RISE Urban Nation: Amplifying Black & Pan-African Voices Worldwide

Bio:   With a legal career spanning three decades, Teri Lee Thompson has carved a distinguished career as a federal criminal defense attorney in high-stakes capital cases, adjunct professor, and associate magistrate court judge. But Teri’s impact stretches far beyond her courtroom. She is an author and the owner of ZELLA PUBLISHING, an independent producer of books, audiobooks, and digital content...

Description Many Black and African entrepreneurs possess powerful knowledge and lived experience but have been taught to only use those gifts within traditional jobs or business structures. In this conversation, Stevii Mills explains how entrepreneurs can package their expertise into coaching programs, digital products, workshops, and other income-generating opportunities. This episode explores vi...

Keith Wattley, attorney, Obama Foundation Fellow, and Founder & Executive Director of UnCommon Law , joins RISE Urban Nation to discuss criminal justice reform, second chances, and the humanity of incarcerated people serving life sentences. With more than 25 years of experience advocating for people in prison and on parole, Keith shares how healing-centered and trauma-informed legal advocacy can c...

Mo Cisse, founder and CEO of Meraki Allure, joins RISE Urban Nation to share his journey of building a sustainable luxury fashion brand that prioritizes quality, purpose, and environmental responsibility. In an industry driven by fast fashion, Mo chose a different path—focusing on made-to-order clothing, ethical manufacturing, and environmental impact. This episode dives into entrepreneurship, sus...

What happens when efficiency meets effectiveness? Melody Shari built Seventh Avenue Beauty for women on the go—creating skincare and beauty products that deliver results with minimal time. In this episode, learn how Melody leveraged authentic marketing, community connection, and product clarity to expand across skincare, body, haircare, kids, cosmetics, and apparel—without losing balance or purpos...

Phillip Hogan, CEO of Signing Services of America and author of Relentless Excellence , returns to RISE Urban Nation to share powerful insights on building a marketing strategy that drives real connection and results. This episode explores entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, and how to turn life’s toughest challenges into a foundation for lasting success.     Resources & Mentions 🌐 Website:...

OUR KINGS was born from grief, fear, and love — and grew into a movement. In this episode of RISE Urban Nation , Anya Owensbrown shares the powerful story behind OUR KINGS, a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing the brilliance of Black boys and supporting the families raising them. From Mommy & King to Kings to Kings, this conversation explores community, belonging, identity, and what it truly means t...

How do you create a career in education beyond institutional walls? R. Preston Clark joins RISE Urban Nation to discuss his book Black Bliss Volume 1 , the emotional complexity of Black male storytelling, and how creators can use social media and podcasting to control their narrative. This conversation explores mentorship, literature, identity, and building platforms that shape culture. Resources...

About Jessica: Jessica Smith is a distinguished human resources leader with over 13 years of experience, as an expert voice for your upcoming stories on the current job market.  Jessica's extensive background in HR innovation, particularly in the tech industry with companies like Amazon, AWS, and Meta, positions her uniquely to discuss the intersection of stress, job uncertainty, and the evolving...

In this inspiring episode of RISE Urban Nation , former professional athlete, author, and global youth coach Angela Lewis shares how sports became a powerful vehicle for healing, leadership, and personal growth. Angela breaks down her impactful V6 framework, the importance of representation in children’s books, and why using your voice is essential to creating change. Angela also shares exciting n...

BIO: A Nigerian-American psychotherapist, Agatha Peters is the founder of Beautiful Sunshine Therapy and the author of Trapped in Their Script: Reclaim Your Life from Narcissistic Parents & Cultural Expectations . She is dedicated to helping adult children of narcissistic parents, especially those from collectivist cultures, where family loyalty often overshadows individual well-being. Having expe...

Alabama Changed Something. In this solo reflection, Taryell shares how visiting Alabama — walking through civil rights landmarks and standing in ancestral spaces — clarified the next chapter of RISE Urban Nation.   This episode explores: Why storytelling is not entertainment — it’s resistance How systems change when communities reclaim narrative power The cultural significance of aligning with the...

About This Episode Recorded live at the Encanto Experience, this bonus episode captures a powerful conversation on equity, economic empowerment, and community-driven transformation. Host Taryell Simmons and co-host Zeke Corley of Same Business Different Day Podcast sit down with Shawn McClondon, founder of the Sister Cities Project, the nonprofit organization supporting the Encanto Experience. Sha...

Recorded live at the Encanto Experience inside Marathon Barbershop on Imperial Avenue, this bonus episode brings together culture, community, and corporate transformation. Taryell Simmons and Zeke Corley host a powerful conversation with Idara Ogunsaju about rebuilding confidence in women within enterprise systems and shifting organizational structures that silently erode leadership potential.   I...

In this powerful episode of RISE Urban Nation Podcast , host Taryell Simmons sits down with Constance “Serenity Sage” English , founder of the UnYes Movement and Siblings United Visitations, to explore how she transformed foster care trauma into a faith-rooted national reform movement. Serenity shares her journey from being silenced and separated from siblings to becoming a bold advocate for famil...

In this inspiring episode of RISE Urban Nation , host Taryell Simmons sits down with Sharon D. Brown, LCSW — wellness educator, self-carepreneur, and founder of Self-Care U Academy . Sharon shares her journey from burnout to breakthrough and how she turned her pain into purpose by teaching others “the power of pause.” Learn practical strategies to transform stress into success, integrate self-care...

Meet Malcolm Ali a.k.a. Mr. Purchase Order  GovCon Expert, Entrepreneur, #1 best selling author, AI Alchemist and motivational speaker Malcolm "Mr. Purchase Order" Ali is a nationally certified procurement expert, government contracting strategist, and business coach who helps minority-owned businesses win government contracts and scale with confidence. As the founder of ProcureForce, Inc., Malcol...

In this episode, we sit down with Coach Anthony Cudjo—founder of Human Optimization 3.0 and host of the FitnessRx Show —to unpack the power of transforming your beliefs, optimizing your body and mind, and unlocking your divine intelligence. Tune in to hear how trauma became the foundation of his power and how you can reclaim yours. SHORT BIO: Founder and Head Coach at Human Optimization 3.0 (H3O),...

About the Guest: Lisa Ascolese, known as “The Inventress,” is the CEO and founder of Inventing A to Z, LLC , a full-service invention and product development company. As the sole owner of her business, Lisa helps inventors and entrepreneurs turn mental inventions into real, market-ready products — guiding ideas from a simple napkin sketch all the way to the marketplace. With a belief that “when yo...

In this powerful episode of RISE Urban Nation , host Taryell Simmons sits down with Dr. Sherece Y. West-Scantlebury —philanthropic visionary, equity advocate, transformational strategist, and retiring President & CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. With more than 33 years of leadership in public policy, community development, and values-aligned investing , Dr. West-Scantlebury reflects on...

How it all started The granddaughter of a sharecropper raised in an Amish community, Renee's journey with EHN began in her pre-teen years in Madison, Wisconsin. Growing up in a city that prioritized the future of under-served youth, she had the opportunity to participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program. Through this initiative, she gained firsthand experience working in diverse environments...

In this episode, Taryell Simmons and Jamarquan Houston dive into the art of building a brand that reflects who you truly are. As a first-generation college graduate, mental health provider, and visionary entrepreneur, Jamarquan’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and liberation. He shares how his work bridges communication and accessibility through leadership, liberation, and legacy, helping...

About the Episode: In this episode, Taryell Simmons and Ryan Koriya dive deep into the art of rewiring the mind for purpose, creativity, and emotional freedom. Ryan — also known as The Soul Mechanic — shares his journey from Zimbabwe to the global stage, where he now helps individuals and organizations heal emotional patterns, build authentic brands, and lead from the heart. Key Takeaways: How hyp...

Summary In this episode of the Rise Urban Nation podcast, Taryell Simmons and Amervis López Cobb explore the journey of leadership through the lens of psychological safety and personal experiences. Amervis shares her story of overcoming adversity as a teen mom and navigating corporate environments, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces for dialogue and the need for leaders to be vulne...

In this heartfelt episode, Taryell Simmons sits down with Charmaine Casimir to discuss how faith fuels purpose. Charmaine shares her spiritual awakening, lessons from writing her four books of empowerment, and the mission behind her movement to help others see their value and worth. Her story is one of resilience, obedience, and encouragement for anyone searching for meaning in their journey.   Ke...