PHOTOS: Lewis Rudd Honored at The Colman Commons Backstage

Sep 24

The Colman Commons Backstage recently welcomed one of the Emerald City’s most impactful leaders: Lewis Rudd, CEO and co-founder of Ezell’s Famous Chicken. Surrounded by his Converge family and friends, Rudd was the guest of honor on a special episode of The Pop-Up! with host Keisha Credit, scheduled to air Thursday, October 1st at 7 p.m.

Over 42 years of Black business ownership and steadfast community advocacy, Rudd’s journey reflects extraordinary growth, from humble beginnings in Seattle’s Central District to expanding across 17 locations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Ezell’s also holds a sentimental place in Converge Media’s history, having served as the company’s very first client 10 years ago, making Rudd's presence feel like family returning home.

What Is The Colman Commons Backstage?

The Colman Commons Backstage stands as an ultimate token of gratitude, offering a dedicated platform to give well-deserved flowers to the community’s biggest movers and shakers who have devoted their lives to building legacies of Black excellence.

Situated within Seattle’s premier art gallery and event space Colman Commons, the set serves as a place where the heroes of our time gather to reflect on their inspiring careers surrounded by the very people they have motivated to do better along the way. Beyond its physical walls, the Colman Commons Backstage embodies unity, authentic storytelling, and community celebration.

Wisdom, Unity, and Inspiration on The Pop-Up!

During his conversation with Credit, Rudd dropped valuable gems on resilience, highlighting the foundational “4 D’s”—Discipline, Determination, Dedication, and Desire—and detailing how the Rudd’s R.U.B.B. Initiative continues to empower Black entrepreneurs across the region. True to his generous spirit, Rudd gifted fresh merch to studio guests and pulled up a chair to share lunch and delicious food with everyone after the interview.

Catch Lewis Rudd’s full interview Backstage on The Pop-Up!, premiering Thursday, October 1st at 7 p.m. on the Converge Media YouTube channel.