Dry Cleaners

After the 1936 Olympics, Jesse Owens engaged in a variety of jobs in Cleveland. He became a playground instructor, a bandleader, and owner of a basketball team. He then took part of his earnings and opened a dry cleaning business well before moving to Chicago where he started his own public relations firm.

Frederick D. Patterson

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) was founded in 1944 by Frederick Patterson, President of the Tuskegee Institute, and Mary McLeod Bethune, educator and advisor to the Franklin Roosevelt Administration.

Janet Jackson

In 1996 Janet Jackson signed a four-album contract with Virgin Records worth $80 million, an unprecedented fee and at that time, the biggest deal ever awarded.

Sharon Pratt Kelly

In 1991 Sharon Pratt Kelly became the third mayor of the District of Columbia and the first African-American woman to serve as mayor of a major American city. She served until 1995.

Pearl Bailey

In 1985 at the age of 67,Pearl Bailey, singer, stage and film actor, and comedian graduated from Georgetown with a BA in Theology.\

Oprah Winfrey

In 2001, Oprah Winfrey was the first African-American woman included on the Forbes list and in 2003 appeared as the world’s first African-American woman billionaire. She has appeared annually since then.

1958

In 1958 Eunice Johnson, wife of Johnson Publishing Company (Ebony, Jet) founder, John H Johnson, founded Ebony Fashion Fair. It was discontinued after the 2009 production because of Eunice Johnson’s death.

The Greenwood District

In the early 1900s The Greenwood District of Tulsa began its rise as one of the wealthiest, most successful all-Black enclaves in the nation; however, in 1921, it also became the site of the deadliest race riot in U.S. history, one that totally destroyed the District.

Jumping Jack Flash

Jumping Jack Flash was a spy comedy starring Whoopie Goldberg and produced by Lawrence Gordon Productions/Silver Pictures and distributed by 20th Century Fox; Motown had no connection.

New York University

Upon leaving Morehouse College, Spike Lee went on to graduate from the New York University Film School in 1982 where his thesis film, "Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads," won a Student Academy Award.

Daymond John

In 1992 Daymond John and three friends launched a line of hats made in John’s house, which they called FUBU, a project that led ultimately to John becoming CEO and President of a company now worth 6 billion dollars. Some say FUBU stands for “For Us By US”; however, Daymond John has denied this meaning.

Kenneth Chenault

Kenneth Chenault served as the CEO and Chairman of American Express from 2001-2018 and became the third black CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

Booker T. Washington Business Association

Established in 1930, the Detroit Booker T. Washington Business Association (BTWBA) prides itself as being the oldest African-American Chamber of Commerce in the nation.

Ed Davis

After a variety of jobs in the car industry, beginning with work at a car garage at age 16, in 1939, Ed Davis opened Davis Motor Sales, becoming the first Black franchised car dealer in Detroit, selling used Studebakers to the Black community. He opened a Chrysler dealership in 1963.

Sarah Breedlove

Madame C.J. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, the first of her family born free. She took the name of her second husband, Charles J. Walker as her business name and ultimately, with his support, became the first African-American woman millionaire.

Carl Lewis

In the early 90s, Carl Lewis, with several teammates from the Santa Monica Track Club, opened an apparel business in Houston TX called Sports Style.

Denver Nuggets

In 1989, Bertram M. Lee and Peter C. B. Bynoe purchased a part of the Denver Nuggets franchise for $65 million.

Ray Charles

Tangerine Records was a record company owned by Ray Charles from 1962-1973.

John Thompson, Jr.

John Thompson, Jr. joined the Georgetown basketball team as head coach in 1973 when the team was 3-23; he took them to a 14-year streak of NCAA appearances from 1979–1992 including three Final Four appearances in 1982, 1984 and 1985, winning a National Championship in 1984.

In 1908 upon moving to Pittsburgh, Madame C.J. Walker opened her first beauty school and called it Lelia College, after her daughter Lelia McWilliams Robinson (who later was to become known as A’Lelia Walker.) Ms Walker went on to establish several colleges throughout the country.

Tamla Records

In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. borrowed $800.00 from his family to start his own record company which he named Tamla Records. After that, he created the Rayber and Motown label. In 1960, he merged Tamla and Motown into the Motown Label which went on to become a mega record company with countless hits.

Black Swan Records

In 1921 Pace formed the Pace Phonographic Corporation, the first record company owned and operated by an African-American and issued records on the Black Swan label.

Maggie L. Walker

In 1902, Maggie L. Walker, teacher and businesswoman, chartered a small bank, the St. Luke Penny Saving Bank and served as its first president, thereby earning her the title of first woman bank president of any race.

Atlanta

In 1949, the first Black owned radio station, WERD, was launched in Atlanta, GA.

Black Enterprise

Since 1970, Black Enterprise has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers and has served as the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African-Americans.