Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey (b. 1954) an American media proprietor and philanthropists, was the first to form and create her own television and film production company (Harpo Productions in 1986) and additionally was the first to become a billionaire.

Cathy Hughes

Cathy Hughes (b. 1947) a media mogul is the first black woman in the U.S. to head the largest African American owned broadcast company, Radio One, which owns and operates over 55 stations nationwide, TV One (a cable television network) and Interactive One (a digital publisher).

Linda Johnson Rice

Linda Johnson Rice (b. 1958), a business executive, was the first to be named Chief Executive Officer in 2002, Johnson Publishing Company, listed among the top five of the Black Enterprise 100s the nation’s largest black-owned companies.

Shonda Lynn Rhimes

Shonda Lynn Rhimes (born January 13, 1970) is a screenwriter, director, and producer. She became the first woman to create three hit dramas (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal) exceeding 100 episodes each, fundamentally changing television with her inclusive storytelling.

Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts (b. 1960) an anchor for ABC’s, “Good Morning America,” was the first journalist to interview President Barack Obama after his inauguration in 2009.