Black History Month Spotlight: Kevin Benoit, Parlé Magazine and Parlé Endeavors Founder

Image credits: Reynaldo Osoria

Kevin Benoit learned the power of voice early. Since age 12, he has helped others find and use their own. This Black History month, SBC highlights and explores the contributions of the 39-year-old self-starter who founded Parlé Magazine over two-decades ago, and, more recently, its arm nonprofit organization, Parlé Endeavors.

Benoit was born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Originally named Kerven, his parents legally changed … Read the rest

Interview With Author & Coleman Crest Farms Owner Jim Coleman! (Part 1)

In a world where family legacies sometimes fade into obscurity, Jim Coleman symbolizes hope and inspiration. A fourth-generation steward of Coleman Crest Farm, the Kentucky-based landowner not only embodies the essence of generational wealth, but is passionate about imparting his wisdom. Whether it is through his three books, Hang ‘Em in the Middle, Don’t Sell the Goose That Lays the Golden Egg (both illustrated by Trevor Claiborn), and … Read the rest

Interview With Summer Hope Beauty Founder & CEO Summer Chamblin!

Summer Hope Chamblin, daughter of fashion and stylist icon June Ambrose, is carving a path of her own. The soon-to-be Business & Management graduate wears multiple hats from student to content creator to founder and CEO of the new haircare line, Summer Hope Beauty. But balancing those different roles has not been the hardest part of her journey thus far.

“I graduated high school when I was 16 during … Read the rest

Interview With Damn Write Originals Founder Nakia Stephens!

Sometimes advice is situational, other times it is lasting. Researching and creating while awaiting the next opportunity is a philosophy that award-winning independent filmmaker Nakia Stephens (Cream x Coffee; Suga Water; Nepotista) continues to impart. While this guidance is for those who aspire to tell stories for the screens, it can be applied to anyone with a dream. Recently, the Damn Write Originals founder spoke with … Read the rest

ACINOM Yoga & Therapy Founder and CEO Names Yvonne Orji’s “Bamboozled by Jesus”

What’s a soul read? A soul read is basically a book that touches one or every fiber of one’s being. It is when you feel a strong connection to the story. For Monica Shepherd, founder and CEO of the New York based organization, Acinom Yoga & Therapy LLC, that book is Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me into the Life of My Dreams (Worthy Books/Hachette) by actress … Read the rest

Interview Excerpt: “Promises to Progress” Author Andrew Beamon!

Corporate social responsibility leader and author Andrew Beamon recently appeared on SBC to discuss his debut book Promises to Progress: A Leadership Guide to Help Organizations Avoid Common Mishaps and Bring Their Racial Equity Aspirations to Life. Here in this clip, we find out what prompted him to share his expertise and passion for racial equity in the workplace in book form.

Check out the clip below!

Thought … Read the rest

Interview With Priceless Publishing Founder & “Chasing Rainbows” Author Dr. Sidjae Price!

Sometimes our success stories seem unplanned. Entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and consultant Dr. Sidjae Price can attest to this as it happened with her company Priceless Publishing. It all started when she gained the desire to write a book, which prompted her to take a course on how to publish it. 

“Part of the course was an assignment to get a beta tester—to publish their book,” the Chasing Rainbows author … Read the rest

Interview With “Soul Beneficiary” Author & Entrepreneur Jessi Park!

The past can be painful, but it can also motivate. Entrepreneur and author of the bestseller Soul Beneficiary: The Good, Better, Best Guide to Success in Selling Insurance Jessi Park faced hardships during her childhood and later as a single parent. “I feel like whenever you experience choosing between paying a bill or eating, that you find yourself saying to yourself ‘I will never be in this position again,’” … Read the rest

Interview With “The Christmas Clash!” Author Suzanne Park!

Once upon a time, adult and young adult novelist Suzanne Park swore by the technique of writing every day. Now, after five published books and counting, The Christmas Clash (October 4, Sourcebooks Fire) author has an evolved take. “The idea at the time was if you write every day, if you write a page a day—it doesn’t have to be every single day—just means five days out of the seven … Read the rest

Interview With Entrepreneur & “I Can’t Wait to Vote” Author Tiffany Lanier!

The relationship that young people have with books and reading help shape who they become. Entrepreneur, speaker, and debut author Tiffany Lanier reflects on how her beginnings with literature made her the woman she is today. The defining moment arrived when she was in the third grade at one of her parent-teacher conferences.

“The teacher told my mom she felt like I was illiterate,” The Morning Shift Co. founder tells … Read the rest