So Ambitious

Episoade

• 407: Built Without Access: How Underrepresented Entrepreneurs Create What They’re Not Given 03.06.2026 27min

  In this So Ambitious compilation, Black founders break down what it really takes to create opportunity when doors don’t open for you. This episode explores the internal mindset shifts required to overcome limiting beliefs, the reality of being judged in high-stakes rooms, and the discipline it takes to build systems that last. This is also a compilation blueprint for building access on your own terms. From rewriting internal belief systems to building institutions that outlast the founder, this episode breaks down how access is created from the inside out. This episode delivers real insight into how to build, scale, and sustain something meaningful. KEY POINTS 404: President of America’s Largest Black-Owned Bank Teri Williams on Ownership, Wealth and Legacy 402: Black Ambition Prize Founders on Transforming Real Problems Into Scalable Business 401: How Aisha Bowe Turns "Impossible" Goals Into Repeatable Millions 403: Body Language Secrets That Close Million Dollar Deals | Linda Clemons 405: Jeff Johnson on Building Big Ambition Without Losing Yourself 406: What Social Impact Leaders Know About Capital That Founders Don’t | Asha Walker & Valencia Gunder RESOURCES Aisha Bowe  IG | @aishabowe Linda Clemons IG | @lindaclemons Teri Williams  Jeff Johnson IG | @jeffsnation  Asha Walker - Health In The Hood  IG | @healthinthehood Valencia Gunder - The Smile Trust IG | @thesmiletrust        @valenciagunder Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 406: What Social Impact Leaders Know About Capital That Founders Don’t | Asha Walker &, Valencia Gunder 27.05.2026 56min

  In this episode, Felecia Hatcher welcomes Asha Walker (Health In The Hood) and Valencia Gunder (The Smile Trust), who break down what it really means to build community, create impact, and redefine wealth from the ground up. From urban farming to feeding the unhoused, from climate justice to access to technology, these founders share how they turned lived experiences into scalable solutions that nourish communities physically, emotionally, and economically. They unpack the difference between charity and compassion, the reality of building in the nonprofit and social impact space, and what it takes to sustain purpose-driven work even when resources are limited. This conversation is a must-watch for founders, leaders, and changemakers who are ready to build beyond profit, serve with intention, and create impact that truly lasts. KEY POINTS - Real wealth includes health, community, trust, and people power  - The strongest solutions come from communities themselves - There is a critical difference between charity and true compassion - Social impact work still requires strong business models to survive - Purpose-driven founders often face burnout while trying to serve others - Building systems creates a lasting impact, not one-time solutions - Identity and purpose evolve as founders grow and expand their work - Serving others can unlock opportunities, resources, and long-term sustainability QUOTABLES   “Service is our natural state.” – Asha Walker  “I’m going to be a leader and not a boss.”  – Valencia Gunder  “When I think about wealth, I think about people power first.” – Valencia Gunder RESOURCES Asha Walker - Health In The Hood  IG | @healthinthehood Valencia Gunder - The Smile Trust IG | @thesmiletrust        @valenciagunder Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 405: Jeff Johnson on Supporting Black Men Entrepreneurs Without Ignoring Their Humanity 20.05.2026 53min

  In this episode of So Ambitious, Jeff Johnson breaks down what it really means to lead, build, and evolve as a founder, especially as a Black entrepreneur navigating identity, capital, and visibility. From building in media and activism to advising leaders across industries, Jeff shares hard truths about performance vs authenticity, founder identity, mental health, and the hidden cost of success. He challenges the way we think about capital, power, and growth, and introduces a bigger idea: building ecosystems instead of just companies. This conversation is for founders who are not just trying to win, but trying to build with integrity, lead with clarity, and create something that outlives them. KEY POINTS - Many founders are performing instead of truly showing up - Emotional suppression is the hidden cost of leadership - Success without identity clarity leads to burnout and disconnection - Founders must separate who they are from what they build - Building a personal board of directors is essential for growth - Capital is not just money; it is trust, relationships, and access - Black founders are often seen as assets (not as people in funding spaces) - The future is ecosystems that create lasting impact QUOTABLES  “I’m in a place where I’m allergic to bullshit.” – Jeff Johnson “A healthier man will always be a better CEO.” – Jeff Johnson “We have created a founder culture that is rooted in celebrity.” – Jeff Johnson “Our greatest ambition should not be how much we raise in this next round. It should be, are we free in our own heart[s].” – Jeff Johnson RESOURCES Jeff Johnson IG | @jeffsnation  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media
• 404: President of America’s Largest Black-Owned Bank Teri Williams on Ownership, Wealth and Legacy 13.05.2026 52min

  What does it take to build generational wealth when the system was never built for you? Today, Felecia Hatcher welcomes Teri Williams, Owner and President of OneUnited Bank, who shares how she helped build the largest Black-owned bank in the United States and what it really takes to create lasting financial impact. From acquiring struggling banks to losing $50 million in a single day and building it back stronger, Teri breaks down the mindset, resilience, and decision-making that define true leadership. She unpacks the importance of ownership, financial literacy, trusting your instincts, and building for community (not just profit). Plus, why the future of wealth includes AI, access, and rewriting the financial system for the next generation. This is a must-watch for founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders ready to build wealth that outlives them and impact that scales beyond them. KEY POINTS - Generational wealth starts with foundation  - Ownership is necessary for long-term security - The best founders trust their instincts even when others disagree - Problems are where opportunity lives - Failure is where the most valuable lessons are learned - Community impact should be at the center of every business  - Financial literacy is the missing link in building real wealth - AI is the next frontier, and founders who embrace it early will win QUOTABLES  “What you do at that moment, the defining moment, is the defining moment.” – Teri Williams “If I have to choose between fight or flight, I’m going to fight.” – Teri Williams “Ownership has become a necessity for our community.” – Teri Williams RESOURCES  Teri Williams  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 403: Body Language Secrets That Close Million Dollar Deals | Linda Clemons 06.05.2026 1h 1min

  What if your body is speaking louder than your words… and costing you deals, influence, and opportunities? For today’s episode of So Ambitious, global body language expert and sales strategist Linda Clemons joins Felecia Hatcher to unravel how founders can master nonverbal communication, presence, and emotional intelligence to win in business, leadership, and life. From decoding micro-expressions to building instant rapport, Linda shares the real reason most pitches fail and how to fix it before you ever say a word. She reveals why 93% of communication is nonverbal, how to read a room in seconds, and the subtle signals that tell you when a deal is falling apart. This is a masterclass for founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to command rooms, close deals, and build trust faster in high-stakes environments. If you are pitching investors, building relationships, or stepping into bigger rooms, this episode will change how you show up forever. KEY POINTS - Your presence speaks before you do -  93% of communication is nonverbal; your body can either support or sabotage your message - Founders lose deals because of misaligned energy & delivery - Confidence is not what you say, it is what your body communicates consistently -  The best sales strategy is listening deeper and reading better - Investors and partners respond to emotion first (and logic second) - Rapport is built before the pitch… not during it -  Micro-expressions and body shifts reveal the truth  QUOTABLES  “Your nonverbal communication is your first language.” – Linda Clemons “The moment that you walk in the room, your presence speaks volumes.” – Linda Clemons “Our words are 7% of our communication… 93% is your tone and your nonverbal.” – Linda Clemons “The fake will fade, because who you are will eventually show up.” – Linda Clemons RESOURCES  Linda Clemons IG | @lindaclemons Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 402: Black Ambition Prize Founders on Transforming Real Problems Into Scalable Business 29.04.2026 1h 12min

  What separates a good idea from a scalable business? In this episode of So Ambitious, Black Ambition Prize founders D’Angelo Senat (AllPeep), Barbara Jacques (JACQ’S Skincare), and LaToya Stirrup (Kamzaleje) break down how they turned real-life problems into high-impact, fundable companies rooted in community, culture, and purpose. From building products that didn’t exist for them to navigating access, capital, and the realities of entrepreneurship, these founders share what it actually takes to scale a business beyond the idea stage. This conversation goes deeper than startup advice. They also share how they go beyond the pitch stage and how founders are building companies that create lasting impact. It’s about ownership, representation, and building solutions that serve real people. As host Felecia highlights: “What you build after the opportunity is what really defines you.” If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or innovator looking to secure funding, grow your business, and create meaningful impact, this episode is your blueprint. KEY POINTS - The best businesses don’t start with ideas; they start with real problems - Lived experience is often the strongest foundation for scalable innovation - What you sell is surface, what you solve is what actually drives growth - Building for your community creates a deeper impact and stronger demand - Access to rooms, networks, and decision-makers is still a major barrier - Entrepreneurship requires sacrifice, resilience, and long-term vision - Winning funding is just the beginning; execution is what sustains growth - The most powerful businesses create both economic and cultural impact QUOTABLES  “This isn't a startup story. This is a growth story.” – D’Angelo Senat “There are still doors… where major conversations are happening that I would just love to be in.” – Barbara Jacques “We’re not just building products. We’re building something that didn’t exist for us.” – LaToya Stirrup “If it doesn’t solve a real problem, it’s not going to last.”  – D’Angelo Senat “You have to keep going, even when it doesn’t look like it’s working yet.” – LaToya Stirrup RESOURCES Barbara Jacques IG | https://www.instagram.com/shopjacqs/  LaToya Stirrup | https://www.latoyastirrup.com/about-me  Kazmaleje IG | https://www.instagram.com/kazmaleje/  D’Angelo Senat IG | https://www.instagram.com/senatmade/  AllPeep IG | https://www.instagram.com/allpeephq/  Felecia Hatcher | https://www.feleciahatcher.com/  IG | https://www.instagram.com/feleciahatcher/  Black Ambition | https://www.blackambitionprize.com/  IG | https://www.instagram.com/blackambitionprize/  So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media | https://www.epyc.co/ 
• 401: How Aisha Bowe Turns "Impossible" Goals Into Repeatable Millions 22.04.2026 46min

  In this powerful episode of So Ambitious, Aisha Bowe shares how she went from a 2.3 GPA student to a NASA rocket scientist, entrepreneur, and commercial astronaut. This is not just a story about space.  It is about rewriting the narrative when the world tells you what you cannot do. Aisha breaks down how self-doubt becomes your biggest barrier, why “automatic negative thinking” keeps founders stuck, and how she built a framework to achieve what once felt impossible. From turning rejection into redirection, to raising millions, to creating access for the next generation, this conversation is a masterclass in ambition, resilience, and building without permission. This is the mindset shift required to build beyond limits. KEY POINTS - Why self-doubt becomes the “gravity” that holds founders back - The moment Aisha realized she could not let others define her future - How “automatic negative thinking” sabotages opportunities - Why failure is just success in progress for founders - The power of building systems that create access, not just success - How to pitch bold, unconventional ideas to major brands - Why founders must prioritize mental health and self-awareness - The importance of creating your own rules in systems not built for you QUOTABLES  “The reality of it is that evenly distributed opportunity is not.” – Aisha Bowe “Doubt was my gravity for so many years.” – Aisha Bowe “We have to borrow someone else’s belief in ourselves until it becomes our own.” – Felecia Hatcher “My goal is to be an awesome bedtime story.” – Aisha Bowe RESOURCES Aisha Bowe  IG | @aishabowe Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• When Black Founders Win, Systems Change | Season 4 Trailer 21.04.2026 1min

  What happens when ambition is backed by access, community, and purpose? Welcome to Season 4 of So Ambitious, the podcast powered by Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize and hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This new season brings you inside the real stories of Black and Brown founders who are not just building businesses, but shifting systems, creating access, and redefining what success looks like. From scaling companies rooted in lived experience to navigating capital, burnout, and high-stakes decisions, these conversations go beyond the highlight reel. This is where ambition meets reality, where founders talk about what it actually takes to build something that lasts. You will hear how entrepreneurs turn real problems into scalable solutions, how they push through loss, pressure, and uncertainty, and how they stay committed to building for their communities. Because the truth is, success is not just about growth. It is about impact, ownership, and longevity. This isn't a startup story. This is a growth story. Because when Black and Brown founders win, they do not just scale companies.  They shift systems. And remember, ambition does not need permission. RESOURCES Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• Black Ambition Prize Winners on Funding, Scaling, and Overcoming Setbacks | Founder Series 25.03.2026 58min

  In this special compilation episode of So Ambitious, hear directly from founders who have won funding through the Black Ambition Prize — and what it really takes to build, scale, and grow after securing capital. If you are a Black or Brown entrepreneur looking for funding for your startup, this episode is a masterclass in what happens before, during, and after winning a pitch competition. These founders share how they navigated rejection, rebuilt after major setbacks, scaled their businesses, and leveraged access to capital, mentorship, and networks to accelerate growth. From losing everything in a warehouse fire to rebuilding after six-figure losses, from innovating in clean energy and maternal health to disrupting billion-dollar industries, these stories highlight the real journey behind startup funding and business growth. This episode breaks down: What investors look for in founders How to grow after winning funding Lessons learned from the Black Ambition Prize How access to capital and community changes trajectory The emotional resilience required to scale a startup If you’re preparing to apply for the Black Ambition Prize, pitch investors, or raise capital for your business, this episode gives you insight directly from founders who have been there and built through it. This is about funding, scale, representation, and building sustainable companies that solve real-world problems. Most of all, it’s about Black and Brown entrepreneurs who turned opportunity into impact. RESOURCES Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 310: Build Your Founder Muscle: Resilience, Failing Forward & the Grit to Keep Going 21.01.2026 53min

  Entrepreneurship is not just about strategy. It is about resilience, self-forgiveness, and learning how to move forward after mistakes, losses, burnout, and rejection. This compilation episode is about having the inner strength required to survive and grow as a founder, and captures the emotional reality behind the journey and the lessons learned through experience. Discover how founders fail forward, rebuild after setbacks, and develop the endurance needed to stay in the game. This episode is for anyone navigating a hard season or questioning whether the struggle is worth it; it is a reminder that resilience is a skill you build, not a trait you are born with. KEY POINTS:  307: Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche on Losing Everything to Find Yourself: Lessons After $300,000 in Debt 306: One Vision, One Weekend, 50,000 People: Michael Barclay on Scaling Essence Festival and Cultural Legacy 301: The $15 Trillion Opportunity: Protecting Black Culture & Ownership | Lanny Smith, Tommy Johnson 304: The Future of Music is AI: How Black Creators Can Win the Next Creative Era 308: Love Is the Investment Thesis: Lessons From 8-Figure Investment Decisions | Liz Thompson 305: The Hidden Cost of Ambition: Candace Washington on Founder Mental Health RESOURCES Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media
• 309: Ambition Without Permission: Founders Who Built Their Own Lanes (Compilation) 14.01.2026 42min

  This Best-Of episode spotlights founders who stopped waiting for permission and chose to build anyway. These stories highlight what happens when creators are overlooked, underestimated, or even excluded from traditional systems. Instead of fitting into spaces that were not built for them, they created their own ecosystems rooted in ownership, culture, and authenticity. You’ll hear how conviction, self-trust, and long-term vision fuel innovation. This compilation is for anyone building without validation, navigating cultural gatekeeping, or creating something new because what they needed did not exist. KEY POINTS:  301: The $15 Trillion Opportunity: Protecting Black Culture & Ownership | Lanny Smith, Tommy Johnson 302: The Unusual Pairing - Ingrid Best on Building Space for Black Women in Luxury & Wine 303: The Internet Was Built on Black Culture, Alphonzo Terrell Says It’s Time We Own It 304: The Future of Music is AI: How Black Creators Can Win the Next Creative Era 306: One Vision, One Weekend, 50,000 People: Michael Barclay on Scaling Essence Festival and Cultural Legacy 307: Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche on Losing Everything to Find Yourself: Lessons After $300,000 in Debt RESOURCES  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 308: Love Is the Investment Thesis: Lessons From 8-Figure Investment Decisions | Liz Thompson 17.12.2025 59min

  Liz Thompson is an investor, philanthropist, and CEO of the Café Group, whose story embodies ambition, faith, and love in action. From her beginnings in Chicago’s Cabrini Green to co-founding Cleveland Avenue with her husband, former McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson, Liz has built a legacy around pouring into people and proving that love is a strategy for leadership, not a sentiment. In this inspiring episode of So Ambitious, Liz opens up about what it means to take leaps of faith, navigate “no’s” as data points, and use abundance as a guiding force. She shares lessons on mentorship, marriage, and building both billion-dollar businesses and impact-driven communities, rooted in faith, excellence, and purpose. “No is a data point. It’s information that makes you stronger for the next yes.” – Liz Thompson Through personal stories of resilience, risk-taking, and radical love, Tune in as Liz reminds us that the real work of leadership isn’t about titles… it’s about sending the elevator back down and bringing others up with you. KEY POINTS  - Growing up in Cabrini Green and learning the value of love, resilience, and self-worth - Starting college at 16 and tackling the challenges of being “the only one” in the room - Lessons from corporate life at Ameritech: excellence, humility, and constructive feedback - Taking the leap from corporate to purpose - founding City Year Chicago - The story behind Cleveland Avenue and The Café Group: building wealth and impact - Love as leadership: why “I am the elevator” became Liz’s life mantra - The power of mentorship, faith, and being in relationship with your community - Turning rejection into growth: “No is a data point.” - Redefining abundance and what it means to lead, give, and build with love - The urgency of investing in education and betting on overlooked genius in our communities  QUOTES  “Genius is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We invest in the people closest to the answers.” – Liz Thompson “Love is a strategy. Nothing of any importance will happen without it.” – Liz Thompson “Abundance has always existed—it’s our limitations that stop us from touching it.” – Felecia Hatcher RESOURCES Liz Thompson  Website | www.thecafe.org/  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 307: Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche on Losing Everything to Find Yourself: Lessons After $300,000 in Debt 10.12.2025 1h 9min

  Tiffany Aliche, better known as The Budgetnista, built a multimillion-dollar empire rooted in transparency, discipline, and service. From being scammed out of $35,000 and sleeping on her sister’s couch to leading a global financial education movement, Tiffany’s story is a masterclass in rebuilding, resilience, and radical integrity. In this episode of So Ambitious, Tiffany joins host Felecia Hatcher to unpack her journey from preschool teacher to eight-figure entrepreneur. She breaks down what it really means to build a profitable, values-based business without outside funding, how to heal a toxic relationship with money, and why slow and steady growth beats overnight success every time. Tiffany also opens up about her late husband’s influence, her unique leadership style, and how she’s creating generational impact through community, honesty, and heart-centered entrepreneurship. This episode is a blueprint for founders, dreamers, and builders who want to grow sustainably – without losing their soul in the process. KEY POINTS  - Tiffany’s traumatic financial wake-up call: losing $35,000 to a scam before the recession - Rebuilding from $300,000 in debt and moving back home with her parents - The power of community and vulnerability in overcoming financial shame - Turning pain into purpose: from teaching preschool to teaching personal finance - How The Budgetnista became an eight-figure, self-funded business - Why venture capital wasn’t her path and how she built wealth through ownership - Creating a healthy company culture rooted in trust, rest, and autonomy - Financial wellness as emotional wellness: healing toxic money beliefs - How Tiffany runs a debt-free business that prioritizes team wellbeing and sustainability - Legacy redefined: kindness, obedience, and being a vessel for impact QUOTES  “The worst thing for someone who’s not ready for success is to become successful.” – Tiffany Aliche “You don’t have to be perfect before you start; you just have to be willing to grow.” – Tiffany Aliche “Revenue is freedom—it’s what allows you to serve with integrity.”  – Felecia Hatcher “Money is an amplifier. If you have poor business habits, funding will only make it worse.” – Tiffany Aliche “Entrepreneurship will rock you, but it will also reveal you. It pulls you to your highest self if you let it.” – Tiffany Aliche RESOURCES  Tiffany Aliche Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 306: One Vision, One Weekend, 50,000 People: Michael Barclay on Scaling Essence Festival and Cultural Legacy 03.12.2025 45min

  Michael Barclay is the Chief Events Officer of Sundial Media Group, the company behind the Essence Festival of Culture – one of the largest and longest-running cultural events in the world. From managing a $10 billion finance portfolio to orchestrating global experiences that celebrate Black joy, Michael’s career proves what happens when passion meets precision. In this episode of So Ambitious, Michael sits down with Felecia Hatcher to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build and sustain an iconic brand like Essence Fest. He shares lessons on leadership, longevity, and logistics, especially why the festival is more than an event, it’s a living ecosystem, and the mindset required to grow with courage in an era of change. From his first entrepreneurial “failure” that taught him everything about contracts, time, and worth, to launching his new tech platform Crowded House, Michael unpacks how he’s redefining cultural value, authenticity, and ownership in the events and tech worlds. This conversation is a masterclass in ambition, resilience, and building legacy through community, creativity, and conviction. KEY POINTS  - Essence Festival as a living, breathing ecosystem  - The real story behind Essence Fest 2024: challenges, resilience, and evolution - How to balance consumer emotion, business logistics, and cultural impact - Lessons from failure: the business, financial, and emotional tuition of entrepreneurship - Turning a setback into strategy – learning contracts, pricing, and the value of time - Balancing art and science of decision-making - Building Crowded House: bringing human energy back to virtual events - Why culture is a premium asset and how to prove its business value - The importance of honesty, transparency, and long-term relationship building in business - How to protect legacy while evolving for the next generation of creators QUOTES  “When you’re building something for community, you’re not just managing logistics…you’re protecting legacy.” – Felecia Hatcher “There are humans behind everything—behind every brand, every experience.” –  Michael Barclay “All business ain’t good business. Know your numbers and know your worth.” –  Michael Barclay “You can’t build for longevity if you’re afraid to evolve.” – Michael Barclay “The cost of neglecting your genius is higher than any check.” – Felecia Hatcher RESOURCES  Michael Barclay LinkedIn | @iambarclay  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 305: The Hidden Cost of Ambition: Candace Washington on Founder Mental Health 26.11.2025 1h 9min

  Candace Washington is a licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, production therapist, and author whose journey embodies resilience, transformation, and purpose. From surviving suicide attempts and battling alcoholism to walking away from a federal career and choosing her own healing, Candace has built a thriving practice where she now serves high performers, creatives, and entrepreneurs at the intersection of mental health and ambition. Today, Candace shares her story of wandering, healing, and stepping into her calling. She unpacks what burnout really is (and what it isn’t), the hidden cost of wearing the “cape,” and the importance of redefining success around rest, joy, and liberation. She also dives into imposter syndrome, loneliness in entrepreneurship, and why therapy should be proactive - not just for crisis moments. This conversation serves as a reminder that ambition without wellness is unsustainable—and that prioritizing yourself can unlock both healing and a lasting legacy.  KEY POINTS  - From Air Force veteran to licensed psychotherapist: Candace’s personal journey of survival and healing - Why wearing the “mask” and “cape” leads to burnout, and how to take them off - Redefining success: rest, joy, and liberation as entrepreneurial pillars - Burnout vs. exhaustion: how to recognize the difference (and act before crisis) - The mental health toll on entrepreneurs: loneliness, fear of failure, imposter syndrome - Why therapy is a proactive tool, not just a last resort - Understanding the “cup and saucer” strategy for self-care and sustainability - The role of vulnerability, intimacy, and surrender in leadership and entrepreneurship - Building trusted community and safe spaces beyond social media “highlights” - Candace: Anchoring ambition in purpose, authenticity, and uninterrupted joy QUOTABLES  “If we invest in entrepreneurs but don’t prioritize their mental health, we’re being irresponsible.” – Felecia Hatcher “Rest is radical. Rest is liberation. Rest is success.” – Candace Washington “Imposter syndrome tells you you’re not deserving. Put your thoughts on trial and check the evidence.” – Candace Washington “My pillars are joy, peace, and liberation. Happiness is fleeting, but joy is something no one can take from me.” – Candace Washington “People will adjust to your boundaries. The only way to serve everything else is to listen to your body.” – Felecia Hatcher RESOURCES  Candace Washington IG | @candacewrites Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 304: The Future of Music is AI: How Black Creators Can Win the Next Creative Era 19.11.2025 1h 5min

  What happens when two visionary creators collide at the intersection of comedy, technology, and music?  In this episode of So Ambitious, host Felicia Hatcher sits down with Zayd Portillo (creatrgd) and King Willonius, creator of “BBL Drizzy”, to unpack their journeys in tech, AI, and cultural innovation. From viral comedy hits to groundbreaking AI music, Zayd and King are pushing boundaries on how Black creators can own their narratives, monetize their IP, and turn moments into movements. They reflect on early experiments with Clubhouse, YouTube, and Twitch, the birth of viral songs like BBL Drizzy, and how AI tools are reshaping artistry, ownership, and community.  This conversation is equal parts hilarious and profound, revealing the tension between incubation and deadlines, internal validation and external recognition, and what it really takes to stay consistent (even when the world doesn’t quite understand your vision yet). If you’ve ever wrestled with impostor syndrome, felt pressure to deliver under deadlines, or wondered how AI is transforming creativity, this episode is for you. KEY POINTS - How early experimentation on YouTube, Twitch, and Clubhouse sharpened creative skills - The viral phenomenon of BBL Drizzy and what it revealed about culture and community - Navigating impostor syndrome and redefining what it means to be “creative” - The role of deadlines, hackathons, and incubation periods in producing great work - Why Black creators must embrace AI tools to own the next wave of innovation - Balancing business deadlines with the creative process - Building future-ready platforms: virtual artists, dome experiences, and AI-driven IP - How faith, timing, and consistency shape long-term creative success QUOTABLES  “Comedy is the easiest way to introduce people to scary new tech.” - Zayd Portillo “Sometimes you’re just the vessel — the idea is bigger than you.” -  King Willonius “If you fight for your limitations, you get to keep them.” - Felicia Hatcher “Great art is polarizing. If people love it and hate it, you’re onto something.” - Zayd Portillo “We need to stop saying we’ll get left behind in AI and start saying we’re mastering it.” -  King Willonius RESOURCES Zayd Portillo  IG | @creatrgod King Willonius  IG | @kingwillonius Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 303: The Internet Was Built on Black Culture, Alphonzo Terrell Says It’s Time We Own It 12.11.2025 1h 13min

  Alphonzo "Phonz" Terrell, co-founder and CEO of Spill, is rewriting what it means to build community online. From his early days in music and media to leading social strategy at HBO and Twitter, Alphonzo’s journey embodies the intersection of culture, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. After being laid off during Twitter’s transition, he transformed a setback into an opportunity by launching Spill: a Black-owned social platform designed for safer, more rewarding, and more authentic online connections. In this episode of So Ambitious, Alphonzo opens up about the urgency of creating digital spaces rooted in trust, cultural fluency, and joy. He shares lessons from building at the highest levels of entertainment and tech, how Buddhism guides his leadership philosophy, and why dismantling gatekeeping is critical for future generations of Black entrepreneurs. This conversation explores risk, resilience, and redefining authenticity in the era of AI. If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, or community builder who believes ambition is about more than vanity metrics, Alphonzo’s story is proof of how vision and conviction can create movements with lasting impact. As he reminds us: “Entrepreneurship is really an act of faith. You’re creating something from nothing.” KEY POINTS  - How a “Great Day at Inkwell” photo became a cultural moment for Black ownership and legacy - Alphonzo’s transition from music to media to tech - Lessons from HBO, Insecure, and Twitter on how conversations online reshape culture - Why marginalized communities drive internet trends yet face the most harm online - Founding Spill: designing platforms that prioritize joy, safety, and fair credit for creators - Redefining “builder” beyond technical vs. non-technical labels - Spill’s vision: To have safer, more rewarding, and more human digital connections - The role of Buddhism in Alphonzo’s leadership and resilience - Why gatekeeping harms Black entrepreneurs - The power of collaboration and equity crowdfunding - On raising millions in venture funding while centering culture and community impact QUOTABLES  “One out of every two Black people has experienced hate speech online in the past year. It’s a health crisis, not just a business problem.” – Alphonzo Terrell “Authenticity is just a proxy for trust, consistency, subject matter expertise, and honesty.”  – Alphonzo Terrell “Gatekeeping comes from white supremacy telling us there’s only one seat on the bus. We need to expand the pie into a garden where everyone eats.” – Alphonzo Terrell “If we’ve been blessed with platforms, what are we going to build to unleash the next generation?” – Alphonzo Terrell RESOURCES  Alphonzo "Phonz" Terrell Website | www.spill.com  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media
• 302: The Unusual Pairing - Ingrid Best on Building Space for Black Women in Luxury & Wine 05.11.2025 59min

  Welcome back!  In this inspiring episode of So Ambitious, we sit down with Ingrid Best, founder of IBest Wines, to unpack her bold journey from corporate spirits executive to visionary wine entrepreneur. Ingrid reveals how her time in South Africa unlocked her creative superpower, why she walked away at the height of her career to launch her own brand, and how she’s rewriting the rules of storytelling, brand-building, and legacy creation. From the messy middle of entrepreneurship to navigating naysayers, fundraising challenges, and staying true to her love for wine, Ingrid shares the lessons that keep her grounded, ambitious, and committed to lifting others along the way. Whether you’re a creative, a founder, or someone daring to take a big leap, this conversation will fuel your courage to bet on yourself. KEY POINTS - South Africa unlocked Ingrid’s creative superpower and fueled her vision for IBest Wines - Lessons from working with global giants like Diageo, Bacardi, and Moët Hennessy shaped her brand approach - How storytelling and showing the “messy middle” are essential for building authentic brands - Walking away from a top corporate role was the bold step toward her true passion - How naysayers pushed her to focus, stay quiet, and trust her vision - Focus is a discipline; mentorship, walking, and long flights became part of her process - Mentorship revealed confidence as the key barrier holding young women back - Building IBest Wines with personal capital, then raised support from trusted Black women investors - Transparency with investors and the community builds resilience during challenges - Ingrid: Legacy is about self-belief, equity for women, and creating generational wealth QUOTABLES  “I’m a 20-year overnight success. Everything I know came from working with the biggest brands in the world.” – Ingrid Best “People don’t just want to see the perfect ad. They want to see the messy middle.” – Ingrid Best “I walked away from the height of my career because I finally had the faith, courage, and ambition to bet on myself.” – Ingrid Best “Legacy for me is equity, global storytelling, and proving that big acquisitions can close the wealth gap.” – Ingrid Best RESOURCES Ingrid Best  IG | @Ms_Ibest Ibest Wines  IG | @ibestwines/  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 
• 301: The $15 Trillion Opportunity: Protecting Black Culture & Ownership | Lanny Smith, Tommy Johnson 29.10.2025 43min

  Our culture is being packaged, praised, and profited from without ever being protected. Until now. In this Season 3 premiere of So Ambitious, host Felecia Hatcher sits down with two visionary founders reshaping the way we think about ownership, culture, and commerce. 🏗️ Lanny Smith, founder of Actively Black, built a purpose-driven athleisure brand with its own Black-owned supply chain, sourcing cotton from Black farmers and reinvesting over 10% of profits back into the community. His mission: to prove that Black excellence is not a niche, it’s global. 💡 Tommy Johnson, founder of Made with Black Culture, is pioneering a new standard for cultural equity. Using blockchain to certify ethical trade and authentic representation of Black culture, he’s ensuring that creators—and the communities they come from—finally get credit and compensation for what they’ve built. Together, they unpack what it means to move beyond “representation” toward reclamation: of value, of narrative, and of power. This episode is the heartbeat of Season 3 - a masterclass in building legacy with integrity and turning ambition into infrastructure. Because ambition doesn’t need permission. It needs protection. KEY POINTS   - Why both founders chose social impact over traditional career paths - Lanny’s NBA dream, career-ending injury, and pivot to entrepreneurship - Tommy’s “moment of obligation” after Philando Castile’s death and vision for cultural equity - Actively Black: building the “Black Nike” through purpose, storytelling, and community reinvestment - Made with Black Culture: certifying Black cultural influence for ethical trade and economic power - The role of messaging vs. data in shifting consumer behavior and values - Why we must stop saying “support Black business” and start saying “value Black business” - Lessons learned in scaling fast, raising capital, and navigating bias in venture funding - The $15 trillion opportunity in commerce to transform communities by 2050 - Legacy: protecting Black culture, creating infrastructure, and proving global brand potential QUOTABLES  “Actively Black isn’t just apparel. The clothes are a uniform for the movement.” – Lanny Smith “This is a conversation we needed years ago and still desperately need today, because building Black brands isn’t just about representation - it’s about reclaiming the narrative, the revenue, and the right to own what we create.” – Felecia Hatcher “A person’s loyalty is directly proportionate to their level of feeling appreciated.” – Tommy Johnson “Brands have profited billions off Black culture while giving little back. It’s time we build our own table.” – Lanny Smith RESOURCES Lanny Smith  IG | @l.smith23 Actively Black  IG | @activelyblack Tommy Johnson  IG | @tommyljohnson Made with Black Culture IG | @tommyljohnson Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media
• We've Been The Culture. Now It's Time to Own It | So Ambitious Season 3 27.10.2025 2min

  This season, it’s about ownership. Because ambition doesn’t need permission. Welcome to Season 3 of So Ambitious - the award-winning podcast from Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This season, we’re amplifying the stories of founders who are building uninterrupted - from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs - all defying the odds and reimagining what’s possible for the next generation. Each conversation dives deep into the real journey behind ambition: the resilience, the risk, the purpose, and the community that makes it all possible. Because when Black and Hispanic founders thrive, the future does too. 🎧 Subscribe to the So Ambitious Podcast and join us in celebrating what it means to build boldly, create with intention, and lead with legacy. 🔗 Learn more: https://blackambitionprize.com 📱 Follow @blackambitionprize on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn #SoAmbitious #BlackAmbitionPrize #PharrellWilliams #FeleciaHatcher #BlackEntrepreneurs #HispanicEntrepreneurs #LegacyBuilders #Founders #Startups #Innovation #PurposeDrivenBusiness RESOURCES  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media