Prince Rogers Nelson isn't the only Black creative from Minnesota. Haaaaave you met Chris?  Chris McDuffie was born and raised in St. Paul to a family inspired by photography, painting, jazz, and museums.  His gifts and talents were cultivated early in his education and, although is college degree led him to a myriad of jobs, he found his place as CEO of himself.  Tapping into the resilience he developed in his childhood, Chris started his own business where his expertise as a creative director, photographer and filmmaker have landed him with clients like the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves. This ambivert uses his work to shine light on the arts and social justice communities in Minnesota. While he voice is calm and smooth, his message is powerful. Oh, and Dave Chappelle thinks he looks like a younger version of himself. WEBSITE http://www.chrismcduffie.photography INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/mcduffphoto FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ChrisMcDuffiePhotography YOU SHOULD KNOW Nue Bedford https://www.instagram.com/nuebedford An art gallery devoted to uplifting the Queer BIPOC voices of Minneapolis. The idea is to have a unified space to house local art of the queer community in a safe, loving, supportive environment. It’s this generation’s job to continue the goal of visibility for our queer siblings so they can see themselves sooner than we did. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message

Chaptalization. Oenology. Tannins. If these words mean nothing to you, Maiah Johnson Dunn will change that. This accidental activist is leading change in the wine industry to ensure the spaces she loves are accessible to all. Her writing shines light on the microaggressions marginalized people experience in the industry and is challenging the industry to create spaces where people who love to drink wine are comfortable educating themselves about it. By collaborating with other business leaders, Maiah creates and curates advocacy dinners that bring awareness to area charities addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Maiah shares how her hobby became her career. And to think, it all started in insurance! MAIAH JOHNSON DUNN https://www.maiah.com/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/thisismaiah/ TWITTER https://twitter.com/maiah YOU SHOULD KNOW Black-Owned Wine Labels https://www.winemag.com/2020/06/08/black-owned-wine-guide/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message

Tayne is a brand manager in product marketing. Ade works in communications for the government. Born to Nigerian parents who were supportive (but not psycho) about their educations; they each earned master's degrees. These very accomplished women also happen to love reality TV shows and created "Altar Call: A Married at First Sight Podcast". At its core, their podcast is two friends who are rooting for love, but side-eyeing the foolishness along the way.  They deep dive into the psychology of the contestants, the impact of the "experts" on these legally binding marriages, show ratings, and a "Where Are They Now" of past participants.  They join me to talk about the real work that goes into putting out a just-for-fun podcast when one of you is Type A and has a hard and fast rule about podcasts that open with idle host banter, and other is super organized but would still like to outsource some aspects of the job.  The three of us meander from Married at First Sight (MAFS) to the challenges Bravo is currently facing with race, why "Love is Blind" had an impeccable first season, and a tiny teaser about the upcoming season of MAFS in their hometown of Houston, TX. Oh, and I learn why Yvonne Orji's impersonation of her parents' Nigerian accent is a little annoying. PODCAST https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/altar-call-a-married-at-first-sight-podcast/id1522401890 INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/altarcallmafs TWITTER https://twitter.com/altarcallmafs PATREON https://www.patreon.com/AltarCallMAFS YOU SHOULD KNOW Nadine Ijewere - First Black Woman to Shoot a Cover for American Vogue https://www.instagram.com/nadineijewere/?hl=en https://www.thecut.com/2021/03/photographer-nadine-ijewere-makes-history-with-vogue.html --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message

Hooda Brown is the person I envision myself to be in my head. She transferred from a petroleum engineering degree at a private predominantly white college to an HBCU where she could put her naturally bubbly personality and passion for helping other to good use.  As an entrepreneur, Hooda actively hires graduates from HBCUs and pays them a leisure-based income that allows them to open their worlds to travel (because she knows too many people on Xanax who hate what they’re doing). Born and raised in The South by parents who were committed to the connection through organic moments, Hooda grew up knowing nothing beats fear like The Outdoors.  She coped with a life event by taking lessons in tennis, golf, salsa and scuba diving - where she fell hopelessly in love the minute she dipped her head in the ocean.  Hooda shares her adventures in scuba diving and how she's never alone, even on her solo trips.  Oh, I learn why Memphis has the best water in the nation. INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/hoodabrown/ YOU SHOULD KNOW Justin Wallace Underwater Photography https://www.instagram.com/jwunderwaterphotography Diving with a Purpose https://divingwithapurpose.org/ National Association of Black Scuba Divers https://nabsdivers.org/ National Brotherhood of Skiers https://www.nbs.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message

Alissa Sharrock's life has been influenced by sports.  She enlightens me on the ways rugby can be like free therapy and shares how a chance encounter with a National Guard magazine article opened her eyes to career she only knew to be a rich man's game. Adopted at 3 days old into a loving family who emphasized the value of hard work, Alissa knew that she didn't have to go to college to feel their love and admiration.  She funnels that determination into a career where women continually challenged both physically and mentally. Oh, and she tells me how NOT to react when you see a 16-foot gator at your job. INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/alissajosie/?hl=en FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/alissa.sharrock SNAPCHAT alissajosie YOU SHOULD KNOW Soul Cap https://soulcap.com/ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/soul-cap-olympics-fina-ban_n_60e22c34e4b08f6f784bf0e7 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message

My dad was the first person in his family to go to college.  Having a career where he went from wearing street clothes to suits enabled him to be an active DEI advocate before it become fashionably performative. Along the way, he had people and programs that made his trajectory possible and he always looked for ways to pay it forward - even if he had to use 4-letter words to get it done.   INSTAGRAM Just kidding. He has no presence on "The Facebook" or any of that other social media crap. "Why would you want to put all your personal business out there?".     YOU SHOULD KNOW Gabby Thomas https://www.instagram.com/gabbythomas Gabby Thomas graduated from Harvard with a degree in neurobiology with a secondary in global health and health policy and is now pursuing her masters in public health, specifically epidemiology at Texas. She will be going to the Olympics in the 200 meters.  Only one woman in history has run 200 meters faster than Gabby Thomas, and that’s the legendary Florence Griffith Joyner. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message

Carla Mino is an escritora. A storyteller of the heart. Alchemist. Bilingual Teacher. Mom.  She also happens to be the person who's desk was across from mine in grad school.  We bonded immediately. And how could I not?  She is confidence in 3-D with great hair, a killer homemade lemon cake, and "let them hear you in the back row" supporter of everyone around her.  Carla has spent her education and career cultivating a path toward becoming the writer and inclusive educator she was destined to be from the moment she set up her stuffed animals in a semicircle. As a first-generation Peruvian in the United States, she was recently selected for the Las Musas Hermanas Mentorship Program where she'll be honing a decade-long project of introducing the magical realism genre via her first novel.  Carla shares her unwavering faith,  powerful positivity, and belief that anyone can create something from nothing with W&W listeners.  INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/carlaminoescritora/ TWITTER https://twitter.com/mino_carla?lang=en THE GOOD MEN PROJECT https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/the-day-i-decided-not-to-grieve-my-father-kpkn/ LA MUSAS BOOKS https://www.lasmusasbooks.com/hermanas.html YOU SHOULD KNOW 10 Reasons to Visit Peru https://travelnoire.com/10-reasons-visit-peru --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message

Solo episode where confess to losing all of my time on Clubhouse, ramble on about my recent bout with depression and anxiety, and ponder what to sacrifice to care for an ailing parent.  You know, just something a little light for your ears.   The Depression Project https://thedepressionproject.com/ https://www.instagram.com/realdepressionproject Melanated Bravo https://www.joinclubhouse.com/join/melanated-bravo/swQe9mGy/PD81pBOp https://www.instagram.com/bravowhileblack/?hl=en YOU SHOULD KNOW Dr. Monica https://drmonicaoneal.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message

Jessica Stanton's blog says it all:  Travel. Joy.  Black Girl Magic. It could also say:  Entrepreneur.  Creative. Teacher.  Jessica shares how she went from a career in STEM to spending the last 3 years funding her adventures abroad. She is creating social media content that ranges from reviews of wacky international snacks, why people taking "sneaky peak" photos is really not flattering, and the reality of dealing with health issues when you're far from home.  Jessica's striving to educate and be educated, while capturing beauty of a solo female foreigner living her best life with a great tripod and an envious wardrobe.  And we get real about the highs and lows of living in a place where no one looks like you. THE JESSTINATION  https://thejesstination.com/ INSTAGRAM  https://instagram.com/thejesstination FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/TheJesstination/ YOU SHOULD KNOW Aretha Duarte First Black Latin American Women to Reach Top of Mt. Everest https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/botwc-firsts/aretha-duarte-makes-history-as-first-black-latin-american-woman-to-climb-mount-everest --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message

Devin Stowers was born with the heart of a writer. Whether writing plays as a kid or following up a meeting with a comprehensive manual his boss didn't know he needed, Devin puts care and compassion into everything that he writes.  He finished college with a ton of leadership experience and enough hubris to mail anyone he could find a letter detailing why he'd be their next best speechwriter.  Then life (and student loans) changed the course of his career.  With a strong ties to his family, the eyes of a younger brother upon him, and the motivation to be the proud product of his hometown; Devin is cultivating a path that fulfills his passions and leaves every space better than he found it. Oh, and he used to be Republican. YOU SHOULD KNOW Kid Fury (Devin's future podcast partner...according to me) http://www.thekidfury.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wiseandwine/message