Meet the Leadership Team

The Candy Kids™ was created with heart, purpose, and a deep belief that kids deserve stories that build them up.

 

Harold Manning

Founder | Author | Visionary

Harold Manning is the founder and creative visionary behind The Candy Kids™, a faith-filled world created to encourage children through storytelling, character development, and positive affirmation. As the original creator of the Candy Kids universe, Harold shapes the heart, purpose, and foundational vision of the brand. His storytelling centers on faith, resilience, inclusion, confidence, and reminding children that their circumstances do not define their worth. As an author and visionary, Harold continues to guide the creative direction of The Candy Kids™ while helping ensure its stories and characters remain rooted in the mission that inspired their creation.

Richetta Adams

CEO | Creative Director | Co-Author

Richetta Adams serves as CEO and Creative Director of The Candy Kids™, leading the development of the brand from creative vision to market-ready execution. As Co-Author, she helps shape story development, character growth, visual identity, product development, and the overall creative direction of the Candy Kids universe. Richetta also provides strategic leadership across branding, business development, partnerships, and long-term growth, helping transform the characters and their messages into books, educational resources, merchandise, and meaningful experiences for children. Her work centers on building a cohesive, recognizable brand where creativity, representation, encouragement, and faith work together with purpose.

Travis McClardy 

Chief Operating Officer | Authorized Company Representative

Travis McClardy serves as Chief Operating Officer of The Candy Kids™, providing operational leadership and helping turn the company’s creative vision into organized, sustainable action. He supports day-to-day operations, business administration, contract execution, procurement opportunities, financial coordination, and relationships with vendors and business partners. As an Authorized Company Representative, Travis also helps represent The Candy Kids™ in business matters and supports the infrastructure needed for the company to grow responsibly. His leadership helps connect vision with execution, ensuring the organization has the operational foundation necessary to pursue new opportunities, partnerships, distribution channels, and long-term expansion.

Natalie Martinez

Executive Director | Government & Institutional Partnerships

Natalie Martinez serves as Executive Director of Government Procurement, Partnerships & Distribution for The Candy Kids™, leading efforts to expand the brand's reach through institutional relationships and strategic opportunities. Her work focuses on government and organizational procurement, partnership development, distribution initiatives, vendor opportunities, and outreach to schools, hospitals, community organizations, and other institutions serving children and families. Natalie helps identify pathways for The Candy Kids™ books, educational materials, programs, and products to reach communities beyond traditional retail channels. Through relationship-building and strategic outreach, she supports the company's mission of creating meaningful impact while developing sustainable opportunities for growth and distribution.