On May 9, the Greater Dallas Chamber will host a luncheon, “Worksite Wellness: A Strategy for Lower Health-Care Costs & More Productive Employees.”

GREATER DALLAS CHAMBER
PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Jo Trizila
Director, Media Relations
Direct Line: 214-746-6690
Non-Published Cell: 214-232-0078
jtrizila@dallaschamber.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BILLIONAIRE, ENTREPRENEUR, PHILANTHROPIST AND EDUCATOR
SHEILA C. JOHNSON TO SPEAK

DALLAS (March 24, 2006)… The Greater Dallas Chamber's Distinguished Women Leaders Lecture Series, presented by The Dallas Morning News, will host Sheila C. Johnson on Thursday, April 27, 2006 from 12 Noon – 1:30 PM at the Westin Galleria (13340 Dallas Parkway). Tickets for the luncheon are $45 (Chamber members) and $65 (general public) and may be reserved on line at www.dallaschamber.org or by calling 214-746-6787 for additional information.

Although Johnson’s name may not ring a bell to Dallasites, the work she has done will. This entrepreneur, volunteer and philanthropist has made her mark in history. Johnson, the very first black woman billionaire and co founder of Black Entertainment Network (BET), majority owner of the WNBA franchise, The Washington Mystics, CEO of Salamander Hospitality, LLC, a partner in Lincoln Holdings, LLC, philanthropist and mother of two has enjoyed success in many arenas.

Market Salamander, in Middleburg, Virginia, one of the first components in the portfolio of Salamander Hospitality, is a working chefs’ market. Future additions include Market Salamander in Palm Beach, Florida, opening Spring 2006, and the luxurious Salamander Resort & Spa, currently under development just outside of Middleburg.
Lincoln Holdings owns the Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics and has a minority interest in Washington Sports and Entertainment Limited Partnership, which controls the Washington Wizards, Washington/Baltimore TicketMaster, in-house promoter Musicentre Productions, and the management of the MCI Center and the George Mason University Patriot Center. Johnson is president, managing partner and governor for the Washington Mystics WNBA team.

While Johnson is committed to developing successful businesses, her philanthropy is of ultimate importance to her. An accomplished violinist herself, her primary concerns are to make opportunities available for children and young adults to express their creativity through the arts and to ensure that the world is a safe place for children.

Johnson sits on the Boards of Parsons The New School for Design, The Christopher Reeve Foundation, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, The Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, and the United States Equestrian Federation. She is also president of the Washington International Horse Show. Johnson has also given to the United Negro College Fund; Bennett College, and SUNY Morrisville. She also established the Sheila C. Johnson Performing Arts Center at the Hill School in Middleburg, VA.

As an advocate for the protection of children, Johnson has spoken around the world on behalf of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children. Believing that children are our future, Johnson’s contribution has helped introduce tougher sanctions and legislation to protect children globally.
Johnson has always been committed to enhancing the life of children. As a co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, her crowning achievement was the development of an award-winning weekly program Teen Summit, giving teenagers a chance to talk frankly about their critical issues. Young adults still approach her to tell her how valuable the show was for their lives.
Johnson’s entrepreneurial spirit runs through every aspect of her life and she is both a catalyst and a tireless supporter of the causes to which she gives herself. Of all her many accomplishments, she is most proud to be the mother of her two children.
The Chamber's Distinguished Women Leaders Lecture Series educates the public about women leaders, identifies opportunities and challenges for women leaders, and highlights the achievements of women leaders while focusing on the challenges they have met and conquered. Special thanks to The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Community Television, Hall Financial Group, Southwest Airlines and Women's Enterprise for sponsoring this event.

The Greater Dallas Chamber builds regional prosperity through economic growth, public policy and member service.
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(Note to Editors: To RSVP for this or for photo/interview opportunities please contact Jo Trizila at 214-746-6690)