Invitation to the Cookout

In this powerful episode, we sit down with a former retail executive turned entrepreneur to discuss supplier diversity, corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and building opportunities beyond the traditional workplace. We break down: * What supplier diversity really means * How major companies choose suppliers * Lessons from executive leadership * The transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship * Business gems for aspiring entrepreneurs * Representation, ownership, and legacy Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business professional, or someone looking for motivation, this conversation is packed with game. Subscribe for more conversations on food, health, and culture.

$300 Billion has been lost in black wealth from the loss of black farmland, but why? P.J. Haynie III, CEO of Arkansas River Rice and Past Chairman of the National Black Growers Council talk through that with the crew on this episode. Remember to like, share, comment, and subscribe to our page We appreciate you accepting our Invitation 2 The Cookout! 

American Black Chiropractic Association Doctor of the Year and the owner of the first only black owned multidisciplinary practice in the state of Arkansas, Dr. Bri joins the cookout and gets us right. From her origin story, to her heart of service and constant debunking of chiropractor myths this interview was filled with personality and can't miss information. Check out her practice at the link below! And remember at the cookout we are putting more than food on your table. https://essence-chiropractic.com

Financial Expert Leah Collins, host of the OWN's show Maxxed Out joins us at the cookout to talk all things finances. She gives us tips on what good savings strategies to implement, her own personal story of paying off $40k of debt in 18 months, and the bold decision she made to call off her wedding due to financial incompatibility. Pull up a seat, get a plate, and enjoy the cookout!

Welcome to our Thanksgiving special! In this episode, we’re diving into the heart of the holiday — the FLAVORS we love, the FAMILY moments that shape us, and the FEELINGS that make this season so meaningful. From comfort food and cultural traditions to the stories behind the dishes we pass around the table, we’re exploring what Thanksgiving really tastes like… and what it teaches us. Whether you’re here for the food science, the fun facts, or the soulful reflections, this episode has a seat at the table just for you. In This Episode You’ll Learn: Why certain Thanksgiving flavors bring instant comfort How culture shapes our holiday menus The science behind “food memories” What makes Thanksgiving emotionally powerful How family traditions evolve from one generation to the next If you love comfort food, culture, and good conversation — you’re in the right place.

On this episode of Invitation 2 The Cookout DapperDom and TheeAlexMac get real about the silent battles too many of us fight alone. We’re talking faith, family, and mental health—unfiltered. From the pressure to “stay strong” to the stigma that keeps our people from getting help, this conversation dives deep into the truth behind the pain and the power of healing. Our guests open up about personal stories, survival, and what it really means when we say, “You’re not alone.” In this episode, we discuss: • How cultural and generational silence impacts mental health • Recognizing the warning signs and how to check on your people • Faith, hope, and finding purpose in the middle of the struggle • Real resources that can save a life Remember: Talking about suicide doesn’t cause it—silence does. It’s time to break that cycle. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7, free and confidential. Join the conversation. Share this episode. Somebody needs to hear it.

What happens when the cookout menu can’t even get started because the neighborhood grocery store doesn’t exist? In this episode, DapperDom and TheeAlexMac break down the reality of food deserts — communities where fresh fruit, produce, and meat is hard to find but fast food and convenience stores are everywhere. We’ll dig into how food deserts became prevalent, how they shaped our eating habits and health, and the lingering affects they have on us today as we try to come up with some solutions to combat this reality. Pull up a chair — this is about more than food, it’s about equity at the table. 

“Hollywood needs these voices — and they’re telling their stories here.” DapperDome and TheeAlexMac sit down with an incredible lineup of Black screenwriters and producers at the Bentonville Film Festival to talk all things storytelling, representation, and creating space for diverse voices in film. These storytellers share raw insights, inspiring journeys, and why authentic representation matters now more than ever. Remember to like, share, engage, comment and subscribe!

We are live from the Bentonville Film Festival with the cast and crew of The Paris 3 Documentary. Most people in our society know about the Martin Luther King Jr's , The Rosa Parks, The Harriet Tubmans and Malcom X's. But there are so many unnamed heroes in our culture that we are unaware of. This story is about Equality This story is about Courage This story is about Resiliency Meet your new heroes  

We taking it to the Barbershop for this episode with 4 special guests joining DapperDom and TheeAlex Mac to talk all things black mens mental health. We talk about what it was like growing up, the lessons we learned (and the ones we didn't). Being successful black men in corporate America, being a romantic partner and the task of trying to be yourself within society. This is a first for us but one that is very needed as we look to have vulnerable conversations that change the way we look at these topics and make our community feel heard and seen.

It's Men Mental Health Month, something that we hold near and dear at the Cookout. Our Guest today is Lucien Isaac, Licensed Professional Counselor at The Joshua Center. He walks us through his journey to becoming a counselor and helps us navigate Identity vs. role dynamics as men, communicating your feelings and the importance of that as youth, and the process to repair relationships. This is a life-changing episode. Mental health related deaths are on the rise, and the way to combat that is talking about it first. 🧠✨ June is Men’s Mental Health Month It’s okay to not be okay. Let’s break the stigma. If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone—help is out there. 💙 #MensMentalHealth #BreakTheStigma #HealingIsStrength 💬 Need someone to talk to? Here are resources to help: National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial 988 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress  988lifeline.org HeadsUpGuys – Mental health resources for men  headsupguys.org  Therapy for Black Men – Find culturally competent therapists  therapyforblackmen.org  Man Therapy – A humor-forward resource to tackle serious issues mantherapy.org

DapperDom and TheeAlexMac bring that blacked out vibe on this episode with their latest guest Dr. Airic Hughes, founder of Visionari Studios that produces films, media and events with a mission to promote and preserve black culture. He walks us through his journey to find his identity, his pursuit of his PhD, and his love for the culture and how he uses that to enlighten and teach the next generation. This is a culture shifting episode that you need to hear, maybe more than once!

Its the midpoint of the year and DapperDom and TheeAlexMac talk the drop off in New Years Resolutions, dealing with rejection and failure, and going in a new life directions. Tap in with your favorite co-hosts!

DapperDom and TheeAlexMac are joined by Iffy Ibekwe, current VP of Business Development for Arvest Bank but also an expert on Estate Planning from her Law Career. Iffy drops the details on Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorneys, and the trauma and drama caused by not having an Estate Plan in place.

The Finance Doctor, Dr. Clement Ogunyemi joins us today to talk health-financial health. He is a published author, entrepreneur, and renowned speaker on financial management for businesses, non-profits and athletes. Your favorite host duo get into budgeting, NIL, and if its true that the more money you have, the more problems you have!

The dynamic duo is back and this time we have Olympic Medalist Dominique Blake back with us for a full sit-down. You will remember her from our episode at the BlackOwned Expo. It was such an honor to sit down with her we brought her back to talk, her upbringing, when she realized she had a special talent, the olympic experience and her second act as a serial entrepreneur. She drops some serious life and business gems in this sit down and even bring the originator, her mom to sit down with us.

Your favorite co-hosts keep showing love for Women's History Month with Charity Howard, executive at PepsiCo. Her story of pivoting from dreams of being a pharmacist, to redirecting to food science and learning along the way is a must watch. We are proud to showcase women who continue to trailblazer and set the standards in their industry at the cookout. Tap in and get you a plate!

Dapper Dom and TheeAlexMac celebrate Women's History Month with retail legend Twilla Brooks. They talk about her upbringing as an accomplished softball player, career beginnings, journey from Macy's to Walmart and ascension to VP at the world's largest retailer. A true piece of Women's History, this is HERstory.

We kick it off LIVE from the BlackOwned Expo with an impressive lineup of guests talking about their paths to entrepreneurship, life lessons learned, and even what they need on their to-go plate at the cookout! You will need multiple to-go boxes to pack up everything from this episode. Please go follow and support these amazing entrepreneurs. Link below for all guests. BlackownedNWA-blackownednwa.org Alicia's Bake Shop- @alicias_bakeshop on IG, www.aliciasbakeshop.com Island Bites/Diamond Training Fitness- @diamondtrainingnwa & @islandbites_detoxjuice on IG Blackground Agency- @blkgrnd_biz on IG, www.blkgrndbiz.com DayVision- @dayvisionfilms on IG, www.dayvisionfilms.com YouTube Video Format-https://youtu.be/dngb5HlFiE0 

Legacy- The long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person's life. That's ho wWebster defines it. With it being Black History Month TheeAlexMac and DapperDom dive into what they want their legacies to be with the podcast, in life, as husband, and as fathers. Remember to like, share, and engage!

DapperDom finishes his conversation on his role as a Life Coach. He shares the stages of working with new clients, writing down your goals as a way to push towards success, and enjoying the journey of progression in life. Remember to like, share, and engage! 

We get a chance to put DapperDom on the hot seat today as he takes us through his journey and passion as a Life Coach. We talk about the differences between, therapists and life coaches, his journey to becoming one and his yearn yo help the youth out in his work. Remember to like, share, and engage! 

New Year, same cookout....We back at it! Part 2 of the discussion is here as we talk about the behind the scenes of bring food products to life, the product lifecycle, and the tense conversations that take place in deciding what products are released. Remember to like, share, and engage!   For Visual formats check the Youtube link below https://youtu.be/4pQ2R3sABug  

New Year, same cookout....We back at it! Season 2 is here with your favorite hosts TheeAlexMac & DapperDom. They come straight out the gate discussing New Years Resolutions, themes, and words for the year before getting into TheeAlexMac's history as a product developer. They talk about the Viral Popeye's Chicken Sandwich, and start to discuss the stages of product development unveiling some of the behind the scenes discussions that take place. Remember to like, share, and engage!

apperDon and TheeAlexMac bring on their first special guest of the show, Chief Merchant and Co-Founder of Black Paper Party Jasmine Hudson. They cover her roots in retail at Corporate 1, her transition into entrepreneurship, love for her community as well as learn some of her holiday favorite foods and tips for entrepreneurs ready to make that jump in the new year! Pull up and get you a plate at the cookout.   For YouTube format check link below https://youtu.be/X2GlTfQsoi Remember to like, share, subscribe and engage!  

The crew gets into steak today chopping it up about their favorite steakhouses, cuts of steak, and even a Fabolous name drop. Do you still get your steak cooked well done like a kid? We dive into all the cooking temperatures for steaks and explain why that liquid from steak is not blood (We said what we said!). Pull up to the cookout and get you a plate. Remember to like, share, and engage!

Your favorite hosts dive into the history of hot dogs, breaking down the ingredients, doing some myth busting, and letting you know how they like their hot dogs.

The conversation was so good we decided to have a Part 2! These are topics and spaces that don't get enough coverage and intention within our communities. TheeAlexMac and Dapper Dom expand to talking about two key areas, mental health as fathers, and mental health as husbands. Remember to like, share, and engage!  For Video format check out our Youtube page? Link below https://www.youtube.com/@Invitation2TheCookout

With it being Men's Mental Health Month TheeAlexMAc and Dapper Dom focus on the health in our minds vs our waistline. They cover sizeism, the effects teasing and bullying have at a young age, how they navigated those insults to become secure and thriving men, and how they use those early life lessons to raise their children. Make sure to go follow us on social media @invitation2thecookout!

Thee Alex Mac and Dapper Dom discuss obesity and the determining factors that play into it, as well as body acceptance within the black community, mistrust within the healthcare system and doctors, overeating, training and how your diet affects that.   For Video formats visit our Youtube Channel and drop a comment! http://www.youtube.com/@Invitation2TheCookout  

Thee.Alex.Mac and Dapper Dom spend some time catching up before getting into the history of chicken wings and its affinity to the Black community.

Our Hosts Thee Alex Mac and Dapper Dom discuss their food experiences growing up as kids, to now adults and fathers and how that has affected the way they think about food.

Welcome to the premiere episode of “Invitation 2 The Cookout,” where your hosts dive into the rich tapestry of food history, entertainment, health, fitness, and Black culture. In this introductory episode, get to know the diverse backgrounds and passions of our engaging hosts, as they set the stage for a cultural tone setter. Each episode promises to unpack the intricate links between food and cultural identity, spiced up with guest interviews, lively debates, and insightful tips on wellness.