September 16, 2008
Scheduled for an end-of-the-year unveiling, the third edition of Who’s Who in Black Detroit promises to offer more entertaining and enlightening profiles of African American leaders in the Motor City. First published in 2006 by Who’s Who Publishing Co. based in Atlanta, the encyclopedia of movers and shakers in government, business, religion and philanthropy aims to highlight African American achievement as well as to provide readers with a networking tool.
“There will be a big reception held later in the year for the book’s unveiling,” explained Monica A. Morgan, associate publisher and official photographer for the project. “People will come together and network at the event, and then the book is continually used by people who are new to the city. It’s a way for people to get to know Detroiters better.”
“For those of us who are already here, we often know people but we don’t know everything about them, so we can look them up in this book,” added Morgan. “Just knowing a person’s name isn’t always effective. The great thing about this book is you see the face along with the name.”
Another important goal of the book, says Morgan, is to inspire children.
“Children oftentimes see celebrities and sports figures and they think, ‘wow, that’s what I want to grow up to be,’” explained Morgan. “This book enables kids, especially African American youth, to look inside and say to themselves, ‘I can choose many other careers and they can be just as exciting and rewarding.’”
New to the 2008 book is an opening section with profiles of “female powerhouses,” African American women who are making an impact in the city in many different ways.
“The opening section will feature exciting women from all walks of life,” said Morgan. “There will be profiles of those from the corporate world that you would expect and then some women you wouldn’t expect, like Delores Bennett.”
Bennett is founder of the Adopt-A-Child Christmas Party program that provides gifts to thousands of needy children.
“There will be unsung heroes, like Bennett, who will be sung,” said Morgan.
The glossy opening photo features — shot by Morgan, an experienced international photojournalist who makes Detroit her home — and full-page profiles will be followed by shorter profiles of more than 400 other African American leaders invited to participate.
Shirley Stancato, president and CEO of New Detroit, Inc., southeastern Michigan’s leadership coalition devoted to community building and improved race relations, will write the foreword to this year’s edition.
Besides outlining black leaders’ accomplishments, Morgan is aiming to bring a human element to the profiles as well.
In relating one of her most memorable moments during her three-year involvement with the Who’s Who in Black Detroit books, Morgan pointed to the time she spent with Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
“We went to a New Orleans police officer’s home — the first time the officer had been back after the storm — and there were very few things left; just some photos on the wall. Sheriff Evans immediately started to carefully take the photos off the wall so the officer would have something left.
“That experience shows compassion you don’t see every day. Sheriff Evans is a tough, tough man…yet he has such compassion. That was amazing.”
“That has been a great thing for me with this project,” explained Morgan. “I get to really know people and it’s been so rewarding.”
As associate publisher, Morgan is also responsible for rounding up advertisers and sponsors whose support makes the book possible. She will be busy wrapping up that effort in the coming weeks. Profiles are free of charge. Contact Morgan at 313.259.7005, via email or visit her website if you’d like to become involved in the project.
Bookworm Jean B. Eggemeyer recently formed communications and marketing firm Carillon Communications LLC, serving the business and association communities. | E-mail
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