Too many of us are grinding… but not building. On this Pinnacle of Color episode of Black Men Speak, we're talking about the shift from hustle to legacy — what it really takes to move from short-term money to long-term wealth. We sit down with Joe Coleman and Vernon Garret, founders of C&G Luxury Candles in Richmond, Virginia — breaking down how a vision becomes a brand, and how a brand becomes something that lasts. If you're tired of the grind and ready to build something meaningful… this episode is for you.

In this episode of Black Men Speak, we explore the lived experiences of biracial Black men raised in environments where Black culture, community, and mentorship were limited—or completely absent.

From identity confusion to delayed self-discovery, we unpack how isolation impacts confidence, masculinity, and belonging. Dr. Corey Clay is an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist based in West Seattle and founder of Puget I/O, an independent consulting practice that blends organizational development with diversity, equity, and inclusion to help organizations build more inclusive, effective, and resilient workplaces.

With a career spanning Houston, Portland, Seattle, and London, he brings a global perspective to his work and has been committed since 2006 to mentoring young men and fostering meaningful cross-community relationships.

He previously served as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Washington, where he led equity-focused initiatives before relocating to London, and after returning to the Pacific Northwest in February, he continues expanding his consulting and mentorship efforts. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Dr. Clay integrates leadership, service, and discipline into both his professional practice and community impact.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Thomas, the acclaimed novelist behind Man Gone Down and winner of the International Dublin Literary Award, to discuss his powerful memoir The Broken King.

In a raw and deeply personal conversation, Thomas reflects on fatherhood without the polish often found in parenting narratives, confronting the trauma, racism, and family history that shaped his upbringing in 1970s Boston and resurfaced as he tried to become a different kind of father to his own sons. Drawing inspiration from a line in Little Gidding, The Broken King explores the lives of the men who shaped him—his absent father, his estranged brother, his children, and ultimately himself—while reckoning with generational trauma, artistic struggle, and the difficult journey toward healing and self-understanding.

Michael Thomas is the author of the national bestseller Man Gone Down, winner of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and a New York Times Top Ten Novel of the Year. His writing has appeared in A Public Space, the New Yorker, the New York Times, and in Ben George's anthology The Book of Dads. He is a professor of English at Hunter College. He lives in Brooklyn.

With a recent tik-tok video about Black Men's appearance at a Ruth Chris Steakhouse going viral, it would be a perfect time to talk about Black Male etiquette. In a world where perception can open doors—or quietly close them—Black men often find themselves navigating an unspoken standard: be excellent, but also be exceptional. Be confident, but not intimidating. Be authentic, but not "too much."

So the question becomes: Are we required to be twice as polished just to receive half the opportunity? We will discuss this important topic with James B Wingo, author of "The Manners Playbook: Essential Lessons for African-American Boys on Confidence, Self-Awareness and Etiquette".

You can purchase The Manners Playbook: Essential Lessons for Young African-American Boys on Self-Awareness, Confidence and Etiquette here or email him at wingojam@sbcglobal.net for an autographed copy.

In this episode of Black Men Speak, we sit with Ryan K Brown Jr., who confronted loss head-on—and discovered how unprepared our systems are to care for grieving families once the hospital lights dim. What began as a medical crisis exposed deeper emotional and systemic gaps, where strength was assumed, silence followed, and support was scarce.

Through his grief, Ryan Brown Co-Founded The Andreas Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research, education, and compassionate support for families affected by pregnancy and infant loss. Ryan's work is deeply shaped by personal experience. After the loss of his son, Andreas Darius Brown, Ryan confronted firsthand the emotional, medical, and systemic gaps that too often leave grieving families unsupported.

What began as a journey through profound grief became a commitment to transform pain into purpose—ensuring that families navigating loss are met with understanding, resources, and meaningful change rather than silence. Today's conversation is about fatherhood, grief, and the quiet burden Black men are often expected to carry alone.

We talk about what happens after the doctors leave, how grief shows up in the body and mind, and why compassion can't end at discharge. This isn't about performing resilience. It's about telling the truth, naming the gaps, and creating space for Black men to be seen, supported, and heard.

In this episode of Black Men Speak, we sit down with Sylvester K. Johnson, Senior Capital Access Manager of Propeller, to unpack the real money moves Black entrepreneurs must master to build businesses that last. Sylvester brings a grounded, no-nonsense perspective on financial literacy — breaking down why so many entrepreneurs struggle not because they lack hustle, but because they lack financial systems, strategy, and clarity.

From managing cash flow and understanding the true cost of running a business, to separating personal and business finances, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the financial blind spots that quietly derail growth.

Together, we explore how Propeller is helping entrepreneurs move from reactive decision-making to intentional financial leadership, and why mastering your numbers is about more than profit — it's about freedom, sustainability, and legacy. This episode is a must-listen for any brother who's tired of grinding without clarity and ready to make smarter, more strategic money moves.

In this powerful episode of Black Men Speak, we sit down with the author of Black Cherokee to unpack the rarely told story of Black and Indigenous identity in America.

Through history, ancestral truth, and courageous storytelling, our guest explores what it means to exist at the intersection of Blackness and Cherokee heritage—while navigating belonging, erasure, and legacy. This conversation dives into hidden histories, the impact of enslavement within Native nations, and the emotional weight of claiming an identity that has often been questioned or denied.

We also explore how generational trauma, and cultural reclamation shape the lives of Black Cherokee people today.

Antonio Michael Downing is an acclaimed author, broadcaster, and musician. Kiese Laymon praised his memoir Saga Boy as "singularly dazzling" and received critical acclaim from publications like Essence Magazine.

His novel Black Cherokee has been called "a triumph" by Giller Prize winner Ian Williams. He has also won praise for his novella Molasses and children's book Stars in My Crown.

His works have been nominated for several awards, including the Speaker's Book Prize and the Toronto Book Awards. More than a history lesson, this episode is an invitation to reflect, unlearn, and reclaim stories that have been pushed to the margins. It's a necessary dialogue on ancestry, truth-telling, and the power of knowing who you are—on your own terms.

Bryce Savoy is an Oakland-born rapper, entrepreneur, and filmmaker whose work centers on authenticity, community, and resilience. As the founder of Neighborhood Diamonds, both a record label and lifestyle brand, Savoy is dedicated to discovering and elevating hidden talent—a philosophy inspired by his late father, affectionately known as Big Bryce. In a transformative ten-month period, Savoy experienced the profound loss of his father and the birth of his son, Zimri.

This journey of grief and new life became the foundation for his deeply personal documentary "Big Bryce Son" and the accompanying EP of the same name. His latest album, "Just Keep Shining," reflects his perseverance through life's most challenging moments.

Beyond music, Savoy is a co-founder of The Black Neighborhood, a non-profit organization, and helps run Euphorium Oakland with his mother. Based in Los Angeles, he continues to honor his father's legacy by living the lesson that life isn't restricted to one lane—embracing multiple creative and entrepreneurial ventures while raising his son and building community through art.

To follow him and give to his Neighborhood Diamonds Fund, check the links below.