MOVIES - Feb. 3, 1988

The establishment of an encyclopedic listing of all black performers and entertainment-industry technicians was announced at a Los Angeles press conference Tuesday by the volume’s publisher-compiler, J. J. Jones. Jones said the first edition should be available in June, and that the idea has the full endorsement of the Beverly Hills and Hollywood chapters of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored Persons. The purpose of the book, titled the National Black Talent Directory, is “to place all (the volume’s) performers in front of the cameras, and professionals behind the scenes.” The directory will be distributed free of charge to all major studios, independent producers, and casting and advertising agencies, Jones said. Those wishing to appear in the book will have to pay a $45 annual fee.