Advertise on podcast: Black Men Speak Podcast

What happens when a passion for drawing becomes a career—and then evolves into creating stories that inspire the next generation? Join Keith Dent for a special LIVE conversation with Akeem S. Roberts, an award-winning illustrator, cartoonist, author, and creative force whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and who has helped bring memorable characters and stories to life for young readers. We'll talk about Akeem's journey from artist to author, the importance of representation in children's books, and what it means to create imaginative worlds where Black kids can see themselves as the heroes, detectives, creators—and dreamers. We'll also dive into his new book, Class Pet Ghost Detective: The Pet Rock Ransom—a fun, mysterious adventure that proves you don't have to be afraid to let your imagination run wild. Akeem S. Roberts is the illustrator of the J.D. the Kid Barber chapter book series, the first book of which was a School Library Journal Best Book of 2021, a Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2021, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor recipient, and a Texas Bluebonnet Master List selection. The Class Pet Ghost Detective series is his author-illustrator debut.

What does it take to change the trajectory of a young man's life? In this powerful episode of Black Men Speak, we sit down with Lewis Spears, founder and executive director of Kismet of Kings, to discuss his remarkable journey from the Booker T. Washington Housing Projects in Jersey City to earning a degree from Harvard—and why he chose to return home to invest in the next generation. Lewis shares how mentorship, education, and intentional leadership have become the foundation of Kismet of Kings, an organization dedicated to empowering young Black men to become confident leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, and community changemakers. Together, we explore the importance of breaking generational cycles, redefining success, and creating spaces where Black boys are seen, challenged, and celebrated.

What does it take to build more than a business—to build a movement? In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Lindor, founder and CEO of The Gentlemen's Factory, to discuss his mission of creating spaces where Black and Brown men can thrive personally, professionally, and economically. Jeff shares how his journey from banking, healthcare, and public service led him to launch an organization centered on mentorship, entrepreneurship, wellness, and community. Together, we explore the importance of authentic relationships, the power of collaboration over competition, and why community is one of the greatest investments anyone can make. Jeff also discusses his vision for empowering the next generation of leaders, creating opportunities through entrepreneurship, and leaving a legacy that extends far beyond business. Whether you're an entrepreneur, community leader, or someone searching for purpose, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration for building a life of impact.

Over the past 15+ years, Jae Henderson has built products alongside food chemists, cowboys, software developers, designers, and politicians — a career path that's taken him from Capitol Hill to Sweden to a Nevada distillery. He calls it magic: people of different expertise and different starting points, all arriving somewhere together. He's the person people call when they have an idea and no clue how to bring it to life — because ideas are a dime a dozen; it's all in the execution. He was a founding product leader at the Bloomberg Philanthropies–funded Black Wealth Data Center and helped launch three award-winning spirits brands as a member of the founding team at Bently Heritage Estate Distillery.  Today he's the Co-Founder & CEO of DC Urban Oasis. This hospitality studio uses food, drink, and storytelling to deepen human connection and expand ownership and agency for Culinary Creators. It's a natural extension of something he learned growing up in South Central Los Angeles, watching his great-grandmother turn her house into a gathering place for anyone who walked through the door: that community doesn't just happen, someone has to build it. Jae worked on Capitol Hill for the late Congressman John Lewis and later spent time reimagining inclusive tourism with urban planners in Sweden. A former college rugby player, he now lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and their dog, Cleopatra. He believes the most powerful technology is the kind that brings people together, builds wealth, and leaves the world with a little more magic.

What began as a collection of handwritten letters from his beloved grandmother became an extraordinary journey through family history, race, resilience, and the enduring power of love across generations. Walter shares how his grandmother's unwavering faith, quiet strength, and simple words of encouragement helped shape his identity and inspired him to preserve a story that is both deeply personal and profoundly American. Together, we explore the sacrifices that built future generations, the hidden heroes whose names may never appear in history books, and why preserving our family stories is one of the greatest gifts we can leave behind. We also discuss what it means to carry the dreams of our ancestors, navigate America's complex racial history, and define success in a way that honors those who came before us. This conversation is heartfelt, inspiring, and filled with wisdom for anyone who has ever wondered how the lives of ordinary people can create extraordinary legacies. Walter Pryor is a product of the South, the Black Church, and a strong family unit of resilient, formidable women.  He is a cum laude graduate of Hendrix College, the only Black student in the college's history to receive the President's Medal, and a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. Pryor's professional career has spanned a myriad of sectors in the legal arena, including large and small law firms, the U.S. Department of Justice, Capitol Hill, corporations, higher education, and mission-driven bank Southern Bancorp.  He is passionate about education. He has devoted significant time to volunteer work in that field. Pryor currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Hendrix College as Chair and the Board of Directors of the Washington Children's Foundation. Pryor has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Latin School of Chicago, the Board of Directors of Legal Prep Charter Academies in Chicago, and the Board of Trustees of National Collegiate Preparatory Public Charter High School in Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Juliette, have two adult children, Adjua and Wade Osei, and divide their time between Chicago, Charlotte, and Martha's Vineyard. This Leaves Me Okay (Heliotrope Books, 2025) is his first book.

In this podcast episode, Rashawn Davis, Executive Director of The Citizen Service, shares how everyday people can become catalysts for change and why civic engagement is more important than ever. Rashawn Davis is a nonprofit leader, writer, and public speaker focused on strengthening democracy, advancing civic technology, and inspiring public leadership. A Newark native, he made history at 21 years old as one of the youngest candidates to qualify for the city's municipal election ballot. Rashawn has led national initiatives at The Andrew Goodman Foundation and Change.org. He has served on Newark's Police Review Board and speaks regularly at universities, public agencies, and private companies. Rashawn holds degrees from Georgetown University and New York University's Wagner School and serves on the Board of Directors for the W.E.B. DuBois Scholars Institute.

What does courage look like when the world refuses to see your humanity? In this powerful episode, Steven A. Holmes discusses Black masculinity, family, race, love, and liberation through the lens of World War II and his gripping novel Black Messiahs

In this powerful episode of Black Men Speak, we sit down with Aaron Johnson, founder of The Chronically Undertouched Project, to unpack a silent crisis affecting Black men—the lack of safe, intentional human touch. Drawing from his viral TED Talk and documentary Dark and Tender, Aaron shares how years without platonic connection can lead to isolation, depression, and emotional disconnection, and why something as simple as a hug can be life-changing. Together, we explore how cultural conditioning, trauma, and systemic oppression have shaped the way Black men experience touch—and how reclaiming connection through listening, presence, and brotherhood can become a pathway to healing. This conversation challenges everything we've been taught about masculinity and asks a bold question:  What would change if Black men got just 15 minutes of real connection each day?

Too many of us are grinding… but not building. On this Pinnacle of Color episode of Black Men Speak, we're talking about the shift from hustle to legacy — what it really takes to move from short-term money to long-term wealth. We sit down with Joe Coleman and Vernon Garret, founders of C&G Luxury Candles in Richmond, Virginia — breaking down how a vision becomes a brand, and how a brand becomes something that lasts. If you're tired of the grind and ready to build something meaningful… this episode is for you.

In this episode of Black Men Speak, we explore the lived experiences of biracial Black men raised in environments where Black culture, community, and mentorship were limited—or completely absent. From identity confusion to delayed self-discovery, we unpack how isolation impacts confidence, masculinity, and belonging. Dr. Corey Clay is an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist based in West Seattle and founder of Puget I/O, an independent consulting practice that blends organizational development with diversity, equity, and inclusion to help organizations build more inclusive, effective, and resilient workplaces. With a career spanning Houston, Portland, Seattle, and London, he brings a global perspective to his work and has been committed since 2006 to mentoring young men and fostering meaningful cross-community relationships. He previously served as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Washington, where he led equity-focused initiatives before relocating to London, and after returning to the Pacific Northwest in February, he continues expanding his consulting and mentorship efforts. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Dr. Clay integrates leadership, service, and discipline into both his professional practice and community impact.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Thomas, the acclaimed novelist behind Man Gone Down and winner of the International Dublin Literary Award, to discuss his powerful memoir The Broken King. In a raw and deeply personal conversation, Thomas reflects on fatherhood without the polish often found in parenting narratives, confronting the trauma, racism, and family history that shaped his upbringing in 1970s Boston and resurfaced as he tried to become a different kind of father to his own sons. Drawing inspiration from a line in Little Gidding, The Broken King explores the lives of the men who shaped him—his absent father, his estranged brother, his children, and ultimately himself—while reckoning with generational trauma, artistic struggle, and the difficult journey toward healing and self-understanding. Michael Thomas is the author of the national bestseller Man Gone Down, winner of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and a New York Times Top Ten Novel of the Year. His writing has appeared in A Public Space, the New Yorker, the New York Times, and in Ben George's anthology The Book of Dads. He is a professor of English at Hunter College. He lives in Brooklyn.

With a recent tik-tok video about Black Men's appearance at a Ruth Chris Steakhouse going viral, it would be a perfect time to talk about Black Male etiquette. In a world where perception can open doors—or quietly close them—Black men often find themselves navigating an unspoken standard: be excellent, but also be exceptional. Be confident, but not intimidating. Be authentic, but not "too much." So the question becomes: Are we required to be twice as polished just to receive half the opportunity? We will discuss this important topic with James B Wingo, author of "The Manners Playbook: Essential Lessons for African-American Boys on Confidence, Self-Awareness and Etiquette". You can purchase The Manners Playbook: Essential Lessons for Young African-American Boys on Self-Awareness, Confidence and Etiquette here or email him at [email protected] for an autographed copy.

In this episode of Black Men Speak, we sit with Ryan K Brown Jr., who confronted loss head-on—and discovered how unprepared our systems are to care for grieving families once the hospital lights dim. What began as a medical crisis exposed deeper emotional and systemic gaps, where strength was assumed, silence followed, and support was scarce. Through his grief, Ryan Brown Co-Founded The Andreas Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research, education, and compassionate support for families affected by pregnancy and infant loss. Ryan's work is deeply shaped by personal experience. After the loss of his son, Andreas Darius Brown, Ryan confronted firsthand the emotional, medical, and systemic gaps that too often leave grieving families unsupported. What began as a journey through profound grief became a commitment to transform pain into purpose—ensuring that families navigating loss are met with understanding, resources, and meaningful change rather than silence. Today's conversation is about fatherhood, grief, and the quiet burden Black men are often expected to carry alone. We talk about what happens after the doctors leave, how grief shows up in the body and mind, and why compassion can't end at discharge. This isn't about performing resilience. It's about telling the truth, naming the gaps, and creating space for Black men to be seen, supported, and heard.

In this episode of Black Men Speak, we sit down with Sylvester K. Johnson, Senior Capital Access Manager of Propeller, to unpack the real money moves Black entrepreneurs must master to build businesses that last. Sylvester brings a grounded, no-nonsense perspective on financial literacy — breaking down why so many entrepreneurs struggle not because they lack hustle, but because they lack financial systems, strategy, and clarity. From managing cash flow and understanding the true cost of running a business, to separating personal and business finances, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the financial blind spots that quietly derail growth. Together, we explore how Propeller is helping entrepreneurs move from reactive decision-making to intentional financial leadership, and why mastering your numbers is about more than profit — it's about freedom, sustainability, and legacy. This episode is a must-listen for any brother who's tired of grinding without clarity and ready to make smarter, more strategic money moves.