The Scholars' Guide

In this episode, we dive into the inspiration behind creating spaces where music, culture, and community truly come together. Founder Briana Brown our guest Sonia Sol discusses her experiences. As they talk about the challenges and rewards of doing something different — especially when there isn’t a clear roadmap laid out for you. Sometimes being the first means figuring things out as you go, facing uncertainty, and stepping into the unknown. If you’ve ever felt unsure about taking a non-traditional path, this conversation is your reminder that you don’t need permission to build something new. Take the step, trust the process, and keep moving forward — we’re rooting for you. From reimagining what festivals can look like, to creating welcoming environments for first-time campers, this conversation explores the power of intentional spaces, representation, and community-driven experiences. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on career, growth, and building your own path. 

In this special episode, host and BNB Board member Nico Montano flips the script to interview our very own founder, Briana Brown. Together, they take a deep dive into her collegiate journey —from the diverse halls of Ramapo High School to the high-stakes world of Aerospace Operations and side hustles.Briana opens up about the "existential spirals" of college, the courage required to change your mind especially when navigating familial expectations, and how making a plan and sticking to it helped her through the most challenging moments of her early career.Join us for a candid conversation on discipline, consistency, and the beauty of building a life that brings you joy.Briana Brown is a Harlem-based aerospace supply chain leader with over a decade of experience in operations and program management. Currently leading Sourcing Readiness at a global aerospace company, she is a PMP-certified professional with a multifaceted entrepreneurial spirit. Briana is the founder of The BNB Foundation, which champions collegiate equity, and the visionary behind Jon’s Dojo, a community-focused martial arts third space. Her commitment to legacy and storytelling extends to her roles as an angel investor and executive producer of a documentary chronicling the restoration of her family’s historic 1880s brownstone. A native New Yorker of Jamaican descent, Briana seamlessly bridges the gap between industrial operations and social investment, dedicated to creating more equitable communities through access, capital, and intentional design.