Billionaire media giant and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey is best known for hosting her own internationally popular talk show from 1986 to 2011. From there, she launched her own television network, OWN.

• Philanthropist, Television Producer, Talk Show Host, Film Actress
  (1954–)

Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, created specialized hair products for African-American hair and was one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire.

• Entrepreneur, Civil Rights Activist, Philanthropist
  (1867–1919)

Garrett Morgan blazed a trail for African-American inventors with his patents, including those for a hair-straightening product, a breathing device, a revamped sewing machine and an improved traffic signal.

• Inventor, Publisher
  (1877–1963)

Elijah McCoy was a 19th century African-American inventor best known for inventing lubrication devices used to make train travel more efficient.

• Engineer, Inventor
  (1844–1929)

Frederick Jones was an inventor best known for the development of refrigeration equipment used to transport food and blood during World War II.

• Inventor
  (1893–1961)

Writer, actor, producer, and director Tyler Perry has built an entertainment empire that consists of successful films, plays, and a best-selling book.

• Film Actor, Playwright, Screenwriter, Filmmaker
  (1969–)

A former supermodel, Tyra Banks turned her runway success into a multimedia brand and worked at the helm of two successful TV series simultaneously.

• Talk Show Host, Model
  (1973–)

African-American entrepreneur Wally Amos founded the Famous Amos cookie brand. He also worked as a talent agent and discovered Simon & Garfunkel.

• Entrepreneur
  (1936–)

Kimora Lee Simmons is a former model, ex-wife to Russell Simmons, creator of a fashion line called Baby Phat and star of her own reality TV show.

• Reality Television Star, Model
  (1975–)

Robert L. Johnson is an American entrepreneur best known as the founder of the BET channel and as the country’s first African-American billionaire.

• Business Leader, Entrepreneur
  (1946–)

Since co-founding Essence magazine, Edward Lewis has become one of the most successful and respected magazine publishers in the country.

• Publisher
  (1940–)

Allen Allensworth was an American military chaplain, political delegate and educational leader who, in 1908, founded a California all-black township named in his honor.

• Minister, Military Leader, Journalist, Nurse
  (1842–1914)

John Lee Love was an African-American inventor best known for patenting a portable pencil sharpener known as the "Love Sharpener."

• Inventor
  (d. 1931)

William Monroe Trotter was a Harvard-educated journalist and activist who championed equal rights for African Americans.

• Civil Rights Activist, Journalist
  (1872–1934)

Clara Brown, a freed slave, established a successful laundry business during the Colorado gold rush and helped former slaves get on their feet.

• Philanthropist
  (c. 1800–1885)

Kenneth Chenault is best known as CEO of American Express and one of the first African Americans to lead a Fortune 500 company.

• Business Leader
  (1951–)