LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Southern Base of the Research Triangle Region

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 4, 2003


"BROWNING OF AMERICA": ETHNIC TRENDS
TO BE EXPLAINED AT MEETING IN SANFORD

SANFORD -- National ethnic trends will be explained, when business 
professor James H. Johnson Jr. addresses the Committee of 100 during its 
spring meeting, Apr. 11 in Sanford.

Titled "The Browning of America," the presentation will consider how the 
nation is changing due to the rising number of ethnic minorities calling 
America home.

Johnson is the William Rand Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of 
Management, Sociology and Public Policy at the University of North 
Carolina at Chapel Hill and serves as director of the Urban Investment 
Strategies Center in the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute.

He received his Ph.D. in geography from Michigan State University and is 
a 1975 graduate of North Carolina Central University in Durham.

Johnson has published more than 100 scholarly research articles on a 
variety of topics. Most of his research focuses on the causes and 
consequences of growing inequality in American society.

Earlier this year, Johnson was a featured speaker during the orientation 
session for new members of the North Carolina General Assembly. State 
Rep. John Sauls, R-Sanford, attended that gathering and believes the 
professor's message is critical for business leaders in Lee County.

"The presentation will help us understand exactly what is happening," 
said Sauls. "We think we know how America is changing, but he shows us 
scientifically.

"Every freshman [legislator] I talked to that day said this guy was the 
most impressive speaker we had."

The quarterly meeting begins at 8 a.m. at Chef Paul's Cafˇ and Catering. 
In addition to Johnson's analysis of ethnic trends, members will conduct 
business and receive brief reports on recent committee activities.

All Committee of 100 meetings are open to the public; the cost, 
including breakfast, is $10 per person for members and $15 for 
nonmembers. For reservations or information, contact Jane Haber at the 
Lee County Economic Development Corp., 919-774-8439 or info@lcedc.com.

The Committee of 100 is an organization of business men and women 
committing time, energy and resources to enhance the economic well-being 
of Lee County and its citizens. Corporate and individual members assist 
the Lee County Economic Development Corp. by establishing venture 
capital projects to expand local industry, helping to promote economic 
growth and enhancing working relationships among government, business 
and the community.

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Media Contacts:
Bob Heuts, Director
Jane Haber, Administrative Assistant
919-774-8439 (phone)
919-775-5410 (fax)
info@lcedc.com (e-mail)

Media Web: http://www.lcedc.com/media/
This release: http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/nr040403.txt