Jay Bailey, president and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, joins me in this informative episode of the Build Your Fort Podcast. Bailey delves deeply into his passion and drive to support black business owners, both of which are fueled by his own entrepreneurial background and Herman J. Russell's legacy. He speaks passionately about RICE and how it differs from traditional business incubators by providing a safe space for black entrepreneurs to grow. Our discussion provides current and aspiring entrepreneurs with motivation, inspiration, and food for thought.

I'm on the phone with Jameka early Sunday morning, preparing her for our upcoming interview. I smile as I hear her children's joyful laughter in the background. This sets the tone for our relaxed conversation. We talk about sex and sexuality as a disabled person, as well as some awkward moments she’s encountered when a non-disabled person expresses how inspirational she is.Jameka also voices a desire for the disabled community to be better represented in the media. "Let us, let us be shown. Let us be seen," she says.Spend a few moments with me meet Jameka Malone.  She is sexual, self-assured, and disabled.

Changing lives is what Karen Hatcher and her team at Sovereign Realty & Management are all about. Karen founded her real estate agency on the premise of helping others grow wealth through real estate.Karen is the 97th President of the Atlanta REALTORS Association, a 112 year old institution and the largest local real estate board in the State. She is the first African-american female and first African-american owned brokerage to hold the position of President. In addition to numerous awards, Karen also holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Clark Atlanta University (HBCU), and an MBA in Real Estate from Georgia State University as well as her CPM designation which is the elite mark of distinction that experienced real estate portfolio owners seek out to manage their assets. Karen is a strong advocate for equity in the real estate market and encourages everyone to own real estate.SovereignRM.com

Can you imagine starting a company with your significant other? And not just any company, but one that sells tea from all over the world. Brooklyn Tea may have started out small, but the company has grown rapidly since its inception. Founded by husband and wife team Jamila Wright and official Tea Sommelier Alfonso Wright, Brooklyn Tea was a passion project for the couple even when they were just dating. Their love bonded them in business and in marriage as they grew from an online store to an official brick and mortar retail store.Listen in as Jamila and I chat about mixing marriage and business, how the new company made it through the pandemic and the opening of the new location in Atlanta.Brooklyntea.com

Shayna Marshall has many titles that all translate to her self-described title of Serial Entrepreneur. She operates two insurance agencies, a gym and multiple co-working spaces. Shayna admits that her success has been sustained by doing work she enjoys, work that empowers others and work that generates recurring revenues. Listen in as we discuss her path to entrepreneurship.  Allstate.com/shaynamarshall

Susan Pryor has been investing in Real Estate for 30 years and after a career in the software industry, she now runs the Georgia branch of Benchmark Mortgage.Her company has a heart for veterans and they go out of there way to make sure their veteran clients realize their dream of home ownership.Listen in has Susan shares her mortgage lending experience and gives priceless advice to veteran and civilian real estate investors and entrepreneurs.benchmark.us

Olivia Westbrooks is a mother, wife, and owner of her own design firm. When her first attempt at entrepreneurship didn't work out the way she planned, she took a step back into corporate America for an opportunity to come back stronger and better. Now, as the leading force behind Oliva Westbrooks Interiors and a sought-after consultant, she leads fearlessly while inspiring others along the way.https://www.oliviawestbrooksinteriors.com/

Vocalist Shameia Crawford grew up in the church as was born to sing. Both her father and grandfather were pastors so Shameia felt limited in her ability to step outside of the church and sing for the world. As chance would have it, Shameia had the opportunity to sing internationally and with the blessing of her father, she broke free from the stigma sing secular music had hasn't look back. shameia.net

Author and speaker Chris Lee is a motivator and survivor who is pursuing his passions. An accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury in 2007 turned Chris's life upside down. Addiction, depression and poor physical health complicated things even further. Learning about holistic health, the law of attraction and energy healing helped Chris to turn things around. Listen is as we chat about overcoming childhood sexual assault, depression, addition and how his mission to help others heal has in fact healed him.thinkchrislee.com 

Growth requires you to take an honest look at where you are today, make necessary adjustments and prepare for the next level regardless of what others may think. I am grateful, humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to spend precious time with some amazing guest during Season 1 of Build Your Fort Podcast.I also want to say thank you to all the amazing listeners for taking the time, whether you're at the gym or in your car. We're taking a walk, whatever it is that you're doing while you're listening or watching this podcast. Thank you for the love. And we've officially reached over the 500 download marks in September, and I'm looking forward for season two that take us over to the a thousand, 2000 whatever God has for us.Let's get it!BuildYourFortPodcast.com