Join us for a powerful conversation with two community change makers who are literally transforming lives in the Puget Sound region every single day. Jimmy Brown, Executive Director of Build to Lead (serving 1,800+ students and community members since 2021), and Anthony Curtis, Founder/CEO of Black Equality Coalition, share raw insights on grassroots organizing, youth empowerment, and building sustainable community impact.

What You'll Learn:

How to start serving your community without overthinking it

The difference between direct service and coalition building

Real challenges of securing funding vs. creating impact

Why "jumping off the plane and building the parachute on the way down" works

How to stay connected to your "why" as you grow

Key Programs Discussed:

Build to Lead's POWR framework (Prosperity, Opportunity, Wellness, Empowerment, Resilience)

Workforce development for diversion youth

Community events that grew from 60 to 700+ people

Financial literacy for elementary students

Perfect for: Community organizers, nonprofit leaders, youth workers, anyone wanting to make real change in their neighborhood.

Discover the inspiring journey of Tyrah Majors, morning news anchor at KOMO-TV Seattle, as she shares her path from San Diego child model to major market television success. In this in-depth conversation, Tyrah reveals the strategies behind her career progression from market 125 to market 12, her approach to work-life balance with a 2:30 AM schedule, and how she built multiple revenue streams as a journalist, children's book author, and university professor.

Key Topics Covered:

- Breaking into broadcast journalism and internship strategies

- Navigating market transitions and geographic moves

- Building personal brand while maintaining journalistic integrity

- Managing demanding schedules and self-care practices

- Creating children's books and teaching opportunities

- Representation and diversity in media

When teachers wrote off Ivery Rhodes as "just another Black misguided kid with no future" they had no idea he'd become the change agent our schools desperately need.

Ivery's story isn't just about overcoming obstacles—it's about becoming the mentor he needed, creating the village that raised him, and proving that when you lead with love and high expectations, transformation is inevitable as he serves as a Principal at Garfield High School.

This conversation will challenge how you think about education, community responsibility, and what it really takes to create lasting change.

In this powerful conversation, Assistant Principal Ivery Rhodes breaks down:

✅ Why 58 out of 102 Seattle schools are classified as "highest need"

✅ How he went from homeless to Harvard-level leadership

✅ The real difference between community problems vs school problems

✅ Why there's a critical shortage of Black and brown educators when representation matters most

✅ His blueprint for dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Matt McAlman, drummer for Marshall Law Band and the cinematic folk-pop band OK Tiger, as he shares the real truth about making it in the music industry. Discover how Fremont Fridays transformed from a pandemic necessity in an empty parking lot to one of Seattle's premier music festivals, attracting 650+ artist applications!

Key Topics Covered:

- What it really takes to be in a professional band

- Music industry business advice for aspiring musicians

- The 5-year journey of Fremont Fridays

- OK Tiger's creative process and new music

- Building community through music

- Seattle's music scene insights

Building Champions: The Donald Watts Jr. Method

Ever wonder why Seattle consistently produces elite basketball talent? If you look at the Watts family - you'll find three generations who've helped contribute to the culture of Pacific Northwest basketball from the SuperSonics era to today's college stars.

Why This Matters for Basketball Development:

Donald Watts Jr. isn't just the son of SuperSonics legend Slick Watts or father of Maryland's Isaiah Watts. A former UW basketball great and someone who helped architect one of Seattle's most successful basketball training programs, with a proven track record of developing college-bound players through his revolutionary approach at 'Watts Basketball Academy'.

What You'll Learn About Elite Player Development:

- The exact shooting mechanics that made Donald lead the Pac-10 in three-point percentage

- Why Seattle players have a different basketball IQ than anywhere else in the country

- The training philosophy that consistently produces college scholarship recipients

- How to build fundamentals that translate to elite performance under pressure

- The mental approach that separates good players from great ones

- What college coaches really look for in recruits (insider perspective)

From Puerto Rico to Pacific Northwest Hip-Hop Royalty - This is the "BeatsByCotto" Story

In this episode, we sit down with Cotto (BeatsByCotto), the producer behind hits for 'BigXThePlug', Afroman, 03 Greedo, LaRussell and many more. Discover how he transformed from a college soccer player to accumulating 850+ production credits in just 5 years.

What You'll Learn:

- How the 2020 pandemic became his breakthrough moment

- The internship at Sage Studios that changed everything for him

- Why he believes "scared money don't make money"

- His approach to building authentic artist relationships

- The business side of beat making and royalties

- Why in-person collaboration beats remote work

and so much more...

Join in on an in-depth conversation between Robel and LexScope, Seattle's newly appointed Film Commissioner (Position 8) and founder of 'Scope Screenings', Seattle's premier film festival.

In this conversation, we dive deep into his journey from videographer to city leader, the evolution of Scope Screenings from 50 to 300+ attendees, and his mission to bridge the gap between grassroots creators and major productions.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

- How to submit to film festivals using FilmFreeway

- The real role of a Seattle Film Commissioner

- Building community over personal brand

- Season 4 of Scope Screenings (June-December 2025)

- Creating access for underrepresented filmmakers

Ernest Kelly III went from struggling to find Black-owned businesses in Seattle to founding the Seattle Black Business Network - one of the most influential community organizations in the Pacific Northwest. In this powerful conversation, Ernest shares the exact blueprint he used to build a thriving business community from scratch.

🔥 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

✅ How to build a business network with zero connections

✅ The Malcolm X principle that changed his entire approach

✅ Why 15% of Seattle's population owns less than 5% of businesses

✅ Step-by-step community building strategies that actually work

✅ How to turn personal frustration into profitable opportunities

✅ The "performance mindset" that drives daily success

✅ Why being introverted is actually a business superpower

✅ How to get mentors before spending money on your business

🎯 PERFECT FOR:

Aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build networks

Business owners wanting to grow their community

Anyone moving to a new city and building connections

Community leaders and organizers

Black entrepreneurs seeking inspiration and strategy

Small business owners in competitive markets

Season 2 kicks off with a powerful conversation about balancing entrepreneurial ambition with personal well-being!

Join host Robel Andmicael as he sits down with Chase Linder (Acre Media) and Patrick Smith (Graduated Money) to discuss:

- The real cost of grinding without boundaries

- How fitness transformed their business mindset

- Breaking the cycle of burnout culture

- Building sustainable success habits

"I don't compete in the same arena as everyone else. I run my own track."

Meet Jaebadiah Gardner, the force behind 'Gardner Global' who's redefining what it means to develop real estate with purpose and cultural integrity. In this powerful conversation, Jaebadiah shares the wisdom gained from his remarkable journey—from humble beginnings to becoming one of Seattle's most innovative developers.

What does it take to build wealth that transcends generations? How can buildings honor cultural legacy while creating new opportunities? Jaebadiah tackles these questions with refreshing honesty and hard-earned insight, revealing the principles that have guided his success against all odds.

His story will inspire you to think differently about wealth, community, and what it means to create spaces where people truly belong. This is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and staying true to your roots while building something revolutionary.

ENTREPRENEUR GOLD you can't miss:

• The counterintuitive reason why starting during a recession became his secret weapon

• His "work first, play later" philosophy that separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest

• The four wealth pillars that matter more than your bank account

(and how to build them from scratch)

• Why he says most people claiming to be "developers" are actually disrespecting the craft