Elite Insights

Building something from the ground up takes vision—but building something that impacts people’s lives takes purpose. In this episode of Elite Insights, Efrem Fesaha shares the real story behind Boon Boona Coffee—from corporate finance to a 7-year journey of persistence, rejection, and belief. This conversation goes beyond entrepreneurship. It’s about alignment, culture, and creating spaces that ac...

Derrick Wheeler-Smith, Director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, joins Elite Insights for a deep conversation on leadership, systems design, and institutional accountability. This episode explores: • Why 70% of leadership is leadership of self • How systems are intentionally designed — and can be redesigned • Institutionalizing racial equity through law • Youth civic engagement as real gove...

This week on Elite Insights , we sit down with DeiMarlon Scisney (D the Data Guy) , founder of The Data Guys. In this episode, we explore how data can be transformed from abstract numbers into real-world impact. From small businesses to community organizations, D shares how understanding data leads to better decisions, stronger outcomes, and greater access to opportunity. You’ll learn: Why most bu...

Michael B. Ling — Writer, Speaker, Podcaster, and faith-driven storyteller—joins Elite Insights for a deeply personal conversation on forgiveness, purpose, and transformation. In this episode, Michael shares how navigating instability, identity, and past pain led him to a life rooted in faith, storytelling, and intentional growth. Through his podcast A Walk Through the Mud and his book Journey, he...

This week on Elite Insights, we’re joined by Anthony Canape (Board President) and Becca Human (Attorney & Board Member) of the QLaw Foundation. This episode explores how legal advocacy becomes real-world protection—especially for LGBTQ+ communities navigating complex systems. You’ll learn: • How legal access directly impacts identity and safety • Why community-centered advocacy is essential •...

Fundraising success isn’t created on event day—it’s built long before it. In this episode of Elite Insights, Gazala Uradnik, Founder of GFS Events, shares the strategy behind raising over $100 million through purpose-driven nonprofit events. This conversation explores how fundraising is evolving—and what organizations must do to stay effective. You’ll learn: • Why events alone don’t drive results...

Events may only last a few hours — but the impact can last for years. In this episode of Elite Insights, we sit down with Deci Evans, founder of Kind + Co Events, a Seattle-based event management company known for producing thoughtful, community-centered experiences for nonprofits and organizations across the region. Deci shares the story behind her journey from volunteer event organizer to runnin...

This week on Elite Insights, we sit down with Shaude Moore, Corporate President of the Black Employee Network (BEN) at Amazon and President of the Seattle HQ1 BEN Chapter. Shaude is a leader deeply committed to building connections between corporate leadership and the communities they serve. Her work extends beyond the workplace through her involvement with the Central District Community Preservat...

Isolina Campbell-Cronin — Educator, Director, Cultural Steward — joins Elite Insights for a powerful conversation on leadership through education and community impact. This episode explores how influence becomes legacy when rooted in service. Listeners will gain insight into: • Building leadership skills through teaching • Why representation transforms outcomes • The role of cultural stewardship i...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Chef Anthony "Tony" Hayes, the founder of Classic Eats and the lifestyle brand "Every Day is Monday" (EDM). A true example of turning "hustle into heritage," Tony shares his journey from the streets of New Orleans to becoming a culinary staple in Washington state. In this interview, Chef Tony breaks down his "started from the bottom" philosophy. He detail...

In this powerful episode of Elite Insights, we sit down with Ashley McGirt-Adair, a renowned psychotherapist, TEDx speaker, and the visionary founder of the Therapy Fund Foundation. Ashley shares her deeply personal journey—from being a nine-year-old child educating her school counselor on race relations to becoming a leading voice in racial trauma and mental health advocacy. Ashley discusses the...

What does it take to find your authentic voice in a world full of noise? In this episode of Elite Insights, we sit down with Besa Gordon—one of Seattle’s most vibrant media voices and host of Back to Besa on Fox 13. Besa shares her journey from starting a blog at 18 to becoming a staple in Pacific Northwest media. We dive deep into the importance of uplifting your community, protecting your peace...

New episode of Elite Insights is live. We’re joined by Jazmyn Scott — Executive Director of Art Noir — for a powerful conversation about building real infrastructure for Black artists, securing ownership as a form of displacement prevention, and creating space that serves the community long-term. From launching Art Noir as an online magazine to opening a gallery, gift shop, and cultural hub in Sea...

"We got 20 days. Can we make it happen?" 🤯 In this episode of Elite Insights, we sit down with Savannah Walker, a "People Operations" powerhouse who transformed a background in admin into a legacy of community-building events for the Muckleshoot Tribe. From planning massive holiday parties at Emerald Downs to organizing a "Get Out the Vote" campaign that resulted in the highest Native vote turnou...

In this episode of Elite Insights, Carlos Imani sits down with Arif Gursel for a grounded conversation about what it really takes to build work, spaces, and communities that last. From his time working on the original Xbox team at Microsoft to building and owning spaces like P.A.C.E., SEA619, and The Union Seattle, Arif breaks down the ideas most people skip: • why systems matter more than hustle...

🎭 What happens when we stop waiting for a seat at the table—and build the whole stage instead? In Episode 14 of Elite Insights , we sit down with Michelle Lang , visionary founder of Acts On Stage , to explore how storytelling, faith, and radical creativity can reshape culture from the inside out. From working with Kirk Franklin to founding one of the few Black-led theater companies in the Northw...

What does it take to create an event that guests feel —not just attend? In this episode of Elite Insights , we sit down with Alex Martin and Mirabai Tours , the powerhouse duo behind Synchronicity Events , to explore the art and strategy of designing events that resonate deeply and leave lasting impressions. From sweaty summer festivals to elegant ballroom galas, we trace the journey of building c...

What does it take to grow a creative agency from an idea into a movement? In this episode of Elite Insights , we sit down with Jasmine Rae Lynn , Founder & Chief Creative Officer of The Elite Marketing Firm, to explore how brand culture, storytelling, and alignment can fuel both growth and impact. Jasmine shares her journey of connecting with Elite Collective, the power of social media in buil...

What does it look like to grow up on camera, rise through the media ranks, and use your voice to lead statewide conversations on equity? In Episode 11 of Elite Insights , Carlos Imani sits down with Emmy Award-winning producer and community leader TreaAnna Holliday for an unfiltered, heart-centered conversation on legacy, liberation, and showing up for community through media. 📍 From Seattle Cent...

What does it look like to move from Atlanta’s nightlife to Amazon boardrooms, from billboards to blending coffee and culture? On Episode 10 of Elite Insights , host Carlos Imani sits down with Jason Hicks — corporate strategist at Amazon, producer of Apple TV’s On the Fly , and co-owner of Seattle’s Blend Coffee & Kicks. This isn’t just a career path — it’s a masterclass in systems thinking, s...

What makes an event unforgettable? In Episode 9 of Elite Insights , host Carlos Imani sits down with the incomparable Sasha Summer Cousineau —emcee, event strategist, and community connector—to explore the art of holding the mic and mastering the flow of live experiences . From behind-the-scenes prep to real-time improv, Sasha breaks down what it takes to make events feel seamless, even when chaos...

What does it take to serve community with dignity—and reimagine systems rooted in equity? In Episode 8 of Elite Insights , Carson Amani is joined by Rosy Grand and Jacqueline Hamilton of Byrd Barr Place , one of Seattle’s oldest Black-led community organizations. Together, they reflect on the organization’s transformation, the legacy of civil rights activism, and the everyday work of showing up fo...

What does it look like to build with intention, come back to your roots, and pour into community through storytelling? In this powerful episode of Elite Insights, host Carlos Imani sits down with Yolanda Barton, a Seattle-born creative and program lead at Urban Impact, to explore the intersections of purpose, production, and the power of legacy. 💬 They unpack: – Yolanda’s transition from corporat...

In this heartfelt episode of Elite Insights, host Carlos Imani is joined by Wendy from Byrd Barr Place to explore how authentic community connection leads to purpose-aligned partnerships. From casual greetings at events to leading transformative projects together, this conversation is a real-time reflection of what it means to build legacy by being present, intentional, and consistent. 🎙 Topics We...

In this episode of Elite Insights, we go way back with Carlos Imani, a creative force whose journey from college nightlife photography to purpose-fueled entrepreneurship is nothing short of iconic. 🎞️📸 Carlos sits down with a longtime friend to unpack: 🔹 The early days of capturing culture with a camera gifted by his mom 🔹 How service, consistency, and relational equity shaped his business 🔹 L...