What does it really mean to leave a legacy?

This week on Tales from the Shaker, I sit down with Jenell Ross, President of Bob Ross Auto Group, for an inspiring conversation about family, leadership, philanthropy, and the responsibility that comes with success.

As a trailblazing African American woman in the automotive industry, Jenell is carrying forward an extraordinary family legacy while creating one of her own.

Following the loss of her mother to breast cancer, Jenell helped transform grief into purpose through the Norma J. Ross Memorial Foundation, extending her family’s commitment to service and community impact.

As a breast cancer survivor of more than 20 years, this conversation was especially meaningful to me.

Together, we explore what it means to lead with intention, honor those who came before us, and build something that will outlive us.

Because true legacy isn’t just what we leave behind. It’s the lives we touch along the way.

Pull up a chair. There’s always room for one more at the Shaker!

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Tell us in the comments: What does legacy mean to you?

This week on Tales from the Shaker, I sit down with attorney, community organizer and former political candidate Morgan Harper for a candid conversation about civic engagement, economic opportunity, community and the power of showing up.

Morgan brings a particular passion to the disparities in economic opportunity—the reality that where you start, where you live and what resources you can access can profoundly shape the opportunities available to you. We talk about what those disparities mean for individuals, families and communities, and why economic participation and political participation are often connected.

One of the most important things I’ve taken from Morgan’s work is simple: don’t count people out.

What about the young voter? The first-time voter? The person who has become disillusioned with politics? The neighbor who doesn’t believe their vote will make a difference?

Perhaps the work isn’t simply identifying likely voters. Perhaps it’s creating more of them.

Morgan shares her journey from law to community organizing and politics, what she’s learned along the way, and why reaching people at the grassroots level still matters.

This is about opportunity, access and making sure more of us understand that our voices belong in the process.

Pull up a chair. We’re talking community, participation, economic opportunity—and what can happen when more people have a chance to show up and be heard.

On this episode of Tales from the Shaker, I sit down with Christian hip-hop artist, creative and community voice Taelor Gray for a thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation about faith, religion, culture and community.

We talk about what it means to question and deconstruct some of the religious ideas we’ve inherited without abandoning the deeper questions of faith and purpose. Taelor shares his perspective on reaching individuals that traditional institutions have too often struggled to reach—and in communities of color Black men in particular. Relationship has to come before rhetoric.