Verbally Effective

Rodan, also known as Daniel Ross, is a Memphis-based artist that focuses on telling the story of the Black American journey through art. He was educated at Tennessee State University and Memphis College of Art. Over the years he has perfected the use of hard to soft graphite and clay on cold press board, striving to make his work appear photo realistic. Through a technique he calls “loose realism”, Rodan exhibits control but not controlled paintings that will never let us forget the contributions of those who have paved the way for us in civil rights, music, literature and culture. Listen to how hip hop totally transformed Rodan's technique and purpose.

Westwood, TN native Sedrick Askew is the founder of Impact Lyfe Media. Attending one of the prominent high schools by the name of Westwood High, he knew early on that media was his calling by having a camera placed in his hand as early as 13. After graduating in 2004 and attending University of Memphis, media took a major role in his life by filming multiple shows hosted by the school as well as the school's many organizations. During his time at UofM he found a new love and profession of Photography as he earned his BA degree and Masters in Special Education. After graduating he became a SPED teacher for Memphis City Schools, after 3 years in the profession he took a major leap of faith by becoming a business owner, which goes by the name Impact Lyfe Media. Take a listen as Sedrick shares how the landscape of photography has changed through technology and social media. You will also learn about some of his pet peeves when it comes to clients in addition to how he's been profiting off of "REELS" on Instagram

Originally from Washington D.C., Attorney Lee Rankin now calls Memphis, TN her home. Lee is the proud visionary and creator of the boutique law firm, Lee Rankin Group, serving clients in music tech, virtual reality, social media influencers and legal marketing as it pertains to the metaverse. In this episode, you'll learn the how and the why Lee planted roots in Memphis wanting to fill the gap with black creators finding opportunities in the tech space. Lee shares how it all began with an Aunt who held executive leadership in Marketing at BET. This began her appetite for the entertainment space in addition to meeting her first child's father, Dallas Austin, as a freshman at Spelman College. Although the definition of an entertainment lawyer back in the early nineties consisted of being a white male, Lee pushed through and broke barriers to enter into this field. Her circle consisted of many celebrities as she climbed the ranks and learned the lay of the land. Lee provides much advice surrounding the proc

Born and raised in Greenville, Ms, Michael Jefferson is the founder of JeffBow Enterprises LLC starting in 2018. He began this journey as a master barber and in 2020 he moved to Memphis and stepped out on faith and formed 901 Barber Concierge, Memphis' only luxury mobile barbershop under JeffBow Enterprises LLC. Take a listen as Michael walks us through on WHY he began this new concept and some of the lessons he learned surrounding the competition within the hair and beauty industry. He also talks about how God has turned his life that was once filled with crime into a life of success and intention. On Sunday, September 25th, JeffBow Enterprises will launch their first BSNEM (barbers, stylists, nail techs, estheticians and mua) Industry Trade Show and Mixer at the Great Hall in Germantown TN. This is an all day event, hosted by Ena Esco of the Verbally Effective Podcast, that will highlight the industry professionals that usually get passed over for the big breaks.

South Memphis native Chris McNeil a.k.a. DJ Superman keeps Memphis motivated as the voice of middays at KXHT Hot 107.1FM in addition to the producer of the Morning Show Hustle. Growing up at College and Mclemore street, DJ Superman had a close connection with the community with both Stax and LeMoyne Owen College nearby. He followed his mother's footsteps and attended both Memphis Catholic High School and later matriculated to LeMoyne Owen College where he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. His father, mother and uncle exposed him to a plethora of music at a very young age taking him to jazz concerts in addition to Prince, Rick James and Parliament shows. Once he entered into the radio space, DJ Superman had a musically trained ear for all genres. Take a listen as DJ Superman shares plenty of gems encompassing history, music and Memphis. You can also catch DJ Superman at his new residency in downtown Memphis every Thursday and Friday night from 6-9pm at Caption by Hyatt Beale Street for "The Corporate Con

If you haven't checked out my guest for Ep 224 media platform Unapologetically Memphis yet you're definitely missing out on Memphis culture. Marques Cook is the creator and CEO of Unapologetically Memphis media platforms. Deeply rooted in Orange Mound, White Haven and Olive Branch, Marques began the Unapologetically Memphis platform in 2019 wanting to bring the culture of Memphis together similar to Dr. King's Dream. The socials have risen to over 65K followers as of today and growing.Take a listen as Marques tells the story of how and why he began the platform and how the Who's Who of Memphis are engaged. You'll discover what a day in the life of managing such a huge account entails and some of the daily feedback he receives. Get ready because in another month Marques is planning to launch the The Unapologetically Memphis podcast.

South Memphis native, Bertram Williams Jr. is my guest for episode 223. You may be familiar with Bertram as he plays the character "Woddy" on P-Valley Starz. You may also be familiar with Bertram as he very active in the theatre community in Memphis playing a very active role on stage with Hattiloo Theatre. Take a listen as Bertram shares his story of entering into the world of performing arts which prepared him for the big screen. You'll also learn that Bertram is a huge proponent for sustaining our planet. Through his work with Mama's Sundry, he's continuing his fight for healthy food and viable food production systems in the mid-south. Bertram is proudly rooted in South Memphis with his beautiful wife Talibah Safiya finding creative ways to reach the community.

On episode 222, we are LIVE in the WYXR studio on the radio airwaves with Memphis-based interior designer, content creator and lifestyle blogger Carmeon Hamilton. She is the winner of HGTV’s Design Star: Next Gen and star of HGTV’s Reno My Rental. Her 15 years of experience in multiple facets of the design industry, from public health-care to residential to retail and merchandising, is the foundation of her work in discovering the beauty in all things and helping others find beauty in what surrounds them every day. Her work, story and content around design, business and branding and elevating the everyday are featured and referenced in Architectural Digest, Southern Living, Essence, Domino and more. She’s often asked to share her insights and opinions by way of podcast interviews or panel discussions with major industry associations, such as Popsugar and Ballard Designs. Take a listen as Carmeon so beautifully shares her amazing journey that includes her process of creating Reno My Rental in Memphis, managing

North Memphis native, Shahidah Jones is my guest for Ep 221 of the Verbally Effective Podcast. Shay comes from a huge family consisting of Smokey City, Hurt Village, New Chicago and more. Half of her family is of the Islam faith which is the cornerstone of her organizing efforts. She tells us of her time at Austin Peay University where she encountered much adversity while earning her degree. Upon graduation, Shay shares her journey which encompasses working as a waitress at Ebony and Lace which deeply humanized her. She later worked her way through call centers and entered the corporate world working in Marketing at FedEx. Shay felt that the titles and money was not fulfilling her purpose. When she entered her 40’s life changed and she started paying attention to some of the grass roots organizations and started doing work in the community. However, it was the death of Darrius Stewart that totally changed the trajectory of her organizing and activist work. Take a listen as Shay breaks down the predatory crim

North Memphis native, Camille Patrice Fulton is passionate about sharing messages about the cultural vibrancy that make up this eclectic city. She hopes that her reviews via the "Camille Unlimited" blog inspire people to experience Memphis differently. Growing up as an only child, Camille was very inquisitive. She attended Cordova High School and matriculated to HBCU Alabama A&M University. Camille eventually moved back to Memphis and began her "Expert Reviewer" journey. You'll learn that Camille did not plan to become the social butterfly that she is but rather worked her way into this world. She provides commentary on social media on a plethora of experiences in the Mid South area. In a timeframe of one year Camille has successfully partnered with brands as an Expert Reviewer. Take a listen to her advice for upcoming expert reviewers regarding the need to have tough skin and providing honest feedback to businesses.

North Memphis native, Jay Gray is our guest for episode 219. Jay is currently the Brand Operations Manager for We Are Memphis which is a digital marketing firm that promotes "Memphis" to the masses via data research and community outreach. Jay's story is deeply rooted in the Raleigh area. After losing his mom at the age of twelve, Jay lived with his grandmother who was a nurse working twelve hour shifts. Jay became a product of his environment having to grow up very fast taking on responsibilities at a very young age. Take a listen as Jay speaks of losing many friends and loved ones as a result of violence. Hustling was a part of his world until he graduated from Raleigh-Egypt high school and had his first child. Jay attended the University of Memphis and discovered his leadership skills working at Bridge Builders. Shortly after, Jay entered into the nightlife world and later began working in management at the FedEx Forum arena. These days Jay Gray is moving the culture forward as the Brand Ops Mgr f

Oakhaven, TN native, Paul Young, is our current President and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission. Paul's upbringing has been centered on finding purpose in work and a strong spirit of service. After graduating from UT Knoxville, Paul experienced a turning point in his life as he listened to one of his mother's sermons encompassing the purpose driven life. It was that moment when Paul discovered that he wanted to rebuild communities in Memphis. Since then he has served in a myriad of roles such as Legislative Liaison for the Shelby County Office of Legislative Affairs; Financial Analyst with Community Capital (Memphis, TN); Assistant Program Officer for Local Initiatives Support Corporation (New York, NY); and Associate Planner for the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. Take a listen as Mr. Young walks us through his current role as President and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission. Upon entering the role, Memphis was coming out of covid proper which welcomed endless oppo

Originally from Pine Bluff, AR, Fabian L. Matthews has definitely found his niche in the Memphis media space. His entry into the technical side of television began shortly after graduating from Arkansas State University and a brief stint in the military. Fabian worked as a a producer/director at KAIT TV in Jonesboro, AR and joined WMC TV-5 in Memphis as a Senior Commercial Producer/Avid Editor in 1997. He later started his media company Spotlight Productions which is still flourishing after twenty two years and has picked up three Emmy Awards and a plethora of Telly Awards. Take a listen as Fabian shares many stories from both the tv business and entrepreneur world. You'll learn about some of his most notable clients including a few projects he's currently working on. Fabian describes Memphis as "We are what people want to be" in reference to our rawness, grit and hospitality. Fabian also shares how The Smoke Podcast began in addition to how he's helping other creatives hone their craft.

Talibah Safiya is an independent soul singer and a captivating story teller from Orange Mound, TN. Using impactful instrumentation and visually stimulating lyricism, Talibah’s music has a way of deeply connecting you to her story and your own. Since 2011, Talibah has been dropping jewels on her own terms that have put her on stages Nationwide. In the summer of 2019, she completed her first tour “A Deep Water Sound” which traveled 10 cities in the US. She has performed for world renowned platforms such as Sundance, The Kennedy Center, Folk Alliance International and more. Her festival credits include Americana Fest (where NPR named her one of the top ten performers of 2018), Mempho and Tone’s Juneteenth Festival. Safiya’s celebrated single Healing Creek was chosen by Spotify as one of the best blues songs of 2020. It’s video, shot by Kevin Brooks, won Best Hometowner Music Video at the Indie Memphis Film Festival 2019. In 2020, Oxford American Music issue features an article written by Jamey Hatley that

Born Denisha Bonner, Cookie901 is a female Hip-Hop artist emerging from the asperous streets of Memphis, Tn. Her musical sound clinches tightly onto her city’s roots as she embarks upon the music industry, giving transparency and authenticity. As an adolescent, luminaries such as Memphis natives Gangsta Boo, Playa Fly, and Yo Gotti, fueled her passion of journaling to evolve into a love for bass and bars! Years laters while attending her hometown HBCU, LeMoyne Owen College, she procured the attention of many and built a local following. She quickly propelled to viral fame on social media in 2015-2018 thanks to a series of freestyle covers and live videos. In 2018, She established herself as one to reckon with in the Memphis underground rap scene as she collaborated with videographer extraordinaire WikidFilms to debut her first music visual to her Bloc Boy JB “Rover” freestyle. Despite her rising notability she also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2018 from her hometown HBCU, Lemo

Episode 214's guest is President of River City Capital Investment Corp. and Host of the Minding Your Business Podcast, Ron Brooks, Jr. Ron is an Orange Mound, TN native by way of Chicago, IL. Take a listen as Ron discusses his formative years transferring from Melrose to Houston HS filled with many triumphs and challenges. He later attended the University of Memphis and entered the world of banking immediately after. Ron shares how if felt to be a black man in corporate banking in the early 2000's. We even dive into this looming recession that has been chasing us daily. Learn more about Ron's business River City Capital and why it's important to edify the Memphis community.

My guest for Ep 213 is stylist and founder of "Styled by LD" Lauren Draffin. Known as the "Queen of mixing high and low brands", LD shares that her dad got her interested in fashion during her early teens. She credits her first job at Indigo for instilling in her with technique and accountability. LD spent her first three years in college at the University of Alabama as a Fashion/Merchandising major and finished her last year at the University of Memphis. It was at UofM where she received a fashion internship in New York where she learned the lay of the land. You can now catch LD styling some of your favs via her business Styled by LD. She is also the co owner along with her business partner Monte Stewart of Beg & Borrow Apparel. LD prides herself on doing extensive research for her client base and says "Everything is visual." You can catch LD teaching INTRO TO FASHION this Fall at the University of Memphis. Check out LD's website now at styledbyld.com and begandborrowapparel.com.

Orange Mound, TN native, Dr. Derrick D. Payne, is our guest for episode 212. Derrick is a dentist, event strategist and pillar of the Memphis community. In July 2002, Dr. Payne purchased his first dental practice in Memphis and has practiced in the Whitehaven Community for 20 years. He is a member of the Shelby County Dental Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and the visionary of Men of Memphis UNITED. He also is passionate about bringing individuals together in the form of UNITY through various community events and functions. One of his largest annual events is entitled THE JINGLE JAM in which thousands of Memphians and surrounding citizens come together to celebrate the Christmas Holidays. Dr. Payne is also gearing up for a summer series entitled #901Live featuring some of the most talented performers from Memphis.

Bri Saulsberry "Luxury Experiences" | EPISODE 211 Memphis native, Bri Saulsberry, is my guest for episode 211. Bri is the the Beauty, Boss and Brains behind the illustrious company that reimagines and redefines luxury experiences, Bri Saulsberry & Company. Bri Saulsberry and Company is a boutique design agency that specializes in uniquely reimagining spaces to create extraordinary experiences. Through thoughtfully designed bespoke events and interior design, BS & Co. prioritizes luxury and experience to produce inspiring and imaginative projects with an elegant, forward, yet timeless aesthetic. Bri is a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a communications degree in Public Relations. During her tenure at the university, she was inspired by her travels and communications studies in two places that hold some of the world’s most illustrious fashion, luxury and creativity— New York and Europe. Enamored during her stay, she immersed herself in the cultures and experiences both influential places

Founded in 2018, Ruthless Ryderz is a roundup club for cowboys and cowgirls started by my guest for Ep 210 Tyrone Brown Sr. Originally from Okmulgee, OK, Tyrone moved to Memphis in 2010 and began expanding Ruthless Ryderz which now has over one hundred members in nine states. Members partake in western rodeo events, horse shows, trail rides and parades. Take a listen as Tyrone discusses the rich history of the black rodeo and the incredible culture that has been established in Memphis. Tyrone is having the Ruthless Ryderz Southern Soul Black Invitational Rodeo & Pony Express Blowout on Saturday, May 21st at the Tunica Arena & Expo Center. Parade begins in downtown Tunica, MS at 3pm and Rodeo starts at 7pm. You can purchase tickets online via Eventbrite for $25 in advance & $30 at the door.