Episode 51 - Sex, Relationships & Balance | Barella Roberson
The BLK + GRN Show
In this episode, Kristian welcomes Barella Roberson as her guest. Barella dives into her business ventures and shares her insights on why "sex is a taboo topic in the Black community." The conversation delves into profound subjects such as "The art of letting go" and "Overcoming societal expectations." Tune in for an enlightening discussion that challenges norms and empowers listeners. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FO4MUPK2K6A?si=Zttn3ffRi-TWff5s" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write;...
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Episode 50 - Dealing with Disappointments and Living holistically as a as a Black Woman | Khetnu Nefer
The BLK + GRN Show
In this episode, Kristian is joined by massage therapist Khetnu Nefer to delve into the vibrant Gullah Geechee culture and the profound impact of compound living on family unity. They discuss how modern capitalism has shifted our focus away from our families and communities, creating a sense of distance and disconnect. The conversation then transitions to navigating disappointment and managing expectations. Khetnu shares wisdom on how to handle these challenges while emphasizing the importance of self-care and the bravery required to seek support. Kristian underscores that abundant resources...
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Episode 49 - Starting a wine business with husband, Self-awareness & communication | Jon'll Boyd
The BLK + GRN Show
In this episode, Jon’ll Boyd takes us on a transformative journey, sharing how she and her husband turned their late-night pillow talks into a thriving wine business. Discover the passion and perseverance behind their entrepreneurial success, as Jon’ll reveals the challenges they faced and the strategies that propelled them forward. Jon’ll and Kristian dive into the crucial role of communication in their partnership, offering invaluable hacks for balancing work and personal life. They explore how effective communication not only fosters business success but also supports mental...
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Episode 48 - Growing a webby nominated AI company, Self-Love as a Black woman | Casey Ariel Thobias
The BLK + GRN Show
In today's episode, Casey Ariel reveals her inspiring journey of creating the Webby-nominated AI company, overcoming roadblocks, and navigating the challenges of a saturated market as a Black woman entrepreneur. Discover how self-care and self-gentleness empowered her and co-host Kristian to scale their businesses without burning out, emphasizing the transformative power of prioritizing self-care.
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Episode 47 - Naked Chemistry - Rachel Zeigler
The BLK + GRN Show
Rachel Zeigler’s journey is a testament to walking in one's purpose, where the resounding echoes of her heart's desires drown out doubt and settling becomes a distant notion. As the visionary founder of Naked Chemistry, Rachel transforms challenges, from navigating microaggressions in the corporate world as a Black woman to pivoting her career as a licensed cosmetologist during the pandemic. Beyond its initial focus, her vegan skincare brand, born out of a keen concern for ingrown hairs, has blossomed into a testament to Rachel's dedication to quality, sustainability, and multifunctionality....
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Episode 46 - Malkia - Linda Johnson
The BLK + GRN Show
Linda embarks on a deeply resonant journey, one that mirrors the intricate tapestry of our own lives. Linda, the visionary founder of Malkia, exudes an unwavering commitment to natural skincare, bringing forth a remarkable vision where every individual, especially Black people, can experience the beauty of healthy, glowing skin naturally. Her mission extends beyond products; it's about fostering a genuine connection to the community, leading to the powerful potential of giving back. Linda's story is a beacon of authenticity, reminding us that we can instigate profound change when we choose to...
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Episode 45 - Vitavate- Lori and Loryn
The BLK + GRN Show
Step into the realm of inspiration with Lori and Lauren, the unstoppable mother-daughter team driving the vision of Vitavate dietary supplements. Their journey is a testament to the extraordinary, where backgrounds in food science and procurement merge to craft a product that transcends the ordinary - a vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free marvel that bestows sustained energy without the dreaded crash. Their passion for empowering women to "fill their cup first" and their affiliation with the game-changing platform, Black and Green, beckons listeners to a community of thriving black artisans and...
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Episode 44 - Luv & Co. - Dr. Melodie Davis Bundrage
The BLK + GRN Show
Dr. Melodie Davis Bundrage, the visionary founder of LUV + CO, delves into the transformative world of clean beauty and entrepreneurship. Driven by a profound mission to inspire confidence and unity among Black women, Dr. Melodie identified a glaring need for accessible, high-quality organic products in underrepresented communities. Dr. Melodies’ unwavering commitment to empowering Black women ignited a journey that led her to establish her flagship store in the heart of a thriving, melanated suburbia. Furthermore, her personal story as a SCAD heart attack survivor underscores the...
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Episode 43 - Nuele - Christine Martey-Ochola
The BLK + GRN Show
Christine Martey-Ochola, founder of NUELE, shares her remarkable journey of creating a beauty brand that embodies the perfect blend of effectiveness and health-consciousness. After reflecting on childhood memories of witnessing chemical treatments and feeling the societal pressure to conform to a specific beauty standard as a Black woman, Christine and her co-founder Anne Cheatham, drawing on their backgrounds in biochemistry, research, medicine, and food science, spent four years developing their flagship product, NUELE hair serum. Their unwavering dedication to patience, relentless research,...
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Episode 42 - Mela Vitamins - Ashley Harmon
The BLK + GRN Show
Ashley Harmon, the visionary founder behind Mela Vitamins, takes us on her personal wellness journey through the realm of wellness. Her college years were marked by a challenging battle against PCOS and a deficiency in vitamin D, setting her on a determined path to develop supplements tailored specifically for Black women. Mela Vitamins stands apart with its holistic approach, forged through extensive research and enriched by insights from consumer focus groups and healthcare experts to address specific needs. With an eye on the future, Mela Vitamins aims to be the go-to wellness brand for...
info_outlineElizabeth Dawes Gay, Founder and CEO of Ipade is sharing the new wave of inclusive co-working that serves Black women and people of color and combats microaggressions at the office. Stemming from the West African Yoruba word Ìpàdé (ee-pah-day), meaning “meeting or gathering,” this co-working space doesn’t just offer a place to work—it cultivates community. Despite being hit with a global pandemic that impacted many Black women and women of color in the workspace, Ipade continued to bring women together to build skills and resilience, disrupt barriers to advancement, dismantle systems of oppression, and transform society.
Elizabeth shares her journey with ipade and some inspirational advice for small businesses and entrepreneurs following their vision.
Quote from interviewee for call-out box: “We provide coworking space and memberships and day passes, along with a supportive community and event space where you can host workshops or retreats and get things done.”
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss: The workplace is changing and so is the way we work. With the increase of inclusion and connection our workplaces are becoming more efficient Ipade is connecting teams to drive collaboration, nurture healthy working relationships, and promote knowledge-sharing Located in DC, ipade offers both virtual and in person coworking memberships.
Check Out These Highlights:
- Elizabeth shares how ipade adapted to safe gathering and saw the immediate connections made in the first in person coworking pop up (7:19)
- The inspiration and history behind the name ipade (9:19)
- How Elizabeth pushed through the obstacles of COVID to follow her vision (10:14)
Quotes:
“There’s so many people of color here, professional people, creative folks who are innovating and doing great things for their communities, and yet we didn't have a space that we could call our own.”
“There's this energy exchange that happens when you can see someone, and you all are in the same place, and you have the opportunity to actually get to know other people.”
“Everyone gets no’s […] say yes to yourself, trust yourself and keep going.”