Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn

In 2020 the Pew Research Center determined that although, Black people represented 14.2% of all Americans they are only 2.4% of all employer-firm owners. The Federal Reserve System’s 2021 Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS) revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the challenges that small businesses owned by people of color faced prior to the pandemic.  Leslie and Angella are well aware of...

Laughter warning: they're together again! After an intense work month at the theater, Ang visits Les to hit the thrift stores for a wardrobe update. In this delightful episode, Ang is in pajamas not knowing that while she slept, Les was called in to work on a case at the hospital at 5:00AM.    The Besties have gotten thrifting for clothes down to a science - quality, style, fit (alterations a...

To bring Season 3 to a close, The Besties are back together in Leslie's infamous closet where the first episodes were recorded.  Episode 9 was planned as a Live on Facebook but the technology gremlins had other plans. Nevertheless, the conversation was filled with fascinating family revelations and ancestral discoveries. The Besties are joined by Natalie Hinds Scott, Colleen Hinds Rogers, the...

Discovering one's roots is like embarking on a treasure hunt, made even the more challenging when you are from a family of travelers, common in the Caribbean. Two sisters, Natalie Hinds-Scott and Colleen Hinds Rodgers, embarked on such a journey, unearthing fascinating stories of their family's rich heritage.   One side of the family, where oral history was plentiful, connected Costa Ric...

Now that the podcast is 31 episodes in and nearing the end of Season 3, it's a great time to reintroduce The Besties by rebroadcasting their very first episode. It's their origin story originally entitled: But Can She Sew.  They were brand new to podcasting but determined to jump in with both feet, excited to show how two 60 yr old Black women can live bold expansive lives, without the b...

Sit down, get comfortable and listen to the multigenerational stories of one family’s tragedies and triumphs.  Besties Angella and Leslie talk to storyteller and family archivist (and fellow Brooklyn Tech class of ‘80 alum) Pamela Skinner who has made it a mission to chronicle stories of her family from their southern roots as enslaved persons through their migrations north to New York City.   Pam...

Another crushing step backwards. This is our view of the recent SCOTUS decision to strike down affirmative action in university admissions (except military schools, cunningly). Plans were in place for a different episode this week but we were so intensely troubled by this breaking news, we decided to lend our voice and experiences to the chorus of outrage. It seems that America is destined to find...

“Hmmm, what could you possibly talk about on a podcast about older bolder living?” Angella was in awe of Akron Watson’s talent when they worked together. Who wouldn’t be. He’s had roles on Empire, The Color Purple on Broadway, and so much more. But he’s a 40 yr old Black man so it just wasn’t obvious. When Akron said he wanted to discuss his experiences with ageism, The Besties were all in! This w...

Mr Reiner was one of Leslie’s 5th grade teachers. Rather than encourage this A-student toward a love of learning and achievement, he secretly warned her new best friend’s mother to end the friendship because Leslie would be a bad influence. That was over 50 years ago, and Leslie has proven him wrong to the highest levels, yet his influence is still felt. For Angella, it was her 1st husband who put...

Angella and Leslie have returned from their reboot week vacation. The gloves come off in this “tell-all” episode: what worked and what came up short of their expectations - or should we say “who” came up short?  Were the besties able to stay out of the big box stores? Did the accountability partners stay true to their missions? And what was that very thing that, much to Angella’s consternation, Le...

Season 3 starts with a revelatory conversation that challenges the "acceptable" ways that people form partnerships. Over the years, The Besties have often joked about the prospect of getting married, as platonic friends of course. But would we all benefit from more expansive ways  of finding compatible life partners?  Yes, indeed. Support the show Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn...

Season 2 of Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn has come to an end but the laughs, motivation and soul-stirring conversations are still sitting with us.  Angella and Leslie give you a great opportunity to hear excerpts of the season and re-engage with some of their brilliant guests. Support the show Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn website for behind-the-scenes extras.

Have you heard about the 70 & 80 yr olds killing the game? Inspired by Ms Nora, an 81 yr old woman who recently deadlifted 310 lbs, The Besties plan their reset retreat to reset back into a healthier lifestyle. Walks, clean eating, rest, beach massages, sound great however some apprehension surfaces: will they have the willpower to keep themselves and each other accountable?  Support the show...

Leslie is feeling a bit unsettled that she didn't know a fundamental truth about Angella after 46 years of besti-hood: she likes muscle cars AND just bought one! Will this shake the foundations of their bond?  Enjoy another hilarious exchange in this bonus episode of Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn. Support the show Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn website for behind-the-scenes ext...

What forms your assumptions about a group of people, a culture, a place? The popular (33M views) TED talk by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie stirs The Besties to share their perspectives on how stereotypes and prejudices are formed when a single, often negative, story becomes the dominant narrative. Enjoy another spirited episode, where their opinions don’t always align, but their respect...

This week's episode may just change your life, or at the very least get you heading toward the road to a life change. The Besties deliver an in-depth conversation with registered dietician, Chesha Hodge, MPA, RDN: a dynamic nutritional advocate, public speaker and policy influencer on the role of food and diet in our lives. They discuss cultural nuances and ways to embrace healthier nutrition...

In this week's episode, we're catching up with the besties, learning about all the amazing things happening in their lives + how imposter syndrome creeps in even when you know what you know.   Support the show Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn website for behind-the-scenes extras.

For anthropologist Dr Gertrude Fraser, leave-taking (Cuba, Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, England, United States) has been a part of family history. It's a common phenomenon in the Caribbean.  So where will she find home? Join us for an incredibly informative and moving conversation rich with new insights as she searches for a place to retire abroad. Stephanie Perry: Year-Round International Ho...

How do you know the right time to pack up, put in those retirement papers, bid ‘peace out’ to your coworkers and start your next ‘best life’?  We talk to ‘young-ish’ retiree, Monique Pooser Pritchard, about how she made the decision to end her 30+ year career in education and took the leap trusting her heart and faith. Support the show Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn website for behind-th...

After last week’s thoughtful discussion about hair loss  Angella and Leslie couldn’t stop talking when the camera stopped rolling.  The besties continue their chat about the cultural connections to our hair. Support the show Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn website for behind-the-scenes extras.

“I don’t have a problem with a hairstyle unless that hairstyle has a problem with you”. Sounds simple enough when coming from an expert like Brooklyn, NY based Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Achiamah Osei-Tutu. For the rest of us we just spend time, money and energy trying to get our tresses to cooperate.  In this episode, besties Angella and Leslie get to the ‘root’ of the types and causes of...

Rolonda Goodwin is a self-described introvert who is not new to stepping out of her comfort zone. She has shared her stories of survival on stages and in her books. Again, with her corporate career on a steady upward trajectory as a beloved and accomplished technology leader, she has decided to take one of her biggest boldest steps yet: a year-long sabbatical.   In this episode the Besties learn a...

Besties Angella and Leslie are thrilled to be back on the airwaves with season 2 of Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn.  Join them in the quest for Older Bolder living as they describe the upcoming season’s guests and chat about what they’ve been up to during their hiatus. All of Us Research Program- https://allofus.nih.gov/ Support the show Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn website for beh...

No, it’s not a date date. It’s the date of our Season 2 Episode 1: Mar 14  2023! We’ve such wonderful, inspirational and informative guests lined up for you. See you then (and tell your friends)! Support the show Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn website for behind-the-scenes extras.

Life slapped us around a bit but we did the bob & weave and are on our way back with a new season.  We'll have guests who will impress, inspire and impact you. Remember, it's time for living older, bolder (or is it bolder, older). Stay tuned for our new episodes coming soon. Support the show Visit Black Boomer Besties from Brooklyn website for behind-the-scenes extras.