The African Americans, the photographic portrait of Black achievement you conceived, has chapters on those who serve their communities, those who educate, those who strengthen spirits, those who excel in business, and those who are “everyday heroes.” If produced now, which chapter would you appear in? Possibly all. As Founder, Chairman, and President of the real estate development and urban planning firm WDG Ventures, you have owned, managed, and added value to billions of dollars worth of projects in your hometown of San Francisco. Under your leadership WDG has become known for consulting with all parties affected by a project; for providing opportunities for local, women, and minoriry owned businesses; and for forging public”private partnerships to design projects that finish on time, return a profit, and energize their surroundings. You served as Depury Secretary of Business, Transportation, and Housing for California and as a member of the state’s Earthquake Safery and Housing Rehabilitation Agency. You recently added responsibilities as executive director of the Family Service Agency of San Francisco, which helps individuals and families develop self-sufficiency and stability. In apparent defiance of normal patterns of sleep, you also have served as Founding Director of the state-wide youth advocacy group Children Now and on the boards of the San Francisco Museum of Art, The San Francisco Development Fund, The Howard Thurman Educational Trust, and Presidio School, and have headed a coalition of public and private organizations dedicated to community reconstruction and economic development. Your commitment to communiry has shown itself nationally in your work as Senior Vice Chair of the National Urban League, which you are widely credited with revitalizing through your years-long effort to reorganize its more than one hundred affiliates. That book of yours had another chapter, highlighting those who gave hope for the future. You most certainly would appear in that one, too. In recognition of your distinguished achievement in civic activism, Williams College is proud to honor you with its Bicentennial Medal.