Booker T. Washington Economic Development Summit In September

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY NETWORKING EVENT FACILITATED BY VISIONS TV AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 15-17

Conference provides connections with local, regional and national procurement deal-makers

Tuskegee, AL (BlackNews.com) -- Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program will host the 15th Annual Booker T. Washington Economic Development Development Summit on September 15-17, 2010. Held at the TU Kellogg Conference Center the conference theme is: "Revitalizing Entrepreneurship and Procurement Opportunities in Small Towns and Rural Communities".

Key speakers include: George Curry, Renowned Speaker, Author and Moderator and Maggie Anderson, CEO, The Empowerment Experiment (www.EEforTomorrow.com)

The conference is designed to promote economic development through private enterprise with emphasis upon procurement opportunities for business owners, contractors, community-based organizations, small business development programs and HBCU's involved with community development.

Procurement officers will be on hand to actively engage and verbally exchange with conference attendees in areas that revolve around the creation of business initiatives with their respective corporate entity. Corporate organizations that have confirmed to have procurement representatives include: Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Johnson Controls, Gunter AFB Small Business Programs, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Veterans Administration Tuskegee AL, Tuskegee Utilities Board, South Region Minority Supplier Development Council, Small Business Administration 8A Development.

"My family is honored that the Cooperative Extension Program has enabled us to share our journey living off Black business with the Tuskegee University family. The Booker T. Washington Economic Development Summit is a homecoming for The Empowerment Experiment. Our stand is a testament to his messages of pride, honor, faith, intelligence and accountability," said Maggie Anderson, CEO and Founder, The Empowerment Experiment

The conference will highlight success stories of businesses, business programs and legislative initiatives that have been necessary for successful economic development.

Workshops in the area of business technical training will be available along with sessions that instruct attendees on how to pursue and engage funding opportunities. The BTW Entrepreneurial and Leadership Awards Banquet and the public policy breakfast are also key highlights. The conference is designed to inform, inspire and empower each small business and individual who attends.

"We believe that the BTW Economic Summit at Tuskegee University is an excellent venue to equip, enlighten, empower, and energize MBEs to position themselves to provide greater savings and higher quality goods and services to major corporations, educational institutions and governmental agencies," said Gloria Vail, Interim President/Certification Director, South Region Minority Supplier Minority Supplier Council.

Networking sessions facilitated by Visions TV Host Cedric Varner are designed to be interactive and build winning relationships which lead to new contacts and new contracts. "This conference will be exciting because it will provide one-on-one dialogue with decision makers to help our businesses. It is important what you know and who you know but also who knows you," said Varner

Visions Television is a media partner with the conference and is a business and community affairs program airing on WSFA-TV NBC 12.2 whose station is based in Montgomery, AL.

Conference cost: $50
Registration: www.tuskegee.edu/btwsummit
Phone: 334-725-8496
Lodging: Tuskegee University Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Hotel Phone: 334-727-3000

"The individual who can do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of race." -- Booker T. Washington

Black Youth Org Founder Wins Chess Competition

BLACK YOUTH ORGANIZATION FOUNDER WINS WORLD OPEN SPEED CHESS COMPETITION

Orrin Hudson, founder of Be Someone

Atlanta, GA (BlackNews.com) -- Orrin Hudson, founder of Be Someone, celebrated Independence Day by taking first place in the 5-Minute Blitz Chess Championship at the 38th Annual World Open International Chess Tournament in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Hudson, the creator of the award winning leadership chess program for kids and parents, also finished first place last year in the 10-Minute Blitz. These important wins prove Hudson's message is correct when he tells his students, "Nature is neutral. If you make the right moves you get the right results." Be Someone is a nationally acclaimed crime prevention program that uses chess to teach at-risk youth self-esteem, as well as responsibility and analytical thinking.

"Winning two consecutive years in a row where the best in the world compete is the greatest feeling in the world. I am living my dream. If I can do it, anyone can. It was exciting to win in both the 10-minute and 5-minute speed categories. These high-profile victories enable me to show the youth of America that making the right choices can make you a champion at life and at chess," said Hudson. "I've devoted more than a decade of my life to teaching children to play the game of chess and apply the same rules to the game of life."

Hudson uses similar quick-response techniques when he teaches chess to large audiences of kids, often in at-risk communities. Repeating catchy phrases such as, "Think it out, don't shoot it out" and "Push pawns, not drugs", Hudson teaches kids that the game is a metaphor for making good decisions and taking charge of their education and lives. Through Be Someone, he inspires communities to start their own chess programs to give young students a stimulating and healthy after-school activity.

A former state trooper and Air Force veteran, Hudson turned his focus from detention to prevention. He started using the game of chess as an educational tool after he learned of an incident in which seven Wendy's employees were shot - five of whom died - for a mere $2,400. This tragic incident compelled Hudson to start his organization called Be Someone to help children understand that "the life we save is our own".

Be Someone also offers inspirational programs for corporations and parents, designed to foster teamwork and encourage participation in the lives of children.

Today, Hudson is an internationally recognized speaker and advocate for helping at-risk youth. He travels the globe teaching children to value KASH - Knowledge, Attitude, Skills and Habits - over cash. Since its founding, Be Someone has touched the lives of over 20,000 students internationally. Hudson's mission is to positively impact the lives of one million young people.

Visit www.besomeone.org to volunteer, donate, or learn more. Interested one may also register online for Be Someone's Think like a Champion Leadership Chess Camp, July 19-23, 2010.

Must see video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLFENGymr34

About Be Someone
Founded in 2001, Be Someone is a non-profit crime prevention program aimed at the youth of America. Be Someone teaches self-esteem, responsibility and analytical thinking skills to at-risk youth through numerous tools, including the game of chess. Be Someone also offers inspirational programs for corporations and parents, designed to foster teamwork and encourage participation in the lives of children. If interested in donating, volunteering or learning more about Be Someone, please visit www.besomeone.org