Blk & Barred

What’s the real cost of talking to AI? In this episode, we peel back the curtain on ChatGPT, exploring how your data might be used, and how every conversation could be draining more than just electricity. From digital footprints to water footprints, we’re breaking down the hidden side of AI that Big Tech doesn’t talk about.

In this episode of Blk & Barred, we are joined by Attorney Elle Gyamfi as we break down the legal, financial, and cultural layers behind Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker’s divorce — and dig into the question everyone’s asking: Is their prenup enforceable? Join us as we explore how income imbalance, power dynamics, blended families, and public scrutiny collide when a celebrity couple decides to call it quits. We unpack what makes a prenup valid, how it works during a high-profile separation, and what everyday couples can learn from the Burruss-Tucker split.

In this reflective episode, we unpack Vice President Kamala Harris’ candid memoir 107 Days, which chronicles the whirlwind 2024 presidential campaign with behind‑the‑scenes detail and insights into resilience and leadership.Host Avi B. connects Harris’s struggle with perfectionism to the realities of the legal profession, where many new attorneys are terrified of making mistakes. You’ll hear why the fear of missteps can be paralyzing and how embracing imperfection actually strengthens your practice. We discuss strategies for recognizing when perfectionism hinders growth, owning mistakes early, and turning errors into learning opportunities.Check out our new merch at: https://www.blkandbarred.com

In this candid solo episode, host Avi B. pulls back the curtain on her journey into the law and the surprising reality she found once she arrived. She admits that she once believed the prevailing myth that Big Law would lead to wealth and happily‑ever‑after success—but soon discovered that even firms touting robust DEI initiatives rarely build cultures with Black attorneys in mind. The episode delves into the subtle but damaging forms of racism she experienced in predominantly white firms, where being starved of substantive work makes it impossible to hit billable‑hour targets and advance.She explains that these experiences, coupled with the fact that Black lawyers have made no real gains in representation over the last decade—still just 5 % of the profession motivated her to create Blk & Barred. Along the way, she also touches on the mental‑health toll of navigating a profession where surveys show lawyers feel burned out and stresses the importance of community for combating isolation and burnout.If you’ve ever felt alone in your legal career or doubted whether there’s a place for you in a white, male‑dominated profession, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. Tune in to hear why building community isn’t just empowering, it’s essential to thriving.

This episode of Blk and Barred with guest Attorney Bryan Sumner dives into the intersection of law and parenthood. How do attorneys manage the intense demands of practice while showing up fully for their families? We explore the challenges, the systems that don’t support working parents, and the creative ways lawyers are reclaiming time, peace, and purpose.

In this episode, Attorney Brown is joined by fellow Civil Rights Attorney Ashley Mitchell for a deep chat about their work in election protection. They also open up about the realities of practicing civil rights law when the odds feel stacked against you. From courtroom setbacks to the emotional toll of fighting systemic injustice, they share what it takes to remain persistent, grounded, and hopeful in the face of trying times. This conversation is a reminder that resilience isn’t about never struggling—it’s about pushing forward with purpose, no matter the obstacles.

This Week on Blk & Barred 🎙️We’re sitting down with Atty. Cameron Redd of RS Legal Group to talk about the bold move of opening a law firm straight out of law school.

We get it, AI is everywhere. It writes, it draws, it can even flirt (kinda). But while we’re busy asking it to plan our lives and finish our sentences, maybe it’s time we ask a juicier question: Should we be worried? In this episode, we’re unpacking the ethical mess behind the AI obsession—from creepy surveillance vibes to built-in bias and the slow death of human creativity. We also discuss the recently filed lawsuit where a 16 year old committed suicide which his parents contend was aided by ChatGPT.If you've ever side-eyed your phone after a "coincidental" ad or felt uneasy about how much tech knows about you—this one’s for you. Tune in, spill the tea, and let’s get real about the price of all this artificial "intelligence."

In this episode, we’re digging into how all this polarization—political, cultural, even within our own communities—is making it harder to build real, supportive, connected spaces. From side-eyes at the PTA to group chats that feel like war zones, we’re unpacking why everyone seems so quick to draw lines and what that’s doing to our sense of community. Is there a way back? Or are we too far gone? Let’s get into it.

Let's explore the story of Rodney Hinton, the Ohio man who ran over an Ohio Sheriff after his son was killed by law enforcement, and examine how “heat of passion” crimes are treated under the law. We break down what qualifies as a heat of passion defense, how it impacts charges and sentencing, and why these cases reveal so much about human emotion and the justice system.

In this bold and inspiring episode, we’re joined by the incredible Attorney Heather Reese, a powerhouse who’s redefining what it means to be a lawyer. Not only is she a practicing attorney, but she’s also a plus-size Latina model, breaking barriers and thriving outside the traditional confines of the legal profession.We dive into her unique journey blending law, creativity, and authenticity, and how she’s built a career that aligns with her values and identity. Heather opens up about the challenges and triumphs of embracing your full self in a profession that often rewards conformity.Together, we also share the three things we wish we had known as new lawyers, from navigating mistakes while practicing to redefining success on our own terms. Whether you're a law student, new attorney, or seasoned professional thinking about your next chapter, this episode will leave you feeling seen, empowered, and ready to step outside the box.

We’re spilling the tea on prenups — what they are, why you may need one, and when to lock it down. We also get real about why dating these days feels like swimming through sewage. Grab a drink and buckle up — it’s about to get real!

This week on Bad and Barred, I’m joined by powerhouse Attorney Angie Holloway for a real and raw conversation about burnout among Black women lawyers. We unpack the pressures of perfection, the weight of representation, and the toll the legal grind can take on our mental and emotional health. Tune in for some truth, some laughs, and a reminder that rest is resistance.

The very first time I visited a client in jail came with a very unexpected turn of events, Being a lawyer comes with some twists and turns, but when you do criminal defense work, you have to stay ready for whatever comes your way. Tune in for a quick update on the state of the the world with the chaos of this current administration, plus a girl time talk about my first jail visit experience.Disclaimer: Nothing shared on this podcast is intended to be taken as legal advice. Be sure to consult with a licensed attorney for your legal needs.

In this episode new discuss a few of the recent cases in which Trump's illegal executive orders have been challenged in court. He has lost 93% of all of the federal cases filed against him challenging his actions. While the US Supreme Court has ruled that he can't be arrested for his illegal conduct, what about his minions? What happens if he doesn't comply with the court orders? Let's get into it!

In this episode we discuss the importance of creators taking steps to protect their creative genius with guest Attorney Elle Gyamfi, owner of the Counselle Collection! We also dive into the connection between civil rights and trademark law and with the historic loss the proud boys took on their trademark when they lost in a civil suit to a historically Black church in DC.

In this episode we’re diving into the complex and controversial topic of assisted suicide. Is it a compassionate choice or a legal slippery slope? We’ll break down the laws surrounding medical aid in dying, the ethical arguments on both sides, and the real-life impact on patients and families.

Slavery was not just brutal, it was filled with fear, but not just for the slaves. In this episode we dive into the often untold story about the fear and intense paranoia that slave owners faced for their mistreatment of the enslaved. Letters from the US archives reveal that slave owners had sleepless nights fueled by anxiety, heart palpitations and headaches, worried about their slaves rebelling-and sometimes they did. From Nat Turner's Rebellion to the Stono Rebellion in SC, thousands of slaves took matters into their own hands and took their dignity back. Today the descendants of the people that build this country stand resilient in the face of present day race based attacks. We are beautiful, bold, creative & resilient. Happy Black History Month!

In this episode we dive into what authoritarianism and fascism truly mean. What does it mean to be American? Who is included in the American dream? We talk about this current obsession with DEI. People of color seem to be at the forefront of conservatives minds right now, and it is evident through the roll back of DEI policies, despite the fact that White women are the primary beneficiaries of DEI and affirmative action. Black people are resilient, always have been. There is no American culture without us, so in honor of Black History Month, this episode is an ode to Black People!

In this episode we chat about the social media buzz that says that the 92%...ie the overwhelming majority of Black women that voted for Kamala Harris will be resting for the next 4 years, abandoning our capes and tending to ourselves and our communities.