Black Business Live Podcast

All Things Black and Beautiful
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Where bold conversations meet Black excellence. Black Business Live (BBL) Podcast is a live, immersive storytelling podcast spotlighting the journeys of successful Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders who have scaled their companies and are committed to helping others rise. Born out of a deep need for community, strategic partnership, and authentic representation, our podcast goes beyond traditional interviews. Each episode features accomplished leaders who exemplify Black business excellence. BBL Podcast is part of the Black Business Network, a peer-driven platform where entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and grow, all housed within All Things Black and Beautiful (ATBB), a social enterprise focused on business education, market access, and sustainable growth. Our podcast bridges the gap between knowledge and transformation, showing that real growth happens through visibility, connection, and proximity to those who’ve done it before. Tune in to be inspired, informed, and empowered.

  1. 18h ago ·  Video

    Doing Business in Ghana and Global Leadership with Morgan Best

    What happens when leaders who have built successful careers in complex, competitive Western markets partner directly with the innovation and growth happening across Africa? In this episode, recorded on location in Accra, Ghana, host Tolu Akindunni sits down with Morgan Best, CEO of M.L. Best Consulting. Specializing in executive search, leadership development, and physician recruitment for hospitals across the United States, Morgan shares her journey from healthcare administration to launching her own firm to champion representation where critical healthcare decisions get made. Watch/Listen & Subscribe: bblivepodcast.transistor.fm/subscribe Morgan shares her on-the-ground experience during The Wisdom Table Global Trade Mission, in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Federation. She discusses meeting innovative founders across Ghanaian tech, Business Process Outsourcing, and agriculture verticals, why touching down on the continent is a soul-changing experience, and how bringing hard-won experience from the US and UK to collaborate with African innovators creates generational momentum. She also shares her deeper mission: scaling international partnerships to elevate women entrepreneurs and young girls worldwide. In this episode: 03:10 – The Accidental Recruiter: Transitioning from healthcare administration and the hospital CEO track into executive talent strategy.04:35 – "Why Not Me?": Spotting the lack of representation in executive search and building a seat at the table.06:05 – On the Ground in Accra: Takeaways from B2B matchmaking sessions spanning tech, BPO, agriculture, and venture capital.07:50 – The Future of Healthcare Leadership: Navigating aging workforces, the new guard, and why diversity of thought transforms boardrooms.11:15 – True Collaboration Over Silos: Pairing Western business navigation with the deep knowledge and innovation on the ground in Africa.12:55 – Impact Beyond Profit: Forging partnerships to empower women founders and build confidence in young girls.Connect with Morgan Best Follow Morgan on LinkedInFollow M.L. Best Consulting on LinkedInVisit the M.L. Best Consulting WebsiteOther Resources Wisdom Table Global: www.wisdomtableglobal.comThe BOW Collective: www.thebowcollective.orgThank you for tuning in to Season 3 of The Black Business Live Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and pass it along to a fellow entrepreneur or business leader. Connect With Us: Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastDiscover the network: www.blackandb.com/communityDonate to our mission: ★ Support this podcast ★ Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.comThis podcast is built from the grind up, showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.

    Doing Business in Ghana and Global Leadership with Morgan Best

  2. Oct 29 ·  Video

    Operational Strategy, Knowing Your Numbers, and Succession with Christina D. Lynch

    What does success look like for your business three years from today? The operational decisions you make right now determine whether you scale into sustainable, generational wealth or remain trapped putting out daily fires. In this episode, recorded on location in Accra, Ghana, host Tolu Akindunni chats with Christina D. Lynch, CEO of Trydent Consulting. Advising enterprises scaling up to $10M in gross revenue, Christina bridges the gap between high-level executive ambition and financial execution, transforming dense financial data into clear, actionable roadmaps that drive profitability, employee accountability, and long-term succession. Christina also reflects on her Barbadian roots, sharing how an introverted executive navigates international markets, why the myth of the "one-size-fits-all business package" fails founders, and what American entrepreneurs can learn from the preparedness of Ghanaian founders on the ground. In this episode: 02:20 – The "Trydent" Heritage & Core Services: How Barbadian (Bajan) roots inspired the Trydent brand, supporting companies up to $10M in gross revenue, and serving as the internal bridge between founders and their financial goals.03:55 – Stepping from Operational to Strategic: Why founders wearing every hat get emotionally charged, and how to step back from day-to-day chaos to see the bigger picture.06:40 – Succession Planning & Redefining Wealth: Preparing for both voluntary and involuntary exits, aligning financial milestones with personal life goals, and why wealth is deeply individual.10:15 – The B2B Matchmaking: Ground-level takeaways from meeting Ghanaian entrepreneurs equipped with business plans, prototypes, and crystal-clear funding requests.13:20 – Advice for Global Expansion: Why entrepreneurs exploring African markets must lead with openness, transparency, and a willingness to form genuine cross-border partnerships.Connect with Christina Follow Christina on LinkedInFollow Trydent Consulting on LinkedInTrydent Consulting Website: www.trydent.orgOther Resources Wisdom Table Global: www.wisdomtableglobal.comThe BOW Collective: www.thebowcollective.orgThank You For Listening! Thank you for tuning in to Season 3 of The Black Business Live Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and pass it along to a friend or fellow business owner. Connect With Us: Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastDiscover the network: www.blackandb.com/communityEmail: contact@bblivepodcast.comPartnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.comThis podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business. ★ Support this podcast ★

    Operational Strategy, Knowing Your Numbers, and Succession with Christina D. Lynch

  3. Oct 22 ·  Video

    Human-Centric Leadership and the Next-Gen Workforce with Chelsea C. Williams

    In this episode, host Tolu Akindunni sits down with Chelsea C. Williams, Founder and CEO of Reimagine Talent Co. A former Wall Street global HR leader, Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur of the Year, and Spelman College alumna, Chelsea brings deep expertise in building high-performing leaders and managing the multigenerational workforce. Together, Tolu and Chelsea unpack the realities of the next-generation workforce, the undeniable value of human connection in the age of AI, and the power of cross-pollinating business needs across the U.S. and Africa. Watch/Listen & Subscribe: bblivepodcast.transistor.fm/subscribe Chelsea also reflects on her personal journey returning to the Motherland, drawing on her family roots in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and how experiencing Ghana’s massive, driven youth population confirmed her business vision for the future. In this episode: 02:25 – Bridging the Generational Gap: Why organizations must shift focus to career readiness and understand what the next generation values out of work.03:40 – Returning to the Continent: Chelsea’s reflections on her West African roots in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and finding peace on the ground in Accra.05:15 – The Human Side of AI: Why human-native skills (interpersonal connection, empathy, communication) are the ultimate competitive advantage over the next five to ten years.06:50 – Strategic B2B Matchmaking: Discovering aligned values and cross-cultural synergy with Ghanaian companies ready to invest real resources into talent development.09:10 – Democratizing Leadership: Dismantling the myth of the "born leader" and building a culture where leadership is cultivated at every level, from entry-level to the C-suite.10:45 – Modern People Management: Moving away from one-size-fits-all management toward individualized coaching to prepare organizations for disruption and succession planning.Connect with Chelsea C. Williams Chelsea on LinkedInReimagine Talent on LinkedInWebsite: Reimagine Talent Co.Other Resources The Wisdom Table Global: www.wisdomtableglobal.com The BOW Collective: www.thebowcollective.org    Thank You For Listening! Thank you for tuning in to Season 3 of The Black Business Live Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and pass it along to a friend or fellow business owner. Connect With Us:  Website: www.blackandb.com/podcast Discover the network: www.blackandb.com/community Email: contact@bblivepodcast.com Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com This podcast is built from the grind up, showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business. ★ Support this podcast ★

    Human-Centric Leadership and the Next-Gen Workforce with Chelsea C. Williams

  4. Oct 15 ·  Video

    Full Circle in Ghana: Purpose, Faith, and Global Trade with Ticki Favaroth & Nya Igambi

    Season 3 of the Black Business Live Podcast was recorded entirely on location in Accra, Ghana, during the Legacy Without Borders™ trade delegation. Captured on Day 2 of the mission, this premiere features an authentic, reflective conversation with the leaders behind the delegation: Ticki Favaroth (Founder & Steward, The Wisdom Table Global™) and Nyamusi Igambi (CEO, IN-Side Global Advisors). Watch/Listen & Subscribe: bblivepodcast.transistor.fm/subscribe Together, Tolu, Ticki, and Nyamusi reflect on the full-circle journey that began when Ticki first announced the vision in the Dallas studio just months prior, overcoming setbacks through faith, and witnessing immediate business connections unfold on the ground in West Africa. From high-level government meetings to booming innovation across African industries, this episode sets the stage for what happens when the diaspora answers the call to come home. Key Moments & Timestamps: 02:18 - Answering the Call Home: How the Ghanaian message to "come home to the Motherland" is sparking long-term diaspora partnerships.03:26 - Innovation Across Sectors: Firsthand observations of Ghanaian breakthroughs in agribusiness, fintech, HR, and technology.05:27 - The Power of Going Together: Why collaborative trade delegations create stronger pathways for U.S. businesses entering African markets.09:56 - Looking Beyond Borders: Future visions for The Wisdom Table Global™ across Kenya, Nigeria, and Mauritius.11:22 - What Lies Ahead in Accra: Inside the Ghana Investment and Trade Week, B2B matchmaking, and meetings at the Office of the President.13:39 - Advice for the Diaspora: Why entrepreneurs must "put their net in the water" and act on visions bigger than themselves.Connect with Wisdom Table Global Wisdom Table Global: www.wisdomtableglobal.com Resources Mentioned The BOW Collective: www.thebowcollective.org National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): www.nawbo.orgThank You For Listening! Thank you for tuning in to the Season 3 Premiere of The Black Business Live Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify and pass it along to a friend or fellow business owner.  Connect With Us: Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastDiscover the network: www.blackandb.com/communityEmail: contact@bblivepodcast.com Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.comThis podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business. ★ Support this podcast ★

    Full Circle in Ghana: Purpose, Faith, and Global Trade with Ticki Favaroth & Nya Igambi

  5. Aug 14

    Legacy in Motion: Baba Kuboye | From J.J. Ransome-Kuti to the Afroverse

    Celebrating National Black Business Month, our Season 2 Finale, and 1 Year of The Black Business Live Podcast with Grammy-nominated Afrobeat artist, multi-instrumentalist, and founder of Down 4 Whateva Entertainment, Baba Kuboye.   Watch/Listen & Subscribe: bblivepodcast.transistor.fm/subscribe Baba Kuboye carries a 100-year family tradition in African music. Tracing his lineage from his great-great-grandfather J.J. Ransome-Kuti (who released Nigeria’s first album in 1925) to his grand uncle Fela Kuti, activist grandmother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and parents Fran and Tunde Kuboye, Baba shows how to honor history while building something entirely new. In this episode, Baba breaks down: Why he joined the Recording Academy to ensure African artists get proper credit, fair compensation, and a real seat at the table.How to use actual numbers and listener feedback loops to make smart business decisions.Expanding your reach through intentional partnerships, from Latin Grammy features to music releases in the Far East.The commercial side of the "Afrobeats" label and why staying true to your roots is your biggest advantage.Key Moments & Timestamps: 02:35 – Legacy Beyond Fela: Activism, Public Service, & Community  04:20 – Growing Up at Jazz 38: Live Music, Family Dentistry, & Business in Lagos  06:45 – Intentional Identity: Yoruba Culture vs. Commercial "Afrobeats"  16:15 – Building in Dallas: Grassroots Strategy, Testing the Market, & Scaling25:18 – The Recording Academy & Unlocking Strategic Collaborations  35:18 – The Power of Focus: People, Data, & Feedback Loops36:40 – How to Support Baba Kuboye & his Down4Whateva Independent LabelGuest BioBaba Kuboye is a U.S.-based Afrobeat artist, multi-instrumentalist, and voting member of the Recording Academy who holds a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering alongside a Master's in Mobile Communication Systems. Blending his background in technical problem-solving with a century of family heritage, he founded Down 4 Whateva Entertainment (the first minority-owned independent Afrobeat label in the United States), to build sustainable infrastructure for artists in the diaspora. A Hollywood Independent Music Award winner (Ikoyi Boy) and Intercontinental Music Award winner (Aiye), Baba actively uses his global platform, cross-genre collaborations, and voting seat at the Grammys to advocate for independent creators and ensure African music receives proper industry recognition and compensation. Connect with Baba Kuboye Website: babakuboye.comInstagram: @babakuboyeYouTube: @BabaKuboyeThank You For Listening!Thank you for celebrating 1 Year of The Black Business Live Podcast with us! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and pass it along to a friend or fellow business owner. Connect With Us: Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastDiscover the network: www.blackandb.com/communityEmail: contact@bblivepodcast.com Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business. ★ Support this podcast ★

  6. Jun 19

    Seasons of Abundance: Regina Harmon on Building the Community Storehouse

    We’ve all felt it at the grocery checkout lately. Between shifting global markets and rising supply chain costs, keeping the family table full and the business budget balanced takes a lot more strategy these days. Dropping just in time for Juneteenth week, this episode is a timely reminder that true freedom and economic peace of mind start right at home, in our own communities. As we get ready to wrap up Season 2 of The Black Business Live Podcast, host Tolu Akindunni sits down with the incredible Regina Harmon, CEO of Food Recovery Network, for a conversation that is less about traditional charity and much more about collective abundance. Regina shares a fresh, uplifting perspective on how we can look at the resources right in front of us differently. You may be a local business owner looking to make your operations more sustainable or simply someone who wants to see their neighborhood thrive. This episode gives you a practical, hopeful blueprint for building our own modern-day storehouses. Pull up a chair and press play as we delve into self-reliance, community care, and shifting the narrative for good. Key Highlights & Timestamps:- 7:53 – How a simple campus idea scaled over 15 years into a massive national network that has recovered 24 million pounds of food across 46 states.- 14:42 – The shocking environmental cost of food waste and why organic surplus has become the number one item clogging our landfills today.- 22:27 – How local caterers, restaurants, conference organizers and coffee shops can save money, earn tax credits, and stay legally protected when donating food.- 39:28 – Addressing racial disparities in food insecurity head-on and a call to action on how you can support the movement to make recovery the standard norm. Actionable ResourcesReady to close the waste loop in your own operations and protect your local economy? - Explore the Toolkits: Access free legal guides, tracking sheets, and implementation frameworks at the Food Recovery Network Resource Hub: foodrecoverynetwork.org/food-recovery-resource-hub- ReFED Data Insights: Explore the structural data around U.S. food supply chains: refed.org Featured Guest: Regina Harmon Regina Harmon has served as the CEO of Food Recovery Network (FRN) since 2015, transforming it into one of the largest student-driven movements fighting hunger and climate change in the U.S.  Named one of the food industry's most influential leaders by Le prestige / SELF Magazine, Regina is a prominent voice on systemic equity and corporate accountability. Her global insights have been featured on CNN and Al Jazeera, and she actively drives policy change as a board member for Food Tank, Earth Island Institute, and ReFED’s Advisory Council. Connect with Regina & FRN: - Regina Harmon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginadmanderson/- Food Recovery Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/food-recovery-network- Website: foodrecoverynetwork.org Thank You For Listening! If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scale Help us amplify Black excellence by:- Sharing on your social media- Tagging @bblivepodcast- Inviting a friend to tune in Connect With Us:Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastDiscover the network: www.blackandb.com/communityEmail: contact@bblivepodcast.com Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com  This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.   #FoodWaste #FoodInsecurity #SmallBusinessTips #Juneteenth #Sustainability #FoodRecoveryNetwork #EconomicFreedom #FoodJustice #SocialImpact #CommunityAbundance #BlackBusinessLivePodcast #ToluAkindunni #ReginaHarmon ★ Support this podcast ★

  7. Jun 5

    Wale Mafolasire on Overcoming 300 Rejections to Build Givelify

    What happens when you face over 300 rejections from investors? You go out and build it yourself. In this episode of The Black Business Live Podcast, host Tolu Akindunni sits down with Wale Mafolasire, the founder and CEO of Givelify: the digital giving platform that has processed billions of dollars for over two million donors. From walking away from the medical career his parents expected to standing firm on a "No Plan B" path, Wale shares the raw realities of his 12-year journey. We talk about the boots-on-the-ground research that led to Givelify's simple "three-tap" design, the changes needed to lead a team of over 150 people, and how a multi-billion dollar platform keeps a zero-layoff track record by staying true to its core values and uncompromising integrity. Note: This episode was recorded in front of a live studio audience. The Big Takeaways The Origin Story: The moment of frustration in a church pew that sparked a multi-billion dollar idea.The "No Plan B" Mentality [24:50 / 42:06]: How Wale handled 300+ venture capital rejections, shifted to a bootstrapping mindset, and used that friction to build a durable, completely independent company.Studying the Human Element: A look at how visiting over 70 churches to observe real people led to a frictionless product design that puts the joy back into giving.The Four Keys Framework: An inside look at Givelify's decision-making choices (Integrity, Heart, Simplicity, and Wow), and why Integrity is the non-negotiable anchor for every move they make. Key Moments & Timestamps: 07:12 – The Spark: The inspiration came from a moment in church when Wale realized he could read the Bible on his phone but couldn't use it to give.15:40 – Research & Product Design: Why the team visited 70–75 churches to understand the human behavior of giving before writing a single line of code.24:50 – The Pivot to Bootstrapping: Shifting focus entirely to product improvement, customer feedback, and survival when investor money wasn't coming.32:07 – The Four Keys Framework: Breaking down Givelify’s core decision-making filters: Integrity, Heart, Simplicity, and Wow.42:06 – The "No Plan B" Philosophy: Why having a safety net is just a distraction for bootstrapping entrepreneurs.51:44 – Live Q&A Session: The studio audience grills Wale on serving for-profit businesses and future diversification/expansion plans. Featured Guest: Wale Mafolasire Wale Mafolasire is a leading voice at the intersection of technology, faith, and generosity. As the Founder and CEO of Givelify, he uses behavioral insights to make giving simple and impactful. He has been recognized as a Top CEO to Watch (2024) and holds a Black Leadership Award for his commitment to excellence in the African and Black business community. Connect with Wale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walemafolasire/Learn More About Givelify: https://www.givelify.comThank You For Listening!  If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scale Help us amplify Black excellence by: Sharing on your social mediaTagging @bblivepodcastInviting a friend to tune in Connect With Us: Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastDiscover the network: www.blackandb.com/communityEmail: contact@bblivepodcast.com Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.  ★ Support this podcast ★

  8. May 29

    The Hustle Trap: Building Scalable Wealth & Strategic Influence with Krishna Powell

    In this high-impact conclusion to the Small Business Month segment of our Podcast Season 2, Tolu Akindunni is joined by "Your Multi-Gen Leader," Krishna Powell, the CEO of HR 4 Your Small Biz. Throughout this month-long exploration, we have focused on the leader behind the business; digging into what it truly takes to sustain resilience, command influence, and build community. We have sat with the "shadow self" and the deep inner work required to manifest excellence. Now, this final May installment tackles the ultimate barrier to growth: the "Hustle Trap." Many entrepreneurs (particularly in the Black community) work twice as hard but hit a wealth ceiling because they have built a job for themselves rather than a scalable asset. Krishna Powell, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses faculty member, challenges the idea that more sweat equals more success. She provides a clear path for "Systems Over Sweat," showing founders how to extract their "magic formula" and replicate it through a high-performing, multigenerational team. This conversation serves as the bridge between the inner work of a leader and the practical steps required to build a legacy that generates wealth long after you’ve stepped away from the daily grind. In This Episode, We Discuss: The "Mini-Me" Fallacy: Why looking for a clone of yourself creates significant gaps and how to hire for the "welcome differences" that actually challenge and grow your vision.Knowledge Transfer as Wealth: How to leverage the 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring daily to gain decades of institutional data that AI simply cannot replicate.The Family Hierarchy Trap: Navigating the complex emotional dynamics of hiring siblings or elders and keeping family reunions professional.Hiring Toward the Goal: Why your first hire shouldn't be a generic virtual assistant, but a strategic role specifically designed to move the needle on your revenue.5 Moments to Skip To: 06:15: The "Math ain't Mathing" - Ensuring every role is tied to revenue or life-ease for the CEO.12:50: Why Krishna says, "I don't need another me; I need my employees."15:52: Managing the Family Hierarchy -  When your older sister is your employee.25:40: The Open Door Fallacy - Why leadership behavior matters more than policy.36:12: The AI vs. HI - Why you can't depend on a bot to provide the "human touch" clients pay for.Featured Guest: Krishna PowellKrishna Powell is the Founder and CEO of HR 4 Your Small Biz and a nationally renowned expert on managing multigenerational and multicultural workforces. A faculty member at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, she has been featured on CNBC and Yahoo Finance for her success in helping global entrepreneurs improve their human resources function to drive profitability. Website: hr4yoursmallbiz.comNeed Additional Support? Receive 50% off a Discovery Call with Krishna. Email clientcare@hr4yoursmallbiz.com to schedule your 45-minute session for $97 and claim your discounted rate.Thank You For Listening! If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scale. Help us amplify Black excellence by: Sharing on your social mediaTagging @bblivepodcastInviting a friend to tune inConnect With Us: Website: www.blackandb.com/podcastDiscover the network: www.blackandb.com/communityEmail: contact@bblivepodcast.com Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.               "Representation drives aspiration. When you see the path, the impossible becomes a plan." ★ Support this podcast ★

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About

Where bold conversations meet Black excellence. Black Business Live (BBL) Podcast is a live, immersive storytelling podcast spotlighting the journeys of successful Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders who have scaled their companies and are committed to helping others rise. Born out of a deep need for community, strategic partnership, and authentic representation, our podcast goes beyond traditional interviews. Each episode features accomplished leaders who exemplify Black business excellence. BBL Podcast is part of the Black Business Network, a peer-driven platform where entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and grow, all housed within All Things Black and Beautiful (ATBB), a social enterprise focused on business education, market access, and sustainable growth. Our podcast bridges the gap between knowledge and transformation, showing that real growth happens through visibility, connection, and proximity to those who’ve done it before. Tune in to be inspired, informed, and empowered.

Information

  • Creator
    All Things Black and Beautiful
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © @2026 All Things Black and Beautiful
  • Show Website
    Black Business Live Podcast