BY CHRISTIAN OLANIRAN | CBS BALTIMORE

BALTIMORE — Reginald F. Lewis was a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and most notably – the first African American to build a billion-dollar company, TLC Beatrice International Holdings Inc.

Lewis was born on December 7, 1942, and grew up in East Baltimore.

By the age of 10, Lewis had set up his own delivery service that he used to distribute the Afro-American Newspaper. By the age of 12 he was able to sell his paper-route after growing it to over 100 customers.