Minority Report Podcast

Chris Contreras, Managing Director of Funding Supreme, discussed his journey from leaving a tech role to founding Funding Supreme, which surpassed $1 million in revenue in its first year. He highlighted the importance of separating personal and business finances, sharing his experience of securing a $40,000 American Express card for his previous venture. Chris emphasized the need for entrepreneurs to understand credit and financial management. He also mentioned the growth of his social following from 16,000 to over 118,000 in 18 months. Funding Supreme focuses on providing capital access to small businesses and plans to expand its services. Timestamp Introduction and Welcome 0:00 Chris Contreras' Journey and Business Ventures 1:06 Challenges and Solutions in Accessing Capital 2:39 Building a Social Following and Content Strategy 9:23 Working with New Founders and Client Relationships 12:19 Future Plans and Business Growth 16:06 Team Dynamics and Personal Life 17:09 Differences Between Executive Roles and Entrepreneurship 19:04 Advice on Managing Finances and Credit 22:26 Closing Remarks and Contact Information 24:26

Chico Bryant and Bill Hampton discussed their collaboration on the documentary "Unpunished," which explores the 2019 murder of Ronald Greene by the Louisiana State Police. The film, produced by Bryant's United Venture Productions, highlights the systemic corruption and cover-up involved. Hampton, who invested in the project, emphasized the need to address police immunity and qualified immunity. The documentary features interviews with Greene's family and the whistleblower, Carl Cavalier. They plan to screen the film at the Kansas City Film Festival on September 29. Bryant also shared his background in the music industry and his current role as a father and CEO. Timestamp Introduction and Podcast Format 0:02 Technical Setup and Introductions 1:42 Chico's Background and Career Journey 7:08 Bill Hampton's Business Ventures 10:08 Introduction to the Film Project 14:08 The Story of Ronald Green 25:30 Impact and Call to Action 32:16 Conclusion and Future Plans 34:40

Chad Hickey, founder and CEO of Givsly, discusses his journey from Arkansas to New York and the inception of Givsly, a company that aligns consumer and brand values through responsible advertising. Givsly has facilitated nearly $3 million in donations and emphasizes values-based marketing, which is crucial as 80% of consumers consider values when purchasing. Hickey highlights initiatives like "Season Without Swag" and the LA wildfire relief efforts, where Givsly mobilized 44 agency offices to donate supplies. He reflects on the challenges of founding a company, the importance of over-preparation, and the personal growth it entails. Timestamp: Chad Hickey's Background and Current Life 0:01 Introduction to Givsly 2:30 Examples of Givsly's Impact 5:07 Chad's Early Life and Career Journey 8:40 Challenges and Lessons Learned as a Founder 14:23 Future Vision and Excitement for Givsly 20:59 Personal Preferences and Final Thoughts 24:54 Contact Information and Closing Remarks 27:26

Simone Arthur, a spiritual advisor and founder of Sacred Conversations, shared her journey from Barbados to New York, where she attended City University and worked in tourism. She discovered her spiritual gift in her late 20s after attending a church in Brooklyn. Simone now offers readings, focusing on business and personal life guidance. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with ancestors for clarity and endurance. Simone hosts spiritual retreats in Barbados, aiming to help participants connect with their ancestors through workshops and rituals. She also plans a men's wellness retreat in Brooklyn. Simone's personal goals include peace and balance. Time Stamp Simone Arthur's Background and Journey 0:01 Adapting to Life in New York 1:56 Discovering Her Spiritual Gift 3:46 Challenges and Transformation 7:08 The Importance of Ancestors 7:47 Simone's Retreats and Workshops 15:41 Simone's Personal Goals and Future Plans 22:32 Simone's Wishes and Recommendations 26:12 Connecting with Simone 30:53

Nathalie Heywood Smith, owner of Heywood Smith Consulting and evangelist for POC Stock, discusses her journey from recruitment to consulting and her work with POC Stock. She emphasizes the importance of understanding human traits in hiring and breaking stereotypes. Nathalie highlights the need for diverse stories to combat stereotypes and improve inclusion. She shares insights on leadership changes, the role of allies, and the significance of building a supportive network. Nathalie recommends "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle for personal growth and advises entrepreneurs to focus on building a diverse network. She also enjoys cooking, particularly baking bread and exploring Indian cuisine. Timestamps Introduction and Background of Nathalie Heywood Smith 0:02 Core Values and Approach to Helping People 4:16 Challenges in Hiring and Stereotypes 9:28 Impact of Black History Month and POC Stock's Annual List 10:22 Changes in Leadership and Allies Over the Years 14:47 Book Recommendation and Advice for Entrepreneurs 19:43 Personal Interests and Curiosity 22:52 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 26:16

Kerel interviews Samina Bari, a CEO and board advisor, about her background and career journey. Samina, a first-generation American of Pakistani and Indian descent, discusses her upbringing in Staten Island, New York, and the cultural and identity conflicts she faced. She shares her career in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, her pivots to in-house roles and strategy advisory, and her recent book, "I Can, I Will, and I Did," which chronicles her life and challenges. Samina emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership and advises others to believe in themselves and take risks. She also mentions her involvement in parent support groups and women's leadership initiatives. Timestamps Samina Bari's Background and Early Life 0:01 Impact of Upbringing on Career and Personal Life 6:00 Career Pivots and Lessons Learned 10:36 Personal Reflections and Advice 20:26 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 23:40

Perri Dash, co-host of the Wrist Check Podcast and co-founder of Super Niche, discusses his journey from growing up in the Bronx to his career in fashion and luxury. He highlights his passion for watches, particularly Tudor, and his experiences at Ralph Lauren and Watches of Switzerland. Perri shares the inception of the Wrist Check Podcast during COVID-19, its growth, and the launch of Super Niche, a media company focusing on luxury, art, and wine. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling and community in the watch world and his dedication to work-life harmony. Perri also touches on his personal life, including his two daughters and his evolving watch collection. Timestamps: Perry Dash's Introduction and Wrist Check 0:00 Perry's Background and Influences 2:39 Career Journey and Early Experiences 6:20 Starting the Risk Check Podcast 10:34 Super Niche and Expanding Content 14:59 Daily Routine and Personal Goals 26:05 Family and Legacy 29:48 Watch Collecting and Personal Favorites 33:02 Music and Inspirations 39:22 Connecting with the Audience 40:21

Nikki Carrido, VP of Marketing Strategy and Sponsorships at Museum of Pop Culture, discusses the museum's 25th anniversary, its focus on fashion, film, gaming, and music, and its new CEO's strategic plan. She highlights the recent "Contact High" exhibition celebrating hip hop's 50th anniversary. Carrido shares her background, including her Chinese American heritage, early career at Bank of America, and passion for diversity and inclusion. She emphasizes the difference between working in a large corporation and a cultural institution like MOPOP. Carrido also discusses her love for sports, particularly tennis, and her efforts to balance being a leader and maintaining personal connections. Timestamps: Introduction and Overview of MOPOP 0:00 Recent Exhibitions and Personal Preferences 2:00 Nikki's Background and Family Influence 4:18 Transition from Corporate to Museum Work 6:04 Sales and Marketing Skills 10:17 Diversity and Inclusion Passion 12:47 Challenges and Learning Experiences 14:14 Family Legacy and Values 16:16 Recommendations and Personal Growth 19:33 Closing Remarks and Contact Information 22:10

Sharon Mussalli, CEO of NowThis, discussed her journey and leadership strategies. She highlighted the evolution of NowThis into two streams: NowThis impact, focusing on social issues, and NowThis pop culture, addressing lifestyle entertainment. Mussalli emphasized the importance of a diverse board to stay relevant and innovative. She shared insights from her experience at Meta and founding Extra Crisp, a media rep firm. Mussalli stressed the value of direct communication, continuous improvement, and using one's identity as an asset. Timestamps Sharon Mussalli's Background and Current Role 0:00 Creating a Diverse Board and Episodic Content 3:02 Challenges and Strategies in Leadership 4:47 Founding Extra Crisp and Lessons from Rhode Island 7:29 Leadership Philosophies and Personal Growth 13:32 Inspiration and Personal Development 18:59 Educational Background and Business Insights 20:12 Balancing Work and Personal Life 23:53 Music and Personal Interests 31:01 Connecting with Sharon Mussalli 32:36

Maria Teresa Hernandez, Head of Supplier Diversity at Mirriad, discusses her journey and the unique aspects of Mirriad, a technology-driven company bridging brands into content through AI-powered media integrations. She highlights her efforts to prioritize diverse suppliers, including Black, Hispanic, Asian, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses. Maria shares her background, including her upbringing in Chicago, her mother's struggle with identity, and her research into Mexican American heritage. She emphasizes the importance of representation, empathy, and intentionality in leadership. Maria also reflects on her career, including her early sales roles and the impact of overcoming ovarian cancer on her life and career choices. Timestamps Introduction to Myriad and Maria Teresa Hernandez (0:00) Maria's Background and Family History (3:12) Impact of Upbringing on Parenting (5:52) Career Journey and Early Roles (11:09) Passion for Representation and Leadership (15:02) Personal Challenges and Achievements (19:25) Advice for Aspiring Professionals (23:18) Music Preferences and Final Thoughts (25:54)

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