We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Susanne Mariga Guest Business: The Mariga Group EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Susanne Mariga, CPA, Fractional CFO, and CEO of The Mariga Group, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business firm named the 2021 Profit First Professional Firm of the Year. Growing up surrounded by math and books, Susanne was inspired by her father, an accountant who introduced h...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Dr. Lakeba Hibbler Williams Guest Business: Fresh Hope Counseling Center EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Dr. Lakeba Williams, Director of Fresh Hope Counseling Center, LLC (FHCC), a multidisciplinary behavioral health practice she founded in 2012 to help individuals and organizations become more adaptable and resilient. With over 30 years of experienc...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Jannice Newson Guest Business: Lillian Augusta Beauty Episode Summary In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Jannice Newson, social entrepreneur and Co-Founder & CEO of Lillian Augusta Beauty, a company creating plant-based hair extensions that merge beauty and sustainability. Jannice takes us back to her childhood on the West Side of Chicago, reflecting on the experiences ...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Marc Alexander Guest Business: Lite Raise EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Marc Alexander, visionary entrepreneur, Co-Founder & CEO of Lite Raise, and Founder of Lite Tuition. Through his ventures, Marc is transforming how nonprofits fundraise, engage communities, and expand access to education. Marc takes us back to his early years, reflecting on ...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Rachel Bernier-Green, Guest Business: EJ Consortium EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Rachel Bernier-Green, the Founder & CEO of EJ Consortium, a serial social entrepreneur, and a recovering public accountant who has devoted the past decade to building businesses that create catalytic social and environmental change. Rachel takes us back to her earl...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Jayla Head Guest Business: Advaco Collective Care & Consulting EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Jayla Head, a psychotherapist, speaker, writer, and founder of Advaco Collective Care & Consulting, a mental health consultancy providing compassionate, innovative, and culturally sensitive services. Jayla takes us back to her childhood, where she grew...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Guest Name: Canetha Amour-Porter Guest Business: Amour Women Work Community and Amour Women Foundation EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Canetha Amour-Porter, visionary entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of the Amour Women Work Community and the Amour Women Foundation. Canetha takes us back to her childhood, where a sheltered upbringing and early challenges w...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Special Episode : Guest Name: Marc Brooks Guest Business: Hyde Park Hospitality EPISODE SUMMARY In this special live episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we sit down with Marc B. Brooks, CEO of Hyde Park Hospitality, a privately held hospitality company specializing in foodservice management, airport concessions, lounge operations, and customer excellence advisory services. Marc sha...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 116: Guest Name: Elzie Flenard Guest Business: Journey To Mastery EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Elzie Flenard, the Founder of Journey to Mastery, an organization that equips leaders with faith-centered strategies to align mindset, mission, message, and methods. Elzie takes us on a journey through his childhood, where the encouragement of...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 115: Guest Name: Larvetta L. Loftin Guest Business: The L3 Agency EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, host Larvetta L. Loftin kicks off Season 10 with powerful updates and reflections. She shares how the podcast has grown over the past nine seasons, highlights lessons from the recent L3 Agency retreat, and offers a look at what’s ahead—from new techn...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 114: Guest Name: Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross Guest Business: SP Grace EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross, the Founder of SP Grace, a management solutions company dedicated to delivering high-quality, results-driven strategies for businesses, schools, industries, and local communities. Dr. Carmen takes us on a journey through her...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 113: Guest Name: Lorè Enjoli Guest Business: All Butter’d Up EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we chat with Lorè Enjoli, the Founder of All Butter’d Up, a luxury skincare brand specializing in oil-based, non-greasy body care products that empower busy women to prioritize self-care through thoughtfully curated experiences. Lorè shares her inspiring ...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 112: Guest Name: Deida K. Massey Guest Business: Bixa Beauty EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast we chat with Deida K. Massey is the Founder and CEO of Bixa Beauty; a vegan friendly product line that empowers individuals by celebrating beauty through the richness of cultural diversity, ethical practices, and inclusivity. Deida shares her inspiring journey, tracing he...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 111: Guest Name: Sanja Noble Guest Business: Premier72 EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we sit down with Sanja E. Noble, Director of Treasury Operations, where she manages multi-billion-dollar budgets annually. Sanja is also the founder of Premier72, a firm dedicated to helping Baby Boomer business owners with succession planning and exit strategies, ...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 110: Guest Name: Sarah Ware Guest Business: Ware Realty Group EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we sit down with Sarah L. Ware, Principal and Designated Managing Broker of Ware Realty Group. With over twenty years of experience in real estate, Sarah has made her mark across various sectors of the industry. Her path from corporate America to leading her own firm re...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 109: Guest Name: James Parker with Surprise Guest Guest Business: 1921 EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter Podcast, we sit down with James Parker, the CEO and Founder of 1921 Coworking, Inc. and 1921 Incubator, NFP. Named to honor the historic Black Wall Street of Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1921 is the first tech and manufacturing incubator located on the far South Side of Chica...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 108: Guest Name: Kudzai Blessing Mutasa Guest Business: Kudzai B. Mutasa Fine Art Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, we sit down with Kudzai Blessing Mutasa, the CEO and artist behind Kudzai B. Mutasa Fine Art. Based in Chicago, Kudzai creates impactful work that celebrates diversity and inspires future generations. She shares the meaning behind her na...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 107: Guest Name: Katrice Matthews Guest Business: Sable Law Group Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Black Businesses Matter, we sit down with Katrice Matthews, CEO of Sable Law Group, a full-service law firm in Chicago specializing in real estate, estate planning, and wealth generation. With over a decade of experience, Katrice is a seasoned attorney handling both litigation a...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 106: Guest Name: Larvetta L. Loftin Guest Business: The L3 Agency Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this special episode of Black Businesses Matter, we launch our second annual Women’s History Season with none other than our host, Larvetta L. Loftin, founder of The L3 Agency. Reflecting on 25 years as a woman entrepreneur, Larvetta shares the realities of running a women-owned business—the ch...

We would love to hear from you! Text "BBMFAM" to (312) 300-1300. Episode 105: Guest Name: Rick and Carin Nesbitt Guest Business: Vintrendi Wine Company Summary Style EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter podcast, we sit down with Rick and Carin Nesbitt the CEO and CFO of Vintrendi Wine Company Illinois’ first black-owned and operated winery. In this episode of the Black Businesses Matter podcast, we sit down with Rick and Carin Nesbitt, the dyn...