With it being Black History Month, the following list is a reminder to never give up. The most successful black entrepreneurs throughout history.
These entrepreneurs demonstrate that by taking risks, working hard with integrity, and staying true through all kinds of adversity, nothing is impossible.
1. John H. Johnson
John H. Johnson, born in Arkansas in 1918 and an entrepreneur since 1942 with a $500 loan against his mother’s furniture is often said to be the leading 20th century publisher of African American news magazines having started Negro Digest as an attempt at creating something for black people like what he perceived was inside published materials intended only toward whiteness. It was was his attempt to create a publication that mimicked the style of the Reader’s Digest. This went on until 1982 when John became first ever black man featured within Forbes 400 list – Johnson Publishing Company currently employs 2,600+ staff members across multiple titles that reach millions worldwide!
2. Reginald F. Lewis
Reginald F. Lewis, one of the wealthiest black men in 1980s’ America. He founded his own venture capital firm that would go on to become known as TLC Group L .P., which he bought for $985 million dollars with no prior experience or knowledge about food distribution at all! He renamed it “TLC Beatrice International Foods” after himself following this successful acquisition and within just two years reported a revenue exceeding 1 billion dollars- which was the largest black-owned business in the country.
3. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most recognized black women in America, with a net worth that’s over $2.6 Billion according to Forbes. She was born to a single mother in rural Mississippi, Oprah was told early in her career that she was “unfit for television news”. She went on to host and produce The Oprah Winfrey Show which made her an international celebrity by delivering candid talk show moments from stars like Michael Jackson (among others).
And now as chairperson at Harpo Inc., she continues giving back through initiatives such as “The Green Space” project for kids who need someone else or something extra – everything starts somewhere!1
So, there you have it, these are some of the most successful black entrepreneurs in history. The remarkable leaders celebrated here have succeeded despite the odds being against them.
They achieved massive success not just from their business acumen, but through determination, perseverance, and skills.
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