When BET co-founder Robert Johnson donated $500,000 to Winsome Earle-Sears’ campaign for Virginia governor, he wasn’t just backing a candidate — he was sending a message. Johnson, the first Black billionaire and a lifelong Democrat, has grown frustrated with politics dividing Americans along race and party lines. His support proves something bigger: leadership isn’t about labels, it’s about putting Americans first.
The timing couldn’t have been more urgent. At a recent Arlington County school board meeting, a racist sign compared bathroom policies to segregation-era water fountains.
The sign read: “Hey Winsome, if trans can’t share your bathroom, then blacks can’t share my water fountain.”
But the attack wasn’t just on Earle-Sears. It was an attack on every Black American. Winsome’s response was sharp and necessary: “Are we going back to Klan days now? Is that what you’re saying?”
Anyone who targets their fellow American with racism isn’t putting Americans first. They are putting hate and division ahead of unity. That kind of thinking doesn’t just hurt individuals — it chips away at the foundation of our country. True leadership rejects division, not embraces it.
Johnson’s donation also highlights BET’s broader importance. BET gave Black Americans a platform to see themselves reflected when Hollywood ignored them. It celebrated culture, talent, and opportunity. But it also sent a broader message: while heritage matters, many Black Americans don’t define themselves first by a hyphenated identity. They see themselves as Americans first.
Raven-Symoné captured this idea in 2014 when she sparked controversy when she said “I’m not an African-American, I am an American.” Critics attacked her, but she was making a point many quietly understand: our roots matter, but our shared identity as Americans matters most.
Winsome Earle-Sears lives by that principle. She’s an immigrant, a Marine, and the first Black woman elected statewide in Virginia — the former capital of the Confederacy. She’s not interested in dividing people. She’s focused on helping parents raise strong kids, protecting women, and keeping families at the center of public life. When hate came for her, she didn’t back down. She stood up for unity, fairness, and the values that make America strong.
The lesson here is simple. Racism against any American is an attack on America itself. You cannot claim to love this country while tearing down your fellow citizens. Leadership, courage, and vision demand we put Americans first. That’s what Robert Johnson’s investment says. That’s what Raven-Symoné’s words remind us. And that’s what Winsome Earle-Sears demonstrates every single day.
Our America Foundation Launches American First Initiative
The Our America Foundation recently launched the American First Initiative. This new campaign will collect and showcase stories from people across the country who are proud of their heritage but choose to identify first and foremost as Americans.
Learn how you can get involved here, and check out our launch video:
