Mr. Robert Richardson, Jr.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Richardson is the founder of Disruption Now Media, a platform that connects black and brown entrepreneurs, artists, and leaders through interactive events, educational content, podcasts, virtual and in-person summits. Disruption Now Podcast hosts conversational podcasts with disruptors focused on impact. Past guests have included: NY Times bestselling author Robert Greene, Monique Woodward, Jewel Burks Soloman of Google Startups and Collab Capital, Arlan Hamilton of Backstage Capital, and many others. Richardson is also the founder of Disrupt Art, a curated NFT marketplace where artists, activists, and allies intersect to revolutionize the social impact of Art, Music, and Film.

In 2016, Richardson was appointed chairman of the University of Cincinnati’s Board of Trustees, becoming the youngest person to serve in this role in the University’s history. In his tenure, he established the 1819 Innovation Hub where industry and talent collaborate to spark groundbreaking ideas. He created a leadership development and academic preparedness program for high school students. He also championed reforms to the University’s police policies.

His education includes a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He established the first student chapter of the NAACP at the university and was elected student body president. He received the University of Cincinnati Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence, Jeffrey Hurwitz Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award, Nicholas Longworth Alumni Award from the College of Law, and an honorary degree Doctor of Laws.

Richardson has appeared on MSNBC, America this Week, and is a regular contributor to Roland Martin Unfiltered.