In June 2021, three prominent Black media executives joined forces to launch Group Black, a collective that aimed to secure advertising commitments from brands and agencies and direct the spend to a portfolio of Black-owned publishers.

At launch, founders Richelieu Dennis, Bonin Bough, and Travis Montaque announced an initial investment of $75 million from the agency GroupM, and multimillion-dollar deals with companies including Ziff Davis and NBCUniversal soon followed. Ultimately, Group Black pledged its intent to raise and distribute $500 million in funding.

In its early years, the venture generated breathless press coverage— some of which came from yours truly —and enjoyed the backing of powerful brands and holding companies, thanks in equal part to its charismatic founders and the

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