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AHBAI 
Member

AHBAI DEFIES DISBELIEVERS
American Health and Beauty Aids Institute has defied all of its skeptics. Their bet was that the association wouldn't last six months. Now well into its second year, AHBAI, a trade association composed of fourteen companies that manufacture health and beauty aid products, not only is getting older, it is getting bigger, better, and stronger. Each company is a competitor for the black consumer's H&BA spending dollar, but in the time since the association's inception, they have become "much friendlier competitors."
When Bronner Brothers, a charter member, holds its annual international beauty show in Atlanta, Georgia, each August, the other members attend and participate. AHBAI holds its annual board meeting in conjunction with the prestigious show. 
The friendly competition extends to other areas as well. The membership spans from well established, large companies-Johnson Products Company, M&M Products Company, Proline and Soft Sheen, to those currently making their mark-Luster products, Hairlox, Worlds of Curls, American Beauty Products, Ellis and Sons, and Omaka, to the newly established-Boykin's Hair Products and companies rich in historical background-Madame C.J. Walker Company and Curtis Laboratories, (A.W. Curtis was a protege of Dr. George Washington Carver.) On more than one occasion, the older, more experienced companies have shared their expertise and knowledge with the newer firms.
When AHBAI was formed, it saw gaining visibility as one of its major priorities, To date, the group has received tremendous publicity including feature articles in all of the major black publications, Ebony, Essence, Black Enterprise, Dollars & Sense; publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Advertising Age magazines. Members and AHBAI Executive Director Lafayette Jones have appeared on TV and radio stations across the country promoting the industry and black heritage. 
E Gardner, AHBAI treasurer and president of Soft Sheen Products Company, spearheaded a voter registration program in Chicago in autumn, 1982, which resulted in registration of 160,000 qualified voters. During 1983, the membership will take Gardner's marketing plan nationally to promote black voter registration across the entire country.
Other government related activities AHBAI is involved in are formation of a PAC program,  testimony before the Senate Small Business Committee, local and state agencies; and sponsorship of an annual Washington D.C. reception for government officials and other key dignitaries.
Late in 1982, AHBAI instituted an associate member program to promote better dialog between the members and firms and businesses involved in the H&BA industry.
AHBAI recently introduced a quarterly newsletter, PROFITLINE$, geared to top executives in supermarkets, drug stores, and mass merchandising outlets. It informs the retail world of the financial benefits of stocking ethnic product categories. Educational seminars for retailers and media reps are planned in the near future.
While AHBAI members continue to compete for the consumer's buying dollars, they also are continuing to work together for the good of the industry, the good of the association, and the good of the black community.

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Transcription Notes:
image: AHBAI symbol