Letters

Dear Editor:

As I read your Editor's Note in the July/August issue of your publication, the issue of increased minority ownership in the telecommunications industry struck me. Bob Johnson made tremendous strides in the industry and was responsible for the increased visibility of African-Americans in the cable industry. Instead of his "selling out" to Viacom, suppose he had taken it upon himself to find other African-Americans interested in the industry and taken them under his wing, showing them how to build a viable company, even giving financial help if needed, and thus increasing the number of profitable firms in the industry, rather than referring those trying to enter the field to an established, major nonminority firm for help in an "affirmative action" program. We must learn to help our own and ourselves.

John Taylor, Ardmore, Pa.

Dear Editor:

I find your magazine very informative. It touches on a variety of topics that are important to me as a black woman and as owner of BS Financial Services. In my business, I help people with mortgages, insurance, legal matters and investment. I help home buyers and help people secure money for college. Your magazine offers me great insights into how to deal with my clients. Your magazine is conservative and geared toward us, and I am very much in favor of that.

Doreen Scott, Spring Valley, N.Y.

Dear Editor:

I just wanted to thank you all again for listing me as one of the top black doctors in 2003. New York Magazine listed me as one of the top cardiologists in New York in its June 8, 2003, issue. I was the only minority or woman on the list. I wrote them that I do not know how they selected me, but lack of diversity in their listing is outrageous and they will hear from me every year until the list reflects the diversity of the 50,000 physicians in New York. This type of problem makes magazines like yours all the more critical.

Dr. Lynne Perry-Bottinger, cardiologist. New Rochelle, N.Y.

Dear Editor:

Your magazine writes a lot of profiles, which I feel are informative and interesting. But as someone in the technology industry, I would also like to see more networking events or stories from the marketing point of view. I thought that your issue on the "25 Influential Black Women in Business" was inspiring and uplifting. I am very satisfied with your publication.

Jeff Crump, Milwaukee, Wisc.