Brick by Brick from The BrownStone Experience

In this conversation, Feleccia Turner and Nikki Porcher discuss the journey of supporting Black women entrepreneurs through the organization 'Buy From a Black Woman'. They explore the challenges faced by Black women in business, the impact of the pandemic, the importance of community support, and the need for economic empowerment. Nikki shares her personal experiences and insights on the significance of education and the role of the directory in elevating Black-owned businesses. The conversation concludes with a call to action for supporting Black businesses and building global partnerships.

Takeaways

Sydney Carter: Breaking Boundaries in Basketball and Fashion

In a recent episode of "Brick by Brick," a podcast by The Brownstone Experience, I sat down with Sydney Carter, a former professional basketball player turned coach and fashion icon. The interview provides insights into Carter's multifaceted career and her journey in breaking stereotypes in women's basketball.

Sydney Carter, now a Player Development Coach at her alma mater, shares her experiences transitioning from playing professionally to coaching. Her role extends beyond on-court activities, encompassing player development both on and off the court. Carter emphasizes the importance of preparing athletes for the real world, including community service and life skills development.

Carter addresses common misconceptions about women's basketball players:

She advocates for letting athletes express themselves freely and challenges the idea that looking good and performing well are mutually exclusive.

The interview touches on Carter's growing opportunities in brand partnerships, including collaborations with major companies like Uber and Nike. She expresses excitement about upcoming projects in clothing and beauty, showcasing her ability to leverage her athletic career into broader entrepreneurial ventures.

Carter offers valuable advice for young women aspiring to play professional basketball:

Sydney Carter shares three key elements that contribute to her success:

Carter's story illustrates the evolving landscape of women's sports, where athletes can increasingly showcase their personalities, pursue diverse interests, and challenge long-standing stereotypes. Her journey from professional player to coach and her fashion-forward approach inspire a new generation of athletes to embrace their multifaceted identities.

As women's sports continue to gain recognition and support, stories like Sydney Carter's highlight the importance of representation, perseverance, and authenticity in paving the way for future generations of female athletes.

This episode was recorded in July 2023.

Summary

In this episode of "Brick by Brick," a podcast by The Brownstone Experience, I sat down with Sydney Carter, a former professional basketball player turned coach who has garnered attention for her fashionable sideline outfits. The interview offers insights into Carter's multifaceted career, her journey in breaking stereotypes, and her aspirations in both basketball and fashion.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Sydney Carter's Background

- Former professional basketball player

- Current Player Development Coach

- Gained attention for fashionable sideline outfits

2. Handling the Spotlight

- Emphasizes remaining humble and authentic

- Unexpected viral moment with pink pants outfit in February 2022

3. Dealing with Controversy

- Mixed reactions to her sideline outfits

- Faced criticism and body shaming

- Received support from WNBA players and women across the country

4. Advice for Young Women

- Encourages authenticity and self-acceptance

- "There's only one you, and that's your superpower."

5. Career Journey

- Started playing basketball at age 4

- Played college basketball on full scholarship

- Drafted into WNBA

- Played overseas for seven years

6. Experiences Abroad

- Played in various countries, including Latvia

- Faced cultural differences and occasional discrimination

7. Fashion Background

- Early interest in fashion from childhood

- Influenced by mother's fashion choices

- Attempted modeling as a child

8. Future Aspirations

- Interested in creating her own fashion line

- Wants to design comfortable heels for coaches

- Plans to continue coaching, which she describes as her true passion

9. Fashion Inspirations

- L'Oreal Sarkeesian (wife of Texas University head coach)

- Rihanna

- Sue Bird (former basketball player)

10. Definition of Black Girl Magic

- Being true to oneself

- Embracing one's identity and accomplishments

- Breaking through glass ceilings

Closing

- Next episode will focus on business aspects and entrepreneurial lessons

Summary

In this episode, Feleccia Turner discusses her journey of stepping into the forefront of her brand, BrownStone, and overcoming fear and self-sabotage. She takes the time to share a clear testament to the brand's purpose and mission.

She emphasizes the significance of fashion as a means of self-expression and confidence while also addressing the need for quality over quantity in clothing choices. Feleccia highlights the multifaceted nature of wellness, advocating for self-care and community support among women. She shares her passion for beauty and self-care and the importance of mentorship and career growth for women, particularly in navigating challenges in corporate America.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Change and New Beginnings

02:55 Overcoming Fear and Self-Sabotage

05:51 Fashion as a Form of Self-Expression

09:05 Quality Over Quantity in Fashion Choices

11:53 The Importance of Wellness in Daily Life

15:09 Navigating Beauty and Self-Care

18:01 Career Growth and Mentorship for Women

Embracing Your Superpower: A Conversation with Dr. Aletha Miller

This episode was recorded on May 3, 2024.

Summary

Welcome the one and only Shon Simon to Brick by Brick!

Shon Simon, owner and CEO of Shon Simon Co, shares her journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges she faced in the fashion manufacturing industry. She started as a celebrity makeup artist in New York City before moving to LA to open an online clothing store. After facing setbacks and learning about manufacturing, she opened her own manufacturing company and worked with brands like Nike and Guess Jeans. Shon emphasizes the importance of representation and black ownership in the fashion industry. She is now focused on creating high-frequency, sustainable fashion and helping other entrepreneurs.

Key Takeaways

Don't call it a comeback!

In this solo episode, Feleccia reflects on her journey and the challenges she faced while building The Brownstone Experience. She discusses the personal and professional growth she experienced, the impact of the pandemic on her business, and the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care. Feleccia also shares her renewed focus on health and wellness and her excitement for season two of Brick by Brick, The Brownstone Experience.

Takeaways

Episode 15: The State of Our Community

INTRO

Feleccia Turner, introduces the podcast as the second episode of "Brick by Brick," a podcast by The Brownstone Experience, where she talks with the cover stars about their business endeavors, careers, and life, focusing on entrepreneurship and community-related topics.

Introduction

Moshae, a practicing attorney among other things. They open by discussing the current state of their community, particularly in the context of racial inequalities and social justice issues.

Discussion on Racial Inequalities and Social Justice

Moshae expresses her lack of hope for the community due to the lack of awareness and engagement by the people. She highlights the danger of racial injustices being erased from the educational curriculum, leading to a lack of understanding of the historical struggles faced by marginalized communities.

The discussion focuses on Florida as a blueprint for America, where certain states are adopting similar policies to suppress rights and historical facts about racial inequalities. Moshae mentions the removal of critical race theory from textbooks and college campuses and the impact on the understanding of racial issues.

Moshae discusses the situation in Mississippi, particularly in Jackson, where a majority-black city has super-government and unelected judges appointed by a predominantly white state legislature. She expresses concerns about racial inequalities persisting in these areas despite the availability of votes and suggests that people should be more attentive.

We revisit Moshae's past run for District Attorney (D.A.) and discuss the election results. Moshae explains how she decided to run at the last minute due to her concerns about the criminal justice system and the lack of reform under the incumbent D.A.

Moshae talks about the concept of decriminalization versus pardoning in the context of marijuana-related offenses. She highlights the need for decriminalization and policy changes to address the historical harm caused by drug prosecutions in black and brown communities.

The conversation moves to Moshae's entrepreneurial venture, a CBD store. She explains her motivation to provide safe and high-quality products after facing difficulties finding such products for her personal use.

Moshae shares her next entrepreneurial endeavor, a cookbook, which she intends to use to share her story and experiences.

Tips on Affecting Local Policy

We discuss the importance of voting and making informed decisions, especially for local policies and candidates. They encourage research and finding out the views of candidates before voting.

Moshae explains that even if people are busy, they can still look for candidates who align with their values, including looking for representation from their own community.

The conversation highlights the significance of black representation and how people might vote for candidates with names that resonate with them culturally.

Moshae suggests finding internships or opportunities to shadow and learn from community leaders, lawyers, or professionals in fields of interest to understand the legal landscape better.

OUTRO

Thank you so much Moshae for her insights and for sharing your insight with our community. I look forward to much more greatness from you!

Episode 14: Embracing Black Girl Magic: A Journey of Resilience and Triumph

INTRO

Feleccia Turner, Founder & CEO of The BrownStone Experience introduces the guest, Moshae Donald, a 37-year-old attorney from Mobile, AL, who is the July-August cover of The Brownstone Experience magazine. Moshae Donald is a 37-year-old attorney, mother of a 12-year-old son, former elementary school teacher, and upcoming bride. She shares her journey and passion for the legal field, especially advocating for children.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Moshae talks about her initial dream of becoming a teacher but stumbled upon law during her early years in college.- She recalls a significant incident when she was confronted by a member of the Ku Klux Klan during a protest, which inspired her to become a voice for the voiceless and fight for justice.- Moshae reflects on her experiences at Vanderbilt Law School and how she combined her background in education with her law degree to advocate for children and families.- The importance of using educational privilege and legal knowledge to empower others is highlighted.

JOURNEY AS AN ATTORNEY

Moshae shares her experiences as an attorney, representing children in delinquency and dependency cases. Her focus is on helping the less privileged and being a voice for those without power.- Her journey in teaching and her son Corey's autism diagnosis influenced her perspective and dedication to helping families with children on the spectrum.

BLACK GIRL MAGIC AND SELF-CARE

Moshae believes Black Girl Magic is living authentically and showing up as one's best self by prioritizing self-care.- Moshae emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with amazing black women who support and inspire each other.- Self-care is compared to setting the stage for showing up as one's best and being able to thrive in all aspects of life.- The hosts delve into the importance of cooking as a form of self-care and mental therapy.

DESTINATION WEDDING AND LOVE

Moshae talks about her upcoming destination wedding, set for November, and how love has changed her life.

Enjoy!

Meet Adjwoa Tyehimba, an entrepreneur, author, and much more. We discuss her expertise in cannabis and how our communities are still being affected by the criminalization and also how we may be left behind in the commercialization of the industry. I learned so much and I hope you will too!

Enjoy!