North Memphis native, Jay Gray is our guest for episode 219. Jay is currently the Brand Operations Manager for We Are Memphis which is a digital marketing firm that promotes "Memphis" to the masses via data research and community outreach. Jay's story is deeply rooted in the Raleigh area. After losing his mom at the age of twelve, Jay lived with his grandmother who was a nurse working twelve hour shifts. Jay became a product of his environment having to grow up very fast taking on responsibiliti...
Aug 01, 2022•30 min
Oakhaven, TN native, Paul Young, is our current President and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission. Paul's upbringing has been centered on finding purpose in work and a strong spirit of service. After graduating from UT Knoxville, Paul experienced a turning point in his life as he listened to one of his mother's sermons encompassing the purpose driven life. It was that moment when Paul discovered that he wanted to rebuild communities in Memphis. Since then he has served in a myriad of roles su...
Jul 25, 2022•29 min
Originally from Pine Bluff, AR, Fabian L. Matthews has definitely found his niche in the Memphis media space. His entry into the technical side of television began shortly after graduating from Arkansas State University and a brief stint in the military. Fabian worked as a a producer/director at KAIT TV in Jonesboro, AR and joined WMC TV-5 in Memphis as a Senior Commercial Producer/Avid Editor in 1997. He later started his media company Spotlight Productions which is still flourishing after twen...
Jul 11, 2022•35 min
Talibah Safiya is an independent soul singer and a captivating story teller from Orange Mound, TN. Using impactful instrumentation and visually stimulating lyricism, Talibah’s music has a way of deeply connecting you to her story and your own. Since 2011, Talibah has been dropping jewels on her own terms that have put her on stages Nationwide. In the summer of 2019, she completed her first tour “A Deep Water Sound” which traveled 10 cities in the US. She has performed for world renowned platform...
Jul 05, 2022•28 min
Born Denisha Bonner, Cookie901 is a female Hip-Hop artist emerging from the asperous streets of Memphis, Tn. Her musical sound clinches tightly onto her city’s roots as she embarks upon the music industry, giving transparency and authenticity. As an adolescent, luminaries such as Memphis natives Gangsta Boo, Playa Fly, and Yo Gotti, fueled her passion of journaling to evolve into a love for bass and bars! Years laters while attending her hometown HBCU, LeMoyne Owen College, she procured the atte...
Jun 27, 2022•25 min
Episode 214's guest is President of River City Capital Investment Corp. and Host of the Minding Your Business Podcast, Ron Brooks, Jr. Ron is an Orange Mound, TN native by way of Chicago, IL. Take a listen as Ron discusses his formative years transferring from Melrose to Houston HS filled with many triumphs and challenges. He later attended the University of Memphis and entered the world of banking immediately after. Ron shares how if felt to be a black man in corporate banking in the early 2000...
Jun 13, 2022•31 min
My guest for Ep 213 is stylist and founder of "Styled by LD" Lauren Draffin. Known as the "Queen of mixing high and low brands", LD shares that her dad got her interested in fashion during her early teens. She credits her first job at Indigo for instilling in her with technique and accountability. LD spent her first three years in college at the University of Alabama as a Fashion/Merchandising major and finished her last year at the University of Memphis. It was at UofM where she received a fash...
Jun 06, 2022•18 min
Orange Mound, TN native, Dr. Derrick D. Payne, is our guest for episode 212. Derrick is a dentist, event strategist and pillar of the Memphis community. In July 2002, Dr. Payne purchased his first dental practice in Memphis and has practiced in the Whitehaven Community for 20 years. He is a member of the Shelby County Dental Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and the visionary of Men of Memphis UNITED. He also is passionate about bringing individuals together in the form of UNITY through v...
May 31, 2022•39 min
Bri Saulsberry "Luxury Experiences" | EPISODE 211 Memphis native, Bri Saulsberry, is my guest for episode 211. Bri is the the Beauty, Boss and Brains behind the illustrious company that reimagines and redefines luxury experiences, Bri Saulsberry & Company. Bri Saulsberry and Company is a boutique design agency that specializes in uniquely reimagining spaces to create extraordinary experiences. Through thoughtfully designed bespoke events and interior design, BS & Co. prioritizes luxury a...
May 23, 2022•37 min
Founded in 2018, Ruthless Ryderz is a roundup club for cowboys and cowgirls started by my guest for Ep 210 Tyrone Brown Sr. Originally from Okmulgee, OK, Tyrone moved to Memphis in 2010 and began expanding Ruthless Ryderz which now has over one hundred members in nine states. Members partake in western rodeo events, horse shows, trail rides and parades. Take a listen as Tyrone discusses the rich history of the black rodeo and the incredible culture that has been established in Memphis. Tyrone is...
May 16, 2022•24 min
My guest for episode 209 reps White Station and Memphis sports. You may have heard John Martin on your radio dial 92.9FM ESPN from 11am-2pm along with Jason Smith giving you the latest in the sports news. John's love for Memphis sports started very early in life as a huge Memphis Tigers fan under the Calipari era. He attended the University of Memphis as journalism major and received his first radio gig as a producer under Geoff Calkins before getting his very own show with Jason Smith in 2016. ...
May 09, 2022•33 min
Meet South Memphis native Jeff Cohran. He’s been holding down the role as Tour & Production manager for Janelle Monae for the last two decades. Jeff comes from a musical family with his Aunt singing background for Ray Charles and Uncle as a musician with the Bar-Kays. However it was Jeff’s mom who was very instrumental in getting him to hone in on the business side of music. Jeff attended UT Knoxville as a journalism electronic media major and minored in political science. He was very active...
May 03, 2022•54 min
You've seen my Ep 207 guest, Janeen Fullilove Gordon, on television over the past 9 years as a traffic anchor and most recently host of Bluff City Life. She is now transitioning from television into full-time public service as a candidate for Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk. You'll learn that Janeen is deeply rooted in the Memphis community which began in the Glenview Historic District. Take a listen as Janeen gives us insight into her family tree, the role of the Juvenile Court Clerk and why...
Apr 25, 2022•40 min
Orange Mound, TN native, Marcus Washington is an Emmy Award winning journalist, currently working as the morning anchor at NBC Bay Area in the San Francisco Bay Area. He's lived in six cities over the past seventeen years in the news industry. Tune in as Marcus talks us through his time at University of Memphis in the journalism program while pledging Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc. He takes us back to his first gig as a producer at WREG working side by side with some of the Memphis greats. Mar...
Apr 19, 2022•48 min
Orange Mound native, Gerald Richardson, is my esteemed guest for episode 205. The youngest of eight siblings, Gerald grew up in a gospel/musical family. He attended White Station High School during the time re-districting was enforced in Memphis. Immediately following graduation he joined a band and the rest is history. Gerald shares that he is blessed to be able to merge his love for both music and mental health awareness. He is a mental health professional facilitating substance abuse classes ...
Apr 11, 2022•38 min
North Memphis native, Dominique Y. Frost, is my guest for episode 204. Dominique is currently a licensed insurance agent and financial services professional that focuses her practice on helping individuals, families and small business owners. She is extremely compassionate about her Memphis community using her voice to influence others. Tune is as Dominique and I discuss her political ambitions, mental health awareness and her phenomenal journey.
Apr 04, 2022•35 min
Attorney Janika White is in the midst of campaign season up for the imperative role of Shelby County District Attorney. Her current situation is filled with a plethora of meetings while staying on path of an intentional journey. Janika's hometown in Memphis is rather debatable being that she lived a street over from Crystal Palace skating rink. Some would say that is South Memphis, White Haven or even Westwood adjacent. Being the only girl in the family, Janika grew up surrounded with the greate...
Mar 28, 2022•52 min
Beaumont TX native, Emile G. Sigee Jr. joins me for episode 202. Emile is a tax professional with EdXact Tax Prep, Union President of Local 352-G and he's also one my big brothers. Take a listen as Emile talks us through his thoughts on the Russia-Ukraine war having experience serving in the US Military. In addition, he breaks down his position as the Union President with Dupont and how the issues with global supply chain has affected business. Lastly, he provides a bit of history on our Creole ...
Mar 14, 2022•29 min
Originally from East St. Louis, multi-disciplinary artist Eso Tolson joins us for episode 201. Eso talks us through his upbringing as an "art kid" in Missouri while pointing out the many comparisons of both Memphis and St. Louis. Although Eso moved to the Bluff City at the age of 22, he has definitely embraced his inner Memphis. He describes the art scene as one that is building community with a need for more resources. In addition, Eso breaks down his love for type faces illustrating his style ...
Mar 07, 2022•49 min
White Haven, TN native, Dr. Tavis Wade-Jones, joins me for Ep 200 of the Verbally Effective Podcast. Being number twelve of thirteen siblings, Tavis grew up in very big, loving family. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise you to know that she was voted "Most Popular" and "Wittiest" at White Haven High School. Tavis began her college journey at Fisk University and later finished at THEE LeMoyne-Owen College pledging Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Upsilon Chapter. As a first-generation college graduate, Tavis ...
Feb 28, 2022•42 min
Ernest D. Strickland, President and CEO of the Black Business Association of Memphis, holds an MBA from Bethel University and Bachelor of Professional Studies from University of Memphis. Strickland has led a multitude of successful economic and workforce development projects throughout his career. Most recently, he served as architect of Memphis’ community-wide workforce development initiative, Upskill 901 – a program aimed at upskilling 10,000 individuals over a three-year timeframe. Take a lis...
Feb 21, 2022•38 min
Nikki Barnes, known in the entertainment industry as Ooowee Nikki B, is a Memphis event planner and promoter. This South Memphis native is a graduate of University of Memphis where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality & Resort Management. Nikki B began here promotional career in high school while being a part of the Hottest No ID Required promoter, Shunn Gunn’s street team. While later joining her God brother, G. Webb to begin throwing their own events and bringing artists s...
Feb 14, 2022•30 min
Jackson, TN native, Dr. Chrisla Key, is on a mission to find that delicate balance in life. Chrisla has been in the nursing field for over twenty years currently practicing pediatric urology and serving as an assistant professor. Not only is Chrisla an outstanding wife and mother of two boys, she is also very active in the Phi Lambda Omega graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Take a listen as Chrisla talks in detail about finding balance, reclaiming pearls and KEYping Up With The...
Feb 07, 2022•31 min
Oakland, TN native, Sweet Face Brit, is an ICU Nurse and owner of Sweet Temptation Hair and Lashes. Britney shares how it was growing up in Fayette County participating in competitive cheer and band. She attended MTSU and later finished nursing at Baptist. It was her ex-husband who introduced Britney to selling hair a few years back. After a bitter divorce, she began to build Sweet Temptation Hair from the ground up into the successful business it is today. Britney shares the day in the life of ...
Jan 31, 2022•29 min
Indianola, MS native, Tony Smith, has been setting the vibes for your Memphis night life for the past six years. The oldest of three brothers, Tony grew up in the church and moved to Memphis with his mother around the age of twelve. While attending Hickory Ridge Middle School, Tony played the violin in the orchestra and later moved to bass at Overton High School’s orchestra. Tony's love for night life began while in college at Middle Tennessee State University as an aerospace flight dispatch maj...
Jan 18, 2022•31 min
East Memphis native, Bianca Mcmillian, is an actress and entertainer with over 10 years of experience on the stage and a couple of years on film. She reluctantly began her thespian journey in the drama department at Kirby High School. Bianca shares that she was very shy and experienced bullying prior to entering the world of drama. However, she experienced an amazing breakthrough once she joined. These days you can see Bianca expressing herself on social media as a content creator or on the stag...
Dec 27, 2021•34 min
Hailing from North Memphis, Jus Bentley is maximizing her craft. I first met Jus Bentley at Dream Fest showcase over ten years ago and I am so proud on the artist that she has grown into. She starts the pod sharing the legacy of her family's gas stations, King Grocery, which is a staple throughout the city of Memphis. Although Bentley went to three high schools (Cordova, Germantown and Bartlett) due to zoning, she says that Cordova was her absolute fav. Upon high school graduation, she attended ...
Dec 21, 2021•37 min
South Memphis, TN native, Sherman Harper Jr., is the owner of Service Queens, Co-Creator of SneakFest and a member of Grind City Cycling. Take a listen as Sherman kicks off the podcast sharing insight on the why he started therapy during the pandemic and how it has changed his life. Find out how he and his wife started flipping houses and transitioned into renovations, construction and property investments with Service Queens. You'll also hear the back story of how SneakFest Sneaker Expo began i...
Dec 13, 2021•51 min
Chima Onwuka's God given purpose is to impact as many lives as I can before he leaves this Earth. After graduating college with a psychology degree, he became a recreational therapist and helped adults that struggled with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, alcohol and drug abuse, and anger management. Now as a Clinician while finishing up his masters, he works with children struggling with problematic sexual behaviors. As an entrepreneur, Chima is the Owner and CEO of Gri...
Dec 06, 2021•39 min
Orange Mound, TN native, DJ Squeeky, has produced music for a plethora of talented artists from Memphis and beyond. This Paper Route Empire producer shares with us how his mother and uncle were very instrumental in how his musical journey began. DJ Squeeky attended Melrose High School with MJG and was immediately known for music after he djed a high school pep rally. Immediately following he began creating mixtapes showing off his DJ skills and later mixtapes with his very own beats. Although DJ...
Nov 22, 2021•28 min
