About - RLJ Companies (2023)

The RLJ Companies, LLC, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds interests in businesses operating in hotel real estate, private equity, 401k fintech services, automobile dealerships, content streaming, gaming and sports betting. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with affiliate operations in Charlotte, NC; Little Rock, AR; and San Juan, PR.

About - RLJ Companies (1)

Robert L. Johnson

Founder & Chairman

  • Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies, LLC, an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies
  • Named by USA Today one of the 25 Most Influential Business Leaders of the Past 25 Years
  • Founder and Former Chairman of Black Entertainment Television
  • Number 2 on Black Enterprise’s list of “Titans: The 40 Most Powerful African Americans in Business” 40th Anniversary Issue
  • Frequent CNBC Contributor

Robert L. Johnson is the Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies, LLC, an innovative business network, and owns or holds interests in businesses operating in hotel real estate, private equity, 401k fintech services, automobile dealerships, content streaming, gaming, and sports betting.

Prior to forming The RLJ Companies, Mr. Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET), the nation’s first Black-owned cable television network.

(Video) RLJ Companies chairman explains why he decided not to invest in Juul

Johnson continues to attract and manage capital and create value for investors, and in 2012, announced the successful creation of RLJ Entertainment, Inc., a premium digital channel company serving distinct audiences primarily through its popular streaming services, Acorn TV (British Programming) and ALLBLK (formerly Urban Movie Channel/UMC). RLJ Entertainment, Inc. marks the third time Johnson has successfully taken a company public. In 1991 Johnson took BET public, making the network the first African American company to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange. RLJ Lodging Trust, a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT), went public in 2011.

In 2001, Johnson sold BET to Viacom for approximately $3 billion. In July 2007, Johnson was named, by USA Today, one of “The 25 Most Influential Business Leaders of the Past 25 Years.”

Two of Johnson’s holding companies are ranked among the top Black-owned companies in the country on the Black Enterprise 100s list: RLJ-McLarty- Landers Automotive Holdings, LLC and RLJ Equity Partners, LLC.

Currently, Mr. Johnson serves on the following boards: RLJ Lodging Trust; G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.; The Business Council; and Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Mr. Johnson holds a Master’s degree in international affairs from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies from the University of Illinois.

About - RLJ Companies (2)

H. Van Sinclair

President, CEO & General Counsel

H. Van Sinclair is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and General Counsel of
The RLJ Companies, LLC, a holding company founded by Robert L. Johnson that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies that includes real estate, private equity, 401k fintech services, automobile dealerships, content streaming, gaming and sports betting.

As President, Mr. Sinclair is responsible for the strategic direction of The RLJ Companies, including overall portfolio
management, as well as day to day, operational oversight for the highly diversified businesses.

(Video) Balanced government is better for the country: RLJ Founder Bob Johnson

Among other things, Mr. Sinclair managed the acquisition, development and expansion by Robert L. Johnson of the
NBA franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats and the Charlotte Arena Operations, LLC.

Mr. Sinclair also served as the Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs for the RLJ Urban Lodging Funds, with $5 Billion of assets under management, which focused on limited and focused service hotels in the United States and for RLJ Development, which is the RLJ Companies’ hotel and hospitality company, with hotel properties in the United States and Mexico. In the spring 2011, RLJ Urban Lodging Funds launched a successful Initial Public Offering and is now publicly traded under the name RLJ Lodging Trust.

Mr. Sinclair, a practicing attorney, spent 28 years with the Washington, D.C. and New York law firm of Arent Fox, PLLC, The RLJ Companies’ primary outside counsel, where he provided counsel to a wide variety of business entities and individuals, in the media, technology, banking, real estate, and construction industries. Mr. Sinclair remains Of Counsel to Arent Fox.

Prior to joining The RLJ Companies, Mr. Sinclair, as counsel represented Robert L. Johnson and Black Entertainment Television (BET) for many years, culminating in the sale of BET to Viacom Inc. in 2001. The RLJ Companies was formed soon thereafter.

Mr. Sinclair currently serves on the following boards: ERC Holdings, Inc.; RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Holdings, LLC; RLJ Entertainment, Inc.; and Innovate/Protect, Inc.

About - RLJ Companies (3)

Ernita F. Thomas

Executive Vice President of Finance

Ernita Thomas serves as the Executive Vice President of Finance of The RLJ Companies, LLC, a holding company founded by Robert L. Johnson that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies that includes real estate, private equity, 401k fintech services, automobile dealerships, content streaming, gaming and sports betting.

As Executive Vice President of Finance, Ms. Thomas is responsible for overseeing the finance function of the highly
diversified company, including financial and management accounting, regulatory reporting, budgeting, planning and
forecasting.

Previously, Ms. Thomas was an Assistant Controller at Freddie Mac, where she provided reporting and credit analysis related to securitizations and mortgage guarantees.

Before working at Freddie Mac, Ms. Thomas was with The Carlyle Group for ten years in a variety of roles, including Manager of Accounting, Assistant Controller and Associate Vice President. Ms. Thomas was responsible for corporate financial and managerial accounting functions, budgeting and forecasting, and corporate compliance.

Ms. Thomas began her career as a staff accountant at the Rushmore Funds where she was responsible for the preparation of semiannual and annual
reports for all funds.

Ms. Thomas graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1991 with a B.S. in accounting, and is a Certified Public Accountant.

(Video) RLJ Companies | Wikipedia audio article

About - RLJ Companies (4)

Michelle R. Curtis

Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs

Michelle R. Curtis serves as Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at The RLJ Companies, LLC, a holding company founded by Robert L. Johnson that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies that includes real estate, private equity, 401k fintech services, automobile dealerships, content streaming, gaming and sports betting.

As Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Ms. Curtis is responsible for ensuring efficient and effective administrative operational strategy, and policy compliance, with coordination and oversight of the company’s staff.

Ms. Curtis has worked with Robert L. Johnson for more than three decades. Prior to serving as Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Ms. Curtis served as Executive Director of The RLJ Companies and Special Assistant to the Chairman, responsible for overseeing the organization’s administration and implementing the policies and directives of the Chairman.

Before the founding of The RLJ Companies, Ms. Curtis served as Executive Assistant to Mr. Johnson in his capacity as Founder and Chairman of Black Entertainment Television, where she was responsible for all logistical and administrative operations for Mr. Johnson and the Office of the Chairman. Prior to that, Ms. Curtis was the Executive Director of District Cablevision, Inc., with responsibility for oversight and administration of the new District of Columbia cable franchise.

Prior to beginning her career with Robert L. Johnson, Ms. Curtis worked at The National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees as the Administrative Assistant to the National Editor.

(Video) Bob Johnson Discusses Plan To Lower Black Unemployment Rate & The RLJ Rule

About - RLJ Companies (5)

Samira Baraki

Executive Director of Corporate Affairs

Samira Baraki serves as Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at The RLJ Companies, LLC, a holding company founded by Robert L. Johnson that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies that includes real estate, private equity, 401k fintech services, automobile dealerships, content streaming, gaming and sports betting.

As Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, Ms.Baraki is responsible for coordinating with the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Ms. Curtis, in the interaction between the office of the Chairman and the operational companies of the RLJ Companies.Her duties include managing corporate communications, social media relations, and brand initiatives.

(Video) Bob Johnson on Black Enterprise

Ms. Baraki holds an MBA from Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University and received her B.S. from Loyola University Chicago. Prior to the RLJ Companies, Ms. Baraki worked as an Executive Assistant to both the Vice President of International Airline Operations and the Vice President of Domestic Airline Operations at United Airlines.

FAQs

Who owns RLJ companies? ›

About Robert L.

Robert L. Johnson is the Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies, LLC, an innovative business network, and owns or holds interests in businesses operating in hotel real estate, private equity, 401k fintech services, automobile dealerships, content streaming, gaming and sports betting.

Is RLJ Lodging Trust black owned? ›

Two of Johnson's holding companies are ranked among the top Black-owned companies in the country on the Black Enterprise 100s list: RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Holdings, LLC and RLJ Equity Partners, LLC. Currently, Mr.

How many hotels does RLJ own? ›

The company operates in 21 states with 149 hotels under global brands including Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt Place and Embassy Suites Hotels.

Who owns RLJ Equity Partners? ›

Robert L. Johnson is the Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies, an innovative business network that owns or holds interests in a diverse portfolio of companies including RLJ Equity Partners.

When did RLJ go public? ›

All the shares are being sold by the Company. The common shares of the Company are scheduled to begin trading on May 11, 2011, on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "RLJ."

What does RLJ lodging trust do? ›

RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) is a real estate investment trust (REIT). It carries out the acquisition of focused-service, premium-branded and compact full-service hotels.

What is the world's largest black owned bank? ›

As the largest Black-owned bank in the U.S., OneUnited is dedicated to empowering minority customers.
...
OneUnited Bank.
FEESMonthly maintenance: $0 to $20, depending on the type of account.
BRANCHES6; in California, Massachusetts, and Florida
3 more rows

When was RLJ Lodging Trust founded? ›

Is Rlj a REIT? ›

RLJ Stock Overview

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns primarily premium-branded, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. Fair value with moderate growth potential.

What is RLJ Lodging Trust net worth? ›

How much a company is worth is typically represented by its market capitalization, or the current stock price multiplied by the number of shares outstanding. RLJ Lodging Trust net worth as of February 28, 2023 is $1.86B.

What does RLJ stand for? ›

What does RLJ stand for?
Rank Abbr.Meaning
RLJRussian Language Journal
RLJRadio Limonadovy Joe (Czech Internet radio)
RLJRacing Limoges Judo (French martial arts club)
RLJRed Light Jumper (auto driving habit)
6 more rows

Where is RLJ Equity Partners headquarters? ›

Founded in 2006, RLJ Equity Partners is a private equity firm based in Bethesda, Maryland.

What does being an equity partner mean? ›

Capital Investment

Law firm equity partners are business owners. They receive profit shares, contribute enterprise strategy to develop the firm, and weigh in on significant financial decisions. This generally requires a significant introductory capital contribution.

Who owns recurrent Ventures Inc? ›

ABOUT NORTH EQUITY

Its investment portfolio includes Recurrent Ventures, the parent company of best-in-class digital brands such as Popular Science, The Drive, and Domino; and Organic Ventures Inc., a media SaaS platform.

How much is Robert Johnson worth? ›

In 2001, Johnson became a billionaire after selling the station to Viacom for $3 billion, which catapulted his net worth to an estimated $1.3 billion.

How do investment trust fees work? ›

Most investment trusts quote an 'ongoing charge' which is the estimated annual charge of holding the investment trust. This includes the annual fee paid to the fund manager for managing the portfolio, plus regular recurring costs such as directors' fees and audit fees.

What is a lodging REIT? ›

Lodging REITs own and manage hotels and resorts and rent space in those properties to guests. Lodging REITs own different classes of hotels based on features such as the hotels' level of service and amenities.

What is Lodging trust? ›

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on acquiring premium-branded, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. The Company owns 122 hotels with approximately 20,100 rooms, located in 21 states and the District of Columbia.

What is the richest bank in us? ›

JPMorgan Chase

What is the oldest Black owned bank in America? ›

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The oldest Black-owned bank in our country can be found in Nashville, Tennessee. Citizens Savings Bank and Trust was founded in 1904, known as Once Cent Savings Bank.

What 2 Black banks merged? ›

Two Black Owned Investment Banks Merging to form the Largest Woman and Minority Owned Firm. Two Black owned investment banks are merging to form Wall Street's largest woman- and minority-owned firm. Siebert Cisneros Shank & Co. and the Williams Capital Group will combine to form Siebert Williams Shank & Co.

Where is Rlj from? ›

The internet's first known instance of the R+L=J theory dates back to 1997. On September 18, 1997, a user going by the handle Rodrick Su posted a short list of unanswered plot questions from the book A Game of Thrones to the Usenet group rec. arts. sf.

What does Robert L Johnson own? ›

Johnson founded The RLJ Companies, a holding company with a diverse portfolio including hotel real estate investment, private equity, financial services, asset management, automobile dealerships, sports and entertainment, and Video lottery terminal gaming.

Who is the largest REIT? ›

According to their market capitalization, Prologis Inc., American Tower Corp. and Realty Income Corp.

Which REIT is Amazon? ›

Amazon's landlord

The first one is STAG Industrial (STAG), a REIT that owns and operates single-tenant industrial properties throughout the U.S. Its biggest tenant is Amazon. The company's portfolio consists of 563 buildings totaling approximately 112 million rentable square feet across 41 states.

Is a REIT a trust or a company? ›

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a property investment company which, very broadly, simulates (from a tax perspective) direct investment in UK property, and so avoids the additional layer of taxes that can arise when investing through a corporate structure.

Who owns Waltons capital? ›

Eric Mogentale is a Co-Founder and Managing Principal at Walton Street and is responsible for strategic decisions and leadership of the Firm's business activities and operations.

Videos

1. Leaders and Legends - Robert L. Johnson
(Johns Hopkins University)
2. Bob Johnson Says He Sold BET at the Right Time
(David Rubenstein)
3. A Recession Is Coming, Bob Johnson Says
(David Rubenstein)
4. Why Bob Johnson Sold Charlotte Bobcats to Michael Jordan
(David Rubenstein)
5. Billionaire Bob Johnson says it's not easy for Blacks to start a new business
(David Rubenstein)
6. Bob Johnson: "You've Got to Believe in Yourself"
(David Rubenstein)

References

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