**Rerelease: Business First Podcast with Sonia Alleyne & Robert Blackwell Jr.**

In this episode of *Business First*, host **Sonia Alleyne** sits down with **Robert Blackwell Jr.** to discuss the power of **Black entrepreneurship** in addressing economic disparities. Blackwell emphasizes the importance of **aspirational leadership**, the historical role of **Black business owners in civil rights movements**, and why **economic integration** is key to lasting change.

As **DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives face increasing challenges from the Trump administration**, Blackwell questions their effectiveness and argues that **real economic empowerment comes from business ownership, not programs**. He shares insights on **building sustainable businesses, engaging customers, and training future leaders** to think critically.

This conversation also dives into his **unique journey—from tech entrepreneur to table tennis company founder—and the fundamental balance of love and money in business.**

In this episode, Dr. Eden-Reneé Hayes, a business strategist and coach, discusses the current landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the business world. She emphasizes the importance of understanding DEI as a framework for respect and fairness, rather than a preferential treatment system. Dr. Hayes highlights the business case for DEI, noting that diverse teams drive innovation and better decision-making. She shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the skills she brought with her, and the common pitfalls businesses face in implementing DEI practices. The conversation concludes with a focus on the future of pluralism in business and the need for hope in challenging times.

Some links discussed in this episode:

https://www.mass.gov/doc/multi-state-guidance-concerning-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-employment-initiatives/download

http://pluralismsolutions.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30iSJRHFfM

https://www.employmentlawwatch.com/2025/03/articles/employment-us/court-clarifies-that-dei-executive-orders-are-temporarily-blocked-for-all-federal-agencies/

An appeals court said the EO's can stand, but warned that if agencies do proceed with banning DEI that they could be violating the US constitution (free speech specifically):

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-court-allows-trump-enforce-ban-dei-programs-now-2025-03-14/

In this episode, Ty Woods shares her inspiring journey from homelessness to becoming a successful entrepreneur and business coach. She discusses the importance of resilience, community support, and the power of believing in oneself. Ty emphasizes the need for small businesses to get their finances in order and prepare for upcoming funding opportunities, particularly through grants and proper credit management. She also highlights the significance of establishing systems and standard operating procedures to build a sustainable business. In this conversation, Ty Woods discusses the importance of mission statements in organizations, the vision behind his platform BusinessGrants.com, and the innovative technology being developed to assist small businesses in securing grants. He shares his personal success story with Airbnb, emphasizing the role of creativity in business. Ty also highlights the challenges of coaching clients, particularly regarding mindset, and outlines his results-driven coaching process. The discussion touches on funding goals for his business and the significance of being mission-focused. Finally, Ty shares insights on balancing multiple businesses and personal life.

In this episode of Business First, host Sonya Alleyne talks with Mark Money Green, a prominent figure in the hip hop industry. Mark shares his journey from aspiring musician to influential agent and manager, discussing his experiences with iconic artists and the evolution of hip hop. He emphasizes the importance of passion, trust, and intuition in navigating the music business, while also reflecting on the challenges and sacrifices he faced throughout his 40-year career. Mark's insights provide valuable lessons for anyone in the entertainment industry or business in general. In this engaging conversation, Mark Money Green shares his journey from an unexpected start in the music industry to becoming a successful agent and entrepreneur. He discusses the importance of positivity, the challenges of starting a business, and the joy of supporting emerging artists. Mark reflects on the global impact of hip hop, the evolution of artist compensation, and the lessons learned from his experiences. He emphasizes the role of faith and resilience in overcoming adversity and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Mark also shares his commitment to continuous learning and his future aspirations, including the development of the Hip Hop Museum.

In this episode of Business First, host Sonia Alleyne speaks with Emmy award-winning producer Dario Harris about his upcoming documentary, 'Legacy of Land,' which explores the history of his family, particularly his great grandparents, James and Bessie Ham. Dario shares insights into his journey as a filmmaker, the importance of family legacy, and the lessons learned from his military experience. The conversation emphasizes the significance of community, storytelling, and the impact of family history on personal identity and purpose.

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.