Full Name
Richelieu Dennis
Job Title
Executive Chairman
Company Name
Sundial Group of Companies
Speaker Bio
Richelieu Dennis is the Executive Chairman of the Sundial Group of Companies, a portfolio spanning consumer, media, technology, and culture. His entrepreneurial and global business influence extends as the Founder and CEO of Sundial Brands (SheaMoisture, Nubian Heritage, and Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture) and Chair of The Sundial Technology & Media Group LLC (STMG), a vertically integrated media, technology, and experiential company that includes ESSENCE Communications Inc, ESSENCE Studios, Afropunk, BeautyCon, Girls United, and Naturally Curly. In April 2024, Richelieu expanded the SMG portfolio with the acquisition of Refinery29 (including the Unbothered and Somos brands), a creative global platform for all young people.
In November 2017, Richelieu architected a first-of-its-kind deal in the beauty and personal care industry when he negotiated the landmark acquisition of Sundial Brands by Unilever – one of the largest natural beauty/personal care deals in the U.S. Following the acquisition, he established the New Voices Foundation, an innovative fund dedicated to investing in and empowering emerging entrepreneurs. The Foundation provides leadership development, skills-building, and networking opportunities, currently supporting more than 25,000 businesses around the world. The Fund has become the largest and most successful of its kind investing in emerging businesses, and has reshaped the traditional funding paradigm.
Richelieu’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to creating economic pathways for underserved communities through a Community-Commerce-Culture business model, transforming access to capital and mentorship for entrepreneurs who have been historically overlooked.
With over 30 years of experience building businesses from launch to exit, Richelieu and the New Voices Fund has invested in successful emerging businesses such as Mielle Organics, Slutty Vegan, The Honey Pot, Mented Cosmetics, The Lip Bar and McBride Sisters Wine Company, collectively leading to exits exceeding $3 billion.
In November 2017, Richelieu architected a first-of-its-kind deal in the beauty and personal care industry when he negotiated the landmark acquisition of Sundial Brands by Unilever – one of the largest natural beauty/personal care deals in the U.S. Following the acquisition, he established the New Voices Foundation, an innovative fund dedicated to investing in and empowering emerging entrepreneurs. The Foundation provides leadership development, skills-building, and networking opportunities, currently supporting more than 25,000 businesses around the world. The Fund has become the largest and most successful of its kind investing in emerging businesses, and has reshaped the traditional funding paradigm.
Richelieu’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to creating economic pathways for underserved communities through a Community-Commerce-Culture business model, transforming access to capital and mentorship for entrepreneurs who have been historically overlooked.
With over 30 years of experience building businesses from launch to exit, Richelieu and the New Voices Fund has invested in successful emerging businesses such as Mielle Organics, Slutty Vegan, The Honey Pot, Mented Cosmetics, The Lip Bar and McBride Sisters Wine Company, collectively leading to exits exceeding $3 billion.
Speaking At
