Fran Lebowitz on Race
In which the famously contrarian Journalist spells it out in black and white

There is a lot of opposition to affirmative action, even among liberals. What do you think is the basis of this?

Yes, it is true that 50 years ago a black person with the I.Q. of Isaiah Berlin would have been a janitor, and now look: we've solved the problem of what to do with the black geniuses -- they have the same opportunities as the white geniuses. But we don't need affirmative action for these people and we never did. The problem of the talented tenth was actually solved by the civil-rights movement. It is to create parity between the untalented 90th and its white counterpart that we require what are perversely called racial preferences -- I say perversely because surely we all know which race is genuinely preferred, talented or not. We will have equality when dopey black people get into Harvard because their chair-endowing grandfathers went there. We will have equality when incompetent black people buy their way into the Senate. We will have equality when larcenous black union plumbers start not showing up in greater and greater numbers. We will have equality when the unjust deserts and ill-gotten gains are spread around impartially. One Clarence Thomas is not enough.

http://www.frasernet.com/fran_lebowitz.html

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Selling?

Designate from 10-100 percent of your proceeds to the Youth/Adult Development Fund for IBSA.

Buying?

Look for items benefiting non-profits (designated with the Giving Works icon) and then look for IBSA.

If you would like to buy or sell items resulting in a donation to IBSA, visit our IBSA Fund page on eBay Giving Works.

To accept online donations on behalf of worthy causes, eBay Giving Works is partnering with a non-profit service, Mission Fish, that uses innovative technology to help organizations like IBSA find efficient new sources of funding.

For more about giving to the Youth/Adult Development Fund for IBSA through eBay, visit http://pages.ebay.com/givingworks/faq.html.

• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) regulates and implements the program,
• determines which businesses are eligible to receive HUBZone contracts,
• maintains a listing of qualified HUBZone small businesses Federal agencies can use to locate vendors,
• adjudicates protests of eligibility to receive HUBZone contracts, and
• reports to the Congress on the program's impact on employment and investment in HUBZone areas.

Eligibility

A small business meets all of the following criteria to qualify for the HUBZone program:

• it must be located in a "historically underutilized business zone,"
• it must be owned and controlled by one or more U.S. Citizens, and
• at least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUB Zone.

Historically Underutilized Business Zone

A "HUBZone" is an area that is located in one or more of the following:

• a qualified census tract (as defined in section 42(d)(5)(C)(i)(I) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986);
• a qualified "non-metropolitan county" (as defined in section 143(k)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) with a median household income of less than 80 percent of the State median household income or with an unemployment rate of not less than 140 percent of the statewide average, based on U.S. Department of Labor recent data; or
• lands within the boundaries of federally recognized Indian reservations.

Types of HUBZone Contracts

A competitive HUBZone contract can be awarded if the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that at least two qualified HUBZone small businesses will submit offers and that the contract can be awarded at a fair market price.

A sole source HUBZone contract can be awarded if the contracting officer does not have a reasonable expectation that two or more qualified HUBZone small businesses will submit offers, determines that the qualified HUBZone small business is responsible, and determines that the contract can be awarded at a fair price. The government estimate cannot exceed $5 million for manufacturing requirements or $3 million for all other requirements.

A full and open competition contract can be awarded with a price evaluation preference. The offer of the HUBZone small business will be considered lower than the offer of a non-HUBZone/non-small business-providing that the offer of the HUBZone small business is not more than 10 percent higher.

You Can Apply for HUBZone Certification Online. The login method to HUBZone has changed from using the SBA Customer ID and password to using the SBA General Login System (GLS).

This new login method requires any individual with authority to submit, update and/or commit on behalf of the company to have a SBA GLS User ID and Password registered in SBA's GLS system.

You must have:

1. An active up-to-date Dun and Bradstreet profile and DUNS number that represents the business for which you are seeking HUBZone Program certification, recertification, program examination, decertification, etc.
2. An active CCR profile for each of the businesses location(s). A business is identified using your Employer Identification (EIN). Learn about and register with CCR on the Register with CCR page on this site.
3. Each business location (DUNS Number) must have a primary NAICS.

Name and Address Validation in CCR

How registrants' names and addresses are validated in CCR.

As part of our ongoing effort to ensure that all registration information is standardized, easily shared across many government systems, and to reduce data entry by registrants, CCR pre-populates the following data fields from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B): Legal Business Name, Doing Business Name (DBA), Physical Address, Postal Code/ Zip+4. It is data that is originally entered by the registrant when they applied for a Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S).

When information needs to be changed or updated the registrant can go to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform and modify the information. After the registrant makes the desired changes, D&B confirms the changes made with the registrant's record. The registrant then goes to www.ccr.gov and clicks on "Register in CCR", then clicks on "Update/Renew", clicks on "CCR Update TPIN", checks the data, and accepts the modified information if it is correct. The time frame for the changes to take effect is usually 24 to 48 hours after D&B confirms the change, but may vary from country to country.

This information is also used to automatically populate fields in other government systems. Registrants have the assurance that their data is correct across all systems and are saved the time and effort to re-enter it.

D&B has been collecting and enhancing data on businesses since 1841. In 1963, D&B introduced the D-U-N-S as a way to identify businesses and track business change. D-U-N-S Numbers were first used by agencies for contract reporting in 1978. D&B's D-U-N-S Number is recognized as a global standard by the world's most influential standards-setting organizations as well as the U.S. Government. The D-U-N-S Number is used to identify businesses around the world. D&B's global database contains more than 110 million business records from over 190 countries. The U.S. Government determined that the best approach to maintain the accuracy and consistency of the name and address standardization of business records was to leverage a best practice system widely used in corporate America and around the globe.

A help desk is available to answer all questions at govt@dnb.com.
CCR Frequently Asked Questions are at http://www.ccr.gov/FAQ.aspx

CCR Support Call Center Hours

NEW HOURS: Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Federal Agency Registration (FedReg) agent assistance is available

IBSA's microenterprise training and development program targets low to moderate income persons eligible for WIA training services and planning to start or who currently are in business for themselves. It provides approximately 36 hours of business training and participants prepare a functional business plan, locate financing opportunities and participate in networking events. Additional mentoring is provided to program graduates to assist them develop their business venture. Within this training and development program, IBSA provides business retention support such as: *industry research, *business leads, *ongoing document preparation assistance, *explaining policies and opportunities pertaining to M/W/DBE certification, *identifying business/govt related vendor directories for bidding/procurement opportunities and assisting to register on them, *referral to other business resources for specialized services or needs, *developing Internet presence and using computer technology for strategic product/service marketing and promotional purposes *IBSA is a Network Kansas and KCSourceLink Resource Partner that provides microenterprise training, business development and support services. Financial assistance is provided to obtain Women or Minority Business Enterprise Certification as needed.

Marketing Associate

http://www.kansassmallbizpromotions.com/prepaidlegal.htm

IBSA is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization that provides employment counseling and training services in the City of Topeka and surrounding areas. Our agency has provided effective advocacy and integrated services to youth offenders, low-income parents and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to start or expand a business.

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IBSA, Inc. is a nonprofit organization providing job readiness training and entrepreneurial development/support services under the federal Workforce Investment Act. (WIA) The agency is a Resource Partner for Network Kansas and KCSourceLinc.com.

Good info to share with those who are ex-offenders and are seeking gainful employment!

Although your client has a record, there are laws which prohibit employers from asking certain questions. However, your clients should be honest about their criminal records if the job application asks about conviction history specifically. It is becoming more common for employers to look into the criminal history of all job applicants. If your client is hired but is later found out to have given false information on an application, he or she will almost definitely be fired.

It is important that job developers help ex-offenders discuss their rap sheet so that they are prepared to explain it during an interview. Job developers should practice role-plays with clients using questions about their convictions that may appear on an application or may arise during an interview. Although every employer is different, several have indicated that they do not want to hear an �explanation� for the crime. In general, a positive response by the applicant includes:

1. acknowledgement of the conviction, when and for what;
2. comment that he or she has successfully completed the terms of the sentence;
3. how he or she took advantage of programs or opportunities to work while incarcerated; and
4. a promise of readiness to work as a team player without conflict.

Please note that an ex-offender does not need to reveal his or her criminal record on a resume, but should be prepared to discuss employment gaps honestly and positively. RESP has developed several tip sheets that can assist with your clients' interactions with employers.

#1 - Cover Letter - pdf
#2 - Resumes - pdf
#3a - Rap Sheet Information - pdf
#3b - FBI Rap Sheet Information - pdf
#4 - Application Tips - pdf
#5 - Answering Hard Questions - pdf
#6 - Telephone Etiquette - pdf
#7 - Interview Checklist - pdf
#8 - Employment Hurdles - pdf
#9 - Dressing for a Job Interview - pdf
#10 - Good Weaknesses - pdf
#11 - Potential Interview Questions - pdf
#12 - Questions to Ask Interviewers - pdf
#13 - Post Interview Assessment Form - pdf
#14 - Thank You Letter Format - pdf
#15 - Your Attitude and You - pdf
#16 - Are You a Good Employee - pdf

Job Readiness - PowerPoint Presentation for formerly incarcerated job seekers
Your Workforce Choices - PowerPoint Presentation for use in outreach to employers

The National Black Business Trade Association (NBBTA) and Black Business Builders want to thank you for taking the opportunity to promote your business on our site. Everyday we have thousands of visitors who come to the site because they regard us as a reliable source for information, access and contacts. By having your site listed in our Black Business Directory, you will have the opportunity to gather new prospects, clients, customers and contact and contracts.

Published: Saturday, September 8, 2007 10:11 AM CDT Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon (background, fourth from left), along with officials from Wyandotte, Leavenworth and Johnson Counties, gathered Thursday afternoon for a ribbon cutting of the redesigned Kansas City Workforce Partnership Center at 522 State Ave. The center is a "one-stop" resource for Kansas job-seekers and employers throughout the metropolitan area, the Workforce Center's services are available at no charge. Kansas City Kansan photo by SAM HARTLE Leaders from Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth Counties gathered outside the recently remodeled Workforce Partnership Center on 522 State Ave. to dedicate the new building. �I can�t say how important and significant this effort is,� Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon told a crowd gathered for the event. �We are counties on the move, and the work they do is critical to our future.� The center is a professional resource for Kansas City-area employers, providing individualized screening, recruiting and training workshops - much like those available from recruiting and staffing firms in private industry - only free of charge. It is operated by Workforce Partnership, a private nonprofit organization that serves as the workforce research, policy, and planning organization for Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth counties in Kansas. �We�ve been around for years, but everything we�re doing now is new,� Workforce Partnership executive director Scott Anglemyer said. �This represents a new way of doing business.� In addition to more one-on-one assistance*, the Workforce Center offers: - www.KansasJobLink.com registration - Internet-based job search - Resume assistance - Vocational/technical school resources - Job search and placement (veteran, senior and bi-lingual resources available) - Post-reentry employment assistance - Career counseling and interest/aptitude profiling - G.E.D. and high school diploma training - Workshops on relevant topics (i.e. interview techniques) For more information about Workforce Partnership, visit www.workforcepartnership.com .

Be in front of hundreds of holiday shoppers before they spend!

http://www.emergingminds.org/magazine/content/index.php?itemid=5163

Job Readiness Training Unemployed? Are You in Need Of A Career Making A Living Wage? Call For Free Info 1-913-240-6247 Length - 3 to 4 Weeks - FREE Training - Job Search Assistance - One-on-One Assistance - State Recognized Training - WIA Approved - Visit The Wyandotte, Johnson or Leavenworth County Workforce Centers to Register for Federal-Funded Training Programs Provided by IBSA, Inc. Ex-Offenders May Be Eligible for Felony Expungment Assistance