Diversity : Innovation + Job News

Kateri J. Harried, owner of Klover Events, got her start in the events planning business in
the fashion industry in Philadelphia. She brought that knowledge with her to the Baltimore
Museum of Art, helping to launch and run events at the museum including Free First
Thursdays, the African Spirit series and Jazz in the Sculpture Garden at the BMA.

Kateri is now putting her event planning experience to work for herself with the launch of her new business, Klover
Events.

“After more than a decade in the events business, both full-time and freelance, working with
large scale galas, street festivals, fundraisers and concerts, along with private affairs like
weddings, baby showers and parties, I wanted to take the reins and work more closely with
clients and execute their vision for well-produced events with my design sensibilities,” says
Harried.

Klover Events specializes in creating memorable weddings, baby showers and corporate
events at any budget level. The start-up intends to stay a boutique firm in order to allow for
greater attention to detail for its clients' events. Still in the early launch stages of the business,
Klover Events has found success in its niche.

“Whether we are producing a conference or a wedding, our clients recognize the quality and
value in the product we provide, so we’ve seen a steady flow of business, though there are
some ebbs, here and there,” adds Harried.

Kateri also intends to continue working with her favorite local events and causes as she
builds the business. Kateri Harried will be speaking about wedding budgeting and planning at
the bridal forum at Soliloquy Bridal in Herndon Virginia in Feburary.

“The opportunity to work with executing a dynamic vision for the people in the community I
live and work in, along with the causes I care about is easily the most fulfilling aspect of what I
do,” says Harried.

Writer: Amy McNeal
Source: Kateri Harried, Klover Events

http://www.kloverevents.com/

On Wednesday, October 26th, The Arc Baltimore will honor three Baltimore employers at its "Employers of Distinction" event at the Crowne Plaza in Timonium. This event celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and is designed to showcase companies that have hired people with physical and developmental disabilities through The Arc Baltimore's employment programs.

The three employers chosen -- Ace Uniform, The Guilford Association, and WJZ-TV 13 -- will be honored by The Arc Baltimore as Partners in Distinction. The companies will be honored for hiring people with disabilities supported by The Arc Baltimore's programs for a variety of  jobs including landscaping crews, janitorial positions, and workforce support.

"The leadership demonstrated by these companies and others like them in employing persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities sends a strong message to the entire business community that these individuals not only can be productive members of the workforce, but also can contribute to the success of your business if only they are given the opportunity," says Stephen H. Morgan, Executive Director of The Arc Baltimore.

The annual "Employers of Distinction" event was established to show support for employers who hire workers from The Arc Baltimore's program. Last year's winners were Applebee's of Catonsville, Superfresh of Glen Burnie, Superfresh of Perry Hall, The Maryland Zoo, UMBC, University of Maryland Physicians, and WMAR-TV 2.

The Arc Baltimore was established in 1949 and  currently supports over 4,000 Baltimore City and Baltimore County residents with disabilities and their families.


Writer: Amy McNeal
Source: The Arc Baltimore 

Three top female executives with Lockheed Martin have been named to Fortune Magazine's 50 Most Powerful Women in Business list. This is the second year that these three women have been named to the magazine's annual list.

Marillyn Hewson, Executive Vice President, Electronic Systems, was ranked at 27. Joanne Maguire, Executive Vice President, Space Systems Company, was ranked at 29. Linda Gooden, Executive Vice President, Information Systems & Global Solutions, was ranked at 33. The divisions of the company led by these three executives accounted for more than 70% of Lockheed Martin's 2010 revenue.

"Marillyn, Joanne, and Linda exemplify what it means to be full spectrum leaders," says Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin chairman and CEO. "They oversee complex, technologically sophisticated programs in support of our customers and together they inspire the 126,000 men and women of Lockheed Martin and future generations of innovators and inventors."

Lockheed Martin Electronic Systems, led by Hewson, reported $14.4 billion in sales in 2010. The division's products include maritime systems, missile defense, unmanned systems, and sensors. Maguire's division,  Lockheed Martin Space Systems, produces remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites, strategic and missile defense systems, space observatories, and interplanetary spacecraft. That division registered $8.25 billion in sales in 2010. Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions, led by Gooden, recently acquired QTC Holdings Inc., the largest provider of medical evaluation services to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and reported $9.96 billion in revenue. The 17-year old division is the largest provider of information services to the US government.


Writer: Amy McNeal
Source: Chris Williams, Lockheed Martin

Spark Media is creating a new documentary film, "Klandestine Man: The Life and Times of Stetson Kennedy". The film will document Mr. Kennedy's actions as he infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1950's to fight against racial intolerance and hatred and disseminated the secret information of the group to journalists and investigators.

"When we convince audiences that one person can make a difference and empower the individual to be a force for change, this documentary will make it possible to fulfill Stetson's life's mission," says co-director/producer Andrea Kalin.

Stetson Kennedy used his background of Southern privilege to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan of the 1950's at the highest levels. He stayed undercover in the organization for 15 years, and learned many of the groups secrets. The information he gathered about the Klan was widely published and helped to demystify the group. Mr. Kennedy used a variety of means to publicize the Klan's secret information and passwords, even the popular "Superman" radio show.

"We actually interviewed Stetson for our last documentary, Soul of a People: Writing America's Story, about the Federal Writers' Project. Stetson worked on the project in Florida, gathering oral histories and folklore. Some of what he witnessed during this time is what inspired him to fight for the 'little guy' for the rest of his life...It's a story that not many people know about outside of Florida, and a story we thought needed to be told," says producer and lead researcher James Mirabello.

Spark Media will be showing the film at film festivals beginning in 2012. A trailer is available online now.


Writer: Amy McNeal
Sources: Andrea Kalin, Jamies Mirabello

Charm City has been gaining ground as a tourist destination for LGBT travelers, fueled by a highly coordinated outreach effort on the part of Visit Baltimore and the Baltimore LGBT Tourism Advisory Committee.

"Showing LGBT travelers that your city is welcoming is the right thing for any city to do," says Tom Noonan, President and CEO of Visit Baltimore. "The fact that any city creates a unique and robust outreach program is an attention grabber."

When Visit Baltimore and the Advisory Committee began their effort to market the city as a LGBT travel destination four years ago, only two Baltimore hotels had received the Travel Alternatives Group's designation as certified LGBT friendly hotels. The city now has 25 TAG certified hotels.

Visit Baltimore is looking to carve out a niche as a welcoming destination for gay families as well. Baltimore Pride will feature a new family fun zone this year. Welcoming events are also planned for the Zoo and the Aquarium.

"Most LGBT Tourism dollars go toward attracting couples and singles, and families are ignored. We're also trying to market Baltimore as a destination for families with kids," says Barry Werner, a member of the Baltimore LGBT Tourism Advisory Committee.

Attracting more LGBT tourists to Baltimore has been a long term goal for Visit Baltimore. With tourism as the second largest source of jobs in the city, LGBT tourism dollars are an important potential revenue source for the sector. In order to reach more LGBT tourists with Baltimore's message of welcome, Visit Baltimore has recently launched a cooperative marketing campaign with more than 20 city businesses. Full-color, four-page inserts in LGBT publications in the Northeast market tout the city's cultural attractions, restaurants, and accommodations.
 

Writer: Amy McNeal
Sources: Barry Werner, Tom Noonan, Visit Baltimore

Baltimore Ravens football legend Ray Lewis is expanding his RL52 business conglomerate to include a staffing service. The newly launched company, RL52 Staffing, will focus on job placement for IT professionals. The Baltimore-based company cites proximity to the burgeoning IT industry in the Maryland-DC-Virginia area as a key factor in its choice to launch here.

"Some of the best leaders and the best companies are located in the Baltimore corridor. The Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland markets are some of the best for the staffing industry," says Dan Caporale, an executive with RL52 staffing. "All that aside, Baltimore is where it all began for Ray and we couldn't think of a better place to launch our newest venture."

RL52 Staffing will place information technology professionals in positions covering the spectrum of the IT sector, from systems integration and web development to technical support and network security. The firm works with both job seekers and companies looking for IT professionals to provide temporary staffing, staff augmentation, permanent placement, outsourcing, consulting, and outplacement assistance.

Using social media to provide job seekers with leads is part of RL52 Staffing's "Get In The Game" approach to connecting job seekers with companies looking to fill positions. New job openings are highlighted in the firm's Facebook and Twitter feeds.  

In addition to traditional staffing, RL52 Staffing also seeks to pursue a commitment to community service that is emphasized in the corporate culture of the RL52 Group. The firm will be providing job placement assistance to under-served groups and disabled veterans. RL52 Staffing will also be working with community groups to promote outreach programs that enable entrepreneurship and empowerment.  

RL52 Staffing is the newest addition to Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis growing business holdings. His RL52 Group also includes insurance, fashion, merchant services, consulting, real estate, and fitness companies as well as the Ray Lewis Foundation charity.


Writer: Amy McNeal
Source: Dan Caporale, RL52 Group

Barb Clapp Advertising & Marketing has received the Greater Baltimore Committee's 2010 Bridging the Gap Award. The program acknowledges and pays tribute to minority-owned and women-owned firms for achievement and those who support minority business development. The agency topped the successful minority and women-owned firms category.

"It is a great honor to receive the 2010 Bridging the Gap Award," says Barb Clapp, the agency's president. "As a female business owner, I feel it is critical that we recognize the contributions of women in business. My company is powered by strong, smart women. The award proves that the mentoring of women brings great rewards."

Barb Clapp Advertising & Marketing is a full-service marketing agency, whose expertise spans advertising media planning and buying, brand development, public relations, event planning, web development, market research, marketing strategy and product launch, as well as creative development. BCAM is customer service driven and tailors individual programs to meet the needs of clients. Customers consist of local, regional and large national brands in sectors including automotive, hospitality, non-profit, healthcare, environment, education, and retail.

Source: Barb Clapp Advertising & Marketing
Writer: Walaika Haskins