1999 Honorees

The Strong Men & Strong Women art was prepared by artist Carl Owens with the production assistance of Tau M. Owens. The written material was prepared by Linnie S. Carter. Information on these creative contributors is listed below.

LINNIE S. CARTER

Linnie S. Carter is a public relations specialist at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Libraries in Richmond. This Norfolk, Virginia native is also the assistant to the president of the American Library Association. Ms. Carter's first loves are her husband Kevin, books, and computers. Her community service with the Richmond Association of Black Journalists and her pursuit of a master's degree in mass communications at VCU keep her busy. This is Ms. Carter's first experience with the "Strong Men & Women: Excellence in Leadership" series.

CARL OWENS

A self-employed artist since 1967. Mr Owens' career includes commissions and personal work in a variety of styles and media. His 'first love' is portraiture and a sampling of his commissions includes Judge Wade McCree, Henry Ford II, Rosa Parks, Reggie Jackson, and Diana Ross. His most widely viewed painting was of King Affonso I, the first painting in the Great Kings of Africa series. He currently publishes prints of his works which are sold both nationally and internationally.

TAU M. OWENS

Tau M. Owens is a native Detroiter whose first loves are music and art. Mr. Owens owns Mix Down Posse recording studio in Detroit, where he works as producer, recording engineer and song writer. Tau M. Owens first business collaboration with Carl Owens was in 1977 when he handled several areas of production for Carl Owens first portfolio entitled "Kinfolks." As General Manager of "Images of the African Diaspora" Fine Art Publishers and Distributors, he handles daily operations and serves as production coordinator for various projects such as the "Strong Men & Women: Excellence in Leadership" series.
Comments concerning our ninth annual series of educational resources, focusing on the achievements of black Americans, may be addressed to Minority Affairs, Virginia Power, 20th Floor, P.O. Box 26666, Richmond, VA 23261.

Copies of this resource have been distributed to public schools, libraries, colleges and community organizations in our service area. All requests for additional copies of this resource are being responded to on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may call and leave a message on our Minority Affairs telephone line - (800) 730-7217.

Virginia Power wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Carl Owens, Mr. Tau M. Owens, and Ms. Linnie S. Carter who were commissioned by the company to produce this project.

Christian, Spencer
The following children’s books:

• Is There A Dinosaur in Your Backyard?, John Wiley and Sons Publishers, 1998
• What Makes the Grand Canyon Grand?, John Wiley and Sons Publishers, 1998
• Can It Really Rain Frogs?, John Wiley and Sons Publishers, 1997
• Shake Rattle and Roll, John Wiley and Sons Publishers, 1997

Dawson, Martha E.

• "Hampton University and its Visionary Leaders," Founder’s Day Address, Hampton University, January 1995
• Hampton University A National Treasure: A Documentary History from 1978-1992, Beckham House Publishers, Inc. Silver Springs, MD 1994
• Home Educators Handbook - Co-authors, Mandela, Gifted Project, College of William and Mary, 1992

Dove, Rita
Poetry Collections:

• Mother Love, W. W. Norton, 1995
• Selected Poems, Pantheon, 1993
• Grace Notes, W. W. Norton, 1989
• Thomas and Beulah, Carnegie-Mellon University Press, 1986
• Museum, Carnegie-Mellon, 1983 (reissued 1992)
• The Yellow House in the Corner, Carnegie-Mellion, 1980 (reissued 1989)
• Selected Poems, Random House Audio Book, 1993. 90 minutes

Fiction:

• Through the Ivory Gate (novel), Pantheon Books, 1992
• Fifth Sunday (stories), Callaloo Fiction Series, University of Kentucky, 1985; 2nd edition, University Press of Virginia 1990