Atlanta Based Turner Broadcasting System’s Employee Among 2008 Hispanic Women of the Year Elite
Since 2003, Hispanic Business magazine has annually reported on outstanding Hispanic Women. Gretchen Colón, vice president of advertising sales and business development for Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) Latin America, Inc. was among the 2008 elite Hispanic women identified by HispanicTellience, the research arm of Hispanic Business media. Ms. Colon’s responsibilities extend to four countries where she is responsible for joint ventures, partnerships and new business ventures.
For additional information, visit www.hispanicbusiness.com
An Evening of Cultural Connections
Since August 2005, the non-profit agency Culture Connect, Inc., has worked to address cultural and language challenges faced by immigrant and refugee children. While Bernadette Ludwig, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Culture Connect was visiting Ellis Island in New York, she was drawn to the part of the exhibit that depicts the life of immigrant children. One of the plaques called these children – “The Go-Betweens.” Culture Connect’s “Go-Betweener” Mentoring Program was born from that experience. “We are sponsoring “An Evening of Cultural Connections” to support this important program,” Ms. Ludwig announced.
Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce-Georgia Hosts 1st Opportunity India Conference
Although one of the newer chambers in the Atlanta region, the Georgia Indian Chamber of Commerce is making its presence felt in the international arena. “The 2008 Opportunity India conference is one of our initiatives designed to encourage trade opportunities for both investors from India coming to Atlanta and Georgia companies looking to India,” said Brenda Morant, Executive Director of the chamber.
ARC’s Director Keynote Speaker for Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration in May
Charles Krautler, ARC’s Director will deliver the keynote address during theAsian-American Heritage Foundation Celebration in Georgia on May 10, 2008. The Asian- American population in the region is making a significant contribution to the economic, cultural and political life in the Atlanta region, according to Krautler, a member of the Foundation’s Advisory Board.. “Over 40 community-based organizations will jointly host this event recognizing and celebrating the many contributions Asian-Americans have made in the region,” according to Soon Hee Paik, Chair, Asian-American Heritage Foundation.
Part 2 -Q & A with Leona Barr- Davenport, President and CEO, The Atlanta Business League
In this issue, the Atlanta Regional Commission continues a conversation with Leona Barr -Davenport, President and CEO, Atlanta Business League, Inc. This organization was established in 1933 to foster growth, creation and development of successful business enterprises, owned, operated and managed by African-Americans in metropolitan Atlanta.
ABL is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. What would you like to see for the next 20 years?
I would like to see the League's membership increase to 5,000 members which is more representative of the African-American business community in metro Atlanta and surrounding areas. With a renewed focus on where and how the African-American community in the seven county metro area spends its more than 28 billion dollars, our goal is to take business ownership to another level. In 20 years, our spending could be responsible for increased business development and ownership, which directly impacts and increases employment.
Cobb Latino Business Forum Focuses on Business Development, Expansion and Prosperity
Cobb County has experienced a significant expansion in the number of Latino-owned businesses, according to the latest survey of business owners by the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the 10 counties in the Atlanta region, only one (Gwinnett) had a greater concentration among this group. The Latino Business Forum reached out to these businesses to discuss issues and opportunities related to the development, expansion and prosperity of their operations.
Q & A with Leona Barr- Cunningham, President and CEO, The Atlanta Business League
The Atlanta Regional Commission recently talked with Leona Barr Cunningham, President and CEO, Atlanta Business League, Inc, established in 1933 to foster growth, creation and development of successful business enterprises, owned, operated and managed by African-Americans in metropolitan Atlanta.
UPS’s Unity Day and “Leveraging Workplace Diversity”
The Atlanta based UPS has a long history of recognition as one of the best companies for minorities and commitment to a multicultural environment indicative of its global reach. Since 2000, Unity Day has been an annual event organized by UPS to celebrate the unique richness of its employees from around the world with international exhibits and cuisine featuring Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. ARC’s Global Atlanta Works program was among the resource exhibits at the 7th annual event where John J. Valeri, UPS's vice president of corporate international human resources, provided a perspective on diversity, including three practical areas of concentration: Project Management, Personal Development and People Development.
Message from Aaron Turpeau, Chair, Global Atlanta Works Advisory Committee
When the Global Atlanta Works initiative launched, its development was based on the idea that targeted community engagement across sectors and disciplines and involving leaders from diverse communities would afford new insights about identifying issues and developing solutions for a growing racial and ethnic population in the Atlanta region. Although there are some noteworthy accomplishments, there is also growing interest to move this program beyond process and show progress toward the program’s goals and potential.
Are You Too Direct? Giving Culturally Appropriate Feedback
By Vicki Flier Hudson
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people say to me, “Being indirect is dishonest. I like to call a spade a spade and be straight with people.”
Cobb County Establishes First Sister City Agreement in South Korea
A group of Cobb County dignitaries recently visited Seongdong-Gu, Seoul, South Korea to establish a Sister City relationship and explore economic development opportunities between Cobb County and Seongdong-Gu. Delegates represented a broad base of Cobb County including four prominent Korean Americans; elected officials; economic development staff; public schools, university and technical college staff; law enforcement; chamber of commerce staff; Georgia Power officials; a lawyer; an architect; a newspaper publisher; and others.
Beyond Race and Poverty: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Measuring Environmental Justice
Prepared by Thomas Boston, PhD and Linje Boston, MS
EuQuant (Formerly Boston Research Group, Inc.)
Since 1994, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has been charged with the responsibility of identifying, monitoring and mitigating adverse health and environmental impacts of regional transportation plans and investments on minority and low-income communities. Presidential Executive Order 12898 requires Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to incorporate Environmental Justice (EJ) as part of their mission.
Information and Assistance to Ethnically Diverse Older Adults
As the Atlanta region experiences growth in different ethnic populations, the most significant growth within those groups is that of persons over the age of 60. The numbers of the 60+ Asian, Vietnamese, Korean, Hispanic, Russian and other ethnic groups is increasing at a much faster rate than their overall population. In recognition of these growing numbers, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Area Agency on Aging for the 10-county region has expanded its outreach efforts to provide information about services for older adults in order to better serve these diverse populations.