Corner Table Talk

Melba Wilson, "born, bred and buttered in Harlem", proudly represents her NYC neighborhood as a successful African-American woman in the restaurant and catering business. She is the owner of one of the most influential soul food restaurants in the city, aptly named Melba's, along with Melba's Catering and Melba's Mussels. As an author, Melba wrote Melba's American Comfort: 100 Recipes from My Hear...

Tracee Ellis Ross , longtime friend of host  Brad Johnson , sits down for a multi-faceted conversation about perseverance through uncertainty in the entertainment industry, systemic issues, creating space and opportunities for others, the experience of hosting the  Democratic National Convention , the necessity to show up civically, her belief in naming and claiming frames for context, t...

Ta-Nehisi Coates, with his skillful writing and thoughtful analysis, has emerged as one of the most important voices of our times. In this episode, Ta-Nehisi and host Brad Johnson discuss his upbringing, the deep reverence he holds for black institutions, the strong desire for sense of place and home, his sense of freedom in myth writing, the professional distance needed to write about certain peo...

Mary Wagstaff and Valerie Wilson, each owners of their own firms, are two powerhouses in the world of hospitality marketing. With decades of experience between them, host Brad Johnson dives into the reasons behind their passion for food and hospitality, how this niche of the marketing industry has changed over the last couple of decades, the meaning and fresh respect for the importance of independ...

In this episode, host  Brad Johnson  and  Isiah Thomas  discuss the aired  reconciliation between Magic Johnson and Isiah , the training and nutrition of athletes today vs. the 80s, whether NCAA players should be paid, the declassification of the human race and the need for a honest race conversation, the exportation of Black culture globally and hip-hop's influence, Black...

Marie Dutton Brown has been described by Black Enterprise magazine as one of "the major African-American players" in the publishing industry and international literary community.  As one of a small group of black literary agents and a 54-year veteran of the publishing industry, Marie was the 1st Inductee into the Publishing Hall of Fame in 2018 honoring her for her significant body of work. "...

Marcus Samuelsson is a European-trained, world-renowned chef who made Harlem his home since the mid-90s. He is the recipient of numerous James Beard Foundation awards for his work as a chef and as a host for  No Passport Required , his public television series. A crowned champion of  Top Chef Masters  and  Chopped All-Stars , he served as the guest chef for Presi...

As one of a handful of African American food journalists in the country, Mona Holmes is a pioneer in the world of food journalism working as a reporter for Eater LA, a digital publication of food news and dining guides for Los Angeles, and a contributor to LA-based KCRW, a National Public Radio member station that creates and curates music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and in...

Host Brad Johnson catches up with long-time friend and business associate, Michael Weinstein, Chairman and CEO of publicly-traded Ark Restaurants [NASDAQ]. Michael, now 77 years-old, is a distinguished trailblazer in the hospitality industry. Ark operates 22 full- service restaurants plus various food-court and catering operations, in New York City, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Atlantic City, Alab...

Nelson George, author, filmmaker, television producer, and critic with a long career analyzing and presenting the diverse elements of African-American culture, shares his thoughts and reminisces with Corner Table Talk host Brad Johnson about life in NYC and LA from a cultural perspective. From being one of Spike Lee's investors in the film that launched his career "She's Gotta Have It", remembranc...

Jackie Jackson, singer, songwriter and a founding member of The Jackson 5 sits down with Corner Table Talk host Brad Johnson for an intimate talk about the early days in Gary, IN, memories of his Mom when she realized he and his brothers could sing, the talent shows that led to being discovered, impressions of his first visit to LA and decorating Diana Ross' livi...

Alice Randall is a New York Times best-selling and award-winning food writer, foodways educator (Vanderbilt University), food activist, and entrepreneur. Her published books include Soul Food Love, the NAACP Image Award winning cookbook co-authored with her daughter Caroline Randall Williams, Ada's Rules for which she received a personal fan letter on White House stationary from First Lady Michell...

Chef Nyesha Arrington  is a California native born into a multi-cultural family, best known for her accomplishments as a chef, restaurateur, entrepreneur and tv personality having appeared in numerous shows such as Top Chef, Tournament of Champions, Oprah's OWN  Food Fantasies  and many others.  In this episode of Corner Table Talk, host  Brad Johnson  and Nyesha disc...

Aside from being iconic musical talents, what do Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Teddy Pendergrass, Smokey Robinson, and Whitney Houston have in common? They have all worked with and/or performed songs penned by Valerie Simpson and Nick Ashford. In this episode of Corner Table Talk, Brad visits with longtime friend, songwriter, Hall o...

Brad welcomes Chef Mashama Bailey and Johno Morisano, owners of the critically-acclaimed restaurant, The Grey, and The Grey Market in Savannah, Georgia. Mashama and Johno co-authored a culinary memoir, "Black, White and The Grey; The Story of An Unexpected Friendship and a Landmark Restaurant”. Housed in a formerly segregated Greyhound bus terminal constructed in 1938, this restore...

With a long history between them, Brad sits down with Norm Nixon, NBA color analyst, NBA 2x champion and 2x All-Star, and businessman for a conversation covering topics ranging from Norm's upbringing in Macon Georgia, love of his mother's biscuits, the glamour of starring on the Showtime Lakers, to the story of his involvement in two hospitality ventures, helping Brad create Roxbury and Georgia.&n...

[FOOD + DRINK + CULTURE] Pull up a chair to Corner Table Talk with career restaurateur Brad Johnson for thoughtful, intimate conversation across Food + Drink + Culture. From the perspective of a person of color, Brad delves into entertaining and informative discussions with guests sharing insights, personal stories, and experiences in careers that run the gamut including restaurants, bars, clubs,...