Intro to Black History Month

In 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson established Negro History week, he understood the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public. While it was never intended to limit or dictate the exploration of the Black experience, it brings to the public’s attention important developments that merit emphasis. This year’s theme is ‘The History of Black Economic Empowerment.’

Born in Hickory, Mississippi in 1946, Robert L. “Bob” Johnson spent his childhood growing up in Illinois before obtaining his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois. He went on to earn a master’s degree in International Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

In 1979, Robert Johnson created Black Entertainment Television, serving as the first cable television network aimed at African Americans. At the initial launch in January 1980 the network only broadcasted for two hours a week.

BET became the first black-controlled company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1991. On February 1, 1997 BET Holdings and Encore Media Corp. launch BET Movie/Starz which became the first 24 hour Black Movie Channel. As of 2007, BET reached more than 65 million U.S. homes and expanded into other BET-related television channels that make up the BET Networks.

Robert Johnson became the first African American billionaire in 2001, and was the first black person to be listed on any of the Forbes world’s rich list. Johnson is also the first African American to be a principal owner of a North American major-league sports franchise: Michael Jordan and Johnson led a group of investors that acquired the Charlotte Bobcats NBA expansion franchise, which began play in the fall of 2004.

In addition to serving as principal owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, Robert Johnson is involved in several other business ventures as well as serving on the board of General Mills.