Who Got Next? The Podcast

It's almost time for Eat Black Charlotte Restaurant week and their Food & Culture Festival to hit CLT this summer so we had to chop it with the organizers of this event. This week we're talking with a few of the co-founders of EAT BLK CLT DailySpecialCLT and Food Plug CLT. The fellas let us know what's in store for the event and discuss some of the things they learned as the event grows year after year. We also talk about the nuances of food reviews for restaurants and food trucks and how the businesses learn and build off the feedback moving forward. DailySpecialCLT is a recurring WGN guest, and it was a privilege to chop it up with Food Plug as well. #WhoGotNext #CLTure

In honor of Women's History Month, I wanted to discuss Black women working in corporate America. Most executive roles or positions that require somebody to be the face of their company are not people of color. Not saying all of them fall in that category, but the number isn't as high as it should be. In my opinion, the last couple of years we have seen a shift in corporate America focusing on how to tackle diversity in the workplace. Another big question is how do companies that are in the minority compete with bigger companies to land contracts with them? Let's meet Alexis K, DEI advocate for Turner Construction in Charlotte, NC. Her role is to ensure that small minority businesses are prepared through engagement and training. On our sit-down Alexis talks about her journey in her field, the power of networking, and the joy of providing opportunities to the small fishes in a big pond and will continue to do so. Also, here is fun a fact about Alexis. Did you all know that she is training to get her pilot licen

On this week's episode of WGN we're catching up with Vashti, the owner of Carolina Blitz here in the QC.  Since the last time she was on the pod ya girl has been BLITZIN'! Business is on the upswing, the sports credentials are validated, and the RESPECT has been cemented. We talk about what she has learned since becoming a business owner in the short few years and what it's like covering the Carolina Panthers, Tarheels, Blue Devils, and NC State? Vashti gives a little insight on a few things she wouldn't mind getting "her lick back" on starting her sports journalism career and the importance on being unapologetically black in a white male dominated field. For the next young black women aspiring to cover sports just take a page out of  her book. Like I told her, "Vashti did that so hopefully you don't have to go through that!". Yea I stole Shawn Corey Carter's bars. SO! LOL #WhoGotNext #CLTure

Welcome Back! Thank you for tuning in to the WGN. Starting off this volume with some cooking! Meet Santana Burriss, private chef, mixologist, and Culinary entrepreneur. Burriss is a CLT native that has a serious passion for food and we discuss how traveling across the globe shaped his experiences in the kitchen. Burriss doesn't dismiss that fact that his foundation for food started in his the family kitchen at a young age, and gives the credit it deserves, but Santana's skill set grew from traveling across the globe where he was able to study the food culture and implement that into his own recipes. This conversation we discuss him working in some of Atlanta's premiere restaurants, going to school in NY for culinary arts, and the documentary he is working on presently here in CLT that will highlight the food scene here in the city. Here is a fun fact: if you are a fan of the Food Network then you might've seen Satana as a contestant on Supermarket Stakeout around the fall of 2022. Thank you all for tuning in.

If you know me then you would know I probably enjoy R&B way more than Hip Hop. Some good ass singing will always be my choice to set the mood. Now Cyanca, this sista right here.....definitely is making strides with some good music. I caught wind of Cyance a few years ago and had a fan (in me) ever since. Cyanca got her start in church, but to my surprise she wasn't interested in singing. She wanted to play the instruments in the choir; but she also could sing. Her talents got her to UNCG on a music scholarship where she would continue to work on her skill set. After a brief break from being tied to music she picked it back up once her job relocated her to CLT. It was then she started making her rounds with likeminded individuals who were doing music here. When you get co-signs from Elevator Jay & Lute you gotta be doing something dope, and that dope is what Cyanca Is! #WhoGotNext #CLT

This week WGN is diving back into real estate. This time we are getting into the woman's perspective. I had the pleasure to sit down with the homie Anita M, a realtor here in CLT who is ready to assist you with your home purchasing needs. Our conversation hits on a couple key topics. Anita gives the pod insight on why she decided to become a realtor and hits on some key points that first time homebuyers might miss. Outside of her loving to help potential buyers achieve their dream home. Although Anita says doing the job is very rewarding, she does speak on what it takes to perform her duties at a high level; minus the challenges that she faces sometimes being a black woman in the industry. It's great to get a different view from a woman's POV and I hope you will enjoy this conversation. Make sure to check out her offer at the end only through WGN! In closing, make sure you let her know WHO GOT NEXT sent ya! # WhoGotNext #CLTture #Vol9

Micki Blendz says she fell in love with music at a young age. Having siblings that were older allowed her to get a taste of what it felt like to be "OUTSIDE", which define that we know a thing or two about music. It wasn't until attending college she realized she wanted to be DJ. As most say, the rest is history. Since I enjoy music and love the craft of being a DJ this is how our conversation was conducted.:We talk about the importance of working on your craft and being only as good as your next gig, so staying on your toes and being ready is the key. We also discuss the state of being a DJ today and her future aspirations in music. I asked her what is her dream DJ'ing Gig? Fun Fact: She went by another name before Micki Blendz. Peep her answer on this episode! lol.  Always great to just talk music, and that we did! Appreciate ya Micki!

One theme that is constant with the WGN pod is cultivating relationships within business. Without it you might have a difficult time finding success. Professional relationships are the cornerstone of business building and you have to find your lane when establishing them. Gio, the owner of Fitted CLT definitely understands the importance of that. Sitting down with him you can hear how he learned that early when he was pushing his brand out of his trunk. That's how the grind started with him; and from there is where Fitted CLT was born. Not long afterwards he formed a bond with Zay, his right hand man with the business, and together they have some things brewing for the company. This pod we talk about their partnership, their creative approach in collaborating with others immersed in the city, the journey of starting a business, and the meaning behind the "the purple brim", the signature tag for their hats. I enjoyed talking with these two brothers and you will definitely enjoy it too! #WhoGotNextCLT #Vol 9

We're rounding out with the conclusion of WGN Speed Pod Edition with Part 3! Special Thanks to everybody who contributed. It was a dope experience.  Special thanks to @duppandswat @crownkeepers again for letting WGN tag along for great time! #WhoGotNext #CLTure

This week we are talking to Paige Childers, founder of @nconscene, a business development hub that works with small businesses to gain more exposure in the Charlotte community. We chat about how important it is for small businesses to be creative with marketing their products; especially during the pandemic. After successfully organizing three pop ups for businesses 3 months in a row in the 4th quarter of 2020, Paige is ready to start helping businesses go to the next level with a variety workshops that she developed within her own business. In closing she tells me what she thinks about the city since moving here in early 2020. Its only the beginning for Paige. Stay connected to what she has shaking in 2021. #WhoGotNextCLT #CLTure

During the WGN speed pod sessions at the F2D Exhibition I sat down with runway coordinator/Model Jennifer Michelle. She was in charge of all models who were apart of the Fashion Show that weekend. Our conversation was so good I had make this one a bonus episode for this volume. We discussed her own personal journey in her modeling career and the transition she made from walking the runway to the production side of runway shows, being prepared for rejection, and embracing telling people NO. All of her experiences in modeling led her to write the book “I Choose Me” which is now available on Amazon.  Thank you for time Jennifer! I enjoyed it! #WhoGotNext #CLTure

So, this week I completed the puzzle. Dion blessed the WGN pod on Vol. 1, and I said I would circle the block and pick up his partner so we can chop it up too! We are talking with Davita Galloway, co-owner of Dupp & Swat in Camp North End. Davita wears many hats - and I honestly can't decide what titles to add on this post so let's just sum it all up and call her a "Renaissance Woman" okay? She has one hell of a story to tell, and luckily for the WGN pod she was an open book and gave us some insight to who she is as a person. We discuss her growing up in Winston Salem and being the "smart kid" in class. Despite being the kid who got good grades, not everybody in class was feeling her achievements. She just wanted to be a normal kid and for everybody to like her, but they didn't make it easy for her. As she got older she started coming into her own as a person and wanted to experience new things and that's when she realized fashion was her dream. She admits during a portion of her journey she lost her way

Part 2 of the Speed Pod Pop Up Edition is underway for this bonus episode. Still moving with talking to any and everybody who participated in the Fresh 2 Death Exhibition:

Fresh 2 Death Exhibition was a two day showcase event that took place Sept 10-11 at Camp North End in CLT. The event, labeled Fashion StreetWhere, was brought to you by designers who created installments to highlight their contribution to the fashion scene in the CLT community and beyond. From fashion studios, models, Cars, Vendors, and an influx of patrons that stepped foot in the building you can feel the energy and a shift in culture to show what the city has cooking. The weekend was capped off by a fashion show that featured the designers for the weekend. WGN had an opportunity to set up shop and do a bit of "speed podding" to highlight the experience. I will be bringing you 3 parts of conversations with individuals involved in making this event a success. Special thanks to Dupp & Swatt and Crownkeepers for letting me be apart of this great event! #WhoGotNext #CLTure

This week we're talking with Curtis Walls, owner of You Vs. Yourself Training Facility, founder of Become Inspire Empower brand, author, motivational speaker, and the list can go on. This discussion is about the "season of alignment" and his journey and the discipline he crafted to get where he is today.  This conversation ended up being better than I expected. The saying is you are never too old to learn something and never old enough to be inspired by your peers. Little does Curtis know is I left this conversation ready to take on new challenges- and our conversation definitely lit a spark in me to think about things from a different perspective. This discussion is about growth & maturation. This is a great one! You will definitely take something from this one. #WhoGotNext #CLTure #Vol9 

If you Look Good then you Feel Good, right? Do you find yourself owning your confidence when you look in the mirror and see that you have on a great outfit on? Do you have trouble finding your confidence? Well this is where Sierra has found her lane in assisting others with owning their confidence. This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Fashion stylist Sierra Stanford and we have a discussion about how looking good can change your mindset in your daily life. Sierra opens up about how going through unfortunate circumstances in the past allowed her to be more confident not only in her own right but she offers her expertise to others who want to as well. Sierra also lets us know what styles and prints will be in for Fall 2022. 

WGN is back with Vol. 9.! We're starting this run off with the homie J. Spencer, curator of The Platform here in CLT. J. Spence created this platform for independent artist to have an avenue for them to have a place for to network with industry professionals and other independent artists who want to leverage their opportunities entering the music business. The Platform is held every 2nd Tuesday of each month and provides a great amount of information that will benefit them for a lifetime. In addition to that discussion, we speak on "sync licensing", the value of obtaining your master's catalog, and the music identity of Charlotte. This conversation is a prelude to what's to come for WGN; as we enter the music side of things. 

As a fan of photography and cinematography I love scouring social media to see who is doing their thing in the city. Whelp, I found another dope photographer who is brewing. Shot By Lindsay is the name and he is about to make his stamp on CLT culture; and the images he capture embodies the importance of knowing when you have the “money shot.” He will be showcasing his talent with a doc he is creating called For The Luv Of The City (A Charlotte Documentary) in which will give his perspective on what CLT is and capture the individuals who waves the QC flag high. We discuss the idea of the doc, his influences, and how he got started. Be on the lookout for this brother. He is about to make his mark! #WhoGotNext #CLTure 

This week WGN is talking to Ryan Jorel, founder and organizer of Black Fathers Rock here in the CLT community. Within the BFR movement he organize an annual event (self titled) that defines the mission of the organization; which is to change the narrative and dispel the notion that all black fathers are absent while providing resources to help strengthen the black family. We talk about what life is like for him now since becoming a father and some of the narratives that still plague the black community. Sit back and enjoy because this conversation definitely hit on some important topics surrounding us as BLACK MEN in America! #WhoGotNextCLT #CLTure

This week we are talking to Dr. Lisa Folden, Physical Therapist, and owner of Healthy Phit Physical Therapy & Wellness Consultants, LLC here in Charlotte. She provides a number of services for her clients to assist them with their goals that pertains to their individual health. In our discussion we talk about the challenges and politics she faced while starting her practice here. Dr. Folden also talks about why she decided to become a physical Therapist and why she choose to help her patients focus more on maintaining a healthy lifestyle for yourself personally and not just dieting. I also ask her what does she think about body shaming? I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. Hope you all do as well!