Black Gold Podcast: Stories of Black Dreamers and Doers

In this episode, I interview James Noble. He is an award-winning Canadian and Ghanaian rapper and hip-hop artist. In our conversation, James and I discuss how he got his start in the industry, the behind-the-scenes of his new single 'Crown' as a tribute to his late mother, and how his unique brand of faith has inspired him to write songs of elevation and inspiration. 

******The information provided on this show does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.******

In this episode, I interview Bobby Robinson. He is a lawyer with expertise in business law, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property, as well as creating, scaling, and having a successful tech exit to a Venture Capital fund.

In this episode, I interview Dee Daniels. She is an award-winning jazz vocalist, composer, arranger, and music teacher. In our conversation, Dee Daniels and I discuss her critically acclaimed album "The Promise" which was created during her battle with terminal cancer, her musical journey including the development of her vocal range and teaching methods, and her profound on-stage experiences, further emphasizing the healing power of music as well as her role as a catalyst for being an inspiration to change audiences lives.

In this episode, I interview Denzal Sinclaire, an award-winning Canadian jazz vocalist. 

In our conversation, we discuss the role of performance and connection with the audience, where Denzal emphasizes the balance between technical skill and emotional connection in successful performances.

Next, we talk about vocal health and maintenance, with Denzal sharing his strategies for preserving his voice, including managing humidity and hydration and highlighting the potential dangers of air conditioning for vocal performers.

Finally, we delve into his philosophical views on life, with Denzal comparing life to a stage and discussing concepts such as energy, birth, death, and rebirth.

In this episode, I interview Jonn Thomas and Petal Gowie. They are facilitators and advocates for the International Black Summit, a non-profit focused on individuals bringing their vision for the global black community through dialogues. In our conversation, Jonn, Petal, and I discuss the shared global black experience, the essence of authentic leadership, and the transformative power of vision.

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In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing Diamond Spikes. She is a renowned branding and design expert who resides in the vibrant city of Atlanta, Georgia.

In our conversation, Diamond and I, and discuss how empathetic design plays a pivotal role in developing strong, unique brand identities that truly resonate with audiences. Next, we explore the innovative and somewhat untapped potential of AI in the branding world and discuss how it can be leveraged for empathetic design. And lastly, we delve into the essential strategies for constructing a brand that can withstand the test of time.

Learn more about Angela and 280E here:

In this episode, I talk with Danita Dolemant the founder of Grants 4 Biz,  a DC based grant-writing agency that allows businesses to be matched with grants that'll help them obtain funds that they need.  

In our conversation, Danita and I discuss what grant writing is, her process for finding the best grants for a business, and how she was able to get a 1/2 million dollar ($500,000)  grant for a daycare. 

Connect with Danita here:

In this episode, I interview Aurélie Dubois, AKA Frenchie...The Dot Connector. She helps Aspiring & Small entrepreneurs Build, Scale & Grow the back end of their Business. 

In our conversation, Frenchie and I discuss: how to not waste time on social media, her odyssey moving from France to the US, and how she was able to create her own business in under a year while teaching part-time at a public school. 

In this Juneteenth Special episode, I interview Zakiya Akerele, author of the book “Dump your Degree”, about how college students can utilize their degree in a way to get an ROI on it.

We talk about the importance of having a gratitude mindset, mastering skill acquisition in specific ways, and what true freedom is for those without the shackle of student loans running their lives.

Hey listener and supporter of the Black Gold Podcast! Go ahead and watch this episode on Spotify or YouTube so you can see Team Sportz in action. See you in the episode! 

In this episode I interview Francisco Baptista, the Founder and CEO of Team Sportz, an organization that uses AI technology to help athletes track their exercises effectively to ensure that they play well out on the field. He’s based in London, UK. In our conversation, Francisco and I discuss how he started Team Sportz, his experience immigrating from Angola to England, and he gives us an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of his program Team Sportz.

Links and Resources:

In this episode I interview Rosie Faulkner. She is a video coach who helps women be confident on camera, allowing them to confidently share their message with the world. In our conversation, Rosie and I discuss: how she started her career in fashion TV, tips in using the basic equipment that is required to start making videos, and the content creators ultimate question about, “when to publish the video?”

In this episode I interview Aiko Bethea. She is the founder of RARE Coaching & Consulting as well as an attorney, leader, builder, and a New York Times bestselling author.

Through her work, she coaches leaders and organizations to remove the internal and external barriers to inclusion, allowing them to understand each other as people, colleagues, and teams in more connective ways. In our conversation, Aiko and I discuss what makes an effective leader, learning how to utilize action for things that are necessary instead of acting out of impulse, and what work-life balance really is like for in-the-trenches entrepreneur.

Links & Resources

In this episode I interview Akilah Newton, the CEO of Big Dreamers, an all-ages activity book and an organization that celebrates Canadian Black History through educating and engaging students in tours around the nation that is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 

 In our conversation, Akilah and I discuss the people that’ve influenced her starting Big Dreamers, how she started a non-profit that offers performing arts training (singing, theatre, music) to youth in Montreal, and her incredible project Beyond February, a web series that focuses on the lives of ordinary Black Canadians that have done extraordinary things. 

In this episode I interview Sheria Stallings. She is the founder and managing director of She Soars LLC a Manhattan based organization that helps women launch their dream businesses the right way. In our conversation, Sheria and I discuss what she calls the new economy that is relationship based rather than monetary, and then we go off on a tangent talking about a recent book she read called the Archer and the principles it teaches, we then close out the conversation giving an example of the new economy that you can start using today.

Learn More about Sheria here:

******The information provided on this show does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.******

In this episode I interview Dr. Danielle Peebles, owner of Pro Health Family Chiropractics in St. Louis Missouri. In our conversation, Danielle and I discuss how she got into chiropractics, methods to counter the negative effects of long-term sitting with various simple at home exercises, and a not so well-known adjustment technique that's used to increase fertility. 

Resources Mentioned:

In this episode I interview Shaun Banks, the Founder of the motivational youth magazine and conference You Can Have It All, and Camp Warrior King, a summer camp program for Georgia youth to experience all the beauty that nature has to offer. In our conversation, Shaun and I discuss the origins of Y.C.H.I.A, how to set up a vision board, and creating the first motivational youth magazine in the nation.

In this episode I interview Brandon Jakes. He is a high school chemistry teacher, youth basketball coach, and the founder of the premium apparel company State of Mind Collections, that he runs out of his Houston home. In our conversation, Brandon and I discuss how to balance your career and business, empower those that are around you, and gain a perspective that you are the one that you’re waiting for.

Connect with Brandon here:

******The information provided on this show does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.******

In this episode I interview Michael O. Benjamin, the founder of Consumer Ammunition Tactics, a credit repair and education agency based in Washington. In our conversation, Michael and I discuss the 3 principles that allowed him to pay off his student loans within a year after graduation, why you should start your business with credit, and how the rich are able to turn credit into cash.

Resources Mentioned

In this episode I interview Chancellor Jackson. He is an author of a book series about his experiences in a Chinese jail called 14 Days In Beijing. In our conversation, Chancellor and I discuss how he ended up in Beijing, the differences between his experiences and what he wrote, and how adversity can be one’s greatest teacher in learning life lessons.

To learn more about Chancellor, you can visit the link below:

In this episode I interview Donald Owens. He is an engineer, CEO and author of the book Burn Fuel Better about the main cause of climate change, a substance that isn’t widely known to the general public called Black Carbon.

In our conversation, Don and I discuss his first encounter with black carbon, how we heavily depend on the current methods of energy production that is polluting the earth, and the solution to eliminate the climate crisis worldwide.

To learn more about Don and Black Carbon go to:

In this episode I interview William Adams. He is a Technical Advisor to Microsoft and a Founder of Microsoft LEAP, an organization built to train women and underrepresented minorities in Microsoft to lead the next generation of software engineers on a global scale. In our conversation, William and I discuss his introduction to the world of computing, his experience working and living in Hyderabad, India for three years, and how he developed and patented the first collaborative computing software.

To learn more about William's next project go to:

In this episode I interview Rasool Muttalib, the author of “What’s your Coffee Strategy?: Using the Coffeehouse to Accomplish Anything in Life” and the founder of Belancing.com, one of the fastest growing freelance platforms in the US.

In our conversation, Rasool and I discuss his beginnings in the tech industry, how to hold a business meeting in a casual setting, and various tips that’ll allow you to start your freelancing journey on the right foot.

Links & Resources:

In this episode, I interview Scott Steward, the founder of Genius Lab, an organization devoted to the education of Black and Latinx youth in STEM fields in the city of Chicago, Illinois.

In our conversation, Scott and I discuss his initial reluctance to become an entrepreneur, his experiences and the teaching methods he used both in public school and at Chicago State University, and students' mental health when it comes to taking virtual classes.

*******Follow Scott @ProfessorStew on IG*******

GeniusLabsChicago.com

Links to Books—

In this episode I interview Jevon Wooden. He is an Army Veteran, a YouTube creator, mindset coach, and author of the new book, Own Your Kingdom teaching you about increasing your confidence and self-esteem, who lives in Houston, TX. In our conversation, Jevon and I discuss his insights into what makes a good mindset coach, how he was able to write his book in three days, and his incredible tips on how to break into the public speaking game in 2021.

In this episode I interview Dorothy Enriquez. She’s the creator of the Ellevate Collective, a leadership development training agency based in Milwaukee and Dallas. 

In this episode, I interview Dovev Weaver. He is a speaker and author of the book Chasing our Dreams: Bound for Success, who lives in St. Petersburg Florida. In our conversation, Dovev and I discuss his Dream Cycle Philosophy, the power of accountability, and how entrepreneurs need creativity to thrive and succeed in their businesses.

Follow him on Instagram @c.t.o.d and @coachdtalks

In this episode, I interview B Michele. She is a Business Branding coach who lives in Texas. In our conversation, B and I discuss the fundamentals of branding, her experience as a teacher in a foreign country, and how passion and purpose are an essential part of sharing your message.

Follow B Michele @CoachBMichele across all platforms.