Black To Business

Rashod grew up as an athlete and a musician. He thought his life would take him into the music industry. But he ended up falling in love with inspiring other people and exposing his peers to a lifestyle that was only seen on television. He wanted to find a way to use his voice to uplift others. That became the mission of SUAVV.  SUAVV Magazine was started out of frustration while shopping for reading material for a flight. When Rashod had to purchase almost $50 in magazines to get one overall concept of what he wanted to read. He realized that there was nothing on the media market that spoke to him directly as a 20 something-year-old black man. Rashod wanted, fashion, sports, cars, music, relationships, entertainment, and all of those things to speak to him. To date, SUAVV has interviewed some of the biggest celebrities and public figures in our generation. They look forward to more philanthropic endeavors, increased presence in the media world, and expanding their lifestyle brand.   DURING THIS EPISODE WE D

Style blogger, social media specialist and digital media maven Christina S. Brown is a New York native and the founder of fast-growing lifestyle destination LoveBrownSugar.com. Recognized everywhere from The New York Times to Essence Magazine as a top lifestyle blog, LoveBrownSugar.com focuses on fashion and beauty for multicultural women with an emphasis on self-empowerment. DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: What it means to be a digital influencer How to create YOUR brand The impact of sharing your voice and perspective as an influencer What brands look for in influencers How to get paid as an influencer Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to “The Black to Business Podcast” and rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts: For complete show notes and resources mentioned for this episode go to: blacktobusiness.com/ep36-christinabrown STAY CONNECTED:   Christina: Instagram |  Facebook | Twitter

  Frederick is the CEO and founder of Pigeonly, a platform that makes it easy for people to search, find and communicate with an incarcerated loved one. A born entrepreneur, Frederick launched and sold his first business at the age of 19. His desire to attain the American dream on his terms took him down the wrong path and at 23, he was indicted for distributing 3,000 kg of marijuana. It was during this four-year federal prison sentence a new idea surfaced, one that would give him an opportunity to impact the lives of people no one else was paying attention to - inmates, Pigeonly was born. Pigeonly's technology cuts the cost of expensive prison calls by 80% and allows people to send their inmate photos, greeting cards, and more right from a cell phone, tablet or computer. Although the company is still young, Hutson has grown Pigeonly to become one of the largest independent inmate service providers in the country. DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: Journey from prison to entrepreneurship The state of Black ma

Johnny Bailey is a Social Entrepreneur and Executive Director of The ShineHard Family, a 501(c)3 organization based in Washington DC. ShineHard's mission is to recognize and connect the nation's top black millennial leaders, then unify them to educate and inspire the next generation of young black leaders. The ShineHard Family is comprised of entrepreneurs, artists, and corporate innovators from companies like ESPN, Google, Nike, Amazon, CNN, & more. Primarily focused on economic empowerment for people of color, ShineHard leverages relationships to seamlessly transfer knowledge from today’s outstanding leaders to the future professionals and black business owners. In five years, ShineHard’s community programs have empowered 2000+ DC millenials and reached over 100,000 viewers online. A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Johnny has been recognized by the Washington Wizards for outstanding leadership, was named Top 30 under 30 by HBCU Buzz and recently Top 35 Millennial Influencers by NBT Talks. Johnny is also

In a post-Obama era where Blacks Americans are proclaiming their blackness now more than ever, it's disappointing to see Black-owned businesses shy away from serving their own people. What mainstream brands do so intently with Eurocentric brand messaging and imagery - Black businesses steer clear of for fear of "limiting themselves" if they focus solely on Black audiences. Storyteller Amber Williams is at the forefront of efforts to dispel this myth of limitation by pushing Black businesses towards more sophisticated-unapologetic branding. Her brand storytelling agency PunkyFlair teaches Founders and CEOs how to improve their sales through stories built around their true customers. Amber has crafted brand language for Armani, CVS, The U.S Olympics, and now uses her talents to service black-owned startups such as Camille Rose Naturals, Heat Free Hair, and Shea Radiance. Amber's aim is to shift the idea from merely "buying Black" to "serving Black," and she would love to share it with your listeners to transfor

Michell began exploring social media out of necessity, when he was stuck on campus as a cadet at the United States Military Academy. Michell was expelled from the academy in 2012. The days leading to his expulsion forced him to stand up for himself when no one else would. The days after his expulsion challenged him to choose new life goals for himself. Michell finished school at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he began to leverage his social media presence to negotiate more press opportunities for his music discovery platform, Artistic Manifesto. Michell was a writer before he was an influencer. He continues to write about the difficulties of his entrepreneurial journey in a way that many of his peers can relate to. As Michell observed the way social media can be used as leverage for bigger writing opportunities, he continued to dedicate time to growing his social media presence. As he observed the importance of visuals on social media he began to carve out a visual identity to match his writing. In l

The Ambassador of LA, CEO, a Marketing/Branding Genius, and an inspiration to her community; Miss Diddy has earned every title and more! A true leader of her generation, Miss Diddy has broken through barriers in a male driven industry from the moment she figured out it was lacking something... Her! She currently sits as the Only Woman Promoter in Hollywood, CA. The capital of the most important force to this culture, The Entertainment Industry. Miss Diddy is the rhythm of this city, where she was born and raised. She is the go to woman in Hollywood for artists to showcase their talents, DJs to continue to prove why they are needed in the music industry and street brands to gain visibility while connecting to the people who keep them in business. Miss Diddy has resurrected what it means to party LA style! She is the only female promoter to actively work in the music industry and promote at the same time. She got her start doing West Coast Lifestyle promotions for G.O.O.D music, a label founded by none other th

Jay Colby is a writer, journalist and founder of The Black Detour. Jay has dedicated his life to not only change the negative perception of Black people in mainstream media but to join the growing movement in America to empower Black people all across the United States. A quote by Malcolm X keeps Jay inspired to continue his work "I’ve had enough of someone else’s propaganda. I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it’s for or against." Jay is also a proud alum of Prairie View A & M University. DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: How he’s changing the negative perception of the Black community in media Building a following on social media before creating a website How to deal with criticism in business Running a startup as a Black male Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to “The Black to Business Podcast” and rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts: For complete show notes and resources mentioned for this episode go to: blackto

Launching his career as assistant to the Jonas Brothers, Benoni Tagoe quickly became a part of the band’s day-to-day management team and developed a keen sense of entrepreneurship. Since then, Tagoe has produced content for both TV and New Media on platforms that have collectively garnered over 20 million views. In his current role, Tagoe is the head of business development for Issa Rae Productions (The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl and HBO’s ‘Insecure’). Additionally, Tagoe was profiled as a “Modern Man” in Black Enterprise magazine for his work with his management & consulting company, The Bizz Plan, which works with various media brands, including Uninterrupted (LeBron James’ sports platform), beauty entrepreneur Peakmill, and financial expert Tonya Rapley. DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: Living an authentic life Dealing with life’s rough patches Why a transparent business model works How to monetize things you control Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscr

George Olokun is a global change agent that is connected to the core of humanity, a socially conscious humanitarian, entrepreneur, globally recognized and nationally ranked speaker, and life trainer and best-selling author. He's one of America's leading millennial trailblazers and impacts the way those creating change live their lives. George is the Founder and Executive Director of the Next Big Thing Movement, a global non-profit social movement that has become the voice and platform for millennials around the globe. DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: Defining social responsibility, and the impact it has on your business How to launch big, even when you don’t have all the answers What it takes to build a business community The importance of others believing in your vision Thank you so much for listening! If you liked this episode, please subscribe to “The Black to Business Podcast” and rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts: For complete show notes and resources mentioned for this episode go to: bl

While in law school, Jeffery founded The MusicianShip, a non-profit organization that facilitates music lessons, experiences and opportunities for at-risk youth. Under Jeffery’s direction as CEO, The MusicianShip has grown from serving 2 students in 2009, to, in 2018, serving 1000 youth in Washington, DC and 200 youth in Pretoria, South Africa.  The MusicianShip has a budget of over a half-million dollars, with a part- and full-time staff of 30, and has garnered both financial and in-kind support from companies such as Google, Tidal, Hard Rock Cafe, Delta Airlines, Capital One, Wells Fargo, and Dropbox. As a result of Jeffery’s work with The MusicianShip, he was named one of DC’s Top 30 Under 30 by WKYS/96.3, B.E. Modern Man by Black Enterprise Magazine, and one of Magic Johnson’s 32 Under 32. In 2013, Jeffery was inducted—as an honorary member—in to Phi Mu Alpha, the largest, oldest music fraternity in the world, after negotiating a partnership with the fraternity to help expand The MusicianShip around the n

Guinean-born, NYC-raised strategist, obsessed with all things branding and public relations,  Fatou is best known for helping fellow millennials gain clarity around the “who, what, why” of their visual brands. Barry encourages the building of authentic and strategic brands while positioning clients for success in their respective markets. Fatou's client list includes high-profile influencers, creatives and small businesses. Fatou got her start as a social coordinator for Marc Ecko Cut and Sew managing all of the brand's digital assets and campaigns. This lead to a career in the world of digital marketing and interactive media at Iconix Brand Group, working with brands such as Starter, Umbro, Rocnation and Modern Amusement. Fatou's work is driven by her desire to encourage young female professionals to navigate the spheres of PR and brand development. She has created several digital/online spaces to grow and connect this community and share knowledge and experience to generate opportunity. Fatou believes in

Monique T. Marshall is an Entrepreneur, Thought-Leader, and Influencer.  As the Chief in Charge of Black to Business, a platform providing resources and connections to aspiring Black entrepreneurs. She is on a mission to increase the number of successful Black startups. Monique has also furthered this mission through her podcast, speaking engagements, and workshops. During this episode Monique discusses what it really means to be a powerful woman, clarity when it comes to your passion, making sure your side hustle brings in income before calling it a business, and much more. Monique is a wonderful combination of drive and wisdom. She not only brings a lot to this podcast, but find out how she’s doing the same for her community. For complete show notes and resources mentioned for this episode go to: blacktobusiness.com/podcast       

At 5, Arabia envisioned herself becoming a doctor. At 17, she became a teen mom to a baby boy, whose life was tragically taken away at four months. Her youngest sister was shot and killed while riding in a friend’s car just a few years later. Both tragedies caused her to persevere. She didn’t have any money for medical school. She studied at Hunter College. She was later awarded a scholarship to study medicine at the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba. Nearly a decade later after graduating from Hunter College, completing medical school in Cuba, and learning to speak Spanish fluently, she completed her residency as an Emergency Medicine Resident Physician at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Dr. Arabia now has her own Podcast called "The Visit" where she uses her story to empower the community. She's the ultimate "Lifestyle Physician" healing through entertainment, as she uses her experiences to develop creative ways to educate on hardcore true facts about the body, mind, and soul. DURING THIS

Malcolm “MJ” Harris is an internationally recognized financial services CEO and motivational success teacher whose rise began when he started an insurance agency - at his dining room table as a side business - while working as a Management Consultant for a “Big 4” firm. Through sharing his story with the world on social media about overcoming personal and financial trials, the business quickly grew into a multi-national financial services and self-improvement powerhouse. MJ serves as chairman and chief executive of MJ Harris Global Enterprises, which wholly owns or oversees the operations for MJ Harris OmniMedia, National Care Financial Group, National Care Premiere Partners NA, and other companies in the financial services and entertainment industries. National Care is one of America’s largest African-American owned financial services firms. MJ Harris OmniMedia manages the production and distribution of MJ’s financial, sales training, and empowerment content across multiple platforms including publishing,

A steadfast dedication to the betterment of people truly constitutes Ms. Wilmer’s personal mission statement, and ultimately that same dedication has fueled her career as a highly decorated human resources leader. Over the past two decades, she’s built an impressive rapport at companies including CBRE, Caesars Entertainment, American Red Cross, Toyota and Citigroup. While at Caesars Entertainment’s she led the largest and most successful recruitment effort, resulting in over 40,000 applicants and over 2,000 hirees to creating Citigroup’s Employment of Choice strategy in 13 South African countries plus a signature leadership development program in Singapore — she has done it all. Ms. Wilmer was appointed to the Norfolk State University Board of Visitors in January 2018. Prior, she served as a board member of the NSU Foundation, Incorporated. Currently, Ms. Wilmer is a member of the National Black MBA Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In addition to  serving as a Human Resource Executive

Ashley is an award-winning financial advisor who has helped her clients save and invest over $1.5M. She is an expert in her field as a Financial Education Specialist who founded the company Empify.  Empify an education- based organization created to help both adults and children understand financial literacy. After graduating with honors from Howard University, Ashley moved to New York City to begin her career on Wall Street to help millionaires and billionaires manage their money.  She was exposed to various types of financial tools and investments, and she learned how to effectively use those tools to help people manage their wealth. Rather than sit back and keep all of this information to herself, she decided to share it with others and empower them through education. With this desire in mind, Ashley quit her six-figure Wall Street career and decided to start her own business teaching financial education to the world. Ashley is a highly-sought after speaker who has been featured on empowerment tours, colle

Amber Dee is an online business and social media marketing expert for individuals that are tired of living paycheck to paycheck and ready to create their own wealth simply by living out their passion. Her focus is to help entrepreneurs get better results in less time by implementing effective marketing strategies. She is an author, licensed professional counselor, and the host of The Exception Effect Podcast where her main mission is to teach you how to be the "exception" in your business and life.​ DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: Different ways to monetize your skillset How to grow your wealth Creating monthly revenue goals Asking your audience before creating RESOURCES MENTIONED Convert Kit Lead Pages Photoshop Mix Cloze For complete show notes for this episode go to: www.blacktobusiness.com/podcast

She’Neil Johnson is the founder of BASE BUTTER, a natural beauty brand providing women of color with access to quality products developed by and for them, building a community of like-minded women of color to collaborate, access & share knowledge. Since its inception BASEBUTTER has been seen in ESSENCE, Cosmopolitan, Brydie Beauty, and CRWN Magazine to name a few. She’Neil Johnson is a graduate of Howard University’s School of Business with a degree in Management Information Systems. She began her full-time career with IBM as a User Experience design consultant, and recently joined Rec Philly, a company Forbes calls “a WeWork for Artists”, as an opportunity creator and marketing strategist. DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: Starting a beauty business from scratch Why your network to help fund and grow your business Balancing a full-time career and a fastly growing brand Managing a team who has more expertise than you STAY CONNECTED: She’Neil: Website |  Instagram | Twitter  | Facebook Black to Business:

Dominique Broadway is an award winning Financial Planner, Personal Finance Coach, Speaker, Finance Expert, Entrepreneur and the Founder of Finances De•mys•ti•fied & The Social Money Tour. Dominique has transformed the reputation of personal finances into a social experience by making it engaging, trendy and easy to understand. Shortly after launching Finances De•mys•ti•fied, an award winning organization that provides Personal Finance Coaching & Financial Capability solutions, she was named one of the top Financial Advisors in the United States for Millennials, at the age of 28. Dominique has also received various accolades such as the Top 30 Under 30 in Washington DC, the DC Future Business Leader of America Businessperson of the Year and nominated for the Changemaker of the Year for her work with Financial Literacy. DURING THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSSED: What is financial freedom Why your personal financial habits matter for your business Charging what you’re worth The importance of saving