Black Business Live Podcast

"Wholeness is not the absence of struggle; it is the presence of your full self in the midst of it."In this powerful episode of The Black Business Live Podcast, Tolu Akindunni sits down with Lola Dada-Olley, an attorney, author, and "Hope Multiplier." Born to first-generation immigrant parents, Lola was raised with a focus of excellence that led her to the top of the corporate legal world. But behind the professional accolades was a lived reality that required a different kind of "tactical grit."Lola shares her journey of caring for her two autistic children. She managed 70 hours of pediatric care per week for four years while also being a lifelong advocate for her younger brother, who is profoundly autistic and intellectually disabled. We dive into how she transitioned from "performing resilience" to becoming Unapologetically Whole.In This Episode, We Discuss:The Immigrant Blueprint: Shifting from a performance-based identity to a purpose-driven life.The Caregiver’s MBA: How decades of navigating neurodiversity and the ADA created a sharper, more empathetic corporate leader.The Influence of Storytelling: Using platforms like her podcast, Hulu, TEDx, and new book to move rooms and shape national culture.Sustainable Ambition: How Black leaders can set boundaries and seek support without self-erasure.Generational Healing: Reclaiming a version of success that honors both high-impact leadership and personal wholeness.5 Moments to Skip To:02:52 – The Immigrant Blueprint: Growing up in a first-generation household where performance was the metric of success.05:46 – The "Year of the Tear": A raw look at the double autism diagnosis that forced a shift from a "perfect" success story to radical emotional truth.21:46 – The Strategic Pivot: How Lola leveraged "Tactical Grit" to move from the courtroom to the TEDx stage and global leadership.31:57 – The Five-Minute Pocket: A practical tool for busy leaders to find grounding in the midst of professional and personal chaos.44:02 – The Permission to Become: Lola's final mandate on why wholeness must always come before performance.Featured Guest: Lola Dada-OlleyLola leads the ADA legal team for a global banking institution and is the host of the Unapologetically Whole podcast. Her forthcoming memoir, "Unapologetically Whole," is a must-have for caregivers and high-achievers looking to redefine success after life-altering events.Connect with Lola: https://loladadaolley.com Pre-Order the Book: Unapologetically Whole (Available May 12) https://rebrand.ly/unapologetically-whole. Get $3 off with code WHOLE Thank You For Listening! If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scale.Help us amplify Black excellence by:Sharing on your social mediaTagging @bblivepodcastInviting a friend to tune inConnect With Us:Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastDiscover the network: www.blackandb.com/communityEmail: [email protected] Partnership & Sponsorship: [email protected] This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business. 

How does a physician-founder scale a brand to reach 1 million girls in an industry where Black-owned businesses only make up 3%? In this special Women’s History Month feature, we move beyond the narrative to the roadmap of Black excellence. We are joined in-studio by the brilliant Dr. Monica Williams: the physician-founder recently recognized on Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 500 and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies.From winning the $1M Black Ambition Grand Prize to achieving 91% YOY growth, Dr. Monica reveals the "full lowdown" on how she transitioned from radiology research to orchestrating a puberty revolution. Alongside host Tolu Akindunni and guest host Sammi Bivens, we explore the strategy of scaling a category-expanding brand into 350+ Ulta Beauty stores and securing a major retail partnership with Walmart.Strategy Gems: What You Will AbsorbThe Innovative Edge: Moving beyond marketing to engineer period products specifically for "growing bodies" and tween physiology.Financial Rigor for Scale: Why Dr. Monica prioritizes a daily cash flow statement to manage debt and prepare for mass retail distribution.Channel Diversification: The "lowdown" on balancing multiple channels: D2C, Amazon, Partnerships, and National Retail to protect your business from volatility.The Power of Three: Building a high-performance founding team with complementary expertise in education, execution, and finance.TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction: Celebrating Black Innovation & Women's History Month.04:44 - The HBCU Journey: Transitioning from Medicine to Serial Entrepreneurship.07:31 - Identifying the Gap: Why adult period products fail young girls.08:43 - Body Literacy: Using education as a tool for market dominance.20:14 - Retail Strategy: The road from 350 Ulta Beauty stores to Walmart.24:30 - The 10-Year Overnight Success: Final advice for mission-driven founders.ABOUT THE GUESTSDr. Monica Williams: CEO of Scarlet by RedDrop, HBCU Alumna (Howard & Meharry), and award-winning entrepreneur. tryscarlet.comSammi Bivens: CEO of Digital Marketing Maven and 2025-26 President-elect of NAWBO Dallas/Fort Worth. https://digimarketingmaven.com RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODEFree Access to Period Prep 101 Resource: tryscarlet.com (Use code SCARLETPODCAST): Join NAWBO DFW: nawbodfw.orgBlack Ambition Prize Competition: blackambitionprize.comPRODUCT SPONSORLNK Mezcal: lnkmezcal.com THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scaleHelp us amplify Black excellence by:Sharing on your social mediaTagging @bblivepodcastInviting a friend to tune inCONNECT WITH US:Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastDiscover the network: www.blackandb.com/communityEmail: [email protected] Partnership & Sponsorship: [email protected] This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business. 

In this high-energy second episode of Season 2, Tolu sits down with Karen "KJ" Johnson, a powerhouse executive leader and sought-after public speaker. While KJ serves as the 2025-26 Chapter President of NAWBO Dallas/Ft. Worth, our conversation dives deep into her life’s work: helping leaders move from the exhaustion of survival to the impact of sustainability.KJ pulls back the curtain on the Black Charity Boardroom, explaining the "Boardroom Reset" necessary to save nonprofit leaders from burnout. We also explore her new book, Poised & Positioned for Purpose, and the W.O.M.A.N. Framework: a leadership and identity model designed to help high-achieving women own their presence in every space they occupy.The Big Three Gems:- On Presence: "You have Presence. When you enter a room, you've gotta own it because,  you do."-On Authenticity: "You need to own all of who you are, in all the spaces you are in."-On Resilience: "The hills and the valleys that you go through? It's okay. Because you are going to get a testimony out of it!"Key Takeaways:-The "Working Board" Trap: KJ discusses the common pitfall where nonprofit boards focus on day-to-day operations rather than long-term strategy.-Strategic vs. Operational Leadership: KJ explains how defining clear roles allows leaders to sustainably fuel their passion without hitting a wall of burnout.-The Accountability Shift: Why mission-driven work still requires high-level business discipline. KJ discusses the necessity of introducing performance reviews and setting clear, measurable objectives to ensure an organization’s vision becomes a reality.-The W.O.M.A.N. Framework: A breakdown of KJ’s signature identity model, helping women of color reclaim their worth, own their voice, and activate their authority.-Owning Your Presence: Why you must bring your whole self into every space you occupy; from the community to the executive suite.RESOURCES FROM THE Click here to view the episode transcript. EPISODE-Purchase the Autographed Copy of Poised & Positioned for Purpose: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/LWB4B8XV6CDWW -The Black Charity Boardroom: linktr.ee/blackcharityboardroom -The Konfident Woman:  linktr.ee/konfidentwoman -Connect with Karen “KJ” Johnson:-Instagram: @the_karen_kj_johnson-LinkedIn: Karen "KJ" JohnsonPRODUCT VENDORS:-Folly’s Arts & Crafts (IG: @follyscrafts)-I LUV YOU (BLK) (IG: iluvyoublk)THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If KJ’s insights on the "Boardroom Reset" or owning your presence hit home, leave us a review and share this episode with a leader who is ready to scaleHelp us amplify Black excellence by:-Sharing on your social media-Tagging @bblivepodcast-Inviting a friend to tune inCONNECT WITH US:-Website: www.blackandb.com/podcast-Discover the network: www.blackandb.com/community-Email: [email protected] -Partnership & Sponsorship: [email protected] This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business. #BBLPodcast #Episode2 #BlackCharityBoardroom #TheKonfidentWoman #ExecutiveLeadership #BoardroomReset #PoisedAndPositioned #WomensHistoryMonthClick here to view the episode transcript.

Commence Season 2 of the BBL Podcast with an exclusive fireside chat recorded at The BOW Collective's 5th Annual Conference. Dissect the $4 Billion roadmap of an organization where a 70% internal trade rate scales Black women-owned businesses into the top 1% of their industries. Join Nic Cober, Ticki Favaroth, and FIFA Dallas CMO Noelle LeVeaux to learn how to secure enterprise contracts and build the capability to dominate the 2026 and 2031 World Cup global stages.Are you ready to move beyond the conversation and into the high-stakes world of scaling globally and positioning for large international sporting events?The Black Business Live Podcast is back, commencing Season 2 with a powerful conversation on the Black Economic Agenda. Recorded live during the "Welcome to Texas" VIP Reception (sponsored by HR&Co) at the 5th Annual BOW Collective Conference: Phenomenally BOW, this episode dissects the roadmap of an organization representing over $4 Billion in collective annual revenue, and growing.With over 250 Black business CEOs in attendance in Arlington, Texas, this session explores a bold new chapter for expanding enterprise presence in the global marketplace. Join us for a transparent, high-level exchange on what it takes to scale, secure enterprise contracts, and build a legacy that lasts.The Powerhouse Panel:Nic Cober, Esquire | Founder, The BOW CollectiveTicki Favaroth | President, BOW Enterprises & Managing Partner, HR&CoNoelle LeVeaux | CMO, FIFA World Cup 2026 DallasIn This Fireside Chat, We Unpack:The $4 Billion Blueprint: The specific strategies The BOW Collective uses to leverage sisterhood and the power to dominate in unchartered waters and scale businesses into the top 1% of their industries.Cooperative Economics in Action: Why a 70% internal trade rate is the ultimate strategic advantage for scaling past the $1M mark and fostering the connections necessary for the Black Economic Agenda.The FIFA Opportunity: Noelle LeVeaux reveals how Black-owned enterprises must position themselves for the FIFA World Cup Dallas global stage.The work starts now. While the world looks toward 2026, the strategic leader is already building for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. Use this season to identify your gaps, sharpen your operations, and build the enterprise capability required to support the next decade of large-scale international sporting events.RESOURCES MENTIONED: The BOW Institute: www.thebowcollective.orgFIFA Dallas: https://www.dallasfwc26.comCONNECT WITH US:Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastEmail: [email protected] & Sponsorship: [email protected] US ON SOCIAL:FB / IG / LinkedIn / YouTube / TikTok: @bblivepodcastDISCOVER THE NETWORK:www.blackandb.com/communityThank You for Listening! This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.Love the episode? Help us amplify Black excellence by:Sharing on your social mediaTagging @bblivepodcastInviting a friend to tune inLeaving a review on your favorite streaming platform

A CEO who ran a successful 7-figure business after decades in the corporate world. A foundational leader of The BOW Collective, architecting success for Black women business owners. A Faith-Driven executive. What's her secret?In this exclusive conversation, hosts Belva and Tolu sit down with Ticki Favaroth to get the unfiltered truths that keep her grounded while building a blueprint for multi-generational wealth.Ticki doesn't hold back. She reveals the hard lessons learned after taking advice that only offered a 'pinch,' leaving her to navigate the toughest parts of scaling alone. She shares the wisdom absorbed from working with the best CEOs, and the essential truth no one tells you about balancing success with the human side of life.This episode shifts your focus from short-term gain to multi-generational impact. Hear how Ticki is building a legacy designed to last forever.

Target Bags to the Big Leagues: The Sherrill Mosee StoryA cut-up Target bag, cardboard, glue, and staples. That’s how Sherrill Mosee started, turning a simple idea into MinkeeBlue, a patented organizational bag that landed a $100,000 Macy’s purchase order.Tolu and Belva sit down with Sherrill to discuss the engineering mindset that turned a commuter’s frustration into a market-ready brand. Today, she’s building AI-powered tools to help founders move faster through manufacturing and product development.Inside This Episode:Scrappy Prototyping: Why starting with "imperfect" materials still wins.The Logistics of Growth: Navigating patents, overseas manufacturing, and supply chain realities.The Macy’s Milestone: What it actually took to land the $100K deal.The AI Shift: How AI is changing the path from concept to market.Press play to learn how problem-solving becomes a legacy when you refuse to quit.

How does a woman go from running her own makeup shop to landing a deal that makes her the first Black-owned clean brand on Ulta.com? And how is she still winning on Nordstrom, JCPenney, and HSN?Belva and Tolu got chatting with Kim Roxie, Founder and CEO of LAMIK Beauty and a pioneer who has been pushing for real inclusion in the beauty game since 2004.At 21, Kim opened a successful brick-and-mortar makeup shop in Houston, but soon realized clean beauty was completely ignoring women of color. So, in 2020, she made the ultimate boss move: she pivoted to e-commerce and landed that game-changing deal with Ulta.com.In this episode, Kim gets real. She talks about the incredible ethos behind building a clean, vegan brand for all women, no matter their shade. She dives into the unexpected barriers she kept breaking just by showing up and doing the work. Plus, hear how this phenomenal leader (who even has her own "Kim Roxie Day" in Houston) is actively shaping the next generation, literally taking young girls to manufacturing plants to inspire their careers.Press play to find out how Kim redefined what Black excellence looks like in the beauty world and built a legacy that’s about more than just money.

This powerful episode, recorded during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), features the incredible Darlisa Diltz, known as the Queen of North Texas Entrepreneurship.Hosts Tolu and Belva sit down with Darlisa - a first-generation college student, entrepreneur, leader of the 6-countywide North Texas GEW initiative, and Chief  Entrepreneurship Strategist for Foundations Entrepreneur Development Company.In This Must-Listen Conversation:-Ecosystem Power: Darlisa's blueprint for championing the dynamic GENTX ecosystem and why collaboration is vital for regional growth.-The Burden of the Crown: We tackle the struggles of identity and power for underrepresented communities and the drive to empower success.-Generational Wealth & Mindset: Hard talk on the resilience and difficult decisions needed to establish generational wealth through hard work.Darlisa leaves us with an undeniable truth: "The only place you find success before work is in the dictionary."Press Play to gain priceless insights from a true community leader!CONNECT WITH DARLISA DILTZ: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlisadiltz/FOLLOW BLACK BUSINESS LIVE: @bblivepodcast

We’re dedicating this segment of our episode to businesses making waves right here in our community!Join Belva and Tolu as they sit down with the phenomenal Felicia Wright, founder of Mygani (acronym for My God and I). Felicia tells us all about her journey, from her deep love for all things fashion and creativity to discussing the powerful connections that are opening up doors for her business.But that's not all—Felicia gives us an exclusive expose into what’s coming up for her brand and shares some exciting products to inspire you for the holiday season! She also dives deep into the personal motivation behind her business: creating a product that empowers women and girls of color.Get ready for an uplifting chat that's packed with inspiration!

Ever wonder how the Black Business Live Podcast really got started? Well, your hosts, Belva and Tolu, are sitting down for a laid-back, honest conversation to give you the scoop!They're diving deep into the powerful community that supports the show and sharing some of the key resources and network connections that have truly impacted them and other entrepreneurs.Plus, they're pulling back the curtain on the other services the podcast team offers. This is your chance to learn how you can plug into their expertise and network. Tune in to get the full story on the mission, the network, and all the ways you can engage with the Black Business Live team. 

One conversation can transform your business, and this one could be the catalyst.In this episode of the Black Business Live Podcast, award-winning storyteller, filmmaker, and business strategist Dr. Cheryl Polote-Williamson, a woman on a mission to empower and elevate others, shares how to build legacy, lead with authority, and expand your influence globally.Underpinned by faith, this is the Market Access Playbook for Black entrepreneurs ready to break barriers, win markets, and scale with purpose.

In this episode of Black Business Live, we explore the extraordinary journey of Karla Trotman, who stepped into leadership not by starting something new, but by acquiring and evolving the business her family built.From breaking barriers in manufacturing to navigating the complexities of ownership and succession, Karla is rewriting the narrative of legacy and generational wealth. Her story reveals what it means to take the torch, steward tradition, and boldly build forward—redefining power, leadership, and wealth for the next generation.