By Cliff Peale
Enquirer staff writer

SPRINGDALE - African-Americans need to focus not just on building wealth but increasing their assets and savings, experts told several dozen entrepreneurs at a workshop Thursday.

The Black Family Economic and Health Empowerment Summit was sponsored by the local chapter of the National Black MBA Association. The experts said black entrepreneurs should be taking advantage of starting businesses in financial services, which are among the most aggressive in recruiting.

That could lead to both more white-collar jobs and better financial planning, they said.

"A lot of us are not forward-thinking," said Vanessa Enoch, president of the chapter and operator of a business development consulting firm. "We've got an opportunity right now to prepare for what's going to happen."

Nationally, African-Americans are becoming more active in forming and building companies. According to a recent study by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, black-owned companies are forming at faster rates. But they also are failing at greater rates.

Rhoda Thompson, president of the Greater Cincinnati Women's Chamber of Commerce, spoke at the Thursday event. She said African-Americans should be taking advantage of slow economic growth to make more of an impact. In boom times, companies hire as quickly as possible and don't spend as much time recruiting women or minority candidates, she said.

"Economic slowdowns are good for diversity," she said.

E-mail cpeale@enquirer.com