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. Sought after for his many talents, he has held numerous board positions including:

 

• Bay Ridge Christian College- Chairman

• Bennett College for Women-Vice Chairman

• University of South Florida-College of Arts & Science Development Board

• Wiley College-Advisory Board

• St. Augustine College-Advisory Board

• Friends of Parks-Tampa,

• Leadership Tampa

• Central Life Broadcasting Company of Florida

• Central Life Insurance Company of Florida, President

• Eastex Wholesales Beer Inc. President & CEO

• Texas Beer Wholesalers Association

• Texas Tobacco Wholesalers Associations

• National Grocery Wholesalers Associations

• Houston Area Urban League

• Houston Citizen Chamber of Commerce

• Lockwood Bank Development Board

• United Black Fund of Texas-Houston

• Houston Association of Black Journalists

• Friends of the Robert James Terry Library Foundation (Texas Southern University), Executive Director

• National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters,

• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People-Youth & College Division, President

• Texas Press Association

• Texas Publishers Association

• National Newspapers Publishers Association

• Gary Historical and Cultural Society-Chairman

• Gary Symphony-Chairman

• Operation PUSH/EXCEL