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Jaci Wilson Reid and Morris L. Reid, a dynamic husband and wife team known for their successful fusion of the business, political and philanthropic worlds, will co-chair the prestigious African American Business Summit 2005, June 23-26, at the Westin Mission Hills Resort, in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs), California.

(PRWEB) May 24, 2005 -- Pat Means, Founder of the African American Business Summit, announces that Jaci and Morris L. Reid have been named Co-Chairs of the Wells Fargo sponsored African American Business Summit 2005 (AABS 2005). Hosted by Turning Point Magazine, The TPC Foundation, Inc. and the African American Chamber of Commerce Palm Springs, AABS 2005 is themed, BUSINESS REDEFINED -An Extraordinary Experience for Exceptional Business People.

This four-day business conference event will be held June 23rd - 26th at the Westin Mission Hills Resort in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs) California.

Business Redefined provides serious how to business building instruction in an environment that restores balance and creativity. The African American Business Summit 2005 is introducing its totally new direction as a destination conference by removing attendees from the daily grind and enveloping them in an atmosphere that ensures full participation in four days of workshops and sessions, while providing ample time for networking and ‘indulgencies’.

"Naming Jaci and Morris L. Reid as the African American Business Summit 2005 Co-Chairs highlights the importance of being able to promote, educate, collaborate and be innovative on a world-class scale within the minority business market, " says Pat Means, AABS Founder. "This is the first time we’ve named a husband and wife as co-chairs and the Reids are a strong team of entrepreneurs and philanthropists. This year’s attendees are in for a dynamic event!”

Co-Chair Morris L. Reid says, “Black and women-owned business owners are fast-growing contributors to the national economy; creating employment and new ventures. They also carry a disproportionate burden of costs to stay in business as compared to their larger counterparts. AABS 2005 will offer attendees a unique opportunity to network, learn about best practice strategies and how to achieve market-based results. AABS will provide tools to help business owners distinguish themselves, their products and services.”

Co-Chair Jaci Wilson Reid adds, “Morris and I are thrilled to co-chair this year’s conference together to exemplify how effective a husband-wife team can be. We are firm believers that in addition to hard work in the office, philanthropic efforts are a wonderful way to give back to your community as well as create networking opportunities. AABS 2005 will offer insight into ways to make the husband-wife business team work in the office, at home and for the community.”

In addition to co-chairing the African American Business Summit 2005, Morris L. Reid and Jaci Wilson Reid will each present essential business workshops for attendees. More than 800 professionals from all over the United States are expected to attend the Summit. For registration and additional information regarding the African American Business Summit 2005, please visit www.aabs2005.com.

About Jaci and Morris L. Reid
Morris L. Reid is the founding partner and managing director of Westin Rinehart, a Washington, D.C./New York-based public affairs, strategic communications and marketing firm. Prior to forming Westin Rinehart, Mr. Reid was a Principal at Dewey Square Group where he developed and managed the firm’s client marketing strategies, advocacy and business development practice. Before joining Dewey Square, Mr. Reid served in the Clinton Administration with the late Commerce Secretary Ronald H. Brown and HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo.

Jaci Wilson Reid began her political career in the Texas state Senate and later served as a senior staffer to U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, as well as two Democratic Presidential campaigns.

The Reids are active philanthropists and serve on various education and non-profit boards including: New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, Junior Achievement New York, The Washington Ballet, VH-1 Save The Music Foundation, Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Whitney Museum of American Art (Chairman's Council).

About the African American Business Summit 2005
The African American Business Summit 2005 – BUSINESS REDEFINED: An Extraordinary Experience for Exceptional Business People - educates, motivates and empowers entrepreneurs through powerful general sessions, targeted workshops and ample opportunities for direct interaction with corporate partners.

The African American Business Summit 2005 will be held from Thursday, June 23 to Sunday June 26, 2005 at the Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa, 71-333 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs), CA 92270. The African American Business Summit 2005 Co-Chairs are Jaci and Morris L. Reid, a dynamic husband and wife team known for their successful fusion of the business, political and philanthropic worlds.

Attendees will have access to expert-led sessions, spectacular keynotes, solution workshops; a Business Exchange and Expo that will showcase and provide demonstrations from over 25 corporate partners and outstanding “indulgencies” - such as the TPC Foundation Golf Game, The Turning Point Magazine/Wells Fargo Living History Makers $5,000 Entrepreneur Award, TPC Foundation’s Smart Start Youth Financial Literacy Program, the “Wave of Praise Gospel Brunch” featuring pop and gospel singing sensation, Howard Hewett …and so much more!

About Presenting Partner Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $397 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance from more than 5,900 stores, and the Internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only “Aaa”- rated bank in the United States.

Visit Wells Fargo at www.wellsfargo.com
AABS 2005 Partners and Sponsors: (Partial Listings)
The African American Business Summit 2005, BUSINESS REDEFINED: An Extraordinary Experience for Exceptional Business People, Presenting Partner is Wells Fargo and is hosted by Turning Point Magazine, The African American Chamber of Commerce Palm Springs, and the TPC Foundation, Inc.

Partners include: ampm Convenience Stores, Fox Entertainment Group, Union Bank, Focal Point Media, Warm Spirit, Toyota, Curtis Moring Insurance, Boeing, Pepie Designs, The California Endowment, the Toyota Foundation, San Diego County Water Authority, SMS Transportation, Accubuilt, Canyon National Bank, New York Life Insurance Company, Xpedx, Washington Mutual, Coachella Valley Water, Enterprise Rent a Car, Diversified Travel Group…

National Magazine of the African American Business Summit 2005
Rolling Out Magazine
Official Newspaper of the African American Business Summit 2005
The Los Angeles Sentinel
Palm Springs/Coachella Valley Newspaper of the African American Business Summit 2005
Press Enterprise

AABS 2005 Media Partners: KPSE – UPN 13 Palm Springs, African American Golfer’s Digest, Save the Date Media Group, LLC, Black News.com, BlackApolis Media Group, Urban Insider/UrbanInsider.com, Urban Leadership Magazine, News 23 –the – Edge Cable/Satellite Networks, BMORENEWS, Diversity City Media, Focal Point Media, InterServe Networks – Jim Neusom, Ebony Cactus Magazine, iZania, The Network Journal, Urban Leadership Magazine, The Columbus Times Newspaper serving Georgia and Alabama, NCM –Promoting Ethnic Media Nationwide, Black Star News, Comcast Cable/CNN Local Edition, Soul of America, Women’s Calendar/Women’s Radio Networks, Talk Black Radio, Jericho Broadcasting, Emerging Minds/Emergingminds.org, The Houston Sun, Inland Empire Community Events, infoatbayarea.com/muybueno.com, Inglewood Today Magazine, The (Sacramento) Observer Media Group, SoulValues.com, Black Wiz Biz, The Valder BeeBe Show, The LA Watts Times, Black Voice News, Sisters In Business, Black Meetings & Tourism, Ask Deanna!, The Griot, Black Star News, The Houston Sun, Personal Wealth Journal, The Wright Place TV Show, Virtually Black.com, Onyx Woman Magazine, USC – Small Business Development Office.

Media Credentials Contact:
Adrienne S. Lamm
African American Business Summit 2005
Telephone:(323) 299-6000 ext. 107
Fax: (323) 299-6006
www.aabs2005.com

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