Web Site Changes

This is where we announce the most recent additions or key changes to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first.

LATEST CHANGES:

DIGITAL DIVIDE DILEMMA DEMANDS YOUR HELP!!... September 1, 2000

The Parent Company of the African American Business Directory is leading the charge to help "Bridge the Digital Divide" and minimize its negative impact on African American Owned Businesses.  The Directory Management made the decision last year to make all listings FREE as a gesture of good will toward the cause.  However, we have found few African American owned businesses and civic/social organizations taking advantage of this opportunity.  A study was then commissioned to determine cause, and the findings were disturbing.  In summary, the study found the many African American businesses do not own computers; and of the few which did, many did not have Internet access.  This finding gave real reason to "Why?' these businesses and organizations were not  benefiting from the FREE listing offer.

The Directory Management is now embarking on a new Mission to Bridge the Digital Divide.  This action is to solicit the assistance of Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) to come to the aid of their local business communities.  The Management is writing to the Presidents of these Institutions and requesting the establishment of a Project, which enlists their students as emissaries.  They are to go into their local communities and complete Listing Applications for the businesses and organizations; then return to the school to input the listings into the online Directory.  We are also requesting the assistance of other civic minded individuals to become involved in this effort.  We can all help to resolve this dilemma NOW, before it poses economic damage our communities. 

See the "Digital Divide" Page for additional information.

MAJOR MODIFICATIONS TO WEBSITE TO ENHANCE OFFERINGS TO OUR DIRECTORY LISTING PATRONS... March 15, 2000

In our desire to offer additional services to our listing patrons and to enhance the ease of navigating the Directory Website, we have made several helpful modifications.  They are:

Those of you who are already listed and wish to list in one of the new cities, because it is either your actual city or closer to you, may do so by submitting another new listing.  If you desire to have the earlier listing removed, send an e-mail to us, per the "CONTACT US" Page, describing the earlier listing and we will manage the removal at no charge.  

DIGITAL DIVIDE DEMANDS FREE DIRECTORY LISTINGS... September 1, 1999

There have been numerous discussions and articles lately about the "Technology Digital Divide", the gap between the various ethnic groups in America for the utilization of computers and the Internet.  African Americans came in next to last, just ahead of Hispanic Americans.  In addition, the study shows a trend which African American businesses and public/private institutions are going to be left out of the global economy after the new millennium, when the Internet is expected to become the main vehicle by consumers around the world to select their business choices and to seek references for their many needs.  The Board Members of our Parent Company, Telecommunications Ventures Group, met with several respected political and economic authorities about the "digital divide" and sought advice for making a positive impact for African American business opportunities.  All information resources strongly suggested that these businesses and public/private institutions MUST have a viable presence on the global Internet, if they are serious about survival in the new millennium.  All cited statistics which indicate that 70% to 80% of future business decisions will result from research via the Internet.  As a result, failure to be present on that medium will directly equate to business failure; or at a minimum, business mediocrity.  Because African American businesses have failed to take advantage of opportunities to obtain a Directory listing at its low rate and at its one-time no charge rate, the Board thinks the Internet presence for these businesses is important enough to consider another option.  They met in closed session and voted to establish the Internet based African American Business Directory as a "Corporate Contribution" to the future success of African American businesses and public/private institutions.  The decision will allow all African American businesses and public/private institutions to list in the African American Business Directory at no charge, and it is to take effect immediately.

Note: See Press Release 4 Below...

FREE LISTING PROMOTION - July 1, 1999

During the months of July, August, and September, the African American Business Directory's Executive Staff are offering a "Hot Sizzling Summer" Promotion which offers FREE Directory Listings to all visitors for one year.  Visitors may list their business, church, and/or civic & social organizations.  You can go to the "Business Directory" Web Page and click the "Business Category" down button to see the various categories offered.  From the "HOME" Page, click on the "Listing Application" Link to go to the "Listing Application" Page.   Select your "City" or nearest city and your "Business Category".  Then select the "Free One Year" option for your "Directory Listing Plan".  Complete the application and omit the Credit Card section.  Click the "Submit" Button to enter your listing.  You may list any and all of your affiliations, which fit the Directory's "Business Categories".

NEW MILLENNIUM PROMOTION SAVING- May 8, 1999

To Honor the New Millennium, the African American Business Directory's Executive Staff has voted to institute a promotion for new business listings for the remainder of 1999.  Beginning immediately until December 31, 1999, all African American Businesses can obtain a business listing in the Global African American Business Directory for one (1) year for a substantially reduced listing charge.  The promotion is for both on-line  listings via credit card and for Mail-In Applications with certified funds.  Businesses who obtain their listings online via credit card can list for the 1999 special price of $19.99.  The Mail-In Applications require staff input and will be reduced to a special price of $49.99.  Online listees will be able to access and review their business listing at the "African American Business Directory" Web Page immediately upon complete submission of the application.   The Mail-In Applications will require approximately two weeks for the listings to appear in the Directory.

TERMINATION OF THE SET-UP CHARGE - April 1, 1999

The African American Business Directory has modified its information management processes, which greatly reduce the effort to set-up new business listings via the on-line Listing Application.  This reduction in overhead is being passed on to those Business Listing Clients, by eliminating the $100.00 initial set-up charge.  All existing Business Listing Clients, who also listed their businesses via the on-line application, will have their set-up charge refunded immediately to reflect equity.   The set-up charge elimination does not apply to the Mail-In Application Listings.  We appreciate your business and we are working on numerous new and exciting business enhancement opportunities for the near future.

RELATIONAL DATABASE DIRECTORY - February, 1999

The African American Business Directory has modified its information handling pages and installed a relational database to store the business listings.  You will notice the two "drop down" selection options on the Directory Page and a "Start Search" button.  You can now select the city of interest and then the business category.  Clicking the "Start Search" Button begins the database search to present the specific African American Businesses to you.  We hope this change makes your inquiry faster and more pleasant.  Thank you for your indulgence during our modification.

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African American Business Directory Establishes Internet Presence

See the latest press release for more details.

Press Releases

These are the press releases we've issued over the last year. 

Recent Media Coverage of African American Business Directory