Road To Legacy Podcast
by Donald Reid & Martin Small
Poet and activist, Maya Angelou, shared, "If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased." Exploring that journey-or road-to legacy has been a decades-long obsession for New York-born besties Donald Reid and Martin Small ( shout-outs to The Bronx and Harlem, respectively). You don't become two of Soho's & Tribeca's most renowned doormen/ concierges without having great smiles, oodles of charm, and prodigious conversational skills. For Martin & Donald, 40 yrs in the hospitality industry has afforded them close and personal views of roads to some legacies being built, tarnished, rebuilt, ignored, and more. Road To Legacy Podcast ( as we are and of quipping, the Old Man versus Young Man Podcast!') captures conversations with notable guests on wide-ranging, relevant, and engaging topics and their personal Roads To Legacy. You won't help but relish the passionate and wildly entertaining disagreements among the hosts (young vs old; left vs ri
Episodes
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The Exodusters: The Journey to Build a Legacy | Travel Thursday
What does it take to leave everything you know in search of a better future? In this episode of Travel Thursday, we explore the Exodusters—Black Americans who left the South during the 1870s, with a major wave in 1879, seeking safety, land, and opportunity in Kansas and beyond.
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Million Women March
Have you ever heard of the Million Women March? In this previously recorded episode, we are revisiting a powerful conversation with its founder, Dr. Empress Phile' Chionesu. Emanuel Stanley, who coined the term "Syphilis Tsunami," also joins us in this conversation.
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Faith & Life Lessons
On today’s episode of Road To Legacy Podcast, our mission is to inspire, educate, and influence through thought-provoking conversations. We sit down with Luis Flores, who shares his incredible story of survival after being stabbed multiple times and nearly losing his life following a comment made...
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Foster Care with Eric Willams
Road To Legacy Podcast sits down with Eric Williams, Senior Director at HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services, for a raw and deeply personal conversation about growing up in group homes—and how foster care didn’t just change our paths, it saved our lives. Together, we reflect on childhoods shaped by...
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Freedom Friday
This episode dives into the untold stories of freedom seekers, the remarkable life of Hannah Elias, how the lottery became the government’s cash cow, and the hidden challenges behind the Haitian Revolution. Join Martin, Curtis, and Donald for this powerful conversation on The Road To Legacy Podcast.
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Travel Thursday
Join Martin, Donald, and Curtis on the Road To Legacy Podcast as they dive into the Berlin Conference, Ruth Carter & Afrofuturism, British Black actors vs African American actors, and the power of travel. Don’t miss the conversation!
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Trump’s First 100 Days in Office: Racial Trauma & Broken Promises
On this episode of the Road To Legacy Podcast… Martin, Donald, and Curtis break down Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office — from executive orders and frustrated Latino Trump voters… to Martin opening up about his unforgettable “watermelon trauma.” Real talk. Real debates. Real stories.
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Tsunami Syphillis Emanuel Stanley & Bill Duke
This season, we’re excited to welcome our new co-host, Curtis Reed. He’s been a contributor before, but now he’s officially part of the crew. Curtis is a lover of history, passionate about politics and law, and deeply rooted in his faith — bringing a fresh and thoughtful perspective to the table....
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Road To Legacy With Jonathan Ragins
A conversation with Jonathan Ragins about mental health and overcoming sexual abuse and victimhood offers a valuable opportunity to educate and raise awareness on these critical topics. This discussion delves into the psychological impact of trauma, the challenges survivors face in their healing...
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Road To Legacy With Remel London
For this edition of Road To Legacy Podcast Donald and Martin go across the pond (via Zoom) to England to interview this exceptionally creative human being. REMEL LONDON!!!!!! Remel London is a name that SHOULD come to mind when you think of Black presenters doing their thing. Remel London, the…
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Jeff Brown Imperfect Pastor
Martin & Donald speak to the Imperct Pastor Jeff Brown lead pastor at Soma Church Northwest Indianapolis. This young Indianapolis pastor is on the rise. Bringing so many young people from all races back to the Christian church. This pastor is young and dynamic. Jeff will change the way you think...
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Road To Legacy With Dr. Alex Lichtenstein
Professor, Department of History Professor and Chair, Department of American Studies at Indiana University. His work centers on the intersection of labor history and the struggle for racial justice in societies shaped by white supremacy, particularly in the U.S. South (1865-1954) His book, Twice...
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Dana Ross Cancer Survivor
RTL speaks with Philadelphia native Dana Ross on coaching some top athletes the challenges of business and raising a family but most importantly her journey of surviving a double mastectomy and her continuing fight against breast cancer.
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Monica Morales A Master In Solution Based Journalism
Monica has a National Emmy for Breaking News. 6 local Emmys, and an Edward T. Murrow Award for Investigative Series and Reporting Monica Morales joins Martin and Donald to discuss her daily coverage of NYC's housing crisis, food insecurity, and health care inequalities in black and brown...
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Amanda Farias- New York City Council Member- Bronx|District 18
RTL Podcast speaks to Bronx Council Member Amanda Farias of the 18th district. Farias is the Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and the Co-Chair of the Women's Caucus. She is the first woman, Bronxite, and Latinx person to serve as Chair of the committee on economic development. As...
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Ron Lewis
A brief discussion with Road To Legacy Podcast contributor and National Geographic photographer Ron Lewis in Brooklyn New York
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African American Pioneers Of The 18th Century
James Forten (September 2, 1766-March 4, 1842) was an African American abolitionist and wealthy businessman in Philadelphia. George Bonga (August 20, 1802-1880) could speak French, English, and Ojibwe. The Bonga family is just one example of the diversity and cultural exchange resulting from the...
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Mental Health
Martin & Donald discuss mental illness, as we all mourn the death of Steven Twitch Boss. We explore mental health in the African American community. As they explore their encounters with black mental illness. Also, an update on their annual Road To Legacy toy drive.
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Chivona R Newsome Black Lives Matter Greater New York
Donald & Martin interview co-founder, politician, & financial advisor Chivona Newsome. Not affiliated with Black Lives Matter Global Network. "We don't believe anyone should have ownership over the term BLM, it's a movement" Chivon R Newsome
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Charles Livio Payne
Artist and visionary Charles Livio Payne, son of renowned financial analyst and Fox News host Charles Payne, is a young brother wise beyond his years. Like us, you too will be inspired to hear CLP speak honestly and fluidly about his art, the biz side of art (including NFTs), family, addiction…
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Entrepreneur (and Donald's new dentist!) Ayanna Poindexter
Donald's passion to support African American business owners and entrepreneurs - and his pursuit of finding someone to help fix his teeth - lead to discovering Ryerson Smiles Boutique the office of Dr. Ayanna Poindexter. Dr. Poindexter has a stellar professional reputation as one of the finest...
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Gary Pomerantz Rebirth
On the morning of May 15 2021 our friend and supporter Gary Pomerantz collapsed in his hotel room after he went into cardiac arrest, Gary died. Fortunately, Gary came back to life. A successful businessman and philanthropist speak on his coming back to life, his work as a Jewish man in the...
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Rory K Douglas It Starts With You
Road To Legacy with Donald & Martin speaks to financial educator, international best-selling author Rory K Douglas. Rory has been voted top 100 global leaders in finance 2021 and he shares with us his views on God, money & purpose in the African American community. Rory tells us what we need to…
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Curtis Reed Historian, Poet, Writer & Christian Israelite
Curtis Reed discusses his poem/film about George Floyd and many other black people killed at the hands of police. He also talks about his deceased father and the influence his father had in his life.
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A Debate About BLM
Donald & Martin share their different viewpoints about BLM
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Trent Pernell A Gulf War Veteran & Hero
Trent speaks about the war, the bombing of the USS Stark and the death he had to see. Being a double amputee he dives into his issues with the Veterans Administration and the Persian Gulf Disease, Trent is a true African American sailor who served his country and has a lot to say about it.
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Artist, Political Activist & Entrepreneur Chad Livsey
Chad Livsey an artist who expresses his art through community service speaks to RTL about entrepreneurship, art and the african american history within him.
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The Prospective Of Two African American Millionaires Brad Giles & Tronda Giles
A candid conversation with philanthropist entrepreneur healthcare professional Brad Giles and Tronda Giles hold a inspirational conversation with Road To Legacy about life, love, money and giving back.
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Finding Heroes In Our Community Harold Keelingg
While delivering food to food insecure families in Harlem New York Martin & Donald speak to Harold Keeling a 30yr community activist & youth organizer who uses basketball as a way to help keep young black youth off the street.
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Revisiting Rikers Island A Female Propective Ishana Ruff
Ishana Ruff a NYc Rikers Island retired corrections officer gives RTL a womens prospective of working in one of Americas most notorious jail Rikers Island for over 20yrs.
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Road To Legacy- Season 2 Introduction
RTL is back with season 2. After a brief break this new season gives you a deeper understanding of who Donald & Martin are. Tune In!!
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Brief Moment Of Silence
Road To Legacy podcast is taking a short break to restructure the podcast
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Census
The importance of the census in the Black & Brown American communities.
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VOTING
Martin & Donald discuss the importance of voting in this election and the controversy that surrounds the black divided vote.
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A True Southern Opinion of Donald Trump
Martin and Donald speak to a true African American Appalachian southern native about supporting Donald Trump.
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The System Of Oppression
Donald and Martin speak on the systematic racism, systematic dehumanization of the African American. Plus some short history on Ota Benga.
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Angel Ramirez of the Barrio Boyzz
In the midst of the new jack swing era spearheaded by Teddy Riley. Groups like New Edition, Boyz To Men, Jodeci and TLC comes a latin group the Barrio Boyzz. We speak to Angel Ramirez about his Legacy, the music industry and his friendship with Marc Anthony, Selena, Richard Pryor, Spike Lee and…
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Black Rights Gay Rights
A conversation with Courtney Kornegay of the Privy podcast. We discuss the gay rights movement and LGBTQIA+ and what it all means.
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A Generation Not Forgotten. Clara & Libby’s Story, Part 1
On the Road To Legacy during Juneteenth Martin & Donald traveled through the Shenandoah Valley along the Civil War trail into the Appalachian mountains to meet with Martins 89yr old mother Clara and 91yr old aunt Libby to discuss the Jim Crow era and the future of Black America.
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Martin & Donald’s perspectives on African American legacy
Donald & Martin debate about the pros and cons of making Juneteenth a public holiday. While challenging each other's ideas on PTSD from slavery in the African American community.
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Devyn Abdullah
A talk with TV personality, single mother, motivational speaker Devyn Abdullah on parenthood, the business of fashion/modeling industry and her relationships with Naomi Campbell, Karolína Kurková and the infamous Wendy Williams interview.
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Do Black Lives Really Matter?
Martin and Donald speak to a seasoned retired NYPD officer and a young Puerto Rican/Dominican Brooklyn native. Having an open conversation on race, police brutality, shootings, what not to say when talking to a cop.
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A talk with Cappie Pondexter, US Olympic Gold Metalist and WNBA basketball champion
This week (via ZOOM) we speak to American Olympic Gold Medallist, retired WNBA 2 time champion, Turkish champion and Russian champion, Cappie Marie Pondexter. She discusses her life before, during and after basketball. Cappie spoke briefly on her connection to Michael Jordan and her relationship...
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Swingers, God & The Culture Of Relationships
In an off the cuff conversation Martin & Donald sit with two friends, Denzel a Jamaican swinger & Curtis a black Israelite to discuss sex, God & culture.
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The Crack Choice. Letting Struggle Speak, Steve's Story.
As we grow through troubles, if we're blessed we develop a good character. If we let struggle speak, the truth is revealed. Steve is older African American Male that has seen his fair share of struggle. 6 years in Jail, Crack addiction, horrible accidents. This simple human being has not had a...
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N***a/Ni**er: What’s the love affair with the word and why are we still using it?
Martin & Donald discuss their views on 2 of the most controversial words in today’s English language, Nigga & Nigger while explaining where they come from and their upbringing in NYC.
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Black People Shouldn’t Smoke Marijuana
Martin believes that no black people should smoke marijuana and Donald disagrees. They have this debate in the back of a New York City taxi cab and the cab driver chimes in.
Topics in this show
About this show
Poet and activist, Maya Angelou, shared, "If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased."
Exploring that journey-or road-to legacy has been a decades-long obsession for New York-born besties Donald Reid and Martin Small ( shout-outs to The Bronx and Harlem, respectively). You don't become two of Soho's & Tribeca's most renowned doormen/ concierges without having great smiles, oodles of charm, and prodigious conversational skills. For Martin & Donald, 40 yrs in the hospitality industry has afforded them close and personal views of roads to some legacies being built, tarnished, rebuilt, ignored, and more. Road To Legacy Podcast ( as we are and of quipping, the Old Man versus Young Man Podcast!') captures conversations with notable guests on wide-ranging, relevant, and engaging topics and their personal Roads To Legacy. You won't help but relish the passionate and wildly entertaining disagreements among the hosts (young vs old; left vs ri
Hosted by
Donald Reid & Martin Small