Naked with Cari Champion The Black Effect Network

The revolution needs not to be sponsored by anger or aggression. Bethann Hardison is considered to be an activist, she revolutionized fashion, and some refer to her as the Godmother of Fashion, and yes she indeed is all these things and deserves these titles. However, she didn’t gain them through force. Her approach was always to educate and inspire change within her industry. She has indelibly made her mark on the world, and even if unknowingly her work to expose human commonality has affected you.

Bethann joins us today to share her latest work as a documentarian. The film, Invisible Beauty is not just a film about fashion, it is a beautiful reflection of how we can create change together.

Learn More:  BethannHardison.com

Connect: @CariChampion @BethannHardison

Watch the movie: Invisible Beauty

 
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We catch up with Steven Melendez at the New York Theatre of Ballet, where he started his career at the early age of seven years old. His journey with the NYTB has come full circle after being appointed the Artistic Director in 2022, where he now mentors and guides the careers of young dancers. As a young Puerto Rican boy from the Bronx, it wasn’t likely for him to pursue and gain success in the world of ballet; thankfully for the LIFT outreach program, Melendez was able to find his art and career.  He joins us today to celebrate the release of the Lift documentary, filmed over 10 years detailing Melendez’s return to the Bronx shelter of his past, and focuses on the mentorship of three young dancers as Melendez runs the outreach program that he once attended as a child. 

Connect: @CariChampion @TheStevenMelendez

Learn More: Lift Documentary  StevenMelendez.com

 
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Michael Jai White is a unique leader within his lane. White holds eight black belts and many titles as an Independent filmmaker.  In this episode, we talk about White's life prior to acting including his work as a security guard for Oprah. He also shares some of the challenges he faced as an alpha black male earlier in his career. Fast forward White didn't wait for a role to be handed to him, he decided to create them independently. 

His latest film, Outlaw Johnny Black is now in theaters. 

Connect: @CariChampion @OfficialMichaelJaiWatch More: Michael Jai YouTube ChannelLearn More:  MichaelJaiWhite.com
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A child of the arts with inspiration from all directions. Growing up with a musical family and entering the game at an early age.  Mya recently celebrated the 25th year Anniversary of her first album, released a new single, and unreleased projects she can’t wait to share! In this episode, Mya defines what being an artist means to her and how important it has been to start her own independent label. She made a commitment to herself; to write her own narrative while loving herself completely.

Connect: @CariChampion @MyaPlanet9

Learn More: MYAMYA.com

Listen: Whine ft Bounty Killer
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Phoebe Robinson returns to the podcast and she is back on tour! We love having her join us and being witness to her genius. Robinson is having a good time developing spaces for her creativity to thrive and it's allowing her to live and work outside of any specific box or idea. When Phoebe entered the indie comedy scene in 2008 it wasn't her ideal, but now she has hit her stride.  

Connect: @CariChampion @dopequeenpheebs

Tour Dates: PhoebeRobinson.com 
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Tommy Davidson was raised in an era where quality came first as an entertainer, he prides his work and longevity based on the company and talent he group up with.  We learn about his life from the beginning; from being adopted to learning racism and what his skin color meant in the world, to his early start as a comedian making his friend laugh that pushed him to the stage.

Read: Living in Color: What's Funny About Me: Stories from In Living Color, Pop Culture, and the Stand-Up Comedy Scene of the 80s & 90s

Connect: @CariChampion @TheRealTommyCat

Learn More: TommyDavidson.com

 
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