Article Highlights 15 HBCU Graduates Building Businesses Worth More Than $1 Billion
Updated
Updated · The Root · Aug 13
Article Highlights 15 HBCU Graduates Building Businesses Worth More Than $1 Billion
3 articles · Updated · The Root · Aug 13
Summary
A Black Business Month feature spotlights 15 entrepreneurs with HBCU ties whose ventures span biotech, beauty, media, finance and retail.
The list argues HBCUs provide more than degrees, emphasizing community, confidence and campus relationships that helped founders launch companies and partnerships.
Several entrepreneurs built or sold sizable businesses, including Will Packer’s films grossing more than $1 billion, Ryan Glover’s Bounce TV sale for over $300 million and Lonnie Johnson’s Super Soaker topping $1 billion in lifetime sales.
Others highlighted include Storj founder Shawn Wilkinson, 1910 Genetics founder Jen Nwankwo, The Lip Bar founder Melissa Butler and Partpic founder Jewel Burks Solomon, whose company Amazon acquired in 2016.
Taken together, the profiles frame Black business ownership as both an economic engine and a legacy of HBCU influence that continues to expand across industries.