Brainstorm Black

Tika Cook: Black Women Bosses

Tika Cook is an expressive and infectious Austin-based photographer, actor consultant, and founder of Tika Creations. And, she is navigating the hills and valleys that people building a business inevitably encounter. But, Tika is Black in America. A nation where Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs. Yet, they struggle more than most to garner support. We discuss why that is, and take a deeper look at the lush life Tika is creating through her work, despite the unique set of challenges Black women bosses face.

Bottom Bracket Boys: Biking Through Black History

Austinites Ariel Marlowe and Brandon “BG” Grant long ago discovered the healing and unifying virtues of cycling. These charming chums are two of the three founding members of the Austin-based Bottom Bracket Boys cycling group, which gives riders of all races opportunities to learn Black Austin history, while making sure that Black riders are seen, embraced, protected, and fully supported.

Phyllis Everette: Ending Generational Poverty

[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d9963f25e57674edee4303/1689235277665-XJM1R3IA26VNDOXHM7XI/Char+and+Phyllis.png?format=1000w] Phyllis Everette was a young mother of three. And, her husband abused her. With her kids in tow, Phyllis mustered up the courage to flee. Many days were a struggle to survive. Today, Phyllis is the successful Founder and CEO of Saffron Trust Women's Foundation [https://www.saffrontrust.org/] which works to end generational poverty while helping mothers who are facing hard times not only survive, but thrive. Here, Phyllis tells us her story, and explains how she's helping women design their destiny. Total runtime: 44 minutes

KB Brookins: Black, Queer, Trans Poet

Austinite KB Brookins is a 2023 National Endowment of the Arts fellow and author of several books of poetry and prose. As a member of Austin's Black, queer, trans community, KB strives to empower those who may struggle with their individuality and the very traits which make them so uniquely, gorgeously human. What KB offers readers is so much more than literature. In today’s charged environment, it’s quite possibly a lifeline.