WHO'S WHO IN BLACK LOS ANGELES™ PRESS RELEASES

Who’s Who Publishing to Release the First Edition of
Who’s Who In Black Los Angeles™

Columbus, Ohio – The exciting inaugural edition of Who’s Who In Black Los Angeles™ will be released by Who’s Who Publishing Company, the nation’s largest annual directory publisher targeting the African-American market, on Thursday October 23, 2008 at STAPLES Center, the downtown Los Angeles sports and entertainment arena, on center court. Join us for the networking reception at 6 p.m. and the Official Book Unveiling Program at 7:30 p.m. The unveiling gala is expected to host a number of dignitaries and attract many of Los Angeles’ affluent and influential individuals. For the event, Aundrae Russell, on-air personality for KJLH Radio, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Dr. Anthony Samad, associate publisher for Who’s Who In Black Los Angeles™, exclaims, “We are proud that Who’s Who Publishing has come to Los Angeles, and provided us the opportunity to spotlight and highlight the wealth of talent and resources in the nation’s secondlargest city. African Americans helped found Los Angeles, helped grow Los Angeles, and are still a vital part of it being a world-class model city for diversity and prosperity. Showcasing African Americans in this market can only enhance the city’s image and encourage businesses to increase their dealings in the black community.”

Kevin McDowell, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for AEG, the world’s leading presenter of sports and entertainment which owns or operates more than 90 venues, including STAPLES Center, pens the foreword. The coffeetable quality publication recognizes more than 400 prestigious African Americans and offers readers inspirational stories and mini profiles that feature corporate executives, entrepreneurs, media professionals, entertainers, academic professionals, and government and community leaders. This intriguing new book also chronicles prominent Living Legends, such as Jim Hill, Reverend Cecil Murray, the Honorable Yvonne B. Burke and more, as well as Interesting Personalities, including Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, Speaker Karen Bass, Tavis Smiley, Isaiah Washington and Mablean Ephriam, to name a few. A Special Tribute is made to the legendary Stevie Wonder, among others.

Who’s Who Publishing Company founder and CEO C. Sunny Martin shares, “It is exhilarating for Who’s Who Publishing to be in Los Angeles. We are very honored to showcase the talented and successful individuals in our inaugural edition.”

Who’s Who Publishing Company began in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1989, and currently publishes similar directories in 22 cities.

###

Anthony Asadullah Samad Signs on as
Associate Publisher for Who’s Who In Black Los Angeles™

Columbus, Ohio – Who’s Who Publishing Company, the nation’s largest annual directory publisher targeting the African-American market, proudly announces that Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad will serve as the associate publisher of Who’s Who In Black Los Angeles™. Samad is president of Samad and Associates, as well as an award-winning author and columnist. Samad and Associates is a strategic planning and urban affairs firm specializing in the assessment and management of public policy, economic development and urban, social and race issues. The firm’s 20-year efforts have generated more than $300 million in economic opportunities in urban and rural communities nationwide.

An associate professor of political science and African American studies at East Los Angeles College, Samad is the author of the best-selling books, Souls For Sale: The Diary of An Ex-Colored Man and 50 Years After Brown: The State of Black Equality in America. He has also contributed various editorial commentaries to Web sites and newspapers nationwide throughout the past 15 years.

A former Los Angeles NAACP branch president, Samad continues his dedicated community involvement by serving as managing director and host of the Urban Issues Forum of Greater Los Angeles and as president and chair of the board of 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Inc. Samad’s education includes a Master of Arts degree in public administration from the University of Southern California, a Master of Arts degree in political economy from the Claremont Graduate University’s School of Politics and Economics, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Claremont Graduate University.

Who’s Who President and CEO C. Sunny Martin shares, “We are incredibly pleased to have Anthony Asadullah Samad on board with the Who’s Who group of associate publishers. His credentials as a successful author and leader complement the wealth of national talent we have built over the years, assist us in our West Coast efforts.”

Who’s Who Publishing Company began in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1989 and currently publishes similar annual directories in 16 cities. Upon release, Who’s Who In Black Los Angeles™ will retail in area bookstores and newsstands.

###

Kevin T. McDowell Signs on to Pen Foreword for Inaugural Edition of Who's Who In Black Los Angeles™

Columbus, Ohio - Who’s Who Publishing Company proudly announces that Kevin T. McDowell, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for AEG, has agreed to write the foreword for the inaugural edition of Who’s Who In Black Los Angeles™.

A member of AEG’s executive committee, Kevin is primarily responsible for the development and implementation of AEG’s administrative systems, company policies and all personnel oversight for more than 30 affiliates of the parent company. McDowell manages these strategic initiatives for all of AEG’s enterprises worldwide including business operations for divisions based in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Houston, Chicago, New York City, Denver, Manchester, and internationally in London and Berlin. Within his sphere of administrative control for the same disciplines lies AEG Live, the second largest entertainment company in the world.

Mr. McDowell has recently spearheaded the pre-opening hiring activities for venues developed and operated by AEG including STAPLES Center, The Colosseum At Caesars Palace and The Home Depot Center, a $150 million national training center designated as the Official U.S. Olympic Training Site on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. Each of these venues has been singled out by local civic and community organizations for reaching and exceeding predetermined goals, policies and programs of the company’s minority hiring practices.

This inaugural edition will also contain a special feature on former Mayor Tom Bradley, honoring his many outstanding career achievements and contributions to the Los Angeles community.

Who’s Who Publishing Company founder and CEO C. Sunny Martin states, “Kevin McDowell’s outstanding contributions and years of service have greatly improved the social and economic conditions for the citizens of Los Angeles. It is most fitting that he pen the inaugural edition.”

”Who’s Who In Black Los Angeles™ will be released at the official book unveiling reception the company will host later this year in Los Angeles. Who’s Who Publishing Company began in Atlanta, Georgia in 1989. The company has published 26 books and currently publishes this brand of upscale directories in 16 cities throughout the U.S.

###