I Am Black Success®

Latest Episodes:

Turning Your Past Experiences Into Future Strengths, Blessings and Opportunities | Tiffany Southerland Oct 03, 2016

Show notes

Tiffany F. Southerland is a lawyer by training and change agent at heart. She attained 3 degrees from 2 different Ivy League universities, before starting her career as an attorney at an AMLaw 100 law firm in Philadelphia. She transitioned from practicing law to a career in higher education as Associate Director of Admissions, Diversity and Inclusion at a law school and later returned to the law firm where her career began as Manager of Professional Recruitment.

Tiffany's Episode Outline

Did you envision becoming a lawyer, coach or speaker at an early age?
What is like being a black woman with multiple degrees from two different Ivy League schools?
How can young girls best position themselves to get accepted to an Ivy League university?
Why did you choose the educational path of studying Human Development and Social Work, before going to law school?
Did your educational path inspire the trifecta of writing, speaking and coaching?
Why did you decide to do a TEDx talk?
What was the reception to your TEDx talk?
What steps did you take and are still working on to continue to become a great public speaker?
How can someone wanting to do a TEDx go about securing that opportunity?
Do you have coaches and mentors who help guide you and hold you accountable to your own goals?
What's on your vision board for the next 10 years and beyond?
What's something small you've done this month that you're proud of?
Why is volunteering so important to you and giving back of your time, talents, and treasures?
Impart an inspiring parting message that will help our community to blaze their trail

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Please help us by SHARING this podcast with others. We believe that listening to these inspiring stories are going to move other aspiring Black trailblazers to make significant changes that have generational impact for many others, both now and well into the future.

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

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About I Am Black Success®
I Am Black Success® is a podcast featuring conversations with trailblazing Black leaders, entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers. With 200+ episodes, the show documents Black stories and explores the strategies, lessons, and tools that fuel excellence, leadership, and legacy.

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Tapping into Our True Potential in Life and Business | Rahfeal Gordon Sep 26, 2016

Show notes

Rahfeal Gordon has come a long way from his hardships of being homeless in the streets of Newark, New Jersey – U.S.A. He is recognized as one of the top international speakers and advisors for world leaders and entrepreneurs who are impacting the world. For over a decade, Rahfeal has been leveraging the core fundamentals that promote productivity and impact. He provides in-depth strategies and key insight into the environmental and physical circumstances that impact an individual's personal and business performance.
In 2008, Rahfeal launched RahGor Motivations & Publishing, a company that provides global speaking platforms, management, consulting, and book publishing services for individuals who have powerful stories, testimonies or expertise in a particular field. He has written fourteen (14) published books that focus on personal development and global leadership. Following the establishment of the RahGor brand, Rahfeal was tapped to be a featured entrepreneur in the AMC Theaters distributed film, TEN9EIGHT, produced by Award-winning producer Mary Mazzio.
Recently, Rahfeal released his new book entitled, “SKYSCRAPER: GOING BEYOND YOUR LIMITS TO REACH GREATNESS.” He became the Global Ambassador of the International Hub in Oslo, Norway, which houses and provides resources for start-up entrepreneurs from 21 different countries. Rahfeal also co-founded the Voices for World Peace organization - A platform that brings together a diverse group of global leaders and youth to work in solidarity to eradicate issues such as extremism, terrorism, and inequality by sharing ideas and creating strategies to bring peace and unity to areas of conflict around the world.
Rahfeal's Episode Outline

Why were you homeless and what was it like to be on the streets with no place to call home?
Take us through the transition from being homeless to a global leader and entrepreneur?
What are you creating through your influence and platform?
How can we tap into our true potential in life and business?
Is there a difference between joy and happiness?
One of the biggest mistakes you've made as an entrepreneur?
Describe the changes of a transformation that we must go through to pivot, plan and pursue our purpose and passion?
When we look out 10 years, what should we expect from you?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

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The Importance of Taking One Step Forward | Nicole Campbell Sep 19, 2016

Show notes

Nicole McClaren Campbell is an educator, entrepreneur and professional speaker. Driven by a passion for empowerment, she represented Jamaica at MIT’s Junior Summit and was selected to address then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at just 13 years old.
She was subsequently featured in local and international media, including CNN and Nickelodeon and was chosen as one of "20 Teens Who Will Change the World" by Teen People Magazine.

She is a graduate of the St. Andrew High School for Girls, and completed her high school studies at Phillips Academy 'Andover' in Massachusetts, before going on to earn an undergraduate degree in Economics from Princeton University in 2006. Nicole also studied at Stanford University’s Summer Institute and the University of London, where she earned a Masters Degree in Globalization and Development.

Nicole returned to Jamaica immediately to join the Ministry of Education where she served as Senior Policy Analyst to the then Minister of Education, now Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. At 25, Nicole resigned from the Ministry to start AIM Educational Services - with just two students. Nicole cites her decision to tap into her passion for human development in education as one of the best she’s made.
Today, AIM sees hundreds of students and delivers an average return of over 5000% to parents – results Nicole attributes to a strong, motivated team whose focus remains on possibilities, not problems. She recently started the AIM Higher Foundation with a mandate to identify, develop and empower promising low-income students so that they too can access unlock their potential through access to tertiary education.

Nicole's Episode Outline

What is it about academia and being an educator that's so fascinating to you?
Are you able to give your students more than the knowledge to prepare for college? Are you able to relate some of your experiences to them as well?
What's been the biggest thing you've identified as holding your students back from achieving their maximum potential?
Are you challenged with helping your students to develop their soft skills?
As an entrepreneur, what's the biggest mistake you've made and how did you overcome it?
Do you have coaches and mentors that help guide you and your business forward? What's your support system like?
What is your advice to an aspiring entrepreneur wanting to plan, grow, and succeed on their journey?
What can we look forward to from you on your vision board for the next 10 years and beyond?
Nicole imparts an inspiring final word to help us blaze our trail
How will the world be different because you pursued what you were most passionate about?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn
Nicole on Instagram: @nicolemclarencampbell

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

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Buying vs Building Your Next Business | Ace Chapman Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

Rescuing small businesses is all the rage on television. Whether it's Jon Taffer with Bar Rescue, or Tabitha Coffey's Salon Takeover. Despite the fact that none of them do it, these TV shows are fueling interest in a new trend. Move over Real Estate Flippers, Ace Chapman is building a nationwide group of business flippers.

Ace Chapman bought his first business at 19 with some savings from a summer job and caught the business buying bug. He leveraged $3,000 he saved working the summer before college into buying a business for $70,000. Over the last 16 years he has bought 40 businesses. Everything ranging from a Mortgage Company to a Clothing Retailer.

And right now he is seeing an explosion in the market for businesses under $2,000,000. "There are millions of Baby Boomer business owners who will bring their business to market in the next decade so they can retire. During the recession, many baby boomers wanted to sell their company but decided to hold off until better economic times."

At the same time many entrepreneurs are realizing the risks associated with starting from scratch are too high and are deciding to buy an existing profitable business instead.

Business sales saw a spike in 2013. While we saw a 68% increase in 2013 according to BizBuySell.com, business brokers expect 2014 to be even bigger. And while private equity firms are well positioned to take advantage of this increase in inventory, very few are paying attention to what Ace calls the Micro-Private Equity Market.

Ace began working with first time business buyers and helping them find, do due diligence, and finance small business acquisitions. "I have had a lot of people who find me and ask to invest in my deals. I'd rather show you what I am doing than take your money and have to split my returns."

Since starting his network of business buyers, he has helped members close deals all over the country. From 2 Sylvan Learning Centers in Seattle, to a software company in Pittsburgh and from a fitness gym in Huntsville, to a Catholic retailer in South Dakota, these were all deals done in recent months by the network.

Episode Outline

05:25 Why is buying a business more profitable than building a business from scratch?
08:15 How can someone buy an existing business with no money down?
13:30 Ace describes his revenue sharing model with his clients
14:20 How can you grow a business, then sell it for maximum value?
17:00 What's one of the biggest mistakes you've ever made buying or selling a business?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
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Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

The Barbershop Books Program | Alvin Irby Sep 05, 2016

Show notes

Alvin is the Founder of Reading Holiday Project, Inc. and Chief Reading Inspirer at Barbershop Books

Barbershop Books is a community-based literacy program that creates child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops for boys ages 4-8. Alvin and the Barbershop Books brand look to leverage the cultural significance of barbershops in Black communities to help black boys identify as readers. This innovative approach connects black men and families to black boys
Alvin Irby, an elementary teacher turned comedian / social entrepreneur, is a southern transplant living in New York City. In 2013, Irby founded Reading Holiday Project Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literacy organization, and created Barbershop Books, a nationally recognized literacy program that places child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops.
This innovative program has been featured on NBC, CBS, Black Enterprise Magazine and CNN. In addition to performing stand up and managing Barbershop Books, Irby gives motivational talks to middle and high school students and delivers keynote talks about cultural competency, early literacy, Black Male Achievement, and social entrepreneurship at national conferences across America.

Episode Outline

Was being a teacher your dream as a child?
What inspired your desire to teach?
What inspired Barbershop Books?
Where do you turn to for mentorship, coaching and support?
Was the transition from your full time as a teacher to Barbershop Books a long process?
What have been the biggest lessons you've learned about yourself through this transition from teacher to founder of the Reading Holiday Project?
What do you do to get out of your own head with fears when the fear begins to creep in?
What advice would you give to a teacher who has an entrepreneurial idea?
How do you define success?
What are you most grateful for right now?
What is on your vision board for Barbershop Books for the next 5 years and beyond?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

Barbershop Books Website

Barbershop Books on: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

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Making A Bigger Difference in the Florida State Senate | Ed Narain Aug 29, 2016

Show notes

Representative Edwin “Ed” Narain is a dedicated member of the Tampa Bay community and has served in various civic leadership roles for more than two decades. I've known him personally for almost 20 years from our time working together in Student Government at the University of South Florida (USF). In November 2014, Ed was elected to the Florida House of Representatives as the State Representative for District 61 and he is presently running for the Florida State Senate District 19 race, with hopes of making a bigger difference for his community, city and the state of Florida.
Episode Outline

What are you most grateful in your life right now?
Was there a specific moment when you realized what you were born to do?
What have been some of the biggest things you learned about yourself since taking the State Representative seat?
How do you find the right people for your team?
How do you prepare for really big moments speaking publicly?
How do you remain in a confident and positive mindset throughout the pressures of an election season?
What's one of the biggest mistakes you've made as a politician and leader?
How do you make time for your wife and children, in the midst of this busy election season?
What are some of the key attributes someone should be looking at Ed Narain for? Why Ed and why now?
An inspiring message from Ed Narain on the 3 Fs, taking action and just doing it!

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

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The Power of Positivity | Cornell Thomas Aug 22, 2016

Show notes

Cornell Thomas is the perfect example of turning a loss into a win. Two weeks away from playing professional basketball in Europe, Cornell suffered a career ending injury that derailed his dream. Growing up with adversity his whole life allowed Cornell to get past “Why Me” and focus on “What Now”.
In this episode, I asked Cornell:

What happened during the years between 2003 and 2010? What was that valley like between basketball and coaching?
What has been the most amazing thing that's happened since you started the Power of Positivity movement?
Do you think most people today are unhappy with themselves and their lives?
Tell us about your Positivity Summit and what you are trying to create with and through this event?
What do you do to keep pushing yourself to new and higher heights with your work?
How were you able to get your family to buy into your big entrepreneurial dreams?
How do you define success?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
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Build Your Own Brand, While Working a 9-5 | PhaonSpurlock Aug 15, 2016

Show notes

Phaon Spurlock is the Founder of Luxurious PROTOTYPE Online Men’s Lifestyle Magazine and Owner of BKLYN LEAGUE Men’s Apparel, Accessories and Home Goods.
Episode Outline

What was your dream as a child?
What have been the biggest lessons you've learned about yourself while working in your corporate marketing gigs, that carried over and helped you create the magazine and your new brand, BKLYN LEAGUE?
What was the big opportunity you saw most other fashion entrepreneurs missing, that sparked the idea and led you to creating BKLYN League?
How do you impose life balance, eating right, exercise and the other important elements of a healthy life, when you're required to work an extra 6-8 hours some days to make your entrepreneurial dream a reality?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
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Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

Why Your Brand Identity is So Valuable | Maurice Cherry Aug 08, 2016

Show notes

Maurice Cherry is the founder and principal at Lunch, a multidisciplinary studio in Atlanta, GA that helps creative brands craft messages and tell stories for their targeted audiences, including fostering relationships with underrepresented communities. Past clients and collaborators include Vox Media, NIKE, Mediabistro, Site5, SitePoint, and The City of Atlanta.
In this episode, we discussed a lot and I asked Maurice several questions, including:

What are you hoping to create through your brands?
What are you most passionate about when building these platforms?
What have been some of the biggest lessons you've learned?
Are you able to monetize the podcast?
What have you been doing in your business in the past 6 months to 1 year that have brought you to the success you're experiencing today?
Is it still important that we establish a solid brand identity? Why??
Share a road block, challenge or fear you had and how you overcame it to move forward
Share a couple lessons that someone listening who is wanting to pivot needs to know to grow and succeed on their journey?
What can we look forward to with you in 10 years and beyond?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
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Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

How To Gain Access To SBA Guaranteed Loans, Local Resources & Advisors | Tameka Montgomery Aug 01, 2016

Show notes

Tameka Montgomery was appointed by President Obama to lead the Office of Entrepreneurial Development at the U.S. Small Business Administration. In her capacity as Associate Administrator, she was charged with driving programs and policies that support national entrepreneurial training and education programs such as Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Regional Innovation Clusters, ScaleUp America, online education and the national SCORE mentoring program.
In this episode, we discussed a lot and I asked Tameka several questions, including:

Could you tell us a little about what it is that you do in your day to day at SBA?
What have been the biggest lessons you have learned about yourself during the term of this appointment?
Could you maybe dispel the myth about SBA providing direct funds and loans, and maybe explain a few of the ways the SBA is able to assist a startup & existing business with getting access to capital?
What % of SBA guaranteed loans are going to minority and women owned businesses?
How can we go about gaining access to SBA guaranteed loans / funding?
How can we connect with local Small Business Development Centers?
Are these local centers and agencies independent of the Small Business Administration?
The costs of working with business advisors through SBA and their partner resource agencies
The scope of the resources available to individuals locally across the U.S.
Tell us about some of the biggest mistakes you've seen entrepreneurs making as it relates to marketing their business?
Are Small Business Development Centers able to assist with the market research needs of business owners?
What are some effective strategies that you and your team have been able to work with businesses across the country and help them not only experience staying power, but help them grow steadily over time?
What would be 2 or 3 fundamental lessons you'd want me to take hold of in the process of that pivot to entrepreneurship? How can I begin to lay the right foundation to grow and succeed on my entrepreneurial journey?
What's next for you? Are there any big goals and plans on your vision board that you'd care to share with us?

Blazer Nation, go out today and find a way to rise above, go way beyond and keep blazing your trail.

Join our community at TBPod.com

And connect with Stephen A. Hart: Twitter | LinkedIn

If someone Googled you today, would your LinkedIn help you or hurt you?

Stay connected:
Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Learn more at iamblacksuccess.com

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