1 Complimentary to churches ft/if* < / V // and community groups priority ©jijwrtumttj Jim* 2730 STEMMONS FRWY STE. 1202 TOWER WEST, DALLAS, TEXAS 75207 ©ov VOLUME 5, NO. 6 June, 1996 TPA Dallas Cowboys' star receiver Michael irvin joins a long list of other prominent African American sports stars flayed by the media. Are they unfair targets? Holiday with a Difference: Our annual Editorial: The reasons for and against bachelor of A tale of celebrating Juneteenth the year two banks vary within the community entry form From The Editor Chris Pryer ^ photo by Derrtck Walters Tike real issue . Just when it seemed that the bank­ statement of intent is called accountabil­ extol the virtues of our religious leaders The African American community ing community had gotten about as ity. Once you open your mouth, then and the on-going commitment to the continues to feel powerless, disenfran­ strange as possible, the paradox in styles everyone knows when you succeed or African American Museum; there has chised and second class when it comes to that exists between two of our larger fail Also, the size of the goal reflects a real been very little work done within the the educational performance of its chil­ financial institutions struck. While most level of thought and consideration of the lending arena by the bank. While the sup­ dren. Its inherent distrust of Whites of the banks still have a way to go before real need and capacity to handle this level port of the clergy and the museum are makes for the kind of polarization we are reaching perfection, there has been a of credit activity. Only by really knowing definitely appreciated, it would be far witnessing at the school board meetings. marked distinction in the response and the communities they serve and under­ more beneficial if the folks at Dank of The city of Dallas, in trying to find approach to the African American com­ standing the credit needs could Nations­ America would lend money. This would solutions to its public school problems, munity and the marketing efforts to our Bank have developed and realized this enable us to better support organizations has seen the wounds of racial unrest neighborhoods. In this editorial, two ambitious plan. It takes a level of courage and individuals. picked anew each time it appears healing banks will be discussed—NationsBank and real commitment to even make the The approach to date seems to be will take place. The school year opened and Bank of America. step to set a goal and to share it as based, to a large degree, on the very shal­ with the huge flap over Townview. And As you may know, NationsBank NationsBarik has done. For this they are low notion that you get to the black com­ of course there is the African American recently held a very public community to be commended. munity through recreational facilities community's malevolence over the racial forum to share their lending and com­ The flipside of the public disclosure and/or the pulpit. This may, in fact, be make up of the school board. Throw in munity development results from the and well-thought-out lending goals is the case for some. However, Bank of the Dan Peavy affair and their is enough last year. A number of the officials from essentially the smoke and mirrors gener­ America could accomplish this better if funk to kill a skunk. NationsBank highlighted the efforts of ated by public relations efforts. In this they were a foundation rather than a financial institution. And besides, their However, in even the most trying the bank in areas such as mortgage lend­ regard. Bank of America has reached new ing and general loans offered to low to overhead would be much less. and discouraging of circumstances, edu­ levels of flash over substance. When moderate sectors of the community. This Bank of America first came into Dallas Minority Opportunity Nezvs has cation can flourish if the most vital of all has become an armual event. community, there was significant hoopla requested from Bank of America a copy support systems for children is intact. given regarding the new approach to of the actual lending data for 1995. Hope­ And that is the home. Summarily, the literature distributed at the function attended by leaders from banking tha t it would represent. The vis­ fully, they will respond to this request in You see, in the home, we can check throughout the city showed that the bank ibility of the bank was high and there a timely fashion. This will give us the homework. Develop teamwork with the had achieved a total loan volume in Dal­ seemed to be, at least on the surface level, opportunity to share with our readers teachers and principals. Attend PTA las for 1995 of S432 million, and a four a real interest in making a positive differ­ what has really been accomplished. In meetings. Do volunteer work at the year total of $1 billion in Dallas and $4,1 ence in the community. any case, you can rest assured that MON school when possible. Hold learning in billion in the whole state of Texas. Signif­ The sponsorships of banquets and will remain diligent to the task of sepa­ high esteem by our example. icant dollars in and of themselves. When educational programs seemed to be sig­ rating fact from fiction as it relates to the Sure, racism exist in the outer world. viewed in light of the commitment made nificant, as was the visibility of the bank's economic health and support of the But wo are responsible for the environ­ by NationsBank in 1991 to lend at least community development officers. African American community. As was ment we set in our households.-What $10 billion within ten years, the level of Apparently, this was the extent to which the case in this editorial, we will show dominates our children's lives? Televi­ lending becomes even more significant. the Bank of America approach would both the good and the bad. Usually in sion or books? Video games or comput­ In fact, in less than five years, the bank have meaning. Save the billboards that that order. MON ers? Idle time or planned activities? Play­ met and. surpassed these goals and ing sports or playing an instrument? reached a total loan volume of $13.4 bil­ Going to a house party or going to a lion. Additionally, in 1995 alone the bank museum? did almost S5 billion nationally. These Improving education isn't just rais­ dollars are above and beyond the contri­ ing the TAAS scores. It isn't just getting butions to non-profits and others' that the "right" racial balance on the school many banks support. The amount listed •ni "^ s<^^Ee*J our sex i^ board. It isn't just getting more money here reflects real loans to support families pumped into the system. It isn't expos­ and small businesses. Again, it should be ing the "grand conspiracy against black noted that these funds were targeted for folk." the low-to-moderate communities in their service area—an area where many of our It's everyone doing their share to put sisters and brothers live. the needs of school-aged children above their own. Making the extra effort after a Some would suggest that all the m long, hard day to check on the home­ "success" of NationsBank illustrates is work. To go over the classroom assign­ that the original goals were set too low in n ^^.w^. 'X^j ments. To ask about the school day. To the first place. Perhaps this is the case. make surcyour child is not a disruptive Nonetheless, there is one significant ?>f\ force in the classroom. aspect to their public goal that should not be overlooked; namely, that they did not . If we, as African Americans, resur­ have to make'a public declaration of their \A rect some of the cultural mores' that his­ intent. There are no laws or regulatory li tory tells us served the great men and obligations that require a financial insti­ women of our illustrious history, we ^-^'i tution to broadcast their loan goals in -r would really see a turn around. No mat­ such a public fashion. ter who is running the school board. The challenge of making a public MON rCTfit^fefffa^ivri^rrTJfagbiv^ c r^^trc^^. c Ary^^T^^ nsffiw^M^ •y •-•'!•• 'iwy y •• • •' i • 'j MSI ••• ij •.•' • •,• • IJ.MJMIJ IW •.•.^•<M<"j'-ri.-''v"'•'•••.••."">.< [•><•> w '*' •"•'• I •*• vrf 11 iji. I," >.•/, ..J « • e The Law Offices of Michael A. John. RC. Cover Story Call to athletes, entertainers . 18-21 Athletes Vs Media Regarding the Angelo's Food Store Presents: situation: Keith V. Otto, Financial Consultant Editorials This is a classic example of a prob­ 02 A tale of Two Banks lem that could easily and^ quickly be Specializing in: Features solved by a coalition of black athletes or ' Business Formation entertainers deciding to make a sound * Business Plonnlng 08-09....Junetcenlh " Support for Small Business Lending 10-11 Black History investment in the community with a • Incorporation 29 Black Radio store that has already been a proven prof­ 35 Black Chamber it-maker. iw t,i r -s •Wills. Estates, & Trusts^ But, of course, they will not. They MlchoeUohn and Keith Otto Special would much rather invest in nightclubs, 06.... Viewpoint "Together We Meet The Needs Of Small Businesses" 13 Proprietary Info strip joints, Caribbean real estate tax- 14-15 Ethnic Notes: The Crater dodge scams set up by their Republican Michael A.