New York (CNN Business) Promoting diversity in the arts has become a mainstream mantra in the entertainment industry since the first #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2015, but it's something Sheila Johnson has been doing her entire adult life. It's been 41 years since the Salamander Hotels & Resorts owner and CEO co-founded the BET network with then-husband Robert Johnson, creating a national platform for African-American music videos, television shows and movies at a time when they were often excluded from the airwaves. "If you listen to the music, it makes you cry," Johnson said of "Grace" during a recent CNN Business interview. "This is like pulling it all together so people can see the importance of promoting our African-American chefs, just really listening to all of this talent. I'm just so proud to be a supporter."

Source: CNN April 06, 2021 13:38 UTC