Who Got Next? The Podcast

This week is WGNs bonus episode so we’re going to have some fun with this one. I invited Nikki to sit down and talk about what  is keeping her attention in music and television. If you follow Nikki on her IG she is appreciated for her critiques and honest reviews on both fronts. So we talk about several and get her take on them on this week’s pod! Definitely a great conversation! Thank you again Nikki! #WhoGotNext #CLTure 

This week we're talking to Skinny Jay. He hails from South Central LA but definitely has made his presence known here in CLT. He shows love for his Cali roots but he definitely waves the CLT flag high and wants to do his part in elevating those around him to be a force here through collaborative efforts. Some will say Skinny is "the connector", and others will say he is just a laid back individual who loves the creative spaces the city has to offer. Through his experiences and expertise Skinny developed over the years it has allowed him to create several avenues like his brand CreativityXCollaboration, Skinny & Friends, and a slew of partnerships that brings up and coming brands and companies together to build bigger opportunities in business. If something is poppin' in CLT better believe Skinny will be there cheering you on, or he will create the platform; either way he wants everybody to win. We sit down and discuss the movement and what's next for him moving forward! Make sure to give him the nod when

This week we are talking to J Cannon and Jus Coop, who are collectively knows as The Firm. Not only is this their group name but both are heading the label The Firm Music Group here in CLT. These two brothers formed a bound while attending college and reconnected when they both ran into each other here in the city. We sit down and touch on the new project called Story Behind Bars and the inspiration behind it. The project gives an introspective look into the highs and lows they both experienced through their life journeys both individually and collectively. Throughout the discussion we talk about their start, the music scene in CLT, the launch of their label and vision for it, and who curved J Cannon at his prom?! Lol#WhoGotNext #CLTureEmail: whogotnextclt@gmail.com

This week WGN is talking to Teresa Hopson,  Painter & Arts Advocate here in CLT. Her work highlights the beauty, strength, mythology, and experiences of African-American women. She is the founder of Singing In The Dead Of Night, an art exhibit that will be presented in September here in CLT and will focus on work from other African American women across the country who shares the same sentiments as Teresa. We sit down and discuss what you should see at SITDON and steps it will take for CLT to be a heavy hitter in the art scene in the future. #WHOGOTNEXTCLT #CLTure For more information please follow her website www.teresachristine.com

This week we are talking to Desmond Wiggan, Jr., Co-Founder and CEO of BatteryXchange, Inc. His company created a portable a charging station (or Kiosk) for your mobile devices that can be placed anywhere around the city. Desmond and I sat down to discuss how the idea came about when him and his business partner Aubrey Yeboah was living in China studying to get their MBA. They saw a problem and quickly went to work on identifying a solution. This is where the idea was birthed and executed. Along with the BatteryXchange's origin story we chat about what it takes to run a business on tech-- and the patience you need to adequately fund a project of this magnitude. Also being an alum of a HBCU he breaks down the full circle moment partnering the company with his alma mater Winston Salem State. Take a listen. BatteryXchange is ready to CHARGE the future! #WhogotnextCLT #CLTure

WGN IS BACK WITH VOLUME 8! We are starting the season off with news reporter Lexus Wilson of Queen City News (formerly Fox46 in CLT.) We talk about the moment she realized in college that journalism would be her career choice and how it has grown in a short period of time after graduating. Wilson also speaks on the importance of maintaining relationships in the news industry and the need to be on your "A" game throughout your journey; especially as an African-American woman in News. In closing we chat about her outside endeavors with her company Lexus Communications and the doors it has opened for her since touching down in CLT a few years ago. Its not all business with Lexus. We get a little bit of insight on what she is watching and listening to nowadays to pass time when she is not in from of a the camera. Take a listen and get to know Lexus "with a Lexus" Ha!

I entered uncharted territory for the last show of Volume 7. Had the pleasure of meeting Nikki Eason during her event where she was screening the premier of The Androgynous Model, where individuals are looking for a chance to compete for opportunities to be apart of a community that works with companies who are looking for models to help promote their products; who are Androgynous Models. In our sit-down Nikki educates me on what Androgyny means and her journey in creating the show and the giving a voice and platform for those who represent the culture and artform. We also talk about the misconceptions of the term as well. I don't want to give much away but this was definitely and enlightening conversation and Nikki definitely helped me to understand what the term means and entails for the those models specifically in the fashion industry.

On the latest WGN episode I circled the block again and chopped it up with Food Content Creator Cory for DailySpecialCLT. I got to know him on a previous episode during the Quarantine Edition and wanted to see how things were now with him a little over a year. Since then Cory has gained more exposure for the work he does in highlighting the delicious food you can find here in the city. We also discuss his favorite food trucks and restaurants; along with the new venture EAT BLACK CLT he helped to create with a few others, and being reluctant to the word "Influencer." #WhoGotNext #CLTUREEmail: whogotnextclt@gmail.com 

It's always dope when you come across those who are extremely passionate about their shit! ReeceeRaps is definitely dope and puts 100% into her music. You can just hear the hunger, energy, and passion in each rhyme she lets out; so you just know it's all pure with her! Growing up in Pittsburgh she's always been around music since a youngin' when her grandfather gave her an opportunity to be in his group called The Unspeakables. From that moment on the music bug was in her. Her journey has been one of perseverance and staying true to her craft and CLT has taken notice. QC Nerve Magazine has listed her as one of the city's emerging artist and she is just getting started. Hopefully you will feel her energy as much as I did in our sit down! #WhoGotNext #CLTURE

What's Next in CLT? That is the question today. I wanted some answers surrounding the many changes in CLT residential and commercial real estate so I sat down with Realtor Tony Stanford and Loan Officer and CLT native Joy Bailey to give us some insight. These two dropped a lot of info and gems on how things have been trending in the CLT Community. Thanks again for tuning in!  #WHOGOTNEXTCLT #CLTUREFOLLOW THE SHOW:Spotify, SoundCloud, & Apple PodcastsEmail: whogotnextclt@gmail.com

What up folks! As I'm gearing up to release Part 2 of this volume it was only right to kick it off with Kendria, Brandi, and Sh'niqua. Together they formed Rollin CLT here in the QC! Roller Skating is a favorite pastime for many and it has been buzzing again for the past year since being "inside" and they're here to get us all back OUTSIDE! We sat down to discuss how the idea came together to create the venture for a roller rink and lounge and what it takes to make that business come to light, their approach on forming a sisterhood within business, and giving back to the CLT community thru their non profit endeavors such as Rollin Homies, which provides tools for kids to be educated on financial literacy and business principles. Rollin CLT will be making their business debut Labor Day weekend and tickets are selling fast! 

This week we are talking to @cltblackowned , a social good company created to be a hub to search for black business in the Charlotte community. This company is ran by Maddie, Ashley, Jeff, and Jeremy; and they explain how they got started and grew their social media page to 33k followers in 6 months on Instagram. Being native Charlotteans, they have seen the growth and many changes that has taken place in the city and use that as a backdrop to discover new and existing businesses within the community. In addition we chat about what it's like building a business with your friends, the identity of Charlotte, how large corporations can leverage their business with the many black businesses in the city, and what's next for CLT Black Owned? Please check out their IG and website and look at what they have to offer. #WhoGotNextCLT #CLTure

On the first episode of Who Got Next? I have the pleasure of sitting down with @wingzza and talk about how he got started with his business and the role his company played in the "FOOD TRUCK" boom in the CLT community. Also talk about what's to come in the future. Thank you for tuning in.Love to hear your feedback. Email me at WhogotnextCLT@gmail

Link In Bio!!! I sit down with Elevaaaaaaator Jay! It was great to have a conversation with the rapper and Charlotte native to discuss how he got started in music. We dive into what influences his style and why it's important for him to remain true to his craft and show that the south isn't all about one style of Hip Hop. If you haven't heard of Elevator Jay then now it's time to take notice. He is no slouch on the Mic! So sit back and listen as we get Slurred In Mecklenburg!!!!! Don't forget to subscribe to the show on the podomatic app. @elevatorjay #WhoGotNextCLT #CLTculture

Since WGN is wrapping up part 1 of Volume 7, why not throw a party to celebrate! It's only fitting, right? Well we're not exactly throwing a party, but we're definitely talking to a couple brothers who make it their duty to make sure we have a great time at theirs in the city. Meet Sidney and Brooks, collectively they are King Ent. I had the opportunity to chop it up with them about their journey in party promoting and discuss their longevity, approach with curating their events, and what they been up to since we all had to be inside this past year! We also touch on the importance of building relationships and forming partnerships with companies. Now that we can go back outside King Ent is gearing up to give the people what they want---and that's a DAMN GOOD TIME! They're up NEXT!This episode is brought to you by YOUR OWN KEYS. They are here to answer all of your questions about homeownership. Tell them Edub sent ya!#WHOGOTNEXTCLT #CLTURE  

This week I sat down with podcasters Lee & Quick of the Divas and Duckets Podcast. Together they formed the podcast to discuss any and everything dealing with finances. Now this podcast isn't your typical run of the mill pod chatting about how to save money, spend money, or how to buy stocks---Nope! They talk about how finances play an intricate part in your daily life from dating, marriage, home ownership, prenups, etc. You name it, then trust me, they touch on it! With both of them being attorneys by trade and DIVAS by choice (hence their intro) they bring a unique perspective with their own experiences and opinions that many can relate to. This discussion we dive into a few episodes that I feel paints a great picture of what you can expect from their show. We touch on how they built their chemistry, branding D&D, and a few things they have brewing. Definitely enjoyed the Lee & Quick, and I'm pretty sure you will also!#WHOGOTNEXTCLT #CLTUREFOLLOW THE SHOW at https://whogotnextclt.podomatic.comEm

If y'all know me then you know I'm a music junkie! Always in search for some dope shit for my ears. So when I came across this album titled "Oh! Laawd!" by this brother it definitely rung off unexpectedly, in a good way! This album isn't the first from him and definitely will not be his last! Belmont Jon aka Matrix P brings takes us on a musical journey of what it's like to grow up in Belmont, NC (just 30 mins outside of CLT) with this project. We chop it up on how he got started and how this current project came together. We get in depth on a few tracks that definitely stood out to me--especially one track in particular with a familiar artist that assisted him on DIRTY SOUF! So, if you want some funk and hip hop dipped in a bowl of grits with some 'POKE' bacon, mixed with some dope melodies and singing on the side then definitely check this project out! Belmont P is Up Next! Oh Laawd this was a good one!#WHOGOTNEXTCLT #CLTure

One thing about living in CLT you will never go hungry because there is always a place to eat and drink. Although some of our favorite eating spots didnt survive-- a good amount of spots did, and a lot of new spots opened as well. One person that will be sure to let you know is YelpEliteChick, but you can call her Shay! She is a food blogger here in the city and she loves to eat! We talk about how she turned her love for food, leaving corporate America to take on entrepreneurship, and publishing her food journal. To top the conversation off we debated if men can brunch with other men? Y'all already know my answer! Shay definitely tries to convince me otherwise. Take a listen! Bon Appétit #WHOGOTNEXTCLT #CLTURE

We all like to drink, right? I mean who doesn't like to have a drink? Ok, that's a better way of putting it. Now let me speak directly to US. Do you make it your duty to find brands that are created by US? You know what I mean too. Like FUBU (For Us By Us)? Well, let's meet Demetra Harris, founder of Sipping Black Only. She created this company to be an engine to help consumers find beverages that are black owned. Her sole purpose is to change the mindset of consumers and challenge what's considered to be conventional. On this episode we talk about how the idea started and the nuances and stigmas sometimes that hover around black owned businesses and how they are looked at globally. How do we get these products in stores? How can these beverages get mainstream publicity? Some of the things you drink might be good, but there are some products by "us" that are even greater. We're just looking to have these products normalized, and that is what our discussion is about on this week's episode. So let's promote, le