PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 23, 2011
Contact:
Rev. Anthony A. Johnson, M.Div - Birmingham-Metro Chapter NAACP
205-541-9719
Bunnie Jackson-Ransom
(404) 505-8188
BOOK SIGNING FOR RICHARD "SQUIRREL" THOMAS, NOTED ALABAMA ENTREPRENEUR AND AUTHOR,
SPONSORED BY THE BIRMINGHAM NAACP
Thomas will Discuss His New Book, "Drug Conspiracy: We Only Want The Blacks, My Persecution By The United States Government"
Birmingham, AL Montgomery native and Alabama State University (ASU) graduate (c/o '64) Richard "Squirrel" Thomas will participate in a book signing reception onMonday, April 25, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in the Richard Arrington Auditorium (4th Floor Linn-Henley Building) of the Birmingham Downtown Public Library, 2100 Park Place Birmingham, Alabama 35203.
Thomas was invited by Hezekiah Jackson IV, President, NAACP Metro Birmingham Branch , to talk
about the release of his new book, "Drug Conspiracy: We Only Want The Blacks, My Persecution By
The United States Government," and to share his life story and life--altering experience -- as chronicled
in the book --as a victim of a federal drug sting and notorious media scandal involving a Montgomery,
Alabama drug cartel that gripped the city and media's attention, and ultimately destroyed an innocent
man's life and reputation. "We look forward to hearing Mr. Thomas' story and we are excited that he is
coming to speak to us," says Mr. Jackson.
The Thomas story is definitely one for the history books. Before erroneously getting caught up in a
federal drug sting and lambasted in the media as an interstate drug lord, Richard "Squirrel" Thomas
was a retired Alabama school teacher, celebrated math instructor, successful businessman and
entrepreneur, owner of one of the top nightclubs in the country during the 1980's and "90's, and was
a prolific, albeit legitimate, gambler. His passion for numbers not only made him one of Montgomery's
most prodigious math teachers during the turbulent era of segregation and the civil rights movement,
but it also made him rich, famous, and infamous.
Thomas is an Alabama native and was educated on the ASU campus for his entire educational career.
Starting with attending Alabama State Lab when he was just in preschool, Thomas earned his bachelor's
degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Industrial Arts in 1964 from ASU, and two master's
degrees: one in Guidance Counseling in 1970 and one in Math in 1971.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.richardsquirrelthomas.com
###
Rev. Anthony A. Johnson
Community Relations & Religious Affairs Chair
Birmingham-Metro Branch NAACP
205-714-5860 Office
205-541-9719 Wireless
