@SoulThursdays is a division of the Community Education Collective, LLC
If you are looking for an initial conversation about how women entrepreneurs create opportunities for their communities then this is the session for you. If you want to know about some of the complexities around business growth, then these sessions are for you. And if you would like to know what Black Entrepreneurial Women are doing to ensure successful startups, then this is definitely a session for you!
April 26, 2024

Getting Started in Gardening and Micro Schools

What can gardening teach us about nurturing and growth in education? Today’s episode of Southern Soul explores this question through the transformative experiences of two individuals: Alethea Victor, founder of GroLeafy, and Janelle Wood, founder of ...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 2, 2023

Autoimmune Care - From MS Survivor to Cannabis CEO with Jennifer Gask…

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Gaskins, a remarkable individual who has not only survived multiple sclerosis (MS) but has also become a leading advocate for the use of cannabis in autoimmune care. Join us as we delve into her inspiring jo...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 22, 2023

“AI, Ethics, and Racial Equity” - Hidden Biases in Artificial Intelli…

Overview In this illuminating episode, host our host engages in a profound conversation with Calvin Lawrence, the author of "Hidden in White Sight," as they delve into the intricate world of artificial intelligence and its impact on racial equity. To...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 14, 2023

”Beyond Burnout” - Guiding Mid-career Professionals from 50 AND FED U…

The episode explores Lynne's coined phrases, including "50 and Fed Up," "Career Deceleration," and "Flow from Frustration to Freedom." These phrases encapsulate the mid-career professional's journey, where individuals may feel stuck, frustrated, or u...

Listen to the Episode
June 28, 2023

”Supervisor to CEO” - Women-Owned Businesses in Consulting and Affor…

Join us on an inspiring Soul Thursday episode as host D-Rich engages in a captivating conversation with Theresa Cummings, founder and CEO of Cummings Consulting & Management, LLC, alongside the incredible Dr. Ashlie Booth, MD, from Healing Beyond the...

Listen to the Episode
June 21, 2023

”Church Health” - Reviving Our Roots and Strategies for the Black Chu…

Buckle up for an exciting and enlightening episode as host D-Rich engages in a dynamic conversation with the remarkable Rev. Lakesha Womack, Rev. JerQuentin Sutton, Rev. Carline Brown, and Dr. Chelece Brown. Together, they unveil groundbreaking strat...

Listen to the Episode
June 15, 2023

“Legal Cannabis & Prison Reform” - The Intersection of Entrepreneursh…

Prohibition of cannabis has been about bad science, racism, propaganda, and violence, “ says Arti Finn, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, APDS.  In this episode, host D-Rich leads a fascinating exploration of the intricate world of legalized can...

Listen to the Episode
March 16, 2023

The Future of The Black Church in The Black Community

“The church is not just what we do on Wednesday and Sunday, but how do we really live our faith and become the change agents in the world?”, shares LaKesha Womack, church growth consultant and founder of the Rethinking Church Project. Today, LaKesha ...

Listen to the Episode
March 9, 2023

Black Women in Construction and the Booming Texas Construction Indust…

“Some clients and vendors would often ask me to consult my husband, or they would request to speak to my male counterpart,” Tracy Green said, “I would politely offer to help with their request and tell them that if I was unable to do so we could cons...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 8, 2023

Beyu Caffé - Building a Community Brand that Matters

Is building a community-centric brand a marketing strategy or a business strategy? Well, as Dorian Bolden would say, “Without community, it’s just coffee.” Dorian is the founder and owner of Beyu Caffé as well as being the CEO and Chief Vision Office...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 13, 2023

Funding & Launching Your Dream with Circle and Collective Giving

If you can identify a problem that people in your community have and are willing to pay for, you are on trD-Richack for starting a successful business. Use money that is closer to home by investing your own funds or seeking help from friends and fami...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 6, 2023

Black Male Mental Health, Depression and Toxic Masculinity

“The body needs to keep score of these traumatic events to protect itself. But unfortunately, this can cause anxiety. This can cause depression. This can cause substance abuse,” explains Dr. Jody Joshua Adewale. Dr. Jody is a clinical psychologist wi...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 2, 2023

BBQ, Bourbon, & Blues: Building a Growth Business - On The Side!

“I'm a firm believer that your network is directly tied to your net worth. And so you really have to surround yourself with the right people,” shares April Pyatt, owner and lead event coordinator at Socialite Events. Today, April joins host D-Rich to...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 3, 2022

Getting Started in Grant Writing & Franchising with Dr. Beverly A. Br…

“When I think about the impact that I can make in the community, there are very few things that have impacted me more than a little Black girl coming up to my counter and saying, ‘She's the owner? Mommy, Daddy, I want to own a business one day!’, Tha...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 2, 2022

What My Eyes Have Seen - Reflections on Taboos, Secrecy & Silence

“What was really fascinating for me in the course of writing about some of my own trauma was that my parents never really talked to me about racism,” shares Bettye Walker, Owner of B. Walker Consultants with more than three decades of professional ex...

Listen to the Episode
July 21, 2022

Women of Color Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

“It takes a village to raise an entrepreneur,” shares Dr. Dell Gines, certified economic developer who works for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.  In today’s episode, host D-Rich sits down with guests Dr. Dell Gines and college professor Dr. ...

Listen to the Episode
May 27, 2022

“Venture Capital & Angel Investing” - Bridging the Funding Gap with …

“When it comes to representation, VC entrepreneurship is woefully behind,” shares Brooke Daniels, founder of Ready, Aim, Launch. In today’s episode host D-Rich sits down with Brooke to talk about bridging the funding gap for Black entrepreneurs and t...

Listen to the Episode
May 5, 2022

”Hot Shot Trucking” with De Shola Spencer and Guests

“Trucking is where it's at right now,” shares De Shola Spencer, teacher and serial entrepreneur with 17 years of experience. In today’s episode host D-Rich sits down with guest De Shola Spencer and others to talk about the money-making opportunities ...

Listen to the Episode
April 1, 2022

Marketing Strategy for Nonprofits w/ Bilen Mesfin Packwood

“Some folks get excited about musicians or movie stars, I get excited about folks who have ideas for how to make our world better,” says Bilen Mesfin Packwood, CEO, and Founder of Change Consulting. In today’s episode, host D-Rich and Bilen sit down ...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 3, 2022

”Pandemic Impact”: Meet the Mother-Daughter Duo Creating Quality Heal…

“As a community, we have to be aware, we have to advocate for each other and ourselves, and we have to ask the hard questions, so we can empower ourselves,” says Dr. Gloria T. Anderson. It wasn’t until the pandemic struck that healthcare disparities ...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 10, 2021

“Breaking The Curse”: Perseverance Through Severe Dysfunction as a Bl…

“Seventy percent of people experience trauma at some point in their lives,” says Reggie D. Ford. Like many others in his East Nashville neighborhood, Reggie could have been a victim of the streets. While crime, violence and poverty were second nature...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 19, 2021

Newly Retired, Now What & Self-Publishing with Dr. Daryl D. Green, Dr…

Have you ever wondered about the trials and tribulations of publishing your own book? Experts Dr. Robert L. Shepard, Dr. Daryl D. Green and Kaci Diane share their background in writing, publishing, and finding their artistic voices. They provide insi...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 12, 2021

Great Wines, Unforgettable Experiences: Women Entrepreneurs Building …

In a predominately white industry, black wine lovers have often found it difficult to find inclusion in the business. While there are some popular black-owned wines, they only account for 1% of all existing companies. After discovering their own pass...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 5, 2021

Lessons in Music Production I Wish I Knew When I Started featuring Ot…

Otto D'Agnolo is a recording engineer who has spent over 40 years of his life in the music business. He began his career in the music industry as a performer and then went on to become a recording engineer. Otto has had the pleasure of working with s...

Listen to the Episode