There was standing room only at this year ’ s 2018 Empowerment Luncheon . The Citrus Club , with its breathtaking view of the city ’ s sprawling legal and business district , in downtown Orlando , was the host venue to the sold-out assembly of community leaders , political figures , entrepreneurs and local business owners . After a brief networking opportunity , the guests were ushered into the formal dining room for an exquisite meal prepared by the renowned culinary team of the Citrus Club . The Host and Moderator for this year was Monica May , Morning Host of The Tom Joyner Morning Show . She is also the News / Community Affairs Director at STAR 94.5 a Cox Media Group station in Orlando . Monica has an extensive history of community involvement and a loyal audience that consistently responds favorably to her public appearances and this time was no exception . She introduced Pastor Roderick Zack from Rejoice in the Lord Ministries who delivered the Invocation . In addition , AACCCF Board Chair , Joyce Odongo , provided brief remarks and recognized all of the sponsors , Board of Directors and the AACCCF team .

The highlight of the afternoon was Troy D . Taylor . Taylor is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida , LLC ( Coke Florida ) headquartered in Tampa Florida . Coke Florida is a family-owned

independent Coca-Cola Bottler that manufacturers , sells , and distributes over 600 products of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies across an exclusive franchise territory that covers over 18 million consumers and includes the major metropolitan markets of Miami , Tampa , Orlando and Jacksonville . Coke Florida has four production centers and seventeen sales and distribution centers located throughout Florida . The company is the third largest privately-held and the sixth largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola products in the United States . Coke Florida is also one of America ’ s largest black-owned businesses with over $ 1.2 billion in sales . In the August publication of the Black Enterprise Top 100 , Coca-Cola Beverages Florida was ranked in the Top 10 , securing the # 5 spot in its first ranking . Coke Florida is also recognized as one of the Top 100 Employment Leaders with over 4,600 employees .

Troy Taylor and his team at Coke Florida worked with the AACCCF team to change the format for this year ’ s Empowerment Luncheon . Instead of just providing a keynote speech similar to past guest , Taylor also decided to have a conversation with the audience moderated by Monica May . Coke Florida is empowering a legacy , one bottle at a time and Taylor wanted the audience to understand how corporate culture , communities , and customers impact the legacy . Assembling leadership from across the country , beginning with 10 associates in May of 2015 , today Coke Florida boasts over 4,600 associates , creating what Taylor refers to as , “ Florida ’ s largest startup ”. As a business leader , Taylor said he makes sure to hire people smarter than he is and he embraces a “ three-pillar culture of passion , partnership and performance ”.

In response to a question posed by Monica May , Troy Taylor discussed his entrepreneurial journey . In 2013 , he founded Spinel Investment Company , a Houston-based independent private investment firm that specializes in owning and operating highvalue logistics , supply chain management and distribution businesses that have symbolic relationships with blue-chip corporations or government entities . “ After helping others build their brands ”, Troy Taylor said to himself , “ I need to start taking my own advice ”. And

L-R : Derek Frederickson , Phillip Laws , L ’ Shaun Overton , Troy D . Taylor , Katrinda McQueen , Travis A . Warren and David Cross

his road to entrepreneurship began there . In 2015 , after a long-relationship as an advisor to The Coca- Cola Company , he founded Coca- Cola Beverages Florida , the first new bottler in the Coca-Cola system in over 60 years . “ We are putting Florida first by redefining what it means to be a local Coca-Cola bottler ,” said Taylor . “ We are dedicated to serving customers , consumers , and our associates with the highest level of excellence .”

Taylor uses “ passionate , visionary , and disciplined ” as three words to describe himself as an entrepreneur . Others would agree . In June 2018 , Taylor was recognized as Earnest & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year , Consumer Products . As part of the recognition , Taylor was identified as a moldbreaker . When asked about that title and what vision he sees for the future of the organization , Taylor replied ,” His steadfast focus is on building a black-owned Coca-Cola bottler with annual revenue over $ 1 billion , something that has not happened in the over 100-year history of the Coca-Cola bottling system and is a rarity in American business from a company size standpoint .”

The 2018 Empowerment Luncheon cumulated with concluding remarks from Interim President Ed Parker , Broker / Owner of Parker Realty Group . He thanked the Ambassadors , volunteers and AACCCF Team for all of the work that went into this amazing event . He also extended recognition and thanks to outgoing Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives , Lena Graham Morris for her many years of dedication and service to the African American Chamber of Commerce .

After a brief break , Troy D . Taylor , agreed to sit down for questions and photos with select members of the media , including Jennifer Yon , IBA Success Magazine . She is quoted as saying that engaging , enlightening and empowering were most certainly the words of choice to describe the experience of the 2018 African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida Empowerment Luncheon . n

TARA DORSEY

26 IBA Success Magazine n VOL 4 , Issue 5