Black Enterprise Honors Coke Florida Founder with Vanguard Award
2025 XCEL Summit Focuses on Empowering Men and Celebrating Trailblazers
2025 Xcel Award Honorees (L-R): John Hope Bryant, Rev. Dr. Franklyn Richardson, Troy Taylor, George Fraser, Larry Fitzgerald Jr.
Troy Taylor, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) was presented with the prestigious Earl Graves Sr. Vanguard XCEL Award, named in honor of the late founder and publisher of Black Enterprise magazine at the 2025 XCEL Summit for Men. The Vanguard Award recognizes business leaders whose values and accomplishments exemplify his legacy of visionary entrepreneurship, wealth creation, and investment in the economic advancement of Black Americans.
In recognizing Taylor, Black Enterprise highlighted his leadership, Coke Florida’s milestone 10th anniversary, and his unwavering commitment to fostering economic empowerment for generations.
While acknowledging the success of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, Taylor underscored the importance of perseverance. “We have a long way to go,” he remarked, encouraging attendees to celebrate their success while remaining focused on future goals. He concluded with a powerful call to action for the hundreds of men present: “Let’s grow closer. Let’s continue to grow stronger. We know how to win, how to survive, and most importantly, we know how to thrive.”
When asked how we would like to be remembered in a video tribute that played during the ceremony, Taylor’s intentions for his legacy were clear as he stated, “I want to be remembered as a good son, a good husband, a good father, and someone who contributed to his community and to the greater good in a very positive way.”
The Coke Florida Team supporting Founder & CEO Troy Taylor at the 2025 Xcel Summit.
