Rodan, also known as Daniel Ross, is a Memphis-based artist that focuses on telling the story of the Black American journey through art. He was educated at Tennessee State University and Memphis College of Art. Over the years he has perfected the use of hard to soft graphite and clay on cold press board, striving to make his work appear photo realistic. Through a technique he calls “loose realism”, Rodan exhibits control but not controlled paintings that will never let us forget the contributions of those who have paved the way for us in civil rights, music, literature and culture. Listen to how hip hop totally transformed Rodan's technique and purpose.

Westwood, TN native Sedrick Askew is the founder of Impact Lyfe Media. Attending one of the prominent high schools by the name of Westwood High, he knew early on that media was his calling by having a camera placed in his hand as early as 13. After graduating in 2004 and attending University of Memphis, media took a major role in his life by filming multiple shows hosted by the school as well as the school's many organizations. During his time at UofM he found a new love and profession of Photography as he earned his BA degree and Masters in Special Education. After graduating he became a SPED teacher for Memphis City Schools, after 3 years in the profession he took a major leap of faith by becoming a business owner, which goes by the name Impact Lyfe Media.

Take a listen as Sedrick shares how the landscape of photography has changed through technology and social media. You will also learn about some of his pet peeves when it comes to clients in addition to how he's been profiting off of "REELS" on Instagram.

Originally from Washington D.C., Attorney Lee Rankin now calls Memphis, TN her home. Lee is the proud visionary and creator of the boutique law firm, Lee Rankin Group, serving clients in music tech, virtual reality, social media influencers and legal marketing as it pertains to the metaverse.

In this episode, you'll learn the how and the why Lee planted roots in Memphis wanting to fill the gap with black creators finding opportunities in the tech space. Lee shares how it all began with an Aunt who held executive leadership in Marketing at BET. This began her appetite for the entertainment space in addition to meeting her first child's father, Dallas Austin, as a freshman at Spelman College. Although the definition of an entertainment lawyer back in the early nineties consisted of being a white male, Lee pushed through and broke barriers to enter into this field. Her circle consisted of many celebrities as she climbed the ranks and learned the lay of the land.

Lee provides much advice surrounding the process of reinventing yourself and having a strong team. She also shares the importance of financial literacy and quite a few women that have shaped her career.

Born and raised in Greenville, Ms, Michael Jefferson is the founder of JeffBow Enterprises LLC starting in 2018. He began this journey as a master barber and in 2020 he moved to Memphis and stepped out on faith and formed 901 Barber Concierge, Memphis' only luxury mobile barbershop under JeffBow Enterprises LLC. Take a listen as Michael walks us through on WHY he began this new concept and some of the lessons he learned surrounding the competition within the hair and beauty industry. He also talks about how God has turned his life that was once filled with crime into a life of success and intention.

On Sunday, September 25th, JeffBow Enterprises will launch their first BSNEM (barbers, stylists, nail techs, estheticians and mua) Industry Trade Show and Mixer at the Great Hall in Germantown TN. This is an all day event, hosted by Ena Esco of the Verbally Effective Podcast, that will highlight the industry professionals that usually get passed over for the big breaks.

South Memphis native Chris McNeil a.k.a. DJ Superman keeps Memphis motivated as the voice of middays at KXHT Hot 107.1FM in addition to the producer of the Morning Show Hustle. Growing up at College and Mclemore street, DJ Superman had a close connection with the community with both Stax and LeMoyne Owen College nearby. He followed his mother's footsteps and attended both Memphis Catholic High School and later matriculated to LeMoyne Owen College where he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. His father, mother and uncle exposed him to a plethora of music at a very young age taking him to jazz concerts in addition to Prince, Rick James and Parliament shows. Once he entered into the radio space, DJ Superman had a musically trained ear for all genres. Take a listen as DJ Superman shares plenty of gems encompassing history, music and Memphis. You can also catch DJ Superman at his new residency in downtown Memphis every Thursday and Friday night from 6-9pm at Caption by Hyatt Beale Street for "The Corporate Connection."

It's been three years since Jerica Phillips and I first chatted about sisterhood and balancing motherhood. Now a Verbally Effective alum, Jerica gets a chance to finally open up about the price of popularity and what's next in her career. We discuss mental health, substance abuse, single parenting, new beginnings, special needs advocacy, Serena Williams legacy, and more.

A Memphis native and legacy SCS graduate, Jerica earned a Communications and Broadcast Journalism degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Her accomplishments have catapulted her to a position of trust and admiration. Throughout her career, she has unapologetically advocated for educational equity and access. From becoming a recognizable and credible face in local news to serving as a parent-advocate on the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis, to graduating with the 2021 Executive Class of Leadership Memphis and being honored as Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professionals, she has embraced her ability to authentically engage people and uniquely influence stories.

If you haven't checked out my guest for Ep 224 media platform Unapologetically Memphis yet you're definitely missing out on Memphis culture. Marques Cook is the creator and CEO of Unapologetically Memphis media platforms. Deeply rooted in Orange Mound, White Haven and Olive Branch, Marques began the Unapologetically Memphis platform in 2019 wanting to bring the culture of Memphis together similar to Dr. King's Dream. The socials have risen to over 65K followers as of today and growing.Take a listen as Marques tells the story of how and why he began the platform and how the Who's Who of Memphis are engaged. You'll discover what a day in the life of managing such a huge account entails and some of the daily feedback he receives. Get ready because in another month Marques is planning to launch the The Unapologetically Memphis podcast.

South Memphis native, Bertram Williams Jr. is my guest for episode 223. You may be familiar with Bertram as he plays the character "Woddy" on P-Valley Starz. You may also be familiar with Bertram as he very active in the theatre community in Memphis playing a very active role on stage with Hattiloo Theatre. Take a listen as Bertram shares his story of entering into the world of performing arts which prepared him for the big screen. You'll also learn that Bertram is a huge proponent for sustaining our planet. Through his work with Mama's Sundry, he's continuing his fight for healthy food and viable food production systems in the mid-south. Bertram is proudly rooted in South Memphis with his beautiful wife Talibah Safiya finding creative ways to reach the community.

On episode 222, we are LIVE in the WYXR studio on the radio airwaves with Memphis-based interior designer, content creator and lifestyle blogger Carmeon Hamilton. She is the winner of HGTV’s Design Star: Next Gen and star of HGTV’s Reno My Rental. Her 15 years of experience in multiple facets of the design industry, from public health-care to residential to retail and merchandising, is the foundation of her work in discovering the beauty in all things and helping others find beauty in what surrounds them every day. Her work, story and content around design, business and branding and elevating the everyday are featured and referenced in Architectural Digest, Southern Living, Essence, Domino and more. She’s often asked to share her insights and opinions by way of podcast interviews or panel discussions with major industry associations, such as Popsugar and Ballard Designs. Take a listen as Carmeon so beautifully shares her amazing journey that includes her process of creating Reno My Rental in Memphis, managing multiple personal projects,the tragic loss of her husband Marcus and how she's highly sought out now in the speaker circuit.

North Memphis native, Shahidah Jones is my guest for Ep 221 of the Verbally Effective Podcast. Shay comes from a huge family consisting of Smokey City, Hurt Village, New Chicago and more. Half of her family is of the Islam faith which is the cornerstone of her organizing efforts. She tells us of her time at Austin Peay University where she encountered much adversity while earning her degree. Upon graduation, Shay shares her journey which encompasses working as a waitress at Ebony and Lace which deeply humanized her. She later worked her way through call centers and entered the corporate world working in Marketing at FedEx. Shay felt that the titles and money was not fulfilling her purpose. When she entered her 40’s life changed and she started paying attention to some of the grass roots organizations and started doing work in the community. However, it was the death of Darrius Stewart that totally changed the trajectory of her organizing and activist work. Take a listen as Shay breaks down the predatory criminal justice system in Memphis and her thoughts on the recent District Attorney race. She’s currently active in the Black Lives Matter Memphis Chapter working towards improvement on bail bonds, transformative justice trainings, voter registration programs, end money bail campaign and the Freedom Singers Fellowship. You can also catch Shay managing Tyke T’s career and promoting his new album, “Written by Tyke T” in addition to planning DreamFest 2023.