Dickey’s Kinyana McCoy Gives Keynote at Savannah State University
Press Releases
Published: 14 Mar 2025
Honored with Outstanding Alumni Award
Kinyana McCoy, Retail Marketing Manager at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, recently returned to her alma mater, Savannah State University, to serve as the opening keynote speaker for the 74th Annual Southern Regional Press Conference. In addition to addressing an audience of over 300 students, McCoy was honored with the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award in recognition of her professional achievements and contributions to the industry.
“It was a tremendous honor to return to Savannah State University and share my journey with the next generation of marketing professionals,” said McCoy. “Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has provided me with an outstanding platform to innovate in retail marketing, and I was thrilled to share insights on ethical branding, digital engagement, and the power of AI in content development.”
McCoy’s keynote focused on the evolving landscape of marketing, emphasizing Dickey’s commitment to ethical digital storytelling. She provided insights into how brands navigate boundaries in a digital age while maintaining authenticity and integrity. Additionally, she led an engaging workshop titled “AI Playground: Increasing Content Productivity with AI Software”, showcasing how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing content creation in marketing. Students eagerly engaged with McCoy’s presentation, demonstrating strong interest in Dickey’s marketing strategies and career opportunities within the industry.
“Kinyana’s expertise and passion for ethical marketing are inspiring,” said Shayla Bell, VP of Purchasing and Retail at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. “Her ability to connect with students and provide actionable insights reflects the dedication she brings to our brand every day.”
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit CEO, Laura Rea Dickey, also commended McCoy’s impact: “Kinyana embodies the spirit of leadership and innovation that we champion at Dickey’s. Her ability to bridge traditional marketing principles with emerging digital strategies is truly commendable, and we are proud to have her representing our brand at such a prestigious event.”
Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, added: “Kinyana’s recognition as an Outstanding Alumni is a testament to her dedication and impact in the industry. Her contributions continue to elevate our brand, and we couldn’t be prouder of her achievements.”
McCoy’s presence at the conference not only underscored her personal and professional success but also highlighted Dickey’s commitment to fostering talent and innovation in marketing.
Founded in 1941 by the Dickey family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world’s largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For more than 80 years, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey’s barbecued meats are paired with a variety of Southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey’s never takes shortcuts — because real barbecue can’t be rushed.
With more than 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey’s Barbecue Franchise and Dickey’s Restaurant Brands continue to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
Dickey’s has been recognized on Newsweek’s 2022 "America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nation’s Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology’s Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine.
For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. For franchise opportunities, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com.
Kinyana McCoy, Retail Marketing Manager at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, recently returned to her alma mater, Savannah State University, to serve as the opening keynote speaker for the 74th Annual Southern Regional Press Conference. In addition to addressing an audience of over 300 students, McCoy was honored with the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award in recognition of her professional achievements and contributions to the industry.
“It was a tremendous honor to return to Savannah State University and share my journey with the next generation of marketing professionals,” said McCoy. “Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has provided me with an outstanding platform to innovate in retail marketing, and I was thrilled to share insights on ethical branding, digital engagement, and the power of AI in content development.”
McCoy’s keynote focused on the evolving landscape of marketing, emphasizing Dickey’s commitment to ethical digital storytelling. She provided insights into how brands navigate boundaries in a digital age while maintaining authenticity and integrity. Additionally, she led an engaging workshop titled “AI Playground: Increasing Content Productivity with AI Software”, showcasing how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing content creation in marketing. Students eagerly engaged with McCoy’s presentation, demonstrating strong interest in Dickey’s marketing strategies and career opportunities within the industry.
“Kinyana’s expertise and passion for ethical marketing are inspiring,” said Shayla Bell, VP of Purchasing and Retail at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. “Her ability to connect with students and provide actionable insights reflects the dedication she brings to our brand every day.”
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit CEO, Laura Rea Dickey, also commended McCoy’s impact: “Kinyana embodies the spirit of leadership and innovation that we champion at Dickey’s. Her ability to bridge traditional marketing principles with emerging digital strategies is truly commendable, and we are proud to have her representing our brand at such a prestigious event.”
Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, added: “Kinyana’s recognition as an Outstanding Alumni is a testament to her dedication and impact in the industry. Her contributions continue to elevate our brand, and we couldn’t be prouder of her achievements.”
McCoy’s presence at the conference not only underscored her personal and professional success but also highlighted Dickey’s commitment to fostering talent and innovation in marketing.
About Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
Founded in 1941 by the Dickey family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world’s largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For more than 80 years, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.™ Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey’s barbecued meats are paired with a variety of Southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey’s never takes shortcuts — because real barbecue can’t be rushed.
With more than 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey’s Barbecue Franchise and Dickey’s Restaurant Brands continue to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
Dickey’s has been recognized on Newsweek’s 2022 "America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nation’s Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology’s Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine.
For more information, visit www.dickeys.com. For franchise opportunities, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com.