Sunday, 8/6/23- Brian Davis

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: African American entrepreneur Brian Davis
started his own service-disabled, veteran-owned company in November
2020. He has received contracts from local companies like BlackRock, and
his goal is to grow his business and give minorities an opportunity to do
creative and innovative work. He credits mentorship and networking
with his success, and he advises other entrepreneurs to follow through
on their commitments.

Sunday 8/13/23 – Sky Win

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: African American entrepreneur Sky Win
created a consent card deck to promote safe conversations about
consent. She credits her success to honing her skills and the support of
her community. She hopes to make a cultural shift and reduce rates of
assault on campus. Rice University has provided a supportive community
for her business..

Sunday 8/20/23 – Donetta

Sunday 8/27/23 – Mouse

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Entrepreneur Mike Gregory shares his journey
of starting a business in the print industry. Mouse discusses how he
leveraged relationships, maintained a work-life balance, and emphasized
the importance of consultative sales. He also talks about his vision for the
future, including having five warehouses for manufacturing in the United
States. Mouse’s unique approach to product customization and his ability
to consistently deliver quality sets him apart in the market. The interview
highlights the significance of connections and relationships in the world
of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the value of perseverance and
innovation within the African American community

Sunday 9/3/23 – Val

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: In this episode, the host, Ashley Scott,
interviews Val Barnett of Immerse, a handmade product company that
focuses on helping people relax through custom scent blends, including
soy wax candles, soaps, body butters, and lip balms. Val discusses her
entrepreneurial journey, the challenges she faces, and how she secured
funding for her business. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care
and mental health and her plans for the future, including expanding into
luxury retail.

Sunday 9/10/23 – Ellakisha

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: In this episode, the host, Ashley Scott,
interviews Elakeisha O’Kelly of Cyre Di Jor legal firm, who shares her
journey from being a former professional athlete to becoming an attorney
specializing in intellectual property and empowering her community.
Elakeisha discusses challenges she faced as an African American
entrepreneur, including the importance of representation and operating in
excellence. She emphasizes the need to prioritize self-care and maintain
work-life balance.

Sunday 9/17/23 – Deas Nuts

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Lewis Deas of Try Deas and Other Treats
discusses his journey in the nut business. He shares how his family history
and the inspiration from his aunts influenced his nut flavors, including the
popular red velvet cashews. Despite facing unique challenges as a black
male entrepreneur, including concerns about branding and sensitivity in
the MeToo era, Lewis persevered and found that his brand brought joy to
many. He highlights the importance of mentors and the support of
organizations like the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs in his
entrepreneurial journey.

Sunday 9/24/23 – Dwight Atl Tours

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Dwight McQueen of Atl Tours discusses his
journey from New York to Atlanta and how he became the founder of Atl
Tours. He shares how his background in tourism led him to create a Black
history tour of Atlanta, which eventually turned into a business. Dwight
talks about the challenges he faced, including the need for extensive
research and knowledge about Atlanta’s history. He also highlights the
importance of mentors and the support of organizations like the Russell
Center. Dwight describes the various tours offered by Atl Tours, including
city tours, Black history tours, wine tours, and more. He emphasizes the

Sunday 10/1/23 – Susan Simmons Stevenson (Lifecycle Network)

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Susan Simmons Stevenson, founder of the
Lifecycle Network, shares her entrepreneurial journey and what led her to
start her own business. She discusses the challenges she faced as an
entrepreneur, such as breaking through corporate barriers, and
emphasizes the importance of networking and building relationships to
secure contracts. Susan also talks about her company’s services, which
include staffing and HR solutions, as well as their commitment to diversity
and inclusivity in the workforce.

Sunday 10/8/23 – Daniel Fitch (Video Production)

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Ashley Scott interviewing entrepreneur Daniel
Fitch about his business Natural Leaders Media, which does video
production and storytelling focused on highlighting positive stories about
African Americans. They discuss Daniel’s journey to entrepreneurship.
challenges he has faced, advice for other entrepreneurs, his goal of
producing feature films, and the importance of relationships and
community support.

Sunday 10/15/23 – Sam- Pest Control

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Sam Dilworth, the owner of Ecopest Pros pest
control company. He discusses starting his own business after working for
another pest control company, the challenges of being an African American
business owner, how he gives back to the community, and advice for
aspiring young entrepreneurs interested in the pest control industry.

Sunday 10/22/23 – Thrive

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Ashley Scott interviews Tanya Minafe Parker,
who runs a business consulting firm called Thrive Care Home Consulting.
They discuss Tanya’s business helping people start and run licensed care
homes for adults with disabilities. Tanya talks about how she got into this
business, the services she provides, challenges she’s faced as a Black
woman entrepreneur, and her goals for expanding her business.

Sunday 10/29/23 – MetricMate

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Ashley Scott interviews MT Strickland, an
entrepreneur who started a company called Metricmate that makes
sensors to track your workout data. They discuss Strickland’s journey to
starting Metricmate, overcoming challenges like the pandemic, appearing
on Shark Tank, and the importance of the Russell Innovation Center for
Entrepreneurs in supporting Metricmate’s growth.

Sunday 11/05/23 – Chris Hale (Dope Pieces Puzzle Company)

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Chris Hale, the founder of Dope Pieces Puzzle
Company, discusses her entrepreneurial journey as a Black business owner,
the challenges she has faced, and advice for other entrepreneurs.

Sunday 11/12/23 – Carlita White (Carlita White Jewelry)

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Ashley Scott interviews entrepreneur Carlita
White about starting her jewelry business later in life. They discuss how
Carlita stumbled into jewelry making as a hobby while caregiving, the
challenges of starting a business with no prior experience, and how she
gives back to her community. Carlita offers advice to other older
entrepreneurs about pursuing your passion.

Sunday 11/19/23 – Kayla’s Italian Ice

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Ashley Scott interviews Teresa Bostic, the cofounder of Kayla’s Italian Ice with her daughter Kayla. They discuss how
Kayla’s entrepreneurial spirit and perseverance led them to start and grow
the italian ice business, including pivoting during the pandemic. Teresa also
talks about the value of being a stakeholder at the Russell Innovation Center
for Entrepreneurs.

Sunday 11/26/23 – Keela Taylor

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Keela Taylor discusses her entrepreneurial
journey, including starting an insurance agency, getting into real estate and
opening a salon suite business. She talks about challenges faced as a black
woman entrepreneur, like lack of support from other black women. She
also discusses her consulting business helping others get certified as
minority/women-owned businesses.

Sunday 12/03/23 – Johnson Sainvil (Domono Inc.)

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Ashley Scott interviews Johnson Sainvil, an
inventor and co-founder of Domono Inc. They discuss Johnson’s
entrepreneurial journey, including how he came up with the idea for
Domono, overcoming challenges like self-doubt and financing, building a
team, and partnering with organizations like the Russell Innovation Center.
The interview highlights Johnson’s perseverance and innovative spirit in
creating a new camera accessory for cell phones.

Sunday 12/10/23 – Elangela Lee (Honeysuckle Moon)

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Elangela Lee, the founder of Honeysuckle Moon, a
skincare and wellness company. She discusses her entrepreneurial journey,
including challenges she faced as an African American business owner, how
she overcame obstacles, and her thoughts on succession planning and
inspiring the next generation. The interview focuses on Elangela’s experience
building her business and her involvement with the Russell Innovation
Center for Entrepreneurs.

Sunday 12/17/23 – Beatiful Curly Me

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Ivana Oli, co-founder of Beautiful Curly Me, a
company that makes dolls, books, and other products aimed at boosting the
confidence and self-esteem of young black girls. It details how the company
was started by Oli’s daughter Zoe when she was 6 years old because she
wanted dolls that looked like her, and how the business has grown from that
original idea. Oli shares insights into challenges they faced as a startup, the
importance of community, and their goals to impact millions of girls globally.

Sunday 12/24/23 – Ivana Oli (Beautiful Curly )Me

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Ivana Oli, co-founder of Beautiful Curly Me, a
company that makes dolls, books, and other products aimed at boosting the
confidence and self-esteem of young black girls. It details how the company
was started by Oli’s daughter Zoe when she was 6 years old because she
wanted dolls that looked like her, and how the business has grown from that
original idea. Oli shares insights into challenges they faced as a startup, the
importance of community, and their goals to impact millions of girls globally.

Sunday 12/31/23 – Dr. Bianca Kiovati 

SYNOPSIS OF INTERVIEW: Ashley Scott interviews Dr. Bianca Kiovati. They
discuss Dr. Kiovati’s journey from being a medical practitioner to becoming
an entrepreneur and launching her organic, gluten-free beverage company
called Simplicity Beverages. She talks about what inspired her business idea,
the challenges of balancing her medical practice and growing a new
company, her goals to make Simplicity Beverages a household name, and the
importance of sustainability in her production process. Overall, it’s an
interview about an entrepreneur’s story of starting a beverage business.