When COVID struck, we had to close almost 50% of our properties because if a hotels not making money, theres no sense of keeping it up. Vol. In anything you do, youve got to start off believing in yourself and that youre delivering a service or a product to someone who is going to treat you fairly, respect you, and compensate you for what youre doing. All Rights Reserved. "I had a career as a violinist. It was an incredible journey that also provided great jobs and opportunities for many other people, particularly people of color who probably would not have had those opportunities otherwise. The sale made him the first African American billionaire. ." Around the same time he also worked as the director of communications for the Washington, D.C. office of the National Urban League. Robert L. Johnson discusses the personal philosophy that has enabled him to become a titan of business and a leader in the Black community. Johnson launched C-SET (Carolinas Sports Entertainment Network), a regional sports and entertainment cable TV network, in October 2004. [3] His parents moved the family to Freeport, Illinois, when he was a child. Her father's job as a neurosurgeon for the Veteran's Administration caused the family to move often during Johnson's childhood. By the early 1960's, Johnson had his . Since its establishment as a national philanthropy in 1972, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has appropriated almost $560 million in grants directed toward improvement of health in the United States. Starting in 1979 with a $15,000 loan, Johnson turned BET into one of the richest franchises in the cable industry. His mother was a schoolteacher, and his father was a farmer. At the University of Illinois, Johnson became a member of the Beta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity . [36], In 2007, Johnson created the Liberia Enterprise Development Fund with a $30 million investment. Of course, we focused on hiring a good management team and overseeing the management companies that were running our hotels. I can hold my own.". Robert L. Johnson was born in Hickory, Mississippi, on April 8, 1946. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Johnson graduated from Freeport High School in 1964, and studied . [3][7] Johnson is the former majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. New York Times, September 17, 1989; September 16, 1991. Funded solely by the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, the Foundation currently operates worldwide as Johnson & Johnson Foundation US (founded 1953) and Johnson & Johnson Foundation Scotland (founded 2007). Racine, Wisconsin 53403-2237 . He is the co-founder of BET, which was acquired by Viacom in 2001. May 1, 2023. Perhaps the most notable of Johnsons achievements, however, was his purchase of the National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise in Charlotte, North Carolina, making Johnson, the first African American to own a major league sports team. Publishing company executive We have the power to transform those policies and drive improvements to achieve health and racial equity. He also went on to say "I make a joke about Obama doing drugs [and it's] 'Oh my God, a black man tearing down another black man. [5] His mother was a schoolteacher and his father was a farmer . I was the first of my siblings to go off to college, so that in itself was a milestone. Robert L. Johnson - Wikipedia In 2001 Johnson sold BET to Viacom. These are the characteristics of real estate investment. Johnson was born in 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi, the ninth out of ten children to Edna and Archie Johnson. Watch Robert Johnson's Interview with the Television . The Johnson & Johnson Foundation is a registered charitable organization that reflects the commitment of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies to keeping people well at every age and every stage of life by blending heart, science and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. This came as a shock to many, for most analysts thought the franchise would be given to long time NBA star Larry Bird, but as Johnson told the Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, Its no surprise to me when African-Americans ascend to top positions in corporations or in sports because its long overdue. ." NOT since the first President Johnson took office in 1865 has a presidency begun amid such tragedy and turmoil as Ly, Robert Koch Identifies the Bacteria that Cause Anthrax, Tuberculosis, and Cholera, Robert H. Schomburgk Explores the Interior of British Guyana, Brazil, and Venezuela and Is the First European to Visit Mount Roraima, Robert Louis Stevenson's The Game of Death, Robert McClure Discovers the Elusive Northwest Passage, Robert Morris College: Narrative Description, Robert Morris University: Distance Learning Programs, Robert Morris University: Narrative Description, Robert O'Hara Burke Traverses the Australian Continent from North to South, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/johnson-robert-l-1946, https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/johnson-robert-l-1946-0, https://www.encyclopedia.com/economics/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/johnson-robert-l-1946. [16][26][27][28][29][30], Johnson became the first African-American majority club owner of a major American sports league team with his 2002 purchase of the Charlotte Bobcats. The Johnson & Johnson Foundation is a registered charitable organization that reflects the commitment of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies to keeping people well at every age and every stage of life by blending heart, science and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. We did all those things, and we made sure that our financials and our balance sheet were structured to withstand the cycles, whether the normal cycles of the hotel industry or a cycle caused by an unintended event. The trick in this is how to manage it where you dont feel like youre selling your soul to get a job, or to keep it. International Directory of Business Biographies. ." We want a broad audience, but we never want to forget our mandate: to give black audiences a full range of black entertainment and information, Robert L. Johnson, the founder and president of Black Entertainment Television (BET), told Christopher C. Williams in the New York Times. [3][4] While at the University of Illinois, Johnson became a member of the Beta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. 1-202-739-9401 (fax). Fontno, Tiffeni "Johnson, Robert L. 1946 Under that circumstance, you have to confront it head on and make the case that youre not prepared to be treated that way. Clinical Scholars is one of a number of national leadership programs supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the nation's largest health philanthropy. He majored in history at the University of Illinois (B.A . There were no Blacks in the hotel real estate business of any significance when I and my partner, Tom Baltimore (current CEO of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PK), got together to start a private equity hotel fund, which later became lodging REIT RLJ Lodging Trust. 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Creator of the first and only cable network television to provide solely black programming, Johnson built his nearly $500 million company on a format that featured black music videos as its highlight. https://www.encyclopedia.com/economics/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/johnson-robert-l-1946, Fontno, Tiffeni "Johnson, Robert L. 1946 In addition to his business ventures, Johnson has involved himself in politics. Nareits members are REITs and other real estate companies throughout the world that own, operate, and finance income-producing real estate, as well as those firms and individuals who advise, study, and service those businesses. . That means not only do they pay taxes when they cash out on their 401(k) account, they also lose the savings for retirement. He was graduated sixth in his class. The NFL implemented the Rooney Rule in 2003, requiring all teams must interview at least one minority candidate when they are hiring a head coach. Now a member of the board's executive committee, she has promised to help the school find other donors. 140143. Viewership expanded along with the product line, while major media companies began to invest in the growing network. In 2002, Robert L. Johnson became first Black U.S. principal owner of a North American major-league sports franchise (the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats). Sometimes we have news, announcements or opportunities that don't quite fit the subscription parameters above. Data center REITs see pipeline of new opportunities and long-term demand potential. . Address: BET Holdings, 1232 31st Street NW, Washington, DC 20007; http://www.bet.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/johnson-robert-l-1946-0, Burgess, Marjorie; Zerbonia, Ralph "Johnson, Robert L. 1946 In 1999, believing the stock to be undervalued, Johnson reversed the decision, making his company private again. Urban League. This includes the Johnson & Johnson Center for Health Worker Innovation founded in 2019 to catalyze efforts to respond to the human resource crisis in global health and build a thriving health workforce. Born: April 8, 1946, in Hickory, Mississippi. They married in May 2016 Greg Mathis officiated.[8]. The real question is have you created a sense of empowerment and I think thats what weve done at BET.. Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson appeared on CNBC, where he is a frequent guest, and called on the U.S. government to provide $14 trillion in reparations to African Americans for slavery and to help reduce racial inequity. He scrutinized investors frenzied purchase of BET stock, telling a Newsweek correspondent, Its incredible how a company with $9 million in earnings in 1991 could leave Wall Street with a market value of $475 million., Johnsons career plans include using the $10 million studio he completed in Washington to film original programs. [8][31][32] In 2010, Johnson sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats to Michael Jordan. We want a broad audience, but we never want to forget our mandate: to give black audiences a full range of black entertainment and information, Robert L. Johnson, the founder and president of Black Entertainment Television (BET), told Christopher C. Williams in the New York Times. If youve got Black Americans on your board, you get a voice on Black issues. Email. He recruited Taft Broadcasting Company and Home Box Office. [12][14] In 1998, Johnson and Liberty Media bought all outstanding shares of the company. . [1][2][3][4][5][6] He is the co-founder of BET, which was acquired by Viacom in 2001. Without accountability, goals in business tend to become empty in implementation. People created laws and policies that perpetuate health injustices. Near the middle of 1998, Johnson took the BET company and made it private once again and by January of 1999, a deal was made to sell BET to Viacom for $3 billion. U.S.A. Chicago, Illinois 60605 Im also grateful that after that 17-year journey, when I got a call to rejoin Hilton to spin out their portfolio into Park Hotels, Bob didnt stand in my way. His parents moved the family to Freeport, Illinois, when he was a child. BET thrived in the 1990s, adding more cable channels and expanding its reach through new film and publishing divisions, music channels, and a website. Johnson realized this concept would work well for African Americans, an underserved market in communication and entertainment media. "Long before I married, I was my own person," Johnson told the Times. Johnson grew up in Freeport, Illinois, the 9th of 10 children. from Princeton University. And entrepreneurs like Robert Johnson will be driving the train.. Silverman wanted Pepper's support for his idea of starting a cable channel for older Americans. Robert Johnson After Market Sales Manager at Textron Aviation/ A&P Technician, BS Business Studies, Selected 2021 Textron Aviation Top Talent, 2022 NBAA Top 40 Under 40. The companys stock quickly rose and Johnson found himself a millionaire media executive by 1992. The WITH Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are inviting proposals that support projects fostering health and healthcare systems transformation for older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in communities of color, centering the goals, perspectives, and needs of this community. Unfortunately, many companies, most of those white companies, dont allow Blacks into what I call the deal flow that determines who gets hired, who gets promoted, who gets placed in the top positions that can lead to either the top job as CEO or CFO, or other strategic executive positions. John H. Johnson turned a five hundred dollar loan into a multimillion dollar business empire,, Johnson, James Weldon 18711938 Robert L. Johnson (Robert L. Johnson Jr.) graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1952. Robert Johnson Aftermarket Sales Manager at Textron Aviation/ A&P Technician, BS Business Studies, Selected 2021 Textron Aviation Top Talent, 2022 NBAA Top 40 . Derby, KS. Tell us what type of content you want to receive. After selling the company to Viacom in 2000, Johnson became the first African-American billionaire and set his sights on other ventures such as becoming an owner in the airline industry, authoring books, and owning professional sports teams. Robert L. Johnson's Core Beliefs on Leadership and Diversity [5], In January 2008, Johnson became the target of criticism for remarks he made to supporters of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton about another candidate, Senator (and eventual party nominee and election winner) Barack Obama. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Graduating from high school with honors in history, Johnson attended the University of Illinois on an academic scholarship. //Robert Johnson Photos & High-Res Pictures - Getty Images Based in Princeton, New Jersey, the foundation focuses on access to health care, public health, health equity, leadership and training, and changing systems to address barriers to health. When I looked at all these other businesses, I thought that there ought to be a role for Blacks in business and private equity. He is also seeking to gain a larger share of the market allotted to the major networks. . There are very few African American CEOs of publicly traded companies, and three of them are from his organizations. The airline itself never got off the ground, being tied up in court proceedings and congressional hearings on the nature of the airline business, but Johnson has hope that in the future he will still be able to get himself into this market. Now, you can take those three categories and say, How do I deal with it? Ignorance, you can work around. His entrepreneurial spirit was honed when he was a child. We were able to raise capital because of my connections and Toms management skills. Robert Johnson - YouTube Music The Robertson Foundation is a private Foundation established in 1996 by Tiger Management founder Julian H. Robertson, Jr., his wife Josie, and their family. Phone: (202) 608-2000. Baltimore previously served as president and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust. 820 S. Michigan Avenue He quickly builds relationships and communicates well at all levels. A spokesperson for Kagan Associates pointed out in the New York Times in 1989, There is a poor understanding of exactly what BET is and what it wants to become. Taking steps to remedy the situation, Johnson signed a million dollar joint advertising pact to begin his marketing campaign with a major network that same year. Soon after, Johnson founded The RLJ Companies, a holding company with a diverse portfolio including hotel real estate investment, private equity, financial services, asset management, automobile dealerships, sports and entertainment, and Video lottery terminal gaming. 29 Jun. Johnson graduated from the University of Illinois in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in social studies and was a member of the Beta chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. The other thing that Im doing is looking at the biggest problem facing Black businesspeoplelack of access to capital. 1-202-739-9400 It doesnt require government legislation and it doesnt require taxpayers to go in their pocket to do it. Blues. View the full report here and see the press release here. Thats probably the most critical thing of being able to accumulate a number of business opportunitiesyou must be able to attract talented people who believe in your vision, who believe that you are willing to work as hard as they are. The great John Johnson, the founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, had already proved that Black Americans had a strong desire for targeted content. Born . In 2010, Johnson sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats to Michael Jordan. Robert Johnston - London, England, United Kingdom - LinkedIn 41st President of the United States George Bush Sr and African-American businessman, philanthropist, and founder of the BET television network Robert. Black Enterprise, January 2001, p. 58; August 2002, p. 24; February 2003, p. 19. [4][12][13] He later became vice president of government relations at the National Cable and Television Association (NCTA). In addition to a collaboration with television pay-per-view promoter Butch Lewis, Johnson was considering a possible partnership with filmmaker Mario Van Peebles, creator of New Jack City. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. The initial ratings for the station were low, but Johnson continued to improve the lineup, adding talk shows, sports from traditionally black colleges, and most importantly, music videos in 1982, which he received for free from record companies. Email address already subscribed. Until recently, however, much of her philanthropy including a $3 million gift to her son's school for a performing arts center and support for the equestrian activities favored by her daughter benefited projects near her Virginia home. Remaining true to the principles of Our Credo, the Johnson & Johnson Foundation supports the best ideas, wherever they come from, to make basic, quality health services available to everyone and build a healthier and more equitable future for all. (312) 322-9200 He had jobs as a public affairs officer for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, director of communications for the Washington, D.C., office of the National Urban League, press aide to Sterling Tucker, the Washington, D.C., councilman, and press secretary to Walter E. Fauntroy, the congressional delegate from the District of Columbia. Not wanting to stop there, Johnson applied to Princeton Universitys Wood-row Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and after a long drawn out process was finally admitted to the school for graduate work in 1969. Robert L. Johnson | Encyclopedia.com The deal was worth $3 billion and required that Johnson remain CEO for five more years. Black Americans, when they leave a job, cash out their retirement savings accounts at approximately 60% to 70% compared to white Americans. He also knew that I had built a team of men and women that were prepared to continue on with RLJ. ." Johnson continued to be the companys chairman and CEO for several years before leaving BET to lead the RLJ Companies. If you are, you have one of two options: go to HR or legal, or, the ultimate remedy, you take your expertise elsewhere. At Johnson & Johnson, we blend heart, science and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. Explore the latest in reflection and research from subject matter experts at RWJF and our wide network of partners. Worked for Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Washington Urban League, and as a press secretary; National Cable TV Association, vice president of government relations, 1976-79; Black Entertainment Television (BET), principal shareholder, 1980-98, founder, chairman, chief executive, 1980-; NBA Charlotte Franchise, owner, 2003-. Developed Cable Network for African Americans. [6], He married Shelia Johnson[7] in 1969 and have 2 children .They divorced in 2001 .Johnson dated Lauren Wooden, who is 33 years his junior, in 2010. Robert Johnson - Senior Investment Advisor - Ethereum | LinkedIn There are companies like Glass Lewis and ISS that evaluate corporations on their performance related to their charter. How were you able to achieve that? One of the things Im most proud of is that I have been successful in delivering three of the 14 Black CEOs to Wall Street, and two of them are female. Johnson became the first Black majority club owner of a major American sports league with his 2002 purchase of the Charlotte Bobcats. Johnson purchased the National Basketball Association expansion franchise in North Carolina, the Charlotte Bobcats. Hes a brilliant entrepreneur, hes curious, hes thoughtful, hes always thinking around corners and hes willing to invest in people, especially people who are prepared to bet on themselves. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Although he declined to publish financial figures, Johnson noted that BET became profitable in 1987. If youve got a compensation committee charter and theyre paying the executives without regard to certain criteria, they will recommend to some of the big stockholders in those companies, like Fidelity or BlackRock, a no vote. The agreement called for AMC to provide RLJ with a $60 million loan on a seven-year term and $5 million on a one-year term. With a lifetime of groundbreaking achievements behind him, Robert L. Johnsons entrepreneurial mind continues to explore ways to expand opportunity for the Black community.

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