What do you do when you feel like you’re being called to go in a different direction? Don’t ignore the whisper. In this hot take, former celebrity makeup artist Brittany Ingram shares the one piece of advice she leaned into when she felt that she was being called to leave her thriving Hollywood career behind for a life as a stay at home mom, military wife and a more purposeful lifestyle in Japan.

Listen to the full episode here.

Connect with Brittany Ingram:
IG → @brittanyingrambeauty
YouTube → @brittanyingrambeauty

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What do you do when a massive opportunity shows up before your business is ready?

In this Hot Take, the founders of Bell’s Reines share why they turned down a request to produce 3 million cookies after one free advertisement and how that decision protected their business. We talk about the reality of scaling too fast, understanding your true capacity, and why infrastructure before income can make or break a food product brand.

You’ll hear practical advice for food entrepreneurs navigating growth, funding, and ownership, plus lessons on saying “not yet” without fear or guilt. This episode is a must-listen for founders building sustainable businesses on their own timeline.

Listen to full episode here.

Support Bell’s Reines and indulge in their delicious, family-inspired creations:
Website → bellsreines.com
Blog → dulcetscintilla.com
YouTube → Dulcet Scintilla
IG → @bellsreines

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Women don’t hold themselves back at work because they lack skill or experience; it’s because they are seeking permission to be themselves.

Wardrobe stylist and image consultant Naana Badu shares the limiting beliefs women of color have when it comes to their style and reminds us that professionalism is not defined by your wardrobe; it’s defined by your expertise, authority, and presence.

Listen to full episode here.

Connect with Naana Badu:
Website → https://www.badubasics.com/
LinkedIn → @badubasics

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
Catch the latest newsletter and share your favorite moments with me.
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The rules of investing have changed. In this hot take, Boyd Cru Wines co-founder Jon’ll Boyd breaks down how beginners can start investing with as little as $100 without being an accredited or angel investor.

We talk about why investing feels intimidating, how everyday people can invest in small and Black-owned businesses, and the legacy we can build through ownership and access. If you’ve ever wanted to start investing but thought you needed millions, this conversation is for you.

Listen to full episode here.

Sip Outside The Lines With Boyd Cru Wines:
Website → boydcruwines.com
Instagram → @boydcruwines

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This episode is a bittersweet one. After a year of filming three seasons together, Keri’s videographer and producer, Kyle, steps in front of the camera for the first time. They pull back the curtain on their entire podcasting journey; the lessons, the laughs, the late-night edits, the technical mishaps, and the major growth moments that shaped the podcast into what it is today.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast or wondered what it really takes behind the scenes, this episode is your blueprint. Together, Kyle and Keri reflect on what they’ve learned about collaboration, creativity, consistency, and taking that leap even when you don’t feel fully ready.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why perfection is overrated and the importance of taking the first step
• Pros and cons of hosting an interview-style podcast
• The power of systems and templates to save time and protect your peace
• How to overcome imposter syndrome when you’re building something new
• Biggest lessons learned as both a host and videographer to make podcasting easier in the future

This episode is full of gems, storytelling and behind-the-scenes moments about what it looks like to build something meaningful.

Connect with Kyle:
Instagram → @incrowd.network

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In this solo episode, Keri reflects on the insights and transformative lessons she's learned from conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives and community leaders through the first three seasons. This episode is packed with actionable wisdom to help you build boldly, take up space, and bet on yourself.

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Join here → kerihenderson.com/newsletter

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YouTube → @kerilhenderson
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From private dining to Astro Blends, Ryan Thompson breaks down what it really takes to turn passion into profit. As the founder of Astro Blends, a seasonings brand, Ryan unpacks the lessons and sacrifices behind building his seasoning line from scratch while balancing a full-time job, family life, and entrepreneurship.

Ryan shares what inspired him to move from private dining to launching his own product-based business, how he learned to price his products correctly, and what it truly means to grow a small brand in today’s competitive market.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The process of creating a seasoning line
• The pros and cons of using 3rd party marketplaces to scale
• Why branding and packaging can make or break your business
• The importance of knowing your numbers (costs of goods, profit margins)
• When to pause and pivot to juggle life’s responsibilities and not burn out

Connect with Ryan:
Website → primoandcruex.com

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
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When Ebonie Johnson Cooper noticed how few Black-led nonprofits were being funded, she decided to do something about it. As the founder and Executive Director of the Young, Black, and Giving Back Institute (YBGB), she’s leading a movement that’s empowering the next generation of Black philanthropists and closing the racial funding gap in the nonprofit sector.

Whether you're a nonprofit leader seeking funding opportunities, someone passionate about giving back, or simply curious about how to make a meaningful impact in your community, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration that will transform how you think about philanthropy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How giving circles work and why pooling resources creates greater impact
• The real reasons why Black-led organizations struggle to access funding
• The significance of August 28th in Black History and why the day is the largest in funding for Black-led nonprofits
• How Millennials and Gen Z are redefining giving
• Practical ways to give back regardless of income level

Connect with Ebonie:
Website → youngblackgivingback.org | give828.org
LinkedIn → @eboniejohnsoncooper
IG → @ybgb_institute

📬 Want culture, convos, and gems straight to your inbox?
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Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri
YouTube → @kerilhenderson
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