Free Webinar to Offer Tips On How to Recession-Proof Your Business

Small Business Boot Camp is presenting a free webinar Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. The title of the session is "7+ Preserving Strategies You Must Do to Recession-Proof Your Business" and it will feature advice from several experts.

The panel of experts who are scheduled to participate are Larry Heiman, business coach, The E-Myth Worldwide; Andrew Morrison, entrepreneurial trainer, seen in the New York Times and on The Oprah Winfrey Show; Michael Ernandes, business development specialist for the Small Business Administration; and Sharron Battle, operational excellence expert and LEAN Six Sigma specialist.

During the webinar you'll not only hear insight from these top business professionals but you'll also receive info on government programs that could help your business. Click here to register.

Small Business Boot Camp is operated by Monique McKenzie, a Charlotte-based journalist who also hosts The McKenzie Business Report on Thursdays at 3 p.m. Visit www.smallbusinessbootcamp.biz for more details.

Secrets Revealed at Media Workshop

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists held its fourth annual "Secrets to Accessing the Media" workshop Saturday at the Afro-American Cultural Center. A great panel of journalists representing several media outlets engaged the audience in a discussion that provided insight into how their newsrooms work.


The panelists gave several tips on what you should and shouldn't do if you're trying to get media coverage. Very informative, and sometimes funny, the panelists covered a wide range of topics such as when and where to submit press releases; who at their stations and publications decide what stories air or get printed; how the Internet has impacted the ways in which they cover news; and whether or not the economic recession has affected the amount of coverage they provide.


After the panel discussion, the journalists then took questions from the audience. Filled with local residents who work in public relations, arts, education, the nonprofit sector, and the business community, they asked great questions to learn more about how they can get their stories told.


After the formal portion of the workshop, the attendees and journalists mingled and networked in the cultural center's art galleries where refreshments were served. The attendees also took home a 12-page guide that contained local media contact info, a sample press release, newsroom flowchart, and other helpful tips.


CAABJ thanks its panelists: April Bethea, reporter for The Charlotte Observer; Glenn Burkins, publisher and editor of QcityMetro.com; Janine Davis, producer and co-host of Power 98 FM’s morning show; Kristen Miranda, WBTV consumer reporter; Carlton Hargro, editor of Creative Loafing; and Richard Thurmond, editor and associate publisher of Charlotte magazine.

CAABJ also thanks its sponsors who helped make this workshop possible: the Afro-American Cultural Center and Three Little Birds Stationery and Gifts.

Diversity Job Fair This Thursday

DiversityHiringExpos.com is hosting a Diversity and Professional Career Fair at The Park this Thursday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Professional dress is required for free admission, and parking is free as well.

Candidates are advised to bring at least 25 copies of their resume and be prepared for a possible interview. The job fair will feature careers in sales (all types), management (all levels), college internships, accounting, retail, finance, customer service, technical, computers, I/T, sciences, insurance, law enforcement, technology, foreign languages, marketing, and government service.

Visit www.diversityhiringexpos.com for more details and to see a list of recruiting companies.

Thursday, April 16
10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Freedom Hall inside The Park
(formerly known as Charlotte Merchandise Mart)
2500 East Independence Blvd.

CNN 'Black in America 2' iReport Contest

CNN has teamed up with the National Association of Black Journalists to offer students the chance to create an iReport on how they are using innovative and unexpected ways to confront issues and challenges facing the black community. Click here for more details.

Leadership Institute for Women Journalists Deadline: May 1

The U.S Leadership Institute for Women Journalists is designed to provide mid- to upper-level female journalists working in print, broadcast or Internet media with critical career building skills and the opportunity to network with colleagues. During the three-day on-site component of the institute, veteran women news executives use role-playing and other practical exercises to demonstrate leadership styles and share strategies for managing people and change, negotiating salary, navigating politics, balancing work and home and much more. Institute participants will receive one-on-one (telephone and online) coaching on implementing personalized action plans developed during the on-site for the three months following the Institute.

Thanks to support from the McCormick Foundation, the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) is offering the U.S. Leadership Institute for Women Journalists at no cost this year. Additionally, $500 travel stipends are available for 10 minority participants. Instructions for applying for a travel stipend will be available upon submitting your application form.

Visit www.iwmf.org/leadershipapplication.aspx to apply.

Sports Illustrated Scholarship Available

Sports Illustrated is offering a $5,000 scholarship for the 2009-2010 school year to a female NABJ student member who is entering her senior year at an accredited college or university.


All applicants must be a female student member of NABJ and be a journalism major or pursuing a career in sports journalism. Visit www.nabj.org/programs/scholarships/si to apply.