Entrepreneur, Philanthropist Sheila C. Johnson to Speak at Trinity Commencement

Trinity will present an honorary degree to Sheila C. Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hospitality and a partner in Lincoln Holdings, at the 103rd Commencement on Sunday, May 21. More than 400 degrees will be conferred at Trinity's Commencement, and more than 4,000 family members and friends are expected to attend.

Johnson, who will deliver the Commencement address to the Class of 2006, is a businesswoman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. In the business arena, her company, Salamander Hospitality, opened Market Salamander, a working chefs' market in Middleburg, Virginia . Future additions include Market Salamander in Palm Beach, Florida , and the luxurious Salamander Resort and Spa, currently under development just outside of Middleburg.

Johnson is a partner in Lincoln Holdings, which owns the Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics and has a minority interest in Washington Sports and Entertainment, which controls the Washington Wizards, Washington/Baltimore TicketMaster, and the management of the Verizon Center . Johnson is president, managing partner and governor for the Washington Mystics WNBA team.

While Johnson is committed to developing successful businesses, her philanthropy is of ultimate importance to her. An accomplished violinist, her primary concerns are to make opportunities available for children and young adults to express their creativity through the arts and to ensure that the world is a safe place for children.

Johnson sits on the boards of Parsons The New School for Design, Christopher Reeve Foundation, National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, United States Equestrian Federation, Episcopal High School, Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, and the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. She is also president of the Washington International Horse Show. She has been a significant donor to each of these organizations, and has also supported the United Negro College Fund; Bennett College, to strengthen their program in the arts; and SUNY Morrisville, to promote diversity of students and staff. Johnson's support of the arts in education for children has included gifts to: Strings for Schools in Philadelphia; Urban Gateways in Chicago; and, closer to home, The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, to offer early childhood education programs. She also established the Sheila C. Johnson Performing Arts Center at the Hill School in Middleburg, VA.

Johnson has always been committed to enhancing the life of children. As a co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, her crowning achievement was the development of an award-winning weekly program Teen Summit, giving teenagers a chance to talk frankly about their critical issues. As an advocate for the protection of children, Johnson has spoken around the world on behalf of the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and has helped introduce tougher sanctions and legislation to protect children globally.

For more information, contact Ann Pauley, Trinity media relations, 202/884-9725, pauleya@trinitydc.edu