In The Studio With J Haleem

In this episode of In the Studio with J Haleem, J Haleem sits down with Las Vegas City Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong for a powerful conversation about leadership, legacy, and the future of the Historic Westside.

Councilwoman Summers-Armstrong shares her journey from her Bay Area roots to becoming one of the strongest voices for Ward 5 and the Historic Westside. She speaks candidly about the family foundation that shaped her, the influence of the women who came before her, and the life experiences that prepared her to fight for her community.

This conversation goes beyond politics. It is about history, housing, culture, economic reinvestment, and why community work requires both heart and action. From reopening access points into the Historic Westside to championing workforce development, education, housing, and cultural preservation, Councilwoman Summers-Armstrong makes it clear that the work is personal.

This is an episode about not just talking about change, but doing the work to make it happen.

In this episode of In the Studio with J Haleem, J Haleem sits down with Alex Dixon, a Las Vegas native whose journey spans from the Westside of the city to Howard University, Wall Street, and executive leadership in the gaming and hospitality industry.

Alex shares how he went from a local upbringing rooted in strong family values to working at Goldman Sachs across New York, London, and Los Angeles, gaining firsthand experience in mergers, acquisitions, and billion-dollar deals. He breaks down what investment banking really is, how companies raise capital, and why understanding money—and how it moves—is critical for long-term success.

The conversation also highlights Alex’s return to Las Vegas and his commitment to helping redevelop the Historic Westside, focusing on ownership, economic opportunity, and building a stronger future for the community.

This episode is a powerful mix of business insight, personal growth, and community leadership.

In this episode of In the Studio with J Haleem, J Haleem sits down with Kelli Kristo of Project 150, a Las Vegas nonprofit dedicated to supporting homeless, displaced, and disadvantaged high school students.

Kelly shares the powerful story behind Project 150 and how the organization grew from helping 150 students at one school to serving thousands of students across 75 high schools in Southern Nevada. The conversation highlights the hidden reality of youth homelessness and how access to basic necessities like food, clothing, hygiene products, and educational support can change the trajectory of a student’s life.

J Haleem and Kelly discuss the importance of community partnerships, volunteerism, and why investing in young people is essential for the future of the city.

This episode is a powerful reminder that when a community comes together, real change happens.

In this episode of In The Studio with J Haleem, Jay sits down with rising Las Vegas artist YSK for a powerful conversation about artistry, discipline, and building a music career from the ground up.

YSK opens up about developing his sound, the influence of his family, and the mindset behind his debut album, Therapy. They dive into what separates a rapper from an artist, how to stay authentic in today’s music industry, and why funding your own dream is sometimes the real label deal.

This episode explores:

• The discipline behind independent success
• Balancing work and creative ambition
• Vegas as a growing music culture
• The responsibility of artists to influence positively
• Turning vulnerability into powerful art

Whether you’re an independent artist, entrepreneur, or creative building something bigger than yourself, this conversation will leave you inspired and focused.

Subscribe to In The Studio with J Haleem for weekly conversations on culture, entrepreneurship, leadership, and creative excellence.

J Haleem its down with Coach Jermaine Seagers to unpack what it really takes to build a youth sports business with structure, faith, and consistency—without gimmicks. From growing up in Silver Spring, MD, to working at Target, training kids for free, and eventually building a gym and prep academy in Las Vegas, Jermaine breaks down the mindset and systems that separate real operators from people just “trying something.”

Investor Asia Denise joins In The Studio with J Haleem to talk real estate investing, rebuilding after loss, and building generational wealth the right way. Asia breaks down common misconceptions (FHA strategy, down payment assistance, partnerships/JVs, risk profile), plus how service, volunteering, and community can accelerate your business and mindset.

If you’re new to investing or ready to scale, this episode is full of real game—no fluff.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on business, money, and purpose.

📌 Follow Asia Denise: @OfficiallyAsiaDenise

📌 Follow J Haleem: @InTheStudioWithJHaleem

🌐 More: www.jhaleem.com

In this episode of In the Studio with J Haleem, we sit down with Dr. Ria Watson (“The Scholarship Doctor”), founder of Scholarship Solutions, to break down how students can earn scholarships, avoid student loan debt, and even get PAID to go to college. From HBCU roots at Morris Brown College to helping families win millions in scholarship awards, Dr. Ria shares the biggest myths, the “secret sauce” of leadership, and practical steps to secure free money for college, trade school, and certifications.

📌 Learn more: myscholarshipsolutions.com

📲 Follow: @ScholarshipDoctor (IG/TikTok) | Scholarship Solutions (FB/LinkedIn/YouTube)

In this episode of In the Studio with J Haleem, J Haleem sits down with Mike Peterson, owner of **Bouncy World Indoor Playland, to talk about entrepreneurship, family business, resilience, and what it really takes to keep a community-centered company alive in Las Vegas.

Mike shares how he went from running a bounce house rental company to building a full indoor playland, why cleanliness and safety became his competitive edge, and what it means to grow a business with your family — including the real challenges behind inflation, staffing, overhead, and the pressure of keeping the doors open.

The conversation also addresses recent hardships, including break-ins and the impact they had on operations, plus the importance of community support and not being afraid to ask for help when your business is under attack.

This is a real, grounded episode about building something for families, protecting your dream, and staying in the fight.

In this special episode of In the Studio with J Haleem, J Haleem sits down with Michelle Romero, Mayor of the City of Henderson, Nevada, for an in-depth conversation about leadership, family, community investment, and what it takes to build a city that works for its people.

Born and raised in Henderson, Mayor Romero shares her personal journey — from growing up in the city, marrying her high-school sweetheart, raising four sons, and becoming a grandmother of eleven, to spending more than 30 years serving Henderson through city leadership before becoming Mayor. This episode goes beyond politics and headlines, offering a real look at the values, decisions, and long-term planning that helped transform Henderson into one of the safest and most desirable cities in America.

The conversation covers everything from economic development, education, parks, Water Street revitalization, business partnerships, homelessness solutions, public safety, and what’s next for Henderson in 2026 and beyond.

This is a masterclass in community-centered leadership, long-term vision, and public service done right.

In this expansive and deeply honest episode of In the Studio with J Haleem, J Haleem sits down with Vanessa Safel, founder of Safel Productions, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends entrepreneurship, spirituality, identity, and the realities of breaking into the film and production industry without a traditional roadmap.

Vanessa shares her unconventional journey — from driving FedEx trucks during COVID, navigating personal loss and spiritual awakening, to landing on major production sets with Netflix, Paramount, HGTV, and live events in Las Vegas. Along the way, she unpacks how faith, consciousness, discipline, and adaptability shaped her transition from survival mode into creative leadership.

This episode goes far beyond a career interview. It explores how relationships, timing, lineage, money, spirituality, and self-awareness intersect — and why preparation, not perfection, creates opportunity.

If you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or anyone questioning their next chapter, this conversation will challenge how you think about work, purpose, and alignment.