From the show
The Build Black Show is a weekly business and culture podcast focused on ownership, wealth creation, and building lasting legacies. Hosted by Coach Swan Simpson and featuring founders, creators, community leaders, and industry experts, each episode delivers real-world conversations about business growth, economic empowerment, media ownership, leadership, and the strategies needed to create generational impact.
From startup success stories and hard-earned business lessons to discussions on culture, innovation, and self-reliance, The Build Black Show highlights the people who are building businesses, creating opportunities, and shaping the future. Whether you're an entrepreneur, aspiring business owner, or someone committed to building something meaningful, you'll find practical insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies designed to help you own more, build more, and create lasting success.
Own Everything.
Episodes
Latest Episode
· 1h 8m
The Sisterhood Crisis Nobody Wants To Talk About Black women are among the most influential consumers, entrepreneurs, voters, and culture creators in America. So why does it sometimes feel like collaboration is harder than it should be? In this powerful episode of The Build Black Show, we tackle a difficult but necessary conversation about unity, support, leadership, and the relationships Black women have with one another. We discuss why some women feel unsupported, why competition often replaces collaboration, and how that impacts businesses, families, communities, and legacy building. More importantly, we focus on solutions. From entrepreneurship and networking to mentorship and community building, we explore practical ways Black women can leverage their collective power to create stronger businesses, stronger families, and stronger communities. We also discuss the role Black men have played in supporting the growth of Black On Demand TV and The Build Black Show and what true partnership looks like moving forward. This episode isn't about blame. It's about accountability, healing, ownership, and building something greater together. The conversation is honest. The solutions are actionable. The future is ours to build. #BuildBlackShow #BlackWomen #BlackExcellence #BlackBusiness #WomenInBusiness #BlackEntrepreneurs #CommunityBuilding #BlackWealth #Leadership #Sisterhood #EconomicEmpowerment #BlackCulture #BlackOwnership #LegacyBuilding #Podcast Support this podcast at —
More Episodes
· 41m
What happens when a man with a criminal past, prison time, and homelessness refuses to give up on himself?In Episode 9 of The Build Black Show, we sit down with Chef Andre Combs for one of the wildest and most inspiring comeback stories we’ve ever heard.Before becoming a successful restaurant owner and entrepreneur, Andre was connected to cartel life, got caught, went to prison, and eventually found himself homeless with no clear direction and very limited resources. But instead of folding under pressure, he used resourcefulness, discipline, and unconventional strategies — including leveraging Klarna during difficult times — to help rebuild his life and scale toward a million-dollar restaurant brand.This episode dives into:surviving prison and homelessnessrebuilding after losing everythingthe mindset shift from survival mode to business ownerusing creative financing and leverage to build a brandentrepreneurship, discipline, and second chancesrestaurant business lessonsturning pain into purposeovercoming setbacks and creating legacyThis is not a story about glorifying street life.It’s a story about transformation, accountability, resilience, and learning how to build something bigger than your past.If you’ve ever felt stuck, broke, overlooked, or counted out, this conversation will challenge the way you think about business, survival, and what’s possible when you refuse to quit.#BuildBlackShow #ChefAndreCombs #Entrepreneurship #Klarna #RestaurantOwner #MillionaireMindset #SuccessStory #BusinessPodcast #HomelessToMillionaire #PrisonToSuccess #BlackEntrepreneurship #Motivation #RestaurantBusiness #SecondChancesSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donations
· 56m
A cloud bob. A cloud bob. That's what a young white fashion industry insider decided to dub one of the most politically charged, culturally loaded, hard-won symbols in Black history — and Vogue ran with it like it was breaking news.In Episode 8 of Build Black Show, we're gathered around the fire pit having the real conversation: this isn't just about hair. This is about who controls the narrative, who profits from Black culture, and why ownership — of media, of beauty brands, of the stories we tell about ourselves — is not optional. It's survival.The afro doesn't need a rebrand. It doesn't need a new name. It doesn't need Vogue's validation. It needed us — and we built entire movements around it without their permission.We break down why letting mainstream fashion media define Black beauty on their terms is a slow leak in the foundation. We talk about what it looks like to build the infrastructure so that the next Tracee Ellis Ross moment doesn't just become a Twitter moment — it becomes a business decision.Own your media. Own your products. Own your story.Because the moment you let someone else name your crown, you've already handed them the throne.#theafroisnotacloudbob #blackpodcast #podcastrecommendations #blackexcellence #vogue #traceeellisross #blackentrepreneur #blackowned #blackvoices #culturalappropriationNew episodes every week. Build Black Show — by us, for us, about everything they keep trying to take.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donations
· 46m
In Episode 7 of The Build Black Show, we sit down with Leo Robinson and Samara Jules-Robinson — the husband-and-wife team behind Mentors for Fatherless Children & Abused Families.Leo opens up about growing up in the streets, living reckless, and nearly becoming another lost story. But everything changed when Samara entered his life and challenged him to become a better man, husband, and leader.Together, they turned pain into purpose by creating an organization dedicated to helping fatherless children, abused families, and underserved communities find guidance, healing, and hope.This episode dives into:Overcoming street life and destructive cyclesThe impact of strong women and strong partnershipsFatherhood, mentorship, and legacy buildingHealing trauma within families and communitiesWhy Black leadership and community support matter now more than everThis is more than a redemption story.It’s a blueprint for transformation, accountability, and rebuilding the village.If you care about Black family empowerment, mentorship, community healing, leadership, and generational impact — this episode is a must-listen.#BuildBlack #BlackPodcast #Fatherhood #Mentorship #CommunityLeadership #BlackFamilies #LegacyBuilding #Healing #Entrepreneurship #NonprofitLeadershipSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donations
· 26m
Are we watching history repeat itself?In Episode 6 of The Build Black Show, we uncover little-known Black history moments that directly connect to what’s happening today—especially around voting rights, systemic power shifts, and Black economic progress.With recent developments raising concerns about access, representation, and long-term impact, this episode dives into the patterns that continue to shape our reality.You’ll learn:Hidden Black history events rarely taught in schoolsThe connection between past voting rights struggles and current eventsHow systemic decisions impact Black wealth, ownership, and opportunityWhy understanding history is critical to protecting the futureIf you care about Black wealth, ownership, financial literacy, community empowerment, and legacy building, this episode is essential listening.This isn’t just history—it’s strategy.#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily #HustleCulture #SuccessMindsetSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donations
· 51m
In a time of political division and economic uncertainty, what must Black communities do to protect their wealth, history, and future?On Episode 5 of The Build Black Show, media personality and historical preservationist Renee Gilmore breaks down the urgent need for self-reliance, strategic coalition building, and economic unity.This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a blueprint for sustaining Black wealth and preserving legacy in a rapidly shifting America.“They’re rewriting history… are we prepared to protect our wealth?”Renee Gilmore reveals why self-reliance and economic unity are no longer optional—they’re survival strategies#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily #HustleCulture #SuccessMindset.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donations
· 41m
Antwan Nelson is making it a mandate for his inner circle to build black wealth. He is recreating a village that does what Atlanta tried to do and is now failing. Understanding how financial freedom goes beyong traditional networking, handing out business cards, over inflated egos, and wearing Brooks Brothers suits. Learn the blueprint for successfully creating and duplicating a black mecca economy in your city and around the world.#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily #HustleCulture #SuccessMindsetSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donations
· 43m
Jay Johnson joins us in the studio to talk about taking his barbering business to a different level. The founder of a 100% mobile barbershop custom built inside of a van. Keep that overhead low, the profits hight, and own everything! Learn how anyone can get started from wherever they are an never let adversity stop you from building black!#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily #HustleCulture #SuccessMindsetSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donations
· 34m
Part 1 Impromptu at Starbucks. Behind the Scenes of the building of Black On Demand TV with the 3 women who run the only black woman owned streaming network in the U.S. Why owning Black stories and narratives are important to our media perception.#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily #HustleCulture #SuccessMindsetSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donations
· 32m
Part 2 Imprmptu at Starbucks. How those who control the money don't value black owned media. Why ownership in media will help people of color control more of our stories, public perceptions, and narratives with the 3 women who run Black On Demand TV.#BuildBlackShow #BlackWealth #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackBusinessOwners#EntrepreneurPodcast #BusinessPodcast #StartupStories #MotivationDaily#HustleCulture #SuccessMindsetSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/build-black/donations