Blacklining Forum

E15: Ambition

Melinda Jordan, a leading real estate advisor based in Chicago, returns to the show to take us on her personal roller coaster. From leaving a six-figure corporate job to losing everything and then rebuilding to establish a successful career, Melinda's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Her resourcefulness in the face of adversity was also a constant companion on every step of the way. She reveals the various tactics employed to thrive despite very large challenges, emphasizing the importance of asking for help while navigating life's uneven playing field.
Derek and Melony also explore concepts of personal growth and the importance of mindsets with Melinda as she shares how she overcame her limiting beliefs, learned to celebrate her accomplishments, and broke free from cultural and familial norms. We also discussed personal growth and the inevitably of feeling discomfort during the process, particularly when it creates distance with those around us.
In short, if you've ever asked yourself "How did they do that?" about someone, this conversation about self-investment and mindset shifts will provide personal and professional insights that answer your question. It's a tale of unwavering ambition and strategic risk-taking that will inspire you to confront your own challenges and achieve success against the odds.

E14: Long Term, Big Picture

Melony and Derek exchange insights with Courtney Brunson, a champion for economic and racial justice, and Director of the Greater Boston Partnership to Close the Racial Wealth Gap at the Boston Foundation. We begin with considerations of wealth-building strategies for Black communities, housing access complexities, and the role of fair housing in wealth creation.
But, the episode diverges from that path by taking a deeper dive into the cultural and societal growth of the City of Boston. We raise concerns about the socioeconomic factors in the landscape that challenge the city's cultural narrative, and explore whether the evolution of the American standard of beauty is a model for Boston to evolve its approach to "standards" of culture and inclusivity.

E13: Intro to Estate Planning

Today Melony and Derek delve into the crucial, yet often misunderstood, topic of estate planning. We consider its vital role in ensuring future financial security, protecting asset privacy, and transferring wealth in accordance with your wishes. Guest Kerry Reilly, Estate Planner to the 99%, unpacks the common misconception that estate planning is exclusive to the affluent and shines a light on its relevance and necessity for everyone.
We focus on the importance of planning for future contingencies, indicating how estate planning could serve as your ultimate "out-of-office memo" for safeguarding personal financial health. Additionally, we examine legal elements of estate planning, such as power of attorney and healthcare proxy. Through discussing various scenarios, we emphasize the potential consequences of not having these vital provisions in place.
Transitioning to property inheritance, we detail the responsibilities, legal challenges, and emotional aspects associated with handling an inherited home, especially for adult children or other family members. We also underline the necessity of a comprehensive estate plan by discussing the options - sell, keep or develop the property - and the need for accessible legal documents.
This is a must-listen to episode for people seeking practical, introductory advice on estate planning. Think of it as your primer for wealth preservation and for maintaining control over personal financial affairs.

E12: Community Building For Us, By Us

Glynn Lloyd has been a pioneer in the field of transformative urban economic development for over 25 years. He is the founder of City Fresh Foods, a nationally-renowned food service business, and over 20 years grew it on average 15% annually to an 8-figure revenue. He is also a founder of the Urban Farming institute (UFI), a community-led nonprofit supporting the development of the urban farming industry in Massachusetts and helped establish the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), a coalition of black business, community, religious and labor leaders working together to improve economic indicators in the Black community. Recently, Glynn has been appointed to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Economic Development Planning Council. The council is responsible for crafting a strategic plan to guide Massachusetts economic development policy over the next four years.
Currently, he is the Executive Director of Mill Cities Community Investments (www.mccinvest.org), the first Black-led community development financial institution (CDFI) in Massachusetts. Glynn is also the founding Executive Director of the Foundation for Business Equity (FBE). The Foundation’s award-winning initiative, the Business Equity Initiative (BEI), is executing a unique approach to scaling up local Black and Latino enterprises to close the racial wealth gap (www.fbequity.org).
In this fast-paced conversation, Glynn shared his insights on what's involved with building community and how that work is sustained. During our conversation, he reveals tidbits about his mindset, explains how money works, and discusses the importance of sustainability at both the individual and community level.

E11: Collective Equity

In this episode, we delve into the world of collective equity with Jock Payton, founder and CEO of Nubian Square Investment Advisors. With his wealth of experience, Jock paints a vivid picture of the varying definitions and applications of equity, and its capacity to foster social justice and financial well-being. He sheds light on how individual investments can transform into collective equity, potentially bringing a significant impact to a broader community. Furthermore, this conversation helps even those outside of the financial sector understand how equity and value intersect with societal structures and social justice.
The discussion then transitions toward the importance of community investment in local businesses and how such collective ownership can shape factors like wages, job opportunities, and worker benefits.
Bridging the gap between the community's investment desires and their financial capacity, we note with caution the role that affluent players can have in social-impact investments. We also tackle the misconception that significant capital is necessary for wealth creation, emphasizing how even small steps, like paying off debt and increasing saving, can start the journey to financial equity.
Eventually, our conversation centers around the idea of redefining wealth, underlining that wealth is not just about money, but also comprises elements like education, health, cultural freedom, and individual talents. We discuss how everyone can contribute to the financial health of their community, irrespective of their monetary status, as well as how new initiatives like the Dream Exchange, the first Black-owned stock exchange in U.S. history, can promote both individual and community wealth.
We end by underscoring the significance of investing in oneself, emphasizing education, skills development, networking, and pursuing one's passions. In short, we elevate the transformative power of collective equity and its potential to redefine communities.

E10: A New Narrative

With this being the tenth episode, we took a step back to think about where we began when we laid the groundwork for the podcast and how conversations with our guests informed, challenged, and evolved our thinking. Today's discussion highlights three forms of power that have been defined along the way, and grasps at one that continues to elude identification.
Overall, with 21st-century Black America able to look back at its progress over generations and able to look ahead at new opportunities, we poke at the underlying possibility of the creation of a new narrative, what it looks like to grapple with power, and what is needed to secure protection.

E9: Rooting in the Community

Moving into a new home and/or starting a new business are both major life achievements. The magnitude of each of those takes on even greater significance when also trying to become established in a new community.
Nyacko Pearl Perry, new homeowner and co-owner of Comfort Kitchen, shares stories and advice from the early days of getting established in Uphams Corner, the most diverse neighborhood in America, and explains how property ownership gives her a greater sense of security for her family.
Additionally, Melony and Derek discuss that feeling when a community is hesitant to choose you and parse the difference between a "neighborhood" and a "community."

E8: (Re)Building from the Ground Up

What is home?
How do you decide where to make your home?
Should you move to build collective political power?
These were some of the questions we explored as we referenced a New York Times op-ed piece by Charles Blow that encouraged Black Americans to move to the South. As we discussed the opportunities, we also challenged our assumptions - and his - around where we are as a community, where we could be collectively, and what the risks are. Karleen Porcena also joined us to share insights from her travels and research of southern towns being built from scratch by new Black landowners.
*Recorded before the HBO documentary South to Black Power was announced.