Reginald F. Lewis (December 7, 1942 – January 19, 1993), was an American businessman, who was one of the most successful business leaders during the 1980s. He was the richest African American man in the 1980's. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he grew up in a middle class neighborhood. He won a football scholarship to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), graduating with a degree in economics in 1965. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1968. He was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi.
In 1992, Forbes magazine listed Lewis among the 400 richest Americans with a net worth estimated at $400 million. He also was the first African American to build a billion dollar company.
He died at age 50, from brain cancer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_Lewis