Send us a comment about the Be a Baller Podcast Episode. Thanks for support.

As President and CEO of the Ohio Black Expo, Sherri Hamilton brings a fascinating blend of technical expertise and community vision that's reshaping how we think about empowerment. Want to experience the Ohio Black Expo's impact firsthand? Join thousands at the Riverfront Culture Fest on May 24-25, featuring everything from health screenings and youth activities to cultural performances and business showcases. Visit OhioBlackExpo.com to learn more about getting involved.

From her early days taking apart electronics as a curious child to her groundbreaking work as a programmer analyst in the Air Force during Desert Storm, Sherri's journey reveals how STEM skills can become powerful tools for community transformation. Enjoy this powerful episode.

The conversation takes us through Sherri's upbringing in Columbus during the 70s and 80s, where a strong "village" of family, church, and community members shaped her values. She candidly shares what it was like being often the only Black woman in technological spaces, and how that experience drives her passion for creating pathways for the next generation through initiatives like youth STEM programs and partnerships with COSI.

What's truly inspiring is how Sherri approaches community building - rejecting competition in favor of collaboration, focusing on amplifying rather than overshadowing others' work. Under her leadership, the Ohio Black Expo has become far more than an annual event; it's a comprehensive platform addressing critical challenges facing Black businesses and providing youth with transformative opportunities.

The wisdom Sherri shares about legacy-building resonates deeply: "When I think about legacy, I think about my parents. Is what I'm doing making them proud? Is what I'm doing walking in God's will? Am I doing things that help people or am I doing things that hurt people?" Her powerful mantra - "The best way to predict your future is to create it" - serves as both challenge and inspiration.

Want to experience the Ohio Black Expo's impact firsthand? Join thousands at the Riverfront Culture Fest on May 24-25, featuring everything from health screenings and youth activities to cultural performances and business showcases. Visit OhioBlackExpo.com to learn more about getting involved.

Support the show

Send us a comment about the Be a Baller Podcast Episode. Thanks for support.

Commissioner Kevin Boyce's remarkable journey from childhood tragedy to trailblazing public service offers a masterclass in resilience and purposeful living. When his father was murdered at age seven, Boyce found himself navigating life with a single mother working multiple jobs to make ends meet. What could have been a story of limitation instead became one of extraordinary possibility through what Boyce calls his "village" - recreation leaders who ensured he had lunch when food was scarce at home, teachers who advocated for him during troubled times, and coaches who nurtured his natural abilities.

The conversation reveals how Boyce's athletic background shaped his life philosophy: "It's not about how you start off in life, it's how you finish, and you can determine how you finish." This mindset carried him through becoming the first Black commissioner in Franklin County's history and co-founding Adelphi Bank - a modern iteration of a historic Black-owned financial institution that once catalyzed business development in Columbus's King Lincoln neighborhood.

Perhaps most compelling is Boyce's creation of RISE, an organization exclusively focused on addressing poverty and racism through innovative approaches. His story about a county employee who couldn't accept a promotion because it would cause her to lose childcare subsidies illuminates the complex barriers facing working families - and his determination to create real solutions. Through it all, faith remains his centering force, offering grace during struggles and guidance during successes. When asked about his legacy, Boyce looks not to professional accomplishments but to raising sons who embody compassion and service - a powerful reminder that our most meaningful impact often comes through the lives we touch most directly. Join us to discover how your own journey, regardless of its starting point, can become a legacy that transforms communities for generations to come.

Support the show

Send us a comment about the Be a Baller Podcast Episode. Thanks for support.

Chris Broussard's story is uniquely powerful and he is transparent about the spiritual journey that transformed his life. Despite achieving what many would consider the American Dream—promising career, loving relationship, financial security—he describes feeling an emptiness that only surrendering to faith could fill. On his 21st birthday, this decision became the foundation upon which he's built everything since, guiding his priorities: God, family, and career.

Chris Broussard's remarkable journey from sports-loving kid to nationally recognized analyst offers a masterclass in building a life of purpose and impact. The accomplished Fox Sports personality opens up about finding his path by combining what he enjoyed (sports) with what he was gifted at (writing), eventually landing an internship that launched his career at major outlets including ESPN and Fox Sports.

As one of the first African-American sports analysts at ESPN, Broussard recognizes how representation matters. "You can't be what you can't see," notes host Tim Brown, underscoring how Broussard's visibility paved the way for others. This commitment to lifting others extends through his King Movement, an organization spanning 20 cities that fosters brotherhood among Christian men.

Perhaps most compelling is Broussard's wisdom about balancing ambition with family life. Throughout his demanding NBA coverage years, he made strategic career shifts to remain present for his twin daughters. His parting advice resonates deeply: the choices we make during the crucial decade from junior high through college largely determine our next 50-60 years. "Your younger self has to protect your older self"—words well worth carrying forward.

Don't miss Chris speaking live in Columbus on April 26th and Cleveland shortly after. Subscribe now for more conversations building lifelong legacy through faith, family, and purposeful work.

Support the show