RISE Urban Nation: Amplifying Black & Pan-African Voices Worldwide

Welcome to the latest episode of the Rise Urban Nation podcast! Today, we're excited to announce the launch of the Rise Urban Nation Journal for Black History Month. Our journal aims to support early-stage and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Black and Pan-African community who struggle with taking an idea to a business concept.

We understand that one of the biggest mindset struggles for Black entrepreneurs is the fear of failure, which may be amplified by systemic barriers and discrimination they may face in the business world. Our journal focuses on mindset specifically for the struggles of our Black communities in the approach to starting a business. It also addresses imposter syndrome, feeling like they don't belong or aren't capable of success in a predominantly white business culture.

In the journal, you'll find inspiring stories from successful Black entrepreneurs who have overcome these challenges, practical tips and advice on how to build resilience, find mentorship and support, and focus on the potential impact and value of your ideas. The journal also includes prompts and exercises to help you develop a positive and empowering mindset that will help you succeed in your entrepreneurial journey.

We're also considering doing a follow-up book on how to run a business, as well as launching a website with resources to support your entrepreneurship journey. We'd love to hear your thoughts on what you'd like to see in our future products, so please send us an email at [email protected].

So if you're an early-stage or aspiring entrepreneur in the Black and Pan-African community, get your copy of the Rise Urban Nation Journal today on Amazon. We hope our journal will empower and inspire you to turn your ideas into successful businesses. Thank you for listening to the Rise Urban Nation podcast!

Get a copy of the "Rise Urban Nation Journal: Idea to Launch in 90 Days" Today! 

Amazon Link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Urban-Nation-Journal-Launch-ebook/dp/B0BTM5X4G8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZEK088OQQ2IO&keywords=rise+urban+nation+journal&qid=1676951972&sprefix=%2Caps%2C414&sr=8-1

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
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🔗 Linktree: All Links

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About: 

William A. Adams is a software engineering trailblazer, award-winning DEI innovator, and philanthropist. After rolling out critical XML code globally in many of Microsoft's core products, he was named the first Technical Advisor to the CTO, Kevin Scott.

While leading and mentoring young developers, often as the only Black man in the room, William found that DEI hiring was always someone else’s problem – until he decided to make it his.

Acting as an intrapreneur, William has founded and overseen global initiatives that revolutionize how underserved communities access jobs and launch careers at the company. He spent three years building the Engineering Excellence program in Hyderabad, India, designed to empower local engineers to succeed on a world stage.  

Connect with William A. Adams!   

Website: https://www.william-a-adams.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWilliamAAdamsWAAV

Linkein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewilliamaadams  

Podcast: https://podcastguests.com/expert/williamaadams/  

Twitter: @LeapToTech

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

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About Clutch

www.thatsclutch.com

• HQ: Houston, TX
• Founded: 2021
• Funding: $1.2M pre-seed funding (Precursor Ventures, HearstLab, Capital Factory, DivInc, etc.)
• Media Kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19RzgNVtaASi8Vo9bs9hZLoZSLuI3tSZy
• About: Founded in 2020 by Madison Long and Simone May, Clutch is the digital marketplace connecting creators with businesses. With our people-first platform, creators have the opportunity to monetize their unique talents and passions by helping businesses with their content creation needs. We are currently focused on connecting Gen-Z student creators with small businesses and national brands in need of digital marketing. We believe that by giving creators access to remarkable digital work opportunities with businesses, creators and businesses thrive. Our vision is to build a world where authentic, engaging work supports a more sustainable, equitable lifestyle.

Founders Bios:

Madison Long (CEO and Co-Founder): Madison is the CEO and Co-Founder of Clutch where she drives the company’s vision of building a world where authentic, engaging work supports a more sustainable, equitable lifestyle. Her passion for entrepreneurship and helping the next generation thrive began in childhood including spending her high school summers creating a math mania programmatic instruction class for middle school students in need and working with youth advocacy programs in college. Prior to Clutch, Madison was a Program Development & Analytics Lead at Lean In where she led multiple initiatives including the foundation’s 2020 Women in the Workplace report along with their first project focused on empowering youth girls. She was a Finance Rotation Program Analyst at Microsoft prior to her time at Lean In where she contributed to their Latin America HQ, Cloud and Artificial Intelligence OPEX, Customer Services and Support, and Internal Audit teams. Madison’s overall goal is to create opportunities for the next generation to thrive in life and work. 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/madisonl0ng
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madisonlong5/

Simone May (CTO and Co-Founder): Simone is the CTO and Co-Founder of Clutch where she leads the company’s efforts in translating their customer’s needs into their product and technical functionality. Her interest in the world of technology and seeing what software can do began at a young age as she grew up with two engineers as parents and developed a passion for math, science and tinkering with all sorts of technical gadgets and projects that her parents worked on. Prior to Clutch, Simone was a Consultant at Accenture where she learned how to build a product from the ground up focused on learning first what the product’s clients’ needs are and then how to translate their needs into something technical. She has a passion for democratizing access to information and innovation that no one has had before, and leveraging technology to make the world a more equitable place. 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Simone_May_,
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-may/

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

About: 

ReadHer (pronounced like Reader!) is named after the woman who reads! It's the brain child of a passionate book reader. Like most, Ashley was just an avid reader who wanted to find community amongst other readers to talk about books.

ReadHer came along like a lot of things do; time and opportunity. Early during the pandemic Ashley spent a lot of time reading and browsing for more books to read. One day she came across a book subscription box company and was disappointed to see that it wasn't as diverse as she'd hoped. But unlike other times when she would've moved on, she paused and asked herself why not create her own?

ReadHer was created with the woman reader in mind. As a fan of Black indie romance for many years, Ashley has always felt that more people need to get their hands on these books and these stories! With this in mind, the goal of giving you a reading experience that sparks joy, pleasure and fun has become reality.

ReadHer wants to be one of the many things in your life that makes you happy. When you see your box at your front door, its not just about getting a package, its about the book by a Black author, and the fun things you'll find to accompany your reading experience. 

Connect with Ashley Barton!

Website - https://readherbookbox.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ReadHerBookBox/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/home

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/readherbookbox/

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

About:

Cook Casa connects people who love to cook with people who love to eat. Your residence, vacation rental, boat, private jet, or picnic. We create shared experiences with culinary curators by sending on-demand Chefs to your location for an elevated dining experience. The Airbnb of Chefs or Uber of Cooks. 

Cook Casa opens doors of opportunity for people to generate income doing what they love. We bring the restaurant experience right to you. No grocery shopping, no cooking, and no cleaning. We connect families to culture with food. So far we have had over 500 experiences at Cook Casa with over 150 chefs in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.

Connect with Cook Casa! 

Website: https://www.cookcasa.com/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: Officialcookcasa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/37183386/admin/

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

Bio: 

Marcus Burton started as a fashion designer who turned his love for fashion into a screen printing business. While discovering his spirituality, he created a brand titled “Aphase” which encouraged people to embrace the moments that life offers. Marcus is dedicated to bringing a new perspective on art and business to San Diego. 

Connect with Marcus Burton! 

• Website : aphase.biz
• Email : [email protected]
• Twitter : @aphasetv
• Instagram : @aphasetv
• Pinterest : @aphasetv
• Linkedin : Marcus Burton

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

ANTHONY SMITH

FredAnthony “Anthony” Smith is an award-winning television professional with over 15 years experience developing, writing, directing, producing, and editing original short-form and long-form content for television and the web. He has had the privilege of guiding and mentoring a number of producers and associate producers that have gone on to excel both at the NFL, and other sports entertainment media outlets. 

Over the course of his career, Smith has produced a number of projects featuring some of the NFL’s brightest stars. He has produced tent-pole projects for events including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, NFL Draft, and NFL Scouting Combine. Smith was one of the primary creative forces behind the NFL’s most dynamic and impactful media content. 

Smith also directed and produced numerous long-form and documentaries for the NFL, including: Jim Brown: A Football Life, Fritz Pollard: A Forgotten Man, and Game Changer: The Journey of the Black Quarterback. He also won a Webby Award for directing and producing The L.A. Marathon, a film on Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeSean Jackson’s relationship with the late Nipsey Hussle.

Earlier this year, Anthony Smith was named Vice President of Non-Scripted Development at SMAC Entertainment; an Emmy-nominated production company and talent management firm, co-founded by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and former NFL marketing executive Constance Schwartz-Morini. The firm represents many notable talents such as Snoop Dogg, Brie and Nikki Bella, Wiz Khalifa, Erin Andrews, Michael Griffin, Bryan Hynson, Curt Menefee, Deion Sanders, and more.

SMAC ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 2011, SMAC Entertainment, a multi-dimensional talent management, music, branding and production company, brings together former NFL strategist and marketing executive Constance Schwartz-Morini and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Emmy Award-winning television host Michael Strahan to create a major presence in the sports and entertainment arena. In addition to representing globally recognized talent, SMAC Productions develops a diversified slate of film and television content, with projects setup at primetime cable and broadcast networks including HBO, DIRECTV, Showtime, ABC, CBS, E!, NFL Network, Audience Network, and Nickelodeon, as well as Prime Video. In addition, SMAC has engineered the launch of multiple clothing brands including Collection and MSX by Michael Strahan, two men’s clothing and accessory lines available at Men’s Wearhouse and JCPenney; MSX by Michael Strahan for NFL as well as Erin Andrews’ licensed sportswear collection, WEAR by Erin Andrews.

Connect with  Anthony Smith! 

SMAC Entertainment

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

This year we plan to help more entrepreneurs build their businesses and brand through partnerships with @tailorbrands! RUN and TailorBrands are helping Pan Africans worldwide bring their dream business idea to life. No more excuses on why you can't create or afford certain essential things your brand needs.

Tailor Brands offers you everything your brand needs to stand out in the competition in 2023!

Here are some of the things you can get done with tailor brands:

1. Logo Design

2. Business Card

3. Digital Business Card

4. Website Domain

5. Website Design

6. Content Design

7. Business Mailbox

etc

For any purchase you make on Tailor Brands, Here's my little New Years gift to you:

USE MY SPECIAL CODE TO GET A 30% DISCOUNT!

Code >> RUN30

For more, follow @riseurbannation on Instagram to get inspired by outstanding Pan-Africans building their brand and business.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

ABOUT DIANE SKAI STROUD

We should all strive to live a long healthy life, filled with love, abundance and service to others.  Nourishing each part of who we are as physical, mental, emotional & spiritual beings is essential to our overall well being. Planning, discipline and execution make it happen. Essential to every financial portfolio and estate planning is affordable life insurance that includes living benefits. Let's make sure you have what you need for protection and growth. 

Schedule brief conversation:  https://calendly.com/dianestroud/life-insurance-information-appointment

Financial Professional - Entrepreneur -Public Speaker - Finance & Health Educator -  Mentor - Plant Based Vegan

Connect with D. Skai Stroud!

• EMAIL: [email protected]
• INSTAGRAM: Skai High (@skai_unltd) • Instagram photos and videos
• TIK TOK :skai_unltd (@skai_unltd) TikTok | Watch skai_unltd's Newest TikTok Videos
• FACEBOOK: (20+) Skai High | Facebook
• LINKEDIN: (99+) Diane Skai Stroud | LinkedIn
• CALENDLY: https://calendly.com/dianestroud/life-insurance-information-appointment

About Ed-Maggie:

Ed-Maggie is a Regional Manager at NILICO with a demonstrated history of working in the insurance industry. She is skilled in Customer Service, Sales, Strategic Planning, Whole Life Insurance, and Life Insurance. Strong professional with a BA in Economics from Fordham University.

Connect with Ed-Maggie Myrthil!

Website: https://agency.nilife.com/united-states/new-york/flushing/theo-pappas

Email: [email protected] 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/edmaggie.myrthil/about_details

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/edmaggiemyrthil/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-maggie-myrthil-273419b6/
 

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

About:

At least twice, teachers tried to deny the power of voice to Ewane Masango. They tried and failed. He went on to win public speaking competitions and now is an entertainer and public speaker with a side of entrepreneur. He's building a new digital space for people to build connections, improve health and empower their community. The Society, a new online platform, is in development and coming soon.

Transforming 1M lives using tech by 2023!!! Call on The Society for all your tech needs! We have access to the best technologies with an understanding of how it works best uniquely for each individual. 

We are solving problems in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Singularity Universities Global Grand Challenges. This includes Governance, Health, Prosperity, Education, Security, and Disaster Resilience. 

We are different because we understand the timing of this convergence of technologies happening right now. Our secret sauce is using this special era of transformation in a social platform/ecosystem that we call a Social Reality

Our customer base is anyone who is desiring to transform their lifestyle and begin to upgrade it like an Iphone.

Connect with  Ewane “E” Masango! 

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EwaneMasango

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1018519317

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ewanemasango/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewane-masango-89b297128/

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥