Segment 1 Introduction

David Mason is the owner of HMGE Publishing, a digital publishing company that offers e-book publishing services. He is also the author of a documentary novel called "The Self-Liberation of Parson Sykes," which is based on true events from black history and the Civil War. Mason's family has a connection to the story, as they are descendants of Louisa Williams Sykes, an enslaved black matriarch from the 19th century. Mason has a background in the military, having served in the U.S. Army as a colonel. I am David Mason, and the presenter for this session. I am the owner of HMGE Publishing, a private digital publishing company. I started the firm in 2002, during the early stages of the electronic book publishing industry. Today, the firm provides individuals and businesses a wide range of e-book publishing services and solutions, including preparation, production, marketing, and more. As an aspiring black history and Civil War buff, I am the author of The Self-Liberation of Parson Sykes, a documentary novel based on a true story and a collection of related historical events. In writing this story, I researched and drew from various historical sources, including published materials and oral family chronicles. My family descended from Louisa Williams Sykes, an enslaved black matriarch who lived on Jacob Williams Farm in the 19th century. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, I attended Hampton University and Norfolk State University. After attending Norfolk State University, I entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant and retired as colonel.