This weeks episode on LYP we sat down with the legendary Bishop Kenneth Paramore

Ive been trying to be intentional about tapping in with my elders especially those in spiritual leadership to get some of their wisdom in these conversations. So having Bishop Paramore on was a no brainer!

Bishop Paramore talked to us about his backstory growing up in Youngstown being being a star athlete before a knee injury showed him God had other plans for his future which was to become a Preacher and Community Servant.

The OG gave me wisdom about marriage, leadership and why spending time with our children while their young is the most important thing a man can do.

As young dudes it’s important for us to have wise counsel to help guide us while becoming powerful leaders ourselves.

I’m genuinely thankful for this man’s words, time and service.

This weeks episode of LYP was dedicated to Jayland Walker, his family and friends & the entire city of Akron.

I had the opportunity to sit with some of the faith leaders in our city Pastor Jeff Dennis of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Pastor Lorenzo Glenn of Macedonia Baptist Church who have been diligently working behind the scenes to bring about appropriate justice for Jaylands tragic murder on June 27th.

We also were joined by Dr. John Queener a Counseling Psychologist, the local president of National Black Psychology, and one of the most renowned clinicians in the country.

This episode was recorded the day before Jaylands funeral, & I spoke to all of these Black Men about how they were taking care or their own mental health, and of course the next steps in seeing Jaylands family receive the proper justice by holding the Akron Police Department Accountable for their actions on June 27th.

Spectrum Ohio did a segment to highlight the strength in collaborating with our local leaders right here in our city.

I’m thankful for these men for being elders, men of God, & fearless community leaders who’s actions are often overlooked but never under appreciated. They spoke honest, vulnerable and left no punches in why this tragedy is completely inexcusable.

JUSTICE 4 JAYLAND 🕊🙏🏾

In this weeks episode of LYP we traveled to LA & sat down with Ohios own Jerreau

In 2020 a month before the world shutdown due to the global pandemic Jerreau dropped “KEYS” one of the best albums in that year & in my opinion one of the better rap albums and bodies of work in the last 5 years

KEYS became autobiographical for Jerreau as he Raps about doing music since he was 5, battling with Survivors Remorse after loved ones passed away, and witnessing domestic violence as a child.

KEYS went on to become the soundtrack for me personally during times of grief, joy and uncertainty as we all were quarantined during the pandemic.

Jerreau proved that artists who show growth, vulnerability and provide thought provoking lyrics will always reign supreme no matter the circumstances of the world.

In this convo we broke down some bars from KEYS, how as men we tend to block out some of our most traumatic experiences & more.

🌱 x 🔑

This weeks episode of LYP I gotta chance to sit down with Monique McCrystal who is the Co-Founder of The Yoga Carriage in Columbus and served as Ciara and I Doula during her 2nd pregnancy for our baby Sade.

This 2nd go round preparing to be a father again was a much different experience for me personally. I found myself struggling a lot with being present in it all and wasn’t able to enjoy it like I would’ve hoped and that comes with a tremendous amount of guilt.

Coming into it I thought a Doula was strictly for the support to the mother, but what I learned to appreciate about Monique and her work was that she helped create a safe space for me to communicate what I was feeling without being judged or guilty.

Monique talked to us about leaving her career as a Social Worker to to continue fulfilling her purpose, as a doula after coming from a lineage of birth workers.

When my daughter was born I legit cried for 30 min straight and til this day I’m not 100% sure why that was, I just know the feeling I get when I’m with her is one of a kind.

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

On this weeks episode of LYP we sat down with my guy Lorne Williamson founder of The Breakfast Box

I’ve literally known this good brother my entire life and have a lot of classic memories with bro, from elementary school to our first couple years of college being OUTSIDE!!!

The beauty of it all is seeing the evolution of us both, being husbands, family men, fathers & business owners.

Ever since I can remember he’s had hands in something and fearlessly trying different things creatively. That passion and courage ultimately brought him back to his love of cooking that he told me he learned from his grandmother cooking famous breakfast and also his father having a love for cooking.

That love and passion turned into The Breakfast Box which started as a stand in his back yard to a food truck and now with the hopes of one day franchising, operates at a central location here in Akron.

It’s always fire to see the homies stick to their plan and watch it come to fruition, especially when you’ve seen the commitment and execution up close.

On this weeks episode of LYP we sat down with CJ Chatman of Carrington Financials & Legal Trapper

Two years ago during our first ever live event we sat with CJ but only for a short time, but he gave a tremendous amount of value so it was only right we had him back for a full conversation.

CJ is the CEO of Carrington Financials which is a Independent Insurance Agency and we went into a deep dive about Life Insurance and why it’s a must have for every household and the greatest tool in creating generational wealth.

I always appreciate learning, but even more when it’s coming from people who are younger than me. CJ is a young star and a vital resource to our community.

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

On this weeks episode of the LYP we sat down with Kenny “JoJo” Smith and his daughter Kamille. Our 2nd father/daughter duo on the pod since Jatone Stephens and Jada

In this episode we spoke about how Jojo stepped out on faith, transitioning from an athlete to an educator and ultimately a creative/entrepreneur becoming an author writing childrens books and public speaking. My son Messiah loves his first book “We Love Our Daddy” a book about a day in the life of his daughters with admiration for him. We also spoke to his oldest daughter Kamille about her love of reading and sports evolved into her becoming an author of her own. “Girls Fall Down Sometimes” is Kamilles 1st book about empowering young girls to always a walk in their power, where she also wrote, helped with the illustration and editing of it.

As a father of a newborn daughter, I can’t tell y’all how much I enjoyed this episode. Although we recorded prior to my baby Sade being born, I was so proud to be sitting across from another Black father and his daughter as he told his story of him becoming an author and how that inspired his daughter to become an author at only 9 years old!

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

On this weeks episode of the LYP we sat down with Kenny “JoJo” Smith and his daughter Kamille. Our 2nd father/daughter duo on the pod since Jatone Stephens and Jada

In this episode we spoke about how Jojo stepped out on faith, transitioning from an athlete to an educator and ultimately a creative/entrepreneur becoming an author writing childrens books and public speaking. My son Messiah loves his first book “We Love Our Daddy” a book about a day in the life of his daughters with admiration for him. We also spoke to his oldest daughter Kamille about her love of reading and sports evolved into her becoming an author of her own. “Girls Fall Down Sometimes” is Kamilles 1st book about empowering young girls to always a walk in their power, where she also wrote, helped with the illustration and editing of it.

As a father of a newborn daughter, I can’t tell y’all how much I enjoyed this episode. Although we recorded prior to my baby Sade being born, I was so proud to be sitting across from another Black father and his daughter as he told his story of him becoming an author and how that inspired his daughter to become an author at only 9 years old!

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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This weeks episode of LYP we sat down with Kameron Alexander, one of the owners of Social 8 Lounge, Frozen Daiquiri Bar and the newest addition to downtown Akron, Perfect Pour

We recorded this episode on the anniversary date of him and his team receiving the keys to Social 8, which made it a divine episode.

During this conversation Kam reiterated the importance of moving forward regardless how bad his situations may of seemed, a perspective he received from his late grandfather.

One thing I always liked and respected about Kam is that many of his moves are made in silence and he lets the work speak for himself. I appreciated the value he gave in this conversation from the wisdom be picked up from his grandfather, how he never quit his vision even when people tried to discourage him, knowing the importance of a solid team and lastly, the money and status isn’t what drove him it was his passion and his purpose.

On this weeks episode of the Live Your Purpose Podcast we sat down with the one and only Aregeros Turner aka Aregeros Lamont

I’ve been trying sit down with this young man for some time now, but like any and everything with extreme value it’s all about the right timing. Not only a designer, and a creative but Aregeros considers himself to be an all around visionary.

He spoke to me about being a star athlete in high school, college and ultimately becoming a 1%er as an NFL player. The transition into a full on creative had its tough moments but it was seamless for him

From music, fashion, visual art, and even designing custom furniture Aregeros mind is always working towards evolution and growth.

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱