The Black Bread Company went from $1.87 to a $55 Million Valuation
Charles Alexander (L) , Mark Edmond (M) and Jamel Lewis (R) of the Black Bread Company. (Picture by Crain’s Chicago Business)
How many slices of bread have you had in your life? Until 2021, not one of those slices of bread were made from a Black-owned bread company. CEO and Founder Mark Edmond noticed a lack of diversity in the bread industry, so he hit up his friends and now business partners Jamel Lewis and Charles Alexander to fill the gap.
Sliced bread was created in 1928 and it’s taken almost hundred years for the Black community to be a part of it.
The trio started The Black Bread Company in Chicago during Black History Month with only $1.87. In 2022, the company is valued at $55 million. The Black Bread Co. is the first and only Black-owned bread company. They’ve made appearances on Ellen and was featured on Oprah’s Network.
“We really just focused on the work,” said Lewis.
The owners said the brand is for the culture.
When first starting, the team created an Instagram account for the business and went live to announce the brand to the world. Even with no followers, around 20,000 people showed up to the live.
“The support from the community has been astonishing,” said Alexander.
According to Edmond, the team receives thousands of orders per week.
“It takes a lot of competitive marketing that can’t be matched,” said Edmond. He added that you have to be willing to fail.
“I'm not afraid of anything because of what we’ve been through,” said Lewis.
The Black Bread Co. (Picture by Drew Michael Photography)
Along with providing quality products, The Black Bread Co. is all about the community.
“Our goal is to be where we’re needed and where we can assist,” said Alexander.
The trio started the nonprofit the Black Bread Foundation to further their mission of giving back.
In August, the team sent one thousand loafs of bread to Texas during the power outage. They’ve also worked at homeless shelters, provided food for Chicago Public Schools, and partnered with organizations to train interns.
“What drives us is our why. It’s the representation. What it means to generations after us and ahead of us,” said Edmond.