King Crush Thursday - The Interviews
Hey there! Welcome to ”King Crush Thursday,” where we’re shining a light on the diverse and inspiring lives of black men from all walks of life. Our guests are here to share their unique success stories, from business moguls to skilled artisans, all embodying strength and dignity. We’re on a mission to reshape the usual narratives about black men, showcasing positivity and achievement. It’s a space for everyone, especially young black guys looking for role models, and anyone eager to broaden their perspectives. Each episode features our guests diving into six insightful questions, offering guidance and wisdom. So, why not join in? Tune into ”King Crush Thursday” for stories that inspire, educate, and help us build a stronger, more understanding society. Can’t wait to see you there!
Episodes
Episodes
2 days ago
EP 59 TIMOTHY SHEPHERD
2 days ago
2 days ago
TIMOTHY SHEPHERD (Music Composer) believes his purpose is to create music that reflects the vast depths of the human spirit. While helping other artists further manifest their projects, he utilizes his skillset in music composition and music & video production to enhance his talents and expand his collaborative style. As an Artistic Coordinator & Production Manager for Art Sanctuary, Shepherd was responsible for executing over 300 programs including but not limited to The Annual Celebration of Black Writing Festival, The Annual John Coltrane Festival, and The Annual Art Sanctuary Awards Banquet. Also, as a music producer & sound engineer, Shepherd wrote the score for community productions such as Torch Song Trilogy, Jar the Floor, and Get Out to Vote 2001 for WHYY, Let Not Your History Be A Mystery, a short film called Sisters, in addition to producing recordings of poems & oral histories with artists such as Lois Moses, Dr. Kimmika LH Williams-Witherspoon, Sheron Gaither, and Tina Smith-Brown. Moreover, he has produced and recorded musical productions with Hannibal Lokumbe, Valerie Gay, Samuel Brown IV, The North Stars, and Melissa Talley-Palmer, just to name a few!
SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE
2 days ago
EP 60 THOMAS C KNOX
2 days ago
2 days ago
Thomas C. Knox is the creator of Date While You Wait, the 13-time award-winning, Emmy-winning connection platform turned TV series that has over 11 million views on YouTube and Facebook. Affectionately known as the “Connection Curator”, Knox is a serial entrepreneur running The Connection Collective and BeGreat Bow Ties. He has been featured in the New York Times as well as ABC, CNN and more.
SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE
2 days ago
EP 61 TYRIQUE GLASGOW
2 days ago
2 days ago
Tyrique Glasgow, founder of Young Chances Foundation which is dedicated to providing essential resources and activities without the red tape to those who need support in Philadelphia. Tyrique started the foundation in 2012 following the murder of one of his childhood friends, who was playing flag football. Young Chances Foundation transformed one of the most notorious drug houses in the neighborhood into a center of support and hope for its community. Support their work at youngchancesfoundation.org
SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE
2 days ago
EP 62 WILL TOMS
2 days ago
2 days ago
William Tyrone Toms is a 30-something award-winning entrepreneur from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After starting his first company at the age of 21, Will Toms has quickly made a name for himself in the region's startup community at the intersection of culture & economics. He is the Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer of REC Philly, serving as the visionary + strategist behind the company’s endeavors.
In under four short years he and his business partner Dave Silver have grown REC to almost 20 employees and raised over $3M dollars to scale their socially-driven business model from a warehouse in North Philadelphia to a state-of-the-art facility in Center City. Will’s vision is to scale REC’s model of “a gym membership for creatives” to span across international communities, establishing a network of 100,000 independent creators that all have access to the resources, strategies and opportunities necessary to own their future.
Before REC, Will served day to day as a digital strategist at Fame House, developing and executing marketing campaigns for entertainment brands including Ice Cube, Shady Records & Eminem. He currently serves as a board member of three non-profit organizations fighting structural inequality, food insecurity in inner-city neighborhoods and more. In 2019, William accepted a nomination to join the leadership council of the Philadelphia Global Identity Partnership-- a public-private partnership created to help rebrand his beloved city of Philadelphia to the world.
With his background in communication and economics, William takes pride in ensuring that all of his efforts are centered around democratizing access and opportunity for young, passionate people of color.
SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE
6 days ago
EP 142 ASHLEY SCOTT
6 days ago
6 days ago
Ashley Scott, @AshleyScott3 hailing from the vibrant soulful musical city of Philadelphia, PA, stands as a powerhouse vocalist celebrated for his globally chart-topping singles. His 2022 release, “Together,” joins a stellar lineup that includes the soulful ballad “Words” (2016), the infectious groove of “Thought of You” (2021), the dance anthem “Dance The Night Away” (2020), and the international rallying cry, “Don’t Throw Our Love Away” (2021). Ashley’s musical journey began at the age of 3, under the influence of his aunt Helen Scott of The Three Degrees and The Delfonics, shaping his destiny as a genre-defying artist. Ashley has collaborated in the studio with Will Downing and Frank McComb and shared the stage with Eric Roberson, Jean Carn, Bilal, and Take 6. Ashley has contributed as a Board Member and Vice President of The Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter. Ashley is the visionary behind The Soulful Sounds Series, an R&B Educational Program, and the host of the globally syndicated Soulful Sounds Radio program, reaching audiences in the USA, UK, and Italy.
WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE!
6 days ago
EP 58 LAZARUS BRUNNER
6 days ago
6 days ago
Lazarus Bruner, Jr. is originally from Oklahoma City, OK. Lazarus, his wife Evonna, and 3 children have resided in the Atlanta Metro area for the past 15 years. Lazarus has a wealth of experience in industries such as sales, education, coaching youth sports, and fitness. In February of 2021, Lazarus left his full time job to pursue what he called "his vocational calling" which was to holistically develop men and youth through fitness, sports training, and coaching to increase their capacity to lead themselves and others well.
He is currently writing his first book called "That's Not Normal" and working on plans to launch another business that aims to redefine the concept of exercising!
WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE!
6 days ago
EP 57 COLEY JONES
6 days ago
6 days ago
Coley Jones is the Business Banking Market Executive for North Florida, South Georgia and the Space Coast, where he leads local market client teams to help local companies grow, improve cash flow and invest for the future. Business Banking serves companies, generally with annual revenues of $5 million to $50 million, and companies up to $2 billion in the Space Coast by providing comprehensive financial solutions and advice. Bringing (19) plus years of experience, Coley joined Bank of America in 2017. In this capacity, his responsibilities include leading a team of specialists focused on understanding each client’s unique needs to deliver strategic financial guidance and solutions. Coley’s mission is to help local companies thrive by achieving their business goals, no matter how simple or how complex. He has also served as Vice President in the Middle Market Group for TD Bank. He began his banking career at Wells Fargo where he was most recently a Business Banking Leader in Atlanta. Throughout his banking career, Coley has served mid-sized companies throughout the Southeast United States to support their commercial banking needs. He is the Co-Chair of the Black Professional Employee Network Group (Jax), the Black Executive Leadership Team and a Power of 10 mentor. Coley is the 2020 recipient of the Leadership Jacksonville Celebration award. To help create a more sustainable future for the companies and communities he serves, Coley volunteers with several not-for-profit organizations focused on civic improvements. In addition, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Museum of Science and History (MOSH), Operation New Hope, and the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. Originally from Jacksonville, FL, Coley graduated from the University of North Florida where he met his wife Nicosia. He resides in Jacksonville, FL with his wife and five kids.
WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE!
6 days ago
EP 56 TORRENCE SIMMONS
6 days ago
6 days ago
Torrence Simmons @torrencersimmons is a country boy from Quitman, GA by way of Dixie, GA. Spending his early years on a chicken farm with his nearest neighbor was his great-great aunt and uncle (they had a 50+ acre farm with hogs, chickens, corn, and almost everything in “Hold My Mule” aka You Name It. By middle school, he moved to “town” and in high school Torrence joined a rapper group, Southbound (he says “please don’t ask me to rap or freestyle, because you will understand why I didn’t make it as a rapper”) and the Beast from the Southeast (Da Wulf) was born. He graduated with honors and was able to walk with his family arm and arm into his graduation.
Torrence left home in 2001 to attend Georgia Southern University where he received his BS in Information Technology with a second discipline in Electronic Broadcast Media.He also took up refereeing where he received many awards and national recognition in flag football and basketball (yep, they give those out to the zebras too). Torrence also earned a leadership position in the Campus Rec and Intramurals department where he spent most of his free time when he wasn’t in class.
After a short stint in Hilton Head, SC, Torrence found himself in the Metro Atlanta Area where he met the love of his life. After suing him (“I did try to kill her”), she said “I do”, and they were married in May of 2010. In 2015, he became a father to a beautiful little girl named Charlie, and even though life has thrown curveballs at him, Torrence is standing taller than ever. He is continuing to write this chapter of His life. “I am my ancestors wildest dream!”
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE!
The 6 Questions.
1. What Does Manhood Mean to You?
2. Who/What Is Important to You?
3. How Do You Want Us to See You?
4. What Is Your EPIK Dream?
5. Who Are You?
6. What Did I Miss?