John Henry, entrepreneur, founder of the non-profit Cofound Harlem and new host of the Cadillac/Vice produced show “Hustle”, is a millennial leader on the move. He recently hosted General Motors’ annual Black History Month event in Detroit, and that’s where rolling out caught up with him.
How do you feel about being a millennial and hosting General Motors’ annual Black History Month event?
It’s a wonderful honor to be bestowed the trust to facilitate an event as important as tonight. It shows me that my generation is growing in terms of how we are perceived. I think folks are starting to understand that millennial’s are here to shape the companies and the leaders of tomorrow and to be a part of that is a great honor.
How do you think General Motors’ brand resonates with your generation?
The theme of the night is reinvention and that’s what I think the brand has done in recent years and continues to do. Cadillac co-produced my television show with Viceland. Getting to bring the Cadillac brand back on the main screen is powerful. The show debuted on Sunday, Feb. 10. I think Cadillac has put their money where their mouth is in terms of investing in new media, investing in millennial-focused media and so on and so forth.
You mentioned your new TV show “Hustle.” Tell us about that.
The show is called “Hustle” and it premiered on Viceland. It’s executive produced by Alicia Keys. The theme is, I am helping other diverse founders grow their business. It’s the tale of the entrepreneurial spirit.
What can we expect during the show?
You can expect [to see] anyone who is out there with a dream and looking to do it. I am stepping in to either call them on their bluff or challenging them to grow to levels that they didn’t think were possible for them.
As a millennial leader, what advice can you give to your generation?
Trust your own perspective. There are plenty of people dishing out advice, but talk is cheap. Focus on putting in the legwork and doing the work. There is value in being our age in this generation with so many changing industries. We have a unique seat, sitting between the Gen Z and the generation before us. If we can focus on bridging the gap between those two perspectives, I think we can go on to have great careers.
If you could thank any Black historymaker for their contributions to the world, who it would it be?
Reginald Lewis, the first Black man to build a billion-dollar company and I hope to get there.
Where can our readers find you?
Instagram: @Johnhenrystyle
