The RLJ Companies, Mr. Johnson's holding company, will form the new company with the goal of becoming the largest asset management company owned, controlled, and directed by African-Americans. DeAM will serve as a minority investor and as a provider of investment strategies and expertise for the joint venture.

INFO SOURCES

RLJ Companies

FIRMS

The RLJ Companies provides strategic investment and direction in and for a diverse portfolio of companies in the financial services, real estate, hospitality/restaurant, professional sports, film production, gaming and recording industries. An innovative business network, The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved markets, then exercise solid management and achieve results.

The RLJ Companies' core businesses include: RLJ Development, a privately held hotel real estate investment company, the RLJ Urban Lodging Fund with $315 million under management from public and private pension fund investors, and a private equity real estate fund which together make up more than $800 million in assets under management; Rollover Systems, a financial services company providing retirement plan rollover services; NBA Charlotte Bobcats, WNBA Charlotte Sting and Charlotte Arena Operations; Caribbean Gaming and Entertainment (C.A.G.E.), with entertainment and nightclub venues in the Caribbean; and Three Keys Music, a jazz recording company.

NOTE

Robert L. Johnson sold BET to Viacom in 2001 in a $3 billion transaction. He currently serves on the boards of Hilton Hotels, Lowe's Companies, Inc., and IMG and Strayer Education, Inc. Other boards include the NBA Board of Governors, Johns Hopkins University, Board of Governors for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the American Film Institute. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Illinois and holds a master's degree in International Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.