ROBERT L. JOHNSON
Robert Johnson was born in Hickory, Mississippi in
1946. He was the ninth of ten children born to Archie and Edna Johnson.
Searching for a better life, the Johnsons moved to Freeport, Illinois. Robert
attended the University of Illinois where he met his wife Sheila Crump. He
graduated from the university in 1968 and then earned a Master?s degree in
public administration from Princeton University. Robert then moved to Washington
D.C. where he launched his career in television.
How the Business Started: Since Johnson?s Princeton days, he knew the power of
television could help promote black businesses and culture. With his interest in
broadcasting growing, Johnson landed a job as a lobbyist for the National Cable
Television Association (NCTA). In 1978, he began developing his innovative plan
to produce television programs targeted to black viewers. To help launch this
effort, Tom Wheeler, president of the NCTA, gave Johnson $15,000 as an initial
investment. Johnson later convinced John Malone, the president of Tele-Communications,
Inc., to invest $500,000 in the project. In what proved to be a fortunate break,
Johnson met with Bob Rosencrans, the president of UA-Columbia Cablevision, at an
NCTA annual convention. Eager to help make Johnson?s dream a reality, Rosencrans
said he owned slots on a cable TV satellite that Johnson could use for his new
channel. With all of the parts in place to begin, Johnson named his nascent
business venture, Black Entertainment Television (BET). At 11 p.m., on January 8,
1980, BET officially aired its maiden program and eventually became the first
and largest black-owned broadcasting company on cable television.
Entrepreneurs create new jobs: Robert Johnson has created jobs for hundreds of
African Americans who otherwise might not be employed in television or related
industries. Johnson developed a television network and business venture that
would be a role model for African Americans in America and around the world. As
it stands, BET?s current slate of variety shows and dramas are providing more
opportunities for black writers, directors, producers and artists.
Entrepreneurs improve our position in global economic competition: BET continues
to expand its corporate reach, and is now involved in publishing, retail
clothing, restaurants, hotels, casinos, financial services and computer content
development. BET also recently launched its website: www.bet.com.
Entrepreneurs reinvest their newly created wealth in the community: Over the
years, Johnson and his wife Sheila have given generously to nonprofit
organizations such as the United Negro College Fund, Howard University, and the
Levine School of Music. The Johnsons also hold many charity events year round to
help improve communities across the country.
Robert Johnson was born in Hickory, Mississippi in 1946. He was the ninth of ten
children born to Archie and Edna Johnson. Searching for a better life, the
Johnsons moved to Freeport, Illinois. Robert attended the University of Illinois
where he met his wife Sheila Crump. He graduated from the university in 1968 and
then earned a Master?s degree in public administration from Princeton University.
Robert then moved to Washington D.C. where he launched his career in television..
Article on robert, johnson by National Commission on Entrepreneurship
Robert Johnson was born in Hickory, Mississippi in
1946. He was the ninth of ten children born to Archie and Edna Johnson.
Searching for a better life, the Johnsons moved to Freeport, Illinois. Robert
attended the University of Illinois where he met his wife Sheila Crump. He
graduated from the university in 1968 and then earned a Master?s degree in
public administration from Princeton University. Robert then moved to Washington
D.C. where he launched his career in television.
How the Business Started: Since Johnson?s Princeton days, he knew the power of
television could help promote black businesses and culture. With his interest in
broadcasting growing, Johnson landed a job as a lobbyist for the National Cable
Television Association (NCTA). In 1978, he began developing his innovative plan
to produce television programs targeted to black viewers. To help launch this
effort, Tom Wheeler, president of the NCTA, gave Johnson $15,000 as an initial
investment. Johnson later convinced John Malone, the president of Tele-Communications,
Inc., to invest $500,000 in the project. In what proved to be a fortunate break,
Johnson met with Bob Rosencrans, the president of UA-Columbia Cablevision, at an
NCTA annual convention. Eager to help make Johnson?s dream a reality, Rosencrans
said he owned slots on a cable TV satellite that Johnson could use for his new
channel. With all of the parts in place to begin, Johnson named his nascent
business venture, Black Entertainment Television (BET). At 11 p.m., on January 8,
1980, BET officially aired its maiden program and eventually became the first
and largest black-owned broadcasting company on cable television.
Entrepreneurs create new jobs: Robert Johnson has created jobs for hundreds of
African Americans who otherwise might not be employed in television or related
industries. Johnson developed a television network and business venture that
would be a role model for African Americans in America and around the world. As
it stands, BET?s current slate of variety shows and dramas are providing more
opportunities for black writers, directors, producers and artists.
Entrepreneurs improve our position in global economic competition: BET continues
to expand its corporate reach, and is now involved in publishing, retail
clothing, restaurants, hotels, casinos, financial services and computer content
development. BET also recently launched its website: www.bet.com.
Entrepreneurs reinvest their newly created wealth in the community: Over the
years, Johnson and his wife Sheila have given generously to nonprofit
organizations such as the United Negro College Fund, Howard University, and the
Levine School of Music. The Johnsons also hold many charity events year round to
help improve communities across the country.
Robert Johnson was born in Hickory, Mississippi in 1946. He was the ninth of ten
children born to Archie and Edna Johnson. Searching for a better life, the
Johnsons moved to Freeport, Illinois. Robert attended the University of Illinois
where he met his wife Sheila Crump. He graduated from the university in 1968 and
then earned a Master?s degree in public administration from Princeton University.
Robert then moved to Washington D.C. where he launched his career in television..
Article on robert, johnson by National Commission on Entrepreneurship