King Crush Thursday - The Interviews

Kirven Douthit-Boyd @swervin_and_kirven Dancer, choreographer, director from Boston, MA. Trained at the Boston Arts Academy and Boston Youth moves. Spent summers training at The Boston Conservatory and The Ailey School. Received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. Was a member of Ailey II and performed with Battleworks Dance Company at Jacob’s Pillow before joining...

Mr. G  was born in Port Au Prince Haiti. He came to the U.S at the age of 5. With the help of his siblings and his first-grade teacher, who happened to be black and Haitian, he was able to pick up English very quickly. Throughout high school Mr, G excelled in Track and Field. After graduating high school Mr. G pursued a degree in Education. He obtained his degree and graduated as Student Teacher o...

Called in June 2024 to become Senior Pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church—the first African American Baptist Church in New York State and one of the oldest in the nation—Rev. Dr. Johnson succeeds the late Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III who was his mentor while serving as an assistant pastor. Along with his wife—Mrs. Kimya S. P. Johnson, Esq., a corporate diversity professional and employment attorne...

Reuben Jones is the Executive Director of Frontline Dads, a non-profit organization that focuses empowering youth and social justice advocacy. He is a mentor, father, poet, activist and entrepreneur. Reuben Jones has won numerous awards over the years including KYW's "Gamechanger" award,  and the Presidential Service Award from Barack Obama.   See the Video Interview HERE

Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller  is the Senior Pastor of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A highly sought-after revivalist, vocalist, and lecturer, Dr. Waller is a true visionary of the church and the community who serves humanity far beyond the restraints of traditionalism. His partner in marriage and ministry is Dr. Ellyn Jo Waller, the leader of Enon’s Women’s Minis...

Dr. Darren Lipscomb, Esq. is a community activist and the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Community College of Philadelphia. He has over a decade of experience in education. The West Philadelphia native is also a product of the Philadelphia School District and an alumnus of Walter Biddle Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences. Dr. Lipscomb has served as the Senior Vice Pre...

Meet Philip Cunningham a visionary leader dedicated to the mission of Jamaa Health. With a passion for eliminating healthcare disparities and fostering equitable access to care, Philip co-founded Jamaa Health, the groundbreaking platform that is revolutionizing the healthcare landscape. Driven by a deep commitment to helping as many people as possible, Philip spearheads the strategy, growth, and g...

Dymiere Finch is a vibrant, young (28) executive hailing from Columbus, OH who holds several positions with the National Center for Urban Solutions (NCUS). Dymiere is the Executive Director over the state of Pennsylvania for NCUS, The African American Male Wellness Agency, and is also the Co-Coordinator for The Black Men’s Wellness Day. While overseeing these tasks, he is making changes in the bla...

 Brent Johnstone: Fathers Read 365 (FR365)’s mission is to encourage fathers and/or caregivers to read daily with children in a variety of settings to develop literacy from birth. FR365 provides an early intervention method structured to increase the amount of books read and given away to preschoolers through kindergarten and create a culture of literacy.  Since 2017, FR365 founders Brent Johnston...

Nhlanhla Mavundla @nhlanhla_mav A young man from South Africa. Studied Psychology and is currently  working in South Korea. “I am passionate about issues of black consciousness and making a difference in others lives.” See the Video Interview HERE

 Wayne Barnett- Head, External Affairs, Cordia  Mr. Barnett is responsible for development and supporting Cordia’s thermal district and distributed energy Infrastructure businesses across North America and advancing the company’s interests. He leads initiatives that build and execute brand awareness, strengthen marketing and communications, raise corporate visibility, foster strategic partnerships...

 Christopher Fulton is a 26-year-old software engineer working at Google. He was born in Philadelphia. He spends a lot of time wondering how the universe and world function. He loves to skateboard, play video games, and watch movies. Recently, he has taken up playing the bass guitar as well. See the Video Interview HERE

Robert Vincent Fuller, Sr_ 1971 graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School. Member of National Honor Society. Attended Shippensburg State College from 1971-1973. Answered call to ministry at 16 years of age while attending Zoar United Methodist Church under the Pastorate of Rev Joshua E. Licorish. Studied Basic Biblical at Phila College of Bible & Evangelistic Teacher Training at Deliverance Bi...

AKEIFF STAPLES  is married to Anika Thompson-Staples, with whom they have 3 children (Jalen, Brice, Daley). Born and raised in South Media, Pennsylvania, Akeiff is an entrepreneur by trade. Akeiff received a bachelor's degree from Temple University in Geography & Urban Studies and brings to the table nearly two decades of social work experience engaging a wide variety of at-risk youth througho...

Dr. Reynaldo Anderson currently serves as the Graduate Director and Associate Professor of Africology and African American Studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reynaldo is currently the Executive Director and co-founder of the Black Speculative Arts Movement (BSAM), an international network of artists, intellectuals, creatives, and activists.  He is also a founding member of...

Eric K. Grimes -  Brother Shomari - Peaceful by nature, unwavering in the face of adversity, a stern and forceful catalyst seeking to stand as a measuring rod for those aspiring to model lives of meaning and significance! A trusted and informed community voice who develops boundary stretching, strategic and transformative community knowledge, preparation, advocacy and actions, designed to facilita...

A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Guthrie P. Ramsey, Jr. is a music historian, pianist, composer, Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Pennsylvania and 2022 Guggenheim Fellow. 
A widely-published writer, he’s the author of Race Music: Black Cultures from Bebop to Hip-Hop (2003), and The Amazing Bud Powell: Black Genius, Jazz History and the Challenge of Bebop (2013...

Brian Marshall, Jr - Full-Time Radiologic Technologist, Associate Pastor of the Bible Way Baptist Church in Philadelphia currently oversees Christian Education under Dr. Damone Jones Sr., volunteer for “BROTHERHOOD”,  Graduate of Sayre High School (2008), Graduate of Bloomsburg University of PA (2014), Graduate of Penn Medicine’s school of Radiologic Technology (2014), currently enrolled at United...

From 2016 to the present, Emerson has curated and been featured in galleries, mostly in the Philadelphia area. 2019, Emerson made it to the top 6 in a statewide Puma designer competition out of 160 entries. Also in 2019, Emerson helped design a dress for the Penn Museum, which will be on display for a decade. 2021, Emerson helped design a shoe for the streetwear brand Only with Kings. Emerson also...

TIMOTHY SHEPHERD  (Music Composer) believes his purpose is to create music that reflects the vast depths of the human spirit. While helping other artists further manifest their projects, he utilizes his skillset in music composition and music & video production to enhance his talents and expand his collaborative style. As an Artistic Coordinator & Production Manager for Art Sanctuary, Shep...

Thomas C. Knox is the creator of Date While You Wait, the 13-time award-winning, Emmy-winning connection platform turned TV series that has over 11 million views on YouTube and Facebook. Affectionately known as the “Connection Curator”, Knox is a serial entrepreneur running The Connection Collective and BeGreat Bow Ties. He has been featured in the New York Times as well as ABC, CNN and more. SEE...

Tyrique Glasgow, founder of Young Chances Foundation which is dedicated to providing essential resources and activities without the red tape to those who need support in Philadelphia. Tyrique started the foundation in 2012 following the murder of one of his childhood friends, who was playing flag football. Young Chances Foundation transformed one of the most notorious drug houses in the neighborho...

William Tyrone Toms  is a 30-something award-winning entrepreneur from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After starting his first company at the age of 21, Will Toms has quickly made a name for himself in the region's startup community at the intersection of culture & economics. He is the Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer of REC Philly, serving as the visionary + strategist behind the company’...

Ashley Scott, @AshleyScott3 hailing from the vibrant soulful musical city of Philadelphia, PA, stands as a powerhouse vocalist celebrated for his globally chart-topping singles. His 2022 release, “Together,” joins a stellar lineup that includes the soulful ballad “Words” (2016), the infectious groove of “Thought of You” (2021), the dance anthem “Dance The Night Away” (2020), and the international...

Lazarus Bruner, Jr. is originally from Oklahoma City, OK. Lazarus, his wife Evonna, and 3 children have resided in the Atlanta Metro area for the past 15 years. Lazarus has a wealth of experience in industries such as sales, education, coaching youth sports, and fitness. In February of 2021, Lazarus left his full time job to pursue what he called "his vocational calling" which was to holistically...