Tag Archives: Decoded

In February 2011, Tyra Banks set a major goal for herself: to attend and graduate from the Harvard Business School. The former swimsuit model and entrepreneur enrolled in a management leadership program at the Ivy League institution to strengthen her business skills, and graduated this February. Born in Inglewood, CA, Banks, 38, has cultivated a catalogue of endeavors over the past 20 years that’s far beyond her runway beginnings. In fact, the Daily Mail recently ranked her among the richest supermodels in the world with a reported net worth of $90 million. Banks has taken on acting, producing, directing, publishing, and promoted ideals of a positive and healthy self-image along the way. BlackEnterprise.com Decodes Banks bankable brand. —Danielle Kwateng

Tyra Banks Decoded: From Supermodel to Mega Mogul

From supermodel to Harvard Business School graduate, BlackEnterprise.com takes a look at Tyra Banks beyond the runways

Supermodel Tyra Banks is more than a pretty face, the savvy businesswoman and Harvard Business…

By Danielle Kwateng

Posted: March 23, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Apple Inc. Decoded: iPads, iPhones, iPods, MacBooks… Oh, My!

With the release of the New iPad, Black Enterprise breaks down the consumer electronic juggernaut’s biggest product launches

As one of the most successful brands ever, Apple Inc has revolutionized our world with…

By Shydel James

Posted: March 16, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The force is definitely with George Lucas. In the almost 50 years since he studied film at the University of Southern California and trekked to the coffeehouse-lined streets of San Francisco as a young film novice to watch short art house movies, Lucas has managed to amass a $3.2 billion empire. With a plethora of major motion picture directing credits to his name, and a diverse resume—which includes everything from writing and producing some of the most successful sci-fi films of all time to serving as the chairman and CEO of his own production company—the jack-of-all-trades has more than cemented his place in Hollywood history. On the heels of his latest labor of love, Red Tails and the recent 3D theatrical re-release of Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace, BlackEnterprise.com Decodes the box office titan’s illustrious film career, philanthropic efforts and examines why the mastermind behind the first big budget all-Black action movie is no accidental billionaire. —Shydel James

George Lucas Decoded: Four Decades of Hollywood Domination

A breakdown of the movie mastermind and his $3-plus billion fortune

Responsible for the epic Star Wars film franchise, George Lucas has built a billion-dollar brand…

By Shydel James

Posted: March 14, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
In case you haven’t heard, Jeremy Lin is the New York Knicks point guard who went from an unknown bench player to an overnight and international sensation after being asked to step in due to a series of team injuries. While Lin didn’t start his first game alongside Knicks marquee players Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, he’s emerged as a budding star of his own with his winning streak and impressive points per game avg. It may seem like a fluke to some, but the 23-year-old guard was ranked as one of the NCAA’s top ten players in his conference during the 2008-2009 season while attending Harvard University. Too bad he was cut by two teams—including the Knicks—at the beginning of this season. After getting his shot to play, Lin show and proved, scoring 38 points against perennial All-Star Kobe Bryant and leading the team to a seven-game winning streak. His exceptional play has become an inspirational story, and quite the profitable brand. BlackEnterpise.com Decodes the net worth of the rising star’s net work. —Adena Andrews

Jeremy Lin Decoded: Cashing in on Overnight Success

A look at the unlikely NBA star's bankability and the impact of his brand

Overnight the New York Knicks guard became a national sensation as the first Asian-American NBA…

By Adena Andrews

Posted: March 2, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Mardi Gras is more than just a party for local businesses in the city of New Orleans. Last year, the economic value of the carnival season contributed a total of $300.7 million to the city’s economy. Tourism, which brings in more than eight million visitors per year, creates a lot of revenue for local businesses. In fact, it has sustained 74,000 jobs and generated $5 billion annually for the local economy. Mardi Gras is one of the few events that has revived New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, which displaced thousands of Louisiana natives. The two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday are the most lucrative for New Orleans business owners. Most hotels are booked, from the French Quarter to miles away near the Armstrong International Airport. King cakes, a New Orleans staple, are only sold around the carnival season and tourists and locals alike roam the city to find the best. While everyone’s letting the good times roll, BlackEnterprise.com Decodes how local businesses watch the money roll in. —Kamaria Gboro

Mardi Gras Decoded: Breaking Down the Big Easy’s Business Boom

Fat Tuesday hits New Orleans and so does a boost to the local economy

When Mardi Gras hits New Orleans so does an influx of revenue for local businesses…

By Kamaria Gboro

Posted: February 21, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The American landscape would not be nearly as rich, diverse and hip without pioneering forces such as Don Cornelius. As the creator of Soul Train, Cornelius did more than establish a profitable company/brand but also simultaneously uplifted people of color by giving them a platform to express their innate talents while reinforcing positive and inspiring messages through the creative disciplines of music, dance and fashion. Following news of Cornelius’ recent passing, BlackEnterprise.com spoke with Kenard Gibbs, current CEO/Partner of Soul Train Holdings and co-founder of Madvision Entertainment, to Decode how Cornelius went from investing $400 into the Soul Train pilot to forever changing American culture. —Souleo

Soul Train Decoded: Don Cornelius Created the Hippest Brand in America

Exploring the historical milestones made by the late Don Cornelius and his landmark show

Following the death of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius, Black Enterprise explores the impact of…

By Souleo

Posted: February 16, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
On the cusp of the Grammy Awards, Whitney Houston was found dead in her Beverly Hills, California hotel room this past Saturday afternoon at the young age of 48. As the news spread throughout the corners of the globe, fans and peers alike gasped in disbelief as “one of the best vocalist to ever grace the earth” had left us. Houston’s voice was magical. She belted out flawless notes effortlessly. Throughout the history of music there has been no one quite like Houston, and there will never be another. A voice as sweet as honey, yet soulful to the core, only comes around once in a lifetime. More than a singer, Houston’s career evolved to include acting, modeling and business, which she excelled in all. Despite a rough patch in her life, the iconic singer was back on the track to success with her upcoming role in the remake of Sparkle. In remembrance of the music icon, BlackEnterprise.com Decodes Whitney Houston’s lasting impact. —Bené Viera

Whitney Houston Decoded: The Diva’s Lasting Legacy

A look back at the music icon's historic career and cultural impact

More than just a singer, Whitney Houston was an icon who’s influence crossed a multiple…

By Benè Viera

Posted: February 14, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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WATCH: The Grammys Decoded: Artists Discuss the Impact of a Win

Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas and more reveal the pros of being at music's biggest night

Artists ranging from Mary J. Blige to the Black Eyed Peas discuss the lasting impact…

By Anslem Samuel

Posted: February 14, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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2012 Grammys Decoded: Predictions on Music’s Big Night

L.A. Times writer Gerrick Kennedy makes his picks for who will bring home a trophy

The Grammys are a celebration of the music industry’s best, L.A. Times writer Gerrick Kennedy…

By Joel Lyons

Posted: February 10, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Author, music executive and entrepreneur Steve Stoute.

UBR Spotlight: Branding Innovator Steve Stoute

More on the entrepreneurs, business strategies and economic news on The Urban Business Roundtable

This week on The Urban Business Roundtable, UBR Contributor Renita D. Young speaks with music…

By Alfred Edmond, Jr.

Posted: February 8, 2012 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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