Congrats to JCSU's own Dr. Davida Haywood

Wayward entrepreneurship in a down economy.

I heard the economy was bad in South Carolina (12.5% unemployment rate) and jobs were hard to come by. So I’m not surprised that people would start creating their own businesses. Supply and Demand is the American Way!!! You see something that people want and need and then you provide it. What is one of the easiest businesses to start without much overhead cost? It would be a business where you wouldn’t need to spend a lot of money to start. Well a 27 year old woman in Chesterfield, SC came up with the just that type of business. Gwendolyn Lowery only needed to spend money printing flyers because she had the rest of the equipment at her office home. Oh, she also needed money for Alcohol as well.

Lowery was an at home stripper. Because she worked from home she didn’t have to deal with traffic and office politics. So she saved on gas and inter-office headaches. Sounds smart so far right? Well I know some people might have an adverse reaction to stripping but it technically is a job. I don’t know the legal aspects of where you can and can’t strip but I don’t see what’s wrong with getting naked in your own home. I’m sure there is a nudist colony that is agreeing with me somewhere in the world. But before she could be awarded The BET Entrepreneur of the Year Award, she was arrested. So I guess you can’t strip in your home even if you have your own pole (I told you she had all her work tools). Actually she was taken down to the precinct because of her clientele. Apparently she was stripping in front of juveniles (one boy of record was at least 12 years old).

I know that someone is going to say “why are you making light of this situation?” Chesterfield, SC is right down the road from Charlotte, NC (my home base of operations) and of late South Carolina has been hurting economically. In that area crime has increased and college professors have had to take unpaid leave to keep their jobs. If this is the worst story coming out of the area, then I will take it. It beats hearing about the convenience clerk that was murdered in cold blood. While she was irresponsible in stripping for minors, I’m just not willing to recommend the electric chair. Yes it is the sexualization of a woman personified times 100 but remember no one forced her to do it. She made her own decision to set up shop at her house. Most 12 year olds would have gone along with the older kids too (not saying it’s right but it’s real). The older boys have some responsibility as well for attending this makeshift show. But are they going to send boys to jail for looking at a naked woman? We all know how America works. Lowery will take a public beating along with some stripper jokes thrown in.

She doesn’t look remorseful on her mug shot so she is making it hard for people to feel sorry for her. Maybe she needed the money or maybe she did it for pleasure. In the days to come, I guess we will find out why she did it. As for right now we do know one thing. Another South Carolinian is out of work.

Measha Brueggergosman

Canadian Measha Brueggergosman, soprano singer, performed the Olympic Hymn at Friday Nights Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Games. Pretty good for someone that just had open-heart surgery last year and could have possibly died. Listen to her here.

You go girl!!! I think?

The City welcomes Carolyn Flowers, the new CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System.
You took a pay cut when you came here from Los Angeles. And you are making less money than the man you replaced. Welcome to North Carolina and enjoy your stay.

Introducing Dr. Regina Benjamin

Thanks to the folks at Essence for letting me know about this.

A rural family physician as the next possible Surgeon General? Finally someone that knows about healthcare for the poor.

Introducing: The Fortitude Factor

Entrepreneur Nicole Balaam has written her first book: The Fortitude Factor.

The book can now be purchased from her web site www.fortitudefactor.com. You can also order the book on Amazon.com after July 11th. The book lays out the blueprint for putting dreams into action and making the impossible possible. I’m excited about this book because my girl Traci Benjamin is in it. She is one of 5 individuals talking about their life experiences and how they found their Fortitude Factor. Ms. Benjamin is also an Emmy Award Winning Television Producer. If you are looking for a book to read this summer please check this out. I’m not just saying this because I went to college with Nicole and Traci. Or because my wife is their sorority sister and Traci was on line with her. But for the past 2 months I have been highlighting entrepreneurs on my blog. I believe that supporting family owned/operated businesses is good for the economy. You keep the entrepreneurs employed and eventually they will hire people to help their business. A win win scenario for everyone. Besides, in this economy who couldn’t use a little motivation?

WSOC TV Makes Broadcasting History

Erica Bryant was named co-anchor of WSOC-TV’s Eyewitness News 5, 6 and 11pm Broadcasts. She will join Vince Coakley as the first all-black prime-time anchor team in the market’s history. The city of Charlotte, NC should be proud of this moment. I wish the news team the best.

Leaving the past and embracing the future: The new face of journalism.

A new investigative reporting web site was launched by Regina Holmes in Baltimore a few weeks ago. Mrs. Holmes was a recent assistant managing editor at the Baltimore Examiner before it went belly up. With the down fall of major newspapers many journalists are doing their own thing. Is it just possible that Holmes is ahead of the game? Is this the “new” journalism?