Executives of Black Enterprise Magazine were treated to a cultural extravaganza courtesy of the VI Industrial Development Commission.
A welcoming night banquet was held Wednesday at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort at the start of the magazine's 2000 retreat entitled, "Going for the Gold." According to the IDC's Nadine Marchena-Thomas, the night was thoroughly enjoyed by stateside visitors and members of the VI business community.
"We sponsored an event that would show them what the Virgin Islands has to offer in entertainment. We utilized our students — Lockhart School Quadrille Dancers, Joseph Gomez Bamboula Dancers, Pan-Around-the-Neck, the Rising Stars, the CASH Jazz Ensemble — students like those who could represent us as far as culture is concerned," Marchena-Thomas said.
"Go For the Gold" is a four-day conference designed to encourage better coordination between the different departments of Black Enterprise Magazine. But the evening banquet was the one opportunity for IDC to introduce some local business stars to editors always on the lookout for profiles to capture their readers, Marchena-Thomas said.
"We had the business community meet and greet the Black Enterprise group so we could show them that we have people here who are doing business, that are successful in their businesses and possibly they will write about the Virgin Islands, about the business opportunities that are available here," she added.
Magazine Publisher, Earl G. Graves, Sr., thanked the IDC and the greeters for their hospitality and told the gathering his Virgin Islands experience began with former Tourism Commissioner-turned-talk show host Leona Bryan.
"He mentioned that he hopes that we will continue these ties. He mentioned the IDC, he looks forward to us attending the entrepreneur conference and perhaps doing some feature stories with us," Marchesa said.
Black Enterprise Magazine is celebrating its 30th year of highlighting the achievements of African-Americans in the world of business with its August 2000 edition, now appearing on newsstands.
