The rise of Black-owned wineries is more than a matter of representation; it's also a matter of economic opportunity. The wine industry contributes billions to the U.S. economy. As Black-owned wineries gain prominence, they create jobs, contribute to economic growth, and empower communities. Brands like McBride Sisters Wine, the largest African-American-owned wine company in the U.S., and Mouton Noir Winesare the only two black-owned wineries sold in Arkansas, exemplifying the possible economic ...
Sep 19, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 10
I will never forget the day President Trump invited me to the White House. Not once, but twice. I attended a conference in Washington, D.C., the Presidential Sites Summit, in 2018. I made it pretty public that I got to tour the White House, but I didn't share with many that a few days later, I met President Trump, the First Lady (and Betsy Devos, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Steven Mnuchin, and Kellyanne Conway). Many did not accept the invitation to attend, but I am so glad I did.
Sep 03, 2023•7 min•Season 2Ep. 9
This past week brought announcements of expansions and renovations for three major landmarks in Little Rock: the Clinton Presidential Center, the new venue for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the historic Boyle Building. These updates spurred me to reflect on the city’s robust developmental blueprint, valued at nearly a billion dollars. But these projects? They're just beginning.
Aug 14, 2023•6 min•Season 2Ep. 8
There's a part of my life that I've held close to my chest, a transformative and deeply personal story. I'm a Thomas J. Watson Fellow, a title I've often hesitated to share openly, not out of shame but a complex blend of modesty and reverence for the experience. But today, as I'm heading to Bowdoin College for a returning fellows conference, I feel encouraged to share more about this chapter of my life. If you’re interested in knowing the details, you're in the right place.
Aug 03, 2023•4 min•Season 2Ep. 7
After a two year hiatus, Trendlines is back! This season will feature audio recordings of my blog, interviews, and informal conversations on topics that matter.
Aug 01, 2023•57 sec
This surge of excitement surrounding Barbie showcased nostalgia, curiosity, and for some of us, a hopeful anticipation of witnessing an icon's transformation. The trailers promised a fresh take on Barbie—a figure not defined by fashion or aspiration but one of depth and humor. Expectations were high, and the film appeared poised to shatter norms. However, as the narrative unfolded, a disheartening realization set in: the Barbie Movie seemed unable to transcend its legacy. Barbie is still trapped...
Jul 29, 2023•3 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Last week I was hit by an ad that said The Chicks were coming to Simmons Arena. I will not be the first or last Black American with a bad relationship with Country music, but I was intrigued and got tickets to the show. If I ever had the tenacity to sing karaoke, you would hear me sing every single word of "Landslide" by heart. But most importantly, I faintly remembered them being featured in Advocate - the leading source of LGBT news - and abandoning "Dixie" Chicks to be on the right side of a ...
Jul 23, 2023•4 min•Season 2Ep. 5
I won’t lie; I had a blast on the 4th of July this year. It was the first time I forgot about COVID, the insurrection, Donald Trump, Kaepernick, Trayvon Martin, Women’s Rights, mass shootings, and the recent disinformation tweet from our Governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Jul 07, 2023•4 min•Season 2Ep. 4
I've witnessed a steady rise in the sharing economy, with platforms like Airbnb pioneering a revolution in how we think about travel and accommodation.
Jun 24, 2023•4 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a futuristic concept anymore. It's woven into every facet of our lives, revolutionizing sectors from finance to healthcare to entertainment. It's making our lives easier, our jobs more efficient, and even our entertainment more immersive. But with all its remarkable capabilities, one pressing question remains: Could AI be used for good? That's the central theme we'll explore today, taking our cues from popular media, specifically the TV series Westworld, ...
Jun 19, 2023•6 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In our contemporary society, escaping the pulsing rhythm of technology's heartbeat is nearly impossible. One could even venture to say that we live in a world shaped and defined by our digital inventions. Standing at the forefront of these is Artificial Intelligence (AI), a paradigm-shifting technology that can redefine what we thought we knew about intelligence, consciousness, and our interaction with machines.
Jun 19, 2023•3 min•Season 2Ep. 1
