Press Release
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BlackNLA
323.954.8988
info@blacknla.com
"BLACKNLA"
founder Cherice Calhoun Honored at Recycling Black Dollars
10th Annual Honors Luncheon
LOS
ANGELES (May 26, 2004) – A woman who started a website as a forum
for
services, businesses and events in the black community is being honored
at the
Recycling Black Dollars 10th Annual Honors Luncheon.
Cherice
Calhoun, president and founder of BlackNLA.com, an online community
resource center, is the honoree at this year’s “The Masters
of Technology”
luncheon, saluting African Americans who have expanded the community’s
horizons
through the use of technology.
The
luncheon will be held on Friday, June 11, 2004 from 11:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m.
at the Westin Hotel LAX, 5400 Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
Calhoun
was selected based on her website’s creative technology and innovative
services to the African American community, with RBD calling BlackNLA.com
“a
formidable website of information that services the greater Los Angeles
community…”
When
Calhoun started Black In Los Angeles (BlackNLA) in 1999, she did it
to
fulfill a personal need: the ability to find “at the drop of
a hat” an African
American physician, lawyer, black organization, or events without
having to
remember 20 different web addresses.
“People
shouldn’t have to go out of their way to find great businesses
and
events that are right next door to them,” Calhoun said. “I
wanted to create one
website where someone who cared about the community could find everything
from a
quality dentist to a great new lunch place or even something fun to
do on the
weekend.”
The
site originally included events and businesses only, but due to requests
from visitors BlackNLA.com now boasts over 15 sections, including
Travel,
Churches, Restaurants, Organizations and many others.
Calhoun
said BlackNLA.com is a website where blacks living, working and visiting
the Los Angeles metropolitan area can get information that pertains
to their
interests and lifestyles – a place to share information, resources,
advertise
and network.
The
information provided on the site is free and black-owned businesses
can post
their information in the site’s directory at no cost.
“It’s
like the Yellow Pages for the community and it’s free,”
Calhoun said.
“There’s no excuse for a community business not to be listed
on the site, since
it helps them and the customers looking to connect with them.”
Calhoun
said BlackNLA is continually evolving as it responds to the concerns
and
requests of the community. Calhoun said she looks forward to expanding
the site
by providing sections for parents, children, seniors, a “Who's
Who in Los
Angeles” section, as well as visitor information and an expanded
L.A. Community
page.
Unlike
many sites where decisions may be made in the boardroom, comments
by
users are welcome and invited, Calhoun said. She notes that many of
the best
recommendations have come from the site’s visitors.
“This
site gives visitors a true sense of community and is a reflection
of the
many diverse interests and personalities that make the black community
in Los
Angeles such a vibrant one,” Calhoun said.
For
more information on the Recycling Black Dollars luncheon, call RBD
Communications at (310) 673-7777. For more information on BlackNLA.com,
call
(323) 954-8988 or e-mail calhoun@blacknla.com.
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