The Kickback With Keri

Keri Henderson
  • 5.0 (11)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Kickback With Keri is where Black brilliance, bold storytelling, and business strategy meet. Hosted by Keri Henderson, entrepreneur and community builder, this podcast goes beyond feel-good conversations, spotlighting Black-owned brands, creators, and changemakers who are building wealth, breaking barriers, and rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship. Each episode delivers actionable insight and inspiring real talk from launching purpose-driven ventures to navigating visibility, growth, and impact in today’s economy. Whether you're a small business owner, creative, or community-minded doer, you'll walk away with gems you can actually use, plus the motivation to keep going. Join a growing movement of listeners who believe in supporting Black-owned businesses, celebrating innovation, and building generational wealth one conversation at a time. Subscribe to the show and stay connected for curated brand spotlights, culture recs, and tools to help you grow delivered straight to your feed and inbox. (Join The Kickback Newsletter → link in episode descriptions.)

  1. 4D AGO

    From Health Crisis to Beverage Founder: Creating The First O’Kra Sparkling Water with Anna Cobb

    Anna Cobb almost lost her life to a synthetic energy supplement. That experience made her to rethink what she was consuming and ultimately led to her creating the first okra sparkling water on the market. In this episode, Anna shares the story behind building O’kra, the wellness beverage brand that went from an idea to being on the shelves at 11 Erewhon luxury grocery stores in California and a nationwide launch in Sprouts in May 2026. We talk about navigating the beverage industry, pivoting until you find product-market fit, and why okra was the best choice to create a beverage brand. In this episode, you'll learn: Pivoting without quitting and the importance of isolation before launchingWhy okra has deeps roots in Black history and the benefits often overlookedWhat beverage founders can learn from brands like Poppi and OlipopHow a viral LinkedIn post helped generate early momentumThe strategy behind securing retail partnerships and scaling🚨 Special Offer: Receive $10 off your O’kra purchase: https://loox.io/z/pjgYoi6Cf Connect with Anna Cobb: Website → drinkokra.com Instagram → @drinkokra | @theherbalhottie TikTok → @drinkokra 📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spotlights & real inspiration. Join the newsletter → kerihenderson.com/newsletter 📲 Stay in the loop: Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri YouTube → @kerilhenderson TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri 🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here.

    38 min

  2. MAR 3

    Building a Greeting Card Business & Winning $45K in Grants with Krystal Henry

    What do you do when you can’t find a Mother’s Day card for your friends? For Krystal Henry, founder of Around the Way Parchment, that simple frustration turned into a growing stationery brand built with intention, representation, and community at its core. Krystal shares how she went from blogging about motherhood to launching a greeting card company, winning nearly $45,000 in grants and pitch competitions, and creating space for Black women entrepreneurs in an industry that often overlooks them. We talk about funding, grief, community, manufacturing, and the truth about building a product-based business from the ground up. In this episode, you'll learn How Around The Way Parchment fills a gap in the greeting card industryWhy grants and non-dilutive funding should be on every founder's radarThe role community, specifically Black women, plays in building a businessWhy all money ain’t good money and the importance of alignmentConnect with Krystal Henry: Website → aroundthewayparchment.com Instagram → @atwparchment TikTok → @atwparchment Facebook → @atwparchment Mentioned In This Episode: Boyd Cru WinesThe Well / She's Well Network: Early Entrepreneur Growth ProgramCommunity College of Baltimore County: Center for Business Innovation and Trade📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spotlights & real inspiration. Join the newsletter → kerihenderson.com/newsletter 📲 Stay in the loop: Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri YouTube → @kerilhenderson TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri 🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here.

    35 min

  3. FEB 24

    [Hot Take] When You Stay At Your Job Longer Than You Should

    There comes a point in many of our careers when pushing through no longer feels like strength; it feels like survival. Nutrition coach, pharmacist, and fitness instructor Melanie Smith shares what it looked like to navigate burnout, workplace microaggressions, and the quiet signs that something wasn’t right. We talk about the emotional toll of staying too long, the clarity that came through therapy, and how she ultimately prepared to walk away and build her business Moves with Melanie. Listen to the full episode here. Connect with Melanie Smith: Website → mymoveswithmelanie.com Instagram → @moveswithmelanie TikTok → @moveswithmelanie YouTube → @moveswithmelanie 📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spotlights & real inspiration. Join the newsletter → kerihenderson.com/newsletter 📲 Stay in the loop: Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri YouTube → @kerilhenderson TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri 🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here.

    9 min

  4. FEB 17

    Uncle Nearest Lawsuit, Nike’s MLK Sneaker Controversy & Netflix’s Podcast Expansion | The Kickback Briefing

    Welcome to the first episode of The Kickback Briefing — a new format breaking down the latest wins, challenges, and stories shaping business and culture and the lessons we can learn from them.  This week we discuss: The latest update in the Uncle Nearest $108M loan lawsuitWhether the brand could be forced into a saleNike’s MLK “Honor the King” sneaker controversyThe difference between brand intent vs. cultural impactNetflix signing podcast deals and competing with YouTubeWhat founders can learn from major platform pivotsArticles for Reference: Lexington Herald LeaderDistillery TrailThe Spirits BusinessYahoo SportsTimeTech CrunchBusiness Insider📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spotlights & real inspiration. Join the newsletter → kerihenderson.com/newsletter 📲 Stay in the loop: Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri YouTube → @kerilhenderson TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri 🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here.

    14 min

  5. 12/31/2025

    [Hot Take] When You Hear the Whisper To Pivot, Be Obedient

    What do you do when you feel like you’re being called to go in a different direction? Don’t ignore the whisper. In this hot take, former celebrity makeup artist Brittany Ingram shares the one piece of advice she leaned into when she felt that she was being called to leave her thriving Hollywood career behind for a life as a stay at home mom, military wife and a more purposeful lifestyle in Japan. Listen to the full episode here. Connect with Brittany Ingram: IG  → @brittanyingrambeauty YouTube  → @brittanyingrambeauty 📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spotlights & real inspiration. Join the newsletter → kerihenderson.com/newsletter 📲 Stay in the loop: Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri YouTube → @kerilhenderson TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri 🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here.

    5 min

  6. 12/23/2025

    [Hot Take] Right Opportunity But Wrong Time: Knowing When to Say “Not Yet” in Business Growth

    What do you do when a massive opportunity shows up before your business is ready? In this Hot Take, the founders of Bell’s Reines share why they turned down a request to produce 3 million cookies after one free advertisement and how that decision protected their business. We talk about the reality of scaling too fast, understanding your true capacity, and why infrastructure before income can make or break a food product brand. You’ll hear practical advice for food entrepreneurs navigating growth, funding, and ownership, plus lessons on saying “not yet” without fear or guilt. This episode is a must-listen for founders building sustainable businesses on their own timeline. Listen to full episode here.  Support Bell’s Reines and indulge in their delicious, family-inspired creations: Website → bellsreines.com Blog → dulcetscintilla.com YouTube → Dulcet Scintilla IG → @bellsreines 📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spotlights & real inspiration. Join the newsletter → kerihenderson.com/newsletter 📲 Stay in the loop: Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri YouTube → @kerilhenderson TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri 🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here.

    12 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    [Hot Take] Professionalism Has Nothing To Do With What You Wear

    Women don’t hold themselves back at work because they lack skill or experience; it’s because they are seeking permission to be themselves. Wardrobe stylist and image consultant Naana Badu shares the limiting beliefs women of color have when it comes to their style and reminds us that professionalism is not defined by your wardrobe;  it’s defined by your expertise, authority, and presence. Listen to full episode here.  Connect with Naana Badu: Website → https://www.badubasics.com/ LinkedIn → @badubasics 📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spotlights & real inspiration. Join the newsletter → kerihenderson.com/newsletter 📲 Stay in the loop: Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri YouTube → @kerilhenderson TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri 🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here.

    7 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    [Hot Take] How to Start Investing With $100 (Even If You’re Not an Accredited Investor)

    The rules of investing have changed. In this hot take, Boyd Cru Wines co-founder Jon’ll Boyd breaks down how beginners can start investing with as little as $100 without being an accredited or angel investor. We talk about why investing feels intimidating, how everyday people can invest in small and Black-owned businesses, and the legacy we can build through ownership and access. If you’ve ever wanted to start investing but thought you needed millions, this conversation is for you. Listen to full episode here. Sip Outside The Lines With Boyd Cru Wines: Website → boydcruwines.com Instagram → @boydcruwines 📧 Your curated dose of Black culture, brand spotlights & real inspiration. Join the newsletter → kerihenderson.com/newsletter 📲 Stay in the loop: Instagram → @kerilhenderson | @thekickbackwithkeri YouTube → @kerilhenderson TikTok @thekickbackwithkeri 🖤 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a tip here.

    9 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

The Kickback With Keri is where Black brilliance, bold storytelling, and business strategy meet. Hosted by Keri Henderson, entrepreneur and community builder, this podcast goes beyond feel-good conversations, spotlighting Black-owned brands, creators, and changemakers who are building wealth, breaking barriers, and rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship. Each episode delivers actionable insight and inspiring real talk from launching purpose-driven ventures to navigating visibility, growth, and impact in today’s economy. Whether you're a small business owner, creative, or community-minded doer, you'll walk away with gems you can actually use, plus the motivation to keep going. Join a growing movement of listeners who believe in supporting Black-owned businesses, celebrating innovation, and building generational wealth one conversation at a time. Subscribe to the show and stay connected for curated brand spotlights, culture recs, and tools to help you grow delivered straight to your feed and inbox. (Join The Kickback Newsletter → link in episode descriptions.)

Information

  • Creator
    Keri Henderson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Kickback With Keri
  • Show Website
    The Kickback With Keri