Why Black Stories Matter Right Now (and always)

In partnership with

Hey honeys and hustlers,

In continued celebration of Black History Month, my latest podcast episodes dive deep into the lives of two remarkable Black innovators who've left a lasting mark on fashion and media. These stories aren't just history lessons (though we desperately need to learn ours if we’re going to make a positive change in the near future) – they're blueprints for creative entrepreneurs everywhere.

Growing up in Jim Crow-era Durham, North Carolina, Andre Leon Talley's journey to becoming Vogue's most influential fashion editor and a front-row fixture at global fashion weeks seems like the stuff of dreams. But this towering figure (both literally and figuratively) in fashion didn't just dream – he revolutionized an industry. His story is a masterclass in turning your passion into power, proving that excellence knows no boundaries.

When Morgan DeBaun founded Blavity, she wasn't just creating another media company – she was building a home for Black voices, stories, and innovations. Today, that vision has expanded into a multimedia empire including AfroTech, the largest Black tech conference in the world, and Shadow and Act, a premier destination for Black entertainment news. Her journey from Silicon Valley tech enthusiast to media mogul showcases what's possible when you identify a gap in the market and have the courage to fill it yourself.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave us a review!

P.S. I’m still writing the deep dive profiles y’all voted on in this article. In Thursday’s article, I’m sharing my favorite Super Bowl ads with the best storytelling. Stay tuned!

🚀 Community Spotlight

// Demetrius Bagley is the founder of Black Podcasting Awards and writes One Black Podcast A Day. Submit your show now and benefit from early deadline fees and subscribe to his newsletter for podcast recommendations delivered directly to your inbox!

// Corey Gumbs is the founder of the Black Podcasters Association and the lead editor of BlkPodNews. He’s regularly hosting events aimed to help Black podcasters grow their show, and he’s accepting submissions for his newsletter.

// Michelle Jackson is the creator of the Creators Getting Paid newsletter. She’s always sharing tips for monetization and hosting webinars to dive deeper into specific revenue streams for creators. Subscribe today to learn more about how to go from being a freelancer to an online creator!

// Whitney Marin is the writer of The Loneliness Economy newsletter. The Loneliness Economy is a newsletter exploring relationships, dating, community-building, and the industries that profit from loneliness. Written by Whitney Marin, a Paris-based community builder, facilitator, and writer, it dives into how we connect (or don’t) in the modern world. If you're curious about the intersection of human connection and business, this one’s for you!

Please Hustle Responsibly,

🤙🏾✨

Say hi on Linkedin or YouTube

If you’d like to engage with this community, here are a few ways you can do that:

Forwarded this article? Your friends have good taste. Sign up here.

Join the Creator Database. The best place to connect with the incredible folks in this community. View and join the database here.

Advertise with us. Get your brand in front of 1,041 creators, founders, and marketers by sponsoring a YouTube video, podcast episode, or this newsletter. Reach out at [email protected].