Business First w/Sonia Alleyne

In this episode, John Speaks returns to discuss the closure of his restaurant, Hyperion Public, and the subsequent legal battles he faces due to alleged harassment and systemic racism. He shares his experiences of intimidation from local authorities after publicly identifying his business as Black-owned. John emphasizes the importance of standing up against systemic injustices and aims to set a precedent for minority-owned businesses through his lawsuit. He also reflects on the personal toll of losing his business and the stress it has caused, while encouraging others to fight for their rights and seek empowerment through knowledge and community support.

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne engages with Germaine Miller-Summers, founder of Hope of Vision Publishing, to explore the transformative power of storytelling and the journey of becoming a published author. Germaine shares her transition from a successful career in the music industry to establishing her own publishing company, emphasizing the importance of following one's inner guidance and the therapeutic nature of writing. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of publishing, the significance of problem-solving in business, and the necessity of listening to one's intuition. In this conversation, Germaine Miller-Summers shares her transformative journey from the entertainment industry to the world of publishing. She discusses the importance of recognizing when to leave a familiar environment for personal growth and the lessons learned in her publishing career. Germaine emphasizes the power of storytelling and the significance of allowing individuals to embrace their own journeys. She outlines the services offered by her company, Hope of Vision, and introduces the 90-Day Book Creation program designed to help aspiring authors navigate the publishing process.

In this engaging conversation, Melba Moore reflects on her illustrious career spanning over five decades, breaking barriers in Broadway, R&B, and television. She shares insights into her latest project with her daughter, the evolution of her career, and the impact of social media on her audience reach. Melba offers valuable advice for aspiring artists navigating the modern entertainment landscape and discusses her future aspirations, including a desire to explore comedy and continue her musical journey.

In this episode, Sonia Alleyne chats with Clarisse Peria Mekongo, a multi-disciplinary artist and owner of Culture Boutique. Clarisse shares her journey from Cameroon to the United States, her passion for various art forms, and the challenges she faced as an immigrant artist. She discusses the importance of cultural expression in her work, the materials she uses, and her vision for the future of Culture Boutique as a space for creativity and personal growth.

In this episode, Gina Brown shares her inspiring journey of love and entrepreneurship with her husband, Steve, as they build their apparel brand, My BK Life. From their childhood friendship in Brooklyn to reconnecting and starting a business together, Gina discusses the importance of community, the challenges of balancing work and personal life, and their future aspirations for the brand. The conversation highlights the significance of storytelling in business and the power of social media in connecting with customers.

Barbara Clarke Ruiz, an activewear designer turned entrepreneur, shares her journey and the launch of her lifestyle brand for dogs called Lick You Silly Products and found success on Amazon. Barbara emphasizes the importance of finding the right suppliers, creating standout packaging, and telling a compelling story to build a successful brand. She also shares advice for creative entrepreneurs and the importance of finding a supportive circle of mentors and advisors. Barbara talks about her love for her job and the importance of listening to your gut and finding time for self-reflection. Barbara emphasizes the value of relationships and staying connected in the industry.

In this conversation, Sonia Alleyne talks with Theresa Merritt-Watson, author of the book 'Black Tech, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, Leaders in Technology.' They discuss the importance of teaching African-American history to young students and the lack of representation of African-American figures in mainstream education. They also touch on the importance of critical thinking skills and nurturing a child's passion. Theresa shares her experiences as a parent and offers insights into effective parenting strategies. She also talks about her organization, Synergy Training Solutions, which focuses on advocating for African-American students and providing support for parents and educators. Theresa emphasizes the need for change and empowerment within the African-American community.

In this episode of Business First with Sonya Alleyne, Sonya interviews Shawn Townsend, the president and CEO of the Restaurant Association, Metropolitan Washington. They discuss the opportunities and challenges in the restaurant industry, particularly in Restaurant Association, Metropolitan Washington. Shawn shares his background in the restaurant business and his experience as the director of the mayor's office of nightlife and culture. They also talk about the impact of the pandemic on restaurants, the elimination of the tip credit system, and the future of the industry. The episode concludes with a discussion of upcoming events and resources for restaurant owners.

DC Restaurant Summer Week Starts August 12, 2024

Andrea Baskett-Pee, founder of Atwasi, a Jamaican luxury travel concierge, discusses the opportunities and challenges in the tourism industry. She shares her journey of moving to Jamaica and starting a tech consultancy before transitioning into the tourism industry. Andrea emphasizes the importance of showcasing the authentic culture, history, and land of Jamaica to travelers. She also highlights the need for more equity and transparency in the tourism industry, particularly in supporting smaller businesses. Andrea plans to expand Atwasi to other Caribbean islands and eventually to parts of West Africa.

Dr. Raymona H. Lawrence is the CEO and founder of Raymona H. Lawrence Coaching, a speaker, corporate trainer, consultant, and professor of health policy and community health. She challenges broken systems that hinder people from reaching their potential, drawing from her experiences as an African-American woman with sickle cell disease. Dr. Lawrence emphasizes the importance of disrupting broken systems and creating change in communities. She works with large companies to improve engagement and build authentic connections with communities. In her work with women-owned businesses, she helps them connect the dots and build teams to ensure success. Dr. Lawrence's future focus is on building psychological safety within teams and continuing to challenge broken systems.