Business series

NOV. 4—The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host their Business Program Series at 12:15-1 p.m. at the Downtown & Business branch, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown. The topic is “Supercharge Your Career Planning.” Jeffrey Fortescue, Manager of Business and Reference at the library, will help individuals discover the library’s resume maker and their testing & education reference center. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 412-281-7141 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

We are some “smart cookies” as my grandma would say. No, really. Even the most technologically challenged among us (or laggards, which is the industry lingo for late bloomers) is connected in some way to at least one technological toy. Yes, you, too. More than likely—at the very least—you use a computer and a mobile phone (a Smartphone if it allows you to do anything other than the basic “talk” feature). So, yes, you’re connected! Maybe even technologically savvy. As for me, even though I’m not the first one out of the gate with the newest toys I admit that (even though it took me a minute to get the hang of it) I am now officially addicted to my iPhone4. The Apps on this thing are amazing. I can actually choose an OPI nail polish color and see what it will look like against my caramel skin coloring while sitting through a boring meeting (which is absolutely something I would never do, of course. I’m just saying there’s an App available should I ever need such a diversion).

by Charlene Crowell
NNPA Columnist

(NNPA)—As investigations of lenders and their practices reach from every state house to Capitol Hill and the Department of Justice, most consumers are now all too familiar with the shortcoming of some of our nation’s banks and credit unions. Many community advocates feel that far too often, some institutions have not provided capital in communities and areas where the need is greatest. In other locales, if lenders do offer loans, the costs are higher and not much better than the rates available from the corner payday lender.  The litany of grievances continues to excessive overdrafts, jacked up credit card rates, and rising ATM fees.

Yet in the practicalities of life, unless you stuff your currency in a mattress, you will need to make a decision as to where to put your money.

In his 1966 number one Billboard top R and B single, “It’s a Man’s Man’s World”, the late soul singer James Brown sang, “This is a man’s world, but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl.”

The Ujamaa Collective, an organization of women of African descent is proving that point by practicing the fourth Nguzo Saba principal of Kwanzza (collective economics) through the operation of the Ujamaa Marketplace, an open-air market during the summer and now preparing for their fall and winter season at 1901 Centre Avenue.

PROVIDING LEADERSHIP—Board members and representatives of Ujamaa Collective accepts their responsibility and gifts. Kwame Scott, Dr. Huberta Jackson-Lowman, K. Mensah Wali, Maria Griffy and Teri Baltimore. (Photos by Diane Daniels)