1924 – Dennis Hightower Is Born

Dennis Hightower, a future trailblazer in American business and politics, was born on June 2, 1924, in Washington, D.C. After serving in World War II and graduating from Howard University, Hightower earned an MBA from Harvard. He rose through corporate America, eventually becoming a senior executive at The Walt Disney Company, where he played a key role in expanding Disney’s international market. In 2009, President Barack Obama appointed him Deputy Secretary of Commerce. Hightower was one of the highest-ranking Black executives in U.S. corporate history and broke barriers in both public and private sectors. His leadership emphasized strategic expansion, diversity, and global thinking. Hightower’s legacy remains a model for African Americans in business and government, showing how strategic expertise and public service can intersect powerfully.