America's African American Billionaire Robert Johnson

America's African American Billionaire Robert Johnson

Beunkia Bowens

History of Black Entrepreneurship in the U.S.

Dr. Juliet E. K. Walker

December 1, 2005

Bowens 2

Introduction

Robert Johnson was the first black American to achieve billionaire status after selling Black Entertainment Television to Viacom. The purpose of this paper is to look at Robert Johnson as the Black entrepreneur. Johnson is as an example of a new Black entrepreneur: he achieved his wealth primary through joint ventures and strategic business alliances. Specifically, I will explore how through the co modification of black culture, Robert Johnson became a billionaire, and how he exemplifies an era of new black entrepreneurs through his joint ventures, and how he achieved his wealth through the co modification of black culture. Robert Johnson is a giant among Black entrepreneurs because he had the first black television network. My paper will consist of four sections. My examination of Johnson will include a brief biography of Robert Johnson, the founding growth and expansion of BET, Johnson's various companies and business ventures