Located at Toliver's Mane Event in Columbia, SC, host Bill Terrell covers a range of topics in this 1992 edition of Jobman Caravan. Topics include youth violence, a special doll show that celebrates Black beauty and artistry, financial advice (still holds true today!) and career opportunities in the fitness industry.
Afro-American Doll Show
In the first segment, Patricia Bennett takes viewers to an Afro-American doll show in Washington, D.C. Bennett takes us behind the scenes to meet the artists who created dolls that reflect the diversity and beauty of the African American community. One of the dolls featured was "Baby Whitney," made by Melvin Whitfield and his wife, Loretta Whitfield from Lomel Enterprises, Inc. With its detailed features and washable hair "Baby Whitney" aimed to provide young Black girls a sense of pride and self-love. Did you have one of these dolls?
Curbing Youth Violence
Back at the Toliver's Mane Event, Terrell opens up discussion into community concerns about youth violence. Residents of Columbia, South Carolina, shared their perspectives on factors that may contribute to violence and proposed solutions. Solutions leaned towards having collaborative efforts involving parents, schools, churches, and community organizations. Young people need community activities to keep them busy and off the street.
Managing Debt and Saving Money
Wilson stated, "In 1985, the representatives who were on the banking committee said every credit card should be burned because they could foresee that within the next five, six, seven, eight years, that this was going to become totally an unhandle-able situation and that has occurred."
Many consumers made financial choices in the late 70s and through the 80s that resulted in an impending debt crisis. Bennett covers the discussion about debt management and financial planning with Mary Wilson, a consumer credit counselor. Consumers are encouraged to (1) get rid of as much credit card debt as possible and (2) get rid of multiple credit cards. Bankruptcy should be the last option. Try to work out a plan with creditors.
Ways to Pay Down Debt
- Entrepreneurship: Having a side business may help with additional funds for paying down debt or for the budget. We're introduced to Essie Perkins, a hat maker. She was looking for the type of hat that would make a statement and she began making them herself via her business, Hats By Essie.
- Part-time job: Another option for earning extra money includes getting a part-time job.
- Bartering: Consumers can also consider bartering, exchanging goods and services instead of money. Farihaha Bakr shared that when her children were small, she used to trade babysitting services, and even food with friends.
- Saving Money: Think about ways to save money by maintaining goods that you have like your car. Gerald Lancaster demonstrated how to change the oil in a car. As a rule of thumb, a person needs to look at saving 10% of their gross income each month.
Careers in Fitness
At the time of this episode, the fitness industry was bursting with career opportunities. Mark Backus, a fitness instructor in Columbia, South Carolina, worked with Colonial Life Insurance. The company offered a comprehensive fitness program for its employees, which included aerobics classes. Other types of fitness professionals who could work for corporations were exercise physiologists, nutritionists, aerobics instructors and aerobic coordinators. If interested in this career opportunity, some colleges offer degree programs.
Entrepreneurial individuals like Wanda Bamberg, a Columbia, SC native, can own their own exercise and dance studio. Wanda and her co-owner, Antoinette McLeod, manage Wanda Woman in Washington, D.C.
Side Notes
- Over forty years in business, Toliver's Mane Event still operates today. Find them online on Instagram or Facebook.
- View "Baby Whitney" and other dolls at the Virtual Black Doll Museum.
- Wanda Bamberg, founder and CEO of Wanda Woman Enterprises, continues her career in fitness. Find her online on Instagram and watch this AARP video.
