I Am Black Success®

Latest Episodes:

The Long-Term, Intergenerational Real Estate Asset Class | Tawan Davis Nov 04, 2019

Show notes

I want to create long-term wealth that will last multiple generations and that produces cash; among the different options to invest, real estate is a very, very clear option.

Our featured trailblazer is Tawan Davis.

Tawan Davis is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of The Steinbridge Group, which has structured, executed and invested nearly $1 billion in commercial and residential real estate. Under Mr. Davis’ leadership—which includes managing the investment program and overseeing the day-to-day operations and transaction pipeline—Steinbridge is now investing more than $425 million in the urban single-family home market.

Please help us by SHARING this podcast with others. We believe that 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, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com

And connect with host Stephen A. Hart at Twitter and LinkedIn

#BlackExcellence #BlackSuccess #BlackMen #BlackWomen #BlackEntrepreneur #BlackLeader #BlackPodcast

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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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The Journey of an Entrepreneur Never Stops | Raymond McKenzie Oct 28, 2019

Show notes

As an entrepreneur and business owner, there is never enough learning that can be done.

Our featured trailblazer is Raymond McKenzie.

Ray McKenzie, founder of Red Beach Advisors, an executive business and product strategy, operations, and process consultant with more than 20 years of experience with public, private, and start-up tech companies specializing in growth and scaling strategies.

Ray has held various senior executive positions with companies such as Verisign, Neustar, State Farm Insurance, TeleSign, UltraDNS and has served in an advisory role for several start-up companies in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Ray McKenzie completed his studies in Management Information Systems from San Diego State University in 2001 and is a certified AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF). Mr. McKenzie is also a certified Lean Six Sigma sensei (CLSSS) practitioner from Villanova University, is a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from Scrum Alliance. Mr. McKenzie currently sits on the board of directors for non-profit organizations such as My Friend’s House, Inc. based in Los Angeles, CA and Students With Aspiring Goals based in Merced, CA and regularly speaks to groups of children and youth regarding entrepreneurship, leadership, and achievement. Ray is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Blazer Nation, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com

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#BlackExcellence #BlackSuccess #BlackMen #BlackWomen #BlackEntrepreneur #BlackLeader #BlackPodcast

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

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Steps To Build, Transform and Scale Your Black-Owned Business | Jeresha "Sherri J" White Oct 21, 2019

Show notes

It really takes one step, one leap of faith, to grow your Black-owned business beyond what you ever imagined you could.

Our featured trailblazer is Jeresha "Sherri J" White.

Sherri J started with one childcare facility and opened it because of her passion for education and children. She never imagined becoming a real business guru, opening five more childcare facilities, and starting a business coaching venture.

Needless to say, listeners should walk away from this podcast episode knowing that one baby step is still a step, and that one step could be the seed that starts your garden.

CONNECT WITH SHERRI J

Instagram: @successsouvenirs; @sherrijlovely
Website: www.successsouvenirs.com

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

Blazer Nation, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com

And connect with host Stephen A. Hart on Twitter and LinkedIn.

#BlackExcellence #BlackSuccess #BlackMen #BlackWomen #BlackEntrepreneur #BlackLeader #BlackPodcast

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

Stay connected:
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Navigating the Ultimate Entrepreneurial Pivot | Tammeca Rochester Oct 14, 2019

Show notes

No matter your college degree, you can create the life you want.

No career is absolute. At any point you can pivot and change direction.

To open your own Black-owned business you don't need to be the expert but you need to surround yourself with those that are.

Our featured guest today is Tammeca Rochester.

Tammeca Rochester is a Black woman, business owner and founder of Harlem Cycle, Harlem's 1st and only indoor cycling studio. She has three academic degrees (Mathematics- Spelman College, Mechanical Engineering- The Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Stern Business School, New York University), multiple professional certifications, and several awards and honors. In 2016, she decided to turn her passion for fitness and open Harlem's 1st and only indoor cycling studio.

Blazer Nation, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com

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#BlackExcellence #BlackSuccess #BlackMen #BlackWomen #BlackEntrepreneur #BlackLeader #BlackPodcast

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Don't Sit, Don't Settle | Dr. Eric Thomas, aka ET the Hip-Hop Preacher Oct 07, 2019

Show notes

“The version of you that you are right now is keeping you from being everything you should be. Who you are right now is responsible for why you're not where you supposed to be…. who you are is keeping you from being who you should be and your dreams though, are the only thing that's telling you “Come on. Let's go!” Your dreams are the only thing that's telling “You can do more. You can have more. You can be more! Come on, come on, come on! Don’t be comfortable. Don’t sit. DON’T SETTLE!”

Eric Thomas, aka E.T. The Hip Hop Preacher kicks off our first episode of the 2019 Trailblazers.FM Entrepreneurs series.
Dr. Eric Thomas, aka ET the Hip-Hop Preacher, is a motivational speaker, author, and minister known for his high-energy speaking engagements. He is CEO of his own consulting firm, and has worked with both Fortune 500 companies and professional sports organizations.
Born in Chicago in 1970, Thomas grew up in Detroit, where he dropped out of high school and spent several years living on the streets. During this period, he met a minister who successfully convinced him to return to school. Thomas eventually earned his bachelor's degree from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, where he also began preaching and working with at-risk youth.
In 2003, he moved back to Michigan and began working on his master's degree at Michigan State University. Ultimately, Thomas graduated from MSU with both a master's degree in K-12 administration and a Ph.D. in education administration.
While at MSU, he continued to preach and authored several books, including 2012's The Secret to Success and 2014's Greatness Is Upon You. Thomas has also released several albums setting his motivational talks to hip-hop music.
--

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Build, Grow, and Expand the Legacy Wealth Perspective of Black Men | Panel Sep 30, 2019

Show notes

The Black Male Equity Initiative is an interactive exploration of what wealth and equity look like and how you can build it. The intent of the Black Male Equity Program is to establish a foundation from which to build, grow, and expand the Legacy Wealth perspective of black men by measuring and monitoring four specific milestones and results of a black male cohort.

Our episode this week is a panel discussion about the first cohort of the Black Male Equity Initiative that took place in Detroit, Michigan. Our featured guests today are Dr. Pamela Jolly, Christopher Rutherford and Richard Grundy.

Dr. Pamela C.V. Jolly is Founder and CEO of Torch Enterprises Inc, a strategic investment firm committed to minority business growth and development. Torch Enterprises has assisted over 1000 entrepreneurs, national non-profits, trade organizations, the Federal Government, foundations and financial institutions.

Christopher Rutherford is a Promise of Place Manager in Detroit, developing strategies with community based organizations to improve life outcomes for Black men and boys. Chris has dedicated over 30 years in Michigan, helping young people from all communities to access opportunity.

Richard Grundy is the cofounder and CEO of JOURNi. JOURNi is a non-profit focused on decentralizing tech education for Detroiters. Through partnerships with workforce development agencies, schools, and other organizations, JOURNi has been able to train hundreds of youth in web-development and entrepreneurship skills vital to closing the digital divide in Detroit.

Blazer Nation, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com

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#BlackExcellence #BlackSuccess #BlackMen #BlackWomen #BlackEntrepreneur #BlackLeader #BlackPodcast

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Keeping Young Black Men and Boys Safe, Healthy and Hopeful | Anthony Smith Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

Cities United works to support the network of Mayors who are concerned with the issue of keeping young Black men and boys and their families safe, healthy and hopeful. Cities United partners with these leaders in the quest to reduce the homicide of Black men and boys by 50% by the year 2025.

Our featured trailblazer is Anthony Smith, CEO of Cities United.
Anthony Smith works with Mayors of cities and intergenerational local partners to eliminate violent deaths of Black men and boys, particularly via handguns. CBMA is a founding investor in the launch of Cities United in 2011. This is one of the thorniest and seemingly intractable issues in our community and Anthony is leading the charge, along with a host of partners, to eliminate gun violence in cities across the country.
Anthony is also leading a massive economic mobility effort in Louisville called Russell: Place of Promise that is putting Black people at the center of home ownership and property acquisitions in a historic Black neighborhood in the Louisville which battling gentrification.

Blazer Nation, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com

And connect with host Stephen A. Hart on Twitter and LinkedIn.

#BlackExcellence #BlackSuccess #BlackMen #BlackWomen #BlackEntrepreneur #BlackLeader #BlackPodcast #SocialEntrepreneur

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The Power of Being Relational | A Nicole Campbell Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

Being relational drives business. Your brand/business must be about more than just transactions in order for it to thrive. The beauty happens in between the transactions/deals. When you are relational, you step into the spaces between transactions, so to speak, and that step-in is what makes clients come back, makes them choose you, makes colleagues recommend you, and makes people want to work with you.

Our featured guest is A. Nicole Campbell.

Nicole (Nic) is a mom first, and everything else falls into place because of it. She's an MIT graduate and an attorney who has served in senior leadership positions for two billionaire hedge fund giants.

Nic recently transitioned to a new role, having founded Build Up Advisory Group (February, 2019). Her firm specializes in designing and building systems to help nonprofits, philanthropies, social entrepreneurs, and philanthropists thrive. She's working to scale it to create the kind of workplace she's always wanted to work in.

Build Up, Inc. is a boutique capacity builder that holistically supports leaders of color and projects and nonprofits led by people of color that serve under-resourced communities. Probably the first of its kind, and hopefully it can serve as a model for other fiscal sponsors.

Blazer Nation, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com

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#BlackExcellence #BlackSuccess #BlackMen #BlackWomen #BlackEntrepreneur #BlackLeader #BlackPodcast

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The Opportunity and Risk of Black Male Achievement | Jim Shelton Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

When Black males start to achieve, the mobility rates for our community will pick up exponentially. That is the opportunity for us, but it is also the risk, if we don’t.

Our featured guest is Jim Shelton.

James “Jim” Shelton is Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Blue Meridian Partners.

In this role, Jim is investigating new areas where significant focused capital can help solve problems at scale and advising Blue Meridian. Jim is also a founding partner of Amandla Enterprises, Senior Advisor for Education at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and non-resident fellow at the Brookings Institute.

Prior to this, he served as President and Chief Impact Officer of 2U, Inc. and was deputy secretary at the US Department of Education (and head of its office of innovation and improvement) under President Obama. There, he served as the Executive Director of the President’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative and served on and led multiple interagency efforts focused on poverty reduction, economic development, entrepreneurship, and increased opportunity, such as the Investing in Innovation Fund, Promise Neighborhoods, and ConnectED.
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Blazer Nation, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com

And connect with host Stephen A. Hart on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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

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Changing the Odds for Detroit's Children | Tonya Allen Sep 02, 2019

Show notes

Instead of helping children beat the odds, our work is about changing the odds for children.

Our featured guest is Tonya Allen.

Tonya Allen, a serial “idea-preneur,” serves as The Skillman Foundation’s president & chief executive officer. Her two-decade-long career has centered on pursuing, executing and investing in ideas that improve her hometown of Detroit and increase opportunities for its people, especially children, who live in under-resourced communities. In her current role, Allen aligns the complexities of education reform, urban revitalization, and public policy to improve the well-being of Detroit’s and the nation’s children.

Blazer Nation, join our community at iamblacksuccess.com

And connect with host Stephen A. Hart on Twitter and LinkedIn.

#BlackExcellence #BlackSuccess #BlackMen #BlackWomen #BlackEntrepreneur #BlackLeader #BlackPodcast

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

Stay connected:
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