An Evening With Sheila Johnson is a one-on-one interview with Sheila Johnson, a classically trained violinist, successful entrepreneur, and dedicated philanthropist. Taped at the historic Art Institute of Chicago, and hosted by veteran PBS NewsHour journalist Gwen Ifill, An Evening With Sheila Johnson explores the life and career of one of the nation's most successful businesswomen. At 8 years of age, Sheila Johnson fell in love with the violin, honing her craft throughout her schooling, and graduating from the University of Illinois with a B.A. degree in music. While in school, Sheila met Robert Johnson, whom she would marry and go on to co-found Black Entertainment Television with in 1980. Sheila taught music as the couple worked to turn BET into a successful network, directing what became an internationally renowned youth orchestra, Youth Strings In Action. When she stopped teaching music in 1989, she poured her efforts into BET, serving as Executive Vice President of Community Affairs, and spearheading programming such as Teen Summit. The Johnsons sold BET in 2002 to Viacom for $2.3 billion, and Sheila went on to found Salamander Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality firm that now owns or manages six luxury resorts. Sheila is also owner of the Washington Mystics, and part owner of the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals, the first African American woman to be a major stakeholder in three professional sports franchises.
