August 28, 2025 • 37 mins
Valeisha Butterfield has spent her career at the intersection of culture, politics, entertainment, and business—leading global initiatives while never losing sight of her truth. As the founder of C Media and a former Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for the Recording Academy (Grammys), Valeisha has consistently championed voices and communities that have been strategically undervalued.
In this powerful conversation with host Astor Chambers, Valeisha breaks down why truth is the most important tool in leadership, storytelling, and life. From her reflections on pivoting careers to her decision to self-fund projects in order to maintain ownership, she offers wisdom on navigating toxic environments, building authentic platforms, and raising the bar for yourself and those you serve.
This episode explores:
- Why pivoting is really evolution—not reinvention
- The importance of owning your story and your business
- Navigating toxic workplace cultures with confidence and clarity
- Why “culture eats strategy for breakfast”
- How diversity and inclusion are being dismantled—and how we must respond
- The responsibility of both creators and consumers in shaping culture
- Why truth outperforms data every time
- The three seeds Valeisha wants to leave for future stewards of culture
This conversation is a masterclass in authenticity, resilience, and leadership. For anyone balancing ambition with integrity, or seeking to create change while protecting their energy, Valeisha Butterfield delivers an unfiltered blueprint for moving with courage, clarity, and joy.
🎧 Listen now and be inspired to raise your bar, trust your gut, and always stand in your truth.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & Opening Reflections
00:20 – Valeisha Butterfield on Freedom & Identity
01:10 – Culture vs. Strategy: Trusting Your Gut
02:05 – Pivoting or Evolving? Rethinking Career Moves
04:00 – Transferable Skills Across Industries
05:35 – Navigating Toxic Workplace Cultures
08:16 – Playing the Game vs. Owning the Game
09:58 – Founding C Media and Choosing Ownership
11:13 – Why Self-Funding Matters for Creative Control
13:26 – Influence vs. Being Influenced
15:11 – The Power of Telling the Truth in Any Room
18:00 – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Under Attack
20:20 – Building Community Power and Supporting Each Other
23:00 – Economic Divide: The Real Root of Inequity
24:00 – A Call to Action: Supporting Black-Owned Businesses
26:00 – The Need for Trusted Leadership & Clear Direction
28:00 – Mentorship & Scaling Yourself to Help More People
30:00 – Guarding Your Energy and Choosing Who You Work With
34:00 – Redefining Wealth: Energy, Joy, and Good People
35:00 – Valeisha’s Three Seeds for Future Leaders
37:00 – Closing Thoughts & Gratitude
#ValeishaButterfield #CultureRaisesUs #TrustYourGut #OwnYourStory #AuthenticLeadership #BlackWomenLeaders #CreativeOwnership #CareerEvolution #TellTheTruth #CultureEatsStrategy #InspiringInterviews #BlackExcellence #LeadershipMatters #ResilientLeadership
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
To who much is given, much is required. Part of
that requirement is sharing. Culture is the heartbeat within our
lives and it's at the core of so many things.
While we live in a time when we are starving
for wisdom, I welcome you to your wisdom retreat. That
culture raises us.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
If you can't when it's something you didn't create.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
I am a free black woman who worked really hard
to be able to say that.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Alisia Butterfield an award winning leader, founder at See Media
company and storytelling platform dedicated to eliminating most iconic, untold
stories of our generation.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Culture eats strategy for breakfast.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
A very fake, capital driven environment will have a lot
of people will cut foreigners. But what I've found is
that whenever you trust your gut, that outperforms data every
single time.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
A lot of people tell you never spend your own money.
I disagree.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
It's always helpful to have capital, but if you are
a storyteller within your own money to use it.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
When you hear culture, what does that mean to you?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Something that isn't manufactured. I think culture is authentic. It
normally comes from the ground, It comes from communities, from
the people, and so often you'll see a lot of people,
you know, kind of reference culture in kind of a
tongue in cheek way, but I think it's really grounded
in the people. First.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
You know, what's wild is that you and I literally
just meant for the first time, probably a little over
year or so. Go. Yeah, And what was wild It
was like I felt like I had known you forever,
same circles, industries, the whole thing when we were in
Miami for Art Basil at the LVMH panel. But for me,
(01:51):
you are such a reflection of what I call this
culture of pivoting, and you know, giving your lustrious background
and your journey, which we'll hear about a little bit more,
and pivoting is such this buzzword that we used today.
There was a moment on that panel when I think
a question was asked of you and you answered it
and the way you answered it, I immediately tapped you,
(02:13):
like yo, I've been saying and feeling the same thing,
and just had this conversation the other day. I would
love for you to share your breakdown on pivoting, because again,
this is literally everybody. Yeah, I gotta pivot. Oh, I
saw how they pivoted. Break down your whole thing on pivoting.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
I remember the exact moment that we were sitting on
the panel, thank you, and we were talking about pivoting
and to your point, right, like everyone talks about the
power of the pivot and how you know you have
to make these moves and it's like chess and you know,
to navigate these different industries. But I really see it,
and I said it that day at Basil as Evolution,
(02:54):
and often we feel like we have to fit in
these narrow constructs and buy boxes.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Do you work in sports or do you work in fashion? Right?
Do you work in entertainment or do you work in politics?
Speaker 3 (03:07):
And I think young people have inspired me to think
differently about it when you know they're saying, we don't
have to fit into these narrow boxes. And so you
and I kind of had this moment because I think,
you know, we feel sometimes like we're leaving a part
of us behind when we move into and enter a
new space. But we're just building and evolving and growing
(03:31):
to become a more full person and business leader.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I believe when we do those things.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
And so I'm so thankful that for my twenty plus
year journey that I didn't stay in one of those boxes.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
And the other thing that you added on to that
that we talked about was we have these skill sets
that are so transferable regardless of what industry. So when
we talk about what many people define as pivoting, is
it really a pivot or is it really an evolution.
We're taking the things that we know that we do
so well, that can be applied in so many different areas.
(04:05):
And again, looking at your background, you were like the
perfect example to be able to have that voice. And
I'm so glad you shared that that day because even
for me, it was like a reminder of what I'd
been thinking but hadn't said out loud until the conversation
I had right before that. But I think for so
many of these young'ins who were coming up, like they
use this pivot thing so freely and making it seem
(04:28):
like the reinvention and it's not.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Yes, no, there's nothing new under the sun. So there's that, right.
I think every time, you know, I hear a new idea,
I'm like, yeah, you know, that's been done before, And
I think it's the same thing with pivoting. You know,
for sure, being disruptive, innovating is important. It matters inventing
new things, building the future. But for me, I think
(04:54):
it's old school now to just sit in one seat
because you will expire, and even if you don't physically
expire or professionally expire, you're wasting, I believe, space for
the new idea, the new person, the new innovator to
(05:16):
come in and actually take what you've built to the
next level. And so you know, I always try to
just be self aware and mindful when I'm staying in
place too long, because I think it's actually selfish.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
But that's also muscle we have to exercise because that's
not how we were brought up. Yeah, oh yeah, no,
we were brought up. You know, you need to stay
at that company for ten fifteen years, get your pension.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
It's like a goal rolex and just right.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
God forbid. If you were in DC and a government job, yeah,
that's all, you know. But I think even within all
those scenarios, there's a number of toxic cultures that I'm
sure you had to endure with all the different industries
and all the different roles of leadership that you had
to persevere through. Talk about what you needed to manage
(06:00):
through that, not to just manage to but to remember
your value and always know your worth because toxic environments
can make you believe yeah a thing, Yeah it can.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
I think.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Well, for me, it was first taking a step back,
for sure, knowing my value, for sure, understanding my true
worth in the space because sometimes I think we have
a tendency to inflate it if I'm being honest, right,
So there's like having.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
A true valuation, a true valuation, do you know? Tough?
Speaker 1 (06:36):
So if I could just jump in right, because I
remember when I was at Nike, I'll never forget because
as I'm sure you're wearing yearly reviews and they would
they break you down or they build you up, however,
but I'll never forget. Somebody told me, and it stuck
with me today. They said, you're never as good as
you think you are, and you're never as bad as
they say you Woo. That's right, that's a that's a bar,
(07:01):
so go back. But when you were talking about that,
that's what came to my mind immediately.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
But that's it, right, It's like fly in the middle,
or at least fly in the truth, right. And I
think sometimes because these environments can be so toxic that
we start to undervalue or devalue our worth. But it
can sometimes have the opposite effect that we now overvaluate
because we're overcorrecting for an environment that has told us
(07:27):
we're not enough. So there's that, right, but I think
beyond value because you have some people out there who
have the confidence, who understand their worth, who truly know
the number, right, like where do I sit in this thing?
But I think what I had to do also was
really remind myself and take a step back, like it's
a game, right, And so when I've really got an
(07:52):
understanding of even in these environments, they're all toxic. Oh,
you can't name a company that isn't top. So once
you really grasp like, you're never going to get to
better when you just hop hop hop, and instead you say,
all right, if every environment is toxic because it's designed
to be competitive, it's designed to focus on commerce. When
(08:17):
you really get grounded in it's a game, respect the game,
go in with the strategy and get out with what
you need, that's when you can really start to shake
off any of those insecurities.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
And I think it also positions you to then step
out and do your own which is a great segue
into where you are right now with SEED, and I mean,
I'd love for you to break down what that's all about,
because you literally, I think gave us already teed up
how you even got to hear and why it was
so important for you to do SEED.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
I mean, that's the thing.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
I've worked in four industries now since I was eighteen
years old in nineteen ninety six Proud Cloke Atlanta University
grad but you know, not moved through four industries, and
each time I was so clear on the end goal,
and the endgame for me was ownership. That became more
intense and more crystal clear for me probably about five
(09:14):
years ago, after twenty plus, because I realized that you
can't win as something you didn't create, right, and that
was important to me because I am competitive and I
also want to make an impact in the world while
I'm here, and so because of that, I started to
(09:34):
say to myself, do I want to make incremental impact?
Which I was doing And some would argue that it
was macro, but to me it still felt like slow
incremental progress because I knew what I was capable of
was much greater, and so I did what I needed
to do to make those companies better to make every
(09:55):
role that I entered better than how I found it.
But then a really six months ago, I finally took
the swing and I said I'm out, I'm out right,
and it wasn't. I think it's important to say, especially
for young people watching, like do you want to make bold,
courageous decisions around ownership? Yes, but I was very strategic,
(10:19):
Like I did it with capital. I did it with
like a real foundation to build on instead of just
like all right, you only live once, like just jump
out the window.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
And so what's what's the goal with it? And you
have your new projects? Yeah, you got coming out of it.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
So it's simply put a storytelling platform that focuses on
best selling books. So we adapt best selling books that
are proven in the market for the culture from the
culture who just have already had huge impact, and then
we adapt adapt them to TV and film and so
the goal is to take our stories and make them
blockbuster hits. And so that's like the shell of it.
(10:56):
But underneath we're working on tech products and also robotics.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
And so is there a first project out.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
On Yes, which is the Memo based on the best
selling book The Memo by author Mende hearts Kyla Pratt,
who's our faith one of our favorite actresses in the world.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
She's our lead.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
And I self funded the project, which is important to
say too, because again ownership. I really wanted to tell
our story and Mendo story our way, and so with
funding on the table, actually respectfully declined it because I
had to tell the truth through this story.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Well, that's funny that you said needing to tell the story,
but you declined funding so that you can make sure
that the story was truthfully told. Yes, you might need
to give context on that because that might have went
over some people's head because you talk about having funding. Yeah,
but you declined certain funding to ensure that the story
was told properly.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Yes, I mean, well, it's always helpful to have capital,
and it's always helpful to have investors and investment and
financing around any project that you do. But if you
are a business owner, if you're a content creator, if
you are a storyteller with some capital, use it. And
(12:10):
that's taboo to say because a lot of people tell
you never spend your own money. I disagree, even when
I spoke to my attorneys and business partners and just
different people that I trust in my tribe. I kind
of weigh, you know, ownership versus spending your like taking
outside capital, and for you know, to your point astor,
(12:33):
I think.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
You know, if you really want to tell a truthful.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
Story with backing, it's very hard because you have someone.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Looking over your shoulders, another point of view.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Yeah, take this out, take that out, tone that down.
I don't think she should have said it quite that way.
Why'd you cast this person and not that cast person?
Who's the showrunner? What about a bigger name? And I
didn't want to play the name game when we could
right Like, I say this humbly, but you know, I
could have called anyone right right, with some capital, some relationships.
(13:03):
But I wanted the best person. Also for our screenwriter.
I wanted the best person as our director. I wanted
the best person to be our lead and agnostic of
how many followers they had, how big of an impact
they like, what was the last hit.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
And by the way, my whole team.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Had hits, but they were the best in class for
what that project was. And I couldn't have done that
had I taken outside capital.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
No, and it's wild that you talk about the things
that society we now put so much value in how
many followers, you know, how the biggest the data their
Instagram presence, and you're like, yeah, but are they really
influencing people or have they been influenced?
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Yes, oh and so, but the hat to say that again, have.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
They been influenced? No? Are they influencer or have they
been influenced? But the other thing is you talked about
the povs that can come with the funding, right, and
it's so unfortunate that in so many circumstances you have
individuals who want to support your project. But it's almost
to a certain degree that's right, right, It's like, I'm
going to give you this money, but now I'm also
(14:12):
going to come with a point of view, even though
you're the one and the expert.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
And it's not even a point of view. It is
a point of view, but it's control, right. And I
am a free black woman who worked really hard to
be able to say that, and I think that I
want to be honest, right. There will be times that
I take capital, there will be times that I need investment, right,
(14:37):
But I had to have the first project be as
crystal clear and authentic and like.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
I had to nail it for us.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
I feel like you've done that.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Oh man, wait to see it.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
Yes, I love that for you. That's awesome and we
did our job well. You know, we are in very
interesting times to say the least, and I think given
the state of things, what are you doing specifically to
kind of ensure that the cultures and the spaces you
frequent are being nurtured poured into in the way that
(15:10):
they should. And then what kind of insight would you
provide other creatives and consumers, because I think that's the
other thing that people leave out of these type of
conversations is that we because we're both creators and consumers,
we have a responsibility too. What would you share on
that side, both yourself and then that of other creatives
and consumers.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
It's simple and it's the same answer for both. Just
always tell the truth. And that sounds simple, yeah, but man,
you know right like telling the truth and a very
fake and authentic at times, capital driven environment and society
(15:54):
will have a lot of people tell half truths. They
will at times being really honest, which I will always be,
manipulate data.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
And cut corners to get to an outcome.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Faster or to drive revenue or what they believe will
drive revenue. But what I've found is that whenever you
trust your gut, whenever you trust people in your environment
who have done the work, that outperforms data every single time.
(16:30):
And so I think you know, there's a quote that
I love culture eats strategy for breakfast, right, same thing
with the truth. Right, whenever you stand in a room
and people are talking in circles, or crunching the numbers,
or talking about the case studies, or just doing the
thing that happens in these environments. When you stand in truth,
(16:54):
you can back it with some data, you can back
it with testimony and story. It almost always works. Works,
And so tell the truth when it's not popular, tell
the truth when there's a risk attached, tell the truth
when there could be trade offs that you don't intend.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
And every time I've done that, every.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Time I've done it, it has worked and advanced not
just me, but everyone around me that I was representing.
And whenever I haven't done it, I fail.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Every time You've got a track record to show it.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Thank you, you know.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
So the thing that's really now becoming a major conversation
as this whole Dee and I and I know how
much you play in a chuckle. It was legendary play
in that space. And we also know that D and
I from the numbers shows that it benefited white women
(17:53):
more than any other group. And so what are the
things we need to now do to ensure that true
diversity And we're not just talking about diversity, as you know,
it's not just color, it's it's a number we have thinking,
it's all these different things. How do we ensure that
true diversity is in these spaces and these cultures that
(18:14):
we've created over decades worth of work.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Yeah, so diversity, equity and inclusion as we know it
has been almost completely removed, right from higher education, from
corporate systems, and it's actively being removed with a lot
of pressure and intensity and now deadlines. And so for me,
it's getting back to the basics.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Right.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
It makes me think of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It makes me
think of Black Wall Street. It makes me think of
just the power of community and what happens when we
support each other, right, like you called I can't mean yeah, right,
like it has to flow like that. And for me,
you know, there was a time when people even within
(19:05):
our own communities, if we're being honest, we're moving into
a transactional flow.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
What can you do for me? What does it pay?
What have you done for me lately?
Speaker 3 (19:15):
And while for sure you want to always show up
and find the opportunity when you can, I think we
have to show up differently now or more than we
ever have before, by just showing up and supporting each
other and so powerfu community is key to your point, DEI,
(19:38):
I was the first chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
for the Grammys, And to your point, I worked for
every underrepresented group. We're talking creators with disabilities, we're talking women,
We're talking of course Latino communities, Black communities, API or
Asian Pacific Islander communities, Native American Indigenous communities, you name it,
(20:02):
any group that represented an underestimated shout out to Darland
or underrepresented group like that.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Was the job.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
But it has now been weaponized to only focus on
race and to say that it was discriminatory when it
was actually only intended to level the playing field. So
now that we're in this you know, state of DEI
being not only at risk but almost abolished, I think
(20:33):
that it is imperative that we support each other and
our businesses. It is imperative that we show up in
spaces that ordinarily we may not have shown up in.
And it's also important that we hold the dollar. Hold
the dollar for any company right that you feel doesn't
represent your values, whatever they may be, I should point
(20:56):
out right like, I don't think it should only focus
on women supporting women, Black folks supporting black folks.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
LA supporting.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Like, if I am a black woman and I have
a problem with what's happening around immigration laws, I'm going
to speak up. If I, as a black woman have
a problem with what's happening around anti semitism, I'm going
to speak up, right. And so I think we have
to step outside again of these boxes and these lanes
and use our voice whenever we see an injustice.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Yeah, you know, coming off of what you said, I'm
very intentional now with how I break down this category.
When you look at what's being happening with D and
I and how it's trying to be abolished of these
are strategically undervalued communities. Strategically undervalued. So I used to
call it marginalized, you know communities before that was minorities.
(21:46):
It's strategically undervalued, and that's why I'm so glad you
put almost the calt action of community has to get
back to we all need to galvanize around this together
and together doesn't mean for the thing is that just
applied to just Q. That's right, right, because you talked
about all the initiatives that you're going to speak up on,
(22:07):
and I it's almost like, I hope that everybody takes
on that approach because that's when I think the real
magic happens.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
Yeah, I agree, and I think too, it's really focusing
on what is really happening, right. I think often the
distraction can be, oh, you know, we're focusing on gender,
we're focusing on race, we're focusing on agism, we're focusing
on all those things. And while those are the outcomes,
(22:36):
it's an economic war, right, Like there's an economic divide
that's in and it's only getting greater. And so you know,
you may see sometimes you know, people that look like
you in spaces that may be confusing right to you
because there's an economic opportunity maybe attached to that. So
(22:57):
I think it's under standing the real game and the
real you know struggle that I think many are up against.
Because what we're gonna continue to see I believe over
the years is a greater economic divide and that, in my.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
View, is really the root of this problem.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
And as a result, you're seeing our communities continue to
take the greatest impact.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
And I think with that there has to be a
focus and a sharpness and an intention And I look
at the correlation to fasting right in seasons of fasting,
whether it's you know, food and it's not just food,
alcohol or social media, it's in an effort to get
to a focused, sharp place. Is there a communal fast
(23:50):
that you would see to advocate for for us to
further get that clarity, that focus, and that intentionality moving forward?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I think it there is, and I think.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
The call to action, if you will, would be to
really galvanize around one goal.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
And in my.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
View, it's probably less about what not to do and
what to do more of right. And in my mind,
it's like, if you can support a black owned business
right every day for the remainder of this year in
some small way, right, like a small way, that would
(24:36):
be an opportunity, And supporting isn't always with your dollar, right,
it could be Okay, let me look at all of
the service providers in my life, right from my dentist
to my doctor, to my therapist to where I get
my gas and look at that list critically and ask yourself,
(24:59):
where I make some adjustments, is it worth driving, you know,
five more miles to go support that business instead of
stopping at the corner to get gas.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
Right?
Speaker 3 (25:11):
One small example, growing up in Wilson, North Carolina, which
is where I'm from, there was one black gas station
in the entire not just town, but that part of
the state. And mister Frank Jones owned the gas station,
and my dad and all his friends would literally drive
on empty to make sure past gas stations to get
(25:34):
to mister jones gas station. That's the energy.
Speaker 1 (25:37):
Do we have that discipline now?
Speaker 2 (25:41):
I think we have it.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
I don't think we've exercised that, and not only I'll
go a step further because I don't want to blame
it on us, right because because I have a tendency
to do that too. I think that we have the discipline,
we have not received the true call to action from
a trusted source.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
It's too much information, too many people.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
You know, your voices like I I we weren't alive
during the MLK days, but I would imagine that it
was helpful to have a few trusted people, not just
Reverend doctor Martin Luther King, but there were trusted leaders
that had emerged in the movement that you could go
(26:24):
to for just guidance and direction. And so there are
we have those now. But I think having a single
source of information with it from a trusted source that said,
you know, this is how we're moving right and this
is the north star for the year, would be super helpful.
And again, there are leaders. Shout out to Reverend Al Sharpton,
(26:47):
shout out to Derrick Johnson. I mean there are leaders
right who are in this space doing the great work.
I think having though or having emerged through this like
a trusted call to action one would be really powerful.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Yeah, because I think we're in a time of like
we're in an overload of content, of things, of voices.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
So I'm tied.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
I'm tired. I mean, like it's it's like, you're right,
who do you listen to? And then you got what
would people claim are influencers who have been influenced. They're
not coming from an authentic place, So you're right, nobody
knows who to listen to. What we're all over the
damn place.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Not to mention, just convenience, right, like time. That's why
I thought you're right, Yeah, time is time is a thing, right,
there's the.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
Thing, one of the most priceless assets, right like time
and your intellect.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Yeah, I mean the things we get done now that
used to take months can happen in a day now.
And so I think we've gotten so accustomed to efficiency
and speed.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
But at what cost?
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Right you talk about that one voice? Do you have
a mentor?
Speaker 2 (27:59):
I do have a few, you mentors? I do. I
have Kevin Laos, It's been a mentor for many years.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
I call them when I need some business advice.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
I have a.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
Few people that are just like a part of my cabinet,
if you will. That I don't always call, but when
I need them or they have the expertise I do.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
And so, yeah, there are a few people in.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
The Mentorship is still a big thing for you. And
I know you're a mentor to probably many, oh yeah many.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
So I mean no, like thousands.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
How did you even make it here today?
Speaker 3 (28:34):
I'm not even exaggerating, but I started to scale myself.
So I do it now in group settings, nice, but
one to one mentorship maybe three people right now. I
try to not take on more than three at a
time for that one to one but through grouping sounds crazy,
but you.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
Know, no, no, it's you. I think you understand the
assignment and you understand how needed and critical it is
that you are. And I don't want to say still
doing it, but still doing it because it's that's kind
of our real job. It was funny we were talking
earlier with the crew and how we're so programmed when
people say, so what do you do when you go straight? Oh, well,
(29:12):
I'm the VP of this, It's like, but really, you're
a human, You're a child of God who's been brought here.
You're a parent, Like those are our real jobs. We
never lead with that, We never lead with that.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
I kind of love not leading with it now though
I have fun with it.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Oh so you do, okay, So how do you lead?
Speaker 3 (29:30):
There's the best. I have the best time now going places.
But like, you know, a conference, you know, a fancy
schmancy little thing, And whenever I'm in a space with
someone who I don't know, who hasn't quite connected the
dots of what I.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
Do and why you're there in that space, right.
Speaker 2 (29:52):
It happens, and when it happens, I have such a
good time with it.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
They please, So what do you do?
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Oh? You know, I started a business this recently. Oh
what is the business do? Well, you know it's content storytelling.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Oh that's nice. There's a lot of those out there,
so you know you'll hear that. Oh where'd you go
to school?
Speaker 1 (30:09):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (30:09):
You know HBCU Clark Atlanta. Okay, you know you could
just tell they're not interested.
Speaker 3 (30:15):
Yeah, and then you know, as you know, if they
continue down the path or you know, in that environment,
now someone walks up like oh, and it.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Would have them be the credible one to be like,
oh you don't know who this.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
Is and what she does.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Oh. I have such a good time with it because
it really shows you, uh people. I shouldn't say people's intentions,
but if you pay attention.
Speaker 1 (30:39):
Yeah, energy is everything.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
Energy is everything.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (30:42):
And when you don't lead with the title yep, and
you just enter the space yep, you can.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
See who's really interested in finding out about you.
Speaker 3 (30:50):
And my team and I we joke about it all
the time because you can literally see in real time
the eyes being glazed over shout out a ride the
eye it's glazing over to like, oh so, and then
they're following me around the room.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
And I'm like, or they're moving off of you.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
That part, or I have a better example quickly. Let's
say I'm speaking at a panel or giving a keynote speech.
Sometimes I'll enter the space early and just walk around
the room and no one cares, like I could sit here,
have a glass of water. A thousand people or in
sometimes ten thousand people in the room and I'm just
(31:29):
one of you know, ten thousand, and then the moment
comes on stage and I have to literally walk out
the back now because the very same.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
People that could care less.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
Are now care the most in a matter of minutes.
And so, and I say that from a space of
you just have to guard your energy.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
You have to.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Really connect with people with good intentions. And it doesn't
mean that you know people can't see opportunity when they
speak with you, but you never want to start from
that place.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
No and energy. I think you said it, and I
think that's one of the genuine things that I appreciated
and valued when finally interacting with you, was the energy
was pure. I had no clue about your background. I
just knew about the people who kept talking about you
within my circle who I value tremendously, and they know
the people and the type of energy that I value
(32:29):
because I'm telling you I'm on the energy like the committee,
Like if the energy is not right, we're not doing it.
Whatever that it is conversation time anything, because energy is everything.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Yeah, And you get to a place in life like
you have, and I'd like to think that I have
and anyone that's worked for years, you know, building you
have the freedom of choice on who you want.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
To do business with.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
And I love that for anyone who can now have
agency and say, you know, I want to do business
with people with pure like with good intentions, right, like
I want to do good people business with people that
I really enjoy being around. I want to do business
people with people that I can trust to be in
the room and not just hop on whatever is popular
(33:24):
in the moment.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
You know, another conversation, you know, constantly trying to have
these conversations with the youngins. And I talked about, you know,
the early part of my career, my journey, it was
all about the type of job and the company and
the title and all this, and then it moved to Okay,
that's about me, me, me, me, me, how do we
(33:46):
get to we we we we wee, which is significance
and bringing value to others. But it was also another
part that I didn't share with them was it was
also about I really just want to work with good people. Yeah,
I just want to be around good energy. Like that's
the new that's the everything. Yeah, it is, that's the
(34:06):
new wealth.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
It is, by the way, because we spend so much
time doing what we love that like I often spend
more time sadly with my colleagues and partners than my
kids boom, right, And so when those projects come along
and those opportunities come up, you know, I would enjoy
(34:27):
being in that environment because every minute that I'm doing
the work is a minute away from my family.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
And so it's got to be it's got to be right.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Listen, you have shared a great deal, and you know
we normally end these sessions talking about the three seeds
that you'd want to leave with the stewards of culture
moving forward. What are three things outside of the three
thousand that you've already dropped that you would want to
(34:58):
leave with the stewards of culture move forward.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Okay, so the first seed is where we begin. Always
tell the truth, even when your voice shakes, tell the truth.
The second is whatever goal you have set, raised the bar.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
It's too low.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
I don't care what it is, but any moonshot, any goal,
whatever your current vision statement is for your life. It's
too small, so go harder and go bigger. I can
guarantee you that even if it's to be the president
of a country, it's too small, So go bigger and
(35:37):
raise the bar.
Speaker 2 (35:39):
And then the last one, the last seed is just
have fun. Life is too short.
Speaker 3 (35:45):
Like I'm actually a goofball, and I self deprecate on purpose.
We didn't really do that much in this interview, but
I'm actually like, I have fun. Anyone that's ever worked
with me, I don't care if it was Grammy, is
Google working for President Obama knows. I like to bring
excitement and fun and jokes because life is too short,
(36:09):
and the work we do is hard enough that when
we take ourselves too seriously, you actually do the work
and yourself and the people around you at just service.
So have some fun, lighten up a little, and just
enjoy the ride.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
No, I love that. I need to hear your favorite joke, right,
now since you're such a joke, such a sneaker head,
sneakerhad you're such a jokester.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
I'm not a comedian.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
I want to what's your line? What's your go to joke,
ice breaking moment? What do you do? Felicia? I want
to hear it, see it now.
Speaker 2 (36:41):
I can't do it as a long spot.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
It's much more organic than that organic like in the moment,
I just like drop a joke because it's just more
like an improv But let me see, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (36:54):
Well listen, uh, you have an advocate here.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:59):
I thank you for the space you take up everywhere
you go. The support is real. I thank you for
the insight. I thank you for being the example of
stepping out in a graceful way to make some significant
change that's necessary. And wish you all the best, and
thank you for sharing it here.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (37:18):
You're very welcome.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
Okay, I'm going to have a jet makes that.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
We truly appreciate your support because it helps us fulfill
our mission of promoting cultural awareness and personal development. Please
click the subscribe button below to help ensure and solidify
our mission
To who much is given, much is required. Part of
that requirement is sharing. Culture is the heartbeat within our
lives and it's at the core of so many things.
While we live in a time when we are starving
for wisdom, I welcome you to your wisdom retreat. That
culture raises us.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
If you can't when it's something you didn't create.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
I am a free black woman who worked really hard
to be able to say that.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Alisia Butterfield an award winning leader, founder at See Media
company and storytelling platform dedicated to eliminating most iconic, untold
stories of our generation.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Culture eats strategy for breakfast.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
A very fake, capital driven environment will have a lot
of people will cut foreigners. But what I've found is
that whenever you trust your gut, that outperforms data every
single time.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
A lot of people tell you never spend your own money.
I disagree.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
It's always helpful to have capital, but if you are
a storyteller within your own money to use it.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
When you hear culture, what does that mean to you?
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Something that isn't manufactured. I think culture is authentic. It
normally comes from the ground, It comes from communities, from
the people, and so often you'll see a lot of people,
you know, kind of reference culture in kind of a
tongue in cheek way, but I think it's really grounded
in the people. First.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
You know, what's wild is that you and I literally
just meant for the first time, probably a little over
year or so. Go. Yeah, And what was wild It
was like I felt like I had known you forever,
same circles, industries, the whole thing when we were in
Miami for Art Basil at the LVMH panel. But for me,
(01:51):
you are such a reflection of what I call this
culture of pivoting, and you know, giving your lustrious background
and your journey, which we'll hear about a little bit more,
and pivoting is such this buzzword that we used today.
There was a moment on that panel when I think
a question was asked of you and you answered it
and the way you answered it, I immediately tapped you,
(02:13):
like yo, I've been saying and feeling the same thing,
and just had this conversation the other day. I would
love for you to share your breakdown on pivoting, because again,
this is literally everybody. Yeah, I gotta pivot. Oh, I
saw how they pivoted. Break down your whole thing on pivoting.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
I remember the exact moment that we were sitting on
the panel, thank you, and we were talking about pivoting
and to your point, right, like everyone talks about the
power of the pivot and how you know you have
to make these moves and it's like chess and you know,
to navigate these different industries. But I really see it,
and I said it that day at Basil as Evolution,
(02:54):
and often we feel like we have to fit in
these narrow constructs and buy boxes.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Do you work in sports or do you work in fashion? Right?
Do you work in entertainment or do you work in politics?
Speaker 3 (03:07):
And I think young people have inspired me to think
differently about it when you know they're saying, we don't
have to fit into these narrow boxes. And so you
and I kind of had this moment because I think,
you know, we feel sometimes like we're leaving a part
of us behind when we move into and enter a
new space. But we're just building and evolving and growing
(03:31):
to become a more full person and business leader.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I believe when we do those things.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
And so I'm so thankful that for my twenty plus
year journey that I didn't stay in one of those boxes.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
And the other thing that you added on to that
that we talked about was we have these skill sets
that are so transferable regardless of what industry. So when
we talk about what many people define as pivoting, is
it really a pivot or is it really an evolution.
We're taking the things that we know that we do
so well, that can be applied in so many different areas.
(04:05):
And again, looking at your background, you were like the
perfect example to be able to have that voice. And
I'm so glad you shared that that day because even
for me, it was like a reminder of what I'd
been thinking but hadn't said out loud until the conversation
I had right before that. But I think for so
many of these young'ins who were coming up, like they
use this pivot thing so freely and making it seem
(04:28):
like the reinvention and it's not.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Yes, no, there's nothing new under the sun. So there's that, right.
I think every time, you know, I hear a new idea,
I'm like, yeah, you know, that's been done before, And
I think it's the same thing with pivoting. You know,
for sure, being disruptive, innovating is important. It matters inventing
new things, building the future. But for me, I think
(04:54):
it's old school now to just sit in one seat
because you will expire, and even if you don't physically
expire or professionally expire, you're wasting, I believe, space for
the new idea, the new person, the new innovator to
(05:16):
come in and actually take what you've built to the
next level. And so you know, I always try to
just be self aware and mindful when I'm staying in
place too long, because I think it's actually selfish.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
But that's also muscle we have to exercise because that's
not how we were brought up. Yeah, oh yeah, no,
we were brought up. You know, you need to stay
at that company for ten fifteen years, get your pension.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
It's like a goal rolex and just right.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
God forbid. If you were in DC and a government job, yeah,
that's all, you know. But I think even within all
those scenarios, there's a number of toxic cultures that I'm
sure you had to endure with all the different industries
and all the different roles of leadership that you had
to persevere through. Talk about what you needed to manage
(06:00):
through that, not to just manage to but to remember
your value and always know your worth because toxic environments
can make you believe yeah a thing, Yeah it can.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
I think.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Well, for me, it was first taking a step back,
for sure, knowing my value, for sure, understanding my true
worth in the space because sometimes I think we have
a tendency to inflate it if I'm being honest, right,
So there's like having.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
A true valuation, a true valuation, do you know? Tough?
Speaker 1 (06:36):
So if I could just jump in right, because I
remember when I was at Nike, I'll never forget because
as I'm sure you're wearing yearly reviews and they would
they break you down or they build you up, however,
but I'll never forget. Somebody told me, and it stuck
with me today. They said, you're never as good as
you think you are, and you're never as bad as
they say you Woo. That's right, that's a that's a bar,
(07:01):
so go back. But when you were talking about that,
that's what came to my mind immediately.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
But that's it, right, It's like fly in the middle,
or at least fly in the truth, right. And I
think sometimes because these environments can be so toxic that
we start to undervalue or devalue our worth. But it
can sometimes have the opposite effect that we now overvaluate
because we're overcorrecting for an environment that has told us
(07:27):
we're not enough. So there's that, right, but I think
beyond value because you have some people out there who
have the confidence, who understand their worth, who truly know
the number, right, like where do I sit in this thing?
But I think what I had to do also was
really remind myself and take a step back, like it's
a game, right, And so when I've really got an
(07:52):
understanding of even in these environments, they're all toxic. Oh,
you can't name a company that isn't top. So once
you really grasp like, you're never going to get to
better when you just hop hop hop, and instead you say,
all right, if every environment is toxic because it's designed
to be competitive, it's designed to focus on commerce. When
(08:17):
you really get grounded in it's a game, respect the game,
go in with the strategy and get out with what
you need, that's when you can really start to shake
off any of those insecurities.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
And I think it also positions you to then step
out and do your own which is a great segue
into where you are right now with SEED, and I mean,
I'd love for you to break down what that's all about,
because you literally, I think gave us already teed up
how you even got to hear and why it was
so important for you to do SEED.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
I mean, that's the thing.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
I've worked in four industries now since I was eighteen
years old in nineteen ninety six Proud Cloke Atlanta University
grad but you know, not moved through four industries, and
each time I was so clear on the end goal,
and the endgame for me was ownership. That became more
intense and more crystal clear for me probably about five
(09:14):
years ago, after twenty plus, because I realized that you
can't win as something you didn't create, right, and that
was important to me because I am competitive and I
also want to make an impact in the world while
I'm here, and so because of that, I started to
(09:34):
say to myself, do I want to make incremental impact?
Which I was doing And some would argue that it
was macro, but to me it still felt like slow
incremental progress because I knew what I was capable of
was much greater, and so I did what I needed
to do to make those companies better to make every
(09:55):
role that I entered better than how I found it.
But then a really six months ago, I finally took
the swing and I said I'm out, I'm out right,
and it wasn't. I think it's important to say, especially
for young people watching, like do you want to make bold,
courageous decisions around ownership? Yes, but I was very strategic,
(10:19):
Like I did it with capital. I did it with
like a real foundation to build on instead of just
like all right, you only live once, like just jump
out the window.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
And so what's what's the goal with it? And you
have your new projects? Yeah, you got coming out of it.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
So it's simply put a storytelling platform that focuses on
best selling books. So we adapt best selling books that
are proven in the market for the culture from the
culture who just have already had huge impact, and then
we adapt adapt them to TV and film and so
the goal is to take our stories and make them
blockbuster hits. And so that's like the shell of it.
(10:56):
But underneath we're working on tech products and also robotics.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
And so is there a first project out.
Speaker 3 (11:03):
On Yes, which is the Memo based on the best
selling book The Memo by author Mende hearts Kyla Pratt,
who's our faith one of our favorite actresses in the world.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
She's our lead.
Speaker 3 (11:14):
And I self funded the project, which is important to
say too, because again ownership. I really wanted to tell
our story and Mendo story our way, and so with
funding on the table, actually respectfully declined it because I
had to tell the truth through this story.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Well, that's funny that you said needing to tell the story,
but you declined funding so that you can make sure
that the story was truthfully told. Yes, you might need
to give context on that because that might have went
over some people's head because you talk about having funding. Yeah,
but you declined certain funding to ensure that the story
was told properly.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Yes, I mean, well, it's always helpful to have capital,
and it's always helpful to have investors and investment and
financing around any project that you do. But if you
are a business owner, if you're a content creator, if
you are a storyteller with some capital, use it. And
(12:10):
that's taboo to say because a lot of people tell
you never spend your own money. I disagree, even when
I spoke to my attorneys and business partners and just
different people that I trust in my tribe. I kind
of weigh, you know, ownership versus spending your like taking
outside capital, and for you know, to your point astor,
(12:33):
I think.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
You know, if you really want to tell a truthful.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
Story with backing, it's very hard because you have someone.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Looking over your shoulders, another point of view.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Yeah, take this out, take that out, tone that down.
I don't think she should have said it quite that way.
Why'd you cast this person and not that cast person?
Who's the showrunner? What about a bigger name? And I
didn't want to play the name game when we could
right Like, I say this humbly, but you know, I
could have called anyone right right, with some capital, some relationships.
(13:03):
But I wanted the best person. Also for our screenwriter.
I wanted the best person as our director. I wanted
the best person to be our lead and agnostic of
how many followers they had, how big of an impact
they like, what was the last hit.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
And by the way, my whole team.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Had hits, but they were the best in class for
what that project was. And I couldn't have done that
had I taken outside capital.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
No, and it's wild that you talk about the things
that society we now put so much value in how
many followers, you know, how the biggest the data their
Instagram presence, and you're like, yeah, but are they really
influencing people or have they been influenced?
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Yes, oh and so, but the hat to say that again, have.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
They been influenced? No? Are they influencer or have they
been influenced? But the other thing is you talked about
the povs that can come with the funding, right, and
it's so unfortunate that in so many circumstances you have
individuals who want to support your project. But it's almost
to a certain degree that's right, right, It's like, I'm
going to give you this money, but now I'm also
(14:12):
going to come with a point of view, even though
you're the one and the expert.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
And it's not even a point of view. It is
a point of view, but it's control, right. And I
am a free black woman who worked really hard to
be able to say that, and I think that I
want to be honest, right. There will be times that
I take capital, there will be times that I need investment, right,
(14:37):
But I had to have the first project be as
crystal clear and authentic and like.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
I had to nail it for us.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
I feel like you've done that.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Oh man, wait to see it.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
Yes, I love that for you. That's awesome and we
did our job well. You know, we are in very
interesting times to say the least, and I think given
the state of things, what are you doing specifically to
kind of ensure that the cultures and the spaces you
frequent are being nurtured poured into in the way that
(15:10):
they should. And then what kind of insight would you
provide other creatives and consumers, because I think that's the
other thing that people leave out of these type of
conversations is that we because we're both creators and consumers,
we have a responsibility too. What would you share on
that side, both yourself and then that of other creatives
and consumers.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
It's simple and it's the same answer for both. Just
always tell the truth. And that sounds simple, yeah, but man,
you know right like telling the truth and a very
fake and authentic at times, capital driven environment and society
(15:54):
will have a lot of people tell half truths. They
will at times being really honest, which I will always be,
manipulate data.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
And cut corners to get to an outcome.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Faster or to drive revenue or what they believe will
drive revenue. But what I've found is that whenever you
trust your gut, whenever you trust people in your environment
who have done the work, that outperforms data every single time.
(16:30):
And so I think you know, there's a quote that
I love culture eats strategy for breakfast, right, same thing
with the truth. Right, whenever you stand in a room
and people are talking in circles, or crunching the numbers,
or talking about the case studies, or just doing the
thing that happens in these environments. When you stand in truth,
(16:54):
you can back it with some data, you can back
it with testimony and story. It almost always works. Works,
And so tell the truth when it's not popular, tell
the truth when there's a risk attached, tell the truth
when there could be trade offs that you don't intend.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
And every time I've done that, every.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Time I've done it, it has worked and advanced not
just me, but everyone around me that I was representing.
And whenever I haven't done it, I fail.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
Every time You've got a track record to show it.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Thank you, you know.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
So the thing that's really now becoming a major conversation
as this whole Dee and I and I know how
much you play in a chuckle. It was legendary play
in that space. And we also know that D and
I from the numbers shows that it benefited white women
(17:53):
more than any other group. And so what are the
things we need to now do to ensure that true
diversity And we're not just talking about diversity, as you know,
it's not just color, it's it's a number we have thinking,
it's all these different things. How do we ensure that
true diversity is in these spaces and these cultures that
(18:14):
we've created over decades worth of work.
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Yeah, so diversity, equity and inclusion as we know it
has been almost completely removed, right from higher education, from
corporate systems, and it's actively being removed with a lot
of pressure and intensity and now deadlines. And so for me,
it's getting back to the basics.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Right.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
It makes me think of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It makes me
think of Black Wall Street. It makes me think of
just the power of community and what happens when we
support each other, right, like you called I can't mean yeah, right,
like it has to flow like that. And for me,
you know, there was a time when people even within
(19:05):
our own communities, if we're being honest, we're moving into
a transactional flow.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
What can you do for me? What does it pay?
What have you done for me lately?
Speaker 3 (19:15):
And while for sure you want to always show up
and find the opportunity when you can, I think we
have to show up differently now or more than we
ever have before, by just showing up and supporting each
other and so powerfu community is key to your point, DEI,
(19:38):
I was the first chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
for the Grammys, And to your point, I worked for
every underrepresented group. We're talking creators with disabilities, we're talking women,
We're talking of course Latino communities, Black communities, API or
Asian Pacific Islander communities, Native American Indigenous communities, you name it,
(20:02):
any group that represented an underestimated shout out to Darland
or underrepresented group like that.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
Was the job.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
But it has now been weaponized to only focus on
race and to say that it was discriminatory when it
was actually only intended to level the playing field. So
now that we're in this you know, state of DEI
being not only at risk but almost abolished, I think
(20:33):
that it is imperative that we support each other and
our businesses. It is imperative that we show up in
spaces that ordinarily we may not have shown up in.
And it's also important that we hold the dollar. Hold
the dollar for any company right that you feel doesn't
represent your values, whatever they may be, I should point
(20:56):
out right like, I don't think it should only focus
on women supporting women, Black folks supporting black folks.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
LA supporting.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Like, if I am a black woman and I have
a problem with what's happening around immigration laws, I'm going
to speak up. If I, as a black woman have
a problem with what's happening around anti semitism, I'm going
to speak up, right. And so I think we have
to step outside again of these boxes and these lanes
and use our voice whenever we see an injustice.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
Yeah, you know, coming off of what you said, I'm
very intentional now with how I break down this category.
When you look at what's being happening with D and
I and how it's trying to be abolished of these
are strategically undervalued communities. Strategically undervalued. So I used to
call it marginalized, you know communities before that was minorities.
(21:46):
It's strategically undervalued, and that's why I'm so glad you
put almost the calt action of community has to get
back to we all need to galvanize around this together
and together doesn't mean for the thing is that just
applied to just Q. That's right, right, because you talked
about all the initiatives that you're going to speak up on,
(22:07):
and I it's almost like, I hope that everybody takes
on that approach because that's when I think the real
magic happens.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
Yeah, I agree, and I think too, it's really focusing
on what is really happening, right. I think often the
distraction can be, oh, you know, we're focusing on gender,
we're focusing on race, we're focusing on agism, we're focusing
on all those things. And while those are the outcomes,
(22:36):
it's an economic war, right, Like there's an economic divide
that's in and it's only getting greater. And so you know,
you may see sometimes you know, people that look like
you in spaces that may be confusing right to you
because there's an economic opportunity maybe attached to that. So
(22:57):
I think it's under standing the real game and the
real you know struggle that I think many are up against.
Because what we're gonna continue to see I believe over
the years is a greater economic divide and that, in my.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
View, is really the root of this problem.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
And as a result, you're seeing our communities continue to
take the greatest impact.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
And I think with that there has to be a
focus and a sharpness and an intention And I look
at the correlation to fasting right in seasons of fasting,
whether it's you know, food and it's not just food,
alcohol or social media, it's in an effort to get
to a focused, sharp place. Is there a communal fast
(23:50):
that you would see to advocate for for us to
further get that clarity, that focus, and that intentionality moving forward?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I think it there is, and I think.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
The call to action, if you will, would be to
really galvanize around one goal.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
And in my.
Speaker 3 (24:13):
View, it's probably less about what not to do and
what to do more of right. And in my mind,
it's like, if you can support a black owned business
right every day for the remainder of this year in
some small way, right, like a small way, that would
(24:36):
be an opportunity, And supporting isn't always with your dollar, right,
it could be Okay, let me look at all of
the service providers in my life, right from my dentist
to my doctor, to my therapist to where I get
my gas and look at that list critically and ask yourself,
(24:59):
where I make some adjustments, is it worth driving, you know,
five more miles to go support that business instead of
stopping at the corner to get gas.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
Right?
Speaker 3 (25:11):
One small example, growing up in Wilson, North Carolina, which
is where I'm from, there was one black gas station
in the entire not just town, but that part of
the state. And mister Frank Jones owned the gas station,
and my dad and all his friends would literally drive
on empty to make sure past gas stations to get
(25:34):
to mister jones gas station. That's the energy.
Speaker 1 (25:37):
Do we have that discipline now?
Speaker 2 (25:41):
I think we have it.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
I don't think we've exercised that, and not only I'll
go a step further because I don't want to blame
it on us, right because because I have a tendency
to do that too. I think that we have the discipline,
we have not received the true call to action from
a trusted source.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
It's too much information, too many people.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
You know, your voices like I I we weren't alive
during the MLK days, but I would imagine that it
was helpful to have a few trusted people, not just
Reverend doctor Martin Luther King, but there were trusted leaders
that had emerged in the movement that you could go
(26:24):
to for just guidance and direction. And so there are
we have those now. But I think having a single
source of information with it from a trusted source that said,
you know, this is how we're moving right and this
is the north star for the year, would be super helpful.
And again, there are leaders. Shout out to Reverend Al Sharpton,
(26:47):
shout out to Derrick Johnson. I mean there are leaders
right who are in this space doing the great work.
I think having though or having emerged through this like
a trusted call to action one would be really powerful.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Yeah, because I think we're in a time of like
we're in an overload of content, of things, of voices.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
So I'm tied.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
I'm tired. I mean, like it's it's like, you're right,
who do you listen to? And then you got what
would people claim are influencers who have been influenced. They're
not coming from an authentic place, So you're right, nobody
knows who to listen to. What we're all over the
damn place.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
Not to mention, just convenience, right, like time. That's why
I thought you're right, Yeah, time is time is a thing, right,
there's the.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
Thing, one of the most priceless assets, right like time
and your intellect.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Yeah, I mean the things we get done now that
used to take months can happen in a day now.
And so I think we've gotten so accustomed to efficiency
and speed.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
But at what cost?
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Right you talk about that one voice? Do you have
a mentor?
Speaker 2 (27:59):
I do have a few, you mentors? I do. I
have Kevin Laos, It's been a mentor for many years.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
I call them when I need some business advice.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
I have a.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
Few people that are just like a part of my cabinet,
if you will. That I don't always call, but when
I need them or they have the expertise I do.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
And so, yeah, there are a few people in.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
The Mentorship is still a big thing for you. And
I know you're a mentor to probably many, oh yeah many.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
So I mean no, like thousands.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
How did you even make it here today?
Speaker 3 (28:34):
I'm not even exaggerating, but I started to scale myself.
So I do it now in group settings, nice, but
one to one mentorship maybe three people right now. I
try to not take on more than three at a
time for that one to one but through grouping sounds crazy,
but you.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
Know, no, no, it's you. I think you understand the
assignment and you understand how needed and critical it is
that you are. And I don't want to say still
doing it, but still doing it because it's that's kind
of our real job. It was funny we were talking
earlier with the crew and how we're so programmed when
people say, so what do you do when you go straight? Oh, well,
(29:12):
I'm the VP of this, It's like, but really, you're
a human, You're a child of God who's been brought here.
You're a parent, Like those are our real jobs. We
never lead with that, We never lead with that.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
I kind of love not leading with it now though
I have fun with it.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
Oh so you do, okay, So how do you lead?
Speaker 3 (29:30):
There's the best. I have the best time now going places.
But like, you know, a conference, you know, a fancy
schmancy little thing, And whenever I'm in a space with
someone who I don't know, who hasn't quite connected the
dots of what I.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
Do and why you're there in that space, right.
Speaker 2 (29:52):
It happens, and when it happens, I have such a
good time with it.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
They please, So what do you do?
Speaker 3 (29:58):
Oh? You know, I started a business this recently. Oh
what is the business do? Well, you know it's content storytelling.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
Oh that's nice. There's a lot of those out there,
so you know you'll hear that. Oh where'd you go
to school?
Speaker 1 (30:09):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (30:09):
You know HBCU Clark Atlanta. Okay, you know you could
just tell they're not interested.
Speaker 3 (30:15):
Yeah, and then you know, as you know, if they
continue down the path or you know, in that environment,
now someone walks up like oh, and it.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
Would have them be the credible one to be like,
oh you don't know who this.
Speaker 2 (30:29):
Is and what she does.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Oh. I have such a good time with it because
it really shows you, uh people. I shouldn't say people's intentions,
but if you pay attention.
Speaker 1 (30:39):
Yeah, energy is everything.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
Energy is everything.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (30:42):
And when you don't lead with the title yep, and
you just enter the space yep, you can.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
See who's really interested in finding out about you.
Speaker 3 (30:50):
And my team and I we joke about it all
the time because you can literally see in real time
the eyes being glazed over shout out a ride the
eye it's glazing over to like, oh so, and then
they're following me around the room.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
And I'm like, or they're moving off of you.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
That part, or I have a better example quickly. Let's
say I'm speaking at a panel or giving a keynote speech.
Sometimes I'll enter the space early and just walk around
the room and no one cares, like I could sit here,
have a glass of water. A thousand people or in
sometimes ten thousand people in the room and I'm just
(31:29):
one of you know, ten thousand, and then the moment
comes on stage and I have to literally walk out
the back now because the very same.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
People that could care less.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
Are now care the most in a matter of minutes.
And so, and I say that from a space of
you just have to guard your energy.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
You have to.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Really connect with people with good intentions. And it doesn't
mean that you know people can't see opportunity when they
speak with you, but you never want to start from
that place.
Speaker 1 (32:06):
No and energy. I think you said it, and I
think that's one of the genuine things that I appreciated
and valued when finally interacting with you, was the energy
was pure. I had no clue about your background. I
just knew about the people who kept talking about you
within my circle who I value tremendously, and they know
the people and the type of energy that I value
(32:29):
because I'm telling you I'm on the energy like the committee,
Like if the energy is not right, we're not doing it.
Whatever that it is conversation time anything, because energy is everything.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Yeah, And you get to a place in life like
you have, and I'd like to think that I have
and anyone that's worked for years, you know, building you
have the freedom of choice on who you want.
Speaker 2 (32:58):
To do business with.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
And I love that for anyone who can now have
agency and say, you know, I want to do business
with people with pure like with good intentions, right, like
I want to do good people business with people that
I really enjoy being around. I want to do business
people with people that I can trust to be in
the room and not just hop on whatever is popular
(33:24):
in the moment.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
You know, another conversation, you know, constantly trying to have
these conversations with the youngins. And I talked about, you know,
the early part of my career, my journey, it was
all about the type of job and the company and
the title and all this, and then it moved to Okay,
that's about me, me, me, me, me, how do we
(33:46):
get to we we we we wee, which is significance
and bringing value to others. But it was also another
part that I didn't share with them was it was
also about I really just want to work with good people. Yeah,
I just want to be around good energy. Like that's
the new that's the everything. Yeah, it is, that's the
(34:06):
new wealth.
Speaker 3 (34:06):
It is, by the way, because we spend so much
time doing what we love that like I often spend
more time sadly with my colleagues and partners than my
kids boom, right, And so when those projects come along
and those opportunities come up, you know, I would enjoy
(34:27):
being in that environment because every minute that I'm doing
the work is a minute away from my family.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
And so it's got to be it's got to be right.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Listen, you have shared a great deal, and you know
we normally end these sessions talking about the three seeds
that you'd want to leave with the stewards of culture
moving forward. What are three things outside of the three
thousand that you've already dropped that you would want to
(34:58):
leave with the stewards of culture move forward.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Okay, so the first seed is where we begin. Always
tell the truth, even when your voice shakes, tell the truth.
The second is whatever goal you have set, raised the bar.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
It's too low.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
I don't care what it is, but any moonshot, any goal,
whatever your current vision statement is for your life. It's
too small, so go harder and go bigger. I can
guarantee you that even if it's to be the president
of a country, it's too small, So go bigger and
(35:37):
raise the bar.
Speaker 2 (35:39):
And then the last one, the last seed is just
have fun. Life is too short.
Speaker 3 (35:45):
Like I'm actually a goofball, and I self deprecate on purpose.
We didn't really do that much in this interview, but
I'm actually like, I have fun. Anyone that's ever worked
with me, I don't care if it was Grammy, is
Google working for President Obama knows. I like to bring
excitement and fun and jokes because life is too short,
(36:09):
and the work we do is hard enough that when
we take ourselves too seriously, you actually do the work
and yourself and the people around you at just service.
So have some fun, lighten up a little, and just
enjoy the ride.
Speaker 1 (36:23):
No, I love that. I need to hear your favorite joke, right,
now since you're such a joke, such a sneaker head,
sneakerhad you're such a jokester.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
I'm not a comedian.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
I want to what's your line? What's your go to joke,
ice breaking moment? What do you do? Felicia? I want
to hear it, see it now.
Speaker 2 (36:41):
I can't do it as a long spot.
Speaker 3 (36:43):
It's much more organic than that organic like in the moment,
I just like drop a joke because it's just more
like an improv But let me see, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (36:54):
Well listen, uh, you have an advocate here.
Speaker 2 (36:58):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:59):
I thank you for the space you take up everywhere
you go. The support is real. I thank you for
the insight. I thank you for being the example of
stepping out in a graceful way to make some significant
change that's necessary. And wish you all the best, and
thank you for sharing it here.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (37:18):
You're very welcome.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
Okay, I'm going to have a jet makes that.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
We truly appreciate your support because it helps us fulfill
our mission of promoting cultural awareness and personal development. Please
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our mission
Host
Astor Chamber
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