Don H. Barden
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Don Hamilton Barden (December 20, 1943 – May 19, 2011
Career
When one of Barden's companies acquired the
Barden was the manager, chairman, president and
Additionally, he was the president and chief executive officer of Barden Companies, Inc. and a group of other companies he owned and/or operated. Over the past 30 years, Barden had successfully developed, owned and operated many business enterprises in various industries including real estate development, casino gaming, broadcasting, cable television and international trade. In 2003, Black Enterprise Magazine selected Barden as Company of the Year. In 2004, Barden received the Trumpet Award for Entrepreneur of the Year.
In 2007, Barden was awarded the rights to build a casino in the North Shore area of Pittsburgh, adjacent to
In 2008, Barden was unable to secure permanent financing that would have permitted work to continue on the North Shore Casino project. Work at the site was stopped for weeks, until another investor could be found. Only after Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm of JMB Realty bought controlling interest in the project, did work continue. Barden retained a minority interest in the project.
For years the Barden gambling facility in Gary existed beside another gambling facility belonging to Donald Trump. Barden bought the second facility for a price reflecting historic revenue at a time when several other facilities were opening up in Illinois and Indiana. Majestic Star and Fitzgerald casinos in Indiana, Mississippi and Colorado filed for bankruptcy in November 2009. In December 2011, the facilities were turned over to creditors. The Nevada casino and Barden's ownership in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania casino were separately held and were not part of the bankruptcy.
Death
On May 19, 2011, Barden died of
Legacy
- Barden is featured on the documentary series Profiles of African-American Success.
References
- ^ Nick Bunkley (May 19, 2011). "Don Barden, a Leading Black Businessman, Dies at 67". The New York Times.
- ^ "Don Barden, a Leading Black Businessman, Dies at 67". New York Times. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Don Barden, The New Black Face Of Vegas". Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-05.