Richelieu Dennis

Richelieu Dennis is the founder, executive chair and self-described head intern of Sundial Brands, a pioneering beauty and personal care company dedicated to serving underserved communities through culturally authentic products and community commerce.

Born in Liberia and raised in the United States, Dennis built Sundial Brands from a small, family-run operation selling shea butter-based soaps inspired by his grandmother’s recipes into a global enterprise. Under his leadership, the company’s flagship brand, SheaMoisture, became one of the largest Black-founded beauty brands in the world, known for its commitment to natural ingredients, inclusive marketing and community reinvestment.

In 2017, Dennis led the sale of Sundial Brands to Unilever, marking one of the most significant acquisitions of a Black-owned beauty company. Following the transaction, he continued to champion inclusive entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, helping to launch initiatives that support women of color entrepreneurs and community-based businesses.

Dennis is also the founder of New Voices Foundation and the New Voices Fund, platforms created to provide capital, mentorship and infrastructure to women of color entrepreneurs. In addition, he is the founder of Essence Ventures, which acquired ESSENCE Communications Inc. and the iconic ESSENCE Festival of Culture, further advancing his commitment to building institutions that celebrate and invest in Black culture and enterprise.

As executive chair and head intern of the Sundial Group of Companies, Dennis continues to focus on purpose-driven brands, sustainable community commerce and long-term wealth creation for historically excluded communities.