HuffPost to Team Up with BET Cofounder Sheila Johnson on HuffPost GlobalBlack

By David Cohen

The Huffington Post will team up with BET cofounder Sheila Johnson to launch HuffPost GlobalBlack, an online platform that will examine news, politics, culture, opinion, and video through an African-American perspective.

HuffPost GlobalBlack will also feature a group blog with “leading thinkers, newsmakers, personalities, and provocateurs.”

HuffPost co-founder and editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington said:

We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Sheila Johnson, a true media visionary, on creating what we hope will become a go-to destination for both the African-American community and everyone who cares about these deeply important issues — in America and across the world. HuffPost GlobalBlack will synthesize Sheila’s insights and perspectives on culture and media, and HuffPost’s unique blend of real-time social news and engagement. This a two-way partnership, with HuffPost GlobalBlack content and vision informing all of HuffPost’s coverage, and HuffPost’s editorial and reporting team covering stories shaping the black community.

Johnson added:

The Huffington Post is at the center of social news: the idea that people want to engage in the news and opinion of the day and not just consume them. The Huffington Post is the ideal partner for us to create a thriving online black community of scale, a forum for ideas and discussion meant to inform, engage, surprise, and entertain.

BET Honors Beauty IMAN for It's 4th Annual Event

On Saturday the 4th Annual BET Honors was hosted by Gabrielle Union. Celebration of special contributions of the six honorees in the arts and culture, the award show was a 2 hour event. Before the big show, the celebrities were on the red carpet of the BET Honors 2011 showing off their threads.

This inspirational award show which highlights distinguished African Americans performing at exceptional levels in their fields will premiere during Black History Month. The 2011 award ceremony were Cicely Tyson (Theatrical Arts), Jamie Foxx (Entertainer), Iman (Service), Linda Johnson Rice (Media), Herbie Hancock (Musical Arts), and historian Lonnie G. Bunch (Education).

Take a look at the red carpet of the 4th Annual BET Honors. The celebrities appear to be delighted to be part of the evening. The BET Honors will be on BET Channel on Monday, February 21 at 9:00 pm. Red Carpet Photos - Here

Iman's hair courtesy of Celebrity Hairstylist Oscar James at www.OscarJames.com

Blue Chip Company - ClubVIPLister.com

It’s February, Black History Month!!! I wanted to highlight a number of people who are black businessmen and women. With only (4) Tuesday this month, I decided to honor both Pioneers that had the passion and foresight to stay in the game while celebrating our FUTURE Moguls who are creating their empires today. In the next few weeks you will meet Blue Chip Company Founders, Creators and CEO's like: Lynne Rene of Royalty Media Group, Sir Daniel & Drama Dupree of Better Days Radio and Darnell Henderson of H.I.M-istry Skincare partnered with business pioneers; Reginald Lewis, Cathy Hughes and Madame CJ Walker.

The pioneer of black cable television is Bob Johnson. Born Robert L. "Bob" Johnson on April 8, 1946, Johnson is the founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), and former chairman and CEO. He is currently chairman and founder of RLJ Development and majority-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, a NBA franchise along with rapper Nelly and NBA legend Michael Jordan. In 2001 Johnson became the first African American billionaire, and the first black person to be listed on any of Forbes world's rich list. In 2009 Forbes estimated that his net worth declined to $550 million because of the economic recession.

A cable network is a television channel available via cable television. Such channels are usually also available via satellite television, including direct broadcast satellite providers such as DirecTV, Dish Network and BSkyB. Alternative terms include non-broadcast channel or programming service, the latter being mainly used in legal contexts. In 1979, Johnson created BET, the first cable television network aimed to African Americans. It was launched in January 1980, initially broadcasting for two hours a week.

Eleven years later, BET became the first black-controlled company listed on the NYSE. As of 2007, BET reaches more than 65 million U.S. homes and expanded into other BET-related television channels that make up the BET Networks: Centric TV , and digital cable channels BET Hip-Hop and BET Gospel.

In 1998, Johnson took the company private, buying back all of its publicly traded stock. In 1999, BET was no longer a black owned business when Viacom bought BET for $3 billion. Johnson's 63% stake made him worth over a billion dollars after taxes, making him the richest black person until surrendering the title to

Oprah Winfrey, when then-wife Sheila Johnson claimed much of his billion in divorce. Johnson continued to be the company's chairman and CEO for six years. In 2005, Johnson turned over the titles of President and Chief Operating Officer of BET to Debra L. Lee, a former BET vice president.

A Future Mogul Blue Chip Company to keep your eyes out for is ClubVIPlister.com. Formed in 2009, Founder and CEO Toyce Francis (TF) shares with Lil Mogul (LM) his view on small business, success and his 10 year plan.

LM: What’s your Zodiac Sign?
TF: Aquarian

LM: Where were you born?
TF: Bridgeport, Connecticut

LM: Where do you currently live?
TF: Harlem USA

LM: Where did you go to college?
TF: BA in Communications – University of CT, MBA & MA in Management – Albertus Magnus College

LM: What do you do (career or claim to FAME)?
TF: Aside from my boutique web design agency, Prodigal Sun Design (www.prodigalsun.com) I am an Internet Entrepreneur. I just soft launched a new endeavor called ClubVIPlister.com that includes national gay nightlife listings, social networking, an entertainment blog, gay YouTube mega channel and lots of other cool features. Think gay facebook with nightlife listings.

LM: How did you get started in your new found career or industry?
TF: Initially, I presented my idea to some established LGBT magazines as additions to the websites that my company maintained. But each organization was more concerned with the cost than the opportunity. I then decided to stop giving away my ideas and to just do it myself.

LM: Do you think entrepreneurship is for everyone and/or important?
TF: It’s definitely not for everyone. It takes courage, tenacity and most of all the ability to tolerate uncertainty. Sure you can get a job with a guaranteed paycheck at maybe 65K a year, but that is the limit of what you could make. Whereas on your own, you may not have the guarantee of 65K, but your earning potential is only limited by your imagination... Most people opt for the paycheck.

LM: What was one of your highlights as an entrepreneur or during your career path?
TF: So far, my biggest accomplishment is completing the initial building phase of ClubVIPlister.com. It’s the realization of over a year of hard work and planning. But my greatest highlights are yet to come.

LM: What would you share with other getting started as an entrepreneur or on their career path?
TF: You have to believe in yourself, your abilities and your product. Don’t let naysayers stop you from pursuing your goals.

LM: If you can TELL the community to AWAKE UP – What should they be aware of?
TF: It annoys me when people hear me talk about my goals, and act as if it’s a pie in the sky fantasy. People become millionaires every day. Why can’t I be one of them? Why can’t you or anyone for that matter? And why not dream big and aspire to major goals. Dreaming is FREE! Oprah started somewhere. People can be so small minded in their thinking. So I want the community to think bigger and not so colloquially. And if you can’t wrap your head around the big dreams of others... Keep it to yourself.



LM: What is your ultimate 10 year plan for The Future?
TF: I see myself sitting comfortably on at least 8 figures, with several successful businesses including more web projects, some TV & Film productions as well as some real estate investments. I see myself positively impacting the lives of my family, those around me and the community. And I see all this from the terrace of my penthouse apartment with spectacular views of the city.

LM: What motto do you live by?
TF: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result.

LM: President Obama has completed 1 year in office what do you think about this performance?
TF: He can’t fix the worst economic break down since the great depression in a year. And its especially difficult given the partisan politics of Washington. I think that he is doing the best job that he can, given the multitude of issues he inherited from the dumbest president in history.

LM: Have you seen a Change?
TF: It’s too soon to see any real results. Ask me again in 3 years.

LM: How will your service assist the consumer and/or community?
TF: My goal with this site is to make this site not only a good resource that lets people know what is happening in the community, but also helps people connect.

LM: What is next to the site?
TF: For now, I am just really focused on making this project a success. I have a bunch of other projects in preliminary phases... Doing research, making contacts, laying the groundwork but its too premature to reveal just yet. You will have to wait to see about those. So for now, check out www.ClubVIPlister.com and create a profile. Get on the list.

Forbes TOP 15 Wealthiest Black Americans

15 - Kenneth I. Chenault
Net worth: $125 million
Source of wealth: American Express
Residence: New Rochelle, NY.
Age: 57
Long Island native studied history at Bowdoin College; graduated magna cum laude. Later earned a law degree at Harvard. Brief stints as a lawyer and a consultant; joined American Express in 1981 as director of strategic planning. Impressed management by turning around Amex's struggling merchandise services unit, which directly sold items to cardholders. A slew of promotions followed: president of consumer card group in 1989, president of travel related services in 1993, vice chairman of the company in 1995. Became president and chief operating officer in 1997; chief executive and chairman in 2001.

14 - Kobe Bryant
Net worth: $140 million
Source of wealth: Basketball, endorsements
Residence: Newport Beach, Calif.
Age: 30
Son of former pro basketball player Joe "Jellybean" Bryant skipped college ball; jumped straight from high school to the NBA at age 17 in 1996. Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers; parents had to co-sign contract. Now is one of the game's premier players; 11-time All-Star and league's 2008 MVP has won three world championships with the Lakers. Endorsement deals pad earnings. Nike launched Zoom Kobe IV earlier this year; company's "lightest basketball shoe ever."

13 - Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter
Net worth: $150 million
Source of wealth: Entertainment, investments
Residence: New York City
Age: 39
Born in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood; nickname "Jazzy" evolved into "Jay-Z." Began career rhyming on a street corner. Has sold more than 25 million units and won seven Grammy Awards. Biggest hits include "Guilty Until Proven Innocent," "Hard Knock Life." Tied Elvis Presley for most number one albums by solo performer with release of American Gangster in 2007.

12 - Alphonse Fletcher, Jr.
Net worth: $150 million
Source of wealth: Investments
Residence: New York City
Age: 43
Father was a technician, mother was an elementary school principal. "Buddy" majored in applied math at Harvard University, enrolled in ROTC. Sought fortune on Wall Street while serving 10-year stint in Air Force reserves. Joined financial firm Kidder, Peabody. Personally generated $25 million in profits one year; firm allegedly refused to pay promised 25% trading commission.

11 - Ulysses Bridgeman, Jr.
Net worth: $200 million
Source of wealth: Restaurants
Residence: Louisville, Ky.
Age: 55
Former shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks turned his athletic grit into a sprawling fast food empire. Raised in East Chicago, Ind.; father was a steelworker. "Junior" was picked in first round of the 1975 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers; promptly traded to the Bucks with three others for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Went on to rack up 11,517 career points, franchise record for most games played. Retired 1987. Bought five Wendy's franchises to generate income while planning his next career. Today controls 161 Wendy's and 118 Chili's restaurants. Total payroll: 11,000 managers, cashiers and cooks. Sales of holding company Manna Inc. in 2008: $530 million. Sits on board of PGA. Also owns small stake in Milwaukee soda bottler Black Bear Beverages.

10 - Janice Bryant Howroyd & Family
Net worth: $250 million
Source of wealth: Staffing, investments
Residence: Palos Verdes, Calif.
Age: 56
Fourth of 11 children; father was a foreman at a dye factory, mother stayed home to raise the kids. Janice took job as an assistant at Billboard Magazine; left to start staffing firm Act-1 in 1978 with $967 in savings and $533 in loans from family. Built up client base via word of mouth, cold calls. Today the employment services agency generates annual revenues approaching $1 billion. Donated $10 million to her alma mater, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, in 2004; gave another $10 million to University of Southern California in 2005.

9 - Don King
Net worth: $290 million
Source of wealth: Boxing promotion
Residence: Manalapan, Fla.
Age: 77
"Only in America." Loud-talking, flag-waving King ascended from a troubled past in Cleveland to become the biggest promoter in boxing. Accused of killing two men; 1954 case ruled a justifiable homicide, 1966 case ruled manslaughter. Spent nearly four years in prison. Entered boxing business while doing fundraising work in 1972 for a struggling Cleveland hospital. Asked Muhammad Ali to attend charity event. Later convinced Ali and George Foreman to let him promote their 1974 heavyweight championship bout. The "Rumble in the Jungle" in Zaire is remembered as one of the greatest fights of all time. Biggest success: boxing badboy Mike Tyson.

8 - Berry Gordy, Jr.
Net worth: $325 million
Source of wealth: Motown, Jobete
Residence: Los Angeles
Age: 79
Music pioneer put away his boxing gloves for songwriting at age 20. Borrowed $800 from parents to build his own record label. Created Motown Records in Detroit. Wrote hit songs ("Lonely Teardrops," "I'll be Satisfied"), managed talent (Jackson 5, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder). Known for running Motown's record production like an assembly line, emulating Detroit's Big Three car companies; fought numerous lawsuits brought by recording artists and songwriters alleging unpaid royalties throughout career. Sold Motown Records in 1988 for $61 million; later sold Jobete Music Corp. in installments to EMI Music Publishing for more than $300 million combined. Hit movie Dreamgirls said to be loosely based on Motown; Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks issued an apology to Gordy in 2007 for any confusion the fictional story might have caused regarding Motown's legacy.

7 - Sheila Johnson
Net worth: $400 million
Source of wealth: BET, investments
Residence: The Plains, Va.
Age: 60
Doctor's daughter and violinist co-founded Black Entertainment Television with former husband Robert Johnson; couple met in college at University of Illinois. Duo sold network to Viacom for $3 billion in stock and assumed debt; split fortune in divorce in 2002 after 33-year marriage. Today she is chief executive of Salamander LLC, which controls a portfolio of luxury resorts. Through investment in Lincoln Holdings, owns stake in NHL's Washington Capitals, NBA's Washington Wizards, and WNBA's Washington Mystics. Johnson is the Mystics' president and managing partner.

6 - William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr.
Net worth: $450 million
Source of wealth: The Cosby Show, entertainment
Residence: Massachusetts
Age: 71
Legendary comedian born in Philadelphia. Left high school in 10th grade; finished via correspondence course while in the Navy. Broke a long-standing racial barrier when he was cast as an equal to a white actor on NBC's "I Spy" in the 1960s; role as Alexander Scott garnered him three Emmy Awards. Left TV for stand-up comedy. Returned to the small screen 1984; launched The Cosby Show on NBC, propelling the network to first place. Iconic show about an upper-middle-class black family living in New York has made him hundreds of millions in pay and syndication dollars. Best-selling book Fatherhood sold 4 million copies.

5 - Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr.
Net worth: $500 million
Source of wealth: Restaurants, real estate, investments
Residence: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Age: 49
Grew up in Lansing, Mich., with nine brothers and sisters. Father worked at General Motors plant; mother was school custodian. Played at Michigan State; won national championship in 1979 in one of many legendary matchups against Larry Bird. Led Los Angeles Lakers to five world championships; 13-year career in NBA included three MVP awards, 12 NBA All-Star games, a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retired from NBA after announcing he had contracted HIV, became an entrepreneur. Introduced well-known brands to ethnically diverse neighborhoods via Magic Johnson Enterprises. Today has partnerships with Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, T.G.I. Fridays, AMC Theatres.

4 - Michael Jordan
Net worth: $525 million
Source of wealth: Basketball, Nike, endorsements
Residence: Chicago
Age: 46
Arguably the greatest basketball player ever. Led the NBA's Chicago Bulls to six world championships during the 1990s. Left basketball for stint as a minor league baseball player after third NBA championship in 1993; returned to the Bulls two years later. Retired again 1999; took ownership stake and executive job with the Washington Wizards. Returned to the court in 2001; signed 2-year contract with Wizards. Total points scored: 32,292, ranking him third all-time. Released Air Jordan basketball sneaker with Nike in 1984. The Jordan brand brings in hundreds of millions of dollars each year in sales for Nike; royalty checks from that provide the bulk of former star's income today. Other lucrative deals throughout career: Gatorade, Hanes, Upper Deck. Owns stake in Robert Johnson's Charlotte Bobcats; runs team's basketball operations. Son Jeffrey plays basketball at the University of Illinois, younger son Marcus recently signed letter of commitment to play for University of Central Florida next fall.

3 - Robert Johnson
Net worth: $550 million
Source of wealth: BET, investments
Residence: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Age: 63
Former billionaire's fortune has fallen from peak as recession hammered media and hotel markets. Founded cable channel Black Entertainment Television in 1979 with $15,000 of his own money and a $500,000 investment by cable king John Malone's Tele-Communications Inc. Became the first African-American billionaire in 2000 by selling BET to Viacom for $3 billion in stock and assumed debt. Former wife and BET co-founder, Sheila Johnson, took big chunk of fortune in 2002 divorce. Shares of Viacom down 50% since last May, CBS off 70%. Formed RLJ Companies: hotels, casino games, banks, NBA's Charlotte Bobcats. Pledged to raise $30 million investment fund for Liberia; opening of $8 million Kendeja Resort slated for early summer.

2 - Tiger Woods
Net worth: $600 million
Source of wealth: Golf, endorsements
Residence: Orlando, Fla.
Age: 33
Golf prodigy showed off his putting skills on The Mike Douglas Show at age 2, has dominated the links ever since. Left Stanford University after two years at age 20 in 1996 to turn pro. Has since won 66 PGA tournaments, including 14 major championships. Now hunting Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major career wins. Named PGA Player of the Year nine times. Total career winnings: $84 million. Intensely marketable; annual on-course winnings represent less than 15% of his income. Lucrative sponsorship contracts from Nike, Gatorade, Gillette, Accenture, AT&T and others earn him at least $100 million each year. Returned to competitive golf in February after rehabbing knee injury for eight months. Dramatically won the Arnold Palmer Invitational by one shot a few weeks later. Rare comment in 1995 on his ethnic background: "The various media have portrayed me as African-American and Asian. I am both."

1 - Oprah Winfrey
Net worth: $2.7 billion
Source of wealth: Harpo Productions
Residence: Chicago
Age: 55
The Oprah brand continues to hold its value despite the recession, as viewers tune in for money-saving tips, celebrity interviews and relationship advice. Rural Mississippi native worked the television news circuit in Nashville, Tenn., and Baltimore, Md. Transformed faltering Chicago morning program into popular talk show. Launched The Oprah Winfrey Show nationally in 1986; now airs in 144 countries, brings in 44 million U.S. viewers each week. Her Harpo Productions helped create the Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray shows; Dr. Oz show due out this fall. Media matriarch planning to launch Oprah Winfrey Network early next year.