02/08/2022
In honor of Black History Month, we will be featuring influential and pivotal figures throughout history who’ve made strides for Black people in business.
To kick it off we have philanthropist, author, actress and media executive, Oprah Winfrey. As a pioneer for Black women in television, journalism, and business, Oprah was the first Black woman to host a nationally syndicated daytime talk show. Oprah’s Angel Network, a public charity formed in 1998 raised more than $80 million with 100% of the donations funding charitable projects and grants across the globe, including establishing 60 schools in 13 countries. She was named the greatest Black philanthropist of the 20th century by Businessweek for her work for women’s rights, education, and victims of assault. In 2003, Oprah became the first Black female billionaire, and 10 years later she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She has collected a myriad of accolades including Academy Award nominations and a Peabody Award. Oprah was the first Black women to win the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2018. Thank you, Miss Winfrey, for leading the way.
Continue to follow along as we celebrate Black History Month throughout February.