Ever wondered how military skills translate into successful entrepreneurship? Meet Benjamin Pratt, the brains behind TapRack Social, who is joined by fellow veteran and business partner Aubrey Lewis. Together, they’ve crafted an innovative entertainment venue in San Antonio, combining a bar, gun range, and golf range, all enhanced with top-tier tech. Get insights into how Benjamin's Air Force background laid the groundwork for this venture, empowering him with problem-solving prowess and comm...
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Ever wondered how military skills translate into successful entrepreneurship? Meet Benjamin Pratt, the brains behind TapRack Social, who is joined by fellow veteran and business partner Aubrey Lewis. Together, they’ve crafted an innovative entertainment venue in San Antonio, combining a bar, gun range, and golf range, all enhanced with top-tier tech. Get insights into how Benjamin's Air Force background laid the groundwork for this venture, empowering him with problem-solving prowess and comm...
Ever wondered how military skills translate into successful entrepreneurship? Meet Benjamin Pratt, the brains behind TapRack Social, who is joined by fellow veteran and business partner Aubrey Lewis. Together, they’ve crafted an innovative entertainment venue in San Antonio, combining a bar, gun range, and golf range, all enhanced with top-tier tech. Get insights into how Benjamin's Air Force background laid the groundwork for this venture, empowering him with problem-solving prowess and comm...
What drives Black Americans to seek opportunities beyond U.S. borders, and what do they discover about themselves when they leave? Dr. Tamara Walker's groundbreaking book "Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad" takes us on a global journey spanning a century of Black travel experiences that shaped both individual lives and international perceptions of race and identity. Growing up in Colorado with a grandfather who served in the military overseas, Dr. Walker was surrounded...
Dr. Andre Perry brings a revolutionary approach to understanding Black economic power through his groundbreaking research at the Brookings Institution. Sharing his personal journey from being raised by a neighbor in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, to becoming a Senior Fellow at America's preeminent think tank, Perry offers a masterclass in how data can illuminate pathways to Black community thriving. The conversation centers around Perry's innovative Black Progress Index, which uses sophisticated...
Timothy Cole's journey from Brenham, Texas, to becoming a standout student-athlete at UT Austin is a tale of resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of mentorship. As he recounts his story against the backdrop of the historic hiring of Charlie Strong, UT Austin's first Black head coach, Timothy reveals how his passion for football and support from his father shaped his early life. His insights shed light on the unique challenges faced by student-athletes both on and off the field, ...
"Your family is your God given guarantee to build wealth," declares LaVaisha Davis in this illuminating conversation about transforming how we think about family finances. As founder of Ell Wess Advisors, Davis brings a revolutionary perspective to wealth building that positions family relationships at the center of financial planning rather than as an afterthought. The smallest decisions made around your dinner table today could shape your family's financial trajectory for generations. Davi...
Reginald 'Reggie' Manning, the innovative CEO of Vista Data, joins us for an insightful chat about his remarkable journey from North Carolina to becoming a trailblazer in AI-enhanced education. With a unique background in special education and business, Reggie shares his inspiring path and how his passion for teaching led him to create AI solutions that bridge educational gaps, particularly those intensified by the pandemic. Reggie's transition from a special education teacher to a successful...
The remarkable saga of Tulsa's Greenwood District—known as "Black Wall Street"—stands as one of America's most compelling yet overlooked stories of entrepreneurial triumph, devastating racial violence, and extraordinary resilience. In this powerful episode, historian and author Hannibal Johnson reveals surprising truths that challenge common narratives about this iconic Black business district. While most accounts focus solely on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, Johnson unveils the commun...
What if your travels could redefine your identity and reshape cultural narratives? Join us as we sit down with Lawrence Phillips, the trailblazing founder of Green Book Global. Growing up in Boston with Barbadian roots and inspired by life-changing journeys like his transformative Seattle camping trip, Lawrence recognized a gap in travel resources for Black travelers and set out to change the narrative. As we explore Lawrence's journey, you'll learn how global travel has the power to offer pr...
Two visionaries at the intersection of cryptocurrency and Black economic empowerment deliver an electrifying conversation about how Bitcoin is creating unprecedented financial opportunities for marginalized communities. Isaiah Jackson, author of "Bitcoin in Black America," shares his journey from skeptical teacher to cryptocurrency advocate, explaining why he believes Bitcoin represents true financial liberation for Black Americans historically excluded from traditional banking systems. The ...
What happens when an entrepreneur's greatest innovation isn't a product, but his approach to fatherhood? Shawn Rhoder's remarkable journey weaves through military service, fashion retail, and revolutionary barber design before arriving at his most fulfilling venture yet—being a present father. Shawn's story begins with pure hustle. After military service, driven by a passion for sneaker culture and design, he meticulously crafted a business plan for a modern men's store. During the 2008 fina...
Herbert L. Drayton III, a distinguished veteran of both the Marine Corps and Air Force, joins us to share his remarkable journey from a paperboy to the managing director of Highmark Capital. He discusses the critical lessons learned along the way, including the pivotal decision to leave corporate life for entrepreneurship and the importance of wealth creation in business ownership. Herbert offers a candid view on why treating a business as a side hustle might be less beneficial than many thin...
The American-Canadian borderlands hold a special significance in Black history that few of us fully understand. In this illuminating conversation with Dr. Dan J. Broyld, author of "Borderland Blacks," we explore how Rochester, NY and St. Catharines, Ontario became pivotal centers of Black freedom, entrepreneurship, and transnational identity during the final years of slavery. Dr. Broyld offers fascinating geographic insights into why Rochester—rather than closer border cities like Buffalo—be...
Episode Description: In this episode of Entrepreneurial Appetite, we sit down with Le'Marqunita De'Sharay Lowe, the visionary founder and CEO of LDL Magazine. Le'Marqunita's journey began in high school with the publication of her first poetry book, igniting her passion for the publishing industry. She further honed her editorial skills as a columnist for her college newspaper, BG News. With a rich background that includes roles as a learning specialist and early intervention therapist, Le'Ma...
What does it mean to reconnect with nature when you've always been connected? Dr. Carolyn Finney, author of "Black Faces, White Spaces," joins Alex Bailey of Black Outside Inc. for a transformative conversation about reclaiming Black presence in outdoor spaces. Dr. Finney shares her powerful personal journey growing up on a 12-acre estate where her parents worked as caretakers for nearly 50 years. When a conservation easement was placed on the property with no acknowledgment of her family's ...
What if you wanted to transition from academia to entrepreneurship? Dr. Natalie Mitchell reveals how she navigated her journey from a career in academia to launching her venture, N’sentials, while leveraging her academic background to inform her entrepreneurial pursuits. Her path challenges conventional career trajectories, demonstrating the power of understanding consumer behavior and applying academic theories to real-world scenarios. Through her story, we gain valuable insights into the in...
What if the history of Black women's fitness could be a lens through which we understand broader societal dynamics? On this special episode of the African Americans in Sport podcast, we have the privilege of hosting Dr. Ava Purkiss, associate professor of history and author of "Fit Citizens: A History of Black Women's Exercise." Dr. Purkiss shares her personal journey, driven by the early loss of her mother, which led her into researching the critical intersections of race, health, and fitnes...
Discover the powerful stories and pivotal moments in Black women's history with our distinguished guests, Dr. Daina Ramey-Berry and Dr. Kali Nicole Ross. Together, we unveil the intricate journey behind their groundbreaking book, which seeks to redefine contemporary Black women's history. From the inspiration sparked by a Rutgers workshop to the inclusion of iconic figures like Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks, we highlight how the authors have woven a tapestry of narratives that celebrate...
Uncover the untold legacy of Marcus Garvey with our special guest, Dr. Julius Garvey, son of the iconic leader. Dr. Garvey sheds light on his father's extraordinary journey from Jamaica to becoming a beacon of Black empowerment across the globe. Through personal anecdotes and historical insights, we explore how pivotal events and figures like the Berlin Conference and Booker T. Washington shaped Marcus Garvey's vision, and how this legacy continues to inspire global Black communities today. ...
What if a single event could redefine a movement? Join us as we explore the transformative 1972 National Black Political Convention with insights from esteemed educator and author, Leonard N. Moore. Discover how this pivotal moment aimed to bridge the divide between integrationist and separatist factions within Black politics, transitioning from protest to political action. We unravel the complexities of unifying diverse ideologies and learn valuable lessons for contemporary political engagem...
Discover the complex world of Black political behavior with Dr. Chryl Laird, an associate professor at the University of Maryland College Park, as we uncover the intricate dynamics that shape political loyalties within Black communities. Dr. Laird takes us through her compelling research, including insights from her book "Steadfast Democrats." We explore the cultural factors and social pressures that influence voting behaviors and the strategic support for the Democratic Party, even amid soci...
Ever wondered how military skills translate into successful entrepreneurship? Meet Benjamin Pratt, the brains behind TapRack Social, who is joined by fellow veteran and business partner Aubrey Lewis. Together, they’ve crafted an innovative entertainment venue in San Antonio, combining a bar, gun range, and golf range, all enhanced with top-tier tech. Get insights into how Benjamin's Air Force background laid the groundwork for this venture, empowering him with problem-solving prowess and comm...