In pondering the lives of these remarkable individuals, I am truly awestruck by their indomitable spirits and relentless pursuit of success. Berry Gordy Jr., with his humble beginnings as a boxer and assembly line worker, transformed the music industry by breaking down racial barriers and making music a universal language. His story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of seizing opportunities when they present themselves.
Numerous Black individuals have made indelible marks in cinema, television, music, sports, and beyond, with groundbreaking performances that continue to resonate positively. Beyond their famous roles, many Black celebrities have ventured into entrepreneurship, particularly focusing on improving opportunities for communities of color. In recognition of Black Business Month, here’s a list of 15 stars who’ve established thriving businesses.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross, well-known for her role in the iconic sitcom black-ish and as the daughter of legendary Diana Ross, has a lesser-known accomplishment: she launched Pattern Beauty towards the end of 2019. Contrary to popular belief that her hairstylist’s idea for clients to wear wigs resembling hers inspired her, Tracee was actually driven by the desire to develop products specifically designed for textured and curly hair.
Initially, Ross’ Pattern Beauty began as a small operation with just four team members, seven items in their inventory, and Macy’s being their sole retail ally. However, it has since expanded to employ over 30 individuals, offer more than 50 products, and collaborate with ten different retailers, including Sephora and Ulta Beauty. The actress from The High Note attributes her business’s success to its marketing approach that emphasizes celebrating hair instead of merely addressing issues, using innovative products such as the Pattern Blow Dryer designed specifically for textured tresses.
Kevin Hart
Comedian Kevin Hart, renowned for his hilarious performances in top films, established Laugh Out Loud Productions in 2007 to generate and share comedy material. Initially a comedy streaming service that required a subscription, it collaborated with platforms such as Plex, Pluto TV, Peacock, YouTube, and others. In an ambitious career move, Hartbeat Productions combined with LOL Productions to form Hartbeat, aiming to expand the global comedy landscape. Hartbeat Studios is responsible for producing films like Netflix’s “Lift,” while Hartbeat Media handles digital content, music, and events.
In the year 2022, comedian Kevin Hart ventured into the alcohol sector, collaborating with eleventh-generation tequila manufacturer Juan Domingo Beckman. Together they established Gran Coramino, a tequila brand that drew inspiration from Hart’s personal experiences in Mexico. The aim was to produce a delightful, smooth tequila enjoyed by consumers everywhere. For each bottle of their smoothened-flavored tequila sold, $1 is donated to assist diverse entrepreneurs and small businesses across the United States and Mexico.
Gabrielle Union
When Gabrielle Union found that on-set stylists struggled with her hair type, she jotted down notes on efficient hair care items and introduced Flawless by Gabrielle Union in 2017. After the initial run of ten popular products quickly ran out, the actress from “Bring it On” restructured her business to be completely owned, led, and marketed by the Black community. Union collaborated with a group of chemists to create new products tailored for textured hair using natural ingredients.
Moved by her daughter Kaavia’s skincare issues at the age of three, Union, alongside her husband Dwyane Wade, felt compelled to develop a line of products specifically designed for children with darker skin tones. This venture, named Proudly, made its online debut in April 2022 and quickly expanded to Target stores across the country by September of the same year.
Snoop Dogg
Known for hits such as “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” the Grammy nominee, Snoop Dogg, has chosen to embody his image as a marijuana advocate to establish numerous businesses in the cannabis sector. One of his ventures includes Merry Jane, a digital platform centered around cannabis that encourages open conversations about the industry’s business and political aspects.
Snoop Dogg’s brand, Leafs by Snoop, offers high-grade cannabis items such as flowers, concentrates, and edibles. As a pioneer, he was the first celebrity to endorse and sell legal marijuana merchandise. In July 2024, Snoop opened the first legal marijuana store in Los Angeles called S.W.E.D (Smoke Weed Everyday), catering to experienced cannabis enthusiasts. He plans to extend his business to Amsterdam by August.
Serena Williams
2022 saw the retirement of tennis champion Serena Williams, who subsequently ventured into the corporate realm by establishing Serena Ventures. This venture capital company was born out of her realization that a mere 2% of venture capital funds were allocated towards women, with even less going to individuals of color.
Via Serena Ventures, the esteemed former athlete has invested in over 85 companies, with a majority (79%) having under-represented founders. Among them, half (54%) are women entrepreneurs, nearly half (47%) are Black founders, and 11% are Latino founders. Some of the innovative companies in Serena Williams’ portfolio include AI-driven wig company Parfait, plant-based meat manufacturer Impossible Foods, weight loss app Noom, and many others. Strikingly, 14 of these businesses have achieved Unicorn status, which means they are valued at $1 billion or more.
Jay-Z
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter is frequently hailed as one of the greatest rappers ever, not just due to his hit songs, but also for transforming the entertainment sector with his businesses. Post his departure from Def Jam Records, he established Roc Nation in 2008, which initially functioned as a record label and later expanded into artist management, supporting athletes, and music publishing and distribution. Several artists, such as Rihanna, Demi Lovato, DJ Khaled, among others, have found success under the Roc Nation umbrella.
Jay-Z is not just a renowned rapper, but he’s also the first hip-hop artist to own a champagne brand. He took full ownership of Armand de Brignac in 2014, and by 2019, they had sold over half a million bottles.
Oprah Winfrey
In various platforms such as TV, films, books, radio, and beyond, you often encounter the name of trailblazing media tycoon Oprah Winfrey. An intriguing piece of trivia about her is that she was the first Black billionaire, a testament to her thriving ventures like “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” O Magazine, and Harpo Films. Given her numerous businesses, it’s no wonder that she launched her own television network, cleverly named…OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network).
In 1992, following a chat with her partner Stedman Graham, Oprah Winfrey swiftly imagined the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Despite co-founding Oxygen, the actress from “The Color Purple” yearned for full control over her network. In 2007, David Zaslav, the head of Discovery, admired Oprah’s magazine and suggested creating a channel with a similar atmosphere. The network debuted in 2011, premiering its initial shows “The Haves and the Have Nots” and “Love Thy Neighbor.”
Dwayne Johnson
As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that the charismatic Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who has made waves in the entertainment world with his blockbuster films and as a wrestling icon, has also marked his territory in business. An intriguing example of this is when he combined efforts with the XFL and the United States Football League to establish the United Football League, and jointly launched ZOA Energy Drink.
Johnson’s standout undertaking was establishing Teremana Tequila, a brand inspired by the Polynesian term “teremana,” which translates to “Spirit of the Earth.” Launching in the midst of the pandemic, this tequila brand experienced rapid growth, selling 30,000 cases in 2020, increasing to 600,000 cases a year later, and an astounding one million cases within the past twelve months.
Patti LaBelle
As a devoted fan, I’ve always admired Patti LaBelle, affectionately known as the “Godmother of Soul.” While she’s renowned for her seven-decade-long musical journey, it’s less well-known that cooking has been her first love all along. The melodious voice behind “Stir It Up” was not just about creating harmonies on stage; she loved to share the rhythm in the kitchen too! She’d often whip up delicious meals for fellow musicians like Prince, Elton John, and even the Rolling Stones. To ensure her culinary creations were recognized, she would label them so people knew they were a taste of Patti LaBelle’s magic touch.
15 years back, I took the leap and introduced my very own food brand, Patti’s Good Life, initially offering my homemade hot sauces and barbecue sauces. Over time, this brand has grown exponentially, now encompassing a wide range of products such as frozen meals, delectable baked goods like sweet potato pie, mac n’ cheese, collard greens, and peach cobbler. Excitingly, we are planning to introduce a breakfast line soon! In 2022 alone, through strategic partnerships with retail giants Target and Walmart, Patti’s Good Life achieved sales of nearly $200 million.
Dr. Dre
Seven-time Grammy-winning artist Dr. Dre has left an indelible impression on the music world, not only as a rapper but also as the founder of Aftermath Entertainment and Death Row Records, and a record producer who assists other artists in achieving success. In 2006, this future Super Bowl LVI halftime show performer revolutionized music listening experiences for fans by introducing Beats by Dre, allowing them to enjoy music in the studio-like manner he does.
In partnership with Jimmy Iovine, co-founder of Interscope Records, the rapper behind “Let Me Ride” turned his vision of replicating professional studio sound quality in premium headphones into reality. By 2011, Beats had seized over 64% of the high-end headphone market priced at $100 and above, and was eventually acquired by Apple in 2014.
Rihanna
2017 saw the entry of globally acclaimed singer Rihanna, one of the century’s most successful female artists, into the beauty industry with Fenty Beauty. Named after her last name, this innovative brand broke barriers by offering 50 different shades of foundation to accommodate a wide range of skin tones. Since then, it has grown to encompass haircare, lipstick, eye makeup, skincare, and various other beauty products.
In the year 2018, Rihanna extended her beauty empire into the realm of fashion through Savage x Fenty, a lingerie line that aims to boost self-confidence by encouraging individuals to embrace their sexiness. The collection included eight exclusive items themed around Super Bowl LVII, as Rihanna graced the halftime stage during the event. With her cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty valued at $2.8 billion and Savage x Fenty at $1 billion, Rihanna’s successful business endeavors have catapulted her into the billionaire club, thanks to her multiple Grammy awards.
Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz, the American musician recognized for his memorable tunes and distinctive flair, also showcases his design talent through Kravitz Design Inc. Having expressed interest in design if his music career didn’t pan out, Kravitz took the opportunity to demonstrate his skills by crafting serene environments for his clients via interior and furniture designs. Notable clients of Kravitz Design Inc. include Morgans Hotel Group, The Setai Resort and Residences, Delano South Beach, among others.
Berry Gordy Jr.
Prior to earning recognition as a successful music industry mogul, Berry Gordy Jr. held various jobs including boxing, factory work, and owning a record store. Already a songwriter, Gordy Jr. started in 1959 to apply the skills he gained from his past experiences to establish and oversee musical groups and individual artists.
As a passionate admirer, let me recount my reverence for Berry Gordy Jr., who, with $800 from his family’s savings, established Motown Records in the heart of Detroit in 1960. By fusing “motor” and “town,” he beautifully encapsulated the spirit of our city. With an exceptional ear for music, Berry transcended cultural boundaries, using chart-topping hits like “Money (That’s What I Want),” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and “Dancing in the Street” to shatter racial barriers and create a harmonious global language through his melodies.
Shonda Rhimes
As a devoted admirer, let me share that the renowned television mastermind, Shonda Rhimes, has swept the world of television with her innovative production company, Shondaland. This powerhouse has given us captivating series to savor on Netflix such as Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton. Established in 2005, Shondaland paved new paths by showcasing robust female protagonists and championing diversity and representation for people of color and the LGBTQ+ community.
Shonda Rhimes became the first woman to reach a significant TV drama milestone with three hit shows – Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Scandal. Since then, her media company has grown to include shondaland.com, a website offering empowering articles and updates on television programs, as well as Shonda Audio, which produces both scripted and unscripted podcasts.
Tyler Perry
After being motivated by an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show discussing journaling’s therapeutic benefits, Tyler Perry uncovered his knack for writing and moved from stage plays to establishing Tyler Perry Studios in 2005. This studio now resides on a 330-acre plot that was once Fort McPherson army base, right in Atlanta, which he acquired in 2015.
Perry’s films, beginning with “The Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” have paved the way for aspiring actors, screenwriters, and filmmakers of color. On a bustling day, Bloomberg reports that approximately 5,000 individuals are employed at the studio, offering ample job opportunities. The cast of his BET+ series, “Ruthless,” express admiration for the “beauty” and “freedom” they experience working at Tyler Perry Studios, as they feel empowered and unstoppable on the premises. He is widely recognized as the first African-American to establish a significant film production studio.
These influential Black celebrities have leveraged their stardom to establish global ventures beyond the realm of entertainment. By embracing innovative concepts, these A-listers have championed diversity in sectors such as hair care, skincare, media networks, investment in businesses, and many others. The compelling takeaway from their inspiring journeys is that when you identify an industry where your contributions can foster positive humanitarian change, seize the opportunity to make a difference.
To stay informed about the upcoming projects of these famous personalities, don’t forget to check out our listings for both films scheduled in 2024 and television series set to air then.
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2024-08-09 12:38