Local firms land contracts

by Angela Lindsay

photos by Jon Strayhorn

The 2012 Democratic National Convention takes off in Charlotte on Sept. 4. But it’s already bringing a lot more than just national media attention. For many local black-owned companies, the once-in-a-lifetime event brings big business that could have long-lasting effects.

“I’m very proud, as a small business owner, to be part of this process, and to be engaged in something that’s so important for our community,” says Linda Lockman-Brooks, president of Lockman-Brooks Marketing Services.

Darrell Williams of Neighboring Concepts concurs. “The success of Charlotte in 2012 will be talked about for years, and I’m optimistic the positive impact on not just our firm but the entire region and the Charlotte community at-large will be everlasting.”

Communication and outreach

As part of the preparations for the convention, Time Warner Cable Arena is being renovated and upfitted to transform it into the main staging area for the DNC. Lockman-Brooks is handling the outreach efforts for the project to ensure local, minority-owned, women-owned and small firms have access to the process and the information necessary to participate as subcontractors. The DNC established an online vendor registry, which is the first step in the process.

Lockman-Brooks Marketing Services, established in 1998, offers communications strategy consulting and community engagement strategy. For the DNC, the company is developing strategies to ensure outreach information sessions are productive and communication (on the construction side of things) is smooth and specific. Lockman-Brooks says she is not involved with assisting in hospitality efforts or social events.

Maryland-based Hargrove, Inc. is the convention’s exposition and event services provider, handling event scheduling and décor, and providing rentals and furnishings to convention staff and members of the media. The construction management team is a joint venture between Charlotte-based Rodgers Builders, Inc., H.G. Russell and Co. of Atlanta (one of the nation’s largest minority-owned enterprises) and Hunt Construction Group, based in Indianapolis, which led the original construction of Time Warner Cable Arena.

Lockman-Brooks explains she also worked with Hunt Construction Group to manage the supplier diversity efforts for the arena. Her communications background, she says, not necessarily her construction knowledge, and understanding of how to engage different audiences is the key to her involvement with such large projects.

Her message to business owners who want in on the action is to understand “the importance of clear communication,” and that “small firms must continue to advance their ability to keep up with technology trends.” Lockman-Brooks says, “This DNC is a wonderful opportunity for businesses of every size to participate in helping our city shine in the national spotlight.”

The outreach team has met with the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council, United Minority Contractors of N.C., South Carolina Minority Contractors Association, Metrolina Minority Contractors Association, Hispanic Contractors Association, Latin American Chamber of Commerce and the Charlotte Chamber.

Arena transformation

Needing A-plus architectural/design work, the DNC has tapped locally owned Neighboring Concepts, along with Populous, a global design firm that’s worked with the Super Bowl, Olympic Games and previous DNCs. The companies are the on-the-ground providers of professional planning, architectural and interior design services and to oversee all permitting and approvals required to successfully prepare the arena for the DNC.

“Involvement with such a high-profile project as the DNC is a monumental opportunity for a small, minority design firm,” says Williams, founding partner of Neighboring Concepts. “In addition to the benefit of partnering and collaborating with Populous and other very successful businesses, such as Rogers, Russell, Hunt and Hargrove, we’ve been given the chance to learn and support a new area of design services for us (event architecture) and to contribute professionally to a once-in-a-lifetime event. The chance we now have to work so closely with the DNC Committee is an occasion we do not take for granted.”

Founded in 1996, Neighboring Concepts has worked on the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the Mosaic Village mixed-use project for Johnson C. Smith University, and the planning and design of the Charlotte Area Transit System LYNX Blue Line. Williams explains that since most public arenas generally are not designed or equipped to host national conventions of this magnitude, professionals like himself and partner Luis Tochiki often are brought in to assist with the necessary temporary alterations.

“When we learned of the DNC project, we were fortunate to have the relationship and opportunity to enhance our in-house knowledge and design expertise with Populous group, who brings unmatched experience to the table from the 2008 DNC upfit in Denver,” says Williams. “The competition for the upfit of Time Warner Arena was both rigorous and intense. We have a very strong team of well-chosen professionals with the ideal skill set to get the job done.”

Like Lockman-Brooks, Williams cites the importance of effective communication and collaboration skills “to ensure efficiency and minimize the spending of unnecessary dollars, which is a primary focus of the convention committee.”

Williams adds that he looks forward to the opportunity to meet new friends and colleagues, and to develop lasting, valuable relationships — ones that will strongly enhance his firm’s value to the community, as well as future business opportunities elsewhere. The opportunity also is helping Neighboring Concepts sustain its business during the nation’s ongoing economic downturn.

“I’ve also come to realize, throughout this process, that we cannot even imagine at this point the real impact the convention will have on our region, because we’ve never experienced anything like this before,” he concludes.

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Getting dollars from DNC projects

See the vendor directory for the 2012 Democratic National Convention at www.demconvention.com.

Construction is slated to start July 14. Potential subcontracting opportunities include carpentry, arena seating, custodial, acoustical panel ceilings, electrical, fencing/site work and barricades, flooring, IT/cabling, metal framing and drywall/painting/wall covering.

Tanya Blackmon leads Huntersville hospital

with compassion and a can-do spirit

by Lee McCracken

Photos by Jon Strayhorn

She’s climbing the corporate ladder, even breaking the glass ceiling, but Tanya Blackmon is not kicking others down as she ascends. Fueled by faith, family and friendships, Blackmon regards leadership as something that should be used to help others.

Blackmon, 52, is the president of Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville, and she says her mission is to “add value to people’s lives.” Overseeing an operating budget of $287 million and a multimillion-dollar expansion project, Blackmon starts her day at 6:30 a.m. and often doesn’t finish until 8 or 9 at night. But she isn’t working alone or taking all the credit.

Her finger points to the physicians and department chairs who work with her and the more than 650 employees, who, she says, are able to make Presbyterian Huntersville a leader among community healthcare facilities.

“It isn’t about me — it’s bigger than me,” says Blackmon. “Mentoring — that’s the reason I exist in this leadership role.”

Harnessing both the empathy and energy she gained from her parents, Blackmon runs her hospital as a servant leader. She “partners” with her executive staff, and says, “This is the community’s hospital.”

Valuing people, learning from the dying

Women executives are gaining momentum in the health care industry; yet, there are still few minority women at the helm of hospitals. Blackmon says choosing a supervisory position with Presbyterian Healthcare was “a pivotal turning point” in her career.

With a background in social work, Blackmon joined Presbyterian Healthcare in 1992 as director of inpatient discharge planning at Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital. She then became the director of clinical improvement and community care services, and was applauded for securing $1 million in grants for disease management programs. She was named the 1997 N.C. Social Work Administrator in Healthcare of the Year, and in 1998, she was honored among the Top 40 under 40 by the Charlotte Business Journal.

In 2004, Blackmon was named the chief operating officer and vice president-administrator. Two years ago, she was honored with the Professional Achievement Award by The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club Inc.

Blackmon describes her leadership style as a combination of the values passed down to her and her brothers from their parents. A native of Baton Rouge, L.A., she grew up the daughter of a teacher and a Marine drill sergeant. Her mother, who died 11 years ago, went into social work after teaching, and Blackmon says she admires the ability her mother had to understand people’s unique needs.

“My mom was my strongest mentor. She knew how to maintain a person’s self-esteem no matter what the situation. She taught me that people are not bad and all are to be valued,” says Blackmon. “In our house, feeling inferior was taboo, and it was something I instilled in my own children.” In business, she adds, “I believe all employees must be valued as human beings.”

Blackmon earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from N.C. A&T State University. She later earned both a master’s in business administration from Queens University of Charlotte and a master’s in social work from the University of South Carolina.

She says her favorite populations to work with early in her career were senior citizens and oncology patients. “The elderly have such wisdom,” she says, “and those living with cancer have so much to teach us about life and what’s most important.”

Encouraging, listening and respecting

Blackmon is a single mother, who lives in the Univerity City area. Her son earned a master’s degree and now works in Virginia, and her daughter is a senior at UN Chapel Hill.

Her down-to-earth style shines, and Blackmon strives to keep her own hands in her work, rather than remaining behind her desk and relying on reports. She accompanies physicians on their rounds and talks with patients, many of whom receive hand-signed notes and are invited to community luncheons. She also chats with employees throughout her day and hosts quarterly coffees to get feedback.

“The people who work at Presbyterian Huntersville were chosen for their customer service and technical skills,” says Blackmon. “They represent the highest quality of care. Together, we want to make this hospital remarkable.”

And feeling blessed by what she receives, she gives back. Earlier in the year, the man who gives visitors a ride in the golf cart from the parking lot to the hospital’s front door had a bad cold. Blackmon remembered he once commented on the canister of teas she has on her shelf, so she made a cup of hot Russian tea and took it out to him.

And, whether it’s the front desk staff singing their Monday Morning Jingle, the “Good Morning Huntersville” inter-hospital television show, the made-to-order meals from the cafeteria, or the staff-signed maternity floor door posters given to new mothers, Blackmon says the innovative ideas of her employees make the hospital what it is.

“We treat people how we’d want our own family members to be treated if they were patients here,” she says, noting the hospital typically is at 100-percent capacity. The current construction project, which will add 15 more beds to the hospital, is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter.

“Tanya is a unique servant leader,” says Dr. David Cook, chief of staff. “She’s a Level 5, according to Harvard standards, and it builds trust with everyone — from the physicians to employees in every department.”

Blackmon’s self-discipline and get-it-done spirit came from her father. “Leadership,” she says, “is both an art and a science.”

The business of running a hospital requires managing millions of dollars, analyzing growth figures and assessing quality control. She’s surrounded by a posse of white coats, but Presbyterian Huntersville is not a “boy’s club.”

“We’re like brothers and sisters here,” says Cook. “We trust and respect one another.”

He explains that it took very little time for her staff to get on board. “Tanya has proven herself. She knows this job is bigger than she is, and she has our respect,” he says. “She doesn’t throw anyone under the bus.”

Keen on finding the strength in people and growing them, Blackmon is applauded for her achievements at Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital and her vision for Presbyterian Huntersville. Cooks adds, “Tanya’s compassion compass is always pointing north.”

Tim McMullen’ designs maximize light, space

by Lee McCracken

Photos by Greg Briley

From windows to rooftops, his architectural expertise is evident throughout the region. Tim McMullen boasts more than 30 years of experience as a registered architect, with a portfolio that includes commercial buildings, industrial projects and many schools.

But it’s the residential projects — the homes and the clients who have become dear friends — McMullen is eager to talk about most. Whether designing an entire house or just an addition or renovation, McMullen’s creativity and craftsmanship come together as he digs into a project.

“I do the residential work more as personal enjoyment,” he says. “It’s a satisfying hobby.”

McMullen shares some insight about hiring an architect, and he talks about some of the Charlotte-area residences in his portfolio. He hosts a tour of the houses and delights in seeing the families again, taking comfort in hearing their contentment and pride in their homes.

Purposeful spaces

“Hiring an architect isn’t just for the rich,” says McMullen, adding renovating a historic house, adding onto a small home or completely custom building a new residence doesn’t have to be a huge headache or budget-buster.

“Some folks buy stock plans, some start with plans they’ve purchased and make modifications, and then some people have their own ideas, and we design the whole thing together,” he explains. “An architect can offer insight on how a space can function in three dimensions — not just the height and width, but also the volume of the space and how that influences the ‘feel’ in terms of lifestyle.”

And when working with an architect, everything is up for discussion. Want an extra-large kitchen pantry? Dream of his-and-hers walk-in closets off the bathroom? “Space can be adjusted — it’s about getting rid of wasted space and optimizing usable space,” says McMullen. “People don’t have to settle for a cookie-cutter plan.”

An architect’s ability to visualize and describe what hallways and rooms will look like and feel like also is beneficial. McMullen helps his clients make spaces functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing with design elements that add character to a home and enhance natural light. “Most people are looking for openness and fluidity,” he adds. “It’s all about space that’s not confining.”

Preston and Minnie Means delight in their 4,000-square-foot custom-built home on Beatties Ford Road that was completed in 1991. The residence is just one example of how McMullen designs houses that “wear well.” Both the exterior facade and the interior flow of the home are purposeful.

The broad layout of the house suits the large lot. “I designed the front façade not to be perfectly symmetrical,” says McMullen, “so it’s a bit more modern feeling.”

Although 20 years old, the home’s openness with vaulted ceilings and its myriad windows prove McMullen is a forward-thinker. “It’s a transitional-style home with the master suite on the first level,” explains McMullen, noting the skylight over the garden tub in the master bath is positioned to showcase the moon at night. Large closets also please the homeowners.

The two-story family room and “bridge” hallway in the second floor allow for a lot of light to flood the home. McMullen explains, “I don’t like to create closed-off, claustrophobic spaces.”

Estate for entertaining

In 2005, McMullen designed a home in Fort Mill, S.C., for R.G. Pettis, Sr., a retired math professor from Johnson C. Smith University. On five acres, the 6,800-square-foot home boasts six levels with numerous bedrooms and six full baths. Natural light, arches, columns and plenty of stone and wood blend and give the country estate its unique character.

Wood-and-iron stair railings weave a geometric pattern from level to level, and a mezzanine dining area off the kitchen, which almost seems to float, eases the transition from the lower levels to the upper levels of the home.

“This is a twist on the split-level home,” says McMullen. “The mezzanine takes out the arduous climbing of stairs.”

Pettis, Sr., says his wife, who is deceased, loved to entertain, and the home is perfectly suited for family gatherings, lavish dinner parties and lots of relaxing. The house is equipped with a media room, wine cellar and a family/guest suite that includes a full kitchen on the sixth level.

On the lower level there’s an intimate sitting area by the stone fireplace, which extends 40 feet up through the center of the home.

A unique element is the one vantage point from where all six levels of the house can be seen. McMullen and Pettis, Sr., enjoy challenging visitors to find this single secret spot in the house.

A third project, and McMullen’s most recent, is a home in Myers Park. In 2009, he converted a 2,800-square-foot traditional brick house built in the 1930s to a 4,700-square-foot craftsman-style home for a growing family.

“The clients liked their older home, but they wanted enhance its best attributes and bring it into the 21st century,” says McMullen. Today, the house boasts a first-floor master suite with a spa bathroom, expanded modern kitchen, glass-walled fitness room, covered outdoor living space for entertaining and a three-car garage.

And while maintaining and refurbishing much of the house’s historic attributes, McMullen added curves and archways to add interest. The first floor is very open, transitional, and lots of windows flood the house with light.

A favorite spot is the rear patio and sitting area, where family and friends can enjoy relaxing by a fire or watching a football game without being exposed to wind or rain. The wood and stone elements make it an outdoor paradise.

A personal process

McMullen’s designs can be seen from Asheville to the coast, and he feels fortunate to be able to create people’s dream homes and “make a positive impact on their lives,” he says.

An avid drawer as a young student growing up in Charlotte, McMullen took inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright and began drawing house plans. At West Charlotte High School, he took drafting, but he broadened his focus in college and graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in architectural engineering.

McMullen founded his own firm in 1980, but left private practice in 2008 to join North Carolina Central University as the Director of Design and Construction Services.

He commutes home on weekends to the University City area and enjoys spending time working on the design of the house he and his wife, a retired nurse, anticipate building and retiring to on Baden Lake.

“I designed my own home 30 years ago, but never could afford to build it,” McMullen laughs. “Most architects have a work-in-progress throughout their entire careers.”

With some 25 custom-built single-family homes and six major renovations to his credit, McMullen says he enjoys “birthing an idea and watching it mature.” And when he visits previous clients, he says he tells his wife, “I’m going to see my babies.”

Diversity and inclusion are the heartbeat of the Carolinas’ top healthcare system

by Angela Lindsay

Physicians, nurses, therapists, technicians, custodians and thousands more are committed to 24/7 care. But who takes care of those who provide the care?

While Carolinas HealthCare System works diligently to deliver top patient care, the company nurtures the health of its workforce in a different kind of way. CHS instituted a formal diversity and inclusion department in 2009; however, the concept is nothing new to the organization.

“Carolinas HealthCare System has a long history of being committed to diversity and inclusion,” says Debra Plousha Moore, senior vice president of corporate human resources. “CHS has a long-term commitment to supplier diversity, leadership development and understanding the need for access to high-quality patient care that meets the critical needs of our patients.”

Plousha Moore holds the top human resources position in the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas, and the third largest public system in the nation. She says diversity and inclusion already was a strategic priority for senior leadership when she joined the organization three years ago, but Plousha Moore formalized the program using “best practices” from her past positions in human resources and higher education as her guide. She also interviewed senior leaders across the organization, she says, “to gain insight of what was important to CHS.”

‘Diversity is our strength’

“CHS realizes we are part of dynamic and diverse communities throughout the Carolinas,” adds Plousha Moore. “Our respect and appreciation for diversity and inclusion is paramount to our success. The formation of the diversity and inclusion department provides us with an opportunity to embrace a strategic and comprehensive approach to understanding the value and return on investment of a diversified workforce and a high-performing organization.”

Under Plousha Moore’s direction, the HR division of CHS serves more than 48,000 full-time and part-time employees system-wide. Plousha Moore came to Charlotte from a comparable position she held for more than seven years at OhioHealth in Columbus. Previously, she held human resources positions with Genesys Health System in Grand Blanc, Mich., and Franciscan Health System of the Ohio Valley.

The department of diversity and inclusion reports directly to Plousha Moore, who works closely with the assistant vice president of diversity and inclusion, Peggy Harris, on “setting goals to align with the overall strategic direction of CHS human resources in the areas of workforce relations, employment, education, and wellness and prevention.”

Says Harris, “We are in a very competitive environment, and if we do not take advantage of the diversity that is a part of our environment … we’re going to miss out on some great opportunities. Diversity is our strength.”

From recruiting and employee relations to providing patient care, the company focuses on diversity to maintain an “extraordinary” working environment, adds Harris. “We want to be a place where our staff can do their best work; and I think we can do our best work when we are in an environment where our team respects the diversity we all bring to the table.”

Award-winning teamwork

CHS promotes diversity and inclusion in various ways, including an employee hotline; a supplier diversity program that directed nearly $113 million to minority or women-owned businesses in 2009; employment of 70 professional interpreters to establish accurate, safe communications between patients and healthcare providers; and employee orientation and leadership training programs that teach employees about the corporate culture of diversity and inclusion.

“The formation of the diversity and inclusion department has provided the human resources division with consistent and constant connectivity to our values of integrity and teamwork as we practice recruitment, retention, education, and we provide our employees with a workplace where they are valued and respected,” says Plousha Moore.

For its efforts, CHS received the 2010 Belk Innovation in Diversity Award from the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce last November. The award is presented to an organization that demonstrates a commitment to the promotion and acceptance of diversity and inclusion, and generates measurable results in the programs it employs to establish workplace diversity and inclusion.

“Being the recipient of the Belk Innovation in Diversity Award is a huge honor and a remarkable validation of the work our CHS teammates deliver each and every day,” says Plousha Moore. “Diversity means respecting the differences in people, and inclusion is about promoting the capabilities of all our people to be a better organization.”

She adds, “Our people are the caring hands of CHS, and their diversity is our greatest strength.”

Retailer revamps brand, merchandise while maintaining commitment to employees and community

If you have been to a Belk department store lately, you may have noticed that things are looking a little different these days. Perhaps most notably is the Belk logo, which has been revamped from its conservative “big B” former self to a sleek, contemporary design. Along with the logo, a new color palette and tagline (Modern. Southern. Style.) have been added. But that’s just the outside. Even more significant changes have taken place on the inside. As the retailer rolls out its new look and feel, the department store invites its consumers to get to know Belk better.

Today, Charlotte-based Belk Inc. is the nation’s largest privately owned, mainline department store company with 306 fashion department stores in 16 contiguous Southern states and sales totaling more than $3.5 billion in its past fiscal year. With a 320,000-square-foot flagship store in SouthPark mall, the company is led by the third generation of the family with Tim Belk serving as chairman and CEO and Johnny Belk, his brother, as president and COO.

The company has a rich legacy that started more than 123 years ago when 24-year-old William Henry Belk opened his first store in Monroe, N.C., calling it the New York Racket. He had $750 in savings, a $500 loan and $3,000 worth of goods taken on consignment.

In the late 1960s, Belk began to shed its bargain-store image for a more fashionable one.

New century, new style

“Belk has transformed,” says Tim Belk. “While we are not walking away from the traditional customers, newer customers coming to shop our stores are looking for a more modern, trendier assortment. We want to signal through this brand message that we have modern assortments, and given our heritage has a Southern flair to it, want to exploit that and make sure people understand that’s where we are.”

The transformation is the result of an extensive yearlong branding research, planning and development process led by Tim Belk and other top executives. A total of approximately $70 million is slated to be spent for corporate branding and marketing, including $25 million for the installation of the new logo signs in its stores. The new signs have already been installed in more than 60 stores with the balance of stores receiving theirs by September 2011. The official campaign launched last October and represented the first significant change in the company’s brand identity since 1967.

“This rebranding is about updating our image and trying to tell our story in a more focused way,” Belk says. “It’s more than just a logo change. It’s really how we do business, how we connect with our customer and how we move forward to compete well and really resonate with our customer and differentiate with the national competitors on our horizon and in our backyard.”

While Belk is still devoted to serving its classic and traditional customers, the company is making significant investments to attract modern and trendy customers by updating merchandise assortments and the look of its stores. It is planning nine major store expansions and remodeling projects this year, and is expanding and remodeling many key merchandise areas such as shoes, denim, fashion jewelry, accessories and dresses.

Shoe department expansions and remodels were completed in 20 stores last year, and another 35 shoe expansion projects are planned for this year. Denim Zone shops featuring the latest denim collections were also installed in 209 Belk locations and will be added in the balance of stores this year. Fashion jewelry departments were also remodeled in 14 stores to add new assortments and display fixtures with an “open sell” concept to make shopping easier. The concept will be rolled out to an additional 66 stores this year.

For all of its changes, one constant that remains is Belk’s reputation as a competitive employer. The company employs 23,000 workers across 16 states from sales associates to buyers. The company hires creative and talented people from various disciplines, not just merchandising and sales. It plans to add 39 positions to its merchandising organization and 50 new positions to its information technology department, where it will upgrade infrastructure and invest $150 million over three years. The company is also making significant investment in its e-commerce business to expand capability, increase social media presence, and plans to add 20 positions.

Commitment to diversity across the board

While the face of Belk has changed, the faces of the company’s associates have long been recognized for their diversity. Approximately 30 percent of the company’s workforce is diverse, and a 2009 Diversity Inc. benchmark study celebrated the fact that women represent more than 50 percent of Belk’s management team.

Belk is very aware that “our demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion enhances both our company culture and brand,” says Nicole Dean, Belk’s vice president of human resources and chief diversity officer. Notably, Dean was recognized as The Diversity Forum’s 2010 Diversity Champion.

Dean works with senior leaders across the company to increase the diversity of Belk’s team to reflect its customer base, and create an inclusive environment where all people know they are valued as customers, employees, and business and community partners. Belk has an executive diversity council, chaired by Tim Belk, to guide its diversity goals and efforts. Diversity Action Champions are appointed to represent all operational areas and divisions, and a Belk Celebrates Cultural Diversity Committee plans and conducts programs and events throughout the year. Belk also offers diversity and inclusion training as part of its core new-hire curriculum to foster awareness and appreciation of differences.

Belk diversity initiatives include the establishment of two employee resource groups that strive to create a stronger sense of community at work by “engaging, growing and inspiring leadership from different groups within its associate population” to identify and implement ways the company can improve its ability to relate to employees, customers and community partners.

The Women’s Leadership Network is in its third year of achieving its mission to help advance Belk’s ability to attract, develop and retain women at all levels. The group provides opportunities to learn and grow, to meet customer needs by leveraging the expertise and thought leadership of women and to make a positive difference in the community. In addition to championing efforts that address issues and causes affecting women, such as finding a cure for breast cancer, WLN’s leadership development series is appropriately called “In Her Shoes,” which intimately profiles women leaders through programs featuring question-and-answer sessions and speeches. The group also sponsors popular wellness events at the Belk corporate office including spa days and walking contests.

The 2-year-old Black Employee Resource Group works to help Belk achieve its goals to become more inclusive and increase its competitive edge by providing professional skill and leadership development opportunities. It also seeks to expand relationships of its members within Belk through networking and mentoring opportunities and provides a collective voice that will help Belk better understand and serve black consumers and increase Belk’s visibility through partnerships that benefit the black community in the markets it serves.

Gift card with an Afrocentric look

To tie diversity efforts to sales, Belk recently launched a new gift card created by BERG featuring an Afrocentric design. The card debuted in February during Black History Month and is being offered in nine Belk stores and on Belk.com during its pilot test. “The card design is inspired by Kente cloth, an icon of African cultural heritage worldwide,” says Reginald Springer, senior internal auditor and chairman of BERG. “We believe it will be an appealing new card option, especially to our growing population of black and other ethnically diverse customers.”

All associates have benefited from programs sponsored by Belk’s employee resource groups. For example, BERG initiated “Stor-e-tellers,” a chapter of the internationally chartered Toastmasters Club, that allows corporate office associates to develop their public speaking skills.

“We are excited about the many positive benefits of our Employee Resource Groups which are greatly enhancing our company culture, customer experiences and community relations,” adds Dean. These groups have executive sponsorship and are open to all associates. Belk is committed to the success of these groups and plans to sponsor new groups in the future based on associate interest.

In addition to the company’s internal diversity efforts, Tim Belk created the Innovation in Diversity Award to recognize businesses and individuals in two of Belk’s largest markets, Charlotte and Birmingham, Ala. The award recognizes and champions the efforts of peer companies that focus on issues affecting the diverse communities in which Belk operates. The award has been well received in Charlotte and Birmingham, where Belk’s corporate office and Western Division headquarters are located.

Scholarship endowment, supplier diversity

Continuing a strong legacy of philanthropy and community involvement, Belk involves its employees and customers in companywide campaigns supporting women’s health, education and giving at the local level. Belk associates take great pride in their creative fundraising campaigns to support well-recognized organizations that make a difference in its communities. For example, the company started the Johnson C. Smith Scholars Experience program in 2010, to support the Belk Foundation’s $500,000 scholarship endowment at the university, designed to help scholarship recipients gain leadership experience and exposure to the many career choices in retailing beyond the sales floor including merchandising, advertising, operations and administrative functions.

Belk is also working hard to expand supplier diversity at the company. “Belk is committed to doing business with qualified minority and women-owned suppliers,” says Belk. “This strengthens our supplier base and enables us to benefit from the innovative products, ideas and business practices offered by these businesses.”

As it approaches its 125th anniversary, Belk is optimistic about the future. It has emerged from the recession in a strong financial position and has reenergized its brand with a fresh new vision, mission and set of values. Supported by a loyal and committed team of diverse associates, Belk is poised for continued success and is seeking to build on its reputation as an employer of choice right here in Charlotte and throughout the South.

See opportunities to join the Belk team at www.belk.com.

The board of trustees at Johnson C. Smith University had a vision. Its members desired a venue that could be used for institutional support and development. In March 2009, the board’s vision became a reality. That venue is known as The Smith House.

“Johnson C. Smith University is progressive,” says Parran L. Foster III, chairman of Smith’s board of trustees. “As board members, it is our duty to ensure that we help guide the

institution in all major initiatives which will have long-term positive effects.”

“When the board approved the concept of the Smith House, they envisioned a facility that would be multifunctional in that it would allow us to host visiting dignitaries and other special guests, help advance the university’s development efforts in the greater Charlotte community, as well as serve as a private residence,” explains JCSU President Ronald L. Carter. “Another unique aspect of the house is that it allows me to display and share a part of my African and African-American art that I have collected over the years with our guests.” Sitting in the bend of a shady tree-lined street near uptown Charlotte, the 8,141-square-foot Smith House is constructed in a transitional style of architecture, which is part Tudor and part contemporary design. Its striking stone and stucco exterior features a flat front to the left side of the house while the right side curves outward. Stone columns,

wrought iron railing and wooden double doors provide stately support and detail. Above the doors hangs a JCSU insignia. Built in 2006, the house boasts seven bedrooms, six full baths and two half-baths, and is valued at $1.5 million. Hasaan Kirkland, JCSU associate professor of fine art and Smith House curator, says part of the concept for the house was to serve as a gallery to preserve African art and the work of African-American artists.

“Developing the Smith House came as a helpful thrust towards an academic curriculum aspect as well as community relations and also the affinity (Carter) has with art, to be able to merge not only just the living style of the home but also to utilize it as a functional place to present works of art,” he explains.

Showcase for murals, sculpture and more

The collection displayed in the Smith House is a mixture of Carter’s personal pieces and art owned by the university. Featured artists include Nellie Ashford, George Wendell Brown, Cassandra Gillens, Simon Mishapo and Meshack Raphalalani. There’s also the Mahlaksela Collection, which is a large body of work from the Venda artists of Africa. JCSU faculty members Kirkland and Cynthia Cole also have artwork featured in the house.

One of the capstone pieces in the home is the “Mythical Bird” statue by Venda artist M.M. Mukhuba Tshakhua. Displayed prominently near the center of the foyer, the body of the bird was engineered from a natural root found in the wood of the Timboti tree. The hair, the eye and beak are the only parts actually carved. Along the body of the bird is carved the words “Love Me or Hate Me. But Don’t Ignore Me,” which describe the artist’s lifelong anguish. Because of his talent, Tshakhua garnered attention and accumulated wealth, which ostracized him from his impoverished village. Being ignored by his own community pushed the artist into depression to the point of suicide. The piece was his last creation before his death.

The vantage point from the catwalk at the top of the winding staircase gives a spectacular view of larger artworkbelow. One of Carter’s favorites, a piece titled “The Flame” by Kim Chalmers, is prominently displayed on the back wall of the main floor above the stone fireplace. Despite its hefty appearance, the three-dimensional piece is constructed of Styrofoam and resin and is held to the wall with just one nail. A sculpture titled “The

Dancer” rests on the mantel below.

The Smith House is constructed in a transitional style of architecture, which is part Tudor and part contemporary design. part Tudor and part contemporary design.

Above the front doors in the foyer hangs a hand-painted mural by Kirkland featuring two golden bulls and the JCSU seal. Several abstract pieces decorate the home as well as a large four-paneled, hand-woven Venda tapestry on the upper level that reflects an African township and its daily activities. Also of note on this level is an untitled wooden sculpture by Meshack Raphalalani that reflects the rite of passage from boyhood to manhood to maturity. One of Kirkland’s works, titled “Jack Strong,” is displayed here as well. He explains that this painting of an African-American man brandishing a large hammer “reflects the …strength we wield when we are together.”

Where trustees, dignitaries and the public convene

The catwalk also overlooks the dining area where various events are held, from fundraisers to trustees’ meetings to social galas such as a reception this past May in honor of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who came to Charlotte to deliver JCSU’s commencement address. The fluid, open design of the home creates both an inviting and functional feel, perfect for smaller, more intimate gatherings up to the 100-person capacity in the home’s public space. A gold-framed mirror in a nook just off the main dining area was crafted by Carter’s father.

While Carter’s private quarters is a small suite-type space, the other bedrooms are each equipped like hotel suites for guests with a full bedroom and bath, private closet, flat-screen television, refrigerator, microwave and minibar. The home features four stories with the basement level encompassing a wine cellar and the entire top level serving as a private mini-apartment.

In addition to the artwork, the décor carries a distinctly African presence with the use of animal patterns and a palette of brown, cream and burnt orange covering the walls. Dark wood furnishings and hardwood flooring throughout warm the home’s atmosphere. Large Persian rugs adorn the floor while thick, opaque French curtains in ornate patterns dress the windows of the elegant formal dining room. An arched doorway leads from the dining room into the white, state-of-the-art kitchen with marble countertops and stainless steel appliances that the catering staff uses to prepare meals for events. Toward the rear on the main level, a black wall leads into the parlor area consisting of plush lounge chairs, a half-bath and a bar area. This social area often serves as a gathering spot for the board of trustees.

The house, says Kirkland, “is definitely a facility of service and not just a living space.”

When your mama told you to eat your vegetables, she probably also said they would make you strong and healthy. Now we know there is another advantage. The right green and leafy vegetables can be an important part of a diet to make you smarter and keep your brain healthy as you age.

The best brain foods contain various natural minerals and vitamins that improve your brain’s ability to function. Moreover, your brain, like the rest of your body, must continuously replace itself. Cells constantly die, and you must supply the elements needed to grow new ones.

Those benefits come from nutrients our mothers might never have heard of, including choline, folate, beta carotene and selenium. Folate/folic acid (B vitamins) reduces brain degeneration as you age and protects your overall nervous system. Vitamin E helps your brain stay healthy as you grow older.

Some of the foods that contain these essential vitamins and minerals require “special handling” to provide the best nutrition. Some foods should be eaten raw or only lightly cooked. Vegetables that provide vitamins A (for cell growth), K (for blood coagulation and bone metabolism), D (for stronger bones) and E should be prepared with a small amount of dietary fat (like canola oil or olive oil) so your body can absorb these essential nutrients.

The right fats

In these days when “fat” has a bad name, you might be surprised to know that some vegetables contain a type of fat that is good for you. Your brain cells contain a high percentage of fat.  When you eat foods that provide omega-3 fatty acids, you are providing a critical building block of brain cells.

These essential fatty acids have been shown to improve your memory, boost your learning ability and reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. They can reduce your chance of strokes, improve your circulation (which brings oxygen to your brain). They reduce inflammation that can damage your ability to think and increase the pain from arthritis or other damage. EFAs have even been shown to reduce depression and put you in a better mood.

Leafy green vegetables can make you smarter and keep your brain healthy

Green power

In addition to providing EFAs, these vegetables that contain vitamins and minerals can build your brain power and make your entire body healthier:

Arugula

Provide: Vitamins A, C and calcium.

How to serve: Stir-fried, cooked with other ingredients, raw in salads.

Asparagus

Provide: Folate

How to serve: Sautéed, steamed, cooked in recipes, raw in salads.

Blue-green algae and other marine plants

Provided: Essential fatty acids

How to serve: Cooked in soups and stews.

Bok choy (Chinese cabbage)

Provide: Vitamins A, B6 and C. Beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, potassium.
How to serve: Sautéed with onions and spices in olive oil.  Added to stews, soups and casseroles.

Broccoli

Provide: Vitamins A, C and K, folate and fiber.

How to serve: Sautéed, steamed, cooked in recipes, raw in salads.

Brussels sprouts

Provide: Vitamins A and C, folate

How to serve: Lightly steamed (do not overcook).

Collards

Provide: Vitamins A, C and K, folate, fiber, and calcium

How to serve: Boiled lightly, cooked in recipes.

Dandelion greens

Provide: Vitamin A and calcium

How to serve: Steamed or raw in salads.

Escarole

Provide: Vitamins A and K, folate

How to serve: Sautéed or raw in salads. Cooked in soup, stew or casseroles.

Kale

Provide: Vitamins A and C, manganese, fiber, copper, calcium, vitamin B6 and potassium

How to serve: Sautéed or steamed lightly. Cooked in soup, stew or casseroles.

Mustard greens

Provide: Vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and calcium

How to serve: Stir fried, cooked in soup, raw in salads.

Romaine lettuce

Provide: Vitamins A, C, and K, and folate

How to serve: Raw in salads, sandwiches or wraps.

Spinach

Provide: Vitamins A and K, folate, and iron

How to serve: Raw in salads or steamed.

Swiss chard

Provide: Vitamins A, C and K, potassium and iron.

How to serve: Stir-fried or raw in salad.

Turnip greens

Provide: Vitamins A, C, E, and B6. Folate, calcium, copper, fiber and manganese

How to serve: Sautéed or steamed with garlic, onion, olive oil and lemon. Added to soups, stews and pasta.

Other very important smart foods

Salmon, sardines and herring (fatty fish)

Walnuts, almonds and other nuts (and their oils)

Omega fatty acids and other nutrients that keep brain arteries clear and increase seratonin (improves sleep and memory, decreases depression).

Blueberries, cranberries and other berries (and dark chocolate)

Antioxidants that improve memory, even when aging; improve balance and coordination; improve recovery after a stroke

Egg yolks, organ meats, legumes, lecithin

Choline (for transmitting memory within your brain and improving reaction time)

Flaxseed

Vitamin E

Lentils, black beans, black-eyed peas, sunflower seeds

Folate

Tomatoes, cantaloupes, mangos, oranges, carrots

Beta-carotene and Vitamin C

Want to know more about the nutrients in the foods you eat every day? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a complete list of foods and the nutritional elements they provide (including the calorie content). Just go to www.nal.usda.gov/fnic to find virtually any food.

Wells Fargo works to ensure its supplier base is diverse

by Edward Cates ; photos courtesy of Wells Fargo

Achieving progress in supplier diversity and development requires a shared vision and coordinated effort across multiple teams. Wells Fargo is executing an integrated approach toward including minority, women and disadvantaged businesses (diverse suppliers) into its supply chain by developing suppliers and impacting communities with the help of internal champions across enterprise business units.
“We have internal leaders who are committed, who want to know how they can play an active role supporting supplier diversity and want to do more,” says Sonya Dukes, Wells Fargo’s senior vice president and director of Corporate Supplier Diversity. “Our internal partners are where our bidding and sourcing opportunities are initiated. They define the scope of opportunities and ultimately make the final decision. Our local market leaders are significant because they experience the performance of the supplier and are key to long-term relationship building. ”
In a challenging economy, a number of corporations are scaling back their commitment by downsizing or in some cases eliminating entire supplier diversity teams.  Conversely, Wells Fargo is evolving its commitment to supplier diversity by engaging both internal and external advocates to achieve the vision and goals of the company related to diverse supplier inclusion and development.

Collaboration helps sustain focus on suppliers

“It’s critical, especially during this global economic downturn, to integrate U.S.-based MWDBE entities into the Wells Fargo Supply Chain Management business model,” adds Gabriela Spindola, implementation consultant for Wells Fargo Supply Chain Management. In her role, Spindola champions integrating supplier diversity into Supply Chain Management by providing leadership for high impact and enterprise wide initiatives keeping supplier diversity at the forefront. “It’s important to continue the collaboration between Corporate Supplier Diversity and Supply Chain Management.  Supplier diversity enhances our competitive advantage within the market place.”
Spindola’s commitment toward integration of supplier diversity is underscored by her personal passion for inclusion.
Martin Davis is executive vice president and head of technology integration for Wells Fargo and a key leader in making sure diverse suppliers supporting technology gain access to contract and growth opportunities. “I have been actively supporting the diversity of our suppliers for close to two decades inside the company. I’ve done that by building very close relationships with various suppliers and by opening doors for them to different lines of businesses or executives they may not have a relationship with. I’ve also given them feedback when they may be missing the mark.”
Wells Fargo focuses on both regional and commodity based integration of supplier diversity from coast to coast. Davis’ leadership and synergy with the Corporate Supplier Diversity team helped Wells Fargo implement diverse spending goals in technology-related projects to ensure diverse suppliers would be included in both direct and indirect contract opportunities.
“I’ve been very open and out front that we have targets and we are trying to ensure that we’re spending 10 percent with diverse suppliers.  As the team gets exposed to more diverse suppliers they see supplier diversity creates a competitive landscape providing better quality goods and services.” Martin adds, “The activity (supplier diversity) to some degree sells itself. A lot of the time it’s about building the relationships and providing the exposure.”

Results seen across the country

Wells Fargo has 6,629 banking stores in 39 states the District of Columbia, (Wells Fargo and Wachovia), representing a significant real estate portfolio. Engaging diverse suppliers within the Corporate Properties Group at Wells Fargo is a focus yielding measurable results and success.
“It is a priority at Wells Fargo to have our suppliers reflect the diversity of our customer base. If that doesn’t happen we’re not successful,” says Bill Augerot, senior vice president and Corporate Properties Group Project Management office leader. Augerot is responsible for transaction management, design and construction in retail and administrative portfolios for Wells Fargo nationwide. Beyond his functional title and responsibilities, he is a senior leader actively working to source, engage and develop diverse suppliers specializing in construction and real estate related services.
Augerot defines what makes suppliers successful at Wells Fargo, adding, “We want suppliers that can get the job done. We want quality of service and cost of service to be in line. At Wells Fargo we have a real commitment to excellence. We want to produce excellence for our internal customers and create the best overall results.”
Corporate Supplier Diversity partners with Business Banking to deliver a holistic approach toward developing sustainable businesses. Jenise Tate is a business banking relationship manager responsible for working with clients with revenue between $2 million and $20 million and is an internal champion for supplier diversity at Wells Fargo.  “I manage a portfolio of clients providing a variety of financial solutions ranging from cash management, borrowing needs, 401(k), succession planning and wealth building for businesses,” says Tate.
As an internal ally to Corporate Supplier Diversity, Tate has consulted with community and trade organizations supporting diverse businesses to discuss their banking needs. “I recently talked with a woman-owned business client that provides copy services and has done work with Wells Fargo in the past. During the course of our relationship, we have provided equipment financing and now we are helping her with succession, legal and estate planning.  Through our talk she immediately saw the value of the expanded services we provide.”
Through the collaboration of a cross-functional team with a shared commitment and vision, Wells Fargo is positioned well for continued progress in supplier diversity.  Uniquely, Wells Fargo’s Corporate Supplier Diversity team is aligned within Social Responsibility, a business unit responsible for issues impacting the environment, philanthropy and community development. Sonya Dukes believes this alignment enhances Wells Fargo’s reach and continuity in its approach. “We are able to have more intentional opportunities around the environment and the work that we have to do in the community,” she notes. “Supplier diversity is becoming more holistic. Our team understands that the business owners we are working with are the ones that can directly affect change within their community.”