10 Powerful Black Female Entrepreneurs and Their Net Worth

Research found that black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S. We want to celebrate powerful black female entrepreneurs who have launched media empires, grown inclusive beauty brands, and some women even achieved billionaire status. These women have overcome obstacles and barriers to become some of the most inspiring women in business today. More importantly, these famous black female entrepreneurs inspire others to think big and pursue their wildest dreams. Here are their net worth, achievements, and inspiring messages.   

Here are the top 10 black female entrepreneurs. 

The Top 10 Black Female Entrepreneurs

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is one of the most famous black female entrepreneurs and the first African American billionaire. She made her mark early in her career as a news broadcaster and became the first woman to produce her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show.

According to Forbes, she is worth $3 billion. 

Her Message: Oprah had a challenging childhood marked by poverty and adversity. But her resilience and determination to succeed were evident early on. Her story is one of resilience, ambition, and vision. Plus, her career has been marked by her immense impact and generous philanthropic efforts, touching all corners of the world. 

Oprah says, “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe.”

Cathy Hughes

Cathy Hughes is the second-richest black woman in the United States after Oprah Winfrey. She founded the media company Radio One, the largest black-owned media company, amplifying the voices of black America. Her company went public in 1999, making her the first African-American woman to head a publicly traded corporation.

Her net worth is currently between $450 million and $500 million.

Her Message: When she launched her company, which was then called Radio One, she didn’t plan to become one of the largest black-owned media companies; she wanted to provide a platform and community for black people. 

Hughes says, “I’m in the Black people business.” 

Janice Bryant Howroyd

As seen on Janice’s LinkedIn Profile

Howroyd is well known as being the first black woman to build and own a billion-dollar company. She is the founder and CEO of ACT-1 Group, the largest minority woman-owned employment agency in the United States, serving Fortune 500 companies around the world.

Her net worth is estimated at over $600 million.

Her Message: Raised in a segregated North Carolina town as one of eleven children, Howroyd’s teacher once said blacks were well suited for slavery. This moment and others fueled Janice to succeed and defy stereotypes. She speaks about resilience, hard work, and integrity –  staying true to your identity while thriving in high-powered spaces.

Howroyd says, “Never compromise who you are personally to become who you wish to be professionally.”

Sheila Johnson

Image of Sheila Johnson via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Sheila Johnson is a pioneering entrepreneur, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), and the first Black woman in the United States to attain a net worth exceeding $1 billion. She’s also the only black woman to have ownership stakes in three professional sports teams: the Washington Wizards (NBA), the Washington Capitals (NHL), and the Washington Mystics (WNBA).

Her net worth is estimated at $1 billion, making her one of the wealthiest black female entrepreneurs in America.

Her Message: Johnson’s story is one of reinvention and bold decision-making. After navigating a difficult divorce and business split, she built a new legacy — investing in property,  sports, and entertainment. She is known for her inspiring leadership, being honest, authentic, and passionate. 

She says, “Don’t let anyone else define you. You define yourself.”

Rihanna

In 2022, Rihanna became the youngest female billionaire in the world and the richest female musician. She reached this status after starting her beauty brand, Fenty, and her lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty. Her brand focuses on inclusivity, featuring multiple shades, shapes, and sizes.

According to Forbes, Rihanna is worth $1.4 billion dollars.

Her Message: With a keen eye for culture and inclusivity, she is one of the most powerful black female entrepreneurs today. Rihanna’s success is rooted in her ability to identify what’s missing from the market — and fearlessly create it. He is involved in every detail of her brands and has come up with some strategic collaborations and advertising. She isn’t afraid of risks, gets bored easily, and likes to keep moving. 

Rihanna says, “There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.”

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

Beyoncé is the most-awarded and nominated artist in Grammy history, winning 35 awards out of 99 nominations. Beyond her music empire, Beyoncé has built a multifaceted business portfolio that includes fashion, film production, and brand partnerships. 

Beyoncé’s net worth is around $800 million.

Her Message: Beyoncé is known for her perfectionism, creativity, and business control. She has redefined what it means to be a modern mogul, proving that artistry and entrepreneurship can coexist at the highest level.

Beyoncé says, “Power means happiness; power means hard work and sacrifice.”

Shonda Rhimes 

Shonda Rhimes is a powerhouse in television and one of the most successful black female entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry. She is the founder of Shondaland, a media company. As the creator of iconic series like Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder, Rhimes built an empire rooted in storytelling, diversity, and bold characters. She is also the author of motivational book for women, Year of Yes. 

Shonda Rhimes has an estimated net worth of $140 million.

Her Message: A master of both creativity and business, Shonda Rhimes is known for owning her voice and encouraging others to do the same. She doesn’t believe she is lucky – luck implies she was handed something. She credits her success to hard work and creativity. 

Shonda says, “The secret sauce of the business that I can offer is my creativity, and in order to keep my creativity alive and fresh, I have to pretend that no one is watching the show, that there are no audiences, there are no ratings; I’m just telling a story.”

Lisa Price

Lisa Price is the founder of Carol’s Daughter, a beauty brand born in her Brooklyn kitchen that grew into a multimillion-dollar company. Initially sold at flea markets and from her home, her homemade hair and skincare products gained a loyal following, eventually attracting celebrities and major investors.

Lisa Price’s net worth is not publicly disclosed.

Her message:  As a Black female entrepreneur, Lisa Price has always been candid about the unique challenges Black women face in business, particularly when it comes to wealth equity and ownership. Lisa emphasizes the importance of wealth creation and generational legacy for Black women.

Lisa says on a podcast, “You don’t have to have everything all figured out to be successful.”

Emma Grede

As seen on Emma’s Instagram

Emma Grede is a serial entrepreneur and one of the most influential Black businesswomen who recently made history as the first Black woman investor on Shark Tank. She is the co-founder and CEO of Good American, a fashion brand she launched alongside Khloé Kardashian. She also serves as the founding partner of SKIMS, the shapewear brand co-created with Kim Kardashian. She is also the chairman of The Fifteen Percent Pledge, asking businesses to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned brands.

Her estimated net worth is over $300 million.

Her Message: She claims to have had a lucky break at a fashion production company that set her career in motion, and since then, she has founded and helped build multiple businesses. She has an “incredible hustle,” unlimited energy, and bravery, which are her secrets to success. 

In an interview with CNBC, she says, “If I am not a little bit scared about what I’m doing, then I’m not growing, I’m not moving forward. I’m not going in the right direction. And so now I find myself looking for the fear,” she said.

Melissa Butler

As seen on Melissa’s LinkedIn Profile

From getting rejected brutally on Shark Tank to the largest Black-owned makeup company stocked in Target, Melissa Butler is an iconic black female entrepreneur. She founded The Lip Bar, a vegan brand that sells bright colors and nudes at affordable prices. Frustrated by the lack of diversity and representation in mainstream cosmetics, Butler started making lipsticks in her kitchen while still working on Wall Street.

Melissa Butler’s net worth is not publicly disclosed.

Her Message: Melissa’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance, purpose, and never believing no. Melissa believes that without representation, as humans, we’re left seeking validation. She is raw, real, and ready to speak out for other black owned brands.

Melissa says, “I’m not here to be pretty. I’m here to disrupt.”

Influential Black Businesswomen Beyond the Top 10

Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns – First Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company as CEO of Xerox. She began her career at Xerox as an intern and climbed the ranks through engineering and leadership roles. Known for her no-nonsense leadership style, she transformed the company’s business model during her tenure. She now serves on the boards of major companies, including Uber and ExxonMobil.

Bozoma Saint John

Bozoma “Boz” Saint John is a marketing powerhouse who’s led brand strategy for Apple Music, Uber, Netflix, and Pepsi. She’s known for bringing authenticity, culture, and bold storytelling into corporate boardrooms. She is one of the few Black C-level executives in tech and entertainment. Her signature style blends data-driven decisions with deeply human brand narratives.

Thasunda Brown Duckett 

Thasunda Brown Duckett is the CEO of TIAA, making her one of only two Black women currently leading a Fortune 500 company. She previously served as CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, where she championed financial literacy and inclusion. She’s a fierce advocate for closing the racial wealth gap and expanding access to financial tools. Her leadership is rooted in purpose, empathy, and a commitment to systemic change.

Inspiring Young Black Female Entrepreneurs

Mikaila Ulmer 

Mikaila Ulmer founded Me & the Bees Lemonade at just 4 years old.

Her story:  When Mikaila was four, she got stung by a bee.. She started to research bees and discovered how vital they were for our ecosystem. With encouragement from her family, she entered children’s business competitions. She decided to modify her aunt’s flaxseed lemonade and started to sell bottles. A percentage of sales goes to help save the bees. 

Marley Dias 

Marley Dias launched the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign at age 11 to spotlight Black female protagonists in literature.

Tired of reading books that didn’t reflect her identity, she decided to change the narrative. Her campaign went viral, collecting over 13,000 books and sparking global conversations on diversity in publishing.

What to Read Next? Young Female Entrepreneurs Changing the World Today

How to Support Black Business Women 

Supporting Black female entrepreneurs goes beyond buying a product — it’s about amplifying voices, redistributing opportunity, and fueling generational wealth. Whether you’re a consumer, investor, ally, or fellow founder, your support matters. Here’s how you can take action today.

Black Female Owned Businesses You Can Support 

Savage X Fenty – Founded by Rihanna, this inclusive lingerie brand has revolutionized beauty standards by celebrating all bodies, shades, and identities.

Partake Foods – Created by Denise Woodard, Partake offers allergen-free cookies and snacks designed with inclusivity in mind. As the first Black woman to raise $1M publicly for a food startup, Denise is reshaping the food industry one bite at a time.

Little Omo – A UK-based educational brand founded by Desriee Asomuyide looking to create diverse, empowering learning tools for children. Little Omo’s flashcards, puzzles, and books help kids see themselves represented — a crucial early step in building confidence and cultural pride.

What to Read Next? 15 Growing Female Owned Brands to Get Behind in 2025 (And Always)

Join Black-Owned Ecosystems, Platforms, And Communities

Black Girl Ventures – This nonprofit empowers Black and Brown women founders by providing access to capital, pitch opportunities, and a vibrant entrepreneur community. Their pitch competitions feel more like block parties than boardrooms — and that’s the point.

Buy From a Black Woman – An inspiring platform that makes it easy to discover and support Black women-owned businesses. From curated directories to grants and mentorship, it connects commerce with community.

The Honey Pot Community, BLK + GRN, and SheaMoisture’s Fund Initiatives are also creating new pathways for visibility, funding, and growth, proving that when Black women win, we all win.

What to Read Next? The 15 Most Popular Networking Groups for Women And Which One You Should Join 

Sharing Stories

Representation matters. Follow Black business women on social media. Share their products. Write reviews. Invite them to speak on panels. Introduce them to your network. The visibility you create can lead to press, partnerships, and funding.

Interested in Sharing Your Story? Contact Us

Black Representation Matters

These famous black female entrepreneurs, black businesswomen, and young black female entrepreneurs all have empowering messages to share. They show that anything is possible if you think big and work hard. Let’s keep sharing their remarkable stories and messages so we can inspire and uplift others. 

FAQs: Black Female Entrepreneurs