From Corporate suites to Global Impact: The Rise of The Burns Brothers
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Washington D.C. – A pivotal moment during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing social unrest sparked a dramatic career shift for Michael and John Burns, leading to the creation of a rapidly expanding business conglomerate focused on empowering Black professionals and fostering economic ties with Africa.
A Turning Point
Michael Burns recalls a stark realization while on a conference call discussing corporate downsizing. The backdrop of the call-continuous news coverage of the murder of George Floyd-and the sight of photos of his two young sons prompted a profound question: how could he ensure a diffrent future for them? How is this conversation going to ensure that whatS happening on this TV behind me never happens for my two little boys?
he remembers asking himself.
This question led to a life-altering decision. Within a week, both Michael and his brother, John, resigned from their established careers. Michael departed from a role at a Fortune 500 company, while john left his position as a partner at a Washington D.C. law firm. Together, thay founded The Burns Brothers in the midst of global uncertainty.
Building a Multi-Faceted Enterprise
Four years later, The Burns Brothers have cultivated a diverse portfolio encompassing hospitality, marketing communications, event production, and talent development, with operations extending from Washington D.C. to kenya. The company’s growth reflects a strategic response to identified needs within the Black professional community and a commitment to bridging economic gaps.
The initial impetus for the business stemmed from Michael’s prior experience as head of diversity for Citi Group’s institutional businesses. Recognizing a disconnect between corporate intentions and the lived experiences of Black employees, The Burns Brothers began by offering consulting services to help companies foster more authentic relationships with their Black workforce. Their first client was Citi itself, where they conducted in-depth interviews with every Black employee to gain valuable insights.
“We ended up creating this business that all we did was go in and help companies better understand their Black employees,” Michael Burns explained. “We could actually create solutions that would be not onyl authentic, but affected because they came through the real lens of problems sets that this population had.”
This initial success paved the way for the development of four distinct business lines:
- Manchester Park: A marketing communications agency.
- events: Focused on creating opportunities for connection and networking.
- HQ: A membership club designed as a safe and inclusive space for Black professionals.
- The Nomad: A coffee lounge-to-cocktail bar celebrating global cultures.
Did You know? The concept for HQ arose from the realization that after networking events, Black professionals frequently enough lacked dedicated spaces to continue building relationships and community.
A Partnership Built on Complementary Skills
The success of The Burns Brothers is also attributed to the complementary skill sets of the two founders. Michael, a former Army officer with extensive experience managing large organizations, focuses on operations and business strategy. John, leveraging his legal background and interpersonal skills, spearheads business development and innovation.
“John really flees into the business development and the growth, and then how do we innovate and continue to pivot as an organization,” Michael said. “John’s like the front man, so he’s out there hugging and kissing babies and doing all that stuff. But then I sit more in the background, just making sure that the business runs effectively and efficiently.”
Expanding into africa
The Burns Brothers are increasingly focused on Africa, recognizing it’s potential as a burgeoning market for Black entrepreneurs. They have already established HQ Kenya and are planning Resonate Africa, a summit-concert hybrid event designed to connect American talent, investors, and entrepreneurs with opportunities on the continent.
“Africa is going to be 25% of the world population by 2050, has the youngest populations in the world, the most highly educated populations in the world,” John Burns emphasized. “If you’re not even a Black entrepreneur, if you’re not an entrepreneur and you have no focus on engaging the continent in some capacity, then I think you’re completely off.”
The brothers express concern over the limited participation of Black Americans in the growing investment in Africa, noting the notable presence of investors from china, Ukraine, and Russia.They see a critical need to ensure that Black entrepreneurs have access to these opportunities.
The Burns Brothers have successfully navigated the recent shifts in corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives by focusing on behavioral change rather than traditional DEI frameworks. They emphasize the importance of fostering inclusive behaviors that contribute to a positive work surroundings. this approach has allowed them to retain clients even as some companies scale back their DEI programs.
“We never taught classes on privilege or classes on how do women work in the workplace,” Michael explained. “Our talent and culture business was always built around behaviors. So what are the behaviors that create a diverse environment?”
Pro Tip: Focusing on measurable behaviors, rather than abstract concepts, can lead to more sustainable and impactful DEI outcomes.
Looking Ahead
The Burns Brothers are launching their book, The Continuum of Change
, on September 16th, outlining their framework for driving sustainable change through a seven-step process: listening, understanding, connecting, acting, aligning, assessing, and adjusting. They are also expanding their hospitality offerings with The Nomad, a unique lounge concept.
Michael Burns has also expressed interest in potentially supporting Maryland Governor Wes Moore in a future presidential run, viewing it as an chance to advance representation and create a lasting legacy. If we could say, and my little boys could look at a screen to see another Black president and we had something to do with that, for me, that would be a dream.
Ultimately,The Burns Brothers aim to create spaces where individuals can thrive,build bridges between Black America and Africa,and leave a lasting impact on the world.As michael Burns succinctly put it, I want someone to say that we were so triumphant, but yet they still saw themselves in us and they saw us in them.
| Milestone | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Founding of The Burns Brothers | 2021 | Michael and John Burns leave corporate careers to launch their business. |
| Launch of HQ | 2022 | Establishment of a membership club for Black professionals. |
| Expansion to Kenya | 2024 | Establishment of HQ Kenya, marking the company’s first international location. |
| Book Launch: “The Continuum of Change” | September 16, 2025 | Release of the company’s framework for driving sustainable change. |
What challenges do you think Black entrepreneurs face when expanding into african markets?
How can businesses create more authentic and impactful DEI initiatives?
Evergreen Context & Trends
The story of The Burns Brothers reflects a growing trend of professionals leaving traditional corporate structures to pursue purpose-driven entrepreneurship. This shift is often fueled by a desire for greater autonomy, impact, and alignment with personal values.The increasing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, while facing recent headwinds, remains a critical conversation in the business world. Moreover, africa’s rapidly growing economy and young population present significant opportunities for investment and innovation. The continent is projected to have the largest working-age population in the world by 2050, making it a key player in the global economy (United Nations, 2023).
frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Burns Brothers’ primary mission? To create spaces where Black professionals can thrive and build bridges between Black America and Africa.
- What services does The Burns Brothers offer? They provide consulting, marketing communications, event production, and hospitality services.
- What is HQ? A membership club designed as a safe and inclusive space for Black professionals.
- What is Resonate Africa? A summit-concert hybrid event connecting American talent and investors with opportunities in Africa.
- How are The Burns Brothers approaching DEI? By focusing on fostering inclusive behaviors rather than traditional DEI frameworks.
Disclaimer: This article provides details for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice.
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