'American Airlines Living Your Dream' Profiles Miami Business Leader James A. Champion

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- James A. Champion, the head of a high-powered Miami-based human resources consulting and management firm will share the secrets of his success on "American Airlines Living Your Dream," a radio series which airs each month on The Michael Baisden Show.

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Champion, 62, is the President and CEO of The Champion Services Group, a multi-million dollar consulting firm that helps its clients achieve, maintain, and maximize workforce diversity. Headquartered in Miami, the company has 42 employees and has been profiled in such publications as the Miami Herald and Black Enterprise.

Over the course of his life, Champion has overcome amazing odds. His mother was diagnosed and institutionalized with schizophrenia when he was 11 years old. As a result, Champion and his younger siblings became permanent wards of the state in New York. After living in an orphanage for the remainder of his childhood, Champion won a partial scholarship to Alabama A&M University. In 1963, he left New York City for Alabama with only $27 in his pocket.

After graduating from college, Champion went on to hold managerial positions at some of the largest companies in the United States, including Ryder System, Merrill Lynch & Co., the U.S. Department of Labor, and Chase Manhattan Bank. While climbing the corporate ladder, Champion paid for his younger siblings' post-secondary education.

With Champion's love and financial support, one of his brothers went on to become the first African-American valedictorian of his class at Carnegie Mellon University.

Today, Champion is considered one of the leading human resources executives in the country. He is also a noted philanthropist, having most recently received the Jackson Memorial Foundation's Golden Angel Award for providing hospital services for the indigent.

"American Airlines Living Your Dream" is a collaboration with The Michael Baisden Show, which is broadcast weekdays, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. EDT, on ABC Radio Networks.

About The Michael Baisden Show

The Michael Baisden Show was launched in national syndication by ABC Radio Networks in January, 2005 and is hosted by author, TV talk show personality and emerging community leader Michael Baisden. The entertaining four-hour afternoon radio program airs Monday -- Friday and combines the best in music, comedy and social outreach to inspire real change in local communities across the country. Heard in 22 of the top 25 urban radio markets, The Michael Baisden Show reaches more than 4.6 million listeners each week.

About American Airlines

American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection(R) airlines serves over 240 cities in 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, the AmericanConnection(R) airlines, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

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