The Kickback With Keri

There comes a point in many of our careers when pushing through no longer feels like strength; it feels like survival. Nutrition coach, pharmacist, and fitness instructor Melanie Smith shares what it looked like to navigate burnout, workplace microaggressions, and the quiet signs that something wasn’t right. We talk about the emotional toll of staying too long, the clarity that came through therap...

#26: Welcome to the first episode of The Kickback Briefing — a new format breaking down the latest wins, challenges, and stories shaping business and culture and the lessons we can learn from them. This week we discuss: The latest update in the Uncle Nearest $108M loan lawsuit Whether the brand could be forced into a sale Nike’s MLK “Honor the King” sneaker controversy The difference between brand...

What do you do when you feel like you’re being called to go in a different direction? Don’t ignore the whisper. In this hot take, former celebrity makeup artist Brittany Ingram shares the one piece of advice she leaned into when she felt that she was being called to leave her thriving Hollywood career behind for a life as a stay at home mom, military wife and a more purposeful lifestyle in Japan....

What do you do when a massive opportunity shows up before your business is ready? In this Hot Take, the founders of Bell’s Reines share why they turned down a request to produce 3 million cookies after one free advertisement and how that decision protected their business. We talk about the reality of scaling too fast, understanding your true capacity, and why infrastructure before income can make...

Women don’t hold themselves back at work because they lack skill or experience; it’s because they are seeking permission to be themselves. Wardrobe stylist and image consultant Naana Badu shares the limiting beliefs women of color have when it comes to their style and reminds us that professionalism is not defined by your wardrobe; it’s defined by your expertise, authority, and presence. Listen to...

The rules of investing have changed. In this hot take, Boyd Cru Wines co-founder Jon’ll Boyd breaks down how beginners can start investing with as little as $100 without being an accredited or angel investor. We talk about why investing feels intimidating, how everyday people can invest in small and Black-owned businesses, and the legacy we can build through ownership and access. If you’ve ever wa...

#25: This episode is a bittersweet one. After a year of filming three seasons together, Keri’s videographer and producer, Kyle, steps in front of the camera for the first time. They pull back the curtain on their entire podcasting journey; the lessons, the laughs, the late-night edits, the technical mishaps, and the major growth moments that shaped the podcast into what it is today. If you’ve ever...

#24: In this solo episode, Keri reflects on the insights and transformative lessons she's learned from conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives and community leaders through the first three seasons. This episode is packed with actionable wisdom to help you build boldly, take up space, and bet on yourself. 📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spotlights & real inspiration. Subscribe...

#23: What does it really take to turn your passion into a profitable product line? Ryan Thompson, founder of Astro Blends, unpacks the lessons and sacrifices behind building his seasoning line from scratch while balancing a full-time job, family life, and entrepreneurship. Ryan shares what inspired him to move from private dining to launching his own product-based business, how he learned to price...

#22: When Ebonie Johnson Cooper noticed how few Black-led nonprofits were being funded, she decided to do something about it. As the founder and Executive Director of the Young, Black, and Giving Back Institute (YBGB), she’s leading a movement that’s empowering the next generation of Black philanthropists and closing the racial funding gap in the nonprofit sector. Whether you're a nonprofit leader...

#21: What happens when you build a business around purpose instead of profit? In this inspiring episode, Keri kicks back with Brian Taylor, founder and CEO of Goldiata Creative, a Baltimore-based social impact marketing agency helping mission-driven brands amplify their message and measure their impact. Brian shares how he went from playing football to founding a 7-figure agency, and why he believ...

#20: How does a TikTok creator turn his passion for Black-owned brands into the #1 marketplace for Black-owned spirits? In this episode, Keri sits down with Charles Everett, the founder of urfriendcharles.com , to share how he built a thriving e-commerce platform, one bottle at a time. Charles opens up about how his idea started during the pandemic, what it takes to build partnerships in a highly...

#19: In this episode, we’re diving deep into personal branding, career ownership, and the power of visibility with marketing strategist and LinkedIn expert Portia Obeng. From graduating during the recession to becoming a sought-after speaker and personal brand coach, Portia shares how she went from marketing products to helping people market themselves. We talk about why relying on job security is...

#18: In this solo episode, Keri pulls back the curtain on how The Kickback with Keri came to life; from a spontaneous newsletter idea to a full platform amplifying founders, creatives, and change-makers who are building something bigger than themselves. What started as a passion project became a space for connection, culture, and community. Keri opens up about her pivot from a career in fashion st...

#17: After wrapping up an interview, the conversation kept flowing—and what unfolded was too real not to share. In this bonus episode, Keri opens up about: How she got started in fashion styling and why she chased that dream all the way to LA What it really felt like to walk away from a 10-year pursuit when passion faded The importance of community, and why it ultimately shaped her next chapter Ho...

The Kickback With Keri is back! We are intentionally spotlighting founders, creatives, and change-makers who are building something bigger than themselves and creating impact that lasts. In between guest episodes, you’ll catch reflective moments from behind the scenes, real-time lessons, and unfiltered takes on the journey of building and becoming. 📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spot...

What happens when you choose peace over the pressure to hustle? In this hot take with Jlani Jewels Founder Lani Nesbitt, we talk about her decision to leave New York City, the epicenter of grind culture and the fashion industry, for a slower, more intentional life in Miami. We dive into the mental health wake-up call, how quality of life became a non-negotiable, and the surprising ways this shift...

What does it really take to build a meaningful community, especially when you're competing with attention spans, and social media noise? In this hot take, I kickback with CoTripper founder Krystin Hargrove to talk about the challenges of building a community. From starting small to creating a safe space, we unpack why real connection takes time, intention, and ownership. You’ll learn what most peo...

When it comes to sales you don’t need a fancy script, someone else’s blueprint, or hours of YouTube University. In this week’s hot take, Renee Goings, current Director of Operations at Done Dissertation shares what truly works when it comes to converting potential clients. Renee reveals her number one sales strategy and her surprising goal on discovery calls. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or...

AI is here to stay, but are you using it the right way? Yvonne Pearson PinkDollhouse Marketing breaks down the top mistakes marketers are making right now and why unchecked AI tools can hurt your brand and your career. Listen to full episode here Connect with Yvonne Pearson: Website → pinkdollhousemarketing.com Instagram → @yvonne_creativemarketer TikTok → @yvonne_creativemarketer 📧 Your curated...

Hot take: You don’t need millions of followers to land brand deals. Yvonne Pearson of PinkDollhouse Marketing and host of Coffee With Yvonne podcast breaks down 4 proven steps to secure brand sponsorships for your podcast, newsletter, and social media—no matter your follower count. Listen to full episode: https://bit.ly/kickbackwithkeri-yvonnepearson Connect with Yvonne Pearson: Website → pinkdoll...

#16: What does it take to create a luxury retreat that feels personal, intentional, and rooted in culture? In this on-location episode, Keri visits Wellspring Manor & Spa , a stunning Black-owned bed and breakfast in Prince George’s County, Maryland, for a powerful conversation with co-owner Lisa Brown Alexander. Tucked away on a once-abandoned estate, Wellspring is now a thriving hub for art,...

#15: In this powerful episode, Keri kicks back with Kadidja Dosso, founder of Dosso Beauty , to unpack the hidden dangers of traditional braiding hair and how she created the first clinically tested, non-toxic alternative for protective styles. Kadidja shares her journey from personal frustration to product innovation, breaking down how she launched a hypoallergenic braiding hair brand that’s rede...

#14: Oftentimes, businesses are born out of a personal need. In a world where convenience often trumps nutrition, one mother’s mission to find real, healthy baby food led to the creation of Chunky Vegan by founder Camille Hardy; a plant-based, farm-to-table baby food brand that’s redefining what we feed our little ones. In this powerful episode, Keri kicks back with Camille to explore how her frus...

#13: What if a candle could do more than smell good — what if it could heal, inspire, and build community? In this soulful and inspiring episode, Keri kicks back with the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind Kobi Co., a Black-owned candle and self-care brand based in Minneapolis. Founders Kobi Gregory and Tasha Harris share how they launched their aromatherapy-focused business during the height of t...