November 28

Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records in Detroit in 1959, establishing the first major African-American-owned record label. He wrote or co-wrote early hits like 'Money (That's What I Want)' for Barrett Strong and discovered acts such as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. Under his leadership, Motown perfected the 'Motown Sound,' blending soul, pop, and R&B, and scored hundreds of chart-topping singles with artists like Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. Gordy implemented artist development programs that included grooming, choreography, and image workshops, raising the industry standard for performance quality. He later expanded into film and theatre, producing notable works such as 'Lady Sings the Blues' and the musical 'The Wiz.' Gordy's entrepreneurial vision and insistence on excellence transformed the music business and opened doors for countless artists. He has received numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Gordy's influence endures as modern musicians continue to draw inspiration from Motown's groundbreaking legacy.

Chris Heaton-Harris is a British Conservative politician and former Member of the European Parliament. He was elected MP for Daventry in 2010 and has served in various ministerial roles. In 2022, he was appointed Chief Whip of the House of Commons. Before politics, Heaton-Harris co-founded a wine exporting business. He is known for his advocacy on agricultural and rural issues.

Born Hakeem Seriki, Chamillionaire emerged on the Houston rap scene in the early 2000s. His debut album 'The Sound of Revenge' featured the Grammy-winning single 'Ridin'', which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Beyond music, he launched Chamillitary Entertainment to promote independent artists. Chamillionaire transitioned into entrepreneurship, investing in tech startups and co-founding Convoz. He has spoken at major tech conferences about building bridges between hip-hop and technology. His dual success in music and business has made him a notable figure in both industries.