Dr. Rachel Laryea grew up as the daughter of a Ghanaian immigrant single mother — shaped by resilience, education, and deep curiosity about how people survive, thrive, and build. Her path took her from Goldman Sachs into the heart of global finance, and then into academia at Yale University, where she earned a dual PhD in African American Studies and Sociocultural Anthropology. She walked into Wall Street as both insider and outsider. And that tension — belonging and questioning at the same time — became the catalyst for her new book, Black Capitalists: A Blueprint for What Is Possible. Laryea describes her early corporate experience as a kind of “culture shock.” Goldman Sachs exposed her to wealth, privilege, speed, and power — but also to contradictions. The environment raised more questions than answers and set her on a path of asking: How do Black people navigate an economic system that has often profited from our labor — while rarely inviting us to benefit fully from it? That curiosity didn’t push her away from capitalism. Instead, it pushed her deeper into understanding how it works — and how it could work differently. Challenging the Story: Are Black People Only Labor — Never Beneficiaries? Much of academic conversation about capitalism and race assumes one truth: that Black participation inevitably leads to exploitation. There is history to support that view — slavery, discriminatory banking systems, and a racial wealth gap that remains wide. But Laryea noticed something striking during her time on Wall Street: Black people — and people of color — were not only surviving inside the “belly of the beast.” They were navigating, negotiating, growing, and sometimes redirecting resources back into their communities. Their relationship with capitalism wasn’t simple. It was: complicated strategic layered sometimes contradictory That realization reframed her work. Instead of asking whether Black people “belong” in capitalism, she began asking: What happens when Black people learn to reposition themselves inside the system — intentionally, ethically, and purposefully — to create social good? What Does It Mean To Be a “Black Capitalist”? In Black Capitalists, Laryea distinguishes between two ideas. A Black capitalist is someone who identifies as Black and deliberately repositions themselves within the economy to benefit — and to create social good. This isn’t about greed. It isn’t about replicating harm. It is about strategy, power literacy, and responsibility. Meanwhile, Black capitalism itself, she argues, is race-agnostic. Anyone — individually or collectively — can practice it, if the intention is to use economic tools to build, heal, strengthen, and expand opportunity. This way of thinking disrupts the traditional narrative that capitalism is either villain or savior. Instead, it becomes a tool — one that can be shaped. When Access Becomes Agency Laryea highlights real people using capitalism differently. Like a Goldman Sachs employee and Ifa priest who sees himself as a “spy” — gaining access, gathering resources, and redistributing them into Black communities. Nigerian-born entrepreneur Wemimo Abbey , co-founder of Esusu, whose company allows renters to build credit through their rent payments while preventing evictions. Abbey calls it a “win-win-win” because renters build credit, landlords stay paid and society reduces homelessness. This is capitalism leveraged — not blindly accepted. Choosing to Tell Her Own Story Many women Laryea interviewed feared exposure, even anonymously. Their experiences in corporate spaces mirrored hers: ambition, isolation, ceilings, contradictions, and the emotional costs of navigating systems not built for them. So she chose to stand in the gap — and tell her own story. By naming her experience, she honored theirs. Because so many Black professionals know this tension. We are invited to participate — but not always welcomed to benefit. Not Dismantle vs. Endorse — But Transform Laryea is realistic. Capitalism isn’t disappearing tomorrow. And ignoring it will not shield anyone from its impact. Her question becomes deeply pragmatic: If the system exists — how do we learn it, navigate it, use it, and reshape it toward justice? She calls for collective clarity and alignment. Lock arms. Get on the same page. Use tools wisely. Build equity wherever possible. Choose agency instead of reaction. Not assimilation. Not blind participation. Learnings / Takeaways Here are the deeper lessons her work invites: Power is not evil — but unmanaged power harms. Understanding economic systems is part of community protection and advancement. Access without purpose is empty. It’s not enough to “get in the door.” What matters is how resources flow once you're inside. Capitalism is a tool — not an identity. Tools can build homes — or burn them down. The hands using the tool matter. Participation is not betrayal. Black participation inside systems does not equal complicity when the intent is repair, uplift, and reinvestment. Storytelling matters. Naming our journeys gives others courage to step into power thoughtfully and responsibly. The work is collective. Transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when communities align — intentionally, strategically, bravely.

When Damola Adamolekun stepped into Red Lobster after its 2024 bankruptcy, he didn’t just inherit financial distress. He inherited exhaustion, confusion, and broken trust. This wasn’t only a balance sheet problem — it was a people problem. Instead of rushing into drastic cuts, he started with listening. He walked locations, asked questions, and acknowledged what employees were carrying. Many were simply “beat down.” That honest reset created space for real rebuilding to begin. People First — Because Culture Drives Performance Adamolekun treated employees as partners in the turnaround, not as line items. Town halls, conversation, training, and performance incentives restored dignity and ownership. As morale improved, customer experience improved. Recovery didn’t begin with marketing campaigns — it began with people feeling valued again. Restoring Order Before Chasing Growth Red Lobster’s decline had grown over time through high leases, outdated systems, and inconsistent operations. Adamolekun moved decisively but with discipline: renegotiating costly leases trimming unnecessary overhead tightening financial controls modernizing technology and data Speed mattered — but structure mattered more. Stability became the foundation for everything that followed. Modernizing Without Losing the Brand With systems stabilized, innovation was intentional. Menu refreshes, updated presentation, and more accessible pricing brought new energy while honoring the classics guests still love. The goal wasn’t reinvention — it was relevance. Innovation supported the mission instead of replacing it. Culture First. Numbers Next. Projected profitability by 2026 signals more than a financial comeback. It reflects alignment returning across the organization — stronger systems, motivated teams, and customers reconnecting. True turnarounds rarely start in spreadsheets. They begin with clarity, trust, and disciplined execution — and then the numbers follow. Leadership With Courage and Care At just 36, Adamolekun models a leadership style rooted in empathy and decisiveness. He acknowledged pain, took ownership, made difficult choices, stayed visible, and invited people back into purpose. He recognized that morale isn’t “extra.” It is infrastructure. Learnings / Takeaways Repair trust before fixing strategy. People cannot perform in survival mode. Morale is operational. Respected teams deliver better service and stronger results. Discipline beats drama. Order and systems must precede aggressive growth. Innovate thoughtfully. Refresh the experience without abandoning the brand’s core. Culture drives outcomes. Healthy organizations produce healthy numbers.