As the driving force behind ALNC, Rodney understands the necessity of distributing exciting, engaging, and impactful content to ensure a broader awareness of Black history and culture among audiences in traditional and innovative ways. As an innovator for business, he knew he had to scale up and embrace new media while relying more on technology to construct a new business model to pave the path for success.

The technological advancements and implementation of innovation under his leadership have contributed to the business's growing leaps and bounds. And while he faced challenges and opportunities in building his empire, ALNC has successfully changed its business model to achieve sustainable success on multiple fronts, knowing that the new platforms will succeed.

About Rodney J. Reynolds

For nearly 30 years the American Legacy Brand has developed and marketed products that celebrate African-American history and culture. The brand has been a catalyst in preserving and telling the stories of the African-American experience in America.  In addition to the magazine, Reynolds has led the development of several ancillary products including AL's Black History Curriculum Guide, AL's Know Your History Board Game, American Legacy, Jr., Healthcare Advantage and American Legacy Women, AL's mobile truck exhibit which he launched in 2008 and American Legacy Network. The recipient of numerous awards and a proven visionary & team builder, his media career spans over 42 years.  Here is a recent article about the brand's history in Because of Them We Can.   Full bio attached. 

Rodney J. Reynolds, President American Legacy Network Corp. 

Rodney J. Reynolds, President of American Legacy Network Corp. is also the Founder and Publisher of American Legacy magazine which he founded in 1995 and published until 2011. American Legacy Network Corp. operates three business units including American Legacy Network, a Black history streaming video platform, ALXMOBILE which develops and operates mobile experiential experiences and its TV/Film production unit ALN Productions.

A Cleveland native, Rodney attended the University of Cincinnati majoring in Graphic Design and Advertising. Early in his career he worked for several as an advertising/marketing consultant, yet his first love has always been publishing.  Rodney embarked on his first publishing venture in 1980 with a national, general-purpose publication targeted for Black men, Spectrum Magazine.

Since that time, Rodney’s creativity and drive have brought forth such publications as New Visions and the highly successful Renaissance Magazine.  Both magazines emphasized black history.  Rodney also developed Today’s Black Father, which underlined his concern for the black family.

In 1992, Rodney teamed with Corporate Cleveland Magazine and developed Minority Business, a quarterly publication.  He served as publisher and editor.

Rodney founded American Legacy in 1995 and created a joint venture with FORBES Inc. located in New York. This publication, American Legacy, celebrated Black history and culture. In February 2001, RJR Communications and New Millennium Studios launched Heritage Moments, a nationally syndicated TV program. In February 2009 RJR Communications assumed full control of American Legacy.

In 1998, Rodney was the recipient of the Forty Under 40 award from The Network Journal.  Delta Sigma Theta honored his work with the magazine by awarding him the Lillian Award, its biannual award given to professionals in the communications field.  In 1999, Rodney was one of seven individuals recognized by Alan G. Hevesi, Comptroller of the City of New York, for his professional accomplishments.  In addition, he received the Key to the City of Evansville, Indiana, and was the recipient of the Percy E. Sutton Award presented annually by the Harlem Business Alliance. Mr. Reynolds also received the “Visionary Award” from the African-American Men of Westchester, the National Business Leader of the Year award from the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester & Rockland County and the 2002 Triangle of Service award from the Southeast Regional African-American Preservation Alliance. In 2004, Mr. Reynolds was the recipient of the inaugural Earl G. Graves Entrepreneurial Award and in 2005 he was the recipient of the W.O. Walker Community Excellence Award.  These are just a few on the numerous awards he has received over the past 16 years. In July 2013 Mr. Reynolds story and career was added to The HistoryMakers African-American video oral history initiative.

Mr. Reynolds has served his community as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Mount Vernon Public Library, YMCA of Central & Northern Westchester, The Harriett Tubman Home and Rye Country Day School.  He also served as the Diversity Chairperson for The New York Blood Center/ Westchester Region.  His schedule also includes speaking engagements across the country.  He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Rodney and his wife Lillian are the proud parents of two sons, Rodney (JP)  (Harlem, NY), and Richard Joshua (Germantown, MD). They are the grandparents to Melody, Ryan & Nehemiah. Rev. Dr. Lillian Reynolds is currently the Regular Supply Pastor at Community Church of the Pelhams, UCC in Pelham, NY.