We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Q EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk to not one, but two, amazing companies who both got their start on Juneteenth of 2021. The co-founders of Moor’s brewery, Jahmal Johnson, Anthony Bell and Damon Patton share their journey to creating a national brand for black people by black people. Forged in the wake of a cultural shift, the three strived to reinvent themselves and redefine the craft beer indust...
Jul 19, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 25
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk with the founder, Cecelia Harrison who was able to leverage her housing choice voucher from the Chicago Housing Authority(CHA) to build a successful STEM business- ReveNEWcycle.com, a medical billing company. Her company helps doctors to get paid expeditiously by providers. She shares her story of being a Registered Health Information Administrator for 20 years and ...
Jul 11, 2022•45 min•Season 2Ep. 24
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name Show Notes on audio Episode #23 Guest Name: Monica Abernathy Guest Business: A Polished Work Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk with the visionary and founder of A Polished Work who not only founded the business but owns the building where she operates the company. She shares her journey of opening up a nail salon on Chicago’s South Side that offers more than nail health and ...
Jul 04, 2022•31 min•Season 2Ep. 23
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk with the tech co-founder Horace Flournoy of SWAYBrand.com. He shares his inspiring journey of a great childhood from a middle-class two-parent home defined by sports, family and video games. Growing up, he shares how he had fortunate opportunities to advance his curiosity in tech. Horace discusses how he champions young African Americans to explore tech to spark int...
Jun 27, 2022•42 min•Season 2Ep. 22
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I get to interview my dear friend, entrepreneur and millionaire real estate broker who has closed approximately 100 million dollars’ worth in real estate and her accidental journey into real estate development and entrepreneurship. Sheila was born in Uganda, East Africa and came to America as an immigrant. In this interview, she describes that you must be your authentic se...
Jun 13, 2022•44 min•Season 2Ep. 21
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I get to interview my first ever duo on this podcast, Jessica E. Boyd + Steven M. Hughes, co-founders of Journey Black Home. This power couple sits down with me and discusses their journey in sharing the black experience of travel. They explain how they started. They go into the importance of culture through traveling. We also talk about how they travel and the black exper...
Jun 06, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 20
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I sit down with my friend and mentor, also dealmaker and visionary, Charles Johnson. Charles shares his journey and how he was considered the “dealmaker”. He discusses the advantages to learning at a black school, and working in a minority company. We learn more about Charles’ childhood and what his grandmother tells him about the importance of legacy and equity. Charles’ ...
May 31, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 19
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY WELCOME back to Black Businesses Matter! We are launching season 2 with our very own host and CEO, Larvetta L. Loftin. Larvetta and Black Businesses Matter’s Associate Producer, Dion Warr, both sit down and reflect on season 1 and its highs and lows. We discuss some lessons we learned throughout the journey, including how to continue even when we don’t feel our best, as Larvetta said “Culture doesn’t make people, pe...
May 16, 2022•58 min•Season 2Ep. 18
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this Episode of Black Businesses Matter, I get to talk with hair trailblazer, Forbes coveted 30 under 30, shark tank participant, and co-founder of CurlMix Kimberly Lewis. We get to share Kim’s amazing story on the place of pivoting and talk about thriving black businesses. We get to hear Kim’s journey before CurlMix in traveling. We hear Kim’s plans on how to service her customers better, how to educate, and how...
Mar 21, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 16
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I bring in a guest who is a disrupter in the pest solution industry. Her company is woman and minority-owned that provides pest solution services and products in the commercial and residential area. She is also an informational technology professor. Robiar and I get to sit down and talk about her journey from being an information guru into being in the pest solution indust...
Mar 14, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 15
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY This episode is sponsored by AONMeetings.com In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, Pepper and I get to speak on her involvement in the business when it comes to brands. She has been helping large companies better understand and engage Black America so that they can have loyal customers and a positive bottom line. We dig deep into the differences and importance of the generation of baby boomers, how the...
Mar 07, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 14
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY This episode is sponsored by AONMeetings.com In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, I sit down with author, public speaker, and lead pastor John F. Hannah. We discuss John’s vision he had for himself and his journey as a juvenile probation officer to becoming a large impacting lead pastor. We talk about how the start of Covid became an obstacle for black-owned businesses and how it became a test to reve...
Feb 28, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 13
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY This episode is sponsored by AONMeetings.com In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, Steve and I talk about his newest business announcement as the c-founder of FLOURYSH- The Premier Spot to Discover & Shop Black-Owned Brands. For Community. For Culture. For Real [F With Us]. We discuss Steve’s journey as an entrepreneur, his plans on building the future of community commerce with FLOURYSH, and investing in ...
Feb 21, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 12
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I welcome Black Forbes lister and Queen Midas, Germaine Bolds-Leftridge, on the podcast. We talk about her company GBL Sales Inc., where she helps beauty brands grow into multimillionaire brands. We discuss what a broker is and why black businesses matter. Lastly, we speak on black culture and its beauty. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… Journey helping brands GBL Sales Inc....
Feb 15, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 11
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I sit down with a dear friend of mine. Irfan and I discuss his childhood, how his anger plays into it, and how this google alum switched careers. We also talk about how culture plays into his business, and why black businesses matter. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… Irfan’s childhood and cultural identity Being a google alum and switching into being an entrepreneur Experien...
Feb 08, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 10
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I welcome my first guest from our holiday break, Avigail Schlosser. Avigail and I get real about culture in the space of marketing and what that means to the clients they serve. We discuss the positions that people of color should be in, the obstacles they face, and how important it is to support them. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… What is OKRP? Why does culture matter no...
Feb 02, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 9
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In the episode of Black Businesses Matter (BBM) Podcast, it’s just me! I get to reflect on last year's wins and discoveries. I talk about the Black Forbes List and how amazing it is to see so many black businesses thrive. I also get to share some of my favorite episodes here on BBM Podcast and thank you all for listening so far. Lastly, I finally get to share what brings me joy for the first time on BBM Podcast. IN ...
Jan 28, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 8
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, Camesha and I discuss mental health. Specifically mental health within the black community. We touch on the stresses of black women which include financial, relationship-based, and many other triggers. Camesha explains how we got here and how Sista Afya is trying to help. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Mental wellness How Came...
Dec 27, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 7
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, Kyla and I talk about being an impact leader, marketing, and how she’s connecting businesses and brands, giving them tools that can make an impact. We explore what being an intrapreneur means, being a true ally to those without a true voice and how it affects marketing within the black business. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… Kyla’s influence as an impact leader What trends that m...
Dec 20, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 6
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, Anna and I talk about the nitty-gritty of other options with hot dogs! We discuss veganism, following your dreams, and why it’s important to keep your plans to yourself. Listen in while we talk real about entrepreneurship and its impact on the Black community. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… How and why Anna started Gobble Doggs Veganism The importance of following your dreams Yout...
Dec 13, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 5
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, Afenya shared her story and how she pivoted! We discuss how she started out as a nurse and switched to marketing. She explains the origin of iCan and her experience as the BEST Fund winner recipient. Through this interview, we talk about the appreciation of Black Businesses and their influence. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… Afenya’s switch from a nursing to marketing iCan Collect...
Dec 06, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 4
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, Carlos and I talk about food! Specifically popcorn and the significance it has to our culture. We explain the importance of creating a welcoming environment within the food establishment, and how black businesses could collaborate to make an impact. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… Carlos’ childhood and how popcorn became his first love Obstacles in Black Businesses and personal obs...
Nov 29, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 3
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, Ashanti and I talk fitness and freedom! We speak about identity and the necessary pivots within a business and within your mind. We go into impact, mental health, and the ways black businesses could thrive. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… Ashanti’s reaction to the beginning pandemic How mental health has a huge impact Why Black Businesses matter? Ashanti’s experience working with o...
Nov 22, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 2
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, Lyneir and I get super real about Black Businesses and their necessity to the communities they serve, why they aren’t flourishing as much as they could, and how important black investments are to them. We explain how great of an impact they could make if they were overfunded. IN THIS EPISODE, I TALK ABOUT… Lyneir’s childhood as a child of entrepreneur parents Why Black Businesses ...
Nov 15, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Black Businesses Matter is a weekly podcast on the benefits of collaborating and advocating for black businesses to drive impact. It is hosted by Larvetta L. Loftin, Founder of The L3 Agency, a full service influencer marketing and communications agency and a passionate advocate for Black people and the businesses they run. Black businesses are the largest employers of Black people making it imperative that the unique needs of Blac...
Nov 01, 2021•54 sec0
