Explore every episode of the podcast Build Black Show | Business Growth & Entrepreneurship

Episode 14 of The Build Black Show features Tai “Rottweiler” Vann — a former MMA fighter, Orlando news professional, fitness trainer, youth mentor, and founder of V-Elite Sports Performance & Fitness.

In this powerful conversation, Tai opens up about his rough upbringing, the mindset shift that changed his character, and the determination that helped him fight his way into a breakthrough opportunity at an Orlando news station. But his story does not stop with survival. It becomes a blueprint for discipline, business growth, media authority, community impact, and giving back.

Tai shares how fitness became more than training bodies. It became a way to build confidence, leadership, structure, and character — especially for young people who need positive examples and real support.

This episode is for Black entrepreneurs, small business owners, founders, creators, trainers, coaches, and anyone building something from the ground up while becoming the person their purpose requires.

Listen now for a real conversation about mindset, ownership, business, discipline, purpose, and building a life that gives back.

The Build Black Show is hosted by Coach Swan Simpson and spotlights Black entrepreneurs, business owners, founders, creators, and leaders building ownership, visibility, wealth, and media authority.

#blackbusinesstips  #smallbusinessmarketing #businessmindset #buildblackshow #businessmindset #creatorbusiness #swansimpson #businesssalesstrategy #blackentrepreneurs #creatorbusiness

Episode 13 of The Build Black Show sits down with Jawad Yatim, a sports entrepreneur and owner of the Orlando Porates, in a conversation about football, ownership, business, and building a path toward bigger opportunities in the sports world.

Jawad is not just talking about the game from the sidelines. He is already involved in team ownership, giving him real insight into what it takes to build, support, and grow a football organization. In this episode, Coach Swan and company talk with Jawad about his journey, his connection to Orlando football, his vision for working in and around the NFL, and why ownership in sports can open doors most people never get close to.

This conversation goes beyond football. It is about ambition, access, relationships, business strategy, and understanding that ownership can start before the world recognizes your name. Jawad’s story is a reminder that you do not have to wait until you are a billionaire to start building in the business of sports. You can start with vision, discipline, relationships, and the courage to get in the game.

If you are an entrepreneur, athlete, creator, business owner, sports fan, or someone trying to build your way into bigger rooms, this episode will give you something to think about.

The Build Black Show highlights entrepreneurs, creators, founders, and visionaries who are building ownership, authority, and legacy through business, media, sports, culture, and community.

Watch the full episode and subscribe for more conversations about Black entrepreneurship, business growth, ownership, media authority, branding, wealth-building, and the power of building Black.

#blackbusinesstips    #smallbusinessmarketing  #businessmindset #buildblackshow #businessmindset #creatorbusiness #swansimpson #businesssalesstrategy #blackentrepreneurs #creatorbusiness

Antwan Nelson is making it a mandate for his inner circle to build black wealth. He is recreating a village that does what Atlanta tried to do and is now failing. Understanding how financial freedom goes beyong traditional networking, handing out business cards, over inflated egos, and wearing Brooks Brothers suits. Learn the blueprint for successfully creating and duplicating a black mecca economy in your city and around the world.

#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners

#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily

#HustleCulture #SuccessMindset

Jay Johnson joins us in the studio to talk about taking his barbering business to a different level. The founder of a 100% mobile barbershop custom built inside of a van. Keep that overhead low, the profits hight, and own everything! Learn how anyone can get started from wherever they are an never let adversity stop you from building black!

#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners

#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily

#HustleCulture #SuccessMindset

Part 1 Impromptu at Starbucks. Behind the Scenes of the building of Black On Demand TV with the 3 women who run the only black woman owned streaming network in the U.S. Why owning Black stories and narratives are important to our media perception.

#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners

#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily

#HustleCulture #SuccessMindset

Part 2 Imprmptu at Starbucks. How those who control the money don't value black owned media. Why ownership in media will help people of color control more of our stories, public perceptions, and narratives with the 3 women who run Black On Demand TV.

#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners

#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily

#HustleCulture #SuccessMindset

What happens when a personal health journey turns into a purpose-driven restaurant?

In Episode 12 of The Build Black Show, Coach Swan Simpson & the crew sit down with the owners of Soulicious Vegan Kitchen, a vegan soul food restaurant built on faith, marriage, health, and service.

Tiffany shares how her own health challenges pushed her toward a more natural and holistic lifestyle, eventually leading her to plant-based eating and the creation of Soulicious Vegan Kitchen. Her husband shares why he left his job to help support his wife’s dream and build the vision with her.

This episode is a real conversation about the challenges of restaurant ownership, the power of faith in God, building a business as husband and wife, and using food as a way to serve the community.

Perfect for entrepreneurs, restaurant owners, faith-driven founders, married couples in business, vegan food lovers, and anyone building something from purpose.

#blackbusinesstips    #smallbusinessmarketing  #businessmindset #buildblackshow #businessmindset #creatorbusiness #swansimpson #businesssalesstrategy #blackentrepreneurs #creatorbusiness

Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded during a strategy conversation when we were considering the name Fan Fuel TV. Since recording, we made the decision to keep the name Black On Demand TV and move forward with the Black On Demand Mobile App because of our existing audience on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and our growing community base. We decided to release this lost episode anyway because it captures the real-time founder journey before our Juneteenth launch.

The Lost Episode: We Almost Changed The Name… Then Gave The Community Free Shares in the company.

In Episode 11 of The Build Black Show, we take you inside a raw, behind-the-scenes conversation that almost changed the future of Black On Demand TV.

At the time of this recording, we were seriously considering a new name — Fan Fuel TV — as we discussed building a Black-owned tech company, launching a mobile app, and giving the community access to free shares. But after more strategy, reflection, and respect for the audience we’ve already built on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, we made the decision to keep the name Black On Demand TV and move forward with the Black On Demand Mobile App.

We’re sharing this lost episode ahead of our Juneteenth launch because it captures the real founder journey: the ideas, the pivots, the debates, and the mission behind creating a platform that our community can help grow, support, and own.

This is not just an episode about a name change. It’s about ownership, media, technology, and building something bigger than content.

#BlackOnDemandTV #BuildBlackShow #BlackOwnedTech #BlackMedia #JuneteenthLaunch #BlackBusiness #CommunityOwnership #OwnEverything

The Sisterhood Crisis Nobody Wants To Talk About

Black women are among the most influential consumers, entrepreneurs, voters, and culture creators in America. So why does it sometimes feel like collaboration is harder than it should be?

In this powerful episode of The Build Black Show, we tackle a difficult but necessary conversation about unity, support, leadership, and the relationships Black women have with one another. We discuss why some women feel unsupported, why competition often replaces collaboration, and how that impacts businesses, families, communities, and legacy building.

More importantly, we focus on solutions.

From entrepreneurship and networking to mentorship and community building, we explore practical ways Black women can leverage their collective power to create stronger businesses, stronger families, and stronger communities. We also discuss the role Black men have played in supporting the growth of Black On Demand TV and The Build Black Show and what true partnership looks like moving forward.

This episode isn't about blame. It's about accountability, healing, ownership, and building something greater together.

The conversation is honest. The solutions are actionable. The future is ours to build.

#BuildBlackShow #BlackWomen #BlackExcellence #BlackBusiness #WomenInBusiness #BlackEntrepreneurs #CommunityBuilding #BlackWealth #Leadership #Sisterhood #EconomicEmpowerment #BlackCulture #BlackOwnership #LegacyBuilding #Podcast

What happens when a man with a criminal past, prison time, and homelessness refuses to give up on himself?

In Episode 9 of The Build Black Show, we sit down with Chef Andre Combs for one of the wildest and most inspiring comeback stories we’ve ever heard.

Before becoming a successful restaurant owner and entrepreneur, Andre was connected to cartel life, got caught, went to prison, and eventually found himself homeless with no clear direction and very limited resources. But instead of folding under pressure, he used resourcefulness, discipline, and unconventional strategies — including leveraging Klarna during difficult times — to help rebuild his life and scale toward a million-dollar restaurant brand.

This episode dives into:

• surviving prison and homelessness
• rebuilding after losing everything
• the mindset shift from survival mode to business owner
• using creative financing and leverage to build a brand
• entrepreneurship, discipline, and second chances
• restaurant business lessons
• turning pain into purpose
• overcoming setbacks and creating legacy

This is not a story about glorifying street life.

It’s a story about transformation, accountability, resilience, and learning how to build something bigger than your past.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, broke, overlooked, or counted out, this conversation will challenge the way you think about business, survival, and what’s possible when you refuse to quit.

#blackbusinesstips    #smallbusinessmarketing  #businessmindset #buildblackshow #businessmindset #creatorbusiness #swansimpson #businesssalesstrategy #blackentrepreneurs #creatorbusiness

A cloud bob. A cloud bob. That's what a young white fashion industry insider decided to dub one of the most politically charged, culturally loaded, hard-won symbols in Black history — and Vogue ran with it like it was breaking news.

In Episode 8 of Build Black Show, we're gathered around the fire pit having the real conversation: this isn't just about hair. This is about who controls the narrative, who profits from Black culture, and why ownership — of media, of beauty brands, of the stories we tell about ourselves — is not optional. It's survival.

The afro doesn't need a rebrand. It doesn't need a new name. It doesn't need Vogue's validation. It needed us — and we built entire movements around it without their permission.

We break down why letting mainstream fashion media define Black beauty on their terms is a slow leak in the foundation. We talk about what it looks like to build the infrastructure so that the next Tracee Ellis Ross moment doesn't just become a Twitter moment — it becomes a business decision.

Own your media. Own your products. Own your story.

Because the moment you let someone else name your crown, you've already handed them the throne.

#theafroisnotacloudbob #blackpodcast #podcastrecommendations #blackexcellence #vogue #traceeellisross #blackentrepreneur #blackowned #blackvoices #culturalappropriation

New episodes every week. Build Black Show — by us, for us, about everything they keep trying to take.

In Episode 7 of The Build Black Show, we sit down with Leo Robinson and Samara Jules-Robinson — the husband-and-wife team behind Mentors for Fatherless Children & Abused Families.

Leo opens up about growing up in the streets, living reckless, and nearly becoming another lost story. But everything changed when Samara entered his life and challenged him to become a better man, husband, and leader.

Together, they turned pain into purpose by creating an organization dedicated to helping fatherless children, abused families, and underserved communities find guidance, healing, and hope.

This episode dives into:

• Overcoming street life and destructive cycles
• The impact of strong women and strong partnerships
• Fatherhood, mentorship, and legacy building
• Healing trauma within families and communities
• Why Black leadership and community support matter now more than ever

This is more than a redemption story.

It’s a blueprint for transformation, accountability, and rebuilding the village.

If you care about Black family empowerment, mentorship, community healing, leadership, and generational impact — this episode is a must-listen.

#BuildBlack #BlackPodcast #Fatherhood #Mentorship #CommunityLeadership #BlackFamilies #LegacyBuilding #Healing #Entrepreneurship #NonprofitLeadership

Are we watching history repeat itself?

In Episode 6 of The Build Black Show, we uncover little-known Black history moments that directly connect to what’s happening today—especially around voting rights, systemic power shifts, and Black economic progress.

With recent developments raising concerns about access, representation, and long-term impact, this episode dives into the patterns that continue to shape our reality.

You’ll learn:

• Hidden Black history events rarely taught in schools
• The connection between past voting rights struggles and current events
• How systemic decisions impact Black wealth, ownership, and opportunity
• Why understanding history is critical to protecting the future

If you care about Black wealth, ownership, financial literacy, community empowerment, and legacy building, this episode is essential listening.

This isn’t just history—it’s strategy.

#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners

#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily

#HustleCulture #SuccessMindset

In a time of political division and economic uncertainty, what must Black communities do to protect their wealth, history, and future?

On Episode 5 of The Build Black Show, media personality and historical preservationist Renee Gilmore breaks down the urgent need for self-reliance, strategic coalition building, and economic unity.

This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a blueprint for sustaining Black wealth and preserving legacy in a rapidly shifting America.

“They’re rewriting history… are we prepared to protect our wealth?”

Renee Gilmore reveals why self-reliance and economic unity are no longer optional—they’re survival strategies

#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners

#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily

#HustleCulture #SuccessMindset.

Comedy may look like laughter from the audience, but behind every joke is a business, a sacrifice, and sometimes an entire family depending on the next opportunity.

In this episode of The Build Black Show, veteran comedian, actor, writer, and producer Rodney Perry sits down with the crew for an honest conversation about building a lasting career in comedy—and using laughter to create a life.

Rodney shares how telling jokes helped pay for his children’s education, support his family, and finance the lifestyle he worked decades to build. He breaks down the business of comedy, the difference between being funny and being a professional, and what comedians must understand about longevity, relationships, preparation, and getting paid.

Known for appearances on Def Comedy Jam, ComicView, Who’s Got Jokes?, BET’s The Mo’Nique Show, Bounce TV’s Off the Chain, and Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family, Rodney has built a multifaceted career across stand-up, television, film, writing, producing, and mentoring.

But the conversation takes a deeper turn when Rodney opens up about the serious health scare that became his wake-up call. After suffering a near-fatal stroke in 2016, he was forced to slow down, examine his health, and reconsider what success truly means.

This episode is funny, transparent, and packed with lessons for comedians, creators, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and anyone attempting to turn their gift into a sustainable business.

In this episode:

• How Rodney turned comedy into a real career
• Why being funny is only one part of the business
• How jokes helped educate his children and support his family
• The financial realities behind life as a working comedian
• What longevity requires in the entertainment industry
• The health scare that changed Rodney’s perspective
• Why success means nothing when your health is falling apart
• Lessons for the next generation of comedians and creators

This is not simply a story about making people laugh. It is a blueprint for using your talent, protecting your health, and building something that can take care of the people you love.

Episode 17 of The Build Black Show features Marc Pitts, co-founder of Discount Vape Pen, who shares how he turned a $20 business started in his garage into a million-dollar online company.

Marc takes us behind the scenes of building a business in one of the most controversial and heavily regulated industries in America. He opens up about recognizing the opportunity, growing the company online, overcoming the stigma surrounding vaping, and accepting the responsibility that comes with selling age-restricted products.

We also discuss underage vaping, changing regulations, legal compliance, customer trust, and the decisions that helped Marc grow from a small startup into a seven-figure e-commerce operation.

This conversation explores what entrepreneurs can learn from Marc’s journey—including testing an idea before spending heavily, listening to the market, adapting to change, and continuing to build even when people question the industry you have chosen.

Whether you agree with the vaping industry or not, Marc Pitts’ story is an honest look at entrepreneurship, controversy, responsibility, and what it takes to grow a business from almost nothing.

Should Black Americans keep voting... or is it time to boycott elections the same way consumers boycott major corporations?

In this powerful roundtable episode of The Build Black Show, the crew steps away from guest interviews to tackle one of the most controversial conversations happening in America.

Following the latest news surrounding the Election Assistance Commission, we explore what voting means today, whether elections can still create meaningful change, and why some entrepreneurs believe building businesses may have a greater long-term impact than political participation.

Inside this episode we discuss:

• Should Black America continue voting?

• Is refusing to vote a legitimate form of protest?

• Are economic boycotts more powerful than political ones?

• Does business ownership create more freedom than politics?

• Can entrepreneurship shift communities faster than elections?

• What role should the next generation play in shaping the future?

This isn't about telling you what to believe.

It's about asking the difficult questions most people avoid.

Whether you believe voting is essential, think the system is broken, or simply want to hear thoughtful perspectives from successful Black entrepreneurs, this episode will challenge your assumptions.

The Build Black Show is where Black entrepreneurs, founders, creators, investors and business leaders come together to discuss ownership, media authority, wealth creation, culture, and economic empowerment.

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In this episode of The Build Black Show, we sit down with pro football player Latavious Brini for a powerful conversation about his upbringing, his grandmother’s influence, leadership, love, and what it feels like to live out his dream playing football.

Latavious opens up about the people and lessons that shaped him, including the role his grandmother played in helping him become the man he is today. He talks about leading with love, staying grounded through the journey, and why so many people block their own blessings before they even get started.

This episode is bigger than football. It is about belief, discipline, purpose, family, legacy, business growth, entrepreneurship, and refusing to gatekeep yourself from the life you were called to live.

For Black entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, small business owners, founders, and dreamers, this conversation is a reminder to stop shrinking, stop waiting for permission, and start walking fully in what is already inside of you.

The Build Black Show is where ownership, business growth, visibility, media authority, branding, leadership, and legacy meet real stories from people building something meaningful.

#businesstips  #smallbusinessmarketing #businessmindset #buildblackshow #businessmindset #creatorbusiness #blackowned #businesssalesstrategy #blackentrepreneurs #creatorbusiness

You do not need to be wealthy to start investing—but investing can become one of the tools that helps you build wealth.

In this episode of The Build Black Show, Jose “Dre” Martin of Edward Jones joins Coach Swan Simpson for a powerful and approachable conversation about investing, financial confidence, and planning for the future.

They discuss why people often avoid investing, how to move beyond the fear of not knowing enough, and why building wealth requires more than simply earning a good income. For entrepreneurs, professionals, families, and first-time investors, this conversation offers a valuable reminder: your money needs a purpose, a strategy, and enough time to grow.

You will hear an honest discussion about creating financial goals, preparing for retirement, developing better money habits, and taking the first steps toward building a stronger financial future.

You do not have to master everything overnight. You simply have to stop allowing confusion, fear, or procrastination to keep you on the sidelines.

Press play and start thinking about what your money could accomplish when it is connected to a real plan.

For educational purposes only. This episode does not provide individualized financial, tax, legal, or investment advice.

Your family tree may tell you more than where you came from. It could tell you what your family once owned.

Historical researcher Jennine Labuzan joins The Build Black Show for a deep dive into genealogy, ancestral land, federal land patents and the records Black families may have never been taught to search.

Jennine says her own genealogy research led her to an extraordinary discovery involving her third-great-grandfather, Charles A. Labuzan, and property tied to an 1840 federal land patent. Her search eventually grew into a legal battle involving land in Mississippi and a federal Quiet Title Act lawsuit against the United States. Court records show that in July 2026, a federal judge denied the government’s motion to dismiss that case, allowing the litigation to move forward.

Recently featured on #RolandMartinUnfiltered, Jennine joins The Build Black Show to explain what she found, how she found it, and why she believes Black Americans should begin digging deeper into their own genealogy and property records.

We get into:

• Federal land patents and why they matter
• Genealogy beyond building a family tree
• Researching deeds, property and public records
• Black land ownership and historical land loss
• Ancestral and inheritance claims
• How forgotten records can affect generational wealth
• Why knowing the names of your ancestors matters

This is one of those episodes that may completely change what you think genealogy is for.

Don’t just ask where your family came from. Start asking what they owned.

This conversation discusses an ongoing legal dispute and the guest’s research and interpretations. It is not legal advice.