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In this episode of "Let's Talk About It," host Jimmy Joseph welcomes Jeff Lindor, founder of Gentleman Factory, a premier network for Black professionals based in Brooklyn. Jeff describes Gentleman Factory as a physical community space where Black professionals can gather to have meaningful conversations about fatherhood, parenting, investments, grooming, and other important topics.
The concept emerged from Jeff's recognition that Black professionals often feel isolated in corporate and government settings, which inspired him to create a space where people could share ideas and experiences specific to the Black community.
Jeff shares his personal journey as a Haitian immigrant who moved to America in the late 1980s. He details his educational path, starting at Kingsborough Community College (where he now serves on the board) and eventually earning a master's degree in public policy. His career experiences in banking, healthcare, and government helped shape his vision for Gentleman Factory, as he consistently found himself wondering where other qualified Black professionals were in these spaces.
Throughout the conversation, Jeff emphasizes the importance of social capital, which he defines as who you can call when in need and who can call you to push their agenda forward. He explains that Gentleman Factory facilitates connections and creates a platform for dialogue where different perspectives can be shared safely, regardless of political affiliation or background. The organization partners with various community leaders and women-led organizations to address important issues like maternal health and mental wellness.
Jeff openly discusses his own seven-year journey with therapy and the importance of mental health support. He encourages others to seek professional help when needed while also highlighting alternative forms of self-care like hiking, walking, and community engagement. This personal approach to leadership extends to how Gentleman Factory supports entrepreneurship through Shark Tank-like pitch competitions and business development resources.
Looking to the future, Jeff outlines plans to expand Gentleman Factory through a franchise model with locations around the world. He's developing a real estate division to purchase physical locations as they expand, with an emphasis on working with local realtors and brokers in each community. He also mentions the possibility of creating a women's division or investing in women-led startups that pursue similar community-building goals.
The episode concludes with Jeff's powerful statement: "If you do not define who you are, you will allow other people to define you. And when they define you, they'll use their own definition. So I employ everybody to define who you are so that then you can walk outside of your house with the mandate of greatness."
Connect With Your Host Jeff Lindor
https://www.instagram.com/mrcommunitynyc/
https://www.instagram.com/gentlemens.factorygf/
GentlemansFactory.com, with a new Barbershop Speakeasy location, is now open in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.
Connect With Your Host Jimmy Mortgage
https://www.instagram.com/jimmy.mortgage/
https://www.youtube.com/ @jimmymortgage9515
#BlackProfessionals #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #ProfessionalGrowth #BlackBusinessOwnership