The History of Black Economic Empowerment
Seth Dixon
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
Robert L. Johnson was born in 1946 and is known as being a well established business man and founder of the Black Entertainment Television Network (BET). He is also the former chairman and chief executive officer of the network. In 2001 Johnson became the first African American billionaire and the first African American to be listed on Forbes world's richest list.
Shelia Johnson was born in 1949. She is the world's first female African American billionaire. She is a Global Ambassador for CARE, a humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Her "I am Powerful" challenge raised over $ 8 million in 2007. She also serves as a chair on the board of Governors of Parsons the New School for Design in New York.
George Washington Carver, living from 1864- 1943, is known for his many uses of the peanut that he found. Not only that, him as an American scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor led him to have studies that completely changed agriculture in the southern part of the United States.
Shirley Chisholm lived from 1924-2005 and was an African American politician, educator, and author. As a congresswoman she represented New York's 12th Congressional district for 7 terms. In 1968, she became the first African American woman elected to Congress.
Wally Amos Jr. was born in 1936 and is known for being the founder of the "Famous Amos" cookie brand. He is also an actor and writer. He later co-founded Uncle Wally's Muffins and now runs the Chip & Cookie gourmet cookie in Long Island, New York.
Madame C.J. Walker lived from 1967-1919 and is appreciated by most every African American female for her invention of the hot comb. She was an American businesswoman as well as a hair care entrepreneur, tycoon, and philanthropist. She made a fortune from her line of beauty and hair products for black women which she developed herself. The Guinness Book of World Records cites her as being the first female to become a millionaire because of her own achievements.
The individuals chosen to represent this year are definitely good representatives of Black Empowerment in history.
Shelia Johnson was born in 1949. She is the world's first female African American billionaire. She is a Global Ambassador for CARE, a humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Her "I am Powerful" challenge raised over $ 8 million in 2007. She also serves as a chair on the board of Governors of Parsons the New School for Design in New York.
George Washington Carver, living from 1864- 1943, is known for his many uses of the peanut that he found. Not only that, him as an American scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor led him to have studies that completely changed agriculture in the southern part of the United States.
Shirley Chisholm lived from 1924-2005 and was an African American politician, educator, and author. As a congresswoman she represented New York's 12th Congressional district for 7 terms. In 1968, she became the first African American woman elected to Congress.
Wally Amos Jr. was born in 1936 and is known for being the founder of the "Famous Amos" cookie brand. He is also an actor and writer. He later co-founded Uncle Wally's Muffins and now runs the Chip & Cookie gourmet cookie in Long Island, New York.
Madame C.J. Walker lived from 1967-1919 and is appreciated by most every African American female for her invention of the hot comb. She was an American businesswoman as well as a hair care entrepreneur, tycoon, and philanthropist. She made a fortune from her line of beauty and hair products for black women which she developed herself. The Guinness Book of World Records cites her as being the first female to become a millionaire because of her own achievements.
The individuals chosen to represent this year are definitely good representatives of Black Empowerment in history.
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