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Special to The Black Business Journal, BBJonline.com,
USAfrica The Newspaper and USAfricaonline.com
In the information and digital economy such as we have,
education of the general public as to available resources is
increasingly important. In light of this realty, Diaspora
Development Corporation in conjunction with the Howard
University Small Business Development Center is presenting
'Digitize or Die' Surviving and Thriving in the New
Technological Millennium. 
 It
is a conference focused on launching and growing
technology-based enterprises established by and/or targeting
peoples of African, Hispanic, or Native American descent.
With a theme, Exploring Ways to bridge the "digital divide,"
beginning Friday, October 8 and ending Saturday, October 9,
1999 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC,
it promises to be very informative and useful in bridging
the gap between the digital haves and have-nots.
The Conference was created to provide a platform for
dialogue, networking, and strategic partnering. The
conference is targeted towards emerging technology
enterprises, aspiring technopreneurs, venture funders, and
organizations proactively promoting the importance of "being
wired." Opening Keynote address will be made by William
Kennard (top left), chairman of the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission.  Other
participants are speakers H. Patrick Swygert (right) who
serves President, Howard University; Omowale Crenshaw,
executive director of Howard SBDC Network, and CEO, Diaspora
Development Corporation; Chuck D, web music pioneer and rap
music superstar of the group Public Enemy (top right) and
Bring the Noise.com; Tariq Muhammed, CEO, Digital Mafia
Entertainment; moderator Leland Hardy, New Media Consultant;
and Vicki Johnson.
Crenshaw informed The Black Business Journal and
USAfricaonline.com that the conference "is an excellent
forum to share insights on the emerging digital economy and
how it will impact our community. There's only one way
forward: to digitize."
The DDC believes that the 'Digitize or Die' Conference
will promote technology as the ideal foundation for creating
sustainable economic development and wealth creation
throughout the world in general, and the minority community
in particular.
Others taking part include Andrew Bryan Burnett, Exec.
Director, Howard SBDC Network, Director New Media, FCC;
Co-founder of NetNoir; Jay Young, Bruce Lincoln, LaSean
Smith, Paula Y. Bagasao, Lori Perine, Darien Dash, Barry
Cooper, Myra Peterson, Gary Trujillo, Marcelino Ford-Levine,
Jacqui Jenkins, Damon Miller (Country Manager - Japan ) of
NetMoves and Knox
Lasister.
Other presenters and speakers at the conference include a
pioneer in web and multimedia publishing in the
African-American community Chido Nwangwu, Founder and
Publisher of The Black Business Journal (www.BBjonline.com)
who also established the first African-owned, U.S.-based
professional newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com;
Della Clark, Wendy Dubit, B. Keith Fulton, Steven Rangel,
Anthony Gee, Chris Young, Mike Granger, Millicent Y. Hodge,
Dan Rua, Leandro Burnes, Eric Williams, Alma Derricks, Tony
Woodroffe, Rod Matthews, Allan Black, Damon Williams, Ice-T,
Sam Lokenauth, Tanaga Boozer, and John Taylor.
Various seminars addressing each of these segments
include:
• State of Technology in Our Communities
• Creative Solutions in Bridging the Digital
Divide
• Global Technology Arena Enterprise Creation
• How and Where to play?: Successful Business
Models
• Developing a Winning Business Plan
• Business Plan Competition Profiles/Product
Demonstrations
• Digital Entertainment
• Venture Funding
• Product Demonstrations
Through those panel-based seminars and keynote addresses,
the conference attendees, guest speakers, and corporate
partners will have the opportunity to learn, share, and
discuss many of the innovative ways in which to create,
develop, and fund the next generation of emerging
enterprises, locally and internationally (outside the
U.S.)
By
Lawrence Nordee, correspondent for The
Black Business Journal
Special reports and interviews from the
conference at Howard University will feature in the
October and November, 1999 editions of The Black Business
Journal, BBJonline.com,
USAfrica The Newspaper and USAfricaonline.com. Technology
companies are invited to run supplements and features about
their products, agenda and presence in the African-American
community. Send e-mail to digitize@BBJonline.com
or digital@USAfricaonline.com
Mail Contact: Alverna Johnson, Special Projects, The
Black Business Journal.
8303 SW Freeway, Suite 100, Houston, Tx 77074. Phone:
713-270-6500. Fax: 713-270-8131
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TECHNOLGY
AND NEW MEDIA
