TAKE A MOMENT TO LEND A HAND—WHAT YOU PUT OUT INTO THE WORLD COMES BACK TO YOU!
In 2025, finding reliable writers or team members remains a challenge, especially on platforms like Upwork where candidates often oversell their skills. To cut through the noise, I now require potential hires to submit a writing sample upfront. Recently, a young man sent me a piece riddled with errors. Despite my packed schedule, I took the time to correct it and recommended he enroll in a free writing course at a local college. He’s not ready to call himself a writer yet. As Black entrepreneurs, it’s crucial we invest time in mentoring emerging Black talent who need guidance. Whether he takes my advice or not, I know I made the effort.
Here’s what he submitted:
Before the racial slur that led to the resignation of John Schnatter as the Chairman of Papa John, he was in a preliminary discussion with Wendy on a possible merger. The deal, if reached, would lead to the improvement of Papa John’s technology and a possible upward movement in the Pizza chain industry. Papa John’s share jumped to 4% when the news of the discussion was broken to the general public.
The racial slur has, however, frustrated the discussion and other potential deals. After the slur, Papa John sidelined John Schnatter by prohibiting him from talking to the press and removing his office space. The company also formed a special committee to act on the company’s relationships and arrangements with John. With this, John had to resign after confirming that he used the N-word during a conference call with Media Agency Laundry Service.
My corrections and notes:
Before the racial slur that led to the resignation of Papa John’s founder and Chairman, John Schnatter, he was in preliminary merger talks with Wendy’s. The deal, if finalized, would have improved Papa John’s technology and expanded both companies. Papa John’s shares jumped 4% when news of the blunder hit the media.
The racial slur terminated further discussions and potential deals. After the incident, Papa John’s board sidelined Schnatter by prohibiting him from speaking to the press and evicting him from his office. The board formed a special committee to manage the company’s future relationship with Schnatter. Ultimately, Schnatter resigned from his CEO post after confirming he used the N-word during a conference call with a media agency.
Starting the story with the slur incident would have made for a stronger lead.
Fast forward to 2025, the stakes are even higher for entrepreneurs and businesses, especially in the Black community. With AI and automation reshaping industries, the need for clear communication and solid skills is critical. Whether you’re hiring writers, developers, or strategists, testing real-world skills upfront saves time and weeds out problems before they start.
Plus, the creator economy and AI tools offer new opportunities for emerging talent to build portfolios and monetize skills independently. But mentorship remains key. Programs like the National Black MBA Association’s Scale-Up Pitch Challenge, the Center for Black Entrepreneurship at Spelman and Morehouse, and local Black Chambers provide invaluable resources, funding, and mentorship to help Black entrepreneurs scale smartly and sustainably.
In 2025, helping young talent means more than advice—it means connecting them to the right AI-powered tools, business incubators, and mentorship networks that can turn raw potential into real success. So, if you’re looking to build a team or launch a startup, don’t just take resumes at face value—test, mentor, and invest in growth early. That’s how we build lasting legacies.
Kevin "KevRoss" Ross is a music and radio industry expert. He is a 20 -plus year entrepreneur with the leading most successful industry trade publication and site Radio Facts (www.radiofacts.com). He has also published various books, magazines, performed marketing and promotions for major corporations and recording artists and he is on the advisory board of several industry organizations. This year Ross introduced his non profit organization LOMARI (Leaders of the Music and Recording Industry) to help teach young minority students how to market and manage their music and products.
