The GUMBO Legacy: Cultivating Community, Wellness, and Change

GUMBO Brands represents a new chapter in cannabis culture, founded by the visionary entrepreneurs behind the iconic lifestyle brand Gumbo. Karim Butler and Alexis Major-Allison have created more than just a cannabis company—they’ve built a movement dedicated to community empowerment and natural wellness. This Black-owned enterprise has already gained recognition from cultural icons including Meek Mill, Migos, and Dave East, who have all endorsed their premium cannabis products.

The Founders’ Journey

Karim Butler, CEO of GUMBO Brands, describes his motivation simply: “I wanted to contribute something to the community that would keep the youth and anyone else from becoming addicted to drugs.” The Bronx native, known affectionately as “Hustle Man,” brings deep community roots to the brand, inspired by his grandparents who established the Harlem Vendors Association.

Alongside him is CFO Alexis Major-Allison, whose experience managing NFL players revealed the devastating impact of opioid dependency. “Many of my players became addicted to opiates to help them cope with excruciating pain,” Major explains. “The NFL induces them with morphine, oxycontin, percocets, and other narcotics so they can return to the field each week.”

The GUMBO Solution

The name “Gumbo” reflects their unique approach—like the dish, it’s a powerful blend of multiple elements creating something greater than the sum of its parts. After extensive research, Major found that “marijuana seemed to be something that a lot of the athletes were already into. From there, it was only a matter of locating the most potent strain capable of alleviating their discomfort.”

What makes GUMBO unique goes beyond the product itself. The brand is actively working with New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin to create pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals to enter the legal cannabis industry. “We’re teaching others while we come to terms and conditions,” Butler explains. “Our goal is to organize panel discussions to help individuals learn and improve.”

Building a Legacy

In an industry where Black ownership accounts for only 4.3% of businesses, GUMBO Brands is breaking barriers. The power couple, who have a blended family of four children, is comitted to normalizing strong Black family structures while creating opportunities. “Putting ourselves out there as the face of the brand isn’t the safest thing to do,” Major acknowledges. “But we’re taking a stand, demonstrating that individuals like us can own a cannabis company and be successful.”

As GUMBO continues to expand its presence in dispensaries nationwide, the founders remain focused on their core mission: creating natural alternatives for pain management while building generational wealth in communities that have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.