Meet the leadership.
Reese Xavier, President
Reese Xavier is a dynamic serial entrepreneur, CEO, and Managing Partner of HT23 Growers, a pioneering, 100% African American-owned craft cannabis company based in Chicago Heights, Illinois. A visionary leader, Reese is driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and expanding opportunities for communities of color within the cannabis industry. With a Master of Science degree and a Master Certification in Cannabis, he plays a collaborative role in shaping the industry's future while spearheading the growth of HT23 Growers in collaboration with its partner community. At the forefront of Illinois' craft cannabis sector, Reese leads HT23 Growers with a steadfast dedication to quality, equity, and community empowerment. His tireless advocacy for economic inclusion and social progress continues to position HT23 Growers as a catalyst for meaningful change and economic development in the Chicagoland area. Beyond his leadership at HT23 Growers, Reese actively contributes to the cannabis industry as President of the Illinois Association of Independent Cannabis Entrepreneurs, a Board Member of the Illinois Independent Craft Growers Association, and an engaged member of the U.S. Cannabis Roundtable.
Vic Mensa, Vice President
Vic Mensa is an acclaimed musician, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Chicago. With roots in Ghana, Mensa has dedicated his career not only to music but also to bridging cultural divides between Africa and the African diaspora, with a particular focus on his ancestral connection to Ghana. His influence spans music, acting, culture, and social advocacy.
Vic’s passion for hip-hop began in fifth grade, and after reaching success with his first band, Kids These Days, he embarked on a solo career. His initial solo project, Straight Up, and subsequent mixtape, INNANETAPE, garnered widespread attention, with INNANETAPE amassing over 35,000 downloads within its first month. He continued to establish himself with his debut studio album, The Autobiography (2017), which debuted at #27 on the US Billboard 200 chart. His latest album, Victor, released in September 2023, solidifies his ongoing evolution and impact in the hip-hop scene.
In 2022, Vic made history as an entrepreneur founding 93 Boyz, Illinois’ first Black-owned cannabis brand. The same year, he made a notable entry into the art world with his curatorial debut, SKIN + MASKS: Decolonizing Art Beyond the Politics of Visibility, at Chicago's Kavi Gupta Gallery.
Akele Parnell, Treasurer
Akele Parnell is the co-founder of Ümi, a cannabis dispensary opening in Chicago’s Lincoln Park in the Spring of 2025. He’s also a co-founder of Nube NYC, a family-owned, justice-involved company that was one of the first to win a recreational dispensary license in New York City.
Akele Parnell has been in the regulated cannabis industry since 2018, and at the forefront of industry work seeking to balance the desire for responsible business operation, social equity and the challenging economics of the industry. His journey has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, NPR, Crain’s, Black Enterprise, Southside Weekly and more. Akele received a B.A. from Auburn University and a J.D. and M.P.H. from Washington University in St. Louis.
Crystal Anderson, Secretary
Crystal Anderson is a co-founder of Excelleaf Dispensary, the first licensed cannabis dispensary in DeKalb, Illinois. She launched the business alongside two fellow African American Nurse Anesthesiologists. Together, they bring over 60 years of collective healthcare experience to the cannabis industry. Their mission centers on wellness, education, and expanding diversity in cannabis. Crystal recognized a lack of cannabis education in traditional medical spaces. After initially being denied a license in 2014, Crystal and her partners persisted and reapplied under Illinois’ adult-use program in 2019. Investing over $300,000 of personal funds, they were awarded a license in 2021. Excelleaf opened its doors in 2023, becoming a landmark in their community. However, financial success has proven difficult due to market challenges. Unregulated hemp sales in gas stations and smoke shops undercut licensed operators. Crystal must comply with heavy regulations and pay $40,000 in annual fees. Her business is also subject to federal taxes up to 100%. Despite these burdens, she has received little support from the state. Crystal advocates for equal enforcement, regulation, and economic protection. She believes unchecked hemp sales threaten the intent of social equity. She urges the state to uphold its commitments to minority business owners. Crystal remains dedicated to building a fair and inclusive cannabis market. Her work is driven by values of public health, education, and equity.