On March 11, 2025, during a party in the center of Louisville in Ky. Billiarder businessman and philanthropist Ulysses L. “Junior” Bridgemen suffered emergency medical accidents; Later he died. He was 71 years old. While Junior Bridgeman might be a well -known University of Louisville community and fans of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA series, where he played for 10 seasons, others is probably not so aware of many facets of his life and profession that influenced various communities in Louisville and Milwaukee, but in addition around the world.

Here are five things you should know about Junior Bridgeman.

1. At the time of his death, the net value of the Bridgeman was Apparently $ 1.4 billion.

In September 2024, Bridgeman bought 10% minority in Milwaukee Bucks, a franchise during which he played in 1975–1984. His Jersey number – no. 2 – he has been retired through the franchise since 1988. This participation in the franchise pushed its net value to the status of a billionaire.

2. After NBA days, Bridgeman has develop into Very, very successful fast food franchisee.

At some point, Bridgeman reportedly had almost 500 locations of (*71*), Chili’s and Pizza Hut throughout the country.

3. Owner of Legacy Publications, “Ebony” and “Jet.”

In 2020, Bridgeman bought the magazines “Ebony” and “Jet” from the previous owner, Clear View Group. He was the owner of each publications at the time of death.

4. One of the owners of the Louisville Valhalla golf clubThe famous Golf Club designed by Jacek Nicklaus.

In 2022, Junior Bridgeman and other outstanding businessmen from Louisville bought the legendary Golf Club from PGA of America. Valhalla, designed by the iconic Golfist Jacek Nicklaus, hosted PGA Championship – one of the 4 major Golf competitions – times and served as a Ryder Cup website.

5. At some point, Bridgeman was recognized as one of the richest retired athletes in the world.

In 2016, Forbes recognized Bridgemen as the fourth richest retired Athlete after Michael Jordan, David Beckham and Arnold Palmer, when he reportedly earned almost $ 32 million a 12 months.

In particular, black women were successful in business and entertainment. They are still making great progress in entrepreneurship and constructing generational wealth. On the occasion of the month of women’s history, Black company He emphasizes the 14 richest black women, including Looking at the success of these womenImpact and industries that helped in shaping. Their travels are an affidavit of perseverance, innovation and the growing economic force of black women around the world.

Ronald Busby, SR

Traditional financing barriers have long prevented black entrepreneurs from accessing assets and possibilities easily accessible to their white counterparts. According to the American Chamber of Commerce, seventy -eight percent of small business owners use their very own funds to launch business projects. Despite this, the assets which have black, have less value, mechanically undermining their ability to establish and develop companies because of a few years of challenges. The statistics of the ownership of shares reveal a significant difference: 65.6% of white families of their very own actions in comparison with only 39% of black families, in accordance with the Pew research center. In addition, this problem persists all around the world, because black families have over 75% lower median value in the sphere of maintaining stocks in comparison with white families. An example, the median value coping with wrestling of black families is USD 16,500, while white families have USD 67,800. So how should we increase our wealth when now we have so little?

One of the developing solutions is a retail investment. In contrast to institutional investments, retail investors happen by non -professional investors who buy assets, including shares, bonds, joint investment funds and stock exchange funds (ETFS). These people undergo investment advisors, brokerage companies or investment platforms and use specialized knowledge with outsourcing to assist in investment decisions. Retail investing puts more power within the hands of the person and it appears that evidently the market is more accessible to everyone.

One of the American black chamber, Inc. (USBC) Six pillars of the service It is access to capital and we used this pillar because the spine of our research for our recently published report, adopts a comprehensive picture of the investment landscape for black entrepreneurs and informs about our understanding and approach. Given the truth of access to capital as a black person on this country, he explains how necessary the expansion of the asset portfolio for black companies owners is.

Today, the democratization of retail investments signifies that property constructing tools are more accessible, enabling people to take a position of their future. Investment platforms, financial education initiatives and increased mentor opportunities have played a key role in increasing access to capital markets. These platforms provide user -friendly information, educational resources and functions, corresponding to fractional actions, which make investing less beyond reach. By lowering the doorway barriers, they opened opportunities for more people, especially those from historically underestimated communities, enabling them to take part in these roads that construct wealth.

This access is simply one piece of the puzzle. Together from asking for capital to create it, black entrepreneurs do what they’ve all the time done – annoying modern ways of financing their dreams. When they work so hard as part of the systems to fireplace, now we have to go to the self -based and community -based wealth.

By moving away from traditional financing models, black entrepreneurs carve modern paths to success. Black are insufficiently indexed in companies, actions, bonds and other assets that may increase their net value. Despite these shortcomings, forecasts show that even a modest increase within the ownership of black actions will be significantly narrow differences in the sphere of wealth (source: Brookings Institute).

“Studies illustrate the stock exchange, even with all their ups and downs, remains the most reliable and most effective way to increase wealth over time.” (Source: Nasdaq) By using the Black Capital Market strength, entrepreneurs prescribe narrative and create wave effects for their communities and future generations. This influence of the community shows the importance of looking beyond individual success. We are as strong as our most devoid of civil rights, so now we have to work on constructing collective wealth.

Collective wealth begins with a collective reading skill. We must do more to coach aspiring black entrepreneurs about participation within the stock exchange to strengthen them. In addition to retail platforms, which make information more available, investment clubs and mentor programs are the probabilities of reviving this information. There is a couple of solution to learn and access capital markets, and the use of various possibilities diversifies your knowledge base in a way that may eventually bring us profit.

Term

As the President and General Director of the USBC, I’m talking for over 170 black chambers and 310,000 companies that we represent throughout the country. USBC boasts resources and partnerships created to support black entrepreneurs with unique challenges. One of our six pillars of services is access to capital and we used this pillar because the spine of our research for our recently published. The report has a holistic view of the investment landscape for black entrepreneurs and informs about our understanding and approach. We are involved in a fair and easily a world full of wealthy black companies, people and families and can result in an allegation to make sure this vision.

Here’s how you may start your investment journey:

1. Discover the market. USBC offers a deck of resources containing credit programs, corresponding to our partnership with LidnessThe Byblack subsidy listBusiness development support, corporate and government resources and plenty of others.
2. Education is crucial. Retail investment platforms provide current resources, allowing it to stay within the fast world of investment. Platforms corresponding to Robinhood, one of our corporate partners and one of essentially the most famous companies operating on this space, are one of many options depending in your goals.
3. Start from a young age. When it involves investing, everyone counts. Buying even fractions of shares will show you how to gain experience crucial for some investing.