Live from the Block Party: Black in Beauty Panel #1

In this special episode, recorded live from the 15th Street Block Party in LA, we hear from a fresh group of Black beauty founders about the ups, downs, and in betweens of running and growing a successful business. Featuring Denis Asamoah of FORVR MOOD, Kadi Lee of Highbrow Hippie, Maya Smith of The Doux, and Denise Vasi of MAED (and our 2026 Sephora Beauty Grant Recipient!).   

In this special episode, recorded live from the 15th Street Block Party in LA, we hear the unique perspectives of Black leaders in the climate space, and explore the intersectionality of racial justice and climate justice. Moderated by Kayalin Akens-Irby, this conversation features Benjamin Z. Bronfman, Nelson Zépequeno, and Taj Ahmad Eldridge.  

In this special episode, recorded live from the 15th Street Block Party in LA, Brooke DeVard hosts an intimate conversation about the experience of founding a beauty business as a Black woman. Featuring longtime friends of the Pledge Shani Darden of Shani Darden Skin Care, Hannah Diop of Sienna Naturals, and Janell Stephens of Camille Rose.   

In this episode, host Aurora James speaks with renowned chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson about his unique journey from being adopted in Ethiopia, growing up in Sweden, and ultimately establishing himself as a culinary leader in New York City. Marcus shares how his cultural identity and family background influenced his perspective on food, recalls pivotal moments in his career, including being thrust into a head chef role at a young age and achieving critical acclaim. Marcus also discusses the profound impact of 9/11 on his life and how it led him to find new inspiration in Harlem. About Our Sponsor:This episode is sponsored by Citi, which is committed to advancing financial inclusion through initiatives like Citi Financial Pathways which has resources to help you meet your goals, regardless of where you are in your financial journey.

This episode of Friends & Family hosted by Aurora James, explores the inspiring journey of Maya Smith, the multi-hyphenate CEO and Co-Founder of the popular haircare brand, The Doux. Maya shares her earliest experiences working in her mother’s salon and how they translate into a lifelong passion for haircare. Maya reflects on her years working for celebrity stylists and later for women in the military, and shares the lessons she learned from both of those groups that made her the success she is today.About Our Sponsor:This episode is sponsored by Citi, which is committed to advancing financial inclusion through initiatives like Citi Financial Pathways which has resources to help you meet your goals, regardless of where you are in your financial journey.

This episode of Friends & Family hosted by Aurora James, delves into the inspiring journey of interior designer Brigette Romanek. Brigette shares the childhood design experiences that helped spark her passion for design. Brigette shares the colorful careers she pursued - from working in furniture stores, to singing on main stages, to designing handbags - before realizing that she wanted to be the interior designer she’d been allowed to be as a child. Aurora and Brigette discuss the challenges and triumphs of running a design firm, the importance of creativity, and the adaptability required to succeed in entrepreneurial endeavors.About Our Sponsor:This episode is sponsored by Citi, which is committed to advancing financial inclusion through initiatives like Citi Financial Pathways which has resources to help you meet your goals, regardless of where you are in your financial journey.

In this episode of Friends & Family, host Aurora James and Danessa Myricks of Danessa Myricks Beauty sit down to catch up in front of a live audience. Danessa shares how she began her entrepreneurial journey as a 30 year old single mom of two after losing her desk job. She knew she loved creating safe spaces for herself and others around makeup and beauty but she had no idea how to turn that passion into a business. So, she made the controversial decision to work for free, to gain the experience that would lead to her beauty empire. In this episode, Aurora and Danessa have an honest conversation about the high stakes tradeoffs entrepreneurs have to make and the success that can be waiting for them on the other side. About Our Sponsor:This episode is sponsored by Citi, which is committed to advancing financial inclusion through initiatives like Citi Financial Pathways which has resources to help you meet your goals, regardless of where you are in your financial journey.

In this episode of Friends & Family, host Aurora James invites Brandon Blackwood, one of American fashion’s pre-eminent designers, into her world to discuss the decade of hard work he put into his brand before his big break, when he was labeled an “overnight success.” Brandon recounts his early years studying neuroscience before he found his love for fashion, much to his family’s frustration. He details mistakes that went viral online, having to learn on the go, and the joys and challenges of having made that iconic bag. This episode offers a refreshing view on the highs and lows of starting a business and just how far you can go with that first chunk of savings (spoiler: it’s $7,000). About Our Sponsor:This episode is sponsored by Citi, which is committed to advancing financial inclusion through initiatives like Citi Financial Pathways which has resources to help you meet your goals, regardless of where you are in your financial journey.

In this inspiring episode of Friends & Family, host Aurora James sits down with acclaimed fashion designer Sergio Hudson for an intimate conversation at her LA home. Sergio shares his journey from South Carolina to becoming one of fashion's brightest stars, recounting pivotal moments that shaped his career—including the life-changing experience of dressing Michelle Obama for the 2021 presidential inauguration. The conversation explores industry gatekeeping, financial realities of building a brand, and how Sergio redefined success on his own terms. From childhood inspirations (including unexpected influences like Batman Returns and the film Boomerang) to navigating racism in fashion, this episode offers an honest look at entrepreneurship and staying true to your vision against all odds.About Our Sponsor:This episode is sponsored by Citi, which is committed to advancing financial inclusion through initiatives like Citi Financial Pathways which has resources to help you meet your goals, regardless of where you are in your financial journey.

In this episode, recorded live from the 15th Street Block Party in LA, Aurora talks with activist, musician, entrepreneur and personal friend John Legend. John voices his unequivocal support for diversity, equity, and inclusion, offers insights from his business background, and discusses his skincare brand Loved01.