Jenna Smith takes us on a captivating journey from locker room to boardroom, revealing how her experiences as the "only girl on the team" shaped her path to founding Tandemount Sports Group. With remarkable clarity, she articulates the untapped potential at the intersection of beauty brands and women's sports, particularly for Black women athletes seeking authentic expression.

The conversation explores how strategic brand alignments are closing the NIL gap between men's and women's sports. Smith's insights on Gen Z athletes' natural content creation abilities demonstrate why beauty and lifestyle brands have unique opportunities to partner with women athletes who are essentially "walking markets" during competition.

We dive deep into emerging sports technology focused on critical women's sports challenges. From revolutionary injury prevention tools addressing the epidemic of ACL tears to biometric tracking systems accounting for menstrual cycles, Smith identifies where technology meets human performance in ways specifically benefiting women athletes.

What makes this discussion particularly compelling is Smith's personal testimony of risk-taking. Her applications to prestigious universities despite self-doubt, her entry into venture capital without traditional backgrounds, and her international career moves all exemplify her powerful message: "The belief in myself will always be bigger than the belief anybody else has for me."

Smith's vision extends beyond marketing to creating equitable opportunities for women athletes through advisory roles and equity positions with sports tech companies. She's working to ensure women athletes leverage their influence into long-term business opportunities and ownership stakes.

For anyone navigating entrepreneurship, sports business, or seeking authentic representation, Smith's parting wisdom resonates deeply: "Don't be afraid to fail... You are 99% of the time equipped with the tools to do it. You just may not have the support system to push you." Her story illuminates why taking risks, building community, and believing in yourself creates pathways where traditional roadmaps don't exist.

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In this throwback episode of Entrepreneurial Appetite, host Langston Clark revisits his powerful conversation with Sho Nakpodia, founder of Dream Week San Antonio and Dream Voice. Discover how San Antonio became home to the largest Martin Luther King Day celebration in the country and how one Nigerian-born social entrepreneur transformed a single march into a 16-day summit of civil and civic engagement.

Sho shares his journey from Lagos, Nigeria, through London and New York, to establishing roots in San Antonio, where he founded the Mighty Group advertising agency and later created Dream Week - a community-curated platform featuring hundreds of events focused on diversity, tolerance, equality, and social justice. Learn about the philosophy behind making Dream Week accessible to all voices, the importance of African American genius in leading social movements, and how San Antonio's unique DNA makes it the perfect incubator for peaceful dialogue across differences.

This replay is essential listening as we prepare for Dream Week 2026 (January 9-31). Topics include social entrepreneurship, community building, cultural identity, navigating tier-two cities, local versus national impact, and creating platforms for marginalized voices

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As we launch into Season 7 of Entrepreneurial Appetite, I'm sitting down with one of my favorite co-hosts, Lloyd Kuykendoll, founder of Black Cabinet Education, to preview what's coming in 2026 and reflect on the books and conversations that are shaping our thinking.

Lloyd shares the four books that changed his life this year: The Black Jacobins by C.L.R. James, I Have Avenged America by Julia Garfield (exploring the true legacy of Jean-Jacques Dessalines), The Wounded World: W.E.B. Du Bois and World War I by Chad L. Williams, and the rare bibliophile treasure Damn Rare by Charles Blockson. We dive deep into Du Bois—not just as an intellectual, but as a flawed human navigating mistakes like his controversial "Close Ranks" article, and how Anna Julia Cooper pushed him to write Black Reconstruction in America.

I share my favorite interview from last season with Julius Garvey, Marcus Garvey's youngest son, discussing Justice for Marcus Garvey—an interview that happened just before President Biden pardoned Garvey.

What's Coming in Season 7:

We're previewing conversations with authors and entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of Black economic thought:

• Dr. Rachel Laryea on Black Capitalists and what Pan-African business really means
• Trey Baker and his blueprint for Black economic development in In the Black 2050
• Dr. Julia Gaffield on Dessalines and rewriting Haiti's narrative
• Oji and Ezinne Udezue, Nigerian-American tech leaders who wrote Building Rocketships
• Plus book reviews of Banking on Freedom: Black Women in U.S. Finance Before the New Deal and Mentorship Unlocked

Lloyd reveals his dream interview: Dr. Greg Carr, Chad L. Williams, or Gerald Horne. I share mine: Demaurice Smith, former NFL Players Association executive director, on his book Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America's Game.

This season, we're also evolving—more live events, more book reviews, and a challenge for you: share your favorite episode with six people to help us grow this community of Black entrepreneurs, intellectuals, and dreamers.

Lloyd closes with his powerful origin story—from being a "functioning illiterate" who feared reading aloud to building Black Cabinet Education, where his books became his greatest friends and his ancestors spoke back to him when he was lost.

Welcome to Season 7. Let's build together.

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Entrepreneurial Appetite: 2025 Year in Review - Your Top 5 Episodes

As we close out an incredible Season 6, I'm reflecting on the conversations that moved you most. From franchise ownership to electric vehicles, fatherhood to family wealth, and global Black history—this season has been a journey of transformation and possibility.

In this special episode, I'm counting down the five most downloaded conversations of the year, each one a blueprint for building community, promoting intellectualism, and supporting Black businesses.

#5: Dr. Tamara J. Walker - Scholar and author of Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad challenges us to see travel as a tool for reimagining Black identity and building global consciousness.

#4: LaVaisha Davis - Wealth advisor and founder of L Wess Advisors reframes wealth building around family as your economic unit, revealing that it's not about what you make—it's about what you plan.

#3: Shawn Rhoder - Entrepreneur and father shares how being present for his son became his greatest success story, redefining what it means to build generational wealth.

#2: Mike Colias - Automotive journalist and author of Inevitable breaks down the electric vehicle revolution and what it means for American innovation, featuring special guest host Shawn Wilson.

#1: Darren Vanderhall - Former corporate executive turned franchise owner explains why leaving 25 years at Coca-Cola to own a Signarama franchise was the best decision for his family's future.

Each conversation offers insights, inspiration, and actionable wisdom for Black entrepreneurs, intellectuals, and dreamers ready to write their own success stories.

My challenge to you: Pick your favorite episode and share it with six people. Let's grow this community together as we head into Season 7.

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In this episode of Entrepreneurial Appetite, we speak with Mike Colias, author of InEVitable: Inside the Messy, Unstoppable Transition to Electric Vehicles, and guest co-host Shawn Wilson, a business development leader in EV infrastructure. From the streets of Detroit to the battery factories of China, we explore what’s shaping the future of electric mobility, why legacy automakers fell behind, and what this transformation means for entrepreneurs and communities of color.

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Join us for a profound discussion with Cliff Goins IV—author, entrepreneur, and wealth strategist—as we examine the real costs and collective solutions to America’s racial wealth gap. With insights from his book, Minding the Wealth Gap, Cliff lays out practical steps for becoming a “gap closer,” no matter your income, background, or beliefs about capitalism. With guest host Lloyd Kuykendoll, the conversation is an honest exploration of history, policy, investment, and community, all rooted in Black economic empowerment.

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In this episode of Entrepreneurial Appetite, guest host and artist Porschia Danielle sits down with Maria Williams, the visionary founder of In the Eye of the Beholder Black Art Gallery and the Art of Four initiative. Maria shares how a single news segment sparked her mission to amplify the voices of Black artists in San Antonio—a city that lacked a dedicated Black art gallery.

What began as a community-driven initiative to empower four artists evolved into a full-fledged gallery space committed to equity, impact, and legacy. Maria opens up about the challenges of sustaining an art business, the fluctuating nature of the art market, and why representation in galleries matters just as much as in museums.

Listeners will gain insight into how art collecting, artist support, and community engagement form an ecosystem of cultural resilience—and how Maria is working to pass the baton to the next generation of Black cultural leaders.

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Ever wondered how military skills translate into successful entrepreneurship? Meet Benjamin Pratt, the brains behind TapRack Social, who is joined by fellow veteran and business partner Aubrey Lewis. Together, they’ve crafted an innovative entertainment venue in San Antonio, combining a bar, gun range, and golf range, all enhanced with top-tier tech. Get insights into how Benjamin's Air Force background laid the groundwork for this venture, empowering him with problem-solving prowess and communication finesse that are now pivotal in his entrepreneurial journey.

Explore the intriguing concept of TapRack Social, where the buzz of a cocktail bar meets the thrill of a high-tech laser shooting experience in a Topgolf-like setting. This episode unveils the behind-the-scenes strategies that make this tech-forward venue a success, spotlighting the strategic location choices and dynamic partnerships. Benjamin shares how mastermind groups and mentorship are instrumental in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape, offering listeners a glimpse into how veterans can harness their unique skills for impactful community investments and business growth.

We wrap up our conversation with a discussion on balancing business with family life, particularly for veterans stepping into entrepreneurship. Benjamin opens up about the importance of a supportive family, making time for his son, and how veterans can play a pivotal role in economic development through strategic investments. To inspire your entrepreneurial spirit, we also touch upon literary gems like "Think and Grow Rich" and "The Alchemist" that offer profound insights. Join us in this engaging episode for a mix of personal stories, strategic insights, and inspiration for veterans looking to make their mark in the business world.

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