For this week in Black History month, we’d like to take a look at pioneering Black entrepreneurs…

Let’s start with Maggie Walker…. Born to sharecropper parents, Walker was orphaned at 7, married at 14 and widowed by 20. The child of former slaves, Walker is considered the first documented American woman to be a self-made millionaire by the Guinness Book of World Records. And yes, like much later fellow women entrepreneurs Helena Rubinstein, Elizabeth Arden & Estee Lauder — Madame C.J. Walker made her fortune in providing beauty products and personalized salons….

One of 3 NYLI eBooks re: Madame Walker, this one focusing on her philanthropy…

Closer to our own times — and adding a few more zeroes to Walker’s millionaire status — is Sheila Johnson– the first African American female BILLIONAIRE….

Johnson’s business ventures include cofounding BET network, forming Salamander Hospitality (Resort Management), and becoming the first woman to be a stakeholder in three professional sports franchises. And, as an interesting footnote, all three of Johnson’s sports teams are in D.C. — NBA’s Wizards, WNBA’s Mystics, and NHL’s Capitals….

Read up on Harvard Case Studies –available as part of NYLI’s eBook collection

We’ll conclude with the founder, chairman and CEO of private equity firm Vista Equity Partners — Robert F. Smith. One of 16 Black billionaires in the world, Smith is a graduate of Cornell and Columbia Universities. His career began with Goldman Sachs where he initiated their Silicon Valley’s mergers and acquisition department. Smith’s book of business for Goldman Sachs is estimated at $50 million, advising companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, eBay and Yahoo.

Inspired by Maggie Walker, Sheila Johnson & Robert F. Smith?? Perhaps its time to enter into the Corporate World… click here for our Corporate and Securities LibGuide!!

NYLI will conclude our celebration of Black History Month with one more blog…Tune in next Monday for a look at pioneering African American librarians…