This past week (April 30 — May 6) was National Small Business Week (NSBW). In 2023, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), as in past years, sponsored and promoted NSBW as a time to recognize and celebrate the essential contribution that small business makes to the American economy. One of the online events the SBA convened to do this was a Virtual Summit held on May 2–3. On those days, the Virtual Summit featured “educational workshops presented by event … [Read more...]
Articles
Frank blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and writes occasional columns and articles for publications such as the International Business Times and The Economic Times of India.
Frank writes on a wide variety of topics that are critical to shaping the future of America and the American dream and to making the United States and the world a better place. These include: Business; education; poverty and inequality; politics and public policy; immigration; manufacturing; innovation; leadership; citizenship; and social commentary.
Frank’s most recent blogs are highlighted on this page. To read other blogs or articles by Frank, click on the categories or publications links on the left.
Entrepreneurs & Edupreneurs Creating Start-Up America
2021 was a trying year in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic and political polarization persisted. The economic divide between the wealthy and others widened. Inflation skyrocketed. One other thing that skyrocketed in 2021, which received far less media coverage, were business start-ups. Start-ups went up so much in comparison to past years that 2021 might be called the Year of the Business Start-up. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Formation Statistics showed that almost 5.4 million … [Read more...]
Time to Assist Micro- and Nonemployer Businesses
[This blog is based upon findings from research into small business related COVID-19 assistance. For the full report presenting the findings based upon that research, visit this link.] The economic impact of Covid-19 has been devastating for most American businesses. It has been especially so for small businesses. This is an existential problem because small businesses are the heart and soul of the American economy. If many of them disappear due to the coronavirus, it will greatly … [Read more...]
There will be no winners in US-China trade war
The United States and China, the two largest economies in the world, are currently engaged in what might be called the mother of all trade wars. The first salvo of the trade war was fired by President Donald Trump in January 2018 — less than a year into his presidency — when he announced tariffs on products of several nations, including Chinese solar panels and washing machines. In spite of several rounds of bilateral talks over the past 17 months, major … [Read more...]
Opportunity Zones For Whom?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 contains a provision for the establishment of Opportunity Zones (O-zones or ozones) across the United States. The question is opportunity for whom? Ostensibly, the TCJA, which gives substantial tax credits to O-zone investors, is designed to increase investments in distressed communities in order to spur economic development and job creation. In its early stages, though, it appears that the primary beneficiaries of this legislation may … [Read more...]
The Automation and Artificial Intelligence Race:
Who Will Win and What Does Winning Mean? Following up on the promise made in his State of the Union address, on February 11 President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence. There was no money provided in the Order for what is being called the American Artificial Intelligence Initiative (Initiative) and each agency was directed to “prioritize investments” in AI research and development. Therefore, … [Read more...]
Automation, Artificial Intelligence and the American Dream
This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it. Those were the words of HAL 9000 (HAL) in the classic science-fiction movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey (2001)). HAL was a programmed computer that controlled the systems of the Discovery One spacecraft, and interacted with the crew on the spaceship in an almost human way, doing things such as talking with them and playing chess. When 2001 was released a little over one half a century ago, what Hal was able … [Read more...]
Lessons on the Team, the Game and Grit
Remarks By Frank F. Islam On Lessons on the Team, the Game and Grit for Maryland Youth Cricket Association Banquet December 2018 Good Evening Thank you very much for that kind introduction. It is my pleasure and honor to be here with all of you this evening to participate in this celebration. Thank you for your warm welcome and your hospitality. I want to express my deep gratitude to Jamie Harrison for inviting me to speak on this special occasion. … [Read more...]
The economy is moving in the right trajectory
In this year’s Ease of Doing Business report, India moved up 23 positions to reach 77th — the highest the country has ever been placed in the 15-year history of the survey. India must continue its journey on that path until it ranks at or near the top of the ranked countries. “We want to make India a destination which not only welcomes business but where it is easy to do business.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi made this promise at the US India Business Council meeting on June 7, … [Read more...]
As a reporter and a businessman from India, we see the vital role of American journalism
The U.S. is a leader in the field, and can bolster confidence globally that this is an essential craft. “Gulam Jeelani” is not a common name in the U.S. It may have seemed unusual to see the name attached to news stories about a late winter storm or a school board investigation. Let us explain: You were participants in an effort to lift up journalism around the world. Both of us are from India, but one of us (Frank) left to pursue his dreams in America and has succeeded in … [Read more...]