The Pitch Black Podcast

In the Season 2 premiere of the  Pitch Black Podcast , hosts Stephen Green and Jelani Memory reflect on a powerful year of growth, experimentation, and community impact across 2025—and set the tone for what’s ahead in 2026. They unpack the momentum behind Pitch Black events like Pitch Black Food and the Pitch Black Showcase, highlighting how trust, collaboration, and showing up consistently have b...

In this episode of the  Pitch Black Podcast , Stephen Green sits down with designer and entrepreneur  Precious Hannah-King  (she/her), founder of  Mister OK’s Essentials . From a childhood love of art and sneakers in Miami to designing at Nike and launching her own scent-based wellness brand, Precious walks us through her deeply personal and creative journey. They discuss how mentorship, courage,...

In this powerful episode, Olympic medalist, UNICEF ambassador, and executive trailblazer  Karina LeBlanc  joins Stephen Green for a heart-opening conversation about resilience, purpose, leadership, and living out loud. From her childhood in Dominica and early struggles with identity in Canada, to her rise as a world-class goalkeeper and her current role reshaping women's sports in Portland, Ka...

In this episode of the Pitch Black Podcast, Stephen Green interviews Pamela Neferkara, a trailblazer in corporate leadership and founder of Elmira Street Associates. They discuss Pamela's journey from being the first black female vice president at a major footwear company to her current role as an advisor and investor. The conversation covers themes of diversity in leadership, the importance o...

In this episode of the  Pitch Black Podcast , host Stephen Green sits down with  Bimma Williams —veteran of the sneaker industry, founder, and storyteller—to talk about his journey from Baton Rouge to working with iconic brands like Adidas and Nike. Bimma shares how community has shaped his path, the transformation of sneaker culture in the digital age, and why authenticity is non-negotiable in bu...

What does it take to move from performative DEI to real, lasting change? In this episode, strategist, educator, and facilitator  Alexis Braly James  joins Stephen Green to unpack what equity and inclusion work  really  looks like in 2025—and why it’s more essential than ever. As founder of  Construct the Present , Alexis brings a grounded, deeply informed lens to conversations around leadership, o...

In this episode of  The Pitch Black Podcast , Stephen Green sits down with one of Portland’s own,  JT Flowers —a former Ivy League basketball recruit turned Rhodes Scholar, now investing his life and work back into his hometown. From the hardwood courts of Northeast Portland to the halls of Yale and Oxford, JT’s journey is anything but linear. He shares how injury rerouted his identity, how higher...

In this powerful episode of  The Pitch Black Podcast , Stephen Green is joined by Anyeley Hallová, founder and CEO of  Adre —a socially responsible real estate development firm based in Portland, Oregon. Anyeley shares her journey from a career in traditional development to founding a company rooted in equity, sustainability, and community repair. From earning degrees at Cornell, MIT, and Harvard,...

In this episode, Stephen Green and Jelani Memory sit down together for the first time on mic to reflect on the journey of Pitch Black—from a $300 prize at a brewpub to a national movement that's given nearly $1M to Black founders. They unpack what makes Pitch Black so different, the importance of celebrating Black excellence without centering competition, and how they’re taking the magic of Portla...

In this episode, Stephen Green sits down with  Clarence Bethea , former founder of Upsie and now a partner at  True Ventures , one of the largest seed funds in the country. Clarence shares real talk about what it means to go from founder to VC, the art of the pitch, why storytelling is everything, and how founders can navigate the often confusing and high-pressure world of venture capital—without...

Juma Sei  reflects on the  power of storytelling  and how it has shaped his life—from his  Sierra Leonean heritage  to his experiences at  Yale and NPR . Juma shares his journey through  various storytelling landscapes , culminating in his role at the  1803 Fund , where he works to  transform the Black community in Portland  through  strategic investments and community partnerships . He emphasizes...

In this episode of the  Pitch Black Podcast , Stephen Green sits down with Samantha Hosein (she/her), Director of DEI at  Instrument —a leading digital brand and experience innovation company based in Portland. Samantha shares her journey into diversity, equity, and inclusion work, rooted in a deep commitment to education and community. From classroom conversations to corporate boardrooms, her pat...

Eleazar Ruiz , founder of  Odd Notion , joins host  Jelani Memory  to discuss the  rebranding of Pitch Black  and the deeper role of  storytelling in design . They explore the  personal connection to community , the  responsibility of creators  to showcase the  existing power within their communities , and how branding goes beyond just visuals—it’s about  identity and positioning . Eleazar shares ...

In this episode of  The Pitch Black Podcast ,  Kimiko Matsuda  and host  Stephen Green  explore the transition from  corporate America to community engagement , the importance of  local connections , and her journey into the  food industry . Kimiko shares her experiences in  building a brand , the  challenges faced , and the  cultural responsibilities  that come with being a business owner in Port...

Ian Williams , the founder of  Deadstock Coffee , sits down with host  Stephen Green  to talk about his journey from working at  Nike  to launching one of Portland’s most iconic sneaker-themed coffee shops. Ian shares the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the importance of community, and how  Pitch Black  helped him along the way. From  taking risks  to finding the right people to support your vi...

In this premiere episode of  The Pitch Black Podcast , host  Stephen Green  sits down with  Ciara Pressler , founder of  PREGAME , for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about the state of Black entrepreneurship, the shifting DEI landscape, and the tangible ways to support Black businesses beyond performative gestures. From the impact of today’s political climate to the realities Black e...