At simply 25, armed with levels from Duke and Stanford, Detavio Samuels was already poised to rework the media panorama. Now, as CEO of REVOLT, America’s fastest-growing Black-owned media empire, he’s doing precisely that. Below his management, REVOLT has turn into greater than only a media firm—it’s developed right into a cultural power amplifying Black voices and storytelling on a world scale.
On this candid dialog with Rolling Out’s Munson Steed, Samuels reveals how REVOLT is revolutionizing content material creation, shares insights on company board management, and gives a compelling imaginative and prescient for the following era of Black entrepreneurs. From turning Artwork Basel right into a celebration of Black creativity to constructing wealth by way of strategic board positions, Samuels demonstrates why he’s earned recognition as Adweek’s Artistic Visionary and Digiday’s TV Govt of the Yr.
[Editor’s note: This is a truncated transcription of a longer video interview. Please see the video for the extended version. Some errors may occur.]
What’s REVOLT at the moment doing, significantly in relation to Artwork Basel?
Core to our technique is we are attempting to mixture a number of the dopest creators within the tradition, elevate them, amplify them, uplift them. The work you simply noticed us do at Artwork Basel, we rallied round an unimaginable lady, Mikhaile, who’s bought a corporation known as Prizm. She’s been doing Artwork Basel for the final decade-plus. We actually wished to take all the things that she’s doing, assist her elevate it, and let her dream her greatest goals.
How would you describe the transformation from being an govt to sitting on boards? What ought to younger leaders perceive about having larger objectives than simply “being a boss”?
When lots of people speak about being a boss, it’s about a person operating an organization. Once you take a look at the mathematics, about 94–95% of Black-owned companies are sole proprietorships. It’s one individual working for themselves. For those who actually need to take into consideration an elevated North Star, the primary query is: Are you constructing an organization that employs extra of your folks? Are you using 5 folks, ten folks, fifty folks, or extra? The flexibility for us to construct corporations and maintain our of us is a important metric we should always all be fascinated about.
Sitting on boards means that you can steer organizations with out doing the operational work. Your impression turns into exponentially better. You’re not simply operating Revolt; you’re additionally making an impression elsewhere. Boards are an exceptional approach to construct wealth. Sitting on a publicly traded board may earn you between $100,000 and $350,000 yearly—not by way of the normal hustle however by attending board conferences and committee conferences.
What experience do boards search for after they invite CEOs like your self?
A: Each board assesses what’s important to its future, whether or not it’s DEI, advertising and marketing, mergers and acquisitions, or expanded distribution. They need people exterior the group with distinctive views and expertise. Often, once I’m requested to affix boards, it’s for my management, advertising and marketing experience, and data in cultural advertising and marketing and leveraging tradition to develop companies.
How do CEOs sometimes have interaction with their board members?
Boards don’t should whisper—they’ve chosen you since you’re their go-to skilled. In formal conferences, they’ll ask, “The place ought to we go subsequent? What does the long run appear to be? What are the potential landmines?” One of the best relationships lengthen past formal conferences, permitting for casual conversations when speedy selections are wanted.
One of the best CEOs need to transfer on the pace of tradition. Issues occur shortly, and you’ll’t anticipate the following board assembly to behave. So, it’s about showcasing worth, constructing relationships, and having these important conversations at any time when needed.
For those who had been to present a commencement speech at Howard College immediately, what can be your message to college students about their group and future?
My first thought is “No Excuses.” Irrespective of how troublesome issues could appear, as Black folks, we exist in a second with extra alternatives than ever earlier than. The instruments and data accessible to us are unparalleled.
Our ancestors overcame unimaginable challenges with out AI, the web, or entry to schooling. At the moment, there’s no excuse to not write that guide, be taught a brand new ability, or mobilize 1000’s utilizing social media. No matter your dream is, there’s no excuse to not chase it.
My second thought is about embracing transformation. For those who’re strolling into 2025 with the identical technique you had in 2024, you’re behind. The pace of technological development is staggering. All the things is shifting—30, 40, 50 issues directly. To succeed, you have to see the world with recent eyes every day and precisely plan for the long run.