#SmartBrownVoices - Learning from Diversity

Marsha R. Bonner is a noted empowerment speaker, social activist, corporate human resources diversity executive, and a luminary for change and acceptance.

Marsha, who is active in grassroots multicultural, women, LGBTQ, domestic violence and humanitarian initiatives, garnered international acclaim after her appearance on the ABC network television program “What Would You Do?” in an episode titled, “Interracial Couple Faces Criticism.” Marsha’s diplomatic boldness against bullying and intolerance in a Harlem barbershop created a “teachable moment” that became a viral sensation. The video of her appearance, found at https://youtu.be/arpO1_rqe5Y, has received more than 70 million hits around the globe. It caught the attention of ABC’s “Nightline,” which aired a clip of Bonner in a news segment about “What Would You Do?” hosed by veteran news correspondent John Quiñones. https://youtu.be/4B7WVyRBfP8)

Marsha speaks to audiences about her inspiring journey “From the Brooklyn Streets to the Corporate Suites”. Although put on a path designed to allow her to succeed, she chose a different course and endured a tormented, dark journey as a crack addict. Faced with dying homeless on the streets, Marsha was rescued from her horrifying existence of humiliation and degradation when she entered an alcohol and drug treatment facility.

Marsha, an African-American lesbian business executive has specialized in human resources, diversity, inclusion and equality for over 25 years. The Harlem resident is a senior Human Resources and Diversity Consultant with MRW Consulting Group, International, LLC. Marsha also served as a Senior Human Resources Business Partners for the New York Times Company. Other key positions include Director of Human Resources at theglobe.com and Corporate Recruiter/Human Resources Generalist at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Marsha received a Master of Science in Organizational Change Management from The New School and a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications from Baruch College. She holds professional certifications from the Society of Human Resources Management and the Human Capital Institute.

Marsha is the Founder of the H.U.G.S. Movement Campaign (Helping Us Grow Spiritually) to advocate appreciation of all humanity. The campaign encourages individuals from around the world to respect and appreciate others through their words, actions and deeds by living and embracing a “HUGS Mindset”. Marsha is committed to sharing her uplifting message and she motivates others to lead purpose driven lives and stand against discriminatory ideas and stereotypes that prevent people from living in fellowship.

This week Mike Street speaks with Atlanta Angel Investor Rodney Sampson. Listen as they discuss the Atlanta tech scene, Opportunity Hub and angel investing.

Follow Rodney on Social Media:

* Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/bishoprodneysampson

* Twitter  – https://twitter.com/rodneysampson

About Rodney Sampson

Rodney Sampson is a social innovator, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, published author, and consecrated bishop. Via his Episcopal affiliations with the Old Holy Catholic Church and International Bishops Conference, Sampson shapes innovative economic policy and opportunities throughout society and culture. As a serial entrepreneur, Sampson co-founded Multicast Media Networks (Streamingfaith.com) in 2000 (sold in 2010), a live and on-demand streaming platform that laid the foundation for companies like YouTube and Ustream. Not stopping there, Sampson co-founded Intellectual Currency (an integrated marketing and business development firm) in 2002, Intellect Inspire (a digital publishing imprint of Audible) in 2006, and Legacy Opportunity Fund in 2007 with private equity investments in technology, energy, consumer products and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. He also serves on the advisory boards of a learning company (a Pearson Education Alliance Partner), a production company and multiple startup and early stage companies throughout the world.

Sampson is passionate about reducing our nation’s poverty and wealth gap by advancing the cause of innovation, coding, entrepreneurship, investment and Crowdfunding as a way of life for all communities. To advance this definitive cause, Sampson created Opportunity Ecosystem (OE). Opportunity Ecosystem includes opportunity.UP // unleashing private equity, the nation’s leading conference and learning platform learning for minorities and under-served communities to learn, navigate and master investment ecosystem. opportunity.UP conferences attract over 1,000 entrepreneurs, 500 teenagers and 100 accredited investors and mentors. Opportunity Ecosystem also includes opportunity.HUB a coworking space, knowledge hub, coding school and accelerator located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. opportunity.HUB is home to opportunity.VENTURES, a new seed and early stage fund focused on making investments in early stage consumer facing, technology and disruptive social enterprise based companies that impact culture and beyond.

Sampson is also an advocate and respected expert on the JOBS Act (debt and equity based crowdfunding) and State of Georgia’s “Invest Georgia Exemption” legislation. Always meditating, thinking, networking and connecting to disrupt economic culture, Sampson is innovating what he has branded as an “ecosystem crowdfunding platform” -designed to integrate the capital markets of the African American owned banks, churches, business associations and historical black colleges and universities. The platform will allow underserved and under-represented communities to learn, engage and invest in the investment ecosystem by providing access to relevant investment opportunities traditionally reserved for accredited and institutional investors. The long-term outcome will result in job creation, wealth creation and a better society for all.

Throughout this journey, Sampson has maintained the creativity of his youth and early entrepreneurial career as an experienced advisor, integrated marketer, business developer and connector. Having worked very closely on Mel Gibson’s The Passion of The Christ, Disney’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe & The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till, Sampson was tapped in 2013 by Mark Burnett to create the diversity and inclusion initiat...

Mike Street and Thomas Calhoun discuss his upcoming book “Something Missing.”

About the Book

Did you know that seventy percent of workers report being disengaged at work? The startup renaissance is revolutionizing our economy by changing the definition of work: what it looks like as well as when, where, how, and for whom we do it. For some, this has been a lucrative shift in American culture. Women and minorities, however, are not experiencing the same shift. Specifically, African American, Hispanic, and women entrepreneurs are receiving less than one percent of venture capital annually, which decreases the likelihood of successfully “taking the leap”. Overall, this change has brought about the question of why we do the work we do. Does it make us happy? Fulfill us? Or, does it just pay the bills until we find what’s missing?

In Something’s Missing, Thomas Calhoun Jr. encourages you to lead a more purposeful existence by exposing a few inconvenient truths, asking tough questions, and sharing how his personal journey within shaped his career as an entrepreneur. Allow Thomas to walk you step-by-step through the Seven P’s of Purpose(TM) to find your why and walk in it.

About Thomas Calhoun Jr.

As an HBCU & PWI graduate, Thomas Calhoun Jr. has experienced both sides of the debate as well as written about it. Since 2008, Thomas has been a full-time entrepreneur primarily in the government services space. In the end, his commitment to the HBCU community, passion for entrepreneurship, and belief in the power of cooperative economics to improve the social dilemma Black people are facing in America led him to leave government contracting in 2014. Since then, he has written a book entitled Something’s Missing and focused on nafasi – a virtual innovation ecosystem connecting women and minority founders to the talent and capital they need to succeed.

About Regina Gwynn:

Regina Gwynn is the Co-Founder & CEO of TresseNoire, an on-demand hair styling service for busy women of color.

Regina is a fifteen year marketing veteran, having built brands and Macy’s Inc and The Apparel Group, along with healthcare and media companies at Monitor Consulting Group (now Deloitte). This track record of entrepreneurial projects have allowed her to develop a strategic blueprint for TresseNoire, and take a pragmatic optimist approach to the company’s growth. She loves discovering new countries & cultures! Favorite quote: A girl should always be two things: classy & fabulous” CoCo Chanel

LINKS:

* [email protected]

* Facebook.com/tressenoire

* Twitter.com/tressenoire

* Instagram.com/tressenoire

SmartBrownVoices is honored to have Cullen Jones on this weeks podcast to talk about the importance of learning how to swim. Please visit USA Swimming Foundation’s Make A Splash, and sign up for affordable swimming classes in your area.

Follow Cullen Jones online: Website |Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

About Cullen Jones:

Cullen Andrew Jones is an Olympic gold medalist who specializes in freestyle sprint events. As part of the American team, he holds the world record in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay (long course). At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he won silver medals in the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay and the 50-meter freestyle, as well as the gold in the 4 x 100 metre medley.

Jones was born on February 29, 1984 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Jones grew up in Irvington, New Jersey. At age five, he nearly drowned while splashing around at a Pennsylvania water park. Immediately after that incident, his mother Debra enrolled him in swimming lessons and it soon became clear that Jones had natural talent as a swimmer.

He started his age group swimming career with the Metro Express Marlins Swim Team in West Orange, New Jersey before switching to the Jersey Gators Swim Team in Cranford, New Jersey. In those years, Jones was one of a small number of African-American competitors in the sport, but now he uses his notoriety and influence to inspire more children from minority communities to become swimmers.

 

Author & Illustrator Israel Cook crafted “The Princess Planet” series inspired by his daughter. The brand hopes to showcase cultural diversity and instill that all people have inner beauty, strength and self worth. In this episode of SmartBrownVoices learn more about Israel’s story and starting your own children’s book empire.

Website: http://www.princessplanet.com/

Video: http://www.princessplanet.com/princess-planet-video/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYypOJBoK1w

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrincessPlanetPlace

Check out our kids book, “Jonn’s Fabulous Fashion Day” on Amazon.

This week on #SmartBrownVoices we follow-up on New York Comic Con with Regine Sawyer. Learn about creating your own stories and art for graphic novels, comic books, and more.

About Regine:

Regine Sawyer is a writer, creator and owner of Lockett Down Productions Publications, a multi-media company specializing in Comic Books and promotional apparel. It was established in December 2007 and was first publically debuted at the New York Comic Con, April 2008.

LDP pub has several properties in production: “The Rippers”, its signature series, “Ice Witch”, “Death Mask” and “Chimera”. Each series is interlocking, focusing on the mysterious reaches of outer space and the relationships of the characters that reside in it.

Eating Vampires is a new Novel series outside of The Rippers universe. It’s scheduled to be released in late 2015.

Follow Regine Sawyer online:

* Website

* Products

* Email

* Facebook

* Twitter

*  Tumblr

Resources:

* Hire an Artist

* How to Write a Comic Book

* Deviantart.com – Online artist community

LINKS:

* Official Website | iTunes | Spotify

Teedra Moses’ social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

ABOUT TEEDRA MOSES:

Teedra Moses was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana to a gospel singing mother, Shirley Moses. She later moved to Los Angeles, California with her mother and three siblings after her parents’ separation. Prior to becoming a recording artist, Moses worked with her best friend Nonja McKenzie as an assistant wardrobe stylist for artists such as Will Smith, Kelis, R. Kelly, and No Doubt. Never once approaching any of the clients, it wasn’t until after the death of her mother that Moses decided to follow her heart and begin making music.

Following this epiphany, Moses teamed up with producer, Paul Poli and signed with the then Number 1 Indie Record Label, TVT Records, in 2002, to release her debut album Complex Simplicity in August 2004. Complex Simplicity included fourteen tracks all self-penned by Moses with dominant production by Poli; which lead to the well deserved executive production credit by both Moses & Poli. With TVT Records now defunct, Moses never had the opportunity to commercially release a sophomore album.  Although still most notably known for the “critically acclaimed” album Complex Simplicity which spawned records such as Be Your Girl, Backstroke and Take Me featuring Raphael Saadiq, Teedra Moses has released three independent, all-original “Mixtapes” for fans of her music.

In addition to executive producing and penning all the lyrics on her own project, Moses has written songs for other artists including Christina Milian, Mary J. Blige, Macy Gray, and a host of others. As a Grammy-Nominated Songwriter and BMI Songwriter of the year, for 2 consecutive years, Teedra Moses has used music to inspire others for over 10 years. Moses is currently on “Family Ties” from Rick Ross’ Hood Billionaire album as well as the ambiance vocals on Rick Ross’ previous projects “Nobody” featuring Diddy and French Montana from the Mastermind album, and “Amsterdam” from one of the most anticipated albums of 2012, Rick Ross’ God Forgives I Don’t. In addition, Moses is featured on and co-wrote three songs from SelfMade, the Maybach Music Compilation released in 2011, as well as Big Boi of Outkast “Turn Me On,” featured on and co-wrote two songs from Raphael Saadiq’s 2004 album Ray Ray, “Chic” and “I Want You Back”. Her songs have been showcased in the Logo series Noah’s Arc as well as in the HBO hit show Entourage, movies such as Never Die Alone, Beauty Shop, Be Cool and The Skinny.

With over 10 years of live performance, selling out intimate venues around the world, and a stream of mixtapes, Moses will release only her second commercial release in a decade. Cognac & Conversations scheduled to be released 1st quarter 2015 thru Shanachie Entertainment.

Use the code: “SMARTBROWN” to get 10% off  at www.talleyandtwine.com

ABOUT RANDY WILLIAMS:

Randy D. Williams, also known as “The Generation Changer” is an entrepreneur and author committed to developing the next generation of leaders. Williams tapped into his sense of purpose after losing two brothers who were both under the age of 25. These heartbreaking losses ignited his desire to effectively utilize the time that he has on Earth to make the greatest impact possible.

As an entrepreneur, he has gained national media attention for his company, Talley & Twine Watches where he designs and manufactures watches and other men’s accessories. Randy is currently the president of this company and still retains 100% ownership.

His books, such as 7 Questions Every Young Leader Must Answer have been used by schools and community organizations as a model to teach young people to think and act like leaders. Because of his passion for business, he founded Project 1322 to mentor and teach youth about entrepreneurship in order to help them empower their communities.

Randy is on a mission to inspire the next generation of leaders and frequently speaks to colleges, corporations and high schools all over the country on the topic of leadership. His message resonates with students because of his down-to-earth style and ability to use present-day examples to drive his points home. The audiences he speaks to leave feeling both challenged and inspired to become “generation changers”. He is based out of Hampton Roads, Va.

LINKS:

Randy Williams

* twitter.com/ceorandy

* instagram.com/ceorandy/

* linkedin.com/in/ceorandy

Talley and Twine

* Website: www.talleyandtwine.com

* Instagram: @talleyandtwine

* Twitter: @talleyandtwine

* Facebook: @talleyandtwine

Jonathan McCrory – An Obie Award Winning, Harlem-based artist currently the Director of Theatre Arts Program at Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre since 2012. He has worked professionally as a director, producer and actor for the past 11 years. Directing Credits include: Dead And Breathing, HandsUp, Hope Speaks Blacken The Bubble, Asking for More, Last Laugh and Enter Your Sleep. A Washington, DC native, he attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts, then New York University TISCH School of the Arts. In 2013 he was awarded the Emerging Producer Award by the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston Salem, NC and the Torch Bearer Award by Woodie King Jr. He is a founding member of Harlem9 and The Movement Theatre Company. He officially sits on the National Advisory Committee for Howlround.com. To learn more please head to jonathanmccrory.com.

Tiffany Vega joined the staff of Hi-ARTS/Hip-Hop Theater Festival in 2010 and currently serves as its General Manager. She is a graduate of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Leadership and Advocacy Leadership Institutes, is a member of the 2015 ArtEquity Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Facilitator Training cohort, is on the Steering Committee for the Latina/o Theatre Commons, is on the Artistic Selection Committee for the Harlem Arts Festival and was on the Artist Selection Committee for El Barrio’s Artspace PS109. She is a member of Women of Color in the Arts, a founding member of La Cooperativa of NYC Latin@ Theatre Artists and was a Hispanic Foundation for the Arts Scholarship Recipient. She is also the President & Founder of La Vega Management, a company that focuses on theatrical general management and producing. Tiffany received a MFA in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University and a BA in Theatre from the University of Maryland-College Park. She is a second-generation Nuyorican and was born and raised and currently lives and works in El Barrio, NYC.

“The future of this society lies in our ability to actively create spaces that uplift the next generation to understand their brilliance, talents, and unique responsibility to utilized their energy to dismantle the systems of power that are inadequate. To give them the space to vision! Through this production we have an opportunity to empower the community to own their position as liberators within this quest for FREEDOM.” – Jonathan McCrory, Director of Theatre Arts, National Black Theater

“In a time in which we as a society are involved in an urgent conversation around equity and the demand for social justice, this piece of theater is a necessity. We are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Dominique in the producing of this work and also furthering our partnership through this collaboration with National Black Theater”. -Kamilah Forbes, Producing Artistic Director, Hi-ARTS

National Black Theatre:

Founded by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer in 1968, NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE (NBT) is a nationally recognized cultural and educational institution. Dr. Teer pioneered “the healing art of black theatre as an instrument for wholeness in urban communities where entrepreneurial artists of African descent live and work.” In 1983, Dr. Teer expanded the vision of NBT by purchasing a 64,000-square-foot building on 125th Street and Fifth Avenue (renamed “National Black Theatre Way” in 1994). This was the first revenue-generating black arts complex in the country, an innovative arrangement through which for-profit businesses who shared NBT’s spiritual and aesthetic values rented retail space to subsidize the arts. Out of her vision, NBT houses the largest collection of Nigerian new sacred art in the Western hemisphere and is considered the authentic representation of a model whose time has come. NBT is partially supported by grants from the City Council of New York,