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Spotlight
Lorenza
BUTLER
Lorenza P. Butler, Jr. was born and reared in Houston, Texas. His knack for negotiating and charismatic, engaging approach to networking with people from all backgrounds propelled him into a career in the media industry. Dedicated to promoting diversity appreciation, Lorenza is Texas’ only Black Daily Newspaper Publisher. He has secured millions of advertising dollars as the Channel 55.5. Publisher Emeritus of the oldest, continuously published black newspaper West of the Mississippi. Freedmen’s Publishing Company, which is located in Houston and was founded in 1893. By age 20, Lorenza, Jr. managed the Miller Brewing Company’s college marketing department when Philip Morris Inc. owned it. After reading about ABC-TV paying for its employee airfare to obtain a Master of Arts, he put his persuasive talent to work by convincing his employer to pay for his weekly trips from Washington D.C. to Boston to pursue his advance degree. Lorenza, Jr.’s passion for the media industry propelled him into obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast management from Clark Atlanta University and a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Wiley College. He went on to earn his Master of Arts in communication law from Emerson College. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
As the owner of media assets, Lorenza, Jr. has been a trailblazer in the industry. Although Lorenza lightheartedly refers to himself as “handicap,” most see him as an incredible savvy go-getter who makes things happen.
