On this episode I'm chopping it up with returning WGN guest Lew. We're asking the question, "Did the Grammys get it right with Killer Mike winning Rap Album of the Year?" Take a listen! #WhoGotNext #CLTure
This week WGN had the pleasure to speak with Cheryse Terry, owner of Archive CLT. Since opening August of 2022, Cheryse has curated and cultivated a location that is submerged in Black Culture through archived materials such as magazines, arcade, vinyl, books, and last but not least….coffee! Archive CLT welcomes you with open arms as soon as you walk in the doors. In our discussion, we talk about what she’s learned about herself and reflects on the blessings Archive CLT has created for her. We a...
This week we're talking to Shawn, aka Black Ferris Bueller, CLT Blogger and CLT correspondent on all things surrounding black culture and events in the city. If you've ever been to events such as Off The Wall, Su Casa, Servin' The Culture, you will see the brother working nonstop, doing what he can to assist the curators of events such as these. It could be working the doors, helping to promote, or just being amongst the crowd to enjoy, this brother will always make sure to be present. I wanted ...
On the latest episode of WGN, I sit down with a couple homies, Ebony & Jai Good, to talk about what's going on with small businesses in CLT? Just a candid conversation amongst tax paying citizens who are just as concerned as I am about the direction of creating businesses (preferably brick & mortar) in. the CLT community. Definitely need more conversations like this.
This week I'm circling the block with Tony Stanford, realtor in CLT. Tony is no stranger to being a recurring guest on WGN. Being a realtor in CLT they have firsthand knowledge of trends that are happening in the housing market. Going in to 2024 he sits down to talk about what is next for those who are seeking to purchase a home.
This week on WGN we're talking to a CLT LEGEND, Bluz The Poet. Bluz is an award-winning poet, multiple Emmy Award winner, published author, recording artist, & ambassador to the arts in the community. In our sit down, we talk about his journey into poetry and the many hats he's worn to assist with contributing to growing the art culture in the CLT community. I can go on about what he's accomplished, but I'll let this episode do the talking. Thank you for offering me your time to learn more a...
This week we’re talking to the co-owners of Dupp & Swat, Dion and Davita Galloway. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to speak with each of them on separate episodes, and I finally got them together to talk about their journey the past 13yrs owning Dupp & Swat on this episode. I wanted to give them their flowers and let them discuss their journey since opening the creative space 13yrs ago. We also talk about how the business started, a pretty hilarious story, Dion would beg to differ tho...
This week we’re talking with Ashley McKinley. She is the Head of School for Friendship Day School for the Sciences & Arts, a private school located in the Historic West End of Charlotte. Throughout her years in education, she has garnered a wealth of knowledge and used what she learned to enrich the youth, not only in the classroom, but also as a career in counseling and later as an Assistant Principal. In 2022, she decided to pivot from public schools to the private sector and was awarded t...
It's no secret to anybody who knows me that Midnight Marauders by ATCQ is one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. When you talk about hip-hop classics this project embodies everything that defines a project to be that. Midnight Marauders was released Nov. 9th, 1993, followed up by their previous effort 'Low End Theory' (another Classic), and still in heavy rotation today. 30 years later this album aged like fine wine and still holds an important part of my childhood in the 90s. On this bo...
This week we’re talking to R&B singer Heather Victoria. She is signed to the collective Jamla Records here in the state of NC. We discuss her upbringing and how her parents were a huge influence on the path she chose in music; they also had a musical background. Other topics range from her introduction to 9th Wonder, the imprint she wants to continue to make in R&B, and what we should expect with her latest project slated to release early 2024. With her lead ‘Toxic’ single out, I definit...
What up folks?? WGN is back! We’re kicking this volume off with the homie Carla Lopez. She is an artist, curator, and educator who hails from the city of Charlotte, NC. We discuss her journey thus far in a career with art and the emergence of the art community post COVID in CLT. Carla has organized many art shows and always states she wants her arts shows to be unique and tell a story that is different from the rest. One thing that’s for sure, King Carla don’t play about her shit! Y’all come tak...
For the season finale I decided to catch up with the homie Taylor Redd, owner of Redd Rose Vodka here in Charlotte. Redd Rose vodka is strawberry flavored vodka that she created to honor her late grandmother Rose Redd, an entrepreneur that created a safe space for other women to generate income for their families while living in Ohio. In July of 2020, when our first recording aired, she was in the beginning stages of operating her brand. Still learning the ropes and figuring out how to get her p...
Let’s talk about Mental Health! This week WGN had the opportunity to sitdown with Kateria Poe, psychotherapist, licensed counselor, and owner of Crown Connections here in Charlotte. Through Kateria’s education and upbringing, she brings a wealth of knowledge that affords her the luxury to connect with people; and through her work she helps individuals find solutions to live life more abundantly. We discuss her making the decision to pursue a career in mental health, coping with trauma, and why s...
Y'all know how it goes with WGN. We always bring you something different just to have a little fun. Since Snowfall started, I was a huge fan of the show and enjoyed it from beginning to end. So now that the show is over- why not discuss if the show ended the right way? Did you want to see Franklin Saint go out on a high or low note? Plenty of folks have their own opinions on this so why not talk about them? I couldn't do this alone, so we brought the homie Mike B on the pod to offer an opinion o...
This week we’re chopping it up with VVG & Promise the Gahd. A few weeks ago, these two dropped the The New Te$tament, a joint project with 9 bangers that is filled with lyrical warfare between two juggernauts who’s been putting out heat of their own for years. VVG & Promise talk about why the time was now to drop the joint album and give me an inside look on how the album came to fruition. With standout songs like 485 Flow$, Bun$ & $incere, and Larry & Lonzo, you will notice the ...
This week WGN is speaking with Geraldine Brisbane, founder and educator of Brisbane Academy, founded in 1992 here in Charlotte. Prior to becoming a private school, Brisbane started out as a tutoring center, that later turned into a preparatory school with the help from the kids were under Brisbane’s leadership. In our discussion we talk about how the school continues to excel since opening their doors over 30 years ago, along with some of the nuances surrounding the differences between public an...
This week we’re talking with Tracie and Jennifer, the owners of Mackins Bridal Boutique in CLT. The Mackins sisters started the journey in bridal wear when they opened their concierge service out of their home. After running that business successfully, they decided to open their own bridal boutique on the west side of CLT off Beatties Ford Rd. We discussed why it was important to plant their roots in this particular part of the community, family entrepreneurship, and what the kinds of services y...
This week we're talking with CLT native Jordan Lopez. Jordan sits down with the WGN Pod to discuss the nuances of politics within local and state government. Lopez gets candid on why he chose this career field and it started when he got involved with student government back in high school. Lopez gives a snapshot on what it was like working as a Legislative Assistant in Raleigh and how that path led him back to his hometown of CLT and committing to making a difference in the community with his wo...
This week we're talking to Cozy and Malaysha. Cozy is a graphic designer that's provided his work for many CLT creatives and small businesses in the city. Cozy come highly recommended and respected by his peers and clients trust him to bring their vision to life. His attention to detail and weaving CLT culture into his work is what sets him apart from many in his field of work. Malaysha is a visual arts educator and creator, whose work has been featured in many outlets and events across the city...
This week we’re chopping it up with Ryan Howell. Too many things to name that’s he’s had his hands in including the QC Social Group, Hillman Day Party, COLOURS Day Party, the newly established Blackberry Weekend, just to name a few. Ryan is always creating and don’t see any signs of him slowing down. Although he considers himself to be a low-key individual this brother lets the success of his events do the talking for him. Even then he’s still going to be him. Take a listen and get to know him. ...
It's almost time for Eat Black Charlotte Restaurant week and their Food & Culture Festival to hit CLT this summer so we had to chop it with the organizers of this event. This week we're talking with a few of the co-founders of EAT BLK CLT DailySpecialCLT and Food Plug CLT. The fellas let us know what's in store for the event and discuss some of the things they learned as the event grows year after year. We also talk about the nuances of food reviews for restaurants and food trucks and how th...
In honor of Women's History Month, I wanted to discuss Black women working in corporate America. Most executive roles or positions that require somebody to be the face of their company are not people of color. Not saying all of them fall in that category, but the number isn't as high as it should be. In my opinion, the last couple of years we have seen a shift in corporate America focusing on how to tackle diversity in the workplace. Another big question is how do companies that are in the minor...
On this week's episode of WGN we're catching up with Vashti, the owner of Carolina Blitz here in the QC. Since the last time she was on the pod ya girl has been BLITZIN'! Business is on the upswing, the sports credentials are validated, and the RESPECT has been cemented. We talk about what she has learned since becoming a business owner in the short few years and what it's like covering the Carolina Panthers, Tarheels, Blue Devils, and NC State? Vashti gives a little insight on a few things she ...
Welcome Back! Thank you for tuning in to the WGN. Starting off this volume with some cooking! Meet Santana Burriss, private chef, mixologist, and Culinary entrepreneur. Burriss is a CLT native that has a serious passion for food and we discuss how traveling across the globe shaped his experiences in the kitchen. Burriss doesn't dismiss that fact that his foundation for food started in his the family kitchen at a young age, and gives the credit it deserves, but Santana's skill set grew from trave...
If you know me then you would know I probably enjoy R&B way more than Hip Hop. Some good ass singing will always be my choice to set the mood. Now Cyanca, this sista right here.....definitely is making strides with some good music. I caught wind of Cyance a few years ago and had a fan (in me) ever since. Cyanca got her start in church, but to my surprise she wasn't interested in singing. She wanted to play the instruments in the choir; but she also could sing. Her talents got her to UNCG on ...
This week WGN is diving back into real estate. This time we are getting into the woman's perspective. I had the pleasure to sit down with the homie Anita M, a realtor here in CLT who is ready to assist you with your home purchasing needs. Our conversation hits on a couple key topics. Anita gives the pod insight on why she decided to become a realtor and hits on some key points that first time homebuyers might miss. Outside of her loving to help potential buyers achieve their dream home. Although...
Micki Blendz says she fell in love with music at a young age. Having siblings that were older allowed her to get a taste of what it felt like to be "OUTSIDE", which define that we know a thing or two about music. It wasn't until attending college she realized she wanted to be DJ. As most say, the rest is history. Since I enjoy music and love the craft of being a DJ this is how our conversation was conducted.: We talk about the importance of working on your craft and being only as good as your ne...
One theme that is constant with the WGN pod is cultivating relationships within business. Without it you might have a difficult time finding success. Professional relationships are the cornerstone of business building and you have to find your lane when establishing them. Gio, the owner of Fitted CLT definitely understands the importance of that. Sitting down with him you can hear how he learned that early when he was pushing his brand out of his trunk. That's how the grind started with him; and...
We're rounding out with the conclusion of WGN Speed Pod Edition with Part 3! Special Thanks to everybody who contributed. It was a dope experience. Special thanks to @duppandswat @crownkeepers again for letting WGN tag along for great time! #WhoGotNext #CLTure
This week we are talking to Paige Childers, founder of @nconscene, a business development hub that works with small businesses to gain more exposure in the Charlotte community. We chat about how important it is for small businesses to be creative with marketing their products; especially during the pandemic. After successfully organizing three pop ups for businesses 3 months in a row in the 4th quarter of 2020, Paige is ready to start helping businesses go to the next level with a variety worksh...
