23 Black Executives Advancing The Television Network Industry

October 27th, 2010 - By TheEditor


Michael Smith is the General Manager of the Cooking Channel, a spinoff of the Food Network. He has headed Food Network’s creative and brand strategies for 10 years and served as senior vice president of marketing. The Cooking Channel goes beyond marketing for Smith as he is now responsible for the development, staffing and production of the “multi-platform network that will cater to avid food lovers with informational and instructional cooking programming.”

Madame Noire Video

Comment Disclaimer

Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN

  • Yeah Right

    What I find very interesting is the lack of African American males in top executive positions. I was told by a woman in the entertainment industry that straight African American men will never have top postions in Hollywood. We are seen as a threat and that's why more women are in these postions b/c they see them as someone somewhat on their level. I'm tired of the racism that continues to be ignored in Hollywood. Say what you want, but those of us who live out here know the truth…GAY JEWISH MEN RUN THIS TOWN….and that is not cool…..

  • DERRICK

    BECAUSE AS REV, JACKSON SAID ,THEY GIVE THE ILLUSION OF INCLUSION.,PUPPETS

  • ec from d.c.

    Oh come on they are sleeping their way up….how ignorant and sexist. UNEDUCATED is more like it.

  • Connie

    Wow! It's great to see so many black women on this list. I didn't realize there were so many women in such high-powered television positions. More motivation for me to reach their level.

  • Britt

    Thanks so much for this feature. As an aspiring producer, this was very inspiring to me to see so many black people doing big things within the "racist" and "sexist" entertainment industry.

    I am very happy and proud of these 23 execs and I also hope to be included in this list 10 years from now haha