From the Publisher The Secrets of Success by Preston J. Edwards, Sr.

I want to use the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine to share with you the secrets of success.  I want to share these secrets because I want each and everyone of you to achieve success.  I do not want to keep these as secrets, and I also want you to share them with others.  I want all of our readers to be successful.  I want to encourage you to put these “secrets” into practice in your daily life.  Our success has been in our survival, and in the valuable information on career and job opportunities we have presented since the 1970-71 school year.

I learned the secrets of success from a book I read many years ago entitled, “The Greatest Salesman in the World,” by Og Mandino.  In The Greatest Salesman in the World, 2000 years ago, a camel boy, Hafid had a burning desire to improve his position in life.  To test his potential abilities, Pathos, the great caravan merchant, sent him to Bethlehem to see if he could sell only one robe.  He could not sell the robe.  He gave the robe to the parents of a newborn baby to warm the child wrapped only in swaddling clothes.   Hafid returned to the caravan, feeling a failure but accompanied by a bright star shining above his head.  This bright star was interpreted by Pathos to be a sign from the gods and he gave Hafid his ten ancient scrolls which contained the wisdom necessary for the boy to achieve all his ambition.  Hafid, however, was forbidden to share the scrolls or the wisdom they contained with anyone.  He was told that one day there would appear a person who would transmit a sign just as the star was a sign for Pathos.  The third person to receive the scrolls would not be forbidden to share them.

The first of the ten scrolls contained the secrets of learning and the others contained the secret principles necessary to become a great success in the art of selling.  Here is a brief description of the principle in each scroll which Hafid was to read each day for 30 days before he moved on to the next scroll:

 

Scroll I:	Today, I will form good habits and become their slave.
Scroll II:	I will greet this day with love in my heart.
Scroll III:	I will persist until I succeed.
Scroll IV:	I am nature’s greatest miracle.
Scroll V:	I will live this day as if it is my last.
Scroll VI:	Today, I will master my emotions.
Scroll VII:	I will laugh at the world.
Scroll VIII:	Today, I will multiply my value a hundred fold.
Scroll IX:	I will act now.
Scroll X:	I will pray for guidance.

 Hafid applied the principles of the secrets of success contained on the scrolls and became the greatest salesman in the world.  After a long and successful career, Hafid waited several years for the third person who would give him the sign and would be the next keeper of the scrolls.  One day a traveler named Paul went to Hafid and told him that he was sent by Jesus to find the greatest salesman in the world and asked him to share his secrets.  At last, the man to whom Hafid could confer the instructive scrolls had arrived.  Paul used them well, and he shared them.  This is only part of the story and I encourage you to read the book.  I am happy to share these secrets with you.  They will work for you.  All you need now is the desire.  You have to want success.  Go for it.  You deserve it.  You deserve to be a big success in life.  You were born to succeed.  To quote from another Og Mandino book, “The God Memorandum,”

“Let me share with you, again, the secret you heard at your birth and forgot.  You are my greatest miracle.  You are the greatest miracle in the world.  Those were the first words you ever heard.  Then you cried.  They all cry.”

Now, I would like to introduce and thank our staff (see photo below).  I want to thank all of our  advertisers over the past 30 years, especially the advertisers in this issue, who wanted to be a part of our 30th Anniversary Commemorative Issue to show their support for our magazine, and for you and your career dreams.  I want to thank the career services directors and others who distributed THE BLACK COLLEGIAN on over 800 campuses.  I want to thank everyone who kept me in their prayers.  I want you to know that your prayers have worked and I am doing great.  I want to thank my family: grandsons – Chancellor, Coleman, and Preston III; daughter-in-law, Trina; Sons: Preston Jr. and Scott, and my wife, Rosa, for their love and support throughout this wonderful journey.  Most of all, I want to thank God for all of His blessings bestowed upon us.

Preston J. Edwards, Sr.
CEO and Publisher

Sources:

Mandino, Og. The Greatest Salesman in the World, Hollywood, FL: Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc. 1968.

Mandino, Og. The God Memorandum, Hollywood, FL: Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc. 1975.

The Team

Daniel J. Damrill
Sr. Web Applications Developer/Artist

“Designed the new look-and-feel of our Web sites: review, analyze, and development which includes encoding, testing, debugging and documenting our job bank infrastructure.“

Kathy Taylor Dejoie
Online Editor

“Edit and manage content on the African-American Village of IMDiversity.com and THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online.”

Lisa G. Edwards
Vice President of Finance and Operations

“Responsible for all aspects of Finance, Human Resources, Business Development, Customer Support and End User Support.”

Tonya Guillory
College Relations Manager

“Promote and develop relationships with students, career services, and employers regarding THE BLACK COLLEGIAN.”

John B. Isett, Ph.D.
Chief Technology Officer

“Oversee development and maintenance of the corporate Web sites and support to internal corporate customers including THE BLACK COLLEGIAN production, sales, and editorial departments.”

Cherita Bloodwirth-Adams
Account Executive

“Sell ads on our Web sites and in magazines.”

Robert G. Miller
Vice President of Editorial Administration

“I'm the Editor of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine, supervise the chief online editor and related staff, and manage corporate communications.”

John Patrick Culpepper III
Account Executive

“I sell for all four of our diversity recruiting resources.”

Betty Adams
Accounts Receivable

“Compile and sort document and invoices, computes and records charges, responsible for daily deposits, and responsible for collection and payment.”

Melba Lemieux-Nevills
Vice President-Advertising, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine

“Manage recruitment advertising sales and service to national clients in search of entry-level diversity hires.”

Tim McGruder, Jr.
Diversity Consultant

“Assist in company growth by consulting employers about the resources at iMinorities, Inc. to help recruit diversified employees in this warfare for talent.”

Calvin Kirkland
Vice President - Sales Operations

“Direct all sales efforts for the Internet and publishing divisions of the company.”

Ron Winn
Director, Career & Recruitment Services

“Consults with our employers and their advertising agencies across the nation as a recognized college relations and recruitment professional, working to provide the very best and most cost-effective services possible through all of the iMinorities, Inc. repertoire.”

Niraj Kataria
President/Director

“Focus on partnerships, business development, financing, and board of directors' reporting.”

Vander M. Singleton
Sales, Account Executive

“Promote the company's Web venues to employers, gain memberships and bring to the general public’s attention job opportunities.”

Mona Bienville Williams
Customer Support Representative

“Provide continuing support to our customers to help them to get the most out of the product.”

Leslie L. Peters
Sales Account Executive

“Interact with existing and potential clients with the goal of helping them maximize the benefit of diversity in their workplace through the resources of iMinorities, Inc.”

June Goins Hazeur
End User Support Manager

“Responsible for all communications with the end user (persons creating accounts on IMDiversity.com) whether via e-mail, letters, telephone calls, surveys and/or monthly newsletters.”

Michelle M. Ancar
Sales Administrator

“Provide administrative support to the Vice President of Sales, Director of Sales and sales staff, tracking and reporting sales performance.”

Tonya N. Antoine
Manager, Customer Support

“Manage our customer support department, which services our online end users and employers.”

L. Robin Johnson
Online Content Administrator

“Manage and upload content to both Web sites.”

Sharon McKinley-Karriem
Internet Data Entry Specialist

“Post jobs on our sites, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online, as well as IMDiversity.com.”

Giselle M. Smothers
Account System Coordinator

“Maintain the advertisers accounts utilizing different systems with the assistance of the account executives and assist the manager of accounting and comptroller.”

Shawn A. Taylor-Lemieux
Customer Advocacy Specialist

“Projecting an attitude of service in which I am willing and delighted to exceed expectations of both internal and external customers.”

Courtnaye Nichelle Brown
Administrative Specialist

“Provide quality administrative support to the Sales, Advertising, and Marketing departments.”

Nicole D. Murphy
Receptionist

“Ensure consistent quality customer service through interpersonal communication.”

Belinda V. Fly
Manager of Administrative Services

"Oversee the day-to-day administrative support services/coordinate incoming administrative work requests."

Eric Edwards
Office Services Coordinator

"Enabling the smooth operation of the entire office by efficiently meeting the needs of the staff—handling errands, ordering supplies, and a variety of other services."

Trina Edwards
Sales Coordinator

“Identify leads (employers/industries), qualify them by obtaining and recording pertinent company data, then assigning the prospects to the appropriate Account Executive for selling advertising space in THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online and/or IMDiversity.com.”

Sharon L. Kerry
Internet Data Entry Specialist

“Post manual and batch jobs on to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online and IMDiversity.com sites."

Amit Kataria
Manager, Reporting & Special Projects

“Reporting, Web Development & Web site Promotion”

Trina M. Breaux
Executive Assistant to the CEO

“Assist and direct the unlimited, fast-paced operations of the Executive Office.”

Terrence Rice
Manager, Special Markets and Events

“Sell advertising and help build better company brand(s) name recognition through partnerships and strategic alliances.”

Jenice Thomas
Manager of Accounting

“I handle accounts payable and assist in managing company financials.”

Lauri Daunoy-Frere
Recruitment Sales Team Leader

“Consult with businesses to diversify their workforces by utilizing resources under the iMinorities, Inc. umbrella toward enhancing their company's bottom line.”

Kristie R. Brunner
Sales Account Executive

“It is my duty to enlighten all the world as to where Opportunity, Community, and Diversity connect as well as encourage employers to allow iMinorities, Inc. to apply the power of diversity to equalize the workforce.”

Stacey L. Mays
Recruitment Sales Team Leader

“I help employers, who are interested in successfully highlighting their diversity recruiting initiatives and job opportunities, explore their advertising options.”

Justin Gibson
Corporate Controller

“Company's number cruncher: responsible for financial reporting and controls.”

Lokura Smith
Executive Assistant

"I am the Executive Assistant to the President and I also lend administrative support to the Administrative, Human Resources and Marketing departments."

Alecia Marie Moten
Customer Support Representative

“Create and set up accounts for new members and ad agencies.”

Monica Henry
Graphic Designer

“Assist in the layout and design of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN and Black MBA Magazines.”

Kevin D. Lemieux
Network Support Specialist

“Provide all network-related services for the company.”

Scott V. Edwards
Director of Internet Business Solutions

“Manage the delivery of enhancements, upgrades, and bug fixes to the Websites by working with a team of interdepartmental users that assigns priorities and designs solutions.”

Gus Lopez
Production Manager

“Manage the layout, design, and production of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN and Black MBA Magazines and all corporate promotional material and advertising.”

Josy A. Dussek
Online Application Assistant

“Maintain and upload pages to our Web sites.”

Kamala Hutchinson
Sales Account Executive

“Sell recruitment advertising for THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine and our Web sites.

Leon Capers, Jr.
Assistant Publisher

"Manage the staff that is responsible for the production of the Black MBA and THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazines."

Pres Edwards, Jr.
Director of Sales

"I am responsible for managing the Internet sales team."

Michael Marcelin
Editorial Intern

“Assist the Vice President of Editorial Administration and Editor of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine in research, writing and copy proofing."

Devin Oten
Recruitment Sales Team Leader

“Assist employers with diversity recruitment initiatives while promoting the career opportunities available to them through IMDiversity.com, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine and Black MBA Magazine.”

Preston J. Edwards, Sr.
CEO and Publisher

Responsible for the effective execution of the corporate mission, achieving the corporate goals and the very important job of managing, organizing, directing, and controlling a wonderful group of creative, energetic, smart, loyal and talented people who work in our publishing and Internet operations."