The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. is pleased to announce that David Rubenstein will interview Sheila Johnson, Author of Walk Through Fire and Founder and CEO of the Salamander Collection on Thursday, January 4th. The reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. ET, followed by the dinner and program at 7:30 p.m. ET, ending promptly at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Walk Through Fire is a uniquely American success story. From humble beginnings, Sheila Johnson rose to become one of the most accomplished businesswomen in America and the first African American female billionaire.
A Co-Founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), she became an entrepreneur and philanthropist at the highest levels. As Vice Chairman of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Sheila is the only African American woman to have ownership in three professional sports teams: the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Mystics (WNBA).
Sheila is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also serves as Chairman of the College of Performing Arts at The New School and through a gift to the Harvard Kennedy School, the Sheila Johnson Fellowship supported 50 fellows over five years.
She is a board member of the Metropolitan Opera, Jackie Robinson Foundation, and the NeuroArts Blueprint. Additionally, she is the Founder and Chair of the Middleburg Film Festival.
