Varied options for success.

I OWN A MARKETING FIRM THAT SPECIALIZES IN CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP marketing and fulfillment. The name of my company is Kharisma Creative Solutions Inc. and it's located in Ajax, Ontario, Canada (just outside of Toronto).

I have been a reader of BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine for over five years, and recently I subscribed. Prior to my subscription, I would usually acquire the magazine on my flights or when I was at a newsstand. I am so impressed with the magazine because it is so refreshingly positive. I feel that this is exactly what African Americans and African Canadians alike need to see to know that we can make it--without basketball or hip-hop.

We do not hear enough success stories about black professionals. The majority of them are gangbangers who made it big through hip-hop. That sends the wrong message to our youth. I am not coming down on the hip-hop culture, nor am I hating on those who have made it big through it--my point is just that our youth, especially, need to see that we have options. BE does a good job of that--it illustrates options by showcasing a plethora of successes. Not only are success stories showcased in the magazine, there are also so many well-written articles offering sound advice on how to make it, as well as words of encouragement and inspiration. And, to top it all off, BE is not about being rich; it's about being all you can be.

Khari Gaynor, president

[Charisma Creative Solutions Inc.

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