Business in the Black

How do you build a brand that reflects who you truly are? In this episode of  Business In The Black , Jamal Webb of Bands for Brands shares his journey of building a purpose-driven business rooted in faith, authenticity, and resilience. Topics include: • Building a personal brand with purpose • Faith and entrepreneurship • Overcoming lack of support • The importance of community and networking • A...

What does it take to build a business while building a family? In this episode of  Business In The Black , we sit down with the founders of  Tru Roots Educational Playspace , a husband-and-wife team creating child-friendly educational play spaces inside airports. What started as searching for better spaces for their daughter turned into a bold entrepreneurial mission. We discuss: • Building a busi...

What does it really take to build wealth through insurance? In this episode of  Business In The Black , we sit down with Tarico Burks of AAA – The Burks Agency to discuss entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and the business behind insurance ownership. We cover: • The moment he realized agency ownership could create generational wealth • What it actually costs to open an insurance agency • The tr...

What does it really mean to survive… and then conquer? In this episode of  Business In The Black , we sit down with an entrepreneur whose journey is nothing short of extraordinary. After being stabbed 9 times in New York City, he made a decision that would change everything — not just to survive, but to build. We discuss: • The night that changed his life forever • How he turned trauma into purpos...

Many people dream about entrepreneurship — but very few know how to start while balancing a full-time career. In this episode of  Business In The Black , Dr. Wade Manora Jr shares how he transitioned from a decade-long career in higher education to building a purpose-driven business designed to serve communities beyond the campus. We discuss: • The moment he realized his impact needed to reach fur...

What does it really take to build a sustainable therapy practice as a Black entrepreneur? In this episode of  Business In The Black , we sit down with licensed therapist and private practice owner, Tiffany Alfred, who shares her journey from working in hospitals and school systems to building her own brick-and-mortar practice. We discuss: • Why real impact starts with the entire family system • Th...

Self-publishing is often marketed as “easy” and “accessible.” But what does it  actually  cost to do it right? In this episode of  Business In The Black , we sit down with an author and real estate entrepreneur who shares the unfiltered truth about building a publishing business as a Black entrepreneur — from discovering her writing gift in her 30s during yoga, to walking into Office Depot for a s...

Season 2 of  Business In The Black  begins with a powerful reflection on what entrepreneurship truly requires. In this solo opener, host Brandon revisits the theme of  the courage to start —and introduces the deeper focus of Season 2:  the discipline, strategy, and intention it takes to build and sustain a business . Brandon reflects on lessons from Season 1, shares what worked, what didn’t, and e...

In this special finale episode, Brandon reflects on the journey behind Season 1—from launching on April 20th with uncertainty, to interviewing 8 incredible entrepreneurs, to navigating the trial and error that shaped Business In The Black. Hear the real lessons, the surprises, the challenges, and the wins that defined the season, plus what’s coming in Season 2: deeper conversations, live shows, tr...

Episode Description: What happens when an HR expert realizes kids have no idea what HR professionals do? They write a children's book about it! Meet Terry Lee, HR consultant, author of "Kaden's Amazing HR Adventure," and founder of a thriving Black Business Collective in Atlanta. In this episode, Terry shares his journey from navigating imposter syndrome to building credibility a...

What happens when passion meets purpose and a $70 grill becomes a gateway to legacy? In this episode of Business in the Black, we sit down with Chef Darius Lintz, founder of My Mama Said You Can’t Cook, to talk about humble beginnings, high standards, and second chances. From working the line at the Hilton Garden Inn to feeding hundreds at Atlanta pop-ups, Chef Darius shares how betting on himself...

Dr. Jay Ken Harris shows how lateral networking propelled him from private practice to advising the MA Attorney General—while keeping his firm intentionally boutique. Learn the money rule (“if it’s not paying for itself, it’s a bill”), how to price like a pro, and a simple “work-backward” exit plan. Real talk on grief, confidence, and building systems-level impact in mental health.

This week on Business in the Black , Dr. Jay Ken Harris keeps it 100 about grief, therapy that fits , and why he left burnout behind to build a consulting niche that actually works for his life. We talk impostor syndrome (even with a PhD), using FMLA without the runaround, and how to pair faith with a real plan. If you’re stuck, tired, or ready to pivot—this is your playbook. Tap in, take notes, g...

What happens when your main income disappears? In our 10th episode, we bring back fan favorite Stella Stone of Stella Pies for a raw, resilient update on life after a sudden job loss. We unpack the mindset and moves that kept her business alive—building offers, leaning on relationship capital, and saying yes to new lanes (hello, booking agent life). We also break down why mentors matter (and how t...

What happens when passion meets purpose and a pup named Kirby? In this episode of Business in the Black, we sit down with Reginald, founder of Kirby’s Paw Palace, a Black-owned dog boarding business redefining trust and care in Atlanta’s pet community.

In this episode of Business in the Black, we sit down with Anthony Bryant—founder and president of the Knee High Foundation—to unpack the unfiltered truth behind building a nonprofit from the ground up. What started as a way to keep kids off the streets through football has grown into a powerful mentorship network impacting over 1,000 youth. From rejection letters to $22,000 donut fundraisers, Ant...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Christine James , we go deeper. Following her inspiring journey from corporate vet medicine to clinic ownership in Episode 6, this episode zooms in on how Dr. James builds legacy beyond her title through compassionate leadership, community impact, and a mindset of preparedness. We talk about what it means to really care for people while building a practice, h...

After 21 years leading in corporate veterinary medicine, Dr. Christine James walked away from the title, the salary, and the stress to build something of her own. In this powerful episode of Business in the Black , Dr. James shares what inspired her to become a veterinarian at just 8 years old, the moment she knew it was time to leave corporate America, and the $2 mindset that shapes every busines...

911 dispatcher by day, momager by night — Zelenka Boyd is building a brand fueled by faith, family, and unshakable grit. In this powerful episode of Business in the Black , Zelenka opens up about surviving an abusive marriage, starting over from nothing, and turning her love for writing into a digital platform that now includes viral skits, brand partnerships, and autism advocacy. You’ll hear how...

Meet Dwanna “Stella” Stone, the powerhouse behind Stella Pies. In this episode, we dive into her journey from childhood memories in Aunt Marie’s kitchen to selling $1.50 pies and becoming a vendor at major events. She opens up about the pivot from her lunch-to-go business, the meaning behind her name and slogan “Try One, Eat Two,” and the challenges of funding her dream. Stella also shares how bei...

In this episode of Business in the Black , we’re talking about the shift from hustle to structure the critical move that separates side hustles from scalable businesses. I’ll share lessons from my own startup journey, including why just working harder isn’t enough and how structure actually creates more freedom. We’ll cover the difference between being a hustler and a CEO, the core systems every b...

“What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we have.” — Oprah Winfrey In this special episode, host Brandon D. Morgan shares the story behind his journey from the Apollo stage at age 5 to founding BDM Enterprises. From childhood performances and Disney roles, to leading in the tech field and creating his own lane as an entrepreneur — this is a raw, real look at the...

In this debut episode, we explore what it really takes to start a business, beyond the ideas and plans. From fear and doubt to drive and vision, this episode breaks down the mindset shifts, support systems, and real-life moments that push you from dreaming to doing. Whether you're just getting started or stuck at the starting line, this one’s for you.