Black Leaders in Central Florida: Rich Black
Owner And Publisher of ONYX Magazine
Rich Black and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.
Photo courtesy of ONYX magazine
Known to many as “The Great Connector,” Rich Black is an accomplished entrepreneur who works tirelessly in his community and has emerged as one of Florida’s most influential leaders. He is the owner and publisher of ONYX Magazine—a 26-year-old publication ranked among the most critical voices to celebrate Black achievement. At ONYX, Black created innovative programs that amplify community triumphs, such as Women on the Move, Men of Honor and ONYX Speaks, which raises up leaders through the words of our nation’s wisest council. He leads a strong team of professionals to create an entertaining, inspiring, informative publication and engaging events that recognize the most talented and influential Black champions in the region, the state and around the world.
Community Service & Responsibility
Black believes we each need a keen sense of social responsibility. Growing up, he was inspired by community leaders who dedicated their lives to helping others. Educator and activist Dr. Mary McLeod-Bethune, who paid $1.50 to build a school with the intention of giving women a recognized voice in a society that did not want to hear it. Activist and actor Paul Robeson, who fought for equality and fairness for Black people in many professions around the country. And his parents, Reginald Alexander Maycock Black and Udell T. Black.
“More than 50 years ago, they were instrumental in planning the church our family still attends today, serving many people across varied communities. Also, as the first Black owners of a business in downtown Orlando, they taught me that just because something had not been done before did not mean it couldn’t be done. Their pioneering spirit encourages my goals to this day. Watching them, the satisfaction I gained from making a positive impact on people’s lives solidified my decision to pursue entrepreneurship. I plan and continue to use my skills and passion to support those in need and contribute toward building stronger communities.”
Impact in the Community
During COVID-19, Black struggled watching members of his community die because they did not believe the disease was real. He huddled his team at ONYX Magazine and designed ONYX Magazine’s MaskUp! Stop the Spread campaign, which included virtual community town hall meetings, a county-wide billboard campaign, distribution of masks and hand sanitizer and a social media presence. Many non-believers became believers and joined in the campaign, helping to make people more aware of the dangers of the coronavirus and possibly saving lives. For that project, he and ONYX Magazine received several awards, including the Orlando Magic’s Game Changer Award and The African American Chamber of Central Florida Community Advocacy Award.
Civic Highlights
- As president of the Lake Sunset Neighborhood Association, Black leads an already strong community to stand for what’s best for their homes and the neighborhood around them. Together, the association has been instrumental in providing services for youths and seniors alike. Not only have they led community developers in getting support for said projects, but they also inspired the strategic plans for the utilization of facilities, ensuring all people had fair and equitable access.
- As a Role Model of the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence, founded by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Black joins hundreds of influential men in Florida in a vow to give minority boys hope, as well as the vision of greatness to emulate in their everyday lives.
- As the leader of Dr. Mary McLeod-Bethune Statue Project at Bethune-Cookman University, Black worked with community leaders to hail the works of Dr. Mary McLeod-Bethune, raising her statue on campus. The art inspired another statue in her likeness that now stands in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.
