NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 15: Marcus Samuelsson attends José Andrés and Family in Spain D+ Series reception at Mercado Little Spain on December 15, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images for HBO)
Black History Month is coming to an end, which closes out Cheddar News' month-long series featuring Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
Highlighted companies and individuals ranged from breweries and ice cream shops to celebrity chefs and congressional leaders.
Experts also provided background on the challenges facing Black-owned businesses and highlighted the untapped spending power of the Black community.
Here's a final rundown of the series in celebration of the end of Black History Month:
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.