As part of Women’s History Month, ten Black women are being recognized for their achievements in business. From banking and media to technology and wellness, each woman has played a role in advancing equity, creating opportunities, and shaping industries through leadership and innovation.
Their achievements reflect a continued journey toward equity in the workplace and demonstrate how leadership, strategy, and vision can create long-term impact.
Maggie Lena Walker
Born in 1864 in Richmond, Virginia, Walker became the first woman in the U.S. to charter a bank when she founded St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903. Her bank remained open during the Great Depression and still operates today, underscoring her legacy in finance.
Cathy Hughes
Catherine “Cathy” Hughes launched her career in radio in 1969 and later founded Radio One in 1980. By 1999, she became the first Black woman to lead a publicly traded company. Now known as Urban One, the company has grown into a major Black-owned media network across radio, television, and digital platforms.
Ursula Burns
Ursula Burns began her career as an intern at Xerox in 1980. She steadily rose through the company and became CEO in 2009, making her the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company. Her leadership in the corporate sector marked a notable shift in executive representation.
Janice Bryant Howroyd
Born in North Carolina in 1952, Howroyd founded ActOne in 1978 with $1,500. The company became the first Black woman-owned staffing agency to reach a billion-dollar valuation. ActOne remains a leader in employment solutions and workforce development.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey founded Harpo Productions in 1986, becoming the first Black woman to own a production company. Her media business laid the foundation for her rise as a prominent entrepreneur, with ventures in television, publishing, and lifestyle, including her milestone as the first Black female billionaire.
Madam C.J. Walker
Born in 1867, Walker launched a successful line of haircare products for Black women in the early 1900s. She became one of the earliest recorded self-made female millionaires in the U.S. and is remembered for her contributions to the beauty industry and entrepreneurship.
Lisa Price
In 1993, Lisa Price began making natural beauty products in her Brooklyn kitchen, eventually launching Carol’s Daughter. The brand gained a national following, and in 2014, she partnered with L’Oréal USA—one of the first major deals for a Black woman-owned beauty brand. She continues to help guide its direction and served on the National Women’s Business Council under President Obama.
Teri Williams
Teri Williams entered banking in 1995 with the goal of supporting underserved communities. Today, she is president and COO of United One Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the country. Under her leadership, the bank has financed nearly $1 billion in projects aimed at closing the racial wealth gap.
Desiree Rogers
A former White House Social Secretary, Rogers also led Johnson Publishing Company, home of Ebony and Jet magazines. She played a key role in updating the company’s presence and expanding its relevance in a changing media landscape.
Beatrice Dixon
In 2014, Atlanta-based entrepreneur Beatrice Dixon founded The Honey Pot Company, a plant-based feminine care brand. Her products reached national retail stores like Target, making it one of the first Black woman-owned wellness brands in its category to secure such visibility. Dixon continues to influence the personal care space with a focus on inclusion and innovation.
