Black Entrepreneur

Black Entrepreneurs

From the White House to the hardcourt, African-Americans have marked their names in world history'and made history themselves. Travelling through the dark alleys of time, surviving slavery and racial discriminations, African-Americans have emerged to tell the world that everyone is, indeed, equal. Many notable African-Americans have helped shaped and are continuously shaping the United States of America into a great country as we know it today. The notable perseverance, talent, and intellect of these African-Americans have helped mold the culture, politics, economy, and history, among others of their country. After all, like any other American citizen despite race and ancestry, they are 'all-American.'

African-Americans in Sports

There are numerous notable black athletes in the history of the United States of America. In 1945, Jackie Robinson signed the first formal Major League Baseball contract for the Montreal Royals. He was the first one to break the racial segregation in Major League baseball, which paved the way to the desegregation of professional sports in America. He knew the risks involved, particularly racial discrimination, but he held up to them, later earning accolade from players and spectators alike. Similarly, Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods were also internationally renowned black athletes in basketball and boxing, respectively. And of course, there is Michael Jordan, who is considered as one of the greatest basketball players in the world for all time, and who is now an active black entrepreneur. Not a few black athletes have gained world recognition for raising the bar on their sports. These black persons in sports have also become successful entrepreneurs in their own right.

African-Americans in Entertainment

From the silver screen to the small screen, from the Broadway stages to the almost anywhere in the world, talented African-Americans have graced the entertainment and performance arts industry. By giving acclaimed performances in films and breaking racial stereotyping, Sir Sydney Poitier, a multi-awarded black actor, paved the way to the numerous great black actors that followed his suit. Numerous black groups and solo performers like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, the Righteous Brothers, the Everly Brothers, the Supremes, and the many contemporary black performers, have been serenading us with good music for years. Jazz, one of the most important American music genres, originated in black communities in the early 20th century as a mix of African and Western Music influences. And of course, there's Oprah Winfrey, black entrepreneur and talk show queen, widely regarded as the most influential woman in the entertainment world.

African-Americans in Business

Aside from excelling in the arts, sciences, and in politics, there are many black businessmen who have helped shape the U.S. economy. The opportunity for a black entrepreneur significantly rose upon the abolition of slavery in the United States and later through the gradual diminishing of racial discrimination. Before, only fellow African-Americans would patronize a black entrepreneur, but as the path to equality became clearer, the market of a black entrepreneur significantly and fast increased. From Samuel Fraunces, a successful black entrepreneur during the early years of the United States, to the likes Christopher P. Gardner, whose life inspired many on the recent Hollywood hit film based upon him, 'The Pursuit of Happyness,' the potentials of these black entrepreneurs had been widely felt in the business world. According to the 2008 Forbe's Billionaire's List, there are currently two black American billionaires, Oprah Winfrey and Robert Johnson, a black entrepreneur who founded the Black Entertainment Television.

African-Americans have for so long proved their potentials in every endeavor that they undertake. Their contributions are evident and they surely have in more ways than one have helped shape American history. Surviving some of the darkest moments in human history, African-Americans emerged as a prime example that with hard work, success is color blind.