5 Black CEOs Share Their Career Advice
Photo credit: Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post
Across the United States, African-Americans make up less than 2 percent of CEOs at Fortune 500 companies, according to the latest available statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But there are black CEOs out there: Here are five that share some of their secrets to success.
Robert F. Smith
Robert Smith is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vista Equity Partners. He has over 30 years of experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and restructuring. Here's what Smith has said about being an expert at your craft:
"The most important thing you can do as a young person is to become an expert. There is no substitute for becoming the best at your craft."
Angela Benton
Angela Benton is a fifth-generation journalist and CEO of The Root, which she created in 2008. The company grew from an online newsletter to a full-fledged media company with newsrooms, bureaus across the country and abroad, digital assets and live events. On owning what you love, Benton said:
"When you wake up and work on something you own that you love, that's when it becomes life instead of a job."
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey, who was recently named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, didn't grow up with a silver spoon in her mouth. Of an upcoming New Year, she famously once said:
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."
Ursula Burns
"Find something that you love to do, and find a place that you really like to do it in."
Those are the words of Ursula Burns, the former chairman and CEO of Xerox, on career advice. Burns, an engineer by training, held numerous executive positions within Xerox, including head of sales for North America, president of Greater China Group, chief customer officer, senior vice president for business group operations, general manager of copier sales for Latin America/Canada region corporate strategic planning.
Daymond John
Daymond John is an entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded FUBU with Carl Brown and Keith Perrin. On ABC's Shark Tank, he was known for his straight-shooting approach to business deals. Here's what John has said about never giving up on your dreams:
"Never give up what you believe."