Robert L. Johnson is the founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, an innovative business network that provides strategic investment in a diverse portfolio of companies. Under The RLJ Companies umbrella, Johnson owns or holds interests in businesses operating in banking, financial services, real estate, hospitality, entertainment, professional sports, film production and gaming.

RLJ Development acquires and develops upscale hotels, including Hilton and Marriott branded hotels in major North American urban markets. RLJ Urban Lodging Funds I and II acquire and develop upscale service hotels and compact full-service hotels in urban markets (122 hotels with a value of more than $3 billion to date). RLJ Equity Partners is a private-equity fund that invests in the media and business services sectors. Johnson’s holdings also include Bobcats Sports and Entertainment, which operates the NBA franchise and arena in Charlotte, N.C. The Bobcats are the first major sports franchise owned by an African-American.

Prior to forming The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET), the nation’s first and leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news, sports and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. Johnson, who sold BET to Viacom for approximately $3 billion in 2000, remained the chief executive officer through 2005.