Sonny’s Black People of Interest: 28 Modern Money Moves to Get You Started
Welcome to February, the month where we go extra hard on celebrating the legacy, the hustle, and the undeniable brilliance of our community. But here at The Black Wall Streets, we believe Black history isn’t just about looking back: it’s about using those blueprints to build our future.
In collaboration with Sonny, we’ve curated a list of 28 "People of Interest": visionaries who didn't just break glass ceilings; they owned the building. Each one represents a specific "Modern Money Move" you can implement right now to level up your financial game. From the legends who paved the way to the modern moguls changing the rules, this is your guide to building a legacy of wealth.
And remember, the ultimate money move is keeping our dollars circulating. When you #Buyblack, you aren't just shopping; you're investing in the very spirit of the original Black Wall Street. Let's dive in.
Day 1: Madam C.J. Walker – The Power of Ownership
The Bio: The first self-made Black woman millionaire in America, Madam Walker built a beauty empire from the ground up, providing products specifically for Black women and creating thousands of jobs.
The Money Move: Solve a specific problem for your community. Don't just work for a brand; become the brand.
Buyblack Tie-in: Start your day with a mindset of ownership. Set the mood with our Palais Royale Luxury Candle to focus on your empire-building.
Day 2: Maggie Lena Walker – Community Banking
The Bio: In 1903, she became the first Black woman to charter and own a bank. She knew that financial independence required our own institutions.
The Money Move: Open an account at a Black-owned bank or credit union to ensure your capital supports Black businesses.
Buyblack Tie-in: Supporting the Black Wall Streets Marketplace helps us build a centralized hub for commerce, much like Maggie Lena’s vision.
Day 3: Robert L. Johnson – Strategic Scaling
The Bio: The founder of BET, he turned a $15,000 loan into a billion-dollar media empire.
The Money Move: Identify an underserved audience and scale your platform until it’s impossible to ignore.
Buyblack Tie-in: Our Motivational Graphic Tees are designed for the modern-day disruptor: wear your ambition on your sleeve.
Day 4: Oprah Winfrey – Negotiating Equity
The Bio: Oprah didn't just host a show; she owned the rights to it through Harpo Productions.
The Money Move: Don't settle for a salary. Negotiate for equity, ownership, and royalties in everything you do.
Buyblack Tie-in: When you shop our Jewelry and Accessories, you’re supporting a platform that prioritizes Black creator equity.
Day 5: Berry Gordy – IP is King
The Bio: The founder of Motown Records. He understood that whoever owns the masters, owns the wealth.
The Money Move: Protect your intellectual property. Whether it’s code, content, or a brand name, trademark and copyright it early.
Buyblack Tie-in: We celebrate original creations. Check out our curated Lifestyle Goods for authentic products you won't find anywhere else.
Day 6: Daymond John – The Power of Broke
The Bio: He started FUBU in his mom’s house. Today, he’s a global branding expert and investor.
The Money Move: Start with what you have. Use creativity and "sweat equity" to prove your concept before seeking outside funding.
Buyblack Tie-in: Many of the vendors in our marketplace started just like Daymond. Support a budding entrepreneur today.
Day 7: Michael Jordan – Transcending the Contract
The Bio: He parlayed his legendary basketball career into the Jordan Brand, proving that your personal brand can outearn your "day job."
The Money Move: Use your primary income to fund your side ventures until your ventures become the main event.
Buyblack Tie-in: Level up your off-duty look with our premium Hats and Caps.
Day 8: Janice Bryant Howroyd – Consistency in Excellence
The Bio: The first Black woman to own a billion-dollar company, ActOne Group. She proved that excellence in B2B services is a goldmine.
The Money Move: Focus on high-value services. B2B (Business to Business) often offers higher margins and longer contracts.
Day 9: Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter – The Ecosystem Play
The Bio: "I'm not a businessman; I'm a business, man." Jay-Z’s wealth comes from a web of interconnected brands: music, spirits, and tech.
The Money Move: Create a lifestyle ecosystem. When your businesses feed into each other, your wealth compounds.
Buyblack Tie-in: Feel like a mogul while you plan your next move. Light up our Chêne Foncé Candle for that corner-office vibe.
Day 10: Reginald F. Lewis – Think Big
The Bio: He orchestrated the $985 million leveraged buyout of TLC Beatrice, making it the largest Black-owned company in the world at the time.
The Money Move: Learn the language of acquisitions. You don't always have to build from scratch; sometimes you can buy and grow.
Day 11: Cathy Hughes – Finding the Niche
The Bio: Founder of Urban One. She started with one radio station and built a media powerhouse by focusing on the Black audience.
The Money Move: Become the go-to expert for a specific niche. Deep influence is more profitable than wide indifference.
Day 12: Tyler Perry – Own the Studio
The Bio: He went from being homeless to owning a 330-acre film studio. His secret? Ownership of every stage of production.
The Money Move: Minimize your "rent" by owning the assets required to run your business: whether that’s software, equipment, or real estate.
Day 13: Serena Williams – Investing in the Future
The Bio: Through Serena Ventures, she has invested in over 60 companies, focusing on diverse founders.
The Money Move: Become an angel investor. Allocate a small percentage of your savings to support early-stage Black startups.
Buyblack Tie-in: You are an investor every time you shop at Black Wall Streets. You’re putting capital into the hands of our community's future.
Day 14: David L. Steward – Tech Infrastructure
The Bio: His company, World Wide Technology, is one of the largest private companies in the U.S. He’s proof that Black excellence thrives in high-tech.
The Money Move: Don't just use technology: invest in the infrastructure. Look into B2B tech and software services.
Day 15: Robert F. Smith – Software and Saas
The Bio: The founder of Vista Equity Partners. He focused on enterprise software and became one of the wealthiest people in the world.
The Money Move: Look for recurring revenue models. Subscription-based businesses (SaaS) offer the most stable long-term wealth.
Day 16: Mellody Hobson – Strategic Leadership
The Bio: Co-CEO of Ariel Investments and Chair of the Board of Starbucks. She is the blueprint for corporate influence.
The Money Move: Aim for leadership roles that control the flow of capital. Being at the table is how you change the menu.
Day 17: Ernesta Procope – Mastering Regulation
The Bio: Known as the "First Lady of Wall Street," she founded E.G. Bowman Company, focusing on insurance in marginalized areas.
The Money Move: Master a regulated industry. Barriers to entry are high, but once you’re in, the competition is low.
Day 18: John H. Johnson – The Power of the Press
The Bio: The visionary behind Ebony and Jet magazines. He showed the world the beauty and power of the Black middle class.
The Money Move: Control your narrative. Media influence is a massive lever for financial growth.
Day 19: Aliko Dangote – Commodities and Scale
The Bio: The richest person in Africa. He built his wealth on the basics: cement, flour, and sugar.
The Money Move: Don't ignore the "boring" industries. Providing essential goods at scale is a recession-proof path to wealth.
Day 20: Strive Masiyiwa – Bridging the Gap
The Bio: Founder of Econet Wireless. He fought the status quo to bring telecommunications to millions.
The Money Move: Solve an accessibility problem. Where there is a gap in service, there is a massive business opportunity.
Day 21: Rihanna – Turning Influence into Equity
The Bio: She transitioned from a music superstar to a billionaire beauty and fashion mogul with Fenty.
The Money Move: Lever your social capital. If you have an audience, co-create products with them rather than just being a "spokesperson."
Buyblack Tie-in: Shine bright with our Jewelry Collection: because every entrepreneur deserves a little ice.
Day 22: A.G. Gaston – Diverse Portfolio
The Bio: He owned a funeral home, a bank, and a motel. He knew that multiple streams of income create true stability.
The Money Move: Diversify your investments across different industries to protect yourself from market shifts.
Day 23: John W. Rogers Jr. – Long-term Compounding
The Bio: Founder of Ariel Investments. He preaches the gospel of "patient investing."
The Money Move: Start early and stay consistent. Time in the market is more important than timing the market.
Day 24: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter – Strategic Partnerships
The Bio: From Ivy Park to Netflix deals, she ensures her brand is always positioned with high-value partners.
The Money Move: Choose your partners wisely. A good collaboration should double your reach and your revenue.
Day 25: Patrice Motsepe – Resource Management
The Bio: A mining magnate who became South Africa's first Black billionaire.
The Money Move: Look for ways to monetize natural or existing resources. Think about what assets you already have that can be put to work.
Day 26: Sean “Diddy” Combs – The Profit Share
The Bio: He revolutionized the "brand partnership" by taking profit-sharing stakes in major liquor brands.
The Money Move: Instead of a flat fee, ask for a percentage of the gross profits for your contributions.
Day 27: C.C. Spaulding – Cooperative Economics
The Bio: He led North Carolina Mutual to become the largest Black-owned insurance company. He was a champion of "Double Duty Dollars."
The Money Move: Support the ecosystem. When you buy from a Black business, that business can then hire more Black employees.
Buyblack Tie-in: Every purchase at Black Wall Streets is a "Double Duty Dollar" in action.
Day 28: You – The Legacy Builder
The Bio: You are the next chapter. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a professional, or a conscious consumer, you are part of the movement.
The Money Move: Commit to a financial plan today. Whether it’s saving $100 a month or launching that store on our marketplace, take action.
Buyblack Tie-in: Make your first move today. Browse our Marketplace and support a dream.
Conclusion: Let’s Rebuild Black Wall Street Together
The history of Black Wall Street wasn't just about a physical location in Tulsa; it was about a mindset of collective prosperity. These 28 people of interest remind us that we have the talent, the drive, and the blueprint to create generational wealth.
By making these modern money moves: investing, owning, and choosing to #Buyblack: we are rebuilding that spirit every single day.
Ready to make your move? Visit Black Wall Streets today to discover luxury candles like Soirée or Ambergris, motivational apparel, and a marketplace full of entrepreneurs who are building the future, one product at a time.
Let's get started. The legacy is in your hands.
