CEO Urges Renewed Activism with
Book On African-American Economic Issues
Former NFL Star-turned-Businessman Seeks Updated Civil Rights Agenda Using
Economic Goals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
HOUSTON — Willie J. Alexander is still motivated by the spiritual values and
work ethic
instilled in him by his parents, teachers, coaches and others throughout his
early years in the segregated South.
A former Houston Oilers defensive back, Willie is President and Founder of W.J.
Alexander & Associates, P.C., a full-service employee benefits consulting and
insurance brokerage firm in Houston, Texas. And now, Willie is joining the ranks
of inspired new authors with his challenging and thought-provoking new book
titled, Entering the Promised Land. In his first book, Willie reveals how his
spiritual upbringing, professional sports career and business experiences all
led him to ask new questions and draw new conclusions about several biblical and
historical events. Drawn from his own experiences as an African-American
businessman facing the limits of working with US corporations and businesses,
Entering the Promised Land focuses on institutionalized economic hindrances that
keep so many African-Americans in a seemingly endless underdog role.
Throughout the book, Willie urges readers to question what is often accepted as
fact — particularly economic news concerning African-Americans. For example,
Willie cites the 2006 U.S. Census Bureau Report released in 2007 which reveals
that out of the total 21,226 black businesses in Houston, only 1,374 actually
had paid employees (Entering the Promised Land, page 16). Willie also notes the
same 2006 U.S. Census Bureau Report’s documents how average black business sales
in Houston fell during a 10-year period from a dismal $84,000 to an even more
dismal $74,000.
Willie also offers a detailed new approach to biblical history and reveals
parallels between two epic struggles for survival and self-improvement — the
children of Israel’s escape from bondage in ancient Egypt during the days of
Moses; and, the African-American Civil Rights Movement spearheaded by Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Willie also gives the reader a personal, poignant and emotional
look at his spiritual upbringing in segregated Alabama during the 1950s and
1960s, and how his parents taught him the values of hard work and persistence
along with a reliance on common sense.
Throughout the book, Willie is thorough in documenting how he reaches his
opinions through biblical and non-biblical research. In Entering the Promised
Land, Willie makes an emphatic case urging African-Americans to rebuild the
Civil Rights Movement by using the economic blueprint vividly articulated by Dr.
King in the last speech of his life — a speech Dr. King gave the night before
his death in 1968.
Willie’s book has won praise from prominent figures who are also his associates.
O.A. “Bum” Phillips, Willie’s former head coach during his days with the NFL’s
Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans), notes how Entering the Promised Land kept
him riveted from cover to cover. “In the 22 years since I retired from coaching
in the National Football League, this is the only book that I have read from
cover to cover without putting it down even once,” Phillips says.
Houston businessman and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Robert Mosbacher notes
the book can appeal to readers in two important ways. “This excellent book is a
must read for anyone interested or concerned about either or both the lack of
business opportunity for blacks in America and the biblical interpretation
presented by the author,” Mosbacher says. “Willie Alexander should get kudos for
his remarkable research and presentation of the subject matter.”
In fact, Willie has crafted a book that can appeal to readers of every faith.
Noted Houston Rabbi Samuel E. Karff praises Willie’s book and the purpose it
serves. “Although the author’s method of interpreting Scripture is not mine, I
greatly respect the man and the underlying message of his book,” Rabbi Karff
says. “I admire his passionate and spiritual commitment to help his brothers and
sisters take pride in their history and seek their rightful share in the promise
of America.”
Entering the Promised Land results from years of research and revisions carried
out through Willie’s Defined Word Approach,™ which involves researching the
definitions of certain biblical words and the origins of certain phrases. Willie
also provides the reader with a glossary to explain rare words and names used in
the book, along with a bibliography. In short, Willie makes every effort to
bring a simple and straightforward message to as many readers as possible.
Filled with powerful and insightful observations, Entering the Promised Land
ranks as an impressive and intense work by a first-time author whose passion for
change sent him on a five-year spiritual journey to initiate and deliver this
brilliant literary work.
Entering the Promised Land offers an eye-opening perspective on how to turn
anger and frustration into a catalyst for change and personal growth.
Willie will personally discuss Entering the Promised Land at an upcoming Houston
Forum breakfast event set for November 1, 2007 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the
Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas 77027. Willie’s
former Houston Oilers coach, the legendary Bum Phillips, will introduce Willie
at the event. Visit Mr. Alexander online at
http://www.enteringthepromisedland.com
About the Author:
Willie J. Alexander is President and Founder of W.J. Alexander & Associates,
P.C., a full-
service
employee benefits consulting and insurance brokerage firm in Houston, Texas.
Willie established W.J. Alexander & Associates, P.C in 1980 and expanded his
expertise to employee benefits consulting in response to business clients’ need
for an optimum mix of insurance coverage and cost containment measures. He has
more than 25 years’ work experience in group insurance, specializing in renewal
rate negotiations, designing and marketing group insurance products, and
business continuation.
Willie first came to prominence as a starting defensive back for the NFL’s
former Houston Oilers from 1971 to 1980. He built strong entrepreneurial skills
during seven years as a lead broker for several major insurance companies
specializing in life insurance, group health insurance and estate preservation.
Willie was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, in a family of six children.
Growing up during the South’s last years of legally enforced segregation, Willie
witnessed the rise of the Civil Rights Movement — which had a lasting impact on
him. Willie always held to the values of hard work and self-discipline first
instilled by his parents, and, later, reinforced by dedicated teachers and
coaches. Willie graduated from Alcorn State University in Mississippi with a
bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Today, Willie continues to provide leadership and guidance through his service
and active participation in industry, business and civic associations.
Currently, Willie is a board member for the Texas Children’s Hospital, the South
Texas College of Law, Amegy Bank of Houston the University of Texas Health
Science Center Development Board-Houston. He is a past chairman of the Ronald
McDonald House, The Houston Forum, the Heritage Society and the Greater Houston
Partnership’s Education and Member Services Committees. The Greater Houston
Partnership is the primary advocate of Houston’s business community and is
dedicated to building economic prosperity in the region. Willie is a chartered
life underwriter and a licensed agent for Group I insurance and health
maintenance organizations.
Married for 35 years, Willie and his wife reside in Houston. He is the father of
three children.
