🎙️ MAKING BLACK HISTORY TODAY - BEST OF 2025

Join us for a special year-end celebration as we look back at the most powerful moments, inspiring conversations, and unforgettable stories from our inaugural year! Since launching on Juneteenth 2025, we've been honored to spotlight the voices, achievements, and contributions of today's Black history makers.

In this Best of 2025 episode, we're revisiting:

✨ The most impactful moments from our favorite guests

💡 Key insights that resonated with our community

🔥 Conversations that sparked change and inspiration

📈 Behind-the-scenes reflections on our first 6 months

FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

Michelle Carter

Richard Miles

Fran Harris

Jeremy Biggers

Dr. Jasmine Collier & Loletha Horton, MBA

Dr. Onjaleke Brown, Dr. Kimberly Riddick, & Dionne Kirby

Dean Felecia Epps

Albert C. Black Jr. & Charles O'Neal

Vicki Meek

Ryan Davis

Blanche J

Dr. Lamar Quinn

Dr. Darcel Webb & Indria Hollingsworth-Thomas

Behind the Scenes

ABOUT THE PODCAST:

Making Black History Today showcases contemporary Black excellence, innovation, and leadership. Every two weeks, we bring you conversations with change-makers who are literally making history right now.

THANK YOU:

To our amazing guests, listeners, and supporters - thank you for making our first year incredible. We're just getting started!

Follow us for more inspiring conversations and visit www.makingblackhistorytoday.com

#MakingBlackHistoryToday #BlackExcellence #BlackPodcast #BestOf2025 #BlackHistory #YearInReview #BlackVoices #BlackLeadership #Juneteenth2025

Supplier diversity isn't charity—it's the fastest path to closing the racial wealth gap. Two leaders running billion-dollar procurement programs reveal exactly how it works.

Dr. Darcel Webb (Director of Supplier Diversity/HUB Program at UT Southwestern & ACCA President) and Indria Hollingsworth-Thomas (South-Central Regional Senior DEI Manager at JE Dunn Construction) don't just talk about equity—they control the corporate access that makes or breaks minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs). In this conversation, they break down how strategic procurement transforms equity goals into contracts, revenue, and generational wealth.

From HBCU foundations to billion-dollar construction projects, these leaders share the insider strategies that help MWBEs compete, win contracts, and scale. Whether you're a business owner trying to break into corporate supply chains, a supplier diversity professional building programs, or a DEI leader proving ROI, this episode delivers actionable intelligence on turning policy into economic power.

What You'll Discover:

- How supplier diversity programs directly close the racial wealth gap through economic empowerment

- The insider strategies MWBEs need to compete for and win corporate contracts

- What procurement officers actually look for when evaluating minority-owned suppliers

- How to build supplier diversity programs that deliver measurable equity results

- The role of HBCU networks and intentional partnerships in creating business access

- Real examples from UT Southwestern and JE Dunn Construction procurement

Key Moments:

[Insert timestamps when available]

XX:XX – The Direct Link: Supplier Diversity to Wealth Gap Closure

XX:XX – What MWBEs Need to Know About Corporate Procurement

XX:XX – Building Supplier Diversity Programs That Deliver Results

XX:XX – How HBCU Roots Inform Economic Equity Leadership

XX:XX – UT Southwestern & JE Dunn: Real Procurement Impact Stories

XX:XX – Strategic Partnerships That Create Tangible Business Opportunities

XX:XX – What "Making Black History Today" Means to You

This is Making Black History Today—conversations with leaders turning equity commitments into economic transformation.

Follow Making Black History Today on Spotify. If this conversation about supplier diversity and economic equity resonated with you, leave a 5-star rating and share with business owners, corporate leaders, and DEI professionals.

From Chicago’s South Side to Dallas Impact

Dr. Lamar T. Quinn is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, pharmacist, and community advocate whose work is reshaping the landscape of Southern Dallas. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Toast for Charity (TFC), he has helped award more than $60,000 in scholarships to emerging difference-makers and continues to champion education, equity, and opportunity.

In this episode of Making Black History Today, Dr. Quinn discusses the life-changing realities behind the 23-year life expectancy gap between South Dallas and North Dallas, offering a rare, honest perspective from a healthcare professional who confronts the truth about access, prevention, and trust.

Dr. Quinn also speaks directly to the long-standing distrust many Black communities have toward pharmacists and the medical system, breaking down why culturally aware healthcare, prevention education, and medication literacy are essential for closing the gap and saving lives.

This episode explores:

• The 23-year health and life expectancy divide in Dallas

• Why prevention and education are critical in Black communities

• The roots of medical distrust and how pharmacists can rebuild that trust

• How entrepreneurship and service can strengthen community health

• The power of legacy-driven leadership

A 23-year life expectancy gap exists between South Dallas and North Dallas. Dr. Lamar T. Quinn, a pharmacist confronting this crisis daily, explains why—and what it will take to close it.

Dr. Quinn isn't just a healthcare professional—he's a community builder working at the intersection of medicine, distrust, and survival. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Toast for Charity, he's awarded over $60,000 in scholarships while reshaping Southern Dallas through entrepreneurship and culturally aware healthcare. But his most urgent work addresses something most pharmacists won't say out loud: the deep-rooted medical distrust in Black communities that's literally costing lives.

In this conversation, Dr. Quinn breaks down the shocking realities behind Dallas's health divide, reveals why many Black families don't trust pharmacists or the medical system, and shares how prevention education and medication literacy can save lives. From his Chicago South Side roots to founding Love You Most, Make a 360°, and The Gentlemen's Toast, his journey proves that health equity requires more than medicine—it demands trust, cultural awareness, and community-driven leadership.

What You'll Discover:

- The 23-year life expectancy gap between South and North Dallas—and what causes it

- Why medical distrust persists in Black communities and how healthcare professionals perpetuate it

- How culturally aware pharmacy practice can rebuild trust and save lives

- The critical role of prevention education and medication literacy in health equity

- How entrepreneurship and scholarship programs strengthen community health infrastructure

- Building networks of Black men committed to legacy-driven leadership

Key Moments:

[Insert timestamps when available]

XX:XX – From Chicago's South Side to Dallas Healthcare Leadership

XX:XX – The Shocking 23-Year Life Expectancy Gap Explained

XX:XX – Medical Distrust: Why Black Communities Don't Trust Pharmacists

XX:XX – Toast for Charity: $60K+ in Scholarships and Community Impact

XX:XX – Love You Most, Make a 360°, and The Gentlemen's Toast

XX:XX – What "Making Black History Today" Means to You

This is Making Black History Today—conversations with leaders confronting health inequity, building trust, and creating solutions that save lives.

Follow Making Black History Today on Spotify. If Dr. Quinn's message about health equity and medical distrust resonated with you, leave a 5-star rating and share with healthcare professionals, community leaders, and advocates.

She's sung on stages worldwide with Ari Lennox, topped UK charts, and uses psychology to create music that heals—meet SoulFunk artist Blanche J.

Blanche J isn't your typical singer-songwriter. With bachelor's and master's degrees in Psychology from Florida A&M University, she approaches music as both art and healing practice. As a background vocalist for Grammy-nominated Ari Lennox, she's toured internationally while building her own chart-topping career. Her EP "voice memos b" hit #1 on the UK Global Soul Radio chart, proving that purpose-driven music can reach the top.

In this conversation, Blanche J reveals what it's like touring with one of R&B's biggest stars, how psychology informs her creative process, and why she sees music as a vehicle for self-love, truth, and resilience. From the lessons of the road to the innovation of SoulFunk, this episode shows how one artist carved her own lane by merging intellect, emotion, and empowerment.

What You'll Discover:

- Behind-the-scenes lessons from touring as Ari Lennox's background vocalist

- How a Psychology background shapes music that heals and empowers

- The creative process behind "voice memos b" and reaching #1 on UK charts

- What SoulFunk is and how Blanche J innovated within the genre

- Using music as a tool for self-love, truth, and emotional resilience

- Balancing background vocals for major artists with building your own career

Key Moments:

[Insert timestamps - these were missing from original]

XX:XX – From FAMU Psychology Student to Professional Vocalist

XX:XX – Life on Tour with Ari Lennox

XX:XX – Creating "voice memos b" and Hitting #1 in the UK

XX:XX – What SoulFunk Means and Why It Matters

XX:XX – Music as Healing: Psychology Meets Artistry

XX:XX – What "Making Black History Today" Means to You

This is Making Black History Today—conversations with artists using creativity as a vehicle for healing, empowerment, and cultural transformation.

Follow Making Black History Today on Spotify. If Blanche J's story of purpose-driven music and creative empowerment inspired you, leave a 5-star rating and share with music lovers, aspiring artists, and healers.

2 million views, zero dollars charged—comedian Ryan Davis released his first stand-up special for free on YouTube and turned viral fame into a sold-out career. Here's how he did it.

Ryan Davis didn't wait for a Netflix deal or comedy club permission. He built his audience on social media, released his debut special for free, and watched it hit over 1 million views while creating opportunities that traditional comedy gatekeepers never offered. Now he's selling out theaters and building a stand-up legacy on his own terms.

In this conversation, Ryan breaks down the strategy behind viral success, reveals how he transformed social media fame into sustainable income, and shares what it takes to create your own lane in comedy when the industry isn't designed for you. From early influences to major deals, this is a masterclass in owning your narrative and building Black excellence in entertainment.

What You'll Discover:

- The strategy behind releasing a stand-up special for free—and how it paid off

- How to turn viral social media success into sustainable comedy career income

- Building authentic content that connects with millions while staying true to yourself

- Creating your own opportunities when traditional comedy pathways close

- What comedy legends taught him about craft, business, and longevity

- The mindset shift from chasing views to building a lasting legacy

Key Moments:

3:12 – Growing Up & Early Comedy Influences

28:10 – The Free YouTube Special That Hit 1M Views

43:38 – Lessons from Comedy Legends

55:34 – Turning Viral Fame Into a Sustainable Career

1:01:20 – What "Making Black History Today" Means to Ryan

This is Making Black History Today—conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, and entertainers building success on their own terms.

Follow Making Black History Today on Spotify. If Ryan's story of viral comedy and entrepreneurial success inspired you, leave a 5-star rating and share with aspiring comedians, content creators, and entrepreneurs.

WNBA Champion Fran Harris sits down with Liz in this "Special Edition" of Making Black History Today. Fran breaks down the current state of Women's Basketball. Liz hosts Fran from the South Oak Cliff High School gymnasium to discuss the WNBA CBA negotiations, why league officiating is a hot button issue, and the on-court rivalry between MVP A'ja Wilson and superstar rookie Caitlin Clark. Plus, analysis on Satou Sabally's success in Phoenix, Odyssey Sims playoff performance, and the Paige Bueckers Rookie of the Year race. Tune in for expert, insider analysis on the biggest stories in the W.

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2021 Texas Artist of the Year Vicki Meek has spent five decades creating Black art that doesn't just reflect struggle—it builds spaces for healing, liberation, and transformation.

As a legendary artist, curator, and cultural critic, Vicki Meek creates work that confronts political violence, honors the African Diaspora, and imagines what thriving—not just surviving—looks like for Black communities. From early sculptures that challenged injustice to immersive installations that reclaim urban history, her art serves as activism and cultural preservation.

In this conversation, Vicki shares the vision behind the Urban Historical Reclamation & Recognition Project (UHRR), explains how art becomes a tool for social change, and reveals what five decades of cultural work has taught her about resilience, community, and the power of creative resistance.

This episode is a masterclass in how Black art shapes consciousness, preserves history, and creates pathways to liberation.

What You'll Discover:

- How five decades of Black art activism connects history to healing

- The Urban Historical Reclamation & Recognition Project (UHRR) and its impact

- Why art as activism remains essential to social justice movements

- How Black art creates spaces for community thriving, not just survival

- The journey to becoming 2021 Texas Artist of the Year

- What cultural preservation means in practice for the African Diaspora

Key Moments:

01:11 – Welcome & Introduction to Vicki Meek

16:10 – "How Did You End Up in Dallas?"

23:10 – The Urban Historical Reclamation & Recognition Project

29:10 – "I'm an Activist!" Art as Political Action

40:26 – Deep Dive: Urban Historical Reclamation & Recognition (UHRR)

56:10 – What "Making Black History Today" Means to You

This is Making Black History Today—conversations with artists, activists, and cultural leaders shaping liberation through creativity.

Follow Making Black History Today on Spotify. If Vicki Meek's story of Black art, activism, and cultural transformation resonated with you, leave a 5-star rating and share with artists, educators, and changemakers.

The first Black Chair of the Dallas Regional Chamber and the President of Texas's African American Chambers reveal how to build real economic power—and why it matters now more than ever.

Albert C. Black Jr. and Charles O'Neal didn't just break barriers—they built institutions. With decades of experience shaping Dallas's economic landscape, these two leaders offer a rare, unfiltered conversation about Black entrepreneurship, civic influence, and the strategic work required to create lasting community wealth.

They explain why Black Chambers of Commerce remain essential to economic development, share the mindset shifts that separate struggling businesses from thriving ones, and connect Dallas's complex history to its economic future. This isn't theory—it's a masterclass in how civic power and economic strategy actually work on the ground.

What You'll Discover:

- Why Black Chambers of Commerce are critical infrastructure, not optional networks

- The mindset that builds generational wealth: "Not watching the doors closing behind us"

- How the first Black Chair of Dallas Regional Chamber navigated institutional power

- Strategic approaches to Black business development and economic empowerment

- Why understanding Dallas's full history shapes economic opportunity today

- The definition debate around Pan-Africanism in modern Black communities

Key Moments:

3:19 – Why a Black Chamber of Commerce Is Necessary Today

20:30 – Success Mindset: "Not Watching the Doors Closing Behind Us"

30:25 – A Memorable Story About Albert Black Jr.

46:26 – Why Pan-Africanism Escapes Definition in Our Community

56:41 – What "Making Black History Today" Means to You

This is Making Black History Today—conversations with leaders building economic power, civic influence, and community legacy right now.

Follow Making Black History Today on Spotify. If this conversation about Black economic empowerment and community leadership resonated with you, leave a 5-star rating and share with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers.

From the Marine Corps to law school dean—how one leader's journey reveals what justice requires in the age of AI.

Dean Felecia Epps didn't take a typical path to legal leadership. As a Marine Corps Major, she learned discipline, courage, and what it means to serve under pressure. Now, as Dean of UNT Dallas College of Law, she's preparing the next generation of attorneys for a legal landscape being transformed by artificial intelligence.

In this conversation, Dean Epps connects her military experience to her legal career, shares how the Great Migration shaped her family's pursuit of justice, and offers an urgent perspective on AI's impact on law schools and legal practice. She also addresses why equity, access, and representation in the legal profession aren't just ideals—they're necessities for a functioning justice system.

This episode reveals what happens when leadership is grounded in service, shaped by history, and focused on the future.

What You'll Discover:

- How Marine Corps leadership principles translate to legal education

- The Great Migration's lasting influence on her family and career

- AI's real impact on law schools, legal practice, and justice

- Why representation and access remain critical in today's legal landscape

- What it takes to be one of the few Black women Marine Majors in history

- How UNT Dallas College of Law is preparing lawyers for tomorrow

Key Moments:

7:29 – Great Migration and Its Impact on Her Family

32:34 – How AI Is Reshaping the Future of Law

45:28 – The "Tennis Shoe" Story: A Lesson in Humility

52:23 – How Many Black Women Have Been Marine Majors?

1:12:34 – What "Making Black History Today" Means to You

This is Making Black History Today—conversations with leaders shaping justice, equity, and innovation right now.

Follow Making Black History Today on Spotify. If Dean Epps' story inspired you, leave a 5-star rating and share this episode with future leaders, attorneys, and changemakers.

AI is reshaping classrooms faster than policy can keep up. Three Black women leaders explain what's at stake—and how to get it right.

What happens when the educators building tomorrow's systems are the same voices historically left out of the conversation? Dr. Onjaleke Brown, Dr. Kimberly Riddick, and Dionne Kirby, Ph.D. Candidate, tackle the hardest questions in education today: Can AI close equity gaps or widen them? How do we dismantle systems that weren't built for Black and Brown students? And what does well-being have to do with academic success?

From K-12 redesign to higher education access, these leaders share what's working, what's broken, and why centering equity isn't optional—it's survival. They connect the dots between Brown v. Board's legacy, first-generation student barriers, nutrition science, and the AI revolution transforming how we teach and learn.

What You'll Learn:

- How AI impacts classrooms and whether it advances or undermines equity

- Why culturally grounded leadership transforms student outcomes

- Breaking barriers for first-generation and underrepresented students

- The connection between nutrition, well-being, and academic performance

- What dismantling and rebuilding education systems actually looks like

Key Moments:

17:45 – Department of Education Under Scrutiny

23:31 – Brown v. Board of Education's Unfinished Legacy

31:40 – "Are the Robots Taking Over?" AI's Real Classroom Impact

41:12 – How Nutrition Shapes Learning Outcomes

47:51 – What "Making Black History Today" Means to You

This is Making Black History Today—where Black leaders share how they're building equity, justice, and innovation right now.

Follow on Spotify for weekly episodes | Leave a 5-star rating to help others find this conversation | Share with educators, parents, and changemakersAI is reshaping classrooms faster than policy can keep up. Three Black women leaders explain what's at stake—and how to get it right.

What happens when the educators building tomorrow's systems are the same voices historically left out of the conversation? Dr. Onjaleke Brown, Dr. Kimberly Riddick, and Dionne Kirby, Ph.D. Candidate, tackle the hardest questions in education today: Can AI close equity gaps or widen them? How do we dismantle systems that weren't built for Black and Brown students? And what does well-being have to do with academic success?

From K-12 redesign to higher education access, these leaders share what's working, what's broken, and why centering equity isn't optional—it's survival. They connect the dots between Brown v. Board's legacy, first-generation student barriers, nutrition science, and the AI revolution transforming how we teach and learn.

What You'll Learn:

- How AI impacts classrooms and whether it advances or undermines equity

- Why culturally grounded leadership transforms student outcomes

- Breaking barriers for first-generation and underrepresented students

- The connection between nutrition, well-being, and academic performance

- What dismantling and rebuilding education systems actually looks like

Key Moments:

17:45 – Department of Education Under Scrutiny

23:31 – Brown v. Board of Education's Unfinished Legacy

31:40 – "Are the Robots Taking Over?" AI's Real Classroom Impact

41:12 – How Nutrition Shapes Learning Outcomes

47:51 – What "Making Black History Today" Means to You

This is Making Black History Today—where Black leaders share how they're building equity, justice, and innovation right now.

Follow on Spotify for weekly episodes | Leave a 5-star rating to help others find this conversation | Share with educators, parents, and changemakers