Making their mark on sectors ranging from finance and medicine to media and entertainment, this year’s roster of black enterprise Hot List honorees are young, audacious change agents. Some have redefined American culture. Others have cut billion-dollar deals that transformed industries. And a few have created life-altering products, leaving the rest of the world to sit back and marvel.
This is the third time that we have compiled our list of superstars, our biennial register of professional and entrepreneurial powerhouses under the age of 40 who shape our world. The first was in 2003–and our team of editors and researchers spent months in search of the best and brightest whose accomplishments would drop jaws regardless of their age. This year’s list includes be 100s executives, top-ranked money managers, and medical researchers. More than half of the list comes from media, music, movies, and sports–fields that attract talented achievers at an early age. However, whether they are singers like Beyoncé or athletes like Tiger Woods, those in sports and entertainment have seen the value of developing enterprises to capitalize on revenue-building opportunities and ensure long-term financial security.
Appearing on one of the previous lists doesn’t guarantee a berth on this roster: there were only 22 returnees from our 2005 list. So how did we compile this year’s listing? Our editorial team contacted legions of business leaders, corporate professionals, industry insiders, and national organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers, the National Association of Investment Companies, The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, National Bar Association, Executive Leadership Council, and National Association of Securities Professionals.
On the following pages, find out why the young, powerful African Americans that comprise our Hot List are so noteworthy and newsworthy.
Tyra Banks TV Producer, CEO Bankable Productions / 34: Why she’s hot: Embarking on cycle 9 of her hit show America’s Next Top Model, the former supermodel-turned-multimedia powerhouse shows no signs of slowing down. The Tyra Banks Show, which was nominated for six Daytime Emmy Awards, recently launched its third season. Banks, who serves as executive producer for both shows, plans to continue wearing the producer hat as she prepares to star in an upcoming feature film. Her company has five shows in varying stages of production, including a sitcom and a one-hour drama. Banks has also created a licensing firm that she may use to market her own line of lingerie–and she’s looking to launch an online community.
DeAnna Allen, Partner / Dickstein Shapiro L.L.P. / 39. Why she’s hot: An attorney who specializes in intellectual property law, Allen has represented some of the world’s leading information technology companies seeking to protect and capitalize on their intellectual property assets. In 2007, she rose to the rank of partner after five years of top-notch legal work. Over the years, Allen’s clients have included Ricoh Co. Ltd., Pitney Bowes, and Micron Technologies. Her most recent victory was the successful defense of Lectrolarm Custom Systems’ technology patent for its computer-based security system. Allen is currently representing a $17 billion office automation company in a multimillion-dollar litigation suit involving the design of integrated circuit computer chips used in cell phones, PDAs, and digital cameras.
Mary J. Blige, Singer / 36. Why she’s hot: With her album The Breakthrough, recording artist Mary J. Blige kicked 2007 off with a bang, winning three of eight Grammy Awards: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album. Considered by many to be a comeback album for Blige, the CD sold 727,000 copies in the first week of its release—the largest first-week sales volume by a female R&B artist in Nielsen SoundScan history. Blige’s soulful sound also garnered nine Billboard Music Awards and two American Music Awards. Not one to rest on her laurels, she’s following up on that success with her soon-to-be released album Growing Pains. Her popularity has also gained her some lucrative endorsement opportunities, most notably serving as the pitch person for Chevy Tahoe.
Chris Brown, Singer, Actor / 18. Why he’s hot: The young R&B phenomenon continues to show that he can break sales records. He blazed onto the scene in 2005 with his self-titled album, which took the top spot on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart, was recently certified double-platinum, and has sold more than 3 million worldwide. Because of his musical prowess, he is now working with some of the biggest producers in the industry. Exclusive, his recently released sophomore effort–on which he co-wrote several tracks and worked with industry heavy hitters including will.i.am, Sean Garrett, and Bryan-Michael Cox–is expected to be a chartbuster as well. This fall the single Kiss Kiss climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Music Choice, the leading multiplatform music network, named him artist of the month in September. Now he’s branching into a career in film and television. His freshman turn in the movie Stomp The Yard contributed to its worldwide gross box-office receipts of $75 million. In November, he appeared in This Christmas, a drama with an all-star cast. –Hyacinth B. Carbon
Nana Boateng, Designer / 30. Why he’s hot: Having outfitted such celebrities as Forest Whitaker, Terry Crews, and Derek Luke, the Ghanaian-born Boateng is looking to expand his influence globally by entering the Asian market in 2008. In addition to his Akua Adoma line–named after his mother–Boateng has plans to develop a ready-to-wear men’s line in the coming year. Forging a strong relationship with Sony Pictures Entertainment, his designs have been featured in films and at such high-profile events as the Academy Awards–Whitaker and nominee Djimon Hounsou wore his designs–and the 2006 World Cup, where he dressed the Ghanaian team. He has a reputation for meticulous tailoring, bold styles, and vivid colors. Boateng projects that the brand will earn $1 million in global revenues in 2007 and $2.5 million in 2008.
Nick Cannon. Actor, TV Producer / 27. Why he’s hot: Cannon’s production company, Mr. Renaissance, has a deal with MTV to produce and create a slate of TV programs and films. His projects include the sketch comedy Nick Cannon Presents Short Circutz, a follow-up to his hit show, Wild N’ Out; a collaboration with Quincy Jones, one of the industry’s godfathers, to develop Nickelodeon’s Star Camp, a reality show featuring talented teens; and Extra Protection, an action comedy in development, for which he wrote the original script and is set to produce with his idol Will Smith. In May, Cannon was recognized at the Cannes Film Festival as the Breakthrough Actor of the Year for his performance in the 2006 film Bobby, which retells the story of Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination. He is the first African American actor ever to receive this award.
Kawanna Brown, Chief Operating Officer Magic Johnson Cos. / 34. Why she’s hot: Brown is the engine behind Magic Johnson Cos., which is worth $700 million. She spends her days negotiating licensing, endorsement, asset acquisition, and partnership deals with the nation’s largest corporations, including Lincoln Mercury, Burger King, and Best Buy. She is responsible for oversight of the sprawling operations of Magic Johnson’s holdings, which cross the lines of real estate, entertainment, and philanthropy and include movie theatres, fitness centers, T.G.I. Friday’s and Starbucks franchises. It is Brown who also develops the campaigns and partnerships that have made the Magic Johnson name one of urban America’s premier brands. Prior to being named to her current position, Brown was president of the Magic Johnson Foundation.
Edwidge Danticat. Author / 38. Why she’s hot: This best-selling author’s name is no stranger to
the literati. Danticat’s first novel, Breath, Eyes, Memory, was an Oprah Book Club selection. Her latest novel, Brother, I’m Dying, was released to critical acclaim in September and at press time was a finalist for the National Book Award for nonfiction. In fact, a The New York Times review characterized her latest tome as “a fierce, haunting book about exile and loss and family love.” Danticat has been nominated for numerous literary prizes, winning the American Book Award for The Farming of Bones and the first The Story Prize for The Dew Breaker, among others. Her novels and short stories have been translated into several languages, including German, French, Spanish, and Korean. –Sonya A. Donaldson
Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor / District of Columbia / 37. Why he’s hot: In 2006, Fenty became the fifth–and youngest–elected mayor of the District of Columbia, winning every precinct in both primary and general elections and capturing 89% of the general-election vote. Today, he is pushing his mandate, improving the city’s national and
international standing. During his first year in office, Fenty’s impact has been felt, particularly in the city’s public schools system. With education as his top priority, Fenty unveiled the District of Columbia Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007–a plan for his administration to take over responsibility for managing D.C.’s public schools–during his first week at City Hall. By June, the legislation passed, enabling Fenty to put new leadership in place. Fenty also made good on his economic promises. He’s appointed an affordable housing coordinator, introduced a strategy for workforce development, and secured commitments from Washington First Bank and Bank of Georgetown to open new branches in underserved communities. –Tamara E. Holmes
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Rapper, President & CEO. Def Jam / 37. Why he’s hot: Carter continues to hold creative and business sway in the entertainment world. He controls hot recording artists such as Rihanna, Ludacris, and Kanye West. And his recently released album, American Gangster, is expected to be another in a string of hits. Beyond running a label, the mogul is expanding his commercial fiefdom, including bringing his trendy 40/40 Club sports bar and restaurant brand to Las Vegas this December and opening locations in Tokyo and Macau in 2008. Worth an estimated $555 million, he sold his Rocawear apparel label to Iconix earlier this year for $204 million. Carter also owns a stake in the NBA’s New Jersey Nets.
Sean “Diddy” Combs, Rapper, CEO, Music/TV Producer Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group / 37. Why he’s hot: Combs—or “Diddy” if you prefer–continues to produce buzz as he engages in a wide range of entrepreneurial pursuits. Through Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, he operates a thriving enterprise that includes Bad Boy Records, which has grossed about $100 million; Sean John Clothing, which generated roughly $175 million in sales; and Unforgivable, the best-selling fragrance in the U.S. for 2006 and winner of the prestigious Fifi Award, considered the fragrance industry’s Oscar. The busy mogul inked a multiyear deal to develop Diageo PLC’s Ciroc vodka brand for a 50-50 share in the profits reported to be worth more than $100 million.
Susan Chapman. Global Head of Operations , Citi Realty Services / 39. Why she’s hot: Chapman manages the day-to-day operations for one of the largest corporate real estate portfolios in the world–more than 14,500 properties in 100 countries. This former chief strategy officer oversees functions such as retail branch development, mergers and acquisitions, and global relationship management. Named to be’s Top 50 Women in Business list last year, she is co-lead chair on Citi’s $50 billion environmental real estate initiative for climate control. Throughout her career, she has developed a can-do reputation. For example, when MetLife bought Citigroup’s Travelers Life & Annuity business in 2006, it was her team that negotiated and executed the mammoth transaction.
T. Troy Dixon, Managing Director / Deutsche Bank Securities / 36. Why he’s hot: While mortgage market mayhem sunk consumers and investors alike this year, Dixon has steered Deutsche Bank Securities through the valley to higher ground. As managing director and head of Deutsche’s Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass Through Trading group within the firm’s Global Markets Division, Dixon is responsible for overseeing a team of traders and managing the trading and risk associated with the firm’s $30 billion mortgage-backed securities portfolio. Dixon and his team are among the top-ranked traders in their arena. Previously, he retained similar roles in mortgage pass through trading at UBS, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and Credit Suisse First Boston. This year, he was appointed to the North American Rates Management Committee.
Rosalyn Durant. Vice_President, Programming & Acquisitions, ESPN / 31. Why she’s hot: Durant manages ESPN’s relationship with the National Basketball Association, Major League Lacrosse, Major League Soccer, FIFA Soccer, UEFA Soccer, U.S. Soccer, and Olympic sports leagues. In addition, she oversees ESPN programming across a variety of media platforms, including radio, print, cable television, broadband, and wireless. Durant played a key role in hammering out ESPN’s eight-year contract extension with the NBA. Prior to her appointment in June 2007, she served as the cable network’s senior director of programming.
Chinedu U. Echeruo. Founder, CEO / Hopstop.com / 34. Why he’s hot: After working in the mergers and acquisitions and leveraged finance groups of J.P. Morgan and a convertible arbitrage hedge fund, Echeruo changed course and launched Hopstop.com in 2005. He instinctively knew there was demand for a Website that provided bus and subway directions for large metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. He was right. Hopstop.com, named one of the Top 25 travel sites of 2007 by Travel and Leisure magazine, has proven to be a hit with commuters and travelers. His company pushed toward $3 million in revenues for 2006. The latest venture for Echeruo, who holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, is Tripology.com, a Website that connects consumers with travel agents. As co-founder of the site, Echeruo raised $1.25 million in venture capital in January 2007.
Kirk Franklin. Singer / 37. Why he’s hot: Franklin is more than just a gospel singer. He’s a faith-based conglomerate. As president and CEO of Fo Yo Soul Entertainment Inc., he operates a record label, a production company, an advertising firm through a joint venture with Dallas-based Loomis Agency, and a youth outreach initiative. Franklin has positioned himself to take on a slew of high-profile projects in the coming months. He will be busy promoting his latest album, The Fight of My Life, and continuing hosting duty for BET’s Sunday Best, the network’s gospel talent competition. He’s also preparing for the 2008 release Church Boy, the biopic that tells his rags-to-riches story of being abandoned by a teenage mother and raised by a great aunt in Fort Worth, Texas. Selling more than 10 million albums over his 15-year career, the five-time Grammy winner was the first gospel artist to go platinum and a force in bringing faith-based music to the mainstream–especially to the hip-hop generation. –Hyacinth B. Carbon
Lisa Ellis. Executive Vice President / Sony Music Label Group / 37. Why she’s hot: Her roster of artists includes some of the biggest names in music such as Beyoncé, John Legend, and 3 Six Mafia, the rap group that won the 2006 Oscar for Best Original Song. Considered one of the most effective executives in the industry, Ellis has quickly risen up the industry’s ranks. She started her career at Columbia Records in 1995 as a local promotion manager and, by 2005, was named president of Sony Urban Music, a post she held before her current positio
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Amy Ellis-Simon. Managing Director, Head, Multiproduct Sales & Emerging Client Coverage / Merrill Lynch / 35. Why she’s hot: This Wall Street powerhouse is responsible for managing a hedge fund coverage group that focuses across a spectrum of equity and debt products. Her division has contributed millions of dollars to her firm’s revenues. A graduate of the University of Michigan who joined Merrill Lynch roughly 14 years ago as an analyst, Ellis-Simon was the first African American woman to be named managing director in Merill Lynch’s investment banking division. Her prowess and shrewd investment decisions earned her the distinction of being named one of be’s 75 Most Powerful Blacks on Wall Street. She also plays a major role in diversifying the industry as head of the Equity Markets Diversity Initiative, a member of her firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, and co-founder of the Global Markets & Investment Banking Women’s Leadership Council.
Njema Frazier. Physicist / National Nuclear Security Administration / 37. Why she’s hot: Frazier oversees and coordinates the weapons simulation and modeling activities of three Department of Energy defense laboratories. If you remember the 1983 movie WarGames, Frazier’s job is to ensure world-altering mistakes don’t happen. As U.S. defense programs shift from “test-based” initiatives at nuclear test sites to “simulation-based” programs, Frazier analyzes and predicts the performance, safety, and reliability of nuclear weapons. The NNSA is also responsible for protecting nuclear propulsion plants, promoting international nuclear safety, and reducing worldwide dangers from weapons of mass destruction. Frazier received her Ph.D. in nuclear physics from Michigan State University in 1997, conducting her doctoral research at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Lab in East Lansing, Michigan.
Sean “The Pen” Garrett. Songwriter, Music Producer / 29. Why he’s hot: Garrett’s the go-to songwriter when artists are looking for hits. He adopted his moniker after he penned and co-wrote a multitude of Billboard chart toppers. He helped Usher say “Yeah,” made Chris Brown “Run It,” and pushed the Pussycat Dolls’ “Buttons.” Not to mention the hit maker wrote six tracks on Beyoncé’s B-Day album, including “Ring The Alarm.” Garrett has worked with a cadre of the top R&B, hip-hop, and pop artists including Ciara, Nelly, Fantasia, Fergie, and Gwen Stefani. All ears now await Garrett’s debut solo album.
Magnus Greaves. Founder / Doubledown Media / 33. Why he’s hot: Greaves ended his career as a futures trader and co-founder of MacFutures Limited, a London-based trading company, to become a media mogul. When Greaves cashed out in 2003, selling MacFutures to Refco Group Ltd. L.L.C. for $50 million, he says the capital “gave me the opportunity to launch the magazines.” In 2004, Greaves started Doubledown Media, which began publishing Trader Monthly, a publication that targets the investment trading community he was so familiar with. And his company has been steadily adding to its publishing portfolio. In 2005, Doubledown partnered with Condé Nast to unveil a European edition of Trader. Then he put Dealmaker, a publication for the mergers and acquisition set, on the newsstands in 2006 and acquired Private Air magazine, a publication geared toward private aviators, in early 2007 for a reported $2.5 million to $3 million. Doubledown launched two new publications in 2007: Corporate Leader and The Cigar Report. “When you have one magazine, people say, ‘Wow, congratulations, let’s see what you do with that,'” Greaves says. “But now that we have six magazines and an online presence for each of them, we have marketing solutions–components to our business. We’re really delivering an audience that has been traditionally hard for people to reach–the luxury men’s category.” Targeting the $250 billion luxury market drives Greaves’ business model and his plans to keep his company thriving for years to come. –Tamara E. Holmes
Floyd Nathanial “Danja” Hills. Music Producer / 26. Why he’s hot: Hills, a Timbaland protégé, is one of the industry’s producers of choice, collaborating on albums with artists such as Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, and 50 Cent. His productions have yielded seven No. 1 hits and two Grammy Awards in the past year. He’s also one of the architects of Britney Spears’ comeback, producing her “Gimme More” single from her new Blackout album. The song topped the iTunes chart with more than 179,000 digital sales and has raced up the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart to the No. 3 position. Hill is currently handling producing chores for several other veteran artists including Duran Duran, Mariah Carey, and Missy Elliott.
Thierry Henry. Professional Athlete / 30. Why he’s hot: Considered one of the best soccer players in the world, Henry helped France reach last year’s World Cup and was recognized as the second all-time top goal scorer for the country this year. He has also been nominated twice as FIFA World Player of the Year and picked up two Barclays Premiership Player of the Season awards. His skills and personality have made him one of the most commercially marketable soccer players worldwide. Audiences have seen the phenom on television commercials as one of the global brand ambassadors of Gillette, along with golfing superstar Tiger Woods and tennis champ Roger Federer. He has also used his growing influence to speak out against racism. In conjunction with Nike, he launched the “Stand Up Speak Up” campaign, raising millions to promote racial tolerance across the globe.
Richard C. Gay. Senior Vice President, Strategy, & Business Operations VH1 & CMT / 39. Why he’s hot: Gay takes multitasking to another level. He oversees business operations, strategic planning, partnerships, and budget processes of Viacom’s VH1 and CMT cable networks; VH1’s digital suite of channels; and brand extensions. In fact, he has made VH1 the must-see destination in cable with a slate of reality series featuring stars such as Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav, former wrestler Hulk Hogan, record producer Irv Gotti, and rap duo Salt-N-Pepa. Before coming to VH1 in 2004, Gay had been a partner at management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton at the tender age of 32. Gay’s savvy business moves and influence earned him a spot on be’s Top 50_Hollywood Power Brokers.
Tracy Green, Associate Executive Director, Finance Department Bellevue Hospital Center / 36. Why she’s hot: A numbers cruncher, Green is the person who professionals call when they need to solve financial problems in hospital administration. She’s a key member of the finance team that enables Bellevue Hospital Center, the nation’s oldest public hospital, to treat some 12,000 patients daily. Reporting directly to the chief financial officer, Green oversees a budget of more than $1 billion, which finances, among other areas, the diagnostic treatment centers, clinics, and nursing facilities. Previously, Green served as deputy chief financial officer and director of finance at New York’s Harlem Hospital, responsible for a budget of $300 million and handling everything from auditing and accounts payable distributions to cash management and data processing. Her determination, drive, and work ethic have led to many great opportunities, including her promotion in 2004 to deputy commissioner of the budget at the New York City Human Resources Administration where she oversaw $6.1 billion in public assistance. Green, who earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Morgan State University, a master’s in public administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a certificate in
financial planning from St. John’s University, played an instrumental role in preparing the financials that resulted in the merger of New York’s Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services bureau during the administration of former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. –Hyacinth B. Carbon
Lewis Hamilton, Professional Athlete / 22. Why he’s hot: The British-born Formula One race driver for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team has shifted into high gear, smashing speed records in the process. Winning four of the first 15 Grand Prix races in 2007 (and reaching the podium 12 times–nine of those consecutively), he became the youngest driver and first rookie since 1950 to lead the world championships. Hamilton became the first black driver to compete in and win a Formula One race, the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. He’s also the first black driver to pick up the checkered flag in a major race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, driving away with the U.S. Grand Prix. The speed demon, who began racing and winning competitions in Britain when he was just 8 years old, earned the attention of one of the league’s premier racing teams, McLaren, as a teen. Hamilton has reportedly signed a multimillion-dollar contract with HarperCollins to publish his autobiography, Lewis Hamilton: My Story, detailing his ascension from racing go-karts to international racing sensation. –Sonya A. Donaldson
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Rapper / 32. Why he’s hot: This musical mastermind has leveraged his celebrity into a multimillion-dollar business empire. Jackson made headlines last May when he reportedly walked away with about $400 million after Glacéau, a company he owned a stake in and the distributor of Vitamin Water, was purchased by Coca-Cola. The rapper has also developed several products under the G-Unit corporate banner, including the G-Unit Footwear Collection by RBK, a partnership with Reebok that has generated more than $70 million in gross sales; and G-Unit Apparel by Ecko Unlimited, which raked in more than $100 million in gross sales. His business empire continues to flourish through the development of recording, publishing, and video game ventures.
Barrington Irving, Aviator / 24. Why he’s hot: Irving made history on June 27 when he became the first black and the youngest person ever to complete a solo flight around the world. He refused to let anything stop him from achieving this feat–not even the fact that he didn’t own a plane. Irving took bold steps to make his dream possible, asking manufacturers to donate plane parts and securing $300,000 in donated components. One of the donors, Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing, even agreed to assemble the plane. Irving currently runs Experience Aviation Inc., a nonprofit organization he founded in 2005 as a way to encourage young people to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace.
Mellody Hobson, President / Ariel Capital Management L.L.C. / 38. Why she’s hot: As president of Chicago-based mutual fund company Ariel Capital Management L.L.C. (No.2 on the be asset managers list with $16 billion in assets under management), Hobson is responsible for all of Ariel’s businesses outside of research and portfolio management. In 2006, she was appointed chairman of Ariel Mutual Funds Board of Trustees. Hobson continues to be an advocate of investor education in her role as a spokeswoman for the Ariel Mutual Funds/Charles Schwab Black Investor Survey and has found inventive ways to expose African Americans to Ariel and the value of investing. In fact, the firm became a sponsor of the Oprah Winfrey-produced musical, The Color Purple, this year.
Melanie Kinchen, M.D., Medical Director, Orthopaedic Surgeon / Presbyterian Intercom-munity Hospital Spine Center/ 38. Why she’s hot: Kinchen is a highly specialized adult and pediatric spine surgeon. Known for her new-motion preserving techniques such as disc replacement and herniation treatments, she is considered one of the best in her field. When individuals have been told by their doctors that they’ll never walk again, many patients have come to Kinchen, a Harvard Medical School graduate with 12 years of experience, to reverse that prognosis. Her innovative approach to spine and scoliosis surgery minimizes incision scars and reduces the amount of tissue damage and blood loss that often occur during surgery. In addition, she is widely recognized as the expert in highly complex adult deformity and reconstruction.
Alicia Keys, Singer, Songwriter, Actress / 26. Why she’s hot: As a singer, songwriter, actress, and author, Keys continues to evolve as a powerhouse entertainer and businesswoman. This year, she has demonstrated her prowess across media by launching her third studio album, As I Am, and displaying her acting chops in the films Smokin’ Aces and The Nanny Diaries. Keys is flexing her business muscles as co-owner of KrucialKeys, an entertainment production and merchandising company. Although she’s won dozens of awards, including nine Grammys, Keys appears to be making a big name for herself as a philanthropist. She serves as Ambassador of Keep A Child Alive, a charity that builds clinics and provides antiretroviral drugs to Africans infected with the HIV virus.
Paulianda Jones, M.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine / 28. Why she’s hot: Jones’ research focuses on the development and discovery of potential therapeutic treatments for neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and anxiety disorders. But her primary field of research is neuropharmacology–figuring out the effects of drugs on the neurological system. Her interdisciplinary training puts her on the cutting edge of research: she is a medical chemist with expertise in brain slice electrophysiology using techniques to understanding neuronal activity in both diseased and normal states. For her graduate work on epilepsy, Jones was awarded several fellowships including the nationally competitive UNCF/Merck Science Graduate Dissertation Fellowship.
Ronald Holt Jr., President & CEO / Hansberger Global Investors Inc. / 39. Why he’s hot: As president and CEO of Hansberger Global Investors Inc., Holt operates a global institutional money management firm with more than $10 billion in assets under management and outposts that serve customers from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Mumbai, India. Named to be’s 75 Most Powerful Blacks on Wall Street, he’s responsible for plotting the strategic direction of the firm, marketing its array of investment products, recruiting top talent, developing new markets, and managing portfolios.
Holt joined HGI in 1997 and has spent a decade building the technical and leadership skills required of a CEO of a major investment firm. “It took a lot of hard work, a lot of focus,” says Holt, “having a vision about this industry, this company.”
At the time he joined HGI, the company was at less than $1 billion in assets. He attributes the company’s growth to the solid performance of the investment teams, strength of global markets, sound marketing strategies, and great relationships with clients such as mutual fund companies Vanguard and Natixis as well as a number of major university endowment funds and foundations. “My hope is to grow global clients from all over the world.” says Holt. “A big part of our relationship with Natixis is accessing clients in Europe and other regions, specifically, China, India, Russia, and Brazil.” –Nadirah Sabir
Charles King. Senior Vice President, Agent / William Morris Agency / 38. Why he’s hot: He’s one of the top agents in Hollywood, known for negotiating multimillion-dollar deals and enriching his clients’ careers. King created the team that snagged music icon Prince in 2005 and he signed Janet Jackson earlier this year, adding her to his roster of hit makers including Tyler Perry, Terrence Howard, Andre Benjamin, Paula Patton, and Tyrese. As the player instrumental in helping Perry make the lucrative transition from theater to film, he’s structuring transactions that will propel the actor-producer’s flourishing entertainment empire. In fact, it was King who brokered Perry’s $200 million, 100-episode deal with TBS t
o bring Tyler Perry’s House of Payne to the small screen. He’s also behind the launch of the broadband video channel TylerPerry.com.
Beyoncé Knowles. Singer, Actress / 26. Why she’s hot: Knowles is a money-making triple threat. The 10-time Grammy Award winner’s latest album, B’Day, went triple platinum in the U.S., while her concert tour sold out at locations worldwide. She also expanded her acting credentials and commercial appeal with the musical Dreamgirls, which generated nearly $155 million in worldwide box-office receipts and earned her two Golden Globe Award nominations. On the business stage, Knowles has proven to be a marketable brand, generating millions through endorsement deals with L’Oréal, American Express, Ford, and Armani. Knowles and her mother, Tina, retooled their clothing line, House of Deréon, to add high-end cocktail dresses and evening gowns that will be sold in retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s starting next month.
Kimora Lee Simmons, Creative Director / Phat Fashions L.L.C. / 32. Why she’s hot: A trendsetter, Simmons has been responsible for creating fashion lines that merge glamour with hip-hop, attracting millions of women to her brand of bling. In her business role, she controls the licenses for much of Baby Phat merchandise, which generated $750 million in retail sales last year. Besides apparel, she continues to put her signature on products, ranging from a jacket made of gold and diamonds for the handheld Sony PSP entertainment unit to a Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie doll produced through a partnership with toy giant Mattel. Viewers of the cable networks Style and E! have recently gotten a glimpse of Simmons’ personal and business style through her reality program, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane.
Phil Ivey, Professional Poker Player / 31. Why he’s hot: Considered the “Tiger Woods of Poker,” Ivey is the youngest player to win five World Series of Poker bracelets–a feat achieved before the age of 30. And he’s still the man to beat. To date, Ivey has won nearly $3 million in cash earnings from World Series of Poker tournaments alone. In 2006, he played for The Corporation, a group of poker players who pooled their resources to play against Texas billionaire Andy Beal. Ivey won more than $16 million over three days. This year, Ivey picked up another $382,000 in World Series of Poker circuit events, placing fourth in the H.O.R.S.E. event and second in the tournament’s World Champion Seven Card Stud event. –Tamara E. Holmes
Kevin Liles, Executive Vice President / Warner Music Group / 39. Why he’s hot: Liles is one of the most powerful executives in the music industry. He’s part of the management team that oversees world-renowned labels such as Atlantic and Warner Bros. as well as handling distribution, marketing, and music publishing for the $3.5 billion recording giant. Liles, who has been key to the success of artists such as Jay-Z, Ludacris, LL Cool J, and Kanye West and sits on the board of the Recording Industry Association of America, is helping Warner figure out how to combat flagging CD sales, adapt to the digital music revolution, and other industry challenges. The former unpaid intern grew the Def Jam brand into a $400 million phenomenon with tentacles in several revenue streams including film, television, DVDs, video games, and apparel.
Treena Livingston Arinzeh. Biomedical Engineer, New Jersey Institute of Technology / 37. Why she’s hot: Stem cell research has come to the forefront of not just scientific discourse but also political debate. Arinzeh is at the center
of this hotly contested arena, having made two major breakthroughs in the field. Her research with biomaterials called “scaffolds” holds the prospect of using stem cells to generate bone and other tissues. She has also published findings on transplanting stems cells from one person to another without rejection. In 2003, Arinzeh received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development award for her work, and she was honored by President George W. Bush with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists in 2004. Arinzeh received her Ph.D. in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999.Vanessa Morrison, President / Twentieth Century Fox Animation / 38. Why she’s hot: A 13-year veteran of Fox, Morrison is now in charge of animated projects at one of Hollywood’s biggest studios. She also has control over Fox-owned Blue Sky Studios, a computer animation company behind the release of the profitable Ice Age films with No. 3 in the works and development of Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! Prior to her current position, Morrison served as senior vice president of production with oversight of family-oriented fare such as the Garfield, Dr. Dolittle, and Cheaper by the Dozen franchises.
LeBron James. Professional Athlete / 22. Why he’s hot: These days, LeBron James considers himself to be 80% basketball player and 20% businessman. But that’s something that’s likely to change over time. “At this point, it’s 80/20. When I first entered the league, it was 100/0 and so in five years, hopefully we’ll be at 70/30.”
Despite that disparity, the 22-year-old small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers has managed to become one of the most successful branding stories in sports. His many lucrative endorsement deals include Sprite, Powerade, Microsoft, and Upper Deck, but the most notable is the $90 million Nike deal that includes his signature athletic shoe line. He also gained control of the business side of sports by breaking with his agent at the time and forming LRMR Innovative Marketing & Branding, a sports marketing company, in 2005 with three of his childhood friends. “I [formed the company] for two reasons,” says the 6-foot-8 James. “First, I did it so I can own my own business. Second, I wanted the guys around me to grow also.” LRMR manages James’ deals but is looking to add other athletes to its roster. In August, the company signed Ted Ginn Jr., a rookie wide receiver for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. James describes his involvement with LRMR as hands-on. “Hopefully in five years, as I continue to grow, the company will grow,” he says. “Our target is long-term. Basketball doesn’t last forever. You have to have something to go to later.” –Alan Hughes
Tim “Timbaland” Mosley, Music Producer / 36. Why he’s hot: Timbaland is one of the music industry’s most prolific hit makers. This legendary producer’s distinctive sound sets him apart from the rest of the pack. He has helped create some of the hottest pop and hip-hop tunes, including singles for Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, The Pussycat Dolls, 50 Cent, and Ludacris. Through Mosley Music Group, a joint venture with Interscope, he’s penned and produced a number of chart-topping albums, including Nelly Furtado’s Loose, Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveSounds, and his own second solo release, Timbaland Presents Shock Value.
Will Packer and Rob Hardy, Film Producers; Director, Rainforest Films / 33; 35. Why they’re hot: This dynamic duo’s vision has made them rising stars in the indie film market. In fact, the company’s partnership with Sony’s Columbia Tri-Star to produce and distribute urban films has proven to be one of the industry’s most profitable. Their film The Gospel, budgeted at $4 million, grossed more than $15 million worldwide in 2005. But their largest project to date, Stomp the Yard, produced on a budget of $13 million, was the No. 1 film its opening weekend, with gross receipts of more than $22 million before raking in $75 million in worldwide box office sales. In 2008, Rainforest will go into production on an urban remake of the classic filmThe Big Chill.
Andrea Nelson Meigs. Talent Agent / International Creative Management / 39. Why she’s hot: One of the few African American talent agents, Nelson Meigs represents some of the entertainment industry’s biggest chart busters. She has negotiated
deals for Beyoncé; Chris Brown; and Cristina Saralegui, known in talk show circles as “The Latina Oprah.” This überagent has also packaged major deals for top screen stars, including Cedric The Entertainer, Jon Voight, and Ellen Burstyn. Prior to joining ICM in December 2006, Nelson Meigs, who received her law degree from Duke University, began her career in the mailroom at Creative Artist Agency and worked her way through the ranks to become a motion picture talent agent.
Wyclef Jean, Rapper, Music Producer / 35. Why he’s hot: This Grammy Award winner and founder of the Fugees is expected to climb the charts with his new release, Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant, a follow-up to his triple-platinum debut solo album, The Carnival. Jean continues to be in high demand as a producer, responsible for creating hits for artists such as Destiny’s Child and Carlos Santana as well as earning a Golden Globe nomination for the song “Million Voices,” featured on the soundtrack for the movie Hotel Rwanda. In addition to donning the hats of producer, songwriter, and musician, Jean is one of the entertainment industry’s leading humanitarians. Earlier this year, he was appointed roving ambassador of Haiti by President René Préval in honor of his philanthropic efforts to improve the poverty-stricken island nation. The honor was bestowed upon him because of the work of Yelé Haiti (www.yele.org), the foundation he founded in 2005 to promote the arts, education, sports, jobs, and development. Since its inception, the organization, funded by Haiti’s largest wireless service provider ComCEL, has offered scholarships to 3,600 children in Gonaives. –Sheiresa McRae
Tyler Perry, Playwright, Actor, Screenwriter, CEO, Tyler Perry Studios / 38. Why he’s hot: The writer with the golden pen remains one of the hardest-working–and wealthiest–men in Hollywood. His latest film, Why Did I Get Married?, grossed more than $21 million its premiere weekend, making it No. 1 at the box office. And since 2005, his last three films–Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea’s Family Reunion, and Daddy’s Little Girls–have grossed more than $100 million in domestic box office receipts. Perry has struck gold in other media: His first book, Don’t Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea’s Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life, remained at the top of The New York Times Best Seller List for 12 weeks and won him two Quill Awards. He also snared an unprecedented $200 million, 100-episode deal with TBS for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. Perry also recently launched a talk show on TV One.
Brian Parker, Vice President of Emerging Markets & New Business Development
Choice Hotels International / 32. Why he’s hot: As vice president of emerging markets and new business development, Parker continues to grow Choice Hotels’ minority-owned franchises. Under his leadership, the hotel chain has increased its number of franchise agreements with minority and non-lodging entrepreneurs by an impressive 25%, adding 45 new minority franchises–30 of which are owned by African Americans. Choice attributes much of its success to an initiative managed by Parker: a Website launched in 2006 that introduced hotel franchising to minority business owners. Now, he’s charged with expanding Choice’s brand awareness and distribution throughout the Caribbean.
Steve Pamon. Senior Vice President, Digital Distribution & Strategic Partnerships / Home Box Office / 37. Why he’s hot: Pamon has built his career on identifying and implementing new marketing and distribution platforms. In his current role, he leads a team charged with building a worldwide digital distribution business around HBO’s original programming, including such programs as The Sopranos, Entourage, and The Wire. Pamon is directly responsible for all relationships with digital partners such as AT&T, Apple, and Google/YouTube. Prior to assuming his current role in March, he served as vice president of strategic partnerships for Affiliate Sales and Marketing, developing new relationships, products, and services to increase HBO’s value to cable, satellite, and video distributors.
John Legend, Singer / 29. Why he’s hot: Legend, a renaissance performer who sings, produces, plays several instruments, and arranges tunes, is living up to his billing. In fact, the five-time Grammy Award winner walked away with two in 2007, one for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Heaven” and another for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for “Family Affair,” a cover of the Sly & The Family Stone hit in which he teamed up with songstress Joss Stone. His solo career has been red-hot since the release of his debut album, Get Lifted, which was certified platinum by the RIAA and earned three Grammys in 2006. His follow-up, Once Again, also went platinum. Legend has also become a high-profile humanitarian. He launched the Show Me Campaign, which has the mission of fighting poverty across the globe, and recently joined the (PRODUCT) RED Gap Campaign, a for-benefit brand developed to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa. –Sheiresa McRae
Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens, Singer, Actress / 37. Why she’s hot: All hail to the Queen who has seamlessly made the transition from rapper-singer to actress and entrepreneur. As a performer, she has earned a Grammy Award and five nominations; an Emmy Award nomination; and an Academy Award nomination. In fact, this past summer, she was a headliner at the famed Hollywood Bowl, performing a number of standards from her new jazz album, Trav’lin Light. Her recent albums and motion picture work have served to bolster her media company, Flavor Unit. It has co-produced her last two albums and films such as The Perfect Holiday, a new release starring Terrence Howard and Gabrielle Union; the highly acclaimed HBO film Life Support; and the comedy Beauty Shop. She’s also the ever-present spokesperson for Pizza Hut and Cover Girl Cosmetics, where she developed products for women of color, the Cover Girl Queen Collection. Owens celebrates full-figured women with her other business venture: her Curvation line of intimates and apparel.–Carolyn M. Brown
Lisa Pickrum, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer / RLJ Cos. / 37. Why she’s hot: She’s one of the right-hand executives Bob Johnson counts on to move his business empire forward. Pickrum manages financial operations, strategic partnerships, and new business development for RLJ’s portfolio of companies. Over the past two years, she has been instrumental in forging a number of lucrative partnerships, including the creation of a private equity fund with The Carlyle Group and a joint venture with Deutsche Bank Asset Management that operates a hedge fund of funds. Recently, Pickrum finished an assignment as interim CEO of RolloverSystems, a company that sells technology and services for retirement plan administration in which RLJ was the largest shareholder.
Shonda Rhimes, TV Producer, Writer, Director / 37. Why she’s hot: Rhimes is the triple threat—screenwriter, director, and executive producer—behind Grey’s Anatomy, the top-rated ABC drama. In fact, Grey’s is one of the network’s top moneymakers, holding the position as the most expensive show on prime-time television: Advertisers pay $419,000 per 30-second spot. This
year, Rhimes and ABC are trying to make lightning strike twice with Grey’s spin-off, Private Practice, starring Kate Walsh, Taye Diggs, and Audra McDonald. The new series is the top-rated program on Wednesday nights, snaring the coveted 18- to 49-year-old viewer demographic. Rhimes is the only African American with two prime-time dramas currently on air, and the casts of the two shows are refreshingly diverse as well.Usher Raymond IV, Singer, Actor / 29. Why he’s hot: The winner of five Grammy Awards, this R&B crooner has also planted flags in film, television, and on Broadway–in 2006, he was one of the st
ars of the hit musical Chicago. But he’s also a serious businessman. This fall, he launched a line of fragrances available at Macy’s. He also owns a piece of the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA franchise; controls the record label US Records; and operates the Grape Restaurant, which he opened in Atlanta this year. His New Look Foundation raised funds to help rebuild neighborhoods on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina, including partnering with Armani Exchange to create limited edition “Love 4 Life” dog tags. Fans anxiously anticipate the follow-up to the 2004’s multiplatinum Confessions.
Marcus Samuelsson, Chef, Co-Owner / Aquavit / 37. Why he’s hot: The Ethiopian-born chef and co-owner of Aquavit, a Scandinavian restaurant in New York, continues to be the main dish within the food industry. The ubiquitous restaurateur co-founded Townhouse Restaurant Group, a restaurant management and consultancy firm, and serves as host of the Inner Chef TV show on the Discovery Home Channel and is the author of several acclaimed cookbooks, including The Soul of a New Cuisine, which won a 2007 James Beard Award for Best International Cookbook. Samuelsson, who also owns American-Japanese fusion eatery Riingo, recently opened Merkato 55, an African brasserie in New York’s meatpacking district. His culinary empire will continue to expand with a new eatery opening in Chicago’s Affinia Hotel and an Aquavit opening in Stockholm, Sweden in early 2008.
Will Smith, Actor, Film Producer / 39. Why he’s hot: Hollywood heavyweight Will Smith and business partner James Lassiter have developed Overbrook Entertainment, their entertainment and artist management company, into a force to be reckoned with. The firm has produced an impressive roster of box-office hits such as Hitch; I, Robot; and The Pursuit of Happyness, which grossed a whopping $305 million worldwide and delivered Smith an Academy Award nomination. Overbrook also manages the careers of up-and-comers such as Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and actress Paula Patton. As for Smith, any project to which he’s attached turns to box-office gold. Look for his latest film, I am Legend, to be another blockbuster hit.
Window Snyder, “Chief Security Something or Other” / Mozilla / 32. Why she’s hot: In the world of online security, Mozilla’s Snyder is known simply as “rock star.” The 32-year-old security guru, who made her mark as a senior security strategist at Microsoft (on Windows XP Service Pack 2), was principal, founder, and chief technology officer of New York-based security services consulting firm Matasano. She now heads up security strategy for Mozilla, creator of the popular Firefox Internet browser, which claims about 18% of the online browser market share worldwide and as much as 28% to 45% in Europe. She is also co-author of Threat Modeling, the industry manual on application security, and her blogs are must-reads for those who want to keep up with online security issues. –Sonya A. Donaldson
LaDainian Tomlinson, Professional Athlete / 28. Why he’s hot: He scores touchdowns and lucrative endorsements. The All-Pro running back set records including scoring a league-leading 186 points in 2006 and status as all-time leading rusher for the San Diego Chargers during his seven years with the franchise. In 2007, his prowess on the field earned him honors as the NFL’s Man of the Year and the Most Valuable Player. Tomlinson also won ESPY Awards for Male Athlete of the Year, Best Record-Breaking Performance, and Best NFL Player. Tomlinson is in demand off the field as well: he has endorsement deals with Nike, Campbell Soup, AT&T, and ESPN Radio, and earns $300,000 for a one-year contract–three times the rate of a year ago. As his star shines brighter, he is expected to become one of the NFL’s top endorsers. He also gives back through his Touching Lives Foundation, which awards scholarships to college-bound students.
Steve Stoute, Founder, Chairman / Translation Consultation & Brand Imaging / 37.
Why he’s hot: The former music exec that helped launch Mariah Carey, Will Smith, and Nas is the marketing guru major corporations come to when they want to reach urban audiences. He’s the mastermind behind the repositioning of brands and development of hip hop-infused campaigns for McDonald’s, General Motors, Reebok and Microsoft. In fact, Stoute’s campaigns have demonstrated why industry analysts identify him as one of the leaders of entertainment marketing. His next big deal: At press time, he was close to selling his firm to Interpublic Group of Cos., the $6.2 billion advertising juggernaut. Stoute also owns a stake in Carol’s Daughter, the ethnic personal and beauty care products manufacturer, and has developed a strategy to promote the product line as a national brand in 2008.
Kara Walker, Artist / 38. Why she’s hot: Widely known for her room-size tableaux of black cut-paper silhouettes that examine sex, race, and power in America, Walker is considered one of the most complex and prolific American artists of her generation. Her current collection, Kara Walker: My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love, is on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Her other works have been exhibited at some of the world’s most prestigious museums and galleries including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. At 27, Walker was one of the youngest recipients of the coveted John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation fellowship, known as the “genius grant.”
Shane and Shawn Ward, President & Co-Founder; Creative Director & Co-Founder / Detny by SHANE&SHAWN / 34. Why they’re hot: Identical twins Shane and Shawn Ward designed footwear for such companies as Fila, Reebok, and Puma before launching their own collections in 2003. After making $1.5 million in revenues in 2006, the designers took their company, Detny by SHANE&SHAWN, public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2007, where it has a market cap of $13.5 million. Using capital from the IPO, the brothers expanded their offerings, including the dressier SHANE&SHAWN, which retails for $220 to $350 a pair. Their footwear is currently sold in 75 independent boutiques nationwide and through major retail outlets like Nordstrom, Macy’s, DSW, and MGM/Mirage Casinos.
Kanye West, Music Producer, Rapper / 30. Why he’s hot: West recently created industry buzz with a hot marketing campaign–a public feud with 50 Cent to determine who would earn the crown as the king of hip-hop. When the two artists’ albums were released on Sept. 11, the outspoken rapper emerged victorious; his third album, Graduation, moved 957,000 copies in its first week, outselling his rival by almost 300,000 units. West is now focused on managing his own record label, GOOD Music–which has R&B crooner John Legend, veteran rapper Common, and former Diddy assistant Fonzworth Bentley on its roster–and on developing a half-hour sitcom loosely based on his life in collaboration with HBO.
Stevie Williams, Professional Athlete / 28. Why he’s hot: Williams has often been referred to as the “Allen Iverson of skate.” Williams found celebrity through an aggressive combination of challenging stunts and technical moves on the board that is unlike traditional vertical skating. Today, the professional skateboarder is an extreme entrepreneur. He operates his own skate shop, Oceanside, California-based L&K Limited; manages a four-person skate team; and scored a multimillion-dollar licensing deal with Reebok–the first professional skateboarder ever to gain sponsorship from the company–that includes a line of footwear and apparel under the DGK (Dirty Ghetto Kids) brand he created. Together, his ventures place him in the seven-figure realm.
Known for his “pops,” the extreme athlete led the street skating movement. As a result, he’s been featured in various popular video games including Tony Hawk’s A
merican Wasteland and Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground. –Carolyn M. Brown
Kehinde Wiley, Artist / 30. Why he’s hot: This Los Angeles—born artist has cornered a niche. His lifelike–and life-sized–urban portraits of black men in classical poses of angels, prophets, and historical figures are catching the eyes of collectors and curators. Many in the art community find his vivid paintings, adorned with baroque and rococo patterns, reminiscent of Renaissance artists Tiepolo and Titian. His exhibit Recognize! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture will debut in February at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Wiley holds a master’s in fine art from Yale and was an artist-in-residence at the Studio Museum in Harlem. His collections are on display at galleries from New York to Denver.
Venus Williams, Professional Athlete / 27. Why she’s hot: The tennis pro, who has won six Grand Slams, has now taken her game to the fashion arena. Williams is the latest celebrity to partner with Steve & Barry’s apparel retailers as she introduces her new clothing line, EleVen by Venus, all items of which will be priced at $20 or less. The Williams brand name is now linked with sportswear, casual wear, tennis shoes, and other accessories. Her business interests don’t stop with the fashion industry. The certified decorator is also owner of V Starr Interiors, the successful interior design firm she launched in 2002, with an office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Her celebrity clients include Florida Marlins pitcher Brad Penny and her sister Serena. In June, Williams proved that she’s still one of greatest players in the game by beating Marion Bartoli to claim her fourth Wimbledon victory. Positioned as the 23rd seeded player due to a couple of injury-shortened seasons, her triumph made her the lowest-ranked player to win the women’s title and the first female champion to earn the same purse ($1.4 million this year) as the male champ. And she continues to break records: the superstar holds the fastest-recorded serve in a women’s main draw tour match, hit during this year’s U.S. Open. –Hyacinth B. Carbon
Eldrick “Tiger” Woods, Professional Athlete / 32. Why he’s hot: Call him professional sports’ billion-dollar man. Woods has not only changed the face of golf–he’s changed the game itself. And with a newly inked licensing deal with Gatorade, Woods is transforming celebrity endorsements. Gatorade Tiger, set to launch in March 2008, is the athlete’s first licensing agreement and his first deal with a beverage company in the U.S. This arrangement exceeds the typical sports endorsement contract and, although details were not available at press time, insiders speculate that it could push Woods’ career endorsement income close to the $1 billion mark. Woods, who has 81 tournament wins (61 on the PGA Tour and 13 major championships), continues to demonstrate his golfing prowess while maintaining his pitchman duties for Nike, Buick, Gillette, and Accenture.