The Magic of Atlanta
Welcome to Atlanta, where Black success bleeds through the streets. Many people come to Atlanta and are amazed at what the city has to offer, and Philly-born Eric Keith was no different.
Keith grew up in New Jersey and eventually moved to Virginia and then to Miami, but it wasn’t until he arrived in Atlanta in 2012 that he saw the endless possibilities for him as a Black man.
“Atlanta let me know being an entrepreneur was possible,” said Keith. “It was also the sense of community that I didn’t have in any city I lived in.”
Going to Atlanta was a pivotal moment for Keith. With a degree in political science, Keith had plans to attend law school. Instead, he accepted an internship in Miami at a radio station, which gave him his first taste of the entertainment industry. Throughout his travels from city to city, he noticed the lack of positive representation of Black men in media, and he wanted to fill that gap.
After being inspired by the wonders of Atlanta, Keith moved back to New York in 2014 to be closer to family. But he brought that Atlanta energy with him and created The Quintessential Gentleman, a Black-owned media company solely focused on Black men.
The Quintessential Gentleman was founded in 2016.
The Quintessential Gentleman spotlights Black men in a positive light while also exploring the issues that impact them, including politics. Keith emphasized that The Quintessential Gentleman is a non-partisan media company, but they want to ensure their audience is well-informed. He said the brand does its due diligence before sharing information, like fact-checking with local news stations.
Along with producing online articles, The Quintessential Gentleman has a quarterly print magazine that focuses on four core themes: power, culture, style, and family. Some of the feature covers include Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Charlamagne Tha God, and David Alan Grier.
Through The Quintessential Gentleman, Keith is showing a fuller perspective of Black men, one that is usually misconstrued.
“It’s simple. I want people to see Black men as they see any successful person,” said Keith.
Partnering with MCM, Nov. 20
The Quintessential Gentleman engages with its community on and off screen. The Quintessential Gentleman is partnering with MCM to host an exclusive event celebrating men with styling and grooming guidance on November 20, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST at the Lenox Mall.
Guests will enjoy a private shopping experience featuring Black-owned brands, including Bēhold Natural Essentials, a premium handcrafted hair, scalp, and beard care designed to restore and strengthen daily self-care, and eLo, refined lifestyle essentials rooted in simplicity, balance, and quiet confidence.
The evening will also feature a live conversation moderated by Keith, alongside celebrity stylist Kenneth “KUSDEM” Carnell, whose style roster includes Usher, and Garrick Wade, founder of Bēhold Natural Essentials.
“The Quintessential Gentleman…it’s actually an inspirational brand. It’s about wanting to be better than we were yesterday,” said Keith.
To register for the styling event, click here.
