Dustin Ross is capturing audiences across America as host of Revolt TV’s new hit reality competition show, Bet On Black, which airs on Mondays at 9:30 PM EST.
As the season two host of the reality-competition show, Ross ushers in 12 Black entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas and concepts for a chance to secure $200,000 in funding for their businesses. The exciting panel of celebrity guests and trailblazing judges include Master P, Remy Ma, Pinky Cole, and Ron Brown, Vice President of Community Impact at Target.
When Sheen reporter SheRise Ford spoke with Ross, he opened up about picking up the Bet on Black torch with season two. The host also talks about his real intentions, closing the racial wealth gap, and much more.
How did you become the host of Bet on Black Season 2?
They moved forward with some changes creatively from the first season, which is great. They had an incredible host that showcased some really, really dope entrepreneurs in that first season. And then they picked up season two, and I got a call asking if I would be the host.
Doing on-camera hosting and television hosting is something I really wanted to expand into this year. And it’s something funny about setting your intentions and then following through with the effort; you end up netting those opportunities, and here we are with Season Two of Bet on Black. I’m really, really happy to be the host.
What are the ratings like from Season 1 to Season 2?
Season one was a runaway success, and season two is running very fast. We are Flo Jo, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Sha’Carri Richardson. I’m very proud to be a part of that. To continue the groundwork, they laid with season one by hosting season two, and I’m very happy to take that torch and keep it going.
Many corporations have started to support black-owned businesses to continue to get the Black Dollar, but Bet on Black is co-created in partnership with leading retailer Target. What do you think it is about Target’s collaboration with Revolt that’s important?
Target isn’t performative, and they are really putting their money where their mouth is. In my other professional life as host of The Friend Zone podcast, I’ve partnered with Target several times as part of their Black Beyond Measure initiative. So they’re doing the work and walking it as they talk it, and I appreciate that. So it’s nothing more than just added power to this incredible vehicle to highlight. As I said, it’s great ideas that these black entrepreneurs have, many of which are already runaway successes, so why not amplify them even more so by putting them on a platform like Bet on Black?
According to Nielsen research, Black spending power is on track to reach $1.8 trillion by 2024, yet there is a decline in other wealth metrics. How can Bet on Black helps us close the racial wealth gap?
So many different ways. First of all, simply by the viewership. Because I’m the host of this, I’ve been paying attention to the show’s performance, and the numbers are doing great. That’s exciting to me, number one, because I want everybody to see this. But also because I want other budding entrepreneurs or people sitting at home with great ideas they just have yet to move forward with, putting them into the progress of making them my actual business or an actual product. This show would be the encouragement they need. Seeing other people who have done it can sometimes be the nurturer push you need.
Bet On Black gives us other ways to circulate our black dollars and also encourages us to provide additional ways for others to circulate their black dollars in addition to funding these brands so that they can grow bigger and bigger, providing services to other areas that may not have access to as meaning like Office.
Fortunately, I live in New York City and can go to local establishments within the community and encourage business there. Still, many places in middle America and some other parts don’t have that, so seeing these young people on stage allows them to support the businesses and encourages them to start their own. So it’s just a win overall.
How can budding entrepreneurs and small business owners get on Bet on Black’s radar?
Listen, take advantage of the access that we have via social media. A great time to be active on social media is during the show’s airtime every Monday at 9:30 PM EST. Engage on Instagram, tag Revolt TV, tag Target, use the #BetOnBlack hashtag and make people aware of what you’re doing. Also, when people search the #BetOnBlack hashtag for the show, that’s another great way to find other black businesses to support that have viewed the show before but may not be contestants. Engaging with the show on social media is a great way to start those lines of communication.
Photo Credits: Blackfilm.com
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