Walk With TFB

During this walk, Shannon talks to us about how creation is a personal process.  

A Georgia native, Shannon left the Peach State and earned her Bachelor degrees in Business Administration and Communication Studies from the University of Alabama. While at Bama, she was in the Honors college and worked as an orientation leader and peer leader - experiences that led her to the University of Georgia where she earned her Master’s degree in College Student Affairs Administration. 

Shannon is multilayered and truly embodies what it means to be “more than a millennial.” Her purpose journey is guided by questions rooted in identity, self-discovery, and values-congruent decision making - a combination that drives her Wandering to Myself platform. Through her platform, you can create your own birthday challenge, participate in the Wanderers’ Corner conversations and events, and learn more about how you can make space for rest in this current season of your life. 

Earlier this year, our guest founded Hair Made Simple - whose self-expressed vision is to create space for the Black community to shift their perspective and embrace their hair with courage, confidence, and clarity. Driven by their four core values of education, empowerment, exploration, and community, each experience is uniquely tailored to address your individual needs. 

Let's listen to how Shannon pushes past fear while keeping center with herself.

Shannon's IG: @WanderingToMyself  

Shannon's Website: www.WanderingToMyself.com  

Hair Made Simple IG: @YourHairMadeSimple 

Hair Made Simple Website 

Shannon's Team!

Social Media Content & Strategy: Jasmine Jennings, @jasjennings

Black owned Hair Products 

Alaffia - https://www.alaffia.com 

Mielle Organics - https://mielleorganics.com/ 

Melanin Hair Care - https://melaninhaircare.com 

The Natural Hair Shop - https://www.naturalhairshop.com 

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB 

Walk With TFB Website

During this walk, Maya and Kelly tell us how Black businesses are radical acts of defiance. 

Born and raised in New Jersey as childhood friends, they left their hometown to attend college in the City of Brotherly Love. Though they studied and earned degrees in engineering and marketing respectively, their time in Philadelphia grew their love for plants, plant life, and plant care.

Maya and Kelly firmly believe that the process of buying and caring for plants should be a personalized experience - one that big box stores do not adequately provide. In Spring 2020, they chose to create deVINE Plantery - a Black women owned plant store whose goal is to make plant care a part of your self-care ritual.

Drake has turned his birthday into a lifestyle. And these women are on a similar mission to turn plant care into a lifestyle as well.

Instagram: @devine.plantery

Facebook: /devineplantery

Crowdfunding: https://ifundwomen.com/projects/devine-plantery-retail-store

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

Walk With TFB Website

During this walk, Anissa reminds us that we are capable of more than we think. 

A PG county native, Anissa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park. While at UMD, she was a four-year starter on the women’s soccer team and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) executive board member. She also worked multiple part-time jobs and was the programming intern with the Maryland Made student-athlete development team in Summer 2020.

In January 2021, she took her creativity and discipline to entrepreneurial life and started Artistic Confections. Artistic Confections is a business dedicated to creating chocolate covered treats for any occasion! All of their treat boxes are custom made to order with fresh strawberries. As a former client, I can attest that her treats hit different.

Don't wait. Do it now. Let's walk! 

Anissa IG: @nissababyyy_

Artistic Confections IG: @artistic_confections

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

Walk With TFB Website

During this walk, Niccara explains how to use your business to generate cultural community impact. 

California born and Baltimore bred, Niccara earned her Bachelor’s degree in African American studies from the University of Maryland, College Park. While at UMD, she was highly engaged in student life and within the local community. Her involvement included but was not limited to the National Council of Negro Women, Student Government Association, City Year, and Congressional Intern for the US House of Representatives. Her student leadership prepared her to pursue a career in the political zoo that is the District of Columbia.

In 2015, Niccara founded the lifestyle brand, called “The Urban Tea”. The Urban Tea is a space to find the best of city living no matter the city, while also thriving and trying to find the light. Our guest is also the founder of Urban Charcuterie and Black Girls and Boards - two brands that center Black women and charcuterie boards. The Urban Tea, Urban Charcuterie, and Black Girls and Boards are all nested under Sonny Langford, LLC - which we discuss on this episode. 

Niccara IG: @TheUrbanTea

Urban Charcuterie: https://linktr.ee/urbancharcuterie 

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

Walk With TFB Website

During this walk, Resa explains the importance of white allyship in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work. 

A PG county native, Resa competed as a student-athlete at Hampton University, where she earned her Bachelor’s in sport management. She went on to earn her Master’s degree from Old Dominion University before continuing her professional career at George Mason, University of Oregon, and the University of Maryland, College Park.

It’s unlikely you’ve never heard of Resa because her presence and leadership has graced countless committees, task forces, and coalitions in higher education over the last decade. But in October 2020, she became the founder and CEO of RBL Theory, LLC.

RBL Theory, LLC is a consulting agency that works with higher education institutions, corporate businesses, and other organizations to create inclusive workplaces. When you work with RBL Theory, all services are built to meet the specific needs of your organization and community.

Connect with Resa on all platforms here: https://linktr.ee/rbltheory

RBL Theory, LLC website: www.RBLTheory.com

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

Walk With TFB Website

During this walk, Dr. Cierra encourages us to both take up space and creates it. 

Today we are walking with a social justice educator, creative entrepreneur, and movement and meditation instructor.

A New Jersey native and WaWa lover, she earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Rutgers University - Douglass Residential College. While at Rutgers, she competed on the University Dance Team, interned with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, and represented The Garden State at the 2014 Miss America competition after becoming the second woman of color to secure the title of Miss New Jersey. She went on to earn her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from George Washington University and in March 2021, she successfully defended her dissertation and became a doctor.

In 2019, she founded Unlock Your Story -- whose mission is to help us tap into our own stories to unlock the message we’re meant to share bravely with the world. Through connection, equity, truth-telling, and empowerment -- they will build a global community of storytellers committed to transformational healing, justice, and narrative change.

When she’s not being invited to speak at the White House or delivering a TED Talk, you can find Cierra doing yoga, traveling, and eating Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream.

But without further ado, y'all help me welcome, Dr. Cierra Kaler-Jones.

Dr. Cierra Kaler-Jones Website: https://www.cierrakalerjones.com/ 

Unlock Your Story IG: @UnlockYourStory 

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

Walk With TFB Website

During this walk, Tasha tells us why Black Girls in Media is a God thing. 

A Charlotte native, Tasha is a community expert, social media strategist, and serial entrepreneur. 

Tasha graduated from North Carolina A&T where she earned her Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations While at A&T, she was involved with the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter, The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and was initiated into the Alpha Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She went on to her Master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from New York University and recently earned her certificate in Entrepreneurship Essentials from Harvard Business School Online.

Tasha's professional work experiences have allowed her to live in both NYC and Los Angeles - as she’s worked with Comedy Central, BET, VH1, and Blavity. But her leadership and creativity created something new. And in February 2018, she became the founder and Executive Director of Black Girls in Media. Black Girls in Media is a networking organization committed to support and uplift minority women in the media industry. Since its inception, Black Girls in Media has amassed over 60k followers on IG and has placed 200 of their members in new media job roles.

She’s a virgo, she’s sensitive about her shit, and she connects people to their dream career.

And we’re extremely excited she decided to connect and walk with us on this episode.

Connect with Tasha on IG! @TashJMackk

Black Girls in Media Instagram: @BlackGirlsinMedia 

Black Girls in Media Website

The Launch Program Instagram: @TheLaunchProgram 

The Launch Program Website 

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

Walk With TFB Website

During this walk, Tim explains why it's no coincidence that all of the guests this season are Black women. 

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

Walk With TFB Website

During this walk, Mia discusses the importance of marketing your Black owned business. 

A Georgia native, Mia moved to Boone (NC) where she earned her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Appalachian State University. While at App State, she competed on the women’s basketball team and gained meaningful work experience in several different organizations. While working in college athletics, Mia went on to earn her Master’s degree in Sport Administration from Arkansas State University.

During the pandemic, Mia lived turned her quarantine dream into reality and founded her Black owned business, Sculpt Me Body Works. Sculpt Me Body Work is home to small batch handcrafted skincare products that are natural, organic, safe and free of parabens, mineral oils, and other harsh chemicals. Her entrepreneurial spirit carried into 2021, when she co-founded Thick Fit. Thick Fit is an athleisure brand created to inspire women to celebrate their body and look cute while doing it.

She calls herself an introvert, but Mia's energy is contagious and her purpose is lighting up the world

Sculpt Me Body Works Website // IG: @SculptMeBodyWorks

Thick Fit Website // IG: @ThickFitTheBrand

Mia's LinkedIn Profile 

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

Walk With TFB Website

During this walk, Kiara speaks to us about what it means to have a money mindset. 

A New Jersey native, Kiara started her college career at The College of New Jersey before transferring to Rutgers. While at Rutgers, she sang in the gospel choir, interned for Atlantic Records, and worked in the athletic department en route to earning her Bachelor’s in Communication and Africana Studies from Rutgers University. She also earned her Masters in Health Communication from Rutgers before earning her Masters in Sport Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Her diverse work experiences reflect her passion for education. As a result, Kiara founded her own business entitled “AForEffort, LLC.” AForEffort, LLC is committed to financial literacy and entrepreneurship education with a deliberate emphasis on empowering communities of color. She is also the creator and author of The Adventures of the Money Mavens brand - a platform that brings cultures together through bi-lingual coloring books that educate children and families about the basics of financial management, generational wealth, and entrepreneurship.

There are jacks of all trades and then there is Kiara McClendon. As a self-proclaimed “Greatness Enthusiast,” we are excited to walk with her and listen to how she helps others shine their lights unapologetically.

Exceptional Athlete: www.exceptionalathlete.com // IG: @ExceptionalAthlete

The Adventures of the Money Ravens: www.moneyravenscrew.com // IG: @AdventuresOfTheMoneyMavens 

Podcast IG and Twitter: @WalkWithTFB

Walk With TFB Website