Black Consumer Report

Minorities Lose Ground

According to an article that appeared in the NY Times ‘casting statistics on sex, age and race showed that the number of minority performers hired for film and television roles declined in 2008 from the previous year. According to the report, the number of jobs for nonwhite actors dropped to 27.5 percent of total roles cast in 2008 from a high of 29.3 percent in 2007. While African-Americans made up the largest number of minorities cast, they also lost the most ground, securing 14.8 percent of all roles in 2007 but 13.3 percent in 2008. American Indians had the fewest jobs, 0.3 percent in both years. The data were based on information collected by producers under guild contracts. “The diverse and multicultural world we live in today is still not accurately reflected in the portrayals we see on the screen,” the group’s national president, Ken Howard, said in a statement.’  

While I agree with Ken Howard,   I think it’s important that African Americans let Hollywood and the TV industry know that we are watching this carefully;  in other words send letters.  

On another note, information like this reinforces Tyler Perry’s comment that ‘Hollywood and the networks don’t consider the African Americans viewer important and therefore will not and do not cast them and/or create material that speaks to them.’

Filmmaker "St. Clair Bourne" has passed

I was recently informed that St.Clair Bourne passed.  Details of his death are not made known to me at this time, but it is clear that we have lost one of the most important Black filmmakers’ of our time.  Committed to fairness and inclusion of Black people was clearly his mission in life.

He will be missed.

For more information regarding St.Clair Bourne go to: http://www.indiana.edu/~bfca/collection/special/bourne.html

GO TO HARVARD FOR FREE - FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

I received this and thought I'd pass it on.

Harvard University announced over the weekend that from now on

undergraduate students from low-income families will pay no tuition. In

making the announcement, Harvard's president Lawrence H. Summers said,

"When only 10 percent of the students in Elite higher education come

from families in lower half of the income distribution, we are not doing

enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite higher education to

the lower half of the income distribution."

If you know of a family earning less than $60,000 a year with an honor

student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to

pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from

now on undergraduate students from low-income families can go to

Harvard for free...no tuition and no student loans!

To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making

less than $ 60,000 a year visit Harvard's financial aid website at:

http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/ or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.

NATIONAL BLACK OUT DAY

Black consumers are asked to mark their calendars for FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2007, National Black Out Day.

Please spread to at least five other people and make sure you inform them to send the info to five other people, to spread the word.

National Black Out Day on November 2....Do not make any purchases on this day but please do not make any major $ amount purchases, the day before or the day after because then the Black Out will be of no effect. This is from 102.5 radio station (Atlanta); they are asking their listeners to spread the word for those who may not listen to the station. This is the second phase from the Jena 6 and many other cities and people of color are facing similar situation like the Jena 6.

FINALLY, YOU CAN ADVERTISE IN ETHNIC BARBERSHOPS

A new network of some 400 shops and hair salons

For years African American Advertising agencies have attempted to advertise in neighborhood barbershops, because of their value and importance to the community; it looks as if the solution now exists.

How it works                                                                                                                                                 
Ads are placed on framed posters hung in barbershops and beauty salons that cater to African-American and Hispanic clientele. The signage carries an implicit endorsement of the products by the shop proprietors.

The program is called Alloy Access Barbershop and Hair Salon Network.

The program, which is now kicking off with Rockport as the initial advertiser, is designed to showcase national brands. One to two signs are placed in each outlet, based on the size of the shop.

Posters measure 48 inches high by 36 inches wide. Advertisers provide creative.

The signage is used for both branding and promotions.

Markets
New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Baltimore, Memphis, St. Louis, Boston, New Orleans, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., are some of the top markets where the program is available.

For more info
Alloy Media + Marketing at http://www.alloymarketing.com

Source:  Media Life

Black Enterprise & The N-Word

The comedian Eddie Griffin recently headlined Black Enterprise’s Annual Golf and Tennis Challenge in Miami Fla. 

Approximately 10 minutes into his n-word-laced act, publisher Earl Graves cut the mic. Moments later, Graves appeared on stage and addressed the audience explaining that Griffin's microphone was turned off because of his repeated use of the n-word. For this action, Mr. Graves received a standing ovation. 

We at Black Enterprise will not allow our culture to go backward," Graves said. "Black Enterprise stands for decency, Black culture and dignity."

THE STATE OF BLACK AMERICA 2007

This year's State of Black America, from The National Urban League, is now available and focuses on Black Males.

First, I have always felt that this publication is the most unused source of information regarding Black America in existence.  If you are Black living in America, I consider it must reading. 

Additionally, the subject of this year's issue is something that should trouble all of America and particularly Black Americans.  I think you'll find some interesting points-of-views and unique solutions.

I was also pleased to learn that The State of Black America will be nationally distributed to more than 2,500 bookstores and retail outlets, or you can call your local or The National Urban League to find out how you can obtain your copy.

U.S. AD AGENCY REVENUE JUMPTED TO $28.2 BILLION, BUT SPENDING TO REACH AFRICAN AMERICANS SEEMS TO HAVE RECEDED.

Advertising Age report this week that U.S.agency revenue jumped 8.8% to $28.2 billion in 2006.  This was the strongest growth since ad spending began to rebound from the recession in 2002.  Both the growth rate and the dollar volume are very impressive. 

However, according to a preliminary review, spending to reach the African American Consumers, has not grown at the same rate and might have receded from the one half of one percent of total ad agency revenue. 

On the other hand African American disposable income continues to grow closer to the trillion dollar mark.

THE RECENT COMMENTS OF DON IMUS

The recent comments of Don Imus regarding Rutgers, mostly Black women’s basketball team, was unnecessary, disrespectful and hurtful (for details Google: Rev. Sharpton on Don Imus).  While he has apologized and Reverend Sharpton has called for his immediate dismissal, more can and should be done to put an end to things like this.

I have always concluded that Black consumers don’t understand their power. While we are often angered when things of this kind occur, we have that “no-blood no-foul” attitude or sit-back and watch the efforts of others, in this case Reverend Sharpton.

So what can we as consumers do to make Don Imus, and people like him, feel our displeasure?  There are several options:

1.      Turn off WFAN or MSNBC and/or any other station that he appears on and by doing so, their ratings will be affected. And ratings equal money.

2.      Don’t buy his products and the products he advertises.

3.      Write or email his advertisers on your displeasure of their support of the Don Imus show and let them know you will no longer buy their products.

4.      Write or email the station telling them of your displeasure and let them know that you will withdraw your support of the station and its advertisers.

5.      Write and/or email the likes of former Congressman Harold Ford, as well as any other personality that frequently appears on his show, informing them of your dissatisfaction.

6.      Pledge your support of Reverend Sharpton on this issue.

7.      Call or email the Federal Communications Commission requesting that they employ their powers.

8.      Talk about this issue with friends and neighbors.

What we should not be doing is noting. 

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN RECEIVE CONGRESSIONAL HONORS

The first all Black aviation unit in WWII was awarded Congressional Gold Medial on Thursday.

It is clear that this recognition is long overdue, but according to Ret. Col. Elmer D.Jones, 89, of Arlington Va.,  “it’s never too late for your country to say that you’ve done a great job for us”.My congratulations go out to the Tuskegee Airmen and a sincere thank you for all you’ve done.