Is it possible to go from freelance to an executive? The answer is YES and in our interview with Blake Newby, she shares her journey and offers the pros and cons - and how it’s important to bring others up who are on our journey. Blake has had an incredible career as beauty writer with bylines in publications such as Allure, Cosmo, and NYLON, just to name a few. She is now Beauty & Style Editor at Essence. A longtime beauty obsessive, she's transformed her longtime love of all things hair, makeup, skincare and fragrance into a career. You won’t want to miss this truly inspiring episode.

Connect with Blake: www.instagram.com/blakelawren

For more information about the sponsor of this show First Boulevard, a financial technology company designed to build generational wealth for Black America, visit www.firstboulevard.com/

This podcast is produced by Rainbow Creative &  with Matthew Jones as Senior Producer + Editor, and Jason Waggoner as Audio Engineer. Find out more about how to create a podcast for you or your business at http://rainbowcreative.co

In this episode, part of our VISA She's Next Grant winner series, we get geared up for the approaching holiday season with, Founder of Greentop Gifts Jacquelyn Rodgers! In this episode we dive into the importance of representation in images for our youth, get in the Jolly spirit with the famous black Santa, Clarence Claus, and hear how this card carrying member of the Beehive reacted when Beyonce featured her on her site.

To learn more about Visa’s She’s Next Grant Program, visit Visa.com/shesnext

For more information about the sponsor of this show First Boulevard, a financial technology company designed to build generational wealth for Black America, visit www.firstboulevard.com/

This podcast is produced by Rainbow Creative &  with Matthew Jones as Senior Producer + Editor, and Jason Waggoner as Audio Engineer. Find out more about how to create a podcast for you or your business at http://rainbowcreative.co

In this episode part of our VISA She's Next Grant winner series, we have an incredible conversation with Lorielle J Hollaway, Founder + Dreamer, Cultured Books Literacy Foundation (www.culturedbooks.org). We discuss the importance of literacy and books for our children, why having a mentor is key to going to the next level, and great tips on how to overcome imposter syndrome.

To learn more about Visa’s She’s Next Grant Program, visit Visa.com/shesnext

For more information about the sponsor of this show First Boulevard, a financial technology company designed to build generational wealth for Black America, visit www.firstboulevard.com

This podcast is produced by Rainbow Creative &  with Matthew Jones as Senior Producer + Editor, and Jason Waggoner as Audio Engineer. Find out more about how to create a podcast for you or your business at http://rainbowcreative.co

In this episode in our VISA She's Next Grant Winner Series, we speak to the one and only Sonic SommelierTM Keanna O’Quinn of Honey + Vinyl (www.honeyandvinylmusic.com). In this conversation we hear her insights on the importance of honing your craft as a creative, how a clear vision is essential for success, and what makes her experiential music and sonic branding company stand out from the rest.

To learn more about Visa’s She’s Next Grant Program, visit Visa.com/shesnext

For more information about the sponsor of this show First Boulevard, a financial technology company designed to build generational wealth for Black America, visit www.firstboulevard.com

This podcast is produced by Rainbow Creative &  with Matthew Jones as Senior Producer + Editor, and Jason Waggoner as Audio Engineer. Find out more about how to create a podcast for you or your business at http://rainbowcreative.co

In our first episode of our VISA She's Next Grant Winner series, we speak to founder Brandelyn Green, Founder of Voice of Hair (www.voiceofhaircare.com). In this conversation we chat about the importance of growing a community and listening to them to build your brand, why hair education is important, and how she successfully made the leap from the corporate world to a business owner.

To learn more about Visa’s She’s Next Grant Program, visit Visa.com/shesnext

For more information about the sponsor of this show First Boulevard, a financial technology company designed to build generational wealth for Black America, visit www.firstboulevard.com/

This podcast is produced by Rainbow Creative &  with Matthew Jones as Senior Producer + Editor, and Jason Waggoner as Audio Engineer. Find out more about how to create a podcast for you or your business at http://rainbowcreative.co

Could a Crypto address be as important as a mailing address in the future? In this conversation with Cuy Sheffield, Head of Visa’s Crypto - we explore what the near future for Crypto holds, how Visa got into the NFT space, and how finding a career that aligns with your passion is the dream.

Cuy Sheffield is the VP and Head of Visa’s Crypto team. Leading the global crypto product team within the fintech product organization. Cuy is a fellow at the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute, a co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cryptocurrencies and a member of the advisory group for the Digital Dollar Project. Before Visa, Cuy worked on business development and partnerships for TrialPay, a fintech startup that Visa acquired in 2015.  

Recent Blog: NFTs mark a new chapter for digital commerce

For more information about the sponsor of this show First Boulevard, a financial technology company designed to build generational wealth for Black America, visit www.firstboulevard.com/

This podcast is produced by Rainbow Creative &  with Matthew Jones as Senior Producer + Editor, and Jason Waggoner as Audio Engineer. Find out more about how to create a podcast for you or your business at http://rainbowcreative.co

Erikan Obotetukudo is the Founder and General Partner of Audacity, a crypto venture fund investing in untapped markets globally that will shape the next 100 years, starting with Africa. She’s also the Co-Founder and President of Crypto for Black Economic Empowerment (CBEE), an ecosystem and community of black/African crypto founders, investors, and artists across 20 countries. Prior, Erikan was a financial services relationship manager at LinkedIn where she advised asset management, hedge fund, venture capital, and private equity executives. She also serves on the board of the Henry Kravis Leadership Institute and is a global keynote and TED speaker. 

For more information about the sponsor of this show First Boulevard, a financial technology company designed to build generational wealth for Black America, visit www.firstboulevard.com/

This podcast is produced by Rainbow Creative &  with Matthew Jones as Senior Producer + Editor, and Jason Waggoner as Audio Engineer. Find out more about how to create a podcast for you or your business at http://rainbowcreative.co

After working in Fashion Design for over 12 years Shannon returned to her hometown to launch her storefront and dynamic brand - Yowie. In this conversation we explore her passion to create, how leaning into what you don’t know can lead to great results, the future of her brand, and more.

YOWIE is a Black-owned lifestyle shop and design studio founded in 2016 by Philadelphia native Shannon Maldonado. After working in Fashion Design for over 12 years (Ralph Lauren, American Eagle Outfitters, and Urban Outfitters), Shannon returned to her hometown to launch her storefront and dynamic brand. 

YOWIE’s brand includes collaborative artist objects, interior design for hospitality spaces and Art Direction for clients like The Philadelphia Museum of Art. Past collaborators include Fred Segal, Lisa Says Gah, CB2, The Institute of Contemporary Art, Ethel’s Club, The Deacon and Dye House. In 2022 YOWIE will open a new mixed use space that includes a hotel, cafe and expanded shop.

For more information about the sponsor of this show First Boulevard, a financial technology company designed to build generational wealth for Black America, visit www.firstboulevard.com/

This podcast is produced by Rainbow Creative &  with Matthew Jones as Senior Producer + Editor, and Jason Waggoner as Audio Engineer. Find out more about how to create a podcast for you or your business at http://rainbowcreative.co