Dionne Williams, an event planner and brand strategist, is a class act. She knows the Who’s Who of society and throws events for many of them. “At D. Williams P.R., we provide customized management solutions for many companies and celebrities throughout the nation,” Williams tells rolling out. “Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan, Chris Gardner, just to name a few.”
Williams has been making and creating the party rounds since the ’90s, and her client base has expanded to include the upper echelon of Chicago, the Emerge fashion show for New York Fashion Week and the annual Polo weekend in the Hamptons with Mercedes Benz. The secret to Williams’ success is two-fold: She networks constantly, operating on the motto, “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice,” and she mentors others.
To date, D. Williams interns have been placed with various A-list advertising firms and a few have been hired by Harpo. One of her greatest success stories is Lutonya M. Lang, one of the top inspirational buzz agents in the field.
Barely 30, Lang owns several inspirational media properties, and she has just launched a print title, Buzzzin’ Off magazine. Collectively, her products reach millions of consumers.
“We have Buzzzin Off Radio, IndustryBuzzz.com, the media network, we also have JCMG Marketing Promotions Inc.,” Lang states. “The clothing line is inspiring young kids and adults to dress with class, and that’s all about integrity. Our clothing line is focused on the outside appearance and then the media company is focusing on the heart.”
Her parents are pastors, and, initially, Lang had issues with being obedient to them. “I didn’t know how to make that separation between their roles as pastors and [their roles as] my parents. So, one day, I was in a state of disobedience and the Lord [told me] when I tell them,’No,’ I’m telling Him, ‘No.’ ”
Lang continues, “At that point, I became actively obedient to Him and he gave me witty inventions and ideas. So I was in the basement of my mentor’s home, Dionne Williams, and she said, ‘LuTonya, why don’t you start a magazine or a newsletter or something?’ It had already been laid in my heart to do that, and then when she came to me and confirmed it, that day Industry Buzzz was formed.”
LuTonya M. Lang, much like her mentor, Dionne Williams, uses her talents to inspire others. “We give people the tools to inform others about the inspirational things that are happening in their community and we encourage them to promote change. They have the tools to change the face of media, and we’re connecting to people who believe in making that change.”
