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In today's episode we interview Zaire Gary, the founder of The Black Certification Agency Incorporated, a Public Benefit Corporation formed to advocate for and create better relationships between Black and African Americans and American corporations. The company serves as an independent accountability partner to the major corporations that are committed to addressing racial inequalities and corporate social responsibility. You can check out the company here: http://blackcertificationagency.org

Keisha L. Mack, PhD is co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of The MECCA Group, LLC. Dr. Mack obtained both her Bachelor of Science (1992) and Masters of Education (1994) degrees from Howard University and her Doctor of Philosophy (2003) degree from The George Washington University, both in Washington, DC. Dr. Mack has extensive training, education, and research in counseling and clinical psychology. Founded in 2006, The MECCA Group is comprised of a clinically and culturally diverse team of professionals who provide comprehensive psychological, rehabilitative, and educational services for children, adolescents, young adults, and their support systems in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. You can find out more about The MECCA Group here: https://themeccagroupllc.com

We start the new year off on the Now Narrative Podcast with our guest Masheka Turner. She is the owner of BrightSkies Payroll & Bookkeeping Services, LLC based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her mission is to help clients maximize profits and increase their cash flow. She is dedicated to helping them achieve their business goals. You can find her on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masheka-turner-mba-72a183133/ You can find out more about her business here: https://brightskiesservices.com/about-us

Our next guest on The Now Narrative podcast is Trishon Smythe. Trishon is a life coach based in St. Paul and she has built a business called Evolve Thinking. Her business is based on helping people become better versions of themselves. Check out the interview and you can find Trishon and her business here: https://evolvethinking.com

Our next guest on The Now Narrative podcast is Roberta Pettis. Roberta Scott Pettis is the CEO and Founder of FocusWorks Consulting Group. As a dedicated and innovative thought leader, she has over 20 years of experience in training and development, organizational effectiveness, human resources, financial services, and hospital business office operations. Roberta found her passion for training and developing while serving as Director of Education and Training at HCA, Hospital Corporation for America, where she was able to lead numerous individuals and teams in leadership development, new system implementations, and customer service initiatives. We hope you enjoy the interview and check out her business at the following website: https://focusworkscg.com

In this week’s episode, we speak with Michael Jackson. He is the CEO of Black Tech Talent. Black Tech Talent aims to increase the talent pool of Black technologists by curating culturally specific content, resources and job opportunities. You can find out more about his business here: https://www.blacktechtalent.org

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr. Tameka Taylor. She is the CEO of Compass Consulting Services, LLC, a minority and women-owned and certified organizational development firm that helps companies meet their optimal performance by maximizing employee relationships and fostering inclusive work environments. She is an award-winning entrepreneur and has an amazing story to share. You can find out more about her business here: https://www.compassconsultingservices.com

You don't want to miss the next episode on The Now Narrative. I catch up with Syrena Williams, an attorney and business owner that is successfully making great things happen in my hometown of Durham, North Carolina. She has a lot of wisdom to share and you will love her story. You can reach her via email at Syrena@practicalskillsu.com. Her business can be found here: http://www.practicalskillsu.com Her law firm can be found here: http://cwlawgroup.com/williams_s.html

In this week's episode we speak with Tariana Little and Jonas Meyer. In 2013, while in a PhD Program learning about storytelling interventions for health behavior change, Tariana co-created EmVision with Jonas with the question: could we apply this information to help organizations and businesses, too? She left her research-focused studies and re-routed her career to focus on the intersection of communications and business. Jonas studied Social Psychology at UMass Boston and over the past 10 years has evolved from producing music videos for his band to pursuing a media career full-time. After surfing and gardening, his joy comes from a portfolio of national campaigns, short films, and award-winning music videos. You can find out more about their business and their unique storytelling framework here: https://em.vision/team

In this week's episode, we talk to Rani Navarro-Force, an entrepreneur who came up with some awesome gluten-free baked goods that turned into a full-time business. She sells her products online and in a bake shop she owns in Wathena, Kansas. You have to check out her story and you might need a tissue to make it through the episode. You can find her business at this website: http://marieantoinettesglutenfree.com

In the next episode of The Now Narrative podcast, we have Mellissa Taylor, the CEO and owner of Beauty Lounge in Minneapolis. She is an economics major from Spelman College that gave up the corporate world for multicultural cosmetology. ⁠ ⁠ She has been featured in Inc. Magazine, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and numerous magazines sharing her thoughts on how to weather the pandemic as a Black-owned business. You can find Melissa and her salon here: Web: https://www.mplsbeautylounge.com/ Instagram: @beautyloungempls Inc. com: https://www.inc.com/emily-canal/minneapolis-protests-melissa-taylor-beauty-lounge.html ⁠ #thenownarrative #podcast #podcasting #minoritybusinesses #blackbusinesses #founders #entrepreneurship #startups #scaletoserve #ownyourdestiny

In this episode we talk to Priya Narula, a tech entrepreneur who works with her husband Vikas Narula on KeyHubs - a software solution to mapping engagement within your organization. Their company started as an idea in graduate school and is now a thriving technology business. Check out the episode and connect with Priya on Linkedin at this address: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-narula-5404ba182/ You can find out about Keyhubs here: https://www.keyhubs.com/

Anissa and Keith Barron are not only a beautiful couple they each run their own business. Keith owns Skribe Designs, a custom apparel business, and Anissa owns an Arbonne business, selling healthy products to a growing market. Their story is a great one on how your partner is important to your personal success. You can find out more about their businesses at the following websites: Skribe Designs: https://skribe-designs.myshopify.com Arbonne: http://anissaandkeith.arbonne.com

Gloria Contreras Edin is an attorney that practices immigration law and a successful entrepreneur. She has advised on thousands of matters involving clients from more than 25 countries in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, & Asia on a wide range of complicated and sensitive immigration issues. You can find her law firm at https://www.contrerasmetelska.com.

Michelle Edgerton is the CEO and Founder of The Edgerton Group LLC, a fundraising consulting firm that helps organizations with development activities. Michelle Edgerton is an experienced fundraising professional with over 15 years of proven success in fund development and executive leadership. She started the firm on a Monday after leaving her corporate job on a Friday and hasn't looked back. You can find her at http://www.theedgertongroup.com and on Linkedin at http://www.linkedin.com/in/mtedgerton. Check out the interview and subscribe to the podcast.

Domonique Jones is a mom, a wife, and an advocate for minority entrepreneurship. She has owned and run several successful businesses including an entertainment company, a modeling agency representing her children, and a logistics company she currently runs with her husband. Check out her story on The Now Narrative Podcast. You can find her on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/domonique-jones-26571864/