Robert L. Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert L. Johnson
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Johnson in 2018
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Robert Louis Johnson
April 8, 1946 Hickory, Mississippi, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (BA) Princeton University (MPA) |
| Known for | Co-founder of BET |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
Robert Louis Johnson (born April 8, 1946) is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. A philanthropist is someone who gives money and time to help others. He is best known for co-founding the television network BET (Black Entertainment Television).
In 2001, BET was bought by the media company Viacom. This deal made Johnson the first black American billionaire. He also started RLJ Companies, a company that invests in many different types of businesses. Johnson was also the first black American to be the main owner of a major sports team, the Charlotte Bobcats (now the Charlotte Hornets).
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Early Life and Schooling
Robert L. Johnson was born in 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi. He was the ninth of ten children. His mother, Edna, was a schoolteacher, and his father, Archie, was a farmer. When he was a child, his family moved to Freeport, Illinois.
Johnson was a very good student in high school. He went on to study at the University of Illinois, graduating in 1968 with a degree in social studies. He then earned a master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University in 1972.
Career Journey
Starting in Television
After finishing his studies at Princeton, Johnson moved to Washington, D.C. There, he got a job that taught him about the television industry. He worked for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Urban League. He also worked as a press secretary for a congressman.
Later, he became a vice president at the National Cable and Television Association (NCTA). These jobs helped him understand how powerful television could be.
Creating BET
In 1980, Johnson started Black Entertainment Television (BET). It was the first cable TV network made for black Americans. At first, the channel only showed programs for two hours on Friday nights.
By 1985, BET was making a profit. In 1991, it became the first company controlled by a black person to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2001, Viacom bought BET for about $3 billion. Johnson earned over $1 billion from this sale, which made him a billionaire. He continued to lead BET as its CEO until 2006.
Business and Sports Ownership
Johnson founded The RLJ Companies, which is a holding company. This means it owns and manages many different businesses. These businesses are in areas like hotels, car dealerships, and entertainment.
In 2002, Johnson bought the Charlotte Bobcats basketball team. This made him the first black American to be the main owner of a team in a major U.S. sports league. In 2010, he sold most of his ownership in the team to basketball legend Michael Jordan.
More Business Ventures
Over the years, Johnson has been on the board of directors for many famous companies. A board of directors helps guide a company. Some of these companies include Lowe's, Hilton Hotels, and General Mills.
In 2014, Johnson launched a streaming service called Urban Movie Channel. In 2016, he partnered with AMC Networks to help this service grow. This partnership aimed to support more movies and shows from black American creators.
Helping Others
Johnson has used his success to help people and causes he cares about. This is known as philanthropy.
In 2007, he created the Liberia Enterprise Development Fund with a $30 million investment. This fund gives loans to business owners in the African country of Liberia.
In 2011, he worked with actor Morgan Freeman to raise money to help the Bahamas prepare for hurricanes. He also created a special collection of ties to raise money for a charity called Malaria No More.
Political Life
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Johnson has been involved in American politics for many years.
During the 2008 presidential primary elections, he was a major supporter of Hillary Clinton. After she did not win the nomination, he encouraged other leaders to support her as a vice-presidential candidate.
After the 2016 presidential election, Johnson met with the winner, Donald Trump. Johnson said that black Americans should not feel tied to only one political party. He believed this would give their votes more power. In 2019, he said that President Trump's economic policies were helping many Americans.
In 2020, Johnson said he preferred a leader he was familiar with. He did not officially endorse a candidate but suggested he was comfortable with President Trump's leadership as a businessman.
Personal Life
Johnson married Sheila Johnson in 1969. They have two children together. The couple divorced in 2001.
In 2016, Johnson married Lauren Wooden. They divorced in 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Robert L. Johnson para niños
