We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 54: Guest Name: Mia Henry Guest Business: Freedom Lifted Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Mia Henry the CEO and founder of Freedom Lifted. This company supports justice-centered leadership development through online learning, training, and coaching. Mia details her upbringing and her parents' emphasis on learning civil rights history due to their close relationship to th...
Apr 24, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 54
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 53 : Guest Name : Anita Blanton Guest Business : Fox32 Chicago Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Anita Blanton an Emmy Award-winning journalist who joined FOX32 to anchor Good Day Chicago. Anita details her formative years. She spent the majority of her childhood moving from state to state which gave her the communication and social skills necessary to thrive. Anita also ...
Apr 17, 2023•48 min•Season 4Ep. 53
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 52: Guest Name: Kevin John Guest Business: Island Jon Vodka Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Kevin John, CEO and President Island Jon Caribbean Vodka. The company was co-founded by Kevin and his father, Levi John. Island Jon officially debuted in 2018 in the great state of Georgia and is now available in major cities throughout the US. Kevin details how he became involve...
Apr 10, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 52
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 51: Guest Name: Trez Pugh III Guest Business: Sip & Savor Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Trez Pugh III the CEO/Founder of Sip & Savor a collection of vibrant, eclectic coffee houses located on Chicago’s South Side, and beyond. Trez details the journey as his coffee shop transitioned from the Bronzeville Coffee House to Sip and Savor. He emphasizes that he wante...
Apr 03, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 51
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 50 Pt 2: Guest Name: Katori Shepherd and Jhana Harvey Guest Business: The L3 Agency Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with my team members Jhana Harvey who serves as our marketing and communications associate, and Katori Shepherd who serves as our Associate producer and Assistant Account Executive. They give a bit of background on how their journey at the L3 Agency began. They...
Mar 31, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 50
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 50: Guest Name: Marissa Kearney Guest Business: TargetWhileBlack and RetailWhileBlack Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I spoke with Marissa Kearney, CEO and founder of TargetWhileBlack and RetailWhileBlack, two platforms she uses to highlight Black-Owned/Founded brands and all-around cool things she finds in Retail. Marissa's overall goal with her platform is to raise awareness and i...
Mar 26, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 50
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 49: Guest Name: Dr. Evisha Ford Guest Business: iCan Dream Center Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter,I speak with Dr. Evisha Ford who serves as the Founding Executive Director of iCan Dream Center. The iCan Dream Center is a therapeutic school in Illinois, that serves the needs of neurodiverse learners and their families. Dr. Ford details her personal and professional background. Her pa...
Mar 17, 2023•46 min•Season 4Ep. 49
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 48 Guest Name: Katushia Paul Guest Business: KP Drip Bar and Aesthetics Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Katushia Paul a Nurse Practitioner and founder of KP Drip Bar and Aesthetics. She opened up her medical spa with the help of her mentor. Kataushia took on the task of opening her own medical spa in Plain View New York on October 5, 2022. Specializing in aesthetics and...
Mar 13, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 48
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 47 Guest Name : Donna King Guest Business : P. Sherrod & Co Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Donna King the owner and head designer of P.Sherrod & Co. P. Sherrod & Co. is an Atlanta-based leather lifestyle brand she founded in late 2009. She emphasized the importance of quality and craftsmanship rather than “luxury”. Donna details her work history that accomp...
Mar 06, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 47
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode # 46 Guest Names: Andrea Zopp Marquis Miller Guest Business: Obama Foundation and Cast Us Cleveland Avenue Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, we interviewed Marquis Miller the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the Obama Foundation, and Andrea Zopp managing Partner for Cast us at Cleveland Avenue at our first-ever live recording. Andrea and Marquis provide us with ...
Feb 27, 2023•54 min
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode # 45 Guest Name: Trent Floyd Guest Business: J.R. Crickets - South Cobb Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Trent Floyd, who serves as the Owner/Operator of J.R. Crickets - South Cobb a 16-year-old full-service restaurant. Trent got his start as an accountant and after 15 years of being in the corporate world, he used franchising as a stepping stone into the restaurant busi...
Feb 20, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 45
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode # 44 Guest Name: Jevonne Bowman Guest Business: JAB New York and Content Queen Academy Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Jevonne Bowman who is the CEO of JAB New York, LLC and creator of Content Queen Academy. She has over 15 years of experience in the TV/Film industry and credits including 'Quantico', 'Storm Chasers' and 'Four Weddings'. Her interest was sparked at the a...
Feb 13, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 44
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode #43 Guest Name : Larvetta Loftin Guest Business : The L3 Agency Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, We kick off season 4 with Larvetta the founder of The L3 Agency and the host of the show. She explains the theme of season 4, equity for black content creators. Larvetta reviewed some important news in black business media, specifically the Mielle Organics acquisition. She provides much n...
Feb 06, 2023•52 sec•Season 4Ep. 43
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 42 Guest Name : Jocelyn Delk Adams Guest Business : Grandbaby Cakes Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Jocelyn Delk Adams, the founder, author, national television personality and brand ambassador behind the award winning cookbook Grandbaby Cakes. Her business began with the blog Grandbaby Cakes, a blog that gave her the fitting and the community to build lasting relations...
Jan 02, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 42
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode # 41 Guest Name: Carolyn Fraser Guest Business: The PR Shoppe Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Carolyn S. Fraser, the Founder & CEO of The PR Shoppe, an integrated marketing boutique headquartered in Chicago, specializing in strategic Public Relations, Social Media Management and Small Business Integrated Marketing Consulting for startup and emerging businesses.She h...
Dec 19, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 41
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 40: Guest Name: Cheryl Hudson Jackson Guest Business: YWCA CHJ Consulting Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Cheryl Hudson-Jackson, who is the Director of Franchise and Business Enterprise for YWCA Chicago. She is also the owner of CHJ consulting. We discuss the impact that her work at the YWCA has had throughout her career and the importance of community building. Cheryl ...
Dec 05, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 40
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 39: Guest Name: Chris Wilson Guest Business: Legacy Franchise Ventures Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Chris Wilson, the President of Legacy Franchise Ventures. Legacy Franchise Ventures (LFV) is a full-service franchise consulting and development firm that helps others identify and research franchise opportunities that present a true opportunity for success for their c...
Nov 28, 2022•40 min•Season 3Ep. 39
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 38 Guest Name: Mecca Perry Guest Business: Mecca Elevated Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Mecca Perry, whom I have had a 20+ year relationship with. Mecca is a Sound Meditation Facilitator and the owner of Elevated Mediation Studio in the heart of Chicago. She details her journey from a PR professional to an event production specialist to a sound practitioner. Mecca spe...
Nov 21, 2022•43 min•Season 3Ep. 38
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 37 Guest Name: Ritch Hall Guest Business: PsychWorks Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Ritchie Hall II, Ph.D., or Ritch, a licensed psychologist, and owner of Psychworks Clinic. 'Psychworks' is a mental health private practice located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Ritch details his journey to becoming a psychologist and the influential people in his life who molded him. He emp...
Nov 14, 2022•38 min
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 36 Guest Name: Christina Steed Guest Business: Agents & Strategies Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Christina Steed, the Chief Communications Officer of Agents & Strategies. She is an award-winning marketing communication expert whose experience includes business development, client relations, diversity, equity and inclusion, and internal and external marketing c...
Nov 07, 2022•33 min•Season 3Ep. 36
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 35: Guest Name: Jacqueline ‘JaQ’ Campbell Guest Business: Alexander Legacy Private Wealth Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with my sister and friend, Jaq Campbell the CEO, President, and Senior Wealth Advisor for Alexander Legacy. She is a leader in the space of wealth management. She discusses how her relationship with faith strengthens her relationship with money. This rela...
Oct 31, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 35
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode #34 Guest Name: Denise Taylor Guest Business: First Wives Club Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Denise Taylor. She is an Entrepreneur. In addition to being the Success Strategist, Career, Lifestyle, Relationship Coach, and Transformational Speaker. She manages Next Level Business Consulting, and is the Founder of the “First Wives Club”. She speaks to the importance of no...
Oct 24, 2022•58 min•Season 3Ep. 34
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 33 Guest Name: Melanie Jefferies Guest Business: Milhouse Development, LLC Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk with Melanie Jefferies, who is currently the Executive Vice President of the Midwest Region at Milhouse Engineering and Construction and a Principal Owner of Milhouse Development, LLC. The Milhouse family of businesses, founded by Melanie's father in 2001, has since blos...
Oct 17, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 33
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode # 32 Guest Name: Empress Guest Business: Third Eye Soul Kitchen Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk with Empress Xia Nei, the Executive Chef, and owner of Third Eye Soul Kitchen. She is also the creator of Oakland Fungi. Empress tells the story of how Third Eye Soul Kitchen was conceived through this need to strengthen her relationship with the earth through food. She speaks to t...
Oct 10, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 32
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode #31 Guest Name: Danielle Jeter Guest Business: AOI Events & PR Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk with Danielle P. Jeter, founder & CEO of AOI Events & PR. From Philadelphia, Atlanta, to Miami, Danielle has been able to build relationships in multiple different environments. Her upbringing was full of strong, supportive relationships with parents who taught her the n...
Oct 03, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 31
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode #: 30 Guest Name: Steve Bacon Guest Business: Belief Theory Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk with Steve Bacon. Steve is an Executive Life Coach, Trainer, Speaker, and Author of Start Here: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life. He details the defining moments in his life that molded him into the man he is today. He is the true relationship guru, going back and reassessing the decis...
Sep 26, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 30
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode # 29 ”Some relationships are not built to last” says Larvetta L. Loftin Guest Name: Larvetta Loftin Guest Business: The L3 Agency Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, We kick off season 3 with Larvetta the founder of The L3 Agency and the host of the show. Larvetta emphasizes the theme of the coming season Relationships, and the role and importance of technology in building relationships...
Sep 19, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 29
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Melvin Graham Guest Business: RSI Productions (formally Render Squad Industries) Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk with our first film producer, Melvin Graham. Melvin is a Navy veteran. After completing his time, he went on to earn a degree in media arts and become a community journalist, at-risk youth adviser, filmmaker, and radio producer, all in San Diego, California. Me...
Aug 12, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 28
We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Cassandra Cummings Guest Business: Stocks & Stilettos Society Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I talk with the founder of Stocks & Stilettos Society, Cassandra Cummings, a company whose sole focus is financial advising and helping minorities build wealth. Cassandra got her start as an executive assistant under her amazing mentor, Angela, who pushed her to obtain all of he...
Aug 08, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 27
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 chief economic inclusion officers and general council for the YWCA, Robert Johnson. He is a double threat being a lawyer and entrepreneur. Robert is a partner in two businesses with the main focus of pouring back into the community. The first is the Solomon Group, a consulting firm that focuses on raising capital for minority women entrepreneurs to help the...
Aug 01, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 26
