Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1543954
B M & T ••• March/April 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 4 thank Derrell Jackson for the skills he made available for BM&T. As many of you may know, our son Solomon II was an accomplished graphic design- er, and was in the process of building our Black America 250 initiative web- site. Derrell picked up where Solomon II left off, and has created an outstanding and engaging web- site that will go live shortly. In addition to the Black America 250 initiative, Black Meetings & Tourism will not only continue to pub- lish our trade magazine and electronic newsletters, but will once again partic- ipate in the International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show dur- ing July in Miami, as well as present the much anticipated Apex Awards at the Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit & Trade Show, directly follow- ing NABHOOD. We look forward to also exhibiting at IMEX America during October in Las Vegas, and holding our Meet Up for Black Planners during the IMEX conference. There are still sponsor- ship opportunities available for both events. While it is my intention to always keep this Publisher's Message as pos- itive as possible, I would be remiss if I didn't report that less than 4% of des- tinations support us with advertising. Only two lodging industry companies – MGM and Caesars Entertainment – support us with advertising, and no airlines or cruise lines support us with advertising. The revenue generated by advertising allows us to continue to acknowledge and write about the contributions of African-Americans in the meetings/=hospitality/tourism industry and provide them with the support they need and deserve. This industry can, and should do better. Black Meetings & Tourism is published bi-monthly by Black Meetings & Tourism LCC, 20840 Chase St., Winnetka, CA 91306-1207 • Telephone: (818) 694-7830 • Copyright 2026 by Black Meetings & Tourism LCC. All rights reserved. Single Copies, $6.00 Subscriptions $45.00. Postage Paid at Pasadena, CA. •Postmaster send address changes to Black Meetings & Tourism, 20840 Chase St., Winnetka, CA 91306-1207. S everal people have stepped forward to help fill the huge void created when our beloved son Solomon II made his unexpected transition in November of 2024. Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank Zyan Avraham, whose numerous articles graced the pages of Black Meetings & Tourism during much of 2025 before she went on to pursue her stellar singing career. We appreci- ate your efforts and how you rep- resented our publishing company for the brief period of time you were with us. Through it all, Darlene Donloe, who has free-lanced for us since the very beginning over 30 years ago, continued to contribute and pick up the slack when our son departed. A few of our very early writers – Sonya Stinson, Cheray O'Neal and Patrice Kelley – took on assignments and became part of our editorial team again. Thank you all for coming to our aid dur- ing our period of need and grief. Last but not least, we want to PUBLISHER'S M E S S A G E Solomon J. Herbert Publisher/Editor-in-Chief E-Mail: BMandTMag@aol.com