King Crush Thursday - The Interviews

Coley Jones is the Business Banking Market Executive for North Florida, South Georgia and the Space Coast, where he leads local market client teams to help local companies grow, improve cash flow and invest for the future. Business Banking serves companies, generally with annual revenues of $5 million to $50 million, and companies up to $2 billion in the Space Coast by providing comprehensive fina...

Torrence Simmons @torrencersimmons  is a country boy from Quitman, GA by way of Dixie, GA. Spending his early years on a chicken farm with his nearest neighbor was his great-great aunt and uncle (they had a 50+ acre farm with hogs, chickens, corn, and almost everything in “Hold My Mule” aka You Name It. By middle school, he moved to “town” and in high school Torrence joined a rapper group, Southbo...

Dr. Molefi Kete Asante is Professor and Chair, in Africology at Temple University.  Asante, often called the most prolific African American scholar, has published 95 books, among the most recent are Being Human Being.  He is considered one of the most quoted living African authors as well as one of the most distinguished thinkers in the African world. He has been recognized as one of the 10 most w...

 Jean-Pierre Brice, more affectionately known as "Uncle P" in his Chester, PA community, carries a story of transformation that mirrors the very essence of human resilience and hope. His journey began amidst the vibrant hustle of Brooklyn, New York, on the 22nd of December in 1979, but his narrative quickly relocated to the close-knit streets of Chester, where the roots of his family tree would de...

Dr. Owen Brown, Jr. @TheOwenValentine @TheVocalScientist Is a renowned expert on Vocal performance, technique, health, maintenance, and injury treatment. He has worked with a whose who of celebrity performers including Teddy Pendergrass, Mary J Blige, Chic, EWF and many others. He is also the inventor of the SMT formula and has been responsible for saving many careers with his innovative approach...

Cameron Mitchell is a photographer and multimedia producer based out of Atlanta, Georgia. He specializes in event, wedding, corporate, editorial, and sports photography with an emphasis on creative portraiture. He is also an award-winning short film producer and contributor, and has taught photography master classes as a guest professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He brings exception...

Donald Robinson is a GRAMMY-nominated record producer/ songwriter/ keyboardist who loves helping indie artists about the music business,  both on the creative and business -side. Donald says: “I am a God fearing man who understands is purpose in life. To use my God given gifts to bless people through the music He has given me.” Donald works with artists in the genre of Jazz, R&B, and Gospel. A...

Marlowe Smith was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and attended St. Athanasius Catholic School from K-8 grades. He is a proud graduate of Central High School in Philadelphia (250).  After High School, he continued his education at Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with an Emphasis in Finance.  After starting his professional career, he earned a MBA in Management from...

Kyle Hobson, also known as Kyle the Jukebox, is a multifaceted professional, creative, and an active alumni of Morehouse College. A proud product of New York, Kyle has built himself as a multifaceted artist, being a musician, writer, journalist and poet while remaining to work in his community. Morehouse developed his poetic ability and opportunities. He was able to participate in various performa...

Dr. William C. Luff or “Doc”is an enthusiastic leader, educator, professional counselor, consultant and lecturer. William has enjoyed a 35 year career in the events industry working as an entrepreneur, production manager, audio engineer, lighting designer, and operations manager. He has had the great fortune of lighting and mic'ing three seated Presidents of the United States. William has been an...

Jack Drummond  is a family oriented man, purpose driven breather, and curious lover of life (especially when considering what life is “right now.”)  Jack truly believes “these are the good old days!”He’s  also in love with all of his nieces and nephews – and if you ever have the opportunity meet any of them, you will understand why.  Jack has also had some experiences as a director, success coach,...

Gregory Walker In his own words: “I was born and raised in Suburban Connecticut in the 1960s and 70s. I have lived in seven US cities including San Francisco, Atlanta, Fort Greene Brooklyn, Washington DC, Baltimore, Evanston Illinois, New Haven Connecticut and Philadelphia Pennsylvania during the last several decades. My passion for the Arts started as a young boy upon visiting the Wadsworth Athen...

Dr. Victor J. Coleman Jr. is an acclaimed motivational speaker from Toledo, Ohio. Born into a poverty-stricken life, Victor has battled depression, drug and gang affiliations, along with low self-esteem and poor scholastic performance. Harnessing those painful experiences, Victor has employed them to make an invaluable impact in the lives of others. Victor encourages others to take flight towards...

Don Miller, CPA's enthusiasm to be an entrepreneur began when he saw and understood his Dad managing Don’s Grandfather's tire shop, which he eventually took over.  Don tried many things, but while attending Xavier University in Louisiana, Don and a friend pushed a clothing brand called SHAPES and it was fortunate enough to be featured on Lou Rawl's Evening of Stars on BET. After obtaining a B.S. i...

John W. Spencer is a lifelong Philadelphian who believes that businesses have the responsibility to impact people, the planet, and profit positively. Currently, John a public school Principal and CEO of TEACH IT Labs, Inc. He has over 25 years of service as an educator. With that in mind, he formed TEACH IT Labs, Inc. [TEACH IT]. TEACH IT’s mission is to provide information technology that imparts...

Sidney Hargro is a philanthropy executive, advisor, and speaker who is on a quest to transform philanthropy by advocating for funders, philanthropists, and social investors to embed a full commitment to intersectional racial equity in their practices in in pursuit of liberation for Black, Indigenous, and People Color. He currently serves as the president of Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphi...

Dr. Damone B. Jones, Sr., is the youngest of three children born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Boykin Jones of West Philadelphia.  Dr. Jones is a deeply devoted husband having been united to his very lovely wife Melissa in October of 1991.  They are the very proud parents of four wonderful children:  Aleah, Damone, Jr., Alyssa and Dominic. Dr. Jones received Christ as Savior and Lord at the young age o...

Dr. J. Steven Blake was born in Mississippi and educated there; graduating from the University of Mississippi with dual degrees in chemistry and zoology (1980). He’s the 2nd youngest of 4 children by his mother and father, with one sister by his father.  Dr. Steve was a medical technologist (laboratory medicine specialist) before being accepted to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine i...

Keith McLeod is a Philadelphia native born and raised.  Received a BS & AS in accounting in ‘92.  As a hard working black male, the majority of his career has been in Business, Accounting, Administration and Customer Service.  In his own words, "I like to think of myself as The Business Administration Professional Problem Solver.  I’m married to my high school sweetheart for 29yrs and have 4 a...

Alexander Dawson IV is from Haw River, North Carolina. He played Division 1 football at Elon University, where he ultimately earned his MBA. An avid traveler, he taught English in Costa Rica, before going to law school at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating in May 2020, Dawson studied for, and passed the bar exam in advance of beginning his employment at a top New York law firm. He th...

Jay Reed was born and raised in West Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School where he was an Art major. He graduated in 1991, and shortly after, served in the United States Marine Corps as a Food service Specialist until 1995. Jay came home and started to work in Food service as an Executive Chef, for about a year. He decided to explore another one of his God-given talents as a Barber. Jay...

Kenneth York is the Proud father of 2: a handsome 8 year old son and a beautiful 3 year old daughter. He’s been married to his beautiful high school sweetheart for 9 years. He is a proud Air Force veteran, and served for 6 years at Barksdale Air Force base. During that enlistment Kenneth had the honor to serve in the honor guard. It was during his service in the honor guard where he began his advo...

In his own words: “Imagine if Malcolm X collected comic books and played sports as a child . Then grew up into a blerd that sought autonomy from the government. To pursue black liberation . In support of strong black families and communities . Movies, pop culture, politics, black history and culture nothing concerning the diaspora is off limits follow me on Instagram - @17soulja.8      

Richard A. Oliver Jr. is  a dynamic 25-year-old hailing from West Philadelphia, where he was born and raised. Richard's educational journey has been marked by determination and a commitment to public service. In 2020, he proudly graduated from East Stroudsburg University of PA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training and Cum Laude Honors, showcasing his passion for physical health an...

V. Shayne Frederick is a rising star vocalist and pianist with performances spanning two decades. He has been featured at TEDx, NPR's Jazz Night in America, John Coltrane Jazz Festival, Center City Jazz Festival, The Barnes Foundation, Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, among a myriad of jazz venues throughout the nation. Cited by the Broad Street Review as “one of the region’s busiest and best ja...