Calling all internet entrepreneurs

Here's an idea straight from Black America that offers a challenge to Black British entrepreneurs. It's called Computers in the 'Hood. The program has been developed by Thirteen Scribes, Inc. to bring computer literacy to at least 2 million African American homes by the end of the century.

According to TSI executives:

• Only 11 percent of African American homes have a personal computer (Source: White Lies...Black Lies...The Truth by Tony Brown)

• Fewer than one-third of African American students own a home computer (Source: study conducted by the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, 1998)

• Over 5 million African Americans have accessed the World Wide Web compared to 41 million whites (Source: study conducted by the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, 1998)

• The computer industry will need 1.3 million new workers in the next 10 years (Source: United States Commerce Department, 1998)

• Expansion in computer-related industries accounted for more than one-quarter of the United States economy's growth (Source: United States Commerce Department, 1998)

• "If significant segments of society are denied access to the Internet, United States firms will lack the technological skills they need to remain competitive." (Source: study conducted by the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, 1998)

• If the "digital divide" that exists between Blacks and Whites in cyberspace persists, Blacks will lack the skills to compete for many high-tech jobs. (Source: study conducted by the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, 1998)

• Over 36 percent of African Americans would like to buy a home computer in the next six months compared to just under 17% of white households. (Source: study conducted by the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, 1998)

TSI's "Computers In The Hood" Fills Technology Gaps
In The African American Community

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, African Americans accounted for only 5.3 percent of the nation's 561,000 programmers and 6.2 percent of the nation's computer systems analysts and scientists, in 1997.

"Only eleven percent of African American homes have a computer," says Tony Brown, author of White Lies..., Black Lies..., The Truth. "Families have televisions in their homes because they perceive a need for a television. Once they understand the impact of computers and technology-every family will have a computer because every family will perceive a need for a computer," he says.

TSI's goal is to equip two million more African American homes with low cost personal computers and increase computer literacy by December 31, 1999.

The three campaign elements slated for introduction this spring are as follows

• A call for action to increase the African American presence in the computer industry, reversing the dominant role from consumers to producers

• Making computers the first choice of social and entertainment interaction over television

• Training programs that will assist owners of personal computers to effectively utilize their computer systems for personal or professional development

At the heart of the "Computers In The Hood" campaign, is a low cost multimedia personal computer and free basic training. This investment will enable owners to have unlimited use of a computer system and eventual access to online services.

Accessories
The complete multimedia personal computer system includes a 2.1 Gig Hard Drive, 3.5 Floppy Drive, 512 Cache, 14" Monitor, 101 keyboard, 24X CD-ROM, Sound Blaster Sound Card with speakers, 1 MB Trident Video Card, 233 MHz. AK6 MMX, 16 Mg Ram and 33.6 D/F/V Modem

Pricing and Availability
TSI's complete multimedia personal computers are available at $799 plus tax. There are several payment plans to accommodate any budget.

About Thirteen Scribes, Inc.
Thirteen Scribes, Inc. , is a "state of the art" software engineering firm that provides turnkey solutions to companies such as Chrysler Corporation and BellSouth Wireless.

Further information about "Computers In The Hood" available at
www.13scribes.com
Contact: Bisi Coker, Thirteen Scribes, Inc., Marketing Director 404 586-0253 bisicoker@13scribes.com.

Note: The Chronicle bears no responsibility for manufacturers claims and product statements.