Who Are We ?
Black America 250 is a non partisan strategic collaboration of dedicated organizations, institutions and individuals who are committed to the framework of Black America 250 and its agenda to curate, organize and strategize celebrations of African American contributions to the 250th anniversary of America and the signing of
The Declaration of Independence of the United States.
CONTACT: gloria@theblackamerica250.org
Regarding: media inquiries, partnerships, participation opportunities
Black Meetings & Tourism
Black Meetings & Tourism LLC (BM&T),
is the exclusive international trade publication for, and about the $145+ billion African-American segment of the $2.7 trillion dollar U.S. travel industry.
Led by the iconic husband and wife team, Solomon & Gloria Herbert who for more than 30 years have published Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine. BM&T is headquartered in Southern California.
The National Policy Alliance
The National Policy Alliance (NPA), a bipartisan organization dedicated to advancing equitable, inclusive, and impactful public policies that promote opportunity and sustainable development across the nation.
The World Conference of Mayors
The World Conference of Mayors, inc. (WCM), founded and organized in April 1984, is a non-profit, non-political worldwide conference, comprised of mayors, former mayors, and other elected and appointed local public officials.
Sister Moutique Ayodele – El
Black America 250 Project Director and Resource Coordinator
Teacher, author, performance artist, human and civil rights activist, innovative business strategist.
Laura Mandala
Black America 250 Executive Associate
Founder and Director of Mandala Research, a prominent travel and research firm based in Alexandria, Virginia. Mandala Research is recognized for producing pioneering studies on the impact of African-American travelers.
Teresa Stamoulis
Black America 250 Executive Associate
Principal of The Stamoulis Group, a California based company of Tourism and Destination Marketing Specialists that assist destinations throughout the US to develop, and enhance their outreach strategies for marketing and promotions to diverse audiences.
Brenda Scott-Savage
Black America 250 Advisory Board Co-chair
Former President and CEO of the Mobile Convention and Visitors Bureau in Mobile, Alabama. She was the first African-American woman to serve as head of a CVB in the United States.
Madame MC Townsend
Black America 250 Advisory Board Co-chair
Founder, President/CEO of the Regional Cal Black ChamberSFV, providing support for small, minority and women owned businesses.
Sheila Alexander-Reid
Black America 250 Executive Associate
A highly respected and widely recognized spokesperson for diversity, equity, in the Travel and Meetings industry, Sheila Alexander-Reid is the Executive Director of PHL Diversity at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitor Bureau.
Graylyn Swilley-Woods, Ph.d
Black America 250 Executive Associate
Dr. Swilley-Woods serves as the Executive Director of the Visitors Industry Council (VIC) for Multicultural Tourism & Development at the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor Bureau.
John Wyche
Black America 250 Executive Associate
Advocate/Ambassadors
Calvin Stovall
Chief Experience Officer of ICONIC Presentations, LLC
With nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality and non-profit service industries, Calvin Stovall specializes in delivering dynamic customer experience and leadership keynote presentations and workshops for
organizations nationwide.
Calvin is also the author of the NAACP Image Award-nominated book, Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort
Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era.
Janice Edwards
President and CEO of Edwards Unlimited media company
Janice Edwards is an award-winning talk show host and Emmy nominated producer, media coach, published author and an acclaimed contributor to community empowerment through her media work.
Calvin Ramsey
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An Atlanta-based playwright, photographer and folk art painter, Calvin is an award-winning author of children’s books, including;
The Library in the Woods, which won the 2026 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and the 2026 Coretta Scott King Author Honor.
Rev. Seth Watson Pickens
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Rev. Seth Watson Pickens, EdD, MDiv is a spiritual leader and systems thinker exploring the intersection of spirituality,
human development, and the great challenges of our time. He serves as Senior Minister of Guidance Church of Religious Science in Los Angeles and as Managing Director of the University of Southern California Homelessness Policy Research Institute.