Long before Black Twitter and TikTok were “in business,” there was a long tradition of Black women. about their business. Today, black women are no strangers to the business world. From women climbing the ranks of large corporations to launching their own empires, Black women are behind nearly 2.7 million businesses in the U.S., and Black women are the fastest-growing startups, according to a report from JPMorgan. It is a family class.
Entrepreneurship surged significantly in 2020 as the world changed, but Black prominence in business existed long before that. Black women like Ursula M. Barnes and Kathy Hughes walked where modern businesswomen like Oprah Winfrey and Issa Rae can run. From innovative startups to corporate giants, these women embody resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination, proving that success can transcend race and gender.
maggie lena walker
In 1903, Maggie Lena Walker founded St. Luke's Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Virginia, becoming the first black woman to establish a bank in the United States. In addition to racism, the banking and financial industry at the time was a boys' club, offering few leadership opportunities for women, let alone women of color. Walker defied this convention by not only founding a bank in Richmond, but also serving as its president and leading the business through the financial crisis of the Great Depression. According to the Library of Congress, St. Luke's Penny Bank increases homeownership by distributing mortgage loans to Black families, increases employment rates by selecting primarily Black women to lead operations, and empowers Black communities. I tried to give.
Ursula M. Burns
In 2009, Ursula Burns was named CEO of Xerox, making history as the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. Before establishing her position as a historic leader, Burns began her career as a mechanical engineering summer intern at Xerox Corporation. Gradually climbing her career ladder, she was promoted from internship to full-time employment, senior vice president of corporate strategic services at Xerox, and eventually she was promoted to CEO.
By 2015, the executive helped the company generate $18 billion in revenue, according to Forbes magazine. While leading his team at Xerox, President Barack Obama appointed Burns to the front line of the White House National STEM Program in his 2009 year. After stepping down as CEO, she continued to share her leadership and industry knowledge by serving on the University of Rochester Board of Trustees. MIT Corporation, Boston Scientific, FIRST, National Association of Manufacturers, RUMP Group, and others.
lillian lincoln lambert
In 1969, Lillian Lincoln Lambert became the first black woman to earn a master's degree from Harvard Business School.
“When I got it, I had no idea what was going to happen.” [to Harvard]” Lambert, a Howard University undergraduate alumnus, told Forbes. “On my first day, I was the first one in the dormitory. I arrived early and was greeted by an older woman who told me, “The dormitory isn't ready.'' It won't be ready for several hours. You can leave your luggage here and sit in the park. ' That's what I did. While I was sitting there I was thinking: “What have I gotten myself into?'' I just wanted to go back, grab my suitcase and go home. I didn't want to be there. But then I started thinking about all the people who supported me to get there. I was excited to be there. They were excited to have me there. Something said. “You have a responsibility to stay here and see this through.'' So I went back to the dorm and checked in. ”
Lambert's journey paved the way for subsequent diversity in Harvard Business School's classrooms and has inspired generations of students ever since. After her graduation, she began a career in the building maintenance industry and became an entrepreneur, earning $20 million before selling her company, Forbes reports. Now, Lambert is an author and speaker, and she shares her success story and lessons learned across the country.
Kathy Hughes
Media pioneer and radio guru Cathy Hughes is the first Black woman to lead a media company listed on the U.S. Stock Exchange. Hughes began her career in radio before becoming an early instructor at Howard University's School of Communication. Outside of her classroom, she served as vice president and general manager at the university's radio station, WHUR, becoming the first woman to hold these roles at a Washington, D.C., radio station. She went on to make history by inventing the revolutionary “Quiet Storm” radio. Format – A late night segment hosted by a DJ with a deep, soothing voice playing a mix of R&B, jazz, soul and blues.
Changing the landscape of black radio, Hughes went on to co-found and lead Radio One, the largest black-owned and operated broadcasting company. It was the first black company in radio history to dominate multiple markets and the first female-owned station to be ranked No. 1. .He is number 1 in major markets. Since then, Hughes' work has been recognized by the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Advertising Federation of America Hall of Fame, and more.
More than 40 years later, Radio One remains a subsidiary of Urban One.
sheila johnson
In 1980, Sheila Johnson and her husband Robert co-founded Black Entertainment Television, commonly known as BET. The cable network, aimed specifically at black viewers, was led by Johnson, who served as vice president of corporate affairs. During her tenure, Johnson spearheaded many initiatives, including Teen Summit, a show that aired from 1989 to 2002 and spoke directly to the experiences of her Black teenage audience. I did. After the Johnsons' divorce in 1999, Sheila left BET, and a year later she sold her remaining stake in the company for $3 billion, making her the first black female billionaire. Soon after, she founded Salamander Hotels and Resorts, a collection of hotels from Middleburg, Virginia to Montego Her Bay, Jamaica. In addition to her work in hospitality, Johnson is an author and owns stock in not one but three professional sports teams (WNBA Mystics, NBA Wizards, NHL Capitals), according to Forbes Magazine She is the only black woman.
aurora james
Aurora James is the creative director and founder of Brother Berries, a luxury accessories brand that not only celebrates cultural history, but also strives to keep African craftsmanship alive by creating jobs around the world. She has been worn by many celebrities including Solange, Beyoncé, Zendaya and more, increasing the brand's notoriety within the industry.
Amid the lockdowns and racial unrest of 2020, James founded Fifteen Percent Pledge, a nonprofit advocacy group aimed at diversifying retail shelves. What started as an Instagram post has since grown into a fully staffed organization that partners with nearly 30 major retailers, including Macy's, Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and more. In addition to helping bring more Black-owned businesses into more retailers, the 15 Percent Pledge also provides grants to help Black entrepreneurs scale their businesses. I am.
sarah bond
Sarah Bond will become president of Microsoft's Xbox in 2023, making her the first black woman to hold that title at a major multinational gaming company, according to Black Girl Gamers. Before Bond was named president, she joined Microsoft in 2017 as corporate vice president, partnerships and business development. She leads Microsoft's diversity and inclusion efforts as Vice President and Employee Resources. She also serves as Executive Her Sponsor for the group “Blacks @ Microsoft.”
melody hobson
Melody Hobson is President and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, one of the oldest Black-owned businesses in the United States with over $16 billion in assets. Mr. Hobson, who sat on the boards of several major companies such as JPMorgan Chase and previously led other major companies such as DreamWorks and Estée Lauder, not only became a prominent businessman; She was also an advocate for financial literacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2017, Hobson became the first Black president of the Economic Club of Chicago in its 90-year history. Similarly, she made history at her alma mater Princeton University in 2020 when the Ivy League renamed a residential college after her.
Eunice Johnson
Businesswoman Eunice Johnson paved the way for black women not only in the beauty field but also in the fashion field. After founding Ebony Magazine with her husband John Johnson, Eunice pioneered efforts to introduce high fashion to the black middle class. Ebony Her Fashion Fair was an annual fashion show showcasing haute couture clothing that traveled from coast to coast. The event, which has become one of the most popular events of the year among black women, offers a unique runway for black models and designers such as Stephen Burrows, Patrick Kelly, Willie Smith and Lamour to showcase their talents. did.
“She just wanted to prove that there's nothing you can't do. There were no barriers to black beauty. She would put on the brightest yellow. [or] Linda Johnson Rice, CEO of Johnson Publishing and daughter of John and Eunice, told Ebony Magazine.
With a passion for fashion, Johnson acquired nearly 8,000 haute couture ensembles, even though as a black woman she had to beg, persuade, and threaten European designers to sell her work. It is reported that he did. Her work on fashion shows inspired her to launch her makeup brand, Fashion Fair, and she has raised approximately $55 million for black charities such as the United Negro College Fund. The Ebony Fashion Fair was held from her 1958 to her 2009, but in 2017 the Chicago Museum of History organized “Inspiring Beauty: Her 50 Years of the Ebony Fashion Fair.” This is Johnson's sartorial exhibition of her collection, focusing on the prejudices she overcame in her quest to bring her high fashion to the world. She is a black audience member.
Recommended stories
Never miss a beat: Get daily articles delivered straight to your inbox with theGrio's newsletter.
