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Robert L. Johnson

From Alfawiki
Robert L. Johnson
Born
Robert Louis Johnson

(1946-04-08) April 8, 1946 (age 80)
Hickory, Mississippi, U.S.
Occupation(s)Businessman, media executive, investor, philanthropist
Years active1980–present
Known forFounder of BET, founder of RLJ Companies, first black American billionaire
Notable workBET (Black Entertainment Television), RLJ Companies, ownership of Charlotte Bobcats

Robert Louis Johnson (born April 8, 1946) is a prominent American businessman, media executive, investor, and philanthropist. He co-established BET, which was acquired by Viacom in 2001. Johnson also launched RLJ Companies, a diversified holding firm with investments spanning multiple industries. He held majority ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats (now the Charlotte Hornets) and became the first black American billionaire in 2001. His ventures are among the most influential black American enterprises of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Early life and education

Born in 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi, Johnson was the ninth child in a family of ten siblings. His mother, Edna, was an educator, while his father, Archie Johnson, worked as a farmer. During his youth, the family relocated to Freeport, Illinois. An accomplished student, Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in social studies from the University of Illinois in 1968 and was a member of the Beta chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He later obtained a master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School in 1972.

Career

Following his graduation from Princeton, Johnson took on the role of public affairs director at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in Washington, D.C., where he identified significant opportunities within television media. He also held positions as communications director for the National Urban League’s Washington office and press secretary for Congressman Walter E. Fauntroy. Subsequently, he served as vice president of government relations at the National Cable and Television Association (NCTA). In 1980, Johnson founded Black Entertainment Television (BET), pioneering the first cable network aimed specifically at black American audiences; by 1983, it had evolved into a full-fledged channel.

Initially broadcasting two hours per week, BET achieved profitability by 1985. It became the first black-owned company to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1991. In 1998, Johnson and Liberty Media purchased all remaining shares, securing a 42% stake for Johnson. In 2001, Viacom acquired BET for approximately $3 billion; this transaction earned Johnson over $1 billion, marking him as the first black American billionaire. He continued as BET’s CEO until 2006.

Johnson established RLJ Companies, a holding company with diverse interests including hotel real estate investment, private equity, financial services, asset management, automotive dealerships, sports and entertainment ventures, and video lottery terminal gaming. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, RLJ Companies exemplifies Johnson’s expansive business approach.

By 2009, Johnson partnered with Ion Media to develop Urban TV, catering to black viewers. He also founded Axiom Bank N.A., located in Maitland, Florida. As of 2013, he held board memberships with RLJ Lodging Trust, RLJ Entertainment, Inc., KB Home, Lowe's Companies, Inc., Strayer Education, Think Finance, Inc., NBA Board of Governors, The Business Council, and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Additionally, he has served on boards for organizations such as US Airways, Hilton Hotels, General Mills, the United Negro College Fund, and Deutsche Bank’s Americas Advisory Board.

In 2002, Johnson made history as the first black American to hold majority ownership of a major U.S. professional sports franchise when he acquired the Charlotte Bobcats. He later sold his controlling interest to Michael Jordan in 2010.

In 2016, through RLJ Companies, Johnson entered into a partnership with AMC Networks following his launch of Urban Movie Channel (UMC), a video-on-demand streaming platform initiated in 2014. This collaboration utilized AMC’s programming expertise and distribution networks to enhance investment in content created by black American talent. AMC extended RLJ a $60 million loan over seven years and an additional $5 million loan for one year while receiving warrants to acquire at least a 50.1% ownership stake in RLJ Entertainment with no expiration on exercise rights.

Philanthropy

In 2011, Johnson collaborated with Morgan Freeman to raise funds aimed at improving hurricane preparedness in the Bahamas. The following year, he introduced the RLJ Ella Rose Africa Tie Collection in partnership with PVH and The Ella Rose Collection, supporting the charity Malaria No More.

Back in 2007, Johnson founded the Liberia Enterprise Development Fund by committing $30 million to offer financial credit to entrepreneurs in Liberia.

Involvement in the 2008 election

Throughout the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Johnson served as an influential surrogate and fundraiser ("HillRaiser") for Hillary Clinton's campaign for president. After Clinton lost the primary, he encouraged members of the Congressional Black Caucus to advocate for Obama to select Clinton as his vice-presidential running mate.

Controversy over January 2008 comments on Obama

Johnson stirred debate in January 2008 with remarks about Barack Obama, who was Clinton’s rival in the primaries. His comments were interpreted by some as criticism of Obama’s admitted past use of marijuana.

The Clinton campaign denied that Johnson’s statements targeted Obama’s marijuana use, asserting instead that his critique was aimed at Obama’s background as a community organizer. Critics pointed to what they saw as a double standard, given BET’s promotion of artists who glorify drug culture. On January 17, 2008, Johnson publicly apologized to Obama.

On April 14, 2008, Johnson defended a statement made by Geraldine Ferraro suggesting that Obama’s race influenced his candidacy. He remarked, "I make a joke about Obama doing drugs [and it's] 'Oh my God, a black man tearing down another black man.'"

Political engagement post-2016

After Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016, Johnson met with him at Trump International Golf Club. In an interview with CNBC, he highlighted his long-term familiarity with Trump and encouraged Black Americans to give Trump an opportunity. Johnson stressed that Black voters should not feel obligated to support only one party, arguing that their overwhelming allegiance to the Democratic Party diminishes their electoral influence. In 2018, he declined an unspecified role within the Trump Administration.

In 2019, Johnson commended Trump’s economic initiatives, attributing business growth and increased confidence to tax reductions enacted through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He criticized the Democratic Party for shifting too far left and refrained from endorsing any candidate during the 2020 Democratic primary.

During the 2020 presidential election, Johnson made comments perceived as leaning toward Trump's reelection rather than supporting Joe Biden, though he stopped short of formally endorsing either candidate. He stated, "[w]here I come out as a businessman, I will take the devil I know over the devil I don't know anytime of the week."

Personal life

In 1969, Johnson wed Sheila Johnson; the couple separated in 2001 and share two children. Sheila Johnson serves as the CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts and owns the Salamander Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club located in Palm Harbor. Beginning in 2010, Johnson was in a relationship with Lauren Wooden, who is 33 years younger. By 2016, Wooden was engaged in doctoral studies focused on international business management in Paris. They tied the knot in May 2016, with Greg Mathis presiding over the ceremony, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2020.

See also

External links

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