Manolo Betancur
Owner of Manolo´s Latin Bakery and Artisen Gelato. Colombian-born American Idea Entrepreneur.
Recent recognitions:
- UPstanding Person of the Year by the UPPY Awards gala on Monday, Nov. 14 2022 at Byron’s South End. By .UnpretentiousPalate.com Organization.
- Nominated: finalist for Northeastern University’s 2nd Annual Heart of Charlotte Awards, presented by Tryon Medical Partners. Oct 27 2022.
- Best ice cream in the city of Charlotte by readers choice Charlotte five, the Charlotte Observer newspaper and 180.000 votes.
Manolo is a man who achieved his local dreams in his first life in Colombia and came to the United States to conquer the American Dream in his second life. And he did it with honors too.
This engineer, Ex officer in the Colombian Navy, Second Dan in Karate- fourth Dan in Taekwondo, is now a proud Baker who graduated from modern languages in King University In Tennessee and a business entrepreneurship program in Stanford, California.
He is an immigrant, philanthropist, father of Julia and Emmanuel, local activist, and an American citizen by a remarkable decision of a United States Judge.
Manolo Betancur was born 46 years ago in El Carmen de Viboral Antioquia, Colombia, South América. He is the Owner, founder and CEO of Manolos Bakery, a recognized business in Charlotte , North Carolina for his constant contribution to the community as a social activist, as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He recently received great recognition from the bread industry in the United States in November.
Manolo is The World Bread Hero USA 2021. Chosen by the Tiptree awards u.k. and the international baking industry exposition (IBIE).
As an Idea Entrepreneur, he started other businesses, like Artisen Gelato (Vegan, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Nut-free), The GoldenSet Café and community causes like By Immigrant Hands, a purpose-driven brand and organization that connects the lives of North Americans and immigrants, by telling the stories around the people behind many good things that are made in the United States of America.
In the year 2021, The Marquis Who’s Who publications board awarded Manolo as a recipient of Who’s Who in America, as a “The Community Activator Award,” followed by the “Outstanding Philanthropic Small Business Award” given to him and his business in the same year in Charlotte.
First Trip: When the war in Ukraine started Manolo decided to take action and help others globally, with his leadership and the help of his customers in Manolos Bakery collected more than 10 thousand dollars that became almost a millón dollars when other friends and the Myers Park United Methodist Church join the trip to Poland to deliver the aid to refugees. Manolo´s Bakery & Friends now help´s Other Bakers in Ukraine create community through bread.
In July 2022 Manolo Betancur delivered with a standing ovation his first Conference “How to discover the Hero in you “ at the Rotary Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The same inspiring conference has been given with his friend, the successful Ukranian-SiliconValley Entrepreneur George Elfond; they share how the war in Ukraine became a personal call to action at Myers Park United Methodist Church.
In August 2022 together with his partners and his wife, he won the contest for the best ice cream in the city of Charlotte by readers’ choice organized by Charlotte five and the Charlotte Observer newspaper. Artisen was chosen with more than 180,000 votes. He competed against 50 other businesses like his and national chains.
Second Trip: Manolo is returning to Ukraine with his new Idea The We Care Initiative, to continue helping communities and bakers (Donations). The generous help of our customers and friends helped us raise 10.000 USD. See the Story Here. And check the New Oven that we Build. We need to complete the 5.000 USD more to help Bakers and Communities in Ukraine.
As the head of Manolo’s Latin Bakery and Artisen he has received awards and recognitions that recall his Mission and his life in community: Our Bread, Our People, Our Future.
Manolo Betancur: info@manolobetancur.com
