Photograph by
Williams, Milton, American, born 1940
Subject of
Johnson, Robert L., American, born 1946
Black Entertainment Television, American, founded 1980
Date
June 5, 1981
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Sheet): 8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm)
H x W (Image): 6 1/2 x 9 5/8 in. (16.5 x 24.4 cm)
Caption
Robert (Bob) L. Johnson, president and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), in his Washington, DC Georgetown office in the early days of BET's evolution. June 5, 1981. The channel launched in 1980 and became a full-fledged cable channel in 1983.
Description
A black-and-white photograph of Robert L. Johnson sitting behind a desk. He is adjusting a television knob with his right hand. He is looking directly at the camera. The photograph is stamped and inscribed on the back.
Place depicted
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
gelatin silver prints
portraits
Topic
Local and regional
Mass media
Photography
Television
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Milton Williams Archives
Object number
2011.15.326
Restrictions & Rights
© Milton Williams
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd55cd857d5-9496-476f-93d0-f54b542d359e

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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