Entrepreneurship can take many forms. Sometimes, it looks like building software companies from scratch; other times, it involves reshaping an entire culture, changing how we experience entertainment, or turning one big idea into a brand that ends up everywhere.
Black entrepreneurs have been doing all of that for decades. From media and tech to sports and consumer products, they’ve pushed entire industries forward in ways that are both influential and incredibly profitable.
The five people below are examples of what can happen when creativity, leadership, and smart business decisions collide. But before we dive into their stories, let’s talk about a few traits they all seem to share.
While each person on this list forged a distinct path, several qualities unite them:
Success doesn’t follow a straight line. These five entrepreneurs are a reminder that careers—and entire industries—can look completely different once someone decides to do things their own way.
Oprah Winfrey transformed television and media production through Harpo Productions and the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). I mean, really. Who doesn’t remember the iconic, “You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car!” moment?
But behind the viral cultural moment is an equally groundbreaking business story.
Winfrey became one of the first daytime hosts to own her show outright, which paved the way for her to launch Harpo Productions and eventually co-found OWN as a majority owner. That ownership model—rare at the time—became the foundation of her billion-dollar media empire.
Her success grew from her remarkable ability to:
Winfrey’s influence reshaped the talk-show format and helped launch countless authors, experts, and entrepreneurs into mainstream visibility.
Okay, sure. Beyoncé is a cultural icon to multiple generations of fans. (She is queen of the BeyHive.) But she’s more than that; she’s also a strategic entrepreneur who understands ownership, branding, and the power of creative control better than almost anyone in entertainment.
Through Parkwood Entertainment, she oversees:
Beyoncé’s athleisure line, Ivy Park—previously in partnership with Adidas—showed how celebrity-led brands can reach international scale while prioritizing authentic representation. And her business decisions continually reset industry standards.
Think:
Beyoncé isn’t just creating art. She’s building an ecosystem where she owns her work and expands what entertainment entrepreneurship can look like.
When Jordan Peele broke into Hollywood, he flipped an entire genre on its head. As the founder of Monkeypaw Productions, he wasn’t aiming to make “just another horror movie.” He wanted to build stories that blended social commentary with psychological suspense in a way the industry had never seen.
“Get Out” became the proof of concept. A cultural phenomenon. An instant classic. A new blueprint for elevated horror.
But here’s the entrepreneurial part: Peele didn’t stop at directing. Through Monkeypaw, he expanded into:
Peele’s strategy revolves around creative autonomy (hello, ownership), calculated risk-taking, and building a brand that audiences recognize instantly. He proved that horror can be both entertaining and meaningful.
You might know him as the comedic grandmother Madea from his wildly popular stage plays and films. But in addition to a successful career built on humor and character work, Tyler Perry is also a powerhouse entrepreneur—with an entire film lot (literally) to show for it.
Perry is the first Black person to own a major film studio outright, and not just any studio.
Tyler Perry Studios spans 330 acres in Atlanta and features sound stages, backlots, production offices, and filming environments that rival (and in some cases surpass) the facilities of Hollywood’s biggest players. It sits on the grounds of a former Confederate Army base, turning a piece of painful history into a center for opportunity.
Perry’s entrepreneurial empire includes:
Perry built his success by creating stories for underserved audiences and keeping production in-house. His model shows how entrepreneurship extends beyond a single product and includes owning the operations that bring those stories to life.
You might know Serena Williams as one of the greatest athletes of all time, but her business game is just as legendary. Through Serena Ventures, she’s invested in more than 60 companies, many led by women and founders of color.
Why? Because she’s determined to change who gets funding and who (no longer) gets left out.
Her portfolio spans:
Add in her inclusive fashion line, S by Serena, and you’ve got a powerhouse who’s building businesses with the same strengths she brought to the court: precision, grit, and zero hesitation.
Curious about how entrepreneurship shows up across different industries—or what defines a successful founder in the first place? These quick answers break down some of the most common questions about Black entrepreneurs and the impact they’ve had across business and culture.
These Black entrepreneurs prove that innovation can come from anywhere, and that with the right skills and strategy, one idea can reshape an entire industry. Whether you’re dreaming of launching a brand, leading a team, or taking your organization to the next level, the foundation you build now matters.
The University of Texas Permian Basin’s 100% online MBA programs help you gain the tools today’s business leaders rely on:
And with concentrations in accounting, business analytics, energy business, international business, or marketing, you can tailor your degree to the path you want to create.
Your next big move starts here. Explore which path might be the right one for you.
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