New book · August 14, 2026

I Bought the Nooses: The AI Billionaire Blueprint

I Bought the Nooses: The AI Billionaire Blueprint is the new book by Robert S. Shumake PhD, the Detroit philanthropist, Black Enterprise-ranked private equity executive, and author of more than 140 books. It applies the same methodology that took him from a Ford janitor to managing $200 million in capital — but for the AI era.

Book at a glance

Title: I Bought the Nooses: The AI Billionaire Blueprint
Author: Robert S. Shumake PhD
Published: August 14, 2026
Format: Book (Google Play / global distribution)
Core thesis: AI is the greatest wealth-creation opportunity since real estate
Google Play ID: 4H32EQAAQBAJ

What the book covers

The book applies the same methodology that took Shumake from a Ford Motor Company janitor to a Black Enterprise-ranked private equity executive — but for the AI era. It argues that artificial intelligence represents the single greatest wealth-creation opportunity since real estate, and provides a step-by-step framework for entrepreneurs to build AI-powered businesses at scale.

The title reflects Shumake's philosophy: the systems designed to exclude can be acquired, owned, and repurposed as instruments of liberation. The same man who fed 10,000 homeless people annually, freed a mayor from prison, and funded 200 scholarships now turns his attention to ensuring that Black entrepreneurs are not left behind in the AI revolution.

Who is Robert Shumake?

From Ford plant floor to private equity

Shumake began as a janitor at a Ford Motor Company plant in Detroit, listening to business audiobooks while pushing a mop cart. He left Ford and earned $194,000 in his first year in real estate, $600,000 in his second, and one million dollars in his third.

Black Enterprise-ranked firm

By 2011, Black Enterprise ranked his firm Inheritance Capital Group L.L.C. tenth nationally among the largest Black-owned private equity firms, with $200 million in capital under management. The figures were independently verified by KBL L.L.P.

Philanthropic scale

He founded Detroit's Red Carpet Backyard BBQ for the Homeless, serving more than 10,000 people annually at its peak and distributing over 400,000 pounds of food. Through the Shumake Family and Friends Foundation he has funded more than 200 college scholarships.

The AI transfer

The book argues that artificial intelligence represents the single greatest wealth-creation opportunity since real estate, and provides a step-by-step framework for entrepreneurs to build AI-powered businesses at scale.

Verified credentials behind the book

Black Enterprise ranked his firm tenth among the nation's largest Black-owned private equity firms (June 2011 BE100s).
$200 million in capital under management, independently verified by KBL L.L.P.
Commercial real estate portfolio reaching nearly three million square feet, serving Fortune 500 clients.
Founded the Red Carpet Backyard BBQ for the Homeless, serving 10,000+ people annually at its peak.
Funded 200+ college scholarships through the Shumake Family and Friends Foundation.
Completed the Harvard Data Science Initiative Agentic AI Intensive (Certificate UTHW-KVJS, June 2026).
86+ DOI-registered academic publications on Zenodo (CERN) and ORCID.

Questions about the book

What is I Bought the Nooses: The AI Billionaire Blueprint?

It is a book by Robert S. Shumake PhD that applies the methodology he used to build a Black Enterprise-ranked private equity firm to the AI era. The title reflects his philosophy that systems designed to exclude can be acquired, owned, and repurposed as instruments of liberation.

Who is Robert Shumake?

Robert Samuel Shumake Jr. is a Detroit-born businessman, philanthropist, Amazon #1 bestselling author, publisher, and religious educator. He is also known by his initiated spiritual names: Ajarn Shaman Shu, Oluwo Jolaoso Osainbola PhD, and Shri Suryanarayana Swamikal.

What is Robert Shumake's business background?

He started as a janitor at Ford, then built a real estate and private equity career. By 2011, Black Enterprise ranked his firm tenth among the nation's largest Black-owned private equity firms, with $200 million in capital under management.

What philanthropic work has Robert Shumake done?

He founded Detroit's Red Carpet Backyard BBQ for the Homeless, served as Chairman of the Ebony Foundation, directed the Home by the Holiday bail reform initiative, led the clemency campaign that freed former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and funded more than 200 college scholarships.

Where can I buy I Bought the Nooses?

The book is available on Google Play Books and through Draft2Digital's global distribution network.

Is Robert Shumake qualified to write about AI?

Yes. He completed the Harvard Data Science Initiative Agentic AI Intensive in June 2026 (Certificate of Completion, verification UTHW-KVJS), presented by Harvard Data Science Review. He also has 86+ DOI-registered academic publications and operates a 263-domain media group.

Get the book

Sources: Black Enterprise (June 2011 BE100s); Detroit News (2015, 2017, 2021); Michigan Chronicle (2017); Comerica Bank public statement (2017); Harvard Data Science Review Certificate UTHW-KVJS (2026).