Pepper Miller is a Cultural Insights Strategist and Trust Steward, grounded in Black humanity.
Since 1995, Pepper’s work has been grounded in a deep, accurate, and respectful understanding of Black Americans. She is the author of three defining works on the Black consumer and cultural intelligence:
What’s Black About It? (2005)
Black (Still) Matters in Marketing (2012)
Let Me Explain Black Again (2023)
At the same time, that work revealed something larger: Black insights don’t just explain Black experience—they illuminate how trust, culture, and deeper connections operate across the broader marketplace. Today, as a Trust Steward, she applies that grounding to help leaders and organizations see people clearly, earn and build trust, and make better decisions.
Pepper’s insights and proven results have positioned her as a sought-after counselor for corporations such as AARP, The American Cancer Society, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, BET, CNN, Pfizer, Ulta Beauty, Unilever, Walgreens, and The Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
As one of the field’s most consistent voices calling for integrity, courage, and truth-telling in research practice, Pepper earned several awards including: The Insights Association Impact Award (2025), The Ambassador Award from the Market Research Council (2025), The DuSable Museum’s Dr. Margaret Burroughs Legacy Award American History and Culture (2024), Target Market News’ MAAX Award for Market Research Executive of the Year.
Pepper is a founding blogger for Advertising Age’s Big Tent multicultural blog, has blogged for Forbes and The Medium, and enjoys engaging with and mentoring young professionals.