For the last two years Bernadette Turner and Darcel Madkins, co-founders of the African American Leadership Association, have been striving to develop potential leaders by utilizing the expertise and resources of the area’s existing seasoned leadership. After much discussion, research and pulling together their connections the organization was created.

LEADER TO LEADER—Bernadette Turner and Darcel Madkins, co-founders of the African American Leadership Association share a moment with Mayor Jay Williams of Youngstown, Ohio.

Since its existence, the group has sponsored Streets n’ Suits, an open dialogue to discuss the perceptions of community and business leaders from the streets to suits, and the African American Leadership Development Series. The sessions, varying in topics, assist emerging leaders in understanding and preparing for leadership roles. Also, the AALA recently hosted their second annual African American Leadership Summit. More than 120 people were on hand to hear keynote speaker Jay Williams, mayor of Youngtown, Ohio, to witness the Success in Leadership panel discussion and to participate in the afternoon breakout sessions. The event also featured an awards ceremony.

You panic when there’s news of a down market. You assume that your investment portfolio is doing well when there’s news of a thriving economy. You may be one of those people who shies away from investing or you invest ultra-conservatively because you’re afraid you’ll lose all your hard-earned money. You may be one of those people who hired an investment adviser and hope that the advisor is leading you in the right direction.

I’m not going to give you a hot stock tip. As a matter of fact, I think that investing in individual stocks is a bad idea for my target readership—hard working, upwardly mobile ordinary people looking to beat debt, save for future goals and retire rich. Instead, I’m going to share some basic fundamentals about investing. In this article you’ll find simple time proven practical information that will help you become a confident investor. This isn’t a complete self-help guide to investing. This advice will help you save time, money and frustration whether you chose to work with an investment broker or if you chose to go at it alone.

(NNPA)—Grasping the reality of this current hard-hitting full-blown economic downturn, and all-out crisis in your life is not an easy task. How you deal with it will determine your ultimate success.

I am proud of my identity and roots going from food stamps-to-fortune. For me being poor was never a factor that confined the person, rather just a temporary circumstance of sorts.

Each moment can change the rest of your life and the course of your direction. If you are not intentional with your actions, you will plan to fail. Successful people operate from the beat of their own drum, but they are intentional. Successful people don’t become successful by accident—it’s sheer, practical application of their talents and traits.

International business

JUNE 30—TiE Pittsburgh will host “Long Distance Relationships: Growing Your Business in International Markets” from 5:30-8 p.m. at Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave., Shadyside. Several panelists will share their expertise and experiences about growing businesses internationally. David Iwinski will be the moderator. Reservations are requested and the cost is $30 for non-members and $35 the day of the event. For more information, e-mail Berni Bishop Pirollop at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .