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Burn you ships!

Denise Murphy, Executive Director of the Liberty Road Business Association, told HARAMBEE attendees, "We have everything we need right in our own communities."

(BALTIMORE – August 21, 2008) – They came from Washington, DC, Prince George’s County, Baltimore County and from all parts of Baltimore City. Briefcases and Blackberry’s in hand, these diligent business owners and business professionals were intent on hearing a message of hope.

Mark Spencer (in forefront), who lives in Prince George's County, encouraged attendees to stay abreast of news developments relating to minority business developments. For instance, Prince George's County, the richest black jurisdiction in the nation, is now boasting a brand new tourist location, the $4 billion National Harbor project.

And in most cases – if not all – they did. Most, if not all, left with a refreshed, renewed, and re-invigorated mind and spirit determined to see success become a reality.

This was the backdrop for Tuesday night’s HARAMBEE Dinner Club, where the theme was “Surviving Trying Times.” Over the past few weeks, it has been painfully obvious that many entrepreneurs are facing some challenging times.

Donna Hughes of Karma Marketing Partners, Inc., located at 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. in NW Washington, DC.

With gas prices off the charts – clearly disaffecting and disrupting the “normal” flow of business and ever-increasing the costs of products and services businesses depend on for survival – BMORENEWS.com definitely recognizes the need to instill hope in the hearts and souls of area entrepreneurs.

Further, while many black entrepreneurs are feeling the pinch of tough economic times, the truth is that everybody is feeling it: whites, Asians, Indians, Latinos. Everybody is faced with the same scenario: Do I continue? Do I tighten up my belt and endure the sting? Can I afford to do so? Are my bills making it impossible to keep the doors to my business open?

Attendees included Erlene B. Wilson (R) of e.wilson communications (www.ewccom.com) and Jennifer Ayana Harrison (L), owner of Ayana Spa (www.ayanascents.com).

The words my late father had plastered near his bed to mind: “Pray not for an easy life. Pray to be a tough person.”

Jewel West (L), owner of The Jewel Salon, and Darlene Adams, CPA (R), of Adams & Associates were among the event's sponsors. Thank you, ladies! Other sponsors included BVFR & Associates, Cain Contracting, and Commercial Interiors.

Put differently: “Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.”

Actually, Tuesday’s keynote speaker, Michael Williams, may have put it best: “This too shall pass.”

In addition to being a minister, the IT professional told the audience about the ancient Greeks’ philosophy. He said that when they went to conquer a particular land, they burned their ships once they reached the new land.

“Now,” he said, “we have a vested interest – just like the indigenous people we aim to conquer.”  

So, burn your ships! Burn your doubts! Failure is not an option! Victory is mine, saith the hymnist. We won’t look back. We’ll only aim forward. Anything in opposition to success – we rebuke it. If it ain’t positive, we don’t want it. Purge the bad and accentuate the good. Detractors will fail because we are too determined to experience the bountifulness the Almighty has in store for us.

This was the spirit on Tuesday night.

And those who attended stayed the entire time, if not longer.

Personally, I was inspired to know that BMORENEWS.com is continuing the otherwise forsaken art of celebrating each other. At BMORENEWS, we know that by unselfishly giving to others, our blessings always come. The lights stay on. The phone still rings. The customers and clients still knock.

At BMORENEWS and DMGlobal Communications, a multimedia marketing and public relations firm committed to providing entities with access to the marketplace, we know that there is more than enough out here for everybody – especially in the black community. Despite the greedy and the selfish, we know that the Almighty can and will provide. God is more than able!

So, on that note, the next HARAMBEE Dinner Club is set for Tuesday, September 16, 2008 from 6 to 8 pm at Velleggia’s Restaurant at 829 East Pratt Street. To co-sponsor, vend, or promote your business, call me at 443.858.2684. Advanced sales are only $17. $25 at the door. Stay-tuned to www.BMORENEWS.com for additional details – as they unfold.

By the way, the September HARAMBEE D.C.’s theme is: “I Want To Be A Millionaire!” And yes, the goal is to have a millionaire … or two … in the building that night!    

Tags: business, restaurant