November 27, 2023 • 27 mins
In this illuminating episode, Sheila Eldridge takes us behind the scenes of Café Mocha Radio's inception, unraveling the power of syndication and offering valuable advice on transforming podcasting into a successful business venture. Sheila provides insights into the role of AI in the media industry and its potential future impact. Additionally, she shares the exciting journey of Café Mocha TV and the dynamic traveling show. Discover Sheila's passion for giving back as she discusses the HBCU First Look Film Festival, a remarkable initiative to nurture emerging talent and celebrate diversity in storytelling.
Host IG:@itstanyatime
Guest IG: @wearemilesahead
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
As entrepreneur, you always have to try to think outside
the box I think, and you always have to try
to think ahead. So with the TV show, I knew
I wanted to launch Cafe Mocha TV, and I thought,
where is there going to be money? Where's there going
to be money to raise money, and where's there going
(00:21):
to be money for advertising and marketing. Well, when we
come out of this, we're going to want to travel.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
You're listening to Money Moves powered by Greenwood, a finance
podcast dedicated to dropping all the knowledge and gems from
the world's leading celebrities, entrepreneurs and experts, and tech, business
and more. I'm your host, angel investor, technology enthusiast, and
media personality Tanya Sam. Each week, we talk with guests
who are making significant strides in their fields and learn
(00:50):
how they are making their money moves.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
If you're someone who's looking to make.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Your money move, you're in the right place. So open
up your notes app and lock us in because this
podcast will give you the keys to the kingdom of
financial stability, wealth and abundance you so rightly deserve. Before
we start the episode, I'd like to remind you to
check us out at gogreenwood dot com and follow us
on social media at Greenwood and me on all things
(01:15):
social at It's Tanya time to stay locked in to
new episode.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Hey Money Movers, welcome back.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Today, we continue our conversation with the driving force behind
Miles Ahead, Entertainment and broadcasting. Sheila Eldridge says, I think
something is so interesting about your journey you continue to
pivot and evolve with the times, because you know, this
was broadcast, was king and now you're starting to see
that syndication and be define syndication for those of you
out there who don't understand what that means in terms
(01:45):
and like why this was important at this time as
we're starting to see the Internet come in and you know,
radio is sort of changing in this landscape.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
I think one of the biggest pivotals. Well, first, let's
define radio. Radio is no longer to rest. It's what
you hear on the radio. It's serious XM. It is
I call podcast a form of radio. It's talk you
know and so, and it's online. So you know, it's
(02:15):
no longer just one medium. And you have to be
able to make sure that My goal is always to
make sure that we can provide content for anyone that
has a phone in their hand. Oh, because that's really
where you're accessing your what you listen to. In most
cases people are listening and watching on their phone now.
So for us for moving into syndication, for me, was
(02:37):
is making sure that we want terrestrial. So we're in
forty markets where we have Cafe Mocha, which was my
first show, Cafe Mocha Radio, and it's radio from a
woman's perspective, by the way. And so we're on terrestrial,
we're on satellite, we're on Serious XM channel one forty one,
and as well, we're on several very good online radio
stations in Europe because I find that at the international
(03:01):
market really embraces online radio. I think probably a little
bit more interesting.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Oh, I love these jewels.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
And gems, and so that's that's what syndication is. It's
it's where you provide content that a person can access
from anywhere in the world and on their phone and
on the and on their device, on on a device.
That's my definition of syndication. So that's pretty much what
(03:28):
I do is try to make sure that for the
programs that we have, that we're able to do that
and podcasts now, like you know podcast.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Market Yeah, So as this media landscape is like ever
evolving and changing, how do you manage to stay so innovative?
Like now people have a little fear and uncertainty over
what shot GPT is going to do or how AI
is going to impact this. We're in the midst of
a writer's strike. So in terms of like media and
(03:58):
marketing and entertainment, like, you've got a lot of balls
in the air, Like, how do you manage to stay
ahead of the game, impertinent and relevant?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Like what does that look like for you?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
I call it? For me, I try to stay in
a learning state of mind, you know, being open too,
but using some common sense too. I want to I
think I'm really keeping my eye on AI. I'm you know,
I have writers that are very good friends that write
music and that are you know, journalists, And it's concerning.
(04:32):
That is the whole kind of assimilation, that whole concept
of being able to assimilate a concept and a person's
creative property is that's concerning.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
But at the same time, how do we take that
technology and figure out how to make it constructive too?
You know, is there licensing that can be done if
you if you use an a person's you know, creative.
You know, there's got to be a fine line in here,
because it's not going away.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
It's I agree, you know.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yeah, And that's a tough like, you know, it's it's
a hard question to ask because there's no crystal ball
to it. A lot of it's speculated for ourselves. But
I really appreciate having conversations like that in our community
because what I don't want to happen is we're not
abreast of the technology, and the technology moves so fast
ahead of folks in our community.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
And we get left behind.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
And I think that's often the conversation with technology and
other pieces that have happened. But I think, as you know,
so many of us are out there in entertainment, in media,
we have to understand how AI can help us, help
us build our businesses as opposed to peter businesses up exactly.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Yeah, And we have to stay open, you know, because
as a culture, we don't always you know, have to
be honest, we don't always embrace new technology. I mean,
it took us a long time to embrace podcasts.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Oh it sure did.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
No white podcasts. This is not new you know. Is
it's the last couple of years we've really embraced it
because we've figured out, you know, that you have to
have a niche and you have to have a conversation.
I mean, what you're doing is very fruitful information, but
it does have a niche, you know, And so that's
so important that we don't fear it, but we figure
(06:22):
out how can we use this to our benefit because
it's not going away. I have a friend that has
been in radio with me for the last ten years,
and I was up in Martha's vineyard and I saw
him and I said, well, what are you doing? He says,
I'm an Ai. I was like what. It kind of
threw me off. I was like, and he's here and
(06:42):
we're getting together because I told him I respect him.
So I want to understand him. On the other side,
I want to understand that medium and how he feels
comfortable with it.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
He comes from radio fascinating. I love that.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
But these are the things, and that's what's so interesting,
because I'm sure you have a rolodex of talent and people,
and so you know, when people are starting to make
moves into other areas and sectors, I want to pay attention.
And this was a perfect segue because I want to
talk a little bit more about Cafe Miker.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Radio and TV.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
You know, it's garnered significant recognition, it's won NAACP Awards.
Talk about Cafe Miker Radio and how that started.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
So Cafe Moker Radio is the flagship, and that started
for me sitting in AUGUSTA listening to the radio and saying,
there is absolutely nothing constructive going on here, okay, and
it's nothing that's coming from women. You know, just think
about it. You have Tom Joyner that had Sybil, you
have Steve Harvey that has Shirley and Cala every Man,
(07:46):
all your nationally syndicated shows, so even local shows that
led by men, but women are doing the work as well, right, Okay,
we need to be front and center, and you need
to hear our perspective. They need to be listening to us,
not us supporting them. And that's really how Cafe Mocha
came about. And I didn't want to name it after
(08:08):
a person. It's a platform. It's a conversation from a
woman's perspective. So I had to find three voices that
were very different and three women that had different perspectives.
Because in radio, the best radio is the ying and
the yang.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Absolutely, So Ye.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Love, who's a well read comedian who's funny as hell.
We have Yo Yo, who's a girl that comes from
South Central, you know. And then we have Angelie who's
a great radio producer and co host, but she's looking
for a man ticking, you know. So between the three
(08:45):
of those women you can have a pretty robust conversation
when they do interviews. And that's how Cafe Mocha, which
is now in this thirteenth year, came about. So then
podcasts came along and I was like, well, wow, this
is resting, and Sherry Sheppard came to me, Sherry and
Kim Whiley and said they wanted to do a podcast
(09:06):
called Two Funny Mamas. And I was like, that's that's great.
So we launched their podcast, too Funny Mama because they're
both comedians, they're both women, have children, the children have
some special needs, and how they are navigating life in
careers and their children and it is hilarious and yeah,
(09:28):
so we launched that the Platz. So it's you know,
podcasts from a woman's perspective and from a black perspective,
and that's so we have an InVogue, we have Cafe Mocha,
we have two funny mamas. We have Be Lifted Up
where faith meets finance, very interesting conversation and so that
there's some of the podcasts that are on the network.
(09:48):
And so the pandemic hit and you know, as entrepreneur,
you always have to try to think outside the box
I think, and you always have to try to think ahead.
So with the TV show, I knew I wanted to
launch Cafe Mocha TV, and I thought, where is there
(10:08):
going to be money, Where's it going to be money
to raise money, and where's there going to be money
for advertising and marketing. Well, when we come out of this,
we're gonna want to travel and hopefully we're going to
want to travel the world. So Cafe Mocha TV is
all about finding the culture and destinations around the world.
(10:33):
So we've been to Dubai, We've been to Durban, South Africa.
We've been to Cape Town, South Africa. We've been this
from Cincinnati. We've been to New York, We've done the Bahamas, Bermuda.
And what we do is we go and we find
the culture in wherever. Not the tourists now were tourists
go where the locals go to eat any they go
(10:55):
to church, you know what HBCU is in that market,
and so it's a already minute lifestyle show and that's
all about destination and travel.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Oh I love that.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
This speaks completely to my heart all the things that
I love, and we're going to come back to that.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
But I do have a question on.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
The business of this because oftentimes, you know, I think
people now think, oh, I can sert a podcast. You know,
it's so easy. All I need is my phone and
I'll record it and I'll put online. But there's so
much more to it, from fundraising to finding sponsors and marketing.
So if you scale it back and think back to
when you're starting, you know, your podcast network, which is robust,
You've got huge stars on it, what should people think
(11:35):
about as they try to frame it as a business,
Because it's one thing to have a hobby, it's another
thing to make you know, this part of audio entertainment
a business, a successful business.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
Well that's really why we have the network because the
and I was, like I said, very fortunate to bring
Sherry and Kim on board with their podcast that took
off quickly. I mean you know, they're doing over seventy
thousand downloads you know an episode. I mean, it's crazy.
So I said, well, if I can combine and put
(12:11):
together this network that speaks to the same audience, that
that's where the business is, because that's the advertisers and
sponsors are looking for volume. They're looking for downloads, And
to me, it's just very hard as a new podcaster
to be able to generate the downloads that advertisers are
(12:33):
looking for. If I'm in a group and I'm selling
the platform, then everyone gets everyone can make a little
funding and make money. And that's really the concept, needless
to say. With the you know, the ones that have
the highest percentage, like a Sharry and Kim with Two
Funny Mamas, because they are the leading podcast on the network,
(12:55):
they make the most their highest percentage. Then comes Cafe Mocha,
next percentage, then comes to be lifted up, next percentage
the n vogue does well. You know, everybody gets to
participate and every all boats rise well. And that's the
concept that every and so for a small podcaster that
is investing in their podcast but not making you know,
(13:18):
not enough to be able to get advertisers. As a standalone.
As a part of the group, at least they're getting
something and they grow and everything as the network grows.
And that's really the concept. It's a it's a group
and having a niche too. You must have a niche.
And number two is being a part of a group
where you can grow with the platform.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Wow, that's a great model.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
I really appreciate that because you know this this idea
of like all.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
Boats rise together.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
This is why we're here talking about how we can
make our money move, how we can build generational wealth together.
So number one, thank you for that platform. And number two,
because I know people are going to be like, well,
how do I get on this platform or how do
I get my podcast out of there? Is this a
platform where people can be can pitch you ideas or
is it a closed platform? Oh?
Speaker 1 (14:08):
Right, that's I'm good. I am. Like I said, I
always stay in a learning state of mind, so I'm
always open and I think that has been my blessing
from being in business so long, besides being frugal and
you know, using my common sense, but also being open
to new ideas. Yeah, and I like, I think it's
(14:31):
important that we as a culture and we as a
people support one another, and I don't think we do
enough of that.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
And I mean, but this is your such the epitome
of all the things because when you know, I think
back to even your Cafe Moka TV, where you know,
one thing we learned out of the pandemic is now
we want to get outside and travel, but not just travel,
but really see and experience the world. Right, so we
can all go stay in a nice Hilton and the
same place and just you know, go and order French
(14:59):
fries and whatever. Being able to like really seep in
the culture of different places is amazing. So tell us
some stories of Cafe milk At TV what people can
expect on there. Do you have any funny stories or
experiences that people could have. I want to make sure
that they're drawn in to check out the show.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Well, you definitely want to check out an episode on
Dubai because we went to Oh my god, we had
so many experiences, but it was on in the desert
and and they have these bands, you know, these that
they take you out in and it was it was scary,
but it was so much fun. So, I mean, it's hilarious.
(15:38):
And what happened was my I didn't know, my phone
was recording and so on one of the episodes, you're
getting my phone and you know and and oh a
lot of it and a lot of words we don't
want to use. Okay, that was but Dubai was very interesting.
(15:58):
Trying to find a black culture device not easy. Okay.
So that was funny. Oh, Barbados, Oh, Barbados.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
I like it.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
Oh, it was amazing. So that's a great episode. Durban
we say Durban is South Africa's best kept secret. When
you think South Africa, you always think Johannisburg or Cape Well,
Durban is It's like the Miami kind of of South Africa.
(16:28):
So you would love I mean the Durban because it's
so new and people don't really often think of it.
We're getting ready to next year we're going to Buckswana.
A lot of people don't Bockswana is a beautiful cut.
That's where Prince Harry proposed. Yes, how do I get?
Speaker 3 (16:43):
How do I get on these trips? I mean this
is like music to my heart's soul and spirit.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Yes, it's it's you know, I wanted to travel, so
I said, well, we need to come up with a
show too that where we can travel. But I have
to tell you that the tourism business they have embraced
diversity and they're looking to target more people of color.
You know, I just came from London where it was
nothing but tourism. The heads of tourisms from the various
(17:13):
African countries, and you know, we don't realize how many
countries are in the continent of Africa, you know. So
we do a lot of education on the show too,
especially on our international shows. We're going to France, uh
and there's a there's a black soul food restaurant in France.
There's just a black tour in France. As you know,
(17:35):
there's so much in this world outside of the United
States where we are represented, and that's what we want
to show.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
I love this and this is this is just funny,
but the synchronicity I can't I can't resist. So I
run a book club and we're a virtual book club.
We started during the pandemic. It's called the Tanna Time
book Club, and we're taking our first ever trip.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
I mean, we have a huge following.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
There's probably depending on which book we do, we get
about seven hundred people tuning into the book. But we
have thirty people that are going to London. No one
has ever meant. They're all virtual. We call ourselves book Festies,
and we're going to London next week for four days.
We're doing a whole tour of London. I think I'm
the only one who's ever been to London from the group.
(18:19):
And every night we meet with different authors and we
have these like authored ones.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Yeah, and their authors are coming from all over.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
So to your point, like people want to read, they
want community, they want, you know, to travel and have
these beautiful experiences. And I just I love that you're
doing this. This is so beautiful and now we can
tune into it on your on your TV networks as well.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
Well.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Now you should think about this and I'll make sure
that I send you the information when it's ready. Next year,
in November, we're doing a trip a jacket to South
Africa where we will be hitting Johannesburg and Cape Town
and we're going about an hour outside of Cape Town
where there's this beautiful wine country and it's a it's
(19:05):
a black owned winery. Okay, yes, yes, we're going to talk.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
About this, but okay, yeah, that's one of my favorite places.
I've never been to Durban, so I feel like that
was a little gem. I just have never got a
chance to go there. But I hope you on.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
We'll talk Okay, Yes, we'll talk about yes, okay, because
that'd be great your book club.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
I get so excited I forget that I'm actually supposed
to be working here.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Well, Sheila, beyond your remarkable work in.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Media, you've also been involved in the HBCU First Look
Film Festival. Can you share more about this unique event
and its experience and its mission to empower students by
connecting them with industry visionaries and greats like yourself.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
You know, HBCUs are just it's our time, you know,
as an alumni of Howard University, Okay, and I know
the importance of my experience there and the contacts and
relationships that I made have lasted a lifetime. And I
wanted to do something that is a passion that I
(20:07):
think is so important, and that is aligning our students
with alumn the HBCU alum for career opportunities.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
So I love.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Film, I love broadcast, and now that we've kind of
moved into that area a bit, I said, well, why
not do a film festival and only for HBCU students.
Now we have a lot of people have submitted, so
it's a film festival, but it's built on three pillars.
One is a tour that we do where we do
boot camps, so we're going to be coming to Atlanta
(20:37):
several other markets around the country. The other one is
a challenge, so the students. We have students that have
submitted over two hundred films from HBCU students in our challenge.
Seven will be a seven finalists and one winner will
be announced at the film Festival. And then so the
film Festival will be at Howard November tenth through the twelfth,
(20:59):
and that that's where we're going to be bringing in
alum that will be doing masterclasses, that will be panel discussions.
We're doing films. I mean, we're going to be premiering
Arresting the film. You know, We're going to be doing
a hip hop film with hip hop and sports at
ESPN he's doing.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
So the goal is.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
To bring students in line with alumni. And then the
last piece of internships, you know, I want to establish
We're working to establish internships from various I've got companies
in the film industry that have committed to giving internships
for students and we're partnering with the third Good Marshall
College Fund on that. So that's really the goal of
(21:38):
the campaign. I just feel like, you know, I'm looking
at retiring in the next three years or so. I've
been on a five year plan and I'm moving into
my you know, third year in this and I want
to go out with something that can be to speak
to all of who I have to offer and do
(21:58):
something for the next generation. And this HBC. You first
look is it's that, that's that project, it's my passion project.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Well it's so beautiful because number one, you just have
created such a legacy. But I also love that what's
really important to you is that you're passing it on
for other people, for young kids that are coming up,
you know number number one, giving them the tools but
also the connections that they need to really be successful.
And I just love that this is focused on HBC
(22:30):
years because what's interesting is like at the beginning of
this conversation, I said, you know, there's something so powerful
but all y'all that came out around the same time
from Howard and this, and it's just it's explosive, you know.
So I I'm just is this the first film festival
of its kind?
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Yes, that I know of, Okay, that I know of. Yes,
And this is our inaugural year. So this is our
first year, so we should see what Keep in mind,
it's I call it an initiative because it's the internships,
it's the challenge, it's the tour, and it is the festival.
And I wanted to make sure that we went into
schools and we did the tour so that if a
(23:08):
student can't come to the festival, they can still get
the experience and they can still get the knowledge and information.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
So, because you talked about your five year plan for retirement,
which I am all for, I know you have worked very,
very hard and it's time for you to sort of
sit back and let the next generation take these rings.
How do you envision this event like shaping the future
for aspiring filmmakers, television professionals, and I don't know, there
(23:35):
may be other folks that you that you really see
plotted into this. But as they start pursuing careers and
creating content in business and their futures.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
One of the most important things in life, not just
business but in life is building meaningful relationships because it's
all built on kind of you know, the relationships and
who you know and that can help you along the
way as well. And that's what this is designed to do,
is to be able to help students begin to build
(24:07):
relationships within theirselves and within people that are in the
industry as well. A lot of the speakers that I
have coming, they're young graduates that are actors. Some of
them I don't even know who they are. I have
a team of about ten interns that are working with me,
and they really are guiding this because I tell them,
(24:27):
I said, look, I'm not the demo. I can help
put this together and make this happen for you all,
but you all have got to be the content creators
here and so that so they can build relationships, you know,
And that's what it's about. We are excited though, because
we have Ruth Carter who's coming Yes, yes, yes, and
Oscar Award winning Ruth Carter and she's doing two days
(24:51):
with us, not one, but two days with us. So
that am really excited about it. You know.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
That is Oh well, money movers stop is all the
time we have for today. But I want to make
sure that Sheila, you tell our audience where they can
find you on social media, where they can find in
more information about the HBC your First Look Film Festival.
Please give us all the details because I know nobody
wants to miss out, and also where they can find
(25:21):
your Mooca networks.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Okay, let's see for me. For Sheila Eldridge, it's it's
we are miles ahead on all social platforms. For Cafe Mocha,
it's Cafe Mocha Radio on all social platforms. For the
Mocha Podcast Network, it's all the Mocha Podcast Network on
all platforms. And for the HBC you first Look, it's
(25:44):
at HBC, you first look, and make sure you go
to hbcufirst loook dot com and you can get all
the information on the whole initiative. So on all of
our platforms, just say who we are and that's the platform.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
All right, money Movers, that's all the time we have
for today, But thank you so much, Shila. You are
a true trailblazer and visionary and thank you for all
the jewels and gems you gave to us today, Moneymovers,
make sure you check out Shila on all the social
media platforms and if you are in town for the
HBU First Look Film Festival, make sure.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
You get there.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Thanks for listening to today's episode. If we helped you
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Subscribe and leave us a review on iHeartRadio and Apple podcasts.
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(26:46):
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(27:07):
can have the keys to financial freedom you so rightly deserve.
Until next time,
As entrepreneur, you always have to try to think outside
the box I think, and you always have to try
to think ahead. So with the TV show, I knew
I wanted to launch Cafe Mocha TV, and I thought,
where is there going to be money? Where's there going
to be money to raise money, and where's there going
(00:21):
to be money for advertising and marketing. Well, when we
come out of this, we're going to want to travel.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
You're listening to Money Moves powered by Greenwood, a finance
podcast dedicated to dropping all the knowledge and gems from
the world's leading celebrities, entrepreneurs and experts, and tech, business
and more. I'm your host, angel investor, technology enthusiast, and
media personality Tanya Sam. Each week, we talk with guests
who are making significant strides in their fields and learn
(00:50):
how they are making their money moves.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
If you're someone who's looking to make.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Your money move, you're in the right place. So open
up your notes app and lock us in because this
podcast will give you the keys to the kingdom of
financial stability, wealth and abundance you so rightly deserve. Before
we start the episode, I'd like to remind you to
check us out at gogreenwood dot com and follow us
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(01:15):
social at It's Tanya time to stay locked in to
new episode.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Hey Money Movers, welcome back.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Today, we continue our conversation with the driving force behind
Miles Ahead, Entertainment and broadcasting. Sheila Eldridge says, I think
something is so interesting about your journey you continue to
pivot and evolve with the times, because you know, this
was broadcast, was king and now you're starting to see
that syndication and be define syndication for those of you
out there who don't understand what that means in terms
(01:45):
and like why this was important at this time as
we're starting to see the Internet come in and you know,
radio is sort of changing in this landscape.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
I think one of the biggest pivotals. Well, first, let's
define radio. Radio is no longer to rest. It's what
you hear on the radio. It's serious XM. It is
I call podcast a form of radio. It's talk you
know and so, and it's online. So you know, it's
(02:15):
no longer just one medium. And you have to be
able to make sure that My goal is always to
make sure that we can provide content for anyone that
has a phone in their hand. Oh, because that's really
where you're accessing your what you listen to. In most
cases people are listening and watching on their phone now.
So for us for moving into syndication, for me, was
(02:37):
is making sure that we want terrestrial. So we're in
forty markets where we have Cafe Mocha, which was my
first show, Cafe Mocha Radio, and it's radio from a
woman's perspective, by the way. And so we're on terrestrial,
we're on satellite, we're on Serious XM channel one forty one,
and as well, we're on several very good online radio
stations in Europe because I find that at the international
(03:01):
market really embraces online radio. I think probably a little
bit more interesting.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Oh, I love these jewels.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
And gems, and so that's that's what syndication is. It's
it's where you provide content that a person can access
from anywhere in the world and on their phone and
on the and on their device, on on a device.
That's my definition of syndication. So that's pretty much what
(03:28):
I do is try to make sure that for the
programs that we have, that we're able to do that
and podcasts now, like you know podcast.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Market Yeah, So as this media landscape is like ever
evolving and changing, how do you manage to stay so innovative?
Like now people have a little fear and uncertainty over
what shot GPT is going to do or how AI
is going to impact this. We're in the midst of
a writer's strike. So in terms of like media and
(03:58):
marketing and entertainment, like, you've got a lot of balls
in the air, Like, how do you manage to stay
ahead of the game, impertinent and relevant?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Like what does that look like for you?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
I call it? For me, I try to stay in
a learning state of mind, you know, being open too,
but using some common sense too. I want to I
think I'm really keeping my eye on AI. I'm you know,
I have writers that are very good friends that write
music and that are you know, journalists, And it's concerning.
(04:32):
That is the whole kind of assimilation, that whole concept
of being able to assimilate a concept and a person's
creative property is that's concerning.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
But at the same time, how do we take that
technology and figure out how to make it constructive too?
You know, is there licensing that can be done if
you if you use an a person's you know, creative.
You know, there's got to be a fine line in here,
because it's not going away.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
It's I agree, you know.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Yeah, And that's a tough like, you know, it's it's
a hard question to ask because there's no crystal ball
to it. A lot of it's speculated for ourselves. But
I really appreciate having conversations like that in our community
because what I don't want to happen is we're not
abreast of the technology, and the technology moves so fast
ahead of folks in our community.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
And we get left behind.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
And I think that's often the conversation with technology and
other pieces that have happened. But I think, as you know,
so many of us are out there in entertainment, in media,
we have to understand how AI can help us, help
us build our businesses as opposed to peter businesses up exactly.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Yeah, And we have to stay open, you know, because
as a culture, we don't always you know, have to
be honest, we don't always embrace new technology. I mean,
it took us a long time to embrace podcasts.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Oh it sure did.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
No white podcasts. This is not new you know. Is
it's the last couple of years we've really embraced it
because we've figured out, you know, that you have to
have a niche and you have to have a conversation.
I mean, what you're doing is very fruitful information, but
it does have a niche, you know, And so that's
so important that we don't fear it, but we figure
(06:22):
out how can we use this to our benefit because
it's not going away. I have a friend that has
been in radio with me for the last ten years,
and I was up in Martha's vineyard and I saw
him and I said, well, what are you doing? He says,
I'm an Ai. I was like what. It kind of
threw me off. I was like, and he's here and
(06:42):
we're getting together because I told him I respect him.
So I want to understand him. On the other side,
I want to understand that medium and how he feels
comfortable with it.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
He comes from radio fascinating. I love that.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
But these are the things, and that's what's so interesting,
because I'm sure you have a rolodex of talent and people,
and so you know, when people are starting to make
moves into other areas and sectors, I want to pay attention.
And this was a perfect segue because I want to
talk a little bit more about Cafe Miker.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Radio and TV.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
You know, it's garnered significant recognition, it's won NAACP Awards.
Talk about Cafe Miker Radio and how that started.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
So Cafe Moker Radio is the flagship, and that started
for me sitting in AUGUSTA listening to the radio and saying,
there is absolutely nothing constructive going on here, okay, and
it's nothing that's coming from women. You know, just think
about it. You have Tom Joyner that had Sybil, you
have Steve Harvey that has Shirley and Cala every Man,
(07:46):
all your nationally syndicated shows, so even local shows that
led by men, but women are doing the work as well, right, Okay,
we need to be front and center, and you need
to hear our perspective. They need to be listening to us,
not us supporting them. And that's really how Cafe Mocha
came about. And I didn't want to name it after
(08:08):
a person. It's a platform. It's a conversation from a
woman's perspective. So I had to find three voices that
were very different and three women that had different perspectives.
Because in radio, the best radio is the ying and
the yang.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Absolutely, So Ye.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Love, who's a well read comedian who's funny as hell.
We have Yo Yo, who's a girl that comes from
South Central, you know. And then we have Angelie who's
a great radio producer and co host, but she's looking
for a man ticking, you know. So between the three
(08:45):
of those women you can have a pretty robust conversation
when they do interviews. And that's how Cafe Mocha, which
is now in this thirteenth year, came about. So then
podcasts came along and I was like, well, wow, this
is resting, and Sherry Sheppard came to me, Sherry and
Kim Whiley and said they wanted to do a podcast
(09:06):
called Two Funny Mamas. And I was like, that's that's great.
So we launched their podcast, too Funny Mama because they're
both comedians, they're both women, have children, the children have
some special needs, and how they are navigating life in
careers and their children and it is hilarious and yeah,
(09:28):
so we launched that the Platz. So it's you know,
podcasts from a woman's perspective and from a black perspective,
and that's so we have an InVogue, we have Cafe Mocha,
we have two funny mamas. We have Be Lifted Up
where faith meets finance, very interesting conversation and so that
there's some of the podcasts that are on the network.
(09:48):
And so the pandemic hit and you know, as entrepreneur,
you always have to try to think outside the box
I think, and you always have to try to think ahead.
So with the TV show, I knew I wanted to
launch Cafe Mocha TV, and I thought, where is there
(10:08):
going to be money, Where's it going to be money
to raise money, and where's there going to be money
for advertising and marketing. Well, when we come out of this,
we're gonna want to travel and hopefully we're going to
want to travel the world. So Cafe Mocha TV is
all about finding the culture and destinations around the world.
(10:33):
So we've been to Dubai, We've been to Durban, South Africa.
We've been to Cape Town, South Africa. We've been this
from Cincinnati. We've been to New York, We've done the Bahamas, Bermuda.
And what we do is we go and we find
the culture in wherever. Not the tourists now were tourists
go where the locals go to eat any they go
(10:55):
to church, you know what HBCU is in that market,
and so it's a already minute lifestyle show and that's
all about destination and travel.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Oh I love that.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
This speaks completely to my heart all the things that
I love, and we're going to come back to that.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
But I do have a question on.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
The business of this because oftentimes, you know, I think
people now think, oh, I can sert a podcast. You know,
it's so easy. All I need is my phone and
I'll record it and I'll put online. But there's so
much more to it, from fundraising to finding sponsors and marketing.
So if you scale it back and think back to
when you're starting, you know, your podcast network, which is robust,
You've got huge stars on it, what should people think
(11:35):
about as they try to frame it as a business,
Because it's one thing to have a hobby, it's another
thing to make you know, this part of audio entertainment
a business, a successful business.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
Well that's really why we have the network because the
and I was, like I said, very fortunate to bring
Sherry and Kim on board with their podcast that took
off quickly. I mean you know, they're doing over seventy
thousand downloads you know an episode. I mean, it's crazy.
So I said, well, if I can combine and put
(12:11):
together this network that speaks to the same audience, that
that's where the business is, because that's the advertisers and
sponsors are looking for volume. They're looking for downloads, And
to me, it's just very hard as a new podcaster
to be able to generate the downloads that advertisers are
(12:33):
looking for. If I'm in a group and I'm selling
the platform, then everyone gets everyone can make a little
funding and make money. And that's really the concept, needless
to say. With the you know, the ones that have
the highest percentage, like a Sharry and Kim with Two
Funny Mamas, because they are the leading podcast on the network,
(12:55):
they make the most their highest percentage. Then comes Cafe Mocha,
next percentage, then comes to be lifted up, next percentage
the n vogue does well. You know, everybody gets to
participate and every all boats rise well. And that's the
concept that every and so for a small podcaster that
is investing in their podcast but not making you know,
(13:18):
not enough to be able to get advertisers. As a standalone.
As a part of the group, at least they're getting
something and they grow and everything as the network grows.
And that's really the concept. It's a it's a group
and having a niche too. You must have a niche.
And number two is being a part of a group
where you can grow with the platform.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Wow, that's a great model.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
I really appreciate that because you know this this idea
of like all.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
Boats rise together.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
This is why we're here talking about how we can
make our money move, how we can build generational wealth together.
So number one, thank you for that platform. And number two,
because I know people are going to be like, well,
how do I get on this platform or how do
I get my podcast out of there? Is this a
platform where people can be can pitch you ideas or
is it a closed platform? Oh?
Speaker 1 (14:08):
Right, that's I'm good. I am. Like I said, I
always stay in a learning state of mind, so I'm
always open and I think that has been my blessing
from being in business so long, besides being frugal and
you know, using my common sense, but also being open
to new ideas. Yeah, and I like, I think it's
(14:31):
important that we as a culture and we as a
people support one another, and I don't think we do
enough of that.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
And I mean, but this is your such the epitome
of all the things because when you know, I think
back to even your Cafe Moka TV, where you know,
one thing we learned out of the pandemic is now
we want to get outside and travel, but not just travel,
but really see and experience the world. Right, so we
can all go stay in a nice Hilton and the
same place and just you know, go and order French
(14:59):
fries and whatever. Being able to like really seep in
the culture of different places is amazing. So tell us
some stories of Cafe milk At TV what people can
expect on there. Do you have any funny stories or
experiences that people could have. I want to make sure
that they're drawn in to check out the show.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Well, you definitely want to check out an episode on
Dubai because we went to Oh my god, we had
so many experiences, but it was on in the desert
and and they have these bands, you know, these that
they take you out in and it was it was scary,
but it was so much fun. So, I mean, it's hilarious.
(15:38):
And what happened was my I didn't know, my phone
was recording and so on one of the episodes, you're
getting my phone and you know and and oh a
lot of it and a lot of words we don't
want to use. Okay, that was but Dubai was very interesting.
(15:58):
Trying to find a black culture device not easy. Okay.
So that was funny. Oh, Barbados, Oh, Barbados.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
I like it.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
Oh, it was amazing. So that's a great episode. Durban
we say Durban is South Africa's best kept secret. When
you think South Africa, you always think Johannisburg or Cape Well,
Durban is It's like the Miami kind of of South Africa.
(16:28):
So you would love I mean the Durban because it's
so new and people don't really often think of it.
We're getting ready to next year we're going to Buckswana.
A lot of people don't Bockswana is a beautiful cut.
That's where Prince Harry proposed. Yes, how do I get?
Speaker 3 (16:43):
How do I get on these trips? I mean this
is like music to my heart's soul and spirit.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Yes, it's it's you know, I wanted to travel, so
I said, well, we need to come up with a
show too that where we can travel. But I have
to tell you that the tourism business they have embraced
diversity and they're looking to target more people of color.
You know, I just came from London where it was
nothing but tourism. The heads of tourisms from the various
(17:13):
African countries, and you know, we don't realize how many
countries are in the continent of Africa, you know. So
we do a lot of education on the show too,
especially on our international shows. We're going to France, uh
and there's a there's a black soul food restaurant in France.
There's just a black tour in France. As you know,
(17:35):
there's so much in this world outside of the United
States where we are represented, and that's what we want
to show.
Speaker 2 (17:43):
I love this and this is this is just funny,
but the synchronicity I can't I can't resist. So I
run a book club and we're a virtual book club.
We started during the pandemic. It's called the Tanna Time
book Club, and we're taking our first ever trip.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
I mean, we have a huge following.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
There's probably depending on which book we do, we get
about seven hundred people tuning into the book. But we
have thirty people that are going to London. No one
has ever meant. They're all virtual. We call ourselves book Festies,
and we're going to London next week for four days.
We're doing a whole tour of London. I think I'm
the only one who's ever been to London from the group.
(18:19):
And every night we meet with different authors and we
have these like authored ones.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
Yeah, and their authors are coming from all over.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
So to your point, like people want to read, they
want community, they want, you know, to travel and have
these beautiful experiences. And I just I love that you're
doing this. This is so beautiful and now we can
tune into it on your on your TV networks as well.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
Well.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Now you should think about this and I'll make sure
that I send you the information when it's ready. Next year,
in November, we're doing a trip a jacket to South
Africa where we will be hitting Johannesburg and Cape Town
and we're going about an hour outside of Cape Town
where there's this beautiful wine country and it's a it's
(19:05):
a black owned winery. Okay, yes, yes, we're going to talk.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
About this, but okay, yeah, that's one of my favorite places.
I've never been to Durban, so I feel like that
was a little gem. I just have never got a
chance to go there. But I hope you on.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
We'll talk Okay, Yes, we'll talk about yes, okay, because
that'd be great your book club.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
I get so excited I forget that I'm actually supposed
to be working here.
Speaker 3 (19:28):
Well, Sheila, beyond your remarkable work in.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Media, you've also been involved in the HBCU First Look
Film Festival. Can you share more about this unique event
and its experience and its mission to empower students by
connecting them with industry visionaries and greats like yourself.
Speaker 1 (19:45):
You know, HBCUs are just it's our time, you know,
as an alumni of Howard University, Okay, and I know
the importance of my experience there and the contacts and
relationships that I made have lasted a lifetime. And I
wanted to do something that is a passion that I
(20:07):
think is so important, and that is aligning our students
with alumn the HBCU alum for career opportunities.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
So I love.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
Film, I love broadcast, and now that we've kind of
moved into that area a bit, I said, well, why
not do a film festival and only for HBCU students.
Now we have a lot of people have submitted, so
it's a film festival, but it's built on three pillars.
One is a tour that we do where we do
boot camps, so we're going to be coming to Atlanta
(20:37):
several other markets around the country. The other one is
a challenge, so the students. We have students that have
submitted over two hundred films from HBCU students in our challenge.
Seven will be a seven finalists and one winner will
be announced at the film Festival. And then so the
film Festival will be at Howard November tenth through the twelfth,
(20:59):
and that that's where we're going to be bringing in
alum that will be doing masterclasses, that will be panel discussions.
We're doing films. I mean, we're going to be premiering
Arresting the film. You know, We're going to be doing
a hip hop film with hip hop and sports at
ESPN he's doing.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
So the goal is.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
To bring students in line with alumni. And then the
last piece of internships, you know, I want to establish
We're working to establish internships from various I've got companies
in the film industry that have committed to giving internships
for students and we're partnering with the third Good Marshall
College Fund on that. So that's really the goal of
(21:38):
the campaign. I just feel like, you know, I'm looking
at retiring in the next three years or so. I've
been on a five year plan and I'm moving into
my you know, third year in this and I want
to go out with something that can be to speak
to all of who I have to offer and do
(21:58):
something for the next generation. And this HBC. You first
look is it's that, that's that project, it's my passion project.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Well it's so beautiful because number one, you just have
created such a legacy. But I also love that what's
really important to you is that you're passing it on
for other people, for young kids that are coming up,
you know number number one, giving them the tools but
also the connections that they need to really be successful.
And I just love that this is focused on HBC
(22:30):
years because what's interesting is like at the beginning of
this conversation, I said, you know, there's something so powerful
but all y'all that came out around the same time
from Howard and this, and it's just it's explosive, you know.
So I I'm just is this the first film festival
of its kind?
Speaker 1 (22:46):
Yes, that I know of, Okay, that I know of. Yes,
And this is our inaugural year. So this is our
first year, so we should see what Keep in mind,
it's I call it an initiative because it's the internships,
it's the challenge, it's the tour, and it is the festival.
And I wanted to make sure that we went into
schools and we did the tour so that if a
(23:08):
student can't come to the festival, they can still get
the experience and they can still get the knowledge and information.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
So, because you talked about your five year plan for retirement,
which I am all for, I know you have worked very,
very hard and it's time for you to sort of
sit back and let the next generation take these rings.
How do you envision this event like shaping the future
for aspiring filmmakers, television professionals, and I don't know, there
(23:35):
may be other folks that you that you really see
plotted into this. But as they start pursuing careers and
creating content in business and their futures.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
One of the most important things in life, not just
business but in life is building meaningful relationships because it's
all built on kind of you know, the relationships and
who you know and that can help you along the
way as well. And that's what this is designed to do,
is to be able to help students begin to build
(24:07):
relationships within theirselves and within people that are in the
industry as well. A lot of the speakers that I
have coming, they're young graduates that are actors. Some of
them I don't even know who they are. I have
a team of about ten interns that are working with me,
and they really are guiding this because I tell them,
(24:27):
I said, look, I'm not the demo. I can help
put this together and make this happen for you all,
but you all have got to be the content creators
here and so that so they can build relationships, you know,
And that's what it's about. We are excited though, because
we have Ruth Carter who's coming Yes, yes, yes, and
Oscar Award winning Ruth Carter and she's doing two days
(24:51):
with us, not one, but two days with us. So
that am really excited about it. You know.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
That is Oh well, money movers stop is all the
time we have for today. But I want to make
sure that Sheila, you tell our audience where they can
find you on social media, where they can find in
more information about the HBC your First Look Film Festival.
Please give us all the details because I know nobody
wants to miss out, and also where they can find
(25:21):
your Mooca networks.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Okay, let's see for me. For Sheila Eldridge, it's it's
we are miles ahead on all social platforms. For Cafe Mocha,
it's Cafe Mocha Radio on all social platforms. For the
Mocha Podcast Network, it's all the Mocha Podcast Network on
all platforms. And for the HBC you first Look, it's
(25:44):
at HBC, you first look, and make sure you go
to hbcufirst loook dot com and you can get all
the information on the whole initiative. So on all of
our platforms, just say who we are and that's the platform.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
All right, money Movers, that's all the time we have
for today, But thank you so much, Shila. You are
a true trailblazer and visionary and thank you for all
the jewels and gems you gave to us today, Moneymovers,
make sure you check out Shila on all the social
media platforms and if you are in town for the
HBU First Look Film Festival, make sure.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
You get there.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Thanks for listening to today's episode. If we helped you
make your money move, please share it with your community,
Subscribe and leave us a review on iHeartRadio and Apple podcasts.
Follow us on social media at Greenwood and visit us
at Gogreenwood dot com for more financial tips and remember,
money movers, If this were easy, everyone would do it.
So take the lessons you've learned from this episode and
(26:46):
apply it to your life. Money Moves is an iHeartRadio
podcast powered by Greenwood Executive produced by Sunwise Media, Inc.
For more podcasts on iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you get your podcasts from. Make sure to
tune in Monday, Wednesday and Friday and subscribe to the
Money Moose podcast powered by Greenwood, so that you too
(27:07):
can have the keys to financial freedom you so rightly deserve.
Until next time,
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