Ep. 61 - From Ingredients to Impact: Michelle Anaba on Clean Beauty, Policy Change, and Black Women’s Wellness
the BLK + GRN podcast
In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Kristian Edwards sits down with Michelle Anaba to uncover the hidden dangers lurking in many beauty products and how these risks are often not discussed within the Black community. Michelle, a skincare expert and advocate, shares her knowledge on the harmful chemicals and ingredients commonly found in mainstream beauty products, shedding light on how they disproportionately affect Black women’s health and well-being. Together, they explore the importance of conscious beauty choices, the lack of transparency in the industry, and how to protect yourself while...
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Ep. 60: Why I stopped worshipping the 'white male God' : a Black woman's spiritual awakening with Christena Cleveland
the BLK + GRN podcast
In this episode, Dr. Kristian Edwards is joined by Christena Cleveland, author of God Is a Black Woman, as they dive deep into the transformative journey of rejecting the traditional "white male God" and embracing a more authentic spiritual path. Christena, a Black woman on her own spiritual awakening, shares her powerful story of reclaiming faith and spirituality, while exploring the emotional, cultural, and personal impacts of this shift. Together, they discuss the need for a more inclusive and empowering understanding of God, spirituality, and identity, offering listeners a...
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Ep. 59 - The power of buying black : how Maggie Anderson sparked an economic revolution
the BLK + GRN podcast
The Power of Buying Black: How Maggie Anderson Sparked an Economic Revolution is an inspiring and eye-opening exploration of one woman's bold decision to invest in her community—and how it ignited a national movement. Maggie Anderson, a successful businesswoman and mother, made headlines when she and her family committed to buying exclusively from Black-owned businesses for an entire year. What began as a personal challenge quickly became a powerful statement on economic justice, community empowerment, and the transformative potential of collective action. This compelling story chronicles...
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Ep. 58 - Breaking free: Why I quit the boxes society put me in | The military ranks to entrepreneurial power with Liz Love
the BLK + GRN podcast
In this episode, Liz Love shares her powerful journey of breaking free from the boxes society tried to place her in. From the disciplined ranks of the military to the liberating world of entrepreneurship, Liz discusses the obstacles she faced, the lessons she learned, and the empowering process of creating her own path. Tune in as Liz reflects on the importance of authenticity, overcoming societal expectations, and the strength it takes to make the leap into entrepreneurial power. This is an inspiring conversation for anyone ready to challenge the status quo and take control of their own...
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Ep. 57 - H&M to black-owned brands: Anika Hobbs on redefining success and sacrifice in a capitalist world
the BLK + GRN podcast
What does it mean to walk away from the security of a global retail giant like H&M to build something that centers Black creativity, culture, and community? In this episode, we sit down with Anika Hobbs, founder of the beloved DC-based boutique Nubian Hueman, to unpack her journey from corporate retail to conscious entrepreneurship. Anika shares the moments that shaped her decision to leave behind the familiar and the stable to carve out space for independent Black and Brown designers. We talk about the cost of choosing purpose over profit, how capitalism manipulates our definitions of...
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Ep. 56 - Why being yourself is the hardest thing you'll ever do but it's worth it. with Sohjé (So Jay) Johnson
the BLK + GRN podcast
This episiode is about liberation through boundaries. It's about making peace with relationships that shift, choosing not to stay in spaces that harm you, and refusing to co-sign narratives that don't align with your truth. It’s not about being combative—it’s about being clear. It's also about how bravery can look like a single sentence: "I was just informing you." Key Ideas You Could Build Around: Bravery as Boundaries: It's brave to say, "That hurt me," or "I'm no longer available for that," especially to people who love you conditionally. Friendship and Utility: When you're...
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Ep. 55 - Balancing life as a mom : Self-care and business tips with Barbara Jaques
the BLK + GRN podcast
Balancing Life as a Mom: Self-Care and Business Tips is a heartfelt and practical guide from Dr. Kristian for mothers who are navigating the beautiful chaos of parenting while building a business or chasing big dreams. Drawing from her own experiences as a mother and entrepreneur, Dr. Kristian shares honest reflections, self-care strategies, and time-tested tips for staying grounded and focused. This piece offers real-world advice on setting boundaries, creating routines that work, and giving yourself grace in the process. It’s not about doing it all—it's about doing what matters most with...
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Ep. 54 - Second Chances and Sacred Truths | Kenda Fields
the BLK + GRN podcast
Facing My First Hire After Our Business Breakup & How We Saved Our Friendship is a raw, honest reflection from Dr. Kristian on the delicate balance between business and personal relationships. In this deeply personal account, she shares what it was like to navigate hiring her first team member after a painful business split with a close friend—and how, against the odds, they managed to repair the friendship. More than just a story about entrepreneurship, this is a journey through emotional growth, forgiveness, boundary-setting, and the complexities of working with people you love. Dr....
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Ep. 53 - A Way Will Always Be Made: Rest, Grace, and Radical Softness | Dana Smith
the BLK + GRN podcast
Summary: In this soulful and deeply affirming conversation, we explore the importance of rest, softness, and self-trust as acts of liberation and resistance. The guest shares her personal journey from burnout and self-neglect to embracing a slower, more intentional way of living rooted in joy and balance. Together, we reflect on the beauty of honoring our needs, rejecting urgency, and making peace with the pace of our own becoming. ⸻ Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss: • Radical softness is a superpower, especially for those who have spent their lives in...
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Ep. 51 - Sex, Relationships & Balance | Barella Roberson
the BLK + GRN podcast
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;...
info_outlineAdrina Nelson is the mastermind behind Adrina Fanore, a chic lifestyle brand that seamlessly blends slow living, health and wellness, and sustainable living into high-end fashion and vegan beauty products. Having founded the brand in 2012 in Brooklyn, New York, Adrina decided to redefine her brand's purpose during the pandemic, leading to a newfound focus on the pursuit of a high-quality lifestyle, and the addition of her vegan nail polish collection.
Raised in the south, Adrina was captivated by the elegant aesthetics of femininity and the luxurious experience of nail polish. She recognized that nail polish was a powerful form of self-expression and a means of empowering women to embrace their individuality. This speaks about how this realization inspired her to create a nail polish collection that celebrates the multifaceted boldness and softness that embodies different aspects of black womanhood, using a diverse range of colors to do so.
Quote from interviewee for call-out box:
“[My brand] stands for a very high quality of life. I think that is very important. And by that, I mean when you look at my products, they're sustainable. So, what I sell is not harmful to you. It hasn't harmed anyone, any animal or anything in the process of being made.”
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- Capitalism has led to the promotion of products that promise immediate solutions to skin problems but are not always safe and can cause long-term health issues.
- Historically, the black community did not have the wealth to buy commercialized products, and hence relied on more natural and organic products.
- Using natural products can be a way to combat health disparities and other issues affecting the black community.
Check Out These Highlights:
- Adrina explains what makes her nail polish different from others (11:21)
- Adrina shares why she believes Black women are multifaceted, and how she chose colors that represent various aspects of black womanhood (13:11)
- The commitment to veganism is coming from Adriana's heart and is based on the belief that organic living is better for black women (22:31)
Quotes:
“Also, just the media and the messages that I put out, whether that's in marketing or whatever, it's always a story. It's always something that people can relate to on a basic human level, however that is.”
“Nail polish is a representation of growing up as a little girl in the south and having to, I guess you can say, abide by certain aesthetics for to present femininity.”
“I think a lot of black women who own businesses are like that in general because we just typically like, we see an issue and you can check it out the list. Like we're going to find a solution for it.”