The husband and wife team of former Dallas Mayor Ron and Matrice Kirk, Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles and Dallas County Chief Public Defender Lynn Pride Richardson are highlighted on the cover of second edition of Who’s Who In Black Dallas unveiled recently at a networking reception and program at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel. North Dallas Gazette’s publisher, Thurman R. Jones, was also an honoree in this year’s edition.
Who’s Who In Black Dallas celebrates the achievements of African Americans in the metropolitan Dallas area. More than 200 people are featured in the publication.
The People of Influence theme issue offers a mix of business, political and community leaders selected as Living Legends and Interesting Personalities. Individuals selected for the Living Legends section included Pro-Line Corporation founder Comer Cottrell, former City Council member Diane Ragsdale, journalist Bob Ray Sanders, Country and Western singer Charley Pride and DFW Airport concessionaire Norma Ruby.
Cottrell died unexpectedly the morning after the unveiling. “We were deeply saddened by Comer’s passing,” said Ken Carter, associate publisher. “I had just talked to him days prior to the event. We are very proud to have honored such a well-deserved human being.”
A similar list of people representing a cross section of professions is featured in the Interesting Personalities pages of the book. Those highlighted include the Kirks and others featured on the cover. “All of these individuals have done some extraordinary things that deserve to be recognized,” said Carter.
The second edition features the Honorable US House of Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson. Congresswoman Johnson succeeded long time Dallas attorney H. Ron White in writing the foreword. It was announced at the reception that Matrice Ellis Kirk will follow Congresswoman Johnson in writing the foreword for the third edition in 2015.
“I was delighted to have been asked to write the foreword for the second edition of Who’s Who In Black Dallas. I have spent my time in Congress working to represent the 30th District in Dallas and I’m always pleased to participate in an endeavor that celebrates the achievements of citizens,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
“We are excited and now look forward to be doing the third edition of Who’s Who In Black Dallas and are equally excited to have Matrice Kirk penning the foreword for the upcoming third edition,” says Carter Womack, Chief Operating Officer of Who’s Who Publishing. “Succeeding Congresswoman Johnson whose impact on the African-American community specifically and the Dallas community in general goes hand in hand with the commitment and vision of Who’s Who Publishing.”
The second edition Associate Publisher will also continue in the same position in the third edition in 2015. Carter, President and CEO of Focus Communications, a 34 year old public relations, marketing and public affairs company will again assume responsibility for the public relations, sales and content of the third edition. Focus has been a long time cornerstone in the communications industry. “We wanted to recognize ‘People of Influence’ who have done some extraordinary things,” Carter said. “We will expand the concept for the third edition.”
The book is now available at a cost of $39.95 per person by going to website – www.whoswhopublishing.com or calling (614) 481-7300.
