Verbally Effective

Growing up in Cherokee Heights as an only child, Rachel Knox has always had a love for the arts. It was no surprise she thrived in theatre arts while attending Houston High School and later majored in Fine Arts with a concentration in Costume Design and Technology at the University of Memphis. Upon graduation, Rachel accepted a role with Arena Stage in DC where she mastered the craft of the creative effects of audience strategy. A year later, she moved back to Memphis as the Manager of Teacher Professional Development and Community Partnerships at the Orpheum Theatre. Rachel currently serves as the Program Officer for the Thriving Arts and Culture and Engaged Leadership and Civic Pride portfolios at Hyde Family Foundation where she manages approximately $2.2M/year in grants to area non-profits. In addition, Rachel is the Board President of the CLTV (Collective) a non-profit Black cultural organization.

On this episode, Rachel expresses her passion for using culture creatives as a springboard to invest in black communities. She also addresses the inequities our artists face as it relates to paying artists their worth. Now that we are in a global pandemic, it is definitely time to respect the labor that goes into the work creatives do. Lastly, Rachel coveys her thoughts on the recent lynching of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement.

East St. Louis, IL native Cory Sparks has built a well-respected name among media and entertainment influencers over the past twenty years. Growing up in the inner city and traveling heavily during his upbringing, Cory was an athlete in school who always had an interest in music. His entry into the business was through radio where he doubled as an on-air talent and promotions manager in Nashville. Cory gravitated heavily towards the promotions side of the business and eventually started his own business, Spark Brand, LLC. He is currently the Directory of National Urban Promotions at Epic Records making him an emerging industry leader to watch.

On the podcast, Cory takes us through his music journey and speaks with in depth knowledge on the power of relationships, consistency and many lessons learned. We also touch on how the landscape of the industry has drastically changed due to COVID19. Lastly, Cory shares his thoughts on the tragic killing of George Floyd.

Originally from Fairfax, VA, essayist and memoirist Leta McCollough Seletzky is deeply rooted in Memphis, TN. At the tender age of three she moved to the city known as the home of the blues with her mom who worked as a reporter for the Commercial Appeal. After graduating from Craigmont High School, Leta ventured off to college as Political Science and French major at Northwestern University. She later entered into law school in Washington DC and suddenly felt the need to tell her father's story. This precious memoir took a few years to begin as Leta's life was uprooted due to her husband's job moving the entire family overseas to Central Asia in Kazakhstan. Her international travels did not end there with the next move being in Nigeria which is the sovereign country located in West Africa. The year was 2014 that brought about a major plot twist for Leta's life as she and her family was nestling into their new world in Lagos. The Ebola outbreak struck which caused Leta to uproot yet again and move to the states in Lake Tahoe, NV. Despite the emotional and psychological challenges this caused, Leta enrolled into a creative writing class and started producing pieces that were published in a plethora of notable publications such as O, The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times and The Atlantic just to name a few.

In this podcast, you will discover how Leta was finally able to begin writing the story of her father that tells the story behind his involvement in the CIA and why he is pictured in a famous photo at the time of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination. You will also learn that Leta is a mission-based writer raising three boys along with her husband. She truly feels that writers should tell their stories and provides some of the best advice I have heard to get you started.

South Memphis native Crystal Mercedes has been making waves since hitting the DJ scene in 2008. Although her aunt and uncle were djs, playing the baritone at Colonial Middle School and being on the Color Guard at Overton High School was where her love and understanding for music began to broaden. She entered UT Chattanooga as a Communications major and started djing in August of 2008. Crystal admits it was a rough start but later discovered she did not have be in the clubs to dj. She was booked for many corporate and school events, which became her practice ground. After graduation, Crystal pursued her MBA in marketing in Atlanta while working two interns; one being in the fashion industry. Her transition back to Memphis was faced with quite a few challenges trying to enter into both the media and dj world. What you will learn from this podcast is that Crystal never compromised her originality by conforming. She learned very early how to say "NO" and took huge risks in doing so. She fully believes that women djs deserves to be in the forefront and works hard to continue flourishing as the "The Runway DJ."

You may be familiar with the Directory of Business Diversity and Compliance for the City of Memphis, Joann Massey. However, do you know about Lil JoJo from North Memphis? There is so much behind a name that it deserves a podcast to tell the entire story. Raised by her Godparents in New Chicago, Joann faced desegregation along with many other traumatic events and transitions. As she entered high school, she felt misunderstood as many of us do when we are not allowed to be our authentic selves. This feeling resonated with Joann as she navigated through life and entered college where she made a true connection at LeMoyne Owen College with her black heritage. As she climbed the ranks in her professional career, Joann was charged with the challenge of increasing minority spend as the Director of Business Diversity and Compliance with the City of Memphis. In this role, Joann and her team have been able to build a system designed to enrich and provide the needed tools for minority businesses to do business with the city. As we navigate through the novel coronavirus pandemic, her office is currently working virtually providing programs and funding to assist small businesses during these dire times. Joann's journey is one that demonstrates how hard work and determination can put you in unimaginable rooms to thrive.

From launching his business, Massage on the Go, when he was 25 to now having more than 450 therapists in 50 states, Samuel Nelson has proven that hard work and resilience are key ingredients in the recipe for success. Sam grew up in the Bethel Grove community playing football for White Station HS and hustling bootleg cds, candy and gucci apparel out of his trunk. Although he attended college as a bio-chemical major, Sam told his parents he was leaving college for a year to attend massage school. That is when the trajectory of his life changed in many ways. Not only has Sam built a massage empire, he's always carried Orange Mound in his heart and continues to give back through the Mound Collection. Take a listen to Sam's journey and how COVID19 has affected his massage business.

It's not often that your backup plan becomes the Master Plan. This is exactly what happened to entrepreneur Megan Mottley. Her daughter was preparing to attend an international school trip to Japan and Megan started a fundraiser selling cookies that manifested into an empire.

Growing up in North Memphis, Megan was very studious and involved in extracurricular activities at Raleigh Egypt High School. She is a graduate of University of Memphis and decided to teach after graduation. Her English background kicked into full gear when she decided to create Divine Magazine where she interviewed the likes of Moziah Bridges of Mo's Bows and gospel singer Jekalyn Carr.

Fast forward to today you can find Megan fully engaged in building her cookie empire. Goodness Gracious Luxe Cookies has been operating for three years and is slated to launch a Virtual Summer Camp for kids starting in May. Tune and take a listen to Megan's amazing journey.

Chef Desmond Robinson (Chef D.Arthur) is a native of Memphis, TN by way of Whitehaven. Coming from a family of amazing culinary talent, cooking has been a passion of his since he was a child. After graduating from the University of Memphis in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, D.Arthur went through a period in life where he had to figure things out before beginning his culinary education at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Following a short time in Atlanta, he went on to obtain a Masters degree in Higher Education Administration from Louisiana State University. D.Arthur is now the Owner of D.Arthur’s Catering. D.Arthur’s Catering is a full service catering company in the Memphis area that offers services for weddings, showers, reunions, corporate events, private dinners, healthy meals, cooking lessons, and any other culinary need. D. Arthur’s Catering specializes in putting a unique twist on some of your favorite comfort dishes. Chef D.Arthur has spent the last couple of years as a Private/Personal Chef for members of the Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, and Indianapolis Pacers. Currently, Chef D.Arthur is a food blogger, speaker, etiquette coach, and personal chef who travels the world for various clients. He is currently resides in New York.

In this season of uncertainty we have a newfound respect for our educators. Meet Angela Janelle Jones! A graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelors in English, a Master’s in Education from Union University and currently a Doctor of Education candidate at the University of Memphis, Angela is a stellar individual: personally and professionally. In 2013, She took a leap of faith to start her own family preparatory academy-Paideia Preparatory Academy. Prior to her entrepreneur journey, Mrs. Jones was the Special Projects Manager for a local Smithsonian Affiliate Museum of five years. She also actively serves on the Advisory Council for Early Childhood at The University of Memphis. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her excellence and quality.

Take a listen as Angela and I discuss the importance of taking advantage of this precious time we now have. Although COVID19 has infiltrated our lives, there is so much to be thankful for. Our kids need us more than ever as many parents have been thrust into educating from home. Angela has used this time to launch her first book entitled "The Art of Family Childcare" in addition to expansion.

My guest for episode 114 is Dr. Stacy L. Spencer, Senior Pastor of New Direction Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, a multi-site congregation with church plants in Collierville, TN, and Idutywa, South Africa.

Take a listen as Dr. Spencer speaks of his humble beginnings in the 80's working in tobacco fields in rural Olmstead, Kentucky. He learned many life skills growing up but most of all empathy for others. As a student in high school, he was involved in a plethora of activities including football, track, band and speech. West Kentucky University was where he later attended college as a broadcast major pledging Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. It was his junior year when he received his calling from God. After graduation, he attended seminary school and later moved to Memphis, TN as a youth pastor with Mississippi Blvd Church. In 2001, Dr. Spencer stepped out on faith and began a radical church by the name of New Direction Christian Church that has grown rapidly going from 60 to 10,000 members in 10 years. Although those numbers have astronomically grown since then, Dr. Spencer has laid a fruitful foundation in the Hickory Hill area with Power Center CDC. This multi-million-dollar community model includes a middle school, performing arts center, wellness center, retail spaces and housing.

As we settle into a new normal with the ongoing threat of the coronavirus, Dr. Spencer shares his thoughts on how this virus relates to the Bible referencing Psalms 21 and a few others. He echoes the fact that God is getting our attention as we undergo a mass healing of sorts via self-quarantine. Dr. Spencer reminds us of the importance of Faith during these days. He also shares that although the doors of the church are physically closed, church is still in session. Enjoy.