Black Entrepreneur

Black EntrepreneursNumerous black groups and solo performers like
From the White House to the hardcourt,Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, the Righteous
African-Americans have marked their names in worldBrothers, the Everly Brothers, the Supremes, and the
history—and made history themselves. Travellingmany contemporary black performers, have been
through the dark alleys of time, surviving slavery andserenading us with good music for years. Jazz, one
racial discriminations, African-Americans have emergedof the most important American music genres,
to tell the world that everyone is, indeed, equal. Manyoriginated in black communities in the early 20th
notable African-Americans have helped shaped andcentury as a mix of African and Western Music
are continuously shaping the United States ofinfluences. And of course, there’s Oprah
America into a great country as we know it today.Winfrey, black entrepreneur and talk show queen,
The notable perseverance, talent, and intellect ofwidely regarded as the most influential woman in the
these African-Americans have helped mold theentertainment world.
culture, politics, economy, and history, among othersAfrican-Americans in Business
of their country. After all, like any other AmericanAside from excelling in the arts, sciences, and in
citizen despite race and ancestry, they arepolitics, there are many black businessmen who have
“all-American.”helped shape the U.S. economy. The opportunity for
a black entrepreneur significantly rose upon the
There are numerous notable black athletes in theabolition of slavery in the United States and later
history of the United States of America. In 1945,through the gradual diminishing of racial discrimination.
Jackie Robinson signed the first formal Major LeagueBefore, only fellow African-Americans would patronize
Baseball contract for the Montreal Royals. He was thea black entrepreneur, but as the path to equality
first one to break the racial segregation in Majorbecame clearer, the market of a black entrepreneur
League baseball, which paved the way to thesignificantly and fast increased. From Samuel
desegregation of professional sports in America. HeFraunces, a successful black entrepreneur during the
knew the risks involved, particularly racialearly years of the United States, to the likes
discrimination, but he held up to them, later earningChristopher P. Gardner, whose life inspired many on
accolade from players and spectators alike. Similarly,the recent Hollywood hit film based upon him,
Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods were also“The Pursuit of Happyness,” the potentials of
internationally renowned black athletes in basketballthese black entrepreneurs had been widely felt in the
and boxing, respectively. And of course, there isbusiness world. According to the 2008 Forbe’s
Michael Jordan, who is considered as one of theBillionaire’s List, there are currently two black
greatest basketball players in the world for all time,American billionaires, Oprah Winfrey and Robert
and who is now an active black entrepreneur. Not aJohnson, a black entrepreneur who founded the Black
few black athletes have gained world recognition forEntertainment Television.
raising the bar on their sports. These black persons inAfrican-Americans have for so long proved their
sports have also become successful entrepreneurs inpotentials in every endeavor that they undertake.
their own right.Their contributions are evident and they surely have
African-Americans in Entertainmentin more ways than one have helped shape American
From the silver screen to the small screen, from thehistory. Surviving some of the darkest moments in
Broadway stages to the almost anywhere in thehuman history, African-Americans emerged as a
world, talented African-Americans have graced theprime example that with hard work, success is color
entertainment and performance arts industry. Byblind. Moses Douglass is an American History
giving acclaimed performances in films and breakingresearcher who specializes in the history of
racial stereotyping, Sir Sydney Poitier, aAfrican-Americans. He is currently a university
multi-awarded black actor, paved the way to theinstructor and a consultant for African-American
numerous great black actors that followed his suit.studies.