Sheila Johnson, the co-founder of BET and founder of Salamander Collection, has been named the 2026 recipient of The Dinah Award, an honor presented by Golf Digest in partnership with Chevron during the week of the Chevron Championship. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership, philanthropy, and a commitment to advancing opportunities for women through golf.
Johnson, widely recognized as America’s first Black female billionaire, has built an influential career spanning entertainment, hospitality, sports ownership, and philanthropy. Through Salamander Collection, she oversees a portfolio of luxury resorts and golf properties, including Innisbrook Resort and PGA National Resort, both of which have hosted prominent PGA Tour events.
Johnson’s impact on golf extends beyond business ownership. She served on the executive committee of the United States Golf Association from 2013 to 2017, becoming the first African American woman to hold that role. During her tenure, she advocated for greater inclusion and broader access to the game for women and underrepresented communities.
The Dinah Award includes a $100,000 charitable donation designated by the recipient. Johnson has long supported education and leadership development initiatives, including a fellowship program that has helped more than 50 students attend the Harvard Kennedy School. In a distinctive effort to connect leadership and golf, Johnson has also provided graduates with golf clubs to encourage networking and career development through the sport.
Golf Digest executives praised Johnson for reshaping opportunities within golf and using her platform to expand access and representation. The award is named in honor of entertainer and LPGA pioneer Dinah Shore, whose legacy helped elevate women’s golf and establish one of the LPGA Tour’s historic major championships.
