Initially a co-owner of a black nightclub in Los Angeles, Griffey moved into music producing and built one of the most important black entertainment enterprises. A firm proponent of black culture and community, Griffey started a record company in a collaborative effort with Don Cornelius. In 1978, Griffey took sole control of their fledgling record company and renamed it Solar. By 2000, Dick Griffey Productions, with sales in excess of $89 million, had expanded to include publishing companies and talent agencies.