Mary Wagstaff and Valerie Wilson, each owners of their own firms, are two powerhouses in the world of hospitality marketing. With decades of experience between them, host Brad Johnson dives into the reasons behind their passion for food and hospitality, how this niche of the marketing industry has changed over the last couple of decades, the meaning and fresh respect for the importance of independent restaurants and their workers, what’s necessary for the industry to grow, the need to attract talent and diversity to the hospitality industry, and what the future looks like for the industry.

Mary Wagstaff is a pioneer in the world of hospitality public relations and marketing. Early in her career, Mary created a niche for herself by focusing on clients in the hospitality industry; chefs, wineries, restaurants, travel destinations, even specialty foods companies. In 1999 she opened the doors of Wagstaff Worldwide Public Relations in Los Angeles, now known as Wagstaff Marketing, an integrated public relations and marketing agency devoted to the travel and hospitality industries.  Her company has grown to an enterprise with over 100 employees with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, and Vancouver, and boasts a robust roster of well-known clients and brands.

Valerie Wilson, owner of Val Inc., is a Public Relations and Brand Strategy veteran with vast experience in the food, wine, hospitality and lifestyle industries. She has served clients, from LeapFrog Enterprises and Playboy, to Wines from Spain, Gallo, Robert Mondavi, and the Miss America organization. Her hospitality experience includes running the media relations for such iconic culinary marketing platforms as NYC Restaurant Week and Restaurant Day as well as the James Beard Foundation Awards. Valerie has played an instrumental role in building Harlem’s hospitality and culinary scene, raising its visibility through strategic media and branding execution. Her work has attracted top brands and personalities to her client roster like Uber and Uber Eats, Shea Moisture, The James Beard Foundation, Shake Shack, LeRone Wilson, and celebrity chef JJ Johnson. 

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In this episode, host Brad Johnson and Isiah Thomas discuss the aired reconciliation between Magic Johnson and Isiah, the training and nutrition of athletes today vs. the 80s, whether NCAA players should be paid, the declassification of the human race and the need for a honest race conversation, the exportation of Black culture globally and hip-hop's influence, Black intellectualism and the value of inclusion in early age educational curriculum, and the power of kindness and giving.

Thomas, a 12-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer, is well-known for his contributions in the world of basketball. As a player, he was a tireless worker and formidable competitor combining intelligence, court savvy and physical gifts to attain NBA superstardom. 

Thomas' post- NBA days are filled with continued involvement in basketball, multiple business pursuits as well as a philanthropic commitment including the founding of the Mary's Court Foundation in honor of his mom and to support educational, safety, academic and personal achievement youth programs in urban communities. 

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Marie Dutton Brown has been described by Black Enterprise magazine as one of "the major African-American players" in the publishing industry and international literary community.  As one of a small group of black literary agents and a 54-year veteran of the publishing industry, Marie was the 1st Inductee into the Publishing Hall of Fame in 2018 honoring her for her significant body of work.

"Beginning her career at Doubleday, Marie Dutton Brown dealt with persistent racism directed at both her and her work, but she persevered in championing African-American literature and identity," said Bradley Murdock, CEO of Score Publishing. "In a new era defined by increased social awareness of marginalized voices and perspectives, Brown stands tall as a trailblazer, helping move the entire industry in a more progressive and accepting direction."

Host Brad Johnson and Marie discuss her experiences as she ascended the publishing industry and her style of activism, the requirements and skills to succeed in her career, the collaboration process with writers, what factors publishers weigh when acquiring a literary project, the pain and acceptance of disappointment, the cycle of interest in black culture and what inspires her to continue her work.

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Marcus Samuelsson is a European-trained, world-renowned chef who made Harlem his home since the mid-90s. He is the recipient of numerous James Beard Foundation awards for his work as a chef and as a host for No Passport Required, his public television series. A crowned champion of Top Chef Masters and Chopped All-Stars, he served as the guest chef for President Obama's first state dinner. As a committed philanthropist, Marcus is the co-chair of Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), which focuses on underserved youth. Author of several cookbooks, in addition to the New York Times bestselling memoir, Yes, Chef, Marcus also co-produces the annual Harlem EatUp! festival, which celebrates the food, art, and culture of Harlem. Converting his restaurants Red Rooster Harlem, Marcus B&P in Newark, and Red Rooster Overtown in Miami into community kitchens during the COVID-19 pandemic, in partnership with World Central Kitchen, over 250,000 meals were served to those in need. His podcast titled This Moment with Swedish rapper Timbuktu is available on ACAST. His newest cookbook, The Rise: Cooks and the Soul of American Food, is out now. 

Join host Brad Johnson as he and Marcus discuss a variety of topics including: the difference between fashion and style, his observations during COVID-19 and outlook for recovery, his family history and journey to America, his process to understand American culture and create Red Rooster in Harlem as a love letter to those who came before, the importance of mentorship, gaining experience, and his hopes for his son's future.

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As one of a handful of African American food journalists in the country, Mona Holmes is a pioneer in the world of food journalism working as a reporter for Eater LA, a digital publication of food news and dining guides for Los Angeles, and a contributor to LA-based KCRW, a National Public Radio member station that creates and curates music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs.

Join Brad and Mona as they discuss a variety of topics including: her days as a Princess in the Rose Parade Court; the founding of Shejay, an online network and agency for female DJ’s; where she honed her writing skills; how she transitioned into food and community journalism; topics she is passionate about; and a new LA-based pop-up concept called Bridgetown.  

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Host Brad Johnson catches up with long-time friend and business associate, Michael Weinstein, Chairman and CEO of publicly-traded Ark Restaurants [NASDAQ]. Michael, now 77 years-old, is a distinguished trailblazer in the hospitality industry. Ark operates 22 full- service restaurants plus various food-court and catering operations, in New York City, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Atlantic City, Alabama, and Florida.

Brad's relationship with Michael dates back to New York City in the 1970's where they met under unusual circumstances. Beginning in early 2000 and continuing for a 15-year run, Michael and Brad along with partners Will Regan and David Rabin, owned and operated VBar in the Venetian Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. 

Hear fond memories and the story of how Michael launched Barbara Smith's restaurant career that paved the way for her to become the much loved "B. Smith". Michael also discusses how he got into the hospitality industry, secrets to success in the restaurant business, the unexpected spontaneous moments when you own a restaurant, how his restaurant group is dealing with COVID, and more. 

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For more information on host Brad Johnson or to join our mailing list, please visit: https://postandbeamhospitality.com/

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Nelson George, author, filmmaker, television producer, and critic with a long career analyzing and presenting the diverse elements of African-American culture, shares his thoughts and reminisces with Corner Table Talk host Brad Johnson about life in NYC and LA from a cultural perspective. From being one of Spike Lee's investors in the film that launched his career "She's Gotta Have It", remembrances of music legend Andre Harrell on producing "Strictly Business" and what inspired the Halle Berry character, capitalism and the homelessness problem, the "Nelson Dish", the sustainability of the moment, where the center of African-American culture seems headed and much more.

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Jackie Jackson, singer, songwriter and a founding member of The Jackson 5 sits down with Corner Table Talk host Brad Johnson for an intimate talk about the early days in Gary, IN, memories of his Mom when she realized he and his brothers could sing, the talent shows that led to being discovered, impressions of his first visit to LA and decorating Diana Ross' living room walls. Brad and Jackie discuss the impact of the Jackson 5 on Black culture around the globe and Jackie reveals his sweet tooth! 

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Alice Randall is a New York Times best-selling and award-winning food writer, foodways educator (Vanderbilt University), food activist, and entrepreneur. Her published books include Soul Food Love, the NAACP Image Award winning cookbook co-authored with her daughter Caroline Randall Williams, Ada's Rules for which she received a personal fan letter on White House stationary from First Lady Michelle Obama, and Black Bottom Saints nominated for a 2021 NAACP Image Award. 

Eliza Borné served as editor-in-chief of the literary magazine, Oxford American, for the past six years and has edited essays and stories that have been honored by the Best American Series, The Pushcart Prize anthology and elsewhere. In 2016, she accepted the OA's National Magazine Award for General Excellence. Under her leadership, Alice Randall was selected as Guest Editor of the Oxford American Food Issue, Spring 2021.

In this episode of Corner Table Talk, host Brad Johnson converses with Alice and Eliza, two brilliant women, on wide ranging subjects centered around the current special Oxford American Food Issue published every five years sponsored by the Julia Child Foundation. Join us! 

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Chef Nyesha Arrington is a California native born into a multi-cultural family, best known for her accomplishments as a chef, restaurateur, entrepreneur and tv personality having appeared in numerous shows such as Top Chef, Tournament of Champions, Oprah's OWN Food Fantasies and many others.  In this episode of Corner Table Talk, host Brad Johnson and Nyesha discuss their shared love of the LA restaurant scene, cultural mash-ups, her Dad's influence and discovery that he played bass with the Brothers Johnson. 

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Corner Table™ is a trademark of Post & Beam Hospitality LLC

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