What does it take to build workplaces where justice and equity are non-negotiable, even when the tide turns against DEI?

In today’s episode, Nathan Stuck sits down with Ebony Adams, Vice President of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship (IDEA) at Pariveda Solutions, a B Corp consulting firm. Nathan and Ebony unpack what she's doing to drive authentic, community-rooted DEI work at Pariveda Solutions, and why staying the course matters more than ever. A Black, queer, Gen X woman with a PhD in English, she brings deep expertise in DEI leadership, grassroots activism, and corporate change-making.

Nathan and Ebony explore how to move DEI work from performative to purposeful, why solidarity across different movements is essential, and what it takes to build cultures where action — not just theory — drives change. If you're ready to rethink your approach to DEI and leadership, this conversation will leave you inspired and challenged.

 

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit Pariveda Solutions at https://www.parivedasolutions.com 
• Follow Ebony on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/ebonyadams01 
• Learn more about B Local Georgia at https://www.blocalgeorgia.com 

 

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nathan Stuck sits down with Shavonn Richardson, Founder of Think and Ink Grant Consulting and a newly certified B Corp.

 

Shavonn brings a truly unique perspective to the world of grant writing, having sat on both sides of the table as a nonprofit leader and as a grant reviewer and funder.

 

On today’s episode, Shavonn shares the personal story of nonprofit leadership, her professional journey into the entrepreneurial world, the importance of strategy-first grant writing, and how to navigate today’s evolving funding landscape.

 

If you’re a nonprofit leader, struggling to find time to write grants, win grants, or simply passionate about creating positive change, you won’t want to miss this episode.

 

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://www.thinkandinkgrants.com/
• Follow Shavonn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shavonnrichardson/
• Follow Think and Ink Grants on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/thinkandinkgrants/
• Subscribe to Shavonn’s newsletter

 

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is Gary Whitehurst, CEO and Co-Founder of Brighter Investing—an investment firm that helps its clients align their personal purpose and passion with the places they invest their money.

Gary brings a unique background to this work, leveraging his decades of experience in the investment and wealth management industry to build something different, a socially and environmentally geared impact investing firm. 

In this episode, Gary shares what led him to launch Brighter Investing, how their approach differs from mainstream investment firms, and why redefining risk and value is essential to creating lasting impact. He demystify some of the impact investing buzzwords, defining what ESG is and isn't, and explaining how it is used to help investors make decisions in line with their own personal risk tolerance. And Gary even tells us about their newest endeavor, launching an investment fund focused on social justice. 

Whether you're a seasoned investor, social entrepreneur, or just curious about what it means to invest with purpose, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

 

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://brighter-investing.com/
• Follow Brighter Investing on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/brighterinvesting/
• Follow Gary Whitehurst on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/garywhitehurst/ 

 

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Nathan Stuck sits down with Brandy Hall, Founder and CEO of Shades of Green Permaculture, an Atlanta-based company transforming landscapes—and lives—through regenerative design and ecological stewardship. With nearly two decades of experience, Brandy has built a values-driven company that not only restores land but also fosters meaningful jobs and long-term impact in her community.

In this conversation, Nathan and Brandy dig into her journey from solo entrepreneur to visionary leader of a thriving team, how she learned to build systems that support sustainability, and what it truly takes to grow a mission-aligned business in a profit-first world. Brandy shares vulnerable insights about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the realities of running a values-led company, and why she believes in progress over perfection.

Whether you’re a purpose-driven entrepreneur, business leader, or simply someone curious about how business can be a force for good, you’ll walk away inspired and energized.

 

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://shadesofgreenpermaculture.com/
• Follow Shades of Green Permaculture on social media at:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shades-of-green-permaculture/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shades_of_green_permaculture/
• Sign up for the Shades of Green bi-weekly newsletter at https://shadesofgreenpermaculture.com/newsletter-sign-up

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, you’ll learn from Adria Marshall, Founder and CEO of EcoSlay—a Georgia-based, Black woman-owned haircare company with a dedicated fancbase and a clear commitment to doing good.

What started as a side hustle mixing natural ingredients in her kitchen while working as a software developer has grown into a thriving business with sustainability and social impact at its core.

In this episode, Adria shares her unexpected founder journey, how she defines success on her own terms, and the intentional choices that led EcoSlay to become a certified B Corporation.

For anyone building, supporting, or simply curious about values-aligned businesses, this episode is for you.

 

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit www.ecoslay.com
• Follow Ecoslay on social media:
  • https://x.com/Ecoslay
  • https://www.facebook.com/ecoslay/
  • https://www.instagram.com/ecoslay/
• Follow Adria on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecoslay/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Nathan Stuck is joined by Lexie Newhouse, Program Director at Boomtown Innovation.

Lexie is a powerhouse in the entrepreneurship space, working to bridge the gap between startup concepts and small business success. With experience in policy advocacy, ecosystem building, and direct support for founders, she’s passionate about helping businesses thrive—not just by tracking outputs, but by measuring real-world outcomes.

In this conversation, Lexie and Nathan talk about the importance of innovation in small business, the barriers entrepreneurs face, and the policies shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an executive, or just a fan of small business and small business owners, you won’t want to miss this episode.

 

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://btinnovation.com/
• Check out https://www.startupatlanta.com/
• Follow Lexie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexienewhouse/

 

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Nathan sits down with Marie Davis, Executive Director of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership.

Nathan and Marie explore how businesses can transition to employee ownership, a move that preserves the founder's legacy and empowers their employees in the process.

Marie shares her personal connection to this work, reflecting on how her family's business could have possibly lived on if her parents had known about employee ownership models. Marie will also break down the different forms of employee ownership from ESOPs to employee ownership trust to co-ops, and discuss how these models provide real financial and cultural benefits for businesses and their teams, or as she puts it, a “win-win-win.”

If you're a business owner, an entrepreneur, or just someone interested in how companies can build lasting wealth for employees, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Learn more about the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership at https://www.gaceo.org/ 
• Learn more about Joma Construction at https://www.jomaconstruction.com/
• Follow Marie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariebdavisinatlanta/ 
• Visit https://www.blocalgeorgia.com/ 

 

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, Nathan Stuck sits down with Jenny Morgan, founder of Pact Three and author of the book Cancel Culture in Climate. Pact Three is dedicated to helping businesses align their values with impactful action.

Jenny’s career spans hospitality, tech, and sustainability consulting, where she has used her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for inclusivity to help organizations navigate the intersection of profitability and purpose. Through her work in the B Corp movement and beyond, she’s transformed businesses, events, and industries into more conscious, community-focused spaces.

In this episode, they dive into Jenny’s journey from hosting women in tech events to leading sustainability initiatives, her strategies for fostering empathetic conversations that inspire change, and her vision for making sustainability and B Corp certification more inclusive and accessible.

Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation about leadership, sustainability, and how collaboration and transparency can drive meaningful progress for businesses and communities.

 

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Learn more at www.cancelcultureinclimate.com
• Follow Jenny at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennycmorgan/

 

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay
• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is Talibah M. Bayles, a passionate advocate for minority small businesses, national speaker, and the founder of TMB Tax & Financial Services. Drawing on her family’s entrepreneurial legacy and her own experiences, Talibah empowers minority entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies they need to succeed.

In this episode, Talibah shares her journey from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to becoming a leader in financial literacy and small business advocacy. Talibah and Nathan dive into the principle of ‘strategy over emotion’ in business decision-making, the importance of building trust and relationships, and the balance between passion and profit in building a sustainable business.

Join Nathan and he and Talibah explore practical strategies for eliminating uncertainty in business, understanding cash flow, and creating lasting impact in underserved communities. Tune in for an inspiring and actionable conversation!

 

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit Bankable.ceo

• Follow TMB Tax & Financial Services on social media at:

• Facebook - ​​https://www.facebook.com/tmbtaxesllc

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tmbtax/

• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbIpfLQ3M2vUfe4jnUeJPGw

• Follow Talibah on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/talibah-bayles-tmbtaxes

• And check out Bankably at https://gobankably.com/

 

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay

• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a special episode for you today. As we close out 2024, Nathan and Quentin take a look back as Nathan shares his thoughts on and learnings from some of this year's episodes.

From employee retention to sustainability, and of course, BLD Southeast, Nathan shares his thoughts and learnings from this year. B the Change Georgia has hosted many guests who showcase how businesses can positively impact their communities while achieving their goals, and we’re excited to look back at a few of the amazing conversations from 2024

We hope this episode is both inspiring and entertaining and we encourage you to go back and listen to the amazing guests we had on the show.

 

RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE

• Visit https://www.blocalgeorgia.com/

• Visit https://bldsoutheast.com/

 

CREDITS

• Theme Music🎵ZakharValaha from Pixabay

• Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.