Celebrating Black History Month

Join us in celebrating Black History Month this year! Through the month, PSE VT will be highlighting black leaders in business that you may not have learned about. Please follow along every week as we share a new story!

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Robert and Sheila Johnson

First black owners on the New York Stock Exchange

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In 1991, Robert L. Johnson and Sheila Johnson became the first black-owned company to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange with Black Entertainment Television (BET).

 

Robert L. Johnson is an African American businessman and entrepreneur who co-founded Black Entertainment Television (BET), the first cable television network aimed at African American audiences. Johnson's vision for BET was to provide a platform for black entertainment and to challenge negative stereotypes of African Americans in the media.

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Sheila Johnson is an African American businesswoman and philanthropist who was the co-founder of BET alongside Robert L. Johnson. She was also the CEO of Salamander Hospitality, a company that operates luxury resorts and hotels. Johnson has been recognized for her philanthropic work, particularly in the fields of the arts and education.

 

Together, Robert L. Johnson and Sheila Johnson helped to transform the media landscape by creating a platform for African American voices and perspectives. Their work at BET was a landmark achievement in the representation of African Americans in media and helped to pave the way for other minority-owned media companies.

 

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Madam C.J. Walker

First self-made female millionaire in America

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Madam C.J. Walker was an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist who lived from 1867 to 1919. She is widely regarded as the first self-made female millionaire in America, and is best known for developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and hair care products for black women.

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Madam Walker's business acumen and success had a significant impact on the business world and on African American communities. She was a trailblazer in the beauty and fashion industry, and her success inspired other black women to start their own businesses. She also used her wealth to support various causes, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the YMCA, and to encourage other black women to become entrepreneurs.

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Madam Walker's legacy extends beyond her business success. She was a vocal advocate for civil rights and women's rights, and her life and work continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs and activists. She remains a symbol of black excellence, determination, and entrepreneurship, and her story continues to serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who seek to make their mark in the world.

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Nicholas Perkins

First African American to own a national burger Franchise 

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Fuddruckers was one of first brands to elevate the “quick service burger.” The national franchise was thriving in the 80s and 90s but faced tough times and was forced to close many restaurants. They had to settle and liquidate the franchise but that’s when Nicholas Perkins came into the picture. 

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At just 24 years old, Nicholas Perkins founded the Perkins Management Company in 2005, specializing in contract food service management which has now become a multi-million-dollar enterprise. As their Chairman, President, and CEO, he built the company on values that called for strong business acumen and ethics.

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Following Fuddruckers' rapid decline and road to bankruptcy in 2021, Perkins ultimately decided to acquire the franchise through an $18.5 million deal with plans to restore Fuddruckers to its former glory, making him the first Black person to own a national burger franchise.

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This year, Perkins has been recognized by Fayetteville as a 2022 AACSB Influential Leader and a champion of diversity and inclusion and a role model for the next generation of business leaders.

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