Entrepreneur: The dictionary defines it as: a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

Well this definition certainly describes Danny J. Bakewell, Jr. the energetic, 41 year old President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of The Bakewell Company. 

Appointed President and COO of The Bakewell Company, Mr. Bakewell oversees the day to day operations of Bakewell Media Company, Bakewell Real Estate Development and Management and Global Parking which handles the parking contracts at Houston Airport, New Orleans Airport, LAX (Los Angeles and Burbank Facilities) as well as a number of other entrepreneurial enterprises throughout California and the nation.

Mr. Bakewell, Jr. was appointed by his father, The Bakewell Company Chairman and Founder, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. in April of 2007.  Since that time, Mr. Bakewell, Jr. has built and advanced a number of the company’s assets and continues to strive to build the Bakewell brand.

Since becoming President and Executive Editor of The Los Angeles Sentinel, the paper has been voted by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) as the #1 Black Newspaper in America.  It has more than doubled its distribution outlets, now provides home delivery to all of its local readers and has a launched a new and exciting web based presence for the paper (www.lasentinel.net).  He also guided The Bakewell Company into the broadcast industry with the historic purchase of WBOK, an African American Heritage Radio Station in New Orleans, Louisiana which was completely devastated during Hurricane Katrina.  Under Mr. Bakewell, Jr.’s leadership the station is now back and fully operational with a new state of the art studio, transmitter, tower and office facilities all built right back in its original location in the heart of the New Orleans community.  Mr. Bakewell, Jr.’s said of this historic purchase and re-opening:  “It is only right that we come back to the city where it all started for The Bakewell Family and re-dedicate ourselves and our business to the rebuilding of New Orleans”.

With all of this Mr. Bakewell also oversees the core business of The Bakewell Company – Real Estate Development and Management.  Mr. Bakewell is a licensed general contractor in both the states of California and Louisiana.  He oversees the day to day operations of The Bakewell Company’s development and management operations which include over 4.5 million square feet of residential, retail, office, industrial and commercial space throughout Southern California.

Some of the notable projects for The Bakewell Company in Southern California are The Adams and Vermont Renaissance Center, Compton Towne Center, Compton Renaissance Plaza, Crenshaw and Slauson Towne Center, Lake Washington Towne Center and Fair Grove Renaissance Plaza in Pasadena.  The Bakewell Family also owns and operates the historical Bakewell Building (formerly the Washington Mutual Building) located at the south west corner of Crenshaw and Vernon. 

Mr. Bakewell, Jr. recently lead the development of the Seaside Highlands Community, a 380 single family homes master planned community in Seaside, California on the former Ft. Ord Military Base. He also lead the construction of this single family master planned home development. Mr. Bakewell, Jr. has built projects for such national retailers as:  Albertsons Grocery Company, Ralph’s Grocery Company, Safeway/Von’s Grocery Company, Food4Less Grocers, Lucky/SavOn’s, Pizza Hut, Hollywood Video, International House of Pancakes, McDonalds Corporation, Superior Super Warehouse, Rite Aid Drug Stores, Starbucks Coffee, Foot Action Sports and The State of California, Community Colleges as well as several other major developers and retailers throughout Southern California.

Mr. Bakewell, Jr. is a graduate of University of Southern California (USC) Real Estate Development and Finance Program.  He is an active member of USC Real Estate Alumni and Friends (REAF), The USC Lusk Real Estate Advisory Council and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).  Mr. Bakewell, Jr. has a vast knowledge of both the construction and development business.  He has literally grown up in the real estate business working along side his father, The Bakewell Company Founder and Chairman, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. 

Mr. Bakewell, Jr. and The Bakewell Company have also won several awards and commendations from a number of cities for there commitment to using local residents as well as minority and women owned businesses in the building of his projects.  He was recently named “Developer of The Year” by the National Association of Minority Contractors and received the Drum Major for Justice Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).  He currently holds the record for use of minority and women owned businesses in the City’s of Pasadena, Hawthorne, Compton and Los Angeles. 

Mr. Bakewell, Jr.’s social and community accomplishments are just as impressive as his business commendations; these include recognition from the Seaside, Pasadena & Los Angeles NAACP, He has been featured in Save The Date and Turning Point Magazine, and has been recognized by the National Association of Builders.  Mr. Bakewell, Jr. is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; he is a life member of the NAACP and also sits on the Board of Directors of Sabriya’s Castle of Fun Foundation, and The Next Vision Foundation (Detroit, Michigan).

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