Upcoming Event: #BusinessGirlMagic Brunch & Learn - *New Date* March 10th (NYC)



Let's kick off 2018 with some #BusinessGirlMagic!

Join us for brunch & conversations with Yasmin J. Mattox, Founder & CEO of Arkatecht, LLC

During brunch you will learn:

  • How to plan for family and career together and simultaneously rather than separately, and why doing so is key to succeeding both personally and professionally. 
  • How technology is being developed to make family and career (advancement) planning more efficient and effective to allow professional women the time and energy to be more present in their careers and with those they love. 
  • How to identify pressing social/societal problems that can be addressed with commercial technological innovations. 
  • + More Business & Lifestyle Topics



About Our Featured Guest Speaker 

Yasmin J. Mattox was born in Lower Manhattan and raised in Harlem. She attended Hunter Elementary and High Schools in New York City, and graduated from high school on Long Island. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Alfred University in 2007, and went on to earn a Master of Science degree in International Studies from St. John Fisher College in 2011.

She has worked in the legal, mental health, renewable energy, and higher education fields, with the common thread being her interest and expertise in interdisciplinary research as a foundation for informing problem solving for issues big and small. From 2012 until 2016, she owned a social science research and consulting firm, conducting psychosocial-oriented research and analysis for business and defense consulting firms located in the United States as well as abroad.

In the beginning of 2017, she founded Arkatecht, a technology company whose mission is to create digital tools that assist professional women with proactively, integratively, and simultaneously planning for family and career advancement to facilitate success and positive outcomes in both areas. She is married and has three young children.

You can learn more about Yasmin's company by visiting: www.arkatecht.com

Upcoming Event: The Art of Success Brunch with Amber Noble Garland - December 9th (Philly)


#100BusinessGirls proudly introduces the first installment of our new event series, Dreams & Gems! Let's get together and celebrate our 2017 accomplishments and kick off 2018 with strategies and actions to get YOU to the next level!

Enjoy brunch, networking, and conversations with like minds in an intimate and upscale environment. Our featured special guest speaker is an entrepreneur, entertainment industry veteran, business strategist, author, and real estate expert, Amber Noble Garland.

Topic
MASTERING THE ART OF SUCCESS: 
HOW TO TURN YOUR DREAM LIFE INTO REALITY 

Registration:
$49 Early Bird Price until October 31st. Now $55
(includes brunch, juices, coffee, iced/hot tea, taxes, gratuity, discussion + gift bag)




Location will be revealed upon RSVP.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT


About Amber Noble Garland 

Amber Noble Garland spent a decade as a marketing and promotions executive in the Radio Industry before being recruited to the global music powerhouse, Def Jam Records in 2001 where she worked with global music icons like Jay-Z, LL Cool J, The Roots, Patti LaBelle, Lionel Richie and The Isley Brothers. Since 1996, Amber has negotiated nearly $20 million in contracts for her clients in the areas of radio, television, digital platforms, book deals, speaking engagements and brand endorsements.

As a high-profile talent manager of 20 years, she’s played an integral part in the career development and expansion for prominent men and women. Amber has represented syndicated radio personalities, TV hosts, best-selling authors, an Emmy award-nominee, a Golden Globe award- winner, a Gracie award-winner and a world-class athlete. Over the course of two decades, a few of her notable talent management clients have included Egypt Sherrod, Idris Elba and Laila Ali.

She’s been a dynamic speaker for Black Enterprise’s Entrepreneur’s Summit and alongside Barbara Corcoran at INC. Magazine’s summit for female entrepreneurs, a moderator for the EPIC conference, and an instructor/facilitator of programs held at Kean University, Seton Hall University, Princeton University, National Urban League Conference.

You can learn more + connect with Amber here: 
WWW.SUCCESSONMYOWNTERMS.COM 

Instagram@ambernoblegarland
Twitter@ANobleGarland


We hope you can join us!

***

Please Note: EVENT & GIFT BAG SPONSORSHIPS are available, email us at info@100businessgirls.com for more information, please put "Sponsor Inquiry" in the subject line. Thank You!

Upcoming Event: Let's Do Brunch! Philly - September 24th


Join us at our upcoming signature brunch meetup!
An enlightening afternoon of conversations, inspiration, and growing your network.

[Event Recap] Navigating the Book Publishing Experience with Dawn Michelle Hardy


#100BusinessGirls had the pleasure of partnering with Dream Relations PR & Literary Consulting Agency to produce the Navigating the Book Publishing Experience with publicist and literary agent, Dawn Michelle Hardy. We hosted the event in Philadelphia and New York City and the turn out from aspiring and current authors was outstanding! Make sure your follow @dreamrelationspr on Instagram to stay updated on future events.

[event] #BusinessGirlsTrip - DC Weekend Getaway this November!


Hey There!

Want to join us in DC this November?

Grab your girls (or whoever has their coins ready) for our first ever #BusinessGirlsTrip!

The trip will take place Saturday, November 4th to Sunday, November 5th, 2017 and leave from Philadelphia, PA. 

Price per person: 
$229 based on 2 per room 
$219 based on 3 per room 
$209 based on 4 per room 

Payment Plan Schedule:
$50 deposit requested ASAP
2nd payment of $100 due September 15th 
Balance due by October 1

Please sign up through Eventbrite to receive more information to begin booking your trip!



For questions, please contact info@100businessgirls.com







[event] Navigating the Book Publishing Experience with Dawn Michelle Hardy - July 23 (Philly) + August 6 (NYC)



#100BusinessGirls and Dream Relations PR & Literary Consulting Agency 
present 
Navigating the Book Publishing Experience with Dawn Michelle Hardy 

When you sit in on Navigating the Book Publishing Experience, you’ll learn the important aspects of becoming a published author—from conceptualizing ideas, finding your voice, creating a catchy hook, identifying your readership, and how to market your work to catch the attention of literary agents, editors, and publishers.

Registration:
$20 to attend and partake in the discussion and Q & A.
$35 includes a 15 minute 1 on 1 speed mentoring session with Dawn Michelle Hardy to discuss your ideas/project.

Brunch will be available for purchase and is not included in this price.


We have two upcoming dates:

Philadelphia - July 23, 2017 
2pm - 4pm
RSVP: https://publishingbrunchPHL.eventbrite.com 

New York City - Sunday, August 6, 2017 
2pm - 4pm
RSVP: https://publishingbrunchNYC.eventbrite.com 

Location will be given upon RSVP for both events.

About Dawn Michelle Hardy

Dawn Michelle Hardy is a book publicist and literary agent who has worked with writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry for the past 15 years. She founded her agency Dream Relations PR & Literary Consulting in 2004 after working with Teri Woods author of True to the Game.

As a publicist she represents fiction, non-fiction and poetry including New York Times bestselling book The Beastside: Living and Dying While Black in America by D. Watkins, 3x-award winning novel The Perfect Find by Tia Williams, a former magazine beauty editor, Counting Descent, a collection of poetry written by Clint Smith an award-winning poet and Behind the Mask: The Linebacker Edition by NFL veteran Takeo Spikes.

She joined Serendipity Literary Agency as an associate in 2011. Some of her clients at Serendipity Literary Agency include Kent Babb, Washington Post sports writer and PEN Literary Award finalist for Not a Game: The Incredible Rise and Unthinkable Fall of Allen Iverson, Jean McGianni Celestin, co-writer of the Nat Turner biopic, The Birth of a Nation and Clay Cane, author of Live Through This: Surviving the Intersections of Sexuality, God and Race.

Dawn describes the work she does as being "a talent manager for creative storytellers across multiple platforms".

You can learn more about Dawn here: www.DreamRelationsPR.com
Follow her on social media: IG @DreamRelationsPR and on Twitter @DawnMichellePR


For more information please contact: info@100BusinessGirls.com

Free Playbook on Growing Your Network Available Now




The Zero to 100 playbook addresses the pain points of networking and how to stay motivated and inspired to build your network authentically and catered to your own needs and desires. It includes tip sheets and checklists to help begin the process of creating your dream network.


[in the news] Women in Tech, Diversity & You - Meetup Recap from Nicole Patton




On April 30th, #100BusinessGirls hosted a Women in Tech meetup with Nicole Patton, a tech professional and STEM advocate, passionate about the importance of diversity and inclusion. Not just talking about it, but actually having solutions.

Here's a clip from the event: 




Read more about what we discussed and tips on how you can create a better experience for women in tech on Nicole's Blog: [Click Here]

Upcoming Event: Women in Sports Brunch - June 10th, 2017


On Saturday, June 10th, we're back in New York for a special discussion over brunch "Women in Sports: UnManning the Game" led by guest speaker Shana Renee. 

Shana Renee puts the femme in female sports fan and expert. 

As the founder and Editor-in-Chief of All Sports Everything, a New York centric sports blog with a range of lifestyle, news, and other sports-relevant content, Shana Renee is the epitome of the modern sports enthusiast. A true, sports-minded millennial woman, Shana Renee represents the future of sports – knowledgeable, ever-evolving and not easily defined. 

As a former ESPN marketing professional, Shana Renee, a native New Yorker, understands how sports, pop culture and the language of today’s athletes intersect – adding a unique perspective, relatable relevance and necessary voice to a traditionally male-driven sports community. Her keen knowledge of sports and strong point of view have made her a highly sought-after multi-media personality, as she regularly provides sports commentary and analysis for an array of media outlets. 

Shana Renee’s features include Black Enterprise.com, Essence.com, MSNBC.com, and the Melissa Harris-Perry Show. She currently contributes to espnW, is a New York University adjunct instructor, and Madison Square Garden marketing consultant. 

Shana Renee earned a B.A. in Psychology from Spelman College and an M.S in Sports Business from NYU. 

During the brunch we will discuss: 

  • Creating your own lane through entrepreneurship 
  • Navigating being a woman in a man's world 
  • How being a woman is an asset, not a liability 
  • + More
Seating is Limited. 

To RSVP click below: 

[May Book Share] Three Books You Should Read This Month


These are three great books that I am currently reading. I should be finished this week. There are just so many gems that I have gotten from each one that I think will make you a better and grow as a business woman, but most importantly as an individual. 

by Beth L. Buelow

Think you have to be loud and brash to be successful in business? Think again. The strengths and traits of the typical introvert lend themselves well to entrepreneurship, as well as “intrapreneurship” and a range of business roles. In The Introvert Entrepreneur, professional coach Beth Buelow shows readers how to harness their natural gifts (including curiosity, independence, and a love of research) and counteract their challenges (such as an aversion to networking and self-promotion). She addresses a wide range of topics --from managing fears and expectations and developing a growth mindset to networking, marketing, leadership skills, and community-building--informed by interviews with introverts who have created successful businesses without compromising their core personality. 
Filled with fresh insights and actionable advice, this essential guide will support anyone who’s striving to make a difference in a loud and chaotic world.

by Maria Nemeth, Ph.D

Thousands of people worldwide have learned how to build a powerful new relationship with their money and bring their dreams to fruition through Dr. Maria Nemeth's dynamic workshops. Now you can, too. In The Energy of Money, Dr. Nemeth--who received an Audio Publishers Award for her Sounds True series on which this book is based--draws upon her more than twenty years' experience in synthesizing spiritual and practical techniques for managing yourself and your work to create a revolutionary program that can free your financial energy and use it to achieve personal life goals and financial wealth. Combining a complete self-help and self-discovery regimen with proven methods of money management, this powerhouse guide to prosperity presents twelve principles that will help you to - 
  • Uncover the hidden landscape of beliefs, patterns, and habits that underlie and sometimes subvert your everyday use of money and personal resources -
  • Tame the dragons of driven behavior and busyholism 
  • Defuse fears of deprivation and scarcity 
  • Embrace and work through paradox and confusion 
  • Consciously focus your money energy 
  • Clear yourself to receive the energy and support of others and the universe 
  • Develop and stay on your personal path to abundance 
Through easy-to-follow exercises and meditations, effective worksheets, and other interactive processes, Dr. Nemeth will guide you to financial success and help you manifest your special contribution to the world.

by Susan T. Spencer
Women, you're unique. You lead differently from men, and that's a good thing--especially in the world of business! By reading Briefcase Essentials, you'll learn how to deal with men in business instead of trying to act like them. You--and your male colleagues--will discover that by using your natural talents in the business world, the power of your positive actions will change men's attitude from confrontational to cooperative--even in the most male-dominated environments. Susan Spencer's one-of-a-kind background has given her a fresh perspective on women in business. Her exciting saga and energizing guide roots for you to succeed and urges you to tackle business issues and situations by relying on your innate talents--explained as twelve ''Briefcase Essentials.'' Specifically, you'll learn: 

  • How your ability to be flexible and adaptable in business will help you solve problems and handle workplace issues. 
  • How using your knack of engaging people and putting them first will lead to business success.
  • How and when you should stand your ground to achieve positive results and gain credibility.
  • How your intuition can be trusted to help you make important decisions. 
  • How your perceptive communication will drive sales and help your company grow. 
  • How ''bandwagon men'' help women finance their businesses and support their growth. 
Susan's stories and examples are authentic, and her advice for women in business, who own companies, or who are thinking about starting a business is direct, practical, pioneering, and barrier breaking. You are persistent, adaptable, improvisational, and empathetic. When you unleash those and your eight other proven traits in the workplace, your success is inevitable.

All of these books can be found on Amazon for under $11. The first two, The Introvert Entrepreneur and The Energy of Money allow you to really dig deep into various areas of your life and complete exercises that will help you identify and improve. What I particularly love about Susan's book, Briefcase Essentials is that these are her stories from her experience owning several businesses from selling tennis dresses, to General Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, to owner of Allied Steaks. You can learn a great deal in terms of taking chances and trusting your gut. It is often said, but to read about it in action is equivalent to having a priceless mentor in the palm of your hand.

Happy Reading!

Upcoming Event: Women in Technology Brunch - April 30th, 2017


On Sunday, April 30th, we will be hosting a very special discussion over brunch, "Women in Technology, Diversity, and You" led by guest speaker, Nicole Patton.

Nicole Patton has over eleven years technology experience in system engineering, application implementation and standardization of enterprise environments. She works in public and private sectors bringing her diverse knowledge of technologies to provide client solutions.
Throughout her career Nicole has been one of the few African American females on technical teams. She empowers others by speaking about the importance of tech diversity and inclusion. Her tech talks also encourage women and minorities to strive for leadership roles in the tech field. Nicole holds a B.S. and M.S. in Management of Information Technology and a MBA from the University of Maryland. She speaks at college, high school, and public events sharing her story among STEM students and professionals..

During the discussion we will: 

  • Explore the journey of women and minorities in diverse/non-diverse tech environments 
  • Share personal stories 
  • Discuss the role inclusion has in providing more diverse workspaces, and 
  • Discuss how we can create a pipeline for more women and minorities in tech,,,and more!!!
Seating is limited.

To RSVP visit:
Location will be revealed upon RSVP

[April Book Share] Three Books You Should Read This Month


This month all I'm going to tell you is this. Make sure Worth More Than Gold is at the top of your books you must own list. I've curated a treasure of affirmations that have helped me on this journey of entrepreneurship and I just want to pass on the wisdom and sanity reinforcement. 

Next, I want to highlight authors who are actually in the #100BusinessGirls network (and if you read this and I didn't include you, make sure you email me and I will highlight your work as well. You must have attended an event in the past to be mentioned.)

Ashley Coleman is an author and publisher of WriteLaughDream.com. Her latest book, Love on Purpose: Make your love intentional, deliberate, and on purpose "visits the most common relationship issues and how to work through them in love; from managing unrealistic expectations to improving communication." Ashley is also the author of Dear Love: A love letter to you, a collection of love notes and narratives that will change the way you think about love. Follow Ashley @writelaughdream

Tiffany Wilson is an inspirational speaker, spiritual leader, and the author of #GetEngaged with Yourself & Win: 12 Keys to Unlocking the Love and Life Your Desire . #GetEngaged is a manifesto for women everywhere who want to be more confident, spiritually connected, and continue to grow in their life and career. Follow Tiffany @tiffytalks and visit www.tiffytalks.com.

Lorenza Tanya Brown is an author and business consultant that helps entrepreneurs launch their fashion line. Her book, How to Create the Fashion Designs of Your Dreams, is a DIY guide for any aspiring fashion designer and/or fashion entrepreneur filled with all the proper information and resources necessary to go from idea to execution, no technical skills required. Follow Lorenza @lorenzabrownconsulting

[in the news] All About Brunch w. #100BusinessGirls

#100BusinessGirls was recently featured on the lifestyle blog, Lissa-Marie.com





Lissa-Marie is a Philadelphia based Beauty, Event and Lifestyle blogger on a mission to use her various social media platforms to connect with women in honest conversation about all things related to millenial women. You can read all about her experience attending our Let's Do Brunch! meetup in Philadelphia last month. Click above to view the post and make sure you keep up with her on your favorite social media. I've linked to two. 



Tips for Launching a Successful Internship Program



By James Mitchell, Intern Solutions
Special Guest Contributor

Every year, thousands of college students apply for internships to get a leg up on the hiring process. They apply for these programs to enhance their professional skills, form relationships with other employees, and learn how they can contribute to the success of the company. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average conversion rate for interns is 58.6 percent. For interns and businesses alike, there are several factors that ensure a successful partnership. Here are some tips to make the hiring and onboarding process beneficial for everyone! 

The Recruitment Process

Internships are a one-time work experience that is typically related to a student’s major. Businesses should begin planning for an intern class the spring before fall recruiting. Hiring managers need to determine where the students will be placed and what projects they will be assigned. Proper planning ensures that the intern won’t be sitting idle or given the unrewarding tasks of getting coffee and making copies. When planned correctly, a successful internship will help minimize the company’s turnover rate and unlock the opportunity to screen potential employees prior to making a commitment.

Look for sophomore and junior students who have have strong communication skills and a desire to excel within the company. Offer a job description with great detail of the assignments they will be expected to complete and map out the length and timing of the internship experience. During the recruitment process, make sure you are aware of discrimination laws.

Create a Lasting Experience 

The main goal for your company should be to keep a strong intern presence within your organization to help achieve a high conversion rate. Through their performance, interns are “interviewing” for a full-time position. For this reason, they should be offered the chance to do the same work they would be doing as an entry-level hire. Interns should be given formal training while being exposed to the culture of the organization.

Close relationships should be formed with the executive leadership team and each intern should be looked at as if they are coming back as a permanent hire. Doing so will give the student a sense of belonging and inspire them to want to work for the company for many years to come. As interns grow professionally and develop relationships with other employees they become an investment that is a high source of entry level talent. Offers for full time employment should be offered within days of the internship program completion.

Compensation or Credit 

 A vital step in the planning process is discerning whether the internship will include compensation or not. Paid internships are preferred because it shows the intern that their skills and time are valued. Offering competitive wages also opens the door to a wider applicant pool because the financial needs of the student will be met. Unpaid internships are common, however they are diminishing because of certain legal stipulations. For example, unpaid interns cannot do any work that contributes to the company’s operations which includes documenting inventory, responding to emails and filing papers.
It is important to note that an unpaid internship does not lessen the quality of the program. Unpaid internships generally offer academic credit towards the student’s graduation requirements. They also help students find a clear career path if they are uncertain of which direction to go in after graduation. Also, as with paid internships, there is still an opportunity to advance to a full time position within the company.


It’s no secret that today’s job market is tight. Because of this, internships are becoming a prerequisite for many full time opportunities. The reward for students is the chance to gain real world experience and have access to contacts in their field of interest. Employers benefit a great deal as well by having the cream of the crop right at their fingertips. Successful internship programs are an absolute necessity to form lasting partnerships between extremely talented individuals and companies!

_________________________________________________________________________________

Intern Solutions offers practical tools and resources to help educators, employers, and students with the internship process. Learn more!

[#100BGVanguard] How Golden State Warrior Andre Iguodala Became The NBA’s Ambassador To Silicon Valley

via Fast Company
In the past, the relationship between players and companies was fairly simple: Athletes got paid handsomely to endorse brands or products such as shoes, beverages, and cars. These days, the endorsement game is still important, but rise of entrepreneurship—especially in a place like Silicon Valley—presents new opportunities. Players who are willing to take some risk by accepting equity in exchange for endorsement or other involvement in a company can make far more than they would with the traditional cash-for-service arrangement of previous generations of athletes. 

[video] Dame Dash on Eliminating the Middleman, Business Plans vs Proof of Concept

[March Book Share] Three Books You Should Read This Month


I kicked off the new year with these books and there were plenty of gems I took from each one. If you check them out let me know what you think.

Overcoming Underearning by Barbara Stanny
When it comes to money, are you controlled by fear?
Do you underestimate your worth?
Are you ready to go to the next level, but can't seem to get there?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be an underearner. Underearners are self-saboteurs who don't live up to their earnings potential, says Barbara Stanny, a financial educator, motivational speaker, and career counselor. Whether they make $10 an hour or six figures a year, they tend to live paycheck to paycheck, are often in debt, and have a high tolerance for low pay. Ironically, many work incredibly hard. The good news is that underearning is a self-imposed condition. By focusing on overcoming it, underearners will not only earn what they deserve, but live a richer life. With techniques and exercises that have helped thousands of people, Stanny teaches five essential steps to financial independence and brings a message of empowerment to all those who chronically undervalue themselves.



The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch
Did you know, for example, that 20 percent of customers account for 80 percent of revenues? That 20 percent of our time accounts for 80 percent of the work we accomplish? The 80/20 Principle shows how we can achieve much more with much less effort, time, and resources, simply by identifying and focusing our efforts on the 20 percent that really counts.



The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fu*k by Mark Manson
There are only so many things we can give a f**k about so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real-talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.



Upcoming Event: #100BusinessGirls Let's Do Brunch! NYC - April 8th


Join us for our signature brunch meetup. 
An enlightening afternoon of conversations and growing your network. 


Please note: Event start time has been moved up to 1:30pm from previous announcement.

New Book Alert: Worth More Than Gold


Upcoming Event: Let's Do Brunch! LA - March 25th


We're bringing our signature meetup to Los Angeles next month to start a new host city. Join us on Saturday, March 25th. Let's Do Brunch! brings together a small group of women entrepreneurs to connect over brunch + discussions. If you want in, make sure you don't wait to RSVP. Space is limited. 





For questions please contact info@100businessgirls.com.

Upcoming Event: Let's Do Brunch! Philly - March 12th

Join us in Philadelphia on Sunday, March 12th @ 1:30pm!

Space is limited. 




If you're not familiar with our brunch meetup, it's an intimate gathering of women entrepreneurs and the aspiring, to connect over food + conversation.





[Notable Quotable] Madam C.J. Walker


[February Book Share] Three Books You Should Read This Month

I often get asked to recommend books so here are three gems that I highly suggest. [Click for full post.]





Forty Million Dollar Slaves by William C. Rhoden
Due to recent news in the sports world, this is a great read that would provide some much needed insight. 

From Jackie Robinson to Muhammad Ali and Arthur Ashe, African American athletes have been at the center of modern culture, their on-the-field heroics admired and stratospheric earnings envied. But for all their money, fame, and achievement, says New York Times columnist William C. Rhoden, black athletes still find themselves on the periphery of true power in the multibillion-dollar industry their talent built.

Provocative and controversial, Rhoden’s $40 Million Slaves weaves a compelling narrative of black athletes in the United States, from the plantation to their beginnings in nineteenth-century boxing rings to the history-making accomplishments of notable figures such as Jesse Owens, Althea Gibson, and Willie Mays. Rhoden reveals that black athletes’ “evolution” has merely been a journey from literal plantationswhere sports were introduced as diversions to quell revolutionary stirringsto today’s figurative ones, in the form of collegiate and professional sports programs. He details the “conveyor belt” that brings kids from inner cities and small towns to big-time programs, where they’re cut off from their roots and exploited by team owners, sports agents, and the media. He also sets his sights on athletes like Michael Jordan, who he says have abdicated their responsibility to the community with an apathy that borders on treason. 

The power black athletes have today is as limited as when masters forced their slaves to race and fight. The primary difference is, today’s shackles are often the athletes’ own making.





Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class by Lawrence Otis Graham

Debutante cotillions. Million-dollar homes. Summers in Martha's Vineyard. Membership in the Links, Jack & Jill, Deltas, Boule, and AKAs. An obsession with the right schools, families, social clubs, and skin complexion. This is the world of the black upper class and the focus of the first book written about the black elite by a member of this hard-to-penetrate group.

Author and TV commentator Lawrence Otis Graham, one of the nation's most prominent spokesmen on race and class, spent six years interviewing the wealthiest black families in America. He includes historical photos of a people that made their first millions in the 1870s. Graham tells who's in and who's not in the group today with separate chapters on the elite in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nashville, and New Orleans. A new Introduction explains the controversy that the book elicited from both the black and white communities.




The Debt: What America Owes to Blacks by Randall Robinson

In this powerful and controversial book, distinguished African-American political leader and thinker Randall Robinson argues for the restoration of the rich history that slavery and segregation severed. Drawing from research and personal experience, he shows that only by reclaiming their lost past and proud heritage can blacks lay the foundation for their future. And white Americans can make reparations for slavery and the century of racial discrimination that followed with monetary restitution, educational programs, and the kinds of equal opportunities that will ensure the social and economic success of all its citizens.

In a book that is both an unflinching indictment of past wrongs and an impassioned call to our nation to educate all Americans about the history of Africa and its people, Robinson makes a persuasive case for the debt white America owes blacks, and the debt blacks owe themselves.


If you get a chance to read one or all three, let me know your thoughts!

Upcoming Event: Dinner Social PHL - January 29th


Join us for a special dinner meetup during Center City Restaurant Week!




Our Updated Resources Page

Since the inception of our website, I have made a habit of keeping up to date various resources that may be useful to the #100BusinessGirls community. I just added a Business Loan Guide produced by ConsumerAffairs.com that I thought would be useful.

Consumer Affairs is one of the leading expert resources when it comes to making smarter buying decisions, and their guide provides a variety of options that may help finance your vision. If you are considering applying for a business loan, now or in the future, this would be a good place to start your research and just become aware of the options available.

One of the biggest obstacles women in business encounter is funding. Please know that you can start a business without a loan. I repeat you don't need a loan to start a business. But depending on what type of business you operate, you may be interested in seeking one to grow your business.

If you never visited our Resources Suite click here to go there now. Not only do we have things about startups, but you can find links to information on other organizations for women in business, agencies that assist small business owners, and a listing of recommended books. We also have a fully curated Amazon bookstore where you can browse and shop from our bookshelf.

[video] Epic Conversation on Creativity f/ Issa Rae, Donald Glover, Lin Manuel Miranda