In this episode, we talk with Terrell Spurlock Sr. and Terrell Spurlock Jr. of Spurlock and Son Inc. Founded in 1998, Spurlock & Son Inc. is a leading electrical contracting firm in Chicago, IL. We will discuss the firm's commitment to service, community, and inspiring future generations.
In this episode, we will discuss the low rate of employment in Black America , especially Black Men. One of the three major labor market challenges facing this population and on using subsidized employment as a tool to address this problem. Austin Algernon has conducted research and writing on issues of race and racial inequality for over 20 years. Austin has a PhD in sociology from Northwestern University, and he taught sociology as a faculty member at Wesleyan University. He has held positions...
In this episode, we will discuss "A Peculiar Legacy" with novelist Rashid Darden. A Peculiar Legacy is part contemporary fiction and historical fiction. It's the story of a Black community in the District of Columbia called Slope that gathers in silence every Sunday, without the presence of a Pastor, in silent prayer, with occasional vocal ministry from among themselves. Rashid Darden is an award-winning, best-selling novelist of the urban LGBT experience, a seasoned leader of Black fraternal mo...
Cy Richardson, Senior Vice President for Economic Programs at the National Urban League and a member of the League’s Executive Leadership Team, will discuss the gap in financial literacy among the African American community, the P-Fin index, and the eight key knowledge areas that should be understood around personal finance.
Writer, philanthropist, and producer Damon Mosley, discusses how walks around Target to help achieve a daily steps goal turned into a crusade to help children connect with the joy of reading.
Black Men Speak talks with Malcolm D. Lee is a highly accomplished director, producer, and screenwriter known for films like The Best Man series, Girls Trip, and Space Jam: A New Legacy. We discuss his creative process, career evolution, and unique perspective on filmmaking regarding Black Men.
Black Men Speak host, Keith Dent speaks with Jelani Millard, host of the podcast Pay Me in Plane Tickets, a podcast discussing all things travel with individuals who love to explore all parts of the world, experience all cultures and people and would rather be paid in plane tickets.
We talk to Alphonse Dotson, a former NFL defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders, and owner of Dotson-Cervantes Winery . He along with his wife Martha Cervantes went from the sparkle of a dream to growing some of the most-prized grapes in Texas, and creating the most exquisite wines. We will discuss how his life experiences have taught him determination and the strength needed to accomplish his goals. From his beginnings on the football field at Yates High School in Houston, Alphonse worked har...
Eugene T. Barnes is a husband, father, stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, singer, rapper, and advocate for black family and marriage originally from Lakeland, Fl. He is a successful commercial actor appearing in commercials for top brands including Udemy and Amazon. He is also the star of the upcoming film Office Madness set to debut in November of 2024 on Amazon Prime. “Still Love”, a web series starring Eugene is currently in production and is set to debut in early 2025. Eugene co-wro...
In this episode, we will discuss the importance of empowering black voices through media and mentoring with Kevin Benoit. Established in 2004 by founder, Kevin Benoit, Parlé Magazine began as an entertainment and lifestyle print publication, distributed in New York City. The print publication featured some of the biggest names in music, literature, and film. Kevin is interested in discussing topics such as "How to Launch an Arts Nonprofit and Get Funding in Year One" and "Empowering Black Voices...
Ameer Natson wears several hats. He is a chef, humanitarian, entrepreneur, faith leader and counselor. He is the founder of Become Creative Agency, a full-service creative and marketing agency that hires local talent from inner-city communities. He is also the founder of Fresh Chef Foundation, an organization that transforms lives through food. Their mission is to combat food insecurity, empower aspiring chefs, and nourish communities. They believe everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious m...
In this episode we tackle the issue of nutrition and the importance of speaking to a nutritionist with licensed dietitian Gregory Lafortune. At the age of 11, he was told that he had Type 1 Diabetes. He truly hated this reality and battled it daily. He had two options to choose from: 1) Make excuses & let this diagnosis ruin his life or 2) Take control of his health & rule over negativity. Through faith, prayer, and support from his village, he was able to adopt a more positive outlook o...
Thomas C Knox, a Master Connection Curator, Social Entrepreneur, and Thought Leader from Brooklyn, New York, is committed to curating impactful educational and community experiences through The Connection Collective. At the forefront of innovation, his company endeavors to challenge and empower individuals to forge unique connections. As the owner of BeGreat Bow Ties, an exclusive custom bow tie brand, Thomas encourages his customers to express their individuality by being unique in style. Impor...
We catch with Eric Seals and Donnie Seals as we discuss their documentary film Bike Vessel . It's a film that follows a father and son, 35 and 70, as they cycle from St. Louis to Chicago. Film director Eric Seals ’father almost died after three open-heart surgeries. However, he makes a miraculous health recovery after discovering his love for cycling, bringing his son Eric along with him.
Today's episode is about When Crack Was King with author Donovan X. Ramsey. It's a book about the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s. It is arguably the least examined crisis in American history and how it impacted the lives of four individuals, Elgin Swift, son of a crack-addicted father who turned their home into a “crack house”; Lennie Woodley, a former crack addict, and a sex worker; Kurt Schmoke, former mayor of Baltimore and an early advocate of decriminalization; and lastly, Shawn McCr...
We discuss Darrin Bell's Graphic Novel "The Talk" which is a a conversation Black parents in the United States feel compelled to have with their children and teenagers about the dangers they face due to racism or unjust treatment from authority figures, law enforcement or other parties, and how to de-escalate them. Darrin Bell who is black and Jewish, born in Los Angeles California, is a Pulitzer Prize -winning American editorial cartoonist and comic strip creator known for the syndicated comic ...
We discuss Darrin Bell's Graphic Novel "The Talk" which is a a conversation Black parents in the United States feel compelled to have with their children and teenagers about the dangers they face due to racism or unjust treatment from authority figures, law enforcement or other parties, and how to de-escalate them. Darrin Bell who is black and Jewish, born in Los Angeles California, is a Pulitzer Prize -winning American editorial cartoonist and comic strip creator known for the syndicated comic ...
In this episode, we will delve into relationships from the Black Male perspective with Keishorne Scott and Dr. Armon Perry. Mr. Scott is a bestselling author, international speaker, relationship & heartbreak coach, TV and Media Personality, and the founder of Your Love Experience Intl, which seeks to cultivate the power of healing, relationships, and love through creative online content, podcasts, special events, and community. Dr. Armon Perry is Professor and Director of the BSW Program at ...
We will discuss the physical and mental health of black men, racism, how it impacts our health, and what we can do about it. with Dr. Derek Griffith. Dr. Griffith is the Founder and Director of the Center for Men’s Health EquityThe Center for Men’s Health Equity conducts research that helps men live healthier lives. While there is growing interest in how social and cultural factors shape men’s health, few researchers have comprehensively studied these influences....
Robert Washington-Vaughns started the Black Men Flower Project in the summer of 2021 in Columbus, Ohio when he began delivering flowers to his guy friends in and around town as a token of his gratitude and appreciation towards them. Robert conceptualized the project during his time in an outpatient mental health program in Columbus, Ohio in 2018. He was inspired by the community, art, and nature therapy practice of wabi-sabi and wanted to adapt it to something portable and impactful. John Caleb ...
As we close out 2023 on Black Men Speak, my guest Collin Mays and I discuss his journey to care for his health and some of the things Black Men need to do in 2024. Collin serves as the President and Founder of LMS Solutions, a strategic planning consulting firm that assists local governments and nonprofits. Most recently Collin served as Director of the Department of Economic Inclusion for the City of Cincinnati. He also is Co-Chair of The Soul Of Philanthropy Michigan where he led a volunteer e...
In this special 4-part series, we'll examine the life of Jarvis Jay Masters born in Long Beach, California, in 1962. He is a widely published African-American Buddhist writer and the author of That Bird Has My Wings: The Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row and Finding Freedom. Originally sent to San Quentin State Prison in 1981 for armed robbery, Jarvis was convicted of conspiracy to murder a prison guard in 1985 and sentenced to death in 1990. Because his case involved a correctional ...
In this special 4-part series, we'll examine the life of Jarvis Jay Masters born in Long Beach, California, in 1962. He is a widely published African-American Buddhist writer and the author of That Bird Has My Wings: The Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row and Finding Freedom. Originally sent to San Quentin State Prison in 1981 for armed robbery, Jarvis was convicted of conspiracy to murder a prison guard in 1985 and sentenced to death in 1990. Because his case involved a correctional ...
In this special 4-part series, we'll examine the life of Jarvis Jay Masters born in Long Beach, California, in 1962. He is a widely published African-American Buddhist writer and the author of That Bird Has My Wings: The Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row and Finding Freedom. Originally sent to San Quentin State Prison in 1981 for armed robbery, Jarvis was convicted of conspiracy to murder a prison guard in 1985 and sentenced to death in 1990. Because his case involved a correctional ...
In this special 4-part series, we'll examine the life of Jarvis Jay Masters born in Long Beach, California, in 1962. He is a widely published African-American Buddhist writer and the author of That Bird Has My Wings: The Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row and Finding Freedom. Originally sent to San Quentin State Prison in 1981 for armed robbery, Jarvis was convicted of conspiracy to murder a prison guard in 1985 and sentenced to death in 1990. Because his case involved a correctional ...
In this episode, we will speak with Isaiah Jones, a Comedy Touring and Live Events Agent at United Talent Agency in New York. Initially from Dinwiddie, VA, we will talk about his passion for music and percussion and how that led him to serve as the Brand Manager and Speaking Agent for Marcus Johnson, an esteemed international jazz pianist, producer, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. Now growing as an Agent in Comedy Touring, Isaiah represents and books various talent for live events, inc...
Black Wallstreeter Consultation Services (BWCS) was started by the father and son team, Kevon and Kamari Chisolm in 2018. In 2020 started a nonprofit called Junior Wallstreeters, Inc., whose motto is: Empowering Youth with Financial Wellness. We will talk about BWCS's primary goals which are to decrease the wealth gap in African - American communities. They focus on two areas: 1) helping others build wealth through investment clubs; and 2) empowering youth with financial wellness, which includes...
In 2020 Tyrese Allyene-Davis celebrated his 21st birthday alone in his NYU dorm room in the middle of a pandemic. It was a mere few days after his school’s closure, and a few weeks before the wave for racial justice would surge following the murder of George Floyd. Seven months later, still confined by a wheelchair and isolated with only his thoughts, he watches the documentary film “I Am Not Your Negro” by Raoul Peck and breaks down in verbal tears. With no one to talk to, Tyrese pours his visc...
Omari Anderson is the founder and CEO of The Best Dirty Lemonade, a brand born from a deeply personal mission. As the only child of a mother battling Alzheimer's, Omari channeled his tenacity and love into creating a remedy to soothe her ailments. As her condition worsened, affecting her sleep, appetite, and mood, Omari was driven to help in the best way he knew how. Despite his academic roots in law and liberal arts, as a graduate of Morehouse College and Howard University School of Law, Omari ...
Spencer Russell currently boasts over 550,000 followers on TikTok, two years ago, he was just a dad going through a career change and looking to give his son a head start. Now the owner of Toddlers CAN Read , Spencer teaches kids as early as 18 months a simple approach to reading. Deciding to teach his son how to read at such a young age stems from his experience feeling academically inadequate to his family members and peers in his youth. Russell knew from a young age that he was different from...
