Episode 87:Guest Name: Larvetta LoftinGuest Business: The L3 Agency Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I delve into the significance of Black History and Women’s History Month, highlighting notable awards, milestones, and groundbreaking achievements. Additionally, I reflect on the Women in History season, spotlighting memorable moments. If you want to learn more about the importance of celebration , this is the episode for you! Text ‘bbmfam’...
Episode 86:Guest Name: Char'Nese M. Turner Guest Business: Tribe Tribute Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Char'Nese M. Turner, an esteemed author, journalist, and entrepreneur. Char'Nese is the founder and CEO of Tribe Tribute, a women’s empowerment organization aimed at motivating women and girls to embrace their true selves. She reflects on her early years and how her mother’s encouragement led her to explore writing and journali...
Episode 85:Guest Name: Darlene HillGuest Business: Rise Strategy Group Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Darlene Hill who serves as the Executive Vice President of Communications at Rise Strategy Group, a public strategy firm. Darlene reflects on her extensive career journey before joining Rise Strategy Group, starting with her move to Chicago where she spent 25 years at FOX 32 as a reporter and anchor. She shares stories from her ...
Episode 84:Guest Name: Felicia CottonGuest Business: Xoxoxo Cosmetics Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Felicia Cotton with founder and president of Xoxoxo Cosmetics. Felicia details her upbringing highlighting her love for all things feminine despite growing up with majority male family members. Felicia embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2019. Her website went live in February 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic. Op...
Episode 83:Guest Name: Angelique WarnerGuest Business: A Warner Idea LLCSummary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Angelique Warner, founder and president of A Warner Idea LLC and the visionary behind GoGoVie premium baby carrier. Angelique details her upbringing, describing herself as inquisitive and a dreamer in her childhood. Not only did she dream vividly, but she could also recall her dreams in great detail; these traits proved to be her asset as...
Episode 82:Guest Name: Dr. Jennifer MatthewsGuest Business: Dr. Jennifer Matthews Consulting Agency Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Jennifer Matthews, who is Founder & CEO of Dr. Jennifer Matthews Consulting Agency. Dr. Matthews comes from a family of law-enforcement as she is the 3rd Generation to pursue a career in this field. Dr. Matthews is a driving force behind digital transformations to solve cases ...
Episode 81:Guest Name: LaTrina JoshuaGuest Business: Bijou Body SpaSummary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with LaTrina Joshua, CEO of Bijou Body Spa. With a profound commitment to healthcare and a passion for helping individuals look and feel their best, LaTrina Joshua has built a career that bridges the realms of medicine and aesthetics. LaTrina details her upbringing and her passion for helping others, a passion instilled in her by her mother a...
Episode 80:Guest Name: Tara LevyGuest Business: Liberated Arts MovementSummary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Tara Levy, founder of the Liberated Arts Movement. Tara details her upbringing highlighting her early love for art she recounts the moments in her childhood when she spent hours drawing and journaling. As an adolescent, she worked at the Goodman Theater where she nurtured her passion for creative writing. After graduating Tara transi...
Episode 79:Guest Name: Chiquita Hall-JacksonGuest Business: Blow the Whistle Law and Hall-Jackson and Associates, P.C.Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Chiquita Hall-Jackson, an award-winning licensed attorney and adjunct law professor, the visionary behind the Blow The Whistle Law social justice movement and the founder of Top Employment Law Firm Hall-Jackson & Associates P.C. Chiquita details her upbringing revealing that he...
Episode 78Guest Name: Terrence ChappellGuest Business: Chappell Communications GroupSummary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Terrence Chappell the Principal of Chappell Communications Group, a social media agency that specializes in socializing nuanced messaging among cultural communities. He partners with clients and organizations to tap into the human experience across advocacy and mission-based work. Terrence recounts his upbringing on the ...
Episode 77:Guest Name: Abigail IngramGuest Business: Polsky Exchange Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to talk with Abigail Ingram. Abigail Ingram is the executive director of the Polsky Exchange. Polsky Exchange is the core of The Polsky’s Center community engagement with the Southside of Chicago. This gathering space services local businesses owners and entrepreneurs with co-working spaces, program initiatives and access to re...
Episode 76:Guest Name: Kyra Rénel Hardwick Guest Business: The Kyra CompanySummary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Kyra Rénel Hardwick founder and Managing Consultant of The Kyra Company—a dynamic business development solutions firm committed to a comprehensive approach to addressing operational opportunities within organizations..Kyra reflects on her challenging childhood, emphasizing the resilience that always led her to perceive opportuniti...
Guest Name: Cle Andrea Hayden and Lori PelzerGuest Business: Inked Digital Marketing and GirlgobegreatEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I interview Cle Andrea Hayden, Founder and Chief Digital Strategist of Inked Digital Marketing Agency, and Lori Pelzer, CEO of Girlgobegreat, a Professional and personal development company, and GirlgobegreatAI. The discussion delves into AI, defining it as a technological tool with a focus on data collection algorithms. Cle Andrea sh...
Episode 72:Guest Name: Javon McCainGuest Business: EGG ROLLS ETCSummary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Javon McCain, President and Creative Director of Egg Rolls ETC. Egg Rolls ETC is a unique product line that blends delicious flavors in warm wontons that bridge cultural gaps. Javon is a Clinical Nutritionist and Caterer who lived abroad in Taiwan following the passing of her mother. There she was bestowed the name ‘Chow On’ whic...
Guest Name: Greg Bush Guest Business: B.I.G. Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter I had the opportunity to sit down with Greg Bush, President and CEO of B.I.G, a management and information systems consulting and services firm. Greg has more than 25 years of experience with large scale information technology projects. After working with KFA,inc. for a number of years, he acquired KFA,Inc. We learn about his journey from his childhood and how hi...
Episode 70:Guest Name: Ramatu KandakaiGuest Business: Tutu Brand StrategiesSummary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Ramatu Kandakai an MBA holder from Johns Hopkins, who excels in marketing for both B2B and B2C markets. Her passion for marketing trends and personal branding is highlighted by her brand 'mytutucents' and 'Tutu Brand Strategies’. Ramatu has collaborated with brands like Ziploc, Bacardi, and Google+. Ramatu offers a glimpse into&nb...
Episode 69:Guest Name: Dominique WilsonGuest Business: RiseKitSummary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I speak with Dominique Wilson, Co-Founder, and Strategic Advisor to RiseKit, an economic mobility software, that connects individuals with jobs and non-profit resources, streamlining collaboration among multiple organizations and offering insightful impact tracking for funders. With over 15 years of experience in community and economic development, Domini...
Episode 67:Guest Name: Larvetta Loftin Guest Business: The L3 Agency Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I introduce season 6 of the podcast that covers B2B and service-based businesses. I discuss the motivation for starting the podcast, the importance of advocating for black businesses, and their challenges, such as racism. I emphasize my commitment to supporting black businesses and highlighting their global impact. I share my personal journey ...
Episode 67:Guest Name: Tori PrinceGuest Business: Tori Prince BeautySummary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the opportunity to sit down with Tori Prince Founder and CEO of Tori Prince Beauty. As a beauty lover - Tori has always been within the beauty industry dating back to her childhood. As a cosmetic scientist and Skin of Color expert - Tori made it her mission to educate and create opportunities surrounding the beauty industry specifically for the Blac...
Episode 66:Guest Name: Samantha JoGuest Business: Samantha Jo’s Balm Yard Summary StyleEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of Black Businesses Matter, I had the pleasure of speaking with Samantha of Samantha Jo’s Balm Yard a Botanica & Apothecary. Samantha details her upbringing noting that she was unable to get to know her father and the history his lineage held. Samantha shared her personal journey, including her quest to reconnect with her father's family in the south in 2020, which le...