When it comes to wealth creation and legacy building, business exits — the moment when a company is sold to a buyer or goes public — are often the ultimate milestone. For Black entrepreneurs, these exits not only represent personal success but also monumental achievements in representation, ownership, and generational wealth.
From billion-dollar tech buyouts to culturally iconic brand acquisitions, here are some of the most notable and highest-valued business exits in Black history:
One major lesson that can be learned is to never count your money until the deal is done. In 2022, nearly a decade after the acquisition, it was revealed that $200 million from the initial offer was lost after Dr. Dre (alongside singer Tyrese) shared a video rejoicing about being “the first billionaire in Hip Hop”—which nearly costed him the entire deal. Ultimately, the cards fell in his favor.
As co-founder, Dr. Dre did indeed become one of the wealthiest figures in hip-hop overnight. The deal included both Beats headphones and the Beats Music streaming service, and it helped cement Apple’s entry into audio and streaming dominance. Dre reportedly walked away with over $700 million from the sale.
Robert L. Johnson – BET – $3 Billion (2001)
Robert L. Johnson made history when he sold Black Entertainment Television (BET) to Viacom for nearly $3 billion in 2001. Founded in 1979 with his then-wife Sheila Johnson, BET became the first Black-owned company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The network revolutionized Black media representation and became a cultural cornerstone. The sale not only cemented BET’s legacy but also made Johnson the first African American billionaire. Since then, he has remained an influential figure in business, politics, and philanthropy.
Oprah Winfrey – OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) – $70 Million Stake Sale (2020)
Founder: Oprah Winfrey
As one of the most powerful figures in media, Oprah Winfrey expanded her empire with the launch of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in 2011—a joint venture between her company Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. In 2020, Discovery purchased an additional 24.5% stake in OWN from Harpo for $70 million, increasing its ownership to 95%. While Winfrey retained an influential role at the network, the deal reflected her ability to build, scale, and profit from a media brand rooted in purpose and storytelling. OWN has become a platform for diverse voices and narratives, further cementing Oprah’s legacy as a business icon.
George Foreman – Foreman Grill – $137.5 Million (1999)
Legendary boxer and entrepreneur George Foreman turned a simple kitchen appliance into a household name—and a personal fortune. While serving as the face of the George Foreman Grill, he reportedly earned over $200 million from the product’s success through licensing and royalties. In 1999, Foreman finalized a deal to sell the rights to his name and likeness to Salton, Inc. for $137.5 million. The payout included $113.75 million in cash spread over five years, plus $23.75 million in Salton stock. It remains one of the most lucrative endorsement deals ever for an athlete.
TIDAL – $297 Million (2021)
Jay-Z made headlines yet again when he sold a majority stake in TIDAL, the artist-owned streaming platform, to Jack Dorsey’s fintech company Square for $350 million. Jay-Z originally bought TIDAL for $56 million and later brought on several artists as co-owners. With the sale, Jay-Z reportedly netted over $150 million, all while remaining involved in the company’s leadership.
Charlotte Hornets – $3 Billion Valuation (2023)
In 2023, Michael Jordan sold his majority ownership in the Charlotte Hornets for an estimated $3 billion. Jordan originally purchased the team in 2010 for $275 million. Although it’s a sports franchise rather than a traditional business, the exit marks one of the largest and most profitable sales by a Black owner in U.S. history.
If you’ve been tapped into upcoming artists, street artists or are a fan of social media’s #FreestyleFriday trend, chances are you’ve come across the nameSkilla Baby. With his gritty delivery and undeniable charisma, Skilla is one of the rising voices of Detroit’s new wave of rappers—and he’s not letting up anytime soon.
Skilla Baby isn’t just a rapper, he’s a voice for a generation that’s been through it, seen it all, and still dares to dream big. His songs often touch on the realities of Detroit’s streets, but he also pushes messages of growth, survival, and ambition. Off the mic, he’s shown love for his city through mentorship and community involvement, proving he’s not just trying to make it out—he’s trying to give back.
Not to mention, his lover-boy lyrics and sweet persona combined with the his “bad boy” image has the ladies flocking!
With the city behind him, Skilla Baby is proving why he’s next up—not just in Detroit, but in hip hop as a whole. If you’re not already familiar, now’s the time to tap in!
Cassie Ventura might’ve slid onto the scene with her 2006 smash “Me & U,” but real ones know her influence didn’t stop there.
With her smooth vocals, effortless vibe, and that signature laid-back delivery, Cassie became the go-to voice for hooks that needed just the right amount of cool. Over the years, she’s popped up on tracks with everyone from Diddy and Fabolous to Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, and even Solange—adding her signature touch without ever doing too much. Whether she’s singing a hypnotic chorus or floating in the background with dreamy harmonies, Cassie always knows how to set the tone. Despite her staying lowkey, her features remind us she’s still that girl in the booth.
Let’s run it back and highlight some of the dopest songs Cassie Ventura has been featured on throughout her career.
“Addiction” – Ryan Leslie feat. Cassie & Fabolous (2008)
This track marked a reunion with producer Ryan Leslie, the hitmaker behind her breakout sound. She added a seductive vibe that elevated the song’s smooth, late-night energy.
“The Boys” – Nicki Minaj feat. Cassie (2012)
Cassie and the Queen?! We’re here for it! Cassie’s dreamy vocals offered the perfect contrast to Nicki Minaj’s bold, rapid-fire verses, creating a balance that let both artists shine in their own lane.
This article will explore the exciting journey of mastering time management for scholarship applications! Effective time management is essential in empowering busy parents and their college-bound students to navigate the scholarship process easily and successfully. Let’s dive in!
Set Specific Goals: Break down the scholarship application process into manageable steps, such as researching scholarships, gathering materials (transcripts, recommendation letters), and writing the essay. Set deadlines for each step to keep yourself on track. Here is an easy-to-follow Weekly Scholarship Time Management Schedule.
Sunday – Planning & Organization
1–2 Hours: Plan & Organize the Week
Review the scholarship opportunities you’re applying for, including deadlines and
requirements.
Set weekly goals (e.g., complete an essay, request a recommendation letter,
submit one application).
Update your scholarship tracking sheet/spreadsheet with deadlines, materialsneeded, and status of your applications.
Break down larger tasks into smaller steps (e.g., “Draft intro paragraph for essay” or “Finalize recommendation letter request”).
Monday – Scholarship Research & Essay Writing
1 Hour: Research New Scholarships
Dedicate time to finding new scholarships for the week. Use scholarship search engines, and check for any local opportunities from businesses or community organizations.
1–2 Hours: Work on Scholarship Essays
Write or revise scholarship essays. Aim to finish a draft for one essay by the end of the session.
Focus on one essay per session. Break it into smaller tasks (e.g., brainstorming, outlining, writing, revising).
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Tuesday – Essay Writing & Application Preparation
1 Hour: Essay Review & Revision
Review and revise the scholarship essay you worked on Monday. Consider asking a teacher or family member to give feedback.
1 Hour: Prepare Application Materials
Gather and review any application materials you need (e.g., resume, transcript, recommendation letters). Ensure everything is up-to-date.
Wednesday – Recommendation Letters & Networking
1 Hour: Request Recommendation Letters
Reach out to teachers, mentors, or community leaders for recommendation letters. Be polite and give them ample time (at least 2–3 weeks).
Provide them with your resume and any scholarship-specific information to help them write a strong letter.
1 Hour: Work on Additional Essays
Continue working on scholarship essays. You could also start drafting personal statements if they’re needed for multiple applications.
Thursday – Application & Scholarship Submission
1 Hour: Submit Scholarships
If you have any scholarships due soon, aim to submit them today. Double-check that all materials (essays, recommendation letters, transcript) are uploaded.
1 Hour: Work on Scholarship Essay #2
Keep working through scholarship essays. Aim to finish one more by the end of the session.
Friday – Follow-up & Reflection
1 Hour: Follow-up on Applications
Check the status of applications you’ve submitted (confirm they’ve been received, follow up on recommendations if needed).
1 Hour: Reflect and Plan
Reflect on what you’ve accomplished during the week. Make adjustments to your plan if certain tasks need more time or attention.
Set your goals for the upcoming week.
Desola Lanre-Ologun/Unsplash
Saturday – Free Time/Buffer Time
Use this day as a buffer for catching up on any scholarship work you didn’t complete during the week.
1–2 Hours (Optional): Relax and Recharge
Use the weekend to relax, recharge, and spend time with friends or family.
Dedicate Focused Time Blocks: Set aside specific blocks of time for scholarship work. Limit distractions during these periods and focus solely on completing applications. Even 30-to 60-minute intervals of deep focus can make a big difference.
Prioritize Scholarships: Start with scholarships with the earliest deadlines or higher value. Prioritize those with fewer requirements and shorter essays to get them out of the way first.
Batch Similar Tasks: If you must write multiple essays or gather the same materials for different scholarships, do them all simultaneously. This approach saves time and energy by minimizing switching between tasks.
Use Templates: Create a template for recurring components like personal statements or essays that you can tweak for each scholarship. This way, you don’t have to start from scratch every time. The length of a personal statement for a scholarship application can vary depending on the specific scholarship requirements. However, most scholarship personal statements are typically around 500 to 1,000 words. For assistance with personal statements, Many teachers, especially English and writing teachers, are happy to help students with scholarship essays. They can provide feedback on structure, grammar, and clarity.
Discover a wealth of inspiration by visiting Scholarships.com! Head over to the student resource tab, where you’ll find an array of sample personal statements designed to spark your creativity and help you craft a standout application. Don’t miss out!
Stay Organized: Keep all scholarship materials organized in one place (digital or physical). This will help you quickly access everything you need, saving you time in the long run. See samples below.
Use Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or any planner app to mark important scholarship deadlines.
Set up reminders several days or a week in advance so you can prepare all materials beforehand.
Physical Planner:
If you prefer a paper planner, dedicate a section to scholarship deadlines.
Use sticky notes or highlighters to make important dates stand out.
Use a “To-Do” List System
Daily/Weekly Lists:
Make a list of scholarship tasks to complete each day or week, such as drafting essays, reviewing recommendation letters, or submitting applications.
Keep the list in your planner, notebook, or as a digital checklist (e.g., Google Keep, Todoist, or Trello).
Break Down Tasks:
For large tasks (like writing an essay), break them down into smaller, manageable steps (e.g., brainstorming, outlining, first draft, revisions).
Track Application Progress
Application Submission Status:
Create a simple table or section in your tracking spreadsheet to mark the status of each scholarship (e.g., “Not Started,” “In progress,” “Submitted”).
Follow-Up Dates:
If a scholarship requires additional follow-up (e.g., confirmation of submission, interview), include these follow-up dates and notes in your tracking system.
Keep a Digital Backup
Scan Physical Materials:
If you keep physical documents (e.g., printed essays, hard-copy transcripts), make sure to scan or take pictures of them so you have a backup in case anything is lost.
Create Templates:
For repetitive materials like personal statements or resumes, keep a master template that you can quickly adapt for different scholarships.
Organize Recommendation Letters
Ask Early:
Request recommendation letters well in advance (at least 2-3 weeks). Keep a list of which teachers or mentors you’ve asked, and when they confirm, they’ll write them.
Share Necessary Information:
Provide your recommenders with a detailed list of scholarships you’re applying for, as well as any specific requirements for the letter.
Track Submitted Letters:
Confirm when your recommenders submit the letters, and keep a record of submission status (e.g., “Letter submitted to Scholarship X”).
Create a “Scholarship Checklist”
For Each Scholarship:
Make a checklist of all required materials (essay, resume, recommendation letter, transcript, etc.).
Check off items as you complete them.
Review the checklist before submission to ensure you haven’t missed anything.
Christina @ wocintechchat.com/Unsplash
Use Your Network
Reach out to family through texts or emails about any available scholarships Connecting with college advisors and teachers is a great idea too. Many fast food and retail jobs offer scholarships, so don’t hesitate to ask at your workplace. Also, chat with friends in college about the scholarships they’ve applied for!
Follow up
It’s a great idea to send friendly follow-up calls and emails to confirm that your scholarship application has been received. Many applicants miss this crucial step, and a simple follow-up can make a real difference. Don’t forget, check your spam folder too! Your effort could pay off!
By following these strategies, you’ll stay organized, reduce stress, and increase your chances of completing multiple scholarships efficiently!
Omoyele Mcintosh is the founder of Fan Family Inc., a New York City-based service that focuses on college preparedness. She’s worked with countless parents and students, aiding them through the college process. She specifically exposes middle and high school students to both Ivy League and HBCU colleges through annual college campus tours. She serves as a resource by providing scholarship information and assistance with the FAFSA.
Contact: Follow Fan Family Inc. on Instagram @FanFamilyInc
It seems Tiffany Walker, model, and reality star, got her Instagram page @TheTiffanyWalker hacked on Thanksgiving of 2023. Tiffany is currently using her backup page @IAmTiffanyWalker. Her hacked account is contacting people offering an influencer job to hack other Instagram accounts!
Essence Hollywood House is back again as this year marks the fifth year of the impactful event. The event strives to unite upcoming talent pursuing film and television with industry experts who have graced the big screens and/or navigated the television and film industry from a business standpoint from behind the scenes.
The event showcased a series of panel discussions featuring talent who have been featured in some of our favorite television shows and movies. The panels highlighted topics and discussions in TV and Film as one fireside chat featured Oscar award winning actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph of The Holdovers. While another discussion included actor Da’Vinchi of BMF and actress Layla DeLeon Hayes of The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster, as they partook in the Slated to Shine: Fresh Faces of Black Hollywood panel. Another discussion titled, Black on Screen: A Global Dialogue featured actress Phylicia Pearl Mpasi of The Color Purple.
When asked about her experience talking on the panel, Mpasi explained,
“I feel so inspired. It’s rare you get asked questions about the diaspora and truly, what it means to be black in Hollywood, and specifically what it means to be black in Hollywood. It was so great sharing the stage with [Barkue Tubman-Zawolo] and [Osas Ighodaro]. I’m just really inspired to just honestly be the answer to some of the things we talked about. Like, how there doesn’t feel like there’s enough representation, how it doesn’t feel like there are enough parts. You know, the gate keeping of it all.”
“I’m just inspired to kind of help, bridge the gap,”
the actress added.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH
08: A general view of the 2024 ESSENCE
Hollywood House on March 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Paras
Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Industry Experts Who Shape The Magic Behind The Scenes
However, not only did the impactful event feature on-screen talent but the audience was also able to hear from industry professionals who has made their mark behind the scenes. As one panel featured costume designer and wardrobe stylist Tanja Caldwell, while another panel showcased producers, Olivia Charmaine (Morris) Bernardez, and Korin D. Williams.
When Caldwell was asked about her experience working alongside and styling Usher for the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime show, she expressed,
“I felt amazing, I felt nervous, anxious, a lot of anxiety throughout the process.”
“But I had a really, really great team. I feel like the cards were stacked in my favor. There was still a bunch of challenges I knew we would face but we took them head on, and we were optimistic. We really wanted to create a beautiful show,”
Caldwell said.
“Its reassuring and refreshing to hear that people watched it but loved it, and really received all the hard work that we put into it.”
The 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards was nothing short of amazing. The carpet was filled with many of black Hollywoods’ finest such as Tina Knowles, Chloe Bailey, Zendaya, Tia and Tamera and many more. The stars wore their trendiest attire as they made their glamorous entrance on the carpet. Most guest seemingly radiated excitement for the highly anticipated ceremony.
For so many, the atmosphere in the room felt like a joyful family reunion filled with laughter and heartfelt moments exchanged among the stars. This year’s ceremony honored The Color Purple’s very own, Danielle Brooks, Disney’s Little Mermaid Princess, Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner of the hit TV series All AmericanNkechi Okoro Carroll and Kathryn Busby, industry powerhouse and the President of Original Programming for STARZ. Each honoree has transcended boundaries in their field, ultimately leading to them being awarded and recognized by the publication dedicated to celebrating black women.
Red Carpet Talent Shares Their Expectations
Onsite! chatted with talent who graced the carpet as many seemed ecstatic to be in the room. Comedian, actress, and TV host widely known as the former host of The Real, Loni Love, expressed her excitement for the show.
“I am looking forward to just supporting my friends. ESSENCE is just a great avenue for black females, and this year they pull out all stocks. I have been stalking Daniel Brooks forever. If she’s in a play, I’m there…. so it’s good to see her tonight. Also, our girl, Halle Bailey, [she’s] been through a lot and we have to come around her and give her support. So, I think she deserves this honor tonight.”
“It’s like a family reunion here, we don’t get to see each other a lot so atleast this one time a year we get to come together,”
the TV host continued.
Actress Letitia Wright revealed that she’s looking forward to seeing the women being honored as well as connecting with other individuals in the industry. The Black Panther actress revealed that she’s expecting to
“connect with other people [whose work she admires].”
Red Carpet Guests Share Their Favorite Aspects of Being A Black Woman
ESSENCE embodies black excellence with a strong emphasis on black women. Black women experience many aspects of life, and when asked about their favorite part of being a black woman, the red carpet guests provided diverse answers.
Actress Tichina Arnold expressed that her favorite part about being a black woman was simply being black. While Bel-Air actress.
Cassandra Freeman revealed that she enjoys her melanated skin. She revealed,
“my favorite part about being a black woman is literally my skin, the melanin. I love [that] when it’s summer time, it turns golden, it literally has like sparkles in it.”
TV writer Renada Shepard said,
“I think it’s the gift of being a black woman to take up space in a world that people are going to not understand you and they don’t have to. But there’s a non-verbal language that we speak.. it’s just such a gift to speak without words and understand each other.”
Shepard went on to explain that black women are now allowing themselves to rest.
“When I look at my mom and my aunt.. women who have such strength and such ability. But, also, I love that as black women we’re coming to this space of [wanting to be soft]”
said Shepard.
Here are some of our favorite moments from 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Red Carpet:
Onsite! covered the 17th annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards and here’s what’s the ladies had to say. Clique, fill in the blank, you’re not a black woman if you don’t? 🎤: @Niara ❤️ @__teeinthecity #EssenceBWIH
Onsite! recently spoke with Hailey Kilgore, Aliyah Turner, and Liv Symone, who played members of the girl groupButta in the Starz hit series Power Book III: Raising Kanan. The group was introduced in season three of the series and instantly began to play a major role in the season as it pertained to Jukebox’s life and the relationships she began to form. The group consists of Hailey Kilgore, who plays Laverne Thomas also known as Jukebox, Aliyah Turner, who portrayed Krystal, and Liv Symone, who plays Iesha. Now, the popular series is gearing up to head into a new season, and the ladies of Butta are hinting at a lot being in store for the group. So buckle your seats belts as we explore what the audience can expect in the upcoming season as season three comes to an end.
When Symone and Turner was asked about what the audience can expect from their characters, Iesha and Krystal, in the upcoming season, Symone expressed,
“You can expect Iesha just continue to be the support system and that outlet for Juke to be able to open her mouth and talk and share her story and share her life.”
“As [the audience] can see, she doesn’t really get to do that a lot, just to kind of express herself, and I think that’s what make Jukebox and Iesha’s relationship special is that she is there for her,”
she continued.
While Turner jokingly revealed, “you can count on Krystal continuing to be wild.”
Exploring the Intricate Relationship Between Jukebox and Her Family
However, Kilgore dove into Jukebox’s intricate relationship with Kanan, as this season, the pair seemed to be at odds with Jukebox questioning a lot of the decisions her cousin has been making. She expressed that Jukebox and Kanan has a strange relationship despite them caring deeply about each other. When asked about how their relationship evolves in season four of the series, the actress revealed,
“Something that we see in the original Power is the love-hate relationship we see between [Jukebox and Kanan] and what Sascha Penn and the writing team of Raising Kanan is doing an excellent job of is they’re just elevating how that works, and the complexity of that relationship every season.”
Kilgore also reflected on her character’s family involvement in the drug game potential effecting her future and singing career in the upcoming season. She said,
“It’s complicated.. you love someone so hard but they could be doing all of the entirely wrong things, and so, it’s up to you to decide how far you’re going to go to deal with whatever they’re doing. So, I think with Juke right now, it’s like, she’s really looking at everything like how long am I going to stick with all of the madness.”
Wondering where to jet off to next based on your astrological vibes? Let’s dive into the stars and uncover the ideal 2024 travel.
Onsite! is rewriting the travel guidebook by exploring destinations aligned with their astrological signs for the perfect vacation.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
The bold and adventurous Aries will thrive in vibrant cities like Tokyo, Japan. The bustling streets and neon lights mirror their fiery spirit, offering dynamic experiences and opportunities for spontaneous adventures.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Taurus seeks tranquility and luxury, making Santorini, Greece, the ideal haven. The scenic landscapes and luxurious resorts cater to their appreciation for beauty and relaxation.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
With an insatiable curiosity, Geminis will revel in the diverse culture of Marrakech, Morocco. The vibrant souks and lively atmosphere cater perfectly to their adaptable nature.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Cancers are drawn to places rich in history and emotional depth. Edinburgh, Scotland, with its ancient castles and poetic landscapes, resonates deeply with their soulful essence.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Leos, craving grandeur and a wholeeeee lot of attention, will find themselves at home in the opulent palaces of Vienna, Austria. The regal charm and artistic heritage align perfectly with their love for the spotlight.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Pristine landscapes and spiritual retreats make Bali, Indonesia, a haven for Virgos seeking balance and serenity amidst nature’s beauty.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Libras, craving harmony and sophistication, will find their equilibrium in the romantic ambiance of Paris, France. The city’s art, cuisine, and allure speak directly to their refined tastes.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
The enigmatic allure of Sedona, Arizona, appeals to Scorpios’ fascination with the mystical and transformative. The desert landscape and spiritual energy resonate with their depth and intensity.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Sagittarians, known for their wanderlust, will feel at home exploring the diverse landscapes of New Zealand. Its breathtaking scenery and adventurous activities cater to their free-spirited nature.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): Capricorns seeking ambition and tradition will find their calling in the historical city of Rome, Italy. Its rich history and iconic landmarks echo ltheir aspirations for success.
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Embracing their unconventional spirit, Aquarians will thrive in the innovation hub of Seoul, South Korea. The futuristic cityscape and avant-garde culture will definitely appeal to the creative side of Aquarius.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
The dreamy landscapes and ethereal beauty of Bali, Indonesia is definitely appealing to the sensitive and artistic nature of Pisceans. Bali provides a serene opportunity for the perfect spiritual escape.
