BLCKNLIT Jasmine Pierce, Priscilla Ward

In this episode, Priscilla and Jasmine speak with Dominick Adams, co-founder of Somewhere, a recently opened mixed-use retail space and cafe located in Southeast D.C. - minutes from where he grew up. He shares his story of making a career switch from working at the airport, to a corporate job, and later diving into the fashion industry managing Major - the first boutique streetwear store in D.C. We learn how his varied career path led to the creation of high-end retail concepts, including Somewhere, which bring international streetwear brands to the District, and connects creative communities along the way. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

In this episode, Jasmine and Priscilla talk to Anika Hobbs, the founder of Nubian Hueman, a local brick & mortar and online store featuring unique clothing and art by designers representing the global Diaspora. She also founded the Black Love Experience, an annual event showcasing black-owned businesses, products, and artists. We learn more about how she left a global fast-fashion company after working there for over a decade, to open her own store and create an event that provides a space for people of color to connect and experience love on all levels: community love, friend love, and self-love. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Aerica Shimizu Banks started her career in Environmental Policy, eventually working with Google on Patent Policy and Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Initiatives. She's currently the Public Policy and Social Impact Manager at Pinterest, where she works to create ecosystems that benefit marginalized communities. On this episode Aerica discusses the importance of recognizing the systemic racism in our country that impacts environmental and social issues, and why she chooses to share her story and use her voice to advocate for people of color, specifically women entrepreneurs. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Eric Moorer, Sommelier and Manager of Domestique, a local D.C. wine shop, stops by the BLCKNLIT podcast to pop open a few bottles of wine and take us on a journey into the world of vino. He shares his story of how he first became obsessed with the wine industry, as well as tips on how to enter the wine world professionally, before teaching Jasmine and Priscilla how to taste wine like a pro. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Jasmine and Priscilla talk with Tenaj Moody, the founder of Light to Life, a domestic violence awareness program offering workshops and events to young adults and teens on the prevention of abusive and unhealthy relationships. Tenaj survived an abusive relationship at the age of 16, which led her to start Light to Life, and provide women with the necessary tools to build healthy relationships. On today's episode, we not only hear how Tenaj started her organization, but we learn the early warning signs for abuse, and the steps one can take to leave an abusive relationship and trust love again. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Jasmine and Priscilla talk with freelance writer Shayla Martin, a former hospitality publicist, and current travel and lifestyle writer who seven years ago, after a traumatic event, realized that she was struggling with alcoholism and needed to take a risk to change her life. Shayla shares how sobriety plays a role in her work life, dating life, and how she's working to create a podcast featuring people of color dealing with addictions, offering them a platform to tell their stories. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.