Black History Month

At Taco Bell, we empower our teams to be fearless, embrace different and drive change. We believe that each one of us has a story to tell. 

This year’s nationwide Black History Month’s focus is Black Resistance – meaning how the Black community has resisted historic and ongoing oppression, which you can learn more about on blackhistorymonth.gov.

To honor and celebrate this year’s focus and the Black community, we will continue to amplify their voices. We will share their stories every week in the month of February in hopes that they not only educate but inspire you to drive positive impact within your community.

But first, some Black History background... Black History Month started off as a one-week celebration founded by Carter G Woodson in February 1926. 50 years later the week was transformed into a month-long celebration of Black American history. February is the month we dedicate to celebrate and share stories about our Black team members and communities who triumphed despite ongoing challenges.

Throughout the year, we will continue sharing the incredible stories of our Taco Bell teams; the sharing and celebration doesn’t stop here.

Week 4

Week 4: Dane M., Chief Digital Officer

How did Dane get to where he is today? He attended Carnegie Mellon University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. After obtaining his Bachelors, he went on to receive an MBA in Strategy and Marketing at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. He is also a Black Executive Leadership Program recipient and has a well-diversified experience under his belt with brands such as Target, another big Quick Service Restaurant brand, Caesars Entertainment Corp., and most recently, Conagra Brands.

At Taco Bell, he leads our digital strategy, defining campaign engagement and customer experience priorities that drive Taco Bell growth.

When Dane isn’t busy helping to develop marketing/media strategies and execution, he enjoys being a foodie with his family. They enjoy their Fridays exploring all types of food. He also loves music and welcomes any recommendation – no matter the genre. As a tight-knit family, Dane shares that they celebrate Black History every day because together, they value the contributions Black Americans have made to realize America’s original ambition.

“But being a Black American can be a contradiction. While I love being both Black and an American, America has not always returned my love. Celebrating American history should honor both the original promise and the impact each culture has made towards realizing this ambition… there is incredible diversity within Black perspectives and that makes us a rich source of insight and understanding,” he said.

He believes that everyone deserves to be recognized for their contribution and success… no matter who they are – and wants underrepresented communities to have access to opportunities that pave the way for future generations to succeed.

To do that, Dane wants to take action, work to have an inclusive workforce, and help acknowledge the struggles that all underrepresented groups and women feel on a daily basis. “Only when we engage in the work will we truly understand the nuanced, contextual issues that continue to restrict access for women and people of color.”

But you don’t get there alone. With the knowledge he gained from his diverse group of mentors, he was able to truly see that his legacy is to empower more diverse voices – the same way his mentors did for him. Only by empowering diverse future leaders can we continue to drive our culture and our business forward.

“My commitment is clear; continue the legacy that nurtured me.”

Dane, you continue to stay true to your commitment – while leaning into your family and succeeding in business while you’re at it. You’ve already made your mark at The Bell©, and we can’t wait to see what you do next.

Check out more people stories!