Speakers Robert E. James (left) and Joseph R. Hudson (center) network with Tom Campbell. Carver State Bank President Robert E. James and the President of Hudson Strategic Group of Atlanta, GA, Joseph R. Hudson received rave reviews following their presentations during the Hungry Club Forum of Savannah (HCFS) on Saturday August 2, 2008. The Forum's 2008 Fall Series theme is: "We Can Raise Our Community's Economic Status in Savannah-Chatham County."

James and Hudson are longtime acquaintances who came together at the regularly scheduled HCFS monthly breakfast which was held in the Multipurpose Annex of the May Street YMCA. The Co-sponsors of the August forum were Pinnacle Communications Corporation and Professional Presence.

Keynote speaker James addressed three major points. First, he did what he said he has enjoyed doing for the past 37 years. He told the group about Carver State Bank.

Carver is the oldest, locally-owned bank in Savannah, and one of the oldest African-American-owned commercial banks in America. According to James, "almost all of Carver's loans are made to people and institutions in Savannah, and all of the bank's executive decisions are made by the bank's management team right here in Savannah." The veteran banker, who is the African- American with the longest tenure of service as President of a bank in America, invited the audience at the Forum to open accounts at the bank and become members of the Carver family. "Remember, you need to establish your relationship before you need the relationship," he continued.

Banker Robert James makes a point at the Hungry Club Forum. James discussed the economic environment that we are in today. "These are certainly some trying economic times. I know that the downturn is led by the housing market, but I want to assure you that our economic situation is far greater than a problem in any one sector," he said. James emphasized the impact that the global economy is having on America.

In his conclusion, James told the Hungry Club Forum that we are facing a crisis with many of our young people, especially young, African- American men. "We need to try to stop the drug use and crime, and help many of our young people get on the right path," he said.

"So I came here to tell some of our most talented community leaders that you must rededicate yourselves to providing leadership and helping these young men," he concluded.

Joe Hudson's company, the Hudson Strategic Group, Inc. of Atlanta, has been collaborating with a number of businesses and organizations in the local community over the last few months to develop a community-oriented, grass roots strategy for community economic development. His presentation, "What turning the dollar over within the African American community can mean to Savannah's future," was met with enthusiasm. The key foundation of his strategy is getting the African American population to increase spending among their own ethnic group. Thereby creating more wealth and generating more jobs in their own community.

Hudson plans to return to Savannah in the near future with an expanded conference to share the plan with a broader segment of the community.

After the presentations, there was an enthusiastic question and answer period, followed by fellowshipping and networking.

The next Hungry Club Forum monthly breakfast will be held on Saturday September 6, 2008, at 9:30 a.m., in the Multipurpose Room Annex of the May Street YMCA. Successful businessman Tom Campbell will ask: why fifty years after the integration of the public schools, the Savannah business community is still segregated? Also, for investment opportunities, HCFS Board member and charter member Richmond "Rich" Fergerson will unveil his plans to develop a major commercial establishment at Montgomery and Anderson Streets.

For information, call Julia Wright at 233-0855 or Diana Harvey Johnson at 927-8425.