How do you stop negotiating with yourself when life forces you to walk away from what you're building? In this episode, we meet Ghanaian entrepreneur and creative professional Yaa Boateng, who takes us through her journey from graphic designer to creative director and eventually a creative entrepreneur as the co-founder of The Storytellers. Yaa opens up about navigating career pivots in the midst of grief, building resilience, and the importance of mentorship and global representation of the African creative industry. She also shares why she is committed to giving back through SIBI Africa, an initiative empowering the next generation of African creatives. If you're interested in applying for the 2026 SIBI program, applications are open now. The deadline is December 5, 2025. This episode was produced by Hauwa Otori with help from Osheiza Otori. Music composed by Kevin Edwards. You can follow Founders International Network on LinkedIn and BBP on Instagram.
How much does your environment shape who you become? In this episode, we explore the journeys of two women from very different cities in the 2025 Cannes Lions See It Be It cohort. Creative Director Tuere Kareem and Creative Copywriter Érika Moreira share how identity and resilience have shaped the paths they are on today. Tuere's story is rooted in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, a Caribbean hub driven by the oil and gas industry, and in a family tragedy that deepened her connection to self and community. Érika's journey traces back to 1958 Brazil, and her path to identity reflects the city's complex history. Tune in to hear how Tuere and Érika navigate their communities and gain actionable insights on building groundedness, resilience, and creating opportunities in advertising and beyond. This episode was produced by Hauwa Otori with help from Osheiza Otori. Music composed and sound design by Kevin Edwards. You can follow Founders International Network on LinkedIn and BBP on Instagram.
What happens when you break into spaces you once thought were out of reach? In this episode, Nicky Lorenzo and Estefania "Nia" López, alumni tutors for the 2025 Cannes Lions See It Be It (SIBI) program, share their personal journeys through this prestigious accelerator in the creative and advertising industries. They discuss the transformative impact of the program on their personal lives, careers, and how they're now supporting this year's SIBI cohort. Focusing on resilience and self-discovery, they explore the importance of rewriting personal narratives, building strong support networks, and the lasting value of the SIBI experience. Tune in for compelling accounts and actionable insights on building inclusive, impactful careers in advertising, marketing, creative industries, and beyond. This episode was produced by Hauwa Otori with help from Osheiza Otori. Music composed by Kevin Edwards. You can follow Founders International Network on LinkedIn and BBP on Instagram.
In this episode, we unpack the many layers of confidence - how it's built, lost, and regained. We're joined by Art Director Anastasia Simone and creative entrepreneur and illustrator Joy Richu, both proud See It Be It alums from the Cannes Lions Festival. Anastasia and Joy take us on a journey through their creative paths - spanning places like Hong Kong and Nairobi - as they reflect on how their early environments sparked their passions, how they've cultivated confidence, and how they continue showing up fully in their creative careers. It is a reminder that confidence isn't just an inside job. It's deeply influenced by our community, environment, and the courage to keep going. This episode was produced by Hauwa Otori with help from Osheiza Otori. Music composed by Kevin Edwards. Thank you to Carl Robinson, Jr. for his contribution. You can follow Founders International Network on LinkedIn and BBP on Instagram.
What began as taking different life paths for both Laura Brown and Frank Starling has evolved into a shared mission: building inclusive spaces in the advertising industry. At just 21, Laura was made redundant with no savings, before she started temping as a receptionist at Cannes Lions. What seemed like a setback became a launchpad. Today, she is Cannes Lion's Head of Advancing Equitable Access and leads its See It Be It program — which builds inclusive spaces to help elevate women and nonbinary people's careers in advertising. For Frank, entering the work force early with a passion for improving his community in East London forged a relentless drive to make workplaces more inclusive. Now as LION's Chief DEI Officer, he's using his platform to build belonging across the advertising and communication industries. Together, they unpack how See It Be It advances careers, focuses on retention just as much as recruitment, and how supporting regional communities play a vital role in sustaining inclusion efforts. The Cannes Lions festival will take place from June 16 through June 20, 2025. Founders International Network is the official media partner for Cannes Lions' See It Be It Program. This episode was produced by Hauwa Otori with help from Osheiza Otori. Music composed by Kevin Edwards. You can follow FIN on LinkedIn and BBP on Instagram.
In this episode, we introduce a new segment called Founder Tips! Meet Cameron Van, the founder and CEO of Couro, a subscription-based platform aiming to democratize athletics. Cameron shares his journey from Olympic hopeful to entrepreneur, offering invaluable advice on mental wellness and building community for aspiring and active founders alike. Don't miss his tips and tricks for sustaining your entrepreneurial spirit. Follow us on IG @buildingblackpodcast and let us know how you apply his advice! 00:00 Introduction to Founder Tips 00:34 Olympic Obsession 01:40 Meet Cameron (Cam) Van 02:00 Cam's Journey to Entrepreneurship 02:45 Couro's Mission and Launch 02:51 Cam's Advice on Mental Health 03:15 Engage with Us 03:25 Closing Remarks
The new year is a time for fresh starts, renewal, and boundless hope. Each year, we select a theme word to set the tone and guide our journey. In this episode, we'll reflect on the highlights of 2024 and share our vision and intentions for the year ahead. Join us as we embrace the possibilities of what's to come! And, don't forget to keep up with us at www.foundersintlnetwork.org.
Growing up in the vibrant, evolving neighborhood of South London, Ete Davies discovered his love for the arts and creativity, embarking on a journey that took him down a non-linear path. Meanwhile, in the lush, rugged landscapes of Galicia, Spain, nestled just north of Portugal, a young Kika Douglas cultivated her own creative passion through music, books, and writing. Their stories, shaped by two distinct cultures, highlight how a shared interest in understanding people and culture led them to build successful careers in the creative industry. Today, as accomplished executives, Ete and Kika serve as Jury Presidents for Eurobest 2024, celebrating Europe's most groundbreaking creativity.
In this episode, we are joined by Lara Adekoya, the inspiring CEO and founder of Fleurs et Sel Bakery, as we revisit our live show in honor of National Black Business Month. Lara shares her remarkable journey of transforming her baking hobby into a thriving business during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her story is one of transformation, community-building, and customer dedication. She opens up about the challenges she faced, from securing funding and navigating investor dynamics to balancing mental health as an entrepreneur. Listeners will gain insight into the intricate business side of the $42.2 billion bakery product industry, as well as practical advice on building strong personal connections with customers and overcoming logistical hurdles. Lara's journey leaves aspiring entrepreneurs with powerful motivation to take charge of their ventures, empowering them to turn their passion into a successful business. In addition to Lara sharing her story, we were honored to spotlight other local LA businesses including: Crop Swap LA, Alta Adams, and Jackson McCrea Whiskey. This episode was produced by Hauwa Otori and Osheiza Otori with music by Kevin Edwards. Special thanks to Rome Shaw of Visibooth and Jonathan Strickland of ILL Sounds. You can follow us on Instagram (@buildingblackpodcast) and sign up for our free newsletter at www.foundersintlnetwork.org.
Two former colleagues turned friends detail what led them to embark on their journey from being Ivy-league corporate lawyers to building Sip & Sonder, an Inglewood-based coffee shop. It's a story of creating a third place and empowering community through coffee in a changing neighborhood.
As a longtime fan of comic books, Shequeta Smith wanted to see herself reflected in those stories as the main characters. Today, she runs Sherocomics, a media company focused on films, comics, and gaming and is tapping into the roughly $350B gaming industry and $16B comic books market. Recorded live in Los Angeles. This episode was produced by Hauwa Otori and Osheiza Otori with music by Kevin Edwards. You can follow BBP on Instagram, join our newsletter at foundersintlnetwork.org, and email us at info@buildingblackpodcast.com.
In this episode, the Building Black Podcast's host, Hauwa Otori, shares our 2023 theme word of the year and how we got here!
Dr. Angelique Johnson is the Founder & CEO of MEMStim LLC, a Kentucky-based startup that develops a fully automated, low cost, advanced manufacturing process for implantable nerve stimulators. In this episode, Dr. Angelique details how her upbringing put her on a path to math and science to discover her passion for innovating at the intersection of medicine and technology.
Anthony Frasier is the founder and CEO of ABF Creative, an award-winning, audio first company that's produced podcasts for the likes of Essence Magazine as well as programming like African Folktales series, which is a collection of traditional bedtime stories originating in Africa for kids today. In this episode, Anthony discusses how discovering computers and gaming in his childhood set him on a path of entrepreneurship that ultimately led him to launching ABF Creative.
Ifeoma Ozoma is the Founder and Principal of Earthseed, a consulting firm that advises individuals, organizations, and companies on tech accountability, public policy, and health misinformation among other topics. Within a year after leaving social media platform, Pinterest, she set out on a year-long campaign to fight for workers' rights in California, specifically for people to maintain their freedom to speak up against racial discrimination in the workplace. Now, the Silenced No More Act does just that for 40 million workers in California. She's on a mission to scale this nationally and globally. It's a story of redemption.
In this episode, the Building Black Podcast's host, Hauwa Otori, looks back at 2021 and shares a brief holiday message. And, she also reveals our 2022 theme word!
Marcel Benson is the Founder of the Benson Watch Company. The company's slogan is "Time should be spent doing what you love." Marcel left a career in consulting to pursue his love and passion for watches. In the four years since deciding to pursue his company full time, the Benson Watch Company has developed its own pieces, been covered by major publications like the New York Times, and recently leveraged an equity crowdfunding platform to help fund the business. It's a story of letting go of other people's expectations to follow your passion to do what is right for you.
Nohoa Arcanjo is the Co-Founder and Growth Leader of CREATORS, Trusted Creative Net (Creators.LLC), a Brazilian platform that connects independent creators and creative talent with companies who need their support. Nohoa initially pursued the business side of the fashion industry before transitioning to a marketing career and then ultimately finding her path to entrepreneurship. It's a story of pursuing your interests, trying out new things, and being okay with quitting to achieve your goals.
The second season of the Building Black Podcast with Hauwa Otori is on its way! We're excited to bring you even more incredible stories of Black builders, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs from around the globe who are building successful businesses across various industries. Don't miss it!
Chris Bennett is the co-founder and CEO of Wonderschool, a platform that supports educators in starting early child care programs out of their homes. Chris started his entrepreneurial journey as a kid growing up in Miami with side hustles ranging from selling baseball cards online to selling spring break trips in high school. He found a sense of belonging in San Francisco. In 2016, he identified an opportunity to provide quality early child care programs in local communities through Wonderschool.