Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
Don H. Barden
Barden Communications
1981–Present
1981–Present
Barden Communications
1981–Present
1981–Present
- Industry: Communications
- Era: 1980
Barden capitalized on the expansion of cable in the early eighties by targeting predominantly African-American communities. He secured the wiring rights to the city of Detroit and formed a partnership with Maclean Hunter, one of Canada’s largest cable companies, to secure the funding required to build the cable infrastructure for the city. Barden eventually signed up over 100,000 customers (one-third of the homes in Detroit) and sold his cable division in a deal that netted $100 million in 1994. Barden has gone on to pursue opportunities in casino gambling.
Personal
- Born-Died: 1943
- Birthplace: Michigan
- Race: Black or African American
- Gender: Male
- Father: Laborer, Un-/Semi-skilled