DON BARDEN THE BARDEN COS. EST. 1981 The late Barden focused on developing a portfolio of well-run, highly profit-able companies–and managed to achieve that goal
ROBERT L. JOHNSON BET; THE RLJ COMPANIES EST. 1980 & 1981 For 40 years, Johnson has repeatedly made business history. First, he launched Black Entertainment
COMER COTTRELL PRO-LINE CORP. EST. 1979 With a mere $600, the late Cottrell launched Pro-Line Corp., which would become one of the nation’s largest Black
AL JOHNSON AL JOHNSON CADILLAC INC. EST. 1971 As the first African American to be awarded Oldsmobile and Cadillac franchises from General Motors, the late
PERCY SUTTON INNER CITY BROADCASTING CORP. EST. 1971 The late politician, Tuskegee Airman, and civil rights activist purchased a single radio station in New York
THOMAS BURRELL BURRELL ADVERTISING EST. 1971 Recognized as the “Dean of Black Advertising,” Burrell launched his Chicago-based ad agency in 1971 and spent the next