Black Excellence Series: 5 Black Entrepreneurs That Have Changed The World

Black entrepreneurship has a long and storied history in the world, with successful entrepreneurs paving the way for future generations to follow. Despite facing significant obstacles and systemic barriers, black entrepreneurs have shown time and time again that they can succeed in the business world. In this article, we will take a look at the journeys of five black successful entrepreneurs in the world, and how they have overcome adversity to achieve their dreams.

1. Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul, actress, and philanthropist who has become one of the most influential women in the world. Born into poverty in rural Mississippi, Winfrey overcame a difficult childhood to become the host of her own television show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which ran for 25 years and made her a household name. She has since built a media empire that includes a television network, a magazine, and a production company. Winfrey’s net worth is estimated to be over $2 billion.

2. Robert F. Smith

Robert F. Smith is a billionaire businessman and philanthropist who made headlines in 2019 when he announced that he would pay off the student loan debt of an entire graduating class at Morehouse College. Smith is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm that specializes in software investments. With a net worth of over $7 billion, Smith is one of the richest black people in the world.

3. Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns is a business executive who made history in 2009 when she became the first black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, Xerox Corporation. Burns began her career at Xerox as an intern and worked her way up through the company’s ranks over the course of several decades. In addition to her work at Xerox, Burns has served on the boards of several other major corporations, including American Express and ExxonMobil.

4. Daymond John

Daymond John is a fashion mogul and television personality who is best known as one of the “sharks” on the hit television show “Shark Tank.” John is the founder and CEO of FUBU, a clothing company that specializes in urban fashion. He started the company in his mother’s basement with a $40 budget and turned it into a multimillion-dollar brand. In addition to his work at FUBU and on “Shark Tank,” John is also a bestselling author and a motivational speaker.

5. Carlos A. Rogers

Carlos A. Rogers had a modest upbringing in Birmingham, Alabama, and as a youngster, he enjoyed playing sports. However, he was unable to pursue a career as a professional athlete due to several injuries he sustained. He later moved to California and embarked on a career as an actor, where he found success, although he isn’t widely known in the industry. In 2005, Carlos was introduced to Network Marketing and quickly rose to become a leader in the field, achieving remarkable success with his organisation, Team Vision Worldwide, which generated over 200 million dollars in revenue.