Please find out about these inspirational African American entrepreneurs and their great businesses! Gain new perspectives on success from their stories.
African American businesses have made a powerful impact on our country. From catering companies to technology startups, please read about the incredible African American entrepreneurs and their inspiring stories of success.
Madam CJ Walker.
Madam CJ Walker was the first female self-made millionaire in America and a pioneering Black businesswoman. Madam CJ Walker Manufacturing Company produced and sold beauty and hair care products tailored to African American women. She made sure to invest in her employees, providing them with health benefits long before it was mandated by law. As a result, she served as an inspiration for African American entrepreneurs for generations to come.
Janice Bryant Howroyd
Janice Bryant Howroyd is the founder and CEO of The Act•1 Group, one of the world’s largest privately-held diversified business solutions companies. With over 3,000 team members across 11 countries, her company provides staffing and workforce solutions for various industries. Granddaughter to sharecroppers and daughter to a school custodian, she was determined to be successful despite humble beginnings. Driven by purpose, Howroyd’s mantra is: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Tristan Walker
Tristan Walker is an entrepreneur and investor who has set out to challenge the status quo. He had the vision to empower those from underserved communities, which he has done through his company Walker & Company Brands, which provides health and beauty solutions for individuals with textured hair and color. In addition, his various investments have enabled numerous other African-American entrepreneurs to realize their dreams.
Robert F Smith
Robert F Smith is the founder, chairman, and CEO of the private equity firm Vista Equity Partners. With his estimated net worth of more than $6 billion, Forbes has named him to America’s Richest Self-Made Men list. Smith believes in giving back to society and is committed to helping African-American business owners succeed. He is an important figure in the venture capital world and serves as a mentor to many minority entrepreneurs.
Maurice Cherry
Maurice Cherry founded the award-winning website Revolt, an online magazine dedicated to celebrating and defending African-American designers. He has gone on to create Round53, a product studio creating digital products for web and mobile, and working with his wife on the side project The Collective IE—a service that connects creatives with resources for success. Cherry has also offered his design expertise and entrepreneurial guidance to other minority founders.