Ujima has teamed up with the Moonlighters' Club and Ujima's Business Support Member Team to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours!
"Yours, Mine, and Ours" spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards. In this episode, host Joel Edwards chats with Nia Grace and Turahn Dorsey of Jazz Urbane Cafe.
Jazz Urbane Cafe is a new arts and restaurant venture planned to launch soon in Boston’s Nubian Square neighborhood. This space will be an urban arts venue that spotlights local and national artists who define and celebrate the diverse cultural traditions that make Boston a unique and global city. Check out this episode for the story behind the music, and what Jazz Urbane hopes for a more joyous and creative Boston.
Learn more at: www.jazzurbanecafe.com
Ujima has teamed up with the Moonlighters' Club and Ujima's Business Support Member Team to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours! "Yours, Mine, and Ours" spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards.
In this episode, host Joel Edwards chats with Kai Grant, the founder of Black Market Nubian. This eclectic marketplace is widely accepted as one of Boston’s premiere spaces to gather, meet and shop, understanding the need for micro-business founders to develop the business acumen and literacy needed to move towards sustainability.
In its five year span, it has hosted over 81 marketplaces, 64 events, 3 festivals, 3 teach-ins, 4 health and wellness classes with over 300 vendors and 30,000 estimated visitors. Check out this episode for a deeper look at Black Market’s journey to become a hub for Black cultural and economic vibrancy in the city. Learn more at blackmarketnubian.com.
"Yours, Mine, and Ours" spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards.
In 2019, Ujima members voted to invest $100,000 in CERO Cooperative, an award-winning worker-owned commercial composting company based out of Dorchester, MA. In this episode, host Joel Edwards sits down with Lor Holmes, Founder and Operations Manager, who leads venture development and capitalization strategies for CERO.
Meet Jared.
Jared is the founder of Pineapple AF.
Tools for people to have healthy relationships.
After college, Jared started a career in film, working on all kinds of projects and specializing in documentaries. He then pivoted into tech after learning how to code. Through mentorships and friendships, he found a way to craft his own brand.
Meet Nate.
Nate is the founder of Blue Collar Blades. Handcrafting tools that elevate the cooking experience.
"We believe that the way to create a better world is to help people do meaningful things. We do this by handcrafting quality tools that bring people together around good food & great memories."
Nate started with a love for working on cars. This eventually turned into crafting blades from scratch. A business he has formed and operated with his family.
Meet Andre Burton.
The founder of Threads by Dre. A black-owned, streetwear company operating in Chicago.
"Our mission is to celebrate the culture and lives of black people. Our products give a voice without the need to speak."
This was a great conversation. I talked to Andre about his career and the stress that came from it. We then talked about finding out what makes you happy and how you can build on that.
Meet Jean Nei.
The founder of Turnaction.io.
"We connect conscious consumers with socially conscious brands through our online platform."
This isn't Jean's first run of entrepreneurship. This time around, he's using his tech experience from working at startups to help him on his journey.
All while working a full-time job and getting a masters degree.
Meet Taja Ricketts.
Founder of Satin Kiss.
"Satin Kiss was established with the desire to create the curated shopping experience that pleasure-seekers deserve.
We believe that people who enjoy sexual health and pleasure products should be able to find products that represent them, while catering to their elevated tastes, protecting their health and empowering their decisions."
In this episode we talk about sex, the taboos around it and starting a business to change those norms.
Meet Jake Roundy.
Co-founder of the Couch Bandits, a gaming publication that celebrates the creative magic of gaming.
Jake is a gamer and an editor. He's everything creative.
Why can't work just be work?
Nice guys don't finish last.
Meet Big Ty. A man with a lifetime of experience in the radio business. A career that has taken him from Boston, to Baltimore and to Pittsburgh.
He's been inside the corporate machine and eventually spread his own wings in the radio circuit. Now he's dropping knowledge with us.
The Moonlighters' Club has teamed up with The Boston Ujima Project and Ujima's Business Support Member Team to produce a new podcast: Yours, Mine, and Ours!
Yours, Mine, and Ours spotlights the businesses of Ujima's Good Business Alliance, created for the community, by the community, with a special emphasis on Ujima's good business standards.
In this episode, host Joel Edwards sits down with Cassandria Campbell, the Founder of Fresh Food Generation (@freshfoodgeneration), a Caribbean American farm-to-plate cafe. Fresh Food Generation believes everyone deserves to eat well, no matter where they live.
Take a listen to hear about Fresh Food Generation's journey, how they define impact, and how they work to create great jobs in our communities.
Shaun and Stephond are Moonlighter veterans. They personify everything that is good about this club.
We first interviewed both 4 years ago. Since then, Shaun relocated to Los Angeles. He's taking a break from standup to focus on acting and writing. He was making solid headway until COVID hit.
Stephond still makes music. He's also the creator of Somerfest, a premier, multi-genre event that occurs every year in the city of Somerville.
It's good to connect.
We're three episodes into the new season so I thought I would give an update. More interviews are on the way!
Meet Stephen Hopkins. Founder of part/Whole.
part/WHOLE is a design exploration.
"The name part/WHOLE comes from the general phrase, “part to whole relationship” that is commonly used in design and architecture. I see a part to whole relationship as a design intent or idea that supersedes both scale and discipline."
Steve is all things design. From architecture to fashion.
Quote of the day: "Work comes from work."
Meet Shana Bryant. Founder of Shana Bryant Consulting.
"Providing constructive ideas to help entrepreneurs and corporations implement efficient, effective, and memorable practices."
This is Shana's full-time occupation. Empowering her community and creating dope events.
Meet Alex Bennett, The founder of smoking statues.
"Smokin' Statues are two part ceramic figurines that hold an incense cone. The Head & Body design uses a penny to protect the piece of art as the incense cone burns inside, to spread the freshest smells."
Trade by Day: Solutions Consultant
Reading Suggestion: the Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation
Advice to Entrepreneurs: "Don't Stop."
We're Back.
Welcome to season three of the Moonlighters' Club. I'm excited to be releasing new episodes and to ready grow this network out.
I'm just getting everyone caught up on what I've been up to. New city, new house, new job, new outlook.
It's good to be back.
Meet Tom. The founder of Stride for Stride.
Social entrepreneurship at its finest. Tom is an avid runner. In his own words: "The Falmouth Road Race was the first race I ever ran, and it changed my life. Not only did it help me become healthier, but it also reminded me that I can accomplish anything - to not quit when things get tough." Once he registered for his second race, he realized that races are expensive - really expensive - an expense that others couldn't afford; And that is the core mission of Stride for Stride. Stride's goal is to give everyone an equal opportunity to run.
There's no reason why money should prevent you from getting to the starting line, especially when crossing the finish line could change your life.
Meet Chris Davis.
The founder of Genone Technologies. Chris graduated from MIT with a BS in chemical engineering. After working in a variety of roles from process engineering to product engineering, Chris decided to set out with a friend to start his own business. Enter GenOne Technologies. An engineering solutions firm which primarily helps small inventors bring life to their initial ideas/concepts.
GenOne focuses on helping companies develop new technologies, whether they be large established companies, early stage startups, or government agencies. Their primary focus is Internet-of-Things (IoT) development, bringing in a diverse set of skills to create robust prototypes and products. Chris and his team strive to help you create the most value for the smallest price tag.
Meet Mark Breghaut.
Founder and CTO of Icebrkr. Mark's journey to founder is an interesting one. In grad school, he was on a PhD track for Marriage and Family Therapy. He focused his research on psychology, courtship and conflict in romantic relationships. After graduating, he became a teacher.
During his 3 years teaching, he taught himself frontend web development and design on the side. He then left to work at a web and mobile app development agency as a lead frontend developer and senior UX/UI designer. He combined his backgrounds in relationships and tech to form Icebrkr. Icebrkr is a dating app that utilizes a powerful machine learning AI chatbot that provides daters expert guidance on common pain points.
Meet Becky Pleat.
Founder of Protein Power Ball. Becky and her cofounder were two health-conscious pharmacists that were passionate about wellness and wanted a snack that was convenient, healthy, and tasted great! Being scientists at heart, they took matters into their own hands and began experimenting with healthy ingredients and superfoods from their own kitchen.
Enter Protein Powerball. The ideal snack – easy to eat on the go, healthy ingredients that leave you feeling energized and powerful, and a crave-worthy taste.
Meet Kun Yang.
Kun is a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and aspiring brand-builder based out of Boston. MA. He is a pharmacist by day, and the co-founder and CEO of Pricklee by night. Never sure of what he wanted to "be" when he grew up, the inception of Pricklee has served as the single most creative pursuit he has ever been a part of, as well as the validation of fulfilling a bigger purpose in life by working for yourself to help others.
Pricklee is a health-focused beverage start-up that Kun founded with four other pharmacist moonlighters that he met in Boston in 2018. They make superfruit waters using real prickly pears, the nutritious fruit of the cactus. Packed with natural electrolytes, antioxidants, and liver detox agents, but low in sugar and calories, Pricklee Superfruit Water is both healthy and tasty - because you can have both.
Meet Val Bee.
Val is a Development and Event Professional and the Owner of L.I.R. Productions, a PR + Production Agency that specializes in marketing, brand management, and event production.
Val manages a global network of creative entrepreneurs & professionals where she helps connect creatives to opportunities that pay.
Val is a booking agent and has she sponsors two event series through her agency - the Small Biz Buffet hosted by Urban NYCHE Marketing and our very own Moonlighters' Club showcase.
Last week sucked. I worked 60+ hours and spent no time building out this podcast. This week I take my time back. My update:
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