Howard Nelson Cromwell
Managing Director & Owner
Howard is an internationally recognized hospitality leader and consultant with more than 20 years of experience transforming restaurants and live events into high-performing, customer-driven ventures. Known for his work with luxury brands, national nonprofits, and top-tier venues, he brings a rare blend of operational rigor and creative innovation to every project. As Founder of Dîner en Noir Worldwide and Managing Director of The HNC Agency, Howard has led multimillion-dollar activations for brands like Gucci, Wolfgang Puck, and The Ritz-Carlton, while also launching community-centered initiatives across 23 global cities. With a portfolio spanning over 10 successful restaurant openings and $30M+ in F&B oversight, he now empowers entrepreneurs and hospitality pros with the systems, strategies, and training to scale with purpose.
Hospitality Bio
Howard is a globally respected hospitality leader and consultant with over 20 years of international experience transforming restaurant and event enterprises. Recognized as a leading authority in full-service restaurants, food and beverage operations, and large-scale event production, Howard empowers entrepreneurs, operators, and hospitality professionals with proven systems that deliver exceptional guest experiences, optimize performance, drive revenue growth, and foster lasting customer loyalty.
As Managing Director of The HNC Agency, Howard has led strategic activations for a distinguished portfolio of clients—including Gucci, Bulgari, the Autism Society of America, Stand Up To Cancer, the American Heart Association, Johns Hopkins’ Kimmel Cancer Research Center, Bravo television personalities, and the iconic rock band Journey. He has collaborated with premier hospitality brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Hotel, Fig & Olive Restaurants, Hard Rock Café, and Wolfgang Puck, while managing exclusive events at renowned venues like The Newseum and The Smithsonian Museums of American Art, Air & Space, and American Indian.
Through these high-profile partnerships, Howard has delivered immersive brand experiences, bespoke hospitality strategies, and multimillion-dollar fundraising outcomes. His hallmark approach—an expert blend of operational precision and creative ingenuity—has earned the trust of luxury brands, national nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies worldwide.
A seasoned restaurant operator, director of operations, general manager, and consultant, Howard was the proprietor of The DEN Loft—an acclaimed multi-unit private member complex and supper club in Washington, DC. He completed elite management training programs with the Wolfgang Puck Fine-Dining Group and Starr Restaurants, experiences that shaped his disciplined, service-first philosophy.
Howard has held senior leadership roles in several of Washington, DC’s top-grossing and most celebrated establishments, including the French brasserie Le Diplomate and the iconic Stan's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge. Over the course of his career, he has opened and operated more than 10 high-performing restaurants, led F&B programs generating over $30 million annually, and launched award-winning concepts that have drawn national acclaim.
As Founder & President of Dîner en Noir Worldwide, Howard leads a global social enterprise and culture-forward professional network with more than 50,000 members across 23 host cities throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has built a vibrant platform dedicated to amplifying Black entrepreneurship, advancing economic opportunity, and celebrating cultural excellence.
Through signature events, strategic partnerships, and mission-driven initiatives, Dîner en Noir delivers meaningful impact in underserved communities—from Philadelphia to Paris, Baltimore to Barcelona, and Los Angeles to London—bridging culture, commerce, and community on a global scale.
In addition to his corporate and community leadership, Howard serves as President & CEO of HNC Enterprises, Inc., a multinational portfolio of hospitality, media, and lifestyle companies with assets across the U.S. and Europe. He divides his time between Washington, DC and Paris, France, where he remains a passionate advocate for the arts, small business development, and inclusive entrepreneurship.
Named to BEIN’s 2025 Top 100 Black International Event Professionals for his global influence and industry innovation, Howard continues to use his platform to help others achieve excellence—with systems, stories, and strategies that deliver real-world results.