Townrootz

#073 - In this heartfelt and insightful episode, we sit down with Maisha Pulliam, founder of Skin by Maisha, a thriving skincare studio in Oakland’s Laurel District. Maisha shares her journey from mixing homemade skincare concoctions as a child to building a 17-year-old brick-and-mortar business that prioritizes health, healing, and belonging. 

Maisha opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the pivot that saved her busine...

#072 - In this episode of the Townrootz Podcast, we sit down with Tomika Jones, founder and CEO of DRVA, a mobile roadside assistance company that’s making help on the road faster, safer, and more accessible. What started as a frustrating personal experience became the spark for a business that empowers drivers and service providers alike.

DRVA is a mobile roadside assistance platform offering on-demand help for drivers experiencing...

#071 - In this dynamic episode of the Townrootz Podcast, hosts Anthony Wilson and Vincent Hayes sit down with Myeshia Jefferson, a powerhouse entrepreneur, marketing concierge, and specialist in medical-focused nail care. From her bestselling book to her innovative ventures into the metaverse, Myeshia shares actionable strategies and personal insights on how entrepreneurs can build solid foundations, find their niche, and thrive in...

#070 - In this episode of the Townrootz Podcast, hosts Anthony Wilson and Vincent Hayes sit down with Gloria Kamil, the founder of Total Fitness Transformation. Gloria shares her journey of building a thriving fitness business in Oakland, her unique approach to weight management and body image, and how her work helps clients achieve long-term health and emotional balance. Gloria’s expertise as a personal trainer, mat Pilates instru...

#069 - In this powerful episode, Anthony and Vincent sit down with Breezy & Bobbi, the inspiring sister duo behind *We Heal Different*, a dance studio and healing space in Richmond, CA. Breezy & Bobbi share their incredible journey of creating a community-centered space focused on dance, sisterhood, and healing. They discuss how their studio empowers women to reconnect with their bodies and reclaim their sensuality through ...

#068 - Our discussion with Arturto was so inspiring and really went in 2 directions. In episode 67, he talks about his journey of starting Centro and we brought in a Centro entrepreneur, Annie Wang from Little Moon Bakehouse. In this episode, Arturo shares his journey as a social entrepreneur, providing wisdom from his experiences founding Centro, and writing his book *In Pursuit of a Noble Cause*. Arturo’s work centers on upliftin...

#067 - Today we are joined by 2 guests: Arturo Noriega, Founder and CEO of Centro Community Partners and Annie Wang, owner of Little Moon Bakehouse. Arturo shares his journey of starting Centro to help entrepreneurs in underserved communities, particularly women and immigrants, build successful businesses. Annie discusses her path to launching Little Moon Bakehouse, a vegan, eco-conscious bakery. Together, they explore the roles of...

#066 - Today our guest is Ayodele Kinchen, a gifted and self taught artist, designer, and visionary.  With a keen eye and talent for design, she finds joy creating wearable art that transforms the everyday woman into a Queen, and aims to design pieces that heal, encourage, honor, and beautify the mind, body, and spirit.

Her business started by making things for herself - handmade goods like jewelry, home decor, clothing, a...

#065 - Today we talk to Carol F Burton, Founder of The Jeweld Legacy Group, a nonprofit consultancy based here in Oakland.  The company is named after mother - Jewel.  After a career in nonprofit management Carol saw an opportunity to work with nonprofits and public systems to provide support, technical assistance, resources, and show them how to partner in much more efficient ways to create more self-sufficiency.

“so that...

#064 - Today we talk to Toshia Christal who does not sleep - she is an artist, jewelry maker, painter, photographer, and licensed cosmetologist - a true Renaissance Woman.  She is a creative person at heart and cannot be reduced to any one medium.  She has a brick and mortar space at 2911 Fruitvale Ave to display all of her creative works.

Toshia was crafty as a child, but she always thought of them as hobbies.  When she w...

#063 - Today we talk to Destiny Muhammad, AKA The Harpist From The Hood. Destiny has an inspiring story.  She grew up a military kid, but when her parents divorced, her mother moved with three little girls to Compton, CA.  An episode of I Love Lucy inspired young Destiny to play the harp, but that was not seen as a practical choice for a family navigating the welfare system.

After graduating from high school Destiny became...

#062 - Today we talk to Charmeng Robinson, a local artist who creates handcrafted original pieces that connect with nature.  Charmeng’s pieces include acrylic paintings on canvas, timekeeper, clocks, handcrafted jewelry, coaster, dominoes, and more.

Though her late father painted, Charmeng did not take it up until 2020.  She taught herself via online tutorials and then lots of practice.

“I started taking some tuto...

#061 - Today we talk to Derreck Johnson, Founder of the nonprofit The Black Owned Project 365, which runs the Lifeline Culinary On The Job Training Program, a fully certified apprenticeship program that trains and mentors recently incarcerated individuals so they can have careers in the restaurant industry.

The idea came to him while standing on the steps of the capital while his cousin, Kamala Harris, was being sworn in a...

#060 - Today we talk to Kamilah Mitchell, Founder of Teas with Meaning, which is an Oakland based tea company centered on intention, purpose, and wellness.  After a cancer diagnosis in 2017, Kamilah took herself to Mount Shasta to relax.  While there, she realized she would be guided by nature rather than western medicine.

She learned that the herbs, roots, and fruits may be better for her healing process by not only helpi...

#059 - Today we talk to Charlese Banks, the creator and founder of The Town Experience, a platform that highlights the cultural events and as we call 'em, the town experiences that happen around the city.  She is hyper-focused on featuring local businesses, specifically black and brown businesses - letting the public know about grand openings and celebrations.

Charlese took a platform from one event and turned it into...

#058 - Today we talk to Melanie Graham, Founder & CEO of Social Equity Lab, an Oakland based boutique consulting firm that focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, also on organizational development for nonprofits, corporate companies, startups, and governmental agencies - though Melanie says large nonprofits are the sweet spot.

Indicators that you need her are low morale, high turnover, and difficulty in recruitin...

#057 - Today we talk to Yahshimabet Sellassie, Founder & CEO of Yahshi Bakes, an Oakland bakery founded in 2015 when she was 12 years old.  Yahshi Bakes makes handcrafted, organic pastries from locally sourced ingredients, featuring the warming spices and flavors of her Ethiopian and Jamaican heritage - so lots of vanilla, cardamom, brown butter, coffee, ginger, chocolate, and more.

“I've always loved being in the...

#056 - Today Chris Pearson from episode 9 re-joins us to 1) catch us up on Be Well Natural - his holistic health clinic, but 2) to really discuss his community organization, Elevated Legacy.  Elevated Legacy is a comprehensive consciousness cultivation model that teaches self mastery through physical disciplines.  The flagship program was a basketball program with the goal to take a group of kids from age 8 to 18 and steward them t...

#055 - Today we talk to Jennifer Hammock, The Confidence Coach. Jennifer was a stay-at-home mom who was terrified to speak in front of crowds. After overcoming that fear, she discovered her inner confidence, and began coaching other women, just like her, to do the same.

Her annual DreamChasHer Conference brings women to Oakland from all around the country - last year’s hybrid event was even international.  Jennifer’s peopl...