UpwardAction Salutes Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier

UpwardAction Salutes Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier

As the CEO, President and Chairman of Merck & Co., Kenneth Frazier is the first African American to hold the top position of a major pharmaceutical company. Mr. Frazier is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and Harvard Law School. This African American legal eagle and business giant began his…
UpwardAction Salutes Janice Bryant Howroyd

UpwardAction Salutes Janice Bryant Howroyd

Janice Bryant Howroyd holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to build a billion dollar company.  She is the founder and CEO of Act 1 Group. Under her leadership, Act 1 Group has transitioned from its humble beginnings of a single office operation to become the largest…
UpwardAction Salutes Don H. Barden

UpwardAction Salutes Don H. Barden

Detroit business executive Don H. Barden holds the honorary title as the first African American to own a Las Vegas Casino. He was the first to hold a major cable television franchise, as well. Born December 20th 1943, the ninth of thirteen children, Mr. Barden would go on to become…

UpwardAction Salutes Byron E. Lewis Sr.

Advertising CEO Byron E. Lewis Sr. was born on December 25, 1931 in Newark, New Jersey. He is the founder of UniWorld Group, Inc., the oldest multicultural advertising agency in the USA and also the  American Black Film Festival, formerly known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival. Thanks to the…