The Kickback With Keri: Black Entrepreneurship & Business Spotlights

#47 Healthy food isn’t foreign to Black communities. By design, many communities lack access to it.Brandon Starkes, is the founder and CEO of The People’s Market, a DMV-based fresh produce delivery service connecting consumers with local farmers. In this episode, he shares how he’s working to reshape access to healthy food while creating lasting community impact.Brandon explains how he built relationships with local farmers without an agricultural background, why supporting local food systems matters, and how strategic partnerships helped him expand beyond produce delivery with the launch of The Blk Food Truck.We also discuss the challenges of scaling a service-based business quickly, the importance of exceptional customer service, and how building the right relationships can help Black entrepreneurs grow their businesses while serving their communities.If you’re interested in food access in Black communities, supporting local farmers, growing a purpose-driven business, or using entrepreneurship to create meaningful community change, this episode is for you.Episode Links:→ Order from The People’s Market https://www.thepeoplesmarketdmv.com/→ The People’s Market on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplesmarketdmv→ The People’s Market on Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@thepeoplesmarketdmv→ The Black Food Truck on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blkfoodtruck🎙️ I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.📲 Connect with me https://www.kerihenderson.com/links📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter https://www.kerihenderson.com/newsletterEnjoying the podcast? Support the showContent Creation Made Easy:Descript for video & audio editing https://get.descript.com/kerihendersonRSS.com for podcast hosting https://rss.com/?via=keri-podFavorite products https://www.kerihenderson.com/must-havesThe links above are affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

#46 When it feels like nothing changes no matter who you vote for, it’s easy to tune out. But voter apathy comes at a cost. When we stop participating, we give up opportunities to shape our communities and hold elected officials accountable.In this solo episode, I break down why voting matters, how to make your vote count, and how local elections affect your daily life from school curriculum and voting laws to data centers, utility costs, and healthcare. I explore why people feel apathetic about voting, the history of voter suppression and voting rights in America, and what generations before us fought for to secure the right to vote.After visiting the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama, I reflect on the literacy tests once used to prevent Black Americans from voting and why we cannot take that hard-won right for granted.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why local elections matter and how elected officials’ decisions affect your everyday lifeHow voter suppression has shaped voting rights in America, past and presentWhy voting is a tool for change, even when no candidate is perfectHow to hold elected officials accountable after Election DayWhy early voting is worth considering and how to make a plan to voteHow to take steps to ensure your mail-in ballot is received and countedVoting won’t solve every problem, but it gives us a way to participate in democracy and help shape the future of our communities.If you’ve ever wondered whether your vote makes a difference, felt frustrated with elected officials, or questioned how to make your vote count, this episode is for you.Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

#45 You hit the promotion, the client, the goal, and you’re more exhausted than ever.Radiance Davis is the founder of FlyFitLawyerChick and a women’s leadership and wellbeing advisor. In this episode, we discuss burnout, boundaries, and how ambitious women can redefine success without wearing themselves thin.Radiance shares practical strategies for managing your time and energy, setting boundaries, prioritizing rest, and making space for the things that bring you joy. She also explains why workplace wellness matters, what law firms and organizations can do to retain their people, and how to navigate career transitions with intention.If you’re balancing a demanding career, building a business, or figuring out what your next chapter looks like, this conversation is a reminder that you can pursue meaningful work without losing yourself in the process.Episode Links:→ Radiance on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/radiancedavis/→ Radiance on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theflyfitlawyerchick→ Learn more at https://www.theflyfitlawyerchick.com🎙️ I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.📲 Connect with me https://www.kerihenderson.com/links📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter https://www.kerihenderson.com/newsletterEnjoying the podcast? Support the showContent Creation Made Easy:Descript for video & audio editing https://get.descript.com/kerihendersonRSS.com for podcast hosting https://rss.com/?via=keri-podRiverside for podcast recording https://affiliate.riverside.com/keri-podFavorite products https://www.kerihenderson.com/must-havesThe links above are affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

#44 Ever scroll past a brand’s controversial post and feel yourself getting pulled into the argument? That reaction may be exactly what they’re counting on. So how do you build a brand people trust, protect your intellectual property from copycats, and avoid getting played by brands that profit from your outrage?In this Kickback Briefing, I break down the controversial Converse ad and the rise of rage bait marketing, the OutKast intellectual property lawsuit involving rapper Ovrkast, and the NFL’s brand identity and authenticity issues, including lessons from Colin Kaepernick and the league’s approach to social justice messaging.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to recognize rage marketing before you engage, and why brands use controversy to stay in the algorithmHow to build brand trust and loyalty through authenticity, and why mixed messaging damages your brand identityWhy knowing your target audience, brand values, and what you want to be known for is the foundation of a strong brandWhy intellectual property protection matters for small businesses and creators, and what trademarking your business name can protectWhat the NFL, OutKast, and Converse can teach entrepreneurs about brand strategy, marketing, and building a business people trustEpisode Links:→ All Hip Hop→ Law Commentary🎙️ I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.📲 Connect with me https://www.kerihenderson.com/links📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter https://www.kerihenderson.com/newsletterEnjoying the podcast? Support the showContent Creation Made Easy:Descript for video & audio editing https://get.descript.com/kerihendersonRSS.com for podcast hosting https://rss.com/?via=keri-podRiverside for podcast recording https://affiliate.riverside.com/keri-podFavorite products https://www.kerihenderson.com/must-havesThe links above are affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

#43 Why do Black-owned businesses cost more and why do customers question the price? In this episode, we're talking about Black-owned business pricing, the real cost of running a small business, and the complicated expectations around “support Black businesses.”Why are Black-owned brands criticized for charging what their products are actually worth while consumers often accept higher prices from large corporations and luxury brands? We're breaking down the pricing double standard, why independent businesses may need to charge more to survive, and why comparing a small business to a big-box retailer isn't always fair.We also look at what brands like Actively Black offer beyond the product itself, including quality, customer experience, mission, and community impact and why those factors matter when deciding whether something is “worth the price.”If you've ever questioned the price of a Black-owned product, wondered why supporting Black businesses can cost more, or you're a Black entrepreneur struggling to price your products without apologizing for the cost, this conversation is for you.🎙️ I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.📲 Connect with me https://www.kerihenderson.com/links📧 Subscribe to The Kickback With Keri Newsletter https://www.kerihenderson.com/newsletterEnjoying the podcast? Support the showContent Creation Made Easy:Descript for video & audio editing https://get.descript.com/kerihendersonRSS.com for podcast hosting https://rss.com/?via=keri-podRiverside for podcast recording https://affiliate.riverside.com/keri-podFavorite products https://www.kerihenderson.com/must-havesThe links above are affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.