By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Today, 'Black Enterprise' magazine unveiled its 2007 list of the Top 50 Power Brokers in Hollywood, and topping the list is The Almighty O a.k.a. Oprah Winfrey.
Through her Chicago-based Harpo Productions Inc., the billionaire media mogul produces her top rated daily talk show, along with 'Dr. Phil' and 'The Rachael Ray Show.'
Winfrey, who is the co-founder of Oxygen Media -- which operates a cable television network that reaches 69 million U.S. households -- has also helmed made-for-television movies such as 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' and 'The Women of Brewster Place.'
As an actress, she starred in 'The Color Purple,' which netted her an Academy Award nomination, 'Native Son' and the Jonathan Demme-directed 1998 spectacle 'Beloved.'
Two-time Academy Award nominee and box-office superstar Will Smith graces the cover of the magazine with his business partner James Lassiter. The 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' star, co-owner of Hollywood production company Overbrook Entertainment, ranks at number 3.
Time Warner chief Richard D. Parsons is Number 2, and basketball legend turned business tycoon Earvin "Magic" Johnson comes in fourth.
According to spokesperson Andrew Wadium, the groundbreaking black business magazine's news editor Nicole M. Richardson and an editorial team contacted industry insiders, movie studios, and television networks, reviewed box office sales and television ratings reports to compile the list.
Although boldfaced names such as Spike Lee, Queen Latifah,, Ice Cube, Tyler Perry, Forest Whitaker and Tyra Banks made the listing, African American corporate executives, agents, lawyers, and entrepreneurs -- who broker some of the industry's biggest deals -- also made the roster.
The March issue of 'Black Enterprise' is due to arrive on stands Feb. 21.
1. WITH ALL THE NEGATIVE INFO ABOUT OUR RACE THANKS FOR REPRESENTING THE UPSIDE. SAY IT LOUD I AM BLACK AND PROUD. AMEN. IT IS ALWAYS GREAT FOR ME TO READ ABOUT THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT MY RACE CONTRIBUTES TO THIS COUNTRY. KEEP HOPE ALIVE.
GAIL BIGGERS at 7:56AM on Feb 16th 2007