Minority Report Podcast

Steve Jones, founder and CEO of pocstock, discusses his journey from Barbados to Brooklyn, highlighting the cultural shock and educational challenges he faced. He explains the inception of pocstock, a company addressing the lack of diverse stock images, and its mission to provide positive representations of people of color. Jones shares the challenges of raising seed funding, noting the difficulty for black founders, and emphasizes the importance of having the right team and systems. He also touches on balancing family life with business responsibilities and the significance of diverse teams in achieving business success. Timestamps: Steve Jones' Background and Early Life (0:00) Adjusting to American Culture and Education (1:34) Navigating Intelligence and Diversity in Education (4:02) Founding pocstock and Addressing the Need for Diverse Images (5:49) Market Reception and Challenges (9:58) Accessibility and Inclusivity of pocstock (11:41) Leadership and Building a Team (12:39) Raising Seed Funding as a Black Founder (17:14) Advantages of Having a Co-Founder (21:05) Balancing Family and Business (25:06) Music Preferences and Personal Interests (27:40) Connecting with Steve and pocstock (28:46)

In episode 180, Erik and Kerel met with Jennifer Yepez-Blundell, co-founder and COO of Drafted, who discusses balancing her role as a mother, wife, and entrepreneur in Texas. She emphasizes the importance of being present for her children and maintaining her marriage. Jennifer shares her career journey, from being a collegiate athlete to founding Drafted, a media company targeting Latinas in sports. In 12 months, Drafted has built an audience of 30,000 and secured eight brand partnerships. Jennifer highlights the Latina fandom report, which shows Latinas' significant influence in sports. She also discusses the challenges of being a Latina female founder and the importance of representation and cultural identity. Timestamps: Jennifer Yepez Blundell's Personal Life and Balancing Family and Work 0:00 Jennifer's Career Journey and Founding Drafted 6:18 Understanding the Latina Fan Mindset 11:23 Misma Project and Cultural Identity 14:21 Challenges and Barriers as a Latina Woman Founder 18:59 Influence of Athletic Background on Parenting 24:09 Personal Growth and Overcoming Challenges 25:48 Recommended Books and Movies 26:22 Music Preferences and Connecting with the Audience 29:36 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 29:49

In episode 179, Erik and Kerel had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Marcus Collins, a renowned professor, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and chief strategy officer. Dr. Collins offered a fascinating look at how culture, human behavior, and marketing intersect. His journey, combined with his academic and professional experiences, gives him a unique perspective on how businesses can better understand and connect with people. His book, For the Culture, offers valuable insights for anyone looking to tap into the power of culture to influence behavior—whether in marketing, leadership, or everyday life. Timestamps 0:03 Dr. Collins shares that he grew up in Detroit, Michigan, describing it as a unique city with a mix of cultural influences from the South, West, and Midwest. 3:42 Dr. Collins describes his summers spent in Ann Arbor at a summer Engineering Academy at the University of Michigan, which influenced his decision to study engineering. 8:56 Dr. Collins emphasizes the importance of understanding humanity to improve marketing and engagement strategies. 23:17 Dr. Collins explains his motivation to teach, driven by his passion for behavioral sciences and the desire to share his knowledge with others. 25:09 Dr. Collins shares his experience of writing "For the Culture," his book on understanding culture and its impact on human behavior. 31:53 Dr. Collins provides information on how listeners can connect with him, including his social media handles and website.

In episode 178, Erik and Kerel sit down with Grouchy Greg Watkins, Founder at AllHipHop.com, a trusted source for daily hip hop news, videos, rumors, entertainment, features and more founded in 1998 by Grouchy Greg and Chuck Creekmur. Greg was born in Albany, NY to a black father and white mother, who eventually moved their family to Delaware. There, Greg got deeper into music, the break dancing scene, and even deeper into the racial tensions of that time. After selling and handing out demo tapes, Greg decided to start his own record label out of Delaware and from that came AllHipHop.com. During this conversation, Greg gives many insights from his 28+ years of experience in the music, marketing, and advertising industry. He shares the advantages of having his business partner, Chuck Creekmur, who was a high school friend, from the very beginning, the one thing that has stayed consistent throughout any technological advances that has maintained and accelerated his success, teaching his sons and the next generations on how to make an impact, the ways in which he is still learning and growing as a person and business owner, and his take on the DEI movement and if it’s actually creating change. Greg also shares a book and movie he’s recently enjoyed and has learned a lot from, where he got his nickname Grouchy, his music rotation, and much more. Timestamps 0:47: Grouchy Greg Watkins shares how he’s living his childhood dream, how he got into music at the young age of two, later got involved in break dancing, and the racial tension he felt and experienced in his home state of Delaware 8:04: The advantages of having a business partner early on and how to stay consistent and focused on one mission together 10:36: Greg gives his secrets to success in advertising, and marketing, what he’s learned in the past 28 years in the business 13:38: What a good day looks like for Greg including keeping up with his two sons who are nine and five 15:02: Greg talks about the racial prejudice he and his family experienced, becoming aware of his race at a young age, growing up with an alcoholic father, who is now sober, being mixed race with a black father and white mother, and how hip hop saved him in a lot of ways 21:49: Lessons Greg teaches his kids about him and his journey, how he has changed throughout the years, and encouraging them towards the concept of STEAM - science, technology, engineering, arts and math. 25:25: What Greg encourages students about when he teaches or gives talks in regard to the marketing and advertising industry, music industry, and communications, and the ways they can truly make a difference 29:30: Something Greg wishes he were better at, and how he takes some inspiration from The Wolf of Wall Street, Jordan Belfort 30:50: Greg gives his first party perspective on DEI, promised funding to black owned businesses, and his journey in learning what it’s like to own your own inventory and monetizing directly on your own 35:14: Greg talks about where he got the nickname “Grouchy” from and why he keeps it alive to this day 37:08: One book and one movie Greg thinks everyone should watch, one being a bibliography of a well-known business person, and the other, a movie released in 1969 covering racial topics in the advertising space 40:04: Music in Greg’s rotation right now including what his children listen to, old music that he still listens to, and one album he always listens to in June 44:51: What’s up next for AllHipHop and Grouchy Greg Watkins 46:57: How to stay in touch with Greg Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 177, Erik and Kerel talk with Cynthia Morgan Jenkins, Head of Supplier Diversity and Managing Partner at GroupM, the world's leading media investment company. Cynthia was born and raised in Long Island by two parents who grew up in the Deep South of North Carolina. She was a dancer through and through until one day she got injured and her mom pushed her to do something that wouldn’t be affected by an injury like that. This was her start into media and advertising. Cynthia started her career as an intern in radio, then went into sales at the radio stations, getting her first job out of college working with Howard Stern, leading her to help start the first hip hop radio station in the country, eventually moving to BET where she stayed for ten years, and now at Group M. Cynthia also shares what her AKA sorority means to her, keys to great leadership, what gets her excited, advice she would give herself first starting out in her career, ways she’s still growing and learning as a person and professional, and so much more. Timestamps 0:29: Cynthia Morgan Jenkins, Head of Supplier Diversity and Managing Partner at GroupM shares exactly what her role is, her responsibilities and how the role came available 2:10: Cynthia was raised in Long Island, a place she is so proud of, but feels a certain way about, she shares her family’s heritage from the Deep South of North Carolina all the way to Long Island 5:26: The next place Cynthia would like to explore and to find connections to her culture 6:54: What Cynthia was pursuing before getting into media and advertising, the trials and tribulations she faced, including going against her mom’s wishes, and how what she does now fulfills her in the same way 8:58: Self-proclaimed risk taker, Cynthia, shares the many other roles she’s been in which were created for her to step into, getting into radio out of college, and launching the nation’s first hip hop radio station 11:24: Cynthia’s professional and personal learning experience at BET, where she worked for 10 years, the motto she kept there, and how that was the place she found her voice 14:03: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated is Cynthia’s, her mother’s, and now her daughter’s sorority and she shares why that bond of sistership is so important and how she brings that to every part of her life and who she is 15:44: Cynthia’s keys to leadership, knowing your why, being worthy of being followed, the ability to receive feedback and self-awareness 18:09: The types of stories that get Cynthia excited, her favorite color and what it means to her, and truly feeling a piece of art even if you don’t understand it 100% 19:38: Advice Cynthia would give to herself today, which coincidentally is the mantra she has for herself right now, and how she deals with anxiety and overthinking 21:03: The one thing Cynthia wishes she were better at, how she discovered where her real opportunities came from, and how it’s more about groups than parties nowadays 22:48: Music in Cynthia’s rotation at the moment, including a song from West Side Boogie that reminds her of her mom, of motherhood, and hits close to home 26:33: How to connect with Cynthia on LinkedIn and Instagram Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 176, Kerel talks with sisters Carrie Bloxson, Chief DEI Officer at Hachette Book Group USA & UK, and Kolt Bloxson Pitts, Founding Executive Director at Miles Ahead Charter School. They discuss their family’s upbringing as Carrie being the oldest of four and Kolt being the youngest, how their childhoods differed and the impacts of their experiences to do the work they do today. In their conversation Kolt shares why her son and his success was the main motivating factor creating and launching a tuition free Public Charter School and the 21st Century curriculum that prepares students to be real world ready. Carrie talks about DEI today in the corporate world, how it differs in the US versus internationally, and how she is dedicated to moving forward and making a difference because, in her eyes, there is no other way. The two sisters also share what their conversations consist of personally and professionally, what gets them both excited day to day, how they deal with imposter syndrome, anxiety, self-doubt, the music in their rotation right now and more. Timestamps 0:00: Intro 1:09: Carrie shares what her and Kolt’s family upbringing was like, how it was completely different from one another, growing up with parents who were hippies 2:29: How Carrie got so into reading, watching black people on television, which wasn’t prevalent where they lived, and how those experiences left an everlasting impact on her and part of the reason she’s so passionate about DEI 4:29: Kolt shares her experience and relationship with Carrie growing up, how she praised her older sister, how she’s passed that onto her son, playing ice hockey and how that influenced her values and way of going through life 6:57: Kolt expands on Miles Ahead Charter School, a tuition free Public Charter School, started by her and other members in 2019, the pivoting moment for her to launch the school, and the curriculum that allows students to be real world ready 12:11: The state of DEI today in the corporate world from Carrie’s eyes, problems the industry faces in being the visionary while also taking concrete actions and what gives her hope for the future of DEI work’ 16:55: What types of conversations Carrie and Kolt have as sisters (oldest and the youngest of four), including topics of horror movies and helping each other in their careers 18:52: What gets Carrie excited day to day, advocating for others, celebrating others, and investing time in the next generations who are the future of publishing 20:12: What gets Kolt excited, having a great laugh, small moments with children at school and watching them learn 21:30: Something Kolt wishes she were better at, how she deals with imposter syndrome and anxiety, and a great piece of advice that helps her understand how to circumvent life’s challenges 23:03: How Carrie deals with performance anxiety, trying to figure out how to crush at being a mom and also at her job, and leaving the guilt behind when spending “too much” time on one thing 24:28: What is in Carrie’s and Kolt’s music rotation including the soundtrack from El Capitano, SZA, John Legend, and the down low on the Drake and Kendrick rap beef 27:12: How to connect with Carrie and Kolt online Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 175, Erik and Kerel talk with Anika Howard, President and Chief Executive Officer at Wondr Nation. Anika was born to two student activists in New Orleans and soon moved to Washington D.C. where it was safer and they could help more activists be protected while they worked to integrate schools and museums in the US. She fell in love with technology as a child because she felt like that was a place where the playing field was level, where if she learned about technology, she could succeed. She was put in a management accelerated program right out of college and went from intern to now being an executive, visionary, and leader. Anika talks about the work she’s doing in gaming and tech, qualities leaders need to be successful, how her journey was influenced deeply by her parents and her upbringing, and what brought her to be CEO. Anika has been in gaming since before people even knew about it and she talks about being a key factor in educating people about these integrations, making the partnerships and experiences more fluid and fun, why sometimes being the first can be lonely and confusing, what she wants to be better at on a personal level, and so much more. Timestamps 0:34: Anika shares her story of being born in New Orleans and growing up in Washington D.C. to two student activists who helped integrate schools and museums at the time 2:04: Where Anika’s passion and desire to work with technology came from, how her parents taught her and her 7 younger siblings that there are no limitations and what that continued to allow her to do with her life, interests, and career 3:33: Anika talks about Wondr Nation, an online gaming and entertainment company owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and how the Indian gaming industry in the US is equivalent to commercial gaming 5:17: The huge opportunity Anika had at the beginning of her career, right out of business school, to work with Caesars Entertainment, an accelerated management program, the experience she got, and why it prepared her for her first real job in the industry 7:30: The pivotal moment of Anika to become the CEO and how it was a build up of a lot of little tiny moments that made her right for that position, and what made her right for it 9:33: Being one of the first in the interactive gaming scene, Anika goes through what that time was like, watching the world start to embrace technology, and the things she was doing to advocate for that integration 12:47: How Anika went through her experience of high technological standpoints in history and a lot of changes and how she looks at those times now, and how she thinks about it as a CEO 15:40: Where Anika draws inspiration from including other leaders, conferences, new connections, reading, family, and friends 17:15: The book Anika thinks everyone should read, even a book she buys for her employees 17:49: What gets Anika excited, bringing together her team, building a company, her network and more 18:42: The two things Anika says leaders need, which one is the hardest to lead with, and how to navigate both 20:24: One of the most exciting times in Anika’s career, seeing a shift in gaming for diversity and inclusion, and the importance of bringing people together for connection 22:26: Anika responds to a quote Erik presents saying “my brain works differently” and how growing up as the oldest of 8 probably had an impact on that 23:59: One thing Anika wishes she were better at 24:25: What is in Anika’s music rotation including Nina Simone, Bob Marley, Kendrick Lamar’s recent diss tracks, and more 25:28: How to get in touch with Anika on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 174, Erik and Kerel talk with Ashley Holmes, Head of Marketing at LUMA Partners. LUMA Partners is the leading investment bank focused on digital media and marketing, composed of bankers and also trusted strategic advisors who have been around the block a few times. As an only child to a single mother growing up in Queens, NY, Ashley learned a lot about responsibility, hard work, self-reliance and her biggest passion - theater. After getting a Theater Management degree she found herself leaning towards banking, but unfortunately the year happened to be 2008, the big banking crash. She started in retail marketing and eventually moved herself up to where she is now at LUMA. Ashley speaks on her career and the importance of self-sufficiency, taking ownership of projects, and leveraging team strengths. And especially after Covid, Ashley has learned how to set boundaries between work and life, so now she has more time to dip into her almost forgotten passion of theater and is now partaking in burlesque. She also shares struggles she’s had in her work and life journey, the perceptions she’s had changed from working with so many different people, advice for people who want to get into marketing and build their skills, the fun music she has in her rotation, and more. Timestamps 0:31: Ashley Holmes, Head of Marketing at LUMA Partners shares her experience of growing up in Queens as an only child to her single mother 1:31: LUMA Partners is an investment firm in digital media and marketing technology that cultivates relationships between leading companies in the space to facilitate M&A exits 2:26: Ashley shares insights on building relationships with powerhouses, including executives and industry leaders through research, active listening and tailored strategies 4:03: What Ashley wanted to do before marketing, getting a degree in Theater Arts Management with a desire to run her own theater, then moving into retail marketing, and bringing all of those passions and interests as closely together as possible 5:37: What a good day looks like to Ashley 7:03: Between planning domestic to intercontinental events an all in between, Ashley shares her most interesting lesson she’s learned through that process, and how her team works by the way of “Baptism by fire” 10:03: Something Ashley has struggled with throughout her life and career where she needed guidance and support, how she has kept her head high through those difficult times, and a great tip from her boss and mentor 12:02: How Ashley perceives work-life balance, especially after Covid, jumping back into hobbies and passions of hers, and the importance of having goals even if they may keep you up til late at night or early in the morning 15:26: Ashley looks back on her younger self as a pure theater kid, the responsibilities of getting a job to support herself, the people in her life, mostly art-driven people, who inspired her, and how being self-reliant has gotten the world in a place where we’ve lost community with one another 20:26 Advice from Ashley for anyone who wants to get into marketing, movies she recommends for storytelling, humanity discrimination and struggles, and perspectives to change ones view of the world 25:26: What’s in Ashley’s music rotation right now including some Beyonce, musical theater favorites, a movie soundtrack and more 26:48: How to get in touch with Ashley Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 173, Erik and Kerel talk with return guest Lan Phan, Author of #DoThisDaily and CEO at community of SEVEN about her personal journey of writing a book about her life experiences of growing up in a family of Vietnamese refugees in California, working her way up to the C-suite at Fortune Magazine, eventually being laid off in the pandemic, and how through all of that she found success, happiness, and purpose in her life and work. In the corporate world, Lan was always a behind the scenes “doer,” an introvert. Since then, she has found her voice through building an audience totaling over 375,000 on LinkedIn and now serves people all over the world through her content, her book, and her company, community of SEVEN. Since she was 12 years old Lan had a dream of writing a book and in this episode she talks about her process, mindset, how her daughter and mother were massive inspirations for the idea and her friend’s motivation helping her to finish it. Lan shares lessons she’s learned specifically over the past few years including taking action despite fear, overcoming impostor syndrome by building confidence through consistency, why this was the perfect time in her life to write her book, and how it’s so easy for comparison to keep us stuck. They also discuss why defining what matters and having a clear direction first is important to achieving happiness and success, and so much more. “If you look at my posts, some of them have a million impressions, like, 5, 600 comments. It's in the comment section where people are talking to each other, not to me. And that's where community lives. It's not about them following me, it's about them curating this community where they are both teachers and learners. It's not about collecting followers. It's about, how do you become of service to other people?” Timestamps 1:12: Reflecting on the rapid changes in the world since Lan Phan’s last time on MRP, including the pandemic, layoffs, and social movements and also what the last straw was that motivated her to finish her new book #DoThisDaily 3:00: Lan shares her journey of writing a book, overcoming obstacles through perseverance and the importance of taking up space and owning one's voice as a role model for her daughter. 5:02: Lan emphasizes the importance of taking action despite fear and societal expectations, how writing daily helped her to overcome impostor syndrome and build confidence, and why this was the perfect time in her life to accomplish her goal since she was 12 years old of writing a book 8:46: Lan reflects on her motivation to write her book including her family upbringing as Vietnamese refugees in California, sacrifices made by her mother for the family, the desire to break generational curses and setting a positive example for her daughter and the next generation. 12:18: Lan speaks on personal growth looking different for everyone, growth happening even when you can’t see it and how comparison keeps us stuck 14:42: Who #DoThisDaily was written for, the introverted doers, how readers can find success, happiness and purpose through self-expression and vulnerability, Lan’s journey of finding and living her purpose, wanting to help more people and democratizing training and development by making knowledge accessible to all 19:06: Lan emphasizes the importance of defining what matters most to achieve happiness and create a clear direction in life, how mindset plays a crucial role in determining one's destiny, what consistency looks like, and taking care of one's health first and foremost 23:24: Lan’s experience growing a community of over 375,000 on LinkedIn through intentionality and service and how she brings that to in-person events 28:18: Where to connect with Lan Phan Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 172, Kerel has a solo conversation with Afshan Nasseri, Founder & CEO at Aam Creative, a multicultural marketing agency which she founded in 2021. Afshan was born in Montreal, Canada to parents from India and Iran, eventually moving to a suburb of Boston, later returning to Montreal for university. Her upbringing in such a multicultural family, speaking multiple languages, brought on her passion for culture, pop culture, and marketing to diverse audiences making sure they’re heard, celebrated and talked to. They talk more about the lessons Afshan learned from leaving college and joining the corporate world, to leaving, the pandemic happening, and the need for money to survive being a huge factor in starting her own company. Afshan speaks on what gets her so excited to be a CEO, working with diverse women all over the world, helping companies learn more about their diverse audiences, and using what she loves and she’s good at to make a positive impact in the world. Timestamps 0:38: Afshan Nasseri, Founder & CEO at Aam Creative shares about growing up in a multicultural family with parents from India and Iran, speaking multiple languages, and the mix of cultural influences in her upbringing 2:11: Afshan reflects on her saying “create a life around your passions,” how her parents were open-minded and supportive without following traditional career paths, and her unconventional path to entrepreneurship which she is grateful for despite any hurdles 5:41: Aam Creative is a multicultural marketing agency, fully comprised of women of color, working on everything from branding to brand design, paid media, social media management and cultural consulting for larger entities 7:12: Afshan discusses her thoughts on the state of affairs in regards to marketing to diverse audiences, how it differs in different markets and parts of the world, and the lack of brand management with diverse audiences 10:41: The motivating factor for Afshan to share Aam Creative, starting with working in the skincare industry, possibly quitting prematurely, finding her niche in corporate roles and eventually infusing her knowledge of Indian culture into marketing efforts 14:43: After losing her job and dealing with the pandemic along with everyone else, Afshan faced a low point, but bounced back by focusing on learning and building her confidence 16:16: Afshan’s favorite part about being a CEO, including working with women all around the work and presenting them with opportunities for growth and financial independence 17:36: What a typical day looks like for Afshan, what would make her day be a good day where she feels the impact of her work, socializes, and treats herself 18:57: Why cultural consulting is something that gets Afshan excited to do her work, and how it goes back to her upbringing, highlighting the importance of understanding diverse communities and their nuances 21:12: What book is on her nightstand, Afshan’s love of history and why she thinks it’s the best way to learn, a podcast that she can relate to and allows her to learn more about financial literacy 22:09: Advice for someone who wants to build a social following. 23:48: One thing Afshan wishes she were better at and how it would help at being a CEO 24:39: Afshan shares one special song that’s in her rotation right now in the mix with mostly her favorite Indian music 25:18: How to connect with and follow Afshan Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 171, Erik and Kerel have a conversation with Crystal Foote, an Award-Winning Marketer, Author and DE&I Champion who is also the Founder of NMSDC and WBENC-certified Digital Culture Group and Head of Multicultural Solutions at Performance Marketing company Digital Remedy focused on Inclusive Advertising. Crystal was born in Oakland, CA, raised in Vallejo, moved to New York to start her career in advertising, working for companies like MEC, RGA, and Publicis before transitioning to tech companies like Exponential and Amobee. Crystal has an important passion project, her children’s book “The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity” which helps bring diversity, relatability and inclusion to both children and parents. Now living in Atlanta, Crystal sees different aspects of all the cities she’s been a part of, her passion for positively influencing the world, maintaining a “work-life balance,” and continues to pass on the legacy of her family who has given their life to this country. In this episode, Crystal also reflects on their journey in the industry, shares advice she’d give to her younger self, highlighting perseverance, and they loosen it up with current music rotation jams. Timestamps 0:56: Crystal Foote, an award-winning marketer, author, AI champion, entrepreneur, and founder of Digital Culture Group shares what keeps her busy these day, and her upbringing into advertising 2:08: Growing up on the West coast, living on East coast and then in the South, Crystal shares which is her favorite, why, and what each has shown her personally and professionally 5:08: The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity, a children’s book Crystal wrote dedicated to creating a world where everyone feels valued and celebrated, and what kind of personal experiences drove her to create this 10:23: How Crystal views work-life balance, how she makes time in the day for everything she does, and the secret sauce she uses to make everything come together smoothly 12:39: What motivates and gets Crystal excited and one thing party trick she wishes she were better at 14:01: Crystal shares an amazing story of her great-great Uncle, an American war hero who gave his life to his country even when his country wasn’t on his side due to racial segregation 16:46: The history of Crystal’s family 18:33: Interesting lessons Crystal is passing onto her kids and sharing with her husband, including one she implements everyday 19:22: The sage advice older Crystal would give to her younger self starting out in her advertising career 21:10: What’s in Crystal’s music rotation while she’s at work and also in the car - they’re different! 23:15: Where to find Crystal’s book - The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity - and connect with her as well Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 170, Kerel flies solo and has a conversation with Kim "Kimfer" Flanery-Rye, Founder, Principal DEI and Culture Practitioner, owner of Inclusion Equals, a go-to resource for learning and growth around racism, sexism, ageism, ableism and beyond and also the new owner of The F Bomb Breakfast Club, a peer support community for women, femmes, and gentlethems who are company founders and business owners. Kimfer has a passion for philanthropy in many areas including youth, LGBTQIA, and the arts. Born in South Korea, adopted by a family from small farm town Iowa, Kimfer had an anything but easy childhood dealing with food scarcity and general insecurities about being different from everyone around her. Even though times were hard, she had a loving family along with more adopted siblings, learned a lot of skills that help her today and her early years have greatly influenced the work she does and invests in today. Kimfer believes greatly in servant leadership, ethical and authentic DEI practices and efforts, and gives importance to aligning investments with personal values for positive social impact. Timestamps 0:38: Intro to Kim "Kimfer" Flanery-Rye, Founder, Principal DEI and Culture Practitioner 1:14: Kimfer shares the story of her childhood, born in South Korea, adopted by a family from a small farm community in Iowa where she face insecurities related to food and abandonment 3:31: Kimfer credits her ability to navigate these early years to learning how to read the room quickly and avoid potentially harmful situations 4:27: How Kimfer’s early years influences the work she does now, what it means to be a servant leader, and why philanthropy is so important to her, emphasizing the importance of lived experience and social justice 12:49: What is fascinating to watch for Kimfer in the DEI space, the pendulum swing coming back around, and making an impact on the people who want to see the change. 17:44: How Kimfer acquired the F Bomb Business Club, a peer support community to support women business owners in a safe space for peer support and networking 24:24: Advice for anyone listening who has been adopted or had a similar background of Kimfer’s and how to move forward powerfully in life 25:58: The things Kimfer wishes she were better at - including playing guitar and her curiosity 27:10: Music in Kimfer’s current rotation and getting into Korean rap 28:53: Getting in touch with Kimfer on social media Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 169, Erik and Kerel talk with Kristen V. Carter, Executive Producer, Podcaster and Speaker, about her current project Gospel Live, working with great names like Henry Louis Gates Jr., her 22 years in the entertainment industry, creating the brand “Trust Your Magic” and more. Kristen grew up with five generations of family in Newark, New Jersey, being the only child surrounded by adults, she learned the ABCs watching the Wheel of Fortune and keeps her family legacy going with the V. standing for “Victoria” as her middle name, which was her great great grandmother’s and her mother’s name. Kristen started out in the industry as a head writer for BET, worked on a literacy project near and dear to hear heart with Kevin Hart, a special project with Discovery+ and Tina Knowles, now Gospel Live, amongst many other projects working with Essence, Oprah Winfrey Network, Fox, Bravo, E!, Food Network, NBC, MTV, just to name a few. Kristen shares how passionate she is about her morning routine, her work, storytelling, sharing her experiences of freeing herself of debt as a freelancer, the good music that fills her days, and so much more. Timestamps 0:37: Kristen V. Carter shares with Erik, Kerel, and the listeners what it all means to be an executive producer, podcaster and speaker 1:54: As she has been in the business for 22 years, Kristen goes through her experiences starting out as a head writer for BET, working on a project with Kevin Hart, Discovery+ and Tina Knowles, and now Gospel Live, one project she works on currently 4:18: Kristen explains how she’s always been a storyteller, from writing as a child, the questions she asks herself when telling a story and choosing a project to work on, and how she’s brought storytelling into Gospel Live 6:01: Coming from deep roots in Georgia, to being born in New Jersey, Kristen lived with five generations of family, was named after her great great grandmother and her mom, and had a unique experience growing up as the only kid around a lot of adults 9:49: What Kristen is excited for in 2024 with Gospel Live, other projects, what her next phase is shaping up to be and the passion and ownership she’s bringing to the year 12:14: How Kristen feels about being passionate about the work she does, how it’s special, and how it ignites her 13:23: What a good day looks like for Kristen, including a morning routine, gratitude and intentions, setting boundaries, and more 14:20: Kristen shares about her brand “Trust Your Magic,” where she now offers workshops and more for people to learn how to trust their magic, why she started it, how it has grown, and what the future looks like 17:17: What it's like working with Henry Louis Gates Jr., a famous literary critic and scholar, the buzzing environment of Gospel Live at the historic Oasis Church in LA and how Kristen knew the special ways the location was right for the project 22:27: Erik asks Kristen what she thinks after hearing all of her projects and names that have been involved with the projects she’s been on before - including Essence, Oprah Winfrey Network, Fox, Bravo, E!, Food Network, NBC, MTV and more 24:20: Advice Kristen V. Carter today would give to herself when she was just starting out in her career 25:32: What is in Kristen’s music rotation right now, including some new music from Beyonce and the dance moves she’s patiently waiting on 26:49: How to find and connect with Kristen V. Carter Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 168, Erik and Kerel talk with Willow Hill, the Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Scout Lab, a creative communications agency specializing in branding, communications, and campaigns that guide brands who are at their inflection points toward a future we want to live in, bringing together purpose and profit. Willow gives so much credit to the inspiration she gained from her mother, who had her at sixteen years old, and the impact her father had on her, leaving her with philosophies of American Indians, and how these experiences shaped her worldview in life and business. Willow shares her perspective on the importance of being purpose-driven, why she feels a responsibility as a woman in tech, and a part of the 1% of women-owned agencies, to shape how the culture shows up and help direct the collective imagination, and how she uses two Native American philosophies for her creativity and the impact she wants to leave. She shares her unique ideas on work-life balance, how she manages her time, what it truly takes to be a leader, tips on how to create an award-winning campaign (Scout Lab won the 2023 Digiday Award for Best B2B Branding Campaign), and more. Timestamps 0:34: Willow Hill, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Scout Lab explains what Scout Lab does, what’s going on there currently, and what motivated them to invest in this opportunity 2:31: What has changed in the brands landscape since Scout Lab came about, focusing on being purpose driven 3:44: The journey Willow has taken being a woman in tech, a part of the 1% of women owned agencies, and her responsibility to continue showing up and shift the landscape 5:31: Willow shares where she grew up, why her mom is her inspiration and role model for determination, her dad being a civil rights activist for the American Indian Movement, and what those roots have taught her 7:32: Expanding on Native American philosophies, using the modality of the medicine wheel, the idea of seventh generation and how she uses them in life and in business 9:18: What it’s like to be a founder and a new mother, seeing life out of a different lens, and how it has changed her perspectives 11:19: Erik asks Willow to share a profound philosophy and perspective she has around the idea of work-life balance, the “six day weekend” and ways to rethink the way we use our time 14:32: Willow’s secret to managing her time, the catch to it, and the two keys to leadership that she thinks are really important 17:00: A few tips for brands on how to create an award winning campaign, such as Scout Lab’s campaign that won the 2023 Digiday Award for Best B2B Branding Campaign 20:09: Where Willow draws inspiration from including travel and how it opens her eyes to different cultures and values 22:13: A motivating and empowering piece of advice for women who are thinking about starting an agency, and what Willow would tell herself when she was first starting out in her career 24:14: Willow shares what a good day looks like for her, how she feels on those days, and who she spends time with 24:55: The music in Willow’s rotation right now and the songs on repeat 24:54: How to connect with Willow and Scout Lab Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 167, Kerel talks with Tony Tidbit, a business executive and Founder and Host of the Black Executive Perspective Podcast where Tony peels back the layers of intersectionality, systemic racism, and other challenging issues shrouding the experiences of Black professionals in America's corporate environment. Tony started his career in sales as an office manager at Amway, took a risk, moved jobs to a construction business with an acquaintance where he flourished, and then continued into the advertising industry where he has experience at AT&T, Xander, and Direct TV. Timestamps 00:55: Tony Tidbit, Founder and Host of the Black Executive Perspective podcast shares with the audience where he’s from, how travel from his hometown has changed his perspectives and outlooks on the world 3:53: Currently VP of Sales and Client Partnerships at Direct TV, and being in the advertising industry for over 30 years, Tony tells us what he’s most excited about and what has changed the most since he’s started 6:10: Tony gives a great piece of advice not only for those in the advertising industry but for how to become a better and more successful individual throughout life in order to deliver value to others 7:14: A story of one moment in time that was pivotal to Tony’s career, even when he was feeling like he was failing at something, he eventually realized he was preparing for something greater 15:22: Tony shares what he believes are qualities of good leaders, how to create relationships and be a good leader during these digital times, and being intentional 23:46: Tony talks about the Black Executive Perspective podcast which he started near after George Floyd, to talk about race and learn from different perspectives and allow a space for people to be vulnerable about controversial subjects 27:59: The biggest thing Tony has learned since starting his podcast that was something that even surprised him 29:33: How Tony stays focused, disciplined, balanced, what his morning routine is, the different ways he continues to learn, and what he is teaching his daughters as they grow up 33:53: The music Tony listens to, from classic rap and R&B to music that makes him think and changes perspectives 36:17: Where to find and connect with Tony Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 166, Erik and Kerel talk with Tricia Montalvo Timm, Board member, investor, DEI Leader and author of bestseller “Embrace the Power of You” about embracing and accepting yourself, achieving higher levels of success in work and life, and surrounding yourself with inspirational people. Tricia was born in Los Angeles to two immigrant parents, who she learned work ethic from, created deep family connections with and how she integrates those traits into her working career. Through growing up in a family that tried to assimilate to American culture in order to fit in and face less prejudices, Tricia eventually discovered that in order to achieve the success, happiness, and belonging she truly desired, she would have to embraces the things that made her different from the people around her - and even find that they have a lot more in common than first glance. Through her work and her book “Embrace the Power of You,” Tricia helps future and current leaders develop skills and empathy to break through any fears that may be stopping them from including and celebrating all of who they and others are. In her personal life, as well, she teaches her family and her children to take care of themselves so they can take care of the people around them. Tricia shares advice for those who may be struggling in their career, stories about her life where she has continued to find and embrace herself, and so much more. Timestamps 1:13: Tricia Montalvo Timm, Board member, investor, DEI Leader and author, along with being a spouse and mother of two, shares how she grew up, her experience having two immigrant parents who wanted the American Dream and how that impacted who she is today 3:26: Tricia explains how to know, become, and embrace the real you in order to achieve the success you desire, and her journey to getting there 5:30: How Tricia has shown up as a Latina woman and how it’s changed through her professional career with herself and others around her 6:53: Tricia shares a story of when she started to truly embrace herself, her culture, background, interests, which mirrors very similar journeys of many people of color in the United States 9:48: What Tricia’s book “Embrace the Power of You” is about, including being authentic, self-accepting, and also includes strategies and tips for two different types of readers 11:15: Tricia touches on the book “The Mirrored Door” by Ellen Taaffe which talks about how to rise to the next level of success and leadership and how some may be holding themselves back from reaching those places 13:25: Advice from Tricia for those who may be struggling in their career, how mentors and sponsors have helped her tremendously in different ways and why working hard isn’t enough 15:43: How Tricia navigates having children, a professional career and the responsibility of taking care of herself as well to impact others around her in positive ways 18:40: What Tricia has learned from her parents that have helped her in life and career as well as qualities that are no longer helpful and that she is changing with her generation within her family 21:14: The places and people Tricia draws inspiration from in her life and career 22:15: The music in Tricia’s rotation right now, what concerts she’s been to recently, and why she loves Pink so much 23:53: Where to find and connect with Tricia Montalvo Timm Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 165, Erik and Kerel talk with Michael Roca, Executive Director, Elevate at Omnicom Media Group. In their conversation, Michael shares his story of growing up in Queens, New York, as the youngest of four boys and children of Guatemalan parents, how they assimilated to the Latin and American cultures, how he still stays connected with those roots and the lessons he’s learned from his parents and family that he has passed on to his kids. Since 2006, Michael has been in the media industry and has seen a lot of changes in diversity, although more is to be made. He explains to us how businesses need to communicate with their diverse audiences in order to stay alive, hiring experts to help just like one would outsource any other expertise, and making real change through budgets, resources, and decisions. Timestamps :36: Michael Roca, Executive Director at Elevate at Omnicom Media Group, shares where he grew up in New York City, going to St. John’s University and starting his career 2:18: Michael tells us what it was like growing up in Queens as a Guatemalan and assimilating into other Latin cultures, and he shares an interesting story about where his name came from and how 4:40: Why Michael’s older brothers had a harder time acclimating to American culture than he and his other siblings did, how he has learned from that experience and brought those lessons into how he teaches his own kids to this day 6:35: The importance of honoring our ancestors and getting back to our roots 8:24: Erik shares his experience, being half Guatemalan, visiting his family there and learning lessons about his culture 10:12: Michael shares what he does as the Executive Director at Elevate, how culture around diversity has changed since he’s been in the industry from 2006, the importance for a business to build a strong connection with diverse audiences and build it into their processes 13:21: The growth in multicultural audiences and needs and why businesses have died because they could not serve them, walking the walk in terms of hiring experts who can help businesses talk to those diverse audiences and one of Michael’s favorite experiences working with State Farm 17:43: Making speaking to diverse audiences an intentional process that is built into your business rather than an “add-on” and making real change through budgets, resources and decisions 20:59: Michael talks about Cultural Practitioners at OMG and how they keep teams and clients accountable to their plans of diversity 22:34: The many places Michael draws inspiration from 24:55: Michael shares the idea of having his own Board of Directors, those he goes to for advice and vice versa, and how they help each other along their professional journeys 26:31: What excites Michael about the future of the media tech industry, along with some things he is cautious about 27:31: Some important lessons Michael has learned growing up that he passes on to others as well as his kids, and the importance of a “we” environment over a “me” environment 30:24: What Michael has learned from working with the generation coming up in workplaces, taking into account what they’ve been through, and the advice they’ve given him as well 32:54: Advice Michael would give to himself at the beginning of his career and one of his biggest regrets 34:24: What is in Michael’s music rotation right now, including what music from his children slip into his playlists and how the world has really changed in terms of what music is not available and accepted worldwide 38:03: How to get in touch with Michael Roca Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 164, Kerel talks with Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder at We Are All Human, a non-profit organization that has a single purpose to remind people that we belong to the same human family. Claudia was born in Mexico City to two parents, both basketball players, she was surrounded by strong females, learned discipline and other successful traits, moved to Europe to work with the UN, and then eventually moved to America. For the first time in her life, she learned what Hispanic was, why people called her that and the ramifications of shame, embarrassment and other negative connotations that came from that. Since starting her career, Claudia has had a massive impact, not only on the Hispanic community, but also other minority communities in helping them uncover and use their authentic power. Claudia claims she is not an activist, but a factivist - a person who fights for societal change based on facts and data. She has discovered that groups historically known as the minority in the United States are transforming into the majority, why companies should pay attention to them and how much buying power they have, and how those in the Hispanic community can be a voice for their community as they move into senior positions at top corporations. Claudia has so many resources to help those in minority groups find their power and make a difference including her foundation, her A LA LATINA podcast, the Hispanic Leadership Summit, the Hispanic Star and more. Timestamps :34: Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder at We Are All Human shares her experience being born and growing up in Mexico to two professional basketball players, finishing college, moving to Europe and how her world changed after hearing she was “Hispanic” for the first time 1:53: How growing up with two parents who played basketball encouraged her to live with specific qualities and traits of successful and disciplined people 4:39: Why Claudia is so dedicated to create social change based on her experiences growing up and seeing the massive societal changes over her lifetime 6:14: Claudia shares where she gets her drive to carry out social change from, how she stays positive about the future where there are a lot of people who see a lot of negatives and get frustrated, and the one thing she stays true to to help her in her journey 9:22: Claudia’s perspective of growing up learning six different languages, how she shifted parts of herself to change how others saw her, and why it’s so important to feel pride to be different, to know multiple languages, and to be Hispanic or any other sort of “minority” 14:01: The purpose of the We Are All Human Foundation, using data to understand trends of hate and how to fight it, recognizing the power of the Hispanic community and how to use it by communicating with each other and staying true to it, and the creation of the Hispanic star symbol 18:04: Claudia talks about her A LA LATINA podcast, a playbook to succeed being your authentic self to help Latinas break the glass ceiling in representation in top corporations, as well as other minority groups 19:46: How Claudia approaches mentoring others, why it’s important to be open to help, mentoring at large through her podcast, and creating the Hispanic Leadership Summit to gather leaders to help inspire, educate, empower and mobilize others in their community 22:44: Where Claudia draws inspiration from, flipping the script for others on using their authenticity and culture in their work, and how to make it work for you 25:44: What advice Claudia would give herself when she was first starting her career 27:37: Claudia’s favorite sport 27:52: The one artist who is in Claudia’s musical rotation who has inspired artists across genres in the past, now, and beyond 28:22: Where to find and connect with Claudia Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 163, Erik and Kerel talk with Doug Melville, a DEI executive and author of ‘Invisible Generals,' a story about America's first two black generals, a father and a son, who helped integrate the military, create and command the Tuskegee Airmen, and beyond. Doug grew up with a majority mixed race family, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, went to Syracuse University, majored in marketing, worked with public figures such as Britney Spears, Quincy Jones, Charlamagne Tha God to name a few and eventually found himself in DEI. Doug shares his family story, why it’s so important to own your own family’s story, becoming a powerful networker and communicator, what it was like to grow up mixed race in different communities, committing to helping people be seen, getting his book published by Simon and Schuster, the current state of the DEI space, advice for global DEI officers, where he draws inspiration, and so much more. “Sometimes the skills that we pick up, negotiation, communication, storytelling, are actually the things that are going to change the way these companies operate, and the outcomes.” Timestamps :34: Doug Melville, a DEI executive and author of ‘Invisible Generals,' shares where he grew up, going to Syracuse University, and his first job riding around in Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobiles and doing PR 2:37: Doug’s perspective on going to and staying in one industry vs. exploring different industries, working with Britney Spears, Quincy Jones, Tommy and Andy Hilfiger, the importance of networking and what defines success or failure 9:15: What it felt like for Doug to grow up mixed race, gaining experience in both rich and primarily black cities, and how that’s helped him in business and his career 11:56: Doug explains his family story, how he got to learn about his family’s history, being pushed to write his book ‘Invisible Generals,’ and making a commitment as chief diversity officer to help ensure companies don’t keep people invisible 16:16: After receiving feedback regarding happy hours at his work, Doug and his CEO at the time, Rob, started a talk show in the lobby bringing celebrities, public figures, and more in order to, rather than serve alcohol, serve education, in addition, having Charlamagne Tha God, who eventually helped Rob get his book published 22:04: Doug’s thoughts on the current state of DEI and executives in the space including how he believes structures have not been set up over the past few years to create the space for diversity programs and initiatives to be effective 28:42: What makes an effective global DEI officer, what they need to know in order to be successful 32:28: What Doug has learned from living in Geneva, Switzerland the past two years as a global DEI officer 35:21: Where Doug draws inspiration from, including many of his mentors, and those who come in pairs, like father and son 37:14: What’s in Doug’s music rotation right now, including a lot of hip hop 38:22: Where to buy Doug’s book ‘Invisible Generals’ and also attend events and booking signings 42:13: Where to connect with Doug on LinkedIn and Instagram Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

In episode 162, Erik and Kerel talk with NoorJehan Tourte, Group SVP, Strategic Planner at Area 23, a healthcare advertising agency about growing up in the Mojave Desert with her Indian family and community, moving to LA proper at 15, and being exposed to so many more people and cultures which really influenced how she lives her life and works today. Following in her brother’s footsteps of being on track to go to med school, NoorJehan eventually figured out that going to business school to get her MBA was a much more exciting path. From starting out in advertising in the Pharma space at Pfizer, to eventually getting into marketing at Area 23, NoorJehan has learned quite a bit. She shares a mission of her own about getting women really excited about failure, being a part of the Sports Illustrated Swim Search competition, a story about falling off a couch on her birthday and how she made that a win, the cycles of female friendships, great advice that she’s given and passed along to the listeners, and so much more. Timestamps :37: NoorJehan Tourte, Group SVP, Strategic Planner at Area 23, shares where she’s currently located, where her roots are and where she went to college 2:18: NoorJehan explores the transition at 15 years old from her Indian community in the Mojave Desert to proper LA and being introduced to even more cultures 3:34: What NoorJehan has learned from having a foot and experience in so many different communities and how she has built and evolved her identity because of that 6:34: What Area 23 is, their scope of responsibilities and clients 8:27: The intentional decisions by NoorJehan behind working in Pharma, at Pfizer, and getting into marketing and advertising, where she was initially going, and the internship that made her want to be on the business side of healthcare 14:18: NoorJehan shares her mission about helping women get really excited about failure and learning in a world where so many women pressure themselves to be perfect 17:43: NoorJehan tells a story that illustrates how she has fallen or failed and picked herself back up to make it mean something 20:21: What NoorJehan learned about the other women through the Sports Illustrated Swim Search competition and how it allowed her to be more authentic and create valuable female friendships out of it 23:00: How female friendships evolve through different life phases, why being sensitive isn’t a bad thing at all, how NoorJehan views feedback, and what to remind yourself of when something doesn’t go your way 27:10: Where NoorJehan draws inspiration from, including some great advice she was given from the person who inspired her to get into strategy 28:30: The advice NoorJehan would give her her younger self just starting out in the workforce 29:38: What is in NoorJehan’s music rotation including a nonstop playlist, and what her music reminds her of 30:45: How to stay in touch with NoorJehan Follow Us: Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc