Developing economic, intellectual wealth focus of April 27 leadership conference

Developing
economic, intellectual wealth focus of April 27 leadership
conference
…………………………………………………………………

BY MAILEEN HAMTO
Special to the Rice News

The third annual
Enhancing Black Leadership Conference, scheduled for Friday,
April 27, is expected to draw to campus more than 300 participants
eager to learn more about today’s tools for developing
economic and intellectual wealth.

Sponsored by
the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management, the National
Black MBA Association–Houston Chapter (NBMBAA) and
the Association of Rice University Black Alumni (ARUBA),
this year’s conference will explore strategies in “Seizing
Opportunity in a Fluid Economy.”

“The event,
the only forum of its kind offered in Houston, will expose
black professionals and managers to national and local business
leaders, offering opportunities for one-on-one dialog with
high-caliber speakers to discuss subjects critical to professional
development,” said Tahita Doyle, chair of economic
development, NBMBAA–Houston Chapter.

The conference
builds on its successful tradition by bringing together
local and national experts who will address trends and issues
in topics such as personal finance, career management, entrepreneurship
and technology. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Houston
Mayor Lee P. Brown; Samuel Golden, ombudsman, Comptroller
of the Currency, U.S. Treasury; Steven L. Miller, chairman,
president and chief executive officer, Shell Oil Co.; and
Hazel O’Leary, U.S. secretary of energy during the
Clinton administration.

Brooke Stephens,
author, lecturer and financial commentator for PBS “Business
Report,” will deliver closing remarks, where she will
provide a candid take on the issue “Accountability
and Credibility: Where Are Our Standards for Our Black Leaders?”

“Black
leaders across the board, from preachers to politicians,
are suffering from a major crisis in ethics and integrity,”
she said. “If we continue to support them without setting
new standards for performance, then we get what we deserve.”

Since its launch
in 1998, more than 600 business students, lawyers, accountants,
engineers, health care professionals, educators and entrepreneurs
from across Texas have attended the conference. The result
of a collaboration among the Jones School, ARUBA and NBMBAA,
the conference has brought together noted black business
leaders, political figures and community leaders such as
KirbyJon Caldwell, pastor, Windsor Village United Methodist
Church; Houston City Councilman Jew Don Boney; former U.S.
Ambassador Cynthia Shepard Perry; and Pervis Thomas Jr.,
chief information officer, Shell Oil Co.

“The conference
offers a great opportunity for African-Americans at various
career levels to network with other professionals and learn
practical tips about moving forward in the corporate setting
or about pursuing entrepreneurial goals,” said Andrea
Ravin- Anderson ’88, president of ARUBA. “The
panel sessions also offer extraordinary motivation for participants
to hear other successful African-Americans talk about their
personal stories of triumph and success.”

Houston business
leaders and professionals will be featured in panel sessions
that will address key trends and issues in business today.
Kay Henry, one of the founders of the conference and director
of the Jones School’s MBA for Executives Program, said
the event has been well-received in the black professional
and entrepreneurial community.

“It’s
important for professionals and entrepreneurs to create
a strategy for their career paths in today’s business
and economic climate,” Henry said. “Panel sessions
will provide current information on business trends and
tools as well as opportunities for participants to network
with other professionals representing various fields and
industries.”

The session
titled “Personal Finance: Empowering Your Money”
features David Ikenberry, associate professor of management,
Jones School; Cedric Mallett, financial analyst, ASP Group;
Cheryl Taylor, Morgan Stanley Dean Whitter; and Matt White,
financial consultant, Pacesetter Financial.

The session “Career:
Surviving and Thriving in a Corporate Culture” addresses
issues relating to how employees can manage the culture
of the workplace in a way that enhances career growth. Panel
members include Barbara Thompkins-Brown, plant manager,
E.I.Dupont de Nemours; Dwain Celistan, consumer package
goods consultant, Thinque System Corp.; Russell Crockett,
vice president, responsible care and engineering, Lyondell
Chemical Co.; and Russell Ross, manager, U.S. staffing,
Compaq Computer Corp.

The “Franchising
Opportunities” session provides participants with tips
for developing successful franchise businesses, seen from
the point of view of practitioners and corporate managers.
Allen Bergeron, an independent business owner, and Dwayne
Tanner, AFP Enterprises, will address the topic.

The session
“Accessing Capital” seeks to answer questions
about available options in funding business ideas. Panelists
are Marlon Mitchell, executive director of the Houston Small
Business Development Council; Barbara Paige, Enron Investment
Partners; and Jeff Rose, Wells Fargo.

What’s
new and what’s changed in e-business will be discussed
in the session on “E-Business: An Update.” Carl
McGowan, product marketing manager, Compaq Computer Corp.,
and Charles Simms, president of Ecumulate.com, will serve
as panelists.

Conference registration
is $85 per person. For more information, e-mail <oed@rice.edu>
or call (713) 348-6060 or (713) 866-6573. Participants may
register online at <www.rice.edu/executive>
or <www.insync.net/~nbmbaahc>.

— Maileen
Hamto is assistant director of public relations at the Jesse
H. Jones Graduate School of Management.