10 Successful Black Family Businesses
10 Successful Black Family Businesses
Sassy “Miss Robbie,” a former backup singer for Ike and Tina Turner, started the soul food restaurant that is featured on the OWN network reality TV show Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s. Her son and business partner, Tim, manages one of the two St. Louis restaurants, which also employ several other family members. A third location opened in North Hollywood, Calif. in 2015.
Arkansas native John Johnson and his wife, Eunice, started the publishing and cosmetics empire in 1942 with $500 borrowed against his mother’s home furnishings. The company, now run by daughter Linda, includes Ebony and Jet magazines and Fashion Fair Cosmetics. John Johnson died in 2005.
The Sterlings farmed for three generations before entering the wine business in 2000. Eric, a physician, is the company's winemaker. Craig, an attorney, manages the tasting room. Chris is the vineyard manager, and Steve heads marketing and sales. The family also owns Everett Ridge Winery in Sonoma County.
The senior business magnate is chairman of the communications company he started in 1968. It includes Earl G. Graves Publishing Co., which publishes Black Enterprise, a magazine targeting African American businesspeople. The company also organizes events for black entrepreneurs and professionals. Graves’ oldest son, Earl Jr., serves as CEO; younger sons John and Michael also work in the family businesses.
Owner-operator Patricia Williams and her former husband bought their first McDonald’s restaurant in 1984. After successfully turning around that one financially, they were offered a brand-new restaurant in the franchise. Williams now owns more than a dozen McDonald’s in the L.A. area with daughter Nicole, a former social worker, and oversees operations for most of them.
In 1962, Woods, later known as the “Queen of Soul Food,” bought the small luncheonette where she worked as a waitress. The restaurant has since expanded into several businesses, including a catering hall, a nationwide line of Sylvia’s food products and a real estate firm. The enterprise is now in the hands of three generations of the family. Woods died in 2012.
In 1980, Hughes and her then-husband bought a Washington radio station, which she turned into a broadcast empire of 53 urban stations in 16 markets. As CEO, her son, Alfred, expanded the multimillion-dollar company into television with TV One, a national cable and satellite television network.
Founders James Stewart and William Calhoun, along with Lehman Black, started the funeral home in 1963, aiming to make it a first-class African American operation. Sons Preston and Byron later followed in their fathers’ footsteps and help run the business today. Stewart died in 2011.
Janet, a retired schoolteacher, started selling books at a church bazaar and founded the independent bookstore in 1988. It has become a community hub for nonfiction, with topics ranging from world history to spirituality. Alyson is her right-hand woman and tech whiz, encouraging the use of social media and the computer to promote and run the business.
Gadsden, 85, opened her modest, bright pink restaurant in an old gas station in 1983, and has been serving up Low Country cuisine ever since. The mother of nine is still cooking with the help of her family. Daughter Debra serves as the hostess at this local institution, which has been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network and in the New York Times.
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10 Successful Black Family Businesses
Generations work together to build a legacy
Sweetie Pie s St Louis
Robbie Montgomery and son Tim NormanSassy “Miss Robbie,” a former backup singer for Ike and Tina Turner, started the soul food restaurant that is featured on the OWN network reality TV show Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s. Her son and business partner, Tim, manages one of the two St. Louis restaurants, which also employ several other family members. A third location opened in North Hollywood, Calif. in 2015.
Johnson Publishing Company Chicago
John Johnson and daughter Linda Johnson RiceArkansas native John Johnson and his wife, Eunice, started the publishing and cosmetics empire in 1942 with $500 borrowed against his mother’s home furnishings. The company, now run by daughter Linda, includes Ebony and Jet magazines and Fashion Fair Cosmetics. John Johnson died in 2005.
Esterlina Vineyards & Winery Mendocino County Calif
Murio Sterling and sons Eric, Chris, Steve and CraigThe Sterlings farmed for three generations before entering the wine business in 2000. Eric, a physician, is the company's winemaker. Craig, an attorney, manages the tasting room. Chris is the vineyard manager, and Steve heads marketing and sales. The family also owns Everett Ridge Winery in Sonoma County.
Earl G Graves Ltd New York
Earl G. Graves Sr., and sons Earl Jr., John and MichaelThe senior business magnate is chairman of the communications company he started in 1968. It includes Earl G. Graves Publishing Co., which publishes Black Enterprise, a magazine targeting African American businesspeople. The company also organizes events for black entrepreneurs and professionals. Graves’ oldest son, Earl Jr., serves as CEO; younger sons John and Michael also work in the family businesses.
McDonald s Los Angeles Area
Patricia Williams and daughter Nicole EnearuOwner-operator Patricia Williams and her former husband bought their first McDonald’s restaurant in 1984. After successfully turning around that one financially, they were offered a brand-new restaurant in the franchise. Williams now owns more than a dozen McDonald’s in the L.A. area with daughter Nicole, a former social worker, and oversees operations for most of them.
Sylvia s Harlem N Y
Sylvia Woods and children Van, Bedelia, Kenneth and CrizetteIn 1962, Woods, later known as the “Queen of Soul Food,” bought the small luncheonette where she worked as a waitress. The restaurant has since expanded into several businesses, including a catering hall, a nationwide line of Sylvia’s food products and a real estate firm. The enterprise is now in the hands of three generations of the family. Woods died in 2012.
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Cathy Hughes and son Alfred C. Liggins IIIIn 1980, Hughes and her then-husband bought a Washington radio station, which she turned into a broadcast empire of 53 urban stations in 16 markets. As CEO, her son, Alfred, expanded the multimillion-dollar company into television with TV One, a national cable and satellite television network.
Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home Akron Ohio
James Stewart and son Preston, William Calhoun and son ByronFounders James Stewart and William Calhoun, along with Lehman Black, started the funeral home in 1963, aiming to make it a first-class African American operation. Sons Preston and Byron later followed in their fathers’ footsteps and help run the business today. Stewart died in 2011.
Source Booksellers Detroit
Janet Jones and daughter AlysonJanet, a retired schoolteacher, started selling books at a church bazaar and founded the independent bookstore in 1988. It has become a community hub for nonfiction, with topics ranging from world history to spirituality. Alyson is her right-hand woman and tech whiz, encouraging the use of social media and the computer to promote and run the business.
Martha Lou s Kitchen Charleston S C
Martha Lou Gadsden and daughter DebraGadsden, 85, opened her modest, bright pink restaurant in an old gas station in 1983, and has been serving up Low Country cuisine ever since. The mother of nine is still cooking with the help of her family. Daughter Debra serves as the hostess at this local institution, which has been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network and in the New York Times.
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Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures