recorder Media Group, Robert Shegog, was part of a reception where Jamie Dimon shared insight into the bank’s goals and successes. He remarked, “The impact that J.P. Morgan Chase & Co is making on the community and the focus on overall economic impact gives confidence that the underrepresented are being considered and given the opportunity to not only grow their personal financial health but deepen the sustainability and growth of their businesses.”
In the heart of Indianapolis’ eastside, there’s a culinary gem that has been enchanting taste buds and delighting event planners for years. Real Taste Catering, founded by the chef Mark Webster, is not just a catering service; it’s an embodiment of culinary artistry and impeccable service.
At Real Taste Catering, every event is transformed into a culinary voyage, where flavors mingle harmoniously and presentations are nothing short of astonishing.
Webster, with his passion for fine dining and dedication to perfection for more than a decade, has crafted a catering company that sets the standard for excellence in Indianapolis and beyond.
One of the cornerstones of Real Taste Catering is their commitment to using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. From farm-fresh produce to premium cuts of meat, every dish is a testament to their dedication to quality.
Food Catering Cuisine Culinary Gourmet Buffet Party
Real Taste Catering is the perfect choice for any event that requires delicious food that caters to everyone’s taste. They offer a wide range of menu options to cater to different palates and occasions. Their starters are delightful, ranging from delicate bruschetta to indulgent stuffed mushrooms. Fresh and vibrant salads that burst with flavor and comforting soups that warm the soul are staples of their menu. Their main courses are sure to impress, whether it’s succulent roast chicken, melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin, or delicate seafood dishes. You can elevate your meal with a selection of decadent sides, from creamy mashed potatoes to seasonal roasted vegetables and top off the evening with dessert.
But it’s not just about the food at Real Taste Catering; it’s about the entire experience. From the moment you make the initial inquiry to the last bite of cuisine, their team of professionals ensures seamless execution and unparalleled service. With attention to detail and a commitment to excellence, they strive to make every event unforgettable.
Real Taste Catering’s reputation for excellence precedes them, with rave reviews from satisfied clients who have experienced their culinary magic firsthand. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or private party, clients trust Real Taste Catering to deliver an unparalleled dining experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Contact multimedia staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral.For more minority business highlights from the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
As the basketball world took over Indianapolis for the NBA All-Star Weekend from Feb. 16-18, a unique event took place that blended the worlds of sports and technology in an unprecedented manner.
Former NBA star Baron Davis, known for his stellar basketball IQ and entrepreneurial savvy, hosted a technology summit under his company Business Inside the Game (BIG).
On Saturday, Feb. 17, the BIG Summit served as a platform for local and small business owners from both the sports and tech industries to come together and engage in influential panel discussions. With panelists such as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi providing insight, attendees experienced networking events covering a wide array of topics including leadership, technology, investing and the future of sports.
Davis, who founded BIG almost six years ago, beginning with a studio in Los Angeles that has since found a large amount of success, was excited about the opportunity to bring together individuals who share a passion for innovation and forward-thinking.
“What we built in L.A. for the entrepreneurs, it was about giving them [entrepreneurs] game,” Davis said about BIG’s humble beginnings.
Davis said that the tech summit aimed to break down barriers while fostering partnerships between athletes, entrepreneurs, investors and many others.
The offical logo for NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis, February 16-18. (Photo/NBA)
Last year, BIG put on a similar summit during WNBA All-Star, which was ultimately a success.
More than just a networking platform, BIG is a community-driven endeavor that aims to empower its members with access to networking events, investment opportunities and connections with like-minded professionals, including NBA Africa.
“To have NBA Africa a part of this event was a huge part of what BIG wanted to do,” Davis said regarding bridging the game between BIG and NBA Africa. Davis believes that NBA Africa’s involvement will provide its attendees with a unique insight into the realm of sports, business and technology.
With a focus on driving innovation in sports, business and technology, BIG represents a new way of conducting business by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to share ideas and create opportunities.
As Indianapolis plays host to some of the world’s biggest stars, it is also set to become a hub for discussions on the intersection of sports, business and technology, thanks to events such as Davis’ BIG Tech Summit.
“A lot of people get left out during NBA All-Star Weekend,” Davis said regarding the lack of exposure for smaller businesses. The two-time NBA all-star went on to provide some advice for entrepreneurs: “Stay focused on what you are building. Learn to use your superpowers so you can meet others with superpowers.”
Contact senior sports writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral.This story was originally published in the Indianapolis Recorder. For more news courtesy of the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
In a groundbreaking partnership to boost diversity in corporate leadership, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has joined forces with the Indiana University (IU) Kelley School of Business.
This collaboration, announced last month, paves the way for Black graduates from around the globe to pursue their MBA dreams at the prestigious Kelley School.
Kappa Alpha Psi, one of the nation’s oldest Black fraternities, opens its doors to men regardless of background. With over 250,000 initiated members across more than 640 active chapters worldwide, the fraternity boasts a rich history of fostering brotherhood and achievement.
“This partnership creates an exciting opportunity for our members to experience the MBA at our [the fraternity’s] birthplace, Indiana University,” Grand Polemarch (int’l president) of Kappa Alpha Psi Jimmy McMikle said. “It deepens the special bond between Kappa Alpha Psi and Indiana University that began 113 years ago when Black students founded the fraternity seeking support and camaraderie.”
Image of Indiana University college campus exterior buildings with flowers. (Photo/Getty Images)
McMikle graduated from Indiana University in 1992.
Kelley School Dean and Sungkyunkwan Professor Ash Soni believes the partnership is an extension of the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“Kelley co-founded the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, which has empowered over 100,000 individuals of color to earn their MBA,” Soni said. “Today, we celebrate this collaboration with another impactful organization to offer even more leadership opportunities and advance diversity in corporate America.”
The Kelley School of Business has a proven track record of inclusivity, being among the first participants in the Forté Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting women in business.
The fraternity and Kelley School will comprehensively support members pursuing their academic aspirations. This includes financial aid, access to the innovative “Me, Inc.” professional development program and entry into a vast alumni network exceeding 130,000 individuals.
Junior Grand Vice Polemarch for Kappa Alpha Psi Jordan Smith also spoke about the honor of the partnership. “Being a Kelley student and part of this extraordinary partnership is truly an honor,” Smith said. “Kelley School of Business and Kappa Alpha Psi are paving the way for the next generation of business leaders, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
With at least three full-tuition fellowships offered annually, the program opens doors for deserving applicants meeting Kelley’s admission standards. The school also plans to support fellowship recipients attending Kappa Alpha Psi conferences, waive application fees and develop webinars for Kappa Alpha Psi undergraduates to explore business careers.
IU trustee Jeremy A. Morris expressed his pride in the partnership. “The Kelley School is a global leader in business education, and I’m thrilled about this partnership,” Morris said.
“Together, we can elevate the business landscape and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the professional journey.”
Contact multimedia staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral.For more news courtesy of the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
