Black Tech Green Money

The Black Effect Presents... Black Tech Green Money! Will Lucas welcomes the SQUIRE Boys, Dave Salvant and Songe LaRon, to discuss their latest report on the state of the barbershop industry. With insights drawn from over 14 million appointments across 7,000 U.S. shops, the conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities barbershop owners face today. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com   Barbershop Industry Report: Key Insights with Songe LaRon and Dave Salvant of SQUIRE OP 10.27.26 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever felt financially lost, like nobody taught you how to manage money? You’re not alone.  In this episode, Anthony O'Neal shares his journey from financial struggle to empowerment. He openly discusses with Will Lucas the challenges he faced and the lack of financial literacy that many of us experience growing up. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. On this episode: Congressman Christian Menefee, Stefanie Brown James of The Collective, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Rep. Justin J. Pearson Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money follows value, and value runs through relationships. In this special compilation, five past guests break down relationship capital: the trust, rapport and reputation that open doors a check can’t. John Hope Bryant of Operation HOPE explains why money’s a coward and you’re the real asset. Imani Ellis shares how CultureCon grew from a Harlem living room. Omi Bell of Black Girl Ventures shows how to reach the people with the budget. Stefanie Brown James of The Collective explains why your relationship with elected officials matters as much as your vote. And Morgan DeBaun of Blavity and AfroTech names the ego problem that keeps Black businesses from joining forces. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Black Tech Green Money, we ask a simple question: who actually owns the audience? Coltrane Curtis (Team Epiphany) takes us back to building influencer marketing before Instagram existed. Isaac Hayes III (Fanbase) makes the case that creators deserve equity, not just exposure. Roland Martin (#RolandMartinUnfiltered, Black Star Network) explains why owning the platform means owning the narrative. Thai Randolph breaks down how to win brand deals on value, not follower count. And RAUD, a Twitch streamer with more than 2 million followers, shows what all of it looks like for Gen Z. Influence is easy to rent. The goal is to own it. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Imah is Co-Founder and CEO at SpreeAI, an AI-driven company transforming the future of fashion and e-commerce with our photorealistic try-on technology. Save 15% on AfroTech Conference 2026 Black Tech Green Money listeners get 15% off Premier tickets and higher for ATC '26. Use code BTGM152026 at checkout. The code is valid from September 15 through September 30, 2026. How to redeem: Go to ATC '26 Registration Select a Premier ticket or higher Enter your registration information Enter BTGM152026 in the Promotional Code field Complete your registration The discount applies only to Premier tickets and higher. The code expires September 30. If you want a shorter version for YouTube or a platform with a character limit: Save 15% on AfroTech Conference 2026 Premier tickets and higher with code BTGM152026. Valid through September 30. Register: https://attendee-aftc2026.streampoint.com/ Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coltrane Curtis is the Founder and Managing Partner of Team Epiphany, the culture marketing agency he launched in 2004, which pioneered influencer marketing as a term before Twitter or Instagram even existed. Before that, he was an early employee at streetwear brand Ecko Unlimited, helped launch Complex as its first Editor-at-Large, and was a fashion VJ for MTV Style. Save 15% on AfroTech Conference 2026 Black Tech Green Money listeners get 15% off Premier tickets and higher for ATC '26. Use code BTGM152026 at checkout. The code is valid from September 15 through September 30, 2026. How to redeem: Go to ATC '26 Registration Select a Premier ticket or higher Enter your registration information Enter BTGM152026 in the Promotional Code field Complete your registration The discount applies only to Premier tickets and higher. The code expires September 30. If you want a shorter version for YouTube or a platform with a character limit: Save 15% on AfroTech Conference 2026 Premier tickets and higher with code BTGM152026. Valid through September 30. Register: https://attendee-aftc2026.streampoint.com/ Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamar Huggins built Canada's first accelerator for Black and Brown founders, then built the pipeline it was missing by opening a tech school for kids. Now she's the founder of Spark Plug AI, a generative AI platform trained on Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights era writers. She breaks down how she raised $1.4 million in a market where Black women average $30,000, why AI is a power structure and not a tool, and what building on your own terms means when everyone is renting the same few models. Save 15% on AfroTech Conference 2026 Black Tech Green Money listeners get 15% off Premier tickets and higher for ATC '26. Use code BTGM152026 at checkout. The code is valid from September 15 through September 30, 2026. How to redeem: Go to ATC '26 Registration Select a Premier ticket or higher Enter your registration information Enter BTGM152026 in the Promotional Code field Complete your registration The discount applies only to Premier tickets and higher. The code expires September 30. If you want a shorter version for YouTube or a platform with a character limit: Save 15% on AfroTech Conference 2026 Premier tickets and higher with code BTGM152026. Valid through September 30. Register: https://attendee-aftc2026.streampoint.com/ Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawni Dowell is the Founder and CEO of Possip, an AI and tech-based, human-centered company in Nashville. Possip is an engagement platform that gives organizational and civic leaders quick, actionable insights from their large and diverse communities. Save 15% on AfroTech Conference 2026 Black Tech Green Money listeners get 15% off Premier tickets and higher for ATC '26. Use code BTGM152026 at checkout. The code is valid from September 15 through September 30, 2026. How to redeem: Go to ATC '26 Registration Select a Premier ticket or higher Enter your registration information Enter BTGM152026 in the Promotional Code field Complete your registration The discount applies only to Premier tickets and higher. The code expires September 30. If you want a shorter version for YouTube or a platform with a character limit: Save 15% on AfroTech Conference 2026 Premier tickets and higher with code BTGM152026. Valid through September 30. Register: https://attendee-aftc2026.streampoint.com/ Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Black Tech Green Money, we hear from industry titans Courtney Adeleye (The Mane Choice) and Monique Rodriguez (Mielle Organics) on navigating the controversial waters of acquisition and what it really takes to transition from a community favorite to a global powerhouse. Meanwhile, a new guard of tech-founders—Candace Mitchell (Myavana) and Dr. Tiffany St. Bernard (HairDays)—explain how they are training algorithms to diagnose scalp health and personalize care. And, Ciara Imani May (Rebundle) breaks down the chemistry of comfort, revealing how banana fiber is disrupting the toxic synthetic hair market. This is the business of beauty, engineered. Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas Learn more at AfroTech.com https://instagram.com/afro.tech Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.