MD Business 'Everything Legendary' Offers Gourmet Plant-Based Food To BSU Students

BOWIE, MD — Gourmet, plant-based food will be served in campus dining facilities at Bowie State University starting this month.

Everything Legendary, creators of plant-based food with "legendary flavor," was founded by Duane Myko Cheers and Danita Claytor who are both Historically Black Colleges and Universities graduates. Cheers graduated from Morgan State University while Claytor earned her undergraduate degree from BSU.

“We are pleased to be working with BSU and believe it is just the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship,” said Duane “Myko” Cheers. “BSU is just the beginning. Our goal is to work with colleges and universities across the United States to provide them with plant-based food.”

In less than two years, the company has grown from a family kitchen operation to a nationally-recognized brand with a strong retail footprint, three manufacturing facilities and a legendary rock star team to take the company to the next level.

On season 12 of ABC’s hit TV show “Shark Tank," Cheers, Claytor and Jumoke Jackson pitched their vegan brand. All the Sharks loved the burgers but billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban made a deal on the spot, giving the trio $300,000 in exchange for 22 percent of the company.

“Everything Legendary is rapidly developing a reputation of providing good tasting plant-based food that appeals particularly to young adults,” added Wade Henley, associate vice president of auxiliary services at BSU. “Options are important to students at BSU and Everything Legendary will provide them and others on campus with choices to ensure that they have a pleasant dining experience.”

In early 2021, the founders made burgers by hand in their kitchen at home. In 15 months' time, they found their product on 4,000 national grocery store shelves including retailers such as Whole Foods, Safeway, ACME Markets, Target, Sprouts, Kroger, Ralphs, Kings and Balduccis, with additional placements coming this year.

“We have been very successful with our grocery store expansion. In 2023, we are focusing on food service expansion and HBCUs are up first,” said Cheers. “We are HBCU graduates and live this culture. We know what it is like to live on a campus with limited plant-based options. Through our relationship with BSU, we are excited to raise the bar by offering healthy, plant-based options to the students and faculty on campus. This is just the beginning.”

In support of students at BSU, Everything Legendary will be offering events, prizes and concerts in partnership with Live Nation. There are also plans for Everything Legendary to launch in 50 additional colleges and universities in the spring of 2023, with a focus on HBCUs.

“The Washington Post has reported that African Americans are the fastest growing group of plant-based consumers. However, there are very few black-owned companies producing plant-based products,” Claytor said. “We want to inspire the next generation of African American plant-based entrepreneurs to go after their dreams. We are grateful to partner with all the illustrious HBCUs, especially my alma mater, BSU.”