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WHO'S WHO IN BLACK SAN
ANTONIO™ PRESS RELEASES
Who’s Who Publishing Company to Release Remarkable
Inaugural Edition of Who’s Who In Black San Antonio™
 Columbus, Ohio – Who’s Who Publishing Company, the nation’s largest annual directory publisher geared toward the African-American market, will unveil the historic inaugural edition of Who’s Who In Black San Antonio™ on Monday, November 24, 2008, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. With entertainment by VERSATILE, the networking reception kicks off at 6 p.m., followed by the official book unveiling program at 7:30 p.m., hosted by KENS 5 reporter Marvin Hurst and Great Day SA host Bridget Smith. The event is expected to attract dignitaries and several hundred of San Antonio’s infl uential members of the African-American community.
Highlighting the lives and achievements of more than 200 African-American leaders in business and the community, the inaugural edition of Who’s Who In Black San Antonio™ is a spectacular, coffee table-quality publication that can simultaneously serve as a tool for networking and educating. San Antonio Area Foundation president and CEO Clarence “Reggie” Williams penned the foreword for this remarkable edition, which also features an in-depth perspective of the Alamo City’s African-American history. There is also a tribute to the Reverend R.A. Callies, a major player in the city’s effort to keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy alive, as well as a variety of stories showcasing a sampling of San Antonio’s living legends and interesting personalities, including David Robinson, Carolyn Heath, Arcelia Johnson-Fannin and George Gervin.
San Antonio associate publisher Laura Thompson shares, “The inaugural edition of Who’s Who In Black San Antonio™ is the beginning of capturing the rich history and contributions of African Americans in our city. The publication is a musthave for anyone seeking to learn about African Americans in San Antonio. I am amazed at the wonderful stories that will be told in this edition and for years to come.”
C. Sunny Martin, Who’s Who Publishing Company’s founder and CEO, affirms, “It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we honor and recognize the contributions of the San Antonio African-American community. The Unveiling Reception is sure to be a fantastic night of fellowship, networking and celebration.”
Who’s Who Publishing Company began in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1989 and currently publishes annual directories in cities nationwide. ###
Reggie Williams to Pen Foreword for
Inaugural Edition of
Who’s Who In Black San Antonio™
 Columbus,
Ohio - Who’s Who Publishing Company, the nation’s
largest annual directory publisher targeting the African-American
market, proudly announces that Clarence R. “Reggie”
Williams will pen the foreword for the inaugural edition of Who’s
Who In Black San Antonio™.
One of San Antonio’s most committed community servants, Williams
is president and CEO of the San Antonio Area Foundation. The foundation
makes grants throughout San Antonio, Bexar County and beyond and
has assets valued at more than $190 million. Williams has served
on the Council on Foundations Community Foundations Leadership Team,
as one of 15 elected members representing the nation’s community
foundations.
Who’s Who founder and CEO, C. Sunny Martin, shares, “We
are honored that Reggie Williams has graciously agreed to write
the foreword for San Antonio’s inaugural edition. His dedication
to the San Antonio community speaks volumes.” Laura Thompson,
associate publisher for Who’s Who In
Black San Antonio™,
conveyed, “Reggie Williams is deeply rooted in the San Antonio
business community and is a very accomplished business leader. His
experience and leadership in the San Antonio market is exemplary
and I feel honored and privileged that he has agreed to write the
foreword for this edition.”
Previously, Williams was senior vice president of information systems
operations at USAA. In addition, he served as the executive chairman
of the USAA Volunteer Corp. and led the Greater San Antonio Chamber
of Commerce’s “Making Mentoring a Partnership”
program.
A mentor to business and at-risk students, he has served as the
president, vice president and a member of the board of directors
of the Rotary Club of San Antonio (the world’s largest Rotary
Club); chair of the San Antonio United Negro College Fund advisory
board; College of Wooster board of trustees; United Way of San Antonio/Bexar
County board of trustees; and on the regional board of directors
for the National Conference for Communities and Justice. Williams
was inducted into the San Antonio Eastside Community’s Counting
Your Blessings 2000 Hall of Fame and several sports halls of fame.
Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of Wooster,
a Master of Education degree from Westfi eld State Teacher’s
College, and has accomplished doctoral study at Auburn University.
He is a graduate of the Defense University’s Armed Forces
Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and numerous
technical and business courses. A retired colonel, Williams was
a U.S. Air Force commissioned officer.
Reggie and his wife, Burnedette (Buzz), have two children, Bradley
Reginald Williams and Carrie Evelyn McCoy (James Matthew McCoy),
and a granddaughter, Madison Acker McCoy.
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 San Antonio™
will retail in area bookstores and newsstands.
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Laura Thompson Signs on as
Associate Publisher for
Who's Who In Black San Antonio™
 Columbus,
Ohio - Who’s Who Publishing Company, the nation’s
largest annual directory publisher targeting the African-American
market, proudly announces that Laura Thompson will serve as the
associate publisher of Who’s Who In Black San
Antonio™. Thompson is
founder and president of Sistas in Business, Inc., a business organization
serving African-American women business owners and professionals.
She also serves as secretary of the City Year San Antonio board
of directors. A published author, Thompson recently wrote and released
a book of poetry entitled Beneath the Mask.
In addition, Thompson is an advertising executive and owner of Laura
Thompson Agency. The agency was formed in 1998 and has worked with
private, public and nonprofit companies such as H-E-B, Glory Foods,
SACU, San Antonio Spurs, City of San Antonio, Bexar County, VIA
Metropolitan Transit, City Public Service, Texas Department of Health,
the Public Utility Commission, Alamo City Chamber of Commerce, Cameron
Academy, Alamo Community College District, and Black Business Expo
of San Antonio, to name a few.
Thompson has developed various programs, written curricula, and
conducted workshops that promote nontraditional learning for youth,
including those considered at-risk. In 1995 she started a program
called Contour Visions, which assisted area youth in identifying
local role models. A committed community servant, she developed
a seven-day residential summer camp, Camp Logo, to teach teen girls
the fundamentals of advertising and communications. Recognizing
that children are talented writers, she began a Young Authors Program
at Cameron Academy, where she helped 4th grade boys and girls write
and publish a collection of short stories.
Laura has one son, Ashton Thompson, who will graduate from MacArthur
High School on May 27, 2007.
Who’s Who president and CEO, C. Sunny Martin, shares, “I
am excited that Laura will join the growing number of Who’s
Who associate publishers. Her advertising and communications experience,
complemented by her community service to our youth, exemplifi es
the social and entrepreneurial nature of our company. It likewise
reinforces our mission and vision.”
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 San Antonio™
will retail in area bookstores and newsstands.
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