Essay --

Robert L. Johnson is one of the most well renowned African American entrepreneurs. He is best known for his company BET Holdings, INC. A triple threat, Johnson is the creator, chairman, and CEO of this company. His company became the first African American controlled cable company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. After selling his company to Viacom, an enormous media group in 2001, he became the first African American billionaire. Johnson led the way for many entrepreneurs such as Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, and many more. Robert Louis Johnson was born April 8, 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi. He was the ninth out of the ten children in his family. In 1968, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in History at the University of Illinois and in 1972; he received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Princeton University. After graduating with his Master’s Degree, went on to work for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. During his employment with the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, Johnson joined the U.S. Army Reserve and served in the Vietnam War. He went back to w...