Reggie Kelley, principal and COO, Detroit Popcorn Company, (left) and Ken Harris, CEO, and principal, Detroit Popcorn Company, are looking forward to lead the company in a new direction.
Photo provided by the Detroit Popcorn Company
The Harris Financial Group, Ltd., LLC (HFG) of Pontiac, doing business as We Pop the Corn, LLC, announced recently that the minority-owned and –led investor group closed last November on the purchase of the assets of the Detroit Popcorn Company.
The deal on the buildings, located at 14950 Telegraph Road in Redford, is not officially completed and the terms of the sale were not disclosed, according to the company.
“Building on the 100–year legacy of the Detroit Popcorn Company, we envision nurturing a new company led by example and committed to community,” said Ken Harris, managing partner of HFG. “Our first steps in assuming company ownership and leadership will be to work to establish a reputation of trust among our current and future customers and neighbors. Our focus is on inclusion, diversity and equity.”
Harris said that the company’s previous owner made an insensitive remark last year about the death of George Floyd by a police officer, which, understandably, resulted in a “tsunami of negative feedback” and organizations and groups severing ties with the company.
He added that with today being a new day and having the opportunity to acquire this historic business as Black owners is an immeasurable opportunity.
“I feel very blessed and we are moving forward,” he said, adding that there is a lot more than popcorn offered at the company, but rental equipment and more.
Harris added that the Detroit Popcorn Company “intends to do the right thing in business and in treatment of all people as we’re welcomed into their homes, businesses and lives.”
“Along the way, we’ll have a little fun, too. After all, popcorn is a fun product that we all enjoy,” Harris said. “It’s the ultimate snack food that helps bring people together.”
Although Harris and Reggie Kelley are the two primary stakeholders in the minority-owned company, they have plans to bring in an array of talented individuals.
“For this company to grow, succeed and impact the community in a positive way, the way we envision it, we’re adding team members from diverse backgrounds and educational experiences who are accomplished in their areas of expertise. The result will be a powerful collaboration dedicated to the achievement and the success of the company and our community,” added Kelley.
During an interview with The Michigan Chronicle, the company’s leaders discussed how new business collaborations are underway such as with the Detroit Zoo, among other forms of support for the community. Effective immediately, a percentage of the company’s proceeds will go to the Detroit Public Schools Foundation to help support the needs of area students.
The Detroit Popcorn Company also has forged a partnership with Yesterday’s Negro League Baseball Players Foundation, a nonprofit in Milwaukee, Wis., committed to the preservation, dedication and education about the Negro League Baseball. The company is expected to help raise funds for the nonprofit to enable individuals of limited means to access this often overlooked but vital part of America’s history dating back to the past century.
Harris was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and has more than 25 years of experience in financial and business consulting. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. Francis University, Loretto, Pa., International Finance training at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and an MBA from Michigan State University.
Kelley was born and grew up in Canton, Oh., before settling in metro Detroit. He received his bachelor’s degree at Baldwin-Wallace College and attended Ohio University Executive MBA courses along with the Executive Minority program at Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College.
Kelley said that the company is in good hands.
“Relatively speaking we want to continue the legacy of the company and expand upon the brand and make it unique,” he said.
For more information visit www.DetroitPopcorn.com.
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