When Ebony Johnson Cooper noticed how few Black-led nonprofits were being funded, she decided to do something about it. As the founder and Executive Director of the Young, Black, and Giving Back Institute (YBGB), she’s leading a movement that’s empowering the next generation of Black philanthropists and closing the racial funding gap in the nonprofit sector. 

Whether you're a nonprofit leader seeking funding opportunities, someone passionate about giving back, or simply curious about how to make a meaningful impact in your community, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration that will transform how you think about philanthropy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How giving circles work and why pooling resources creates greater impact
• The real reasons why Black-led organizations struggle to access funding 
• The significance of August 28th in Black History and why the day is the largest in funding for Black-led nonprofits
• How Millennials and Gen Z are redefining giving
• Practical ways to give back regardless of income level

Connect with Ebonie:
Website → youngblackgivingback.org | give828.org
LinkedIn  → @eboniejohnsoncooper
IG → @ybgb_institute

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
Catch the latest newsletter and share your favorite moments with me.
Join here →  kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson
TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri

🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here

What happens when you build a business around purpose instead of profit? In this inspiring episode, Keri kicks back with Brian Taylor, founder and CEO of Goldiata Creative, a Baltimore-based social impact marketing agency helping mission-driven brands amplify their message and measure their impact.

Brian shares how he went from playing football to founding a 7-figure agency, and why he believes real success is measured by how much good you do, not just how much you earn.

This episode dives into his journey, the lessons learned along the way, and how he’s helping organizations use marketing to create real community change.

In this episode, you’ll takeaway:

• Why choosing purpose over profit can still lead to incredible financial growth
• How to build a company culture that aligns with your mission and values
• The biggest marketing mistakes small business make and how to fix them
• How data and storytelling work together to create measurable social impact

Connect with Brian:
Website → goldiata.agency
LinkedIn → @briantaylor0

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
Catch the latest newsletter and share your favorite moments with me.
Join here →  kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson
TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri

🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here

How does a TikTok creator turn his passion for Black-owned brands into the #1 marketplace for Black-owned spirits?

In this episode, Keri sits down with Charles Everett, the founder of urfriendcharles.com, to share how he built a thriving e-commerce platform, one bottle at a time.

Charles opens up about how his idea started during the pandemic, what it takes to build partnerships in a highly regulated industry, and how he’s helping consumers discover and shop hundreds of Black-owned liquor, wine, and non-alcoholic brands.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The challenges of launching an e-commerce platform 
• The unthinkable hurdles and costs small businesses face to launch their spirits products
• Why non-alcoholic beverages are becoming more popular
• How to use A.I. to enhance shopper experiences 
• The power of community and collaboration in brand growth. 

A portion of all proceeds from UrFriendCharles, including purchase will go directly to GOODProjects, a Washington, D.C nonprofit breaking the cycle of generational poverty by helping families and youth create self-sufficient lives.

Connect With Charles
Website → @urfriendcharles.com
IG  → @urfriendcharles
TikTok → @urfriendcharles

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
Catch the latest newsletter and share your favorite moments with me.
Join here →  kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson
TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri

🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here

In this episode, we’re diving deep into personal branding, career ownership, and the power of visibility with marketing strategist and LinkedIn expert Portia Obeng.

From graduating during the recession to becoming a sought-after speaker and personal brand coach, Portia shares how she went from marketing products to helping people market themselves. We talk about why relying on job security is no longer enough, how to build a strong personal brand that opens doors, and the importance of being seen, especially for Black women navigating corporate spaces.

You’ll learn:

• How to define your personal brand and communicate your value
• The biggest mistakes people make on LinkedIn (and how to fix them)
• How to show up online without feeling like you’re “bragging”
• Ways to build a professional network and get noticed for new opportunities
• Why joy, community, and creativity are essential parts of career growth

Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or building your own lane, this episode will inspire you to own your story, show up confidently, and take control of your career narrative.

Connect with Porita:
Website → portiaobeng.com
LinkedIn → @portiaobeng

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
Catch the latest newsletter and share your favorite moments with me.
Join here →  kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson
TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri

🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here

In this solo episode, Keri pulls back the curtain on how The Kickback with Keri came to life; from a spontaneous newsletter idea to a full platform amplifying founders, creatives, and change-makers who are building something bigger than themselves.

What started as a passion project became a space for connection, culture, and community. Keri opens up about her pivot from a career in fashion styling to launching a media platform that celebrates Black-owned brands, spotlights purpose-driven entrepreneurs, and creates space for joy, representation, and progress.

Tune in to hear:

• The real story behind The Kickback — and why community building matters now more than ever
• How Keri turned curiosity into a thriving brand in three years
• Why amplifying Black voices and small businesses is a form of economic empowerment
• The power of building platforms rooted in purpose, not pressure

Whether you’re a founder, creative, or someone finding your next chapter, this episode will remind you that sometimes the best things are built by accident and sustained by community.

💌 Join Keri’s Newsletter for brand spotlights, culture recs & tools to grow:
👉🏽 kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson | TikTok → @thekickbackwithkeri

🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here

After wrapping up an interview, the conversation kept flowing—and what unfolded was too real not to share. In this bonus episode, Keri opens up about:

• How she got started in fashion styling and why she chased that dream all the way to LA
• What it really felt like to walk away from a 10-year pursuit when passion faded
• The importance of community, and why it ultimately shaped her next chapter
• How The Kickback came to be and where she sees it going in the future

This is a story about pivots, letting go, and choosing purpose over titles. If you’ve ever felt like you were at a crossroads in your career or questioning what’s next, this episode will remind you that it’s okay to evolve and start fresh.

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
Catch the latest newsletter and share your favorite moments with me.
Join here →  kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson
TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri

🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here

Season 3 of The Kickback With Keri is here! 

This season is intentionally curated to spotlight founders, creatives, and change-makers who are building something bigger than themselves and creating impact that lasts. In between guest episodes, you’ll catch reflective moments from behind the scenes, real-time lessons, and unfiltered takes on the journey of building and becoming.

It’s time to kick back for season 3!

💌 Join Keri’s Newsletter for brand spotlights, culture recs & tools to grow:
👉🏽 kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson | TikTok → @thekickbackwithkeri

Enjoyed this convo?
 → Tag @kerilhenderson + @thekickbackwithkeri with your favorite takeaway
→ Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. It helps other people in our community find this podcast

What happens when you choose peace over the pressure to hustle? 

In this hot take with Jlani Jewels Founder Lani Nesbitt, we talk about her decision to leave New York City, the epicenter of grind culture and the fashion industry, for a slower, more intentional life in Miami. 

We dive into the mental health wake-up call, how quality of life became a non-negotiable, and the surprising ways this shift helped her business grow. If you've ever questioned the 9-to-5 grind or wondered what success could look like on your own terms, this one’s for you.

Listen to full episode here.

Connect with Lani Nesbit & JLANI Jewels:
Website → jlanijewels.com
Instagram → @jlanijewels

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
Catch the latest newsletter and share your favorite moments with me.
Join here →  kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson
TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri

🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here

What does it really take to build a meaningful community, especially when you're competing with attention spans, and social media noise?

In this hot take, I kickback with CoTripper founder Krystin Hargrove to talk about the challenges of building a community. From starting small to creating a safe space, we unpack why real connection takes time, intention, and ownership. You’ll learn what most people get wrong and why access to your community outside of social media is not optional.

Listen to the full episode here.

Connect with Krystin Hargrove:
Website → cotripper.co
IG  → @cotripper
TikTok → @cotripper
YouTube → @cotripper

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
Catch the latest newsletter and share your favorite moments with me.
Join here →  kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson
TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri

🖤 Enjoying the podcast?
Leave a tip here.

When it comes to sales you don’t need a fancy script, someone else’s blueprint, or hours of YouTube University. In this week’s hot take, Renee Goings, current Director of Operations at Done Dissertation shares what truly works when it comes to converting potential clients.

Renee reveals her number one sales strategy and her surprising goal on discovery calls. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or creative entrepreneur, this clip will help you rethink what it really means to "sell."

Listen to full episode: https://bit.ly/kickbackwithkeri-reneegoings

Connect with Renee Goings:
Website → thedonedissertation.com
Instagram → @donedisscoach
LinkedIn → @donedissertation
YouTube → @donedissertation

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
Catch the latest newsletter and share your favorite moments with me.
Join here →  kerihenderson.com/newsletter

📲 Stay in the loop:
Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson
TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri

🖤 Enjoying the podcast?
Leave a tip here