Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Chicago Family's 'Buy Black' Experiment Becoming a Nationwide Movement
ATLANTA — It's been two months since 2-year-old Cori pulled the gold stud from her left earlobe, and the piercing is threatening to close as her mother, Maggie Anderson, hunts for a replacement.
It's not that the earring was all that rare — but finding the right store has become a quest of Quixotic proportions.
Maggie and John Anderson of Chicago vowed four months ago that for one year, More.. they would try to patronize only black-owned businesses. The "Empowerment Experiment" is the reason John had to suffer for hours with a stomach ache and Maggie no longer gets that brand-name lather when she washes her hair. A grocery trip is a 14-mile odyssey.
"We kind of enjoy the sacrifice because we get to make the point ... but I am going without stuff and I am frustrated on a daily basis," Maggie Anderson said. "It's like, my people have been here 400 years and we don't even have a Walgreens to show for it."
So far, the Andersons have spent hundreds of dollars with black businesses from grocery stores to dry cleaners. But the couple still hasn't found a mortgage lender, home security system vendor or toy store. Nonetheless, they're hoping to expand the endeavor beyond their Chicago home.
Plans are under way to track spending among supporters nationwide and build a national database of quality black businesses. The first affiliate chapter has been launched in Atlanta, and the couple has established a foundation to raise funds for black businesses and an annual convention.
"We have the real power to do something, to use the money we spend every day to solve our problems," Maggie Anderson said recently at a meet-and-greet in Atlanta. "We have to believe that black businesses are just as good as everybody else's."
Now, the Andersons are following up with 4,000 people who signed up for the experiment on their Web site to gauge their commitment and set up online accounts to track their spending. Hundreds have also joined the experiment's Facebook page, Maggie Anderson said.
Gregory Price, chairman of the economics department at Morehouse College, said black visionaries like Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey made similar calls to action.
"The idea is a sound one, given that black Americans are still underrepresented in the ranks of the self-employed and that entrepreneurship is a key component to wealth," Price said.
There are one million black businesses in the United States accounting for more than $100 billion in annual sales, according to the National Black Chamber of Commerce. The latest U.S. Census numbers report that blacks have more than $800 billion in expendable income each year.
The Andersons track their spending on their Web site and estimate about 55 percent of their monthly spending is with black businesses for things like day care, groceries, car maintenance and home improvements.
One of the businesses highlighted by the Empowerment Experiment is Brenda Brown's Atlanta wine boutique, a shop with a growing black clientele. She said the project can help overcome the problems many black consumers lament.
"When we were a community of black folks who could not go to the white stores, our community of black stores flourished," Brown said. "When we were given the opportunity to go into the white store, it was like nothing else mattered anymore and we wanted to go to the white store, regardless of what the black store provided. We could have the same or better products if we supported (black businesses) in the same way."
Lewis Peeples, 45, lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta but didn't think to spend his money with black businesses until a friend told him about the project.
"So often, we make purchases and decisions and aren't even mindful that there is a a need to support our own businesses," said Peeples. "Now, I'm reaching out and making sure I know that I have an option when I look to make a purchase."
Two months ago, he committed to patronizing black businesses and found a black dry cleaner 10 minutes from home. Even when he was dissatisfied with his black doctor, he was able to find a new one. He suggests both to friends and refers others to the experiment's Web site, where he tracks his expenses.
Dallas Smith, who owns a commercial real estate firm in Atlanta, said mainstream retailers have undervalued black consumers. He lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta, where he tries to dine at black restaurants. He lamented the lack of quality businesses catering to black customers and said blacks should appreciate such businesses more.
"We've still got that 'the white man's water is colder' mentality," he said. "We can't take us for granted. When we go to our establishments, it's almost like we're doing a favor. That ought to be a given for us."
The Andersons remain encouraged by their momentum online and in the media. At the end of 2009, they hope to show $1 million in spending with black businesses among supporters across the country.
"The response has been so huge," Maggie Anderson said. "We think so much can come out of this. We're in movement-making mode now."Price, the Morehouse professor, said defining the project's success won't be easy, since the real barriers to black advancement are poor access to capital and lack of training opportunities.
"It would be nice to see some real, hard data," Price said. "Otherwise, it could just be an episode of ethnic cheerleading."
It's not that the earring was all that rare — but finding the right store has become a quest of Quixotic proportions.
Maggie and John Anderson of Chicago vowed four months ago that for one year, More.. they would try to patronize only black-owned businesses. The "Empowerment Experiment" is the reason John had to suffer for hours with a stomach ache and Maggie no longer gets that brand-name lather when she washes her hair. A grocery trip is a 14-mile odyssey.
"We kind of enjoy the sacrifice because we get to make the point ... but I am going without stuff and I am frustrated on a daily basis," Maggie Anderson said. "It's like, my people have been here 400 years and we don't even have a Walgreens to show for it."
So far, the Andersons have spent hundreds of dollars with black businesses from grocery stores to dry cleaners. But the couple still hasn't found a mortgage lender, home security system vendor or toy store. Nonetheless, they're hoping to expand the endeavor beyond their Chicago home.
Plans are under way to track spending among supporters nationwide and build a national database of quality black businesses. The first affiliate chapter has been launched in Atlanta, and the couple has established a foundation to raise funds for black businesses and an annual convention.
"We have the real power to do something, to use the money we spend every day to solve our problems," Maggie Anderson said recently at a meet-and-greet in Atlanta. "We have to believe that black businesses are just as good as everybody else's."
Now, the Andersons are following up with 4,000 people who signed up for the experiment on their Web site to gauge their commitment and set up online accounts to track their spending. Hundreds have also joined the experiment's Facebook page, Maggie Anderson said.
Gregory Price, chairman of the economics department at Morehouse College, said black visionaries like Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey made similar calls to action.
"The idea is a sound one, given that black Americans are still underrepresented in the ranks of the self-employed and that entrepreneurship is a key component to wealth," Price said.
There are one million black businesses in the United States accounting for more than $100 billion in annual sales, according to the National Black Chamber of Commerce. The latest U.S. Census numbers report that blacks have more than $800 billion in expendable income each year.
The Andersons track their spending on their Web site and estimate about 55 percent of their monthly spending is with black businesses for things like day care, groceries, car maintenance and home improvements.
One of the businesses highlighted by the Empowerment Experiment is Brenda Brown's Atlanta wine boutique, a shop with a growing black clientele. She said the project can help overcome the problems many black consumers lament.
"When we were a community of black folks who could not go to the white stores, our community of black stores flourished," Brown said. "When we were given the opportunity to go into the white store, it was like nothing else mattered anymore and we wanted to go to the white store, regardless of what the black store provided. We could have the same or better products if we supported (black businesses) in the same way."
Lewis Peeples, 45, lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta but didn't think to spend his money with black businesses until a friend told him about the project.
"So often, we make purchases and decisions and aren't even mindful that there is a a need to support our own businesses," said Peeples. "Now, I'm reaching out and making sure I know that I have an option when I look to make a purchase."
Two months ago, he committed to patronizing black businesses and found a black dry cleaner 10 minutes from home. Even when he was dissatisfied with his black doctor, he was able to find a new one. He suggests both to friends and refers others to the experiment's Web site, where he tracks his expenses.
Dallas Smith, who owns a commercial real estate firm in Atlanta, said mainstream retailers have undervalued black consumers. He lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta, where he tries to dine at black restaurants. He lamented the lack of quality businesses catering to black customers and said blacks should appreciate such businesses more.
"We've still got that 'the white man's water is colder' mentality," he said. "We can't take us for granted. When we go to our establishments, it's almost like we're doing a favor. That ought to be a given for us."
The Andersons remain encouraged by their momentum online and in the media. At the end of 2009, they hope to show $1 million in spending with black businesses among supporters across the country.
"The response has been so huge," Maggie Anderson said. "We think so much can come out of this. We're in movement-making mode now."Price, the Morehouse professor, said defining the project's success won't be easy, since the real barriers to black advancement are poor access to capital and lack of training opportunities.
"It would be nice to see some real, hard data," Price said. "Otherwise, it could just be an episode of ethnic cheerleading."
Drake 'Drizzy' Rogers
01 Best I Ever Had (Remix) (Feat. Nicki Minaj, Juice, Busta Rhymes)
02 Girl Let Me (Feat. Belly)
03 I’m Still Fly (Remix) (Feat. Page)
04 Still Dre (Remix) (Feat. Trey Songz)
05 Stay Late (Feat. Lil Wayne)
06 I’m Going In (Feat. Lil Wayne, Truth)
07 The Presentation
08 Where To Now
09 Missing You (Feat. Trey Songz)
10 Brand New (Remix) (Feat. Lil Wayne)
11 Money To Blow (Feat. JFK)
12 Come Real (Feat. Kyoko)
13 Certified (Remix) (Feat. Glasses Malone, Bun B, Akon, Lil Wayne)
14 Congratulations (Feat. Lil Wayne)
15 Bonus Track - Best I Ever Had (Remix) (Feat. Swizz Beats)
http://rapidshare.com/files/232110590/Mixtape_Evolution_-_Drake_-_Drake_Drizzy_Rogers.zip
Joell Ortiz - Covers the classics
01. Intro
02. Rappers Delight (feat. DJ Enuff)
03. Know The BK Ledge
04. Somethin for Hot 97 (feat. DJ Camilo)
05. Strictly the Bizness
06. Treat Me Right
07. Industry Enemy #1
08. Brooklyn Children’s Story
09. I Can’t Go Broke
10. Live At Cooper Day BBQ
11. Uptown Anthem
12. U.N.I.T.Y.
13. T.R.O.Y.
14. Primo Tribute
15. Just To Get A Check
16. Mass Appeal
17. Act Like They Don’t Know
18. The Whut (Animal Shit)
19. BK Get Money
20. Got My Mind Made Up
21. Drop A Gem On ‘Em
22. Intercourse
23. Cell Therapies
24. High Roller
25. Brooklyn Ghetto Child
26. What They Do (Root’s Tribute)
27. Renee’s Revenge
28. Goin To Miami (feat. DJ Khaled)
29. What Happened To Hip Hop
30. 4,3,2,1
31. Recognize
32. 24HRS
33. Rican Ebonics 09
http://rapidshare.com/files/232351452/Joell_Ortiz-Covers_The_Classics__Hosted_By_DJ_Green_Lantern_-OnSMASH-2009.zip
Kanye West & Malik Yusef Present G.O.O.D Morning G.O.O.D Night - Dawn
Tracklist
01. Malik Yusef - G.O.O.D Morning Luv Ft. Opal Staples And Amanda Porshe 4:14
02. Malik Yusef - My Peoples Ft. KRS-1 And Mried 4:41
03. Malik Yusef - Leader (The Jesus Peace) Ft. Maxamillion, J.V. And Cheryl Lynn Toblin 4:21
04. Malik Yusef - V.E.R.S.E (Very Entertaining Recitals Spit Effortlessly) Ft. Big Sean, Anna Maria And Cardinalli 4:04
05. Malik Yusef - By Your Side Ft. Michelle Williams And Brando 4:45
06. Malik Yusef - U-N-I Verses Mine Ft. Twista And Chip Znuff 4:41
07. Malik Yusef - Promise Land (Extended Version) Ft. Kanye West And Adam Levine Of Maroon 5 3:59
08. Malik Yusef - Not Love Ft. J.V. And Mica 3:44
09. Malik Yusef - Thug Angel Ft. Christopher Denson And Uneqka 3:55
10. Malik Yusef - G.E.M. (G.O.O.D Enuff Me) Ft. Tony Williams And Phenom 5:44
11. Malik Yusef - Freshcooldopefly Ft. Shorty-K And Tassho Pearce 4:10
12. Malik Yusef - Just Like Forever Ft. Erika Shevon 4:50
13. Malik Yusef - Elevated (So High) Ft. J.V. And Benda 4:37
14. Malik Yusef - Breathtaking Ft. Uneqka 4:59
15. Malik Yusef - Sexuality Ft. Fast Eddie And Lidell Townsend 4:20
http://rapidshare.com/files/23139750...-turbocity.rar
Tanya Morgan - Brooklynati
01 03:36 On Our Way
02 05:33 Alleye Need Ft Piakhan
03 04:47 So Damn Down
04 03:54 Bang & Boogie
05 03:56 Don’t U Holla Ft Jermiside
06 01:44 Hardcore Gentlemen
07 04:02 Plan B Ft Napoleon 08 03:14 Intermission Ft Peter Hadar
09 04:51 She’s Gone AKA Without You Ft Phonte & Brittany
Bosco
10 05:55 Never 2ndary Ft. Jermiside Che Grand Elucid & Spec Boogie
11 04:23 Just Not True Ft Brick Beats
12 04:48 Morgan Blu Ft Blu
13 03:57 Never Enough (Crazy Love) Ft Carlitta Durand 14 04:58 We’re Fly Ft Kay & Chop
15 04:28 Just Arrived (Now What?)
16 04:17 Forgot 2 Say (Bonus Track)
Total: 68:23 min
http://www.mediafire.com/?lmg2qkqdh2m
Alcoholic Monkeys ...lol.
In the Caribbean, Vervet Monkeys have developed a taste for alcohol and can regularly be spotted stealing cocktails from humans on the beach. Brilliant wildlife video from BBC animal show 'Weird Nature'
Eminem to appear on Family Guy
Here's screenshot of Eminem and Stewie Griffin chopping it up in the booth for an upcoming episode of Family Guy, airing this Sunday, May 17,2009....
Rapper Big Pooh ( of Little Brother) - The Delightful Bars
01. 00:22 North American Pie Intro
02. 02:49 The Comeback (Prod. By Khrysis)
03. 03:22 It's A Go (Feat. Torae) (Prod. By Dae One)
04. 04:40 Nothing Less (Feat. Ab Soul, Jay Rock & K. Dot)
(Prod. By Young RJ)
05. 03:47 C.O.D. (Prod. By Mickey Free)
06. 03:22 Move (Feat. Darien Brockington) (Prod. By Phonix)
07. 03:44 Something Like Stars (Feat. Big Treal)
(Prod. By Jake One)
08. 03:46 Step Up (Prod. By D.R.)
09. 03:52 Reality Check (Feat. Big Dho, D. Black & Mykestro)
(Prod. By Khrysis)
10. 03:10 Problems (Feat. Jozeemo) (Prod. By Illmind)
11. 00:31 Amo A Su Papi De La Barra Skit
12. 04:08 Roll Call (Feat. Jozeemo, Chaundon & Joe Scudda)
(Prod. By The Co-Op)
13. 04:00 The Life (Feat. Muhsinah) (Prod. By Khrysis)
14. 03:49 Rearview Mirror (Prod. By 9th Wonder)
15. 00:15 Empanda Norte Americana Outro
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VDSUOJFD
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