Detavio Samuels: HOW THE REVOLT CEO IS REVOLUTIONIZING BLACK-OWNED MEDIA

Detavio Samuels, CEO of Revolt, is transforming Black-owned media by amplifying authentic Black voices and redefining the narrative. Explore how his visionary leadership is shaping a more inclusive media future.

"As long as you don't control your own narrative, someone is always going to set themselves up to be the victor”

Detavio Samuels, the visionary Revolt CEO, is at the forefront of a media revolution, leading the charge to redefine Black-owned media and amplify Black voices. His leadership has propelled Revolt into a powerhouse, challenging traditional narratives and fostering a space where Black creators can thrive and their stories resonate deeply. 

Samuels' commitment to empowering Black voices and creating a more inclusive media landscape has made Revolt a beacon of change, inspiring a new generation of Black media entrepreneurs and storytellers.

The Birth of an Innovator: Samuel's Journey to REVOLT

Samuels was born in Boulder, Colorado, and raised in Denver. He was deeply involved in many cultural and spiritual influences from the start of his life. His mother drilled a deep sense of faith into him.

Moreover, she also reinforced a sense of resilience in him that he carries today. His father, though, did the heavy lifting in instilling Samuels with an appreciation for Black culture.

A Jamaican immigrant, Samuels's father worked hard to create a deep and living legacy of Black culture within the family and as part of a broader Denver community.

Samuels' academic path brought him to Duke University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2002. While at Duke, he truly found his footing and learned the art of persuasion.

He says he got interested in marketing, particularly political marketing while earning his Political Science degree. After establishing a passion for that field, he decided to take it further and pursue an MBA at Stanford University.

Professional Ascendancy 

Samuels has a series of strategic roles that connect the worlds of marketing, advertising, and media. He started his professional life at Johnson & Johnson and built a solid foundation of experience in global marketing. Then, he entered the advertising world at GlobalHue, one of the leading multicultural advertising agencies.

His tireless search for the content that truly matters to him led to an appointment with Radio One as President of the digital arm, iOne Digital. Here, Samuels worked to build platforms that authentically represented Black voices and narratives 

A Powerhouse Built on Excellence

Detavio's story has been one of dedicational and steadfast commitment towards excellence. By 25, he had already obtained a B.A. from Duke University and an MBA and an MA from Stanford University. Reflecting on his academic pursuits, Detavio shared, "I quickly realized I would probably need my MBA to achieve my goal."

Ascending the Corporate Ladder

Significant milestones mark Detavio's professional trajectory. He has collaborated with global giants such as Walmart, McDonald's, AT&T, Chrysler, the NBA, and Johnson & Johnson, crafting impactful brands that resonate deeply with consumers. His unique business and creative insight blend has consistently set him apart in the corporate world.

REVOLT Leadership: Shaping the Future of Black Media

In 2020, Samuels was appointed COO of REVOLT; by 2021, the role transformed into CEO. Under his visionary leadership, not only grow its digital presence, but REVOLT has also deepened its commitment to social justice and cultural representation.

In March 2021, Detavio got his appointment as CEO of the Sean "Diddy" Combs-founded company REVOLT, a pivotal point in his journey with it. Since then, under his leadership, REVOLT has changed greatly to expand its digital reach and become a premier platform representing Black culture and storytelling. Detavio's vision for the future strategic vision centered on authenticity and engagement with the community, thus ensuring that the platform entertains, educates, and empowers the audience.

Under his guidance, REVOLT has launched impactful programs such as REVOLT Black News, addressing pressing issues within the Black community. Detavio's vision is clear: to create a platform where Black voices are heard, stories are authentically told, and the richness of Black culture is celebrated.

Samuels explained this: "All great brands have to have something to stand on. I think the job of a CEO these days is almost the same as that of a politician—where you have to have an agenda for your company, which must align with the agenda for your audience."

Advocating for Authenticity and Representation

Samuels believes in authentic storytelling and says it changes lives. He draws his inspiration from an African proverb: "Until the lion learns to tell his own story, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter." It is an assurance of the telling of the Black narrative by those who lived it. "As long as you don't control your narrative, someone is always going to set themselves up to be the victor," Samuels says.

According to this vision, Samuels hosts The Blackprint, an interview series where he interacts with innovators and changemakers who shape the future of Black culture.

Through these conversations, he intends to offer both mirrors and windows content that reflects the Black experience and opens a view into it. He explained, "It is a reflection of who you are. It tells you who you are, what you are capable of, where you come from, and what's possible."

Detavio emphasized, "We hope that we give Black America a voice and perspective that they've asked for."

A Vision for the Future

For Samuels, the future of REVOLT is in becoming a global storytelling powerhouse for Black voices. He sees the future of that ecosystem being one that creates a model for artists to create value and then turns the narrative on what the global Black experience means. He affirmed, "We want the world to know REVOLT as a global force shaping culture, as hip-hop has done throughout history."

Samuels carries this testament of purpose-driven leadership to the top. He is merging personal passions with professional calling to show how the media can act as an agent for cultural change and empowerment. He correctly said "The only way to be great is to figure out who you are, what's unique about you—and to lean into all of that."

Now at the front of all out representation and authenticity, to spearhead a media landscape celebrating and amplifying Black voices, this vision of Detavio becomes a reality in the years ahead, inspiring and paving new grounds for others yet unborn.

Samuels' complete message can be viewed by checking his page about his drive for cultural change through media  

Accolades & Recognition 

Detavio has indeed earned accolades for his accomplishments, including the following:

• Adweek's Creative Visionary Awards - Brand Leader for 2022
• Digiday's TV Executive of the Year - 2022
• Black Media Honors - Urban Leadership Award - 2022
• T. Howard Foundation - Executive Leadership Award - 2023
• TrailBlazer in Media by 100 Black Men of NY
• Cablefax Top 100: Top Content Leaders of 2022.

Such honors indeed highlight the disappearing footprints of the influence that Detavio has and will be on the media terrain.

The Next Big Idea

Detavio stands undeterred in implementing changes to black media. REVOLT will become the biggest and most powerful ecosystem for Black storytelling. "The dream is that we will be the largest Black-owned media company in the world," he said, flinging the door of ambition toward the platform.

Running businesses is not an end for Detavio; his leadership mainly focuses on cultural impact. He has derived inspiration from the people he serves and mentors, such as Sean Combs. “He gives me permission to be myself” Detavio recounts .

Detavio Samuels is shining the light of innovation, conviction, and commitment in media. At the helm of REVOLT, Detavio is re-engineering Black media to operate on the constructs of depth, authenticity, and the respect that these stories deserve. His journey inspires us all by presenting a perfect example of how purpose-driven leadership can go a long way in creating a more inclusive, representative media landscape.

Detavio Samuels, the CEO of REVOLT Media & TV, has shared numerous insights that reflect his commitment to personal growth, authenticity, and the empowerment of Black voices. Some of his most insightful quotes are:

1. On Purpose and Self-Discovery: "To understand why you are here on earth, you must first examine who you are. There are no accidents. There are no mistakes. Everything you need to be great is already inside of you."

2. On Excellence and Creativity: "You are supposed to be ON. By ON, I mean doing your very best work always. Operating at a level where you are dangerously good and exceptionally creative."

3. On the Power of Dreams: "Dreams set the bar for what we hope and expect from life; they ultimately become incredibly accurate predictors of who we will eventually become. Dream big, and you will achieve big things. Dream small and expect small results. Big dreamers are not more capable than others; it's just that no one can hope to accomplish more than they can imagine."

4. On the Importance of Black-Owned Media: "We need the free Black press more than ever before... REVOLT has seen that opening; we've seen that space and are committed to filling that gap."

These all sum up Detavio Samuels' commitment to making excellence, embracing authenticity, and arguing for the representation of Black voices in the media.

Want to stay updated on Detavio Samuels’ latest moves in Black media? Follow REVOLT on Instagram or visit their website @ https://www.revolt.tv/