Leading the Way: Top 25 Black Execs

BET.com celebrates the top ranking African Americans in business.

Leading the Way - Take a look at 25 Black execs who are leading the way in their industries.

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Leading the Way - Take a look at 25 Black execs who are leading the way in their industries.

Tyra Banks - The former supermodel is the President and CEO of Bankable Productions, the company she started in 2003. Bankable developed the prime-time TV hit “America's Next Top Model,” and the popular syndicated program, “The Tyra Banks Show,” which has averaged 1.7 million viewers since its debut.

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Tyra Banks - The former supermodel is the President and CEO of Bankable Productions, the company she started in 2003. Bankable developed the prime-time TV hit “America's Next Top Model,” and the popular syndicated program, “The Tyra Banks Show,” which has averaged 1.7 million viewers since its debut.

James A. Bell - The corporate President, CFO and an executive VP of the Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company, Bell has held the position since 2004.

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James A. Bell - The corporate President, CFO and an executive VP of the Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company, Bell has held the position since 2004.

Ursula Burns - The current President of Xerox, Burns joined the company as a summer intern in 1980, and worked her way up through the corporate ranks. In 2007, Xerox grew by 20 percent under her leadership.

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Ursula Burns - The current President of Xerox, Burns joined the company as a summer intern in 1980, and worked her way up through the corporate ranks. In 2007, Xerox grew by 20 percent under her leadership.

Susan Chapman - As Global Head of Operations of Citigroup Realty Services, Chapman manages the day-to-day operations in 96 countries. She holds the No. 2 spot in the business unit, and is responsible for overseeing mergers and acquisitions, retail branch development, real estate administration, strategic projects and global business relationship management.

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Susan Chapman - As Global Head of Operations of Citigroup Realty Services, Chapman manages the day-to-day operations in 96 countries. She holds the No. 2 spot in the business unit, and is responsible for overseeing mergers and acquisitions, retail branch development, real estate administration, strategic projects and global business relationship management.

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Kenneth Chenault - Serving as CEO and Chairman of American Express since 2001, Chenault was the third African American named CEO of a Fortune 500 company. He is currently co-chair of the Business Roundtable and a director at IBM.

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Kenneth Chenault - Serving as CEO and Chairman of American Express since 2001, Chenault was the third African American named CEO of a Fortune 500 company. He is currently co-chair of the Business Roundtable and a director at IBM.

Edith Cooper - The head of North American Hedge Fund Distribution, Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities, at Goldman Sachs, Cooper immediately made her presence felt when she arrived at the company. She was promoted to Managing Director in 1998, after only two years at Goldman Sachs, and made partner in 2000.

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Edith Cooper - The head of North American Hedge Fund Distribution, Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities, at Goldman Sachs, Cooper immediately made her presence felt when she arrived at the company. She was promoted to Managing Director in 1998, after only two years at Goldman Sachs, and made partner in 2000.

Dr. Cheick Modibo Diarra - The Chairman for Microsoft’s broad-scale citizenship, education and developmental activities in Africa, Diarra also stays busy on several United Nations science and technology committees. The tech maven from Mali, West Africa, is also the founder of the African Summit on Science and New Technologies (SASNET).

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Dr. Cheick Modibo Diarra - The Chairman for Microsoft’s broad-scale citizenship, education and developmental activities in Africa, Diarra also stays busy on several United Nations science and technology committees. The tech maven from Mali, West Africa, is also the founder of the African Summit on Science and New Technologies (SASNET).

Monte Ford - Ford flies high as Senior VP and Chief Information Officer at American Airlines. Widely regarded as a leader in the field of information technology, Ford joined the world’s largest airline at a time when it struggled to regain its technological leadership position.

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Monte Ford - Ford flies high as Senior VP and Chief Information Officer at American Airlines. Widely regarded as a leader in the field of information technology, Ford joined the world’s largest airline at a time when it struggled to regain its technological leadership position.

Mellody Hobson - Hobson heads Ariel Capital Management L.L.C., the nation’s largest Black-owned money management firm. Based in Chicago, Hobson manages $21.43 billion in assets and oversees business operations, client services, and investment planning. She is also a regular commentator on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

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Mellody Hobson - Hobson heads Ariel Capital Management L.L.C., the nation’s largest Black-owned money management firm. Based in Chicago, Hobson manages $21.43 billion in assets and oversees business operations, client services, and investment planning. She is also a regular commentator on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

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Gwendolyn Smith Iloani - She is Chairwoman, President, and CEO of Smith Whiley & Co., the fourth-largest Black-owned private equity firm, with $222 million under management. She directs the firm’s investment advisory and asset management business, and the investment and portfolio management activities.

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Gwendolyn Smith Iloani - She is Chairwoman, President, and CEO of Smith Whiley & Co., the fourth-largest Black-owned private equity firm, with $222 million under management. She directs the firm’s investment advisory and asset management business, and the investment and portfolio management activities.

Curtis James Jackson III - Jackson, a.k.a. 50 Cent, is the founder of the record label "G-Unit Records," which signed several successful rappers. He has started a clothing line and partnered with Reebok, Time Warner, Sony, Right Guard and Steiner Sports for imprint and product licensing agreements. He has also launched a film production company of his own called “Cheetah Vision.” Last year, he entered a partnership with African billionaire Patrice Motsepe to sell 50 Cent branded Platinum.

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Curtis James Jackson III - Jackson, a.k.a. 50 Cent, is the founder of the record label "G-Unit Records," which signed several successful rappers. He has started a clothing line and partnered with Reebok, Time Warner, Sony, Right Guard and Steiner Sports for imprint and product licensing agreements. He has also launched a film production company of his own called “Cheetah Vision.” Last year, he entered a partnership with African billionaire Patrice Motsepe to sell 50 Cent branded Platinum.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr. - He is the Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a company with a successful portfolio of national franchises including Starbucks, Burger King, 24 Hour Fitness, Washington Mutual Home Loan Centers, AMC/Magic Johnson Movie Theatres and T.G.I. Friday's. Through targeted investments in key markets, Magic Johnson Enterprises serves more than 32 million consumers annually in 19 states across the country.

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Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr. - He is the Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a company with a successful portfolio of national franchises including Starbucks, Burger King, 24 Hour Fitness, Washington Mutual Home Loan Centers, AMC/Magic Johnson Movie Theatres and T.G.I. Friday's. Through targeted investments in key markets, Magic Johnson Enterprises serves more than 32 million consumers annually in 19 states across the country.

Robert L. Johnson - The founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) is currently Chairman and founder of RLJ Development, and majority-owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats sports team. In 2001, Johnson became the first African American billionaire.

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Robert L. Johnson - The founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) is currently Chairman and founder of RLJ Development, and majority-owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats sports team. In 2001, Johnson became the first African American billionaire.

Van Jones - He is the founder and President of "Green For All," an organization that promotes green-collar jobs and opportunities for the disadvantaged, and aims to build an inclusive, green economy that will transcend global ecological crises and poverty.

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Van Jones - He is the founder and President of "Green For All," an organization that promotes green-collar jobs and opportunities for the disadvantaged, and aims to build an inclusive, green economy that will transcend global ecological crises and poverty.

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Mathew Knowles - The father and manager of superstar Beyoncé, is also President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. The worldwide business includes record labels, artist and producer management, staff producers, artist development, master catalog series, investment and property holdings, and has offices in Houston, Los Angeles, New York and London.

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Mathew Knowles - The father and manager of superstar Beyoncé, is also President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. The worldwide business includes record labels, artist and producer management, staff producers, artist development, master catalog series, investment and property holdings, and has offices in Houston, Los Angeles, New York and London.

Debra Lee - She is the Chairman and CEO of BET Holdings, Inc. (BET), a media and entertainment company and a division of Viacom, Inc. Lee joined BET in 1986.

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Debra Lee - She is the Chairman and CEO of BET Holdings, Inc. (BET), a media and entertainment company and a division of Viacom, Inc. Lee joined BET in 1986.

Aylwin B. Lewis - He is President and CEO of the nationwide retailer Sears Holdings Corporation. Before being named to the position in 2005, Lewis held executive leadership positions at Kmart, as well as YUM! Brands, Inc., a franchisor and licensor of KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and A&W stores.

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Aylwin B. Lewis - He is President and CEO of the nationwide retailer Sears Holdings Corporation. Before being named to the position in 2005, Lewis held executive leadership positions at Kmart, as well as YUM! Brands, Inc., a franchisor and licensor of KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and A&W stores.

Kevin Liles - Liles was President of Def Jam Recordings and Executive Vice President of the Island Def Jam Music Group from 1999 to 2004. Today he serves as Executive Vice President for Warner Music Group.

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Kevin Liles - Liles was President of Def Jam Recordings and Executive Vice President of the Island Def Jam Music Group from 1999 to 2004. Today he serves as Executive Vice President for Warner Music Group.

Clarence Otis Jr. - He is the CEO of Darden Restaurants Inc., the largest casual dining operator in the nation. The firm operates nearly 1,400 company-owned restaurants coast to coast, including Red Lobster and Olive Garden, and serves 300 million meals a year, with annual revenues of $6 billion.

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Clarence Otis Jr. - He is the CEO of Darden Restaurants Inc., the largest casual dining operator in the nation. The firm operates nearly 1,400 company-owned restaurants coast to coast, including Red Lobster and Olive Garden, and serves 300 million meals a year, with annual revenues of $6 billion.

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Richard D. Parsons - The former Chairman of Time Warner has recently been named the new Chairman of the beleaguered financial giant, Citigroup. Parsons previously chaired Citigroup’s nomination and governance committee.

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Richard D. Parsons - The former Chairman of Time Warner has recently been named the new Chairman of the beleaguered financial giant, Citigroup. Parsons previously chaired Citigroup’s nomination and governance committee.

Tyler Perry - The indefatigable media maven is the President and founder of the Tyler Perry Company Inc. Best known as a writer, director and actor in films, television and theatre, Perry was born Emmitt R. Perry, Jr. in New Orleans.

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Tyler Perry - The indefatigable media maven is the President and founder of the Tyler Perry Company Inc. Best known as a writer, director and actor in films, television and theatre, Perry was born Emmitt R. Perry, Jr. in New Orleans.

Dr. Randal Pinkett - The winner of NBC’s “The Apprentice” has established himself as an entrepreneur, speaker, author, scholar and community servant. Pinkett is the Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of BCT Partners, a multimillion-dollar consulting firm based in Newark, NJ. BCT Partners works with companies like Johnson & Johnson, Ford Foundation, Pfizer, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Hewlett-Packard, Annie E. Casey Foundation and Microsoft, on management, technology and policy issues.

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Dr. Randal Pinkett - The winner of NBC’s “The Apprentice” has established himself as an entrepreneur, speaker, author, scholar and community servant. Pinkett is the Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of BCT Partners, a multimillion-dollar consulting firm based in Newark, NJ. BCT Partners works with companies like Johnson & Johnson, Ford Foundation, Pfizer, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Hewlett-Packard, Annie E. Casey Foundation and Microsoft, on management, technology and policy issues.

Don Thompson - The President of McDonald’s USA is responsible for strategic direction and overall business results of 13,700 McDonald’s restaurants in the United States. He has held a variety of key leadership positions within the company including Executive Vice President, COO and Division President.

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Don Thompson - The President of McDonald’s USA is responsible for strategic direction and overall business results of 13,700 McDonald’s restaurants in the United States. He has held a variety of key leadership positions within the company including Executive Vice President, COO and Division President.

Crystal L. Windham - A lead designer of the award-winning Chevrolet Malibu, Windham is the Director of General Motors’ North American Passenger Car Design. Windham is the first Black female to hold the position.

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Crystal L. Windham - A lead designer of the award-winning Chevrolet Malibu, Windham is the Director of General Motors’ North American Passenger Car Design. Windham is the first Black female to hold the position.

Oprah Winfrey Net worth: $2.7 Billion - Oprah Winfrey, top-rated talk show diva, comes up on top of Forbes’ List of the Wealthiest Black Americans. Her company, Harpo Productions, is behind such successes as “Dr. Phil” and “Rachael Ray” and her network, the Oprah Winfrey Network, will make its debut next year.

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Oprah Winfrey - The entertainment mogul is Chairman of Harpo, Inc., Harpo Productions, Inc., Harpo Studios, Inc., Harpo Films, Inc., Harpo Print, LLC and Harpo Video, Inc. As the only Black female billionaire, Winfrey is the wealthiest African American. “The Oprah Winfrey Show” is the highest-rated TV talk show in history, and is seen in 110 countries.