Black Tech Green Money
Black Tech Green Money presents the stories of successful Black entrepreneurs and technologists, as well as actionable advice and wealth-building strategies from a Black perspective. Hosted by Will Lucas (@willlucas), an entrepreneur, content creator, and Brand Manager at AfroTech, the world's largest Black tech digital platform and conference, Black Tech Green Money is THE podcast for Black entrepreneurs and moguls in the making.
Black Tech Green Money: Barbershop Industry Report: Key Insights with Songe LaRon and Dave Salvant of SQUIRE
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.
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Barbershop Industry Report: Key Insights wi...
Getting Serious about Financial Freedom
Ever felt financially lost, like nobody taught you how to manage money? Youâre not alone.Â
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.
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Vote Like Your Business Depends On it
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
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Relationship Capital: Your Network Is Your Net Worth
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 canât. John Hope Bryant of Operation HOPE explains why moneyâs a coward and youâre 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 Af...
Stop Renting Your Audience: Black Creators on Ownership, Equity, and Influence.
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...
John Imah is building the future of fashion, fit and sizing, styling, and wardrobe intelligence
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 registrationThe discount applies only to Premier tickets and higher...
Coltrane Curtis Built Influencer Marketing Before Instagram Existed
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...
Tamar Huggins Built an AI That Speaks to Black Students
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...
How Possip Turned Parent Voices Into a Million Dollar Business
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...How Bold Entrepreneurs are Reimagining Hair Care with AI
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-foundersâCandace Mitchell (Myavana) and Dr. Tiffany St. Bernard (HairDays)âexplain 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 be...
Leading through decisions necessary for survival, but humanly costly with Bryan Myers of [solidcore]
Bryan Myers is President and CEO at [solidcore].
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Black Tech Green Money
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Health Is Wealth, Literally: Congresswoman Lauren Underwood on the Money Behind the Data
Lauren Underwood is the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 14th District and, when she won in 2018 at 32, became the youngest Black woman ever elected to Congress. The direct line between a community's health and its ability to build and keep wealth, from the woman who built the Momnibus on receipts, not feelings.
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$50 Million, 200,000 Donors: How Stefanie Brown James Builds Black Political Power
Stefanie Brown James is Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of The Collective, the largest network of organizations in the country dedicated to building Black political power. Through The Collective and its family of PACs and its education fund, she has helped raise more than $50 million from over 200,000 donors and helped 417 Black leaders win elected office.
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Who Writes the Rules on AI? Inside the Room with Rep. Christian Menefee
Christian Menefee is the U.S. Representative for Texas's 18th District in Houston. He now sits on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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They're Destroying Books to Build AI
Millions of books got scanned for AI training, then discarded. The real question isn't legal, it's civilizational. Will Lucas on the difference between information and history, why AI only knows what survived, and what we're letting disappear because we assumed somebody else would save it.
He also has a new book out, Survive and Advance: Lessons on Living a Life Without Compromise, which is available now.
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What the Biggest Brands Think about Marketing, Consumers, and Culture with Derek Lewis, Former President at PepsiCo North America
Derek Lewis is a strategic thought leader and transformational executive, and was the first-ever President of Multicultural Business and Equity Development at PepsiCo North America.
He also has a new book out, Survive and Advance: Lessons on Living a Life Without Compromise, which is available now.
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How to not be a Black American in deep debt
Carter Cofield and George Acheampong are financial experts behind Melanin Money, dedicated to helping Black entrepreneurs and professionals build lasting wealth. Together, they're building the #1 Financial Education Community Designed to serve aspiring Melanin Millionaires.
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Rep. Justin J. Pearson on Data Centers, Black Neighborhoods, Pollution, and Black Wealth
Justin J. Pearson is the Tennessee State Representative for District 86 in Memphis, and famously stopped a billion-dollar oil pipeline as an organizer, got expelled from the statehouse as one of the "Tennessee Three" and won his seat right back, and is now going head-to-head with Elon Musk's xAI over the pollution it's putting on Black Memphis.
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How to Build your AI Board of Advisors
Anyone you admire in business could be on your Board of Advisors. On this episode, I'm going to teach you how to get them.
Key Topics
AI-powered mentorship and advisory boards Historical mental models and practices (Napoleon Hill, Earl Nightingale) Building a personal board with four key roles Using transcripts and source material to deepen AI advice Levels of AI board setup: quick project, detailed knowledge base, full systemFollow Will Lucas on Instagram:Â @willlucas
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The Founder of CultureCon
Imani Ellis is the founder of CultureCon & The Creative Collective
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Black Tech Green Money
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Every Idea Feels Like a Million-Dollar Opportunity
Most people think the hardest part of entrepreneurship is coming up with an idea. For a lot of founders today, thatâs no longer the problem. The problem is deciding which ideas deserve your time.
In this solo episode of Black Tech Green Money, Will Lucas explores what happens when every opportunity feels like it could be the next big thing. From software startups and media ventures to hospitality, real estate, and AI-powered products, Will shares the reality of navigating a growing portfolio of ideas while trying to stay focused on what matters most.
Along the...
I Built a Startup with AI. Here's What They Don't Tell You That Trips Most People Up
Everyone is talking about how AI can help you build a company. Few people are talking about what happens after the AI starts writing the code.
In this episode, Will Lucas takes you behind the scenes of building ICON, an on-demand photography marketplace, largely with the help of AI. From working in the wrong repository and rebuilding architecture, to broken app launches, failed notifications, customer-trust issues, and the constant cycle of two steps forward and four steps back, this is the honest version of what it looks like to build a real product in the age of...
Stop Looking for Startup Ideas. Start Looking for Problems.
Most aspiring entrepreneurs think their biggest challenge is finding the perfect startup idea. In this solo episode of Black Tech Green Money, Will Lucas argues that the real challenge isnât generating ideas, itâs learning how to recognize problems worth solving. Drawing from his experiences building CommPartHS and ICON, Will explores how successful businesses often emerge from observing inefficiencies, unmet needs, and overlooked opportunities hiding in plain sight. He breaks down why AI is a powerful tool but not a substitute for insight, how your current job or industry may be revealing business opportunities every day, and why entr...
How to Monetize Cultural Influence with Omar Johnson
Omar Johnson is the marketing genius who helped turn Beats by Dre from a $20 million startup into a $1.1 billion global icon, ultimately leading to its $3 billion acquisition by Apple. As the former Chief Marketing Officer at Beats by Dre and VP of Marketing at Apple, Omar has crafted some of the most legendary marketing campaigns in sports and music culture, working with icons like LeBron James, Chris Rock, and Eminem.
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Community & Education in the world of AI with Tade Oyerinde of Campus.edu
Tade Oyerinde is Chancellor at Campus.edu. Campus is on a mission to maximize access to a world-class education. A new kind of college, Campus offers accredited, career-focused degree programs to kickstart your education.
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Health is True Wealth, Vanessa Rissetto of Culina Health
Vanessa is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the co-founder of Culina Health.
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John Hope Bryant of Operation HOPE on how to be a money magnet
John Hope Bryant is an entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, best known for his work in economic empowerment and financial literacy. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing financial literacy and economic education to underserved communities. Bryant has been a vocal advocate for financial inclusion and has worked tirelessly to uplift communities through initiatives aimed at improving credit scores, increasing homeownership, and fostering entrepreneurship.
In this episode of Black Tech Green Money, Bryant talks with AfroTech's Will Lucas about the nature of money, describing it as a "coward" that seeks...
Taste Is the New Moat
Will Lucas is the Brand Manager for AfroTech, and the Host and Producer of Black Tech Green Money podcast.
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The Future Shows Up Ugly First: What âFailedâ Tech Trends Actually Taught Us
Will Lucas is the Brand Manager for AfroTech, and the Host and Producer of Black Tech Green Money podcast.
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AI Slop, Vibe-Coding, and the New Rules of Building
Will Lucas is the Brand Manager for AfroTech, and the Host and Producer of Black Tech Green Money podcast.
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No Excuse Left, We Were Built For This Moment
Will Lucas is the Brand Manager for AfroTech, and the Host and Producer of Black Tech Green Money podcast.
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How To Think About Money When You're The First One
Will Lucas is the Brand Manager for AfroTech, and the Host and Producer of Black Tech Green Money podcast. In this episode, he discusses generational wealth-building and mindset shifts for April Financial Literacy Month.
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RAUD - Livestreaming and Youth Culture
RAUD is a Twitch streamer with more than 2 million followers across channels, and more than 430k on Twitch.
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Advisor & Professor Anthony O'Neal on Taking Your Seat at The Money Table:
Anthony O'Neal is #1 national bestselling author who has helped over 250,000 people set out on a path towards a debt-free life with his chart-topping book Debt-Free Degree. Heâs reached over 15 million people in 15 different countries through his podcast âThe Tableâ where he always keeps it real, relevant, and relatable.Â
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Charles Hudson, Precursor Ventures
Charles Hudson is the Managing Partner and Founder of Precursor Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in the first institutional round of investment for the most promising software and hardware companies.
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The Future of AI in Business: Insights from Cliff Worley
Will Lucas hosts Cliff Worley, an AI expert, to explore the realities, opportunities, and challenges of AI in business and daily life. They discuss how to effectively leverage AI tools, the evolution of AI models, and practical tips for entrepreneurs and professionals.
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Jordyn Weaver on Black Brands and Influencer Impact
Jordyn Weaver is the founder of Forefront, an Atlanta-based start-up, thatâs on a mission to bring Black brands to the Forefront by connecting them with influencers who promote their products to millions on social media. Sheâs also a 2024 Black Ambition HBCU Grand Prize winner.
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James Norman and Sean Green of Black Ops VC
James Norman is Managing Partner and Sean Green is General Partner of Black Ops VC.
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How To Turn Your Small Business Into an Ecosystem - This Is Where the Real Money Is
In this episode, Will Lucas discusses the importance of shifting from a service-oriented mindset to a platform-oriented approach in business. He emphasizes that building a platform allows for greater leverage, scalability, and the ability to create demand rather than just fulfilling it. Through personal anecdotes and examples, he illustrates how entrepreneurs can transform their businesses by thinking bigger and creating ecosystems that benefit not only themselves but also their communities. The conversation covers practical steps for building platforms, the rise of freelancers, and the types of platforms that can be developed to achieve success.
Takeaways
If...Omi Bell of Black Girl Ventures on Structural Barriers to Scaling Companies with Under $1MM in Revenue
Omi Bell is CEO of Black Girl Ventures
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