Britt Happens

Today’s episode features Larry M. Spring, Jr., CPA, the Manager for the City of North Miami, the fastest growing city in Miami-Dade County. He also serves as the Executive Director of the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency.

Prior to joining the City, Mr. Spring was the Corporate Director of Budget and Productivity for Jackson Health Systems and prior to that, the Assistant City Manager for the City of Miami, serving in the capacity of Chief Financial Officer and Director of Budget and Strategy. Before transitioning to government, Mr. Spring had a successful career in the commercial banking industry.

Mr. Spring is actively involved in the community and has served on the board of numerous professional and civic organizations.

Tune is as we discuss what exactly a City manager’s role is, the challenges of working in the public sector/government, strategies for dealing with the not-always-so-honest or unbiased media, the largest development project in Florida -- happening right in North Miami, transit and transportation plans for the region, the City's involvement in Superbowl 2020, #BlackChef, the importance of creating and fostering a legacy, and what’s up next on the entrepreneurial for Larry.

Today's episode features hip-hop icon and long-time family friend, Luther Campbell aka Uncle Luke.  Luke is a successful entrepreneur, record executive, producer, football coach, and Miami-based community and political activist.  He put our hometown on the musical map by pioneering “Miami bass” rap in late ’80s. Incredibly intelligent, well-read, and unassumingly politically connected, his raw, refreshingly authentic, and hilarious personality and commentary keeps your jaw dropped while forcing you to challenge popular opinion and the status quo.

Luke, best known for being the former leader of rap group 2 Live Crew, was party to Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., which was argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. As a result, he has been described as "the man whose booty-shaking madness once made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech".  Next year, 2020, will make 30 years since 2 Live Crew made history by birthing the black and white "Parental Advisory" warning label.

Tune in as we discuss 2020 and why it's so crucial to actively involve yourself in our political process, his take on the evolution of music and hip hop, efforts to avoid tainting young kids' minds with today's polluted environment, whether he'll run for political office again, what's next for the show Warriors of Liberty City on Starz, and much much more!

Abbracci (which means hugs in Italian) opened when I was just 4 years old. My family and I have so many fond memories here growing up so this episode is really special!  Although I’ve known Nino for decades, I was so grateful for today’s show, as this was my very first time sitting down (in an office vs dining table!) with this uber successful Miami-based entrepreneur to explicitly discuss the 3rd most important thing in his life (after his 2 beautiful daughters!), his other baby — Caffe Abbracci.

Abbracci, the go-to fine Italian restaurant for the who’s who of Miami –  celebrated its 30th birthday this year (July 2019) which is in incredible feat in its own right, but especially in the cut throat restaurant industry and particularly in a market as fickle, competitive, and trend-focused as South Florida. Loyalty is rare and consistent ‘feel-good’ family vibes that match high quality food is even rarer.

Nino Pernetti — a Venice, Italy native and owner of THE world famous Caffe Abbracci in Coral Gables, FL — has hosted celebrities and socialites from US Presidents, to Fortune 500 senior executives, to professional athletes and entertainment superstars…to loyal local families who celebrate intimate milestones and business moguls who have happily hosted client lunch meetings weekly for years.

Nino started his career is hospitality and hotel management at just 15 years old, and has literally traveled all around the world before stopping in Miami in 1981, and as they say, the rest is history!

With the proliferation of restaurants in South Florida, we discuss how Nino is able to continue to be the market leader, particularly in the Italian space.  His clientele is a broad cross-section of all of South Florida, how has he been so successful in reaching all demographics? The restaurant industry is often romanticized, and for those outside of the industry, owning one seems like and all-you-can-eat buffet of wealth and status, but what is it really like?  Employees do not turn over often at Abbracci (very rare), we discuss what has been his key to their success and loyalty. Tune in as we briefly dive into who Nino is, how he’s been able to dominate his craft, and how listeners can get an opportunity to chat with our special guest over an espresso!

How fitting that in the wake of Montgomery, Alabama electing its first ever African-American Mayor, Britt Happens was blessed to have our first female guest, who also just happens to be another history maker as the first Black woman to serve as the Mayor of Miami Shores, earning the most votes ever -- in history!

Equally humble as she is hilarious, Crystal, who hails from Des Moines, Iowa, is a devoted mother of 2 beautiful girls, wife to the former U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, Kirk Wagar, a most hospitable friend, attorney, public servant, and has a Rolodex more impressive than Simone Biles' triple double.

Incredibly intelligent, accomplished, poised, and hella fun, what's most admirable about Crystal (in my opinion), is her spirit of authenticity and staying true to who she is in. In this episode of BrittHappens, we touch upon local, national, and international politics, her interesting career path, civic involvement, family, fostering an environment that supports women being mothers while maintaining a fulfilling career, Mulattoes in the Post Antebellum South, and taking responsibility for architecting your very best life.

Aside from the awesome quality content and her most soothing and earthy voice, this was truly such a fun conversation and interview to record! I'm already looking forward to Part II! Tune in, download, subscribe, and please share!

On today's episode, our guest, Marlon Hill discusses the whys and hows of advancing your mission to advance the greater good for our community, turning off the noise to really focus on selecting effective leadership, and removing the blinders to merge outside of our comfort zones to break down invisible barriers which hinder growth and advancement. We will explore his journey and background on multiple fronts: personal, civic, professional, and most recently, political. 

Just a little appetizer on Marlon (press play to receive the entrée!): Marlon was born in Kingston Jamaica, graduated from Miami Southridge High School, and earned both his law and finance/international business degrees from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL.  Marlon is a partner at the Miami law firm Hamilton, Miller and Birthisel and is running for the Miami-Dade County Commission District 9's open seat. Marlon is decorated with professional and civic accolades including the inaugural Ruth Shack Leadership Award honoree, a member of The Miami Foundation’s inaugural Miami Fellows class in 1999, and serving as a board member on the Miami Parking Authority, Orange Bowl Committee, the Miami Book Fair International, and a host of others.

Tune in to hear why you truly don't have to be independently wealthy or wait for a big check to be written to make a sustainable difference. If you want something bad enough, you will leave the sidelines waiting for someone else to act, and find a way to leverage the resources available to get it done! 

The Billy Pulpit: Speaking Truth to Power features Miami-bred filmmaker, producer, and entrepreneur, Billy Corben of Rakontur.  Not everyone may like or always agree with Bill, but how can you not get a chuckle out of his famously flippant #BecauseMiami #BecauseFlorida social media posts, raw attitude, and courage to speak up when it's often unpopular, particularly in such an insanely political city such as Miami.

Corben, who has produced several notable documentaries, including the Cocaine Cowboys series (#HeyGriselda) and The U, discusses why he thinks "Miami is a sunny place for shady people" (but loves it!), why being a white man in America is lit, how our community can address ineffective government, practical and pointed advice for an aspiring filmmaker, his exciting new projects, and tons more.

 Today's episode -- sub-titled "Hi Vai!" -- features our guest, JP Galvao, the co-founder and CEO of Vai (which means 'Go' in Portuguese).  JP shares why he brought the concept of CaaS -- Car as a Service -- to Brazil, how and why he partnered with Uber, the challenges he's faced as an entrepreneur, advice on overcoming those obstacles...and why he hates body wash! Tune in to learn about the birth of Brazil's Netflix of Car Rental Service!

K. Elliott, aka The Well Fed Black Writer, penned his first novel, Entangled, in 2003. Despite being offered multiple signing deals, Elliott decided to start his very own publishing company, Urban Lifestyle Press, through which Elliott was selected to co-author with hip-hop superstar 50 Cent.

Bookstore by bookstore, street vendor by street vendor, Elliott took to the road selling his story. He did not go unnoticed, selling 50,000 units in his first year and earning a spot on the Essence Magazine Bestsellers list. 

Tune in to learn what it takes to truly make a successfully sustainable living as a writer, why you shouldn't rely so heavily on Amazon for distribution, why lasting social impact trumps dollars, and who comprises Elliott's Mt. Rushmore of Golddiggers (yes, you read that correctly)!

Successfully pivoting to a new career can be one of the hardest but best plays you ever make. Tune in to learn how Darryl Sharpton — former NFL-star turned furniture mogul-in-the making — pushed through unexpected career setbacks and obstacles to dominate both on and off the football field.