Tyler Perry
Filmaker, Actor, Philanthropist
From the hard streets of NewOrleans to the heights of Hollywood's A-list, Perry overcame poverty and abuse with strength, faith and preserverance that later formed the foundations of his much-acclaimed plays and films. The reciepent of Black Bsiness Professionals Entrepreneaur of the Year, he leads a massively successful entertainment empire from his 30-acre studio campus, with five sound stages and 350 Atlanta-based employees. As part of his inspiring body of work, including the now-legendary Madea franchise, Tylers produced 14 stage plays, 4 tv shows and 16 featured films-for which hes received numerous Hollywood awards. A New York Timesbest-selling author, he strongly supports charities focusing on civil rights, homelessness and rebuilding the lives of disaster survivors in New Orleans and Haiti.