Black Fridays

What Up Doe?! In this Legacy Lounge episode, presented in collaboration with Hot Sam’s Detroit and the Legacy Business Project, Tony Stovall, co-owner of Hot Sam's in Detroit, shares his insights on legacy, community engagement, and the evolution of his business. He reflects on the importance of maintaining a legacy in business, the transformation of customer experiences, and the role of fashi...

What Up Doe?! In this episode of the Black Friday's podcast, guest Angel Livas discusses her groundbreaking journey as the first black woman to create her own podcast network, the Alive Podcast Network. We explore the importance of storytelling, the mission behind the network, and the challenges faced by podcasters, particularly in the black community. Angel shares insights on building a diver...

What Up Doe?! In this Legacy Lounge episode, presented in collaboration with Hot Sam’s Detroit and the Legacy Business Project, we sit down with Antonio Green of James H. Cole Funeral Home, a fourth-generation leader helping carry one of Detroit’s most historic Black-owned institutions forward. Antonio shares what legacy really means, how James H. Cole has served Detroit families for over a centur...

What Up Doe?! In this episode of the Black Fridays Podcast, we tap in with Detroit creative Chef Geech, who’s redefining sports media by blending hip-hop, culinary culture, and viral storytelling through his First & Geech platform. He shares how faith, creativity, and consistency helped him turn weekly NFL recaps into major opportunities with national platforms while staying rooted in Detroit...

What Up Doe?! In this special Legacy Lounge episode, presented in collaboration with Hot Sam’s Detroit , Black Fridays , and the Legacy Business Project , we spotlight Graham’s Printing Co , a Black-owned Detroit print shop celebrating over 60 years of serving small businesses, unions, churches, and the community. Michelle shares how hard work, loyalty, and customer-first service helped Graham’s P...

What Up Doe?! This week, we’re tapping in with Mark S. Lee , a Detroit-based marketing and business expert, media personality, and trusted voice for small businesses across the city. With more than 25 years of experience in corporate marketing, entrepreneurship, and consulting, Mark has become a go-to authority on branding, customer relationships, and business growth. He’s the founder of The Lee G...

What Up Doe?! This week, we’re tapping in with De’Lon Dixon , founder of Think Technologies and a Detroit-based tech leader working at the intersection of AI, UX, and community impact. With a background in behavioral science, psychology, and user experience, De’Lon breaks down artificial intelligence in a way that’s approachable, practical, and empowering. From partnering with OpenAI to building c...

What Up Doe?! Welcome to a special edition of the Black Fridays Podcast: The Legacy Lounge , a collaborative series presented in partnership with Hot Sam’s Detroit and the Legacy Business Project , spotlighting Black-owned legacy businesses that are part of Detroit’s cultural fabric. This week, we’re honored to sit down with Stephanie Byrd , second-generation owner and CEO of Flood’s Bar & Gri...

What Up Doe?! This week, we’re joined by Christian Black — author of the new Christian thriller Battleground and founder of Sanctuary House Publishing. Christian blends faith, fiction, and real-life experience to explore spiritual warfare, trauma, and generational healing through storytelling. From crafting Dragon Ball Z fan-fiction as a kid to building a publishing company focused on protecting a...

What Up Doe?! This week, we’re chopping it up with Jon Genius — a Detroit creative, designer, and storyteller whose work has shaped the city’s visual culture from streetwear to album art. Known for his brand Corner Store Goods and collaborations with icons like Big Sean, Jon has built a career rooted in community, intentional storytelling, and paying homage to the city that raised him. A self-taug...

What Up Doe?! This week, we’re sitting down with LaNasia Angelina, a powerhouse mindset and business coach helping women and entrepreneurs break through limiting beliefs and build lives rooted in purpose, confidence and intentional strategy. As the founder of Transformations Coaching Agency and creator of Life Coach University, LaNasia has guided clients nationwide through inner healing, skill-bui...

What Up Doe?! This week, we’re honored to sit down with Dimitrius Hutcherson, President and Chief Operating Officer of First Independence Bank, the only Black-owned bank in Michigan. A Detroit native with roots on the east side and degrees from Morehouse and Harvard, Dimitrius brings over 30 years of financial, tech, and leadership experience to one of the country’s most historic community-driven...

What Up Doe?! This week, we’re honored to have Andre Ebron, the President & CEO of Ebron & Associates and a senior DEI leader who’s been shaping the future of leadership, culture, and impact in education, non-profit and consulting. With deep roots in service, entrepreneurship, and transformation, Andre leverages his experience to help individuals and organizations build inclusive environme...

What Up Doe?! This week on the Black Fridays Podcast , I’m joined by Cierra Seay , marketing strategist, author, and founder of The Revive Group . From dropping out of college three times to helping her clients earn over $75 million in revenue , Cierra’s journey is all about grit, growth, and knowing your audience. She breaks down the psychology of effective marketing, how to build real connection...

What Up Doe?! In this special crossover episode between Black Fridays Podcast and Thanks But No One Asked You , hosts Denzell Turner and Britt Hunter sit down with Blake Stoner , founder and CEO of Vngle — a civic insights company on a mission to revolutionize local news. Based in Atlanta, Vngle trains everyday citizens to become verified community reporters, ensuring that real stories from underr...

What Up Doe?! This week on the Black Fridays Podcast, we sit down with Brittini Ward , Detroit-based poet, designer, and founder of Eye N Eye LLC , a storytelling platform that fuses creativity, healing, and community. Through her work as a multifaceted storyteller , Brittini uses poetry, visual art, and design to help others express their truths and preserve their stories through meaningful mediu...

What Up Doe?! This week on the Black Fridays Podcast, we move to the rhythm of culture, history, and healing with Ajara, founder and director of TeMaTe Dance Institute, a Detroit-based organization preserving and teaching traditional West African dance and drumming. What started as a personal passion has grown into a cultural movement that empowers youth, connects generations, and celebrates the b...

This week on the Black Fridays Podcast, we tee up with Jason Malone of College Careers and Beyond (formerly The Midnight Golf Program) and Trey Zachary of Trill Golf , two trailblazers using golf to build community, opportunity, and culture in Detroit. From empowering thousands of young people to pursue college success to redefining golf as a space for everyone, both leaders are proving that the g...

What Up Doe?! This week on the Black Fridays Podcast, we sit down with Denzel McCampbell, a Detroit native, lifelong community advocate, and candidate for Detroit City Council District 7. From his work with Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib to his leadership as a Detroit Charter Revision Commissioner, Denzel has dedicated his career to amplifying community voices and fighting for transparency in governm...

What Up Doe?! This week on the Black Fridays Podcast, we sit down with Lauren Stovall , brand strategist, creative entrepreneur, and self-described “Legacy Preserver” at Hot Sam’s Detroit — the city’s oldest men’s clothier, founded in 1921. For over a century, Hot Sam’s has been more than a store; it’s been a cultural institution where Detroiters have marked life’s biggest moments — from first sui...

What Up Doe?! This week on the Black Fridays Podcast, we’re back in Detroit and sitting inside the Social Media Store , the brainchild of Robert Courtney Collins — entrepreneur, agency founder, and visionary behind Robert Courtney & Associates, CreatorCon, and now a bold new space redefining how creators and business owners access resources. Robert breaks down the vision for the Social Media S...

What Up Doe?! This week on the Black Fridays Podcast, we’re on location in Atlanta at the Fanbase headquarters , the Black-owned social media platform founded by Isaac Hayes III. I’m joined by two dynamic voices in leadership and innovation: Britt Hunter , a former Division I basketball star turned leadership coach and host of the podcast Thanks But No One Asked You , and Regnault Sanders , founde...

What Up Doe?! This week on the Black Fridays Podcast, we sit down with Alex Ennis, MBA, Digital Media Manager for the City of Detroit’s Media Services Department. Alex is one of the creative minds helping shape the city’s digital voice through Engage Detroit, the platform responsible for telling Detroit’s story across social media, web, and broadcast. Known for adding authenticity and personality...

What Up Doe?! This week on the Black Fridays Podcast, we’re bringing you another conversation recorded during Black Tech Saturdays’ Coworking Day. Our guest is Christopher Shah, founder of Onyx Tax & Financial Services in Detroit. With years of experience helping individuals and businesses navigate the complex world of taxes and financial planning, Chris is on a mission to make financial liter...

What Up Doe?! We’re bringing you one of our conversations recorded live at Black Tech Saturdays’ Coworking Day. Our guest is Grace Moore , founder of Moore Grace Solutions, a purpose-driven financial empowerment firm based in Detroit. As a financial strategist, speaker, and advocate for economic resilience, Grace is on a mission to help families and communities break free from cycles of financial...