In episode 151, Erik and Kerel talk with Luis Romero, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales North America at The Guardian US, the world’s leading liberal site in information and news. Luis grew up in New York City to two parents who immigrated from Ecuador. They often had various family members staying with them, in addition to his younger brother and sister, which taught him the importance of family and influenced his leadership style later in life. He has worked at companies such as NBC Universal, Univision, CATS Media, Media Nine Group and other tremendous brands and organizations leading multicultural and sales divisions.

Luis shares the work he and his colleagues are doing at The Guardian, how his experiences at previous jobs have taught him so much about business, different cultures, and the ways to market to specific people in the marketplace over various platforms. He talks about the changes that are currently being made in the marketplace as far as diversity and budgets and he gives advice for anyone who is looking to get into sales in the digital media space.

“If you're naturally curious, asking questions about anything is a great skill set to have as a salesperson. I think the better salespeople are just naturally curious. They're just going to ask questions, and not just because they have a script. Of course, you have to ask all those questions, but it's really just learning about someone's business and what makes them tick.”

Timestamps

:36: Luis Romero, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales North America at The Guardian US, shares about his upbringing in New York City with his parents immigrating from Ecuador and other various family members

6:40: How Luis was led to working at The Guardian, what they do, who they represent, and what they stand for

12:29: Luis talks about how his upbringing has formed the ways in which he thinks now in his work at The Guardian and in previous positions

15:34: Luis’ experience being a father of three, including a newborn, how he balances life and work, and how the pandemic has given him an opportunity to be more present

18:26: Luis shares his unique time working at companies like NBC Universal, Univision, Cats Media Group, Group Nine Media and leading their roles in multicultural sales

26:36: Luis’ thoughts on how the marketplace and different brands are making space and moving around budgets to incorporate different cultures in their sales and marketing strategies

31:05: Where Luis draws his inspiration from

32:12: Advice for those who are thinking about a career in sales or entering the digital media space

34:37: Luis talks about his success, how he gives a lot of credit to it all starting at home with his family

35:37: Luis’ top three apps and the wide range of music he’s listening to these days

38:22: Where to reach Luis and connect

Follow Us:
Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK
Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Ep 151 - Luis Romero - Senior Vice President, Head Of Sales North America at The Guardian US

In episode 150, Erik and Kerel talk with Justin Barton, SVP of Digital Strategy & Partnerships at Black Enterprise, a digital resource for black entrepreneurs, black-owned businesses, and career, tech, and money content for black people. Justin was born in Brooklyn, NY to his mother and father who were both educators in New York. He eventually went on to Hofstra University to get his BA in Business Administration and got his MBA at Long Island University. Justin has been working in the media industry for about 18 years now and his repertoire includes Viacom, iHeartMedia, MTV News, and Daily Mail.

Justin stresses the importance of companies using black owned media to reach black viewers as well as increasing the number of diversity hires in the workplace and media environment. He shares the different types of black stories they’re writing and sharing at Black Enterprise - lifestyle, local, financial, and more. Justin also talks through his career journey of climbing up the ladder from analyst to eventually SVP and what it took to get him there including skills, networking and experience.

“Don't stay somewhere where you're not appreciated, don't stay somewhere where your opinions aren't taken seriously”

Timestamps

:37: Justin Barton, SVP of Digital Strategy & Partnerships at Black Enterprise shares his experience growing up in New York and where he got his education

1:35: Justin talks about his mother and father, both originally from Brooklyn and educators

3:16: Justin shares his experience at his first job out of college in Finance and then eventually moving to media at Disney ABC television

4:37: What is going on at Black Enterprise, including how the pandemic affected the company, and how they’ve had a meteoric rise in the past 3 years

7:12: Justin talks about how his career has been affected by him being a black man and one of the things that has kept him in the right place at the right time with the right people

10:19: What the “board list” at Black Enterprise is, how it has helped black people get onto executive boards and C-suite positions, and their commitment to get people of color in more of those types of roles

13:35: The effort and commitment to push more advertising dollars to diverse people and agencies and educating others on black media in general

16:12: Justin talks about the importance of getting black content out to people from a trusted source

17:35: What it takes to have a great career in media

22:20: How networking is so important to developing professional and personal relationships in your industry, especially media specific

24:09: Justin shares his top 3 apps that help keep him informed and entertained

26:16: How to connect with Justin

Follow Us:
Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK
Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Ep 150 - Justin Barton, SVP of Digital Strategy & Partnerships at Black Enterprise

In episode 149, Kerel Cooper talks with Detavio Samuels, CEO at REVOLT, a Black-owned and operated multimedia platform servicing content 24/7 across digital, linear, and live media channels.

Detavio shares his excitement with the changes he witnessed at The REVOLT Summit held in September 2022 in Atlanta, GA, the impact being made on black culture by the black community, and how he feels his passion is the thing that makes him the most dangerous than anyone else in the space. He also shares his thoughts on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the media space and how more work has to be done to credit black creators for their work, how REVOLT is shifting the narrative for black people, not just in the United States, but the entire black diaspora, and where he draws inspiration from, including the one and only Sean Combs.

“I always say that I'm not the smartest, I don't have to be the brightest, but in this role, and in this space, I'm one of the most dangerous. And I'm dangerous because of everything you just said, because I'm aligned with my passions, I'm aligned with my purpose, I'm aligned with my mission, I'm doing all the things that feed my soul.”

Timestamps

:47: Detavio Samuels, CEO at REVOLT, talks about The Revolt Summit in September 2022, bringing the next generation of future leaders together and strengthening the REVOLT brand around black culture

2:40: Why REVOLT moved to Atlanta, how Atlanta is the black mecca for all things black culture, and being able to create more opportunities for the black community

4:14: Detavio’s family life growing up in Boulder, Colorado, to his mother whose family is from Chicago and who helped cultivate his faith and his father who is Jamaican, born in Costa Rica, who was immersed in black culture

6:05: Detavio shares his college journey starting at Duke University, his favorite Duke basketball player, his goals of being an executive, pledging to Kappa Alpha Psi, and discovering marketing which was the thing that set his soul on fire

9:26: Detavio’s start at Johnson & Johnson, while creating a company on the side and figuring out what to do with his career

10:09: The importance of following the footsteps of people who are in the position you want to be in, studying the anomalies and how Detavio used that strategy while in college and moving into his career

11:50: How Detavio moved to REVOLT, coming from Johnson & Johnson, GlobalHue, and getting into the media game to create content that people wanted to watch

13:17: Detavio’s journey from starting as COO at REVOLT and moving to CEO

14:27: How Detavio feels about being the face of the REVOLT brand, the challenges he faces internally and externally

16:26: The part of being CEO at REVOLT that Detavio enjoys the most and how his passion for the work he does makes him more dangerous than anyone else in the space

17:59: Detavio’s thoughts on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the media space, how there has been movement, but st

Ep 149 - Detavio Samuels, CEO at REVOLT

In episode 148, Erik and Kerel talk with Guy Griggs, Vice President of National Sales at The New York Times. Guy was born and raised in Long Island, New York, went to school at James Madison University in Virginia, moved back to NY after graduation and hasn’t left. His parents, both educators, cared very deeply about his education which has provided him the right tools for his career and showed him the value of focus and hard work. Right out of college, Guy started working at Bloomberg in the finance department then to sales, moved to Adwalker to get into advertising, then to CNN, The Washington Post, and is currently at the New York Times.

Guy shares different aspects of his experience moving through his media and advertising career such as the importance and necessity of networking, leaving workplaces if they are not inclusive and supportive, and finding a mentor or sponsors who you can emulate and learn valuable lessons from. He talks about his experience with being the “different” one in many rooms he’s stepped into as well as feeling imposter syndrome, how he has become a better leader and mentor to others, and the value he places on the transparency of diversity, equity, and inclusion in his workplace.

“I feel like you follow people and when you're with people who are supportive, and accepting and inclusive, that's where you're going to do your best work, that's where your mind is going to expand. And I would encourage people, if they're not feeling comfortable in the workplace, then leave. There are a million other jobs, we work way too much and way too hard to be confined to a place where we're unhappy or we're not feeling valued.”

Timestamps:
:47: Guy Griggs, Vice President of National Sales at The New York Times, shares where he grew up and was raised, where he went to college, and where he stays currently

2:03: We learn more about Guy’s experience at James Madison University, the beauty of the campus and community, and some run ins that came up as a new face in the area

4:04: Guy talks about his parents who were both educators, how that shaped his childhood in school and how it has become useful in his career path now

5:34: Guy shares where he started off in his career right out of college, making a lateral move to do what he really wanted, which was advertising and where he is now; Bloomberg, Adwalker, CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times

10:55: The importance of networking in the media and advertising industry and how Guy used his network to work at all these different companies

12:03: Guy breaks down the difference between being an individual salesperson and a sales leader of a team

16:34: How Guy has used his mentors and sponsors to help him become better in his jobs and how he has passed those strategies along to his mentees as well

20:13: What leading by example means to Guy and how he looks at people in his life who lead by example and emulates them; ie. The NYT CEO, Meredith Kopit Levien

23:34:

Ep 148 - Guy Griggs, Vice President of National Sales at The New York Times

In episode 147, Erik and Kerel talk with Mary Myers, Author of African Born: An American Story. Mary was born in Ethiopia and had multiple scholarship opportunities that brought her to the United States right after high school graduation. With no connections, no family or friends, and no roadmap, she sought out the freedom that she once craved back home. She eventually went on to work for Amazon, Dow, and Bank Of America, just to name a few. While facing multiple hardships, Mary decided to take a break from work and found herself writing. This writing turned into her first book, half memoir, half self-help, African Born: An American Story which is filled with real life stories and poetry.

Mary shares her experience as a young girl in Ethiopia who was about to go onto study Civil Engineering, but found a way out through a scholarship and a little fish in a big pond in the United States. She shares how she wanted so badly to create her own path, experience freedom, and be more available to the opportunities that she was seeking. Mary has advice for those who want to write a book, what she goes over in her book, and what made her write it in the first place. 

“If you can effectively tell your story, and understand how the skill you're building and the background you have fits into what this company is trying to solve, I think that would make you a really good candidate.”

Timestamps:
:29: Mary Myers, Author of African Born: An American Story, talks about where she grew up and her journey to the United States

2:33: Mary shares why she was so focused on leaving Ethiopia for the U.S. and finding the freedom she was seeking

4:03: The path that Mary would have taken if she had stayed in Ethiopia

6:15: Mary talks about her book, African Born: An American Story, how that came about, the passion to tell her story, and the struggles she was facing at the time of writing it

8:05: Mary breaks down what being bold means to her and what questions she asks herself to make sure she is staying her true self

9:28: How Mary started her career path in the U.S. after coming over with no contacts or connections and no roadmap guiding her where to go 

11:35: The two things Mary tries to pass onto people she works with within leadership, DEI in tech, and strategy to help in their careers

13:05: What Mary is going to do when she goes back to her home of Ethiopia after moving away 13 years ago

14:39: The places Mary draws inspiration from, including conversations and books

15:21: Advice for anyone who wants to write a book

16:28: The top three apps Mary uses for entertainment, education and inspiration

17:00: Where to find Mary Myers and how to buy her book African Born: An American Story 

Follow Us:
Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK
Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Ep 147 - Mary Myers, Author, Speaking & Co-Founder

In episode 146, Erik and Kerel talk with Miki Reynolds, CEO at Grid110, a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles that provides free entrepreneurship programs to early stage founders. Miki was born and raised in the Bay Area, Alameda, with her mom, who is Japanese and her dad, who is Caucasian American. Growing up mixed, Miki never really explored her multicultural identity until she went to college at UCLA and found more people who were exploring their identities there. She has worked in tech her whole career, co-founded Grid110 with 6 other people and eventually stepped into the role of the Executive Director a few years in, then moving to CEO about a year and a half ago.

Miki shares the work that’s happening at Grid110 including working with almost 250 companies so far, 70% led by women and 74% led by founders of color. She also talks about her work life blend and how what she does outside of work sometimes looks similar to what she does inside of work - being on the advisory board for Women in STEM LA and South by Southwest, to name a couple. Miki shares how she has faced imposter syndrome, a couple ways on how to overcome it, how to become a possibility model to show others what’s possible, and what Grid110 looks for in founders before they consider working with them.


On imposter syndrome: “I think it's just reminding yourself that if something like that comes up, you were invited to that table. That there was a reason that you were chosen, that this is being presented to you and that is they want to hear your voice, your perspective. And you have one. I think it's just to have confidence in that and to figure out what is it that I want to say? And how do I want to share it?”

Timestamps

:46: Miki Reynolds, CEO and Co-Founder of Grid110 shares what Grid110 is and what is happening there these days

2:15: Miki talks about where she’s from, where her parents are from, her experience growing up as mixed (Japanese and white) and how she didn’t really find community until college

6:00: How Miki’s mom’s experiences have influenced how Miki lives her life

8:01: Miki tells Erik and Kerel about the work she’s doing outside of Grid110, including being on the advisory boards for Women in STEM LA and South by Southwest

10:57: The biggest thing Miki has learned from being a co-founder and CEO of Grid110 and the journey she went on to step into the CEO role

15:45: The most rewarding part of working at Grid110 and working with the entrepreneurs and business owners there

18:46: The specific criteria Miki and Grid110 looks for when working with companies or founders in their cohort programs

21:15: What excites Miki the most about the future of Grid110 including expanding their reach to other cities outside of Los Angeles

25:06: How Miki has dealt with imposter syndrome and two things she’s learned over the years on how to overcome it

27:53: The idea of “possibility models” and how you can be a possibility model for oth

Ep 146 - Miki Reynolds, CEO at Grid110

In episode 145, Erik and Kerel talk with Armond Davis, Founder & Managing Partner at The Paragon Group, an investment group that focuses on minority and women-owned businesses. Growing up in St. Louis to a family of educators, Armond has always had a thirst for learning and knew he wanted to be a businessman at 7 years old after a “take your kid to work day” at his mother’s tall office building. He earned an MBA in Finance and another MBA in commercial real estate investment and eventually blended his love for investments and operating businesses in 2006. After people telling him his education was inferior, almost going bankrupt, and making a lot of mistakes, he realized his journey from investments to business owner and back to investments was all meant to be.

Armond shares the mindset he has and that he looks for in founders who he wants to invest in, his thesis that minorities and women will outperform anyone else at anytime, the importance an abundance mindset plays in investing and business, how he takes his losses or other people’s criticisms and uses them as fuel, and the value and priority he puts on community and mentorship.

“When you understand why you're doing something, then it's much more difficult to get knocked off your path. And once you've identified what your purpose is, what your reason for being here is, then you can commit to that. And when you move within that purpose, the universe rewards you.”

Timestamps:
:43: Armond Davis, Founder & Managing Partner at The Paragon Group, shares how The Paragon came to be and his first M&A deal, which was a big learning lesson 

2:44: Armond talks about his family background of educators and how he knew he wanted to be a businessman at 7 years old

4:22: Armond shares his investment thesis, the importance of an abundance mindset, and how to use money as a tool

7:52: How to create and cultivate a mindset of abundance

10:05: Armond shares why he is so passionate about his purpose, his thoughts on the recent social movements and how minorities and women can get one step ahead to get sustained dollars

16:21: Why Armond puts so much importance on mentorship and community

19:50: Armond gives credit to his alma mater, Florida A&M University for instilling confidence in him and shares a story of a challenging conversation he had with an employer

24:23: The superpower of empathy

25:51: Where Armond draws his inspiration from, what TV shows he watches, and why it’s a skill to draw inspiration from anywhere

29:28: What Armond is looking forward to next with The Paragon Group

30:47: The three apps Armond uses on his phone to stay connected, informed, and engaged

32:42: How to reach Armond Davis


Follow Us:
Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK
Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Ep 145 - Armond Davis, Founder & Managing Partner, The Paragon Group

In episode 144, Erik and Kerel talk with Crystal Shaniece Roman, Owner at The Black Latina Movement, a theater and film production company in New York City. Crystal grew up in New York City and was born to Jamaican and Puerto Rican parents. At a very young age she fell in love with acting and the arts in general and then continued on to become an actor. As she continued in her career, due to her being biracial and not fitting into the one race box everyone wanted to cast from, she wasn’t getting many roles. She decided to start making her own work and that was when The Black Latina Movement started. Other than being the Founder and CEO, she has now written, produced and directed.

Crystal shares the changes being created through The Black Latina Movement by traveling to different universities and opening up others’ perspectives about her and others’ cultures, the forward progress that’s being made in the movie industry through the power of people and community, and a very important lesson Crystal has learned about herself since running her own business.


“A lot of the time, especially with algorithms and Instagram, people will feel like they have to just jump into different things just to stay relevant. Like, "Oh, I'm doing this one thing and this isn't working for me. And I'm going to do this. And I'm going to do that." You have to stay firm in what your passion is because tides will change and fades go in and out, but if you falter and you don't stay firm and you don't stay disciplined, it's very easy to lose it.”

Timestamps

:38: Crystal Roman, Owner at The Black Latina Movement, tells us about her experience growing up with Jamaican and Puerto Rican parents in the boroughs of New York City

3:16: Kerel asks Crystal which side of the family’s food is better - Jamaican or Puerto Rican

4:03: Crystal shares about The Black Latina Movement, a theater and film production company in New York City and how it became what it is today

6:08: Crystal’s perspective on what has inspired change in the movie industry to feature more diverse voices and shows

8:09: How the pandemic and social and civil unrest has impacted The Black Latina Movement and the positive change that has come from sharing their perspectives with others

10:19: Crystal talks about how she got into acting

10:54: Crystal shares how times have changed with actors and artists and the lessons she’s learned from when she was actively acting to how to adapt to the landscape these days

12:14: The impact Crystal’s parents made on her to be an artist and a person of culture

13:25: One important thing Crystal has learned about herself since she has started running her own business

14:42: The future of The Black Latina Movement, including touring universities, different cities, more on the digital spaces and upcoming shows

17:19: Where Crystal is finding inspiration these days

18:52: Crystal shares a few of her favorite actors

20:02: The three apps Crystal uses the m

Ep 144 - Crystal Roman, Owner at The Black Latina Movement

In episode 143, Erik and Kerel talk with Nicolet Gatewood, Executive Director at BLAC (Building Leaders and Creators), a twelve-week, paid internship for creative thinkers that takes place at independent ad agencies across the country. Nicolet was born in Boston, but grew up in many different places after her parents split. Her mom, who is white, moved to Arizona and her dad, who is black, took Nicolet on the road a lot as he was a touring musician, based in Brooklyn. Growing up biracial, seeing a lot of diversity, and also a lot of racism, fueled Nicolet’s passion to pursue Black Studies in college. She went on to work in cultural equity for a decade and stepped into the advertising space just a few years ago. 

Nicolet shares the tremendous work that’s going on at BLAC, the opportunities that are opening up for the interns in the program and agencies in getting such needed and available talent. She has realized that what she learns and gains from the interns is just as important as what she’s teaching them. And she opens up about the impact her parents have made in her life from showing her what hard work looks like to having the confidence and audacity to lead a life based on passion, as well as her many, countless mentors she’s had throughout her life.

“If you're able to attract young, diverse talent, but you're losing them within three years, it's not a problem of the talent, it's a problem of your organization. How are you supporting them, investing in them, allowing them to grow? Is it equitable and fair? These are systems. You have to transform your systems. And most importantly, the way to affect real change, as we all know, is leadership.”

BLAC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blac-internship-program/
Nicolet Gatewood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolet-gatewood/

Timestamps

:36: Nicolet Gatewood, Executive Director at BLAC shares her experience growing up with her mom in Arizona and her dad in Brooklyn, New York

2:58: Nicolet talks about being biracial in a predominantly white town in Arizona with her mom and touring with her dad, a musician, and surrounded by alot of civil rights and anti-apartheid activists

4:32: Nicolet looks back at how different her parents’ experiences were with raising a biracial child

6:42: Nicolet explains into the BLAC internship program (Building Leaders and Creators) and it has opened up so many opportunities for great talent

10:41: The problem with the advertising industry isn’t a lack of available and diverse talent, it’s a lack of opportunities 

13:05: How Nicolet was introduced to BLAC, why she was so moved and impressed by previous interns, and the fact that it is absurd to expect that employees turn off their identity while at work

16:13: Why we should start calling out microaggressions, understand that we all have things to learn, and create psychologically safer environments for all groups of people

18:36: Nicolet says she may be foolishly optimistic, but sh

Ep 143 - Nicolet Gatewood, Executive Director at BLAC

In episode 142, Erik and Kerel talk with Abdul Rastagar, GTM Leader, marketing author, and career coach. Abdul hosts a quick 5 minute LinkedIn podcast called Up Your Game where he interviews marketing executives to give career advice for those who are looking to get into the marketing field. He has also written a book called Up Your Game based off of the many interviews he’s completed. Growing up in many different places in his childhood - from Afghanistan and throughout Europe - Abdul eventually made it to the US and now resides in California. He received his degree in organic chemistry and became a pharmaceutical scientist until realizing that he wanted to do something else, something that he would love. He bridged the gap between pharmaceuticals and marketing and made it fully over to the technology marketing field and fell in love with the ways of thinking and fast paced environment.

Abdul shares his unique perspective of being an uncommon person in the United States and how he was met with kindness and empathy from the most unexpecting people. He also offers his experience on how to best jump career paths, why he has been called for more balance in his personal and professional life and he gives advice for people who are looking to get into the marketing field whether right out of college or as a career transition. 

“The other thing that really inspires me is the idea of helping people. I like to think that success, my measure of success, is not how much I know or accomplish, it's how much knowledge I can pass on to other people.”

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rastagar/
Up Your Game: The Definitive Guide to Acing Your Marketing Job Interview: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VHKZG3S/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Timestamps:
:30: Abdul Rastagar, GTM leader, marketing author, and career coach, shares the many different places he moved around to and grew up in

1:49: How moving around to so many different places and being introduced to so many different people has shaped and defined Abdul and his perspective and outlook

4:49: Moments where Abdul was impacted by the kindness of humans around him during really dark times as he lived the US

6:40: Abdul shares the inspiration he got to create his podcast and book, Up Your Game, which provides people with career and marketing advice

9:15: The journey Abdul took from studying organic chemistry and becoming a medicinal chemist to moving into marketing and why he loves it so much

11:12: The biggest thing Abdul has learned since being in marketing and what marketers are missing and how they can do better to serve their customers

12:31: How Abdul bridged the gap going from chemistry to marketing and the mindsets he had to let go of in the transition

15:51: What is currently inspiring Abdul in his personal and professional life

18:11: The importance of mentors in Abdul’s life and what he learned from others as he continued to gather mentors for himself

20:02: What books Abdul is reading these da

Ep 142 - Abdul Rastagar, GTM Leader, marketing author, and career coach

In episode 141, Erik and Kerel have a conversation with Jeff Lindor, Founder and CEO at The Gentlemen’s Factory Inc. based out of Brooklyn, NY. Gentleman's Factory is a community and a movement bringing men, black men specifically, together for entrepreneurial programming, executive series’, and physical spaces to work together, build, and move the world. Jeff was born in Haiti and grew up in Brooklyn, NY from the age of three. Even after having a successful career and family at the age of 29, Jeff felt he was being called to create a bigger impact. This pushed him to leave his high paying job and go full force into entrepreneurship.

Jeff shares the massive impact the Gentlemen’s Factory is having on the Brooklyn community through members investing in themselves and their surroundings by giving them a stake in their community’s real estate, working with black-owned businesses, developers, and banks. He is also excited about the Gentlemen’s Factory podcast where he shares his experience as an entrepreneur in hopes to bring information to those who are entrepreneurs or aspiring, as well.

Timestamps:

:28: Jeff Lindor, Founder and CEO at The Gentlemen’s Factory Inc. shares what The Gentlemen’s Factory is currently doing in their community

2:41: Jeff explains what makes specific communities so special and how The Gentlemen’s Factory focuses on everyone’s needs

4:34: Jeff’s background growing up and how he got so involved with his Brooklyn Haitian community and how that experience has built who he is today

7:39: Jeff talks about the podcast he recently launched, The Gentlemen’s Factory Podcast

9:10: What Jeff loves about being a Founder and a CEO

10:14: What excites Jeff the most about where Gentlemen’s Factory is going and what they are doing

12:56: Advice Jeff would give to his younger self

15:25: The people, family, friends, community that has helped Jeff in his evolution into who he is today

17:28: The mindset of an entrepreneur and the risks Jeff has taken in his entrepreneurial journey 

21:00: The group talks about EatOkra, a black-owned restaurant business directory and the impact it’s making in communities all over

23:02: What people can do to be a part of the Gentlemen’s Factory

24:30: The three apps Jeff uses on a regular basis and how he became a Golden State Warriors fan coming from Haiti and Brooklyn

27:40: Where you can find Jeff and connect with him

Ep 141 - Jeff Lindor, Founder and CEO at The Gentlemen’s Factory Inc.

In episode 140, Kerel and Erik have a conversation with Katie Kern, Agency Partner at Media Frenzy Global. Media Frenzy Global works primarily with tech companies, from midsize to enterprise sized companies, working on brand development, public relations programs, and also content marketing. Katie, also known as Ekaette, is a big sports lover and has moved from companies such as Nike and Reebok to now helping Atlanta as they go through a major tech boom. She was very inspired by her mother who was always a curious person and her father who was a Black Panther, constantly in the forefront and shaking things up. After having trouble finding work after graduation, Katie decided to change her name from Ekaette to Katie. She uses her story to help her mentees in making sure they stay authentic and take part in shaping the tech industry and beyond. 

Katie shares what an exciting time it is to be in Atlanta, as it influences everything, working with challenger brands to really make a difference and change the culture in the community, especially in sports, which is something Katie loves, and also the hard work companies need to take on to create progress in diverse hiring and culture.

“You really do have the power and it really just takes someone being brave and saying this is what we're going to dedicate ourselves and do and pushing that forward. Action speaks louder than words. And that's the expectation that all these agencies, these major brands, just do what you say you're going to do.”

Timestamps
:32: Katie Kern, Agency Partner at Media Frenzy Global, shares her early life before she got into the PR and marketing world

2:50: Where Katie got her pioneering spirit that led her to uproot herself from small town Augusta, GA and go away on her own for college and work

6:17: Katie shares about Media Frenzy Global and the work they’re doing in Atlanta 

7:31: Why working with “challenger brands” at Media Frenzy Global excites Katie so much

10:55: The A Pledge and holding companies accountable with their DEI efforts and progress

12:19: The sad truth about progress being made in the U.S. with DEI and hiring diverse and high-level teams

13:47: The actions companies need to make in hiring in order to move forward

15:46: How Katie was influenced in the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion by her father who was a part of the Black Panthers

18:38: Katie shares about her experience of being a mentor and what it means to her

22:53: Where Katie is drawing inspiration from these days, including books on Audible and Netflix documentaries

24:46: The top 3 apps Katie uses on her phone and who she thinks is going to win the NBA finals

25:52: Where to find and connect with Katie Kern

Ep 140 - Katie Kern, Agency Partner at Media Frenzy Global

In episode 139 Kerel speaks with Rob Richardson, Founder at Disrupt Art, a company that aims to curate an interactive space on Web3 for artists, collectors, and activists to revolutionize the impact of art. Rob’s love of activism comes from his parents - his father who was very involved in both the labor movement as well as the Civil Rights Movement and his mother who was the founder of a restaurant. After being told by his 8th grade teacher that college wasn’t a path he was going to be able to follow, his mother said otherwise and Rob went on to study at the University of Cincinnati. There he also started the school’s first chapter of the NAACP and went on to become more involved in politics and public service and eventually moved into the Web3 space founding Disrupt Art.

In this talk, Rob speaks on the importance of the ownership of platforms, for artists, especially brown and black artists to be fairly compensated for their art, and the massive opportunity people have now more than ever to build and cultivate a community online in a way that they see fit.

“This is the opportunity. This is the time to build. And if we want to have a better way to close the income gap, this is not a panacea, but this is a big tool that will provide opportunities to build wealth and build communities in a way that's never been possible.”

Timestamps:

:38: Rob Richardson, Founder at Disrupt Art shares what Disrupt Art is and why it was founded

3:30: Rob talks about where he’s from and how that impacted his engagement in activism

5:30: Where Rob’s spark of activism came from

6:33: Rob breaks down blockchains, Web3, NFTs, smart contracts and benefits of secondary sale rights

10:30: Why it’s important for black and brown people to be involved in Web3 and newer technologies

14:51: Resources to use for education on Web3, NFTs, smart contracts, and more

16:01: Rob shares why he loves being a founder and the new and exciting opportunities Web3 is bringing

19:39: Where Rob draws inspiration from and the opportunity of setting our own destiny

20:26: A story of perseverance and the importance of telling our own stories and not being held to default systems

24:01: The three apps Rob uses to stay active in Web3 and a secure way to communicate about all things tech

25:18: Elon Musk buying Twitter, the importance of ownership of platforms, and being educated about Web3

28:04: Where to find Rob and Disrupt Art

Ep 139 - Rob Richardson, Founder at Disrupt Art

In episode 138 Kerel and Erik sit down with Phil Schraeder, the CEO at GumGum, a company that empowers advertisers to deliver creative advertising campaigns without the use of personal data. Phil grew up as the middle child in Illinois, stayed close to home through college at Northwestern University, and started his career at KPMG. He didn’t feel he could be open and express himself in ways that he wanted in that environment so he took the opportunity to move to Los Angeles to find himself and explore who he is. Out West, Phil started working in the accounting sector of the movie industry, which made him much more comfortable, he found connections and eventually moved into the tech space.

In this conversation, Phil talks about his experience of his 10 years so far at GumGum, how they are addressing privacy in the online space, creating a workplace culture that is accepting and open to feedback, and bringing authenticity to digital environments. 

“With all the exciting things we're doing, it's really, how do we bring the authenticity to those digital environments? How do we use technology to be really smart about what's going on? All the images, the text, the audio, use all of that stuff, don't use the personal data, and then help advertisers find the right message to reach me.”

Phil Schraeder on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-schraeder-a971855/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/philschraeder 
GumGum: https://www.gumgum.com/

Timestamps:

1:31: Phil shares his experience growing up in the suburbs of Chicago and how being the middle child provided him a lot of freedom

3:22: Erik asks about Phil’s partner and the crazy story about how they got to know each other and now have been together for 17 years

4:54: Phil talks about some of the formative experiences he had as a kid realizing that he couldn’t play dress up with girl’s clothes and how that has impacted him today

7:55: How those early experiences has formed Phil’s approach to leadership

11:07: The exciting things going on at GumGum in the marketplace and in the workplace

16:08: Why Phil has been with GumGum for 10 years and the challenges he has faced in his different positions

19:19: Phil’s career path from KPMG to accounting for the movie industry to eventually moving into different positions in the tech space

23:52: How Phil dealt with moments of discrimination in the workplace as a gay man

30:38: The shifts in DEI being made in the ad tech industry and how important it is to keep it progressing rather than letting it be a moment in time

33:49: The many places Phil draws inspiration from, including Gen-Z and the LGBTQIA community

37:20: The three apps Phil uses the most on a daily basis for running, shopping, and news

Follow Us:
Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK
Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Ep 138 - Phil Schraeder, CEO at GumGum

In episode 137 Kerel and Erik discuss DEI with the founder at The Courage Collective, Daniel Oppong. Coming from immigrant parents from Ghana, West Africa, Daniel has always been an adventurer, achievement-oriented, and overall determined person, which has helped him tremendously in his career. He found himself working at a company out of college for over 5 years, felt unfulfilled, and totally rethought his priorities and what he really valued. That was when he jumped in the tech space working for only $10/hour, even with having a lot of experience and a master’s degree, but it didn’t matter because it was a great fit as they aligned with his values.

In the discussion, Daniel talks about The Courage Collective and how they are helping transform the employee experience, all the way from recruiting to post work, the holistic approach they bring to companies and making sure they are only partnering with companies who are truly invested in DEI and not just wanting to check off boxes.

“The companies that have been great partners for us, they're allocating resources, they have a committee that's focused on the work or they have someone who's leading the work. It's not just one person's responsibility, but it's now a value of the organization. And not just in words, but in action.”

The Courage Collective: https://thecouragecollective.co/ 
Boundless: https://boundlessfellows.co/
Daniel Oppong on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-oppong/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_danielo5/

Timestamps:

0:28: Daniel Oppong talks about his upbringing, education, career path and one very special and meaningful part of his life, his parents

1:57: Why Daniel felt more comfortable at a particular startup just because he saw someone who worked there who looked like him and he could relate to

3:42: How Daniel has developed his adventurousness and courage throughout his life

5:57: What The Courage Collective is, how special it is to Daniel, and what they’re doing to set standards for DEI

8:01: How companies transform using DEI, what that looks like, and how companies do it successfully

9:45: The timeline for companies making changes and how to tell which companies are in it for the long haul or just for good PR

13:05: Using measurement in DEI, what to measure, how to measure, and why it’s so important

16:26: The difference between culture fit and culture add

19:06: The importance of inclusion as it fits into DEI

20:42: How Daniel has dealt with discrimination in the past and what thoughts and questions have come up in his head as a result

24:39: The mentors Daniel has connected and collaborated with over the years and how they helped him build his superpowers and get to where he is today

28:11: The top 3 apps Daniel Oppong uses everyday that keeps him entertained and educated in efficient ways

Follow Us:
Newsletter: http://bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Qp0SzK 
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Q

Ep 137 - Daniel Oppong, Founder at The Courage Collective

In episode 136 Kerel and Erik talk with Avantha Arachchi, Chief Operating Officer at A-Frame Brands, about catering to marginalized markets and trailblazing for up and coming brands. Avantha describes herself as a perfect blend of her parents with her dad being an electrical engineer and her mom, a fashion designer which has helped her become multifaceted and dynamic in whatever situation. As a transgender woman, Avantha shares her unique perspective as to how equality and privilege work in the business world and how she still needs to be good allies to people whose experiences she doesn't understand.

In the conversation, Avantha talks about her work at A-Frame of getting rid of the one-size-fits-all model and catering to specific markets and needs, how one’s skills developed in a certain market may be very useful and transferable to other markets, and the importance of building relationships with people you work with who support you and not only listen to you, but encourage your input.

“There's this idea of a one-size-fits-all model and it doesn't help everyone equally. It's a very old way of doing things. And so our models [at A-Frame Brands] focus more on being able to create those products for the people who need them and the people who deserve them.”

A-Frame Brands
Avantha Arachchi on LinkedIn
Instagram @beautynbullets

Timestamps:

0:07: Minority Report Podcast introduction with Avantha Arachchi, Chief Operating Officer at A-Frame Brands

0:55: Avantha shares her background growing up with her siblings and how that helped her become multifaceted and dynamic

4:07: What is going on at A-Frame Brands and how they are helping launch brands who cater to mis- and underrepresented groups in the market

5:41: Avantha’s unique career path starting in academia studying psychology, to a wedding planner, to a talent advisor, and now working in a start-up

11:54: How Avantha’s journey as a trans woman has shaped her experiences and the way it has informed her about diversity and inclusion, specifically to how it works in the business world

13:40: Advice for someone who feels like they don’t have resources available to them in the form of a mentor, how to find those who will encourage you to do your best, and help with any imposter syndrome

17:17: Where Avantha draws inspiration from

17:53: Advice Avantha would give her younger self as she was starting in the business world

18:37: The top three apps Avantha uses on a daily basis, how they feed her curiosity and help her find the next new thing

Follow Us:
Newsletter: http://bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Qp0SzK 
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Ep 136 - Avantha Arachchi, Chief Operating Officer at A-Frame Brands

In episode 135 Kerel and Erik discuss brand storytelling and workplace equity with founder and CMO of Equity Project for All, Raquelle Zuzarte. Raquelle shares her interesting and unique childhood of traveling around the world and growing up in three very different places with her parents and two sisters. She had always loved storytelling, but through her experience working at Johnson & Johnson, Proctor and Gamble, Viacom, Charter, and the Washington Post, she has learned what questions to ask when creating equity and driving growth in a company.

During the chat, Raquelle shares what she’s excited about with her work at Equity Project for All, what questions brands need to be asking, no matter their market, and why it is so important to her for brands and companies to walk the talk by taking action and creating real change within their organizations and around the world.

“Exposure to business...made me think about...how we use the mechanics of business and the motive of profitability to solve a bigger societal issue of inequality as well as injustice.”

https://sdgs.un.org/goals
https://www.equityprojectforall.com/

Timestamps
0:07: Minority Report Podcast introduction with Raquelle Zuzarte, founder and CMO of Equity Project for All
1:45: Raquelle’s unique lessons being from so many places and traveling in early childhood and how it has shaped who she is today
6:28: The work happening at Equity Project for All, a company that helps brands tell stories that will drive growth for all
8:37: How Raquelle’s career path at Johnson & Johnson, Procter and Gamble, Viacom, Charter, and the Washington Post has helped prepare her for Equity Project for All
12:22: How Raquelle came up with the idea to launch her own business
15:06: What excites Raquelle about the work she’s doing now
17:48: The similarities across different markets and groups such as media, entertainment, retail, fin tech, and health tech when it comes to branding and marketing
20:15: The top three apps Raquelle uses on a daily basis

Follow Us:
Newsletter: bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: bit.ly/2Qp0SzK
Instagram: bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Ep 135 - Raquelle Zuzarte, Founder & CMO at Equity Project For All

In episode 134 Kerel and Erik chat with Brooke Goodspeed, Founder at GETincluded which is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the social inclusion of neurodivergent individuals in the community setting. During the conversation, we chat with Brooke about the mission of GETincluded, the challenges that the disabilities community face, her personal attachment to the disabilities community, and why she is so passionate about her work.

Timestamps
0:07: Minority Report Podcast introduction with Brooke Goodspeed, the founder of GetIncluded.org
1:05: The mission of GetIncluded.org and the biggest challenge the organization is helping to solve
3:26: The challenges and opportunities of employers hiring neurodiverse workers
4:57: How to eliminate the stigma and separation against individuals with specials needs or disabilities
5:49: Why Brooke is so passionate about her work at GETIncluded and her community 
8:14: Exciting aspects about the future of GETIncluded
9:11: The shifts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) including neurodiverse workers 
11:19 Brooke’s teachers and mentors and what they have taught her
12:56 The birth and culmination of GETCafe, a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the social inclusion of neurodivergent individuals in the community setting
14:23: What to keep in mind for those who aspire to create a flourishing community space 
15:39: The 3 apps Brooke uses on her phone to help her in life 
16:57: How to stay in touch with Brooke, GETInvolved and GETCafe 

Follow Us:
Newsletter: http://bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Qp0SzK 
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Ep 134 - Brooke Goodspeed, Founder at GETincluded: inclusion of neurodivergent individuals

In episode 133 Kerel and Erik chat with Bilen Mesfin Packwood, CEO of Change Consulting which works with nonprofits, foundations, and other mission-driven organizations to raise awareness and visibility, change hearts and minds, and inspire action. During the conversation, Bilen tells us all about what's going on at Change Consulting, her career journey, life as a CEO, and much more.

Follow Us:
Newsletter: http://bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Qp0SzK 
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Ep 133 - Bilen Mesfin Packwood, CEO of Change Consulting

In episode 132 Kerel and Erik chat with Gary Coichy, Founder & CEO at Pod Digital Media which is a  multicultural podcast network. During the conversation, Gary tells us all about what's going on at Pod Digital Media, including the multi-year deal with McDonald's plus we discuss Gary's career journey, lessons learned as a CEO, and much more.

Follow Us:
Newsletter: http://bitly.com/2QLEY8U
Linkedin: http://bit.ly/2ZZUBxG
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2Qp0SzK 
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2QLfEQc

Minority Report Podcast

Minority Report Podcast

Get Started

Download the App