The Middle Brotha Podcast

Good brotha Marcus Allen - who is a family man, advocate and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region joins Octavius this month to discuss how much it means for him to always challenge himself, what it means to be a CEO and a Black man 24/7, how important it is to self-analyze, serve your community and build bridges. Lastly, he shares how important it is for us brothas to give one anoth...

Good brotha Dr. Wayne Williams - who is a distinguished professor at Temple University, Accountant and Mentor joins Octavius this month to discuss how much it means for him to create space for others, how important it is for people to be heard and how listening is imperative. Wayne Williams also details how his parents and his village instilled in him to be more than enough. Lastly, he shares how...

Good brotha Jordan Parisse-Ferrarini - who is a family man, real estate educator/developer and community advocate joins Octavius this month to discuss how much it means for him to walk in the greatness that God gave him, how important it is to always lead with the work and how his trials and tribulations has led him to his success. Lastly, he shares how important it is for us brothas to create gen...

Good brotha Will Toms - who is a creative guru, entrepreneur, and CCO of REC PHILLY - joins Octavius this month. Will discusses how much of a role his family and environment played in his life, including how his story is his greatest asset. Will also details his love behind his journey, the elevation of others creatives and his WHY behind REC Philly. Lastly, he shares how important it is for us br...

Dwayne Wharton - who is a husband, father and health & equity advocate joins Octavius this month to discuss how much it means for him to always speak truth to power, continuing to be a work in progress, and how peacefully it is to never shy away from who you are meant to be in life. Lastly, he shares how important it is for us brothas to intentionally create space to build collectively and exp...

Good brotha Bernard James II (BJ) - who is an advocate for growth, mentor and a Morehouse & GeorgeTown alum joins Octavius this month to discuss how much it means for him to uplift the next generation, how important it is to start walking in your purpose. Lastly, he shares how important it is for us brothas to collectively sit down together and  find out what our end goal is for us to grow tog...

Good brotha Marquise Davon - who is an educator, podcaster and activist in Philly joins Octavius this month to discuss how much it means for him to be an educator, how impactful the presence of a black man is inside and outside of school and what that means for our young men. Marquise also details how black men should have friends that allow them to “safe cry”. Lastly, he shares how important it i...

Gabriel Bryant - who is an advocate, supporter and community leader in this work of the advancement of Black men and boys - joins Octavius this month to discuss how much it means for him to be an advocate, how impactful the Black men in his life from his older brothers to his mentors were in him succeeding life and joy in community empowerment. Gabe also details how each generation should support...

Good brotha Milaj Robinson, who is a Morehouse man, future politician, CEO, and humanitarian, joins Octavius this month for a great conversation. Milaj discusses how much it means for him to be a humanitarian, how impactful a role his mother played in his life, including creating opportunities for him to strive and connect with other positive Black men in his community. Milaj also details how much...

Good brotha Kyle Odum - who is a Father, Husband, and the Creative Director for the City of Philadelphia - joins Octavius this month. Kyle discusses how much of a role his mother played in his life, including expressing for him to be comfortable in any space and the importance of education and instilling in him that you can learn anything in the library. Kyle also details how much his educational...

The Middle Brotha Podcast is in full effect and back for Season 2! If you’re a black male with a need to listen to dope brothas engage in intergenerational conversations about how us as Black males can grow together this podcast is for you. In this episode, you’ll hear: Octavius discuss a short recap of Season 1  What to expect for Season 2! We’ve got a great lineup of guests this season, and...

On this episode, Octavius talks with servant leader, advocate, and Father Donavan West. We sit down to discuss Donavan's path to finding and building his identity, being more than meets the eye and leaning into yourself. The two unpack giving permission, the need for more discussion around the process of the journey, what it takes to paint the ultimate picture of Black males, and why sticking arou...

On this episode Octavius talks with producer, traveler, and teacher Wayne Britt Jr. We sit down to discuss his understanding of life, his journey in educating the next generation, and what it means to know your history. The two unpack manhood, the role our skin plays within becoming a man, how life is for Black men and boys and what it means for our brothas to break down the masks we wear to live,...

On this episode Octavius talks with family man, business man and Quiet storm James Burks . They sit down to discuss the joy of being a Black man, his journey through manhood and now fatherhood, and what it takes to be aware of family history and Black history. The two unpack building relationships with their fathers, how toxic and hypermasculinity is not working for us Black men, how we should bui...

On this episode Octavius talks with Alpha man, proud product of the School District of Philadelphia, education advocate and future Black male educator Tamir Harper . They sit down to discuss his journey in life and understanding himself, his path towards becoming an educator and what it means to show up for your students. The two unpack imposter syndrome among our brothas and our community, the un...

On this episode Octavius talks with policy savant, advocate for student voice, and fellow Knight from Arcadia University Elijah Wilson. They sit down to discuss his journey towards peace & #blackboyjoy and what it takes to overcome adversities and come through the fire a better man. The two unpack the need for mental health within the black community, the understanding of supporting your fello...

On this episode Octavius talks with Philly native, owner of Uncle Bobbies, activist, scholar, TV Personality, and Professor Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. They sit down to discuss his acknowledgement of self exploration, his journey towards his blackness and maleness, and how his new book Seen and Unseen: Technology, Social Media, and the Fight for Racial Justice explores how the power of visual media over...

On this episode, Octavius talks with a loving Father, husband, son, trusted Accountant, and good friend of Host Gerald Witcher, Jr. They sit down to discuss Gerald’s passion to help people, his path toward becoming a CPA, his journey in fatherhood, and what it takes to be a presence for his son. The two unpack what it means to have role models in their lives, the love and fears of raising and brin...

On this episode Octavius talks with musician/hip-hop artist, educator, and activist Steve “Ellect” Tyson. They sit down to discuss Steve’s understanding of Black culture, how he educates through his music & art, his journey with JusListen Ent., and what it means to take ownership in self. The two unpack the impact of Hip-Hop, the role parents and grandparents play in helping us to discover and sup...

On this episode Octavius talks with educational leader, community organizer, illustrious violinist, and University of Penn administrator Jack Drummond . They sit down to discuss Jack’s understanding of what it means to be a melanin enriched man, his love for Black music, and how it feels to be a light of life. The two unpack the black male metamorphosis, the cycle of water and how it correlates to...

On this episode Octavius talks with Morehouse College Bonner Scholar, youth advocate, and future teacher Horace Ryans, III. They sit down to discuss Horace’s path to his PhD, his journey of self improvement, and what it feels like to be a Morehouse man. The two unpack the unbalanced relationship between generations, the Black male presence, how Black male humanity is often overlooked and how to ge...

Here's a sneak peak into what the Middle Brotha Podcast has in store for our brothas! We will be posting a new episode the last Monday of each month. #middlebrotha ™ #blackmales #E4model ™ #engage #express #empower #elevate #intergenerational #genblack ™