# Cleveland Spears III

> Cleveland Spears III is the New Orleans-based founder, president and CEO of Spears Group, the communications and marketing agency he started in July 2008 at 25. His work combines client strategy and public relations with events including the National Fried Chicken Festival, developed with Jade Brown Russell, and Célébrez en Rosé. His public interviews connect business growth with bringing people together and supporting the New Orleans economy.

- **Role:** Founder, President and CEO at Spears Group
- **Organizations:** Spears Group, National Fried Chicken Festival, Célébrez en Rosé
- **From:** New Orleans, United States
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Marketing, University of New Orleans, Abramson High School
- **Known for:** Founded Spears Group at 25 and expanded its work to clients nationally, with New Orleans and Houston offices., Co-created the Fried Chicken Festival with Jade Brown Russell in 2016., Founded Célébrez en Rosé, a wine and music festival that expanded across multiple US cities.

## Career timeline

- **2005** — Earned a BS in marketing; degree year appears in a public Louisiana DOTD professional résumé.
- **2008** — Founded Spears Consulting Group in July at age 25 in New Orleans.
- **2013** — Social Renaissance series included Le Dîner en Blanc and the Millennial Awards, with proceeds directed to local charities.
- **2014** — Rebranded Spears Consulting Group as Spears Group in November, according to a Dillard University event biography.
- **2016** — Launched the Fried Chicken Festival with Jade Brown Russell; the inaugural Lafayette Square event drew more than 40,000 guests.
- **2017** — Fried Chicken Festival moved to Woldenberg Park and expanded to two days.
- **2018** — Founded Célébrez en Rosé in Atlanta.
- **2019** — Spears Consulting Group ranked No. 1,815 on the Inc. 5000; completed the New Orleans Dîner en Blanc license agreement.
- **2020** — Spears Consulting Group ranked No. 3,299 on the Inc. 5000.
- **2023** — Reported more than 123,000 guests and 50 restaurants at the two-day Fried Chicken Festival in a Lakefront Management Authority presentation.
- **2025** — Spears Group supported media relations and press operations for more than 20 NFL events at Super Bowl LIX.
- **2026** — Festival organizers postponed the anniversary edition to October 9-11 over severe weather concerns.

## Achievements

- Founded Spears Group at 25 and expanded its work to clients nationally, with New Orleans and Houston offices.
- Co-created the Fried Chicken Festival with Jade Brown Russell in 2016.
- Founded Célébrez en Rosé, a wine and music festival that expanded across multiple US cities.
- Led the agency listed on the Inc. 5000 in 2019 and 2020.
- Received the Urban League’s 2010 Rising Star Award, according to his National Urban League speaker biography.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — On October 7, discussed preparations for the rescheduled National Fried Chicken Festival and the priority of guest and worker safety while monitoring another storm.
- **2026-09** — Organizers announced the National Fried Chicken Festival would move to October 9-11 because of severe weather concerns; Spears emphasized the investment made by independent restaurants.
- **2026-09** — Appeared on What’s Yo Story, episode 213, published September 24, discussing New Orleans, marketing and the festival.

## Links

- Website: https://thespearsgroup.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleveland-spears-iii-54a798a

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/cleveland-spears-iii
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22