Troy Taylor

Troy Taylor, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida

Troy Taylor is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida), a family-owned Coca-Cola bottler.  

Coke Florida is the sixth-largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States and operates in an exclusive Florida territory that covers over 21 million consumers and includes the major metropolitan markets of Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Headquartered in Tampa, the company generates over $2 billion in annual revenue and employs over 5,000 associates.  Coke Florida was recently recognized as a 2025 US Best Managed Company Gold Standard Winner by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. This honor is awarded to companies who have been recognized as US Best Managed Companies for four or more years.

Taylor is also the Founder and CEO of Cardinal System Holdings (Cardinal), the holding company for Coca-Cola Beverages Florida and Tellus Equipment Solutions (a John Deere agriculture and worksite equipment dealer).  Cardinal also owns Florida Fresh Vending and Markets (a provider of unattended retail solutions), Cardinal Equipment Services (an integrated food and beverage equipment sales and service business), and related private investments.

Taylor serves as Co-Chair of the Coca-Cola North American System Leadership Governance Board. He is a board member of the Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association, American Beverage Association, and Florida Chamber of Commerce.  He is also a member of The Florida Council of 100 and a trustee of the Studio Museum in Harlem.  Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Business Law from Marshall University and was a past recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of The Year award.

Robert F. Smith

Founder Chairman & CEO, Vista Equity Partners

Robert F. Smith is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. Vista manages equity capital commitments of over $100 billion and oversees a portfolio of over 90 enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled companies. Since Vista’s inception, Smith has supervised over 600 completed transactions representing more than $320 billion in aggregate transaction value. In 2023, Vista was named Global Technology Private Equity Firm of the Year by Private Equity International.

In 2017, Smith was named by Forbes as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds. For his philanthropic commitments to uplifting communities, Smith was also recognized on TIME100’s “Philanthropy” list in 2025.

The same year, Smith signed on to the Giving Pledge. As part of his philanthropic commitment, he gave $20 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture – the museum’s largest gift by an individual donor at the time.

Smith is the Chairman of Carnegie Hall, on the Board of Directors for the Business Roundtable, on the Board of Overseers of Columbia Business School, a Member of the Cornell Engineering College Council, and a Trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco.

In 2019, he eliminated the student loans of nearly 400 Morehouse College 2019 graduates in a commencement address, which he later expanded to eliminate debt held by their guardians on their behalf. After his Morehouse pledge, Smith founded Student Freedom Initiative to relieve the crushing burden of student debt for students at HBCUs, other MSIs, and TCUs.

Smith is the founding director and President of the Fund II Foundation, dedicated to preserving the African American experience, safeguarding human rights, and sustaining critical American values like entrepreneurship.

In 2019, Fund II Foundation launched internXL, a platform to match leading companies with internship candidates from communities that lack access to opportunities.

He also co-leads Southern Communities Initiative, a catalytic program to accelerate wealth creation and economic growth in six Southern communities.

Smith is also a contributor to the book Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Martin Luther King, Jr., in which Smith reflects on seven of Dr. King’s most impactful speeches, offering his own insights and reflections to bring Dr. King’s lessons to life for a new generation.

Rev. Dr. Franklyn Richardson

Sr. Pastor Grace Baptist Church Chairman Conference of National Black Churches

Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson is, first and foremost, a pastor, in the broadest sense of the term. His life’s work stems from his commitment to the biblical mandate of what it means to be a pastor. Dr. Richardson believes in being a voice for the voiceless, feeding those who are hungry, providing shelter for those who are homeless, challenging systems that are unjust and unfair, and seeking justice for the marginalized and victimized. In his current posts – Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Chairman of the Conference of National Black Churches, Chairman of the National Action Network, Chairman of Virginia Union University, and Board Member of Comcast and Pepsico – Dr. Richardson purposefully lives within his life’s mission and constantly works to be a positive force for change for all those he serves.

 As Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in the City of Mount Vernon, New York, Dr. Richardson has led the growth of the congregation to a weekly attendance of more than 4,000 people in three locations. He has built a ministry that focuses on six primary community-focused pillars: 1) children and youth development, 2) educational enrichment, 3) health awareness and prevention, 4) housing and community development, 5) music, arts, and culture, and 6) workforce development. These six pillars comprise more than 80 ministries, programs, and services that currently impact more than 10,000 people annually. Over 3,000 individuals, in the City of Mount Vernon, benefit from the 800 units of affordable housing that Grace has constructed through its community development corporation.

As Chairman of the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC), Dr. Richardson extends his role of leadership as an ecumenical trailblazer. CNBC, an interdenominational religious-advocacy organization, is comprised of the eight largest historically Black denominations in America, representing more than 65,000 churches and over 20 million individuals – 70% of African American Christians in the United States. With a focus on addressing racism in America, Dr. Richardson promotes ecumenism through CNBC and works with clergy, faith-based organizations, and other institutions to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other underserved populations through programs and advocacy.

Social Justice is another cause that is central to the life work and legacy of Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson. He currently serves as the Chairman of the National Action Network, one of the leading civil rights organizations in the country. Working along side Reverend Al Sharpton, Dr. Richardson fights for causes of justice, equality and opportunity for all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, criminal record, economic status, gender, gender expression, or sexuality. Under Dr. Richardson’s leadership, the National Action Network serves as the vehicle for the collective voice of the Black church to fight social injustice. Whether it is criminal justice issues, police brutality or voting rights, Dr. Richardson stands on the vanguard of social justice in America to be a champion for those who otherwise would have no voice.

As passionate as he is about social justice, Dr. Richardson is equally as fervent about education. For nearly ten (10) years, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Virginia Union University, in Richmond, Virginia. Under Dr. Richardson’s leadership, Virginia Union is positioned to be one of the highest regarded Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country, as it houses the preeminent seminary for preachers of color, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. Additionally, with a focus on student success, academic excellence, community partnerships, and financial viability, Dr. Richardson continues to lead Virginia Union upwards toward institutional prominence.

Diversity in corporate America is another struggle that Dr. Richardson works relentlessly to influence and improve. As an active member of the board of Comcast and Pepsico’s diversity councils, Dr. Richardson strives for workplace diversity and inclusion beyond race and gender quotas. He applies his deep understanding of the connection between community, diversity and inclusion, and business growth and innovation to help corporations be more accountable for their choices internally and externally.

 Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson is a distinguished pastor, leader, and national advocate for economic and social justice. He is also the author of the #1 best-selling book, “Witness to Grace.” He has a Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School and a Doctorate of Ministry as a Wyatt Tee Walker Fellow from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Richardson has received extensive recognition for his dynamic and impactful leadership in ministry, business, and social justice. He is also the recipient of numerous awards from various institutions and corporations from around the world. He is married to Inez Nunally Richardson and they have three adult children and eight grandchildren.

LARRY FITZGERALD

NFL Legend & Philanthropist

Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. is widely recognized for his 17-season NFL career as a wide receiver with the Arizona Cardinals, earning accolades such as the NFL 100 All-Time Team, the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, and a 2024 College Football Hall of Fame induction.

Beyond football, Fitzgerald is a philanthropist, investor, and business leader. In 2005, he founded The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, which creates opportunities for young people in underserved communities to learn and thrive in safe and healthy environments while also providing resources for individuals and families impacted by breast cancer.

Fitzgerald is a dedicated investor and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Trenches Capital, a firm focused on critical technology, fintech, and enterprise software, investing in opportunities ranging from Seed to Series A. Additionally, he has invested in more than 160 companies across industries such as hospitality, sports, technology, real estate, and fintech. He serves on the boards of Infinite Athlete, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He is also a co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals cricket team.

Furthering his commitment to community and business leadership, Fitzgerald was named a Henry Crown Fellow for the Aspen Institute. He regularly speaks to audiences ranging from youth groups to business executives about mindset, mentorship, perseverance, and community service.

Dr. George Fraser

Chairman & CEO FraserNet, Inc.

Dr. George C. Fraser is Chairman and CEO of FraserNet, Inc., a company he founded 38 years ago to lead a global networking and economic development movement for people of African descent. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was an orphan and foster child for 15 years. He spent 20 years in leadership positions with Procter & Gamble, United Way and Ford Motor Company before starting his own business, FraserNet Inc. in 1987.

He’s written 6 best-selling books to include: Success Runs in Our Race, Click and most recently, Mission Unstoppable: Extraordinary Stories of Failure’s Blessings, a book he co-authored with Les Brown. Upscale Magazine named him one of the “Top 50 Power Brokers in Black America,” Black Enterprise magazine called him “Black America’s #1 Networker” and featured him on its cover.

Dr. Fraser has been featured on 10 national magazine covers, He has received over 350 awards and citations including: Induction into the Minority Business Hall of Fame and Museum, 3 Honorary Doctorate Degrees, a Chaplaincy, and an Ambassadorship. He is a *Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI). He was honored as a “HistoryMaker” in 2005. He graduated from Dartmouth College’s Amos Tuck School of Business Minority Business Executive Program 1999.

He has been named as one of the best speakers in America and 5 of his speeches have been selected for global distribution by the prestigious Vital Speeches of the Day magazine, a first for any professional speaker in America. He has 2 “The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards one from President Obama in 2016, and one from President Biden in 2023.”

Dr. Fraser is most proud of the 2 charter schools he co-founded in Cleveland, Ohio nearly 20 years ago which educate nearly 300 inner city Black children annually of which 50% are boys. As an Elder, Dr, Fraser will now use his massive network and influence to launch a new virtual nation with no borders, boundaries or barriers called FraserNation: Citizens of Generational Wealth. The goal is to mobilize and unify people of African descent around, effective networking, business development, training, and coaching.

He will also join the fight for financial literacy in Black America. FraserNet Inc launched the WINDS: Wealth Building Centers and Curriculum in 2018. Over the next decade, thousands of new and well-equipped faith-based WINDS Centers will be open (free of charge) to all those to want to teach and/or learn the basics of wealth creation and management.

He is the Founder of the Black Business Legacy Hall of Fame, Museum & Metaverse. This is a “Legacy Project” Dr. Fraser has been working on for the last 22 years. Several major urban areas are being evaluated and considered for their location potential.

He’s been married to Nora Jean for 51 years and has 2 sons and 3 granddaughters. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

John Hope Bryant

Founder, Chairman & CEO Operation HOPE, Inc.

John Hope Bryant is an American entrepreneur, prominent thought leader, author, philanthropist, and a global authority on financial literacy, economic empowerment, and inclusive capitalism.  Referred to as the “Conscience of Capitalism” by Fortune 500 CEOs, Bryant’s advocacy helped make financial literacy the policy of the United States Federal Government under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.  He also successfully led efforts to rename the U.S. Treasury Annex to the Freedman’s Bank Building, recognizing the unfinished economic work of Abraham Lincoln for freed slaves. 

John Hope Bryant is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, Inc., the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of financial literacy services for youth and adults.  He is also the founder of John Hope Bryant Holdings, Bryant Group Ventures, and Bryant Group Advisors.  He previously led The Promise Homes Company, which he successfully recapitalized in 2021 with a $200 million credit facility—one of the largest Black-owned capital raises in over a decade.  He is a CNBC Contributor, host of the iHeart Radio podcast “Money & Wealth with John Hope Bryant”, and a member of both the CNBC Global Financial Wellness Council and the CNBC CEO Council.

In 2024, Bryant wrote The Business Plan for America, a bold blueprint for inclusive economic growth to promote financial literacy and opportunity for all nationwide.  Understanding that AI will define the future economy, Bryant has pioneered national efforts to bridge the AI opportunity gap. In December 2024, he announced the AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project (AILP³).  He also co-founded AI Ethics Council, with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.

Bryant’s impact has been recognized with numerous awards, including Oprah Winfrey’s “Use Your Life” Award, American Banker’s “Innovator of the Year,” and inclusion in TIME’s 50 Leaders for the Future.  He is a LinkedIn Influencer with over 3 million social media followers and has amassed over 300 million views across digital platforms through his “Straight Talk with John Hope Bryant” series.  Bryant is named to the prestigious Forbes BLK50 List in December 2024 and TIME Magazine’s inaugural The Closers List, recognizing 18 global leaders working to close the racial wealth gap.  Bryant has dedicated his career to transforming economic systems for underserved communities and ensuring inclusive growth in the AI-driven future.

His life’s mission? To help America live up to its promise—one financially and technologically empowered person at a time.

John Hope Bryant is a best-selling author.  He is one of the only Black thought leaders in the world today writing on economics and business leadership, with six books to his name, including his latest national best-seller, Financial Literacy for All ( Published in April 2024).