Black Entrepreneurs, Innovators & Business Leaders Series

Spring 2022

From Grind to Shine: Public Conversation with Randy Huggins

Television writer and producer Randy Huggins joins Wake Forest professor Derek Hicks for a conversation about his life and career, From Grind to Shine, in the Broyhill Auditorium on Thursday, February 24, 2022. The program was part of the Center for Research, Engagement and Collaboration in African American Life (RECAAL).

The Center for RECAAL presented “From Grind to Shine: Public Conversation with Randy Huggins” to discuss his experience as the writer and producer of some of the most popular shows on television. Randy Huggins is the current producer and showrunner for the new hit show BMF and has been a writer for several shows including Power, Criminal Minds, The Shield, Rebel, and others. Through the interview with Center for RECAAL Director, Derek Hicks, Huggins shared how he rose to the top through his grind and persistence.

View Public Conversation with Randy Huggins

Spring 2021

First-year Kick-Off Event

A public conversation with Dawn Davis, the first Black female Editor in Chief of Bon Appétit.

April 27, 2021

Last year Dawn Davis became one of the few Black top editors in Condé Nast’s history. In her wide-ranging role, she will lead the Bon Appétit brand and have editorial control of the company’s food outlets Epicurious​, ​Healthyish​ , and ​Basically across all media, including print, digital, social media, and video. Dawn Davis brings over 30 years of experience as a prominent editor and executive who has been one of the few Black power players in the book world. In her role as a vice president at Simon & Schuster, she founded and published 37 Ink, an outlet promoting and advancing the stories and work of marginalized voices. She also brings her avid cooking skill and a general passion for culinary cultures to this role. Ms. Davis is the author of If You Can Stand the Heat: Tales From Chefs and Restaurateurs, which included profiles of chefs such as Edna Lewis and Anthony Bourdain. Join the Center for RECAAL for a riveting conversation with this powerful business leader about her history-making career and plans to advance African American voices in the culinary world.

View Public Conversation with Dawn Davis

Resources