We are not short on horror stories of racial disparities in medicine. We saw this most recently during the early days of the pandemic, when Black and brown communities were absolutely devastated by Covid-19. And even beyond the pandemic, health disparities and inequity for people of color persist. Our guest today is Dr. Oni Blackstock . Dr. Oni Blackstock is recognized as a thought leader and influencer in the areas of HIV and health equity. She is a primary care and HIV physician and the founde...
Mar 27, 2023•38 min•Ep. 238
Change can be scary, and when your pivot concerns your professional life, it can become even scarier ... especially for Black Women and other women of color! Our guest is Cecilia Nelson-Hurt , a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we have Jennefer Witter , a past guest of the show, taking over hosting duties for the podcast for March. Jennefer is CEO/Founder of the Boreland Group. 🔥 Download transcripts and see our full archives: https://iamblacksucce...
Mar 20, 2023•34 min•Ep. 237
There is an ongoing myth that there are very few Black Women in executive and/or senior leadership positions. Like the pipeline is nearly empty. It’s NOT. Our guest for this episode is Ebony Reed . Ebony is the Chief Strategy Officer for the Marshall Project, a non-profit that produces journalism about the criminal justice system. Connect with Ebony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-reed-7b18564/ In celebration of Women’s History Month, Jennefer Witter , a past guest of the show, ta...
Mar 13, 2023•33 min•Ep. 236
Are you a Unicorn? Have you been called a unicorn? Unicorn is a popular term used when there is an “only” or a “few” and it often means – according to Wikipedia – “a very rare find”. In celebration of Women’s History Month, I’m turning over my hosting duties, all month long, to a dear friend and a past guest of the show, Jennefer Witter . Jennefer is the CEO and founder of The Boreland Group, a 20-year-old boutique public relations firm headquartered in New York City. Jennefer’s agency specializ...
Mar 06, 2023•31 min•Ep. 235
Ready to discover the 4 truths on why we actually struggle chasing PURPOSE? Don’t miss “What’s The 411?” with our guest Patrice C Washington. In 2020, SUCCESS Magazine named Patrice Washington one of 12 Inspiring Black Voices in Personal Development and she continues to be consistently called on for her expertise by national media. As an award-winning intuitive author, transformational speaker, hope-restoring coach, and conscious media personality, Patrice is committed to teaching a holistic app...
Feb 27, 2023•27 min•Ep. 234
How Can You Grow Your Solo Business? Join me as I share in conversation with the one and only Ramon Ray, who is going to share some key tips and insights NOT for building a billion-dollar brand but JUST getting to over $100k in revenue-building a great business that generates a few hundred thousand dollars in revenue! In case you hadn’t heard about Ramon until now ... Ramon Ray is an in-demand expert on small business success. He's has started five companies and sold two of them and is a five-ti...
Feb 20, 2023•21 min•Ep. 233
Empathy is so very important in today's remote work environment, and helps leaders understand their team's perspectives, emotions, and experiences, which leads to better communication and connection. Our featured guest for this episode is Chris Cochran, CEO & Executive Producer of Hacker Valley Media. Chris will be sharing a new segment we've created called 'What's the 411' and talking with us about Leading Empathetically in an Increasingly Remote World. Follow us: Hacker Valley , I Am Black...
Feb 13, 2023•21 min•Ep. 232
"If the racial wealth divide is left unaddressed ... median Black household wealth is on a path to hit zero by 2053—about 10 years after it is projected that racial minorities will comprise the majority of the nation’s population. Median Latino household wealth is projected to hit zero twenty years later, or by 2073." The Road To Zero Wealth . --- Join Gary Cunningham, CEO of Prosperity Now, as he tackles the income and asset gap and highlights ways to build Black wealth for a more inclusive eco...
Feb 06, 2023•29 min•Ep. 231
*Today is our 7th birthday as a podcast (wooo hooo). This is the 3rd part of a 3-part Reboot mini series. All three episodes are live right now (episodes 228-230).* The mantra and approach I'll share in today's episode, became the underlying driver that later helped me get: Promoted twice in 6-months at my job Increased my income and the number of income streams Got me accepted as one of the first 100- people into LinkedIn’s Creator Accelarator program And helped me create 50-live streams in 10-...
Feb 01, 2023•16 min•Ep. 230
When you're navigating somewhere using Google Maps and you've got an accident on your route, Google will typically offer you to accept a different route... and that’s what I did in this valley season of my life. I accepted the alternate route. This is the 2nd part of a 3-part Reboot mini series. All three episodes are live right now (episodes 228-230).* In this episode, I share: What happened to me in this 3-year valley season and why I accepted an alternate route to keep me moving toward my goa...
Feb 01, 2023•19 min•Ep. 229
What’s good fam? Wah gwan? How tings? How ya’ll doing? Listen, this episode is being published on February 1 2023 and today marks the 7th anniversary since we launched the Trailblazers.FM podcast. That’s right ... it’s our 7th birthday as a podcast and community ... I’m so incredibly grateful as I reflect on all the amazing accomplishments we’ve achieved and also the challenges we’ve endured to get here. Today also marks the official reboot of the show and the beginning of #BlackHistoryMonth 202...
Feb 01, 2023•11 min•Ep. 228
It’s New Year’s Day and a dear friend of the podcast, Mignon Francois, opens up the year for Trailblazers.FM with this bold statement and challenge to each and everyone of YOU in our BlazerNation community: Throw The Whole Resolution Away... 😮 Say what?? Listen, you DO NOT want to miss out on the most inspiring 21-minutes that will help you get your year off on the right footing and position your mind, your actions and the results you'll achieve over the next 365-days of this year! Our featured...
Jan 01, 2023•22 min•Ep. 227
"God will make us strong, before he makes us happy!" -- Please help us by SHARING this podcast with others. We believe that these inspiring stories are going to move other aspiring Black trailblazers to make significant changes that have generational impact for many others, both now and well into the future. Blazer Nation, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com And connect with host Stephen A. Hart at Twitter and LinkedIn #BlackExcellence #BlackSuccess #BlackMen #BlackWomen #BlackEntrepreneur...
Dec 13, 2021•16 min•Ep. 226
How do you build, grow and scale your black-owned business? Today’s guest is Samia Gore. Samia Gore is the first Black female founder of Body Complete Rx, who’s been able to break significant ground in the male-dominated, nutritional supplement industry. She’s since gone on to generate over $10m in the past 4 years in her business. -- Please help us by SHARING this podcast with others. We believe that these inspiring stories are going to move other aspiring Black trailblazers to make significant...
Dec 11, 2021•24 min•Ep. 225
There is a past version of you that is so proud of how far you have come! I recently shared an emotional memory of a place, a valley I was in back in December 2013, that I wanted to never go back to again. Thank God, I’ve never been back there. And that Stephen from December 15, 2013 is soooo very proud of where I am today. - Now that brings me to the point I wanted to make today and it’s this ... DO NOT QUIT on you because GREAT THINGS TAKE TIME! -- Please help us by SHARING this podcast with o...
Dec 09, 2021•6 min•Ep. 224
Our episode guest is Stephen Powell , the chief programs and partnerships officer of the National CARES Mentoring Movement, founded by Essence Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Susan L. Taylor; he leads and oversees the organization’s affiliate network, program expansion, partnership development, training, and technical assistance efforts. Some of Stephen’s most notable honors include GQ Magazine’s Movado Leader Award; Black Enterprise Magazine’s 100 Modern Men of Distinction; and an Obama adm...
Dec 08, 2021•52 min•Ep. 223
Life has a way of throwing you and I some tough blows during different seasons of our lives. Whether you and I must endure a day, a week or a year of hardships, the challenge is to continue to put yourself out there (like it or not), continue to get up and show up anyway. If you’re unclear about how to lead during your present or next season of uncertainty, you should join this conversation. Our guest today is Kandia Johnson , Founder of Kandid Conversations Global, a leadership training and coa...
Dec 07, 2021•36 min•Ep. 222
As our 5th anniversary as a podcast approached on February 1st 2021, I made a decision to not quit on Trailblazers.FM, but instead I decided to shift. I shifted and committed to producing weekly video live streams and then it became 2-3x a week that I was streaming. In many ways though, my soul ached. I stopped the podcast that was going for 5 years, and at it’s peak, reaching some 15-20,000 downloads a month. But I made a commitment in that dark valley, that I was going to set my pride aside an...
Dec 06, 2021•22 min•Ep. 221
All anyone has to do is say the year and it can elicit an emotion. In a few words, this year has been everything from unpredictable, to traumatic, scary, exhausting and bizarre. But, there have been moments of joy as well, despite the pain. For those who are hurting, who need the hope that an opportunity to start over provides, debut author Zim Flores has some thoughts. Flores’ new book, Dare to Bloom: Trusting God Through Painful Endings and New Beginnings (Dec. 8, 2020, Thomas Nelson Gift Book...
Dec 07, 2020•44 min•Ep. 220
OUR FEATURED GUEST THIS WEEK: ZACH NUNN Based out of Houston, TX, Zach Nunn is a “Big 4” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant and thought leader, with over 9 years of experience leading cultural and organizational transformation in a variety of industries. As the CEO and founder of Living Corporate, LLC , Zach amplifies and centers marginalized voices at work by interviewing Black and brown executives, activists, educators, elected officials and influencers which provides practical insigh...
Nov 30, 2020•50 min•Ep. 219
You've heard the advice to reach out to individual journalists …. but should we work to build rapport with journalists BEFORE we need them? I ask this and several other questions that I wanted more insights on in this conversation with the PR GURU, Pam Perry. OUR FEATURED GUEST: PAM PERRY Pam Perry is an award-winning communications professional. She teaches and mentors authors, speakers and entrepreneurs on how to build a platform and attract major media and publishing contracts. She is also th...
Nov 23, 2020•45 min•Ep. 218
It's time to open the doors for Black creatives in the fashion industry and provide them direct access to some of fashion's top leaders and vets. OUR GUEST: CHRISTOPHER BEVANS Christopher Bevans is a native of New York, who began his career apprenticing at a local tailoring house where he eventually became the owner at 19 years old. Christopher’s roots as an expert tailor developed into a passion that carried him to the Fashion Institute of Technology. During his time at FIT, Bevans studied text...
Nov 16, 2020•49 min•Ep. 217
There are more amazing Black men and women, who aren't poor, aren't criminals, aren't threats to our society, than those who are. Yet, the media's representation of Black people paint a different picture. If we are to alter the media's distorted portrayal, we must among other things, increase the number of Black tv owners, producers, journalists and experts who are the creators of content. I’m excited today to share in a conversation this week with Tunisha Brown, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of I...
Nov 09, 2020•52 min•Ep. 216
Leading in purpose and with authenticity provides the strength, endurance, and desire to succeed in all areas of life. OUR GUEST: TRACY L. WILLIAMS, MS Tracy L. Williams is a nationally recognized leader committed to equity, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion with expertise creating and executing strategies that uplift women and underserved populations through entrepreneurship, philanthropy, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. CONNECT WITH TRACY L. WILLIAMS LinkedIn: Tracy L. William...
Nov 02, 2020•37 min•Ep. 215
How is society being biased, specifically against the segment of citizens who count themselves among the formerly incarcerated? Bishop Darren Ferguson is a preacher, teacher, singer, motivational speaker and social activist. In this conversation, Bishop Ferguson shares his own experiences going from prison to the pulpit and beyond. OUR GUEST: BISHOP DARREN FERGUSON Born and raised in the village of Harlem and in the Bronx, NY, Darren A. Ferguson is known as a leader for this generation – a preac...
Oct 26, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 214
Healthy manhood is the solution to ending all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination and can improve the mental and physical health for men and boys. OUR GUEST: TED BUNCH Ted Bunch is an educator, author, activist, and lecturer working to end all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. Bunch is Chief Development Officer of A Call to Men and is internationally recognized for his efforts to prevent violence against women while promoting a healthy, respectful manhoo...
Oct 19, 2020•44 min•Ep. 213
Whatever your focus - whether you’re a leader, a career professional or a business owner, you’ve got to have a base line code or model that you follow and live by. In today’s episode ALLAN HOUSTON and I discuss an unshakeable value system he’s developed for winning in life called FISLL. This acronym stands for Faith, Integrity, Sacrifice, Leadership and Legacy. OUR GUEST: ALLAN HOUSTON Allan Houston lives his life with the determination to apply his success as a professional athlete to help othe...
Oct 12, 2020•33 min•Ep. 212
Desiree joins Stephen to discuss how to take care of yourself… know your limits… give yourself permission to not be ok… and seek the resources you need to be the best you. OUR GUEST: DESIREE S COLEMAN Desiree S. Coleman works to create equitable and empowering conditions for women & organizations. She is a consultant who has helped numerous groups redefine their diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) practices. Likewise, she has mentored and coached countless women to rediscover the Queen W...
Oct 05, 2020•38 min•Ep. 211
Inspired by the loss of her aunt, this Black physicist Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green is on a quest to cure cancer in a revolutionary new way. Dr. Green is one of the first African American women in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in physics, holds the distinction of being only the second African American woman and is the fourth African American to receive a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). -- Please help us by SHARING this podcast with others. We believe that the...
Sep 28, 2020•40 min•Ep. 210
You are a product of your choices, NOT a victim of your circumstances. Your biggest challenges can be transformed into the foundation for extraordinary personal growth. JT McCormick is the President and CEO of Scribe Media and a bestselling author of the book I Got There: How a Mixed-Race Kid Overcame Racism, Poverty, and Abuse to Arrive at the American Dream JT’s story is truly enthralling. It grips you the moment you hear about him... born the mixed-race son of a drug-dealing pimp father and a...
Sep 21, 2020•40 min•Ep. 209
