Who Got Next? The Podcast

On this episode I'm chopping it up with returning WGN guest Lew. We're asking the question, "Did the Grammys get it right with Killer Mike winning Rap Album of the Year?" Take a listen! #WhoGotNext #CLTure

This week WGN had the pleasure to speak with Cheryse Terry, owner of Archive CLT. Since opening August of 2022, Cheryse has curated and cultivated a location that is submerged in Black Culture through archived materials such as magazines, arcade, vinyl, books, and last but not least….coffee! Archive CLT welcomes you with open arms as soon as you walk in the doors. In our discussion, we talk about what she’s learned about herself and reflects on the blessings Archive CLT has created for her. We also discuss mentorship, networking, and what Cheryse does for fun. You will be surprised! lol Thanks for tuning in. #WhoGotNext #CLTure 

This week we're talking to Shawn, aka Black Ferris Bueller, CLT Blogger and CLT correspondent on all things surrounding black culture and events in the city. If you've ever been to events such as Off The Wall, Su Casa, Servin' The Culture, you will see the brother working nonstop, doing what he can to assist the curators of events such as these. It could be working the doors, helping to promote, or just being amongst the crowd to enjoy, this brother will always make sure to be present.I wanted to take this opportunity for y'all to get to know him and his journey. We talk about how he got tapped in with events and why it's important to bring awareness to what the city has to offer outside of the norm we have been used to seeing. If you want to be in the know, holla at Shawn! He got the info for ya! #WhoGotNext #CLT #CLTure

On the latest episode of WGN, I sit down with a couple homies, Ebony & Jai Good, to talk about what's going on with small businesses in CLT? Just a candid conversation amongst tax paying citizens who are just as concerned as I am about the direction of creating businesses (preferably brick & mortar) in. the CLT community. Definitely need more conversations like this. 

This week I'm circling the block with Tony Stanford, realtor in CLT. Tony is no stranger to being a recurring guest on WGN. Being a realtor in CLT they have firsthand knowledge of trends that are happening in the housing market. Going in to 2024 he sits down to talk about what is next for those who are seeking to purchase a home. 

This week on WGN we're talking to a CLT LEGEND, Bluz The Poet. Bluz is an award-winning poet, multiple Emmy Award winner, published author, recording artist, & ambassador to the arts in the community. In our sit down, we talk about his journey into poetry and the many hats he's worn to assist with contributing to growing the art culture in the CLT community. I can go on about what he's accomplished, but I'll let this episode do the talking. Thank you for offering me your time to learn more about you! #WhoGotNext #CLTure

This week we’re talking to the co-owners of Dupp & Swat, Dion and Davita Galloway. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to speak with each of them on separate episodes, and I finally got them together to talk about their journey the past 13yrs owning Dupp & Swat on this episode. I wanted to give them their flowers and let them discuss their journey since opening the creative space 13yrs ago. We also talk about how the business started, a pretty hilarious story, Dion would beg to differ though, lol. This was a dope conversation with folks I consider to be extended family, so it was time for a good ole' fashion conversation with friends! #WhoGotNextCLT #CLTure

This week we’re talking with Ashley McKinley. She is the Head of School for Friendship Day School for the Sciences & Arts, a private school located in the Historic West End of Charlotte.Throughout her years in education, she has garnered a wealth of knowledge and used what she learned to enrich the youth, not only in the classroom, but also as a career in counseling and later as an Assistant Principal. In 2022, she decided to pivot from public schools to the private sector and was awarded the opportunity to become Head of School for Friendship Day.Ashley and I discuss her transition to the private sector and talk about some of the differences were working for CMS. Other topics included the business itself with the private school systems, networking, and what it takes to build a solid infrastructure not only for the students but having a solid foundation with the parents and the community itself. Let’s get to know Ashley! Thank you again! #WhoGotNext #CLT

It's no secret to anybody who knows me that Midnight Marauders by ATCQ is one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. When you talk about hip-hop classics this project embodies everything that defines a project to be that. Midnight Marauders was released Nov. 9th, 1993, followed up by their previous effort 'Low End Theory' (another Classic), and still in heavy rotation today. 30 years later this album aged like fine wine and still holds an important part of my childhood in the 90s. On this bonus episode me & the homie Lew talk about the impact this album had on us and for hip hop culture. We break down some of the album's singles and other stand out tracks that made this album a masterpiece. If you're a music nerd like the two of us are, you will enjoy this conversation. #WhoGotNext # CLTure

This week we’re talking to R&B singer Heather Victoria. She is signed to the collective Jamla Records here in the state of NC. We discuss her upbringing and how her parents were a huge influence on the path she chose in music; they also had a musical background. Other topics range from her introduction to 9th Wonder, the imprint she wants to continue to make in R&B, and what we should expect with her latest project slated to release early 2024. With her lead ‘Toxic’ single out, I definitely had to ask her if she had toxic moments? She definitely gave her take! Thank you again for sitting down with WGN Heather V! #WhoGotNext #CLTure 

What up folks?? WGN is back! We’re kicking this volume off with the homie Carla Lopez.She is an artist, curator, and educator who hails from the city of Charlotte, NC. We discuss her journey thus far in a career with art and the emergence of the art community post COVID in CLT. Carla has organized many art shows and always states she wants her arts shows to be unique and tell a story that is different from the rest. One thing that’s for sure, King Carla don’t play about her shit! Y’all come take a listen! #WhoGotNext #CLTure 

For the season finale I decided to catch up with the homie Taylor Redd, owner of Redd Rose Vodka here in Charlotte. Redd Rose vodka is strawberry flavored vodka that she created to honor her late grandmother Rose Redd, an entrepreneur that created a safe space for other women to generate income for their families while living in Ohio. In July of 2020, when our first recording aired, she was in the beginning stages of operating her brand. Still learning the ropes and figuring out how to get her product out to the public. Now, 3 years later, Redd Rose is being sold in several states across the country, multiple restaurants/bars have included Redd Rose vodka on their drink menu, along with being sold in 26 locations throughout Charlotte. In our recent conversation we discuss some of the lessons learned while growing her brand, getting more comfortable with pitching her product to potential investors, growing her team to help push Redd Rose, and what's next on the horizon for the company? Definitely another great

Let’s talk about Mental Health! This week WGN had the opportunity to sitdown with Kateria Poe, psychotherapist, licensed counselor, and owner of Crown Connections here in Charlotte. Through Kateria’s education and upbringing, she brings a wealth of knowledge that affords her the luxury to connect with people; and through her work she helps individuals find solutions to live life more abundantly.  We discuss her making the decision to pursue a career in mental health, coping with trauma, and why she took a leap in starting her own business. We covered a lot of ground in our discussion. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did! #WhoGotNext #CLTure

Y'all know how it goes with WGN. We always bring you something different just to have a little fun. Since Snowfall started, I was a huge fan of the show and enjoyed it from beginning to end. So now that the show is over- why not discuss if the show ended the right way? Did you want to see Franklin Saint go out on a high or low note? Plenty of folks have their own opinions on this so why not talk about them? I couldn't do this alone, so we brought the homie Mike B on the pod to offer an opinion on how we felt Franklin went out. We break down the development of each character and build on our topics to one of the most anticipated episodes of the show's creation. Definitely some great perspectives spoken on this episode from both of us. Check out what we cooked up and let us know what you think. So long Franklin Saint.....SnowFall definitely will go down as another top notch show to hit cable TV. 

This week we’re chopping it up with VVG & Promise the Gahd. A few weeks ago, these two dropped the The New Te$tament, a joint project with 9 bangers that is filled with lyrical warfare between two juggernauts who’s been putting out heat of their own for years. VVG & Promise talk about why the time was now to drop the joint album and give me an inside look on how the album came to fruition. With standout songs like 485 Flow$, Bun$ & $incere, and Larry & Lonzo, you will notice the chemistry between both of them, and you will be nodding your head from beginning to end! Yes Sir! #WhoGotNext #CLTure

This week WGN is speaking with Geraldine Brisbane, founder and educator of Brisbane Academy, founded in 1992 here in Charlotte. Prior to becoming a private school, Brisbane started out as a tutoring center, that later turned into a preparatory school with the help from the kids were under Brisbane’s leadership. In our discussion we talk about how the school continues to excel since opening their doors over 30 years ago, along with some of the nuances surrounding the differences between public and private schools. Thank you Ms. Brisbane, for being a pillar in the CLT community and creating a welcoming environment for students to be educated. Definitely tune into our discussion. #WhoGotNext #CLTure

This week we’re talking with Tracie and Jennifer, the owners of Mackins Bridal Boutique in CLT. The Mackins sisters started the journey in bridal wear when they opened their concierge service out of their home. After running that business successfully, they decided to open their own bridal boutique on the west side of CLT off Beatties Ford Rd. We discussed why it was important to plant their roots in this particular part of the community, family entrepreneurship, and what the kinds of services you will experience upon entering the boutique! Also don’t worry fellas, they can get us looking spiffy as well with the right Tux! Let’s get to know these sisters! #WhoGotNext #CLTure

This week we're talking with CLT native Jordan Lopez. Jordan sits down with the WGN Pod to discuss the nuances of politics within local and state government. Lopez gets candid on why he chose this career field and it started when he got involved with student government back in high school. Lopez gives a snapshot on what it was like working as a Legislative Assistant in Raleigh and how that path led him back to his hometown of CLT and committing to making a difference in the community with his work he does, along with working with the nonprofit Charlotte East. Definitely enjoyed you brother. Come back anytime! #WhoGotNext #CLTure

This week we're talking to Cozy and Malaysha. Cozy is a graphic designer that's provided his work for many CLT creatives and small businesses in the city. Cozy come highly recommended and respected by his peers and clients trust him to bring their vision to life. His attention to detail and weaving CLT culture into his work is what sets him apart from many in his field of work. Malaysha is a visual arts educator and creator, whose work has been featured in many outlets and events across the city; and more recently featured at the Black Girl Art Show. Malaysha, also a CLT native, speaks on the identity of the city and where the art community fits into the future plans with the frequent growth of Charlotte. This was a great conversation and hope you all enjoy as well. #WhoGotNext #CLTure

This week we’re chopping it up with Ryan Howell. Too many things to name that’s he’s had his hands in including the QC Social Group, Hillman Day Party, COLOURS Day Party, the newly established Blackberry Weekend, just to name a few. Ryan is always creating and don’t see any signs of him slowing down. Although he considers himself to be a low-key individual this brother lets the success of his events do the talking for him. Even then he’s still going to be him. Take a listen and get to know him. Dope convo. Appreciate that conversation Bruh! #WhoGotNext #CLTure