Tyler Perry is the first African-American to own a major film and TV studio . The director , writer and playwright grew up poor in New Orleans , Louisiana . He has been nominated for an Academy Award three times : Best Director, Writer ( " A Raisin `` `` If you want to think about longevity , '' he said , `` if you want to think about your family and generations down the line , then you have to own it . '' [ If ] this little boy from Louisiana can do it , anybody can do it , '' says Perry .
Tyler Perry is the first African-American to own a major film and TV studio . The director , writer and playwright grew up poor in New Orleans , Louisiana . He has been nominated for an Academy Award three times : Best Director, Writer ( " A Raisin `` [ If ] this little boy from Louisiana can do it , anybody can do it , '' says Perry .