Ebony became the first Black magazine in mass circulation in 1945.

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Robert F. Smith (December 1, 1962) is the founder of private equity firm Vista Equity Partners that focuses exclusively on investing in software companies. The firm has more than $46 billion in assets and is one of the best-performing private equity firms.

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Patrice Motsepe (January 28, 1962) is South Africa’s first and only black billionaire is the founder of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed mining company and he also owns the African Rainbow Capital, a private equity firm focusing on investments in the financial services sector.

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Folorunsho Alakija (July 15, 1951) is Nigeria’s first female billionaire is the founder of Famfa Oil and a Nigerian fashion label that catered to upscale clientele.

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Jeh Johnson (born September 11, 1957) became the first Black United States Secretary of Homeland Security in 2010.

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Ava DuVernay (born August 24, 1972) is the first Black woman to be nominated for Best Director by the Golden Globe Awards for Selma in 2014.

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Thomas Mundy Peterson (1824 – 1904) was the first Black man to vote in an election under the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, granting voting rights regardless of race in 1870.

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Woni Spotts born 1964 is the first Black woman to travel to every country and continent.

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Patrick Francis Healy (1834 – 1910) was the first Black President of a major college; S.J. of Georgetown College in 1874.

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Belinda Bennett is the first Black woman cruise ship captain. She sails for the MSC Wind Star as of 2007.

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