Unemployed Blacks Urged To Redefine The Game

NEW YORK -- With the latest Department of Labor statistics indicating 16.1 percent of the black population versus 8.7 percent of the white population face unemployment, "The Apprentice"-winner Randal Pinkett offers clear advice for business success—stop playing the game and start redefining it.

"African-Americans who cling to strategies that worked in the past, without taking into account how the world is shifting, will likely feel frustrated as they progress at a snail's pace or, worse, lose ground in the future," Pinkett explains. "We must redefine the game now because while we have made tremendous progress, we still face tremendous challenges, and tremendous work remains to be done. Our communities and our country cannot afford to wait."

Pinkett believes that the key to success is to transcend supposed barriers and survival instincts, and instead to pursue greatness.

(1) Establish a strong identity. Leverage your culture and ethnicity as assets, not as liabilities. These characteristics give you a unique competitive advantage, so don't white-wash your resume.

(2) Network and build diverse relationships. Use your membership in professional black organizations to meet people and discover new opportunities.

(3) Seek the wisdom of others. We all know the power of a great mentor and now is the time to take advantage of everything they have to offer.

(4) Become an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship creates wealth, transforms communities, and boosts the wealth of African-Americans as a whole.  

(5) Give back generously. As the recession attempts to tear us apart, now is the time for us to give back to one another. Whether with time, talent, or money, we can all make a difference.

As Pinkett asserts, "Black Americans should not focus on winning the game in any arena—business, professional, social, or political. The ultimate goal is to redefine the game sufficiently to end the game itself."

Randal Pinkett, Ph.D., is the co-founder, chairman and CEO of BCT Partners, an information technology and management consulting firm based in Newark, New Jersey. After defending his status as the sole season four winner of "The Apprentice," he served as an executive with Trump Entertainment Resorts in Atlantic City. A frequent speaker for corporate and community groups, he is also a regular segment host for "CEO Exchange" on PBS. He holds five academic degrees.