Chemico Group , Leon Richardson, Carla Walker-Miller

by Atiya Jordan

November 3, 2023

Chemico Group CEO Leon C. Richardson Named 2023 Michigan Minority Hall Of Fame Legend

The founder of one of the largest minority-owned chemical management and distribution companies in the United States is now a Hall of Famer.

In October, The Chemico Group CEO Leon C. Richardson was celebrated for the transformational impact he’s made on Michigan’s minority business growth. He was named a 2023 Michigan Minority Hall of Fame Legend by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC), according to a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE. The honor also recognized trailblazers who are “driving the state’s economy while empowering communities that are often left behind.”

A Chemico Group board member was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Carla Walker-Miller is founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services, a 22-year-old values-driven, B Corp certified company.

The Southfield, Michigan-based Chemico Group is standing tall after an impressive 34 years in business.

BE named the veteran-owned company to its list of the top 100 Black Businesses several times. Richardson’s indelible legacy also landed on the 2013 BE Industrial/Services Companies of the Year list with $85.8 million in revenues as well as a slew of additional mentors answered.

Since then, the Chemico Group’s team of more than 300 minority employees have been intentional in diversifying operations. For example, the Chemico Group invested $2.5 million to provide chemical management services to Fiat Chrysler plants in Mexico and offered similar services at Honeywell plants throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

“To avoid ebbs and flows that come from focusing on any specific industry, we have diversified our operations. We look for industries where paint is applied or the end unit has wheels. Cars, trucks, airplanes and jeeps all have wheels, making them part of the automotive, trucking, aerospace and defense contractor industries,” Richardson told BE in 2016. “Compressors and refrigerators have paint and are part of the heavy manufacturer and appliance industries. By 2020, we want to be in the $300 million to $400 million revenue range.”

Furthermore, Richardson is a proud financier, mentor, and champion for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) development. He has served on the Board for the MMSDC for more than 15 years. As evidence of this, Chemico Group committed $26 million with other MBEs since 2014, which is an average minority spend of 5% annually, the company’s website stated. MMSDC awarded Chemico its Supplier of the Year Class IV Award in 2017.

At the 2016 BLACK ENTERPRISE Entrepreneur Summit, Richardson shared his experience on his mentor-protege relationships. The founder and CEO of Ellis Island Tea Nahlah Ellis-Brown admitted that her brand went from car trunk sales to Whole Foods after gaining access to financing and mentorship. Richardson funded her production facility by way of his company and provided Ellis-Brown with strategic planning support and accounting services needed to restructure production costs, BE previously reported.

“The only way to bridge that gap and improve economic wealth in the African American community is by educating the next generation in entrepreneur-ism,” Richardson said.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 3, 2023

Bernice King Responds To Amy Schumer Posting MLK Speeches Of Support For Israel: ‘We Have Much To Correct’

Amy Schumer attempted to reference old Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speeches to garner support for Israel.

Amy Schumer attempted to reference old Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speeches to garner support for Israel. But according to the daughter of the late civil rights icon, he would’ve called for an end of the war between Israel and Hamas.

The Jewish comedian has been extremely vocal on social media about the Israel-Hamas war, expressing her support for Israel despite the civilian casualties impacting both sides. To further reiterate her stance on the current war, Schumer recently posted a video of clips where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke in support of Israel and denounced antisemitism.

“Israel must exist and has a right to exist and is one of the great outposts of democracy in the world,” MLK said in the clip. In another clip, King denounces antisemitism as “wrong” and says “It’s unjust and it’s evil.”

pic.twitter.com/zMYMQvC79v
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) October 31, 2023

But once King’s daughter, Bernice King, caught wind of Schumer’s post, she took to Twitter to offer some clarity on her late father’s behalf.

“Amy: Certainly, my father was against antisemitism, as am I,” Bernice King wrote in a thread on Twitter/X. “He also believed militarism (along with racism and poverty) to be among the interconnected Triple Evils.”

“I am certain he would call for Israel’s bombing of Palestinians to cease, for hostages to be released and for us to work for true peace, which includes justice,” she continued. “He said, ‘Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.’ We have much to correct.”

and for us to work for true peace, which includes justice.

He said, “Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.”

We have much to correct.

Here is a clip of my father talking about withdrawing from the Vietnam War and “moral power.”#MLK pic.twitter.com/Y0ZMp1K6qa
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) November 1, 2023

Bernice King concluded her message with a different clip of her father, where he touched on the “moral power” in withdrawing from the Vietnam War. She also encouraged Schumer to read her father’s book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

“I mourn with all who are mourning,” Bernice King wrote. “I know that we can’t afford to diminish & dehumanize each other if we are truly committed to ridding humanity of the Triple Evils & to freedom from oppression for all.”

Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, over 1,400 people have died on the Israeli side (via the Associated Press) and over 9,200 Palestinians in Gaza have died due to Israeli retaliatory strikes, via Al Jazeera.

RELATED CONTENT: Drake Signs Letter Calling For Ceasefire In Israel-Hamas War

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 3, 2023

Queen Latifah Reposts Mysonne’s Response To Akademiks And Saucy Santana Feud

Queen Latifah had time today and it's not looking good for DJ Akademiks.

It’s not often that Queen Latifah enters the chat when drama is involved. But she had time when it came to the ongoin g feud between blogger DJ Akademiks and rapper Saucy Santana.

The popular vlogger has been embroiled in a shady back-and-forth with the rapper after Akademiks appeared on VladTV and seemingly cast shade on City Girls member Yung Miami for having made anti-gay remarks on social media while being best friends with Saucy.

Saucy clapped back to defend his friendship with Yung Miami (Caresha Brownlee) while blasting Akademiks.

“Even as me being a gay man, I don’t move like a f*g. And it’s a lot of other gay boys that are feminine or whatever, but everybody don’t move like f*gs. You move like a f*g,” Saucy said in a clip captured by The Neighborhood Talk.

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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

That’s when Akademiks fired back threatening to “spit in [his] face” if he ever runs into Saucy in public. But Saucy took things further when he threatened to penetrate Akademiks after physically assaulting him.

“After I beat you, I’ma f*c0k you in your a** because you’re a bih-a nia,” Saucy warned. “That’s what we do to you.”

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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

Once the threats turned sexual, that’s when Akademiks broke down and became emotional when explaining why he was scared to respond to Saucy out of fear of being “canceled” and labeled a “homophobe” for saying the wrong thing.

“When I see a ni**a like Saucy Santana, it’s rubbing on the mere fabric of what I really grew up on,” Akademiks explained on his stream. “It brings me back to a hateful part of my life that I really try to get past.

“I’m not tryna get canceled to fk up what we got going on. I’m never tryna get canceled saying the wrong thing — I know what we got going on, I love it,” he added.

After years of akademiks harassing females on his platform he starts tearing up the moment saucy Santana (a male) goes at him pic.twitter.com/GY7PSowXcV
— NATE (@NATERERUN) November 1, 2023

But there were many who failed to sympathize with Akademiks after remembering the countless harsh and cold remarks he’s made about a number of female stars like Erykah Badu, the City Girls, Megan Thee Stallion, and Glorilla.

Rapper Mysonne was among the critics who took to Instagram to issue a lengthy statement in response to the Saucy vs. Akademiks feud.

“It’s crazy to me how DJ Akademiks is crying scared to say anything to Saucy Santana because he’s a gay man and he’s scared of getting ‘canceled,’ but has said some of the most outlandish, vile, disrespectful, and demeaning things to Black women with absolutely no fear whatsoever,” Mysonne wrote.

“[This] brings me back to Malcolm X’s quote: ‘The most disrespected, unprotected, and neglected person [in] America is the Black woman!’”

The last person anyone expected to repost the message was female rap pioneer Queen Latifah whose repost seemingly highlighted her lack of support for Akademiks amid his ongoing social media war.

https://twitter.com/dwaynejay/status/1720131771633692745?s=46&t=qmzb_I2N1DzN_GymACe90A

At this point, Akademiks might want to throw in the white flag and move on from the petty beef. The Queen has spoken.

social media, employees, office, guidelines, policies, triller

by Rafael Pena

November 3, 2023

HSBC Restricts Employees’ Ability To Text On Work Cell Phones

The changed cell phone policy follows a recent incident that has placed HSBC under regulatory scrutiny.

In a move to tighten up employees’ personal communications on their work cell phones, HSBC, a financial services company, has reportedly implemented a ban on texting via company-issued phones.

The Oct. 17 decision to restrict text messaging on corporate phones is part of HSBC’s ongoing efforts to ensure strict compliance with regulatory obligations. This practice is not unique to HSBC, as many financial institutions change the functionality of their corporate devices to meet regulatory requirements.

“Banks use a wide range of approved channels to communicate in compliance with regulatory obligations,” a spokesperson for the bank told Bloomberg.

“HSBC, like many other banks, reviews and adjusts functionality on its corporate devices as needed.”

The changed cell phone policy follows a recent incident that placed HSBC under regulatory scrutiny. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) raised concerns about the bank’s failure to monitor the use of unauthorized messaging apps, like WhatsApp, resulting in record-keeping violations. Consequently, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission imposed fines of $30 million and $15 million, respectively, on HSBC, as detailed by HR Dive.

While the ban on texting applies to the majority of HSBC employees, a small group will retain the privilege of sending texts from their work phones, provided those messages are archived. This prohibition is confined to corporate devices and does not impact the use of personal phones.

As reported in an HR Dive article, HSBC is not the sole banking institution to face repercussions due to record-keeping infractions. Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley collectively agreed to pay $1.8 billion in September 2022 to resolve violations related to record-keeping issues.

Ensuring the ability to record, retain, and produce relevant business records is central to regulatory compliance and oversight.

by Rafael Pena

November 3, 2023

How Lanny Smith Went From NBA Player To Athletic Apparel Entrepreneur

Lanny Smith was drafted to the NBA and inked a deal with the Sacramento Kings

In 2009, Lanny Smith was drafted to the NBA and inked a deal with the Sacramento Kings. A mere 33 days after signing his contract, an unforeseen and devastating knee injury shattered his hoop dreams. This abrupt derailment of his basketball career set Smith on an unexpected odyssey of self-discovery and purpose, Forbes reported. It ultimately steered him into the realm of sports apparel, culminating in the birth of his brand, Active Faith, in 2011.

Active Faith is a faith-based sports apparel brand that weaves motivational quotes and scriptures into its designs. Collaborating with former NBA player Anthony Tolliver and Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry, Smith successfully grew Active Faith into a global e-commerce brand, boasting customers from 73 countries. In its inaugural year, the brand earned $100,000 in revenue and later flourished into a $7 million faith-based business.

Despite his success, Smith encountered hurdles in securing investments to expand his brand into retail stores, with investors sometimes backing out due to his ethnicity. However, the positive impact Active Faith had on its customers, receiving numerous heartwarming emails, inspired Smith to pivot. He saw the need for greater representation and decided to launch Actively Black, an apparel line focused on uplifting and representing the Black community, while maintaining ownership of Active Faith.

When the world shut down during the pandemic, Smith observed how many brands made grandiose pledges to support the Black community following the police killing of George Floyd. Yet, Smith perceived these gestures as performative and lacking authenticity. He questioned why these companies, which had profited from Black consumers for years, had remained silent on pressing issues. It was time to build a brand that truly represented the community, he felt.

Actively Black emerged on Black Friday in 2020, symbolizing a commitment to year-round authenticity, rather than aligning with specific periods of African-American recognition, such as Black History Month or Juneteenth. Smith saw an opportunity in the awakening of people who realized that many brands had profited from the culture but hadn’t included it in ownership or offered Black talent the chance to express themselves fully without feeling compelled to diminish their Blackness.

“I like to call it deprogramming and reprogramming the people. Unfortunately, the effects of oppression and racism start to seep into the subconscious. There are Black people who don’t believe they’re as smart, gifted, or equal, and I wanted to tear down those misconceptions about who we are and give that type of confidence and belief in self. The community is galvanizing the tribe, as I like to call them, around this brand,” he told Forbes.

Smith’s dedication to his brand’s mission is clear. He manufactures his apparel and accessories in Asia and Lagos, Nigeria, and aims to expand his manufacturing presence in Africa. In just one week, Actively Black earned $100,000 in revenue, and the inventory he anticipated would last three months sold out in four weeks. By the end of its first year, the brand had achieved $2.3 million in sales and was on the cusp of reaching $6 million, but an analytics company revealed that $8 million in potential revenue was missed, indicating the immense demand.

“That’s something that none of those other brands, no matter how big their budgets are, no matter how big they are, that’s the place that they can’t compete in, and that’s where I see our advantage. The timing of this right now is a perfect storm for us. I believe people are more awakened to the fact that some of these brands have profited off of the culture, but they have not included the culture in ownership. They haven’t included the culture in giving the talent the opportunity to truly express themselves without feeling like they have to diminish their Blackness, and so this is a place where in a brand where that’s not the case. The people feel that, and that’s how we’re building this,” he told Forbes.

Actively Black’s brand awareness grew through significant creative partnerships with entities like Teleport Watches, Marvel, The Bobsled and Skeleton Federation of Nigeria, Slam Magazine, and NIL deals with four HBCU athletes. These collaborations allowed the brand to stay true to its core values while fostering growth.

As Smith continues to expand his business, he remains committed to giving back to the Black community. He has donated $500,000 to organizations like the Liberation Fund, Compton Girls Club, Black Girls Smile, Black Girls and Black Boys Code, Ujima, and Black Mamas Matter Alliance. He envisions Actively Black as more than an athleisure line; it is a movement, a global brand in the making, uniting the diaspora and transforming the lives and beliefs of Black people worldwide.

by Lauren Nutall

November 3, 2023

Rev. Al Sharpton Calls On DOJ To Investigate Dexter Wade’s Death

Rev. Al Sharpton is calling for an investigation into Mississippi’s Jackson Police Department after the death of Dexter Wade and the force’s subsequent coverup in a new statement, according to the National Action Network.

Rev. Al Sharpton is calling for an investigation into Mississippi’s Jackson Police Department after the death of Dexter Wade and the force’s subsequent cover-up, according to the National Action Network.

Wade, 37, was fatally struck by an off-duty Jackson police officer sometime after leaving his mother’s home on March 5. He was then buried near the Hinds County Penal Farm after his body went unclaimed.

The victim’s mother, Bettersten Wade, continued searching for Dexter for several months until late August, when she was informed that he had been killed and buried without her knowledge.

Jackson officials claim that Wade did not have any identification on him at the time of his death and informed the coroner that they could not locate any next of kin.

However, renowned civil rights attorney and the Wade family’s attorney Benjamin Crump has refuted these claims, as Bettersten had filed a missing person’s report in mid-March and consistently followed up about her son’s case until August 24, when she discovered that he had been killed and buried already.

“Dexter’s story is a living nightmare for any mother. The secrecy surrounding his death, the alleged concealment of vital information, and the callous burial in a pauper’s field without his mother’s knowledge are not just oversights – they are a grave miscarriage of justice. The fact that Dexter’s tragic end involved an off-duty police officer only deepens the wounds of this community and raises troubling questions about the integrity of those entrusted with upholding the law,” Crump wrote on his official website.

He continued, saying, “In the face of this tragedy, we stand with Bettersten Wade and demand transparency, accountability, and justice for Dexter. Every life deserves dignity, and every grieving mother deserves the truth. We will not rest until the full truth is revealed, and those responsible for this injustice are held accountable. Dexter’s memory will not be forgotten, and his story will fuel our fight for a fair and just society where every life is valued and protected, regardless of who they are.”

Rev. Sharpton, who is the founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), has also spoken out, calling on the Department of Justice to conduct a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wade’s killing and the department’s handling of the incident.

“What happened to Dexter Wade is one of the most disturbing things I have ever heard. This is truly as bad as it gets. You have an off-duty officer who fatally strikes a Black man with an official vehicle, then a department that says they cannot locate a next of kin while his mother begs and pleads with anyone who will listen to find her son. The details clearly show this is a cover up – plain and simple,” Sharpton wrote on the National Action Network.

“Today, I am asking the Justice Department to not only investigate this incident but the entire procedures, tactics, and culture of the Jackson Police Department. You cannot look at a single rotting tree and hope the rest of the forest is healthy. We are not even a year removed from the murder of Tyre Nichols, and we are confronted with another law enforcement department brutally killing a Black man and then muddying their tracks. The Justice Department must set a precedent that if you commit an action as heinous as this, your entire house will be subject to scrutiny. In the meantime, the National Action Network is working with our allies in Jackson to support Dexter’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Thee Stallion

by Rafael Pena

November 3, 2023

Pardi The Philanderer? Megan Thee Stallion Alludes To Ex’s Infidelity In New ‘Cobra’ Music Video

The Houston hottie also revealed she was severely depressed.

“WAP” rapper Megan Thee Stallion talks about mental health and alludes to her ex-boyfriend Pardison “Pardi” Fontaine being a cheater in her new music video, “Cobra,” according to a Nov. 3 report by the Daily Mail.

Megan, 33, unveiled her latest single, “Cobra,” and its accompanying music video in which she metaphorically “sheds her skin” to represent her personal transformation, much like a snake’s molt. In the song, Megan alludes to Pardi being unfaithful without explicitly naming him.

She raps about catching her ex-partner in compromising situations with the lyrics, “Pulled up, caught him cheating, getting his d*** sucked in the same spot I’m sleeping. Lord, give me a break, I don’t know how much more of this s*** I can take.”

The exact timeline of Megan’s decision to end her two-year relationship with music producer Pardi, also 33, is unclear, but it’s believed she ended it in December 2022. Worth noting: The Houston native’s collaboration with Pardi on the 2020 track “Savage Remix” earned him his sole Grammy award.

In “Cobra,” the femcee delves into her mental health battles, candidly revealing a dark period in her life in which she felt close to death and deep in emotional turmoil. She exposes her struggles, rapping lines such as “Every night I cried, I almost died / And nobody close tried to stop me.”

Her lyrics offer a glimpse into the pain and depression she endured during her lowest moments.

The music video, spanning three minutes, begins with Megan’s reflection on self-renewal, likening it to a snake shedding its skin. Throughout the video she embraces a bold and revealing style that emphasizes her 5 foot 10 figure.

While Megan has faced criticism for her daring outfits, she refuses to conform to societal expectations.

Addressing the controversy she and Cardi B faced for their provocative hit “WAP,” Megan expressed her bewilderment at the backlash, and humorously attributed it to Republicans’ frustration during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

When the duo performed “WAP” at the Grammys, it sparked more than a thousand complaints to the Federal Communications Commission. Many viewers found the performance offensive and akin to pornography. Megan was unapologetic and highlighted the positive aspects of the uproar, such as increased streams of the song.

by Rafael Pena

November 3, 2023

White Texas Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Fatal Shooting Of Black Neighbor In Unprovoked Attack

A Texas man, Edward Murray, 57, received a life sentence on Nov. 1 for the fatal shooting of his neighbor Antonio Robinson, in front of his apartment in September 2020, as reported by Atlanta Black Star. A jury also ordered Murray to pay a $10,000 fine related to the tragic incident.

“I feel sorry for the family and the kids,” Murray stated in court, expressing remorse for his actions and acknowledging that he had consumed vodka before the fatal shooting. “I’m sorry that I let this happen. It’s not about me. It’s about everybody else that I hurt.”

This sentencing comes three years after the fatal incident when Murray, wielding a hammerless revolver (a modified gun) opened fire on Robinson, a Black man, killing him. Robinson resided in the apartment across from Murray with his girlfriend and their three children, ages two, three, and nine. The children would often play with their toys on the concrete sidewalk shared by both units, a mere 10 feet apart, which reportedly agitated Murray. On the fateful day of the shooting, Murray saw one of the children’s balls, kicked it, and decided to retrieve his firearm from his home.

Without provocation, Murray fired three shots at Robinson, and family members tried to stem the bleeding. According to court records, Murray also pointed his gun at Robinson’s girlfriend before leaving the scene. Robinson was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead.

Law enforcement apprehended Murray hours after the incident, subsequently charging him with murder. On Oct. 31, he was found guilty of the crime.

Ashley Lacy, Robinson’s girlfriend, alleged that Murray, who is white, had a history of racially offensive slurs directed at their family. She contended that the shooting should be classified as a “hate crime.” Lacy expressed the lasting trauma that their children had endured, stating, “My children are going to be so traumatized because they went to sleep and took a nap, and they woke up to no daddy.”

by Derek Major

November 3, 2023

How To Turn Real Estate Into Real Money

Real Estate has been the backbone of the U.S. economy for generations and today is still one of the most tried and true methods to building wealth in this country.

Even with interest rates at an all time high of 8% homes are still selling. There are a litany of opportunities to make money in real estate, however they all come with risks and if you’re not informed, you can end up taking big losses.

Active vs. Passive Investing

When it comes to real estate there are two lanes investors can take, active and passive. An active investor is typically the sole proprietor and stands to receive 100% of the profits. On the other side of the coin, passive investors typically split the profits among several individuals or parties.

Fix and flip and renovation projects are a method of active investing where someone purchases a property, fixes or renovates it then sells it for a profit. There are a number of shows involving fix and flip projects on Home and Garden Television today showcasing people who fix and flip houses. .

Flipping houses has gained enormous popularity in recent years. Investors fix and flip both homes and rental properties and in many cases investors will hold on to the property and rent out the unit to make residual income on the property.

One passive method of making money in real estate is through a Real Estate Investment Trust, otherwise known as REITs. A REIT is security that trades like a stock on the major exchanges and owns—and in most cases operates—income-producing real estate or related assets.

“A group of people who own the REIT are probably fixing and flipping houses and purchasing multi-family homes,” Ejiro Ajueyitsi, the owner of the Brooklyn Funding Group told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“You give as little as $2,500 and based on that, you make money every quarter, monthly or yearly. That brings immediate dividends so you can make like $100 a month or $20 a month depending on how much you’re putting in and what’s your return on the REIT fund.”

Risks

Pierre Bernard, a real estate developer and investor, said while working in real estate can be very lucrative, nothing moves fast in real estate and the risks begin before you close on a home

“One of the biggest risks is dealing with the Department of Buildings and municipalities,” Bernard, told BE.

“You have to get permits, certificates and deal with a ton of paperwork, so timing is important because the city does not care about the fact that you have a mortgage, they take their sweet time with approving plans and everyday that you don’t have the paperwork to get out of the project and make the money, you’re basically giving it to a bank.”

Another risk is market fluctuation, which is currently being played out in today’s housing market. An interest rate change can lead to homes staying on the market. Additional risks include getting into bed with bad contractors.

“You get into bed with a bad contractor and he leaves you holding the bag,” Ajueyitsi said.

“Now you have this thing called scope creep, you were supposed to finish in six months but it took twelve and now you ate through all your profit.”

Do Your Research

Both Bernard and Ajueyitsi the key to success in real estate is making sure your financial situation is in good standing and conducting significant research.

“Know how to research the houses you’re going to buy,” Ajueyitsi told BE. “You need to know the risks, the markets, where you’re going to buy and how much it’s going to cost. Do all the research before you sign on the dotted line.”

“You know how they say measure twice, cut once? well, measure five times,” he added.

Bernard has similar advice.

“Know how the money really works, how to actually finance projects and how to get things done because the biggest hurdle is money,” said Bernard.

“Getting funds or being approved for funding is an art. The Brooklyn Funding Group has saved my butt a couple of times. So knowing what it really takes to fund a project and what is fundable is paramount.”

by Iman Milner

November 3, 2023

Sean Tresvant To Step Into CEO Role At Taco Bell In January 2024

Taco Bell has announced that Jordan Brand alum Sean Tresvant will succeed CEO Mark King.

Sean Tresvant will become chief executive officer of Taco Bell Division on Jan. 1, 2024, succeeding 2023 Restaurant Leader of the Year Mark King. Yum! Brands, Inc. announced that Tresvant will take over global leadership for the popular brand and help to drive growth, improve franchise operations, and stimulate performance.

“Sean is a visionary business leader and best-in-class brand builder who is driving transformative R.E.D. (relevant, easy, distinctive) sales-powering efforts, from omni-channel initiatives to digital customer touchpoints, to accelerate growth and further elevate and differentiate the Taco Bell fan and team member experience,” said David Gibbs of Yum! Brands, Inc.

“Sean is laser focused on keeping our powerhouse Taco Bell brand at the leading edge of culture and redefining innovation in the industry. That’s why he is the ideal executive to continue successfully executing Taco Bell’s long-term global growth strategies and take them to the next level in partnership with the brand’s strong and accomplished leadership team and incredible franchisees. Sean, Mark and I will continue to work closely together over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.”

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Tresvant joined Taco Bell in 2022 as the company’s global chief brand officer, overseeing strategy, food innovation, architecture and design, and global communications for its international business. Before joiningTaco Bell, he worked at Nike’s iconic Jordan Brand for over 15 years. With his expertise and knowledge of what drives brand loyalty, Tresvant helped Taco Bell create some of its most innovative marketing moments and secure high-profile celebrity endorsements.

Taco Bell took home Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2023 Brand Icon Award which Tresvant was on hand to accept.

“No matter what size your brand, it’s knowing who you’re talking to. That’s the most important thing you can do,” he said. “Second, how do you use tech to solve problems for the consumer or in the kitchen? Tech is going to be a separator of good brands and great brands. Third, you’ve got to swing for the fences. I always tell my team, if we’re not uncomfortable, I’m not sure we’re pushing hard enough.”