10. Barden Cos. Inc.

10. Barden Cos. Inc.


With a career spanning 40 years, BE 100s CEO Don Barden has established successful ventures in real estate, publishing, television, and most notably gaming. The business trailblazer heads the largest black-owned gaming and real estate conglomerate in the U.S. Barden, a former city councilman and TV personality, grew Detroit-based Barden Cos. from $600,000 to 2008 revenues exceeding $400 million.

When he acquired Fitzgerald’s Casino Hotels in December 2001, he became the first African American to own a national casino company. Today, Barden operates properties throughout Las Vegas, Mississippi, and Colorado.


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