Legacy Equity Advisors
We are a private equity firm providing growth equity and buyout capital for
lower-middle-market companies catering to African-American consumers.
Firm Overview
We invest in and sponsor buyouts of Black hair & skin care companies, urban radio broadcasters, African-American funeral home companies, prepaid wireless companies, multi-unit franchisees and Fortune 500 franchise suppliers.
At Legacy, we partner with Owner/Operators of targeted companies to bolster their operating capabilities and accelerate their financial growth.
With patient capital and a long-term value creation strategy we pride ourselves on being a trusted home for family and founder-owned businesses.
We strive to create a positive impact through teamwork,
high integrity and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Investment Focus
Legacy Equity Advisors sponsors investments that meet the following criteria:
Growth equity
investments
Control buyout
investments
Companies headquartered in the United States
Companies with at least five years of operating history
Companies with solid financial reporting systems
Companies with strong supply-chain relationships
We have a strong preference for companies that cater to Black consumers
We have a strong preference for buy-&-build industry consolidation strategies
Investment Strategy
As an African-American-owned private equity firm, Legacy Equity Advisors is uniquely positioned to drive maximum value and increase bottom-line results for companies that cater to African-American consumers.
We function as hands-on investors who co-invest alongside top-quartile private equity sponsors to accelerate the growth and exit value of our portfolio companies.
Legacy strives to create long-term partnerships that work together to help companies improve their competitive positioning, increase market share and deliver superior returns.
Legacy’s Founding Partner, Marcellus Taylor, previously managed an African-American minority supplier private equity fund on behalf of Wal-Mart.
Legacy’s Investment Professionals
Marcellus Taylor
Managing Partner
Legacy Equity Advisors was founded by Marcellus Taylor who is a Harvard MBA and former Morgan Stanley investment banker and Boston Consulting Group consultant.
Ken Lewis
Venture Partner
Ken Lewis is a seasoned mergers and acquisitions attorney with over thirty years of experience advising clients on corporate, transactional, and securities matters.
David Tice
Legal Counsel
David has practiced in corporate and commercial law in the U.S. and Asia for the best part of two decades.
Prior Transactions
Legacy’s Principals have previously led direct private equity investments into the following companies”
- Claire’s Stores, Inc.- Mall-based retailers of fashion accessories, wigs and jewelry aimed toward young women of all races with over 960 locations.
- Urban Radio Broadcasting, LLC.- Second largest African-American radio broadcasting company in the US with 11 radio stations in four markets in the Southeast and Ohio.
- iHeart Media .(formerly Clear Channel Communications) – Specializes in radio broadcasting, podcasting, digital and live events. The company owns 870 AM and FM radio stations in the US making it the largest radio broadcaster in the US.
- The Warrior Group .- Previously, the largest minority and Black-woman owned construction firm in the United States.
- Simeus Foods International, Inc..- Previously the largest Black-owned food processing company in the US manufacturing value-added food products for Fortune 500 franchise chains including Burger King, Denny’s, TGI Fridays and El Pollo Loco.
- Picadilly Cafeterias, Inc..– Founded in 1932 in Baton Rouge, LA, Piccadilly is an American chain of cafeteria-style, casual dining restaurants in seven, mainly southeastern US with the majority located in the Gulf Coast region.