THE ART ANGEL DON'S PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE Plans

Donald Thornton was born July 29, 1955, and raised in Akron, Ohio, as one of three children and the only son of Willie & Mary Thornton. Donald is an internationally known graphic designer and became a Marketing Director and Art Director for the Jackson Family Foundation back in 2009 soon after “Michael Jackson’s” sad passing.

Don graduated in the upper 10% of his High School class with a 3.8 GPA from the Akron Central Hower High School in 1973 where he earned a full scholarship to play basketball at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West VA. 

Don was considered tops in his class as a highly talented College Fine Arts Major and High School Graphic Designer. Don's portfolio was selected and judged in New York where he won several Gold Medals & Blue Ribbons during the National Polsky’s High School Scholastic Art Awards Show in 1972 & 1973. Don took "Best of Show" during an annual all-campus “Fine Arts Competition” as a College Freshman Fine Arts Major competing against some entrants who were Senior Art Majors in 1974.

Don transferred to Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio where he became a 2-time, 1st Team All-Conference Player, 1st Team All-District, “Team MVP” and also went on to become “Honorable Mention All-American" NAIA, back in 1976. Don averaged 19.8 Points a game and set a Defiance College single-season rebounding record while averaging 13.5 rebounds per game. 

After College, Don continued his Fine Arts and Commercial Art career during which time he worked for several Graphic Design Studios in Akron, Ohio, and the surrounding Ohio, regional market. Don produced a One Man Art Show during which time he was able to negotiate a live performance by the "Ohio Ballet," produced by the internationally known Director & Choreographer, "Heinz Poll." 

Don moved to California in 1990 to pursue his graphic arts and business career during which time he created and/or co-created several charitable programs and events.  Don founded “Don't Give Up! Incorporated” on November 23rd, 1993, which during its existence was a very popular Los Angeles, California Human Crisis Organization which spawned the “Gift for Life Project, (GFL) in Support of Children with AIDS”. 

Don's GFL Project produced Concerts, Walkathons, and Harbor Cruises for Children with AIDS in partnership with the Los Angeles Children's Hospital AIDS Center, the U.S. Postal Service, Magic Johnson Foundation, Elizabeth Taylor Foundation, and Elton John Foundation among other friends and associates.

Don moved back to Akron, Ohio from California back in 1998. He became the "Chairman of the Board" for a fledgling "Akron Black Chamber of Commerce"  while continuing to pursue his Graphic Design career. Don is working on plans to codevelop and help deliver a proposed “Jackson Family World Resort" Land Development to the world in support of the "Jackson Family Legacy Brand."

Currently Don is co-founder, Senior Marketing Director and Senior Art Director of the  "National HBCU Charities Incorporated" &  "Black Ventures Unlimited LLC."