By Carole Copeland Thomas Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention. Black people have always been inventive, creative and industrious. Go on any African street corner today and you’ll find talented entrepreneurs selling, making and distributing their wares. That talent was expanded as Blacks were exported, sold and enslaved to distant shores. This industriousness continued in America where discrimination, slavery and Jim Crow never stomped out the willpower of Black people to create businesses. Fast forward to today’s Black economic trail and we celebrated several entrepreneurs at the February 11th Black History Breakfast held at the University of Massachusetts Boston Campus. Our keynote speaker was Beth Williams, President and CEO of Roxbury Technology. She stepped in her father’s business after his sudden death in 2002 and transformed it into the LARGEST African American female owned business in Boston. Read her profile and you’ll see why she’s so successful. We salute Beth Williams and ALL of the African American owned businesses during Black History Month. * * * Beth Williams is the President and CEO of Roxbury Technology LLC (RTC), a Boston based remanufacturer of sustainable and environmentally friendly, imaging supplies, products, services and solutions. After graduating from Brown University, Beth began her career working as a Production Control Manager in one of her father’s earlier companies, Freedom Electronics. After 3 years of training and guidance from her father, she decided to expand her practical knowledge and experience inside a major corporation. Beth joined Raytheon Company’s Missile Systems division as a sub‐contract administrator and small minority business liaison officer. After 5 years at Raytheon and a desire to move into a more impactful role serving as a conduit for women and minority entrepreneurs and large corporations, she left Raytheon to join Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts procurement team and soon thereafter became the Director of Business Diversity for BCBSMA. Then, upon her father’s sudden death in 2002, Beth left Blue Cross Blue Shield to succeed her father as President and CEO of his 8 year old distribution business, Roxbury Technology Corporation. Roxbury Technology is a remanufacturer of sustainable printing solutions that are good for the environment, the economy and the customer’s bottom line. More importantly however, is Beth’s commitment to being a socially responsible entrepreneur. She is driven by her social mission and that is to provide good, wage earning jobs to people who are far too often left out of the system. She is strongly committed to providing second chances to not only her products, but to people as well. She has been a long time supporter of CORI reform and more than 15 percent of her work force are ex-offenders, ex-gang members, etc.. Her belief is that “desperate people do desperate things and we all deserve a second chance and unless given an opportunity to change, we only perpetuate a cycle of dysfunction and ultimately a cost to us all. We either pay them or pay for them”. Being driven by that philosophy, in her role as President & CEO, Beth served as the catalyst to RTC’s successful transformation from being solely a distributor of toner cartridges to becoming a manufacturer of toner and ink cartridges, resulting in strong revenue growth and profit portfolios. Today, RTC is a strategic diversity partner of Staples, Inc. and is their preferred supplier of their DPS brand remanufactured toner and ink imaging supplies. RTC has a strong base of direct customers as well; most recently being awarded the m/wbe subcontractor and supplier of imaging supplies to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. RTC is the largest African American female owned business in Boston. Her greatest pride and accomplishment is her 19 year old son who’s academic and athletic accomplishments far surpass any job, award or recognition she could ever receive.
0 Comments
by Carole Copeland Thomas
As we celebrate what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 85th birthday, here are my thoughts: Dr. King would marvel at the election and reelection of our first Black president...but would cringe at the racial backlash President Obama has received since being in office. Dr. King would celebrate the 49th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act...but would cringe at the new voter suppression laws around the country and the countless Americans/African Americans who are too lazy to vote. Dr. King would applaud the numerous business giants in the Black community, but would cringe at the wealth gap between Whites and people of color. Dr. King would want to shake the hand of every educational achiever, but would cringe at the achievement gap among urban youth in the US and beyond. These are four areas of opportunity and concern from a “King” perspective. ............. Below are 10 Useful Websites to help you go AND grow in personal and professional success. ================ 10 Useful Websites www.bbc.com www.census.gov www.religioustolerance.org www.storycorps.org www.whitehouse.gov www.lynda.com www.un.org www.wikipedia.org Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Seasons Greetings To You And Your Family
Throughout The Holiday Season! NECN-TV News Anchor Latoyia Edwards with Carole Copeland Thomas at this summer's National Association of Black Journalist Convention in Orlando, Florida by Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP
Latoyia Edwards, one of the most enthusiastic and spirited television personalities in the New England region is our opening keynote speaker at the November 7th Multicultural Conference. She kicks off the morning of more than 20 GREAT speakers, panel presenters and diversity advocates who will be a part of our upcoming event. Did you know that Latoyia is a former Miss Massachusetts??? If not...read on!!!! With two weeks to go, we hope YOU are planning to attend this exciting conference. The Multicultural Conference and the Multicultural Symposium Series (MSS) are the brainchild of entrepreneur Carole Copeland Thomas. DESPITE THE ROLLER COASTER ECONOMY, MSS has been going strong since 2008. It is the only initiative of its kind started and operated by an African American business owner in the region. Here's more information on Latoyia Edwards. Hope to see you at our exciting Nov 7th event. ======== Latoyia Edwards is the weekend Anchor for New England Cable News (NECN) in Boston, Massachusetts. For 13 years Latoyia has had the privilege of covering breaking news and human interest stories for television and radio outlets in New England and in New York. Latoyia is a regular on Boston's WGBH's Basic Black, a live television program hosted by a panel of the region's sharpest observers, who discuss and debate current news, events, and topics that impact the black community locally and nationally. Latoyia recently served as president of the Boston Association of Black Journalists. During her spare time Latoyia enjoys delivering keynote addresses and motivational speeches to youth groups and school children. Latoyia's story of her rise from the projects to the pulpitis able to connect with young and old alike. Prior to joining NECN, Latoyia worked as the weekday 5pm News Anchor for WWLP TV Channel 22 in Springfield, MA. Latoyia's experiences with Channel 22 took her as far as Paraguay, as fast as Richard Petty and as high as the Blue Angles. Before joining Channel 22 Latoyia was crowned Miss Massachusetts, USA 2002. Latoyia accredits the pageant experience for helping project her career. Before joining the 22 News team Latoyia provided local new updates on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Drive Radio Show for WILD 96.9 in Boston. During that time Latoyia taught Performance for Television at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. Latoyia first anchored television for Media One Cable News Network in Lowell, MA where she covered local news and political stories for Billerica, Tewksbury and Lowell. Prior to that Latoyia got her start in television as a news reporter for WICZ Channel 40 a Fox Affiliate in Binghamton, New York. She began her career in news during her college internship as a news writer forWBZ-1030 AM radio. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College in 1998 Latoyia where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism. Latoyia was a scholar athlete who not only excelled in the classroom but on the basketball court breaking numerous NCAA Division III rebounding and blocked shots records. Latoyia currently ranks 5th in the nation in blocked shots per game 5.1 and 4th in the nation in rebounds per game 15.2. While at Boston Latin Academy High School Latoyia knew she wanted to be a news reporter - it was in her blood. Latoyia is the oldest on 9 children who grew up the notorious Columbia Point Housing Project in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood. As a member of the Strand Theatres Teen Players Latoyia found her solace in competing in city and school sponsored oratorical, speech competitions and plays. Latoyia is a proud Boston native who was recently names to Boston Business Journal's 2010 Top 40 Under 40 a recognition of Boston's top 40 young professionals who have established themselves as leaders to be watched in their fields. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE NOVEMBER 7TH CONFERENCE. Carole Carole Copeland Thomas C. Thomas & Associates 26 Years In Business 1987 - 2013 (508) 947-5755 By Carole Copeland Thomas
Every school year provides a fresh start for EVERY student. In essence, every student starts with an A. Carole explains why embracing education and the start of a new school year is the gift to EVERY student each year. The trick is to maximize the school year so that the A can be preserved through the end of the year. Your comments are welcome below. You’re Never Too Old When You Never Give Up
Reflections On A Visionary Swimmer Who Took Charge Of Her Life by Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP I am now embracing a new decade and enjoying each new day. Turning 60 on August 21st gave me new reasons to live, new reasons to learn and new reasons to share the wonders of life with people around the world. And in that spirit I now tip my hat to a new “shero,” Diana Nyad, for accomplishing her lifelong dream and the ripe young age of 64. Yesterday she completed her 110 mile swim from Marina Hemingway in Cuba to Key West, Florida and set a new record. No shark cage, no expanded rest periods and no respite from the pain of that arduous task. Four previous failed attempts. A total of 53 hours in the shark infested, jelly fish ocean using 200,000 strokes to reach her goal. Despite the advice of some to give in and quit, she ignored her naysayers and pushed forward. No beauty queen with a size zero body. This muscular battle tested woman gave each one of us new hope to press forward despite our age, circumstance or marital status. Indeed 60 is the new 40. “All of us suffer heartache. All of us suffer difficulties in our lives. And if you say to yourself ‘find a way,’ you’ll make it through.” And making it through is exactly what Nyad did yesterday some 35 years after attempting the impossible in the Florida Straits. This New Blog Will Find A Way... Each week this blog posting will give you the strength and courage to press forward on your job, in your personal life, with your family and in your community. As Ebony Speakers we want to celebrate your victories and share in the painful impact of your challenges and difficulties. We’ve all been there! As Debra Gould tells us all the time, “Positive Persistence Beats Resistance Every Time.” And my other Ebony Speakers, Nancy Lewis and Michelle Porchia will also bring you new ways to beat back the trials and tribulations that come your way while celebrating new possibilities in your life. As a 60 year old diversity professional and speaker, I am excited about this new blog and the insights and commentaries that we’ll share each week. We’ll rotate, and each week you’ll read the thoughts, actions, tips and techniques from either Debra, Michelle, Nancy or me. And we encourage you to give us feedback and suggestions by using the comment box below. As Ebony Speakers we want to empower and inspire you each and every week and eagerly await your replies. Complete The Survey I have also just created a new diversity survey and encourage you to complete this FREE 8 minute survey. It’s confidential and anonymous and your name will NEVER be revealed. Here’s the link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N6QYJXR From time to time we’ll feature other surveys and opinion polls for you to complete as we explore the countless ways to enhance the services we offer to people throughout the global marketplace. Diana Nyad defied the odds, wouldn’t take NO for an answer and pressed forward through unbelievable difficulties until her goal was reached. In our own unique styles, we Ebony Speakers will share our spirits and insights in our weekly blog postings. Regardless of your station in life, your age, your challenges or your ethnicity, we invite you to join us on a brand new journey of hope, encouragement and possibilities along the path of a bright and exciting new future. Welcome aboard!! -Carole Copeland Thomas Your comments are welcome below. |
Book Debra, Michelle, Nancy or Carole for your next speaking engagement or training event.
|