It could be a remnant of destiny that Hiram E. Jackson, CEO of Real Times Media, epitomizes what the honorees of the “Who’s Who of Black Atlanta” publication represent — high-achieving African Americans who aren’t recognized enough.
“We’re the largest Black media company that you’ve never heard about,” Jackson said to attendees of the Who’s Who in Black Atlanta 13th annual unveiling reception held at the Twelve Atlantic Station hotel. Real Times Media, which Jackson runs, acquired the conglomerate of Who’s Who African-America inspired publications in 2009 and is headquartered in Detroit.
Jackson stated that many successful African Americans in business and in corporate America “never end up in print” with attribution of doing good work. “Most of you get up every day, work hard and play by the rules and treat your families right, and you get enough money to go home and support your family and nobody ever knows about it. So it’s our job to tell the world about you,” said Jackson.
First published in Atlanta in 1989, Who’s Who in Black Atlanta’s corporate office is now located in Columbus, Ohio. This year’s publication paid special tribute to Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis for being a “moral leader” in the community and for his continuous work on behalf of African Americans.
Lewis, who represents the 5th District in Atlanta, was unable to attend the event due to his responsibilities in Congress, but sent greetings via video.
Lewis applauded the city of Atlanta as a “wonderful place” to live and reiterated the value of the Who’s Who publication. “Generations yet unborn will pick up this volume and they will read about the history and the struggle and the contribution that people of color have made to this city, to this region during this period in our history,” said Lewis.
This year, more than 350 African Americans are featured in the “Who’s Who in Black Atlanta” publication. From
entrepreneurs and corporate executives to entertainment and community leaders, the publication includes a variety of occupations and personalities. Gracing the coveted cover are Congressman John Lewis, Fox 5 News anchor Lisa Rayam, Wade Ford owner Steve Ewing and Atlanta Business League President and CEO Leona Barr-Davenport.
“Who’s Who in Black Atlanta” Associate Publisher Wayne Brown said he hopes that the book can be used to motivate youth and future leaders.
“I think the biggest thing we can do right now is give our future, our youth, hope. And what I mean by that is that they need to see these stories and they need to read these stories so they can know who they can become. You can’t be who you can’t see. So many times the images and the role models they see are just not present. I’ve been in corporate America for over 30 years and I pick this book up that we’ve done all across the country and I’m still amazed at some of the things that Black folks are doing,” said Brown.
Jackson echoed Brown’s comments and brought straight talk to describe the honorees and what they exemplify. “You’re not the people that they’re talking about on the six o’clock news every night. We ain’t all gang-banging. We ain’t all selling crack. We ain’t shooting people,” said Jackson. “We search the country and every year, we find the most talented people in the world who happen to be African Americans and we tell the world about you.”
Wade Ford’s Ewing, also one of the event sponsors, spoke about his initiative to hire African-American talent, and how he has been an advocate for African Americans at Ford. Ford recently ran an advertising campaign featuring actor Boris Kodjoe, which Ewing acknowledged.
Atlanta City Council President Caesar Mitchell brought greetings and thanks from Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “I’m here to say how thankful I am that Who’s Who is willing and has chosen to make Atlanta one of the cities where it highlights the achievements of the African-American community, where it shows how deeply we are entrenched in the notion of success and the notion of networking, the notion of making a difference in the community and the notion of making ourselves better individually and one community at a time,” said Mitchell.
Walt Dukes, vice president of land development for Georgia Power, another sponsor, reminded the honorees that while they may sometimes feel isolated at the top, the Who’s Who publication should serve as a motivator to work harder.
“I think this recognition tonight certainly will serve as encouragement to those who are continuing to blaze the trail. There are times when we serve as leaders, sometimes we are out there alone and sometimes when we’re doing our products or whatever position of leadership you are in, sometimes you are by yourself. But when somebody comes along and recognizes it, it’s good because it gives us encouragement to continue to go on and be that beacon and share more light and be an example for those to follow us,” said Dukes.
Dukes underscored one of the most poignant messages of the night in stating that “to whom much is given, much is required.”