BALTIMORE (AP)—Raymond V. Haysbert Sr., whose Parks Sausage Co. became the first Black-owned business in the U.S. to go public in 1969, has died at 90.

He died May 24 at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore after suffering from congestive heart failure, his son Brian Haysbert said May 25.

RAYMOND V. HAYSBERT SR.

Born in pov­erty, Haysbert later became a member of the famed Tus­kegee Airmen, serving in Africa and Italy in World War II before settling in Baltimore. There, he joined the company started by Henry Parks that became well known throughout the northeast by advertisements featuring a hungry boy asking, “More Parks Sausages, mom, please!”

(NNPA)—The sayings “Now or never,” “Today is the first day of the rest of your life” and “Getting on with your life’s work” implies a career transition for an individual in which he exploits his achievements and experiences to date. This is often true of successful entrepreneurs. It is the rare entrepreneur who starts a business as his first job.

The forces driving such transitions come from many sources. In the case of the former athletes featured here, it was the inevitability of the end of their football careers. Others start businesses because they believe in the opportunity represented by a product or an idea. For others, still, unemployment may be a factor.

Congratulations are in order for this year’s high school graduating class. Graduation from high school is a milestone in everyone’s life. This completes your general education from kindergarten in grade school to senior in high school. All of us who finished high school can recall the joy we experienced walking across the stage to receive our diploma. We remember the genuine friendships we developed and the teachers who taught and encouraged us. I want to encourage all those who are graduating this year to take this opportunity and enjoy it to the fullest. Have a blast at your prom, have fun at your graduation party and enjoy your final summer as a high school student. Last but not least, I want to welcome this year’s graduating class to “The Real World.”

Business series

JUNE 3—The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host their Business Program Series at 12:15-1 p.m. at the Downtown & Business branch, 612 Smithfield St. The topic is “Thinking About Starting Your Own Business? Realities and Advice for the New Entrepreneur.” Joyce Pearl of SCORE Counselors to America’s Small Businesses will discuss the forms needed to start a business in Pennsylvania, where to look for outside financing, the reasons for a written business plan and answers to frequently asked questions before beginning a new business venture. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 412-281-7141.