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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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....
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outlineChristine 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, and innovation shines brightly, underlining the profound significance of crafting clean, sustainable, and non-toxic products that will leave a lasting impact on the well-being of both present and future generations. Their tireless devotion to serving Black women with nothing less than exceptional, clean beauty products is bound to ignite your own passion. It's an inspiration to embrace a slower, more deliberate approach, to prioritize health, and to become an agent of positive change in the world.
Quote from interviewee for callout box: “You know what really drives us right, I’d say on a fundamental level is having healthy options. When we are looking at care. Health is a critical component for us.”
Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:
- NUELE is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. They work with farmers, participate in tree-planting initiatives in Africa, and use recyclable packaging materials.
- Benzene and formaldehyde are considered harmful ingredients in hair products due to their potential carcinogenic and irritant properties, posing health risks to users.
- Christine's unwavering patience paved the way for her to craft a product that embodies health, sustainability, and versatility, all while breaking free from conventional beauty norm
Check Out These Highlights:
- Christine shares how her and her co-founder Anne's unwavering passion for delivering all-natural and non-toxic hair care options took precedence over their pursuit of funding for their brand (10:44)
- Christine discusses NUELE’S commitment to being a part of the solution, providing customers with all-natural and healthy haircare options (14:50)
- Christine discusses the versatility of the NUELE hair serum and the challenges of creating a product that is both non-toxic and effective (20:54)
Quotes:
“We realize that a core thing that we do every single day is use hair care products, but we don't always know what's in them and we don't always realize what the impact is.”
“And so, for us a key driver is how do we ensure that if we are going to play in this space, that we will be on the right side of that story, that we are on this side of positive health outcomes, no matter what.”
“We only want accord around the importance of developing products that we all can be proud of, and if it takes a while so be it. We’ll have to invest that.”