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Protecting Your Financial Health in These Uncertain Times

With expected delays in bill payments, unprecedented layoffs, hiring freezes and related hardships, many Americans are facing new financial challenges. “COVID-19 has impacted all industries and individuals from all walks of life,” says Rod Griffin, senior director of Consumer Education and Advocacy for Experian. “With all of these rapid changes, you might not be thinking…

Building credit at 18: Tips for a solid financial foundation

Building credit at 18: Tips for a solid financial foundation

When a young person turns 18, it’s an exciting time full of possibilities. Being able to vote and no longer adhering to a curfew is just the beginning. Now an official adult, it’s time to begin a new chapter that sets the foundation for the rest of their life, including their financial wellness. “How you…

Report: Companies Owned by Women of Color Account for 89 Percent of All New Women-Owned Businesses

Report: Companies Owned by Women of Color Account for 89 Percent of All New Women-Owned Businesses

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Crystal Etienne is a businesswoman, wife, and mother of two children. She’s also the founder of Ruby Love, a $10 million personal care company that she built in just four years. “My dream was to always work for myself,” Etienne, a New York native, stated in an…

How small businesses can boost sales
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How small businesses can boost sales

With over 30 million small businesses in the U.S., it’s tough to stand out from the crowd. Successful small businesses turn first-time customers into repeat business, building momentum and growing sales. How can you achieve this? Marketing. Finding effective, easy-to-execute marketing strategies can boost your business by helping you engage your customers while attracting new…

Dave “Supa Dave” Nelson is Investing in His Community
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Dave “Supa Dave” Nelson is Investing in His Community

Dave “Supa Dave” Nelson has called Houston home his entire life, and now, with 16 years of real estate investment experience under his belt, he is back in the Hiram Clarke community with a mission to put black leadership and community redevelopment in motion. Dave’s father had been in the construction industry for many years,…

COVID-19: Help is Available

These are challenging times for businesses all over the nation. The Texas Comptroller’s office knows that during periods of economic hardship, paying or remitting taxes and fees on time can feel like an extra burden when there’s so much uncertainty. We’re thankful to those businesses that were able to remit state and local sales taxes…

US tax filing deadline moved to July 15, Mnuchin says

Americans will have an additional three months to file their taxes amid the coronavirus pandemic, the US treasury secretary said on Friday. “We are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15,” Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted. “All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.”…

OP-ED: Why “green buildings” are a civil rights issue
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OP-ED: Why “green buildings” are a civil rights issue

By Jacqui Patterson and Mandy Lee, NAACP Voting rights. Segregation. Criminal justice reform. For more than a century, the civil rights movement has taken on the inequities that divide and disfigure American society. Now the green building sector has joined the fronts of struggle for access and equity. Why? The green building sector is transforming…

Moving Forward: What’s in store foe Mayor Turner’s 2nd Term

Moving Forward: What’s in store foe Mayor Turner’s 2nd Term

Several Houston leaders were sworn into office recently at the Inauguration ceremony held at Wortham Center in downtown Houston. Mayor Sylvester Turner, along with City Controller Chris Brown and City Council members:  Amy Peck – District A, Abbie Kamin – District C, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz – District D, Dave Martin – District E, Tiffany Thomas –…

Comerica Bank Names Irvin Ashford, Jr. Chief Community Officer

Comerica Bank Names Irvin Ashford, Jr. Chief Community Officer

DALLAS, Jan. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Comerica Bank has named Irvin Ashford, Jr., its new Chief Community Officer. Ashford, will be responsible for community reinvestment nationally and all associated activities, including development, lending, community investments, volunteerism and data analysis. Additionally, he will lead Comerica’s diversity business resource groups. Ashford previously served as Comerica’s National Director of Financial Education and…

How to harness emerging technology for small-business success

How to harness emerging technology for small-business success

Whatever your small or medium-sized business (SMB), chances are you’re dependent on increasingly advanced technology – or wish to use more sophisticated technology. Recent advances have been numerous and head-spinning, sometimes making it hard to keep up. The truth is, harnessing emerging technologies effectively may be exactly what takes your business to the next level,…

Which apps help employees most? 3 tips for growing businesses

Which apps help employees most? 3 tips for growing businesses

For many businesses in our increasingly technical world, future success will depend on how well they can take advantage of digital tools such as apps.   These days, it’s all about finding and optimizing the right apps, which may explain why app usage has grown so much in recent years. In fact, 81% of workers…

City of Houston Announces Winners of Liftoff Houston! Pitch Day 2019 Start-Up Business Plan Competition
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City of Houston Announces Winners of Liftoff Houston! Pitch Day 2019 Start-Up Business Plan Competition

HOUSTON (November 13, 2019) – Three aspiring entrepreneurs earned a vote of confidence and $10,000 in start-up capital on Saturday as the winners of the 2019 Liftoff Houston! Start-up Business Plan Competition.   After roughly six months of workshops and mentoring, nine finalists competed in the Shark Tank style Pitch Day to win $10,000 towards starting their own businesses…

Update or change your spending to make sure you’re making the right decisions for you.

Update or change your spending to make sure you’re making the right decisions for you.

A spending plan is a well-thought-out strategy that turns a budget into a manageable part of everyday life. If you already have a plan, what’s next? Most people understand the importance of sticking to a plan, but as your life changes and you work toward new goals, your spending habits will likely shift as well….