MONROVIA, Montserrado – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has honored Richelieu Dennis for the contributions he has made to the country’s democracy and reconstruction.

Dennis is a well-known business man who founded Sundial Brands, a leading skin care and hair care manufacturer under brands such as SheaMoisture and Nubian Heritage. He recently sold the company to Unilever, the multinational consumer goods company for an undisclosed amount. Prior to the sale, the company was generating more than US$240 million a year in revenues.

Dennis also recently purchased Essence Communications, Inc., a 47-year-old multiplatform brand that owns Essence magazine, an influential lifestyle, fashion and beauty magazine led by African-American women that runs the annual Essence Festival.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the president, as Grand Master of the Order of Distinction, admitted the prominent Liberian entrepreneur into the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of the Pioneer with the grade of Knight Commander.

She described him as an “awesome hero” and thanked him for his contribution and for lifting the country.

“Liberia has few awesome heroes; especially those willing to take and put themselves at risk,” she said.

According to the release, the president recalled Dennis’ distinguished contribution for almost two decades, placing emphasis on the country’s reconstruction and democratization.

Dennis described the honor bestowed on him as “great” and thanked Sirleaf for the recognition.

“Madam President, thank you for more than what I can imagine,” he said. He promised to wear the honor with pride and gratitude. He also pledged his commitment to work with other young Liberian entrepreneurs.

Dennis’ Sundial Brands funds the Girls Entrepreneurship and Tech Program operated by SMART Liberia, which is designed to empower and encourage entrepreneurship and technology among young women in Liberia to promote innovation and fight extreme poverty.

The honor was bestowed on December 28 in the presence of senior government officials, representatives of diplomatic missions, family members, and well-wishers of the honoree.

Photo courtesy of Executive Mansion