Women at the Top in the Entertainment Industry

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THE multibillion-dollar entertainment industry is still a mans world. Talented Black women occasionally dominate the music charts, get top television ratings and great movie reviews, but behind the scenes the movers and shakers are almost always male and White.

In recent years, a handful of dynamic Black women have maneuvered past obstacles to land in decision-making positions in an industry that is trendy and unpredictable.

Oprah Winfrey, CEO of Harpo Entertainment Group, has built an entertainment empire anchored by her popular talk show. Forbes magazine listed her as the world's second highest-paid entertainer, behind Bill Cosby, with earnings of $88 million in 1991-92. And her show doesn't appear to be affected by the talkshow competition that has emerged in the past year.

At the same time, Sylvia Rhone has worked her way through the ranks of the recording industry to the position of CEO/chairman of East West Records …