As I write this post I’m in total shock and saddened. Michael Jackson is dead. I can’t believe it. Throughout my years, I have always thought about where I would be when I got the news of certain people dying; my parents, loved ones and a handful of inspirational icons. Not just any icons. But the ones which shaped my life, helped me dream and pursue seemly unimaginable possibilities as an African American male living in America. Michael was such an Icon for me.

 Judging by his international fame, he was something for all of his fans. But for me, and many Middle Americans, his journey is the true definition of the American Dream. Many don’t relate to his humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana, (a predominately African American community 25 miles outside of Chicago, Ill). But I do. For many African Americans who grew up in Urban America in the late 1960’s and 1970’s, the Jackson 5 story was our story. Not only did we listen, appreciate and dance to their music; we latched onto their dream and through our imagination we piggybacked towards success with them. When you watched Michael and the Jackson 5 sing, you imagined it was you. You dreamed that could be you one day…  See if you can remember the feeling as you watch this video… (more…)

            

I’m a big believer that when it comes to investing, one of the best investments you will ever make is in your own business. However, when it comes to investing and/or saving, my favorite is DRIP investing. DRIP stands for Dividend Reinvestment Plans and is an investment strategy where company dividends are invested back into additional shares of company stock rather than being paid in cash. For example, investing $10 in a stock that trades for $50 per share buys you one-fifth of a share of that stock. The dividend is then reinvested on the same basis. More on this later…

Quick History: DRIP investing originated when companies began looking for ways to add to employee benefit programs. With many of these stock-purchase programs, companies allowed employees to purchase discounted company stock, reinvest the dividends and then (more…)