Richelieu Dennis - Entrepreneur Award
Investor and philanthropist Richelieu Dennis has a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation that traces back to his family’s roots in Africa and that is sustained by a vision to fill unmet consumer needs around the world. As the founder, CEO and Executive Chairman of Sundial Brands, his passion has resulted in the 27-year-old family-founded, run and operated manufacturing company’s success today as the maker of top hair, bath and body brands. With a foundation of family heritage and his own cultural experiences, Richelieu leads Sundial's vision to serve under-served consumers through problem/solution products made with culturally authentic, globally-sourced and certified organic ingredients.
In November 2017, with the landmark acquisition of Sundial Brands by Unilever, Richelieu negotiated the largest natural personal care deal ever in the U.S. and the largest consumer products deal by a majority black-owned company. Most critically, as part of this purpose-driven agreement, he and Unilever created a groundbreaking $100 million New Voices Fund to invest in and empower female entrepreneurs of color.
In 2017, Richelieu founded Essence Ventures, an independent African-American owned company focused on merging content, community and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of women of color. In January 2018, the company announced that it had acquired Essence Communications, Inc. from Time, Inc. – reestablishing Essence as a 100% black-owned independent company. Richelieu currently serves as the chair of Essence Ventures.
In November 2017, with the landmark acquisition of Sundial Brands by Unilever, Richelieu negotiated the largest natural personal care deal ever in the U.S. and the largest consumer products deal by a majority black-owned company. Most critically, as part of this purpose-driven agreement, he and Unilever created a groundbreaking $100 million New Voices Fund to invest in and empower female entrepreneurs of color.
In 2017, Richelieu founded Essence Ventures, an independent African-American owned company focused on merging content, community and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of women of color. In January 2018, the company announced that it had acquired Essence Communications, Inc. from Time, Inc. – reestablishing Essence as a 100% black-owned independent company. Richelieu currently serves as the chair of Essence Ventures.