Growing up in Appalachian foothills of NE Miss. business man/public servant Harold Lathon developed 2 passions; one for helping others & another for sharing the rich cultural heritage of his homeland. Today, he is a prominent entrepreneur, respected philanthropist, & economic/housing/ community guru. His firm; H.D. Lathon & Associates is known for its reputation as a peoples champion & a force for economic, social & political (ESP) change. Nationally respected public servant, Lathon & his firm have succeeded in raising the level of consciousness & received many esteemed awards including the prestigious President of the United States Business Advisory Council's coveted "Business Man of the Year Award in 2003" featured in the Wall Street Journal, recognized as a Whitehouse "Champion of Change," May 2013. One of Lathon's prize experiences was attending the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University receiving his Urban Design certification from New Urbanism instructor, Andres Duany. Lathon was part of the ownership team that received the first African American Hilton (Garden Inn) Hotel franchise & the first African Americans in the world to receive a Wingate Hotel franchise designation. Lathon coined a new luxury market hospitality name, "Contels." A hotel experience in a luxury condo environment to be featured in the Roberts Lathon Hospitality/Lodging Brands. While attending a photo shoot in Beverly Hills, CA, at the Beverly Hilton, Lathon met one of his role models, Bob Johnson the Billionaire/ founder of Black Entertainment TV (BET) another native Mississippian. Lathon returned inspired & established Black Entertainment Radio (BER) to support Historically Black Colleges/University's HBCUs like Rust College alum home to his Granny Myrtle McLinn and his mother, Paulette Richmond Lathon both life educators. His experiences have led to national and international media exposures such as the cover of SAVOY Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine featuring the top 100 Black Businesses in the USA, The Mississippi Business Journal, the Commercial Appeal, JET Magazine, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and recognition at National Assn. of Black Hotel Owners Operators & Developers (NABHOOD). A President Emeritus 100 Black Men. His commitment; to work toward building a better tomorrow, today lifestyles for all human beings. "I'm living in the world God created surrounded by family & friends."