What does it take to grow from a Craigslist rental to a $100 million real estate portfolio—and still stay true to your values? In this episode, we sit down with Michael Merideth, co-founder and CEO of VPG Enterprises in New Orleans. A former petroleum engineer and minor league baseball player, Michael’s journey into real estate began with a bold leap—and a belief that his community deserved better. With fraternity brothers turned co-founders, he bootstrapped VPG from envelope-stuffing side hustl...
Jun 25, 2025•34 min
What does it really take to build a thriving business and lasting wealth—on your own terms? We sit down with Kito Smith, a standout in the San Antonio real estate scene, to explore what it means to build wealth—and a business—by design. Kito’s unwavering commitment to his “why” has shaped his approach to real estate, leadership, and life, driving his success as both a top-producing agent and a mentor within his community. In this conversation, we dive into the discipline behind Kito’s daily rout...
Jun 18, 2025•29 min
From protecting Austin’s live music scene to launching the University of Texas’s largest NIL fund, Nick Shuley’s career has always centered on impact—and on people. In this episode, we sit down with Nick to unpack how he found himself at the forefront of the NIL movement, fighting to ensure college athletes weren’t just paid, but supported. He shares how he navigated the chaotic rollout of NIL legislation, why he made it a point to sit down with every athlete he worked with, and the financial an...
Jun 11, 2025•42 min
From NFL locker rooms to boardrooms with Stephen Ross, Jamar Adams’ journey is anything but ordinary. In this powerful episode, Jamar shares how growing up in public housing, winning chess championships, and excelling in football laid the foundation for founding Essence Development—a $6B real estate firm focused on creating communities of opportunity. We dive into how Jamar leveraged his NFL experience to gain access to high finance, why a billion-dollar bonus opened his eyes to wealth creation,...
Jun 04, 2025•45 min
What if your family could operate like a business, not just to survive, but to build legacy wealth? In this powerful episode of The Color of Money, we’re joined by private wealth advisor LaVaisha Davis, who specializes in helping first-generation wealth creators build “fractional family offices.” These coordinated, strategic setups bring together your CPA, attorney, investment advisor, and insurance professionals to work in sync, so your financial plan is greater than the sum of its parts. LaVai...
May 28, 2025•43 min
What does leadership look like when it's grounded in love, high standards, and real connection? In this episode of The Color of Money, we sit down with NFL coach Michael Pitre to explore what it means to lead at the highest level—on the field and in life. From his early days as an athlete to coaching pros in the NFL, Michael shares how his experiences shaped his leadership philosophy. He unpacks the challenges of coaching Gen Z, why the word "leadership" can be intimidating, and how reframing it...
May 21, 2025•42 min
In this powerful episode of The Color of Money, we sit down with real estate mogul and market center owner Gaurav Gambhir, whose empire spans brokerages, investments, and over 4,500 property management units across 10 states. Gaurav shares how he went from selling newspapers at a Philly newsstand to building one of the most respected real estate organizations in the country. But this isn’t just a rags-to-riches story—it’s a lesson in humility, perseverance, and strategic leverage. He opens up ab...
May 14, 2025•36 min
When Buwa Binitie’s father told him, “I didn’t raise you to work for someone else,” it wasn’t a critique—it was a challenge. In this episode, we hear how that moment became the catalyst for Buwa’s transformation from suit-wearing employee to the founder of Dumas Collective, a multi-vertical real estate empire that has developed or financed over 8,000 units nationwide. Buwa takes us through the pivotal moments that defined his entrepreneurial path—from a childhood surrounded by Nigerian business ...
May 07, 2025•48 min
Most real estate agents fall in love with the grind, but few pause to ask if it’s building real wealth. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Coby Socher, visionary CEO of Speedy Offers and longtime real estate investor in Cleveland, Ohio, who made that pivot. Coby opens up about his early days hustling for commissions, how imposter syndrome followed his success, and the moment he realized he had the accolades, but not the assets. A single quote—“Real estate agents should be the wealthiest ...
Apr 30, 2025•39 min
Mark Willis has led Keller Williams through massive growth and turbulent times—but his secret weapon isn’t strategy. It’s vision, presence, and an unshakable belief in people. In this powerful conversation, Mark joins us to reflect on his journey from agent to Chief Leadership Officer, and the mindset shifts required to lead through change. He shares how visualizing success helped him shape Keller Williams into the largest real estate franchise by agent count in the world, and why adaptability i...
Apr 23, 2025•39 min
What if your relationship with money matters more than how much of it you have? In this episode, we’re joined by Matt Morizio, former professional baseball player turned financial advisor, business coach, and founder of Reconstructing Wealth. Matt shares how his experience in sports and entrepreneurship led him to uncover the emotional baggage many of us carry when it comes to money—and why transforming our mindset is often the key to building lasting wealth. From homeschooling his seven childre...
Apr 16, 2025•37 min
In this episode of The Color of Money, we sit down with David Zapata to unpack the misunderstood world of life insurance—and the immense financial potential hiding in whole life policies. From losing his mother in Colombia to building a financial education company in the U.S., David Zapata has lived the kind of story that redefines how we think about money, legacy, and protection. We explore the difference between term and permanent coverage, why savings (not income) is the real problem for most...
Apr 09, 2025•52 min
From Jamaica to Texas to Colorado, Natalie Davis has built a life—and a leadership legacy—by staying true to her purpose: pouring into others. In this episode, we sit down with Natalie, the former President of the Colorado Association of Realtors, national speaker, business coach, and podcast host of Reignite Resilience, to unpack her remarkable journey. Natalie shares how her immigrant upbringing shaped her drive, how she entered real estate after avoiding it for years, and how leadership found...
Apr 02, 2025•43 min
Recorded live at the 2025 KW Family Reunion during the KWBREN Fest, this episode dives into the real power of real estate—building generational wealth. While commissions provide income, true financial freedom comes from ownership and control of assets. Shifting from a short-term mindset to a long-term strategy is essential for breaking systemic barriers and creating lasting wealth. The conversation highlights personal journeys of overcoming financial setbacks, scaling businesses, and navigating ...
Mar 26, 2025•44 min
Success in real estate isn’t about where you went to school—it’s about grit, strategy, and knowing how to take action. In this episode of The Color of Money, we sit down with Jonathan Miller, the CEO and founder of Miller Capital Group, a real estate investment company based in Atlanta. Jonathan has built an impressive portfolio of 157 multifamily units in just five years, using a conservative, strategic approach to acquisitions and property management. Jonathan’s journey is anything but convent...
Mar 19, 2025•38 min
What does it mean to build a legacy—not just for yourself, but for an entire community? In this special episode, we turn the spotlight on our very own Emerick Peace, a leader, mentor, and the "patriarch of Black real estate." Affectionately known as "Unc," Emerick has shaped the landscape of real estate with a deep commitment to excellence, collaboration, and community. He shares his journey from West Baltimore to the Air Force to founding the largest Black-owned real estate office in the countr...
Mar 12, 2025•36 min
Leadership is a journey that starts from within, and few understand that better than Kymber Lovett-Menkiti. In this episode of The Color of Money, we welcome back Kymber, a powerhouse in real estate and an influential leader in the industry. With experience spanning from leading high-performing sales teams to overseeing expansive brokerages, Kymber shares insights on the evolution of leadership, self-leadership, and the delicate balance between influence and responsibility. We dive deep into the...
Mar 05, 2025•36 min
In this episode of The Color of Money, we sit down with powerhouse real estate agent Sheri Pettus, also known as The Real Realtor from Atlanta, Georgia. Sheri shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Boston to building a thriving real estate business driven by authenticity, boldness, and an unconventional approach to lead generation. Sheri Pettus reveals the secrets behind her success, from striking up conversations with strangers in nail salons and grocery stores to leveraging handwritt...
Feb 26, 2025•34 min
What does it take to build wealth when you're starting with nothing? According to Corey Wright, the answer isn't just money—it’s mindset, relationships, and knowing how to play the game. From growing up in North Minneapolis to becoming one of the largest independent minority-owned real estate brokers in Minnesota, Corey’s journey is a masterclass in resilience. He shares how he lost everything in 2008 and rebuilt a financial empire through strategic investing, discipline, and an unwavering commi...
Feb 19, 2025•43 min
Bo Menkiti’s journey to real estate success wasn’t linear—it was built on intentional choices, valuable lessons, and a commitment to investing in overlooked communities. His background as an athlete instilled discipline and perseverance, but a pivotal moment with a neighbor reshaped his perspective on community impact. Rather than inflating his lifestyle as his income grew, he reinvested his earnings, laying the foundation for long-term success. In this episode, Bo shares his Three Buckets of We...
Feb 12, 2025•40 min
From school teacher to mega agent, Tiffany Todd’s story is a masterclass in resilience and strategy. In this episode, she shares how she transitioned to real estate to create more time for her family, overcame early challenges, and built a referral-based business that thrives on integrity and relationships. Tiffany explains how she educates her clients about wealth-building strategies, such as investing in acreage, leveraging life insurance policies, and using alternative financing methods. She ...
Feb 05, 2025•34 min
How do you turn personal empowerment into a tool for building generational wealth? Shaquille McCray, team leader and Quantum Leap instructor, shares his inspiring journey from student entrepreneur to one of Keller Williams' standout leaders. Shaq reflects on the influence of his mentors, like John Newman, and how their guidance helped him grow into a servant leader. Now, he dedicates himself to mentoring others through Quantum Leap, a program offering practical tools for mindset, business planni...
Jan 29, 2025•31 min
What does it take to excel in real estate while fostering deep relationships and giving back to the community? We sit down with Linda Lee, a top 100 agent at Keller Williams, to uncover her unique approach to building wealth, serving others, and creating a lasting legacy. Linda shares how her passion for real estate is fueled by her commitment to paying it forward. From leveraging innovative strategies in her business model to hosting thoughtful client events and giving back to her alma mater, L...
Jan 22, 2025•27 min
What role does mental health play in building success and generational wealth? We sit down with Dr. Troy Waller, a board-certified mental health specialist, to explore how mental well-being intersects with success, leadership, and wealth-building—especially in communities of color. Dr. Waller dives deep into the unique pressures faced by Black professionals, from carrying the weight of representation to overcoming stigmas around seeking mental health support. We discuss the impact of internalize...
Jan 15, 2025•32 min
Leadership, mindset, and financial well-being—what do they have in common? Everything. In this episode, we sit down with Kimberly Guiry, a dynamic business strategist and performance coach, to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in today’s real estate market and beyond. From navigating market shifts to redefining what success looks like, Kimberly offers a wealth of insights about the importance of reflection, recovery, and building resilience. Drawing on the principles of gratitude, neur...
Jan 08, 2025•37 min
Starting with only $500, Melissa Dorman bought 23 units in 3 years, jumpstarting her real estate career. How did this former social worker pull it off? Seller financing. Melissa joins us today to explain everything you need to know about seller financing, including how to structure deals, identify good partnerships, and think through issues like taxes and cash flow. Melissa understands social wealth better than most. She sees the potential in hard-working people who might not fit into the tradit...
Jan 01, 2025•31 min
In 2022, Julia shared the front page of the Austin Business Journal with Elon Musk for the annual edition of the most influential people to watch in Texas. Not long after, Elon Musk’s quip, “DEI must die” went viral. Julia wanted to respectfully respond in her own way, so she recently gave a TED Talk titled “The Ultimate Win: Why DEI Can’t Die.” In today’s episode, Julia describes the experience of giving a TED Talk and gives us a preview of her talk’s contents. Take a listen to hear how Julia p...
Dec 25, 2024•26 min
The presidential election results have weighed heavily on many people of color, including those of us who are real estate professionals. Harrison Beacher and Tommy Choi join us to process where we go from here. Both are national leaders in the movement to make real estate more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. It’s not an easy conversation, but it might be one of the most valuable ones we’ve had on the show. Resources: Learn more at The Color of Money Read “ I Came as a Shadow: An Autobiography...
Dec 18, 2024•43 min
When Chief Master Sergeant Monique Slater retired from the Air Force, she didn’t retire from being a leader. Today, she uses real estate to teach others about building wealth and achieving excellence. Chief Master Sergeant Slater is our guest on the show today. The members of Chief Master Sergeant Slater’s real estate team are always prepared to discuss the real estate market with anyone they meet. Integrity, trust, and a drive to teach financial literacy are the bedrock values of her team. Whet...
Dec 11, 2024•23 min
If you go to the south side of Chicago and look around at what used to be 75th Street, you’ll see a sign: James B. Lemons Way. James B. Lemons was legendary for his barbeque, selling more pork rib tips than anyone else in the city. He and his brothers became self-made millionaires. Our guest today is Marki Lemons, granddaughter of James B. Lemon and business mogul in her own right. The way Marki teaches a lesson with every sentence she speaks, you can tell she’s spent her life immersed in entrep...
Dec 04, 2024•37 min
