Darrin Thomas
Darrin Todd Thomas and his former partner Gerry McCants founded Thomas-McCants Media, Inc., in 1991 to promote minority businesses through Black Pages USA, a print and Internet reference guide, and Black Expo, a series of forums and exhibits that build awareness of minority-owned business products and service among consumers in five southeastern markets.
As president of Thomas Media Group, LLC, Thomas oversees five offices in the Southeast and continues to focus on publishing Black Pages USA directories and hosting Black Expos in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. He received his undergraduate degree in Marketing and Management at the University of South Carolina, and is a former marketing representative for Xerox Corporation in Greenville, South Carolina.
Thomas has received numerous awards honoring his accomplishments as a communication and marketing entrepreneur, including the 1997 Minority Small Business Person of the Year, and1997 South Carolina Business Person of the Year, the University of South Carolina-Darla Moore School of Business 1998 Distinguished Young Alumnus Award, the 2004 State Newspaper “Top Twenty Under Forty,” 2008 Liberty Fellow, and 2008 Black Alumni of the Year Award, the University of South Carolina.
Thomas serves on the board of directors for the local Boy Scouts of America, Wachovia Bank-Midlands Advisory Board, YES Carolina, Coker College Board of Trustees, Palmetto Health Foundation Board, SCANA Corporation Advisory Board, and the USC School of Business Partnership Foundation Board of Advisors. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Savannah Chapter-National Association of Guardsmen, Alpha Iota Boule-Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the Columbia Rotary Club, Vice President of the Indian Waters Council Boy Scouts of America, and a vigil honor member of Santee Lodge 116 – Order of the Arrow.
An active member of Francis Burns United Methodist Church, Thomas and his wife, Kela Evans Thomas are the parents of two sons, Todd Asher and Garrison Ervin. Thomas credits his success to his faith in God, the love of his family and the principle of relationship building.